Gout, Kidney Stones and Uric Acid

Do you suffer from bouts with Gout or Kidney Stones?

These symptoms are caused mainly by an excess of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid can crystallize and form painful deposits in the joints or in the kidneys. Anyone who has suffered from this will tell you that it can be excruciating.

Often diet can be used to combat excess uric acid, but frequently nutrient supplementation is needed to alleviate symptoms and prevent future attacks. Food allergies can contribute to symptoms, and being overweight is a known factor in people who suffer from gout. Dieting, because of certain dietary changes can also trigger a gout attack. These are things which can be controlled, but in some cases a change in the weather or barometric pressure or stress can also trigger an attack of gout. Lets focus on what we can control.

Managing uric acid levels

Potassium is a key nutrient for helping the body balance uric acid levels. Fasting, diuretics and surgery are all known to deplete blood levels of potassium. Below are some foods that are high in potassium.

• Baked Potatoes with the skin on. (Baked potatoes are not recommended for people who are watching their weight)


• Sweet Potatoes


• Avocado


• Cantaloupe


• Bananas


• Orange Juice


• Kidney Beans


• Broccoli


• Beets


• Almonds


• Walnuts

Depleted Vitamin B5 is also a concern for uric acid levels. You may take a supplement of Pantothenic acid (B5), or eat canned cherries to help fight off an attack of gout. You can also eat foods high in vitamin B5 to help prevent future attacks such as; Strawberries, Broccoli, Boiled Eggs, Sunflower Seeds or Winter Squash. Keep in mind that B5 does need other B vitamins to be utilized properly by the body, which is why getting it from food sources in addition to supplementation is the best plan. Vitamin C also helps the body with B vitamins. Quercetin has also been found to be beneficial. It is a potent antioxidant!

Uric acid is an ash left from protein metabolism. If the liver can not rid the body of this ash it accumulates, leading to gout. Some prescription drugs can cause uric acid to rise along with causing nutrient depletion of key nutrients like potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium.

If your kidneys are not functioning properly it can also cause a build up of uric acid. Drinking soda, alcohol, caffeinated beverages and eating large amounts of protein will also add to uric acid production.

Foods to avoid

• Organ Meats


• Veal


• Bacon


• Sweetbreads, Baked Goods, Beer


• Gravies


• Broths and Bouillon


• Turkey and Goose


• Salmon, Mackerel, Trout, Cod, Herring, Sardines Crab and Shrimp


• Peas, Beans, Lentils, Asparagus, Mushrooms, Cooked Spinach, Rhubarb and Cauliflower


• Alcohol


• Coffee - Caffeine impairs kidney function


• Soda and simple sugars such as simple carbohydrates and saturated fats


• Oatmeal

Some more great foods to include in your diet are:

• Grapes (aid in elimination of uric acid)


• Cherries ( Fresh is best, eat 6-8 between meals)


• Garlic (minced and added to black cherry juice is useful)


• Parsley (natural diuretic)


• Strawberries (they neutralize uric acid)


• Blueberries ( eases pain for gout)


• Lemon Juice (fresh squeezed lemon juice is great for reducing uric acid also) Drinking the juice of one lemon in lukewarm water neutralizes acid.

For kidney stone relief you can drink lemon juice as the first option. Magnesium is also important for these attacks.

For a severe gout attack we recommend that you eat a can of cherries as soon as you feel it coming, but not marachino cherries. They have too much sugar! Cherries are high in vitamin B5 which helps to bring uric acid levels back to normal quickly.

We also have B5 available in supplement form at our office, which is beneficial for kidney stones and gout.

HBOT and Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy and HBO Therapy (from Hbot today)

More than 500,000 Americans have cerebral palsy (CP). There are more than 4,500 new cases of CP each year. The term cerebral palsy is not a diagnosis; it is a loose descriptive term that is used to describe a group of chronic disorders—specifically, motor disorders—which impair the control of movement. These disorders usually appear in the first few years of life.

Cerebral refers to the brain's two hemispheres, or halves that contain the higher nerve centers. Palsy refers to any condition marked by tremor or any disorder that impairs control of body movement. CP is not describing disorders in the muscles or in the nerves. The impairment stems from damage to the motor areas of the brain, which in turn cause the brain to poorly control movement of the body's muscles.

