ESTROGEN

Estrogen dominance is found in PMS (premenstrual syndrome), menopause and most yeast infections. Estrogen is a hormone that is stored in the ovaries, adrenals, and fat cells. The breasts, uterus, ovaries, cervix, prostate, testes, and bones are examples of estrogen responsive tissues. There are three types of estrogen. After menopause estrone is the most common estrogen found in the body. During pregnancy estriol is the major estrogen in the body. Estradiol is the third estrogen. It is 12x as powerful as estrone and 80x as powerful as estriol. It is used in HRT (hormone replacement therapy). Both estrone and estradiol can be carcinogenic. Excess estradiol is the biggest risk factor for breast disease and cancer. The ratio of estrogen to progesterone is the major factor in the development of estrogen dominance. Consequently, declining levels of the hormone progesterone are a major factor in estrogen dominance.

Thirty to 50% of all women suffer pain or discomfort during menstruation. This is often referred to as PMS (premenstrual syndrome). PMS is likely caused by declines in progesterone levels. Tightening of the uterine muscles can cause viselike cramping in the area. Excess estrogen can worsen the symptoms because it increases salt and fluid retention.

Menopause is defined as having no period for a year. Perimenopause is the preceding period. Menopause and perimenopause can exaggerate PMS symptoms.

Menopausal symptoms are caused by erratic estrogen dominance. Ovarian estrogen gradually decreases until it fades away, except for estrone.

Menopause, however, is not the result of estrogen deficiency. The most important factor is that estrogen levels fall by about 40%, but progesterone levels drop by up to 90% from pre-menopausal levels. This loss is the primary cause of estrogen dominance symptoms. Around age 35 the corpus luteum, the primary source of progesterone, begins to fail. The luteal phase of the menstrual cycle begins to malfunction. Progesterone loss begins and estrogen dominance follows.

Then the adrenal glands and the hormone DHEA take up the slack for the ovaries as an estradiol precursor, but without progesterone. As the body’s supply of progesterone declines, and hormonal output alternately starts and stops many women suffer from an assortment of symptoms listed below.

Possible physical symptoms:

1. new onset of migraine headaches
2. low-grade fatigue without apparent cause
3. chronic fatigue
4. symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
5. symptoms of osteoarthritis
6. symptoms of fibromyalgia
7. heart palpitations
8. restless leg
9. atypical angina (severe angina, positive EKG changes with exercise but normal coronary arteries)
10. a change in skin sensitivity to fabrics or another person’s touch
11. diminished sexual desire (libido)
12. vaginal dryness
13. vaginal itchiness
14. hot flashes/sensations of heat with sweating (take BCSO)
15. irritability
16. mood swings and depression
17. water retention, bloating and weight gain
18. irregular and painful menstrual cycles
19. food cravings
20. breast tenderness
21. memory loss
22. increased susceptibility to to yeast and bacterial infections
23. fibrocystic breasts
24. breast cancer
25. uterine fibroids
26. endometriosis
27. hot flashes
28. night sweats
29. cramping
30. increased risk of blood clotting
31. gall bladder disease
32. high blood pressure
33. nausea
34. spotting or irregular bleeding
35. benign liver tumors
36. deficiencies of vitamins C and B-complex, magnesium and zinc
37. homocysteine poisoning that may cause depression and carpal tunnel syndrome
38. osteoporosis
39. adrenal and thyroid deficiencies
40. dry skin

Estrogen dominance can be due to a number of factors. Dietarily; sugar, excess fat, low fiber, alcohol, smoking, coffee and tea consumption can trigger estrogen dominance. When high stress levels are not managed they also contribute. Birth control pills and patches are a major cause, as is HRT. Meat and dairy products may also be a factor if they are not organic. That is because farm animals are often fed growth hormones that are passed on to us when we eat. Xenoestrogens are chemically manufactured estrogens found in pesticides, drugs, fuels and plastics. They bind to estrogen receptors just as the body’s estrogen would.

Phytoestrogens are plant products that are able to balance the high estrogen levels of PMS, or the erratic levels of menopause. They bind to estrogen receptor sites, but have only a weak estrogen effect. By binding to these receptor sites they inhibit estrogen production in the body, and help block xenoestrogens. The use of probiotics helps to increase the effectiveness of phytoestrogens. Approximately 300 foods contain phytoestrogens. These include flaxseed, oats, barley, whole wheat, sesame seed oil, tofu, cabbage, alfalfa, fennel, dong quai, black cohosh, wild yam root, red clover, red raspberry, and chaste tree vitex.

