Gland: Heart

HEART

Keeping it simple, the heart is a muscle that never rests. It works 24/7. From an ionic standpoint, calcium and potassium ions (calcium pump) are responsible for creating the action potential of heart cells. Potassium causes the heart to relax, and decreases the heart rate, whereas calcium has the exact opposite effect. So, any endocrine imbalance causing problems with calcium or potassium has an adverse affect on the heart.
On the other hand, neurotransmitters from the autonomic nervous system and the adrenals such as acetylcholine and epinephrine inhibit and excite the heart. Stimulation of the vagus nerve (parasympathetic division) releases acetylcholine, which decreases the rhythm of the SA node and decreases the junction fiber rhythm of the AV node, due to the acetylcholine effect of increasing cell membrane permeability to potassium. For example, the heart rate of a healthy individual can go as high as 250 beats per minute via sympathetic stimulation, and can almost stop due to parasympathetic stimulation.
Epinephrine, on the other hand, has the exact opposite effect on the heart. Other hormones such as vasopressin, angiotensin, oxytocin, norepinephrine, serotonin and histamine also affect all types of muscles. Each type of smooth muscle has hormonal gated excitatory or inhibitory receptors for that respective hormone.
Other factors, such as lack of oxygen, and increased carbon dioxide and hydrogen, effect baroreceptors inhibiting vasoconstrictor centers in the medulla and exciting the vagus nuclei cause muscles to relax (decreased contraction) or vasodilate.
Perhaps one of the most far-reaching effects on the heart is due to sugar metabolism (glucose and triglycerides.) They give the heart muscle the fuel and the spark it needs to run. Without the proper amounts of fuel, you car and heart cannot make the journey. Sugar metabolism is controlled through many glands such as the pancreas, liver, and adrenals.
Let us by no means leave out protein. Listen, every time you exercise a muscle, it breaks down, and without proper protein intake, and you will not build that muscle back up again. Your heart is no different; there are many flabby heart patients due to reduced protein intake.
I saved the best for last-fat. You will soon find out how important fat is in your diet, and is much more of a friend then you know.

The following blood tests are used to determine a heart conditions:

1. CALCIUM-besides bonding to lipoprotein, calcium also bonds to the oily portion of fatty acids. This is necessary for fatty acids to pass through the intestinal wall. If there is poor oxidation of fatty acids, there will be a specific amount of calcium needed to bond to the fatty acids, thereby decreasing the calcium levels in the blood and decreasing heart muscle function. Calcium ions with ATP also activate the “contractile” process in both smooth and skeletal muscle.

2. POTASSIUM-has prime importance in controlling membrane permeability by displacing the chloride ion as well as epinephrine for the next stage, which permits calcium to cross the cell membrane. This causes the heart muscle to decrease in tone.
It is the only substance that allows oxygen into unoxygenated tissue.

3. LACTIC ACID DEHYDROGENASE (LDH)-is a glycolytic enzyme that functions as a catalyst in carbohydrate metabolism, aiding the pyruvic and lactic acid interchange. LDH is a byproduct of muscle metabolism. When sugar and water (fatty acid metabolism) are exchanged across a muscle cell interface, the byproduct left is called lactic acid. Lactic acid is also a byproduct of fatty acid metabolism via the alkalizing and oxidizing affects of the pancreatic head. When lactic acid combines with the venous blood (carbon dioxide), there is hydrogen displacement. The lactic acid then bonds to a double hydrogen forming lactic acid dehydrogenase. LDH is then a byproduct of carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism.
The organs and glands that that are most responsible for sugar and water interchange across the muscle cell interface are the pancreas and posterior pituitary (via antidiuretic hormone.) LDH is found chiefly in the heart, kidneys, liver, skeletal muscles, as well as all tissues. LDH is a normal component of the cerebral spinal fluid.

4. TRIGLYCERIDES-High triglycerides indicate a weak heart. This is because triglycerides create the spark necessary for combustion to produce energy, in this case, muscular contraction.

5. CHOLESTEROL-HDLs clinging to arterial walls

Potassium

ELECTROLYTES

The blood electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, and the bicarbonate (HCO3) ion.
Sodium, potassium, and chloride enter the body via ingestion of food.
Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, originates within the body via the metabolic process of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
Normally the excretion of sodium, potassium, and water is equal to their intake. The kidneys secrete 80-90 percent of all electrolytes.
Excessive carbon dioxide stimulates the respiratory centers in the brainstem to increase respiration. Therefore, the kidneys and the lungs control sodium, chloride, potassium, water, and carbon dioxide thus exerting control over the acid/alkaline balance in the body.
There are also many other organs, and glands involved in this process, such as the posterior pituitary, adrenals, bowel, and uterus/prostate.
The purpose of electrolytes is to set up a shifting mechanism in the cell membrane via oxidation, allowing increased or decreased permeability to that membrane site.
Sodium, which is found in high concentration outside the cell, has the ability to gather up substances (foods), and bring them to active membrane sites.
Chloride is found in the cell membrane and acts as a “doorman” allowing or disallowing exchanges between the intracellular and extracellular fluids.
Potassium, which is found in high concentrations within cells, oxidizes chloride, and allows sodium, with the food to cross the cell membrane and enter the cell.
Sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and hydrogen are all transported via active transport.
POTASSIUM

