Thyroid.

Thyroid supplementation, a’ la Broda Barnes, MD, in his book Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness, and many other authors, must be geared to the adrenal status of the patient: low adrenal, use little thyroid. I always use the cup of coffee rule of thumb. If a patient can drink a pot of coffee before bed and sleep easily, one can give higher doses of thyroid. If the patient sips a cup of coffee and is awake for two days, or is obviously very sensitive to any stimulation, one should start with 1/16^th of a grain of thyroid or less, and increase by 1/16^th grain every few days or week.

A grain of thyroid is an old apothecary measurement that is roughly equivalent to 60 mg. The patient who can stand stimulation can be started with ½ grain and increase to two grains after two to four weeks. Overdose of thyroid, due to insufficient adrenal cortical reserve, causes adrenalin symptoms such as anger, nervousness, fast heart rate and insomnia, and in cardiac patients: angina. But, it can also create more calmness, great energy, improved emotional tolerance and relief of fatigue and fibromyalgia by improving nutrient absorption and mitochondrial status. 

Mitochondria are the energy manufacturing plants of our cells. They make ATP, the body’s energy currency. Each of our 100 trillion or so cells has 1,000 to 4,000 mitochondria. Thyroid increases the size and number of mitochondria. I have used a brand that has less additives and more T₃ (the active thyroid in the human body) than other brands for 36 years. If a patient has high reverse T_{3 (}which blocks regular T₃₎ or other high autoimmune problems, I have to substitute with L-thyroxine (T₄) and/or T_3. I avoid Synthroid, it is not bioidentical and may block L-thyroxine. I also test everything on EAV (ElectroAcupuncture by Vol), which was developed in the late 1930’s in Germany to make sure the dosage and hormone are compatible with the patient. 

Guaifenesin.

Fibromyalgia can arguably be looked at as an energy deficiency syndrome in the musculoskeletal system. Both deficiency and toxicity issues are usually present. R. Paul St. Amand, MD, a UCLA endocrinologist, makes a good case for phosphate retention in the muscles and ligaments as the root cause of fibromyalgia. In his book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia, he recommends increasing dosages of guaifenesin, the cough expectorant, which theoretically removes the phosphates. It has many successful patient responses but requires a diet avoiding salicylates, which involves more than 1,000 different foods and herbs, and inhibits patient compliance with his regimen. Committed patients have had moderate or good success with his program but progress is usually gradual and aggravating, especially early on in the therapy, requiring careful titration of the guaifenesin.

At the risk of forgetting one of the hundreds of things that can cause CFS and/or Fibromyalgia, here are a few of the more common causes that I see. One needs to have an extremely broad outlook on medicine. The causes can range from genetic defects, parasites, heavy metal intoxication, dental pathology, chronic sinus infection, chronic tonsil infection, circulatory damage/sticky blood, coagulation defects, multiple hormonal deficiencies, allergy, psychological issues, grief and loss, inherited weakness, leaky gut, parasites, digestive disturbances, Candida, toxic liver, chronic viruses, Lyme, musculoskeletal issues, autoimmune diseases, immune system weakness, endobiontic (fungi that normally occur in our blood) disturbance, other chronic diseases, chronic pain, surgical stress, acupuncture meridian dysbalances, scars, need for the proper homeopathic remedy (especially for miasms and inherited constitutional weakness),  overwhelming environmental stress in the home or work place, physical or sexual abuse, the standard American diet (SAD), nutritional depletion, amino acid deficiencies, organic acid dysbalance, old injuries impeding full recovery, neurotransmitter deficiencies either stress induced or drug induced, toxicity from pesticides, herbicides, volatile organic hydrocarbons, PCB’s and other industrial waste, plastics, solvents, fire retardants and many more.

Far infrared sauna and sweating therapy is one of the only ways to rid the body of the hundreds of chemical toxins we all carry, according to Sherry Rogers, MD in her excellent book Detoxify or Die. EAV devices such as BioMeridian, Vega, Asyra, LSA/Zyto with LED, Laser Energetic Detoxification, Autonomic Response Therapy/Kinesiology can help to unravel this very complex landscape. Regular laboratory testing is also important to diagnose or confirm diagnoses. Many great labs are deep into this process and are very important to the success in treating chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

References:

1. Barnes, Broda, M.D. Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness. Harper Collins Publisher, 1976.
2. St. Amand, R. Paul, M.D. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia. Warner Books, 1999.
3. Rogers, Sherry, M.D. Detoxify or Die. Prestige Publishing, 2002.

For More on this Topic:

Read Part I of the Series

Read Part II of the Series

Historically, circumcision is quite an ancient practice; ancient Egyptian mummies dating back to 6,000 BCE show evidence of circumcised men. Australian aborigines, Muslims, and some African tribes, have used circumcision to convey a covenant with God. Within the Jewish tradition, a religious rite called bris is practiced according to scripture (Genesis 17:9-27), which calls for a male infant to be circumcised on the eighth day after birth. Followers of Islam have a long-standing tradition as well, while circumcision is relatively uncommon in Europe today. About 57 percent of 417,282 male newborns are circumcised in the United States. An important side note worth mentioning is that a common theme runs through each of the aforementioned culture’s traditions: circumcision was/is thought to decrease masturbation, which, could very well lead to sexual pleasure.

What does the medical community have to say? In 1975, the American Academy of Pediatrics (APA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued a statement declaring that there is “no absolute medical indication” for routine circumcision. Additionally, in 1999 and 2005, the APA also said that data was insufficient to recommend neonatal male circumcision. So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have not issued formal guidance on the practice. However, in regards to HIV prevention, the CDC and World Health Organization are currently studying circumcision as a way to protect against HIV (especially in Africa where HIV prevalence rates are the highest). The research on its effectiveness in reducing HIV has found conflicting results thus far. Given the fact that the Bush administration, and Pope Benedict XVI, falsely claimed that condom use increased the spread of HIV and that abstinence is the only solution, we might have a difficult time convincing Africa to believe in anything we preach.

Other reasons why people may believe that circumcising infants is necessary are “cleanliness” and “so he’ll look like his dad”. A circumcised penis is not cleaner than an uncircumcised one, and parents can discuss cleanliness with their teen son once he is able to retract the foreskin. As for “looking like dad,” research does not show that little boys are traumatized if their penis doesn’t look like their dads.

After reviewing the information that I covered regarding this controversial topic, perhaps the choice for circumcision should be left up to a consenting adult who can make an informed decision. I wonder how many eighteen-year-olds would opt for this procedure?

