September 2011

Improving Balance In Elderly Through Alpha-GPC and Exercise

by Adin on September 27, 2011


Nutrition / Weight loss, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Mountain ViewFor those 65 years of age and older, equilibrium reflexes tend to decline. increasing the risk of a fall.  For those of you in that age bracket, what can you do to improve your balance and equilibrium?  There are a couple of strategies you can implement:

  1. Posture Corrective Exercise
  2. Alpha-GPC

1.   Posture is a strong influential factor for maintaining good balance.  Strength and flexibility imbalances need to be identified by an exercise professional so a program can be designed to improve, or at least maintain, your current balance performance.  If postural imbalance and muscle weakness exist, your center of gravity can change in a dysfunctional way when walking, standing, descending/climbing stairs, or getting in and out of chairs and beds.  When posture is improved, the risk of a fall is greatly reduced.

General muscle weakness is also a risk factor amongst the elderly population.  While descending stairs it is not uncommon for the muscles in the legs to “give out”, causing a fall.  This can all be prevented through a well designed strength and conditioning program.

2.  Alpha-GPC (choline alfoscerate) is an abundant nutrient found in the brain and is a precursor to acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter playing a powerful role in memory and cognition).  The majority of research on Alpha-GPC and acetylcholine relates to the prevention/treatment of alzheimers.  However, more recently Alpha-GPC has shown to play a role in improving equilibrium through optimal inner ear function.

In a longitudinal study performed at the tertiary referral centre of Audiology and Vestibology of the University Hospital of Modena, Italy, 1998-2008 found that those who supplemented Alpha-GPC supplements in conjunction with exercise showed significant improvements in balance/equilibrium over the group whom only exercised.

I believe in a comprehensive approach to improving balance as we age, however at some point, balance becomes more of an equilibrium problem and less of a mechanical one.  In knowing that fact, supplementation of alpha-gpc is of utmost importance in people over the age of 65.  In our comprehensive personal training clinic, Alpha-GPC is a key supplemental therapy used in conjunction with a properly designed exercise program for our seniors.

The above being said, at age 34, I take 1200mg of Alpha-GPC daily and find that it helps improve clarity of thought and focus. I have had several clients, executives under tremendous amounts of mental stress, who also find that Alpha-GPC helps them increase focus and decrease the amount the amount of caffeine in their diets.

Sources:

PubMed:  Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2010 Feb;30(1):11-9.

Wikipedia:  Alpha-GPC

Image:

Courtesy of GE Healthcare

Located on 744 San Antonio Rd. Suite 2 Palo Alto, CA 94303

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Yet Another Case Study of Adrenal Fatigue

by Adin on September 19, 2011

Adrenal Fatigue Treatment, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Mountain ViewIt is all too often that I find my clients burning the candle at both ends, pushing themselves into adrenal fatigue.  The three most important questions to ask yourself if you think you may have adrenal fatigue are:

  1. How do I test for it?
  2. If I have adrenal fatigue, what can I do to correct it?
  3. Do I need a practitioner to analyze my condition and set up a plan of action?

1.  Adrenal Testing

ATCH Test

There are a couple of laboratory tests that can be run specifically for the adrenal glands which measure the amount of cortisol the body is producing.  A blood test called the cortisol stimulation test (ATCH test) will tell you if you have Addisons Disease or Cushings Syndrome.  If your symptoms are more severe, it will give you piece of mind in ruling out any medical diseases.

If you are under the care of a traditional medical doctor, the ATCH test alongside a basic blood panel will most likely be where the line is drawn with regards to looking at the adrenals.  If all of your medical tests show normal conditions, it is common that your doctor write up a script for an antidepressant drug of some kind and send you on your way.  The term “adrenal fatigue” is not currently accepted in the American medical community, so it is therefore not treated.

Adrenal Stress Index Test / Saliva 4X

A better way to measure if your body is producing appropriate amounts of cortisol throughout the day is to perform an ASI (adrenal stress index) test.  The human body should produce most of its cortisol in the morning hours between 6-8am, followed by a spike between 11am-1pm, a moderate peak between 4pm and 6pm and gradually decline to its lowest level between 11pm and 1am.

