New Life Health And Wellness

The HOL(istic) Nine Yards

By: Dr. Shawn R. Jones B.A., P.T., D.C.

This month I’ll discuss some recent medical studies confirming the importance of nutrition, a few of the most commonly found deficiencies, and natural products to assist the body in correcting those deficiencies!

There are six categories of interference that rob us all of our full expression of health – Structural, Electrical, Pollution, Nutrition, Allergy/Sensitivities, Emotion and Toxins.
Nutrition is one key component of the 6 Interferences, in fact, five of our 10 Steps to Wellness Protocol are nutritionally based.

Not Cholesterol, but Controlling Inflammation Could Be Key in Preventing Heart Disease and Possibly Alzheimer’s!

CBS News on January 6, 2005 broadcast a report of a new study on causes of heart disease. Dr Emily Senay says that inflammation may be a greater cause of heart disease than elevated cholesterol levels.
Dr. Senay explains that one school of thought is that inflammation is the body’s natural immune system reaction to infection or injury, like the redness and swelling we recognize around a wound. Inflammation can occur in all tissues, including the blood vessels, contributing to heart or blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, and may be a factor in Alzheimer’s disease.

It is believed that chronic inflammation in blood vessels is associated with high blood pressure and allows the fat buildup associated with hardening of the arteries. The underlying cause could be chronic low-level infection that creates constant stress on the immune system. So it is very important to test for types of generalized infections that can be low grade/chronic and therefore remain hidden. The Muscle Response Test, a form of applied kinesiology, is a non-invasive test used for this purpose in our practice.

Inflammation can be objectively measured with a blood test for C-reactive protein (CRP), which is produced by the body when it’s fighting off infection. A new study in February’s New England Journal of Medicine shows that reducing inflammation by lowering the levels of CRP in the blood in people with severe heart disease led to fewer heart attacks and deaths, and slowed the progression of heart disease.

Other studies show that curcumin,
the yellow pigment in curry spice with a long history of use to reduce inflammation, is being investigated for its potential in prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Laboratory tests on mice found curcumin to be more effective than many drugs currently being investigated for Alzheimer’s treatment. Curcumin appears to block and break up brain plaques that cause the disease. Curcumin is a dietary staple of India, where Alzheimer’s disease rates are reportedly among the world’s lowest.

Curcumin has also been found to correct the cystic fibrosis defect in mice, prevent the onset of alcoholic liver disease and may slow the progression of multiple myeloma and multiple sclerosis. Researchers from the University of California in Los Angeles in the on-line edition of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, December 7, 2004, stated that curcumin is more effective in inhibiting formation of the protein fragments than many drugs being tested as Alzheimer’s treatments.

They found that curcumin has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which scientists believe help ease Alzheimer’s symptoms caused by oxidation and inflammation. Curcumin has been used for thousands of years as a safe anti-inflammatory in Indian traditional medicine.

We address these problems in our practice with testing, detoxification, and with homeopathics, nutritional and herbal supplements. Additionally, we often recommend digestive enzymes taken with meals to aid digestion, and taken between meals to help reduce systemic inflammation. We test for Adrenal fatigue on every new patient and find that about 70% have significantly depleted Adrenal glands. This is important because if a person is in chronic adrenal fatigue, inflammation is a natural result. We have dietary suggestions and NutriWest pharmaceutical grade supplements and homeopathics that are essential for rebuilding the adrenal glands and restoring proper function. Elevated Homocysteine levels are also very common, so our Total Health Scan screens for Homocysteine Redux. If a joint or disc related problems exists, another common source of chronic inflammation, we recommend adding glucosamine nutritional support to help stabilize it. Other supplements are helpful if the body is attacking itself by an un-regulated immune system as occurs in ailments such as arthritis, MS or Lupus.

Dr. Shawn R. Jones, “The Wellness Doc” is Director of Clinics for Chattanooga Chiropractic Centers, Brimhall Certified Wellness Centers in Chattanooga, with offices at 6503 Hixson Pike in Gate Plaza Hixson & 5611 Ringgold Rd. Ste. #185 East Ridge, TN. Call (423) 553-1111 to schedule a Free Consultation & Total Health Scan. Please address any questions to Drshawn@ucanheal.com