DrDaneChiro

Regular NSAID Use Linked to Erectile Dysfunction

2011-03-07T16:04:00.000-05:00

The following message was found on Medscape - link provided below.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/738497?sssdmh=dm1.670799&src=nldne

J Urology. Published online February 21, 2011. Abstract

Regular NSAID Use Linked to Erectile Dysfunction

Laurie Barclay, MD
Authors and Disclosures

Review Updated Criteria March 7, 2011 — Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with erectile dysfunction (ED), according to the results of a prospective cohort study reported online February 21 and in the April print issue of the Journal of Urology.

"This study is a great example of how we work to understand the safety and effectiveness of what we recommend for our patients," said senior author Steven J. Jacobsen, MD, PhD, an epidemiologist and director of research for Kaiser Permanente Southern California in San Diego, in a news release.

"We went into this study thinking we would find the opposite effect: that NSAIDs would have a protective effect because they protect against heart disease, which is also linked to ED. The next step is to dive a bit deeper to understand the underlying physiology of what might be happening with these drugs."

Beginning in 2002, the California Men's Health Study enrolled a large, ethnically diverse cohort of male members of the Kaiser Permanente managed care plans who were 45 to 69 years old. A questionnaire evaluated ED, and automated pharmacy data and self-reported use allowed evaluation of NSAID exposure.

NSAID use was present in 47.4% of the 80,966 participants, and moderate or severe ED was reported in 29.3%. NSAID use and ED correlated strongly with age. Regular NSAID use increased from 34.5% in men aged 45 to 49 years to 54.7% in men aged 60 to 69 years, and ED increased from 13% to 42% in these age groups.

Without adjustment for potentially confounding variables, the odds ratio (OR) for the association of NSAIDs and ED was 2.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.27 - 2.53). A positive association persisted after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, and body mass index (adjusted OR, 1.38). A positive association also was evident when a stricter definition of NSAID exposure was used.

"There are many proven benefits of non steroidals in preventing heart disease and for other conditions," Dr. Jacobsen said. "People shouldn't stop taking them based on this observational study. However, if a man is taking this class of drugs and has ED, it's worth a discussion with his doctor."

Limitations of this study include cross-sectional design, potential participation bias, and low original participation rate.

"These data suggest that regular NSAID use is associated with ED even after extensive adjustment for age and potentially confounding factors or comorbidities," the study authors write.

"While this raises the question of the role of inflammation and COX [cyclooxygenase] pathways in ED etiology, we cannot exclude alternative explanations. However, if this is a direct relationship, the current strategy of using NSAIDs for cardiovascular disease protection as well as other common uses of NSAIDs should be weighed against the potential side effects of ED. Studies are needed to elucidate this association in more detail."

The California Cancer Research Program and Kaiser Foundation Community Benefit Program supported this study. Some of the study authors have disclosed various financial and/or other relationships with Takada, GlaxoSmithKline, Kaiser Permanente, and/or Merck.

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autistic features

2011-02-25T12:40:00.000-05:00

From :
Psychiatry Res. 2011 Jan 30;185(1-2):225-31. Epub 2010 May 23.

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autistic features: EEG evidence for comorbid disorders.

Clarke AR, Barry RJ, Irving AM, McCarthy R, Selikowitz M.

Brain & Behaviour Research Institute and School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia. adam_clarke@uow.edu.au

Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) is the most common psychiatric disorder of childhood, although AD/HD is rarely the only diagnosis given to these children. Within the literature there is some debate as to whether it is valid to diagnose AD/HD with autism as a comorbid disorder, since the present diagnostic systems exclude the diagnosis of both disorders in the same child. The aim of this study was to determine whether electroencephalography (EEG) differences exist between two groups of children diagnosed with AD/HD, one scoring high (AD/HD+) and one scoring low (AD/HD-) on a measure of autism. The EEG was recorded during an eyes-closed resting condition from 19 electrodes, and Fourier transformed to provide absolute and relative power estimates in delta, theta, alpha and beta bands. Compared to age- and sex-matched controls, the AD/HD- group had increased absolute power in all frequency bands, somewhat higher relative theta activity and decreased relative delta. In comparison to the AD/HD- group, patients with autistic features (AD/HD+) had a number of qualitative differences in the beta and theta bands. These results indicate the presence of two comorbid conditions in the AD/HD+ group, which suggests that AD/HD and autism can occur in the same individual.

Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of a restricted elimination diet on the behaviour of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

2011-02-23T08:19:00.000-05:00

Effects of a restricted elimination diet on the behaviour of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (INCA study): a randomised controlled trial

The Lancet, Volume 377, Issue 9764, Pages 494-503

Lidy M. Pelsser, Klaas. Frankena, Jan. Toorman, Huub F. Savelkoul, Anthony E. Dubois, Rob Rodrigues. Pereira, Ton A. Haagen, Nanda N. Rommelse, Jan K. Buitelaar

Original Text

Dr Lidy M Pelsser MSc a , Klaas Frankena PhD b, Jan Toorman MD c, Prof Huub F Savelkoul PhD b, Prof Anthony E Dubois MD d, Rob Rodrigues Pereira MD e, Ton A Haagen MD f, Nanda N Rommelse PhD g, Prof Jan K Buitelaar MD g

Summary

Background

The effects of a restricted elimination diet in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have mainly been investigated in selected subgroups of patients. We aimed to investigate whether there is a connection between diet and behaviour in an unselected group of children.

Methods

The Impact of Nutrition on Children with ADHD (INCA) study was a randomised controlled trial that consisted of an open-label phase with masked measurements followed by a double-blind crossover phase. Patients in the Netherlands and Belgium were enrolled via announcements in medical health centres and through media announcements. Randomisation in both phases was individually done by random sampling. In the open-label phase (first phase), children aged 4—8 years who were diagnosed with ADHD were randomly assigned to 5 weeks of a restricted elimination diet (diet group) or to instructions for a healthy diet (control group). Thereafter, the clinical responders (those with an improvement of at least 40% on the ADHD rating scale [ARS]) from the diet group proceeded with a 4-week double-blind crossover food challenge phase (second phase), in which high-IgG or low-IgG foods (classified on the basis of every child's individual IgG blood test results) were added to the diet. During the first phase, only the assessing paediatrician was masked to group allocation. During the second phase (challenge phase), all persons involved were masked to challenge allocation. Primary endpoints were the change in ARS score between baseline and the end of the first phase (masked paediatrician) and between the end of the first phase and the second phase (double-blind), and the abbreviated Conners' scale (ACS) score (unmasked) between the same timepoints. Secondary endpoints included food-specific IgG levels at baseline related to the behaviour of the diet group responders after IgG-based food challenges. The primary analyses were intention to treat for the first phase and per protocol for the second phase. INCA is registered as an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial, number ISRCTN 76063113.

Findings

Between Nov 4, 2008, and Sept 29, 2009, 100 children were enrolled and randomly assigned to the control group (n=50) or the diet group (n=50). Between baseline and the end of the first phase, the difference between the diet group and the control group in the mean ARS total score was 23·7 (95% CI 18·6—28·8; p<0·0001) according to the masked ratings. The difference between groups in the mean ACS score between the same timepoints was 11·8 (95% CI 9·2—14·5; p<0·0001). The ARS total score increased in clinical responders after the challenge by 20·8 (95% CI 14·3—27·3; p<0·0001) and the ACS score increased by 11·6 (7·7—15·4; p<0·0001). In the challenge phase, after challenges with either high-IgG or low-IgG foods, relapse of ADHD symptoms occurred in 19 of 30 (63%) children, independent of the IgG blood levels. There were no harms or adverse events reported in both phases.

Interpretation

A strictly supervised restricted elimination diet is a valuable instrument to assess whether ADHD is induced by food. The prescription of diets on the basis of IgG blood tests should be discouraged.

Funding

Foundation of Child and Behaviour, Foundation Nuts Ohra, Foundation for Children's Welfare Stamps Netherlands, and the KF Hein Foundation.

A Comprehensive Study of Whole-Brain Functional Connectivity in Children and Young Adults

2011-02-16T08:42:00.000-05:00

Current research further confirms the idea of "Functional Connection" within the brain. This is why our functional appraoch to the treatment of Childhood Developmental Disorders such as ADD, ADHD, and ASD is specifically designed to correct for "Functional Dysconnections" between the right and left hemispheres.

