March 20, 2020

Neurodegenerative Disorders with Dr. Greg Eckel

32 minutes

In this episode of The Functional Medicine Radio Show, Dr. Carri’s special guest Dr. Greg Eckel explains his FAN-C Approach to Parkinson’s Disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

The combination of Naturopathic and Chinese Medicine (acupuncture and botanical medicine) has provided Dr. Eckel with a variety of tools to treat both acute and chronic illness while valuing the principles of prevention and wellness.

He has developed a deep and personal knowledge of chronic neurological conditions, including regenerative medicine and the development of a brain regenerative program.

Dr. Eckel is trained in family practice and maintains a particular interest in neurodegenerative disorders – including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injuries, headaches, migraines, palsies, and post stroke recovery.

Main Questions Asked About Neurodegenerative Disorders:

What can you tell us about your FAN-C approach to Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative disorders?

What more can you tell us about the brain regeneration aspect?

So how often are these procedures done?

What’s the long-term effect?

What about the Brain Degeneration Summit you’re hosting?

Key Points made by Dr. Eckel on Neurodegenerative Disorders:

The FAN-C approach is a process I’ve put together over the last two decades of practice. It comes out of research into the neurodegenerative field as a result my wife’s terminal illness,

The “F” stands for functional – treating the whole dynamic, heart-centered people, really listening to people, and addressing them as the whole dynamic being.

The “A” stands for assessment – a lot of time when you get a diagnosis in the neuro realm, there’s no definitive test or imaging, it’s a clinical diagnosis, but a lot of things can mimic central nervous system and brain neurodegeneration whether it be dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or M.S,

A big component that I see with brain disorders and nervous system issues is heavy metals. We all have heavy metals in us, but in a neurological condition we must rule those in or out.

There’s a lot of fat in your brain, and we store these toxins and metals in our fat. Once they are removed treatment can work,

The second component is molecular mimicry, for Parkinson’s it’s Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus. Also, other chronic infections can mimic neurodegenerative conditions; so you need to do a proper workup on viruses and infection.

Thirdly, we do hormone balancing.

The fourth area I look at is the microbiome to make sure that the flora and fauna of the gut is what is should be with no imbalances.

Then the “N” stands for nerve, particularly nerve health. Here we’re looking at the specific nutrients for nerve health.

Then the “dash C” is for cellular regeneration, exosomes and stem cell therapy. Just getting into the research, you realize that there is a lot showing that this is a safe and effective therapy.

That’s how I codified the FAN-C approach to neurodegenerative disorders and Parkinson’s in particular,

Honestly, the biggest lever in the whole approach is the regenerative medicine component. It’s controversial, but only because there’s an “unknowingness.”

I use mesenchymal stem cells from cord blood.

These cells secrete exosomes with growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

My analogy is, when you have a condition/a disease process occurring, your symphony is playing the wrong tune, it’s become disorganized. When you introduce the cells to the body, they help reorganize the innate healing ability of the body – it’s like a new conductor coming in and getting your symphony playing the right tune.

Additionally, these cells can differentiate into neurons in your brain, cartilage in your knee, osteocytes for your bone, muscle cells, epithelial cells, heart tissue,

One of our practices is to do an intra-nasal procedure to bypass the blood-brain barrier.

A lot of the procedures we do in regenerative medicine is more in the orthopedic realm; and I’m employing these cells mor in the neuro-generative space.

I have people flying in from around the world for our Camp Nature Cures. We don’t’ just use the cells; we use the FAN-C approach – a functional, comprehensive program for all areas of the body. We do hyperbaric therapy and some IV therapy and acupuncture, and we tailor Chinese herbs for people to take home with them.

Basically, this is regenerative medicine. It doesn’t wear off. It’s actually your body healing itself.

We definitely do follow-ups by phone or Skype.

Occasionally, we try to partner the patient with practitioners in their locale that can help with hormonal imbalances, viral loads or heavy metals, as we really want to address these things.

During the upcoming Brain Degeneration Summit, I will be interviewing world experts on brain health on a full range of neurodegenerative disorders, including dementia or Alzheimer’s, M.S., Parkinson’s, and ALS, and the general mindset on healing the brain.

Unfortunately, when we’re talking about our brain and our central nervous system, it’s so multifactorial. The environment we’re living in influences us; the food we eat influences us; our mindset and our thought processes influence us. On top of that, there are viruses and stresses and traumas and the whole slew of what physicians do.

I think there is a misunderstanding when you get these diagnoses and it becomes just “watch and wait” and get monitored. There are a lot of things we can do for our brain health, to either prevent or treat these things.

Resources Mentioned for Neurodegenerative Disorders:

Book – Shake it Off: An Integrative Approach to Parkinson’s Solutions

Dr. Eckel’s website

Book – Reclaim Your Energy and Feel Normal Again

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