THE CONTRAST IS JARRING

beauty and menace on the farm

As beautiful as it is in the country, it's not all stunning sunsets and roses. Look closely at the photo below. It's a 4 foot black snake, also known as a "coop" or "rat" snake. I found it living in my chicken coop. I had been puzzled and disraught because some of the baby chicks born in April had disappeared while others had just died for no apparent reason overnight.

After finally digging through the shavings I found the serpent living comfortably among the helpless chicks.

3 weeks earlier I discovered a hole leading into the coop which apparently allowed its entrance. I proceeded to plug the hole with a rock, effectively TRAPPING the creature INSIDE the coop!

Needless to say I'm heartbroken as well as guilt ridden. I profess to be a careful steward to all the beings in my care, and I failed.

It's a hard life lesson. I nurtured these baby's from the time they were 2 days old. They lived in an incubator in my house for a month but despite caring a lot and trying hard, things didn't end up the way I had hoped. My family has urged that I give up chickens for awhile. But giving up makes the failure feel that much worse.

Will nurturing new chicks make me feel any better?

Any successful person has failures. Persistence is how we learn.

Seasoned backyard chicken farmers have said,

"these things happen." But do I want to try again?

WHAT IS A MITOCHONDRIA ANYWAY?

(And what does it have to do with inflammation and energy?)

The next installment from GOOD ENERGY, by Casey Means, MD

Energy production in the body is the key to good health. It is generated in teeny-tiny cellular structures called mitochondria. When metabolic disturbance interferes with mitochondrial energy production, the body responds by recruiting immune cells for support. This is a massive but essential undertaking and the collateral damage is inflammation.

Not only does poor mitochondrial function LEAD to inflammation. It is also driven by inflammation.

WHAT CAUSES INFLAMMATION?

Inflammation is a part of life and, in fact, a necessary process that enables us to manage our environment, heal from injury and create stronger muscles after exercise. But when inflammation becomes systemic, it can cause chronic pain and disease, including heart disease, arthritis, mental health and neurologic disorders, migraine and IBS/gut problems.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE IS ABOUT MANAGING INFLAMMATION

There are indicators that can be tested in blood such as CRP, homocysteine and glucose that offer clues as to what habits or metabolic disturbance might be driving the problem.

Checking hormones like cortisol, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can indicate endocrine problems that lead to inflammation.

Stool analysis of bacteria, fungi (good and bad), digestive enzymes, parasites, immune function, abnormal allergic antibodies and markers of inflammation can be influential in directing an effective course of care.

Creating good energy isn't hard. It demonstrates physiologic balance and is our natural human default,

If you'd like to learn more about functional medicine check out the book or call Dr. Durakis. She is offering complimentary 15 minute consultations through the summer.

drcindydurakis@gmail.com