Among the positive effects of phytoestrogens are to stop bone loss, diminish hot flashes, night sweats, decreased libido, dryness, mood swings, depression, low energy, and osteoporosis.

Bioidentical progesterone creams also diminish the effects of estrogen dominance. Birth control pills and patches are a major factor in low progesterone levels. Birth control pills and patches cause increased progestin binding to the progesterone sites. This can result in diminished thyroid and adrenal function leading to a whole range of symptoms. These may include irritability, weight gain, headaches, fatigue, dry skin. Because progesterone helps to balance the estrogen in the system, a bioidentical progesterone cream can help to eliminate any of the symptoms on the above list.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue from the uterine lining grows where it shouldn’t. The pelvic area is especially implicated in this condition. This includes the bowels, bladder, ovaries, or on the outside of the uterus. It is due to estrogen dominance and is often associated with yeast infection. Symptoms include painful periods, pain during intercourse, chronic pelvic pain, cramping during the menstrual cycle, pain with bowel movements and urination, fatigue, infertility, GI upset, IBS and nausea.

Saliva testing should be performed to diagnose estrogen dominant conditions. Diet and exercise are important factors in overcoming the effects of estrogen dominance. Progesterone cream from day 8-26 of the menstrual cycle may be recommended. No supplementation should be started without first consulting a physician.

PMS symptoms may respond to detoxification and probiotics use. I recommend Total Female for the phytoestrogens, zinc is helpful if acne is present, progesterone cream to balance the estrogen, increase exercise, decrease dairy and other saturated fats, and increase consumption of yams, fish and vegetables. Again, no supplementation, or other program, should be started without first consulting a physician.

Soy is a conundrum. It supplies the body with phytoestrogens, but the isoflavone content may increase estrogen content in the body.

Natural change is useful for menopause, hysterectomy, PMS, menstrual problems, low libido, osteoporosis, poor skin, and aging. Side effects may include rare temporary spotting and increased thyroid function. The dose is normally ¼-1/2 tsp per dose and 1-2x/day for 3 weeks. Then stop for a week, then repeat the cycle. If having periods and PMS, then start at day 14. Days 14-18 ¼ tsp/1x/day; day 18-23 ¼ tsp 2x/day with a gradual increase so that on day 23 you are taking ½ tsp/ 2x/day.

For Yeast infections take enzymes between meals. Hydrochloric acid is often necessary. Fish, flax and borage oils with lipase help the immune system gain strength. L-glutamine is recommended for gut repair.

Lacto-fermented foods such as kim chi, sauerkraut, pickles, borscht, miso, tempeh, fish sauces shoyu, sourdough, yogurt, kefir, sour cream and butter milk help normalize stomach acidity. They also help with digestion, activation of the pancreas, detoxification, and inhibition of growth of toxic substances.

Yeast does not feed on yeast, natural sugars and starches that are in whole foods. So these foods will not instigate yeast overgrowth. Candida may be due to HRT, antibiotics, chemo, , birth control meds, poor nutrition, allergies, stress, or toxicity.

Symptoms include fatigue, headache, skin problems. Depression, moodiness, hyperactivity, joint and muscle pain, hypoglycemia, weight gain, food cravings, poor memory, numbness and tingling, kidney and bladder infections, hives, hormone imbalance, menstrual irregularities, low libido, sinusitis, asthma, earaches, vaginal infection, heartburn, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and fibromyalgia. Yeast infections may mimic MS, RA, CFS. There will be severe immune system depression. Your gut bacteria are supposed to keep yeast in check.

Treatment may consist of essential fatty acids, total yeast, green foods, enzymes, probiotics, cultured foods. A restrictive diet is not necessary except to avoid refined foods, dairy, alcohol, dried fruits, melons, and peanuts. Boric acid powder in a capsule iserted in the vagina each morning and evening helps kill the yeast. Use 3-7 days for an acute infection and 14-30 days for a chronic infection.

Visit the yeast connection website.

ELECTROMAGNETIC THERAPY
(MAGNET THERAPY)

Research shows electrical pollution is killing us.  Overhead power lines, airwave communications, fluorescent lights, computers, hair dryers and other electrical appliances are affecting our health.  The potentially harmful electromagnetic field set up by alternating currents (AC electricity, which runs all of our appliances), interferes with our own energy field and nervous system, which is direct current.  Our electromagnetic energy is life.

Many people  feel weak, have headaches, or feel generally ill when they work in front of computers or under fluorescent lights.  It may be electromagnetic pollution causing these feelings.  Many of us are bombarded with electric alternating currents all day. 