References:

1. Baur, K., & Crooks, R. Our Sexuality. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. 2011.

2. (n.d.). In History of Circumcision. Retrieved January 5, 2012, from http://www.historyofcircumcision.net/

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is surprisingly common. The prevalence of occurrence is approximately 10 percent of the “adult” population. The diagnosis is often vague, but essentially RLS is:

1. Characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, particularly at night when lying or sitting down.

2. May be accompanied by symptoms of “skin crawling,” tingling, or a sense of pressure in their calf muscles.

3. Symptom relief when moving around

4. Waking up in the middle of the night with these symptoms again.

If symptoms occur more than twice a week, and result in severe disruption of sleep patterns and marked daytime symptoms, the case is severe and requires immediate investigation and intervention.

The causes of RLS are varied. Often, the “cause” is a combination of two or more of the following components:

1. Genetic, especially if appearing before the age of 30.

2. Secondary variations that are reversible (pregnancy, kidney failure, and anemia’s).

3. Associated conditions that exacerbate RLS and must be treated to resolve the condition (spinal cord compression, peripheral neuropathy, iron and B-12 anemia’s, kidney failure, iron deficiencies).

There are many lifestyle factors that make RLS worse. Central nervous system stimulants and depressants must be evaluated in a thorough history, and be reduced or eliminated for maximum recovery.

The mechanism of RLS is primarily dysfunction of a part of the brain called the basal ganglia. It controls neurological output from the brain and allows our central nervous system to be calm relative to body movements. When the basal ganglia is not functioning properly, excessive movement while at rest occurs in the body. A very well known and severe manifestation of poor basal ganglia function is Parkinson’s disease. RLS is a less severe manifestation of the same brain dysfunction.

The medical approach is to treat with dopamine medications, to calm down the basal ganglia and benzodiazapines to keep the patient asleep. The approach is typically successful, but the side effects of long term use of these medications can often create psychiatric side effects, and can damage internal organs.

There are other approaches. Functional medicine treats the body as a whole and evaluates all components–musculoskeletal, neurological (i.e. basal ganglia), and metabolic (i.e. anemia’s, iron deficiencies, diabetes, etc)–that contribute to destabilizing the basal ganglia itself, and thus allowing the excess movements to occur. Neurologically, other parts of the brain (cerebellum and frontal lobes) “fire” on the basal ganglia and cause it to work properly. If they are not functioning correctly, they need to be, and can be, “strengthened” through specific brain exercises. As they strengthen and function better, the basal ganglia calms down and can recover; so does the RLS.

The brain needs proper nutrients to function well. Those patients are evaluated metabolically for indicated nutritional and dietary changes, or herbal/botanical support that will allow the frontal and cerebella lobes to function better, and do their job in correcting the basal ganglia and subsequently the RLS. The advantage of the functional model: no medications, no long term side effects, and an individualized operating manual for that patient to follow, to control the condition permanently.

It is a very effective approach for those individuals interested in non-drug, cause-based alternatives if the medications don’t work or if side effects, present and future, are an issue.

References:

1. Watts RL, Koller WC. Movement Disorders Neurological Principles and Practice. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hiull Companies, Inc. 2004.

2. Fernandez HH et al. A Practical Approach to Movement Disorders Diagnosis and Surgical and Medical Management. Demos Medical Publishing. 2007.

Written By Michael Gerber, MD, HMD |

Adrenal support dosing has a very long therapeutic curve. It is nice to start with sleeping eight to nine hours per night, and to enjoy occasional vacations when the stress is off. Reducing stress at the work place, at home and with the kids is important, but how to resolve the stress of estranged spouses bent on revenge, sick relatives, crazy siblings battling over the inheritance, financial collapse and loss of drive to do anything is much more difficult. These people need adrenal help.

I always begin adrenal support with good nutrients important for the adrenal gland, especially good sea salt such as Cheltic salt, or Real Salt. When the adrenals are weak, you leak salt and minerals. Some low adrenal patients take ½ tsp of sea salt in water in the morning and after lunch to improve their energy. Vitamin C, B vitamins (pantothenic acid, B5), vitamin A, chromium, EFA’s (essential fatty acids such as fish oil and primrose oil) and good sources of cholesterol, such as egg yolks, butter and animal protein if possible, are all important. Vegans need to lead a less stressful life and supplement if they are stressed (B12 at least). Of course the liver makes cholesterol, but many livers are very toxic and all the adrenal hormones are made from cholesterol, which can only be consumed from animal sources. Acupuncture, psychological counseling, chiropractic, musculoskeletal therapies, energetic support, color puncture and every body balancing, stress reducing therapeutic modality can help the adrenals to rebuild.

My very favorite adrenal support over the last 36 years is an adrenal complex shot with B12 (hydroxycobalamin) and folic acid. I have it compounded with hydrocortisone 2 mg per cc, DHEA .2mg per cc, pregnenelone .2 mg per cc in a sesame or cotton seed oil base for its time-release properties, with one mg of B12 and 10 mg of folic acid. An average sized woman usually responds well to 1 ½ cc of adrenal complex, smaller women 1 cc, and larger women and men 2 cc plus 1 cc of B12 and 1 cc of folic acid.

This is an old feel-good shot that has been around since the 1950’s from Hollywood, (thank you Alan Nittler, MD and Gary Gordon, MD.) I learned this therapy from Dr. Nittler in 1975 in Santa Cruz, California, and from his book A New Breed of Doctor. He used adrenal cortex extract in those days, but it is no longer available, and this adrenal complex bears a rough equivalency to that product. This shot gives a week of blood sugar stability for most patients and can be done weekly, two or three times per week or daily, depending on the needs of the patient and reducing the frequency of dosing as the patient gets better. Remember that the normal adrenal cortex makes 30 mg to 200 mgs of hydrocortisone per day.

Low dose adrenal support is frequently very helpful for energy, sleep, headaches, gastritis (heart burn) and anti-anxiety qualities, and does not suppress the hypothalamic, pituitary adrenal axis. This intramuscular, time-release shot is given in the upper-outer quadrant of the hip. Isocorts or other oral adrenal tissue support are always great; be careful of whole adrenal extracts as they may contain some adrenalin, which may be too stimulating for some sensitive people.

Adrenal rebuilding, adaptogenic herbs are great, such as Cordyceps, Rodiola rosea, Ashwaganda, Maca, Eluthrococcus senticosis (Siberian Ginseng) and many more.  Importantly, some patients are so adrenal-depleted that they really need hydrocortisone tablets a’ la William McK. Jeffries, MD a co-discoverer of hydrocortisone in 1949.

