Trans-generational trauma

How many of the following symptoms for iron deficiency do you have?

• Non-Physical Symptoms
• Anxiety
• Cognitive dysfunction
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Lowered attention
• Light-headedness
• Mood swings
• Post-partum depression

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Physical:

• Atrophy or enlargement of the taste buds
• Compromised immune function
• Hair loss
• Koilonychia (Brittle, spoon-shaped nails)
• Leg cramps / heavy legs
• Lowered body temperature
• Mouth sores
• Pale skin complexion
• Palpitations
• Poor thyroid function
• Skin problems
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen tongue
• Restless legs
• Pregnancy complications

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Here are some of the mechanisms behind the above symptoms:

Iron is required for tryptophan hydroxylase activity, this enzyme converts tryptophan to 5HTP, the precursor for serotonin – the chemical brain messenger responsible for our happiness. Therefore with inadequate iron levels, serotonin production will be reduced.

Iron is also needed for tyrosine hydroxylase, this enzyme is essential for the production of dopamine – the chemical brain messenger that is responsible for our drive and motivation.

Iron is essential for the intracellular reception of T3. This reduces the activity of the main thyroid hormone thus lowering metabolism, energy, whilst leading to hair loss and other related factors.

Iron is required to make hemoglobulin. Hemoglobulin helps carry oxygen within the blood to tissues, an integral part of energy production. If iron is low, the body’s ability to produce energy is hindered therefore increasing the likelihood for fatigue. This same mechanism leads to reduced oxygen availability to the brain giving reason as to why headaches are also linked to iron deficiency.

The paling of the skin and inside of the eyelids is due to less hemoglobulin within the blood, as hemoglobulin gives blood its red pigmentation.

Reduced hemoglobulin levels result in less oxygen within the body. As a compensatory mechanism, the body will start to increase breathing and heart rate in hope to get more oxygen, thus leading to a shortness of breath and increased heart palpitations.

Globally, more than 50% of all people are infected [8], with the prevalence of escalating with age. [9]

Helicobacter Pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that colonises within the human gastrointestinal tract (this includes the mouth).

Symptoms:

• Belching
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing
• Abdominal discomfort
• Upper abdominal bloating
• Decreased appetite
• Peptic ulcers
• Bad breath
• Heartburn
• Reoccurring oral plaque
• Gingivitis
• Tooth cavities

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Risks:

• H. Pylori infection is the main cause of chronic gastritis, with an infection rate between 80%-95% in sufferers. [7]
• It is present in almost all cases of duodenal ulcers and most cases of gastric ulcer [10] with as many as 90% of individuals with ulcers being infected.
• H. Pylori is a significant contributing factor for the risk of gastric cancers.
• H. Pylori burrows deep within parietal cells (cells that secrete stomach acid), not only does this make it harder to eradicate, but this also leads to unique symptoms within the host. One factor being hypochlorhydria (low levels of stomach acid secreted within the body); this prevents the host from sterilising bacteria in food, reduces the ability to obtain nutrients desired from food and the inability to assimilate certain key minerals, such as zinc or iron.
• Reduced intrinsic factor (IF) production is also likely for individuals suffering from a H. Pylori infection. IF is essential to bind with vitamin B12, preventing further breakdown from stomach acid along with attaching to the surface of the ileum to allow for absorption of B12 into the body.
• H. Pylori can also block vitamin C absorption, thus compounding to the amount of oxidative damage inflicted onto the body.
• H. Pylori infection augments the gastric mucosal damage induced by NSAIDs.
• H. Pylori antagonises Aspirin-induced delayed ulcer healing due to suppression of acid secretion by the enhancement of PGE2 possibly derived by COX2 expression.
• Benefits:
  Due to the nature of the parasite being a gram-negative bacteria, it shifts the immune system more towards a Th1 mediated response as opposed to Th2 – this can reduce the severity of allergies, asthma and other humeral/mucosal reactions.

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Benefits:

Due to the nature of the parasite being a gram-negative bacteria, it shifts the immune system more towards a Th1 mediated response as opposed to Th2 – this can reduce the severity of allergies, asthma and other humeral/mucosal reactions.

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References:

1. Morales-Espinosa R, et al., Oral Microbiol Immunol. 2009
2. Nguyen AM, et al., Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 1995
3. Miyabayashi H, et al., Helicobacter. 2000
4. Gebara EC, et al., J Clin Periodontol. 2006
5. Dye BA, et al., Am J Public Health. 2002
6. Eskandari A, et al. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal.
7. Abro AH, et al. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2011
8. Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2014
9. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2011
10. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011
11. Surveillance of Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance in England and Wales; Public Health England, 2008
12. Jernberg, C, et al. 2010

In a meta-analysis assessing the mineral intake of approximately 3,000 women. It found that eating an iron-rich diet (20mg per day) was linked to a 30-40% lower risk of developing premenstrual syndrome when compared to the lowest intake of iron (around 10mg per day) (Am J Epidemiol. 2013 May).

Menstruating women lose around 40% more iron per day when compared to men, with some studies stating how heavy menstrual bleeding is one of the leading causes of anemia in the developed world (Liu Z, et al. 2007).

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicates that 12-16% of non-pregnant women (aged 16-49 years) have iron deficiency, with 2-4% having anemia.

Increasing iron intake through diet and supplementation for two months has been shown to reduce PMS symptoms considerably in all anemic women (Mitesh Sinha et al. 2013).