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Inflammation

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inflammation-post-4What Is Inflammation?

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]nflammation is our body’s necessary self-defense response and repair mechanism for these assaults:

1) injuries such as cuts, scrapes, sprains, broken bones, burns, insect bites, toxins; 2) invading organisms such as bacteria; and 3) allergens and food sensitivities such as gluten.

Inflammation can be immediate (acute) or persistent (chronic).

Acute inflammation is marked by increased blood flow, migration of white blood cells, and release of defensive proteins and chemicals to the site of injured tissue. Among these chemicals are free radicals in the immune response to injury that are beneficial yet require the activity of anti-oxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C to control.

Free radicals are chemical particles containing one or more unpaired electrons, which may be part of the molecule. They cause the molecule to become highly reactive.1

The majority of this response takes place in the first 12 to 24 hours after the assault. The inflammatory process continues until all the damaged tissue or invading germs are removed (usually about 5 days).2

Chronic inflammation is marked by persistence weeks to months or longer after tissue damage. Note: high concentrations of free radicals generated in chronic inflammation may be important causes of damage to cell structures. The defensive activity of anti-oxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C are required to remove free radicals.

Chronic inflammation increases the risk for systemic diseases such as type II diabetes, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, migraine, autoimmune disease, and vasculitis which may cause stroke, heart attack or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Importantly, chronic inflammation is a risk factor for the onset of cancer.3

Q: Are there blood tests available for detecting inflammation?

A: Yes. Your medical health practitioner can order either or both of the following blood tests that measure the amount of inflammation present although not the source of inflammation. Abnormal is an elevation in blood levels.

  1. C-reactive protein (CRP). This test measure C-reactive proteins that are released into the bloodstream within a few hours of tissue injury or infection. CRPs are cytokines called ‘acute phase reactants,’ meaning first on the scene. The CRP test is also useful to monitor treatment response and flare-ups of chronic inflammatory disease such as vasculitis, systemic lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease.
  2. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate). This test measures the rate of fall of blood cells in a sample tube of blood. An increase in the rate of fall shows inflammation due to an increase of C-reactive proteins in the blood specimen. Alone or with the CRP test, the ESR is especially useful for monitoring inflammation of veins and arteries.

In regards to celiac disease, disappearance of blood antibody levels of tissue transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA) indicate that inflammation has also subsided. These antibodies should be checked at 3 months, 6 months if indicated, and one year after diagnosis to monitor healing. On the other hand, raised antibodies indicate that there is definitely ongoing inflammation in the small intestine.

In regards to non-celiac gluten sensitivity, disappearance of blood antibody levels of anti-gliadin IgA and IgG at 3 months, 6 months if indicated, and one year after diagnosis indicate that inflammation has also subsided. On the other hand, raised antibodies indicate that there is definitely ongoing inflammation caused by gluten within the body.

What Is Inflammation In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Ruttkay-Nedecky B, Nejdl L , Gumulec J. The Role of Metallothionein in Oxidative Stress. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2013, 14(3), 6044-6066; doi:10.3390/ijms14036044. [↩]
  2. Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. 19th ed. F A Davis Company. Philadelphia, PA. [↩]
  3. Brighenti E, Giannone FA, Fornari F, Onofrillo C, Govoni M, Montanaro L, Treré D, Derenzini M. Therapeutic dosages of aspirin counteract the IL-6 induced pro-tumorigenic effects by slowing-down the ribosome biogenesis rate. Oncotarget. 2016 Aug 20. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.11441. [↩]

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Deficiency

SumptuousTuna For Niacin.
Sumptuous Tuna For Niacin.

What Is Vitamin B3 (Niacin)?

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]iacin is an essential water-soluble B vitamin that is required by all cells of the body.

During digestion of food containing it, niacin (the form in food) is changed in the small intestines to the active form niacinamide (niacin plus an amide group), which is then absorbed into the bloodstream. 

Niacinamide is converted by the body into co-enzymes which are present in all cells. These are niacinimide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and NADP. NADP is formed when the body adds a phosphate to NAD.

Q: How do these enzymes work?

A: These enzymes function in oxidation-reduction reactions essential for release of energy from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and are needed as components for more than 200 enzymes involved in metabolism.

In addition to producing energy, niacinamide is essential for healthy skin and the mucosal lining of the digestive tract, normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and production of steroid hormones in adrenal glands and hormones in sex glands.  Functions are more fully described below.

Urinary excretion of niacin cannot be detected when vitamin intake is below the required levels. On the other hand, when intake exceeds saturation in the body, the vitamin and/or its metabolites are actively excreted into urine to prevent excessive toxicity of the vitamins.1

What Is Niacin Deficiency In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:

  1. Shibata K, Hirose J, Fukuwatari T. Relationship Between Urinary Concentrations of Nine Water-soluble Vitamins and their Vitamin Intakes in Japanese Adult Males. Nutr Metab Insights. 2014 Aug 5;7:61-75. doi: 10.4137/NMI.S17245. eCollection 2014. [↩]

Dyspareunia (Painful Intercourse), Primary

canstockphoto2000608What Is Primary Dyspareunia (Painful Intercourse)?

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]yspareunia is a distressing female genital disorder characterized by pain during or after coitus involving the labia, vagina or pelvis.

There are two types of dyspareunia: primary which affect the vagina itself in the abscence of pelvic pathology and secondary which involves problems in the pelvis other than the vagina.1

  • Causes of primary dyspareunia include hormone changes in menopause, Sjogrens syndrome, diabetes, psychological conditions, and nutritional deficiencies.
  • Causes of secondary dyspareunia include problems with uterus, bowel disease, urinary tract infection, uterine prolapse, and pelvic disease such as endometriosis and cancer.

Q: How common is dypareunia?

A: Dyspareunia is the most common cause of pelvic pain in women.2

What Is Dyspareunia In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:

  1. Osayande AS, Mehulic S. Diagnosis and initial management of dysmenorrhea. Am Fam Physician. 2014 Mar 1;89(5):341-6. [↩]
  2. Osayande AS, Mehulic S. Diagnosis and initial management of dysmenorrhea. Am Fam Physician. 2014 Mar 1;89(5):341-6. [↩]