By Hugo Rodier, M.D.
Before any discussion on any nutrient is undertaken, we need to review some very basic, and recent advances in Medicine and Nutrition.
The new science of Metabolomics (American J. Clinical Nutrition 2005;82:497) is revolutionizing the way we think about health and disease. Its simplicity is astounding, especially when we realize that we have always intuitively known the principles Metabolomics is founded upon: energy produced by our cells is indispensable for them to carry out their assigned duties. For this to occur, for our cells to Metabolize, they need air, food, and the ability to get rid of the “metabolites,” or toxins, or by-products of combustion generated by our production of energy, or metabolism.
Just like any ordinary machine (which have been patterned after own cell metabolism) needs air, fuel, and a mechanism to dispose of fumes and waste products, our cells have the same energy needs. It does not matter that some cells work in the brain, and others are shaping our little toes. All cells work the same way. They have different outputs and function, but they basically work the same way. Some produce hair, and others sweat. Just like some factories, or machines produce books, and others soap bars. Essentially, they all require energy, and a way to take out the garbage.
Consequently, our cells depend in all respects from the energy derived from our Sun. Its energy is suffused throughout our planet, fuelling life at all levels. Plants absorb this energy (photosynthesis,) which is later consumed by animals and humans. In these modern days, we have no difficulties understanding the concept of energy sustaining our economies, and way of life. Truly, everything about our communities depends on the energy generated by our Sun. Energy may be secondarily obtained from atoms, wind, oil, etc, but its ultimate source is the Sun itself. Well, the energy from the Sun also constitutes and fuels everything about our anatomy and physiology.
Now, back to the simple science of Metabolomics: Most of the Nobel prizes in Medicine and Biology have been awarded to the concept of “cell communication,” which is how our 100 trillion cells get their metabolic function coordinated (J. Science, November 26th, 2004.) They do this through a system of “messages,” which are well-known molecules like hormones, neurotransmitters, enzymes, etc. They form a vast network of communication, which should have never been separated into different components. The Psycho-Neuro-Immune-Endocrine system of cell communication to coordinate our metabolism is now considered to be the cornerstone of health and function in cutting edge research (“The intricate interface between the immune system and metabolism,” J. Trends in Immunology 2004;25:193.)
Cell communication takes place mostly at the level of the outer cell membrane, which is equipped with antennae, or radar-like glycoproteins. These “receptors” are literally shaped into “lock-like” structures, by the energy produced within the cells themselves. Messages turn out to be “key-like” glycoproteins, or molecules that will need to match the lock, or receptors on the cell membranes for “listening “ to occur. The mitochondria are specialized organelles in charge of producing the energy necessary to fuel all activity within the cell. Mitochondria function takes place mostly in their own cell membranes, too. While the nuclei are very important to all cells, they are only a blue print to guide the production of each cell. The messages therein produced, are sent from the cell membrane, and received by other cells’ membranes throughout the body (J. Science, May 31st, 2002 & 2003;300:1461-1604.)
Naturally, the cell membrane becomes an extremely important part of cell communication and function. The cell membrane is the very interface between each cell and its environment. Cells are totally dependent on the environment in our bodies. Said environment is created by our very lifestyles. Poor foods, polluted air and water, poor relationships, etc, provide toxic environments, thereby compromising cell membrane function (“The Biology of Belief,” Bruce Lipton, 2005 & “Quantum Cellular Biology,” J. Medical Hypothesis 2001;57:358.)
So, the structure and function of our cell membranes is extremely important for our receptors to successfully receive the messages generated from other cells, thus coordinating our cells’ metabolism and function. And, what are our cell membranes made up of? Sugars, proteins and fats! In other words, nutrition provides not only the fuel needed for our cells to function, but also the very molecules our cells need to be structured properly. A failure to eat properly will result in practically all manner of diseases. No wonder that “food is the best medicine!” (“Life’s Complexity Pyramid,” J. Science
2002;298:763.)
The wrong sugars (processed,) fats (saturated and tranhydrogenated,) and proteins (animals exposed to many toxins) will compromise cell membrane structure and function. As noted above, this compromises cell communication, AND thusly, the ability of each cell to produce energy. Simply put, all cell function will then be compromised, and practically all diseases will manifest themselves. This is why the right foods, those foods which contain the most healthy sugars, fats, and proteins will support body function and structure better than less gifted foods.
