Many of my patients request natural alternatives to medications that they are currently taking. Keep in mind that I am not against medications and feel they have a role in health care. I do however feel that drugs are often over-prescribed to patients. Many physicians prescribe drugs without even evaluating the patient!
Most people come to the office with pain and are taking a over-the-counter pain medication or anti-inflammatory. These drugs can have nasty side effects on the digestive system, especially the stomach. One of the other side effects is impaired wound healing due to to reduced clotting factors. There are natural alternatives that have virtually no side effects and have been clinically proven (double-blind studies) to reduced swelling and pain.
My favourite is fish oil. Fish oil has many well documented benefits. This link below provides a good summary.
http://www.pinc.com/healthnews/fishoils.html
Most Americans don't take in enough EPA and DHA to maintain optimum health. There are few dietary sources other than oily fish. Omega-3-fortified eggs, new on the market, contain only small amounts. Walnuts, flaxseed and other vegetarian sources of omega-3 do not provide EPA and DHA but rather a precursor (alpha-linolenic acid) that the body must convert. This conversion is inefficient at best and often inhibited by high intake of the fats common in processed and fast food.
Their (EPA and DHA) most important actions are reducing inflammation, reducing the clotting tendency of the blood, improving the profile of fats circulating in the blood, optimizing brain function (DHA is a major constituent of cell membranes in the central nervous system) and inhibiting abnormal cell proliferation, thereby reducing cancer risks. All of this translates into significant disease protection. (Time Magazine)
A therapeutic dose of fish oil varies from patient to patient and is dependant on several factors. These include age, diet, weight and appropriate digestive function. Since the side effects are at most mild belching, fish oil is well tolerated even in high doses. I generally recommend 3000mg of EPA and DHA combined. The number of pills you need to take will depend on the quality of the oil to take.
A maintenance dose is about 1000mg of EPA and DHA per day.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Why your home might be Killing YOU and your FAMILY
Hello again! Sorry for the lack of recent updates, I recently got married and I am finally recovered from the madness!
Today's entry may come to a shock to some of you, but hopefully not all. I wanted to discuss the ever growing danger in our homes and environment, toxins.
How many of you clean your homes? shampoo your carpets? wash your clothes? get your clothes dry cleaned etc... you get the point. I'm sure everyone does a combination or all of the above.
"What's the big deal?" most of you will say. Well actually, it's a huge deal and the ever growing research is starting to show how these toxins are affecting our bodies and the catastrophic consequences of ignoring this threat to your health. In this entry I will list for you some of these toxins and where they are found in your day to day life.
There are over 70,000 chemicals commercially produced in the US. The long term effects of many of these chemicals have never been investigated. But many chemicals are harmful in very low doses. Unless generated by the body, the body's level for chemicals should be non-detectable, not "low level". Chemicals are widespread in our environment and constant exposure to low levels can cause dysfunction in many systems of the the body.
Here are just some of the classifications of toxins that we are constantly exposed to:
1.Electromagnetic - live close to power lines, sleep with an electric blanket, tanning beds, use a computer etc
2.Trichloroethylene - drink de-caf coffee, painting, copy machines, cleaning supplies
3.Formaldehyde - wear dry-cleaned clothes, foam mattresses, resins, glues, wallpaper, nail polish remover,
4.Pesticides and Herbicides - weed killers, store bought meat, veges, fruits
5.Volitile organic compounds - mothballs, air fresheners, laser printers, dry cleaning
6.Phenols - household cleaners, styrofoam cups, hair sprays, aerosols, Lysol, mildew cleaners
7.Carbon Monoxide - oil or gas stove, chimney damage, live on busy street, burn candles
8.Ozone - photocopier, power tools, ion generators, poor ventilation at work
9.Asbestos - live in an old house, have your nails treated with adhesives
10.Latex - baby bottle nipples, balloons, gloves, bandages
These toxins can affect every system in your body and have dramatic effects that you may not be aware of. It is a shame that no one is taking action to reduce our exposure to these toxic threats and a lack of consumer awareness plays a huge role. Thanks to modern science we can measure the toxic load to our bodies and measure the accumulation in the blood and fat cells.
