LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

Environmental

INFECTIOUS AGENTS CONTRIBUTE TO CANCER – (08-13-07)

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Environmental exposure to bacteria and viruses may provide oncolytic protection against cancers, and declining exposure to infections may contribute to a rising incidence of cancer.

Medical Hypothesis is one of my favorite journals; many of its articles are written by very foresighted people. This author suggests that recurrent exposure to bacteria and viruses over our lifetimes leads to constant surveillance by the immune system for these agents.

Since various infectious agents are well known to contribute to cancer (using the recent hype over the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer as an example), keeping our immune system vigilant in fighting off these agents could ward off cancer as well.

Read entire article here

ARE YOU REALLY WHAT YOU EAT?

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The answer to this question is probably far more accurate than anyone could imagine. Sure, we can envision the poster of a child looking like a banana or a piece of broccoli and feel all warm and fuzzy that we’re doing the best for our body.

“You are what you eat” is a saying that has been around for decades now, if not centuries. The connotation is that, if you eat healthy foods, you will be healthy. Few picture the concept in reverse.

The concept of “xenohormesis” is not a new one. This suggests that stress messages from lower down on the food chain are ingested by those higher on the food chain. Consider that in the context of today’s society. Imagine that every molecule of the foods we eat can pass a message down to the very heart of what you are–your DNA. What kind of message does a fast food happy meal send to your child’s genes? The foods we eat can truly create health or create disease at the genetic level in a very direct pathway.

Consider the intake of abused, contained, poorly fed, stressed out commercial livestock. The physiology of these creatures are screaming stress. This message than gets passed to the oblivious consumer eating the McDonald’s hamburger, increasing the stress messages within his or her own body.

What about GMO foods (foods that have been messed with genetically so that they can be resistant to wanton spreading of toxic pesticides without being killed themselves)? The messages sent from these foods may be of a nature that the human body has never, ever experienced before.

This particular article is a little biochemically oriented, but adds some fascinating touches to xenohormesis. Researchers have actually identified small RNA fragments that clearly get absorbed into our bodies and affect cell behavior at the genetic level.

This brings xenohormesis out of the realm of theory and into the realm of fact. It also creates and almost overwhelming range of possibilities for what we really mean when we say, “You are what you eat.”

Consider this the next time you opt for a processed meal, a fast food lunch, genetically altered GMO foods (most commonly in soybeans and corn). Realize that the foods you are eating are sending a screwed up, dangerous message to your very DNA.

Contrast this with eating a diet filled with unprocessed foods as organic as possible in an environment that is soothing and relaxing and continues to promote food as a celebration of life and an experience to be enjoyed to its fullest.

GRILLED MEAT FOR THESE WOMEN IS BAD?

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I know.  I know.  It seems like every time we turn around we hear that something else is bad for us.  Of course, the reality is that, many of these “bad” items come as no surprise (think soda, plastics, weed killer, refined carbs…).

In this particular case, it is important to at least be aware of the association and do what you can to mitigate the risks.  In this particular case, you have to be hypersensitive only for 9 months.

Grilling meats produces two problematic compounds.  The first of these is heterocyclic amines (HCA), that are formed when grilling meats rapidly at high temperatures.  Slowing down grilling times can help reduce the formation of HCA.  Adding spices to the meat can also protect against the formation of HCA.

 The other compound, polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) is produced when fat drips off of the meat and hits the heating source.  It then rises up to stick to the meat and contributes to cancer.  Basting and marinating the meat, using grease traps and using leaner meats and trimming away as much fat as possible before cooking all help to reduce the formation of PAH.

This particular study looks at the contribution of exposure to PAH in pregnancy on birth weight.  Highest exposures (with a combination of inhaled PAH and dietary exposure through barbecued meats) resulted in lower birth weights (by about 8 oz).  The exposures had no effect on the duration of gestation, but rather somehow interfered with the growth of the baby.

Overall, this is not something to run around in fear of as a pregnant woman, but rather, something to be conscientious about when you make your dietary choices during pregnancy.