If you or someone you know has a child with ADD, ADHD, or ASD, or if you suspect your child has one of these conditions, please call the office (919) 562-5355 or visit my website http://www.drdanechiro.com/ to schedule a consultation. Be looking in the News & Observer North Raleigh Community Paper for a schedule of our Free Workshops.

Abstract (http://cercor.oxfordjournals.org/content/21/2/385.abstract)

Over the past decade, examination of functional connectivity using functional magnetic resonance imaging has become an important tool to investigate functional changes in patient populations, healthy aging, and recently also child development. Most prior developmental studies focused on functional connectivity between brain regions important for cognitive or emotional control and the so-called “default-mode network.” In the present study, we investigated whole-brain functional connectivity in children (11–13 years; N = 19) and young adults (19–25 years; N = 29), without a priori restrictions to specific regions. We found similar patterns of functionally connected regions in children and young adults, but there were differences in the size of functionally connected regions (i.e., the number of voxels), as well as in the strength of functional connectivity (i.e., the correlation value) between brain regions. This indicates that functional connectivity continues to change during adolescence. Developmental differences were found across the whole brain, but the effects differed for functional connectivity patterns associated with higher cognitive or emotional functions and functional connectivity patterns associated with basic visual and sensorimotor functions. Finally, we showed that the majority of functional connectivity differences could not be explained on the basis of gray matter density alone.

Dietsje D. Jolles1,2,3, Mark A. van Buchem1,3, Eveline A. Crone1,2 and Serge A.R.B. Rombouts1,2,3
+ Author Affiliations

1. Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands

2. Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, 2333 AK Leiden, the Netherlands

3. Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands

Address correspondence to Dietsje Jolles, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Postzone C2-S, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands. Email: d.d.jolles@lumc.nl.

The presence of common GI symptoms in non-Celiac patients confirms other mechanisms besides Celiac Disease.

2011-01-20T17:36:00.000-05:00

American Journal of Gastroenterology Validates non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity

The presence of common GI symptoms in non-Celiac patients confirms other mechanisms besides Celiac Disease.

January 18, 2011

Phoenix, Arizona______ The American Journal of Gastroenterology’s January 11, 2011 issue published the report of a highest-standards-in-research study (double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled rechallenge trial) in patients diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome who claim considerable improvement in gut symptoms with the institution of a gluten-free diet. The study had a specific goal according to the authors “The aims of this study were to examine the hypotheses that gluten can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in patients without celiac disease and to preliminary screen for potential mechanisms of whether gluten does so by causing intestinal injury and / or inflammation in such subjects.”

The Authors acknowledged “Gluten intolerance in individuals without celiac disease is a controversial issue and has recently been described as the “no man’s land of gluten sensitivity.” In this study, patients with irritable bowel syndrome in whom celiac disease was excluded and who were symptomatically controlled on a gluten-free diet received either gluten or placebo in the form of two bread slices plus one muffin per day with a gluten-free diet for up to 6 weeks. Symptoms were evaluated using a visual analog scale and markers of intestinal inflammation, injury, and immune activation were monitored. The Authors concluded that in some individuals ‘Non-celiac gluten intolerance’ may exist.”

Am J Gastroenterol. 2011 Jan 11

Autistic Mannerisms Reduced By Sensory Treatment

2010-09-29T08:42:00.000-04:00

Autistic Mannerisms Reduced By Sensory Treatment

The brain is so very complex! In children with developmental disorders, whether ASD, AD/HD, Dylexia or other learning disabilites, paramount to effective treatment is identifying which hemisphere of the brain is not maturing as fast as the other hemisphere. When one side of the brain is immature as compared wiht the other, sensory issues arise.

Functional neurology seeks to identify the weaknesses associated with a brain that is not maturing normally and then provides the specific stimulation to prompt development. The brain is very plastic, meaning it is changeable. Functional healthcare services for childhood developmental disorders are available at our office!