What is the Cause of CP?

Although it was once believed that birth complications were the most frequent cause of cerebral palsy, we now know that such complications account for just a fraction of the cases. A study by the Federal Government's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) in the 1980s confirmed that birth complications accounted for probably less than 10 percent of the total cases of CP. This drastically altered medical theories about cerebral palsy. The NINDS study also confirmed that in most cases, no direct cause for CP could be found.

Types of Cerebral Palsy

There are four broad categories of cerebral palsy: spastic, athetoid, ataxic, and mixed forms that are defined by the type of movement disturbance disorder in each case. Spastic cerebral palsy affects 70 to 80 percent of patients. Patients who suffer from spastic cerebral palsy have muscles that are stiffly and permanently contracted. Doctors often describe the type of spastic cerebral palsy a patient has based on which limbs are affected.

Medical Disorders

• 
  
  There are other medical disorders associated with cerebral palsy. These include:
  Seizures or epilepsy. Up to half of all children with CP experience one form of seizure or another.


• 
  
  Mental impairment. Although about one-third of children with CP are not intellectually impaired, one-third are mildly impaired, and the remaining third are moderately to severely impaired.


• 
  
  Vision and hearing problems. A large number of children with CP have a condition called "strabismus," characterized by the eyes failing to properly align because of differences in the left and right eye muscles.


• 
  
  Growth problems. A syndrome called failure to thrive is common in children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy. Failure to thrive is a term that is used to describe growth and development that does not meet realistic expectations in infants and children.


• 
  
  Sensation and perception problems. The ability to feel certain sensations, such as touch and pain, can be impaired in some children with CP. These children may also have stereognosia, a condition characterized by difficulty identifying objects using the sense of touch.

Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy

HBO therapy is a medical treatment that uses the administration of 100 percent oxygen at controlled pressure (greater than sea level) for a prescribed amount of time—usually 60 to 90 minutes. HBO therapy is commonly used to treat conditions such as burns and difficult healing wounds. HBO therapy facilitates healing in these conditions by increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood by up to 2000 percent, depending on the treatment depth. This in turn dramatically increases the amount of oxygen at the cellular level.

In the case of cerebral palsy in children, HBO therapy is administered at 1.5 ATA or equivalent to a depth of 16.5 feet below sea level. Some research has been completed using treatment depths up to 1.75 ATA, or 25 feet below sea level, with positive results. Each treatment lasts one hour and one or two treatments are prescribed each day, five or six days per week. The total number of treatments given in each case varies. It is common to administer 40 treatments in the first phase of treatment. The question of further HBO therapy is then resolved by the medical team involved in each case and is dependent upon a number of factors. However, many believe that if improvement is observed in the first phase of treatment, then a break of one to four weeks should be taken, followed by another 40 HBO treatments.

At the Chico Hyperbaric Center we use a multiplace chamber, which allows a parent to be in the chamber with their child during treatment. Also, no patient at the Chico Hyperbaric Center undergoes treatment without a health care professional in attendance during treatment.

Promising Therapy

Why does HBO therapy show promise in helping cerebral palsy patients? First, let's confirm some previously mentioned facts. Cerebral palsy is the result of damage to motor areas in the brain. This in turn disrupts the brain's ability to properly control the movement of the body's muscles.

What causes this damage?

A National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) study found that in most cases of CP, no direct cause for the damage could be found. In other words, cerebral palsy is a result of the brain not properly communicating with the muscles because the brain has been damaged for one reason or another. Documentation now exists that clearly shows that HBO therapy can dramatically improve some CP symptoms. For example, a study in Brazil1 revealed a 50 percent reduction in spasticity of 94 percent (218 patients) of the patients involved in the study. Improvements have also been seen with vision, hearing, and speech. However, one should understand that improvement, if any, will vary from patient to patient. (Also see the CP section of our Patient's Feedback page for one parent's view of how HBO therapy at the Chico Hyperbaric Center positively affected her child.)

