LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

psychological health

Psychological state and level of activity of extrinsic gut innervation – (07-19-01)

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Psychological state and level of activity of extrinsic gut innervation

This article suggests a link between psychological health and the function of the GI tract. While this is no big shocker, it does remind us once again that true wellness also includes our psychological and emotional well being. Many times we focus on the obvious stuff like diet and exercise and forget about the rest of wellness. As an aside, exercise does have a major impact on overall mood and emotional health…

Gut — Abstracts: Emmanuel et al. 49 (2): 209

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Biofeedback and improved gut transit and autonomic innervation

Ditto. Gut — Abstracts: Emmanuel and Kamm 49 (2): 214

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Children, behavioural problems and lead – (10-01-01)

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Children, behavioral problems and lead

This article finds an association with lead and behavioral problems in children. Once again we see a link between environmental factors and psychological health in children, and yet the concept of making changes in the child’s environment as a portion of therapy is foreign to many clinicians. Avoiding processed foods with no intake of preservatives, artificial coloring or flavors is a key to beginning to address these problems. The child with ADD does not have a Ritalin deficiency–they have a biochemical imbalance somewhere that may be able to be fixed with non-pharmacological means.

eADC — Abstracts: Lewendon et al. 85 (4): 286

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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.