Visit us on the web at http://www.drdanechiro.com/

2010-08-18T10:50:00.000-04:00

From the August 2010 Scientific American Magazine

How Acquired Diseases Become Hereditary Illnesses:

New understanding of epigenetics, or the molecular processes that control genes, show how it underlies hereditary forms of obesity and cancer.
By JR Minkel

One of the primary goals of genetics over the past decade has been to understand human health and disease in terms of differences in DNA from person to person. But even a relatively straightforward trait such as height has resisted attempts to reduce it to a particular combination of genes. In light of this shortcoming, some investigators see room for an increased focus on an alternative explanation for heritable traits: epigenetics, the molecular processes that control a gene’s potential to act. Evidence now suggests that epigenetics can lead to inherited forms of obesity and cancer.

The best-studied form of epigenetic regulation is methylation, the addition of clusters of atoms made of carbon and hydrogen (methyl groups) to DNA. Depending on where they are placed, methyl groups direct the cell to ignore any genes present in a stretch of DNA. During embryonic development, undifferentiated stem cells accumulate methyl groups and other epigenetic marks that funnel them into one of the three germ layers, each of which gives rise to a different set of adult tissues. In 2008 the National Institutes of Health launched the $190-million Roadmap Epigenomics Project with the goal of cataloguing the epigenetic marks in the major human cell types and tissues. The first results could come out later this year and confirm that different laboratories can get the same results from the same cells, says Arthur L. Beaudet of the Baylor College of Medicine, the project’s data hub. “One couldn’t automatically assume it would be so nice,” he says.

Up to this point, the best way to study epigenetic effects has been a strain of mice known as agouti viable yellow. In these mice, a retro¬transposon—a bit of mobile DNA—has inserted itself in a gene that controls fur color. Mice bearing the identical gene can be yellow or brown depending on the number of methyl groups along the retrotransposon. Such methylation marks would normally be erased in the reproductive cells of an animal. But in 1999 a group led by geneticists at the University of Sydney in Australia discovered that methylation of the fur color genes persists in the female germ line, allowing it to be passed down to offspring like a change in the DNA.

Agouti viable yellow mice might have something to say about the human obesity epidemic. The animals have a tendency to overeat and become obese. In 2008 Robert A. Waterland, also at Baylor, discovered that this trait gets passed down and amplified from one generation of agouti to the next, so that “fatter mothers have fatter offspring,” he says. He is investigating whether the effect can be explained in terms of methylation patterns in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates appetite.

Retrotransposons could lead to other epigenetic effects. In the early 2000s geneticist David Martin of Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute in California reasoned that the silencing mechanism that keeps retrotransposons inactive might randomly shut down genes that are supposed to be left on. If the silencing occurred in a gene responsible for suppressing tumor formation, the result would appear the same as genetic mutations that predispose people to cancer.

Working with colleagues at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, Martin identified two individuals who had the characteristics of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, which is usually caused by a mutation that inactivates one of a person’s two copies of the tumor suppressor gene MLH1, but who showed no signs of mutation. Instead the MLH1 of both was methylated in cells of the blood, hair follicles and inner cheek—all derived from different embryonic layers.

In Martin’s view, the result strongly suggested that the patients had inherited the silenced gene from one of their parents, like the case with agouti mice. Although some researchers have suggested that a genetic mutation in the fertilized egg cell could be responsible for the methylation pattern, Martin says the simplest explanation is an inherited epimutation. “Nobody has been able to explain why these things aren’t actually germ-line epimutations,” he says.

If epimutations can happen, the same effect should turn up in other genes. Martin’s colleague Catherine Suter of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Sydney is studying whether melanoma patients have epimutations in genes associated with the cancer. It is also conceivable that epimutations could play a role in some cases of autism, Beaudet says.
Researchers agree they are just scratching the surface of understanding the role of epigenetics in health and disease. The NIH Roadmap Project should help by allowing them to compare models of disease with reference samples. In effect, “we’re trying to figure out how we work,” says epigenetics researcher Randy Jirtle of Duke University. “It’s an amazingly huge project, and it’ll never go away.”

From the Desk of Dr. Dane

2010-03-02T12:14:00.002-05:00

Over the past decade we have seen an alarming increase in the number of children being diagnosed with developmental disorders, such as autism, Asperger’s syndrome, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and other various conditions that involve socialization skills. Current studies suggest that 1 in 150 children will be diagnosed with autism, whereas just ten years ago only 1 in 10,000 children were diagnosed as autistic.

