LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

Healthy Kids

A NEW 8TH BENEFIT OF BREASTFEEDING

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I know I may get some flax here as a male stating that breastfeeding should really NOT be an option, but if a couple makes a decision to have a child EVERY decision needs to be in that child’s best interest.  Some say that they couldn’t nurse–so what would’ve happened to that baby 1,000 yrs ago??  I don’t think Mother Nature would’ve planned for a large chunk of newborns to die because the mom couldn’t nurse.

Either way, the benefits of nursing are many.  Some are instantly noticeable, like better sleeping, a stronger connection between mom and the baby and healthier weights.  Some are a little more subtle.  Check these benefits out:

  1. Breastfed children have better focus
  2. Breastfed children experience less pain
  3. Breastfeeding protects against celiac disease
  4. Breastfed children are less likely to be hospitalized for respiratory disease
  5. Breastfed children have better visual acuity
  6. Moms who breastfeed have lower rates of breast cancer
  7. Breastmilk has twice the antioxidants of formula

This particular study adds the 8th benefit of breastfeeding.  Researchers found that exclusively breast fed infants had bone formation centers at the femoral head show up earlier than formula fed infants.  This may likely translate to better bone health and lower risk of osteoporosis decades later.

TEENS’ DIET IMPROVES HAPPINESS?

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Many in the mental health world do not lend much credence to the power of lifestyle changes to impact psychological health.  The default complaint is that, while they may be effective, a severely depressed patient will not have the motivation to do the necessary changes.  What if you could head the problem off at the pass?

 There is absolutely no question that the nutrients we put into our bodies can help us achieve optimal brain function.  A diet that is not rich in phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals just does not support the full range of neurological function that is needed.  Our nervous system is the greatest utilizer of energy (in the form of ATP) in the body.  It is very sensitive to deficiencies in many nutrients.

The other side of the coin is to make sure that we are not doing anything to inhibit to brain functions of our children.  This means creating a healthy, loving environment, restricting the use of toxins they might be exposed to (such as in toothpastes, cleaning supplies, plastics, bug sprays, suntan lotions, flame retardant bedding and cushions, etc…) and making sure they get lots of outdoor time to play.

This particular article demonstrates the payoffs.  In a study of over 3,000 adolescents, there was a clear relationship between the diet quality and their psychological quality of life.  Improvements in diet led to improvements in mental health.  Declines in diet led to deterioration of mental health.  Does it get any clearer?

So starting out early with good health habits can have a clear benefit on your child’s long term health.  If they remain psychologically healthy from the start, the argument about whether they would have the motivation to make healthy changes becomes moot.

 

EATING THIS DURING PREGNANCY MAY DAMAGE BABY’S BRAIN

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When it comes to the epitome of the Standard American Diet (generally referred to as the “SAD” diet), there are few food products that come to mind before the bag of potato chips and the value size french fries. While some try to argue that these were, in some distant life, a potato, I think few actually view either food-like product as anything but unhealthy. But just how much damage does this little crispy delight cause?

When food products are heated to very high temps, one of the by products formed is acrylamide. Personally, I think this sounds like something you would use to bond a broken PVC pipe. Seemingly, the body agrees with me as this substance is a known carcinogen and neurotoxic agent.

But what about exposure in the womb?

While this particular study is a rat study and used unrealistically high doses of potato chips at part of the diet of the pregnant rats, it should raise the concern of everyone. The destruction of the nervous system in the newborns was tremendous.

This is not the first time concern has been raised about acrylamide exposure in the womb, although this study was over 8 years ago, so it would appear we, as a society, as slow learners.

So how much would it take to damage a developing human baby’s brain? A single bag? A bag a day? Does it really matter?  Why would anyone take the risk when the potential for damage is lifelong? Given the continued rise of psychological problems in our children (ADD, ADHD, ASDs…) these deep fried foods should be strictly avoiding by pregnant women.

