I am often confronted with the question about the origin of neck pain. A patient might say to me, “I had no injury or accident..."
Imbalance of the DHEA hormone could be affecting how you respond to stress.
We use Labrix Clinical Services Inc. who is dedicated to providing the most accurate and physiologically relevant hormone testing available. In keeping with our dedication to accuracy we have chosen to measure DHEA rather than DHEAS in saliva. We are aware that many laboratories choose to measure DHEAS in spite of the overwhelming evidence that points to DHEA being the only form of DHEA accurately measured in saliva and additionally more clinically relevant.
DHEA exists in two forms – free DHEA (DHEA) and sulphated DHEA (DHEAS). DHEAS is the inactive stored reservoir form of DHEA. DHEAS levels do not reflect biologically active DHEA levels. It must be desulfated by the enzyme DHEA sulfotransferase (SULT2A1) in order to be active.
Since DHEA is the biologically active form of the hormone, it is the only form which can be converted into androgens and estrogen and only DHEA (not DHEAS) is protective for the brain. The active form of DHEA is produced in the adrenal glands and its free levels in the body can be measured accurately in the saliva. Measuring salivary levels of DHEA is a precise evaluation of the circadian secretions of this hormone by the adrenal cortex.
Salivary DHEA reflects the unbound, biologically active fraction of the hormone in the general circulation and shows excellent correlation with free plasma levels of DHEA. DHEA (like other steroid hormones) is a non-polar molecule. Non-polar molecules are transported very easily through the salivary gland and their concentration in saliva matches that of the free circulating levels in the body. DHEAS on the other hand is a polar molecule. Its concentration in saliva is not a reflection of its concentration in the body.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant hormone in the body. It is primarily produced in the zona reticularis of the adrenal cortex and small amounts of DHEA are produced in the brain. DHEA serves as a metabolic intermediate (prohormone) in the pathway for synthesis of testosterone, androstendione, estrone, and estradiol. All the enzymes required to transform DHEA into androgens and/or estrogens are expressed in a cell-specific manner in a large series of peripheral target tissues (breast, prostate, skin, bone etc.), thus permitting all androgen-sensitive and estrogen-sensitive tissues to make sex steroids locally and control the intracellular levels according to their local needs.
DHEA also serves a very important role in the stress response (hence its formation is triggered by ACTH, the same chemical messenger that triggers cortisol formation). DHEA has been shown to elevate mood,calm emotions and increase alertness – all essential qualities for responding well to stress. Additionally, DHEA’s affect on mood helps us cope more evenly with the stress and also helps improve memory.
DHEA and DHEAS
Health Disclaimer: All information given about health conditions, treatments, products and dosages are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This is provided only as a suggested guideline.
labrix.com | P: 877-656-9596 | F: 503-656-9756
DHEA and DHEAS levels do not correlate well in pathological conditions i.e. high DHEA levels do not necessarily lead to high DHEAS levels. It appears that the enzyme that converts DHEA to DHEAS (SULT2A1) is often impaired during ill health. This leads to a reduction in DHEAS levels and a marked increase in DHEA levels.
This again underscores the necessity of testing DHEA not DHEAS when evaluating patient and especially for those who are chronically ill.
Reference List
1. Clinical correlates of DHEA associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. Yehuda R, Brand SR, Golier JA, Yang RK, Acta Psychiatr Scan. Sep 2006;114(3):187-93.
2. Helpful diagnostic markers of steroidogenesis for
defining hyperandrogenemia in hirsute women. Willenberg HS, Bahlo M, Schott M, Wertenbruch T, Feldkamp J, Scherbaum WA. Steroids. 2008 Jan;73(1):41-6.
3. No evidence for hepatic conversion of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate fo DHEA – in vivo and in vitro studies. Hammer F, Subtil S, Lux P, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005;Mar 8
4. Hormones in Saliva. Vining RF and McGinley RA. Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences. (1986)
23(2):95-146.
5. Is dehydroepiandrosterone a hormone? Labrie F, Luu-The V, Belanger A, Lin SX, Simard J, Pelletier F, Labrie C. J Endocrinol. 2005 Nov;187(2):169-96.
6. Functions and mechanisms of dehydroepiandrosterone in nervous system. Xie L, Sun HY, Gao J. Liao H.. Shen Li Ke XueJin Zhan. 2006 Oct;37(4):335-8.
7. Suppression of DHEA sulfotransferase (Sult2A1) during the acute-phase response. Kim MS, Shigenaga J, Moser A, Grunfeld C, Feingold KR. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Oct:287(4):E731-8.
8. Beyond the ovary: steroids and PCOS. Wiebke Arlt.
The Endocrinologist. Issue 77. Autumn 2005.
