LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

Healthy Kids

THESE 2 COMMON CHILDHOOD SURGERIES INCREASE RISK OF DEATH YEARS LATER

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Were do I even begin on this one? There is no doubt that far too many surgeries done in today’s day and age are done without using appropriate conservative methods first. Far more are done without thought to the long term ramifications produced by the removal or alteration of our bodies.

The examples are endless. Overuse of orthopedic surgeries when conservative management such as chiropractic care are well documented to drastically lower the need for surgery. Surgery to remove the gallbladder has been shown to be largely unnecessary in upwards of 70% of cases. Long term outcomes of back surgery may be no better than conservative care. Removal of the gallbladder increases the risk of chronic diarrhea, colorectal cancer and fat soluble vitamin deficiencies.

And this study? Removal of the tonsils and / or removal of the appendix before the age of 20 leads to an increased risk of total mortality, cardiovascular death.  And these events were occuring very young–up to 43 years of age.

While the risk increase in relative percentage was large, the absolute risk was not that great because the risk of these events in this younger population overall is low, it is still an increased risk for surgical procedures that have other alternatives.

For the tonsillectomies, the restoration of healthy bacteria in the back of the throat using probiotics, the avoidance of antibiotics, gargling during flare ups with salt water and avoidance of foods known to thicken up the mucous in the throat (such as dairy) can go a long way towards making sure infections do not recur.

Appendicitis does carry a rather heavy risk of death if it ruptures, so this is not the time to think non-surgical. However, long before an acute episode there is disruption of the normal flora in the gut through stress, antibiotic use and a typical Western diet low in soluble and insoluble fiber. With these approaches, the risk of appendicitis will be lower.

Overall, though, this again suggests that alterations in both the way our immune system works (both organs play a role in immune function) as well as the balance of good bacteria in our bodies (both surgeries were likely preceded and followed up by antibiotic use) play a role in inflammation and our subsequent risk of chronic disease.

Bottom line, especially for our children, is to avoid these procedures at all costs and make sure that they have been exposed to healthy bacteria to help them reduce their risk of infections in the first place.

http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/05/27/eurheartj.ehr137.abstract

INFANTS, PETS AND ALLERGIES–A GOOD COMBO

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Our ancestors were continually exposed to all kinds of infectious agents. Bacteria, viruses, dirt. You name it. There was no antibacterial hand lotion. No running water. No sani-wipes. Interestingly, as we have continued to live in a more and more sterile environment, under the mistaken idea that it is good for us, rates of atopic disorders like allergies and asthma have gone up. Why?

Our immune system needs to be trained. Just like our muscles it needs to be worked out. Especially as we are just starting out in this world as newborns and infants. The term is immunotolerance. The ability of our immune system to respond to what it is supposed to respond to and not respond to stuff it’s not (which also includes our own tissues).

Arguably the most critically time in our lives is up until about 2 years of age. After this point the immune system is a little more set in its ways. Thus, the exposure to healthy bacterial flora in the gut from vaginal birth, from nursing, from avoiding antibiotics to avoiding overuse of vaccination, contributes to the healthy development of our immune system.  Also, I strongly promote the use of locally grown (must be local!!) honey to expose the developing immune system to local pollens, protecting against allergies much the same way pets do in this study.  Of course, just to be safe, avoid the use of honey in  infants under a year to avoid the low, but potential risk of botulism.

With all of these factors in mind, it should come as no surprise that this current study finds that exposure to cats or dogs in our first year of life cuts risk of being allergic to either dogs or cats by a whopping 50%. Interestingly, the protection was even greater (67% lower risk, if the child was born via C-section. Makes you want to go “Hmmm….”

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03747.x/abstract

DO WE REALLY NEED ANOTHER VACCINE FOR OUR INFANTS?

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Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of childhood diarrhea here in the US. While most infants and children fight off the infection without difficulty, there is no question that this infection can be deadly due to the dehydration that occurs. In third world countries, the mortality rates can be much higher. As a result, there remains a strong desire to produce an effective vaccine that will lower the risk of infection. The most recent one that was available here in the US (Rotashield) was pulled off the market due to an increased risk of fatal intussusecption, a condition where the intestine telescope in on itself.. Generally not a good thing for a condition here in the US that does not usually result in death.

We’re back at it again. One could make a good argument that, in third world countries, the push to find a new vaccine in light of the vaccine’s history is a worthy effort. However, much like everything else that occurs when money is involved, the altruism stops when profit is involved.

There has been a strong push to make the rotavirus vaccine mandatory here in the US as well for our infants. Keep in mind that prior vaccination for this condition were pulled off the market because children were dying as a result of the vaccination. A vaccine for a condition that is typically self limiting so long as the child stays well hydrated. Here’s an even more important aspect.

