LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

gut

WHAT ROLE DOES BACTERIA PLAY ON OUR GUT? – (08-13-07)

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Mechanisms underlying the resistance to diet-induced obesity in germ-free mice

Many researchers consider the bacteria in our gut as another organ system given the magnitude of effects these bacteria have on our systems as a whole. Detoxification, protection, conversion of compounds to active forms, formation of Vit B12, the list is endless.

This article brings to light the concept that the bacteria in our gut may also play a role in weight balance, both for good and for bad. Maybe some day in the future the focus on antibiotic overuse will not be on antibiotic resistance, but rather how destroying the bacteria that are supposed to be there wreaks havoc on our balance.

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BENEFITS OF THE USE OF PROBIOTICS – (07-09-07)

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Daily Intake of Heat-Killed L. plantarum L-137 Augments Acquired Immunity in Health Adults

The benefits of probiotics are derived not only from their living functions, but from their ability to modulate our immune system beginning from the gut. A large chunk of the control of our immune system starts in the gut (as much as 2/3 depending on who you talk to) and this then sends out the signal to the rest of our immune system.

It’s one of the reasons why persons w/ celiac disease (allergy to gluten in grains) have a higher overall mortality rate if they continue to eat gluten. This activates the immune system, leading to an overall increase in systemic inflammation. Systemic inflammation slows beats up our bodies, increasing the risk of chronic diseases.

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IS IT POSSIBLE THAT DRUGS THAT PROTECT YOUR BONES MAKE THEM WEAKER?

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IS IT POSSIBLE THAT DRUGS TO PROTECT YOUR BONES MAY THEM WEAKER?  If you understand the dynamic process of bone, you will know the answer to this is yes.  Our bones are constantly remodeling based upon stresses placed upon them (Wolfe’s law), and this requires bone breakdown (to clean out the old stuff) and replace with new bone.

A typical vertebral body may have hundreds of microfractures as a normal process.  So what happens when you use a drug like Fosomax or Boniva to stop the breakdown of bone?  These drugs do NOT add bone, they just stop the breakdown.  There is mounting evidence that fracture rate drops for a few years, but after that the rates go up.  Patients also begin to experience fractures in unusual areas.

The problem is that most doctors will keep patients on these drugs for years and years, even AFTER their bone density have improved.  Worse, we are using these drugs for patients with osteopenia, for which there is NO evidence for their use.  That means it is likely that these patients will be on the drugs for even longer.

Even more scary is the strong links between bone health, the gut and weight–yes, bone plays a role in our weight.  Want to improve bone health?  Exercise, healthy fats, Vit D and a plant based diet.  Also, I strongly encourage anyone in their 20’s, 30’s or 40’s to have their bone density checked.  Don’t wait until the crisis stage.  We do bone density testing every few months in our office and I encourage everyone to get tested.