The Vitamin Deficiency and Nutrient Epidemic--Iodine

Below is a portion of a very good article by Dr. Daniel Pompa.  This is the 3^rd month his article has been covered in our newsletter; with one vitamin being covered each month.

Jul 25, 2014 | Posted by Dr. Daniel Pompa, D.C., D.PSc.

The Vitamin Deficiency Epidemic: In a perfect world, the air would be clean, our oceans and water supplies free of pollution, and everyone would get their vitamins and minerals from a well-balanced organic diet and plenty of sunshine. Considering the following wide-spread vitamin deficiencies, however, this is not the case. Most Americans are deficient in the very vitamins and minerals essential for basic body function. But vitamin deficiencies are not at the root of modern disease: the source is toxin-driven inflammation. To truly impact health, underlying inflammation must be decreased. Vitamins and minerals play a key role in this process. High-quality supplements provide nutrients missing from the diet which activate and support the body’s God-given ability to heal. If you’re reading this right now in America there’s a good chance you’re deficient in some or all of the five following vitamins, and if you’re going to take supplements these are the five to take.

Last 2 months:  Vitamin D, Vitamin K2

Iodine

It’s been estimated that one third of the planet is iodine deficient. A lack of iodine is linked to Attention Deficit Disorder, brain function problems, and lowered IQ in children. Iodine plays a key role in brain development, immunity, and thyroid function. Individuals who suffer from thyroid conditions are often lacking iodine because the body can’t make thyroid hormone without it. Iodine is also involved in hormone health. Many women who are deficient in iodine are also low in an important estrogen called estriol, which is protective against hormone driven cancers and the effects of toxic estrogen. Fibrocystic breast issues are also related to iodine deficiency because iodine cell receptors are located in breast tissue.

Heavy metals in the body further contribute to iodine deficiency, and many people today are suffering the effects of heavy metal toxicity without knowing it. Heavy metals compete with iodine at the cellular level, specifically for the iodine cell receptor. The metals block iodine from the cell receptor so the body cannot use iodine, and it’s flushed out of your system and not absorbed.

I believe the epidemic of iodine deficiency is largely due to the fact that iodine is no longer found in our highly depleted soil and is deficient in our food supply. Traditionally, soil would be turned over every seven years and crops rotated, but this is not the case today. A toxic chemical called glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Round-up and the number one herbicide sprayed on crops on the planet, is causing major problems. Glyphosate pulls minerals from the soil and weeds, thereby depleting them of the very minerals they need to grow. The mid-western part of our country is particularly affected by this issue because glyphosate is sprayed there extensively. When lecturing in the mid-west I observe large numbers of thyroid issues, no doubt correlated to iodine deficiency linked to the overuse of glyphosate.

What about iodine in iodized table salt? It simply does not provide enough iodine to make an impact on your health. The best dietary sources include ocean foods like seaweed and fish, but beware of the quality and source of your seafood because much of it is contaminated from polluted waters and contains heavy metals like mercury. The radioactive element cesium is also a contaminant concern, specifically in seafood caught in the Pacific Ocean due to the Fukushima disaster.  Other sources of iodine include yogurt, pastured eggs, cow’s milk and strawberries. If you’re not getting enough iodine in your diet, consider supplementation. A high quality supplement from Systemic Formulas called TMI boasts the ideal ratio of iodine to iodide to support thyroid function. Most people need to supplement iodine due to the difficulty of getting enough of it from food, and could supplement for a few years when extremely deficient. I take an iodine supplement sporadically, but recommend getting it from non-toxic dietary sources as much as possible.

Next month:  Magnesium

October Healthy Tip

Wondering what foods you should really be buying organic?  Here is a list of the “Dirty Dozen” which have the highest pesticide load.  This makes these foods the best place to spend a little extra to help keep you healthy.  From worst to best:  Apples, strawberries, grapes, celery, peaches, spinach, sweet bell peppers, nectarines (imported), cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, snap peas (imported), potatoes.  Want to know the good ones?  Here is the “Clean 15” list:  Avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, cabbage, sweet peas (frozen), onions, asparagus, mangoes, papayas, kiwi, eggplant, grapefruit, cantaloupe, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes.

