CACHEXIA / CATABOLISM
Natural Support For Unintended Weight Loss
Catabolism means "breaking down" and anabolism means "building
up" body tissue. Under normal circumstances, "breaking down" and
"building up" are in balance with each other, and a person maintains a
consistent weight. In weight training and weight gain, anabolism or
"building up" occurs faster than catabolism, and tissue (fat or
muscle) is added to the body. In catabolism, the rate of "breaking
down" exceeds the "building up" phase and unintended weight loss
results. Cachexia refers to malnutrition and lack of absorption
that can cause catabolism.
Causes of cachexia/catabolism include chronic diseases such as
tuberculosis and cancer, but catabolism can also occur without the
presence of disease. In disease states it is believed that
inflammatory substances produced by the body, including interleukin-1
(IL-1), IL-6, interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa)
play a role in the progression of cachexia.
Cachexia is a common problem in the elderly. Decreased production
of digestive enzymes, plus changes in taste and appetite, often lead
to decreased food intake. Total lower calorie consumption results in
weight loss. When the intake of protein falls below critical levels,
loss of muscle tissue, including heart muscle, can occur. When
digestion and absorption are decreased, even an adequate amount of
calories may not prevent weight loss. Remember, anabolism ("building
up") requires sufficient calories, sufficient protein, and normal
digestion and assimilation. The above-listed inflammatory
substances may prevent weight gain in spite of adequate caloric
nutrition.
DIET AND LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS
Diet MUST include adequate, high quality protein. This is even
more important than total calories. High quality protein in powdered
form (from
soy,
whey,)
should be added to a "blender drink" to boost protein intake in a
highly absorbable form. (See "Dr. Myatt's
Super Shake" recipe).
Exercise, especially light weight training, encourages muscle
tissue to take up amino acids (protein) from the bloodstream.
OVER-exercise is not recommended, but mild to moderate weight
training exercise will help build muscle tissue.
PRIMARY SUPPORT
-
Maxi Multi:
3 caps, 3 times per day with meals.
- Protein powder: (alternate between
whey
and
soy or use whey exclusively): 30 grams or
more (2 scoops) of protein per day. This can easily (and tastily!)
be taken as a "milkshake," "hot chocolate," or "pudding."
-
Similase: 2 caps, 3 times per day
with meals. (Digestive enzymes to aid assimilation)
-
L-glutamine: 500-1,000mg, 3 times
per day with meals. L-glutamine in powdered form mixes easily with
recipes. [Target dose: 3,000-5,000 mg per day].
-
CoQ10 (100mg): 1 cap, 2 times per day
with meals.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): 2000mg, 2
times per day, taken with meals.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine: 2,500mg
per day, in divided doses with meals. This is especially important
for vegetarians.
Bitter Tonic (for lack of
appetite): 20 drops in 2 ounces of water, 15 minutes before each
meal.
Dr. MYATT’S COMMENTS (OTHER CONSIDERATIONS)
A complete physical exam is always in order for unexplained weight
loss, since many curable illnesses can cause this problem.
Be sure to have a
hormone profile,
including thyroid and sex hormones. If you have bowel problems, a
Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis
(CDSA) is in order. Low levels of sex hormones and/or high levels of
thyroid or adrenal hormones can cause weight loss. Depending on the
results of these tests, your holistic physician may recommend
DHEA or other hormones.
How to Calculate Protein & Calorie Requirements
Protein: Multiply your weight by 0.7. This will give you
the number of grams of protein you should consume each day. Remember,
total protein intake is even more important than total calorie intake,
because the body cannot make protein from any other food source (fats
or carbohydrates). Protein is necessary for maintenance of muscle mass
(including the heart) and for an intact immune system. Excesses of
protein can be stored as fat, but excesses of fat, calories, or
carbohydrates (starches and sugars) cannot be converted into protein.
PROTEIN INTAKE IS OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE IN CATABOLISM.
Example: 106 pounds (put your body weight here) X 0.7= 74 grams of
protein (the amount of protein a 106 pound cachexic person needs each
day). Normal or overweight individuals have different protein
requirements. Please refer to the "Longevity Protocol" audio tape and
paper, page 134 of the
Holistic Health Handbook,
for precise information on calculating protein and calorie
requirements in normal and overweight individuals.
Calories: Multiply your weight in pounds by 18. This will
give you the number of calories that you need each day to gain weight.
(This number also accounts for a mild to moderate activity level).
Example: 106 pounds (put your body weight here) x 18 = 1908
calories. (Normal or overweight individuals have different calorie
requirements. Please refer to the "Longevity Protocol" audio tape and
paper for information on calculating protein and calorie requirements
in normal and overweight individuals.
REMEMBER: If you are unable to eat your daily calorie
requirement due to lack of appetite, use "Bitter
Tonic" to improve appetite AND aim to obtain the target intake
of protein. People can survive and be healthy being very lean
IF they have sufficient protein to keep muscle mass, heart and the
immune system functioning well.
DR. MYATT’S COMMENT
Non-holistic physicians, upon seeing catabolism in a patient, will
often recommend a liquid "milkshake-like" canned "nutritional
replacement drink." These products contain more sugar than protein
(you need more protein than sugar) and many artificial additives. They
are NOT your "best bet" for restoring body mass. Use your own "Super
Shake" with high protein and targeted supplements instead and you
can do MUCH better. Whey protein is especially valuable because it
contains immune factors and cachexia can cause immune weakness.
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