Probiotic supplementation has been shown to lower both the incidence and severity of rotatvirus infections. This means that use of antibiotics, C-sections and not nursing will conversely, increase the risk and severity of the infection.

So, rather than promote the presence of healthy bacteria in the gut of our newborns and infants (which we are still not doing in mainstream medicine despite >100 years of published research on their benefit—talk about slow learners!!), we are adding rotavirus vaccination to the continual lengthening list of childhood vaccinations.

Bottom line is to avoid C-sections whenever possible, promote nursing to at last 6 months and probiotic supplementation for both the mom and the infant. These aspects will go a long way towards improving outcomes and risk of rotavirus infections far greater than any vaccination.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02409.x/abstract

WANT A HEALTHY PREGNANCY? DO THIS FIRST…

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This is not the first time I’ve mentioned just how critically important the in-utero environment is in programming that child’s health for the next FIFTY years.  If you want to ensure a healthy pregnancy and give your newborn baby the best odds to live a healthy life, you need to begin before pregnancy.

The studies confirming that preprogramming for obesity and diabetes begins in the womb continue to accrue.  This is little doubt left that this is true.  We no know that the second a woman is pregnant, her decisions affect her newborn’s health.  But what about decisions before pregnancy?

Turns out this is just as critically important.  Elevated cardiovascular risk, as evidence by elevated triglycerides (notice we did not say elevated total cholesterol), before conception led to a 60% higher risk of having a baby being born preterm.  Being born preterm increases that baby’s risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.  That baby, with elevated cardiovascular risk, will likely be raised by the mother who never learned to live for her genetics (as evidenced by the elevated triglycerides).

Here’s the rub.  The most common cause of infertility in the US today is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).  This IS insulin resistance.  It is a lifestyle problem.  Without fixing the prediabetic lifestyle, you will not fix the PCOS.  I have had too many patients over the years who spent tens of thousands of dollars, but no one ever addressed lifestyle, which is the key reason they need the fertility treatment!

By not fixing the lifestyle and forcing a woman’s body into pregnancy when it’s not ready, you are, without a doubt, increasing the risk that a successful pregnancy will put the newborn baby at increased risk for the rest of their lives for chronic diseases.  Seems like very short term thinking to just throw some Clomid at the problem..

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002937811001797

ARE ANTIBIOTICS NEEDED WITH ASTHMA?

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There is a perceived fear that someone with asthma, especially a child, will develop a secondary infection that will turn into pneumonia.  Because of this, the parental expectation and physician actions lead to a massive overprescribing of antibiotics for children with asthma.  The long term devastation to our childrens’ health as a result of this behavior is significant.

Sort of ironic that antibiotics and the destruction of normal flora in the gut are associated with the development of asthma in the first place.  Asthma is a Th2 dominated immune state.  I call it overdevelopment of the “guard dogs” of our immune system.  The presence of healthy normal flora in the gut strengthens the Th1 systems, which I refer to as the immune system’s “attack dogs.”  Destruction of the bacteria that are supposed to be there weakens Th1.  So, weakening of the attack dogs (antibiotics, poor quality diets, no breastfeeding, C-section) coupled with overdevelopment of the guard dogs (vaccinations) leads to conditions like asthma.

The bottom line is that the greatest concern with antibiotics is NOT the development of antibiotic resistant superbugs (although that is a little scary), but rather the complete disruption of immune function that occurs when our healthy bacteria are destroyed.  Any use of antibiotics when they are not absolutely essential is a bad thing.  The best we can do if we do overuse is make sure we replace the destroyed flora with probiotics.

Also, in regards to the asthmatic kids, try getting them off of hydrogenated oils, refined carbs and artificial colors / sweeteners.  You may be surprised at how well they do.

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/6/1022.abstract

ANOTHER GREAT TOOL TO GET KIDS TO EAT BETTER

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Society certainly does not promote healthy eating.  But it does not make it impossible–it just has to be a deliberate action plan.  Getting our kids to eat healthier is NOT difficult–we just think it is.

As I’ve mentioned, it first starts with you, the parent.  You need to eat healthier.  No attempts to get your kids to eat healthier will work if you are not the example.  It has also been shown that making eating healthier foods fun will help.  That means not sticking the broccoli in little Johnny’s face saying he needs to eat it because it’s good for him.  It means making it into an adventure to eat the healthier foods.  It also means not having the unhealthy foods as an option.  Few children in the US will starve in a single day if they don’t have Oscar Meyer hotdogs available at every meal.

This particular study looks at the value of shared family meals on children’s risk of obesity and eating healthier foods and finds that at least 3 shared meals per week drastically improved the child’s eating habits and risk of obesity.  What a novel concept!

