General Weakness

 


Risk factors for General Weakness

Autoimmune  


Circulation  


Diet  

Dehydration

A loss of 4-5% of body weight of fluid decreases the capacity for hard muscular work by 20-30%.



 


Environment / Toxicity  


 


Hormones  


 


Infections  


 


Mental  


Metabolic  


 


 


Nutrients  


Organ Health  


Supplements and Medications  

(Past) cholesterol-lowering drug use

Statins, a popular set of drugs used to lower cholesterol, can result in muscle weakness and pain, and even debilitating and life-threatening muscle damage. A new study offers the first evidence that a gene known as atrogin-1 plays a key role in statin-related muscle toxicity.

Statins such as Lipitor, Zocor, Pavacol and Mevacor lower cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, a key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. But they may also activate the gene atrogin-1 gene, which plays a key role in muscle atrophy.

Three separate tests showed that even at low concentrations, statin drugs led to atrogin-1 induced muscle damage. As the concentration was increased, the damage increased as well. [The Journal of Clinical Investigation December 2007; 117(12):3940-51]



Uro-Genital  

Andropause/Male Menopause

The sensation of weakness, especially muscle weakness, may be due to the loss of muscle mass seen in andropause.




General Weakness suggests the following may be present

Autoimmune  


Cell Salts  


Circulation  


Environment / Toxicity  


 


Hormones  


Infections  


Laboratory Test Needed  


Organ Health  



Recommendations for General Weakness

Diet  

Therapeutic Fasting

Fasting should not be employed if a general weakness exists due to malnutrition.



Extract  


Lab Tests/Rule-Outs  


Mineral  

Potassium

Sometimes weakness may be improved by potassium consumption, when dietary potassium is low.



Key

Weak or unproven link
Strong or generally accepted link
Proven definite or direct link
May do some good
Likely to help
May have adverse consequences

Glossary

Cholesterol

A waxy, fat-like substance manufactured in the liver and found in all tissues, it facilitates the transport and absorption of fatty acids. In foods, only animal products contain cholesterol. An excess of cholesterol in the bloodstream can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.

Enzymes

Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.