BEFORE YOU TRY IVF TO GET PREGNANT, KNOW THIS

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Infertility is a rising problem in today’s unwell society.  Billions are spent per year by desperate couples in an attempt to have a child.  I can honestly say that never, in all my years of practice, has a couple come in who has seen a fertility “specialist” and the discussion included lifestyle changes.  This is abhorrent.

First, let’s get one thing straight.  Scrap Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs–as an organism on this planet our only job is to reproduce and propagate the species.  What does that say when a couple cannot get pregnant?  How much is the couple’s (and NOT just the woman..) physiology screaming for help, basically saying that things are too screwed up right now and we can’t handle the metabolic demands of a pregnancy?

So we just ignore that warning, collect billions of dollars from patients, and use chemicals and exogenous hormones to force pregnancy on a couple that clearly is not ready for it from a health standpoint.  This is shameful from the point of the “specialists”  (sorry for the continued quotation marks, but it just fits).  These providers have a very captive audience that is likely willing to make every change necessary to get pregnant, and yet they miss one of the most valuable opportunities to improve health, viewing the achievement of pregnancy as the prize rather than the result.

Don’t get me wrong–true infertility does exist.  Personally I remember only a single patient who, arguably, was a good candidate for fertility treatments because her lifestyle was close to optimal (although we never evaluated the ultimate topic of this post–more on this later).

So, what things can a couple do to achieve pregnancy naturally?

  1.  Plant based diets (rather than animal based diets) improve fertility
  2. A prediabetic diet is the best approach for PCOS
  3. PCBs can interfere with fertility
  4. Lower cardiovascular risk factors (cholesterol, triglycerides, etc…)

It is very, very clear that making better lifestyle decisions will improve a couples chance of getting pregnant.  The lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and not smoking are clear and most couples can understand and the decision to make these changes is in their hands.

However, less clear is avoiding toxic exposures that are known to impact pregnancy rates.  PCBs were already mentioned above.  Let me give a quick story..

I was opening a new account at a local bank.  Upon entering, I noticed a strong “new shower curtain” smell, which is due to offgassing of phthales from certain materials.  In this case, it was likely the carpeting.  I then asked if this was new carpeting, and was informed by my female banker that it was at least a year old.  Seeing a wedding picture on her desk, I told her that, breathing this stuff 8 hours per day for the past year (and likely for a very long time in the future) was a concern.  I mentioned that, if she ever planned on getting pregnant, she should consider not working here (ok..so it was a little invasive of me to offer this advice, but I just couldn’t stop myself..).

This particular article supports my recommendations to this banker.  What did researchers find?

By looking at levels of MEHP (a phthalate metabolite), they found that, in women with the highest levels, they had FOUR THOUSAND percent greater risk of an early pregnancy loss. 

4,000%.  Again, I would ask those couples spending thousands on “fertility” experts are getting lifestyle advice such as avoiding phthalates.  If not, I would ask for my money back…

IMPAIRED GLUTATHIONE SYNTHESIS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA – (03-17-08)

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Impaired glutathione synthesis in schizophrenia: Convergent genetic and functional evidence

A friend had taken a class for her masters degree on psycopharmacology. One of the instructors staunchly believed that the ONLY answer for schizophrenia was pharmacology. Unfortunately, the research doesn’t support this notion, and this professor will only perpetuate dogma, leaving patients suffering with this condition that may be able to be greatly helped.

In this ex-vivo study, researchers determined that the cells of patients with schizophrenia may not deal with oxidative stress effectively, leaving the nervous system susceptible to damage. This could then correlate with lifestyle factors that increase oxidative stress such as lower phytonutrient diet, stress and environmental exposures to produce schizophrenia.

Read entire article here

ARE YOUR “8 GLASSES A DAY” OF WATER KILLING YOU? 7 WAYS TO HALT THE DAMAGE

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Regular readers of Rantings already know where this is going. The dogma associated with what we think is healthy in society today is clearly killing us, and it begins with plastic.

