June 2010 Newsletter

Michigan's Chiropractic Scope has newly expanded

The state of Michigan has just recently passed a bill that returns the Chiropractic scope of practice to what it was in the 1970’s.  For the last 30+ years Michigan residents have been penalized by the state by having the most restrictive scope of practice for chiropractors in the country.   In essence, the state has stopped chiropractors from delivering treatment to patients in need, even though the doctor is extensively trained in the treatment.

The new law is a protection for the distinctive qualities of chiropractic and is based on spinal subluxation and joint dysfunction of the entire musculoskeletal and neurological systems.

This most recent bill takes Michigan from the most restrictive state in the country to the middle of the pack with regards to what treatments are allowed to be performed.  We still have a ways to go, but chiropractic patients now can enjoy the benefits of many more treatment options.

 In addition to all of the wonderful treatment options you have previously enjoyed, our new scope includes:

• Adjustment of extremities, which includes (shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, knees, ankles, feet, and more)
• Ultrasound and muscle stimulation therapy
• Cold laser therapy
• Athletic taping
• Iontophoresis
• Blood and urine analysis for nutritional counseling
• Rehabilitation and physical measures (therapy)

This new scope has opened up a new world of diagnostic and treatment possibilities for chiropractic patients!

IF IT’S GOOD FOR YOU, IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR PATIENTS
(2 SUPPLEMENTS THAT SHOULD BE ADDED TO EVERYONE’S DIET)

1. OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS

It is estimated that almost 96,000 Americans die every year due to Omega 3 deficiency. Harvard University research department concludes that Omega 3 deficiency is the 6th leading killer of Americans.

Omega 3 fatty acids are thought to protect organs and glands in the body from inflammation. Research has concluded that Omega 3 deficiency plays a major role in atherosclerosis, heart attack, depression and cancer. Clinical trials have also shown Omega 3s to be beneficial in conditions such as: rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ulcerative colitis, schizophrenia, asthma, skin conditions, dyslexia, allergies, learning and behavioral problems and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

There are 3 fatty acids in the Omega 3 family. They are categorized as polyunsaturated fats. These fats are liquid at room temperature and when refrigerated or frozen.

• ALA – alpha linoleic acid (converted into DHA and EPA)
• DHA – docosahexaenoic acid
• EPA – eicosapentoenoic acid

Omega 3 fatty acids are not produced in the human body and, therefore, must be consumed through foods or supplementation. Omega 3s are present in marine sources (fish or krill) or plant sources (green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds).

ALA is the fatty acid found in plant sources. ALA requires an enzyme to form the longer fatty chains of DHA and EPA. The enzyme is often inhibited by increased insulin levels which impair the enzyme. 80% of the population in the United States has elevated insulin levels. The best source for Omega 3s; therefore, comes from animal sources.

The unhealthy fatty acids in our diet are Omega 6 fatty acids. These are present in margarine, sunflower, and safflower oil, and vegetable oils (present in most processed foods). The ideal ratio of Omega 6’s to Omega 3s in the body should be 1:1. Today’s average American ratio is 20:1 to 50:1.

DHA and EPA are highly concentrated in the brain. DHA is used in the neuron cell membranes in the brain and make the membrane more elastic, making it easier for ion channels to change shape. If enough DNA is not available, it is substituted with DPA (and Omega 6 fatty acid). DPA is vastly less flexible and affects the function of the ion channels. Omega 3s are important for behavioral and cognitive functions.

Omega 3 intake from eating fish comes with some negatives. Most fish has some levels of mercury, PCB’s and other toxins. Best fish sources of Omega 3s include: Pacific herring, king salmon, anchovies, lake trout, and wild pacific salmon. The best wild fish according to Dr. Mercola is Vital Choice Alaskan Wild Red Salmon.

Many people are not aware that just because they are eating fish that they are not getting good quantities of Omega 3s. If people are eating farmed fish, they are not receiving any Omega 3s. Fish do not produce Omega 3s and, like humans, acquire them through their diet. Farmed fish are fed grains and corn products which actually contain Omega 6s and zero Omega 3s.