The image below illustrates a picture of a recent saliva test from a client of ours who has been experiencing common symptoms of adrenal fatigue:

1.  Trouble waking up in the morning

2.  Brain fog

3.  Anxiety

4.  Tachycardia/Heart palpitations

5.  Feelings of exhaustion

Adrenal Fatigue Treatment, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Atherton

From this chart you can see that the client does not have enough cortisol throughout most of the day.  When you don’t have enough cortisol, adrenaline increases due to the fact that cortisol backs off adrenaline production.  What are the most prominent symptoms of this client?

  • Feelings of alternating anxiety and fatigue.

2. A look at some optional adrenal recovery protocols (please note that adrenal supportive protocols for individuals should be custom made by an expert practitioner in adrenal fatigue)

I had been working with this client for a while, was aware of his patterns and knew it was time to run the adrenal test.   Luckily for him, we caught this issue in time before it impacted his work and personal life.  He is now on a custom adrenal recovery protocol involving an electrolyte blend and supplements including, liquorice, magnesium, vitamin c and tryptic hydrolsate.  Additionally, lifestyle factors have been modified by:

  1. Eliminating coffee and any source of caffeine  (adrenals, when low, do not like caffeine)
  2. Elimination of alcohol  (alcohol is hard on the adrenals)
  3. Increasing fat consumption (cholesterol is the building block of all hormones)
  4. Increasing protein consumption (increasing the volume of meats in the diet will increase activation in the parasympathetic system)
  5. Avoiding grains   (decreasing grains will improve blood sugar modulation, in turn decreasing the load on the adrenals)
  6. Going to bed no later than 10:00pm for most people   (physical restorative sleep occurs to a greater degree before 2am)
  7. Encouraging an increase in sexual activity  (oxytocin increase can help neuromodulation which helps balance the brain/body)

Additional tests were ordered for a more comprehensive blood panel adding on more hormones, vitamins and minerals.  A urine organic acids test is also being ordered to gain an even fuller picture of the clients health.  BioSignature was also added to the tests and is helping with targeted nutrition and supplementation.  Having a comprehensive picture is of the utmost importance when dealing with adrenal exhaustion/adrenal fatigue.

3.  Do I need a practitioner to oversee my condition and set up a plan of action?

If your tests turn out normal yet you still feel fatigued and or anxious after ruling out other medical issues with your health care professional -we recommend you see an expert in adrenal fatigue.  The traditional medical community does not treat adrenal fatigue, so you’ll have to seek out someone who does.

One week into the protocol, the client is happy to report:

“I felt the electrolytes healped immediately in terms of my level of fatigue decreasing.  Secondly, the magnesium at night helped me get to sleep and stay asleep so that I can recover better.  Also, I am much calmer as I can take tryptic hydrolsate a couple times per day which helps combat my anxiety. Vitamin C and the liquorice I think will help in the long run.”

“I know as my system improves and I get better the protocols will change and am looking forward to progressing, but am amazed at what can happen in as little as 5 days.  Lastly I am looking forward to the more comprehensive lab results that have been ordered.”

Below is a sitemap of previously related articles on adrenal fatigue:

http://siliconvalleyfit.com/excess-or-deficient-cortisol/

http://siliconvalleyfit.com/protocols-for-low-cortisol-and-adrenal-exhaustion/

http://siliconvalleyfit.com/protocols-for-low-cortisol-and-adrenal-exhaustion-stage-2-and-3/

http://siliconvalleyfit.com/how-to-test-your-cortisol-levels/

Located on 744 San Antonio Rd. Suite 2 Palo Alto, CA 94303

Premier Personal Training: Expert Personal Trainers serving Palo Alto,Los Altos, Mountain View, Menlo Park, Atherton & vicinity.

Weight Loss, Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Fitness Services, Lab Testing and BioSignature available.

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