Detox Yourself!

Protein deficiency, or hypoproteinemia, is when the body has lower-than-normal protein levels. Protein is an essential nutrient in bones, muscles, skin, hair, and nails, and maintains bone and muscle strength. The body does not store protein, so it is needed daily. It helps make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body, and chemical enzymes, which cause reactions that maintain organ function. A lack of enough protein can cause problems like muscle loss, fatigue, a weakened immune system, and chronic pain. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can provide nutritional guidance and develop a personalized nutrition plan to restore musculoskeletal health and function.

Protein Deficiency

When digested, protein breaks down into amino acids that help the body's tissues function and grow. Individuals can become deficient if their bodies can't effectively digest and absorb the proteins within the foods they eat. 

Symptoms

When the body doesn't meet the required protein amounts or can't absorb protein efficiently, it can lead to symptoms, including:

 

• Chronic fatigue.
• Increased infections and illnesses.
• Reduced muscle mass.
• Loss of muscle mass.
• Slower injury healing times.
• Sarcopenia in older individuals.
• Swelling in the legs, face, and other areas from fluid buildup.
• Dry, brittle hair that falls out.
• Cracked, pitted nails.
• High blood pressure during the second trimester of pregnancy/preeclampsia.

Causes

Protein deficiency can have various causes, depending on the individual case. Certain medical conditions include:

 

• Malnutrition or undereating - an individual does not eat enough calories or avoids certain food groups.
• Anorexia nervosa.
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Gastrointestinal disorders.
• Kidney problems.
• Liver disorders.
• Celiac disease.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Cancer.
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Increase Protein Intake

Adequate protein intake is essential to maintain healthy amino acid levels to support cell structure and function. The requirement differs for everybody based on age, sex, and physical activity levels. Protein is available in a wide variety of animal and plant foods. Recommended nutritious protein sources for optimal health and fitness include foods such as:

 

• Beans and legumes
• Oats
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Lean beef, chicken, turkey, and pork
• Seafood
• Seeds
• Nuts
• Various kinds of nut butter
• Greek yogurt
• Quinoa
• Tofu

 

Protein is essential for all cells and body tissue and can impair body function in short supply. Although diet-related protein deficiency is rare in the United States, certain medical conditions can increase the risk. Adding protein to a diet is simple and can be achieved by incorporating various foods from either plant or animal sources.

Clinical Implementation of Functional Nutrition

 

General Disclaimer *

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

 

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, don't hesitate to get in touch with Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

References

Bauer, Juergen M, and Rebecca Diekmann. "Protein and Older Persons." Clinics in geriatric medicine vol. 31,3 (2015): 327-38. doi:10.1016/j.cger.2015.04.002

 

Brock, J F. "Protein deficiency in adults." Progress in food & nutrition science vol. 1,6 (1975): 359-70.

 

Deutz, Nicolaas E P, et al. "Protein intake and exercise for optimal muscle function with aging: recommendations from the ESPEN Expert Group." Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) vol. 33,6 (2014): 929-36. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2014.04.007

 

Hypoproteinemia MedGen UID: 581229 Concept ID: C0392692 Finding https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/medgen/581229#:~:text=Definition,of%20protein%20in%20the%20blood.%20%5B

 

Paddon-Jones, Douglas, and Blake B Rasmussen. "Dietary protein recommendations and the prevention of sarcopenia." Current Opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care vol. 12,1 (2009): 86-90. doi:10.1097/MCO.0b013e32831cef8b

 

Pappova, E et al. "Acute hypoproteinemic fluid overload: its determinants, distribution, and treatment with concentrated albumin and diuretics." Vox sanguinis vol. 33,5 (1977): 307-17. doi:10.1111/j.1423-0410.1977.tb04481.x

Spine Conditions and Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes can wreak havoc on multiple organ systems, including:

 

• The cardiovascular system
• Neurological systems
• Kidneys
• Eye health

 

Diabetes and severe blood sugar fluctuations can lead to back pain and spinal conditions. The negative impacts on the body from diabetes can be destructive as it is a state of chronic inflammation.