Omega 3 supplements primary options include:

• Fish oil – weak in antioxidants, should be taken with Vitamin E to protect fats from oxidation in the body
• Cod liver oil – contains Vitamin D
• Krill (tiny shrimp-like creatures) oil – according to Dr. Mercola, this is the best option because it contains phospholipids which help increase absorption, especially in the brain. Also contains potent antioxidants (48 times more potent then fish oil)
• Grass fed beef or game

Plant source of Omega 3s include:

• Leafy greens – kale, brussel sprouts, spinach
• Nuts – walnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts
• Seeds
• Eggs
• Oils – soybean, canola, flax seed

2. VITAMIN D3 (Cholecalciferol)

It is estimated that 200 million Americans are deficient in Vitamin D. Research over the past several years has shown that higher Vitamin D levels significantly reduces mortality rates from ALL causes. It is estimated that 95% of the US elderly population are deficient and 85% of Americans are deficient.

Researchers have calculated that simply increasing Vitamin D3 levels in the world population could prevent diseases that claim nearly 1 million lives per year worldwide. 25 to 50 percent of any healthcare budget could be saved with adequate Vitamin D serum levels.

There are 2 types of oral Vitamin D. One is natural and one is synthetic. D3 is the natural vitamin and D2 is the synthetic vitamin.  Both must be converted in the body into active forms. Vitamin D3 is converted 500 percent faster than Vitamin D2. Almost all prescriptions of Vitamin D contain synthetic Vitamin D2.

Vitamin D3 is the only known substrate for a very powerful repair and maintenance seco-steroid hormone that serves multiple gene-regulatory functions in your body. Each cell in the body has its own DNA library that contains information needed to deal with virtually any kind of stimulus that it may encounter. Activated Vitamin D3 is like the master key to this library.

For example, the memory ductile cells in a women’s breast need Vitamin D to access DNA that enable the response to estrogen.

Without sufficient levels of Vitamin D, the cells of the body cannot access their DNA libraries. As a result, their functions are impaired and many problems can ensue depending upon how well the cells can compensate for the lack of Vitamin D.

Scientists have found about 3,000 genes that are upregulated by Vitamin D. Receptors that respond to Vitamin D have been found in almost every type of human cell which explains why researchers keep finding health benefits from Vitamin D in virtually every area they look.

The following conditions have been linked to Vitamin D deficiency:

Cancer (17 different varieties), Autism, Hypertension, Obesity, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes Types I and II, Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s Disease, Cold and Flu, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Tuberculosis, High Blood Pressure, MRSA Infections, Dementia, Birth Defects, Infertility, Melanoma, Asthma, Depression, Osteoporosis , Alzheimer’s Disease and Schizophrenia.

In summer conditions, it is common to get 20,000 IU from sun exposure. The recommended dosage by the RDA is woefully inadequate at 400 IU per day. Most research states that adults and children need about 5000 IU per day. Needs are highly individual and are based upon factors such as skin color, location, and the amount of sun exposure. For children, it’s recommended that they supplement 35 IU per pound of body weight.

The only true way to determine how much a persons needs is through blood test 25 (OH) D or 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Optimum levels are between 50-65 ng/ml for the average person and 70-100 ng/ml if treating cancer or heart disease.

Sun exposure or safe tanning beds are the best way to get proper levels of Vitamin D. Sun Exposure should be 20-30 minutes per day with at least 40% skin exposure sun block. Avoiding sunburn is essential whether using a safe tanning bed or outdoors.

Other co-factors needed to utilized Vitamin D are: Magnesium( Most important), Ainc, Vitamin K2, Boron, Genestein, Tiny amounts of Vitamin A.

People who feel an allergic reaction to Vitamin D are likely exacerbating an underlying Magnesium deficiency which can produce symptoms such as heart palpitations, constipation, insomnia , fatigue, depression, muscle cramps and anxiety.

I do not practice condition based nutrition in my office. My goal is to help my patients stay subluxation-free and optimize their health. Besides advising my patients to exercise, I cannot think of anything more beneficial than helping them to understand the life altering importance of supplementing their diet with Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin D3