Dormant Areas

Back to our question, "Why does HBO therapy show promise in helping cerebral palsy patients?" In order to answer this question we need to look at one of the terms that we use to describe the type of brain injury involved in cerebral palsy. The term is traumatic brain injury.Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a condition in which certain nerve cells in the brain may be permanently destroyed. Conditions such as stroke and cerebral palsy are forms of TBI. It is important to note that although some of the brain may be permanently damaged when TBI occurs, a much larger area surrounding the permanently damaged area may also be affected. This larger area may be in a dormant state because the amount of oxygen it receives has been reduced due to a decrease in blood flow. Swelling and a change in cell physiology can cause reduced blood flow.

Reduced blood flow—and the resulting decrease in oxygen levels at the cellular level—as well as the swelling of brain tissue are of particular importance when attempting to understand traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy in children. This is because some researchers believe that the lack of oxygen and swelling of brain tissue plays a part in the inability of the myelin sheaths to develop.

Myelination

Myelin sheaths are coverings that protect nerve fibers in the brain. These nerve fibers connect the brain to the spinal cord and they play an important role in impulse transmission. The process of myelination—that is, the action of the delicate myelin sheath cells as they envelop the brain's nerve fibers—begins a month prior to birth and continues until about two years of age. If myelination does not properly occur, the nerve fibers are left exposed and they slowly deteriorate. This disrupts communication between the controlling nerve cells in the brain and the muscles. The result may be spasticity. Given the presence of just a small amount of oxygen, the cells in the dormant area may remain in this suspended animation state for many years. The dormant area is often referred to as "not dead but sleeping." This is where HBO therapy shows such promise. It is believed that the high oxygen levels that are attained in the body's cells during HBO therapy cause a physiological change to the cells of this dormant area—effectively waking them up—thus, increasing the capacity for recovery. It is also believed that HBO therapy reduces swelling in the brain by constricting blood vessels, and provides an ideal internal environment for the growth of new brain tissue.It should be remembered that HBO therapy is not a cure, but a method of ensuring that the most complete recovery possible takes place. The degree of improvement will vary from patient to patient because the amount and type of damage to the brain varies with each patient.

The SPECT Scan

Modern technology has been a positive factor in the treatment of cerebral palsy and other forms of traumatic brain injury. Specifically, SPECT imaging, or what is commonly termed the SPECT scan, is helping to identify those parts of the brain that are in a dormant state due to a lack of oxygen. As Dr. Philip James of the Wolfson Hyperbaric Medicine Unit at the University of Dundee in Scotland has stated, "Loss of function in the brain can be either due to tissue swelling, which is reversible, or tissue destruction, which is not."2 When we combine what Dr. James said with what the SPECT scan can do, it is clear that the SPECT scan can help us identify those parts of the brain that stand a chance of being revived.

SPECT stands for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography. The SPECT scan can give a clear picture of which parts of the brain are awake and working, which parts are dormant and sleeping, and which parts are lifeless and permanently damaged. This is of particular significance when considering HBO therapy because, to be blunt, the SPECT scan has the ability to indicate if HBO therapy is working or not by monitoring the change in brain tissue blood flow.

Let's Sum Up

Some brain cells become dormant due to a lack of oxygen, which can be caused by reduced blood flow. Swelling can cause reduced blood flow. HBO therapy has been shown to reduce the swelling of brain tissue by constricting blood vessels. Also, HBO therapy dramatically increases the amount of oxygen at the cellular level, which, it is believed, may revive dormant, oxygen starved areas of the brain. The ability to perform a SPECT scan before and after a course of HBO therapy can help identify those parts of the brain affected by the therapy. The SPECT scan will identify those areas of the brain that have reacted in a positive manner to an increase in oxygen, indicating the potential for recovery.

Timing Is Important

Obviously, the earlier that HBO therapy can be administered, the better the opportunity for recovery. However, HBO therapy has been shown to resolve tissue swelling even after the lapse of years. It is hoped that HBO therapy will also help revive the secondary, dormant areas of the brain that are not permanently damaged. This appears to be true for stroke patients and there are encouraging results indicating that this may also be true for cerebral palsy patients as well.

Risks?