YOUR YOUNG DAUGHTERS NEED THIS

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In a normal situation, a young woman / girl’s body will begin to menstruate when her body understands that it is time. However, in a society that is loaded with hormone mimicking and disrupting chemicals, all too commonly menarche starts too early.  This is a very scary thing.

The early a female starts her cycles, the greater her risk for breast cancer in the future. Worse, when early menarche is forced because of estrogen-like chemicals in the environment, this is a solid recipe for breast cancer. Obesity also plays a strong role in the early onset of menarche.

Thus, being aware of and doing the best to avoid the environmental toxins (flame retardants, BPA in plastic water bottles and can liners, PCBs in electrical components and plastics, pesticides, fertilizers, etc…) is of the utmost importance. This means that we need to look around our homes and look for old cushions (dog beds!!), flame retardant mattresses, bug sprays, carpet fresheners and any other EPA registered chemicals and get them out. Period.

It means making sure our children are maintaining an ideal body weight, or at least stop procrastinating the changes to get your family there. Tomorrow is too late.

This particular study looks at early menarche from yet another angle. In this study done in Cambodia, those girls who were deficient in vitamin D had twice the chance of starting menarche early. And keep in mind that, in many studies on vitamin D, we look at deficiency, NOT optimal levels.  So what would happen if we looked at those with optimal levels instead of sufficient?

So, as a very simple tool, we should be giving our children vitamin D supplementation. But this is not in lieu of the other changes mentioned. These are our children. Their health is in your hands. Don’t screw it up.

HOW MUCH SLEEP DOES YOUR CHILD GET?

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It seems that children are forever picking up on parents’ bad habits.  If mom and dad wouldn’t recognize broccoli if a man in a giant broccoli suit rang the front doorbell, it’s likely the children are not going to be eating cruciferous veggies like they’re going out of style.  We are know that stressful behaviors of the parents are picked up on by the children.  I’m sure that the behavior in this study is reflective of parental influence as well.

In this particular study, researchers looked at high school students who were sleep deprived during the week and tried to catch up on sleep on the weekends.  Good thing these behaviors are limited to the kids and not the overworked parents…

Researchers found that, in those with the “catch up sleep” pattern, attention related tasks were negatively affected, despite the appearant “catch up” of lost sleep on the weekends. 

The bottom line is that sleep is important for all of us, but especially on our kids’ mental performance.  Remember that these behaviors are just as likely picked up from the parents as they are from their peers.

September 4, 2000 Research Update

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Physicians’ Group Complains About ‘Milk Moustache’ Ads

As many of you may have figured out, I am no big fan of milk. It has probably been one of the best marketing campaigns of the 20th century, and yet there is no data to support benefits of milk. On the contrary, many studies point to the harmful effects of the allergens, pesticides, hormones and other chemicals in cow’s milk.

For the second time, the Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine has filed a petition with the US Federal Trade Commission complaining that the “milk moustache” advertisements produced by the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board amount to false advertising. The group says that the ubiquitous ads send the false impression to minorities and women that cow’s milk is healthful. It has sent the FTC an 11-count petition questioning the validity of scientific research that links milk consumption to a lowered risk of osteoporosis. The complaint also asks for a ruling on whether the advertisements ignore the possible dangers of milk’s high fat content. At least one independent organization appears to support the physicians’ group’s position on the accuracy of the ads. “nutrition Navigator,” Tufts University’s online rating guide to nutrition Web sites, rates the Web site of the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board as “not recommended — unacceptable accuracy.”

