What are Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), and why are they important?

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids constitute the two families of EFA’s.  EFA’s are considered “essential” because they are needed throughout the human life cycle, cannot be manufactured in the human body, and therefore they must be obtained through our diet on a daily basis for optimal health and wellness.  The body must receive a constant and balanced supply of EFAs to ensure proper prostaglandin production.  Prostaglandins are beneficial hormone-like compounds that affect virtually every system in the body.  They regulate pain and swelling, help maintain proper blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and promote fluidity in nerve transmission.

Good fats vs. Bad fats?

The “bad” fats are trans-fatty acids and saturated fats from animal products.  Trans-fatty acids should be avoided completely; this includes margarine, shortening, and processed foods.  Meat and dairy products contain high levels of saturated fat, and should be eaten in moderation.
The “good” fats include polyunsaturated Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs).  EFAs are considered “essential” because they are needed throughout the human life cycle, cannot be produced in the human body, and therefore must be provided through the diet.  Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids constitute the two families of essential fatty acids.  Omega-6 fatty acids include corn, soybean, safflower, and sunflower oil.  While it is important that your diet include both of these essential fatty acids, it is becoming clear that balance is the key to good health.

Benefits of Fish Oil

1. Less Pain and Inflammation. Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, have a very positive effect on your inflammatory response. Through several mechanisms, they regulate your body’s inflammation cycle, which prevents and relieves painful conditions like arthritis, prostatitis, cystitis and anything else ending in “itis.”

2. Cardiovascular Health. Omega 3 fatty acids have also been proven to work wonders for your heart and the miles and miles of arteries and veins that make up your cardiovascular system. They help to lower cholesterol, triglycerides, LDLs and blood pressure, while at the same time increasing good HDL cholesterol. This adds years to your life expectancy.

3. Protection from Stroke and Heart Attack. When plaque builds up on arterial walls and then breaks loose, it causes what’s known as a thrombosis, which is a fancy way of saying clot. If a clot gets stuck in the brain, it causes a stroke and when it plugs an artery, it causes a heart attack. Research shows omega 3 fatty acids break up clots before they can cause any damage.

4. Better Brain Function and Higher Intelligence. Pregnant and nursing mothers can have a great impact on the intelligence and happiness of their babies by supplementing with fish oil. For adults, omega 3 improves memory, recall, reasoning and focus. You’ll swear you’re getting younger and smarter.

5. Less Depression and Psychosis. Making you smarter is not all omega 3 does for your brain. Psychiatry department researchers at the University of Sheffield, along with many other research studies, found that omega 3 fish oil supplements “alleviate” the symptoms of depression, bipolar and psychosis(Journal of Affective Disorder Vol. 48(2-3);149-55).

6. Lower Incidence of Childhood Disorders. Just to show how fish oil fatty acids leave nobody out, studies show that children (and adults) with ADD and ADHD experience a greatly improved quality of life. And those with dyslexia, dyspraxia and compulsive disorders have gotten a new lease on life thanks to omega 3 oils.

7. Reduction of Breast, Colon and Prostate Cancer. And finally, omega 3 fish oil has been shown to help prevent three of the most common forms of cancer – breast, colon and prostate. Science tells us that omega 3s accomplish this in three ways. They stop the alteration from a normal healthy cell to a cancerous mass, inhibiting unwanted cellular growth and causing apoptosis, or cellular death, of cancer cells.

What are early signs of EFA deficiency?

• Fatigue
• Poor memory
• Immune weakness
• Dry skin, eczema, or hair loss
• Heart problems
• Reproductive problems (men and women)
• Mood swings or depression
• Poor circulation

Where can I get a direct source of EFAs ?

Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are found in cold water fish such as sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and cod liver.  GLA, an Omega-6 fatty acid, is abundant in borage and evening primrose oils.

What’s the difference between fish oil and flax seed oil?

Omega-3 fatty acids fall into two major categories: plant derived (flax seed oil, yielding alpha linolenic acid, or ALA) or marine derived (fish oil, yielding both EPA and DHA).  The human conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is somewhat slow and can be inhibited by various conditions such as a diet high in linoleic acid (Omega-6), trans-fatty acids such as fast foods and baked goods, alcohol intake, certain health conditions, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies (B3, B6, C, zinc, magnesium).  Fish, on the other hand, is a direct source of EPA and DHA.  The general consensus is that only about 15% of ALA converts to EPA, and it may not convert to DHA at all.

