Is Low Blood Sugar Effecting Your Relationship?

This research study showed that low blood sugar was a predictor of aggressive behavior towards one's spouse.  This probably has to do with disinhibition of the limbic centers (raw emotional centers) when the prefrontal cortex (executive centers) decreases its function from lack of glucose.  Remember, 1/3 of the body's glucose goes to fuel the brain.  It makes sense that low glucose typically has neurological consequences.

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/04/09/1400619111.abstract

Yours in health, Dr. Chris Caffery
URL:  www.functionalneuro.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DrCaffery

Disclaimer:  The contents of this site are for educational purposes only.  Nothing here should be construed as medical advice.  Nothing here is a substitute for actual medical care.  Consult a qualified healthcare professional     

Poor Sleep in Kids

DHA is a long chain omega 3 fat found in things like grass fed beef, wild game, eggs, wild fish and algae.  A recent study showed that lower blood levels of DHA was associated with poorer sleep in kids.  The kids were then supplemented with 600 mg/day of DHA (a fairly low dose) which led to fewer wake episodes and about an hour of extra sleep/night.

http://www.beautiful-minds.com/research/dolab-study

Yours in health, Dr. Chris Caffery
URL:  www.functionalneuro.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DrCaffery

Disclaimer:  The contents of this site are for educational purposes only.  Nothing here should be construed as medical advice.  Nothing here is a substitute for actual medical care.  Consult a qualified healthcare professional     

Principle #6 for Good Glycemic Control

Principle #1 Carbohydrate tolerance
Principle #2 Exercise
Principle #3 Cortisol
Principle #4 Food Quantity
Principle #5 Reproductive hormones

Principle #6 Inflammation

Inflammation is a common theme in virtually all disease processes. Many individuals can recognize the signs of more severe local inflammation like redness, swelling, heat, and pain, but many individuals have unrecognized chronic systemic inflammation.  Some symptoms of systemic inflammation include depression, brain fog, pain, fatigue, and malaise.  While systemic inflammation can give these symptoms, in some individuals it is without symptoms.  Chronic systemic inflammatory responses drive the development of blood sugar disruptions (insulin resistance).  Insulin resistance then promotes further inflammation creating a vicious cycle.  

    

Yours in health, Dr. Chris Caffery
URL:  www.functionalneuro.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DrCaffery

Disclaimer:  The contents of this site are for educational purposes only.  Nothing here should be construed as medical advice.  Nothing here is a substitute for actual medical care.  Consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Leaky Gut in the Pathophysiology of Depression

“There is now evidence that major depression (MDD) is accompanied by an activation of the inflammatory response system (IRS) and that pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipopolysacharide (LPS) may induce depressive symptoms.”

“The results show that intestinal mucosal dysfunction characterized by an increased translocation of gram-negative bacteria (leaky gut) plays a role in the inflammatory pathophysiology of depression. It is suggested that the increased LPS translocation may mount an immune response and thus IRS activation in some patients with MDD and may induce specific sickness behaviour symptoms. It is suggested that patients with MDD should be checked for leaky gut by means of the IgM and IgA panel used in the present study and accordingly should be treated for leaky gut.”

Neuroendocrinol Lett 2008; 29(1):117–124

Yours in health, Dr. Chris Caffery
URL:  www.functionalneuro.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DrCaffery

Disclaimer:  The contents of this site are for educational purposes only.  Nothing here should be construed as medical advice.  Nothing here is a substitute for actual medical care.  Consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Principle #5 for Good Glycemic Control

Principle #1 Carbohydrate tolerance
Principle #2 Exercise
Principle #3 Cortisol
Principle #4 Food Quantity
Principle #5 Reproductive hormones

Blood sugar disruptions like in the case of low blood sugar (shaky, lightheaded, irritable, waking in night, nausea, fatigue), or high blood sugar (fatigue, sweet cravings, carbohydrate cravings) are often both caused by insulin resistance.  Insulin resistance is due to an excess of insulin over time creating "resistance" to the tissues.  

Excess insulin can upregulate an enzyme in males called aromatase or an enzyme in females called 17,20 lyase.  This can, and often does cause increased production of the opposite sex hormones.  For instance, increased estrogen in males, and increased testosterone in females.  Some signs and symptoms of increased estrogen in males might include fat deposition in breasts and/or hips, increased emotionality, decreased morning errections, decreased libido, fatigue, poor concentration, depression, decreased physical stamina, and soreness.  In females, increased testosterone can cause hair loss, facial hair growth, acne, ovarian cysts, and generally mimic hypothyroid symptoms.  High estrogen in males, and high testosterone in females both further promote insulin resistance and blood sugar imbalances.   
    

Yours in health, Dr. Chris Caffery
URL:  www.functionalneuro.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DrCaffery

Disclaimer:  The contents of this site are for educational purposes only.  Nothing here should be construed as medical advice.  Nothing here is a substitute for actual medical care.  Consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Principle #4 for Good Glycemic Control

Principle #1 Carbohydrate tolerance
Principle #2 Exercise
Principle #3 Cortisol
Principle #4 Food Quantity

Quality of food is most important, but quantity of food cannot be completely overlooked.  If you eat below your carbohydrate tolerance (see principle #1), but over consume calories then it can still disrupt blood sugar.  Stay tuned for three more balancing blood sugar principles.

Yours in health, Dr. Chris Caffery
URL:  www.functionalneuro.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DrCaffery

Disclaimer:  The contents of this site are for educational purposes only.  Nothing here should be construed as medical advice.  Nothing here is a substitute for actual medical care.  Consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Principle #3 for Good Glycemic Control

Principle #1 Carbohydrate tolerance

Principle #2 Exercise

Principle #3 Cortisol

Cortisol is a stress hormone.  It is known as a glucocorticoid.  As the name suggests, it has something to do with glucose (blood sugar). One of the primary functions of cortisol is to mobilize blood sugar, or increase blood sugars levels.  When you have a stress response it can result in an elevation in cortisol which can in turn increase blood sugar levels.  Cortisol can increase the rate of glucose production by as much as 6-10 times.  This can result in elevations in blood sugar. On the other hand if cortisol output is low (like in adrenal disease, or stress exhaustion states) it can promote a tendency towards low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).  Some early signs of high cortisol can be difficulty falling asleep and post meal fatigue.  While some of the most common low cortisol symptoms are fatigue (often accentuated in morning and afternoon), and waking in the night. Stay tuned for four more balancing blood sugar principles.    

Yours in health, Dr. Chris Caffery
URL:  www.functionalneuro.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DrCaffery

Disclaimer:  The contents of this site are for educational purposes only.  Nothing here should be construed as medical advice.  Nothing here is a substitute for actual medical care.  Consult a qualified healthcare professional.