In his book The Safe Uses of Cortisone he presents many cases of successful treatment of adrenal deficient patients with 5 mg of cortisol (hydrocortisone/Cortef), four times per day, or 10 mg four times per day when ill. Some patients prefer 10 mg AM and noon, or some variation of this dosage regimen. Cortisol can also be compounded in a time-release preparation, which needs to be dosed less frequently and is more convenient for patients. It is interesting that even when adrenal-fatigue patients need larger doses of Cortef to maintain normal energy levels they don’t appear Cushingoid (puffy, moon faced), and they feel great.

References:

Solutions Specialty, Henderson, NV, 702-792-3777.

Nittler, Alan H., M.D. A New Breed of Doctor. Pyramid House Publisher. New York, NY, 1972.

Jefferies, William Mck., M.D., F.A.C.P. Safe Uses of Cortisone. Charles Thomas Publisher. Springfield, Illinois. 1981.

The traditional approach to cancer therapy (slash, poison, burn) is increasingly being called into question because of its toxicity, destruction to quality of life, and poor success rates–two percent with a five year survival for full dose chemotherapy patients, according to the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Fortunately, people are becoming less and less willing to accept when the oncologist says “there is nothing else available,” and they are becoming more and more informed about alternatives.

Again, there are many scientifically-based therapies available that are far less toxic and more effective, especially when combined intelligently with certain conventional treatments. You can read about such therapies as IPT, UBI, Oxidative therapies, and high dose IV Vit C in the archives of this magazine.

The term “Integrative Oncology” means integrating or combining the best of conventional and alternative medicine to provide better outcomes. Unfortunately, the term has also been adopted by some big cancer treatment institutions to mean chemo, radiation and surgery combined with massage, meditation and yoga. This is a joke, and a gross misuse of the term, as well as very misleading to the patients.

Integrative Oncology means combining conventional and alternative “medical” therapies. Anything less is untrue.

Also, very misleading to the public is the total devotion to information published in supposed “peer-reviewed” medical journals.

“Peer-reviewed research published in medical journals gets the golden star of approval from medicine and in the media, yet many, if not most of the findings are incredibly misleading”, this, a quote from Dr. Marcia Angell, former editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine. In her book, The Truth about Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do About It, she exposed many examples of why medical studies often cannot be trusted and said flat out, “Trials can be rigged in a dozen ways, and it happens all the time.”

There are some journals that are not supported by advertising money from drug companies. One such journal is “Alternative Medicine Review.” In an article published way back in 1999, a review was made of a number of valid studies that found the use of a number of different vitamins, trace elements, anti-oxidants and fatty acids, in combination with chemotherapy and irradiation, “prolonged the survival time of patients compared to the expected outcome without the composite oral therapy.”

Still today, cancer patients are routinely told by their oncologists, “stop taking all your supplements before starting therapy.”

For some people, conventional therapy is the right way to go. I always tell my patients, “Follow the path with heart and the one you believe in, that will give you a much greater chance of a positive outcome.” People need to realize that they do have choices. The Oncology of the New Millennia is here, right now.

References:

1. Lamson, Davis W., MS,ND, Altern Med Rev, 4(5), 1999,304-329

2. Weijl, NI, Cleton FJ, Osanto S, Free radicals and antioxidants in chemotherapy induced toxicity, Cancer Treatment Review, 1997, 23:209-240

Salt has to be, hands down, the most commonly found ingredient of all time. We use it in nearly everything. Salt is also another food that is plagued by nutritional misinformation. Most notably: salt-restricted diets. Early researchers uncovered a correlation between high blood sugars and dietary salt intake. However, subsequent studies have not proved this to be true. In fact, a 1930’s study found that salt deficiency led to a loss of taste sensation, cramps, weakness, and cardiovascular distress upon exertion. Furthermore, a large study in 1983 found that in some cases, restriction of dietary salt actually raised blood pressure.

With very few exceptions, most traditional cultures have used salt in some form. Cultures that were isolated, or lived far from naturally occurring salt sources, would burn sodium-rich marsh grasses and add the ash to their food. Salt not only enhances the flavor of food, it provides us with countless minerals. Not only sodium, but chloride, needed for the formation of hydrochloric acid. It activates amylases, needed for the proper digestion of carbohydrate foods. Chloride supports proper function of the brain, nervous system and many other processes of the body as well. Magnesium and countless trace minerals from the sea, including Iodine can also be found in salt.

When nutritionists try to point to the dangers of salt intake, the issue that is often overlooked is salt processing. Just like flour, rice and sugar, there is such a thing as processed salt. Salt that has been highly refined is a product of high-heat and heavy chemical procedures that remove beneficial minerals, and strip the salt of any enzyme activating powers. As with most foods, not all salts are created equal. Here is a list of some things to look for the next time you’re stocking up on salt.

Table salts: These salts are the most processed, and consequently the most dangerous. They contain anti-caking agents that often include toxic heavy metals, such as aluminum. To replace the natural iodine salts that are removed during processing, potassium iodide is added in amounts that can be toxic. To stabilize this volatile compound, dextrose is added, which turns the salt purple, meaning that it must be bleached in order to make the salt white again.

Pickling Salt: Used mainly for canning and fermenting pickles. This salt is made without iodine or any anti caking agents. The grains are very fine so that they dissolve easily, creating a clear brine. Other salts can be used for pickling, but the brine will have a cloudier appearance.

Kosher Salt: When applied to salt, the term “Kosher salt” does not derive from being made in accordance with guidelines outlined in the Torah. Nearly all salt, including table salt, could be considered kosher in that respect. Instead, the term refers to its use in making meats kosher by removing surface blood. Its large flakes make it especially effective for this purpose. For this reason, it can be somewhat drying when used in baking. Look for “additive-free” kosher salt to avoid dangerous anti-caking agents.

Celtic Sea Salt: Sun dried sea salt contains an abundance of trace minerals from marine life, providing an organic form of iodine. The best and purest unrefined sea salt comes from the natural salt marshes of Brittany, where it is farmed according to ancient method of sun-drying the sea water in large clay vats. There are many refined salts that still call themselves “sea salt,” so be sure that the label indicates the salt is derived from sun-dried, minimally processed methods, and does not contain ingredients that are difficult to pronounce.

Himalayan Pink Salt: Otherwise known as “Halite,” a rock salt that can be found in Pakistan, located somewhat near the Himalayas. Halite salts are not unique to this region, but are commercially referred to as “Himalayan,” even though none of this salt is actually sourced from the Himalayan Mountains. Other producers of this pink salt include Chile, Hawaii, Utah, Bolivia, Peru, Australia and Poland. This salt contains very high amounts of Sodium Chloride. It’s red or pinkish color results from iron oxide.

Using a high quality salt not only aids in better digestion of food, but results in richer, more complex flavor. You will be reminded of the rewards of choosing unprocessed salts every time you prepare meals and savor them.

