DEFENSE & REPAIR NODE:
refers to chronic inflammation, how different parts of the body influence the immune system, and the factors that lead to a breakdown in the normal role of the immune system.

Normally, the immune system defends the body against what it perceives as foreign or a threat. When there is imbalance the result can be an overly active immune system or the opposite, an immune system that is unable to overcome infection. The many faces of DEFENSE & REPAIR include chronic infections, the allergic response, food sensitivities and intolerances, and autoimmune disorders. An autoimmune disorder is a condition in which the immune system attacks part of your own body. It is estimated that up to 50 million Americans suffer from an autoimmune disease such as Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Myasthenia Gravis, and an equal number suffer from allergies each year. There are as many as 100 different autoimmune disorders with another 40 suspected of having an autoimmune basis, such as Multiple Sclerosis. Allergies are the 6th leading cause of illness in the U.S. Factors that influence the DEFENSE & REPAIR node include hormone imbalances, an inflammatory diet, infections, and exposure to substances unnatural to our environment such as chemicals or heavy metal toxins. In neurology autoimmunity is well-recognized to affect the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Several neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis have been associated with infectious exposures including Epstein Barr Virus, the Herpes virus family, and Lyme disease. Most recently Dr. Dale Bredesen has published on a variant of Alzheimer’s disease related to mold exposure.

NUTRIENTS

Nutrients that can be helpful when there are imbalances in DEFENSE & REPAIR include: the omega 3 fatty acids (ALA, DHA and EPA), alpha lipoic acid, N-acetyl cysteine, antioxidants, probiotics, and a variety of botanicals/phytonutrients. This group includes quercetin, curcumin, Ginger, Grape Seed Extract, Green Tea Extract, Devil’s Claw, and Boswellia. An anti-inflammatory diet is critical to addressing imbalances in DEFENSE & REPAIR. Undue stress or trauma often plays a critical role, as well.

ADVANCED TESTING

To further evaluate imbalances in DEFENSE & REPAIR the following tests may be helpful: food allergy and food sensitivity testing (Great Plains Laboratories, Cell Science Systems, Oxford Biomedical), gluten sensitivity testing and gluten-associated cross-reactive foods (Cyrex Array 3 and 4), Genova Diagnostics GI Effects 2200 (measuring secretory IgA, calprotectin, eosinophil protein X, dysbiosis, yeast, parasites), Lyme ELISA with Western Blot, virus antibody testing, mold and mycotoxins (if suspected). A high white blood cell count, high sensitivity CRP, ferritin, and the omega 6:3 ratio are also important.

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Understand The Seven “Nodes” on the Functional Medicine Matrix

Assimilation

Please click to learn about the Assimilation node of the Functional Medicine Matrix. Assimilation refers to digestion and absorption of nutrients in the gut, as well as the health, diversity, and balance of the microbes that inhabit the digestive tract.

Biotransformation

Please click to learn about the Biotransformation & Elimination node of the Functional Medicine Matrix.Biotransformation & Elimination refers to the way in which the body handles products of metabolism, toxic elements, drugs, and other chemicals, and eliminates waste through the urine, stool, and sweat.

Communication

Please click to learn about the Communication node of the Functional Medicine Matrix. Communication refers to hormones, neurotransmitters (the chemicals nerve cells use to communicate with one another), and inflammatory mediators called “cytokines.”

Defense & Repair

Please click to learn about the Defense & Repair node of the Functional Medicine Matrix.Defense & Repair refers to chronic inflammation, how different parts of the body influence the immune system, and the factors that lead to a breakdown in the normal role of the immune system.

Energy

Please click to learn about the Energy node of the Functional Medicine Matrix. Energy refers to the way that every cell in your body creates the fuel that it needs to carry out normal biological functions.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY & TRANSPORT

Please click to learn about the Structural Integrity & Transport nodes of the Functional Medicine Matrix. These refer to two critical and over-lapping functions in the systems that govern how the body works.

Read Neurologist Dr. Ken Sharlin’s Blog

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