How soon will I see results?

It will vary depending on the concentration of the fish oil, your current nutritional state, dosage, and current health.  We often will hear that our customers “feel better” and experience “clearer thinking” and “an enhanced well being” within 2 weeks.  For better results, we recommend you take EFAs daily for at least two months to evaluate their benefits, and reduce your intake of hydrogenated and trans-fats.

Are there any side effects?

Generally, none.  Consumers typically report having more energy and greater mental clarity while taking EFAs.  If you experience repeat (burping) or a bad taste, your supplement may be rancid (oxidized) or your body may not be manufacturing enough lipase, the digestive enzyme our bodies make to digest fats and oils.  If you haven’t ingested fish oils for a long time, it might take a week or so for your body to adjust and make more of this enzyme.

Is it safe to take EFAs derived from fish?  I’ve heard that fish oil contains mercury and other environmental toxins.

Fish oils may contain environmental toxins that accumulate in a fish during its life span.  Potential toxins can be virtually eliminated given the use of high quality raw materials, and a technologically advanced refining process utilizing the very latest distillation technologies.

You must make sure your fish oil is molecularly distilled, this is a process that utilizes a leading edge enzymatic process where any potential heavy metals and dioxins are removed.  Third-party testing documents the complete absence of heavy metals and dioxins (where heavy metals are tested down to 25 particles per billion and dioxins down to 0.5 particles per trillion).

What should I look for when purchasing fish oil?

1. Investigate the manufacturing process.  How is the fish oil manufactured, and what are the manufacturing standards?
2. Smell.  Does the fish oil smell fishy?  If it smells fishy, the fish oil has most likely been exposed to oxygen and is becoming rancid.
3. Taste.  Does the fish oil taste fishy?  The freshest fish oils should not taste fishy.  Avoid fish oils that have really strong fruit flavor added to them because they are most likely trying to hide the fishy flavor of rancid oil.

In our clinic we carry Nordic Natural products. Based on my research Nordic Naturals the purest and highest quality fish oils. To get more information on Nordic Natural products go to www.nordicnaturals.com

By Dr Gary Douglas

The first thing that I would like to point out is that our need for minerals is as essential as out need for oxygen. The body can tolerate a deficiency of vitamins for a longer period of time than a deficiency of minerals.

 Like oxygen and water. Minerals are inorganic substances, they are elements, which means that they are composed of only one atom and none of them contain carbon. Approximately 5% of every cell is made up of minerals.

Minerals are coenzymes, which mean they are essential to the activation of enzymes.

Neither muscles nor nerves function properly unless they are bathed in tissue fluids which contain a balance of mineral salts. A severe imbalance in the concentration of minerals can result in paralysis or convulsive movements. 

The mineral balance is regulated chiefly by hormones, and hormones rely upon certain fatty acids, vitamins, and amino acids for their manufacture. Minerals are inorganic elements that originate in the earth and cannot be made in the body. Most of the minerals in the human diet come directly from plants and water, or indirectly from animal foods.

Only about 1/200th of the daily supply of minerals comes from water.

Nutritionally, minerals are grouped into two categories; macro minerals, and trace minerals or micro minerals. Macro minerals such as calcium and magnesium are needed by the body in larger amounts,100 Mg. or more. Trace minerals are needed in much smaller amounts, usually given in Mcg. (Less than 100 Mg).

The term mineral is not exactly correct. We are talking about ions not chemical compounds of actual minerals.

What is an ion?

An ion is a particle (either an atom or a group of atoms) that carries an electrical charge.

There are two types of ions : positively charged ions called cations, and negatively charged ions called anions. Examples of important cations in the body include magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, and hydrogen. Important anions are bicarbonate, chloride, and phosphate. Once dissolved the so called minerals do not exist as such, sodium chloride breaks down into sodium ions and chloride ions in solution.

