Article of The Day

May 17.12-Winning Edge

The Winning Edge
By Keith W. Wassung

Athletes have been benefiting from Chiropractic care for many years. Athletes of all types, from the weekend warrior to the world-class athlete, utilize Chiropractic because it is a drug-free way to better health and performance.

Chiropractic adjustments help ensure that the body functions as efficiently as possible, which can maximize healing and recovery from all types of injuries.

“I would estimate that at least 90% of world class athletes use Chiropractic on a regular basis to prevent injuries and to improve their performance.”

          SEAN ATKINS, PhD D Exercise Physiologist

 

The following is just a partial list of athletes who use Chiropractic care:

 

Lance Armstrong, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippin, Charles Barkley, Joe Montana, Roger Craig, Keith Jackson, Emmit Smith, Chris Carter, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr, Wade Bogs, Penny Hardaway, John Smoltz, Ken Griffey Jr, Mark McGwire, Ryne Sandberg, Ricky Bell, Brett Butler, Dominique Wilkins, Robert Parrish, Gerald Wilkins, Lee Haney, Jan Stephensen, Jim Connors, Irving Frayer, Dan Marino, Olga Korbut, Mohammud Ali, Rocky Marciano, Bruce Jenner, Billy Jean King, Tracy Austin, John McEnroe, Terell Owens, and the list goes on and on.

 

31 percent of NFL teams use Chiropractors in an official capacity as part of their staffs and a full 77 percent of the trainers have referred to a Chiropractor for evaluation or treatment.  

 

A survey of certified NFL trainers revealed that 100% of them agree that players will use Chiropractic without referral from the team medical staff.

 

The science of Chiropractic is founded on the premise that a proper nerve supply is essential to controlling and regulating the functioning of the human body.

To Download this Article: WinningEdge

May 3. 12-MS Patient Helped With Chiropractic Care

In the October 27, 2011 edition of the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, comes a documented case study of a person with Multiple Sclerosis being significantly helped by chiropractic care.

According to the US National Library of Medicine website, “Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).” The site goes further to explain that, “MS affects women more than men. The disorder is most commonly diagnosed between ages 20 and 40, but can be seen at any age.”

In this case a 28 year old woman went to the chiropractor with a chief complaint of severe neck pain following an accident several years earlier where she slipped on a wet bathroom floor and struck her head on the toilet with her mid-back landing on the bathtub. She also suffered with complaints of headaches, back, shoulder and arm pain, hip and leg pain, and skin problems. Additionally, she had been previously diagnosed with MS.

In a self-help attempt to relieve the pain the woman would try lying down with a rolled-up towel under her neck. This would relieve the pain and lessened the headaches, however, staying in that position for longer than 15 minutes would cause her to lose consciousness for 8-9 hours.

A chiropractic examination and x-rays were performed and a determination was made that subluxations were present in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. Of the spinal areas involved, it was determined that the upper neck was the primary subluxation in this womans spine. Specific chiropractic adjustments were begun to address her subluxations.

At the initiation of care the patient rated her condition as a 2 out of 10, with 10 being the best and 0 being worst. By the fourth visit she rated herself as a 7 out of 10. Her improvement in all her symptoms including those attributed to her MS remained through the course of this case study.

In his conclusion the author noted that in addition to this case, there had been previous studies that also showed improvement with MS patients. He wrote, “Studies involving larger groups with MS have already been conducted showing favorable response to chiropractic care. Other related chiropractic research has shown similar outcomes with patients experiencing musculoskeletal pain along with associated symptoms of MS.”

May 2.12-Hospital Errors Occur 10 Times More Than Reported, Study Finds

Above is headline from the Bloomberg news service. The article reported on a study published in Health Affairs, which showed that using a more exact measurement of recording medical errors drastically increased the recorded estimation of the probable medical errors that occur.

Study author David C. Classen, MD, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, notes that most hospitals use a voluntary reporting system for errors and adverse events using criteria set by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Qualitys Patient Safety Indicators. Classen and his researchers believe that this current system misses 90 percent of all errors.

