Wilmington Healthy Living

Childhood stomach aches linked with adult depression; the Hashimoto’s hypothyroid connection

2012-02-07T13:31:00.001-08:00

Many dismiss childhood stomach aches as a normal part of growing up. However research shows that chronic childhood stomach aches could result in anxiety and depression later in life. From what we know about gut health and immune health, it’s feasible this could also play a role in developing Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism later in life.

A Stanford University researcher found that gastric irritation early in life could pave the way for lifelong psychological problems. Of course, not all childhood stomach aches will lead to adult depression and anxiety; genetic makeup and when the stomach aches occur developmentally are also important factors.

Researcher Pankaj Pasricha, MD, notes that 15 to 20 percent of people experience chronic pain in the upper abdomen, and are more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression than their peers.

Gut and brain hardwired together

Dr. Pasricha points to the connection between the gut and brain as an explanation for psychological issues related to childhood stomach aches. The gut has its own nervous system—similar to that of the brain—and is hardwired to the brain by the vagus nerve, a nerve that runs from the brain to the internal organs. As a result of signals transferred back and forth, disturbances in the gut can impact the brain.

To test whether chronic childhood gut problems could lead to anxiety and depression later in life, researchers performed experiments on baby rats, irritating their stomachs for six days.

Study shows early gut problems lead to adult anxiety

Researchers found that these rats showed significantly more anxiety and depression than their peers. They also had higher levels of stress hormones. It was concluded that the early gastric irritation permanently altered their brain function. However, when the researchers inhibited the release of stress hormones in the affected rats, they behaved more normally.

The Hashimoto’s hypothyroid connection

Studies also link high levels of stress hormones with immune imbalances that can trigger or flare up an autoimmune condition such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Additionally, stomach aches often indicate a gluten intolerance, and studies have established a link between gluten intolerance and Hashimoto’s disease. Also, researchers today increasingly link depression and anxiety with inflammation. All of these factors point to imbalances in the immune system that increase the risk of autoimmune Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.

Addressing gut-based anxiety and depression

A number of studies show that chronic inflammation rewires the brain to become more sensitive to stress. This causes one to become “stressed out” very easily and suffer from disorders such as anxiety and depression.

So what can you do? First (if you have children), think preventively. Take colic and chronic stomach aches seriously. Intolerance to certain foods, such as gluten or dairy, is often the culprit. Other possibilities include bacterial infections, yeast overgrowth, or parasites.

Bearing all this in mind, the most important first step is to remove the inflammatory triggers that perpetuate the stress. Of course, if you have Hashimoto’s you should eliminate gluten from your diet completely. Beyond that, an anti-inflammatory diet is a great way to start. However you may need additional support—such as a gut-cleanse and repair—to unwind inflammation affecting both the brain and the gut.

Chronic stress also leads to depleted and imbalanced brain chemicals, called “neurotransmitters.” Neurotransmitters regulate our moods, function, and even our personality. And because the gut has its own nervous system, neurotransmitter imbalances also lead to poor digestive function.

My office can recommend specific nutritional therapies to help unwind stress, restore gut health, improve brain chemistry, and manage Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. If your child complains of stomach distress, it’s important that you address the problem right away, in order to reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, and immune imbalances later in life.

Poor sleep habits, unmanaged hypothyroidism raise dementia risk

2012-01-31T14:19:00.001-08:00

Are you a night owl who can’t fall asleep? Are you half dead in the morning without several cups of coffee? Or does your hypothyroid condition have you wide awake some nights and unable to stay awake some days? If so, you may have an increased risk of developing dementia later in life.

Our “body clock,” or circadian rhythm, regulates our sleep/wake cycles.

A healthy circadian rhythm has you alert in the morning, tired at night, and able to sleep through the night.

When it becomes imbalanced your risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other diseases increases.

An imbalanced circadian rhythm also leads to poor immune function, which can exacerbate autoimmune Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.

Dementia and circadian rhythm share same area of the brain

The area of the brain that governs the circadian rhythm, the hippocampus, also plays a role in short-term memory and learning. The hippocampus is the first target of degeneration in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

An imbalanced circadian rhythm could point to problems in the hippocampus and an increased risk of dementia later in life.

Studies link circadian rhythm imbalance with dementia risk

A recent study found the risk of dementia was higher in older women with weaker circadian rhythms.

A 2008 study also found that tracking circadian rhythms over time could predict cognitive decline in healthy older adults.

Circadian rhythm and Hashimoto's hypothyroidism

Another study showed a link between an imbalanced circadian rhythm and flare-ups of the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis. Because of its effects on immune modulation, a healthy circadian rhythm is an important aspect of managing autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.

Circadian rhythm balance goes beyond dementia

Dementia isn’t the only risk. Studies have also linked an imbalanced circadian rhythm with cardiovascular disease, weight gain, mood disturbances, constipation, prostate cancer, and breast cancer.

Are you at risk for dementia later in life?

How do you know if your circadian rhythm is off balance? Look at whether you suffer from any of the following symptoms:

Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Difficulty waking in the morning
Not feeling rested after sleep
Poor recovery from exercise
Drop of energy between 4 –7 p.m.

Preventing dementia naturally

How can you normalize your circadian rhythm and lower the risk for dementia? The answer lies largely in regulating cortisol, an adrenal stress hormone. Studies show high cortisol from physical or mental stress degenerates the hippocampus.

The stress from inflammation in particular has been shown to be associated with atrophy of the hippocampus. This has been evidenced on blood panels by higher levels of homocysteine, a telltale sign of inflammation.

Lower inflammation to prevent dementia

One of the best ways to normalize the circadian rhythm is to reduce inflammation; your diet is the first place to start. Address food sensitivities, such as to gluten, lower the amount of starchy foods and sweets to stabilize blood sugar, and eliminate processed foods. Ask my office about an anti-inflammatory diet program.

Manage your hypothyroidism properly

If you have hypothyroidism, chances are you have Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid gland and is responsible for 90 percent of cases of hypothyroidism in this country.

Thyroid hormones do not address the autoimmune condition. To lower inflammation, you must manage the immune system. Ask how my office can help you do that.

Other tools to lower dementia risk

Other tools I can help you with include addressing brain health and chemistry. Chronic stress can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that regulate mood and wellbeing. Restoring balance to neurotransmitters helps regulate the body’s clock.

Adrenal adaptogens, herbs that help modulate adrenal cortisol levels, can significantly balance the circadian rhythm and protect the hippocampus, as can liposomal phosphatidylserine.

Of course, establishing healthy sleep habits and reducing lifestyle stressors will also help lower cortisol levels and normalize your circadian rhythm.

Hypothyroidism and heartburn: Gluten could be the culprit

2012-01-24T13:28:00.001-08:00

Call it acid reflux, heartburn, or GERD, but having stomach acid splash back up into your esophagus is painful and distressing. Although researchers cite various causes, one that many doctors overlook is gluten, the protein found in wheat, spelt, rye, barley, and other wheat-like grains.

People with hypothyroidism may already struggle with heartburn due to a slowed metabolism and weak production of stomach acid—ironically, heartburn is frequently caused by stomach acid not being acidic enough. When acidity is poor, digestive function falters and gut maladies, including heartburn, ensue.

However, most cases of hypothyroidism in the United States are caused by an autoimmune thyroid disease called Hashimoto's, and many studies link gluten with Hashimoto's. For the hypothyroidism patient, an undiagnosed gluten intolerance can be a determining factor in heartburn.

Studies link gluten with acid reflux

Research shows acid reflux symptoms more commonly affect those with celiac disease, an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten. One study found 30 percent of celiac disease patients had GERD compared to less than 5 percent of those not diagnosed with the disease. Another study found almost 40 percent of children with celiac disease suffer from esophagitis, inflammation of the esophagus and heartburn.

Gluten-free diet found to relieve heartburn

Fortunately, researchers also found a gluten-free diet relieved symptoms of GERD rapidly and persistently. Some people have found they also need to give up grains, processed foods, or other foods to which they are intolerant (such as dairy) to completely relieve acid reflux.

GERD could be autoimmune

Some research shows that stomach acid is not acidic enough to immediately damage the esophagus. Instead, it triggers an inflammatory reaction within the tissue of the esophagus, causing damage.

What does gluten have to do with this? Gluten has been shown to be very pro-inflammatory in many people, and has been linked with 55 autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. It’s possible acid reflux could be yet another inflammatory disorder triggered by gluten.

Antacids increase health risks

Most people relieve acid reflux by taking an antacid to neutralize stomach acid, with sales of the drug topping $10 billion annually. Not only does this fail to stop stomach acid from washing back up into the esophagus (one study showed protein-pump inhibitors actually induce acid reflux), it also impairs nutrient absorption.

Antacids may increase food poisoning risk

Stomach acid is vital to the absorption of minerals and vitamins, and protects the stomach from bacteria, fungus, and infection. Chronic use of antacids has been linked to increased risk for bacterial infections, candida (yeast) overgrowth, and food poisoning.