This dramatic increase in the number of children being diagnosed with what used to be considered a rare condition gives me great pause. My questions have included:
why the increase, what are the environmental factors that are contributing to this sharp rise, what can I do to more effectively help children affected with developmental disorders, moreover, what can I do to help whole families find hope for what seems like a hopeless situation?

So, here is my plan of action: Over the next 3 years I will be completing 350+ hours of course work that will enable me to be credentialed as a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board (DACNB). Additionally, over the next 11 months, I will be completing 150 hour program of specialty training in Childhood Developmental Disorders which fulfills the academic and practical curriculum for Board Certification in CDD specifically for childhood developmental disorders. Accreditation for this certification is through the American College of Functional Neurology (ACFN).

500+ hours of course work ahead of me is definitely a mountain, but having already read one of the required books; I am extremely excited and anxious to begin these classes! I am going to be studying with and under some of the top chiropractors in North America; the cross-pollination will be extremely beneficial. I am looking forward to better serve you and your families.

In health,
Dr. Darcy Dane, DC

Mercury in Tuna

2010-02-22T19:57:00.000-05:00

The following is a complete copy of "The Daily Health News" published by Vitacost.com.

Tests Show Top Tuna Brands Have High Mercury Levels
White typically has greater levels of the toxin than light, researchers say

(HealthDay News) -- Tests on more than 300 samples of canned tuna from the top three brands in the United States revealed that more than half contained mercury levels above what's considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Researchers from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), found that 55 percent of the samples had mercury levels higher than the EPA standard of 0.5 parts per million (ppm) and 5 percent had levels higher than the 1.0 ppm safety level set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for commercially sold fish.

The health effects of mercury poisoning include central nervous system damage, hearing loss and vision problems.

"Canned tuna accounts for up to a quarter of the nation's seafood consumption and creates some significant regulatory challenges," study author Shawn Gerstenberger, an environmental and occupational health professor, said in a UNLV news release. "With pregnant women and children the most susceptible to mercury poisoning -- yet also among the top consumers of canned tuna -- federal agencies need to urge distributors to expressly state mercury levels in their products."

The researchers found significant differences in mercury concentration by type (white and light) and brand. One brand had consistently elevated mercury levels, and white tuna from all three brands had the highest concentrations of mercury. White tuna comes from albacore, a different species of fish than "light" tuna.

"Mercury concentration in fish has a lot to do with the environment they're in, but since the locations of where the fish are harvested are not made available to consumers, it is very difficult to positively identify and reduce the source of the exposure," Gerstenberger said.

The researchers said federal regulators should require canned tuna producers to provide detailed information to consumers about the mercury content of each product and to disclose tuna harvest locations. In addition, the EPA and FDA need to have similar tuna consumption guidelines to lessen consumer confusion.

The study is published in the February issue of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry.

Many states have adopted EPA guidelines on tuna consumption, which suggest an average child consume only one can of tuna roughly every two weeks to ensure an acceptable level of mercury exposure.

More information

The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has more about the health effects of mercury.
-- Robert Preidt

SOURCE: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, news release, Jan. 31, 2010

The Weight Loss Equation

2010-02-19T14:47:00.000-05:00

Eat Less, Exercise More
The Equation for Healthy Weight Loss
by
Dr. Darcy D. Dane, DC
www.DrDaneChiro.com

Have you ever wondered, “Why does it seem easy to put weight on and so hard to take weight off?” Millions of Americans struggle to shed unwanted pounds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that at any given time two-thirds of all American adults are on a diet to either lose weight or prevent weight gain.

In 2008, Business Week Magazine reported that Americans spend nearly 40 billion dollars per year trying to loose weight! 40 BILLION DOLLARS! Why do we spend so much on diet fads, pills, patches, and surgery? The simple answer is because we are looking for the EASY out. Brace yourself…There is no easy out. However, the equation for weight loss is simple: eat less, exercise more!

Here is what you need to know:
1. You cannot get around mathematics.
1 + 1 = 2 Always
2 - 1 = 1 Always
Calories ingested less than calories burned = weight loss. Always!
Calories ingested more than calories burned = weight gain. Always!
2. You cannot buy willpower, but you can exercise it, train it, and build it!