The researchers wrote, “Hospitals that use such methods alone to measure their overall performance on patient safety may be seriously misjudging actual performance. Reliance on such methods could produce misleading conclusions about safety in the U.S. health-care system and could misdirect patient-safety improvement efforts.”

In his comments on the study in an USA Today article Dr. Classen explained, “The more you look for errors, the more you find.” He continued, “There is a large opportunity for improvement, despite all the work that’s been done. And we need better measurement systems to assess how we are doing in patient safety.”

In the USA Today article, Dr. John Birkmeyer, director of the Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy at the University of Michigan, stated that he was not surprised that the research showed that so many medical errors are being missed. He said, “Nobody is surprised that systems that rely on voluntary reporting would tend to let a high percentage of cases fall through the cracks. It’s not a surprise that a method based on careful chart abstraction by knowledgeable reviewers would do a much better job in tracking adverse events.”

The Bloomberg article brought forth some sobering statistics in the light of this study. They noted that according to this study, adverse events occur in one-third of hospital admissions. A 1999 report by the U.S. Institute of Medicine found that medical errors caused as many as 98,000 deaths and more than 1 million injuries each year. This was using the old method of error reporting. The Bloomberg article also noted that a similar study published in November of 2010 in the New England Journal of Medicine, looking at hospital admissions in North Carolina, found that almost one-in-five patients were injured by their care.

 

Apr.30.12-Drug Deaths Outnumber Traffic Deaths

Drug Deaths Now Outnumber Traffic Fatalities in US

 

The above headline comes from the LA Times. The story reports on data recently released from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, showing that as of 2009, deaths due to drugs exceeded the number of deaths due to automobile accidents.

The article noted that the increase was fueled by the jump in prescription drug overdoses. The authors wrote, “Public health experts have used the comparison (accident vs. drug deaths) to draw attention to the nation’s growing prescription drug problem, which they characterize as an epidemic.” The data showed that since the government started tracking drug related deaths in 1979, this was the first time that drug deaths have outpaced deaths due to automobile accidents.

The report showed that the surge in drugs leading to deaths were mostly fueled by prescription pain and anxiety drugs such as OxyContin, Vicodin, Xanax and Soma. Laz Salinas, a sheriff’s commander in Santa Barbara, where they have seen a dramatic rise in prescription drug deaths in recent years, commented, “The problem is right here under our noses in our medicine cabinets.”

The article interviewed Lori Smith, a mother who lost her son to an overdose of prescription drugs just six months shy of his 16th birthday. She speculated on what happened by saying, “They said they will have parties where the kids will throw a bunch of pills in a bowl and the kids take them without knowing what they are,” Lori said. “We called all of his friends, but no one would say they were with him. But he must have been with someone. You just don’t do that by yourself.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Opferman, head of a county task force on prescription drug-related crimes explained why he feels prescription drugs are more dangerous than illicit drugs. He explained, “People feel they are safer with prescription drugs because you get them from a pharmacy and they are prescribed by a doctor,” Opferman said. “Younger people believe they are safer because they see their parents taking them. It doesn’t have the same stigma as using street narcotics.”

The article concluded with a statement from Amy S.B. Bohnert, a researcher at the University of Michigan Medical School who is studying ways to lower the risk of prescription drugs. She stated, “What’s really scary is we don’t know a lot about how to reduce prescription deaths.

**Dr.Bob’s Comments:

There is no “Better living through Chemistry.” Good Health comes from the 4 Vital Needs: Food, Water, Oxygen and Nerve Supply.

Tell Someone about Chiropractic. A Chiropractor can help you with your Vital Needs !!!

Apr.26.12-Burger King Sundae

NaturalNews) In the race to be the most offensive junk food providers in the world, U.S. fast food giants are rolling out disgusting and health-destroying menu concoctions that come close to activating the gag reflex.

Burger King, for example, is now actively testing a bacon sundae, consisting of a (processed, pasteurized) ice cream sundae with two strips of bacon shoved in it. It has all the artistry of a deep fried donkey turd, or maybe even a frozen vomit popsicle. But some people apparently love the idea of getting diabetes (processed ice cream) and cancer (processed bacon) in the same dish!