Antacids may increase osteoporosis risk

Chronic antacid use also impairs absorption of minerals, including calcium, which can increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Proper testing for gluten intolerance vital

With one in five people now believed to be suffering from gluten sensitivity, it’s important to know whether you are too, and whether undiagnosed gluten intolerance is contributing to heartburn.

The conventional tests to screen gluten intolerance are notoriously inaccurate. For cutting-edge testing, please contact my office.

Hypothyroidism and overtraining: Too much of a good thing

2012-01-17T19:31:00.001-08:00

Mary was a mother of two with hypothyroidism who began a vigorous exercise program of weight lifting and running, one to two hours a day, six days a week, hoping to boost her weight loss. Not only did she fail to lose weight, she actually gained weight, and found herself battling fatigue, irritability, and constant colds and flus. As it turns out, Mary was exercising too much.

Overtraining weakens the body

While regular exercise is vital to good health, studies show overtraining can actually deplete hormones, depress immunity, lead to bone loss, increase the risk of injuries, slow healing, increase inflammation, and cause a general feeling of burn-out. For the person striving to manage a thyroid condition, all these factors can work against her.

Also, studies show hypothyroidism affects athletic performance in a number of ways. It creates more muscle weakness and cramping, impairs cardiac function and blood flow, and hampers the ability of muscles to use fatty acids for energy, thus limiting endurance.

Sufficient recovery between exercise sessions and exercising at an appropriate intensity will get you fitter faster without compromising your thyroid health.

Overtraining and high cortisol

Overtraining causes your body to pump out extra cortisol, a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that helps us cope with stress. High cortisol can cause bone loss, and muscle breakdown, create belly fat, increase sugar cravings, and lead to insulin resistance, a pre-diabetic condition that causes high blood sugar.

Overtraining and low cortisol

Some people who overtrain suffer from low cortisol, which can lead to weight gain, fatigue, low blood sugar (with dizziness, light-headedness, and irritability), muscle weakness, difficulty recovering from workouts, and poor immune strength.

Both high and low cortisol negatively affect thyroid health, making cortisol management paramount when addressing a hypothyroid condition.

American life is already stressful

Clearly, neither high nor low cortisol produces the desired effects of an exercise regime, and both cause a chronic inflammatory state that ages you quickly. Throw in other factors of modern American life—stressful lifestyles, too little sleep, poor diets, too many sweets and caffeine—and overtraining can be the tipping point into cortisol-driven disorders.

And, of course, the person with Hashimoto’s should strictly avoid gluten, another stressor that can flare up a hypothyroid condition.

Symptoms of overtraining

How much exercise is too much? This varies from person to person. Overtraining for one person can be another person’s warm up. An adrenal salivary panel will show you your cortisol levels, but it’s especially important to pay attention to signals from your body, which is harder than it sounds for the driven athlete accustomed to pushing the envelope.

Symptoms of overtraining include persistent tiredness, worsening strength and stamina, sleep disturbances, slow recovery, aching joints or limbs, injuries, and frequent illness, to name a few. Also, symptoms of hypothyroidism may worsen.

Exercise should boost energy, not drain it

Appropriate exercise boosts your energy and your sense of well-being. And while some muscle soreness is normal, you should experience energy, mental focus, and a good mood during recovery periods between workouts.

Ask us about an adrenal cortisol panel to help you establish and appropriate intensity level for your workouts. Also, ask us about ways to manage your hypothyroid condition—for 90 percent of Americans, an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s causes hypothyroidism. The immune system, not the thyroid gland, should be the main focus of health management.

Statins increase risk of diabetes in women 50%

2012-01-10T14:06:00.001-08:00

A new study found older women who take cholesterol-lowering statin drugs increase their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by almost 50 percent. Researchers say it isn’t clear why the drug raises the risk of diabetes, and that the findings could be applied to men.

Many people don’t realize that inflammation, not a statin deficiency, underlies high cholesterol, and that the condition usually can be managed naturally.

The study looked at data of more than 150,000 women ages 50-79 for over 12 years. Interestingly, the risk was greater for Asian women and women of a healthy body mass index.

Statins most commonly prescribed drugs

Darlings of the health care industry, statins are the most commonly prescribed drug, accounting for $20 billion of spending a year. About one in four Americans over 45 take statins, despite such common side effects as muscle weakness and wasting, headaches, difficulty sleeping, stomach upset, and dizziness.

Beware low cholesterol

As a result, lab ranges for healthy cholesterol are skewed too low. Not only do statin users grapple with side effects and raise their risk of diabetes, but they also risk symptoms of low cholesterol.

Cholesterol is necessary for brain and nerve health and to manufacture hormones, including the sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Low cholesterol can imbalance hormones and increase the risk for anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.

In functional medicine, we don’t like to see cholesterol go below 150 mg/dL.

Statins do not address cause

Although statins lower cholesterol, they do not address the underlying cause of high cholesterol, which is typically inflammation. The body uses cholesterol to patch up damage caused by inflammation. In fact, research shows inflammation is the primary cause of heart attacks and strokes, not high cholesterol.

Research also shows diets low in fat and high in carbohydrates increase the “bad” form of LDL (there are two to look at) and decrease the protective HDL.

Hypothyroidism causes high cholesterol

Hypothyroidism, a condition estimated to affect more than 20 million Americans, raises cholesterol. A person with hypothyroidism makes fat more quickly than it’s burned, which drives up markers of high cholesterol. She also suffers from a sluggish liver and gallbladder, so that fat is not easily metabolized, and her cells may be less receptive to taking up LDL, raising those numbers.

Gluten-free diet can lower cholesterol

Many find a gluten-free diet lowers cholesterol, as gluten is inflammatory for so many people. Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid, causes hypothyroidism for most people in the United States. Studies link gluten intolerance with Hashimoto’s, and a strict gluten-free diet is an important aspect of managing the condition.

Lowering cholesterol naturally

Functional medicine is highly effective for the person wanting to lower cholesterol naturally. Management includes an anti-inflammatory diet, exercise, and rooting out causes of inflammation. These include hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease, bacterial infections in the digestive tract, poor blood-sugar handling, or other chronic health issues.

By addressing the cause of high cholesterol not only do you avoid the dangerous risks and unpleasant side effects of statins, but also you journey into your golden years with improved energy and well-being.

Detox Diet Plan for the New Year

2012-01-03T13:49:00.001-08:00

Now that the food comas, sugar hangovers, and holiday binges are over, it’s a good time to “clean house” with a detox diet. A detox diet calms inflammation, stimulates repair and recovery, and boosts energy. A detox diet should never involve frequent hunger or lack of nutrients, factors that only stress the body further.

Finding food intolerances

Many people don’t realize they have food intolerances. These foods trigger an immune reaction and cause such symptoms as low energy, rashes, joint pain, digestive issues, headaches, anxiety, depression, and more. They also prevent weight loss. The foods people most commonly react to are gluten, grains, dairy, eggs, and nuts.

Other inflammation triggers

Other common immune triggers include nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, etc.), legumes, coffee, and, of course, foods high in sugar. Don't forget, sugary foods include sweet fruits and natural sweeteners, such as honey, maple syrup, and agave.

The hunger-free diet plan

At this point you might be saying, “There is nothing left to eat!” On the contrary, the detox diet resembles what our ancestors ate prior to the industrialization of food, and there is plenty to eat. In fact, it is important not to get too hungry as the low blood sugar caused by chronic hunger causes inflammation. Eat frequently enough to sustain energy and avoid crashing.

Healthy diet plan foods

Grass-fed and organic meats, wild fish, plenty of vegetables, healthy fats, and fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, make up the detox diet, along with plenty of water and non-caffeinated herbal teas.

Good fats are key to success

An appropriate amount of good fats ward off hunger and sustain energy. Include healthy fats such as coconut oil, avocado, olive oil, ghee (butter oil), and salmon. Avoid processed vegetable oils and strictly avoid hydrogenated oils, or trans fats.

Rewards outweigh difficulties

Yes, the diet is difficult at first. It requires planning and preparation. Initially you may experience sugar and carb cravings, low energy as your body adapts to burning fat instead of sugar for fuel, and such detox symptoms as headaches, rashes, or joint pain. Please call our office for guidance if so.

However people who stick with the diet inevitably feel such a boost in energy and well being that they come to enjoy the diet.

A great weight-loss diet plan

Many find the detox diet is the best weight loss diet yet. Cutting out sweets and high-carb foods naturally promotes weight loss. More importantly, however, the detox diet becomes a weight loss diet plan by reducing inflammation, stabilizing blood sugar, and restoring balance to the adrenals, our stress-managing glands.

Reintroducing foods

After 30 to 90 days of the detox diet, you may wish to add in some of the foods you eliminated, one at a time every 72 hours to see whether you react in any way to them. This will help you build a healthier lifelong diet. However many find a gluten-free and even grain-free diet builds lasting health.