HBO therapy is a medical procedure, and like any other medical procedure there can be risks. However, when HBO therapy is administered by trained health care individuals these risks are minimal. (As with any medical procedure, the evaluation and understanding of the current health status of the patient is of prime importance.) Minor ear discomfort is the most common complaint related to HBO therapy. This may present a greater concern with young children who cannot verbalize this discomfort. It is helpful to remember that the initial stage of each HBO treatment session is similar to sitting in an aircraft while it descends. Like the airline passenger, the patient's ears have to adjust to a change in air pressure. The hyperbaric health care professional works with the patient or parent and teaches them various techniques on how to equalize pressure in the ears, such as swallowing.If one cannot equalize the pressure in the ears, damage can occur to the eardrum. However, this is very rare. Some individuals who experience discomfort with their ears may require a procedure called a Myringotomy, or what is commonly called placing tubes in the ears. An ear, nose and throat specialist usually performs this outpatient procedure right in the doctor's office.Other complications can occur if a patient has lung abnormalities such as emphysema. However, with proper evaluation prior to HBO treatment any concerns can be eliminated. There is no evidence that other potential problems associated with much deeper depths are a concern at the relatively low pressures attained during HBO therapy for cerebral palsy patients (1.5 ATA or equivalent to a depth of 16.5 feet below sea level).

Research

The benefits of treating cerebral palsy with HBO therapy appear to be very positive. Several research studies have been completed, including studies at the University of Texas Medical Center (UTMC) and McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Some controversy exists with respect to the McGill study as results indicated the placebo group, treated with ambient air at 1.3 ATA, showed improvement similar to the group treated with HBO. Most experts agree that the methodology for evaluation in the McGill study was not optimal. Other research continues and more recently Dr. Maurine Packard of NY Presbyterian Hospital studied the effects of HBO in children ages 1-5 with moderate to severe CP. These studies and additional research will add to our knowledge and understanding of CP and HBO therapy. For the complete text of these studies, and others, please visit the Research Studies section of this site or click on the following link: http://hbotoday.com/treatment/clinical/researchstudies.

References:

1. 
   
   Jose Jorge Machado, Clinically Observed Reduction of Spasticity in Patients with Neurological Diseases and in Children with Cerebral Palsy from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Machado is Neurological Advisor of "Centro Brasileiro de Medicina Hyperbarica" - Rua Bento de Andrade, 70, Sao Paulo, Brazil.


2. 
   
   James, Phillip. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Cerebral Palsy Children.


3. 
   
   Paleg, Ginny. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Individuals with Neurological Dysfunction.


4. 
   
   Ocean Hyperbaric Center. New Hope for the Neurologic Damaged Child, Cerebral Palsy, Anoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and Traumatic Brain Injury


5. 
   
   Southern Medical Journal, September 1994, Vol. 87, No. 9; An Investigation of the Treatment of Cerebral Palsy Children with Hyperbaric Oxygenation Using Spect Imaging.


6. 
   
   National Foundation for Brain Research, Cerebral Palsy, 1996

This article is Copyright © 1999 by the Chico Hyperbaric Center (HBOToday.com). Permission is given to reproduce it, in its entirety, and including this notice.

What is a DABCI?

DABCI is an acronym for Diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Internists. A chiropractic internist is a doctor who uses specific diagnostic skills to diagnose and treat a wide variety of internal disorders. These doctors are the "cream of the crop" when it comes to diagnosing chronic illnesses and in many instances can help people who have been told "there is no more we can do." They are also very educated in disease prevention and achieving and maintaining optimal health!

DABCI diplomate doctors have completed an additional 300 hours of classroom instruction on the inner workings of the human body and the processes that keep it functioning at its optimal level. Often these criteria are overlooked or ignored by standardized medicine. There is nothing "cookie cutter" about a DABCI doctor's practice. These specially skilled doctors look at each patient as an individual, their patient history, blood work, level of health, overall appearance and attitude, are all taken into account before a diagnosis can be made.

DABCI practitioners are skilled at getting to the core of the problem and treating the cause of the symptoms. They do not treat symptoms, they treat the disease process. Many illnesses that modern medicine has no cure for can be treated by DABCI doctors with much success. Illnesses such as fibromyalgia, chron's disease, IBS, migraine headaches, lyme disease, heart disease and diabetes can be greatly improved and often completely resolved with natural therapies offered by these doctors.