If you think I’m making all this up, this is actually a true story. It was reported by NPR (http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/04/12/150502365/the-bacon-sunda…) and there’s even a photo of the sign promoting the bacon sundae at GrubGrade (http://www.grubgrade.com/2012/04/04/test-market-nashville-burger-king…). You can find a picture and a “food review” of the bacon sundae at: http://www.grubgrade.com/2012/04/12/review-bacon-sundae-from-burger-k…

 

We took a pizza and stuffed it with hot dogs, then deep fried it and folded it in half to make a GIANT TACO!

Not to be left behind in the race to concoct the most offensive food possible, Pizza Hut has unveiled a new stuffed crust that’s actually stuffed with hot dogs. This is pretty freaky, considering all the bizarre animal parts that hot dogs are stuffed with. Why not just call it Road Kill Pizza?

You can see a picture of this latest food monstrosity at CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57412379-10391704/pizza-hut-un…

I wonder… are these the hot dogs with normal levels of cancer-causing sodium nitrite, or are these the hot dogs with extra cancer-causing sodium nitrite?

It kinda makes you wonder what sort of person this food would appeal to in the first place. Are there really people out there who say, “Eating a PIZZA just isn’t damaging enough to my health. I sure wish they could combine a pizza with HOT DOGS so I could enjoy my two favorite health-destroying foods in every delicious bite!”

There’s a hilarious food parody video from SNL, by the way, that perfectly captures this food insanity. Watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWu-gqoMUn0

Apr.25.12-Fed Up With Steroids and Asthma Inhalers

Fed up with steroids and asthma inhalers? Try the benefits of herbs as natural treatment for asthma

by JB Bardot

(NaturalNews) Natural treatment for asthma helps reduce acute asthma attacks, manage chronic asthma and helps those with general trouble breathing. The benefits of herbs for treating asthma and the lungs has been shown repeatedly through the centuries worldwide.

Asthma is a chronic upper respiratory disease affecting the lungs and airways. The lining of the lungs becomes inflamed during an asthma attack, forcing the airways and surrounding muscles to swell, causing trouble breathing. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), about 20 million people worldwide are asthmatic, with more than half being children. Conventional breathing treatments often produce unwanted side effects and can cause a dependency on the drugs. Natural treatment for asthma with herbs and other alternative remedies can provide relief; however, consult your health practitioner before using unfamiliar herbs or stopping conventional treatment.

Turmeric

The Ayurvedic spice turmeric helps relieve asthmatic inflammation that causes swelling in the lungs and trouble breathing. It helps dilate blood vessels allowing for better air flow; and, relaxes muscle spasms, restoring normal breathing patterns. Turmeric is a blood thinner and should only be used under supervision.

Boswellia

Another Ayurvedic herb, Boswellia works to improve asthma and the lungs and lessen the recurrence of acute asthma attacks. Although Boswellia has been used as a breathing treatment for centuries in India, there is little scientific research and its efficacy is anecdotal. Boswellia is contraindicated for people taking drugs to lower cholesterol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDS).

Saibodu-to

Saiboku-to is a Japanese herbal tonic used as a breathing treatment for asthmatics. People suffering acute asthma attacks and chronic cases who used Saiboku-to reported being able to lower their doses of corticosteroid asthma medications, notes UMMC. Saiboku-to contains herbs that may produce side effects, and should only be used under supervision of a health practitioner.

Parsley Leaf

Parsley leaf helps relieve coughing during asthma attacks and acts as an expectorant, enabling the patient to cough up mucous trapped in the airways. It relieves tightness in the muscles of the chest and soothes the throat and cough.
Parsley leaf is best used as an herbal tea. Parsley is also a natural diuretic increasing the quantity of urine and frequency of urination. Use with caution if you take a diuretic.