Hormone Deficiency that influence Pain - We offer Saliva Testing
Why is Saliva Testing a Better Option for Hormone Deficiency or Imbalance?
Saliva testing is proving to be the most reliable medium for measuring hormone levels. Hormone levels in saliva accurately represent the amount of hormone delivered to receptors in the body, unlike serum which represents hormone levels that may or may not be delivered to receptors of the body.
Clinically, it is far more relevant to test the amount of hormones delivered to the tissue receptors as this is a reflection of the active hormone levels of the body.
The majority of hormones in the blood exist in one of two forms: free (5%) or protein bound (95%). While
95% of the hormones in the body are protein bound; it is only the 5% free hormones that are biologically active. Saliva measures the free, bioavailable hormone levels in the body, while serum measures only the protein bound non-bioavailable hormone levels. Therefore, serum is a much less accurate measurement than that of saliva when assessing functional hormone levels.
Saliva Measures the “Unbound” Biologically
Active or Free Hormone Levels in the Body:
When blood is filtered through the salivary glands, the bound hormone components are too large to pass through the cell membranes of the salivary glands. Only the unbound hormones pass through and into the saliva. What is measured in the saliva is considered the “free”, or bioavailable hormone, that which will be delivered to the receptors in the tissues of the body.
Serum Measures the “Protein Bound”
Biologically Inactive Hormone Levels in the
Body:
In order for steroid hormones to be detected in serum, they must be bound to circulating proteins. In this bound state, they are unable to fit into receptors in the body, and therefore will not be delivered to tissues. They are considered inactive, or non-bioavailable.
Only Saliva Testing Measures Topically Dosed
Hormones:
The discrepancy between free and protein bound hormones becomes especially important when monitoring topical, or transdermal, hormone therapy.
Studies show that this method of delivery results in increased tissue hormone levels (thus measurable in saliva), but no parallel increase in serum levels.
Therefore, serum testing cannot be used to monitor topical hormone therapy.
Health Disclaimer: All information given about health conditions, treatments, products and dosages are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This is provided only as a suggested guideline.
Essential Fatty Acids for the Human Body
In my search for the ultimate Omega 3 supplementation and recommendations I can make to my patients, I am always on a quest to improve my knowledge. While Essential Fatty Acids are known as necessary for our bodies to function, many consider this among other vitamins and minerals “the doctor always talk about but don’s really pertain to me”. Here is the deal: We must ingest them or our body will function poorly if any at all. So many of the processes taking place in our body rely on the supply of high quality essential fatty acids, we really can’t continue to starve it, or supply it with poorly made or rancid oils.
Essential need for fatty acids
Only two fatty acids are known to be essential for humans: alpha linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) and linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid).[2][3]
Here are a few important facts about the viability of these supplements. Additionally you want to consider the condition of the oceans from which these are harvested. Are they imported from Japan where the 5 nuclear reactors have leaked and contaminated the Pacific Ocean? Are they safe?
Radioactivity in the Ocean:
Diluted, But Far from Harmless
With contaminated water from Japan’s crippled Fukushima nuclear complex continuing to pour into the Pacific, scientists are concerned about how that radioactivity might affect marine life. Although the ocean’s capacity to dilute radiation is huge, signs are that nuclear isotopes are already moving up the local food chain.
by elizabeth grossman
I find a safer way to supply the body these essential fats. Here are some examples of EFAs’ from plants, or harvested and purified at the labs of a high quality live foods company such as SP.
Sesame seed oil, Soybean lecithin, Tuna Omega 3 oil, Black Currant seed oil, Calamari Omega-3 liquid.
Call today and ask for a consultation or Nutritional testing proven every time to uncover the weak organs and suggest the proper support made of live foods.
Dr. Tali Pariser
404-610-1090
Systemic Inflammation – do you have it? Easy solution
I often hear from my patients that they struggle with weight loss issues, aches and pains, general fatigue and more.
Have you tried numerous methods to lose weight but they failed?
Do you often feel fatigued for no apparent reason?
Do you often get sick or feel under the weather?
Systemic Inflammation can be the problem. It may cause many ailments and prevent the process of natural healing in your body if not treated properly.
The University of Maryland Medical Center published research about natural supplements to aid in prevention and correction of systemic inflammatory response.
Great supplement for reduction of Systemic Inflammatory Response
Bromelain: digestive, Osteoarthritis and bone support
Bromelain is an extract derived from the stems of pineapples, although it exists in all parts of the fresh plant and fruit, which has many uses. It is thought to have anti-inflammatory effects. Bromelain also contains chemicals that might interfere with the growth of tumor but there is no peer review research showing efficacy for it.