The Vitamin Deficiency and Nutrient Epidemic: Vitamin D

Below is a portion of a very good article by Dr. Daniel Pompa.  His article will be covered in our newsletter over the next 5 months with one vitamin being covered each month.

The Vitamin Deficiency and Nutrient Epidemic

Jul 25, 2014 | Posted by Dr. Daniel Pompa, D.C., D.PSc.

The Vitamin Deficiency Epidemic: In a perfect world, the air would be clean, our oceans and water supplies free of pollution, and everyone would get their vitamins and minerals from a well-balanced organic diet and plenty of sunshine. Considering the following wide-spread vitamin deficiencies, however, this is not the case. Most Americans are deficient in the very vitamins and minerals essential for basic body function. But vitamin deficiencies are not at the root of modern disease: the source is toxin-driven inflammation. To truly impact health, underlying inflammation must be decreased. Vitamins and minerals play a key role in this process. High-quality supplements provide nutrients missing from the diet which activate and support the body’s God-given ability to heal. If you’re reading this right now in America there’s a good chance you’re deficient in some or all of the five following vitamins, and if you’re going to take supplements these are the five to take.

Vitamin D

Three quarters of the American population is deficient in vitamin D. This essential vitamin plays a significant role in many body functions including bone formation, calcium absorption, cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and decreasing inflammation. Low vitamin D levels are linked to an increased risk of major diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative conditions. A low vitamin D level also predisposes you to various autoimmune disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis and Type 1 diabetes.

Vitamin D is proof that God knew what he was doing: the darker your skin, the more sun exposure is needed to raise your vitamin D levels. In the past, people with dark skin lived near the sunny equator, and could be out in the sun all day long. The problem today is that many darker-skinned people live in cloudy regions with little sun, so they easily become deficient. An increased risk of deficiency in turn leads to an increased risk of other diseases associated with a low vitamin D level.

In the past, doctors warned individuals to not supplement with vitamin D, stating it could cause cancer, hip fractures, or be easily overdosed and built-up in the body because it is fat soluble. Fat soluble vitamins do stay in the body longer than water soluble vitamins, which flush out of your system and are hard to take in excess. God designed fat soluble vitamins to remain in the body longer because we need them so much. The problem is that fat soluble vitamins (others include K, A, and E) all compete for the same cell receptors. When one vitamin is blocked by another competing vitamin, a functional deficiency occurs. This is why taking a fat soluble vitamin supplement that only contains vitamin D, for example, puts you at risk for deficiency of other fat soluble vitamins.

What is the best way to maintain adequate vitamin D levels? Get in the sun! If we’re not getting enough sunlight, our body is not producing enough vitamin D. And unless you’re eating a diet full of fatty fish and grass-fed dairy products, you’re not getting enough vitamin D from your diet, so time spent in the sun is crucial. Do not stay inside all day and coat yourself in toxic sunscreen before you walk out of the door. Many people today are deficient in vitamin D because they are constantly slathering on sunscreen, fearful of media warnings that the sun causes skin cancer. Have you noticed that the more sunscreen we use the more skin cancer we observe? I believe the sun can actually prevent skin cancer and other diseases. Don’t be fooled: we absolutely need sunlight to be healthy. Shea butter and coconut oil contain SPF and are good natural alternatives to toxic sunscreen, and wearing hats and protective clothing is important as well.

If you can’t get enough sunlight, consider taking a high-quality vitamin D supplement. An effective supplement is balanced with other fat soluble vitamins. If you are taking a vitamin D supplement that does not contain vitamins A, K2, and E you will eventually create a functional deficiency. Do not waste money on a supplement that does not contain other fat soluble vitamins at the proper ratios for absorption. I take a vitamin D supplement made by Systemic Formulas, which can be taken in pill or liquid form (for those with absorption issues). The average person can take 5,000 to 6,000 units daily, but those who are severely deficient may need more. Periodically, I recommend taking a high dose once or twice a week, up to 100,000 units, but dosage is at your health practitioner’s discretion.