Three basic classifications of minerals exist. They are “metallic minerals,” “chelated minerals,” and “colloidal minerals.” Metallic minerals are found in their pure elemental form or as salts such as sodium chloride and zinc sulfate. They are the most commonly used form in nutritional supplements. They are the least expensive form of minerals. Their degree of absorption is the least of all three forms.

Chelated minerals are the next step up the ladder in so far as the body’s ability to assimilate. A metallic mineral is “chelated” with an amino acid. The amino acid actually surrounds the metallic mineral. Examples of chelated minerals are the magnesium aspartate (magnesium chelated with the natural aspartic acid) and chromium picolinate (chromium chelated with picolinic acid). Chelated minerals are about 40% more efficient in regards to absorption and assimilation into the body than metallic minerals.

Colloidal minerals are those that occur in nature in the colloid state. That is, they are minute particles that can be easily dispersed in a medium such as water. Plant-derived colloidal minerals provide the best of all forms of minerals because they are associated with natural plant tissue. This gives them all the advantages of chelated and metallic minerals and more!

Minerals and proteins must be taken in at the same time. Adequate digestive acids must be present to ionize the mineral and also break down the proteins to amino acids. Then amino acids must combine in a stable formation with the base minerals.

The greatest lesson I can give you regarding trace minerals is their total integration and interdependence on one another. Remember, any substance can be toxic at certain levels, regardless of how essential it may be. The most important trace minerals are iron, zinc, copper, chromium, iodine, selenium, manganese, and molybdenum. Some others, such as arsenic, boron, cobalt, nickel, silicon, and vanadium, are recognized as essential for some animals, while others, such as barium, bromine, cadmium, gold, silver, and aluminum, are found in the body,  little is known about their role in health.

IRON

A severe lack of iron deprives body tissues of oxygen and may cause anemia. Some of the early warning signs of iron deficiency include fatigue, paleness, and dizziness, sensitivity to cold, irritability, listlessness, poor concentration and heart palpitations.

Things that inhibit iron absorption: coffee, tea, soy-based foods, antacids, and tetracycline. Also, excessive amounts of calcium, zinc, and manganese can inhibit iron absorption. Symptoms of iron toxicity include diarrhea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, fatigue, stomach cramps, and weak pulse. 

ZINC

Zinc is a trace mineral that is found in every fluid, tissue, cell, and organ, in the human body. Inadequate intake of Zinc can affect any of over 200 enzymes in the body.

In patients with either bulimia nervosa (binge-purging ) or anorexia nervosa (self-induced starvation), zinc deficiency can directly affect cognitive and perceptual processes that help maintain these eating disorders. Recently it has been shown that there is an inverse relationship between morbid obesity and zinc, meaning that the more morbidly obese the individual the lower their zinc status. This suggests that zinc plays an important role in the entire continuum of eating disorders, from obesity to anorexia nervosa.

 A similar example would be the mineral magnesium which plays a role in over 300 enzyme reactions in the body, many of which are directly related to cardiovascular health.

Zinc is integral to the synthesis of RNA and DNA, the genetic material that controls cell growth, division and function

• bone development and growth;
• cell respiration;
• aiding enzymes in digestion and energy metabolism;
• wound healing;
• the liver’s ability to remove toxic substances such as alcohol from the body;
• immune function;
• and the regulation of heart rate and blood pressure

An adequate zinc intake enhances the ability to taste (standard process), promotes healthy skin and hair, enhances reproductive functions, and may improve short-term memory and attention span.  As an anti-inflammatory agent, zinc is sometimes used to treat acne, rheumatoid arthritis, and prostatitis. Zinc gluconate lozenges (containing 23 mg of zinc each) taken every 2 hours significantly reduces the average duration of common colds by seven days Most susceptible to zinc deficiency are young children, pregnant women, vegetarians, and elderly people. Some of the more common symptoms of zinc deficiency are: loss of taste, hair loss or discoloration, white streaks on the nails, dermatitis, and loss of appetite, fatigue and poor wound healing. In children, zinc deficiency can retard growth and stunt sexual development in boys. Zinc deficiency is a well-known complication of Crohn’s disease. Zinc is involved in virtually all aspects of insulin metabolism (synthesis, secretion and utilization). Zinc is also very important in treating periodontal disease.  Zinc has also been shown to reduce the size of the prostate.

