Stress and Bone Metabolism
BIOCHEMISTRY
Howard F. Loomis
Jr., DC
My intention in writing articles related to stress is to call to your attention that our profession has more to offer the American people than just relief from structural problems. This belief is based on the premise that stressed visceral organ dysfunctions cause involuntary muscle contractions in those muscles sharing neurological innervation. This basic science concept is beyond reproach since those relationships are established in the third week of embryonic life. I am referring to the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm germinal layers from which all the body’s organs and tissue originate.
Embryonic Development and Cell Differentiation
During the third week of fetal development, a transverse histological section of an embryo will show three distinct layers of germinal tissue—ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm—which give rise to all its’ tissues and organs. By the end of the third week (21 days), the mesodermal layer is dispersed into the other two layers and disappears. However, the neurological connections with the spinal cord and brain are set for life. The complexity of embryonic development cannot be listed here, but generally, it can be stated that:
• The mesoderm gives rise to blood, bone, cartilage, skeletal muscle, tendons and ligaments and has sensory receptors located throughout the musculoskeletal system.
• The ectoderm gives rise to both the central and peripheral nervous systems, the skin, and sensory organs.
• The endoderm gives rise to the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, liver, and thyroid.
Once the central nervous system has established its various receptors in the peripheral tissues, then signals from these receptors coalesce in the spinal cord and take one of three pathways up the cord to the brain and hypothalamus. The hypothalamus has two control mechanisms that initiate responses in the originating tissues: The fast-acting autonomic nervous system and the much slower response from the endocrine system. The responses are directed at maintaining homeostasis (normal functions) in the extracellular fluids.
It was established well over 100 years ago that, because of the embryological connections, involuntary muscle contractions always occur in the affected area(s).
Stress can be related to energy deficiency and energy deficiency in any stressed organ can result in any of the three symptomatic results:
• First, for chiropractors, is structural stress. The body must constantly use energy to oppose gravity and uses glycogen in the muscles for that purpose.
• Second is visceral stress. There is a constant need to maintain body temperature, acidalkaline balance, volume, and concentration of dissolved substances within very narrow limits in our extracellular fluids. Like opposing gravity, this requires a constant supply of energy.
The body stores glycogen in the liver to meet those demands. But when needed it will convert first cellular amino acids to glycogen in the liver, and then begin pulling stored fat to send to the liver for the same purpose.
• Third, there is a constant need for energy to maintain emotional and cognitive stability. We can refer to the brain as “a glucose hog” because it comes first on the body’s priority list.
Unfortunately, your patients believe stress is all mental and pharmaceutical houses are quick to offer tranquilizers, anti-depressants and muscle relaxers for symptomatic relief. But, none of those drugs bring needed energy to the body, nor do they identify the cause. In addition, they interfere with normal body functions. Long term use produces side effects which then require another medication.
The muscles do not have the metabolic capacity to share their glycogen with the brain or visceral organs. When they become energy deficient, you become aware of it very quickly. Obviously, if structure-related symptoms, joint misalignments, and loss of mobility are caused by involuntary muscle contractions related to visceral dysfunctions, they must be identified if we are to maintain health in ourselves and our patients.
The visceral organs, on the other hand, do have reserve sources of energy in cellular amino acids. But they are needed for growth and repair of the cells. Chronic stress will cause protein deficiency, which is commonplace among our patients. When that source is exhausted, the body turns to stored fat. This raises triglyceride and blood glucose levels. How many of those patients do you see?
Bone Metabolism
The skeletal system is an organ system whose role in maintaining homeostasis is not appreciated as well as it could be, yet it is critical to all chiropractors. Of course, the skeleton provides the shape and form for our bodies in addition to supporting, protecting, and allowing bodily movement, but some of its other functions may surprise you:
• First, understand that the key ingredient in bone is protein and notice how many of the functions mirror those of protein.
• Mineral storage - bones act as reserves of minerals important for the body, most notably calcium and phosphorus.
• Detoxification - bone tissues can also store heavy metals and other foreign elements, removing them from the blood and reducing their effects on other tissues.
• Acid-base balance - bone buffers the blood against excessive pH changes by absorbing or releasing alkaline salts.
• Growth Factor storage - there are several growth factors stored in bone, some insulin-like, that transform nutrients to induce the formation of new bone and cartilage.
• Fat storage - yellow bone marrow acts as a storage reserve of fatty acids.
• Endocrine functions:
s/ Bone controls phosphate metabolism by releasing a fibroblast growth factor that acts on the kidneys to reduce phosphate reabsorption.
s/ Bone cells release osteocalcin, a hormone that helps regulate blood glucose and fat deposition. Osteocalcin increases both insulin secretion and sensitivity, in addition to boosting the number of insulin-producing cells and reducing stores of fat.
In the months to come, I am going to write about how each individual visceral organ system becomes stressed, the nutrients it needs to maintain adequate energy to meet the demands placed on it, and the signs and symptoms it shows us when it becomes energy deficient.
Dr. Loomis has an extensive background in enzymes and enzyme supplements. He is the founder and president of the Food Enzyme InstituteTM. His extensive knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, and enzymology has made him a sought-after speaker and a prolific writer. The Food Enzyme Institute offers seminars to health care practitioners around the country. Dr. Loomis published ENZYMES: The Key to Health in 1999, as well as The Enzyme Advantage: For Healthcare Providers and People Who Care About Their Health, also with medical Journalist Arnold Mann, in 2015. Contact info: 478 Commerce Drive Suite 201, Madison, Wl 53719, [email protected], 800-662-2630.