You can protect yourself against electrical pollution with a simple multi-polar magnet.  Put the magnet in your pocket and  you will repolarize.  With extended use you may have increased  energy and feel better in general. I recommend that people wear a magnet anytime they work with computers or watch tv.  Some people need to wear a magnet all day. 

The earth is a giant magnet with a north and south pole.  Researchers tell us that at one time earth’s magnetic strength was 4 gauss (a unit of magnetic strength), but currently it is only ½ gauss due to atomic bombs and other disturbances.  Humans are one gauss.  The imbalance between the earth and our bodies that at one time energized our bodies, now drains electromagnetic energy in the body.  Energy balance is altered in our body.

When north pole energy in the body is weakened arterial blood becomes more acidic.  In an acidic environment viruses, parasites, and other pathogenic organisms proliferate.  When balance is restored alkalinity returns to the blood and pathogenic organisms are eliminated or reduced.  In other words, our energy field is our first line of defense.

Many painful conditions are made worse by frequent electromagnetic bombardment.  Magnets may be helpful with pain reduction when placed over the area of pain, or at the exact same spot on the opposite side of the body.   Headaches, carpal tunnel, strained muscles, old injuries, back pain are among the conditions that may be helped by magnets.

I offer credit card sized magnets that can be placed cloth side against the body, in a pocket or in a bra.  Most people wear it all day.  Some people only wear it when they use a computer or watch tv, or are under fluorescent lights.  Use of a magnet often reduces symptoms and allows patients to hold adjustments for a longer period of time.

If you are concerned about electromagnetic energy pollution ask Dr. Pat to test you to see whether a magnet would help you.

Mild to Moderate Greens Detox

WARNING!   A detoxification should always be monitored by a health professional.

Start the day with a green food shake.  One scoop of greens with ½ a banana and a handful of blueberries and 4-6 ounces of water depending on how thick you want the drink to be.  If you like it better, you can have the greens in water without fruit.  Also try to drink up to a gallon of water a day.
I recommend Garden of Life Perfect Food for your greens.  Call all of the stores that sell health food supplements and find out who has the best price.  As an alternative I can sell you Nutriwest’s Total Greens product.

After a day, or two, or three the toxins leaving your body may affect you.  Symptoms may include headache, fatigue,  grouchiness, congestion, GI upset, cold or flu type symptoms  Don’t be alarmed, and do not take any medications!  The symptoms are merely an indicator of your body doing the work it needs to do in order to cleanse your body.

For the first 4 days you can have up to 5 shakes a day, but no other food.  On the fifth day continue with 2-5 shakes per day, and add 2 large helpings of raw green vegetables in a salad with olive oil and vinegar for a dressing.  You may also add 6 ounces of fish per day.  After one week you may substitute chicken, beef, or 2 eggs for your 6 ounces of protein a day.  All vegetables are better if they are organic, and all meats should be wild caught fish, or range fed animals that produce organic meat.

Optimally, you continue this diet for 30 days, but even if you start to introduce more food after a week you will benefit.  The closer you get to 30 days, the more benefit.

Consume no gluten, alcohol, caffeine, soda, fruit juice, dairy, peanuts, citrus, strawberries, pineapple, canned meat, bacon, sausage, shell fish, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, refined oils, butter, or margarine.

I will scan you to find what organs and glands need support.  Also, to find out if you need help removing any infectious organisms.  The scan will also show us whether you need to specifically address toxins such as pesticides, heavy metals, or homocysteine in the body. 

This is the time to allow the gut to repair.  To aid it’s repair probiotics and enzymes should be taken, along with anything else the scan shows to be beneficial.  If you use the Garden of Life Perfect Food you will be getting a good dose of probiotics. 

Fish oil is also recommended for everyone.  The ideal dose while cleansing is 2 grams a day of the EPA and DHA long chain omega-3 fatty acids contained in the fish oil.  It is also best to be on a good full spectrum nutrient source, I recommend Core Level Health Reserve from Nutriwest.

Exercise at least 30 minutes a day during the detox.

The Green Detox is a Mild to Moderate Detoxification

Detoxing for Health

 

WARNING! A detoxification should always be monitored by a health professional.