 Treatment with topical and oral zinc has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of herpes outbreaks. High levels of zinc are also toxic to Chlamydia and trichomonas and have been used successfully in cases which did not respond to traditional antibiotic therapy.

 Too much zinc can also cause problems:

Problems such as nausea, headaches, vomiting, dehydration, and stomachaches. Ingesting extreme amounts of zinc daily can impair immune function, cause poor muscle function, fatigue and possibly kidney failure.

 COPPER

Recommended Dietary Allowances in adults are 1.5 mg to 3 mg. Its many functions include; helping to form hemoglobin in the blood, facilitating the absorption and use of iron, assisting in the regulation of blood pressure and heart rate, strengthening blood vessels, bones, tendons, and nerves, promoting fertility; and insuring normal skin and hair pigmentation. Excess calcium and zinc will interfere with copper absorption. A true copper deficiency is rare and is associated with albinism, or with acquired malabsorption ailments such as Crohn’s Disease and celiac disease.

Deficiencies may also occur in infants who are not breast-fed and some premature babies.

Symptoms of copper deficiency include:

Brittle, discolored hair; skeletal defects; anemia; high blood pressure; heart arrhythmias; and infertility.

Taking more than 10 mg of copper daily can bring on nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, and stomach aches.  Women who are pregnant or taking birth control pills are susceptible to excess blood levels of copper. Some research suggests that high levels of copper and iron may play a role in hyperactivity and autism.

CHROMIUM

Recommended Dietary Allowances in adults is 50 mcg to 200 mcg. Chromium works with insulin to regulate the body’s use of sugar and is essential to fatty-acid metabolism.

Its contribution to metabolism makes chromium a helpful supplement in weight loss programs. Inadequate chromium can result in alcohol intolerance, elevate blood sugar levels, and possibly induce diabetes-like symptoms such as tingling in the extremities and reduced muscle coordination. Chromium is not absorbed well, so the body must take in far more than it uses.

IODINE

Recommended Dietary Allowance for adults is 150 mcg and pregnant women is 175 mcg. Iodine was one of the first minerals recognized as essential to human health.

For hundreds of years, it has been known to prevent and treat enlargement of the thyroid gland, a condition known as “goiter”. Iodine influences metabolism, nerve and muscle function, nail, hair, skin condition, and physical and mental development low-salt, or non-seafood diet

Common effects of iodine deficiency are:

Goiter, weight gain, hair loss, listlessness, insomnia and some forms of mental retardation. Hypothyroidism and an iodine deficiency are associated with a higher incidence of breast cancer. There is also evidence of an association between low thyroid function and Fibrocystic Breast Disease (FBD).

On the other hand, extremely high intake, while it may not be toxic, since most excess is excreted by the kidneys, may cause nervousness, hyperactivity, headache, rashes, metallic taste in the mouth and goiter (due to thyroid hyperactivity).

SELENIUM

Selenium supports immune function and neutralizes poisonous substances such as cadmium, mercury, and arsenic that may be ingested or inhaled. A word of caution, in high doses, selenium and selenium compounds are very toxic, causing hair loss, nail problems, accelerated tooth decay, and swelling of the fingers, among other symptoms.

Livestock grown in areas containing high amounts of selenium in the soil and in which a plant called Astragalus (“loco weed”) is present are poisoned. This is because Astragalus concentrates selenium.

MANGANESE

Recommended Dietary Allowances for adults are 2.5 mg to 5 mg. Manganese is essential for the proper formation and maintenance of bone, cartilage, and connective tissue. It contributes to the synthesis of proteins and genetic material, and helps produce energy from foods. It also acts as an antioxidant and assists in normal blood clotting. Manganese is an important cofactor in the key enzymes of glucose metabolism. It has been found that a deficiency results in diabetes in guinea pigs. Another interesting fact is that diabetics have been shown to have half the level of manganese that normal individuals have.