Next month:  Vitamin K2

August Healthy Tip

Big problems always start out as small problems first.  Learn to listen to the quiet messages your body is giving you about how you are functioning.  Make changes while the problem is small and you are more likely to head off big problems that will require larger interventions and likely cost much more.  You will be healthier and happier!

Goal Check-Up—Get Out of Your Rut!

It’s July—half the year is gone and it’s time to have a goal check-up!  Many of you may know that my dad is a minister.  He had an excellent sermon on New Year’s Day a few years ago entitled, “Get Out of Your Rut.”  I thought I would share the basic outline (originally from Rod Farthing) with you this month as a little check-up for you with some of my own insights. 

1. Assume responsibility for your own life.  No one can make a change except you.  Once you assume responsibility you can break out of the rut and start making improvements.  This includes your health and fitness, as well as your social life and spiritual life.

2. Believe that you can change.  If you don’t believe you can change, you won’t.  While simply believing won’t actually make those changes happen, they will not happen without that belief.

3. Clarify what you really need.  Take time to find out what you would like to see happen this year.  Actually sit down and write out your personal goals.  You can also make a goal list for work as well.  Remember, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy.  You may need to write down sub-goals.  For example, weight loss is a common goal.  If you need to lose 20 pounds, make sub-goals of 5 pounds and as you reach each of those smaller goals it will give you the motivation to keep moving towards the larger goal.  This can even work for something like house cleaning or organization.  Have a smaller goal of cleaning/organizing one area at a time.  Hitting small goals spurs you on and keeps getting you out of that rut.

4. Stop worrying about what other people will say.  We worry too much about what others say and think.  You know that exercise is critical for a healthy body.  Don’t let others intimidate you into staying out of the gym.  You know that a diet high in veggies and fruit is critical for a healthy body.  Don’t let others sabotage you into eating poorly (believe me, they are out there!).  There are people out there that want to keep you in your rut because then they know what to expect!

5. Stop waiting for ideal circumstances.  The following short article appeared back in 1985 in the LA Times:  "This," he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie." He discarded the tissue and handed me a slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. "Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least eight or nine years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion." He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician.  His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me. "Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion."

Don’t wait for the ideal circumstance—begin now to get out of your rut. 

6. Do something bold and dramatic.  There is a slogan that says, "We’re going to try something so big, that if God isn’t in it we are destined to fail." That kind of faith honors God.  Sometimes this bold and dramatic move is sharing a goal with those who will ask you about it later, keeping you accountable.

7. Make your move now.   There is no time like the present.  Who cares if it IS July??!!  And remember, God calls and stands by ready to help... but we must take the step first.

Author James Herriot writes the following about the difficulty of getting out of a rut that kept him from beginning his writing career: "After talking about writing a book for a long time my wife finally said,  "Jim, you are never going to write a book." She said it kindly, but nevertheless, I was aghast. "Whatever do you mean?" I said. "Well," she replied, "You have been talking about this book for twenty-five years.  Don’t take it to heart, Jim. You are only one of thousands of people who think they are going to write a book, but they never do it." "But I will, I will," I protested. She smiled again with a touch of sadness. "You must realize that is impossible. Old vets of fifty don’t suddenly start writing books." That did it. I went straight out, bought a lot of paper and got down to the job.”

May God bless you the rest of 2014. May this be the day that you break out of whatever rut is holding you hostage.  Make the rest of the year an unforgettable.  Live this year!

July Healthy Tip

As a nation we have moved more and more to “convenience foods.”  We have also become a nation that is getting sicker and sicker.  I don’t think this is a coincidence.  Start looking at the things you are putting into your body.  Most of the time fast food is not real food.  How “convenient” is it to have diabetes, heart disease, or cancer?  Now is the time to take control of your own healthcare and not leave it to others.

Proper Maintenance

With spring upon us and summer looming, yard care is likely on your to-do list.  Let’s say you go and buy a lawn mower, put gas in it and start cutting.  It works great!  The yard looks nice and tidy and the new mower runs like a dream.  The end of the season comes and you are ecstatic when mowing season is over because you now have a few more hours to do other things so you put the mower up.  The next mowing season rolls around and the mower just doesn’t seem to work as well.  It doesn’t cut well, it makes terrible noises, and it is a pain to start.  You take it to the repair shop and say, “it happened all of a sudden; I didn’t do anything different this season than last season, and why is this just now a problem?”  Some questions that might follow:  “Did you change the oil?  Did you put new gas in it (it will go bad)?  Have the blades been sharpened?  Did you leave it out in the weather?”  In other words, was the proper maintenance done on that lawn mower?