Here is a mild detox regimen:

• Large amounts of produce, preferably organic - with a ratio pf 80% vegetable to 20% fruit
• Organic eggs and poultry, brown rice and small amounts of whole grains
• No alcohol, sugar or coffee
• A concentrated green food supplement that contains wheatgrass, chlorella, spirulina, barley grass, and more. This helps with liver and kidney metabolism. I recommend Garden of Life Perfect Food. It is usually on sale at one of the health food stores.
• A second detoxification powder to support liver detox. It should have vitamins E, C, B's, A, glutathione; and minerals selenium, magnesium, potassium, molybdenum, calcium, and chromium. I use Hi Pro from Nutriwest. (Both powders can be used as meal substitutes and blended together with fruits and/or vegetables)
• A liver support supplement that includes milk thistle, dandelion root and burdock. I use another Nutriwest product.
• Dry saunas every other day are excellent for pulling toxins out of the fat tissue.
• Exercise. You must work up a daily sweat. at least 25 minutes of cardio a day is an excellent choice.

This is a slow and gentle cleanse and thus it lasts a minimum of 2 weeks, but 4 weeks is better. As the wastes leave the liver and go into the intestinal tract it is common for people to feel worse. You can expect headaches, fatigue and sometimes skin break-outs for the first couple of days. It is rare for the side effects to last much longer than that. Soon, most people feel increased energy, clearer thinking, better skin and mood, plus the bowels become more regular. The benefits remain as long as you continue to eat well and do not return to the habits that got you into trouble in the first place.

A detox of this nature every spring and fall will help to counteract the effects of many of our poor cultural lifestyle habits and deficiencies. This includes rich and fatty foods, drugs, alcohol, sugar and other poor eating habits that lead to mental and physical sluggishness, depression, headaches, allergies, digestive problems like stomachaches and constipation, and chronic fatigue.

Detoxification can affect blood pressure, blood sugar levels, heart and kidney function if the detox is too radical. That is why this gentle form of detox is good. But, you should be observant of possible problems if the negative effects like headaches and fatigue last into a fifth day. Normally by that time most people are feeling a lot more energy.

 

The following strategies also aid in the detoxification process:

1. Drink 2 Tsp extra virgin olive oil
   ½ of a fresh squeezed lemon
   Add apple cider vinegar, ½ the amount of the lemon
   Mix together and repeat three times a day
   
2. High grade fish oil with 1-2 grams of EPA and DHA daily
   
3. Skin brushing: Brush your skin with a vegetable brush. Brush all parts of the body toward the heart. Then follow up with a sesame oil massage. Massage the whole body for 5 minutes before bathing/showering. You can purchase the vegetable brush and sesame oil at the health food store. Keep oils refrigerated after opening.
   
4. Salt and Soda Bath – This bath counteracts the effects of radiation, whether from x-rays, cancer treatment radiation, fallout from the atmosphere, or television radiation as well as general detoxification. Add one cup baking soda and 1-2 cups of ordinary coarse salt, Epsom salts or sea salt to a tub of water.
5. Put one cup of baking soda and 1-2 cups of Epsom salts in the bathtub. You can also add 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger steeped in hot water to the bath. Soak in it for approximately 20 minutes.
6. Epsom Salts, Sea Salt, Oil Bath – This bath helps with dry skin and stress. Use one cup of Epsom salts, one cup of sea salt (from a health food store) and one cup of sesame oil in a hot tub of water. Pat yourself dry.
   
7. Vinegar Bath – This is used when the body is too acidic. It is a quick fix way of restoring the alkaline balance. Use one cup to two quarts of 100% apple cider vinegar to a tub of warm to hot water. This is excellent for excess uric acid in the body and especially in the joints, arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, gout and heavy metal toxicity.
   
8. Lymphatic Drainage – This can be accomplished by daily walks, bouncing (not jumping) on the edge of the bed or a trampoline for 20 minutes daily.
   
9. Get checked for heavy metal and parasite. Detoxification can disturb these toxins from their hiding places and they need to be removed from the body, not just moved around.
10. Ion removing footbaths assist with the detoxification footbath. A series of 10 is recommended. One may start the process, but it will take several to complete the process.

The Green Detox is a Mild to Moderate Detoxification

CAFFEINE FACTS

Caffeine contributes to palpitations, panic attacks, hypoglycemia, gastritis, fatigue, insomnia, PMS

Caffeine Myths:

Caffeine gives you energy. Wrong! Caffeine increases blood levels of stress hormones (chemical stimulation). The body’s struggle to adapt is perceived as energy.

Caffeine gives you a lift. Wrong! Initial adrenal stimulation is perceived as a lift, but this “lift” is followed by a letdown that may be subtle, but over time becomes profound.

Caffeine sharpens your mind. Wrong! Increased sensory and motor activity (dilated pupils, increased heart rate and higher blood pressure) may make the user feel more alert, however, the quality of thought and recall is improved no more than the quality of music is improved when played at a higher volume or speed.