References:

1. Fallon, Sally with Mary G Enig, Ph. D. Nourishing Traditions. Revised second edition. New Trends Publishing. Washington DC, 2001.

2. www.wikipedia.org

The secret to a healthy immune system is simple, and actually not too difficult; but all the same, it does take daily discipline. Let’s look at some myths and focus on the area that will keep you healthier.

An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism’s own healthy cells and tissues in order to function properly. Detection is complicated, as pathogens can evolve rapidly, and adapt to avoid the immune system and allow the pathogens to success- fully infect their hosts.

The immune system, an amazing protectio­n mechanism, is inside your body. It is designed to defend you against millions of bacteria, microbes, viruses, toxins and parasites that would love to invade your body. To understand the power of the immune system, all that you have to do is look at what happens to anything once it dies. That sounds disgusting, but it does show you something very important about your immune system.

Does Being Cold Make You Sick?

Almost every mother has said, “Wear a jacket or you’ll catch a cold!” Is she right? So far, researchers who are studying this question think that normal exposure to moderate cold doesn’t increase your susceptibility to infection. Most health experts agree that the reason winter is “cold and flu season” is not that people are cold, but that they spend more time indoors, in closer contact with other people who can pass on their germs.

Adopt Healthy-living Strategies.

Your first line of defense is to choose a healthy lifestyle. Following general good-health guidelines is the single best step you can take toward keeping your immune system strong and healthy. Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when protected from environmental assaults, and is bolstered by healthy-living strategies such as these:

Don’t smoke

Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in saturated fat

Exercise regularly

Maintain a healthy weight

Control your blood pressure

If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.

Get adequate sleep

Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly

Get regular medical screening tests for people in your age group and risk category

Check Your Nervous System.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, pupil size, sweating, immune system, mucus production, caliber of the airways, blood sugar levels, certain adrenal hormone levels, and many digestive functions. All of these are controlled ultimately by the center nervous system (CNS), which is made up of your brain and spinal cord and nerves. If any of the communication is blocked or decreased, due to a subluxations or pinched nerve, your system cannot work at its optimum level.

Things to Do If You Happen To Get Sick.

Don’t over-exert yourself

Keep your stress levels down

Drink lots of water

Try taking Juice Plus, doTerra essential oils, probiotics and other herbs

If your body is not responding within a timely manner, see your M.D. in order to rule out other problems, or the need of antibiotics.

References:

www.Science.howstuffworks.com

www.Lifehack.org

www.Health.harvard.edu

www.Mdwellnessmd.com

Do you often feel that you are a professional dieter? You’ve tried them all, lost weight (or didn’t), then stopped eating or drinking what was part of “the program” and within a few weeks to a few months put back on all the weight–and then some.

Multiple sources indicate that at any given time over 50 percent of Americans are on a diet. It is estimated that dieting is over a $50 BILLION per year industry.

Obviously the current one-size-fits-all protocols (both with fad diets and at “medically supervised” weight loss centers) are not the answer. That which causes you to gain weight is also what’s stopping you from losing it. If you “eat right,” exercise every day, and can’t lose weight or keep it off, there are reasons for that. Those reasons are different for each individual.

There are seven major reasons why people can’t lose weight, and/or keep it off. Usually, it’s a combination of three or more of the following

Thyroid dysfunction (misdiagnosed or poorly managed)

Liver/Gastrointestinal imbalances/dysfunctions

Adrenal Gland abnormalities

Poor blood sugar control

Brain imbalances

Hormone imbalances

Inflammation

Human beings all generally look the same externally, but internally (metabolically and neurologically) individuals are as different as night and day. One size diet plans do not fit all. That’s why all methods work for some people–but no method works for all, unless that method takes that person’s unique metabolic blueprint into account. If all of the “Big 7” are not properly evaluated and managed in overweight individuals on weight loss programs, failure of the weight loss effort is assured because long term weight loss is a result of proper individually balanced metabolisms; not drugs, vitamins, protein shakes, or herbs.  Here is why.

Thyroid hormones regulate many aspects of our metabolism (thyroid evaluation and treatment is substantially more complex than measuring your TSH). Thyroid clearly affects how many calories we burn and how much you weigh. A properly functioning thyroid is essential to losing weight (It is estimated that as many as 70-90 percent of the thyroid problems are undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or mismanaged).

Abnormal liver dysfunction. When the liver loses its ability to detoxify and filter out toxins in the body the body has to create other ways to stop the excess toxins from affecting your system. So it creates more fat cells–these fat cells are created to have a place for excess toxins to be stored so they don’t harm your body. As long as the liver is not detoxifying these chemicals those fat cells are not going away.

Dysfunctioning adrenal glands. These glands produce a chemical called cortisol. This chemical has a huge impact on your waistline due to effects on blood sugar control and excess triglyceride production (the “fat” deposits around your belly are triglyceride deposits). Common symptoms of adrenal fatigue or imbalances are difficulty sleeping, inflammation, fatigue, dizziness, and weight gain (abnormal adrenals and liver also negatively affect thyroid function). These delicate interactions of the body’s systems make it difficult for many people to lose weight on any one size fits all “diet.”

Blood sugar is important to weight gain/loss on many levels. The most obvious example is diabetes, and the fact that most diabetics are overweight. But hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) as well as “pre-diabetes” (metabolic syndrome, syndrome x) all effect central weight control mechanisms in the brain. If blood sugar isn’t managed (without drugs), the weight lost will never stay off.

The brain is huge to weight loss. This is the most misunderstood mechanism of all, as to why people can’t lose weight. The hypothalamus sense when one is full as well as when one is hungry. This function is controlled by leptin, a hormone that tells the brain that we are full. Leptin only operates when the thyroid, liver, adrenals, and blood sugar are normal. So taking leptin is not a solution to weight loss, but fixing the hypothalamus with some auto-sensory exercises and balancing the metabolism is. Relating to the brain and the cause of the hypothalamic imbalances: concussions, inactivity, inflammation, emotional stress. That old concussion or whiplash, or that divorce, may be affecting your present day inability to lose weight.

There’s more–inflammation, autoimmune problems (Hashimoto’s, Rheumatoid arthritis, MS, etc) all can destabilize the above mechanisms as well as hormonal imbalances in both men and women.

Long term weight loss for those who have genially tried, and are unable to lose and keep it off, is due to one or a combination of the above seven metabolic/neurologic imbalances. It’s not about drugs, and for the above affected people it’s not even about exercise. It’s about a thorough evaluation of the above metabolic/neurologic mechanisms, and a specifically tailored protocol for that individual and following that protocol for life. There is no easy way out.

References

1. Bramas, Rick A.C.E., Grisanti Ron DC, MS. 2 Days to Fitness. Sequoia Publishing, 2010.

2. Kharrazian, Datis, DHSC, DC, MS. Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Tests Are Normal? Morgan James Publishing, 2010.