A body is the same way.  I often hear the same exact phrases, “But I didn’t do anything different”, “It happened all of a sudden”, and “Why is it just now a problem?”  The analogy above is a nice illustration that most people can relate to.  Our bodies need regular maintenance to keep us running properly, too. 

Regular body maintenance includes:

·         Putting REAL FOOD in your body that your body runs well on (HINT:  not everyone runs well on all the ‘good’ foods out there!)

·         Drinking CLEAN WATER.  Filtering city water is recommended because of chemical treatments to ensure that our water is not contaminated with organisms.  Just like removing the packaging from your lettuce, remove the chemicals before drinking!

·         Getting MOVING.  You don’t even have to use the “E” word!  Find something you enjoy doing: biking, walking, swimming, dancing.  You were made to move DAILY!

·         FRESH AIR.  Get outside more.  We have been told to stay out of the sun so much that we have epidemic levels of Vitamin D deficiencies in the U.S.  We need sunshine for healthy bodies.  Avoid getting burned by using cotton clothing, hats, and don’t rely so much chemical sunscreens (these block the rays you need for Vitamin D formation).  Eating real foods will also give you natural protection from burns.  If still concerned, some nutritional supplements can also help.

·         ADJUSTMENTS.  A well-adjusted spine allows for a well-functioning nervous system and your nervous system controls everything else!

·         NUTRITION ASSESSMENTS.  Your nutrition needs change over time.  Our need for certain minerals increases with stress and a Nutrition Response Testing analysis can help you find what your body is craving for good health.

·         REST.  Your body needs time to rest and recover.  Set aside an average of 8 hours for sleep.  You may need more.  Don’t forget to take care of your spiritual health as well!

June Healthy Tip

There are some things in life that must be maintained.  If you don’t build muscle with exercise, you will lose muscle.  If you don’t work on your flexibility, you will become less flexible.  If you don’t work on your balance, you will become less steady and sure on your feet.  If you don’t work on your relationships they fall apart.  If you don’t work on putting good food in your body, you will lose your health.  Work on you; you are worth it!  

Why You (Yes, You) Need Celiac Disease Awareness

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alice-bast/-celiac-disease_b_5228961.html

Posted: 05/01/2014 5:48 pm EDT 

What if the biggest barrier to celiac disease diagnosis is its very treatment -- the gluten-free diet?

Many factors play into the low diagnosis rate of celiac disease, but this could very well be one of them. The gluten-free diet has taken on a life of its own. It's often portrayed as a weight loss diet, and endless athletes and celebrities tout the perceived health benefits of "going gluten-free." You've probably heard all the buzz. You can lose weight fast on a gluten-free diet. Your skin will look so much better if you cut out gluten. Your overall health will improve without gluten.

But those statements are nothing more than just myths.

We are constantly inundated with messages from the media about the "magic" of a gluten-free diet. While some share accurate information with the masses, many irresponsibly perpetuate a cycle of misinformation, leading to the amplification of the gluten-free diet and the silencing of celiac disease.

May is Celiac Awareness Month. It's a prime time for those with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity ("gluten sensitivity") to pull together and rise above the noise of the gluten-free fad diet. And while Celiac Awareness Month is an exciting time for our community, it's not just about us. It's about the 83 percent of you out there living with celiac disease and not even knowing it.

That statistic is shocking, isn't it? An estimated 3 million Americans are living with celiac disease, but only a mere 17 percent of them know it. Celiac disease is not the trendy condition it's made out to be. It's a serious genetic autoimmune disease that, left untreated or mismanaged, can lead to a host of health consequences, like osteoporosis, infertility and recurrent miscarriages, iron deficiency anemia and even certain cancers like lymphoma. Unlike people living with other autoimmune diseases (like Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis), those with celiac disease are lucky to know what launches their body's violent attack on itself. Gluten.

