by Dr. Andrew Lipton
Narberth Family Medicine
Life, a characteristic state or mode of living, the conditions that distinguishes organisms from inorganic. What are these conditions? In Biology, there are 5 conditions that define living: Motion, Respiration, Assimilation, Elimination, and Reproduction. In other words, all life moves, breathes, eats and drinks, gets rid of waste, and creates new cells, through repair or offspring.
1. Motion
Motion. Exercise. Fitness. The three essential components of fitness are strength, flexibility and aerobic capacity.
2. Breathing
Oxygen is the number one nutrient and many of our cells will begin to die within minutes of being deprived of oxygen. Effective delivery of oxygen to the tissues begins with deep breathing. Deep breathing can be achieved through regular exercise, yoga, or meditation. Sometimes even a deep yawn will deliver more air to the lungs and oxygen to the tissues. Oxidative therapies are treatments that deliver more oxygen to the tissues.
3. Assimilation of Nutrients
Nutrients are assimilated through the digestive tract. This process begins with the proper introduction of the nutrients into the stomach and small intestines. The body’s first response to food in the stomach is to make stomach acid which is a stimulus to begin the digestive process. The digestive process is an enzymatic chain of events. Enzymes are produced in the stomach, pancreas, liver and stored in the gallbladder. There are three main nutrients, or macronutrients: fats, carbohydrates and proteins. The 3 enzyme groups the body produces to digest these nutrients are lipases for fats, carbohydrases for carbs and proteases for proteins.
When the body does not make the appropriate enzymes or does not produce the sufficient amount of enzymes, the food will not be digested properly, hence the word “Indigestion”.
The first response to foods not digesting is to make more acid to start the digestive process, but if the enzymes are not present, the symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux may ensue. Supplementation of Digestive Enzymes can help this process.
4. Elimination of Waste and Toxins
The detoxification and elimination process begins in the liver and kidney and small intestines, and continue to the colon and bladder for removal from the body. Proper liver and kidney function is required to remove toxins from the digestive track and blood.Improper elimination of toxins can result in constipation, bloating, and edema or swelling. Fiber supplementation can aid in the elimination of toxins from the colon. Proper hydration will aid in the elimination from the bladder. There are supplements to aid the liver and kidney in their function as well.
5. Reproduction
Repair and Reproduction are essential processes to continuing both life of the individual and the species. Intracellular repair is also an enzymatic process which is regulated inside the cells by instructions on the DNA. Antioxidants help repair damage to DNA, while proper hydration enables optimal cellular repairs.
Dr. Lipton has taken advanced training in OMT and is Board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of NeuroMusculoSkeletal Medicine.
Dr. Lipton completed his residency in Family Medicine at Suburban General Hospital, Norristown, Pennsylvania and is Board Certified in Family Medicine. Dr. Lipton was trained in Chelation Therapy by the American College for Advancement in Medicine, a group of physicians dedicated to being open to new alternatives in medicine. Dr. Lipton is also Board certified by the American Board of Chelation Therapy.