Written By Michael Gerber MD, HMD |

The most frequent chronic complaint is fatigue. Patients never feel right; many can’t get out of bed and are also usually depressed, anxious and suffer from insomnia, poor memory and concentration and frequently dizziness. The origins of chronic fatigue are truly vast. Recently, a 32 year old, four foot ten, 95 pound young woman presented with a history of sexual abuse, loss of both parents, her mother was very stressed during her pregnancy, she was on disability with RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy-referred pains all over the body) fibromyalgia and multiple drug regimen failure; she had asthma, globus hystericus, gastroparesis and gastritis (heart burn). I knew I had my work cut out for me. Building trust with a totally fearful, energy-less girl, with absolutely no self esteem and no money, is an art form. One has to go with their best and least expensive therapy, which also gives gentle results quickly. Incidentally, her globus hystericus (lump in the throat) was immediately and permanently relieved with one treatment of Neural Therapy, using injections of procaine and Spascupreel from Heel, in intradermal wheels (bubbles) in the skin. Likewise, the gastroparesis (very slow empting stomach and digestion) abated with the overall therapy as well.

The History

In addition to an extended regular history and physical, it is also important if your practitioner has learned to do Chinese pulse and facial diagnosis, German iridology, tongue diagnosis, root canal and amalgam evaluation, scar and musculoskeletal dysbalance evaluations. If one shoulder is three inches higher than the other, it tells you something. Dietary history is a big deal. For many patients, it is a game changer to avoid fluoride toothpaste, tap water, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, table salt, milk, frequently gluten, soda, gum, fast food, soy, coffee creamers, non organic everything, stomach acid blockers, statin drugs, cigarettes, microwave ovens, aluminum cooking utensils, excessive alcohol, and so many other environmental toxins. I just started a new patient a couple of months back who looked at me absolutely incredulously when I told her that there were over 300 different neurological  syndromes associated with aspartame (NutraSweet) ingestion, up to multiple sclerosis. She was consuming eight to 10 diet sodas with five Xanax through the day, “just like my mother did”. Her husband was nodding his head through the entire visit, as she had terrific fatigue, anger and little memory.

Low adrenal and thyroid always mean poor metabolism. “When your adrenals are weak, you leak,” is one of my favorite platitudes. Low adrenal hormones cause wasting (loss) of sodium, chloride, and according to some authors, neurotransmitters (brain chemicals controlling mood and memory). Thyroid weakness causes hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) and inability to absorb minerals and proteins. Getting these two organs back on track has an immediate normalizing effect on our miraculous organism.

References:

1. Joseph M Helms, MD. Acupuncture Energetics – A Clinical Approach for Physicians. Medical Acupuncture Publishers. Berkley, California.

2. Peter Dosch, MD . Manual of Neural Therapy according to Huneke (Regulating Therapy with Local Anesthetics. Haug Publishers. Heidelberg, Germany, 1984.

A host of new and ongoing research studies confirm that sensitivity or allergies to gluten is a serious health issue. In fact, the rapidly emerging volume of research and well-documented, peer-reviewed medical, neurological, endocrine, rhuematolical, GI and nutritional journals, is overwhelming in its confirmation of the condition, and the importance of its implication to overall health. Not just gut health, but even more so, brain and neurological health.

Yet, while counseling patients with these conditions on how gluten allergies and their cross sensitivities effect tissue damage and symptoms, and the need to eliminate these substances from their diet, the functional nutrition clinician frequently runs into resistance. Confusion and misunderstanding will often cause the patients to not accept the dietary recommendations with confidence, or at all. Even after the patient has definitely tested positive for the gluten allergy or sensitivity, there is often resistance; the patient’s recovery is doomed to fail before it begins.

The most common reasons for the confusion and resistance are:

“My doctor says ‘It’s a Hollywood fad’,” or “There is no such thing as a wheat sensitivity”, “It [the fad] will go away like everything else.”

Gluten sensitivity is not a fad, and it’s not going away anytime soon. In fact, research would suggest its understanding is more likely to explode. Try an online “Google” or “PubMed” search on “gluten and women”, “gluten and mood swings”, “gluten and the brain and nervous system”, “gluten and metabolism”, “gluten and bone loss”, “gluten and blood sugar,” or even “gluten and behavioral disorders,” and it may become difficult to deny the connection between gluten and Celiac disease. One would also find a plethora of medically-reviewed studies and journals relating gluten as an influence or trigger to schizophrenia, seizers, neuropathies, ADHD and autistic spectrum disorders, Alzheimer’s, MS, migraines, nutritional anemias, bone loss, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and more. The data on this topic is substantial.

“My doctor tested me for it–I don’t have it.”

Straight and simple: the standard testing technology of blood serum, saliva, fecal, and endoscopic biopsy, is just not good enough yet. Most doctors use the blood test, and serology alone does not provide enough data to rule out the allergy or sensitivity. Only HLADQ2 or HLADQ8 genetic testing is close to 100 percent accurate. This test can be found online and performed at home, or by an informed chronic pain physician. If you test positive for gluten sensitivity, the test is highly unlikely to be incorrect.  It is not yet embraced by the medical model, but it is performed in CLIA certified labs, the same labs that certify all medical diagnostic testing.

If you do any test, and you test positive, then you are gluten sensitive. “But, I tested positive, stopped eating gluten, and I don’t feel any better!”

Or, maybe you felt better for a while, but it (your symptoms) came back. Then there is something else in addition to the gluten sensitivity that is occurring in your system. A partial list of “something else”–mostly cross sensitivity allergens and metabolic imbalances–includes: any other food or environmental allergens, bacterial infections, viral infections, yeast, mold, drugs, chemicals (think cleaning fluids), tobacco smoke, artificial sweeteners, blood sugar, thyroid or adrenal imbalances, and once again—unfortunately–more, much more. This is a big part of the dilemma.

Are you really off gluten?

Sure doc, at least most of the time. Unfortunately, gluten is variably symptomatic, depending on the patient. Some patients (Group one: 30 percent) are lucky and experience immediate responses to gluten exposure (I.e. Celiac patients). But most (Group two: 70 percent) gluten sensitive people are not immediately reactive to gluten exposure; and in most cases, are not even aware that gluten exposure may be triggering their neurological symptoms (anxiety, depression, fatigue, brain fog, numbness and tingling in hands and feet). The confusion for each is different.