You see, gluten isn't some fattening ingredient or the golden ticket to weight loss -- it's a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and their derivatives. The majority of people have no issues with gluten and experience no ill-effects from eating it. For the 1 percent of the population who carry the celiac disease genes, though, gluten triggers an autoimmune response, resulting in damage to the villi of the small intestine, leaving them unable to absorb essential nutrients from food. But celiac disease doesn't just affect the gut. It can impact almost every system of the body, and can prevent them from working properly as a result of malnourishment or other complications. Limited research suggests that up to another 6 percent of the population may live with gluten sensitivity. While gluten sensitivity produces similar symptoms, it does not result in the same intestinal damage celiac disease causes. Despite this, people with gluten sensitivity rely on the gluten-free diet to relieve their symptoms.

Casually experimenting with the gluten-free diet could prevent you from receiving an accurate diagnosis as people must be on a regular, gluten-containing diet in order to be accurately tested for celiac disease.  (Dr. Call does not necessarily agree with the above statement.)  Additionally, since celiac disease is genetic, not having an official diagnosis could rob your family members of receiving their own diagnoses that might prevent a cascade of devastating complications. First- and second-degree relatives of people with celiac disease are more likely to develop the autoimmune condition, which means they should talk to their doctor about getting tested. And because many people with celiac disease don't experience any symptoms at all, it's important that family members understand their risk.

What's more, the mentality of the gluten-free fad harms people living with celiac disease every day because it creates an environment where food safety is left out of the conversation. It affects the child who can't go away to summer camp for fear of getting sick. It prevents high school students from choosing a university that caters to their academic interests. It causes restaurants to serve food that has been unsafely prepared, putting the health of diners at serious risk. Did you know that just a few crumbs of gluten-containing food is enough to cause intestinal damage?

These are complicated issues and it will take focus and discipline to advance a patient-centered agenda and move the bar on diagnosis. But I am humbled by the everyday heroes in our community who are devoted to restoring their own health and the health of those around them.

I encourage you to visit the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) to meet our Celiac Awareness Month Heroes and learn more about how you can be a hero, too. Join our conversation on Facebook and Twitter to help us change the dialogue. Let's give celiac disease the attention it deserves -- not just for those of us who are already diagnosed, but for those of you who aren't.

May Healthy Tip

Do you or someone you know have food sensitivities?  When going out to eat, ask your server for the ‘allergy menu.’  Many more restaurants have them readily available and several have them in a handy binder with all the most common allergens.  Some even have this information posted online.  Even if they don’t currently have a binder on have it online, the more we ask, the more restaurants will make the information available.  

Exercise Your Balance!

We know that exercise isn’t just to help us lose weight.  It is essential to our overall health.  It benefits our heart, lungs, cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, muscle and bone strength, and even our sense of well-being to name just a few.  One area most people don’t think about is your nervous system!  Did you know that by doing a few simple exercises you can strengthen your Dorsal Columns?  Let me explain:

The Dorsal Columns are the areas of your nervous system that control position sense.  This is the system that helps you touch your finger to your nose with your eyes closed.  The medical term for this is proprioception.  You use a combination of memory and proprioception (position sense) every time you drive your car.  How else can you look ahead at the road and still be able to find the pedals at your feet without looking?!  When this part of your nervous system is weak people have a greater problem balancing, have increased incidences of ankle sprains, and even run into doorframes!  Balance is an important issue, especially as we age, when falls can be deadly.

Enough about physiology, here’s how to help yourself:

Basic exercise:  Stand next to a wall or chair where you can reach your hand out to steady yourself if necessary.  Lift one foot off the floor, balancing on the other leg.  Hold this position.  Ten seconds is really good.  If you can only do a couple of seconds, that’s okay; it’s just like any other exercise and will take some time to build up strength.  Try not to rest the foot you lift on the leg you are balancing on (that’s cheating!).  Try working up to 20-30 seconds.  This simple exercise not only strengthens your proprioception (position sense) but also helps strengthen your leg muscles and the gluteal (butt) muscle that supports your hip while walking.