Mullein

Use mullein is an excellent breathing treatment to help relax acute asthmatic spasms and constriction in the airways. It’s an old-time herb, well known for relieving coughing and many other upper respiratory conditions. Mullein is found in a variety of cough and herbal asthma preparations; relieving shortness of breath and lessening wheezing.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba helps reduce the mechanism that causes wheezing and may be of benefit as a breathing treatment to some asthma patients. Gingko may produce some mild side effects such as nausea, diarrhea and headaches. A lower dose often resolves these effects allowing patients to continue using the herb as a natural treatment for asthma.

Reishi Mushroom

Reishi mushroom as a potent anti-inflammatory that helps strengthen the lungs. Used in Chinese medicine as an immune booster, the mushrooms helps reduce swelling in the airways.

Lobelia Lobelia, or Indian tobacco, is a potentially toxic herb; however, used with care, it can provide a remarkable cure for asthmatics. Use only under the supervision of a knowledgeable herbalist.

Butterbur The active ingredients in butterbur, help to reduce muscle spasms and work as anti-inflammatories to reduce asthmatic attacks. Butterbur has been found to be especially helpful in cases of allergic asthma and acts in a similar manner to conventional inhalers.

Sources for this article include:
Traditional Chinese Medicine–TCM: Gingko Biloba
http://altmed.creighton.edu/Allergies/ChineseMed.htm

University of Maryland Medical Center: Asthma
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/asthma-000015.htm

Gaiamlife: 7 Nondrug Asthma Treatments + 5 Herbal Remedies
http://life.gaiam.com

About.com — Alternative Medicine
Natural Remedies for Asthma
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035601_asthma_herbal_remedies_boswellia.html#ixzz1sOcJpRnF

 

Apr.23.12-Pets are Good for Child Health

by PF Louis

(NaturalNews) The New York Times came up with an article recently entitled “Can Fido and Whiskers Enrich Children’s Lives?” Different medical researchers and scientists were consulted for this article, which begs the question: Does research money really need to be spent on this type of question?

It’s one thing to write an essay on the topic, especially one coming from real experience. But asking scientists and medical professionals, who are doing research on child and pet relationships, for their opinion as if the facts aren’t entirely visible to anyone who bothers to look is rather far-fetched.

Here’s a real life anecdote illustrating that absurdity. A young family residing in a large college town had a pre-teen daughter, a dog, and two cats. The father was a college professor while the mother ran a small political fund raising operation out of their home. The daughter asked, “Mom, do animals have feelings?” After a short pause, the mother answered, “I don’t know dear, science hasn’t figured that out yet.”

Relying on science or any authority to determine what should be observable or perceived through experience is indicative of our cultural dysfunction.

Help an animal survive well and that animal can help you emotionally

This is one good reason among others that children should have a pet or pets. Animals, especially dogs, actually bond with human family members. Children can not only learn caretaking responsibility but compassion, as they perceive that indeed, dogs (and yes even cats) have feelings.

One of the doctors consulted in the above-mentioned article did comment that having a pet offers emotional support to children. When children come home from school or play, the dog is there to happily greet them. This is observed as a real event by anyone who has a dog that is treated decently, especially one rescued from an animal shelter or the mean streets.

However, this doctor couched such behavior cynically with the implication that the pet is happy because you may have a food treat for it. That’s just not usually true. This author has dealt with different animals from horses to parakeets, and dogs and cats. They do show gratitude for help given and good company shared. They do not “mimic” body language, as most “experts” claim, solely for expected favors.

Of course, some dogs and cats can be a little out of sorts, just like humans. Allowing vets to drug or vaccinate them to the fullest extent can exacerbate such behavior and worsen your pet’s health. Dogs especially need to exercise or they’ll get grumpy.

It takes a calm, even-tempered effort to channel pets into agreeable habits or coax them out of any bad ones. Allowing a child to be involved with caring for and training of the family pet can help that child develop character by practicing kindness and patience with appropriate firmness.

Many scientists who research animals and sometimes even animal trainers assume other living non-human creatures are out of touch with real emotions or feelings because they’re out of touch themselves. It’s their own closed hearts that influence animals in their charge to clam up.

