Alfred Pischinger & the Extracellular Matrix

Every second, millions of your cells die. The body is, then, responsible for ejecting cellular die-off and debris from the body to make way for new cells. This change-over is ever-constant and is happening at a pace that the human mind can barely comprehend.

On top of this, the body must also eliminate other waste, such as toxins, metabolic byproducts, and more. These detoxification processes are essential for proper and smooth functioning of the whole body, preventing illness and contributing to optimal health.

The extracellular matrix is a key player in all of this, regulating body functions and allowing the body’s systems to communicate with one another. In this article, we’re going to examine the extracellular matrix in more detail and how it contributes to detoxification within the body  — starting with the man who uncovered the incredible capabilities of the extracellular matrix, Alfred Pischinger

Who Was Alfred Pischinger?

Alfred Pischinger was a German scientist. Between 1926 and the late 1970s, Pischinger defined the connections of the extracellular matrix to the hormonal and autonomic nervous systems. In turn, Pischinger formed the first theory that the extracellular matrix, also known as the milieu intérieur or internal environment and ground substance, is involved in regulatory activities within the body. 

Pischinger’s research on this connective tissue demonstrated the internal communications that occur within the body to keep everything functioning as it should. This actually laid the groundwork for biological medicine, which is a key pillar that the Innovative Medicine team revolves their work and treatments around. 

What is the Extracellular Matrix? 

The extracellular matrix is a network of proteins that surrounds and supports all cells and tissues in the body. In other words, it’s a connective tissue that bridges the gap, giving all of our cells a pathway to communicate with one another.

Alfred Pischinger’s discoveries, involving the extracellular matrix, transformed the way doctors and scientists thought about health and disease. It solidified the idea that everything in the body is connected. Undeniably, when one system is down, other systems are easily impacted. 

This newer concept forced healthcare professionals to zoom out and take a look at the whole body as opposed to examining and treating just one area or system alone. It was determined that the whole body environment matters when it comes to obtaining improved health. 

For example, if you plant a sick tree in healthy soil, that tree will likely become healthy. Similarly, if someone gets sick but has a healthy extracellular matrix, they will likely make a quick and full recovery. In contrast, if you plant a healthy tree in unhealthy soil, that tree is probably going to become sick. The same can be said of the extracellular matrix. If someone has an over-stressed or burdened extracellular matrix, they will likely become unwell more easily.

Thus, if you work on optimizing the extracellular matrix, the body can become increasingly resilient and able to overcome challenges with that much more ease. So, let’s explore this idea more closely in terms of detoxification. How does the extracellular matrix play a part? What should you know?

The Importance of Detoxification 

Detoxification is the process involved in removing waste and toxins from the body. This includes the organs of detoxification, such as the liver and kidneys. It also involves a healthy extracellular matrix, which can, in some cases, act as storage for toxins and debris.

Research indicates how imbalances in the extracellular matrix can lead to illness and pain. In fact, it’s actually quite difficult for modern medicine to measure and qualify the build-up of toxins within the body and the extracellular matrix, as tests often only measure what is being eliminated.

For instance, healthcare professionals frequently measure heavy metals via urinalysis. The problem is that the bodies and systems of individuals with compromised or stressed immune systems will not release these toxins. Instead, these heavy metals and toxins get stored in the extracellular matrix. This means that, despite there being heavy metals in the body, the urinalysis shows normal or low levels of these toxins. This isn’t because the heavy metal load isn’t there. Rather, it’s because the body isn’t ejecting it.

This gives these heavy metals and toxins the opportunity to interfere with regulatory processes, system functions, and cellular communication. Modern medicine might also struggle to diagnose someone’s illness or understand why a person is experiencing certain symptoms due to insufficient testing. This can leave many individuals struggling to determine the cause of their health issues for years as they cycle through specialist after specialist.

The Whole Body Perspective

Again, this is why Pischinger’s work regarding the extracellular matrix is so important. It considers the whole body through the lens of the fascia and connective tissue. From a biological medicine perspective, treatment needs to focus on the body as a whole, addressing your health from various angles, taking on a holistic approach to treatment, and aiding detoxification at various levels.

At Innovative Medicine, our team is committed to unifying the fields of medicine, providing each patient with a treatment path that is right for them. We use therapeutic options that help eradicate illness and pain by examining the body from a holistic perspective. 

When it comes to recovering from illness and disease, the restoration of health on all levels is necessary to ensure you make a full recovery and don’t face recurring illnesses in the future. The extracellular matrix holds the key to this whole-body perspective since it is the entity that connects every cell in the body. By reinstating the health and vitality of the extracellular matrix and supporting the detoxification processes, the body is able to achieve an overall higher state of health.