More Advanced:  Once you feel more comfortable with the basic exercise, try closing your eyes for a few seconds.  Remember to have something nearby to help steady you if you need it.  While this one is more advanced, it is the ultimate goal.  When your eyes are closed you are relying totally on your proprioception (position sense) and not using visual input for help (which uses another part of your brain).

Variations:  You can strengthen your proprioception and your muscles by making a few changes to some things you may already be doing for exercise. 

*If you do standing leg lifts to work your outer thighs, try not holding onto something while you do them (remember to have something nearby, though).  You can also bring your leg back at an angle instead of just to the side to work more of your gluteal muscles.

*Try not to look at your feet while performing exercises or walking (if you can do so safely).  A bonus here is that this helps your posture.  For a small cheat, look at a mirror instead of down at your feet!

*Faster isn’t always necessary.  Even I get discouraged watching “Energizer Bunnies” work out!  Try balancing on one leg and moving your leg in a circle; the wider the circle the greater the workout.  Slow movements help with stability and control and give a really good workout as well.  Besides, we don’t want to ever have to call the First Responders!

*Make up any exercise you want that will force you to balance.  Such as standing on one leg and raising your hands up in the air.  Moving around forces your muscles to work harder and further strengthens your proprioception.

As with any exercise, if you experience pain while performing any of the above, please stop or try changing what you are doing.  Pain is an indicator that something is not functioning properly.  It may indicate that your muscles and joints need some “tender loving care” to help them function their best.  Remember that taking care of yourself now will prevent problems in the future!

These are excellent exercises to compliment your workout program, but you can also do these at home (even while brushing your teeth!).  All ages benefit from balance exercises so don’t forget to help teach a friend, loved one, or child something new to increase their health. 

It can take time to build up strength in your muscles and your proprioception, so don’t become discouraged.  I’ve used these exercises myself and taught them to my patients.  We have seen great improvements.  Just as we have to continue to exercise our muscles, the same is true for our proprioception.

April Healthy Tip

April is Foot Health Awareness Month.  Your feet are the foundation of your body.  Make sure you are supporting them with good shoes.  Take an inventory of your feet:  Do they hurt, burn or are numb? Do they hurt in the morning, at night, or after you get up from a chair?  Non-invasive treatments for feet include simple stretches, chiropractic care, and orthotics.  See your chiropractor for more information and help!

Real Food

 The article below is an excerpt from a longer article by Chris Kresser called ‘9 Steps to Perfect Health – #3: Eat Real Food’ posted in 2011

 “Real food” is:

Whole, unprocessed and unrefined pasture-raised (a.k.a. grass-fed) and wild local, seasonal and organic.

Whole unprocessed and unrefined: if it comes in a bag or a box, don’t eat it!

The introduction of industrial food processing has without a doubt had the most detrimental effect on our health of any other factor in the last few hundred years – and possibly in the entire history of humankind.

Food refining has brought us all four of the food toxins destroying our health: white flour, white sugar & HFCS, industrial seed oils and processed soy products. It has also brought us chemical additives and preservatives, some with known negative effects and others with effects still unknown.

New research is revealing the harm these newfangled processed foods have on us almost every day. Just yesterday a study was published demonstrating that emulsifiers used in packaged foods ranging from mayonnaise to bread to ice cream increase intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) and cause a chain reaction of inflammation and autoimmune disease.

Another study showed that diet soda consumption increases your risk of stroke and causes kidney damage, possibly because of the phosphoric acid used as an acidifying agent to give colas their tangy flavor.

To avoid the harm caused by processed and refined foods, a good general rule is “if it comes in a bag or a box, don’t eat it.”

Of course not all foods that come in bags and boxes are harmful, so this isn't meant to be taken literally. It’s just a helpful guideline. Butter is often packaged in a box, and Trader Joe’s (for some strange reason) packages vegetables in sealed plastic bags. That doesn't mean you shouldn't eat butter and vegetables.

But in general, if you follow this guideline, you’ll avoid most common food toxins. And that’s more than half the battle.