Animals can often sense where humans are coming from emotionally even as they deceive fellow humans. Children can develop a finer sense of empathy by showing their open hearts to directly bond with a pet dog, cat, or other animal. Pets sometimes attempt to comfort humans who are sad or upset. Children can use that break from stress when they’re having issues with other humans.

Pets aren’t appropriate for all kids. But for many they’re fun to play with, interesting to observe, and a pleasure to have around. That’s healthy, and you don’t need a research team to figure that out.

Sources for this article include:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/kids-and-pets/

http://www.petloveshack.com/kids.html

 

Feb.14.12-Dark Chocolate

Eating Dark Chocolate May Help Prevent Heart Problems

 

A Reuters Health article of August 27, 2003 reports on research that shows that eating dark chocolate, but not milk chocolate, raises plasma antioxidant levels, an effect that could help protect against heart disease. The new study from the University of Glasgow, showed eating chocolate increases blood antioxidants but consuming milk at the same time cancels the health benefits.

What are antioxidants? They are compounds that combine with free radicals in the body and neutralize their damaging effects. What are free radicals? These are highly reactive molecules that are produced through normal body processes, as well as external stimuli such as air pollution and tobacco smoke. These free radicals react with billions of cells in the body and may lead to the development of a number of chronic diseases including cancer, cataracts and heart disease. There are many studies in the medical journals demonstrating the positive effects of antioxidants on large populations to decrease the frequency of new cancers as well as decrease the recurrence rates in people who already have cancer. Additionally, antioxidants have been shown to have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system by decreasing the heart attack rate.

Volunteers in the University of Glasgow study were given either plain (dark) chocolate or milk chocolate. Some were also given milk in the double-blind experiment. Then their antioxidant levels were tested. Blood analysis one-hour after dark chocolate was eaten revealed a significant rise in antioxidant levels. “Those volunteers who had dark chocolate had a 20 percent increase in antioxidants in their plasma,” said Alan Crozier, one of the research team. “But those who had milk chocolate, or milk with their dark chocolate, showed no increase in epicatechin plasma levels.”

Why is Dark Chocolate Healthy?:

Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries). Flavonoids also help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body.

Benefits of dark chocolate… Yes, the legends are true: They do exist!

But, before you go rummaging through year-old Halloween candy and stuffing your face with Snicker’s and Tootsie Roll’s, there’s a few things you need to know.

First, and most importantly, true dark chocolate is usually considered anything at or above 65% cacao.

You’re not going to find this percentage mixed in with the Skittles and Gummy Bears, and it does taste a bit different than the sugar-laden milk chocolate you’re probably used to, but most convenience and grocery stores do have a few high percentage options to at least take them for a test taste.

Don’t worry: Just like with wine, it’s an acquired taste for some, and your palette will adjust. I remember the first time I tried 65 percent, and I had to spit it out. I’ve since worked my way up the cocoa tree to being able to thoroughly enjoy 80-85% (I’m working on the 99, but that’s the extreme!).

The higher the percentage of cacao, the more benefits and better nutritional value the chocolate contains.

For example, an average 65% dark chocolate serving would look something like this (these are estimates, as actual numbers will vary, depending on brand, size, etc.): Total Fat 15 g, Sat. Fat 9 g, Sugars 16g, Protein 3g.

Comparatively, an average 99% dark chocolate serving would look something like this (these are estimates, as actual numbers will vary, depending on brand, size, etc.): Total Fat 22 g, Sat. Fat 14 g, Sugars 2g, Protein 5g.

As you can see, the higher up the percentage scale you go, the less sugar and more protein you’re going to get.

You may also notice the high fat content, but the majority of this comes from healthy fats (yes, there is such a thing!).

5 Benefits of Dark Chocolate

  1. Studies have shown dark chocolate to lower blood pressure
  2. Studies have also shown dark chocolate to lower bad cholesterol (LDL)
  3. It turns women on more than a passionate kissing session (no wonder they want it for Valentine’s Day!)
  4. Contains serotonin, a natural mood-boosting anti-depressant
  5. Stimulates pleasure-inducing endorphin production

Now, even though there are several benefits of dark chocolate, as with anything else, moderation is key. Make sure your chocolate delights fit into your daily caloric needs, and try to work your way up to the highest percentage dark chocolate you can enjoy.

