COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 365
Crucial for vascular health and blood flow
Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)
Involved in cellular growth and neural development
Immune reactivity to these growth factors may compromise the
brain's ability to maintain and repair itself, creating vulnerability to
degenerative processes [13, 14].
Enteric Nerve, Enzymes, and Neurological Peptides
Enteric Nervous System Components
Parts of the "second brain" in the digestive tract
Digestive Enzymes
Critical for proper nutrient absorption and gut function
Neurological Peptides
Messaging molecules that facilitate gut-brain communication
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)
Regulates intestinal blood flow and secretions
Immune reactivity in this category may reflect disruption of the
gut-brain axis, which emerging research links strongly to
neurodegeneration [15, 16].
Pathogens
Oral Bacteria
Including specific strains linked to AD development
Herpes Simplex Virus
Associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's
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