Group one, who reacts to gluten immediately, may not do so after no exposure for months and then think they can eat it again because their gut is healed. This does not mean you can eat it again, ever. You must remove it 100 percent from your diet, as damage will reoccur in your gut and probably more subtly in your nervous system and thyroid. Removing it 100 percent is not easy because gluten seems to be in almost everything. If you have a proven sensitivity–regardless of the gluten sensitive group you belong to–it is destroying your gut, and some other part of your body EVERYTIME you eat it! Your thyroid, brain or joints, it could be affecting any or all of them. The obvious problem is in group two individuals, as many of them do not realize that gluten exposure is contributing to their symptoms. Both groups must avoid all gluten and its cross sensitivities permanently, or ultimately suffer the consequences. It is not an easy challenge.

Permanently does not mean being gluten free most of the time or “I’m gluten free all week, except for my Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookie on Saturday night.” The scientific data is clear, one exposure to gluten (as small as ½ piece of wheat toast per month) can stay in your system from four days to eight months, making every exposure reactive for a long time. This reduces the ability for you to “heal” or feel symptomatic relief by 60 to 70 percent, or even no relief at all.

Deciding to go off gluten is not a simple lifestyle change. It requires certainty that you are not giving up all of your favorite foods for something that is not proven. You need the certainty of positive test results–for both primary gluten sensitivities and cross sensitivities, and possible immune stimulators (a whole other subject)–to know what should and should not be in your body. You need to know which foods contain gluten. You need to know all factors that will sabotage your efforts and interfere with causative correction and reduction of your gluten related symptoms, or you will quit the diet and remain ill. And why wouldn’t you? It’s not a fun diet until you start feeling normal, then and only then is it worth it.

If you are contemplating going gluten free, get a Functional Medicine workup first. Do the genetic test. Find out about any cross sensitivities and immune stimulators you may be taking that are interfering with your recovery. Have your thyroid, adrenals, gut and brain checked out. Going gluten free is no joke.  Find a coach, and do it right. Good luck.

References:

1. Hadjivassiliou M, et al. 2002. Gluten sensitivity as a neurological illness.  J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 72: 560-3

2. Hansen D, et al.  Clinical benefit of a gluten-free diet in type 1 diabetic children with screening-detected celiac disease: a population-based screening study with 2 years’ follow-up.  Diabetes Care. 2006 Nov;29(11):2452-6

3. Kalaydijian AE, et al. 2002.  The gluten connection: the association between schizophrenia and celiac disease.  Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2006 Feb; 113(2):82-90.

As adults, holidays are often the only opportunities we get to see our parents in person. Most of us lead busy lives away from our parents and grandparents, and we don’t always have the opportunity to converse with them, apart from regular phone calls, emails, and other relatively impersonal modes of communication. Holidays are an opportunity for us to personally observe our parents who are experiencing the wear and tear of life. It is a time for us to look for signs that our aging family members need our help.

Deteriorating health becomes inevitable at a point in our lives. Our parents and grandparents are all going to experi- ence unfamiliar changes that come with age. It is important to recognize any change before it leaves our loved ones at risk of personal injury and other health concerns or outside abuse; elderly scams are becoming more and more common among today’s swindlers.

While some signs are obvious that an aging parent needs our help, there are many that aren’t as perceivable. It may come as a shock to us when their behaviors aren’t quite as we remember them to be in our vision of our parents, as healthy adults. It is important for us to pay attention to any and all signs of aging.

What signs should we be looking for?

Memory problems are typically the first warning signs. Your parents might be repeating themselves in a single conversation without realizing it. They might start losing things, missing ap- pointments, or forgetting to take their medications.

Problems managing money. Late bills and unopened mail are good cause for concern. Your parents might start to exhibit strange or uncharacteristic ways of handling their money, like making unusual donations or buying into get-rich-quick schemes.

Strange shifts in their mood: confusion or depression that seems to stem from nowhere. Are your parents isolating themselves from social situations? They may also be losing interest in their hobbies or are discontent with their day-to-day routine.

Excessive weight loss. Are your parents so skinny they look unhealthy or frail? Pay attention; changes in their appearance might be difficult to recognize, but it can be an indicator of a wide range of health problems.

Signs that they aren’t taking care of themselves. Forgetting to shave or shower, messy hair, spoiled food in the fridge, dishes stacked in the sink, forgetting to take out the trash, and dirty or stained carpets and furniture.

Poor balance or coordination. Not wanting to get up and walk around because of joint and muscle pain could be a sign of serious health problems. Unexplained bruises might mean they have fallen. Unexplained dents or scratches on their vehicles should also be a concern.

It is important to address signs of aging. What can we do to confront the issue?

In asking our parents about our observations and concerns, we may fear the response we get. They might be upset or offended at the things we point out, but it is imperative that we overcome that fear because it is their wellbeing that is a stake. Protecting our loved ones is the most important thing at hand.

Find the right time to bring up your concerns in a private set- ting. Be calm and respectful in explaining your concerns and ask your loved ones if they share your observations and see a problem as well. Remember that your parents have a right to privacy, so know your boundaries, but don’t let the issue go unresolved. The sooner you act the better chance you have of avoiding future problems for you and your aging parents.

Don’t blame local family members. If you have brothers or sisters who see your parents on a regular basis, don’t assume they recognize all of your parents’ health needs. Oftentimes red flags go unnoticed by local siblings, as shifts in your par- ent’s behavior can be subtle. Criticizing family members about their efforts only undermines your common goal of helping your parents.

Don’t be afraid to talk to others about your concerns as it can help you gain some perspective. Ask your parents if they have discussed any problems with their primary care doctor. If you are accompanying your parents to the doctor, make sure to identify problems they might otherwise overlook when speaking to the doctor, but remember that he or she is the patient in the room, not you. We don’t want our parents feeling controlled or ignored.

If you or your parents are not satisfied with your parent’s doctor, find a geriatrician; a physician who specializes in the care of older adults.

We have aging parents, with a list of elderly problems. What can we do to make the holidays go smoothly?

Make sure your aging parent is involved in the festivities. Preparing to celebrate the holidays involves lots of preparation, so divvy up the work and make your parents feel special. They probably don’t want you waiting on them hand and foot anyways. The goal is to make them feel loved and just as important as they’ve always felt, not forgotten or unappreciated.

As you divvy up the holiday prep work, take efforts to ensure that no additional burdens are placed on local caregivers. Do your best to get along with family members and enjoy spend- ing time together as a family. The holidays are not a time for conflict.

And what about parents in a long-term care facility?

Deciding whether or not to bring your elderly parents home from a care facility for the holidays should all depend on their health. Take into consideration how it might affect them. Family gatherings can be stressful. Is their anxiety too high for such an event? Do they require caregiving that they would be unhappy turning over the responsibilities to you?

It’s probably best to bring the holidays to the nursing home. Have separate holiday gatherings, one at your home and one at the nursing home. Prepare a special meal and practice the same traditions your parents remember. Bring old decorations and gifts that are reminiscent of the good old times.