A classical example of a “failure to communicate” (think of “Cool Hand Luke”) at the cellular level is Insulin resistance, the scourge of our modern days. Simply put, our cell membranes throughout the body are becoming rigid and inflexible, because of poor dietary intake, environmental pollution, and stressful lifestyles, thus compromising response to the most important metabolic messenger: insulin. Insulin finds the receptors and the cell membrane of our cells somewhat unresponsive, which can trigger practically all diseases (“Second world congress on the insulin resistance syndrome,” J. Diabetes Care 2005;28:2073.)
We can say that consumption of refined sugars, which is rampant and addictive in our society, constitutes a source of toxicity to the cell membranes. With these types of foods, cell membranes also become inflamed, since they lack the micronutrients to quell the fire produced by our metabolic furnaces. These processed foods lack antioxidants to neutralize all the oxidating free radicals produced by our metabolic furnaces, and by toxins in the environment. Thus, our cell membranes also become oxidized. Since the mitochondria (our cell furnaces) also depend on healthy cell membranes (composed of the right sugars, fats, and proteins) to produce energy, or metabolize, poor nutrition will cause mitochondrial dysfunction: These are the most basic mechanisms known in modern medicine (J. American Medical Association 2004;291:358.)
It is that simple: Our cell membranes become rigid, and unresponsive, thus compromising metabolism by interfering with cell communicating messages (“The puzzle of complex diseases,” J. Science 2002;296:698.) Cell membranes are then oxidized, toxic, inflamed, and lacking in mitochondrial metabolism. This fulfills the prediction by a physicist, David Deutsch, who opined that the day would come when medicine would figure out that very simple concepts are at the root of all health issues, much the same as Physics is based on very simple and all-encompassing principles (“The Fabric of Reality,” 1997.)
Physics, then, brings us back to the concept of energy: we need it to fuel all cell function. Food, then, is our main factor in harnessing the energy of the Sun. This is why…
It is essential that practicing physicians develop a working knowledge of herbs [and nutrition,] and stay abreast of these emerging findings in order to best advise their patients on the value of health promoting diets in disease and prevention… These are heady days for nutritional scientists as newer
understandings of food and health promise to bring clinical nutrition to the forefront of clinical medicine. Practitioners must become nutritionally educated and oriented if they are to maintain their patients’ confidence and stay abreast of this aspect of continuously evolving modern medicine (“Nutrition guidance of Family Doctors towards best practice,” American J. Clinical Nutrition 2003;77:1001S.)
Again, the energy concepts underlying Metabolomics are very simple. “When East meets west: the relationship between yin-yang and antioxidation-oxidation” (J. FASEB 2003;17:127) compares the Yang (male forces) with Oxidation and the energy-producing Mitochondria. The Yin, or female force is compared to the processes of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and detoxification. The Yang produces energy through metabolism by consuming food (fuel) to be burned by Oxygen in the Mitochondria. This process yields Free Radicals and oxidants, like any combustion engine. These products
of combustion need to be neutralized by our cells anti-oxidating and anti-inflammatory processes, which are themselves fueled by micronutrients, as are our pathways of detoxification.
In other words, nutrition fuels the Yang/Energy of our cells and provides the means for the metabolism of the cells to be “cooled down,” or neutralized by our Yin/antioxidating mechanisms. So, our bodies and minds require this simple process to occur unimpeded for optimal function. Again, Energy from our minds and spirit fuel the cell, as much as Energy from the Sun.
The article “Antioxidants in photosynthesis and human nutrition” (J. Science 2002;298:2149) reviews the concept that photosynthesis is vital for the optimal metabolic function of the human cell. And, what foods are the best equipped to harness the energy of the Sun through photosynthesis? Those food that are highest in their contents of antioxidants.
Let us now review the micronutrients contained in what I call a “super food:” FrequenSea
Sea products
Sea plankton
Spirulina
Irish moss
Kelp
Bladderwrack
Frankincense essential oil
Omega 3
Omega 6 | Nutmeg
Ginger
Aloe Vera
Astaxanthin
Cranberry
Blueberry
Morinda
Vitamins ABCDE
14 Amino acids
72 Trace minerals |
Omega oils and Frankincense Essential oils
Remember that our cell membranes are mostly composed of phospholipids, or fats. Most of our health problems are due to a breakdown in cellular communication, which lead to a lack of energy production at the cellular level. Consequently, the function and composition of cell membranes throughout our bodies are critical for our well-being. Since most people consume too many toxic fats (“Transhydrogenated fatty acids,” New England J. Medicine 2006;354:1601,) and not enough healthy fats, like Omega oils and essential oils, the stage is set for significant dysfunction in practically all conditions (J. Nutrition 2005;135:2075.)
