"Physical pain is a sign something ain't right.

Mental pain, in my opinion, is the exact same thing."

 Robert Whitaker, Author of Anatomy of an Epidemic and Pulitzer Prize Nominee

Mental and emotional problems can interfere with one's life in every aspect.  Depressive disorders are associated with poor work activity, disrupted sleeping patterns, bad eating habits, and can put a toll on family units and social life.  Anxiety and stress have become acceptable diseases of the 21st century, linked to fast lifestyles and demanding jobs.  More than 1 in 20 Americans are depressed, according to the most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 20% of adults will suffer from some type of mood disorder that requires treatment over their lifetime (1).

The diagnostic criterion for depression is set forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition as follows….

Depressed moods or loss of interest or pleasure most of the time for 2 weeks plus 4 or more of the following:

•Sleep:  Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day

•Interest:  Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in nearly all activities most of the time

•Guilt:  Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt or worthlessness most of the time

•Energy:  Loss of energy or fatigue most of the time

•Concentration: Diminished ability to think or concentrate; indecisiveness most of the time

•Appetite:  Increase or decrease in appetite

•Psychomotor:  Observed psychomotor agitation/retardation

•Suicide:  Recurrent thoughts of death/suicidal ideation

According to the Canadian Medical Journal, there are often errors in the diagnosis or treatment of the disease, and only 33 percent of patients receive proper treatment.  Errors may be associated with insufficient questioning which leads to failure to receive enough information from the patient to give a proper diagnosis.  Appropriate psychological therapies for patients are unavailable and most of the time antidepressant drugs are prescribed for therapies.  In fact, the number of Americans taking antidepressants doubled in a decade, from 13.3 million in 1996 to 27 million in 2005 (2).

Besides the extensive list of side effects that accompany antidepressants, there have been multiple research studies done concluding that antidepressants seem to work no better than sugar pills!  For example, according to the psychology researchers Irving Kirsch and Guy Sapirstein of the University of Connecticut, patients placed on a placebo (a mock pill) improved 75%. In other words, three quarters of the benefit from antidepressants seems to be a placebo effect. 

 It has even been suggested that some people might need several antidepressants to respond to treatment.  However, it may take 12-14 weeks to reach full effect.  The staff at Mayo Clinic quoted this process as "trial and error" along with survey findings that found 80% of general practitioners know they are overprescribing antidepressant drugs (3).

More serious health problems associated with the use of antidepressant medications have been noted.  These include diseases such as diabetes, immune dysfunction, stillbirths, brittle bones, stroke and death. The National Institute of Mental Health quotes, "Research over the past two decades has shown that depression is an important risk factor for heart disease along with high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure."

Depression can be caused by numerous factors.  However, much of depression is regulated by a part of the brain that governs mood.  The brain's behavior is influenced by what we provide it.  Being able to control symptoms like anxiety, apathy, fears, and feelings of worthlessness depends on the environment we provide.  There are other natural ways to consider that can help alleviate depression.  These strategies have nothing but positive effects and are inexpensive to implement.

1. Getting regular exercise can help overcome depression by normalizing hormones.  Dr. James Gordon, MD, a world renowned expert in using mind-body medicine to heal depression states that "exercise is at least as good as antidepressants for helping people who are depressed…physical exercise changes the levels of serotonin in the brain, and increases your "feel good" hormones" (1).

2. Eat a well-balanced diet.  Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that helps maintain positive feelings, sleep, and calmness.  Serotonin release is triggered by eating carbohydrates followed by insulin spikes.  Consumption of protein must accompany a carbohydrate meal to promote production of another chemical, dopamine, which promotes alertness for balance.  Eating carbohydrates alone seems to have a calming effect, while proteins increase alertness. A balance of most desirable sources of proteins, carbohydrates and fats is essential. For more information on this topic, visit our website newsletter archives and read "Eating Clean" December 2009.

3. Avoid stimulants such as coffee, liquor and soda.  These may give you a rush of energy at first, but will eventually wear off when your blood sugar levels drop along with your energy.

