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Dr. Todd | Elk River, MN Functional Medicine

Chiropractor | Elk River, MN

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What Does Protein Do?

Protein is one of the two essential macronutrients in the body. This is because of it’s vital function in repair, energy contribution, hormone production, enzymes, and immune system function. If you’re interested in how much you should be taking in, then check out my article on that by clicking below!

How Much Protein Should You Be Taking?

 

 

Briefly, What is Protein?

Protein is made up of amino acids. Think of these as pearls on a necklace. The necklace would be the protein and the individual pearls are the amino acids. There are 20 amino acids and only 10 are required to get through your diet. How they are arranged and shaped determine their roles.


Function in Repair

No matter what your background, this is by far the job that gets the most attention. Repair and recovery is one of the few things we can actually see in the mirror and appreciate without looking under a microscope.

Muscle Hypertrophy

The most important aspect of building muscle is your ability to repair and recover between workouts. The advantage to taking steroids and other PED’s is decreasing your body’s repair time allowing for more work to be done over time.

So, what about us natural guys? Proteins are the building blocks of muscle. A house can not be built without the materials that make it up, right? Aside from being the actual material that makes up muscle, protein stimulates insulin (the most anabolic hormone in the body) and protein synthesis. Some amino acids accomplish this task better than others, such as Leucine. Eating foods higher in Leucine content like red meat and chicken should be considered.

Gut Lining (Leaky Gut)

Glutamine is a staple in any “leaky gut” protocol these days. Glutamine can help protect the gut lining by helping with mucus production and aid in the healing of the actual intestinal lining. Aside from glutamine there are three other amino acids that will help with leaky gut issues. Cysteine, glycine, and glutamate make up the most powerful antioxidant in the body, glutathione. [1]“Glutathione is suggested to play an important role in gut barrier function and prevention of intestinal inflammation.” Maintaining proper amounts of glutathione is imperative to overall health and gut integrity.


Function in Break Down

It is imperative for the body to be able to break down substances. For the purposes of this article we will be dividing enzymes into 2 very important functions.

Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are crucial to help break down food and nutrients before they are absorbed. Undigested food can irritate the intestinal lining and cause leaky gut phenomenon. If proteins aren’t fully broken down they can also trigger autoimmunity within the body. Taking enzymes might aid in digestion and thus absorption in the body.

Metabolic Enzymes

Enzymes responsible for cleaning out waste from cells and maintaining balance within the body are called metabolic enzymes. They aid in reducing reactions like recycling glutathione to improve oxidation status.


Function in Communication

Neurotransmitters

Scientists today still are unaware of how many neurotransmitters are working in the body. Preceded by amino acids, they are found in nerve tissues and within the gut to help communicate between organs and cells in the nervous system. These signals can be voluntary or involuntary and transportation occurs through nerve tissue.

Hormones

There is some overlap between neurotransmitters and hormones. The main differences are that neurotransmitters are very fast acting and hormones are slower. Because of this some hormone signals have the ability to last longer to accomplish a task. Hormones typically look to affect distant tissues, are transported in blood and are involuntary signals.

 


References

[1]Ampting, M. T., Schonewille, A. J., Vink, C., Brummer, R., Meer, R., & Bovee-Oudenhoven, I. M. (2009). Intestinal barrier function in response to abundant or depleted mucosal glutathione in Salmonella-infected rats. BMC Physiology, 9(1), 6. doi:10.1186/1472-6793-9-6

 

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EXCELLENT Based on 75 reviews.
Holly Miller
Holly Miller
2021-11-23
I have seen Dr Todd for a few years and I must say, he goes above and beyond for his patients. He is extremely knowledgeable in his field and is very caring as well. He will take the time to explain everything to you so you can better understand what is going on and, therefore, be able to find a solution to the cause! I love that treatment of causes is the priority, not just treating symptoms. He has helped me personally with a lot of hormonal issues that have been causing me problems with fatigue, inability to lose weight, digestive issues,, migraine headaches and more. All other Drs just want to treat the individual symptoms with medication versus treating the root CAUSE! I'm so thankful for Dr Todd and all he has taken the time to help me with!
Dave Dickens
Dave Dickens
2021-10-31
I am very sorry to lose Todd as my chiropractor. You folks are in for an excellent mix of chiropractic and holistic healing. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Suzanne Swiney
Suzanne Swiney
2021-10-20
Dr. Todd Anderson changed my life. I was seeing seven specialists when I started seeing Dr Anderson three years ago. He helped me regain my life, and I’m down to two specialist and a chiropractor. He also helped get my blood sugar under control by finding numerous food sensitivities and multiple infections, all of which were treated without prescription medication. As a result, my pain from chronic inflammation is gone; I’m sleeping through the night and have more energy and stamina. He thoroughly explained the importance of nutrition in a life with autoimmune diseases. He was easy to talk with and put the patient’s needs first. I was never anxious while under his care because I was continually informed. I was very blessed to have his care for three years until he and his wife moved. If you’re looking for this type of care, Dr Anderson is the best.
Heather Nelson
Heather Nelson
2021-09-30
Dr. Anderson is very professional and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend him!
Nicole Michaelis
Nicole Michaelis
2021-09-20
Dr. Todd is the best. He has helped me so much. I'd be limping into his office and leave with a spring in my step. Well, maybe not immediately. But he always made me feel better, digged deep to unearth the issues, and helped me get back out there ready to do what I love to do.
Chris Klingler
Chris Klingler
2021-09-17
I’ve had numerous back, neck and shoulder issues over the past few years. Dr. Anderson has done an amazing of treating my issues with a focus on finding the underlying issues and treating them. It’s allowed me to stay in the gym and on my mountain bike when I don’t believe I could have otherwise. I’d highly recommend him to anyone dealing with pain, range of motion and other issues.
Cristie Bryant
Cristie Bryant
2021-09-14
The care I have received from Dr. Anderson was excellent. He is professional, caring and he listens. His methods are unique, non invasive and his knowledge of overall health are second to no one. I would highly recommend him to anyone.
Laura Cunningham
Laura Cunningham
2021-09-11
Highly recommend Dr. Anderson! He is knowledgeable, thorough and caring! He has helped so many people and has been a huge asset to our community! He will be greatly missed. Best wishes on your next endeavor Dr. Anderson! Your new community is gaining a wonderful doctor.
amy estep
amy estep
2021-09-10
Dr. Anderson was very helpful n took time to listen to all my concerns. He would always help explain any blood work or test that I had done n that helped me understand a lot. He is very caring n sympathetic doctor n will be missed.
Melissa Brown
Melissa Brown
2021-09-03
So knowledgable with nutrition. Eases my aches and pains through diet and kinesthetic work. Excellent care.

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636-735-3534
231 Main Street NW
Elk River, MN

About Dr. Todd Anderson

The purpose of this site is to educate and break down the rhetoric of mainstream thought prohibiting the progress of health through functional nutrition and chiropractic. He is a chiropractor currently located in Elk River, Minnesota.

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Disclaimer: Dr. Todd Anderson is a licensed Chiropractic Physician and Applied Kinesiologist in the state of Minnesota & West Virginia. Information on this website is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute (i) medical advice or counseling, (ii) the practice of medicine including psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy or the provision of health care diagnosis or treatment, (iii) the creation of a physician patient or clinical relationship, or (iv) an endorsement, recommendation or sponsorship of any third party product or service by the Sponsor or any of the Sponsor's affiliates, agents, employees, consultants or service providers. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly.

Copyright Dr. Todd Anderson, DC© 2022