Many times, DABCI practitioners, through specialized diagnostic testing and skills, can pinpoint health problems before symptoms become evident and prevent illness from occurring. These specialized tests are not new, nor are they only used by the DABCI doctor, but in the hands of a DABCI practitioner these tests are indispensable tools for detecting future health concerns. The tests themselves are the same tests that are run at many clinics and hospitals. It's how the tests are interpreted and understood which makes the difference.


DABCI doctors understand that occasionally a person does need critical or crisis care, and must be sent to the hospital for emergency intervention, but in many cases these crises can be prevented by taking charge of health before the situation becomes critical. It's this skill that DABCI doctors hold dear; the ability to help people overt serious health problems with lifestyle changes and proper nutrition.


Changing habits and balancing nutrition is an effort that takes time and requires the patients participation and commitment. Many conditions can be eliminated rather quickly with minor changes to eating habits and nutritional supplementation, but some conditions require a more complex approach and complete health may take a little longer to achieve. Having a healthy body without the intervention of drugs is something that many people wish to accomplish. DABCI doctors are very well educated on how to prevent disease, as well as, how to treat it with natural therapies and nutrition. If you wish to learn how to help yourself and your family live longer, more active and healthy lives call your DABCI practitioner today. For a list of practicing DABCI doctors in the US you can go to our website www.drkessinger.com/dabci_locator.html. Doctors are listed by state and can be found through their local phone directory.

Why do we cough, sneeze and experience other symptoms?

Did you know that coughing, sneezing, runny nose and eyes, diarrhea and fever are natural responses to bacteria, viruses and allergens? Your body knows to do these things to rid itself of invading organisms. Of course, many of us find these symptoms bothersome and difficult to deal with. Before you reach for that bottle of fever reducer or cold medicine, you should think about how your body functions.


The symptoms that your body exhibits when you have a cold or flu are actually an immune response. Your body coughs to clear out the lungs, sneezes & sniffles to rid the sinus passages of dirt and germs, watery eyes cleanse the soft tissue of the eye, fever is to make the body less habitable for organisms, and diarrhea is to rid the intestines of unwanted organisms.


When you look at it this way, it makes less sense to run right to the medicine cabinet and reach for an over the counter relief product, doesn't it? Your body has an innate ability to heal itself, when it is provided with proper nutrition and rest. Why would you want to stop your body from doing what it does best? Taking medicines to reduce the normal symptoms of a cold or flu can actually prolong the duration of an illness, because the body can not expel the invading organisms like it needs to. Of course, we all have responsibilities and things to do, but if we take the time to rest and allow our body to heal itself we would be healthy, and back on course much sooner.


Natural Solutions


Prevention is key, but even the most healthy person gets a bug occasionally. Maintaining a strong immune system is vital to avoiding the seasonal viruses that seem to run rampant through schools and work places. Below are some great ways to help boost your body's natural response and immunity.


Vitamin A - Vitamin A is often overlooked, but its role in immune health is not to be undersold. Vitamin A is depleted when the immune system is in high gear and fighting off bugs. Replacing this vitamin is very important for children and adults alike. Supplementation is available, and eating foods such as; carrots, spinach, apricots, cantalope, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, and other orange colored vegetables can increase your vitamin A levels over time. It is important to make sure your diet contains these foods regularly.


Vitamin C - This vitamin can not be made by the human body. It is very important to cell growth, immune health, cancer prevention and other body functions. Eating citrus fruits frequently and taking a good vitamin C supplement is necessary for a healthy immune system.


Vitamin D - This nutrient is key in immune health and almost all Americans are low on vitamin D. This vitamin is not taken in by eating foods, it is metabolized by the body when exposed to the sun. Even in the summer time we do not absorb enough of the suns rays to metabolize adequate levels of this important vitamin. Before you take a D supplement you should have your levels checked, and your physician should monitor your levels to ensure they are in optimal range. Vitamin D not only helps fight depression, autoimmune disease and fibromyalgia, it is known to reduce the risks of certain kinds of cancer, too.


Vitamin E - An antioxidant, helps the body reduce free radicals and is an essential nutrient for immune health. It is known to prevent certain types of cancer, heart disease, eye disorders and mental disorders.