Support with detox supplements

I can help you enhance the effects of the detox diet with nutritional compounds to aid in cleansing and ease the symptoms of transition. They support the liver, the digestive tract, blood sugar balance, and stress handling. Just call my office for advice.

Detox diet plan

Foods to avoid

ALL sugars and sweeteners, including honey, agave, maple syrup, etc.
High-glycemic fruits: Watermelon, mango, pineapple, raisins, grapes, canned fruits, dried fruits, etc.
Nightshades: Tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, and other nightshades
Mushrooms
Grains: Wheat, oats, rice, barley, buckwheat, corn, quinoa, etc.
Dairy: Milk, cream, cheese, butter, whey.
Eggs or foods that contain eggs (mayonnaise)
Soy: Soy milk, soy sauce, tofu, tempeh, etc.
Alcohol
Lectins: Lectins promote leaky gut. Avoid nuts, beans, soy, nightshades, peanut oil, peanut butter, and soy and soy products.
Coffee: Many people react to coffee as if it is gluten, and it can be overstimulating.
Processed foods
Canned foods

Foods to eat

Most vegetables (except nightshades and mushrooms): Asparagus, spinach, lettuce, broccoli, beets, cauliflower, carrots, celery, artichokes, garlic, onions, zucchini, squash, rhubarb, cucumbers, turnips, watercress, etc.
Fermented foods: Sauerkraut, kimchi, pickled ginger, fermented cucumbers, coconut yogurt, kombucha, etc. You must make your own or buy one of the few brands that are genuinely fermented (not made with vinegar) and free of sugars or additives.
Meats: Grass-fed and organic chicken, turkey, beef, bison, lamb, etc., and wild fish.
Low glycemic fruits sparingly: Apricots, plums, apple, peach, pear, cherries, berries, etc.
Coconut: Coconut oil, coconut butter, coconut milk, coconut cream.
Olives and olive oil
Ghee (butter oil) unless severe dairy allergy

Holiday sugar hangover cure?

2011-12-27T14:31:00.001-08:00

The tin of peppermint bark is empty, the pies polished off, and the Yule log cake reduced to crumbs.

Left in their wake, however, is the sugar hangover, that annual holiday tradition that may include an upset stomach, headache, lethargy, brain fog, skin problems, join pain, mood swings, allergy symptoms, and a heap of regret.

How to recover from a sugar hangover

While alcohol hangover cures are a folklore staple, you can take solid steps to recover from your sugar hangover:

Quit eating sweets. Those holiday treats have sent your blood sugar levels skyrocketing and plummeting repeatedly, taxing the immune system, the brain, hormone balance, and every other system in the body.
To recover, put blood sugar levels on an even keel by eating protein every two to three hours, eating a good breakfast, and avoiding starchy foods, desserts, and sweet drinks (soda, sweet coffee drinks) that spike blood sugar. Instead focus on quality proteins, leafy vegetables, and good sources of fat (olive oil, avocado, coconut oil, salmon, etc.)
Drink plenty of water. This is also the most popular alcohol hangover cure for a reason. Staying hydrated with clean filtered water will help flush your body of toxins and aid in recovery.
Support your liver. Processing all those sweets burdens your liver. Help your liver flush these toxins with such liver detox nutrients as milk thistle, dandelion, N-acetyl L-cysteine, beet root, panax ginseng, and more. Contact my office for more advice on liver detoxification.
Restore your gut. Sweets cause inflammation, promote overgrowth of harmful yeast and bacteria, and irritate the gastric lining. You can restore gut health by avoiding sweets and other starchy foods, temporarily adopting a strict detox diet that eliminates common immune triggers (i.e., gluten), and by eating cultured and fermented foods.
Move your body. A brisk walk, a swim, yoga, or some other gentle exercise will get your lymphatic system pumping and blood flowing to help flush toxins and rejuvenate cells. You may want to avoid extremely vigorous exercise until hangover symptoms subside so as not to further promote inflammation.

Why not go for a New Year's detox?

These are some basics to help you recover from a sugar hangover and get you back on the wellness path. In fact, all of these tips will help you recover from an alcohol hangover, too. For more advanced strategies and to get started on a detox plan for the New Year, contact my office.

What are your tips for a sugar hangover cure?

Of course the best way to cure a sugar hangover is to avoid one. But if you happen to overindulge on special occasions, what are some of your tips for a sugar hangover cure?

Can stress cause your baby's allergies?

2011-12-20T12:24:00.001-08:00

A calm, healthy pregnancy and postpartum period could reduce the risk of allergies in your baby, according to a new Swedish study.

Researchers found infants with lower levels of cortisol, an adrenal hormone released in response to stress, developed fewer allergies than other infants.

Stress hormone cortisol triggers allergies

The researchers believe environmental and lifestyle factors during pregnancy and early infancy raise adrenal cortisol levels, which increases the risk of allergies.

Studies show high cortisol in a pregnant mother raises levels of the hormone in the fetus.

In functional medicine, we see many women enter into pregnancy with high cortisol. Common symptoms include excess belly fat, insomnia, insulin resistance (high blood sugar), hair loss, and an irregular menstrual cycle.

Stress isn’t just about too much to do on too little sleep (although that is certainly a factor).

Factors that cause high adrenal cortisol

Common factors that elevate cortisol are:

Sugary, starchy diets that consistently spike blood sugar (which causes excess belly fat).
Excess caffeine.
Undiagnosed food intolerances. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease are particularly common.
Poor gut health. Gas, bloating, indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, and other digestive symptoms are signs of a poorly functioning gut.
Improperly managed autoimmune disease. Do you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism or another autoimmune disease?

Rate of childhood allergies rising

The rate of allergies has risen sharply in the United States. About 54 percent of Americans are allergic to at least one thing, an up to five-fold increase the late 1970s. The number of children with food allergies has risen 18 percent since the late 90s; witness the prevalence of peanut-free classrooms.

Manage health before pregnancy

The best thing a mother can do to reduce the risk of allergies in her child is to address her own health and nutrition before conception.

An adrenal saliva test is a good way to measure whether cortisol levels are normal. A mother’s health before conception and during pregnancy greatly influences the health of her baby.

Stress is a fact of life for us all. How have you managed to lower stress levels during pregnancy?

Vitamin D outshines vitamin C at preventing flu virus

2011-12-13T15:11:00.001-08:00

Move over vitamin C. When it comes to warding off the flu virus and colds, studies shows vitamin D trumps vitamin C. But are you getting enough vitamin D from sunlight and diet alone?

Studies link low vitamin D levels with flu virus

Compelling evidence links low vitamin D levels with illness.

One study showed vitamin D-deficient subjects were 36 percent more likely to report an upper respiratory infection than those with higher levels. That rate jumped significantly for those with asthma.

Another study found children taking vitamin D supplements suffered almost half as many incidences of the flu virus than the children not taking vitamin D.

Also, vitamin D levels were found to be lower in children who died of swine flu than in those who survived.

Vitamin D benefits go beyond fighting the flu

Vitamin D does so much more than fight the flu. Sufficient vitamin D lowers the risk of cancer, autoimmune disease, gum disease, heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary disease, and weak bones.

Are you getting enough vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a corner stone to good health, however research shows many people do not get enough from sunlight and diet alone. In general, we spend most of our lives indoors, wear sunscreen when outside, and don’t eat a vitamin D-rich diet.

More than 40 percent of the population and 60 percent of children are estimated deficient. Blacks, Hispanics, and other populations with darker skin show the highest rates of deficiency. Living at a northern latitude, obesity, and aging also increase the risk for deficiency. One study found 60 percent of postmenopausal to be deficient in vitamin D.

Boosting your vitamin D levels

Supplementing with vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and its cofactors will help you outpace the flu and prevent disease. A 25-hydroxy vitamin D test is the most accurate way to measure and monitor your levels, with optimal levels falling between 50–80 ng/mL. However if you suffer from an autoimmune disease or other chronic illness, your practitioner may recommend a more specific goal.

Can pregnancy cause hypothyroidism?

2011-12-06T15:09:00.000-08:00

Question

Why did pregnancy trigger my hypothyroidism?

Answer

Natural immune shifts during pregnancy, together with a genetic tendency and other predisposing factors, can trigger hypothyroidism in some women.

Hypothyroidism is an immune disease for most

For 90 percent of Americans, hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland.

The immune system has two major arms of function, one that reacts immediately to an invader, and one that reacts later to produce antibodies. When one of these arms of becomes overly dominant it can trigger an autoimmune disease.

Going into pregnancy predisposed

Pregnancy and the postpartum periods naturally polarize the immune system. In the third trimester the delayed immune response is dominant. Postpartum the immediate immune reaction is stronger.

If a genetically predisposed woman goes into pregnancy with an existing immune imbalance, these natural immune shifts could be the tipping point for Hashimoto’s.

When pregnancy is one stressor too many

Pregnancy can also cause hypothyroid symptoms secondary to chronic stress. Stressors such as gut infections, food intolerances, blood sugar imbalances, and hormonal imbalances can depress the pituitary gland, which controls hormone function in the body. As a result the pituitary fails to signal thyroid activity.