The International Life Sciences Institute, which merged with the Nutrition Foundation in 1985 includes among its trustees executives from the Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Hershey Foods, NutraSweet, and Procter & Gamble. In effect they are funded by the caffeine industry (see above). That may explain the many pro-caffeine articles we see.

About 1% of caffeine is excreted, the other 99% must be detoxified by the liver, a slow difficult process that may take up to 12 hours.

It can take up to three weeks for the bodies stress hormones to return to normal once caffeine is eliminated from the diet.

Caffeine withdrawal often produces the following symptoms: Headaches, depression, fatigue, irritability, disorientation, increased muscle tension, nausea, vomiting.

Caffeine can cause long-term damage to your adrenals, blood vessels (constriction that can cause cold fingers), breasts, brain (oxygen deprivation), GI tract (bloating, pain and gas), immune system (increased glucocorticoids from the adrenals suppress immunity), and bones; damage you may not recognize immediately.

Caffeine contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s), the cancer causing agent isolated from smoked barbecued meats.

Hundreds of legal over the counter and prescription drugs contain caffeine and also interfere with the livers ability to detoxify caffeine.

Caffeine blocks important neurological receptors that control functions of the brain, kidneys, GI tract, cardiovascular system and respiratory system. The result is that messages do not get through and then your nervous system circuits fire over and over and over creating a sense of alertness when in fact the brain is merely confused. The confusion results in the adrenal hormones cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine being elevated as much as 200%. The result is increased heart rate and blood pressure and sometimes a classic “fight or flight response.

Cortisol, when elevated consistently over long periods of time, causes diminished sleep quality and immune system function, accelerates aging and gradually changes mind, mood and behavior.

DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that provides us with vitality, as its production decreases the rate of aging increases. Elevated cortisol levels cause DHEA levels to fall leading to premature aging.

GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps us filter information, strategize sensibly, and calms the mind without putting it to sleep. Caffeine inhibits the production of GABA leading to increased stress a factor in ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome among other disorders.

Birth control pills interfere with the liver’s ability to detoxify caffeine allowing the caffeine to stay in the system longer and interfere with sleep up to 12 hours after the last cup of coffee

Caffeine and many other drugs interfere with the dream phase and deep phase of sleep. Both are crucial to awakening well rested and regenerated at the cellular level.

Caffeine and other ingredients found in coffee and tea cause increased loss of B-vitamins, calcium and other minerals in the urine

Melatonin, produced by the pineal gland in the brain and by cells in the gut, is a powerful antioxidant that also regulates the body’s sleep/wake cycle. It is suppressed by caffeine.

The following is list of well-defined abnormalities in physiology and brain biochemistry in people who suffer from anxiety or panic attacks and/or depression:

• Overproduction of adrenal stress hormones, including norepinephrine and cortisol.
• Increased evidence of mitral valve prolapse.
• Decreased nighttime melatonin production.
• Dysfunction of the GABA metabolism.
• Increased neuron firing in the brain.
• Decreased blood circulation to the brain.
• Alteration of serotonin levels in the brain.
• Strong association with life stress.

These 8 factors all have a common link. Caffeine is a factor! Ask yourself,
“Is caffeine a factor in panic attacks?”

2004

Of Brains and Kids

Fish oil has repeatedly been shown to help the learning ability of children. This probably due to the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil. Interestingly, one of those omega-3’s is DHA which is found in a human mother’s milk.

An English study is following 60 infants aged 20-36 months. The infants are supplemented daily with fish oil. They have found that in only 3 months learning skill performance of 60% of the infants “has improved dramatically”. Some of these children have made up a 6 month deficit in learning skills in just those three months.

Another study recruited pregnant women aged 18-40 who planned on breast-feeding exclusively for four months. The control group received capsules of vegetable oil and the remaining women received fish oil capsules daily after they had given birth. Babies whose mothers took the fish oil scored much higher on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at the age of 30 months. The Bayley test is considered the gold standard for evaluating young children. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 2005.

A review of over 50 studies, most of which are very recent, suggests that DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil) improves cognitive and behavioral performances. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, August, 2005.

Other studies have shown that school-age children with dyspraxia (a condition that encompasses problems with motor skills and coordination) improved dramatically when given a fish oil supplement.

In a study of over 3,000 adults it was found that those who had been breast-fed for 7-9 months had higher IQ’s than those who were breast-fed for two weeks or less. Journal of the American Medical Association, (JAMA).