In addition to the nutrients listed above there are many other nutrients that are required for a healthy body. Some of these include, zinc, iron, iodine and essential fatty acids. If you are concerned about managing a healthy immune system, feel free to stop in and talk to our staff about what you can do to increase your odds of staying healthy.


Reducing Allergic Reactions


For those of us that have seasonal allergies, immune health is very important. Allergies are a sign that the immune system is not opperating at its optimum level. Along with supporting the immune system allergy sufferers must take an active role in preparing their bodies to deal with the symptoms of allergies.


Symtom prevention - We use a product in our office which contains Quercitin, a powerful flavonoid, which helps to stabilize mast cells. Mast cells are the cells responsible for releasing histamine and other symptom producing chemicals into your blood stream. Quercitin strengthens mast cells and helps to prevent histamine release. (Histamine is what causes those annoying sinus and respiratory symptoms.) This product also has vitamin C, and Stinging Nettles Leaf, which is great to help support sinus passageway health. Bromelain is also used as an anti-inflammatory and it helps the body to absorb quercitin, along with supporting normal mucosal tissue. This great allergy fighting combination would not be complete without N-Acetyl L Cyeteine, which is also great for reducing the viscosity of mucous. We use this product for anyone who is suffering from an allergy or who wishes to prevent symptoms in the future.


Homeopathic remedies are also helpful with symptom prevention. Homeopathic tinctures which help the body build its response to specific allergens have been used for hundreds of years. There are options for broad spectrum products or to target specific allergens like cat dander or ragweed. These products can help your body become desensitized to a specific allergen so that your response is lessened over time.


Exercise is also important. In order for your immune system to operate at its optimum level, you must get regular exercise. Exercise promotes blood flow to all parts of your body, and by doing this it helps the body carry the important nutrients that all cells need to their destinations, along with carrying away things it no longer needs. Oxygen, which is increased by exercise, is vital to every cell in your body, and exercise is the best way to get it to those cells.


I hope you feel more educated about those annoying symptoms that happen when your body senses an invader. I also hope that you will think twice before you pop a pill for those symptoms in the future. Occasionally, we must do something to reduce the symptoms of a virus or allergy, but remember that by doing so we are hampering our bodies natural ability to handle things its own way.

Summer Time is BBQ Time

Did you know that illnesses like Rheumatoid Arthritis were never seen before man learned to conquer fire and use it to cook their foods? Using fire to cook meats is a fun and tasty way to make your summer meals, but keep in mind that cooking meat at high temperatures may not be healthy for you or your family.

The National Cancer Institute reports that cooking meat increases the amount of heterocyclic amines (HCAs), which are created when amino acids and creatine (found in muscle meats) react at high temperatures. Muscle meats, which are the meats most commonly used for outdoor cooking, are where higher levels of HCAs are found. The NCI also states that there are 4 factors that are included in HCA formation: type of food, cooking method, temperature, and time. One study conducted by researchers showed a threefold increase in the content of HCAs when the cooking temperature was increased from 200° to 250°C (392° to 482°F). The burnt portions or well done parts of the meat are higher in HCAs than the rare portions of the meat.

Most will agree that baking, stewing, poaching or boiling meats are the best ways to reduce the levels of HCAs. By cooking muscle meats slowly and at a lower temperature you can reduce the amounts of these possible cancer causing carcinogens formed during cooking.

Some believe that using spices or marinades that are high in antioxidants may reduce the amount of HCAs created when barbecuing, but you must be careful not to use marinades that are high in sugar. Making your own, is the best way to maintain control of what goes into the marinade.

From a health and wellness viewpoint, we recommend that you eat your vegetables and fruits as raw as you can, and with the skin on when possible. Meat should be cooked to kill bacteria and contaminants, but you should cook it on a low temperature for a longer period of time to reduce the HCAs. Most meats purchased at the market will tell you on the label what the temperature of the meat should be in order to be eaten safely.

If you are concerned about lessening your risk factors for cancer or reducing inflammation in your body, HCAs are definitely something you should consider when planning your summer meals. Using antioxidant spices to reduce the occurance of HCAs is a great idea, and making your own marinade can give you braggin' rights all summer long.