For many women this manifests not only as low thyroid function, but also postpartum depression. Because so many women enter pregnancy dealing with multiple chronic stressors, the increased demands of pregnancy overwhelm the pituitary gland and depress thyroid function.

Balancing health pre-conception lowers risk for mother and baby

A woman should address health and immune imbalances before conceiving to reduce her risk of developing hypothyroidism.

Doing so also may lower the risk of her infant developing eczema, asthma, food allergies, and even autism, which has been found to be caused by an autoimmune disease in many. When the mother’s immune system is healthy and balanced, there’s a stronger possibility her baby’s will be too.

Fractures common today: Build stronger bones

2011-11-29T14:43:00.001-08:00

Question

Is it my imagination or are broken bones more common than ever today?

Answer

Boys are 32 percent and girls 56 percent more likely to break a bone than children 40 years ago. Fractures are also common in older adults.

Soda has replaced milk

Dairy provides 70 percent of calcium in the American diet. However 40 years ago children drank four times more milk than soda; in 2001 they drank two and a half more times soda than milk. Today males ages 12-29 average half a gallon a day of soda. Not only is soda replacing more healthful, bone-building options, but it also contributes to obesity, blood sugar imbalances, inflammation, and other metabolic disorders that lead to poor bone quality.

Chronic inflammation weakens bones

For instance, just the chronic, low-grade inflammation caused by regular soda consumption can lead to weaker bones; inflammation accelerates the breakdown of bone so that it outpaces bone building. Soda consumption is also linked to a rise in obesity, another barrier to good bone health. Studies show obese people have weaker bones as their bone marrow produces more fat cells than bone cells.

When dairy is a poor option

Many people today find dairy is not a viable option for them due to an intolerance to lactose, the sugar in milk, or casein, the milk protein. Consuming dairy when you are dairy intolerant will actually trigger inflammation and work against your bone-strengthening efforts. Many other foods are good sources of calcium, including canned salmon and sardines with the bones, ample homemade bone broth, greens, certain nuts and seeds, nettle and raspberry leaves, and more.

Not all calcium supplements are the same

Calcium supplements are another option, however not all calcium supplements are the same. Some forms are easier to absorb than others. Also, it’s important to take a calcium supplement with the necessary cofactors for appropriate assimilation. These include other minerals, vitamins D3 and K2, and omega-3 fatty acids. Talk with your practitioner to learn the best way to get enough calcium and ensure good bone quality.

Your brain is what you eat: Hydrogenated fats

2011-11-23T12:48:00.000-08:00

Question

What is all the fuss about hydrogenated oils, or trans fats? Aren’t they OK to eat in moderation?

Answer

The hydrogenated fat you eat becomes part of your brain and nervous tissue. Because of its unnatural structure, cells and neurons composed partly of hydrogenated fat do not function properly.

The brain is made up of the fat you eat

If someone calls you a fat head they are not off the mark. The brain is made up mostly of fat, including the fat you eat. While hydrogenated fats are best known for contributing to cardiovascular disease, lesser known is their impact on brain health. Hydrogenated oils have been molecularly restructured for a long shelf life and are found in many processed foods. Heating oils too high while cooking also causes trans fats.

Cell membranes communicate with other cells and determine what is allowed to enter and exit the cell. These membranes incorporate hydrogenated oils into their structure, making them more rigid and less able to function properly. The nerve sheaths that insulate and protect neurons also incorporate trans fats.

Trans fats disrupt brain function

When trans fats become part of the cells and the nerve sheaths they replace vital brain fats, such as DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid. As a result cellular communication suffers, the cells degenerate, and the person can experience a wide range of consequences, including diminished mental performance, mood disorders, memory loss, or health problems.

Trans fats slow brain circulation

Trans fats are best known for their contribution to cardiovascular disease by thickening the blood, slowing circulation, and clogging arteries. The brain, too, has a vascular system that delivers nutrients and oxygen and removes toxins throughout the brain. When this vascular system becomes clogged with trans fats, this also impacts brain health and function.

One food that is not ok in moderation

Although conventional wisdom says all things are OK in moderation, hydrogenated fats are a man-made substance closer to plastic than food. When eaten they become a part of your cells and your brain for some time. Therefore it is best to avoid them completely.

Why does eating make me sleepy?

2011-11-15T14:10:00.001-08:00

Question

I practically fall asleep in my plate after every meal. Why does eating make me so sleepy?

Answer

Feeling sleepy after meals is a common symptom of insulin resistance, a risk factor for diabetes.

Starchy foods and too much insulin

Insulin resistance is common today and is a stepping-stone to diabetes. Overeating and eating a diet high in sugar and starchy foods causes insulin resistance. These foods include breads, rice, pasta, pastries, chips, potatoes, soda, sweet coffee drinks, and more.

Converting glucose to fat demands energy

Insulin escorts glucose into the cells to make energy. Starchy foods bombard the bloodstream with too much glucose, forcing the release of insulin to lower it. When a person eats a starchy diet on a regular basis, the body overproduces insulin to lower chronically high blood sugar.

Eventually these constant surges of insulin exhaust the body’s cells and they refuse entry to the insulin, which is called insulin resistance. As a result insulin can’t escort glucose into the cells to make energy and the person feels sleepy.

Also, because glucose can’t get into cells, blood sugar climbs too high. The body lowers it to safer levels by converting excess glucose into fat for storage. This is a demanding process that robs one of energy.

Insulin surges overproduce calming brain chemical

A fluctuation in brain chemistry is another factor that causes tiredness. Carbohydrates provide precursors for serotonin, the “joy and well-being” brain chemical that can ward off depression and also be calming.

However, the insulin surge that follows a high-carb meal overproduces serotonin in the brain, contributing to that need for a post-meal nap. After serotonin levels drop, people then may feel depressed, which spurs cravings for more high-carb foods and sweets to get that pleasurable “high” and start the cycle over again.

Restoring insulin sensitivity

If you feel sleepy even after a very low-carb meal, it could be because you overate or because your glucose metabolism has become too disordered to function properly. While adapting a lower-carb diet is vital, you may need the guidance of a practitioner in using nutritional and botanical compounds that can help restore insulin sensitivity.

Food allergies can prevent weight loss

2011-11-08T13:02:00.000-08:00

Question

I learned I have intolerances and allergies to certain foods, and that I need to avoid those foods if I want to lose weight. Isn’t it just a matter of eating fewer calories?

Answer

Some people find they can’t lose weight through calorie restriction alone. When that happens several issues need to be investigated. One of the most important is food intolerances. Eating foods to which you are allergic or intolerant will prevent weight loss.

Food intolerances cause inflammation

Food intolerances and allergies create inflammation, and inflammation prevents weight loss. Every time you eat gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, or some other food that may be a problem for you, you create inflammation in your body.

Leaky gut is a primary culprit

For many people today, a variety of foods trigger inflammation. This is due largely to intestinal permeability, or “leaky gut,” which allows undigested food particles to slip into the bloodstream through damaged and inflamed intestinal walls. Leaky gut is very common today due to poor diets, excessive sweets, chronic stress, and other maladies of modern life. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease are also common and cause leaky gut.

As these food particles circulate throughout the body the immune system responds by attacking and destroying them for removal, just as it would respond to a viral or bacterial infection. Unfortunately, if the food is eaten regularly, this keeps the immune system constantly at work, hence creating chronic inflammation. Symptoms can be obvious in the way of joint pain, skin issues, abdominal pain, or even brain fog, memory loss, or moodiness. Sometimes the inflammation is not obvious, yet a person finds she or he can’t lose weight.

Inflammation halts weight loss

Studies show the immune compounds that cause inflammation also make insulin receptors less sensitive, creating insulin resistance. As a result glucose can’t get into cells and blood sugar becomes too high. The body lowers blood sugar by converting it to fat for storage. Insulin resistance also hinders fat burning.

Inflammation also has been shown to cause leptin resistance, which stimulates hunger and promotes fat storage. Furthermore, excess body fat secretes immune messenger cells that trigger inflammation, promoting a vicious cycle that prevents weight loss.

Although moderating caloric intake and exercising are recommended for weight loss, effective and lasting weight loss depends in part on tackling chronic inflammation and food sensitivities.

Why do little girls reach puberty so early?

2011-11-01T16:21:00.000-07:00

Question

It seems girls go through puberty much earlier these days. Why?

Answer

It’s true many girls reach puberty earlier today. Although the exact cause is not known, researchers suspect estrogen-promoting chemicals in the environment, obesity, and dietary factors to be the culprits.

Earlier than ever

Today it’s common for girls to begin developing breasts at age eight—once considered abnormally young—and to begin menstruation at age 12. Earlier puberty not only may cause emotional pressures, but also may raise the risk of breast and ovarian cancer due to longer exposure to estrogen.