Here are a few things to think about when you think you feel hungry:
1. When you think you are hungry, you may be in reality thirsty. Try drinking a glass of water when you feel hungry.
2. When you think feel hungry, you may actually be bored. Many of us find ourselves snacking out of boredom. Try involving yourself in an activity when you start to feel hungry in between meals. This is especially true while you are watching TV.
3. When you are under emotional stress you may find yourself eating more because eating is pleasurable. Exercise is the best way to reduce stress and tension. Elevating your heart rate through cardiovascular exercise releases endorphins that help you feel better emotionally.

Here are some things to help get you started:
1. Log your calories. A site I have found particularly helpful is www.myfooddiary.com.
2. Fresh is best. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is essential to healthy nutrition.
3. Natural sugar is better for you than artificial sweeteners, which have been linked in recent years to the climbing rate of several diseases including obesity.
4. Eating foods high in fiber will help keep you feeling full longer.
5. Studies show that exercising 3 days per week is NOT enough. In order to loose weight you should be exercising at least 5 days a week.

Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter is for educational use only. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or treat any condition. Please consult your healthcare practitioner if you believe you may have any of the signs or symptoms discussed above before using any of the nutrients discussed.

You should also consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

Facts About Vitamin D

2010-01-12T15:35:00.000-05:00

Did you know vitamins were first recognized by the effects of their absence? Some vitamin deficiencies were identified centuries ago. The early part of the twentieth century brought about exciting advances in science making it possible for vitamins to be studied in great detail. Nutrition science is a discipline of biochemistry, the study of chemical processes in a living organism.

There are literally thousands of chemical processes happening in your body at any given moment. Processes such as, growth, maintenance of health, and metabolism are regulated by vitamins, which are supplied wholly or partially by diet. Vitamins are regulatory compounds. You can think of a vitamin as a key that locks or unlocks a bodily function.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is actually a steroid and is directly associated with skeletal growth and strong bones. Childhood deficiency results in the disease, Rickets, whereas adult deficiency results in Osteomalacia and Osteoporosis. The early twentieth century found that a diet containing sufficient qualities of Vitamin D and exposure to the ultra-violet rays of the sun would prevent this disease from occurring. Thus many of the foods we buy are fortified with Vitamin D. Foods naturally rich in Vitamin D are foods that are from animal origin, especially eggs, liver, butter, and fatty fish.

One of the factors contributing to the escalating rate of people being identified as having low levels of Vitamin D is lack of sun exposure. In general, people spend less time outdoors. Another contributing factor is the use of sunscreen. While prolonged sun exposure can damage the skin, limited sun exposure without sunscreen (15-30 minutes per day depending upon skin type) is actually good for you!

Vitamin D3 is naturally occurring in the body that starts out as an oily secretion (7-dehydrocholestrol) that is distributed along the skin. During exposure to sunlight 7-dehydrocholestrol is converted to pre-Vitamin D3 (precalciferol) and the further irradiation causes the precalciferol to be converted into Vitamin D3, cholecalciferol. Cholecalciferol through complex chemical processes targets tissues of the intestine, bone, and kidney, playing a critical role in regulating blood-calcium concentrations.

What about Vitamin D2? Vitamin D2 is a plant steroid that does not occur in animals. As far as supplementation goes, it is the opinion of this clinician that Vitamin D3 is preferred over Vitamin D2.

If you have been diagnosed as having low levels of Vitamin D be sure you are supplementing your diet under the supervision of your healthcare practitioner and get outdoors!

Disclaimer:
The information in this newsletter is for educational use only. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or treat any condition. Please consult your healthcare practitioner if you believe you may have any of the signs or symptoms discussed above before using any of the nutrients discussed.

You should also consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.

Functional Healthcare Reform by Joanna Cosgrove

2009-05-14T06:45:00.001-04:00

I received this via email from Metagenics. Dr. Bland, remarks in bold, is Chief Science Officer and President of MetaProteomics a division of Metagenics. Metagenics is the product line endorsed by my office. I have been helping patients get and stay healthy with these products for over a decade now.

Functional Healthcare Reform
U.S. Senate HELP Committee debates the role of CAM in the U.S. healthcare system.