The US National Institute of Health rates bromelain as only possibly effective against osteoarthritis, but only when taken in combination with trypsin and rutin (Phlogenzym).[1] The same institute has stated that it is possibly ineffective for preventing post-exercise muscle fatigue.
University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/bromelain
Overview
Bromelain is a mixture of enzymes that digest protein (proteolytic) that are found in pineapples (Ananas comosus). Pineapple has been used for centuries in Central and South America to treat indigestion and reduce inflammation. Bromelain, which is derived from the stem and juice of the pineapple, was first isolated from the pineapple plant in the late 1800s. The German Commission E approved bromelain to treat swelling and inflammation after surgery, particularly sinus surgery.
Bromelain can be used to treat a number of conditions, but it is particularly effective in reducing inflammation from infection and injuries.
Source: Bromelain | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/bromelain#ixzz2yZp4IXWy
Do Chiropractors Treat Back Pain?
Do Chiropractors treat back pain? Many of our patients come to us to solve all their problems with back pain, neck pain or pain after car accidents. Although we find chiropractic care helpful for these problems, we have a larger goal. Our purpose is to remove the interference to the nervous system and restore as close to perfect as possible the nervous system flow so the body can heal itself.
Dr. Tali Pariser BS DC
The following article from New Hampshire Magazine explains what our work as Doctors of Chiropractic focus on.
New Hampshire Magazine Features Chiropractic
In the March 2014 issue of New Hampshire Magazine is an article with the title, “Chiropractic Care for Back Pain – Chiropractors treat back pain and a whole lot more.” The article, by Karen A. Jamrog, notes that although chiropractors are known in the public for seeing patients with musculoskeletal issues such as back problems, chiropractic has much more to offer.
The author interviewed several chiropractors in New Hampshire, one of whom explained chiropractic’s wide reach by saying, “We treat the spine, but not just for low-back pain. [Chiropractors] treat the spine, and the spine houses the nervous system. The nervous system makes absolutely everything in your body work. When we adjust somebody, all kinds of symptoms change and often get better.”
Article author Jamrog explains how chiropractic can affect the entire body when she says, “Chiropractic is based on the premise that spinal misalignments, or subluxations, create interference within the body’s communication system and hamper the body’s innate ability to heal itself. The idea is that the body cannot perform optimally when subluxations exist, because the misalignments obstruct the flow of information between your brain and the rest of your body.”
The article notes that physical, chemical, or psychological stressors, such as toxins and trauma can create subluxations. Subluxations then cause the body to function at less than its innate potential which can result in a variety of health issues.
In explaining how children with ear infections can be helped when subluxations are corrected with chiropractic adjustments, one of the NH chiropractors in the article explains, “When those are cleared, the body does exactly what it knows how to do, which is to heal itself. With that interference, those subluxations, the body isn’t as efficient in clearing out those problems.”
Dr. Michael McLean, president of the International Chiropractors Association explains. “One of the misconceptions about chiropractic that has caused confusion in the past is the concept that chiropractors treat all these illnesses. We do not. We do not even really treat back pain. What we do is to remove interference to the nervous system, allowing the patient’s own body to address their health issues.” McLean continued, “With a properly functioning nervous system, there is almost no limit to what the body is capable of doing. This is how people with such a wide variety of health problems can be helped by chiropractic care.”
What causes Hands and Feet numbness?
Do you or did you ever experience hands or feet/toes numbness? You may have experienced hand or feet numbness while lying in bed, sleeping, or working long hours at the computer.
This common phenomenon can occur from an injury to a nerve in one or more areas. This nerve injury may be caused by a trapped nerve in the neck region, shoulder area, elbow or down at the wrist. Neck injury may cause the tingling in the arms and hands while low back injury can bring about the same symptoms in the legs feet and toes.
Injuries to nerves can be caused by a herniated disc, a misaligned bone in the spine or pressure on a peripheral nerve from scar tissue, a more complex issue such as a tumor or pressure from a blood vessel. Pressure on a delicate nerve causes an injury to that nerve, if not treated it generally leads to nerve death.
As a Chiropractor specializing in rehabilitation of the spine and posture, I am trained extensively in assessing and correcting the faulty posture that causes the interference to the spine and body. Chiropractic and Physical Therapy rehabilitation use passive and active therapies which consist of full body chiropractic adjustment as well as corrective therapies and exercises to remove the interference to the nerves and allow the body to heal itself.
At Radiant Health Chiropractic of Smyrna, our mission is to restore function by strengthening the musculoskeletal system using core exercises and therapeutic modalities to facilitate healing that will prevent recurring problems.