Garth Nicolson: How to Repair Mitochondria with Lipid Replacement
The Quantified Body Episode 29 – https://thequantifiedbody.net/repair-mitochondria-lipid-replacement-garth-nicolson-phd/
This episode includes discussion on:
– Mitochondrial function decline is the underlying problem in many chronic diseases (6:43).
– Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell providing energy – like a battery – which fuels the cell’s function (7:43).
– Oxidative damage to the lipid membrane of the mitochondria is the most universal cause of damage (8:38).
– Damage to the lipid membrane harms the phospholipid molecules causing “leakiness” across the membrane (11:30).
– If you don’t produce enough energy in a cell, you lose the function of that cell (13:15).
– Damage to the energy process in a system can occur during aging, chronic illness, viral/bacterial infection, toxic exposure, etc. (13:55).
– Some patients have restored their endocrine systems by repairing their mitochondria in some way (15:53).
– Chronic fatigue illnesses (chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, etc.) are directly related to loss of mitochondrial function, which is mostly true for many other diseases as well, such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders (16:45).
– Much of the mitochondrial function decline occurs because of the natural aging process (18:46).
– For instance, improving the function of a 90 year old, fatigued patient greatly improves mental and physical functions for the patient (19:01).
– Repairing the mitochondrial function for patients who have any of these diseases is not a cure-all, however it is a step in the right direction and definitely supports the overall recovery for the patient (21:21).
– Dr. Nicolson discusses the importance of lipid replacement therapy (LRT) as a way to replace damaged membrane phospholipids to improve mitochondrial function (22:48).
– LRT also functions to detox and repair chemically damaged cells as the lipids delivered to the system can soak any chemicals out from the membranes and remove them from the body (27:11).
– Dr. Nicolson works with populations who have had particular exposures however everyone has been exposed to various chemicals throughout their lifetime (31:05).
– Using both LRT and infrared saunas can speed up the long, slow process of detoxification and recovery (32:47).
– LRT can reduce the symptoms of detoxification and recovery; for example LRT used in conjunction with chemotherapy for cancer patients helps the patient manage the side effects of the cancer treatments (34:50).
– Patients generally see improvement of symptoms between 10 days and 3 months after the start of LRT but when therapy is removed the mitochondrial function declines again and symptoms return (36:39).
– Mitochondrial function can be measured directly by testing the mitochondrial membranes in the white blood cells (38:38).
– LRT is becoming more popular especially with naturopathic doctors and individual people as you do not need a prescription to obtain these natural supplements (40:37).
– An increased dose of lipids is crucial for patients with severe chemical damage or mitochondrial damage so luckily no one has reported negative side effects yet as lipids are natural substances of the body anyways (44:37)!
– Cholesterol markers and homocysteine levels have been shown to improve when using LRT (45:48).
– LRT is proving to be effective as an anti-aging treatment, a therapy for various diseases processes, and as a co-treatment option for cancer patients to reduce negative side effects and fatigue related to traditional therapies (46:29).
– LRT works well at improving energy systems however dosages, etc. do have to be optimized to work with each person’s unique system (50:26).
– LRT is a lifelong solution and a long term treatment because we are constantly exposed to new toxins, infections, and traumas throughout our lives (52:17).
– The minimum supplement needed for LRT is NT factor lipids. (55:32).
Learn more about Damien Blenkinsopp here: https://twitter.com/biohacks
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