4. Omega 3 Fatty Acids. DHA is one of the Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and your brain is dependant on it.  This fatty acid cannot be made by the body so we need them from dietary sources.  Low DHA levels have been linked to depression, memory loss and Alzheimer's.

5. Vitamin D.  Getting safe sun exposure is great for your mood.  Multiple studies show that those who are deficient in Vitamin D are more prone to depression.  Supplementing with a high quality vitamin D is recommended when sun exposure is limited.  Of course, getting the 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D blood test will help you know exactly how much YOU need to supplement.

6. Vitamin C is required for important conversions of amino acids that control the brain's chemical messengers.

Don't know where to start?  Getting a thorough blood work-up and toxic element testing will shed light on dietary changes you need to make, target areas you may need to supplement and help to objectively monitor your progress.

If you or someone you know is feeling depressed, or have any thoughts of suicide call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a toll free number at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or call 911.

References:

1. Dr. Mercola, Joseph, Please Don't Visit This Type of Doctor Unless You Absolutely Have to. www.articles.mercola.com. March 2011.  Accessed on October 10, 2011

2.Begley, Sharon.  The Depressing News About Antidepressants. 

 The Newsweek/Daily Beast. January, 28, 2010

3.Boseley, Sarah.  Doctors ‘forced' to overprescribe antidepressants. Guardian News and Media Limited. March 29, 2004

Osteoporosis occurs in 1 in 4 women and 1 in 20 men.  Osteoporosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly.  Both sexes show gradual bone loss throughout life but women start to lose bone more quickly in post-menopausal years.  Men lose bone density throughout life but because they start out with higher bone density, they exhibit osteoporotic levels at later ages than females.

Accelerated bone loss in post-menopausal years is known as Primary Osteoporosis.  Secondary Osteoporosis is accelerated bone loss as a result of certain lifestyle habits or existing disease such as long term corticosteroid and anticonvulsant use, inactivity, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, Cushing’s syndrome, hyperthyroidism, gastrointestinal disease, excessive weight loss or low body weight, and never having children.

Osteoporosis is inarguably a multi-factoral disorder involving the inorganic (mineral) and organic (protein) components of bone.  Most people think of calcium loss or low calcium intake when concerning Osteoporosis but it is much more than that.

Stomach acid: the absorption of calcium is in part dependant upon ionization in the intestines.  The most commonly used form of calcium supplementation is calcium carbonate which must first be solubilized and ionized by stomach acid.  Those with low stomach acid production will obviously have a harder time with this form of calcium.  It’s been shown those with low stomach acid may only absorb 4% of an oral dose of calcium carbonate where as those with normal stomach acid can absorb 22%.   Calcium citrate, lactate or gluconate are the better forms of calcium supplementation to use.  Upwards of 45% of calcium lactate can be absorbed even in those with low stomach acid.

Vitamin D3: Lack of vitamin D can interfere with calcium status.  Many patients with Osteoporosis, one may find high levels of 25-OHD3 (the common Vitamin D test used) yet low levels of 1,25-(OH)2D3 which reveals an issue of converting cholecalciferol (whether via supplementation or sunlight) to the usable form of Vitamin D because of poor kidney or liver function.  Boron has also been theorized to play a role in this conversion.

Hormonal Factors: decreasing estrogen production increases the amount of calcium taken from bone to maintain blood calcium levels.  This in turn decreases certain hormones that are necessary for proper Vitamin D utilization.  Simply replacing estrogen is not the solution.  The best approach is to seek out a professional who can analyze your system correctly and make recommendations for healthy lifestyle habits and supplementation so you can regulate hormones naturally.

Vitamin K: found in green leafy vegetables.  Osteocalcin (a protein found in bone) anchors calcium to hold it in place within the bone structure.  Vitamin K has a primary role in converting the inactive form of osteocalcin into it’s active form.  Green leafy vegetables are also a source of calcium and boron.

Magnesium: magnesium deficiency as associated with osteoporosis plays a role in a couple of ways.  One, the enzyme responsible for converting inactive Vitamin D into it’s active form is dependant upon Magnesium.  Two, magnesium plays a role in the mediation of certain hormones that regulate blood calcium levels.

