Core Clinical Imbalances Flashcards
Core clinical imbalances
- Seven core areas of clinical imbalance which need to be considered when deciding which systems are under stress.
- Each core area impacts overall health due to influencing multiple systems and structures. The seven core areas are:
1. Assimilation.
1. Structural integrity.
1. Communication.
1. Defence and repair.
1. Transport and circulation.
1. Energy: Mitochondrial health.
1. Detoxification and elimination.
Assimilation
All aspects of digestion and assimilation:
* Digestive secretions: Stomach acid, pancreatic juices, bile, intrinsic factor (B12).
* Digestive motility and innervation: Vagusnerve, SNS, PSNS system, enteric nervous system.
* Digestive hormones: Ghrelin, gastrin, CCK.
* Absorption of nutrients: Villi, brush border enzymes.
* Microbiota balance: Parasites, bacteria, yeast, short-chain fatty acids, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria.
Structural Integrity
Covers a range of structuresin the body:
* Cell membrane health: e.g. EPA/ DHA balance.
* Mucous membrane and skin integrity: E.g. vitamin A, vitamin E (skin), glutamine.
* Bone and teeth: E.g. minerals
* Joint and cartilage: E.g. calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin D, vitamin C.
Communication
It encompasses:
* Hormones and the endocrine system.
* Neurotransmitters and the nervous system.
Defence and Repair
This area of health covers:
* Inflammation—acute and chronic.
* Infections —↑WBC’s, ↑ESR, ↑or↓ lymphocytes and neutrophils.
* Microbiota imbalances.
* Conditionssuch as allergiesand autoimmunedisease, indicating an imbalanced and poorly-regulated immune system.
* Lowered immune function such as reduced secretory IgA which usually protects the mucous membranes.
Transport and circulation
This area of health covers:
* Lymphatic structures: Tonsils, spleen, thymus, nodes.
* Vascular structures: Arteries, veins, capillaries —↑waist circumference, ↑BP, ↑ferritin
* Mobilisationof blood lipids: ↑Triglycerides, ↑LDL, ↓HDL
Energy:Mitochondrial
health
- Cofactors for energy production: Zn, Mg, B6, B1, B2, B3, Fe.
- Biochemical imbalances in the energy production pathways e.g. due to aluminium, fluoride, arsenic, lead toxicity.
- Mitochondrial integrity and oxidative damage.
Detoxification and elimination
- Liver (and gallbladder) function.
- Kidney function.
- Bowel function.
- Skin and lungs.
- Biochemical imbalances in the biotransformation pathways e.g. lack of methyl donors (cysteine, methionine, choline, glutathione).
Assimilation: Key signs and symptoms
Any possible insufficiency e.g. pallor, shortness of breath. Dysbiosis, gas, bloating, food allergies / intolerance, heartburn, increase or decrease in body weight, illnesses such as cystic fibrosis or any that will impede absorption.
Structural Integrity: Key signs and symptoms
Any issue relating to structural pain / injury, tendons or muscles e.g. osteoarthritis. Skin problems e.g. acne, eczema, psoriasis. Gut membrane integrity and autoimmune conditions. A diet low in essential fatty acids and low exposure to sunlight (vitamin D) and low bone minerals such as Ca, Mg, Zn, B, P.
Communication: Key signs and symptoms
Any signs and symptoms related to hormonal issues from reproductive, and fatigue to stress to mood and sleep.
Defence and repair: Key signs and symptoms
Recurring infections, fatigue, poor wound healing, skin issues, autoimmune conditions, intestinal permeability, low vitamin D and antioxidants in the diet. High free radicals.
Mitochondrial health: Key signs and symptoms
Any issues affecting ATP production e.g. weakness, fatigue, CFS/ ME, Parkinson’s disease, MS, poor cognitive function, poor memory, intestinal permeability.
Transport: Key signs and symptoms
Circulatory issues such as CVD, Raynaud’s and peripheral neuropathy. Lymphatic issues such as oedema.
Detoxifcation: Key signs and symptoms
Consider when clients are on any medications, poor diet and lifestyle, poor stool quality / quantity, smoking, alcohol, exposure to chemicals, low antioxidants in the diet, poor quality / light coloured stools, jaundice, lethargy etc.