March Healthy Tip

Spring is coming!  It’s been a rough winter here and I know people are looking forward to warmer weather.  It’s also the traditional time to clean our homes.  Don’t forget your body!  Clean up by eating fresh veggies and fruits and eliminating grains, dairy, and sugars for a time.  This will allow the body to detoxify.  Energy often increases as well as improved sleep, better brain function, and even decreased weight.  Need more help? Stop by the office and ask for more information.

This is Your Heart Speaking…

Did you know that your heart can speak to you?  Most know that we can do tests such as blood pressure and pulse and even stress tests and an ECG (or EKG).  One of the best things we can do on our own, however, is to listen to what the body is telling us about our heart.

If we have pain in the chest or down the left arm we are told to seek medical attention immediately due to a possible heart attack.  Not everyone has these particular symptoms.  The heart’s referral pattern is huge!  Discomfort can be felt in the chest, in either shoulder, down either arm, the hands, the upper back, the neck, or the jaw.  Most people do not have all of these locations.  Usually one of these areas has been bothering a person for a while.  My dad, for example, had soreness at one spot on the chest that we had been working with for quite a while.  And his acute pain was to the right of his sternum.  Another patient had pain in his left hand only.  And another had pain in the left shoulder.

Informing you of this large referral pattern is not meant to scare anyone.  It is my hope, however, that the information is used to give you insight into your health.  If you have discomfort in one of these areas, tell your chiropractor and nutritionist.  The problem may be simply due to misalignments in your spine and extremities or it may be your heart speaking.  One way I help determine if something is a chiropractic problem verses a nutrition problem is to see how a patient responds to care.  If an adjustment helps for only a very short time (minutes to a few hours) it is more likely a nutrition problem. 

If it is your heart speaking (or even another organ), getting your nutrition balanced quickly is the best first step.  This will likely include diet changes and some supplements.  Once the underlying nutrition issue is being handled, the pain and discomfort experienced starts to go away (sometimes very quickly).

So, the take home lesson today is to listen to the little messages your body is giving you and get your body the help it may need to be as healthy as it can be.  A healthy body will allow you to do more of what you were put on this planet to do!

February Healthy Tip

Healthy Heart Tips:

Get socially active— studies show that the lonelier people feel, the higher blood pressure can rise.  Pets can make great furry friends and can also help reduce stress and lower blood pressure.  Other ways to naturally help lower blood pressure are getting moving with exercise and following a healthy diet which includes lots of veggies and good fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, and even real butter!

Adrenal Dysfunction

By Dr. Kaslow (portions used) http://www.drkaslow.com/html/adrenal_insufficiency.html 

(accessed January 8, 2014)

The adrenal glands are small but very powerful glands that sit atop each of your kidneys located in the middle of your back.  They are really two separate organs combined into one location - the outer portion called the adrenal cortex and the inner portion called the adrenal medulla.  The focus of this text is on the adrenal cortex.

The cortex serves primarily a hormonal function - among the main functions of the adrenal cortex are the regulation of the mineral metabolism (sodium, potassium, chloride), water balance, metabolism (utilization and distribution of carbohydrates, protein, and fat), allergic and immune reactions (such as hypersensitivity, allergies, and autoimmune diseases), and production of the male and female hormones (progesterone, testosterone, estrogens, DHEA, etc.).

Some of the signs of adrenal insufficiency are often similar to those found in persons who are hypoglycemic.  Some of the more common complaints reported include:

• Inability to concentrate
• Excessive fatigue, especially in the morning (hard to get going…)
• Nervousness and irritability
• Mental depression
• Apprehensions
• Excessive weakness
• Lightheadedness, especially upon standing up quickly
• Faintness and fainting
• Insomnia
• Frequent infections
• Intolerance to stress

When patients receive support for their adrenal cortex (such as with Adrenal Cortex Extract injections), they often report improvements in arthritis, pain in shoulders and back muscles, allergies, premenstrual problems, headache, migraine, ringing of the ears, tension, depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, apprehensions, noticeable heart action (palpitations), gastrointestinal problems, heat exhaustion, and an inability in handling stress.

The following physical findings suggest low adrenal function.