Estrogen-promoting chemicals

Common chemicals in our environment today boost estrogen activity, which can trigger puberty early. These include pesticides, flame retardants, BPA (in tin cans, baby bottles, toys, and other food packaging), phthalates (in cosmetic products, PVC, plastics, food packaging, and numerous products), and parabens (in shampoos and cosmetic products). Phthalates have also been linked with abnormal hormone development in boys, and prenatal exposure to these chemicals has also been identified as a risk factor.

Obesity

Studies also link obesity with early puberty. An ample diet signals to the brain that conditions are safe for reproduction, and body fat produces estrogen. Overweight and obese children often have higher insulin levels—insulin stimulates the production of sex hormones. For this reason, a diet high in starchy carbohydrates (breads, pasta, sweets, sodas, etc.) could raise the risk of early puberty through chronic insulin surges. Researchers also believe that high levels of leptin, a satiety hormone produced by body fat and promoted by a high-carbohydrate diet and excess insulin, may contribute to early breast development.

Soy

One study found that infants fed soy formula had estrogen levels 13,000 to 22,000 times higher than normal, suggesting that it may play a role in early puberty.

Beef and dairy

The conventional beef industry administers sex hormones to cattle to promote production, greatly raising the levels of hormones in the meat. Milk naturally contains ample estrogen, particularly if the cow is pregnant, and some conventional farms treat dairy cows with hormones to stimulate production. Although the link between meat, milk, and early puberty is controversial and not established, going with products from organic, grass-fed animals is ideal.

Does The Fountain Of Youth Really Exist?…

2011-10-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

3 Things That Can Make You Live 20% Longer And Look Up To 20 Years Younger!

What if I told you I’ve discovered the fountain of youth… and… all you have to do is pony up 39.99 and you can have a jar of it to drink? You wouldn’t fall for that obvious line of bull… now would you?

Well, I’ve got news for you

Millions Of People Do!!!

You see, 99% of people are like goldfish. Not that they have fins and swim around in a fish tank. But because goldfish have an attention span of… Three Seconds!

That’s right… 3 measly seconds!

That means goldfish are slow learners. After all, what can they possibly learn in 3 seconds? So, if they eat a little green worm that makes them sick, guess what they’ll do 5 minutes later? You guessed it… eat another little green worm and get sick again… and again… and again.

So what happens after they give that guy their $39.99 for that “fountain of youth in a jar” and it doesn’t work? They forget all about the first guy in 3 seconds (just like a goldfish) and give another $39.99 to someone else claiming the same thing!

So what does all this have to do with you? Well, even though there is no “fountain of youth in a jar,” there are…

3 Things That Can Make You Live Up To 20% Longer And Look 20 Years Younger!!!

Here they are…

#1 Having A Positive

Mental Attitude…

That’s right, positive thinking actually makes you live longer… much longer. In fact, a study done at the Mayo Clinic revealed that optimists lived 20% longer than pessimists!!! Imagine that… looking on the bright side and cracking a smile every once in a while may put 10 or 15 years on your life. There’s another interesting side note to optimists… They Have More Friends!

#2 Exercise…

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Everyone’s always yapping about how good exercise is. You’ll slave away in the gym. Run around that stupid track, and, maybe… just maybe… You’ll live an extra year. The last year when you’re too old to care anyway. Well, it gives me great pleasure to tell you…

Just How Wrong You Are!

Listen to this… A groundbreaking study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1994, showed that the bodies of 40 postmenopausal women became…

15 To 20 Years More Youthful

After The Women Lifted Weights

Twice A Week For A Year!

Do you understand what that means? Lifting weights twice a week is hardly slaving away in the gym. That’s something anyone can do to look 15-20 years younger. I know it’s not quite as intriguing as the “fountain of youth in a jar,” and may take a little more time… but… it really works.

Here’s another interesting exercise fact…

Exercise Can Even

Overcome Bad Genes!

That’s right… it just got better. In a study of 16,000 sets of healthy twins, researchers kept track of the twins' lifestyles for nearly 20 years. At the end of the study, they discovered that those who exercised moderately - 30 minutes of walking twice a week - cut their risk of dying almost in half when compared to their sedentary sibling.

That’s amazing! Makes you want to start lifting weight and walking 30 minutes twice a week… doesn’t it? That brings us to…

#3 Decreasing Free Radicals

Although experts disagree about exactly what causes our bodies to age, one of the leading theories attributes it to damage caused by free radicals. These molecules that are missing an electron, bind with healthy cells and wreak havoc on those cells' ability to function.

Our bodies produce antioxidants to counteract the damage, but if there is not a large enough supply, cellular damage may not be repaired and sooner or later, we become ill.

According to this theory, the best approach to slowing the aging process is to

provide the body with plenty of ammunition against free radicals. You can do this by increasing your intake of antioxidants.

Forget for a moment about carbohydrates, protein and fat, and instead focus on food as a source of antioxidants. The most powerful food sources of these all-important nutrients are vegetables and fruits, so those should be the most abundant things on your plate.

Round out each meal with whole grains, like brown rice, whole wheat bread, cereal and pasta, plus low-fat dairy products and lean meats. Sugar and fat should be the smallest category.

One recent study by the National Cancer Institute, shows how powerful a diet like this can be the key to your health. Researchers examined the eating habits of more than 45,000 women and found that those who ate a diet high in fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat dairy and lean meats cut their risk of dying from any cause by 30%! That’s phenomenal!

So you have a number of ways to really drink from the fountain of youth! Maintaining a positive mental attitude, exercising, and eating well can keep you happy and healthy as you become older and wiser! And hopefully you will enjoy the process of growing older with all life has to offer!

And don’t forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health, talk to us. Contact us with your, questions. We’re here to help, and don’t enjoy anything more than participating in your life long good health!

Depression linked with bad digestion

2011-10-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

Question

I went to see my natural medicine practitioner for depression and she wants to work on my digestive health. I don’t get the connection.

Answer

Many people would be surprised to learn how greatly gut health affects brain health. A poor diet, inflamed gut, and intestinal permeability definitely can promote depression.

Depression a not-so-obvious symptom of poor digestion

Sometimes digestion issues are obvious; they cause gas, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain. For others the main symptom is not so obvious—depression. An unhealthy diet and compromised gut health can promote depression in several ways.

Poor nutrition

When one eats a junk food diet laden with processed foods, trans fats, sugars, and artificial chemicals, the brain suffers. The brain needs healthy fats, high-quality protein, abundant vitamins and minerals, and a diet low in starchy foods and sugars.

Gluten

Gluten is directly linked to depression in some. It causes gut inflammation, which can lead to inflammation in areas of the brain that regulate mood. Some people digest gluten into gluteomorphin, an opioid similar to heroin or morphine that can cause depression (not to mention constipation). Gluten can also cause autoimmune attacks in the brain with symptoms of depression.

Dairy or other foods may also cause depression, depending on sensitivity.

Leaky gut

Leaky gut happens when the lining of the intestines becomes overly permeable. This allows undigested foods, bacteria, and other pathogens into the bloodstream, creating inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation in the brain may cause depression.

Inflammation in the gut also inhibits absorption of nutrients necessary for good brain function. An example of such a nutrient is tryptophan, an amino acid found in proteins. The brain synthesizes tryptophan into serotonin, a brain chemical that promotes feelings of well-being and joy.

Always consider gut health

Depression is a complex, multi-faceted condition that can have its roots in various causes. However the role of diet and digestive health should always be included in a functional approach to depression.

Why do antibiotics give me health woes?

2011-10-25T06:07:00.001-07:00

Question

Itseems ever since I took antibiotics I haven’t been the same. I’m sick morefrequently, my digestion is messed up, and I have chronic yeast infections.Why?

Answer

Antibioticsare one of modern medicine’s life-saving miracles. However if preventive careisn’t taken, their use, and especially their abuse, can lead to chronic healthproblems.

Goodbacteria serve us

Thedigestive tract contains an estimated 2–4 pounds of beneficial bacteria thatare an integral part of our immune system. They resist bad bacteria, and theyaid in the digestion of food, the absorption of nutrients, and the synthesis ofB vitamins and vitamin K.

Thesebeneficial bacteria coat the lining of the intestines, providing a protectivebarrier against toxins. They also nourish the gut lining and ensure appropriateproduction of immune cells, helping to maintain balance in the immune systemand prevent autoimmune disease.

Antibioticswipe out good bacteria

Whileantibiotics eradicate disease-causing bacteria, unfortunately they wipe out thegood bacteria too. This leaves the digestive tract defenseless, and it compromises both nutrient status and immune balance.

Overgrowthof bad bacteria produces toxins and antibiotic-resistant strains

Antibioticuse makes it easy for bad bacteria, yeast, and fungi to over multiply, wreakinghavoc on digestive and immune health. The overgrowth of yeast, or Candida, isespecially common. This can produce a wide range of troubling symptoms,including yeast infections, sugar cravings, skin rashes, brain fog, and more.