Want to learn more fun and exciting tips like the benefits of dark chocolate? Come on over to http://www.fitbuff.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Johnsonn

 TO DOWNLOAD THIS ARTICLE: Dark Chocolate

Feb.6.12-Omega 3′s

Story at-a-glance

  • Omega-3 fat deficiency is a contributing factor to many neurological and psychological problems, including degenerative disorders such as “age-related” memory loss and Alzheimer’s
  • Sixty percent of your brain is fat. DHA alone makes up about 15 percent to 20 percent of your brain’s cerebral cortex, as well as 30 percent to 60 percent of your retina, making it an essential nutrient for both brain- and eye health
  • It’s important to get the bulk of your omega-3 fat from animal-based sources such as krill oil, because the DHA and EPA are far more important for your health than the plant-based ALA. While ALA can convert into DHA/EPA, this conversion is severely impaired when you have elevated insulin levels, which affects over 80 percent of Americans
  • In two different studies, taking 800-900 mg of DHA per day for 16-24 weeks resulted in significant improvements in memory, verbal fluency scores, and rate of learning

Humans evolved with a staple source of the essential omega-3 fat docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in their diets, namely seafood. Animal based omega-3 fats are considered essential because they cannot be synthesized in appropriate quantities by your body and must be supplied through your diet.

The introduction of high-quality, easily digested nutrients from seafood into the human diet coincided with the rapid expansion of grey matter in the cerebral cortex — a defining characteristic of the modern human brain. The DHA molecule has unique structural properties that provide optimal conditions for a wide range of cell membrane functions, and grey matter is a particularly membrane-rich tissue. There’s no doubt you need omega-3 fat for proper brain function. In fact, mounting evidence suggests that deficiency in this essential fat may lead to brain degeneration. According to a recent article published in the journal Nutrients1:

“An emerging body of research is exploring a unique role for DHA in neurodevelopment and the prevention of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.”

Plant-Based versus Animal-Based Omega-3 Fats

Before we go any further, it’s important to recognize that animal-based omega-3 fat is not interchangeable with plant-based sources of omega-3. And while you do need both in your diet, animal-based omega-3 fats are particularly important for your brain health. Dietary fish and marine oil supplements such as krill oil are a direct source of EPA and DHA. Plants, on the other hand, contain the parent omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which can be converted into eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). However, as stated in the featured article, this conversion is ineffective in general, and appears to get progressively more ineffective with age:

“Unlike the photosynthetic cells in algae and higher plants, mammalian cells lack the specific enzymes required for the de novo synthesis of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the precursor for all omega-3 fatty acid syntheses. Endogenous synthesis of DHA from ALA in humans is much lower and more limited than previously assumed.

… [A]fter much intense research, the 1989 NATO Advanced Research Workshop on dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids on biological effects and nutritional essentiality, agreed by consensus that n-3 fatty acids generally: (1) have anti-inflammatory properties; (2) lower serum triglycerides and cholesterol; and (3) decrease thrombosis and platelet aggregation. Therefore administration was recommended as beneficial in cardiovascular disease, hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis.

Since then, however, there has been a wealth of evidence to support the notion that the omega-3 fatty acids are not bioequivalentand that the longer chain EPA and DHA are much more important than their precursor ALA.” [Emphasis mine]

The reason why EPA/DHA are more important is because although ALA (that you get from plant sources) is an essential nutrient, the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is typically severely impaired by inhibition of delta 6 desaturase; an enzyme necessary for the conversion. Elevated insulin levels impair this enzyme, and over 80 percent of the U.S. population has elevated insulin levels, so chances are high that you’ll be part of this significant majority… Therefore, you want to make sure you get the bulk of your omega-3 from animal sources, not plant sources, to make sure you won’t develop a deficiency.