These studies are so important to all parents because they show us that the development of a child, both behaviorally and intellectually is not a random matter. Nor is it based solely on genetics. In fact, science has finally come to the realization that genetics are only a small factor in our development. Environment is the major factor in our development, and nutrition is a major environmental factor .

These studies show us that long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (especially DHA) are extremely important for the development of a young mind. Before the advent of processed foods and mass production of meat for market the ration of omega-3 to omega-6 fats in the diet was probably around 1:2. Today it is anywhere from 1:20 to 1:50 for the Standard American diet. Because of this we need to supplement in order to get adequate supplies of omega-3’s in our diet. Fish oil is the source for long-chain fatty acids (including DHA).

Parents! A high quality fish oil supplement is the single most important dietary supplement you can give your children. Are they worth it?

ASPARTAME FACTS

Aspartame is marketed as Nutrasweet, Equal, or Spoonful, and is found as a sugar substitute in many “diet” foods and drinks; most notably diet soda pop drinks.

Aspartame is 180 times sweeter than sugar but has no calories.

Aspartame started out in 1965 as a drug being developed for the treatment of ulcers.

Aspartame accounts for more than 75% of all adverse reactions reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with 90 types of documented reactions including:

• initiation or aggravation of diabetes
• convulsions
• depression or other psychiatric states
• headaches and tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• hyperthyroidism
• hypertension
• arthritis
• stimulation of Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Lupus
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• an apparent causative role in brain tumors
• hypoglycemia
• a neurological condition in overweight young women called pseudotumor cerebri
• fibromyalgia symptoms; including spasm, joint pain, cramps, leg numbness

Aspartame consists of phenylalanine and aspartic acid (amino acids) and methyl ester. The first two are amino acids that are normally supplied by foods we consume. In those foods they are harmless due to the presence of other amino acids. When they are separated out, however, they enter the nervous system in abnormally high concentrations and act as neurotoxins (toxic to the nerves), causing damage to neurons and even cell death.

Methyl ester breaks down into methanol after ingestion. Methanol is a nervous system toxin also known as wood alcohol. Methanol is further metabolized into formaldehyde (a known carcinogen and neurotoxin) and formic acid (the poison in ant stings).

The journal, Navy Physiology and Flying Safety, reports that a pilot who drinks a diet pop is more susceptible to vertigo, epileptic activity, memory loss, dizziness and gradual loss of vision.

Nutrasweet gained FDA approval without ever undergoing human testing.

Eric Millstone, a researcher at the Science Policy Research unit of Sussex University, documented the following facts about the research that got Aspartame on the market:

• Laboratory tests were faked and dangers concealed
• False and misleading statements were made to the FDA
• Tumors were removed from lab animals, and animals that had died were “brought back to life” in order to confuse or hide research results
• A crucial fetal safety study was conducted by a researcher whose sole experience was a field study of a cottontail rabbit for the U.S. Forest Service
• The two U.S. attorneys charged with bringing fraud charges against Aspartame manufacturer G.D. Searle Company, took positions with Searle’s law firm after the case dragged on long enough that the statute of limitations for the prosecution ran out
• A Public Board of Inquiry in 1980 resulted in a three-person vote that unanimously rejected the approval of aspartame. The FDA commissioner, Dr, Arthur Hull Hayes, created a five-person commission to review the PBOI decision. He realized they would uphold the PBOI decision by a 3-2 vote. He then added another panel member creating a deadlocked vote allowing him to cast the deciding vote for aspartame approval.
• Shortly after that vote Dr. Hayes took a consulting position with Burson-Marsteller, G.D. searle’s public relations firm.

The best advice is that if a product says sugar free on the label, “Don’t even think about it!”

Ritalin May Cause Long-Term Brain Changes

Preliminary tests in rats indicate that Ritalin may cause long-term changes in the brain, researchers report. The drug is used to help children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The changes induced in animals are somewhat similar to those caused by stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine, say scientists at the University of Buffalo. But they say if used properly, the drug, known generically as methylphenidate, is probably not as addictive as those drugs are. Chief researcher Joan Baizer says Ritalin is effective and beneficial, “but its not quite as simple as a short-acting drug. We need to look at it more closely”.

USA Today 11/04/2001

Kids Get Psychiatric Drugs Too Often

Doctors are increasingly prescribing psychiatric drugs such as Ritalin and Prozac to preschoolers, despite questions about safety and effectiveness, experts reported over the weekend.

“Every pressure I’m aware of is pushing toward more use of these pills in young kids, and the potential for problems is huge,” says child psychiatrist Glen Elliott of the University of California Medical School in San Francisco. He spoke at the American Academy of Pediatrics meeting in San Francisco.

