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What is
NAD Energy Deficiency (NED)? All
human activities require physical energy. Research has indicated that
90% of our physical energy must be made available from the biochemical
processes within our cells. Each cell in your body has a particular
function that needs energy to do its job. This energy is produced by
various chemical processes in the cells, in little “energy
factories”. We refer to such energy factories as the
mitochondria. Glucose is the fuel for our mitochondria and is obtained
from the food which we consume by means of digestion. Most processes in
the mitochondria that releases energy however require a particular
coenzyme to produce this energy. Without the coenzyme, the mitochondria
will simply not function. NAD is such a coenzyme and it maintains the
processes in all mitochondria.
When there is a
deficiency in NAD molecules, it results in the insufficient production
of metabolic energy. Insufficient production of metabolic energy can
also be caused by a shortage of mitochondria in the cells. This
metabolic energy deficiency is called a NAD Energy Deficiency (NED).
NED
is insufficient chemical energy for life and can be defined as the
physical state which develops when the body does not have enough NAD
molecules and accompanying energy metabolic cofactors to generate
enough metabolic energy on a cellular level to maintain the body in a
constant state of health. The body constantly requires NAD and if the
NAD level becomes too low, all of the enzymatic actions in the body run
down and none of the body’s systems function optimally.
NAD
Energy deficiencies are:
- Genetically
inherited
- Induced
- or
acquired
Genetically
inherited NED
Genetic NED is an
irreversible and chronic condition that is transferred from mother to
child and is already present at the moment of conception.
When the
mother has too few mitochondria, her ovum (egg cell) will have too few
mitochondria and her children will inherit this mitochondrial make up
(DNA) from her. A child’s mitochondrial DNA is derived from
his mother’s ovum’s mitochondrial DNA only. (The
mitochondrial DNA of the farther is located in the tail of the sperm
which is discarded during the moment of conception, so no mitochondrial
DNA can be derived from it.) It is estimated that 10% of people inherit
a genetic NED due to this genetic defect in mitochondria.
Her
daughter and son will therefore inherit an energy deficiency, but the
son may marry a woman who has enough power plants. The problem
therefore ends at that stage. The daughter, however, will spread the
problem. Ninety percent of persons get enough NAD from food and can
utilise it completely, because enough energy factories (mitochondria)
are available in their cells. The 10% who suffer from NED, will never
be able to obtain enough NAD from food on its own. They will have to
use NAD as an energy supplement if they want to have a stable body with
sufficient physical energy, which will make it possible to enjoy a good
quality life. Induced
NED An
induced state of NED is reversible and temporary in nature. The
cellular NAD pool can be lowered sufficiently to bring about a NED
through: - Excessive
alcohol consumption
- Excessive
exercise
- Drug
abuse and misuse
- Severe
Malnutrition
Acquired
NED Acquired
NED is irreversible and chronic. Infections, severe catabolic states,
tissue anoxia, severe dehydration and poisoning can result in an
acquired NAD Energy Deficiency. This acquired form is relatively common
in critically ill patients. NED can
be viewed as a spectrum disorder that mostly manifests itself as
chronic fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, substance abuse, depression,
stress, anxiety and various other chronic illnesses.
Coping
with NED When one
suffers from NED, the need for NAD is activated in the primitive part
of the brain. This biochemical action cannot be changed by the mind or
changed by willpower. When too little or irregular energy is available
to oneself, various coping strategies can be adopted to try and deal
with living with the underlying NED.
These
attempts at coping with NED can be either:
Active
- (Attempts at restoring one’s energy levels) - or
Passive
- (Attempts at conserving one’s existing energy levels)
Active
coping styles include:
Using chemical
substances (legal, illegal, prescribed and natural) to increase energy
levels.
Adopting behavioural problems such as workaholism, sex
or love addiction, bulimia, obesity or insomnia.
Attempting to
address and deal with the trigger by means of therapy and counselling.
The prerequisite for achieving success with this process is that
sufficient energy must be made available to facilitate change. A person
suffering from NED can draw the wrong conclusion: - that neither
counselling nor therapy works. An example of this is the
“revolving door syndrome”, where patients
constantly change therapists and treatment regimes.
Attempting
to increase stamina, in other words, an attempt is made to accomplish
more with the little energy that is available. Examples being excessive
exercising and exercise dependency.
Passive
coping styles include:
Reducing activities
that require energy, or adapting to low energy levels. Examples of
these are lowering productivity, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome,
sexual anorexia and excessive sleeping.
Using inappropriate
energy to deal with energy related problems on another dimension of
being. For example using only spiritual interventions (waiting or
relying on miracles alone) to alleviate physical problems for which
effective treatment exists.
Substituting one form of
coping mechanism with another and wrongly believing that the underlying
NAD Energy deficiency is effectively dealt with. Various treatment
approaches set “positive” addictions (e.g. lifelong
support groups) as the treatment goal for chronic disorders.
Living
only on one form of dimension of being and neglecting or ignoring the
existence of the other dimensions of being and refraining from being a
fully integrated human being. Religious addiction and co-dependency are
possible examples of this coping mechanism.
Some of
these coping strategies for NED can develop into full-blown disorders.
These disorders are called NAD Energy Deficiency Related Syndromes.
NAD
Energy Deficiency Related Syndromes
Chronic
Fatigue is one of the most general and least understood symptoms of
many chronic conditions. An underlying NED can attribute significantly
to chronic fatigue in these chronic conditions.
Steps to
treatment of NAD Energy Deficiency
NAD
Energy supplements are preferred to be used in co-operation with your
health care professional, although you may choose to follow a self help
approach in treating NAD Energy Deficiency. |