Potassium is intracellular, lining the inside of all cell membranes and affecting intracellular fluids, osmotic pressure, buffering viscosity (potassium bicarbonate is the primary intracellular inorganic buffer). When there is a decrease in potassium bicarbonate you have acid cells, which excites the respiratory centers so the patient hyperventilates. Metabolic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis drives potassium out of the cells, affecting electrolyte balance, water retention and carbon dioxide transport in red blood cells. Potassium is responsible via the posterior pituitary for oxidizing secondary hydrogen chloride (affecting adrenal function), allowing the sodium-aggregated substances to cross the cell membrane by affecting the membranes permeability.
Potassium is the only substance, which allows oxygen into unoxygenated tissue. About 90% of the body’s potassium supply is intracellular with only a small percent in the serum.
80% of that is found in the muscles (used for muscular contraction) and in the bones. Potassium levels are regulated by the Na/K ATPase pump which requires magnesium for proper function.
Potassium is necessary for proper function of mineralocorticoids, (aldosterone and deoxycorticosterone) thus maintaining sodium concentration and alkaline reserve.
Therefore, potassium is of great value to the posterior pituitary (ADH/oxytocin), the pineal, and the adrenal cortex via aldosterone secretion.
Potassium along with sodium regulate renal acid-base balance, by substituting hydrogen ions for sodium and potassium in the renal tubules.
Potassium also facilitates oxygen to the myocardium and oxidizes the S.A. node of the heart.
The heart has the highest potassium concentration in the body. Potassium along with calcium and magnesium controls the rate and force of contraction in heart muscle.
It is the primary oxidizer of the body capable of expressing all cellular needs.
Potassium also regulates neurological impulses via osmotic pressure gradients throughout the nervous system.
Potassium directs carbohydrate digestion by polarizing minerals associated with carbohydrate digestion, from the time the carbohydrate enters the body until the cell utilizes it.
Potassium also makes proteins soluble and regulates protein synthesis.
80-90 percent of potassium in the cells is excreted by the kidneys (resulting in the loss of 40-50 mEq/L per day even during fasting) with the remainder excreted by the stool and through sweating

POTASSIUM IS LOW WHEN
General considerations:

¬ Increase water intake
¬ Increase magnesium intake
¬ Decrease calcium intake
¬ Increase potassium intake
¬ Decrease carbohydrate intake

Calcium

CALCIUM
Calcium is the largest most nonpolar, alkaline and most abundant of all minerals with 99% of all calcium found in the bones and teeth.
Calcium exists in the ionized state 55 percent of the time and 45 percent of the time in the non-diffusible state, bound to either albumin, prealbumin or thyroglobulin. Therefore, if there is a decrease in serum albumin then there will be a decrease in serum calcium.
Calcium has many functions:
¬ Provides the mobilizing factor in trauma, infections and stress for tissue repair, along with vitamins A, C, manganese, phosphorus, and fatty acids.
¬ Causes vasoconstriction, while potassium, sodium, magnesium, hydrogen ions, and carbon dioxide cause vasodilatation.
¬ Is necessary for bone formation along with phosphorus, collagen, hydroxyapatite (gives bone its hardness) and bone salts of magnesium, sodium, potassium, carbonate, uranium, plutonium, and strontium.
¬ Calcium is used to create action potentials across smooth and striated muscles leading to contraction.
¬ Calcium is used as an intracellular communicator via calcium ion gated channels.
¬ Calcium collects and gather up lipoproteins, and move them across the intestinal membrane. Attaches to oils, fats, fatty acids and waxes. Calcium is absorbed in the upper portion of the small intestines (duodeneum), and the amount absorbed depends on the "acidity" of the intestinal content, via phosphorylation and protein content. When the ratio of calcium to magnesium (which is found in the intestinal membrane as well as cell membranes) is greater than 2-1, fat is drawn through the intestinal and cell membranes. Calcium also requires vitamin D. and HCl for optimal metabolism.

The glands involved with calcium are:
1. The stomach via the release of HCL, which affects the preparation and absorption of calcium.
2. The parathyroids- via parathormone control of calcium ion concentration by controlling intestinal absorption, excretion via the kidneys and the release of calcium from the bones.
3. The liver/gallbladder- via bile emulsification of lipoproteins, preparing them for intestinal absorption.
4. The spleen- which stores and ages fats or lipoproteins.
5. The parotids- due to their ability to program foodstuffs.
6. The thyroid glands-via "calcitonin", promoting deposition of calcium in the bones, while decreasing calcium concentration in the extra-cellular fluids and the blood.
7. The anterior pituitary via its control of magnesium regulating calcium uptake, which regulates protein transport thru the cell membranes.
8. The pancreas- via its ability to oxidize fatty acids
Therefore, any of the above glands or organs or combinations thereof has a great impact on calcium levels.
CALCIUM IS HIGH WHEN
General considerations
¬ Your patient should drink plenty of water
¬ Make sure they are not hypervitaminosis on Vitamins A or D
¬ Very high protein diets may increase calcium levels
¬ Magnesium and phosphates may also increase calcium levels
¬ Using sea salt can help to reduce calcium levels.
CALCIUM IS LOW WHEN
General considerations:
¬ Increase Vitamin A and D intake
¬ Increase albumin and protein intake
¬ Increase magnesium intake
¬ Increase phosphorus