Somewhere, somehow, the concept of needing to drink 8 glasses of water per day started. Maybe it was started for altruistic, but misguided reasons. Certainly dehydration is a bad thing. But that does not mean that taking it to its extreme is going to magically give health. After all, healthy kidney function is going to keep a pretty steady level of hydration in our blood. It’s not like drinking more water is going to magically override kidney function and allows us to retain more water. And while water (as a H2O molecule) is required for detoxification, water is NOT the limiting factor and drinking more water will NOT drive detoxification in the body.

This dogmatic drive to drink more water has invariably led to a massive increase in the amount of bottled water consumed. Besides being devastating for the environment around us, the Bisphenol A (BPA) that is used in the making of flexible plastics has clearly led to an increase in several chronic diseases.

The question I have is, just what is the breaking point when the evidence against BPA becomes so hard to ignore that the EPA finally shuts the use of BPA down?

Don’t think we’ve reached that yet, although the FDA has at least come out admitting that just MAYBE BPA is not good for us. While in the same breath stating that its use is so ubiquitous in industry that it is near impossible to restrain its use. So much for protecting us.

This particular article looks at the association of BPA exposure and heart disease and confirmed earlier studies that found a link between urinary BPA levels and coronary artery disease. While the increased risk was not Earth-shattering (around 13% increased risk), it is still an increased risk that can be eliminated only if someone is aware of it.

Besides plastic water bottles, there are many additional sources of BPA exposure that you need to be aware of.  Following these tips can help reduce your exposure:

  1. Don’t microwave plastic food containers
  2. Avoid plastic containers when possible, especially those marked with recycle codes 3 or 7
  3. Reduce your use of canned foods
  4. Use glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers, especially with hot food or liquids
  5. Use baby bottles that are BPA free
  6. Be carfeul when handling thermal credit card receipts
  7. Avoid canned soda (which you should be doing anyway…)

BABY CARE PRODUCTS: POSSIBLE SOURCE OF INFANT PHTHALATE EXPOSURE – (08-25-08)

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Baby Care Products: Possible Source of Infant Phthalate Exposure

Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) is unquestionably at the forefront of identifying and educating the public on environmental exposures. I use and refer to this site frequently and always urge others to do the same, with some additional thought to making a donation. Phthalates are petroleum products that are used in plastics. They are known endocrine disruptors and can interfere with thyroid and reproductive function. Any identifiable exposure to them should be eliminated.

But the general public is not typically aware of the exposures their little ones are getting. Everyone is aware of lead, the phthalate exposure is much more prevalent, even in the womb. For our family, we have elected to use organic, expensive shampoo and bubble bath. Think about how long a child is soaking in a bath–it is worth the extra expense to me to by organic. Besides, we keep Keegan’s hair short so an $8 bottle of shampoo will last 6 months. Incidently, EWG just got a law passed limiting the use of phthalate containing plastics to be used in any product for infant or toddler use. Sounds like a good idea to me.

Read entire article here

SMALL MOLECULES THAT REGULATE LIFESPAN – XENOHORMESIS – (11-17-08)

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Small molecules that regulate lifespan: evidence for xenohormesis

The concept of xenohormesis is gaining ground quickly in the medical literature. Basically, there exists evidence that our bodes can sense cues from our environment (usually via the GI tract) that can prepare us for hardship. If there are environmental stressors (draught, disease, etc…) that are experienced by organisms lower on the food chain (plants, wild game, etc..), these organisms produce stressor compounds that will allow them to adapt to these more stressful environment.

Take a plant under draught conditions–this plant may produce protective chemicals to allow it to survive the draught. When a higher organism eats the lower organism these protective chemicals then trigger protective mechanisms in the higher organism. Sort of like sending the message of “danger” upstream. The ramifications of this are massive–tiny molecules that can change our physiology either positively or negatively. With this knowledge we have to rethink greatly the concept of free range animal products, organic produce, etc.

Read entire article here

Are we eating more than we think? Illegitimate signaling and xenohormesis as participants in the pathogenesis of obesity.

This editorial brings further to light the potentially drastic results of xenohormesis, to include damage from chronic stress, artificial sweeteners, abused livestock and chemically grown produce.

Read entire article here