Environmental: Cadmium causes calcium loss within hours of exposure. Bone is a long term storage site for lead.  Lead and calcium have the same transport sites for absorption and transportation within the body. Lead also has a direct (affects the way bone cells tear down and build bone) and indirect (kidney function) influence on bone turnover.

Do you have bone loss?

How do you know which one of these is causing your problem?  Some simple tests can help you zone in on exactly what you need to do to reduce your bone loss.  The best place to start is with a Dexa scan.  This is the diagnostic tool for osteoporosis or establishing if you have bone loss.  A point to remember, is that it doesn’t tell you “why” you have bone loss but it s a very effective marker to use to monitor bone loss and treatment for bone loss.

Next, you need a comprehensive blood panel performed.  A good foundational panel is going to check for diabetes (hemoglobin A1C), mineral levels, thyroid, liver, pancreas, gall bladder and kidney function, inflammatory markers such as C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sed Rate, Complete Blood Count to check for infections and anemias, and heart disease markers.  When ordered properly, if you are experiencing bone loss, your tests may reveal low mineral levels and low Vitamin D.  Poor liver function or kidney function will affect your body’s ability to make the active form of Vitamin D.  Alkaline phosphatase is a marker for bone formation.  Low alkaline phosphatase among other things can indicate decreased bone formation. High levels can indicate bone cancer.  Low creatine kinase indicates low muscle mass.  Low muscle mass can contribute to decreased bone density.  In older populations, if this can be maintained it translates into longer, healthier life.

Hair Analysis

A hair analysis is an effective tool to use for checking environmental exposures to heavy metals and most importantly, your ability to excrete these metals.  There is no way to eliminate exposure to these toxic metals but you can reduce your exposure.  The hair analysis will help you identify what you’re being exposed to in your environment and is good tool to use to make sure you are excreting as you should.  Are you being exposed to lead or cadmium?  You won’t know until you test!

If your are experiencing bone loss or want to find ways to prevent possible bone loss, the only way to know what you need to do is to get tested…and tested properly.  The cause of your bone loss could be any number of reasons explained, as explained above.  Call our Appleton office ((920) 731-0715) today to set up an appointment and we can help you get these tests performed and make nutritional and lifestyle recommendations based upon your test results to help you have stronger healthier bones to last your lifetime!

Nearly two-thirds of children with uncomplicated ear infections recover from pain and fever within 24 hours of diagnosis without antibiotic treatment. Over 80% recover within 1 to 7 days.  More than 5 million cases of acute ear infections occur annually.  Because of the high rate of antibiotics use in the US, it is important to note that in the Netherlands the rate of bacterial resistance is about 1%, compared with the US average of around 25%.

When dealing with ear infections, the first things you want to do is to remove certain habits that can be the cause of the infection.

Pacifier use has been found to cause recurrent ear infections, failure of breastfeeding, and dental deformities.

 - Contemp Nurse. 2004 Jul-Aug;17(1-2):109-12.

Don't Drink Your Milk!

Over 50% of children with ear infections will improve and have no further ear infections if they just stop drinking milk. This is a real tragedy.

"The most common culprit [that causes ear infections] is cow's milk, in its natural form or as found in infant formula.  It causes swelling of the mucous membranes, which interferes with the drainage of secretions through the eustachian tube.  Eventually infection results because of the accumulated secretion."

 - Dr. Robert S. Mendelsohn, MD

It’s important to note, that breastfeeding does reduce the chances of the child developing ear infections.  The nutritional habits of the mother are the key!  If a child being breastfed acquires an ear infection, the mother should eliminate dairy from her diet.

Cut the sweets!

Although the relationship between sugar and ear infections has not been adequately researched, the effect of sugar on the immune system is very well documented.  Consumption of sugar, specifically white sugar, has been implicated in increasing ones susceptibility to infections.  This would include all candies, soda pop, and baked goods with white sugar and white flour.

Call your Appleton Chiropractor today at (920) 731-0715 to learn more.

