Results are in! And, if the traditional game of Pin the Tail on the,.. well, in this case COW, reflects my general health, I would have missed the targeted hindquarters, and slapped the tail on the utter. At least I hit the right end of that ol’ heifer! My hope is to scoot the tail closer to its God given bullseye, which represents optimal, functional health with assistance from Kristy Hall, a functional epigenetic nutritionist.
Kristy’s sole purpose is to promote my healing from the inside out using holistic means. After genetically analyzing my hair and studying six other factors: diet, lifestyle, environmental factors, symptoms, family history, and in-depth research about my Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) 2A, Kristy’s initial tests concluded that beside CMT disease, overall, I am extremely healthy. Great news!! Yet, overall does not indicate perfect health. The overall part left the door open for Kristy to address some specific, yet much needed changes. In CMT 2A, the MFN2 protein is deficient within the cell. This deficiency prevents the cell’s mitochondria from fusing together and generating energy, or power, in the cell which translates to movement of the body. Hence the muscle weakness. The inability to fuse together probably goes hand in hand with my complaints about why I often feel like I’m falling apart. Supporting the cell and strengthening the cell wall, through healthy, organic food, vitamins, and supplements is Kristy’s nutri-epigenetic strategy, to hopefully, turn the volume down on my CMT2A.
Kristy’s findings and recommendations for me:
Where’s the Beef?
I love the idea of being vegan. Not having my plate look back at me, and the positive environmental impact on the world are major reasons I am pro vegan. It’s also a good way to cleanse or detox the body, but I learned that after 3-6 months the body loses too many important nutrients for it to be beneficial. Kristy informed me that O+ blood types, like me, crave meat and perform best with animal proteins.
Kristy’s protocol includes following the book called Eat Right for Your Blood Type with 25% of my plate’s face comprising of animal protein and the rest plant based.
I am no longer a vegan. After a little over a year of being a diligent vegan, I’m excited to add variety back into my diet with smaller portions of animal protein.
- Clean, organic, sustainably sourced beef, chicken, and fish
Support Mitochondria and Promote Cellular Health
My cell’s mitochondria lack the MFN2 protein and the ability to fuse.
- High, Healthy Fats Diet – add meats, nuts, and seed to assist the tethering or fusion of my mitochondria
- Add Acetyl Carnitine Supplement – plays a critical role in energy production within the cell by transporting long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria so they can be oxidized (“burned”) to produce energy
- D Ribose – It is an essential component of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which supplies energy to our cells.
- Cell Health Supplement – supports entire cell.
Bone Broth
There are many benefits to bone broth:
- Helps restore lost amino acids after being vegan.
- Supports joint mobility – bone broth nourishes bones and joints by replenishing nutrients already found within them, including hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, chondroitin, calcium, and magnesium, plus several amino acids that support joint mobility and a healthy inflammatory response.
- Neurotransmitter – bone broth includes the amino acid glycine which stimulates or quiets the brain
- Promote Gut & Digestive Health
- Support skin, hair and nails
- Supports better sleep
Rid body of MOLD
Mold in MY body?? What???
Closer investigation revealed trace amounts of mold which entered my system years ago. My instincts tell me it’s from 20 years of teaching in the same classroom, built in 1974. I can only imagine the havoc toxic mold plays on an already compromised nervous system.
- Biociden supplemental drops should remedy these traces of mold.
Shake up my protein shake
- Rotate between protein powders: pea protein, marine protein, and egg yolk protein, mainly for variety
- Add greens powder
Combat crazy fascia
- After breaking my hip at age 12 and sitting in a wheelchair for over 40 years, serious scar tissue settled in on my left hip. Ten years of exercise and chiropractic adjustments have broken up this scar tissue. Usually, this is a good thing. But breaking up the scar tissue has inadvertently released the fascia pinned up not only in my scar tissue, but throughout my entire body. Could also be why I feel like I’m falling apart.
- Fascia is collagen, and collagen is the glue that holds the body together. Vitamin C collagen as it supports collagen formation and is an essential component of these connective tissues.
- High doses of Vitamin C
Incorporate DFH Complete Multi-vitamin
- Over 26 vitamins packed into 1 pill
Incorporate Vitamin-E Complex
- To Increase my insufficient levels of this important antioxidant, as detected by the genetic test.
Continue Supplements – which I already find helpful
- Magnesium malate – prevent muscle cramps.
- Turmeric/curcumin – powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
- Calcium – helps the absorption of magnesium and strengthens bones.
*. Omega 3 – fish oil – Fish oil is useful in treating neuropathy due to its anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to repair damaged nerves. It also helps to relieve muscle soreness and pain.
- Resveratrol – promotes the brain and nervous system
- Exercise – continue with trainer.
Pinpointing the cow’s tail on the bullseye is my goal. The restoration of function and feeling more “put together” the ultimate wish. After only three months of incorporating Kristy’s recommendations into my diet, finding the right combination is more of an exercise in patience to see what works and what doesn’t. Gradually, trial and error narrow down the delicate balance of vitamins, supplements, and foods. Only daily journaling keeps me on track to notice any changes over time. So far, I feel a slight improvement. On the put together scale, I started at a low 3 and find myself ebb and flowing as high as 7.
Only time will tell.
Who knows? Even if I sprout a tail or grow a mustache…
I tried… all in Strides of Faith.
* If you would like to receive a free subscription to Laurel’s blog, Strides of Faith, enter your e-mail address in the box under “Don’t Miss My Updates”, and new blogs will be sent directly to your email.