Page 18 - Summer2009

When the WHAT CAUSES LOW METABOLIC 7KH WK\URLG JODQG FDQQRW PDNH HQRXJK 7

body doesn’t ENERGY? (hypothyroidism).
Every process that goes on inside our bodies 2. The adrenal glands are too weak to handle

have enough UHTXLUHV HQHUJ\²VSHFL¿FDOO\ PHWDEROLF HQHUJ\ the stress of the body’s normal metabolic
energy to When the body doesn’t have enough energy to energy and force a down-regulation of energy
production.
function function properly, each component of the body 3. The enzymes (cellular machinery) which
will malfunction in its own unique way. For ex-
properly, each ample, if the brain has too little energy, thought make ATP may be held back due to chemi-
component of processes such as memory and focus become cal interference from toxins, lack of needed
the body will impaired. ingredients (vitamins or minerals), or break-

down due to auto-immune disease or old viral
The body needs energy to keep itself warm;
malfunction a low body temperature, therefore, usually ac- damage.
in its own companies low metabolic energy. (For more ,PEDODQFH RI KRUPRQHV VXFK DV JURZWK
unique way. examples see the symptoms list, page 17.) In our hormone, testosterone, estrogen or proges-
cells, ready-to-use energy is present in the form
terone.
of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules. The 6HYHUH FDORULF UHVWULFWLRQ
body converts fats and carbohydrates into ATP
that is then used for energy. However, there are When one or a combination of these factors
other factors involved that can affect how well is in place, the symptoms of low metabolic en-
our body can make this conversion. ergy, such as fatigue, weight issues, memory loss,
The thyroid gland, located at the base of cold hands and dry skin, may start to appear.
WKH QHFN PDNHV WKH KRUPRQH 7 WK\UR[LQH
7 FRQYHUWV WR 7 WULLRGRWK\URQLQH DQG 57 DIAGNOSING METABOLIC
(reverse T3). It is T3 that turns on the ATP-mak- ENERGY PROBLEMS
ing machinery inside each living cell, while the To restore energy to a healthy level, the
RT3 slows it down. Production of these thyroid causative problem(s) must be corrected. Toxic
hormones is controlled by TSH (thyroid stimulat- H[SRVXUH QXWULWLRQDO GH¿FLHQFLHV IRRG DOOHUJLHV
ing hormone), which is released by the pituitary (such as allergies to wheat), viral factors and
gland in the brain. The pituitary takes its orders auto-immune damage are all, to some degree,
from the hypothalamus (also part of the brain). universal. If severe enough, any one of these fac-
The adrenal glands, located on top of each tors (or a combination of several lesser ones) can
kidney, help the body deal with stress. If meta- overwhelm the body’s metabolic mechanisms
bolic activity is excessive, the adrenals perceive and become the cause of the problem.
this as a stress. In response to this stress, the The focus of this article, however, is low
hypothalamus will signal the pituitary to pro- metabolism caused by adrenal or thyroid dys-
GXFH OHVV 76+ WKXV SURGXFLQJ GHFUHDVHG 7 DQG function, or a combination of the two.
thyroid activity. Based on the above explanation, Before going further, I wish to point out an
some of the contributors to low metabolic energy observation I’ve made regarding the relation-
are as follows: ship of the thyroid gland to the adrenals. They

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bruce Rind, MD, is one of the leading holistic medical doctors in the Washington metropolitan area. He is certified
by the American Board of Holistic Medicine and has been practicing holistic medicine since 1985. Dr. Rind started his
medical career as an anesthesiologist. From there he moved into pain management and finally to holistic medicine.
He has developed expertise in areas of sports medicine, endocrinology (all hormonal concerns), repair of brain
injury (especially after stroke) and women’s health. Dr. Rind has taken additional training in a variety of alternative medi-
cal therapies. Dr. Rind’s treatment approach is holistic. He completed his full osteopathic training for MDs at Michigan
State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has completed a three-part British program of Cyriax techniques
in orthopedic medicine. Further, Dr. Rind is an assistant professor at Howard University College of Medicine.
Visit his website at www.drrind.com.
16 Wise Traditions SUMMER 2009