HMO’s are encouraging quick diagnoses, working parents often can’t be home to enforce structured behavior improvement programs, and everyone seems to want “quick fixes”, Elliott says.

Nobody knows exactly how many preschool children are on psychiatric drugs. Some evidence suggests its only a few out of every 100 youngsters. But concern has been mounting since a report last year showed Ritalin use more than tripled in preschoolers between 1991 and 1995, and prescriptions for antidepressants doubled in that age group during the same period. Newer, comprehensive figures are not available.

There are a handful of scientifically sound studies confirming Ritalin’s effectiveness in 4 and 5 year olds, says Marsha Rappley, a pediatrician at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine in East Lansing. Side effects range from mild to significant – headaches, stomachaches, sleep problems and loss of appetite. But there is very little research on the safety and effectiveness in kids under 4. Her own recent study of Michigan children under 3 diagnosed with ADHD found a pattern of multi-drug use: About a third of those treated were taking 2 or 3 psychiatric drugs.

Mental health services were sparse, “so we may be ignoring their core problems and setting the stage for spotty treatment the rest of their lives,” Rappley says.

Elliott worries about the long term dangers of prescribing drugs such as Prozac to small children. Antidepressants change how the brain chemicals work, and permanent changes might result from kids taking drugs, “since we know a lot of brain development in still going on at this age,” he says.

“To fantasize (that the drugs) can’t have adverse consequences is a big leap. So far, we’ve not seen any, but we’re not very sophisticated at knowing what to look for…. There are going to be unanticipated effects from such powerful medications,” Elliott says.

Parents concerned about preschoolers’ behavior problems should check with their public schools, Rappley suggests. State and federal governments co-fund early treatment programs that may offer the best hope for heading off serious emotional problems and avoiding use of psychiatric drugs, she says.

USA Today 10/23/01

Attention Deficit Disorder

What is attention deficit disorder (ADD)?

 

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a syndrome that is often used to describe children who are inattentive, impulsive and hyperactive. It has become apparent that many adults also suffer from this syndrome. It is sometimes referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The International Classification of Disease (ICD) defined ADD as a pattern of activity that includes four of the following: 1. Motor hyperactivity from childhood. 2. Attention deficits in childhood. 3. Affective liability. 4. Not completing tasks. 5. Volatile temper. 6. Impaired relationships. 7. Impulsivity. 8. Stress intolerance. While the ICD definition is for the diagnosis of ADD in adults, the eight characteristics listed apply also to children with ADD

What is the cause of ADD?

As with other syndromes the cause of ADD has eluded scientists for many years. There do, however, appear to be many associated factors. Stressful family situations are a factor in some situations.

Over exposure to heavy metals also has been implicated. Lead and aluminum are the most commonly implicated heavy metals.

Although ADD often runs in families scientists, to this point, have been unable to find evidence that ADD is genetic.

Diet appears to be a factor. Food additives have been implicated in the disorder. Many health professionals have reported that the elimination of gluten, dairy and sugar from the diet can induce behavioral improvements. Artificial colors and preservatives also appear to contribute to the erratic behavior of ADD patients. Commonly eliminated items in studies and cases of ADD sufferers include; dairy, wheat, corn, yeast, soy, citrus, chocolate and peanuts.

Recent studies have raised suspicions that patients with ADD have abnormal functioning of some processes in the central nervous system. Some of these abnormal functions include neurotransmitters, thyroid hormones and glucose utilization.

How is ADD traditionally treated?

Prescriptions for the group of drugs used to treat ADD and ADHD has seen an increase of 37% in the past five years. These drugs may mask the syndrome. They may temporarily reduce symptoms by affecting defective metabolic pathways (neurotransmitters, glucose and thyroid hormones).

Additionally, increased use of stimulants (which deplete the adrenals) have potential side effects (insomnia, irritability, growth impairment, weight loss and stomach pains). Alternative care is becoming more important in the treatment and the search for the cause of ADD, because under no circumstances will introducing a toxin into the body cause the body to heal.

What are alternative treatments for ADD?

“Like fever, ADHD may be a symptomatic diagnosis signaling other underlying conditions”.
Dr. L. Eugene Arnold, Child and Adolescent Disorders Research Branch, National Institute of Mental Health

If Dr. Arnold is correct, then the way to treat ADD is by addressing the underlying factors, some of which are listed above. Nutrition can be effective in many of these areas. The B vitamins may be effective in correcting deficits in the metabolism of neurotransmitters as well as glucose metabolism deficits. Zinc is a factor in a host of major metabolic pathways. Zinc has also been found to be deficient in a wide variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. Clinical trials have found that ADHD subjects have significantly lower concentrations of key fatty acids in the plasma. Fatty acids are a necessary contributor to nervous system health. Dietary changes, as discussed above as well as supplementation, appear to have a pronounced effect on the symptoms of ADD/ADHD.