No one likes to get the flu.  But, is the flu vaccine the answer?  We know that regardless of whether or not you get the flu shot, you can still come down with the flu.  Even with all of the marketing and scare tactics we see on TV, radio and magazine ads about the need to get the flu vaccine, only 1/3 of the US population actually gets the flu shot.  If the flu vaccine is as effective as the CDC wants us to believe, why don’t more people get the flu shot?

First of all, many question the effectiveness of the flu vaccine.  There is no single virus that causes the flu; there is no one flu vaccine that protects against all of them. The flu shot is only as good as the educated guesses of a group of vaccine researchers across the globe. Every February, they try to predict which flu viruses will work their evil during the next fall and winter. Their three top choices are put into the vaccine. Now, if the flu vaccine happens to be on-target, there’s the potential for it to be more effective but it’s really dependent upon the health of your immune system. Even then, the vaccine isn't perfect because virus’ mutate. Even in the best case scenario, it won’t always protect against the flu.

A severe cold can mimic the flu. There are more than 200 cold viruses, they mutate a lot, and virtually everyone comes down with one from time to time. Although the worst colds might feel like the flu, lots of people say they have the flu when they really don't. Two years ago, only 13% of people who were tested after reporting flu-like illnesses actually had the real thing.

According to the CDC, “On average, 226,000 people are hospitalized every year because of influenza and 36,000 die – mostly elderly.”.  Of those who are hospitalized or die because of flu complications, how many of these have preexisting health conditions?  If you have a preexisting health condition, your immune system will be more weak and unable to mount a strong attack against the flu virus.  The health of the immune system is the most important aspect of protecting yourself from flu complications.  In a study published in Vaccine May 2007, 80 case-patients were identified as having been hospitalized for complications from influenza in eastern Thailand.  Of those 80 cases, those less than 1 year old were 6.2 times more likely to have complications and those over 75 years of age were 11.1 times more likely to have complications compared with the overall population. The complicated cases were also 7.6 times more likely to have chronic respiratory disease. In Thailand, the young, elderly, and those with chronic disease were at high risk for hospitalized from complications from influenza.  In other words, generally healthy people do not need a flu vaccine.

Only small populations and short-term info are used to measure safety of the flu vaccines. Adverse-events reporting, for instance, is done for only 2 to 14 days after an injection and it's voluntary. According to Hugh Fudenberg, MD, the world's leading immunogeneticist and 13th most quoted biologist of our times (nearly 850 papers in peer review journals), “if an individual has had five consecutive flu shots between 1970 and 1980 (the years studied), his/her chances of getting Alzheimer's Disease is 10 times higher than if they had one, two or no shots”.  Alzheimer’s is now the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.

In an article published in Expert Review of Vaccines August 2008, authors state, “In 2005, Fluarix (an inactivated flu vaccine) underwent accelerated approval for use in adults by the US FDA following one US-based, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that established its safety in adults.”.  The authors went on to say, “There are no published clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness or efficacy of Fluarix against influenza and its complications.”.

With regards to the flu vaccine, the healthy population does not need it.  The safety and effectiveness have been called into question therefore even those very young, the elderly and those with preexisting health conditions should avoid it as well.  There are safer and more effective ways to prevent colds and flu.

Nutrition is a critical determinant of immune responses and malnutrition the most common cause of immunodeficiency worldwide. Poor protein intake is associated with a significant impairment of immune defense. Deficiency of single nutrients also results in poor immune responses.  This is observed in even mild deficiency states. Zinc, selenium, iron, B-6, folic acid and vitamins A, C, and E have important influences on immune responses.  Poor weight management and obesity also reduce immunity.  In the elderly, impaired immunity can be enhanced by modest amounts of a combination of vitamins and minerals.


To Prevent Colds and Flu (adults)

1. Strictly avoid all dairy: review our March 2008 and April 2008 newsletters on Dairy.

 2. Stay hydrated: drink 1 qt of water per 50lbs of body weight not to go over 3 qts per day. 

 Review our July 2008 newsletter on Hydration.

 3. Get adequate protein: when you sit down for your main meals, 25% of your plate needs to be of a

 protein source: seeds, nuts, sprouts, quinoa, chicken, eggs, fish, etc.