Bone Density and Osteoporosis

Have you had a bone density test?

Do you know what information a bone density test provides you?

Do you know if your calcium or vitamin D levels are in an optimal range?



Your bones are not just bones. Bones are actually a living organ system that protects your internal organs, give you strength and the ability to move, and they are a vital part of blood cell production.



All of the systems in your body, including your bones, are constantly being torn down and rebuilt. The old cells are recycled and new ones are created to take their place. As a growing child bones are very flexible, but as they age they become more brittle. If proper nutrition is not provided to nourish the bones they can become brittle or weak, because they are not able to properly rebuild. This process is called bone loss. Bone loss causes the bones to become more porous and less flexible; therefore, more breakable!



Using prescription drugs to prevent osteoporosis actually defeats the purpose. These drugs stop the bones from tearing down and rebuilding the old bone cells. Which results in more dense, but old, fragile bones. Some drugs claim to stop bone loss, however if we stop the body from doing what it is meant to do, we can not expect it to function properly. Preventing bones from getting rid of old, used bone cells does not result in stronger bones. Supporting the body's natural process of rebuilding is what we should be focusing on.



Calcium alone does not make strong bones. It requires vitamin D, phosphorus and magnesium in the proper ratios (among other things) to provide the nutrients that bones need to rebuild. This said, these nutrients must be in the proper ratios in order to be effective. For Example; eating a diet high in phosphorus can cause the body to pull calcium from the bones to help the body process excess phosphorus. Carbonated beverages are high in phosphorus, and phosphorus requires calcium to be utilized by the body; so by consuming soft drinks (soda) and having insufficient calcium in your diet, you are depleting your bones every time you drink a soda. The same process happens if you have a low blood calcium and your body needs calcium for something, it pulls it from your bones! Sugar can also upset the balance of phosphorus/calcium in your body. Osteoporosis is not just a problem for the elderly any more!



Vitamin D has been found to be a very important nutrient and is essential for calcium absorption. Most Americans are low in vitamin D because of a lack of sun in the winter time, and many use sunscreen when outdoors. It is important to know what your vitamin D levels are, and take a supplement if necessary. Vitamin D supplementation can be very tricky and if you do not use an easy to absorb form, you are wasting your money. Vitamin D supplementation should be monitored by a health care practitioner. Vitamin D is responsible for helping calcium to be absorbed, building the immune system, fighting some kinds of cancers, and believe it or not, scientists are still learning about this wonderful vitamin.



Magnesium is found in the bones, but is also used in other body functions. It is known to assist in muscle relaxation, cardiovascular function and many other processes in the body. Calcium and magnesium also work together just as calcium works with phosphorus and vitamin D. If magnesium levels are too low or too high, it can be a serious condition.



The acid in your stomach is also an important factor in the utilization of calcium and other nutrients. If antacids are taken to reduce stomach acid, then calcium is not properly broken down and it can not be utilized by the body. Some antacids brag that they have calcium in them, but the calcium in those antacids (calcium carbonate) is not easily absorbed by the body, and if the stomach acid is reduced by the antacid.... how are you supposed to digest that calcium anyway?



All forms of calcium are not created equally. Calcium citrate is the most readily absorbed by the body. Calcium lactate is great for muscle cramps, and calcium gluconate is most often used for children. Again, taking a calcium supplement without the supporting minerals and vitamins doesn't provide the proper balance, so it's important to discuss this with your doctor.



Osteoporosis can be prevented, and in most cases reversed. Nutrients are very important in this process, but weight bearing exercise is also very important. The bone's ability do stay dense hinges on the body's need for bone strength. If you compare a sedentary person and an active person of the same age and sex with similar diets, the active person will have a higher bone density than the sedentary person. The body only does what it deems is necessary for survival and if you are not using your bones, you lose them!



Most hip fractures are not caused by a fall, but instead, actually cause the fall. Spontaneous hip fracture is common in the elderly. Sometimes they are the result of a simple twist which snaps the bone and causes the person to fall. These hip fractures caused by osteoporosis tend to force the individual to be confined to a wheelchair and can be very painful. Many people never fully recover from this type of fracture. Many times these painful falls could be prevented by proper dietary changes, regular weight bearing exercise, and necessary supplementation.