MOLYBDENUM

Recommended Dietary Allowances for adults is 75 mcg to 250 mcg. Molybdenum is a component of the enzyme “xanthine oxidase”. It helps generate energy, process waste for excretion, mobilize stored iron for the body’s use, and detoxify sulfites (chemicals used as food preservatives). Molybdenum works with vitamin B2 in the conversion of food to energy. The average adult body contains about 9 mg with the highest concentrations in the liver, kidneys, bone, and skin. Molybdenum deficiency is extremely rare. Symptoms include rapid heartbeat and breathing, headache, night blindness, anemia, mental disturbance, nausea and vomiting. Marginal molybdenum deficiency has been associated with the development of cancer. In China, people consuming molybdenum deficient diets have been found to have an increased risk of throat cancer. Low molybdenum levels have been linked to an increased allergic reaction to sulfite food additives. Toxic effects of excess molybdenum intake include weight loss, slow growth, anemia, diarrhea, increased blood levels of uric acid and swelling in the joints. This may occur at intakes of 10 to 15 mg.

BORON

Boron is primarily needed for healthy bones and teeth. Boron also enhances brain function, promotes/improves alertness, helps to prevent osteoporosis, and builds muscles. Boron is required to activate certain hormones including estrogen. Although most people are not deficient in boron, the elderly usually benefit by supplementing their diets with boron in 2mg to 3mg daily doses.

A study conducted by the Unites States Department of Agriculture indicated that within eight days of supplementing their daily diet with boron, a test group of postmenopausal women lost forty-percent less calcium and one-third less magnesium through their urine than they had before beginning boron supplementation.

COBALT

Cobalt is a mineral constituent of cobalamin which is recognized as Vitamin B12.

Cobalt helps form red blood cells and also maintains nerve tissue. Inorganic cobalt has no nutritional value, but is sometimes added to beer as an anti-foaming agent.

Vitamin B12 / cobalt is not produced by plants, but can only be supplied through animal products. Dietary deficiency is usually only found in alcoholics, strict vegetarians, and pregnant or nursing women. Signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency are sore tongue, weight loss, body odor, back pains and tingling arms and legs.

As stated earlier in this article minerals are essential to proper body function and your health. Therefore taking a mineral supplement is a very important aspect of your daily wellness routine. When taking minerals make sure they are organically bound minerals for the best absorption.

Ref: Rennert, O.M. Chan, W-Y. Metabolism of Trace Metals in Man, Vol. I. CRC Press, 1984, p. 71.

I remembered seeing dental protocals in the Bax 3000 database so I decided to search for teething. Low and behold it was there so I loaded it up and treated her along the spine as well as in her mouth.

Later that night a received a message for the childs mother thanking me because the child went home and did not react at all like she was in pain for the entire evening and was sleeping soundly and peacefully.

I love this therapy!

Between 10-15% of people suffer from neck pain, which is most commonly seen in middle-aged individuals and women. Chiropractors often provide a form of manual therapy called “mobilization,” in addition to cervical adjustments, intended to increase neck flexibility and reduce pain.

In a recent study from the Netherlands, 183 patients with neck pain lasting at least two weeks were divided into three groups and received either manual therapy, physical therapy, or continued care from a general practitioner.

Manual therapy involved weekly “hands-on” techniques in which “experienced manual therapists” sought to decrease restrictions in neck range of motion; physical therapy focused primarily on exercise in 30-minute sessions twice per week; and general practitioner care involved advice on recovery, self-care, and ergonomics.

After seven weeks of treatment, the success rate was nearly twice as high in the manual therapy group as in the group receiving care from a general practitioner. The recovery rates were 68%, 51%, and 36% for the manual therapy, physical therapy, and general care groups, respectively. The manual therapy patients had half the absences from work due to pain during the study as the other two groups. Also, manual therapy proved better than physical therapy in all outcome measures in this study in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

The fundamental objective of manual therapy is restoration of normal joint motion. This goal was attained in the study, with a “relatively large” increase in neck range of motion. If you are suffering from neck pain, chiropractors are your best option. Make sure they are treating with manual therapy, adjustments, and neck exercises to address not just the pain, but also range of motion and strength.

Reference:

Hoving JL, Koes BW, de Vet HCW, et al. Manual therapy, physical therapy, or continued care by a general practitioner for patients with neck pain. Annals of Internal Medicine 2002:136(10), pp. 713-722.

The term “pinched nerve” is somewhat of a catch-all phrase that is commonly used to describe the pain associated with a variety of conditions from subluxations, to tunnel syndromes to the referred pain from trigger points.