 4. Exercise at least 30 minutes, 3 days per day.

 5. Supplementation for the Fall and Winter: (for a 150lb adult)

 a.  Take a high potency multiple vitamin. Be sure to review our May 2008 newsletter on

 Choosing a Multiple Vitamin.

 b. Lauricidin: take one scoop each day.

 c. Vitamin C: take 3000mg of Vitamin C each day.

 d. Vitamin D: take 5000IU of Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) each day. Review our October

 2007 newsletter on Vitamin D.

 e. Zinc lozenge: one 15mg lozenge per day.

 f. Spread these dosages throughout the day with meals. 

 Do not take the full dose in one sitting.

 g. Be sure to take advantage of our Flu Prevention Pak sale September 24-26!


Prevention for kids

#1 thru #4 are the same.

 Supplementation for the Fall and Winter: (40-100lbs)

 a. Take a high potency multiple vitamin for kids.

 b. Lauricidin: take ½  scoop each day.

 c. Vitamin C: take 500-1000mg of Vitamin C each day.  If your child doesn’t like chewable

 Vitamin C, try the Emergen-C for kids.

 d. Vitamin D: take 1000IU of Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) each day.

 e. Zinc lozenge: ½ of a 15mg lozenge per day.

 f. Spread these dosages throughout the day with meals. 

 Do not take the full dose in one sitting.


Cold and Flu Relief for Adults

So what do you do IF you do come down with a cold or the flu?

 1. Strictly avoid all dairy.

 2. Stay hydrated: drink 1 qt of water per 50lbs of body weight not to go over 3 qts per day. 

 3. Supplement: (for a 150lb adult)

 a. Take a high potency multiple vitamin.

 b. Lauricidin: take 3 scoops per day.

 c. Vitamin C: take 3000-4000mg of Vitamin C per day.  Try Emergen-C drinkable Vitamin C. 

 They help you stay hydrated, are effervescent and settling to the stomach.  If the

 cold or flu persists, seek the advice of nutrition specialist.

 d. Vitamin D: take 5000IU of Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) each day.

 e. Echinacea: 150mg, 6 times per day. 

 Our favorite brand is Standard Process Echinacea Premium.

 f. Zinc Lozenges: Take 4-6, 15mg zinc lozenges for a few days. 

 Watch out for hidden artificial colors and sweeteners.


Relief for kids

#1 and #2 are the same.

 Supplement: (40-100lbs)

 a. Take a high potency multiple vitamin.

 b. Lauricidin: take 1-2 scoops per day.

 c. Vitamin C: take 500-1000mg of Vitamin C per day.

 Try Emergen-C drinkable Vitamin C for kids.

 d. Vitamin D: take 1000IU of Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) each day.

 e. Echinacea: Get a good children’s echinacea from your health food stores.  Take as

 recommended on the bottle.  Watch out for hidden artificial colors and

 sweeteners.

 f. Zinc Lozenges: Take 1-2, 15mg zinc lozenges for a few days. 

 Watch out for hidden artificial colors and sweeteners.

  "Detoxification" is a naturally occurring process that the body is designed to perform to rid the body of waste products that occur as part of normal metabolism. In addition, it works to rid the body of toxic elements that are inhaled or consumed from the foods we eat and the environment around us. Detox diets have become very popular for many different maladies from cancer to weight loss. There are many different programs, but most of them involve very low caloric intake, with addition of fruits and vegetables, water and supplements. In theory, once "free" of toxins, your body functions better and your metabolism performs more efficiently which may help shed those extra pounds or fight off disease.

The problem herein lies in that many of these diets are not balanced diets and some supplements can force the body to detox too much and too fast. Experts agree that there is no credible science to validate claims that detox diets work. There are no studies available to document the benefits; instead, most claims are based on testimonials. Most of the positive testimonials can be easily explained. Many who use these detox diets are simply cutting out the plethora of processed foods, fast foods and sugar laden foods that burden the body. It doesn't take a PhD to know they are going to "feel" better when they get off of these poor quality foods. However, some of these diets are pretty extreme and potentially dangerous.