• Skin thin and dry or scaly, pigmentation of temples, red palms or fingertips, and cold clammy palms.
• Blood Pressure is usually low, and drops upon standing. This change from low to higher when lying down may be the reason why many patients find it difficult to fall asleep. 
• Hair is sparse on the body but there is usually a full head of fine and abundant hair.
• Dentition shows crowded lower teeth with a high palatal arch (roof of mouth).
• Pain and tenderness over adrenal area of mid-back when pressure is applied.
• Urination is either very frequent in small amounts or infrequent in large amounts.  This person usually does not do well in the heat or in the summer, particularly in conditions of high temperature, high humidity, and low barometric pressure.
• Scanty perspiration (except under arms or hands and feet). This person may be a "salt loser" (the tendency is to lose salt and to retain potassium). The urine and perspiration of the salt loser is saltier than normal and there is consequently a greater salt concentration on the skin. Animals are attracted to the salt on the skin, and often the low adrenal patient will be a favorite of animals to lick.
• Ankle and/or Finger Swelling. John Tintera, M.D… wrote that salt is a diuretic and that patients with low adrenal cortex function retain fluid because the body is trying to hold onto the salt.  When enough salt is consumed, the body takes what it needs and excretes the rest.  If the ankle edema is due to insufficient salt, the edema will usually disappear in three days after taking adequate salt.  If it does not disappear in five to six days, potassium may also be needed.  Vitamin B6 is also helpful for edema not only because it has a diuretic effect but also supports the adrenal cortex.

The Importance of Salt

For the person with depleted adrenals sunbathing on the beach can have devastating results.  The salt loser that attempts to function on low salt does not understand why he feels faint, or is suddenly unable to function in the heat, or he feels his mind is cloudy and his energy gone.  He may become very weak, tired, and depressed.  Salt is needed for the electrical function of the heartbeat, to make hydrochloric acid in the stomach, and for the fluid around the cells.  Sodium is the principal fluid outside of the cell (extra-cellular fluid) and as a result affects the proper function of all cells.  The nerve cells of the brain, and consequently all of our emotions, are affected by the salt levels.  Adding enough sodium chloride (salt) to the diet may be all that is needed for some patients.

Even other types of conditions, like kidney disease, need "some" salt and should have a moderate amount.  According to Richard H. Ahrens, Ph.D. of the USDA and an Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of Maryland, salt use does not cause hypertension as is frequently claimed.  There should be no salt restrictions during pregnancy and no diuretic use.  If there is edema in pregnancy, extra salt brings about diuresis.  It can be a serious mistake for an individual to avoid salt for no apparent reason.  For any loss of body fluids - excessive perspiration or urination, vomiting or diarrhea - the lost salt must be replaced.  A person with undiagnosed adrenal dysfunction (who is therefore a salt loser) on a salt restricted diet may be slowly deteriorating as the result.

To find the amount of salt you need, gradually increase your salt intake until you find the amount you feel best on - usually 2 to 10 grams or roughly 1/2 teaspoonful to 1 tablespoonful. After determining the amount, try to cut back and see if that is just as effective.  Some individuals may also need potassium. (Dr. Call recommends using unrefined sea salt.)

Stress and the Adrenals

It is absolutely necessary to remove the dietary stress, sugars, excess or processed starches, caffeine, alcohol, stimulant drugs, and as much nicotine as possible. To rejuvenate the adrenal cortex extra vitamin C, salt, and fat—both saturated and unsaturated— is needed. Avoiding animal fats, as seems to be the popular thing to do, is avoiding the kind of fat adrenal hormones…are made from. The adrenals contain more vitamin C and cholesterol than any tissue in the body. Avoid or reduce excessive heat, cold, overwork, lack of sleep, arguments, diseases, and the like. Oxygen is necessary for the utilization of glucose by the body, and proper breathing must be practiced. Rest periods and relaxation is necessary with a bedtime no later than 11 p.m.

January Healthy Tip

“Fat does not make fat in the body.  A healthy body must have fat to carry on vital processes.  Carbohydrates—the grains, bread, starches, and sugar—are the foods that make fat—and it is these foods that must be curtailed for the person who has great difficulty with obesity.  People who wish to lose weight should give up grains, sugar and starches until their desired weight is attained, then they should eat grains and starches only moderately.”  -H. Leon Abrams Your Body Is Your Best Doctor