Most of the time, what is called a pinched nerve is actually an irritated, or inflamed nerve where the nerve itself is not actually pinched. In most cases, nerves become irritated and inflamed when the bones, joints or muscles of the spine are not in their proper position, or are not moving properly. This condition is called a “subluxation”, the treatment of which is the specialty of the doctor of chiropractic.

There are instances when nerves do become ‘pinched’, such as in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Sciatica and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. In each of these cases, injury, spasm or inflammation of the surrounding muscles and connective tissue causes the nerve to become compressed, resulting in pain. These conditions are referred to as “tunnel syndromes.” Treating tunnel syndromes is more complex than treating a simple spinal subluxation, but they usually respond very well to chiropractic care; especially when combined with other physical therapies, such as exercises and stretches.

Trigger points are very tight “knots” of muscle that form when muscles are either chronically overworked or injured, and are often experienced as a pinching or burning pain. Trigger points will commonly cause pain that radiates to other parts of the body, which is also known as referred pain. The successful treatment of trigger points usually requires a combination of chiropractic care, stretching and a form of deep tissue massage called ‘trigger point therapy.’
It is very important that the cause of any form of pain be properly diagnosed. This is especially important when nerves are affected as severe or long term irritation, or compression, of a nerve can lead to permanent nerve damage. If you have been told that you have a “pinched nerve” it is very important that you seek professional care from a doctor of chiropractic as soon as possible. Contact us today!  610-433-6190

Many studies have shown positive outcomes in reducing the symptoms of ADHD simply by changing your child’s diet. In my practice I have observed drastic positive changes in children’s behavior by adding essential nutrition and removing toxic and empty caloric consumption from a persons eating habits.

The following are what I have observed to be the most important dietary modifications if you want to improve your attention, focus and emotional stability.

ADD THESE TO YOUR DIET:

1. Essential fatty acids(EFA’s) – studies have shown that children with learning disorders, including attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders, often have an EFA deficiency. The right kinds of fats are super important to ingest on a daily basis. among many other functions good fats are needed for proper brain function. That is why they are called essential fatty acids because your body can not make them and without them we would die!

The following are foods that are good sources of EFA. Cold water fish such as salmon, tuna and trout, flax seeds,  nuts, dark leafy green vegetables, and grass fed meats and eggs. Good oils to use are Molecularly Distilled (gets rid of toxic mercury) fish oil, olive oil, krill oil, sunflower oil and flax seed oil.

2. Vitamin B complex – the B Vitamins improve neural activity and are great at helping the body cope with stress. Good food sources of Vitamin B are meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cereal grains, milk, legumes & fresh vegetables.

3. Protein – eating small portions of protein throughout the day evens out your energy. Here are some helpful tips for protein snacks for you children. String cheese wrapped in whole grain bread, a hard boiled egg, plain whole fat yogurt blended with a ripe banana for sweetness or simply mixing some protein powder in your child’s favorite smoothly.

4. Calcium and Magnesium – calcium in addition to building strong bones also supports a healthy nervous system which could improve a child’s behavior. Magnesium also has a calming effect on the nervous system helping to maintain normal muscle and nerve function and is involved in energy metabolism. Many studies have shown children with ADHD who supplement with calcium and magnesium have responded positively. Foods that are good sources of calcium and magnesium are, green vegetables such as broccoli, kale and collard greens as well as whole grains. Spinach, beans, peas, nuts and seeds are great sources of magnesium.

5. Trace minerals – trace minerals are micronutrients that are needed by the body every day, but in small amounts. Trace minerals that would help an ADHD child include zinc and iron. Studies have shown that children with ADHD have low levels of zinc in their bodies compared to children without ADHD. Iron helps regulate the neurotransmitter dopamine and may help children with ADHD. Trace minerals are found in organic fruits and vegetables. I recommend taking a good mineral supplement every day.

6. DRINK LOTS OF WATER. The brain is about 80% water, and increasing your water intake to 7 to 10 glasses per day might be very helpful all by itself. Sodas, Gatorade, teas, icees, etc., do not count as water. Only water counts as water.