DHA: One of the Most Important Nutrients for Brain Function

Sixty percent of your brain is fat. DHA alone makes up about 15 percent to 20 percent of your brain’s cerebral cortex, as well as 30 percent to 60 percent of your retina, making it an essential nutrient for both brain and eye health.

It’s found in high levels in your neurons; the cells of your central nervous system, where it provides structural support. When your omega-3 intake is inadequate, your nerve cells become stiff as the missing omega-3 fats are substituted with cholesterol and omega-6 instead. Once your nerve cells become rigid, proper neurotransmission from cell to cell and within cells become compromised.

The influence of omega-3 fat on physical and mental health has been the subject of intense research over the last four decades, and there’s compelling evidence that animal-based omega-3 fats can help reduce the symptoms of a variety of psychiatric illnesses and degenerative brain disorders. For example, low DHA levels have been linked to:

  • Memory loss ,Alzheimer’s disease , Depression ,Schizophrenia, Bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder

Aside from optimizing your omega-3 intake, ideally by taking a krill oil supplement, the following guidelines can also greatly increase your chances of avoiding any kind of cognitive decline:

  • Eat a nutritious diet with plenty of vegetables, paying special attention to avoiding all forms of sugar, especially fructose. Experts are starting to look at memory problems like Alzheimer’s as a form of brain starvation, and glucose metabolism appears to play an important role in the disease. It’s already known that diabetics have four times the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, and  those with prediabetes have triple the risk.
  • Avoid and remove mercury from your body. Dental amalgam fillings are one of the major sources of mercury, however you should be healthy prior to having them removed. Once you have adjusted to following the diet described in my Nutritional Plan, you can follow the mercury detox protocol and then find a biological dentist to have your amalgams removed. ONLY see a high-quality biologically trained dentist to remove your amalgams or your health could get ruined.
  • Avoid aluminum, such as in antiperspirants, cookware, etc.
  • Exercise for three to five hours per week. According to one study, the odds of developing Alzheimer’s were nearly quadrupled in people who were less active during their leisure time, between the ages of 20 and 60, compared with their peers.
  • Avoid flu vaccinations as they contain both mercury and aluminum!

To Download this Article: Omega-3′s

 

Jan.30.12-Wheat Gluten and Carbs

Story at-a-glance

  • Wheat and other glutinous grains are probably the worst starches to consume, in terms of metabolic impact versus micronutrient benefit, and many are heavy in toxins
  • Most people will need some starchy carbohydrates for optimal health; the optimal amount appears to be about 20 to 30 percent of your total caloric intake, or approximately 200 calories per day for the average person
  • The most important consideration is that your carbohydrate sources are as organic and unprocessed as possible, free of pesticides and chemical additives, and not genetically modified
  • Studies now demonstrate that your child’s diet has a direct impact on his or her cognitive function, and that both quality and quantity of carbohydrates are important

Grains should represent a small part of your diet, regardless of your age. I personally seek to avoid most grains, except rice.

But if you’re going to eat some grain-based foods, how much is too much?

This debate heated up earlier this year when two nutritional experts, Dr. Paul Jaminet and Dr. Ron Rosedale, engaged in a debate over how many starches are too many.

Dr. Rosedale believes there is no such thing as a “safe starch” and that all starchy carbohydrates should be avoided, which of course includes all grains.

Dr. Jaminet, on the other hand, is a little more forgiving of some of the “safer starches,” such as potatoes and rice. He believes some people need a small amount of these in their diets.

This is an interesting debate.

It’s well thought out and well articulated, but quite lengthy.

If you have time, I do recommended your reading through all of it to see the nuances of their contrasting views.

Controversial Carbs

The amount of carbohydrates one should consume for optimal health is a widely controversial topic. Fortunately we can gain some insights as to how much we might need by examining a child’s diet, which is critically important for proper brain development. As you would expect, the quality of a child’s diet will directly affect his or her cognitive functioning. Two recent studies highlight just how important this is.

STUDY #1: In the first study, Japanese researchers analyzed the relationship between breakfast staples and intelligence in children. They divided 290 healthy children into three groups according to their breakfast staple—rice, bread, or both. What they found was that children in the rice group had significantly more gray matter in their brains and showed a higher perceptual organization index, which is a component of intelligence. This supports the theory that children’s breakfast choices affect their cognitive function.

