ria. This leads to loss of mu- cosal barrier integrity in the gut, dysbiosis, inflammation and fatigue.22, 23


More inflam-


masomes are then produced, leading to a vicious cycle and chronic tissue damage.


How to Restore the Mitochondrial Membrane


The mitochondrial membrane contains the major classes of phospholipids found in all cell membranes, including phos- phatidylcholine (PC), phos- phatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol


(PI),


phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidic acid (PA), as well as phosphatidylglycerol (PG), the precursor for cardiolipin (CL); which is predominantly located in the mitochondria.


Using Lipid Replacement Therapy (LRT®) in the form of a stable oral supplement that emulates the amount and composition of the mitochondrial lipids assures that inappropriate oxidative membrane damage is prevented, damaged membrane phospholipids are replaced and mitochondrial membrane permeability is maintained in the optimal range. It also reduces the number of mitochondrial DNA deletions. Thus LRT® can be used to restore mitochondrial and other cellular membrane functions via delivery of undamaged replacement lipids to cells


16 Focus August 2012


and that, in turn, can reduce inflammasome promotion.


Recent clinical trials using pa- tients with chronic fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome24 have shown the benefit of LRT®. Using naturally occur- ring membrane phosphatidyl lipids listed above, mitochon- drial electron transport func- tion can be restored and mod- erate to severe chronic fatigue can be significantly reduced in the process.25


Additional studies have also identified significant im- provements in energy, mood, affect and function in a healthy population following ingestion of the glycophos- pholipids in a drink.26, 27


In recent studies, LRT and B Vitamins given for 6 months or more has also reduced the blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine, which are re- lated to increased risk for car- diovascular disease, stroke, cognitive loss, depression and immune dysfunction.28


The use of LRT® is attractive as a safe and effective intervention in the treatment of persistent and transient fatigue. Studies have been conducted on vari- ous populations, from those with normal health and func- tion to those undergoing com- plex treatments for cancer and those with persistent fatigue. These groups have shown be- tween 30-45% improvement in


fatigue perception and function 25,26,27


ally recognized Piper Fatigue Scale.29


utilizing the internation- In addition, in concert


with significant fatigue reduc- tion, a cross-over clinical trial has shown that mitochondrial function was also significantly improved. Even in severely fa- tigued patients with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromy- algia syndrome, LRT® reduced fatigue by 43.1%.25


In one impressive study LRT® reduced fatigue 35.5% in ag- ing adults and significantly improved mitochondrial func- tion to a level that was simi- lar to that found in young, healthy adults.30


Mitochondria, the Gut and Immune Regulation: An Evolving Comprehension


As indicated, recent studies suggest that mitochondria are significant players in the orches- tration of innate immune re- sponses via the inflammasome, which results in the production and release of the pro-inflam- matory cytokines IL-1β and IL- 18.31, 32


These, in turn, contrib-


ute to the symbiosis/dysbiosis of the bacterial organisms that reside in our digestive tract. The digestive tract is home to trillions of bacteria, and is also the site of greatest density of innate immune receptors in the body. These receptors are key mediators in the manage- ment and maintenance of im-


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