When heavy metals are a cause of ADD it is necessary to desensitize the body to those metals and influence the body to rid itself of the metals. This can be done by natural methods that your chiropractor can assist you with.

How is ADD like any other state of poor health?

A human being is designed to be a self-healing organism. Physical, emotional and chemical stresses have the potential to overrun the nervous system’s capacity to dissipate them. When this happens an unhealthy state results, a state of dis-ease. ADD/ADHD, like all conditions of dis-ease, is a consequence of a nervous system that is not healthy enough to adapt to stresses, or is overwhelmed by excessive stress. To rephrase, all states of poor health are a result of nervous system interference.

Chiropractors are the only health professionals to specifically address nervous system interference. We accomplish this by manipulation of the spine. The spine is the exit point for all of the nerves in the body. Nerves control every function in the body. When we manipulate the spine we remove nervous interference and allow the body to resume its function as a self-healing entity. ADD patients, and everyone else, benefits from the removal of nervous interference. By being adjusted regularly you give your body the opportunity to maintain a healthier state; a state where you are able to fight off the physical, chemical and emotional stresses that are a part of daily life before they become imbedded in your body.

When symptoms appear in your body it is likely that the cause of your symptoms was present long before your symptoms. This is true for all types of symptoms from backaches to ADD symptoms. The sooner the cause is dealt with the easier it is to chase away the symptoms. The best approach of all is to eat well, exercise and get regular chiropractic adjustments in order to keep your nervous system in peak condition. That way you remain a self-healing organism.

NEWBORNS AND CHIROPRACTIC

Dealing With Birth Trauma or Traumatic Birth Syndrome

The journey down the birth canal is at times a difficult one. As a result traumatic birth syndrome has become more common. Traumatic birth syndrome describes the presence of trauma-induced skull and spinal damage, and spinal misalignment as the result of the birth process. Delivery can be more difficult because it is usually performed without the aid of gravity, and often with medications that numb the delivery muscles. It should be no surprise that infants often emerge into this world in a subluxated state.

Often the spine of the infant is compressed as it is pushed down the birth canal. Frequently, twisting and pulling during birth cause subluxation in infants. A subluxation is a misaligned vertebra (bone in the spine) that causes muscle imbalance, bone degeneration (arthritis), and most importantly; nervous system interference that causes the body to function improperly and eventually can lead to poor health. Infant subluxations can cause respiratory distress, nerve palsies, torticollis and other illnesses. Often the subluxations remain sub clinical with health issues arising at a later time.

Chiropractic adjustments to correct subluxation on infants are safe and very gentle. The spine is more flexible in children and consequently light force is able to accomplish an adjustment that would require more force in an adult. The popping or cracking sound that grownup often associate with a chiropractic adjustment is usually not heard when infants or very young children are adjusted.

Chiropractic is not a treatment for any specific condition. The benefits of chiropractic adjustments to eliminate nerve interference, however, have been particularly beneficial in small children. Numerous case studies and research projects have shown that young people need chiropractic care as much as, or more than, anyone to encourage proper development and to minimize common conditions. This is because it is the inability of the nervous system to adapt to its environment that allows illness and dis-ease to invade our bodies.

A healthy human, a healthy nervous system, is able to resist illness and dis-ease because we are born with the power to grow, heal and adapt. Only when the combination of physical, chemical and emotional stresses becomes strong enough to overrun the nervous system do we lose our divine capacity to heal, grow and adapt. The chiropractic adjustment helps to restore those capacities. Then the body and the nervous system are able to keep us healthy. Put another way, “the power that made the body heals the body”. This is why conditions as diverse as torticollis, mental disturbances, language development, sinus infections, tonsillitis, stomach problems, poor sleep, seizures, poor coordination, scoliosis, growing pains, poor appetite and inability to thrive are all noted in research literature as conditions that have responded to chiropractic adjustments.

The best thing about chiropractic is that it helps restore your divine order without resorting to medications. Medications are toxic substances that may relieve symptoms, but will leave their toxic mark on a system. Toxicity is a affront to the divine order that allows us to grow, heal and adapt.

The choice is yours; safe, natural chiropractic care, or a lifetime of drugs and surgery.

Contact Us For More Information

509-327-4373

2110 N. Washington, Suite 1
Spokane, WA 99205