THINGS TO AVOID

1. NO DAIRY PRODUCTS, especially cow’s milk.
This is the single most important restriction. The American Pediatric Association estimates that a significant percentage of all children are allergic to milk. Instead try Almond milk, Rice milk, or Better Than Milk. And drink lots of water instead of milk for two weeks.

2. NO JUNK FOODS. If it comes in a cellophane wrapper, don’t eat it. Stop eating junk food and your brain will work better. Junk foods tend to be very high in sugars and carbohydrates, and our brains get fuzzy and our kids get more hyperactive when sugars and carbohydrates are eaten together.

3. NO FRUIT JUICES. They have too much sugar. One small glass of apple juice has the sugar content of eight apples. Later on you can have juice, but for now if you have to have any juice just dilute it with water 50/50.

4. CUT SUGAR INTAKE BY 90%. If you can, cut it down to zero. Sugar is in just about everything, but give it a try. Do your best to reduce your sugar intake without going crazy.

5. NO NUTRASWEET. None. Period. Never. It’s bad for you. It is bad for your brain.

6. NO PROCESSED MEATS and NO MSG. Only get meats with labels that say, “Turkey and Water,” etc. If the meat has chemicals listed that you can’t pronounce, don’t buy it and don’t eat it.

7. AVOID FOOD COLORINGS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. See if your child is sensitive to any particular colors, such as Reds, Yellows, etc. For now, though, avoid all if possible.

If you suspect your child has abnormal sensitivities to certain food which has been shown to cause neurological and behavioral problems please look into a New Revolutionary Therapy called Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy or NSRT using an FDA approved biofeedback device called The Bax 3000. I have been using this therapy with ADHD patients for 6 months with great results. In fact if you explore this website you can read all about it and even see video testimonials and news stories about it from all the major networks (ABC, NBC, FOX)

Eighty percent of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. In fact, it is estimated that low back pain affects more than half of the adult population each year and more than 10% of all people experience frequent bouts of low back pain.

The susceptibility of the low back to injury and pain is due to the fact that the low back, like the neck, is a very unstable part of the spine. Unlike the thoracic spine, which is supported and stabilized by the rib cage. This instability allows us to have a great deal of mobility to touch our toes, tie our shoes or pick something up from the ground, but at the cost of increased risk of injury.

As long as it is healthy and functioning correctly, the low back can withstand tremendous forces without injury. Professional powerlifters can pick up several hundred pounds off the floor without injuring their low back. However, if the low back is out of adjustment or has weakened supporting muscles, something as simple as taking a bag of groceries out of the trunk of their car, picking something up off the floor, or even simply bending down to pet the cat can cause a low back injury.

Until recently, researchers believed that back pain would heal on its own. We have learned, however, that this is not true. Recent studies showed that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily, but will most likely return. It is important to take low back pain seriously and seek professional chiropractic care. This is especially true with pain that recurs over and over again. Contact our chiropractor . . . we can help!

The Causes of Low Back Pain

There are many different conditions that can result in low back pain, including: sprained ligaments, strained muscles, ruptured disks, trigger points and inflamed joints. While sports injuries or accidents can lead to injury and pain, sometimes even the simplest movements, like picking up a pencil from the floor, can have painful results. In addition, conditions such as arthritis, poor posture, obesity, psychological stress and even kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss can lead to pain.

Due to the fact that there are a whole lot of things that can cause low back pain, and some of those things can be quite serious if left untreated, it is important to seek professional help. Chiropractors are the experts at diagnosing the cause and determining the proper treatment for low back pain. Here are some of the most common causes I see:

Subluxations

Whenever there is a disruption in the normal movement or position of the vertebrae, the result is pain and inflammation. In the lumbar spine, these usually occur at the transition between the lower spine and the sacrum. Subluxations can lead to debilitating low back pain. Fortunately, subluxations are easily treatable and often times a significant reduction in pain is experienced almost immediately after treatment.

Disc Herniations

Contrary to popular belief, a herniated disc does not automatically mean that you are going to suffer from low back pain. In fact, one study found that almost half of all adults had at least one bulging or herniated disc, even though they did not suffer any back pain from it. On the other hand, herniated discs can be a source of intense and debilitating pain that frequently radiates to other areas of the body. Unfortunately, once a disc herniates, they rarely, if ever, completely heal. Further deterioration can often be avoided through regular chiropractic care, but a complete recovery is much less common.