Also,pathogenic bacteria, yeast, and fungi produce toxic substances that make theirway into the bloodstream and the rest of the body. These toxins have beenlinked to allergies, and health ailments in thedigestive, respiratory, immune, and nervous systems.

Researchalso shows that antibiotic use develops long-lasting strains ofantibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Restoringbeneficial bacteria vital

Thisexplains why antibiotics can contribute to myriad health problems, even thoughthey may have successfully treated a condition. Unnecessary antibiotic useshould be avoided. If they are necessary, one should work with a practitionerto learn the best way to restore the beneficial bacteria in the digestivetract.

WHEN DOES IT PAY TO BUY ORGANIC? BEWARE OF THE "DIRTY DOZEN"

2011-05-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

Plant crops are considered organic when they are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers or sewage sludge... and are not genetically engineered or irradiated to combat bacteria and insects. They cost from 10% to 40% more than their nonorganic counterparts.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit research organization, has developed a list of the 12 conventionally farmed fruits and vegetables most laden with pesticides. Organic is well worth the higher price for these -- apples, bell peppers, carrots, celery, cherries, grapes (imported), kale, lettuce, nectarines, peaches, pears and strawberries.

If you do buy a nonorganic food from this "dirty dozen," wash it thoroughly before eating. Also, discard the outermost leaves of leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, especially with nonorganic produce. EWG also has determined which conventionally farmed foods usually are low in pesticide residue. To save money, you can skip organic versions of these -- asparagus, avocado, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, kiwifruit, mango, onion, papaya, pineapple, sweet corn, sweet peas, sweet potato, tomato and watermelon.

Helpful: To print a wallet card of these lists, go to www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php. Or just remember this rule of thumb -- if you eat the skin (like an apple), buy organic... if you peel the skin (like an onion), conventional is okay. Not all of EWG’s recommendations fit this guideline, but most do.

THE WORD ON EGGS, MILK & MEAT

For any animal product to be considered organic, it must come from animals given a diet of organic feed. This means that the feed was grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, preservatives or sewage sludge... was not genetically modified or irradiated... and contained no animal byproducts. Organic feed is expensive, so organic animal products often cost more than twice as much as nonorganic.

Organic eggs come from hens that have some outdoor access instead of being constantly confined to cages... and have not been treated with antibiotics or hormones. Organic eggs are readily available in supermarkets. Are they worth paying double? It’s a personal decision.

Milk labeled organic is free of genetically modified recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH). Though the FDA says there is no difference between organic and nonorganic milk in terms of effects on health, some research suggests a link between rBGH and hormone-related cancers, such as breast, ovarian and uterine cancer. For that reason, organic milk is a safer choice for young children, whose growing bodies are more susceptible to hormonal effects... people with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly... and those with a chronic illness.

With meat, poultry and fish, organic means that the animals received no antibiotics or growth hormones in the last 12 months. These items often are difficult to find and are the most expensive of the organic products. Many consumers are reassured to know that organic beef comes from cows that were not fed ground-up animal parts, as nonorganic cows sometimes are -- because some research links this practice to the human form of "mad cow" disease. However, there has been only one known case of the disease in the US, and that occurred in a person who had eaten beef overseas.

Are organic meat, poultry and fish worth the inconvenience and expense? If you feel strongly about supporting more humane treatment of animals and protecting the environment from pesticides, your answer may be yes. Visit www.greenpeople.org/organicmeat.html for a list of sellers in your area who carry organic meat, poultry and fish.

"Organic" vs. "Natural"

Food labels can be confusing. As you shop, keep these terms in mind...

100% organic means just what it says.

Organic means that at least 95% or more of the ingredients must be organic.

Made with organic ingredients signifies that at least 70% of the ingredients are organic.

Natural does not mean organic. In fact, it has no standard definition so there’s no point in paying more for a food just because it claims to be natural.

Bottom Line/Women’s Health interviewed Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH, Paulette Goddard Professor in the department of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University in New York City, and author or coauthor of numerous books, including What to Eat (North Point).

Has Science Finally Found The REAL Reason We Are Healthy Or Sick?

2010-06-23T05:42:00.000-07:00

“The Mind-Body Connection - - Shocking Proof About The Way You Think…Can It Really Relieve Pain And Cure Disease?

Ever wonder why our healthcare system in the United States is in such shambles?

Ever wonder why with all the amazing technology we have…and all the “breakthrough discoveries” you keep hearing about…every night on the news…we are still a nation of constant, chronic illness, pain and disease?

Ever wonder why…with the incredible amount of tax money the government takes and spends - - EVERY YEAR - - our health care system is just about bankrupt?

Ever wonder why YOU keep suffering with aches, pains, and various illnesses and doctors never seem to help?

Well I’ve Wondered About It Too And The Answer Will Shock And Amaze You!!!

Now, before I get to the “meat and potatoes” and tell you EXACTLY why I think so many people…including YOU…maybe needlessly suffering…I have to give you just a tiny piece of medical history so you understand where all this is coming from.

I assure you this little medical history is necessary…and…I even guarantee you will find it extremely interesting. More than that…

It May Add Countless Pain-Free
Years To Your Life!

So here we go…This whole mess started way back in the 17th Century with a physicist, physiologist and mathematician by the name of Rene Descartes.

You know who Descartes is…he’s the guy that said…

“I Think, Therefore I Am.”

Anyway, Descartes revolutionized “modern” thinking with his theory of dualism. In a nutshell, dualism says that the mind and body are completely separate.

As the story goes, Descartes came up with his theory while meditating one morning. Then he actually made an agreement with the Roman Catholic Church that he…as a man of science…would restrict himself to the study of the physical body…while religion would deal with the “mind.”

From that time on, studies of mind and body have…for the most part...remained two distinct and separate fields. Scientists stayed within the realm of what they could see and measure. Meanwhile, those in the religious life lifted thought, reason, and emotion out of the body, into the realms of the spiritual.

The first problem with this separation is that medicine used science as its ONLY measuring stick. Procedures are ONLY used if they pass strict scientific testing. This means the procedures must be able to be seen and measured.

If they can’t be seen and measured and proven through scientific experiment…they do not exist and will not be used in medicine.

But what about this - -

If you place your hand in a bucket of water…what happens to the water? It rises…right? It rises by the exact amount your hand takes up…or…displaces in the bucket.

You know it happened because you can measure the level of the water. This happens EVERY time…so it is called a law. The law of displacement.

Now…what happens if I stick my hand in the ocean? Well, we know that your hand displaces water. It has to…it’s a law. The problem is…

Can You Prove It?

After all…you can’t measure it. You can’t see the results.

So did the ocean actually rise?

ABSOLUTELY! It rose in an immeasurable amount. At least immeasurable with the tools we have at this time.

So what’s the point? The point is…

By Throwing Out The Mind-Body Connection Simply Because It Could Not Be Scientifically Measured, Medicine Has Ignored One Of The Most Powerful Healing Forces Known To Man!

How do I know the mind-body connection is such an important healing force?

Here’s how: You see, in 1981 Neurobiologist David Felton at the University of Indiana discovered that the immune system is actually hard-wired to the brain through the nerve system. That’s right, for the first time there was scientific proof that the immune system is under the direct control of the brain.

Why is this so important to you?

Well listen to this…this is the most important part of this blog. If you only read the next few paragraphs…

You WILL Live A Happier,
Healthier Life!

In 1974, Ader, an experimental psychologist, made what most consider to be one of the central discoveries of mind-body research. It, too, happened as a surprise. In the course of investigating conditioned response (Pavlov's drooling-dog-and-bell concept), he was testing to see how long such a trained response might last in some laboratory rats. Using a combination of saccharine-laced water and the nausea-inducing drug Cytoxan, he had trained the rodents to associate the sweet stuff with a bad bellyache. Afterwards, while giving them saccharine-water without the accompanying Cytoxan, Ader watched to see how long it might take for them to forget the association between the two.
Unexpectedly, during the second month, the rats began to fall prey to disease and die off. In investigating this unforeseen result, Ader checked into the properties of the nausea-inducing drug he had used and found that one of its side effects was as an immune suppressant. The rats had been conditioned, it developed, not only to associate sweet water with nausea, but also with an immune shutdown. The conclusion was obvious:
Their Minds Were Controlling Their Immune Systems!
Isn’t that amazing? The rats actually killed themselves just by thinking it!
So, my question to you is…what are you thinking your immune system into doing? Are you thinking yourself healthy or sick?
Here’s an even better question…since your nerves serve as the communication lines between your brain and your body/immune system…are you sure those lines are open so your brain can keep you healthy?
The bottom line is: if you have misaligned or malfunctioning spinal bones…your brain CANNOT communicate properly with your body. And, as you now know…with your immune system. Having these spinal misalignments…or SUBLUXATIONS…may not only cause pain… but also weaken your immune system and lead to sickness and disease.
The only way to keep your spine free from these subluxations…and unnecessary pain and disease…is by routinely getting your spine checked by your Chiropractor (that’s me!), just like you routinely brush your teeth and go to the dentist. So, if you haven’t had your spine checked in a while, make sure you read the insert that came with this newsletter. It will not only give you an opportunity to get your spine checked again…it will show you how to put $250 in your pocket!