By Joanna Cosgrove
Online Editor

Among all of the hot button topics currently mounded on President Obama’s crowded plate is one issue that he’s been promising to address since the early days of his campaign: healthcare reform. That ball has officially begun rolling. In late February, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) held a hearing called “Integrative Medicine: A Pathway to a Healthier Nation,” co-chaired by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) in an effort to examine the role of complementary and integrative care in our healthcare system.

Echoing President Obama’s sentiment that prevention is the best way to both keep people healthy and reduce heathcare costs, Senator Harkin called the meeting to order with the hope that an ongoing dialogue about alternative medicine might enable it to become a more viable, widely accepted complement to conventional—and costly—allopathic medicine. “It’s time to end the discrimination against alternative healthcare practices,” he declared. “It’s time for America’s healthcare system to emphasize the coordination and continuity of care, patient-centeredness and prevention.”

In her opening remarks, Senator Mikulski concurred with Senator Harkin and added, “Not only should medicine and healthcare be complementary, but we need to begin to change the paradigm and have a continuum of healthcare.” She said their goal was to uncover the “sound science” involved in alternative care, facilitate different thinking, and “empower American people” to take charge of their own healthcare via prevention.

Among the witnesses who provided testimony were Dr. Mehmet Oz, director, Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY; Dr. Mark Hyman, founder and medical director, The UltraWellness Center, Lenox, MA; Dr. Dean Ornish, founder and president, Preventive Medicine Research Institute, Sausalito, CA; and Dr. Andrew Weil, director, Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona, Vail, AZ.

Dr. Oz pointed out the disconnect between what Americans spend for conventional healthcare versus what is gained in return, noting the cumulative damage that poor lifestyle choices has caused. “A key solution is support for a ‘Smart Patient’ movement that integrates complementary and alternative medical (CAM) approaches to conventional medical treatment,” he said. “We can combine the best of modern American medical practices with alternative approaches to wellness and harvest the natural healing powers of our bodies. CAM is not just about extreme treatments for advanced disease when no other solutions are available. It is about taking a population that has gotten comfortable living with half of the energy and sense of physical well-being that they should have at their age and moving them up the spectrum to live at full vitality.”

During his remarks, Dr. Hyman canonized the role of functional medicine as “proactive rather than reactive,” terming it an “operating system” that directly addresses how environment and lifestyle influence our genes to create imbalances in our core biologic systems that, over time, manifest as disease.

Dr. Weil underscored the growing desire—on the part of both physicians and patients—for an integrative approach, but said there is still much work to be done to legitimize it. “I can assure you that more and more doctors and allied health professionals want to practice this kind of medicine, because they see it as the medicine of the future: cost-effective medicine that can revitalize American healthcare and make it truly the best in the world,” he said. “Consumers have already embraced integrative medicine, but skeptics still question whether it really works. We need good outcomes studies to convince them, but we already have data showing that patients do indeed achieve better outcomes and are more satisfied with their care when treated by integrative physicians.”

Jeffery Bland, PhD, FACN, chief science officer of San Clemente, CA-based Metagenics Inc., also provided oral and written testimony about the role of integrative medicine in healthcare reform. His comments centered around the need for a paradigm shift in the focus of medicine, away from the current model that treats the symptoms of chronic diseases using acute care protocols to a new model that addresses the root causes of chronic diseases using prevention and lifestyle management.

He pointed out that although the present debate surrounding healthcare reform has focused heavily on universal access to care, absent from the dialogue is a discussion on the type of healthcare that should be provided. He went on to outline his view of what a broader approach might encompass. “We need to seriously address how to implement a nationwide clinical training program in prospective, functional medicine,” he said. “We need to develop reimbursement procedures for prospective, functional interventions that provide support for assessment, patient education and therapy. We need to harness the talents and expertise of healthcare extenders to provide patient services in the delivery of a personalized, predictive, preventive and participatory medicine for the reduction in the burden of chronic disease.

“A shift to prospective, integrative medicine is necessary for the healthcare issues Americans face today,” he concluded. “We already have the knowledge and the tools, including therapeutic lifestyle change programs, to practice this kind of care. My hope is that these therapies will eventually be integral to the way healthcare is delivered in this country.”

“Integrative Medicine: A Pathway to a Healthier Nation,” was just one in a series of discussions designed to further a dialogue between Washington and the nation’s healthcare experts in an effort to rectify our nation’s ailing healthcare system. President Obama made clear that he expected Congress to pass a bill this year and according to Senator Harkin, he and his colleagues are committed to taking him up on that challenge.

