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8 Causes of Disease by Dr. Gordon Pedersen
Preventing Disease: Healthy Means Happy
One of the biggest problems with today's traditional health care system is that
it often seeks only to treat the symptoms of disease, not the cause of origin of
it. For instance, one of the symptoms of arthritis is pain. Some of the most
commonly prescribed medications used to "treat" arthritis are pain-killers.
While they may help take away the pain, they certainly don't take away the
arthritis itself, and as soon as the effects of the drug wear off, the pain is
still there. It's a backward, short-sighted system.
The 8 Causes: A Closer Look
The following factors are the top contributors to disease - that is, a state of
conditional abnormal health.
1. Deficiencies
2. Stress
3. Contagions
4. Injuries
5. Immune Dysfunction
6. Genetics / Age
7. Abnormal Metabolism
8. Toxins / Free radicals
 It's important to remember that each cause promotes a specific health risk, and
the more causes you suffer from, the higher your risk of disease. In face, your
risk can increase exponentially in some cases. On the other hand, your risk of
serious disease significantly decreases as you address each individual cause.
And as you prevent multiple causes, your body's ability to prevent disease
improves dramatically.
Deficiencies
Nutrient Deficiency/Malnutrition: The USDA reports that approximately 92% of
Americans do not receive sufficient nutrients in their diet. The accumulative
effects of various minor deficiencies are deadly. Mounting scientific research
shows that the risk of "lifestyle" diseases like diabetes, gout, arthritis,
heart disease, IBS and stroke are substantially reduced through proper diet.
Water Deficiency/Dehydration: If the body doesn't have sufficient water to
fulfill all it's biochemical needs, all kinds of problems can result. These
include headache, confusion, fatigue, constipation, shakiness, tremors,
irregular heart beat, swelling, depression, coma, low blood pressure, and immune
disorders.
Sleep Deficiency: Scientists tell us that a growing number of health
problems are linked to low-quality, low-quantity sleep, including immune
dysfunction, digestive problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity,
depression, heart attack, and stroke.
Exercise Deficiency: After diet, exercise is probably the one factor that
most affects our health. Research shows that as little as 20 minutes of exercise
three times a week can have significant benefits.
Contagions
When most people hear the word "contagious," they usually think of a nasty cold,
case of flu or sexually transmitted disease. And they're right on - these
diseases are caused by contagions, or pathogens such as bacteria, viruses,
parasites or fungi that can be passed from person to person through the air,
water, food and even pets.
The scary thing is that some of today's most dangerous pathogens are now
resistant to the drugs created to destroy them, most notably antibiotics. An
example of this is MRSA, a form of staph that is now resistant to most common
antibiotics and which is one of the leading causes of hospital-caused infections
in the United States.
Immune Dysfunction
As we are constantly exposed to environmental toxins, vaccinations or
prescription drugs, our immune system responds by mobilizing and activating
immune cells. These include memory cells that keep a permanent record of all
responses. If the body is repeatedly exposed to the same allergen or disease or
prescription, an abnormal immune response may develop, including autoimmune
diseases like fibromyalgia, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, chronic
inflammation and asthma.
Abnormal Metabolism
Metabolism refers to various processes within the body that convert food and
other substances into energy and other byproducts used by the body. It is a
necessary function that allows our bodies to use food and other resources to
maintain the working parts, repair damage, heal injury and rid the body of
toxins. In other words, metabolism is a vital bodily process, without which we
would die. Abnormal metabolism can adversely affect hormone levels, which leads
to a variety of problems including digestive disorders, blood sugar problems,
weight gain, low energy, premature aging, etc.
Stress
Emotional (and the interlinked physical) stress is often underestimated when it
comes to disease. While most people recognize that stress is generally
unhealthy, they fail to recognize its very real effects in their lives. For
instance, research has linked chronic stress to poor immune function, heart
disease, mental decline, weight gain, increased risk of cancer, arthritis, sleep
problems, depression and diabetes, among other things.
Injuries
Often overlooked in the formation of disease is injury. Physical trauma, whether
in the form of broken bones, sprains, bruises, arthritis, brain injuries, or
chronic inflammation, can result from a high-risk activity, overuse of a muscle
or joint, neglect or even a sedentary lifestyle. Injuries can cause added stress
to the body, and if not properly treated, injuries can develop into diseases.
these diseases can affect various parts of the body, including the muscles,
bones, nerves and the brain.
Genetics/Age
For a long time, both the scientific community and general public attributed
disease simply to genetics. but research has revealed that, more often than not,
this is not the case. instead, we may have a genetic disposition for a certain
disease, but the genes that control that disease are only "activated" by other
unhealthy factors, such as poor diet, prolonged exposure to toxins, and lace of
exercise.
Toxins/Free Radicals
Toxins are any substance or agent that causes an abnormal reaction in the body.
Common types of toxins include chemicals, cleaning agents, industrial compounds
and waste, byproducts of burning and other processing, pollutants, mold, and
radiation, among many others. What's alarming is that these toxins can be found
in our food, water, air and soil. That's right - we're virtually surrounded by
toxins.
Even more alarming is that an estimated 85% of all debilitating diseases are
closely associated with toxin-related causes from the environment. We know that
toxins (and their resulting free radicals) contribute to cancer, heart disease,
diabetes, stroke, mental disease, gastrointestinal dysfunction, arthritis,
allergies, nerve damage, eye damage, and skin problems (that's certainly not the
entire list).
Addressing the Causes: 3 Solutions
After having reviewed the principal causes of today's top disease, you may be
wondering, "Can I do anything?" It's a great question, and fortunately, it's one
that can be answered with a resounding "yes!" The following are a trio of
today's top nutrient classes that can help you reduce your risk of disease and
enjoy an enhanced level of well-being.