Enjoy the holidays and feel good knowing your parents’ needs are being met!

References:

1. www.AgingParents.com

The last article looked at the therapeutic importance of vitamin A and cod liver oil. This month, I would like to address other vitamins, minerals and dietary issues that are especially important for children.

Insomnia and Constipation

From infants to toddlers and older children, sleep disorders and slowed down bowel are quite common. Causes are biological, and certainly these problems are aggravated by milk-based and soy-based formulas. We suggest whey-based formulas or goat milk formulas, as they cause fewer incidents of ear infections, mucous formation, colds and constipation. Remember cow’s milk protein, casein and lactalbumin, is four and a half times longer than human mother’s milk protein, and is meant for baby cows. It causes inflammation in the intestines, which gives a leaky gut and lets large proteins enter the blood stream and overwhelm the liver, and eventually the adrenal gland. If your child has purple, puffy areas under the eyes (allergic shiners) or a blue color to the whites of the eyes (liver wind in Chinese medicine), consider allergic reaction to foods, especially milk, sugar and wheat.

If a child is not having several bowel movements per day, one of the very best supplements is liquid calcium and magnesium. Magnesium, of course, is in milk of magnesia and Epsom salts; it is a laxative and calmative. It kills two birds with one stone. Before bedtime, give one tsp to toddlers and two tbsp to older children, for an effective correction to both insomnia and constipation. The liquid we use is a pleasant, mint flavored liquid that is generally well accepted by children. It is also great if the kids get some sugary treats at home or school, and then become hyperactive and irritable; it frequently calms them down in a few minutes. If magnesium supplementation causes diarrhea, simply back down the dose and adjust to the child’s needs. It’s impossible to get enough magnesium from a standard American diet (SAD) without supplementation.

Vitamin C is also great for kids. We give from 250 mg to 1 gram or more per day to children, to help with constipation and treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. We use vitamin C drink, which is a good tasting, lemon, citrus drink and Honeyvite; it has all the major vitamins and minerals, and can be taken in water or fruit juice. Especially when sending kids into the toxic wasteland of schools with other sick kids, toxic cleaning materials, plastics, formaldehyde in the rugs and many other toxins in the child’s learning environment.

Remember, a goat that weighs 150 lbs. makes 13,000 mg of vitamin C every day in its liver. How much vitamin C does a 150 lb human make? NONE. Only primates, guinea pigs, fruit bats and man make no vitamin C. All the other millions of species make their own vitamin C. We all need to supplement vitamin C. We are all suffering from mild scurvy, including our children. Vitamin C is a universal detoxifier and also acts as an antihistamine and laxative. The highest concentration of vitamin C in the human body is in the adrenal gland (stress gland) and secondarily in the brain.

References:

1. Briggs D.Sc.,Ph.D., Michael. Vitamins in Human Biology and Medicine. CRC Press, Inc. Boca Raton, Florida 1981.
2. Bralley, Ph.D., C.C.N., J.A. and Lord Ph.D, Richard. Laboratory Evaluations in Molecular Medicine. The Institute for Advances in Molecular Medicine 2001.

For more info, contact the Gerber Medical Clinic at (775) 826-1900.

What is colic? Dr. Sears was asked this question, and even though no one completely understands colic, let’s make two assumptions: First, the baby has pain in the gut, as the term “colic” comes from the Greek kolikos, meaning “suffering in the colon.” Secondly, the whole baby is upset as a result. My perspective on colic changed years ago when a mother brought her baby in and wanted me to find out why he was crying so much. After I diagnosed her baby with colic, she challenged me. “Do pediatricians call it colic when they don’t know why a baby is hurting?” she asked bluntly. She was right. A gastroenterologist I often work with once confided to me: “Colic is a five-letter word for ‘I don’t know’.”

“The cause of colic is unknown,” states the Mayo Clinic. Researchers explored a number of possibilities, including allergies, lactose intolerance, an immature digestive system, maternal anxiety, and differences in the way a baby is fed or comforted. Yet it’s still unclear why some babies have colic and others don’t. Infants of mothers who smoke during pregnancy, or after delivery, have a greater risk of developing colic. Many other theories about what makes a child more susceptible to colic have been proposed, but none have been proven. Colic doesn’t occur more often among firstborns or formula-fed babies. A breast-feeding mother’s diet isn’t likely to trigger colic. Girls and boys, no matter what their birth order or how they’re fed, experience colic in similar numbers.

A study came out in October of 1999 that showed a significant decrease in all symptoms associated with chiropractic care in infants who received chiropractic care. The study goes as follows:

One group received spinal manipulation for two weeks, and the other was treated with the drug dimethicone for two weeks.

Outcome Measure: Changes in daily hours of crying as registered in a colic diary.

Results: By trial days four to seven, hours of crying were reduced by one hour in the dimethicone group compared with 2.4 hours in the manipulation group (P = .04). On days eight through 11, crying was reduced by one hour for the dimethicone group, whereas crying in the manipulation group was reduced by 2.7 hours (P = .004). From trial day five onward, the manipulation group did significantly better then the dimethicone group.

Conclusion: Spinal manipulation is effective in relieving infantile colic.

As we can see, by helping to decrease the pressure off the nervous system the body can better regulate itself. Children deserve the best chance to express health and their peak potential. It is a child’s nervous system that controls the person they will grow to be. Knowing this, it is imperative that their nervous system be working properly. For this to occur, children must be free from vertebral subluxations (i.e. irritated or pinched nerves). Usually the first subluxation your child will experience is a result of the birthing process.

Chiropractic is the best way to help a nervous system begin to be free of these subluxations or irritated/pinched nerves. So now is the time for you and your children to realize your health potential, and to seek out the best care.

References:

1.  http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/fussy-baby/coping-colic/whats-colic-does-your-baby-have-colic-how-tell

2. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colic/DS00058

3. www.jmptonline.org/article/S0161-4754(99(700003-5/abstractBottom of Form

4. www.Icpa4kids.org

Metformin is an oral drug that came into use in 1994. At that time, there was no mention of its use as a tool to fight cancer. More recently, it was discovered that this drug may effectively combat cancers of the colon, uterus, and prostate. In an amazing study, a group of Swiss researchers found a 56 percent reduction in breast cancer risk in a group of diabetic women who took metformin for more than five years.

Despite most people’s aversion to taking prescription drugs, serious consideration should be given to taking this generic, inexpensive medication that was originally derived from the French lilac. This compound has a long history in botanical medicine. It was “rediscovered” and approved by the FDA as a treatment for type II diabetes in 1994. It quickly became the most widely prescribed drug for that disease.