FAQ #1 "How often should I be getting adjusted?"

2009-05-08T17:41:00.000-04:00

FAQ’s #1 “How often should I be getting adjusted?”

There is no cookie cutter answer for this question. There are a number of factors to consider when making a recommendation. What brings a person into the office makes a difference. Someone who is recovering from an injury will need to be seen more often than someone who is seeking chiropractic care solely for preventative purposes. Age is another factor. For the most part, kids respond quicker to chiropractic care than do adults. What stage of care is a person in is the biggest factor. In the beginning of care adjustments are more often. Frequency of care should be quickly reducing until a maintenance level has been achieved.

My goal is to get my patients to a routine maintenance schedule as quickly as possible. In order for you to achieve your desired results quickly, consistency is important. In my tens years of practice one thing I have noted is that people who are going to benefit from chiropractic adjustments see improvement within 2 to 3 visits. This is not to say that everyone is pain free in 3 visits, but if a person has not seen an approximately 25% reduction in pain within 3 visits, chances are they are not going to respond to care. Not all chiropractors will agree with this statement, but I stand in this conviction by way of what I have experienced in practice.

A chiropractor should be working as hard as they can to get you feeling better a quickly as possible. Beware of chiropractors who require lengthy contracts. How can any doctor project how much care you will need over a year’s time? Chiropractors who have built practices on 3 times a week for 3 months and 2 times a week for 3 months and 1 time per week for the remainder of the year are guilty of over treatment. Over treatment by a chiropractor can cause hyper-mobility of spinal joints. This is why some people feel like they need to see their chiropractor all the time. Or why someone would make a comment like, “I am addicted to my chiropractor.”

After each evaluation and treatment, only then do I make a recommendation for when the patient should return to the office. Some patients respond faster than others to chiropractic adjustments and some respond slower than expected. People live their lives in between adjustments. The chemical, physical, and emotional stressors we face in life everyday affect our bodies. There is no way I can predict what kind of care a patient will over the course of a year.

And while my goal is to work myself out of a job as quickly as I can, I do recommend regular monthly maintenance schedules. I do of course have some patients who come in more often due to activity level, heavy labor, or disease process. Why maintenance adjustments? Maintenance schedules are a great way to keep a whole family healthy. Also, keeping the body tuned up means less big problems. You can think of it like changing the oil in your car. Regular oil changes are one of the most effective ways to keep a car from experiencing major problems later. Well…you can always buy a new car, but you only get one body this go around!

I hope this helps!

Pregnancy and Chiropractic

2008-04-23T16:14:00.000-04:00

Women have most of the same health concerns as men, but also face a number of additional concerns. Issues such as menstruation and fertility, pregnancy and delivery, and then motherhood itself. These issues are centrally important for most women.

Preparing for pregnancy is more important than most women realize. Prior to trying to get pregnant it is wise to cleanse the body. If possible, a 3 month drug free time frame is recommended. I would also suggest getting into a consistent exercise routine during this 3 months if you are not currently exercising. And finally, I urge you to start making healthier food choices now!

Being pregnant is taxing for a woman’s body. As you know a number of anatomical changes take place during these times. The belly getting larger produces an enormous amount of stress on the lower back. Increased breast weight adds stress to the mid back. And finally, one of the hormones that your body begins producing actually has a relaxing effect on all of the ligaments of the body. While this is a good thing, because the pelvic bowl needs to widen to allow for the actual birth process, the global effect on the body causes the spine to subluxate easier. The good news...adjustments of subluxations during pregnancy are easier, too.

There is no need to describe how the birth process taxes the body!

Motherhood itself is taxing. Did you know a mother picks up her baby 100+ times a day? And while 8 pounds isn't a lot, babies grow very quickly and suddenly you are lifting a 20 pound weight.

Increased energy, decreased pain (including headaches, back aches), and an over all sense of being in control of your health will result in you enjoying motherhood all the more. Chiropractic healthcare is particularly well-suited to the special needs of pregnant women and new mothers.

For more on Chiropractic and Pregnancy visit www.DrDaneChiro.com.