Long term fasting will leave you in a severe energy and protein deficient state. The body will then be forced to turn to stored body fat and muscle protein for fuel which can lead to excessive muscle breakdown and nutrient deficiencies. This will ultimately have a negative impact on metabolic rate which is the rate at which the body heals and repairs and determines how fast chemical reactions occur including calories burned.

So what causes the buildup of toxins? Toxins can come from the food we ingest, the water we drink, the air we breathe, the chemicals used in everyday jobs and chores and even the home we live in. This list can go on and on. It is important to remember that it is impossible to remove every harmful chemical from the body and there is no perfectly "clean" place on Earth to live. Yet, this human body we've each been given is designed to handle a certain amount of toxicity…the health problems start to occur in the case of toxic overload, poor nutritional status and the individual's ability or inability to excrete the toxic elements. There are some tests you can do to help you become more aware of toxic elements in your environment and evaluate your ability to excrete them efficiently. This can be an important factor for your long term health. We will elaborate on those tests next month in Part 2 of "Detoxing: Is it for you?"

Your body is continuously "detoxing" or cleaning itself as part of the normal metabolic functions of the liver, kidneys, colon, skin, blood and lymphatic system. These harmful chemicals are filtered and flushed out in the urine or feces. However, if you are deficient in essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium the body will store toxic metals in their place (3).

•Calcium is replaced by lead, which deposits primarily in bone, and disrupts the formation of red blood cells. Lead toxicity can contribute to anemia and lead to osteopenia and osteoporosis.

•Zinc is replaced by cadmium, which tends to accumulate heavily in your kidneys. Cadmium overload is associated with peripheral neuropathy.

•Magnesium is replaced by aluminum, which, among other things, induces neurochemical changes and has been identified as a contributing factor to developing Alzheimer's.

•Manganese is replaced by nickel, which is carcinogenic.

Not only do our bodies have to deal with heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and mercury but there is increased burden because of exposure to pesticides. Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides reach a destination other than their target species, including non-target species (humans), air, water and soil.(1) The United States Environmental Protection Service states, "Pesticide exposure can cause a variety of adverse health effects. These effects can range from simple irritation of the skin and eyes to more severe effects such as affecting the nervous system, mimicking hormones causing reproductive problems, and also causing cancer" (2). According to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 9 of the 12 most dangerous and persistent organic chemicals are pesticides (3). Many of the breakdown products of pesticides are even more toxic than the parent compounds. To make matters worse, according to West Kootenay Airshed Protection organization, "The pesticide labeling law unfortunately does not require manufacturers to list inert ingredients, and 'trade secrets' allow them to avoid disclosure to customers, so you cannot tell by reading a product label whether a pesticide contains an endocrine-disrupting ingredient" (4).

Your indoor air may be more harmful than the outdoor air. Pesticides that break down within days outdoors may last for years in carpets, where they are protected from degradation caused by sunlight and bacteria5. Most alarming, the common pesticides used on lawns and farms are shown in medical research to accelerate damage of the immune and nervous system, leading to serious health problems years after exposure.

You cannot be optimally healthy unless you address toxic elements in your environment. There are certain tests you can do to determine toxic elements in you environment, your ability to excrete such toxic elements and monitor their effects on your health. Look for Part 2 of "Detoxing" coming next month where we'll elaborate on this topic. Can't wait? Getting a comprehensive blood analysis and appropriate toxic element testing will not only define your state of health but will allow an expert to advise you on specific amounts of vitamins and minerals you need to be healthier and if "detoxing" should be a concern for you. Call us today to schedule your appointment.

References:

1.Miller GT (2004), Sustaining the Earth,6th edition. Thompson Learning, Inc. Pacific Grove, California. Chapter 9, Pages 211-216.via Wikipedia.

2.United States EnvironmentalProtection Service http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/human.htm

3.Secretariat of the StockholmConvention Ridding The World of Persistent Organic Pollutants. United Nations Environment Programme.April 2005

4.West Kootenay Airshed Protection. Cosmetic Use of Pesticides. http://www.ncap.kics.bc.ca/8pesticides.html Accessed on April 24, 2012