According to the study:

“… [O]ne possible mechanism underlying the difference between the bread and the rice groups may be the difference in the glycemic index (GI) of these two substances; foods with a low GI are associated with less blood-glucose fluctuation than are those with a high GI.”

STUDY #2: A 2011 cross-sectional study in Tehran, Iran, examined the relationship between long-term refined carbohydrate intake and non-verbal intelligence among 6 to 7-year-old schoolchildren. Researchers found that refined carbohydrate consumption and non-verbal IQ were inversely related for these Tehrani children. In other words, the more refined carbs the children were eating, the lower their non-verbal IQs. So how much starch is too much starch for breakfast—or any other meal, for that matter?

Avoid Carbs that are Loaded with Toxins

Aside from providing excessive calories as carbohydrates, one of the major adverse consequences of most grains is that they are loaded with toxins. In fact, as you’ll learn in the interview above, the average person gets about 1.5 grams of natural food toxins daily, which makes up more than 99.9 percent of all the toxins ingested. These are toxins made by plants, as opposed to manmade toxins, which serve to protect the plant from being eaten by mammals.

The one grain type that is virtually toxin free is white rice, which has far fewer toxins than brown rice. The vast majority of toxins in white rice are destroyed by cooking, which is why white rice is the only grain Dr. Jaminet recommends. One of the grain toxins with which you may be familiar is gluten.

“Gluten” comes from the Latin word for glue, so named because its adhesive properties hold bread and other baked goods together. Gluten is present in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. The glue-like properties interfere with the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, including the nutrients from other foods in the same meal. The result is a sticky, constipating lump in your gut, rather than a nutritious, easily digested meal. This undigested glutinous gut-bomb may trigger your immune system to attack the lining of your small intestine, causing diarrhea or constipation, nausea, and/or abdominal pain. Severe reactions are classified as “celiac disease,” and milder reactions fall under the category of “gluten intolerance.” Over time, your small intestine can become increasingly damaged and less able to absorb nutrients, such as iron and calcium. This in turn can lead to anemia, osteoporosis and other health problems. Modern wheat (and other grains) differs greatly from the wheat our ancestors ate. The proportion of gluten protein in wheat has increased enormously as a result of hybridization. Legumes are also loaded with lectins, which is why most who follow a Paleo type diet avoid them.

Wheat Lectin (WGA) is Cytotoxic, Neurotoxic, Cardiotoxic and Immunotoxic

Wheat lectin, or “wheat germ agglutinin” (WGA), is largely responsible for many of wheat’s pervasive ill effects. WGA is highest in whole wheat, especially sprouted whole wheat, but wheat isn’t the only grain with significant lectin. All seeds of the grass family (rice, wheat, spelt, rye, etc.) are high in lectins. WGA has the potential to damage your health by the following mechanisms (list is not all-inclusive):

  • Pro-Inflammatory: WGA lectin stimulates the synthesis of pro-inflammatory chemical messengers, even at very small concentrations
  • Immunotoxic: WGA lectin may bind to and activate white blood cells
  • Neurotoxic: WGA lectin can pass through your blood-brain barrier and attach to the protective coating on your nerves, known as the myelin sheath. It is also capable of inhibiting nerve growth factor, which is important for the growth, maintenance, and survival of certain neurons
  • Cardiotoxic: WGA lectin induces platelet aggregation and has a potent disruptive effect on tissue regeneration and removal of neutrophils from your blood vessels
  • Cytotoxic (Toxic to cells): WGA lectin may induce programmed cell death (apoptosis)

Research also shows that WGA may disrupt endocrine and gastrointestinal function, interfere with genetic expression, and share similarities with certain viruses.

The following foods contain chitin-binding lectins, which are very similar to wheat lectin:

Chitins are the primary binding target of wheat lectin; therefore, wheat lectin and chitin-binding lectin are functionally identical. This could be important information if you are struggling with celiac disease or other gastrointestinal issues

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