Spine Conditions and Diabetes

Spinal conditions being researched and their link to diabetes can affect each condition and its development differently.

Spinal Stenosis

• Spinal stenosis is when the spine’s openings foramina begin to shrink and narrow, causing the nerve roots that branch off the spinal cord to have less space to function.
• The stenosis can compress one or more lumbar spinal nerves.
• Pain, tingling, weakness, and/or numbness in the legs can begin to present.

Spinal Epidural Abscess

• Spinal epidural abscess is an infection between the vertebral bones and the spinal cord membrane.
• Diabetes increases the risk of infection and increases the risk of developing an abscess.
• Hypertension and obesity can also increase the risk of infection.

Lumbar Disc Degeneration

• The back contains spinal discs between each vertebra that are the shock absorbers.
• Lumbar disc degeneration occurs when one or more discs begin to break down.
• The disc’s deterioration causes changes in the lumbar/lower back structure.
• The degeneration also causes back pain.

 

Disc degeneration is a normal part of aging and is expected. However, those who have lived with diabetes for over ten years have a higher risk of developing advanced lumbar disc degeneration. To prevent disc degeneration and/or minimize the adverse effects, it’s essential to maintain blood sugar levels.

Vertebral Osteomyelitis

• Vertebral osteomyelitis is a rare spinal infection resulting from a spinal injury or post-surgical complication/s.
• It is a bacterial infection that can travel to the spine from another location.
• Diabetes increases susceptibility to infections.
• For example, an individual with diabetes could have a foot ulcer, lower back pain, and a fever, symptoms that could indicate the development of vertebral osteomyelitis.

Chiropractic and Decompression Therapy

Spinal decompression is an effective non-surgical technique that can relieve back pain, leg pain, and symptoms associated with spinal conditions and disorders. It works by gently creating traction/pulling force with a specialized mechanical decompression table combined with chiropractic massage and adjustments. Benefits include:

Pain relief

• Decompression relieves tension in tight, spasming, or injured muscles.
• Stimulates the nervous system to release chemical signals that bring pain relief.

Heals spinal disc tissues

• Decompression creates a vacuum force on the spinal discs, helping to circulate much-needed fluids, cells, and other substances to the damaged tissue/s.

Restores spinal disc and joint alignment

• Stress, poor posture, poor body mechanics, and other factors can cause joints to shift out of place or the discs to herniate.
• The vacuum force helps realign the joints and discs.
• Prevents further pain and inflammation.
• Restores mobility and function.

Relieves pressure on nerves

• Spinal nerves can get pinched when discs, bones, or other tissues compress the small spaces causing inflammation and pain.
• Non-surgical decompression increases the space around the nerves, allowing the nerves to heal.

 

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic offer spinal decompression as one of many treatment approaches that make a difference in our patients’ quality of life and functional outcomes.

DOC Decompression Table

 

General Disclaimer *

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, or licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

References

Anekstein, Yoram, et al. “Diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for the development of lumbar spinal stenosis.” The Israel Medical Association journal: IMAJ vol. 12,1 (2010): 16-20.

 

Eivazi, Maghsoud, and Laleh Abadi. “Low back pain in diabetes mellitus and importance of preventive approach.” Health promotion perspectives vol. 2,1 80-8. 1 Jul. 2012, doi:10.5681/hpp.2012.010

 

Heuch, Ingrid et al. “Associations between serum lipid levels and chronic low back pain.” Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.) vol. 21,6 (2010): 837-41. doi:10.1097/EDE.0b013e3181f20808

 

Rinaldo, Lorenzo, et al. “Diabetes and Back Pain: Markers of Diabetes Disease Progression Are Associated With Chronic Back Pain.” Clinical diabetes: a publication of the American Diabetes Association vol. 35,3 (2017): 126-131. doi:10.2337/cd16-0011