This is why the oils in FrequenSea are so beneficial for practically all diseases. Most of the medical literature has focused on the effects of these oils on specific problems, like Neurologic/psychiatric issues, cardiovascular, arthritis, skin, cancer, hormones, etc. While this approach is quite revealing, it is short sighted: remember that by fixing our cell membranes you are fixing EVERYTHING about our function, and structure. In other words, you are maximizing your ability to METABOLIZE at the cell level. You are reducing the inflammation, oxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and toxicity issues that compromise cell communication.
I will not repeat these simple concepts again. Suffice it to say I don’t want to change the world, I just want to change your oil…
No doubt this is what the Magi had in mind when they took Frankincense oil to baby Jesus. Back then, Frankincense was valued higher than gold. This was because of its medicinal value.
Today’s lack of healthy oils in our diet is staggering. For commercial and pharmaceutical purposes, oils have been demonized. Most people still shun anything with oils and fats, which is very distressing to our cells, particularly when people replace these items with the foods most heavily advertised,
and most addicting: refined sugars. We still hear people condemning nuts, avocados, olives, and fish, because of their “fat.”
Herbs
“It is essential that practicing physicians develop a working knowledge of herbs and stay abreast of these emerging findings in order to best advise their patients on the value of health promoting diets in disease and prevention.”
American J. Clinical Nutrition 2003;77:1001S.
Nutmeg: This evergreen tree produces 2 spices, Mace and Nutmeg. They are not nuts. Nutmeg is high in antioxidants, which help heal indigestion problems. At high dose, nutmeg may be hallucinogenic. British Medical Journal 1970, page 744.
Ginger: The safest herb for indigestion, nausea, vomiting in pregnancy. It is used by everyone with intestinal, stomach problems. Scandinavian J. Gastroenterology 2006;41:155.
Aloe Vera: Very good for all kinds of mucosal problems, that is skin and intestinal/stomach/sinuses lining cells. Aloe also has digestive enzyme activity. These are some of the reasons why Aloe is very effective against infections and wounds. J. Skin and Allergy News, April 2003, page 32.
Astaxanthin: This is one of the most potent antioxidants tested to date. Likely, we will see more marketing for xanthin supplements in the future. But, I prefer whole foods, like FrequenSea, which is always a better idea. Xanthins are high in coffee, cacao, and in fruits and vegetables, particularly
the fruit juices listed below. British J. Nutrition 2005;93:773. One of the most important uses of Xanthins is decreasing inflammation and oxidation, thus improving immune system function. J. Biochem Pharmacology 2002;63:73.
Cranberry/Blueberry: No references are needed to show what has been known for a long time. Berries are the foods with the highest levels of antioxidants. Consequently, berries are great for any condition.
“Super” fruit juice
Tropical fruit juices are being marketed quite a lot, and with good reason. They are high in polysaccharides, amino acids, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and digestive enzymes. As such, Morinda (J. Environmental Health Perspectives 2001;109:A469) has been shown to help practically all conditions.
Micronutrients:
The super foods listed above end up supplying all your essential vitamins (ABCDE), 14 Amino acids, and 72 Trace minerals. Remember the role of nutrition in helping practically all medical problems. In many cases, these nutrients do lead to healing, which is amply demonstrated in nutrition-oriented
practices like mine, and well supported in the medical literature. If only we could get people to read these articles…
Conclusion:
FrequenSea is a super food. It contains practically all the nutrients necessary to sustain life. You may be trying to rely on piecemeal information, and complicated nutrition/supplement regimens, such as multiple pills and capsules of isolated vitamins.
Consider switching to FrequenSea. This article emphatically recommends that we use whole foods, not vitamin supplements (“Essential nutrients: food or supplements. Where should the emphasis be?” J. American Medical Association 2005;294:351.)
One of the main benefits of FrequenSea is to improve cell membranes. This will not only lead to better cell communication, and better metabolomics, but also to the repair of intestinal function. After all, the intestinal lining is made up of cells that may become “leaky,” thus compromising energy/nutrient absorption, and the elimination of toxins from the environment, and our own metabolism.
The evidence for a nutritional approach is overwhelming. But, perhaps more credible, and practical, are the reports of many of my patients who report dramatic improvement in practically all their medical problems. Give it a try.
Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, D, E, K
