A Word from Max Cottle
Mitochondrial diseases.
PXP may be able to help with Mitochondrial diseases - a precis of which is provided here.
Mitochondria are the energy centers of the cells.They are found in almost every cell in the human body and they produce more than 90% of cellular energy through the generation of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) Mitochondria also play key roles in cellular processes including "calcium, copper and iron homeostatis;heme and iron-sulpher cluster assembly,synthesis of pyrimidines and steroids: thermogenesis and fever response: and calcium signalling"
(1) and additionally produce ROS (reactive oxygen species) (2) which play key roles in regulating and determining apoptosis (programmed cell death). as well as signalling communication between cells and tissues.
(3) Mitochondria have their own DNA, mtDNA,which is separate from the nuclear DNA of the cell. Proper function of mitochondria is vital for all areas of health.
A hallmark of mitochondrial dysfunction is crippling fatigue and exhaustion. Because mitochondria are the energy centers of cells, when they are not operating properly, patients are unable to do things that require energy. It is an organic, physical, lack of energy, not a choice not to get out of bed or run around the block.
Mito Action lists poor growth, loss of muscle coordination, muscle weakness, neurological problems, seizures, autism, visual and/or hearing problems, developmental delays, learning disabilities, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease,GI disorders, diabetes, increased risk of infection, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal dysfunction, autonomic dysfunction and neuropsychological changes as symptoms of mitochondrial diseases.
When mitochondria are not functioning properly, multiple disease states can ensue. According to Dr. Richard Boles, Director of the Metabolic and Mitochondrial Disorders Clinic at Children's Hospital Los Angeles "these are partial defects. Mitochondrial dysfunction doesn't really cause anything, what it does is predisposes towards seemingly everything. It's one of the many risk factors in multifactorial disease..
It can predispose towards epilepsy, chronic fatigue, and even autism, but it doesn't do it alone.. It does it in combination with other factors, which is why in a family with a single mutation going through the family, everyone in the family is affected in a different way. Because it predisposes for disease throughout the entire system"it makes sense that when the energy centers of cells are not functioning properly, the body starts to shut down, and when the body shuts down on a cellular level, multi-symptom, diffuse illnesses result.
Mitochondrial diseases
There are three basic categories of mitochondrial disease:1)diseases that are recognised as verifted mitochondrial diseases,2)diseases that there is a large amount of evidence that links them to mitochondrial dysfunction,but are not generally recognised as mitochondrial diseases,and 3) diseases that are indirectly related to mitochondrial function.
The first category of mitochondrial diseases, those that are verified by and acknowledged as mitochondrial diseases include
1. Progressive External Opthalmoplegia.
2. Alpers Syndrome.
3, Leigh's Syndrome
4, Friedrich's Ataxia.
These diseases are matrilineally inherited (mtDNA is passed down through the mother) and involve recognised mtDNA mutations.The prognosis for many with these diseases. It is, sadly, poor, and there are currently no pharmaceutical cures for any mitochondrial diseases.
The second categoryof mitochondrial diseases are diseases that are technically categorised as mysterious diseases of modernity. They are controversial and their existence is denied by many. Patients suffering from these diseases struggled to have their health problems acknowledged as having a physical cause, and are often accused of making things up or having a somatoform disorder,"a psychiatric condition when a person experiences physical pain for which no known medical explanation can be found."
The exact cause of these diseases is officially unknown and there are many theories as to their origins. There is much evidence, however, that these diseases at least feature, and possibly (probably) caused by, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress( which occurs in mitochondria as a result of mitochondrial stress is, damage or injury.)
1. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
2. Fibromyalgia
3. Gulf War Syndrome.
4. Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Syndrome and adverse reactions to other mitochondria damaging prescription drugs.
6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
All of the sources linked to are peer reviewed.Yet, these diseases are still woefully under acknowledged and people, including doctors, seem to feel that they are at liberty to "not believe" in them.
The link between these mysterious diseases and mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress has been ignored. Pharmaceuticals and environmental toxins are the causes of mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress. Chemicals in our drugs and in our environment causing damage to our mitochondria, which are, in turn, causing Marty said Tim, chronic, mysterious illnesses that afflict millions of people.
Offending drugs that cause mitochondrial damage include bacterial antibiotics, statins, chemotherapy drugs, acetaminophen, metformin (a diabetes drug) and others.Disease states caused by chemical harm two mitochondria are often delayed and can involve a threshold of harm to the mitochondria so it is often difficult to connect the mitochondria damaging chemical to the disease state.