….And don’t forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health, talk to us. Contact us with your questions. We’re here to help, and don’t enjoy anything more than participating in your lifelong good health!

Here are some helpful health tips.

2010-06-16T11:49:00.001-07:00

Did You Know?…

1. High levels of sodium (salt) contribute to congestive heart failure. Roughly 5 million people in the U.S. experience this heart failure annually!

In a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, those who ate the most sodium were 43% more likely to suffer congestive heart failure than those with the lowest sodium intakes.

Less than 2,400 mg of sodium a day is recommended by several government health agencies. High sodium intake can also increase hypertension and cardiovascular disease risks.

To reduce the amount of sodium in your diet, eat fresh foods and prepare your own meals…as prepackaged foods are loaded with sodium! Start reading labels on pre-prepared meals, too - you might be shocked at how much sodium you're already eating!

2. When you have a high level of stress in your life, it’s good to participate in calming hobbies. These should take little effort, and allow your body’s biorhythms to slow back down.

Reading a book or sailing are examples of those slow paces activities that allow your mind to ease it’s pace.

Some other things you might do are:

Meditate
Watch TV or Read a Book
Do Crossword puzzles
Repetitive tasks like throwing a baseball with a friend

Be sure you aren’t making yourself busier, but are finding ways to slow a normally frantic pace. Notice how it can ease your mind!

Help Your Children Maintain Lifelong Healthy Teeth!

2010-05-26T08:09:00.001-07:00

Tip Of The Day…Help Your Children

Maintain Lifelong Healthy Teeth!

Ever met someone with a winning smile?

Well, it started with healthy teeth and gums as a child.

Parents ask when they should begin to brush their children’s teeth.

Healthy teeth start at the time your baby is “teething.” Studies show that children that begin before they’re one have less decay than those who start later.

Decay can start as soon as the gum breaks, even before the tooth is visible, simply because bacteria begin to grow in the child’s mouth.

But here’s the problem…

Children can’t brush their teeth adequately until they are about five years old (this will vary with each child) so parents should supervise their brushing until they are about eight years old.

Obviously if your kids are like mine and many small children they will resist having their teeth brushed and it’s something that just has to be done so here are some ideas to make it more fun!

*Use baby or child toothpaste and try different flavors. Many children dislike peppermint, possibly because it can taste hot!

* Let them watch you brush your teeth! (Kids love to play copycat)

* Take them to buy a toothbrush, perhaps a musical one or one with a handle that changes color. Let them put it in their mouth and chew on it even before they have teeth - so they get used to having a brush in their mouth.

* Make a game of it - let them clean your teeth while you do theirs.

* Sing a silly song, look in a mirror, pretend their mouth is a tunnel and the brush is a train or a hangar with an airplane.

* Let them sit on your lap. If you approach from in front, some children can feel intimidated.

* If you brush your teeth with them, pretend the white foam is slobber - ahead and be a little silly.

* Say I bet I can open my mouth wider than you can - make a silly contest out of it.

* If you can make them laugh, they’ll associate fun with this event, and it will make future brushings easier!

* Use a brushing chart with a small reward - gold stars or a healthy treat.

* Don't let them have anything sweet unless they have their teeth cleaned.

* As they brush, talk through each food item they ate, and tell them they are cleaning it off now…”there goes the carrots!”

Teeth brushing must be a regular ritual for children. If you do what you can to make it more fun for them, it’s guaranteed to be more fun for you too! Also, you are setting them up for a healthy mouth for life!

Does The Fountain Of Youth Really Exist?…

2010-05-24T07:56:00.001-07:00

3 Things That Can Make You Live 20% Longer And Look Up To 20 Years Younger!

Well, I’ve got news for you

Millions Of People Do!!!

You see, 99% of people are like goldfish. Not that they have fins and swim around in a fish tank. But because goldfish have an attention span of… Three Seconds!

That’s right… 3 measly seconds!

So what does all this have to do with you? Well, even though there is no “fountain of youth in a jar,” there are…

3 Things That Can Make You Live Up To 20% Longer And Look 20 Years Younger!!!

Here they are…

#1 Having A Positive

Mental Attitude…

#2 Exercise…

Just How Wrong You Are!

Listen to this… A groundbreaking study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1994, showed that the bodies of 40 postmenopausal women became…

15 To 20 Years More Youthful

After The Women Lifted Weights

Twice A Week For A Year!

Here’s another interesting exercise fact…

Exercise Can Even

Overcome Bad Genes!

That’s amazing! Makes you want to start lifting weight and walking 30 minutes twice a week… doesn’t it? That brings us to…

#3 Decreasing Free Radicals

Our bodies produce antioxidants to counteract the damage, but if there is not a large enough supply, cellular damage may not be repaired and sooner or later, we become ill.

According to this theory, the best approach to slowing the aging process is to

provide the body with plenty of ammunition against free radicals. You can do this by increasing your intake of antioxidants.

Round out each meal with whole grains, like brown rice, whole wheat bread, cereal and pasta, plus low-fat dairy products and lean meats. Sugar and fat should be the smallest category.

Back Pack Tip For Parents.

2010-05-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

So a little late in the year, but never too late for a tip, especially a Simple & Inexpensive Solution To A Common Problem…
If you take a moment to look into your child’s backpack, you may find a couple of textbooks, a notebook, gym clothes, lunch, a CD player…add it all up, and it equals back strain. Kid’s today carry heavy school loads, and these equal heavy back loads.
Although the packs may be too heavy, your child may be reluctant to forego the convenience offered by them. Children often travel a distance to school, then between classes with little time to unload and reload again at their lockers.
Says Russell Windsor, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery, "We are seeing students in fourth and fifth grade who are complaining about backaches, fatigue, and physical stress. They just don't have the body strength to remain erect under these very substantial loads, and it puts their skeletons under substantial duress."

"Children are carrying far too much weight in their backpacks and they are carrying them fashionably but improperly, slung over one shoulder," says Jerome McAndrews, M.D., a Chiropractic physician and spokesman for the American Chiropractic Association. "We're concerned that the damage that is inflicted now will be showing up 30 years later in even more serious back injuries."

If your child is going to continue using his or her backpack, consider this advice:
Guidelines created by The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) state that students should carry no more than 10% of their body weight in a backpack. Although backpacks slung over one shoulder may be fashionable, this posture puts further stress on the back and spinal cord. Children should support the pack with both padded shoulder straps to balance the weight and prevent shoulder, neck, and back problems.
Better yet, give your children a Backpack on wheels…they look cool, hold a ton of stuff, and reduce and often eliminate neck and back pain and strain!

Did You Know?...

2010-05-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

1. The discs in your spine are great shock absorbers! You have 24 vertebrae in your spine, and each is separated from one another by these shock absorbers called discs. These discs are pads of cartilage, and have a fairly tough outer layer and a soft interior to cushion against the shocks and strains created by you during everyday activities.
-The discs are subject to injury, disease, and degeneration with use over time. Certain activities and types of work increase the risk your discs can be damaged or deteriorate. If the soft interior material of a disc pushes out through a tear or weakening in the outer covering, you have a slipped disc.
-A slipped disc goes by a number of names; it is also called herniated, protruding, bulging, ruptured, prolapsed, or degenerated discs. There are fine distinctions between these terms, but all really refer to a disc that is no longer in its normal condition and/or position. Slipped discs cause pain by intruding on or pinching and even injuring nerves in the spinal column.
2. Calcium is the most common mineral in your body. It’s essential to the growth and maintenance of strong, healthy teeth and bones. It’s also necessary for regulating the heartbeat and lowering cholesterol levels.
-But what if you don’t get enough calcium? You may suffer from aching joints, dry, brittle nails, tooth decay, high blood pressure/high cholesterol levels in the blood, and even muscle cramps. Perhaps the most significant potential complication from inadequate calcium intake is bone loss, often leading to osteoporosis and increasing the risk for bone fractures. These are real dangers for women who have gone through menopause already. So play it safe, and get plenty of Calcium in your diet!

“I wish more and more that health were studied half as much as disease is. Why, with all the endowment of research against cancer is no study made of those who are free from cancer? Why not inquire what foods they eat, what habits of body and mind cultivate? And why never study animals in health and natural surroundings? Why always sickened and in an environment of strangeness and artificiality?”~ Sarah N. Cleghorn

Ice or Heat which to use?