Beginning around 2002, a series of epidemiological studies revealed a remarkable trend: diabetic patients taking metformin were less likely to die compared to diabetics using other forms of therapy.

By 2005, evidence from large, population-based studies clearly showed that people taking metformin for diabetes were significantly and reliably protected against the increased cancer risk posed by the diabetes itself.

It is a known fact that diabetics are predisposed to a broad range of cancers in the liver, pancreas, colon, breast, uterus, kidney and prostate. Scientists theorized that if ways to reduce chronic blood sugar elevations, and other molecular consequences associated with weight gain were discovered, this would have a powerful impact on interrupting some of the pathways that lead to cancer. It turned out that metformin acts in a multi-targeted fashion, to accomplish precisely those effects.

It has long been recognized that a calorie restriction diet is one of the only “proven” methods of slowing down the aging process and preventing a whole host of chronic diseases, everything from heart disease to cancer, but try getting people to stick to its severe restrictions.

Interestingly, metformin essentially “fools” the body into believing that it is in a calorie restricted state, thereby switching on the same protective mechanisms that arise from calorie restriction itself.

That is not to imply that metformin is a totally benign medication. It is also essential that it only be used under the supervision of a qualified physician.

There is a growing body of evidence showing that metformin acts through multiple pathways to trigger profound cellular changes in every mammalian tissue, activating tumor suppressing mechanisms. This has now been demonstrated to benefit not only those with diabetes but also apparently healthy people.

Due to the multiple ways it works, there is no reason to think that these results won’t, in fact, be generalizable to every human malignancy!

References:

1. Bodmer M, Meier C, Krahenbuhl S, Jick SS, Meier CR, Long-term metformin use is associated with decreased risk of breast cancer, Diabetes Care, 2010 June; 33(6):1304-8

2. Li D, Yeung SC, Hassan MM, Konopleva M, Abbruzzese JL, Anti-diabetic therapies affect risk of pancreatic cancer, Gastroenterology, 2009 August; 137(2); 482-8

For more info, contact Reno Integrative Medical Center at (775) 829-1009 or visit online at www.renointegrativemedicalcenter.com

& Randall Gates, D.C., D.A.C.N.B. |

Strokes, also known as cerebrovascular accidents, are one of the leading causes of death and disability in this country, with approximately 795,000 individuals suffering from a stroke each year. These tragic and life altering events result from a disruption of appropriate amounts of blood flow to areas of the brain.

There are numerous warning signs of an impending stroke, some of them including sudden confusion, trouble speaking, trouble understanding, numbness or weakness of the face or part of the body, difficulty walking, dizziness, lack of balance or coordination, and severe headache without a definite cause. If you or a loved one ever experiences one or more of these symptoms, urgent and immediate evaluation at an emergency room can be a life saving event.

Many individuals often discount the symptoms of a stroke as just not feeling well, or they do not want to bother anyone by being examined. Unfortunately, on the contrary, these individuals often do not realize the importance of these symptoms and their potential life altering impact. Therefore, never hesitate for yourself or a loved one to go to an emergency room if experiencing the warning signs of a stroke, as it could save your life.

Emergency room physicians and Medical Neurologists specialize in identifying and treating the area of the brain affected by a stroke.  In fact, there are Medical Neurologists whose entire practice is dedicated to treating patients with cerebrovascular accidents. Prompt evaluation and treatment by these health care professionals saves lives. Some stroke victims come away without any permanent side effects, while others are left with significant disabilities, some of which include paralysis, weakness, difficulty walking, difficulties speaking and understanding verbal communication. Once a patient is cleared as being stable by their Medical Neurologist, they will often be discharged to a rehabilitation program.

In the past, stroke rehabilitation focused on showing the stroke victim strategies and coping mechanisms for using their unaffected limbs and uninvolved areas of their body. With this rehabilitation, the patient would be able to get through their day to day lives with their handicaps and disabilities. However, the latest research regarding the brain opened up an entirely new paradigm regarding rehabilitation for not only victims of strokes, but also other patients who suffered from brain damage as a result of such things as traumatic brain injury, subdural hematoma’s, and tumors (after they were taken out).

This new paradigm is termed neuroplasticity. Through neuroplasticity, neuroscience researchers have demonstrated the ability of the brain to create new connections, and even grow new brain cells (neurons) in certain areas of the brain. With this knowledge, new therapies have been created, targeted at the affected area of brain injury, to help strengthen the damaged area and make it stronger. With this being said, there can be limitations, in that if areas of the brain are dead as a result of a brain injury from a stroke, then odds are that the function in this area of the brain is not coming back. However, the areas surrounding dead areas of neurologic tissue are often working, but not working well because of the dead neuron’s lack of activity. It is with these cells that not only their function can return, but also they can in certain circumstances assume the function of their neighboring cells. For the stroke patient this translates into a more complete recovery.

The chiropractic neurology approach to treating patients who have incurred strokes is to use neuroplasticity to the patient’s advantage. Some of the new, non-drug patient specific therapies used include specific exercises on one side of the body, mirror therapy, and sensory motor exercises designed to target areas of the brain that are still able to recover their function. With this exciting field, patients are learning that there are aspects of their disability that can be restored, thus enhancing the abilities of the patient to perform their normal daily activities.

In addition, the functional metabolic approach promotes a functional perspective in evaluating an individual’s laboratory markers, which consists of using more specific laboratory normal values to evaluate a patient’s potential for recovery. The medical profession is more than competent in their efforts to create strategies that identify individuals who are more likely to suffer from a vascular accident, such as a stroke. The functional metabolic approach attempts to take it one step further by utilizing even more stringent normal parameters for laboratory markers. With this, patterns or trends in the patient’s laboratory work may become clear as to why an individual may have developed or be developing atherosclerosis, which could have lead to the stroke. By evaluating laboratory tests in this fashion, attempts are made to identify what may have been the underlying cause of the stroke and what natural non-drug steps can be taken to enhance patient recovery and prevent further reoccurrence.

If you or someone you know has suffered from a stroke, and have been discharged into a rehabilitation program, getting evaluated from a neurological and metabolic perspective, and utilizing these cutting edge therapies, should be your first step. Undergoing a treatment program that focuses on treating physiological dysfunction and not the disease, can produce life changing effects for stroke patients.

References:

1. http://www.strokecenter.org
2. http://www.strokeassociation.org
3. http://www.carrickinstitute.org
4. Antonov, I., Kandel, E. R. & Hawkins, R. D. Presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and metaplasticity during intermediate-term memory formation in aplysia. J. Neurosci. 30, 5781-5791 (2010).

For more info, contact Dr. Rutherford or Dr. Gates at (775) 329-4402, or visit online at www.PowerHealthReno.com.