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/6/e1565.abstract

VACCINES–PANACEA OR KILLING OUR INFANTS?

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Vaccines remain a very hot topic.  On one side we have public health, pediatricians and school officials making parents feel inadequate at best and abusive at worst for failing to follow recommended schedules.  The other side contends that vaccines cause death and autism and should be avoided at all costs.

This article takes the bird’s eye view on countries with the highest infant vaccination rates and infant mortality.  The results aren’t favorable.  But more on this later…

From the public health side, there are valid arguments that vaccination has been partly responsible for declining rates of diseases like polio and smallpox.  Good arguments also support general increases in hygiene and sanitation as helping the situation (and indeed–death rates from third world countries remain high for diseases that are largely non-existant here in the US anymore).  “Experts” state that we forget the times when childhood diseases were killing off and disabling children.

Let’s look at the concept of vaccination from a bird’s eye view.  We are attempting to thwart Mother Nature by eradicating communicable diseases.  Just the mere thought that we can do this suggests an arrogance that has no place in medicine.  Evidence exists that she reminds us of her power from time to time.  The Prevnar-7 pneumococcal vaccine protected against 7 strains of the bacteria.  Fast forward several years and we certainly saw a decrease in these 7 strains.  But, there was an increase in other strains and the infections were more severe.  But riding in on a white horse was Prevnar-14, so bring in all your children for MORE vaccinations.  Expect the same with Gardasil.

There is no doubt in anyone with common sense that we have taken things too far.  The idea that we can and need to eradicate things like chicken pox, measles, rotavirus or influenza is ludicrous at best, harmful at worst.  I think that the assult on the immune system, the amount of mercury our kids are exposed to and the complete absence of recommendations to support immune function to lower the risk and impact of childhood diseases is abhorable.

To me, the biggest concern is one that is rarely addressed.  There is a very clear cut shift in the immune system (from Th-1 to a Th-2 cytokine profile) towards allergies and asthma with vaccination.  Couple this with antibiotic use and destruction of normal flora and you’ve got a recipe for immune dysfunction.  Asthma, allergies, skin problems, gut problems (to include scary things like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis) and certainly inflamed nervous systems are the cost.  We are trading childhood diseases for long term chronic diseases.  Talk about making money for the drug companies!  They are making money on both ends of the spectrum.

Then we see studies like this one, finding a link between high vaccination rates and infant mortality rates.  This alone does not prove causality, but when there are mechanisms in place that can lead to this outcome (increased atopy, asthma, autoimmune conditions, secondary infections, etc..) one has to question the wisdom of continuing to increase the barrage of vaccinations our little ones get.

Make your own decisions.  NEVER let a pediatrician or school official bully you into doing something that you do not feel is right for your child.  Keep in mind that most states have some type of exemption available.  However, here in AZ, if there is an outbreak of measles in the school and your child is not vaccinated you will have pull your child out of school.  Good thing this has NEVER happened!

And take every single vaccination into account.  Hep B in a newborn?  Is someone in the family that will be in contact with the child Hep B positive?  Will the child be doing IV drugs or unprotected sex anytime soon?  No?  Then get a GOOD explaination why he or she should be given a vaccination that will begin to wane by 10 years of age.

http://het.sagepub.com/content/early/2011/05/04/0960327111407644

BUT MY KIDS WON’T EAT VEGETABLES…

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My usual response to this is that the parent is likely not eating the vegetables that they want the child to eat, or, more often, the parent does not expect the child to enjoy the presented “healthy” food.  This article may provide some insight.


Researchers conducted a small focus group of 7-9 yr old children and gathered some interesting data.  First, presenting fruits and veggies as “good for you” or “healthy” was not the most effective tool to increase intake.  Yet I think this is the approach many parents take. 


It was found that pleasurable experiences and fun activities surrounding the intake of fruits and veggies were associated with increased likelihood of intake.  Associate healthy foods with time spent with your children, picnics or any other fun association you can make.  Keegan has always found it funny to steal food off of my plate, trying to get me to look away so he could swipe an olive, artichoke, grape or piece of fruit.  It was a game to him.  Healthier foods were never promoted as being healthy–rather, I’ve always stressed that we don’t eat foods that are high in “chemicals.”


As always, this starts with the parents.  Diet, stress levels and physical activity are all passed on to our children, whether we do so willingly or not.  Make no mistake–if you eat poorly, there is NO way your children will.  If you don’t make exercise a priority, your children will not understand.  If you stress, no matter how much you THINK you are hiding it from your children, they will pick up those signals and forever alter the way they deal with life’s problems.


http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-277X.2011.01175_20.x/abstract