2010-03-04T13:29:00.000-08:00

This is a question I get weekly, so I figured I could put it here and hopefully it would help others searching for an answer. You can usually never go wrong with applying Ice to a painful spot. Think of it this way if you get a bee sting or a lump, you put ice on it right? of course, so if you just hurt it then please ice it. Okay that was the easy one. Now lets say you have a new injury and there is slight swelling involved, you would want to start off with ten minutes of ice, then take it off for a half hour then do another ten minutes of ice. Wait several hours then reapply with the ice in the same way. Now if it feels like a pulled muscle then a good thing to do is to apply ice for ten minutes, moist heat for ten minutes, then ice again for ten minutes. Wait several hours then repeat. Generally you can't go wrong with ice, be careful with heat, it can feel good while applied and cause lots of problems after, so use with caution. Heat can be like throwing gas on an already burning fire. I hope this helps someone in a pinch that is unsure what to do.

Here is an article that will be running in the local paper.

2009-12-02T10:56:00.001-08:00

Fibromyalgia is a form of generalized muscular pain and fatigue that affects approximately 3.7 million Americans. Fibromyalgia lacks laboratory abnormalities, so most doctors diagnose it based on a person’s report or complaints and feelings. Pain is the most prominent symptom of Fibromyalgia. It generally occurs throughout the body although it may start in one region, such as the neck and shoulders, and spread to other areas over a period of time. This pain over time becomes life altering and debilitating in ways only the patient can truly understand.

Most people with Fibromyalgia experience moderate or severe fatigue with a lack of energy, decreased exercise endurance, or the kind of exhaustion that results from the flu or lack of sleep. Sometimes the fatigue is more of the problem than the pain. A patient always feels exhausted like they can never get fully rested up. Other symptoms can be headaches, especially muscular (tension headaches), migraine headaches and insomnia are common in Fibromyalgia. Abdominal pain, bloating, alternating constipation, bladder spasms, and irritability may cause urinary urgency or frequency.

The latest research suggests that one of the true causes of Fibromyalgia comes from food insensitivities and environmental intolerances, which lower an individual’s immune system, causing them to feel fatigued more quickly, which in turn makes them more susceptible to other illnesses. These intolerances can go undetected for years causing a slow manifestation of patient’s symptoms, making it difficult to pinpoint a specific beginning.

No matter what the condition, it is imperative that the doctor performs a thorough and comprehensive consultation and exam to determine the exact nature and cause of the patient’s condition, along with the severity to determine the proper treatment and therapy.

As a local Chiropractor, I take a different approach to the treatment and prevention of Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, combining a neurological examination along with checking the patient for intolerances to food and other environmental allergies that can cause an exacerbation of symptoms. After a thorough consultation and examination I determine a specific treatment plan for each individual patient.

Like all chronic type patients whose symptoms last longer than 6 months, patients must be monitored closely before and after all treatments. If the patient is not monitored, it is impossible to determine if the treatment is helping.

Dr. Richardet, DC is one of only 25 chiropractors in the U.S. who has had training on the LZR-7, which is a new treatment technique that helps people suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue conditions without prescription medication.

What is Laser Allergy Relief?

2009-12-02T10:55:00.001-08:00

This is the number one question I get from friends, family and patients.

A.
The Medical Explanation For Allergies

Allergies are nothing more than an inappropriate response to something that is perfectly harmless. Your body sees an ordinary substance as foreign and attacks it sending you into an allergic reaction of red, itchy eyes, a scratchy throat and trouble breathing. It is essentially an error in the body's immune system where it does anything it can to combat this "bad, foreign" substance. But this substance is perfectly harmless. What's worse is now a new association is turned into an engrained pathway in your nervous system which will associate that substance as a foreign object from there on out. It is a substance/association error that is made and learned by your nervous system. An example of this is when you eat a normally harmless food and it makes you sick afterwards. (eggs for example) You get sick and you know what happens (no details necessary here). Your body will associate the sickness with the food that you ate so that most likely even months to years down the road even the sight or smell of eggs will make you nauseous and even a little sick. But eggs are not the problem. It's the incorrect association that your nervous system has made that's the problem.

How Do You Know What You're Allergic To?

Each specific allergen has it's own specific frequency. Cat dander for example has a certain frequency. Dust has a specific frequency that is different than cat dander. These frequencies plus 100's of thousands of other frequencies of possible allergens are introduced safely into the body over several sessions. The body is then monitored to see which frequencies cause it to go into allergic reaction. Then a complete list of all the frequencies (allergens) that caused the body to go into allergic reaction is made giving you a complete list of everything you are allergic to in that particular session. The average person will have 5-20 different allergens.

How Do You Fix These Allergies.. Permanently!

In order to eliminate and rid you of your allergies, each of these frequencies (allergens) will be introduced back into the body one at a time, each on different days. For example if milk allergies are to be eliminated first then on session # 1 the computer will introduce the frequency for milk into the body. Then, and this is the best part, as that frequency (allergen) is introduced into the body the laser stimulates certain acupuncture points which releases endorphins and other chemicals which that make you feel good. So instead of that frequency (milk) causing you to go into allergic reaction, the laser retrains the nervous system to respond normally when you drink milk instead of an upset stomach, runny nose ect.. This new nervous system pathway permanently replaces the old pathway thus permanently ridding you of that specific allergen. Once all the pathways are retrained for each allergen you can say good bye to allergy pills, shots, and allergy related red, swollen eyes, scratchy throats and runny noses.

Here is an article that will be running in the local paper.

2009-11-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

What it means to help people.

2009-11-19T12:35:00.000-08:00

When I chose to be a Chiropractor 13 years ago I had no idea of where it would take me. I never imagined how fulfilling it would be to help so many people. I like most people thought it was just helping people with back pain, but have learned how to really help peoples lives and make them healthier. I had a patient today with a blood pressure off the charts. We had to sit and have a long talk about dietary intake as well as life style modifications. He looked at me with deep gratitude and thanked me for taking the time to notice, and check his BP. This was missed by the primary doctors. At the end of the day I feel like I really made a life changing decision for at least one person today.

First Post

2009-11-18T12:56:00.000-08:00

Well I am new to this whole blogging thing. I thought it would be a good idea to start a place where my patients and their friends could seek answers to health questions. In our office we currently help people suffering from conditions such as headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, neck pain, sports injuries, and pain after automobile crashes. We take great pride in offering two unique services. One being Non-Surgical disc decompression. Our success has been outstanding at helping people avoid having spinal surgery due to Stenosis, disc bulges, or disc herniations.
check our website for more testimonials www.spinalcareofwilmington.com

Wilmington Healthy Living

Childhood stomach aches linked with adult depression; the Hashimoto’s hypothyroid connection

Gut and brain hardwired together

Study shows early gut problems lead to adult anxiety

The Hashimoto’s hypothyroid connection

Addressing gut-based anxiety and depression

Poor sleep habits, unmanaged hypothyroidism raise dementia risk

Dementia and circadian rhythm share same area of the brain

Studies link circadian rhythm imbalance with dementia risk

Circadian rhythm and Hashimoto's hypothyroidism

Circadian rhythm balance goes beyond dementia

Are you at risk for dementia later in life?

Preventing dementia naturally

Lower inflammation to prevent dementia

Manage your hypothyroidism properly

Other tools to lower dementia risk

Hypothyroidism and heartburn: Gluten could be the culprit

Studies link gluten with acid reflux

Gluten-free diet found to relieve heartburn

GERD could be autoimmune

Antacids increase health risks

Antacids may increase food poisoning risk

Antacids may increase osteoporosis risk

Proper testing for gluten intolerance vital

Hypothyroidism and overtraining: Too much of a good thing

Overtraining weakens the body

Overtraining and high cortisol

Overtraining and low cortisol

American life is already stressful

Symptoms of overtraining

More thyroid hormones are not the answer

Exercise should boost energy, not drain it

Statins increase risk of diabetes in women 50%

Statins most commonly prescribed drugs

Beware low cholesterol

Statins do not address cause

Hypothyroidism causes high cholesterol

Gluten-free diet can lower cholesterol

Lowering cholesterol naturally

Detox Diet Plan for the New Year

Finding food intolerances

Other inflammation triggers

The hunger-free diet plan

Healthy diet plan foods

Good fats are key to success

Rewards outweigh difficulties

Reintroducing foods

Support with detox supplements

Detox diet plan

Foods to avoid

Foods to eat

Holiday sugar hangover cure?

How to recover from a sugar hangover

Why not go for a New Year's detox?

What are your tips for a sugar hangover cure?

Can stress cause your baby's allergies?

Vitamin D outshines vitamin C at preventing flu virus

Studies link low vitamin D levels with flu virus

Vitamin D benefits go beyond fighting the flu

Are you getting enough vitamin D?

Boosting your vitamin D levels

Can pregnancy cause hypothyroidism?

Question

Answer

Hypothyroidism is an immune disease for most

Going into pregnancy predisposed

When pregnancy is one stressor too many

Balancing health pre-conception lowers risk for mother and baby

Fractures common today: Build stronger bones

Question

Answer

Soda has replaced milk

Chronic inflammation weakens bones

When dairy is a poor option

Not all calcium supplements are the same

Your brain is what you eat: Hydrogenated fats

Question

Answer

The brain is made up of the fat you eat

Trans fats disrupt brain function