The Omega-3 Connection
You've probably heard something about the health benefits of omega-3 fats, or
essential fatty acids. And while some of this advice may sound contradictory
since fats are largely considered to be "bad" for you, what you've heard is
largely true.
The truth is that only certain kinds of fats are bad for the human body, and
that some types of fats - especially omega-3's and other EFA's - are beneficial
to the body.
The three most important omega-3 fats are alphalinolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). To optimally perform the important
functions of the cell, the cell membrane must maintain its integrity and
fluidity. Cells without a healthy membrane - largely comprised of essential fats
such as omega-3s - lose their ability to hold water and vital nutrients. They
also lose their ability to communicate with other cells, which researchers
believe is a key event that leads to cancer.
In addition, recent research suggests when omega-3 fatty acids are incorporated
into cell membranes they may help to protect against cancer, notably of the
breast. Research also indicates that omega-3s protect against cancer through
various mechanisms.
Omega-3 fats also play an important role in the production of powerful
hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. These remarkable compounds help
regulate many crucial body functions including blood pressure, blood clotting,
nerve transmission, inflammatory and allergic responses, the functions of the
kidneys and gastrointestinal tract, and the production of other hormones.
What can Omega-3 fats do for you?
• Reduce inflammation throughout the body, thereby lowering the risk of numerous
diseases ranging from cardiovascular disease and dementia to diabetes and
rheumatoid arthritis.
• Prevent excessive blood clotting.
• Protect cellular health by maintaining membrane fluidity.
• Restrict the amount of lipids (such as cholesterol and tryglycerides)
circulating in the bloodstream.
• Inhibit thickening of the artiers.
• Increase the activity of nitric oxide (NO), which, among other things, causes
arteries to relax and dilate.
• Suppress the production of cytokines, which are involved in the inflammatory
response associated with atherosclerosis.
• Improve the body's ability to respond to insulin by stimulating the secretion
of leptin, a hormone that helps regulate food intake, body weight and
metabolism.
• Help prevent cancer cell growth by regulating cell growth and activity.
The ORAC Phenomenon
Recently, scientists have developed a series of tests that can help measure the
antioxidant capability of foods. These tests, all of which are a form of the
ORAC test, have become one way to provide a good look at the free radical
fighting capability of specific foods.
The good news is that we know that antioxidants are key players in the fight
against disease. And if you're able to increase your dietary antioxidant load,
then chances are, you're reducing the effect of the 8 causes in your life. The
following are just a handful of some of today's top ORAC-scoring foods.
Quercetin: Antioxidant Extraordinaire
Quercentin is a phytochemical that is part of the coloring found in the skins of
various fruits and vegetables, including apples, nuts, red onions, berries and
cabbage. Recent research has found that quercetin is a powerful antioxidant,
anti-histamine, and anti-inflammatory compound. Research shows that quercetin
may help to prevent cancer, especially prostate cancer.
Quercetin has caught the attention of scientists because its anti-histamine
action appears help to relieve allergic symptoms and asthma symptoms. The
anti-inflammatory properties may help to reduce pain from disorders such as
arthritis. Quercetin also appears to reduce the levels of oxidized LDL in the
blood, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Finally, various studies have found positive results regarding quercentin's
effect on prostate, ovary, breast, gastointestinal and colon cancer cells, as
well as gout.
Other ORAC Stars
Mangosteen: The rind, or pericarp of the exciting fruit has been shown to
possess terrific free radical neturalizing capabilities. The rind contains
xanthones, a class of compounds known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
and pathogen-fighting properties.
Green Tea: This antioxidant superstar is a known cancer fighter, with
dozens of studies supporting its ability to reduce the risk of and inhibit the
activity of various cancers. Findings also indicate that green tea may be able
to thwart heart disease and vascular problems, and slow the progress of
neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Resveratrol: This compound, found mainly in the seeds and skins of red
grapes, has been shown to neutralize various types of free radicals, and to
possibly help with conditions linked to oxidative damage. Various studies
suggest protection from cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Applephenon: This nutrient is a polyphenol found in apple peels.
Applephenon may be able to reduce the risk of various diseases related to
oxidative damage. Researchers from Cornell University have even gone as far as
recommending that waste apple peels be processes and included in other foods as
a way to increase healthfulness of our food supply.
The Vitamin-Mineral Solution
We all know that vitamins and minerals are essential to healthy living. Yet many
of us still underestimate the vital role they play in maintaining optimal health
and preventing or reversing disease in the human body.
Let's compare the use of vitamins and minerals in the body to the need of gas,
oil and other "nutrients" in a car. A car needs gasoline to drive, but it can't
do it without oil in the engine. In that same sense, the perfect amount of oil
in the engine is useless without gasoline to power it. Automobile can't function
unless the right amounts of these fluids is provided and replenished frequently.
If any fluids is missing or replaced infrequently, the car may operate only
marginally - or maybe not at all.
The same goes for the body. it needs a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and
other nutrients to function properly. Research continues to grow suggesting that
deficiencies in various nutrients are a major contributor to disease and early
aging. A primary cause for nutrient deficiencies is simply bad diet, but there
are other contributors.
Many experts and professional groups - including the American Medical
Association - now recommend that the general public take a multivitamin-mineral
product to help them get the nutrients their body needs to function optimally.
Dr. Gordon Pedersen
Dr. Gordon Pederson graduated with a Ph.D. from the Toxicology Program at
Utah State University.
He has a Master's degree in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness. He now serves
as the director of the Institute of Alternative Medicine and was nominated to
chair the United States Pharmacopoeia Review Board Natural Products Committee.
Dr. Pedersen is the formulator of more than 150 nutritional products. He is an
international best-selling author and is the host of the radio show "Common
Sense Medicine."
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