Sprains, Strains and Spasms

This is commonly the source of low back pain among the weekend warriors. You know, the type who have very little physical activity during the week, but once the weekend arrives, they push themselves way too much. By the end of the weekend, they are lying flat on their back counting down the hours before they can get in to see their chiropractor. Overworking the muscles or ligaments of the low back can lead to small tears in the tissues, which then become painful, swollen and tight.

Stress

Whenever you become stressed, your body responds by increasing your blood pressure and heart rate, flooding your body with stress hormones and tightening up your muscles. When you are stressed all the time, the chronic tension causes your muscles to become sore, weak and loaded with trigger points. If you are stressed out all of the time and you have low back pain, it is important to do some relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, as well as to get regular exercise.

Treating Low Back Pain With Chiropractic

Chiropractic treatment for low back pain is usually pretty straightforward. Most commonly, it’s simply a matter of adjusting the lower lumbar vertebrae and pelvis to re-establish normal motion and position of your bones and joints.

Chiropractic for the low back has been repeatedly shown to be the most effective treatment for low back pain. In fact, major studies have shown that chiropractic care is more effective, cheaper and has better long-term outcomes than any other treatment. This makes sense because chiropractic care is the only method of treatment that serves to re-establish normal vertebral motion and position in the spine. All other treatments, such as muscle relaxants, pain killers and bed rest, only serve to decrease the symptoms of the problem and do not correct the problem itself.

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1. Because studies have clearly shown that the population has become severely deficient in Vitamin D over the last 20 years. This is due to the widespread misconception that the sun’s rays are harmful, damaging and should be avoided.
♦ Vitamin D is made from sun exposure to the skin. Things like fabric, glass and sun block prevent Vitamin D production.
2. Cancer Prevention – healthy Vitamin D levels (45-100 ng/ml) decrease the incidence of ALL forms of cancer by 30-60%. There is a huge database of studies documenting this.
♦ There are over 2,000 papers already published on the incredible cancer protective effects of healthy levels of Vitamin D. Go to www.vitaminDcouncil.com for more information.
3. Mood support, natural antidepressant and overall mental health and brain function. All forms of mood disorders and cognitive functions have responded positively to optimizing Vitamin D levels. Read about the studies at www.vitaminDcouncil.com.
4. Immune system support and protection from or reversal of autoimmune disorders. The immune system cannot function normally without optimal vitamin D levels, and autoimmune disorders have been clearly related to deficiency in this vitamin. Read more about this at www.vitaminDcouncil.com.
5. Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis and other degenerative diseases. It’s all well studied, proven and documented. Go to the website listed above.
6. Male and female steroid hormone balance, overall energy, stamina, libido and performance enhancement. When Vitamin D is fully activated by the liver and kidneys, it becomes a steroid hormone.
Tips on Vitamin D Supplementation & Testing
1. The correct test to order is 25-OH-Vitamin D. All blood labs perform this test. The best price is usually from www.directlabs.com. 1
2. The optimal levels of vitamin D to achieve are 45-100 ng/ml. Most lab values allow the ranges to go much lower than that.
3. The bring your vitamin D levels up to optimal ranges, take 15,000-20,000 IUs of Vit D3 which is cholecalciferol for 3-4 weeks and then retest. You can add sun exposure as well. At www.vitaminDcouncil.com, see the section on Treatment, for more specific ongoing information. Daily recommended intake of Vitamin D is 2,000-4,000 IUs or more, depending on your sun exposure or lack thereof.
4. Vitamin D works with, and must be in balance with, bioavailable and ionizable calcium (such as calcium lactate) and vitamin F (EFAs and other fat soluble vitamins) to perform its important functions. This is not yet well understood in the research literature, but your Standard Process practitioner knows what to do.
5. Ask your health care practitioner for guidelines as to what type of supplements to use, since there can be considerable variation in quality among supplement brands.
1 Directlabs.com is an online lab from which any blood test can be ordered by a doctor or patient. They will direct you to a local lab for the blood draw. They usually have the best prices.