Effect of a fish-oil on serum lipids in postmenopausal women

Yet another study pointing to the benefits of fish oil on health. I usually recommend patients to use flax seed oil, as it is a plant source of the same type of fatty acids without the possibility of contamination with heavy metals. AJCN — Abstracts: Stark et al. 72 (2): 389

Soy phytoestrogens protect against LDL cholesterol damage

Soy appears to have many routes by which it improves human health. This study suggests that one of these routes is by protecting LDL damage. The “bad” cholesterol can not increase risk of heart disease if it itself is not first damaged. AJCN — Abstracts: Wiseman et al. 72 (2): 395

Magnetic fields and abnormal cell growth

There has been much controversy about the potential dangers of magnetic fields and human health. This article introduces some concepts as to how that may occur. While reading this, you must also consider that cell phones and magnets emit a magnetic field. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15238230

Physical activity and peptic ulcers

Ulcers are still a major scourge in today’s society. Many of the acid blockers were designed for short term use only, and can have long term negative health effects. This study suggests that exercise can reduce the incidence of ulcers. Combine this with the use of cabbage extract or licorice and we have a very viable solution to ulcers without harmful medications. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1071012/

Antibiotics and acute bronchitis

Numerous studies have shown that antibiotics have no effect on the course of acute bronchitis. This was an analysis of several studies, once again showing that antibiotics are not needed for acute bronchitis. Not to mention the harmful effects of destroying off the body’s normal protective flora. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11034678

James Bogash, D.C. Mesa, AZ
info@lifecarechiropractic.com
www.lifecarechiropractic.com

 

YOUR KIDS GET VITAMIN D…BUT ARE YOU ADDING THIS?

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I’m not going to drill the point home about taking vitamin D and how we should also be sharing this vitamin with our kids. If you haven’t picked this little gem up yet, you’re obviously not going to. But did you know that vitamin D plays very closely with another vitamin?

Both vitamin D and vitamin A are needed to bind together on the nuclear receptors of our cells’ DNA. Without enough of one or the other we may experience a relative deficiency. This is why combining supplementation of vitamin D with vitamin A is a very good idea, although not normally recommended.

One of the strong benefits of vitamin A is on immune function, and studies have clearly shown that supplementation can improve immune status, especially in children, and usually in third world countries. This article takes this much further and looks at the risk of morbidity and mortality and vitamin A supplementation.

They found an overall reduction of about 25% in a child’s risk of dying from any cause with vitamin A supplementation. This is far superior to what most vaccines deliver, and indeed, the risk of measles deaths also went down in the studies.

Interestingly, the researchers looked at how the supplementation was given. Either a single dose of 100,000 IU for (ages 6-11 months) / 200,000 IU (1-5 years), doses given every 4-6 months, or smaller more frequent doses.

They were all effective, but there was some indication that the more frequent doses may have been more protective. Based on this, it would seem that giving vitamin A along with the vitamin D you and your family are already taking is a smart idea. In line with this study, a dosage of around 10,000 IU would be recommended.

KIDS NOT EATING ENOUGH VEGGIES?

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I’m not really sure how to take this study. Certainly the health benefits of eating more vegetables in our children are extensive and a good thing. But the mechanism the authors used in this study…

Basically, pureed vegetables were mixed into the entrees of 3-5 yr old children. The end result was that the children’s vegetable intake quadrupled while the kids did not notice any difference in the foods. This also did not keep the children from eating the vegetables that were included as a side dish.

Ok…so where’s the problem? Certainly the short term benefits of increased vegetable intake are indisputable, And what parent wouldn’t like to sneak an extra serving or two of veggies into every meal?

But what happens when that child gets older? Does this behavior translate into lifelong increased fruit and vegetable intake? Likely not. It does not teach children to go out of their way to eat more fruits and vegetables, but rather tricks the child into having more veggies. This is not a behavioral change, although the body likely won’t know the difference.

It is also not going to affect the parent’s behaviors, which is where the true lifestyle habits of the children are created. Why not start with healthier entrees in the first place so we don’t need to dress them up with additional vegetables? I hear parents say all too often that their children are picky eaters. This is usually a perception problem.

As a parent, do you try to offer your child new foods knowing that they will like the food? Or, deep in the back of their minds do they really think there is no way the child will eat that broccoli?

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