A bone density test can be done at any age, and provides you a comparison of what your bones look like compared to other healthy people your age. This information can be a pivotal point in your own personal health care goals. Having your bone density and vitamin levels checked is crucial in managing bone loss. Call us today to schedule an appointment to make sure that your bones are healthy and strong.

For a short video on Osteoporosis click here.

You really are what you eat!!!

Hippocrates said "Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food." This statement is as important now as it was then. Nutrition that we gain from our foods and nutritional supplementation are more beneficial than drugs for most any condition. The body knows what to do with food substances. It many times does not know what to do with chemicals or drugs. Drugs cause the body to have a specific reaction, which is why they are used. Unfortunately, forcing the body to react a certain way in one area... may cause other body parts, organs or processes to be negatively effected. If you watch the commercials on TV about prescription drugs, they are always followed by a disclaimer that says what all of the side effects could be, and some of them say that liver (or other) testing is required, to monitor possible negative effects.

The body is so complex, and has the innate ability to heal itself when the components that it requires are made available. The sources of these components are very important. Using food as a source for nutrients is multifaceted when it comes to the benefits that the body receives. For example, a medium sized apple contains about 80 calories. These 80 calories not only contain necessary fiber and vitamin C, but potassium and natural sugars. These small things are utilized by the entire body, not just one part. Apples also burn more calories during digestion than they provide when consumed. The same with broccoli, grapefruit and many other fresh food options. For more information on negative calorie foods visit our website at http://www.drkessinger.com/images/negative_foods.pdf.

In healthy individuals most of the nutrients that are required by the body can be delivered by a well balanced diet. On the other hand, if a body is not functioning properly or a disease process has already developed, higher concentrations of nutrients may be required to reverse the effects. In this situation supplementation is necessary. As we age we also lose the ability to process, create and absorb some nutrients that our bodies need to stay healthy. A good example of this is calcium. As we age our stomach acid becomes weaker and this makes the absorption of calcium more difficult. This process, coupled with other changes that happen to our bodies as we age (like lack of physical activity, and reduced sun exposure) can lead to osteoporosis in some individuals. As you can imagine, nutritional supplementation is required to combat these types of conditions.

Poor dietary choices and malnutrition have been linked to Fibromyalgia, ADHD, ADD, Heart Disease, Diabetes and many other preventable illnesses. Most times with nutritional counseling and supplementation to level out the body's functions, persons in an ill state of health find their symptoms are greatly reduced or eliminated.

In most cases, a pharmaceutical drug is not necessary to achieve optimal health. Of course in an acute situation, drugs may be required to quickly restore a bodily function. Prevention of these acute situations is the best way to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Each of us is created differently, and our body's ability to process nutrients varies. Proper nutrition and necessary nutritional supplementation will differ from person to person. As I mentioned before, the body is a complex system, and each of its functions depends on another equally important function to operate at its optimum level. If one of our body's systems is not functioning at an optimal level, it affects the entire body.

In short... a healthy life requires that you do a few important things, and not do a few things

DO

• Eat a well balanced diet - lean protein, fresh vegetables, raw fruits, whole grains, healthy fats....
• Exercise regularly - one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy
• Drink lots of CLEAN water - The body requires water free from chlorine, fluorine and other chemicals.
• Take your supplements - if your body is not functioning at its optimal level, dietary changes and supplementation maybe required to return it to a healthy level.
• Get some sun - 10-15 minutes of unprotected sun 3-4 times a week is important for health
• Avoid inflammatory foods - Cows Milk, Pork, Chocolate, fried foods refined sugars and processed flours

DON'T

• Smoke - if you do, STOP
• Eat hydrogenated/trans fats - change to healthy oils and fats (olive oil, nuts etc...)
• Eat refined sugars and processed flours - if it comes in a package.... it's likely not good for you
• Drink carbonated beverages - Diet or not, avoid all soda. It has no nutritional value and depletes nutrients that your body needs

Following these simple rules can help your body function as it was meant to. Eating a healthier diet can reduce inflammation, help maintain a healthy weight and increase energy! Each of us must be responsible for our own health, and if something doesn't seem right, check it out. The doctors in our clinic focus on whole body health, and we think that you should too!