Muscle Weakness and Paralysis

Please see conventional, complementary, and alternative medical treatments for important background information regarding the different types of medical treatments discussed on this page. Naturopathic, Complementary, and Alternative treatments that may be considered include:

The most obvious cause of paralysis or muscle weakness is nerve damage due to trauma. There are a number of other possibilities that must be considered as well:

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  Mitochondrial Dysfunction
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  Hypothyroidism is common in muscle weakness.
• Elevated urinary levels of 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxypropionic acid (HPHPA) and other markers of dysbiotic overgrowth with Clostridium spp. are common in muscle weakness and paralysis [Shaw2008] [GP2008].

The bacteria Clostridium botulinum is known to produce a potent neurotoxin that causes flaccid paralysis. Many poorly characterized species of Clostridium are known to contribute to dysbiosis, so it is reasonable to consider the possibility that some of these bacteria also might produce neurotoxins capable of producing similar symptoms.

• Basal body temperature below 97.8 degrees F, elevated TSH, or depressed T3 (suggests hypothyroidism).
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  Organic Acid Test (elevated markers for
gut dysbiosis).

• Physical injury to upper or lower motor neurons.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency [Pacholok2011].

Naturopathic, Complementary, and Alternative Treatments