In October of 2006, National Geographic wrote a brilliant article called the pollution within. I encourage each and every one of you to read this article and share it with those you love.
http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0610/feature4/index.html?fs=www3.nationalgeographic.com&fs=plasma.nationalgeographic.com
In light of all this blaring evidence the EPA and NIH have spent millions of research dollars to investigate this growing threat. There research has produced some staggering numbers:
-The indoor air quality in our homes is 70X more toxic than outdoor air
-Women who stay at home or work from home are 50% more likely to develop cancer
-Childhood asthma, ADD, ADHD, ear infections, immune compromise, bronchitis are all on the rise and directly affected by chemical exposure
-Fibromyalgia and chronic pain/fatigue is on the rise
So what can we do?
That is a very difficult and loaded question. I have this discussion with all of my patients. It is virtually impossible to remove every toxic exposure you come across. There are some threats that you can control and others that you cannot. Being a smarter shopper is the best way to start. Stop using commercial cleaners in your home. There are natural, safe alternatives out there that are just as effective as what you are using now and in some cases cheaper. It starts with you! Demand safer products, buy safer products and enhance the life of your family.
Here is another article from CNN of a California family's life changing story
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/10/22/body.burden/index.html
If you are just as concerned as I am about this, please e-mail me at patelchiropractic@yahoo.com and I can forward you a toxicity questionnaire that might give you insight into some of your health concerns.
Please also keep in mind that toxic exposure accumulates in your body. Some synthetic toxins are stored in the body's fat cells, making you a toxic store house! As time goes by these toxins will eventually effect your health.
Stay healthy!
Today's entry may come to a shock to some of you, but hopefully not all. I wanted to discuss the ever growing danger in our homes and environment, toxins.
How many of you clean your homes? shampoo your carpets? wash your clothes? get your clothes dry cleaned etc... you get the point. I'm sure everyone does a combination or all of the above.
"What's the big deal?" most of you will say. Well actually, it's a huge deal and the ever growing research is starting to show how these toxins are affecting our bodies and the catastrophic consequences of ignoring this threat to your health. In this entry I will list for you some of these toxins and where they are found in your day to day life.
There are over 70,000 chemicals commercially produced in the US. The long term effects of many of these chemicals have never been investigated. But many chemicals are harmful in very low doses. Unless generated by the body, the body's level for chemicals should be non-detectable, not "low level". Chemicals are widespread in our environment and constant exposure to low levels can cause dysfunction in many systems of the the body.
Here are just some of the classifications of toxins that we are constantly exposed to:
1.Electromagnetic - live close to power lines, sleep with an electric blanket, tanning beds, use a computer etc
2.Trichloroethylene - drink de-caf coffee, painting, copy machines, cleaning supplies
3.Formaldehyde - wear dry-cleaned clothes, foam mattresses, resins, glues, wallpaper, nail polish remover,
4.Pesticides and Herbicides - weed killers, store bought meat, veges, fruits
5.Volitile organic compounds - mothballs, air fresheners, laser printers, dry cleaning
6.Phenols - household cleaners, styrofoam cups, hair sprays, aerosols, Lysol, mildew cleaners
7.Carbon Monoxide - oil or gas stove, chimney damage, live on busy street, burn candles
8.Ozone - photocopier, power tools, ion generators, poor ventilation at work
9.Asbestos - live in an old house, have your nails treated with adhesives
10.Latex - baby bottle nipples, balloons, gloves, bandages
These toxins can affect every system in your body and have dramatic effects that you may not be aware of. It is a shame that no one is taking action to reduce our exposure to these toxic threats and a lack of consumer awareness plays a huge role. Thanks to modern science we can measure the toxic load to our bodies and measure the accumulation in the blood and fat cells.
In October of 2006, National Geographic wrote a brilliant article called the pollution within. I encourage each and every one of you to read this article and share it with those you love.
http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0610/feature4/index.html?fs=www3.nationalgeographic.com&fs=plasma.nationalgeographic.com
In light of all this blaring evidence the EPA and NIH have spent millions of research dollars to investigate this growing threat. There research has produced some staggering numbers:
-The indoor air quality in our homes is 70X more toxic than outdoor air
-Women who stay at home or work from home are 50% more likely to develop cancer
-Childhood asthma, ADD, ADHD, ear infections, immune compromise, bronchitis are all on the rise and directly affected by chemical exposure
-Fibromyalgia and chronic pain/fatigue is on the rise
So what can we do?
That is a very difficult and loaded question. I have this discussion with all of my patients. It is virtually impossible to remove every toxic exposure you come across. There are some threats that you can control and others that you cannot. Being a smarter shopper is the best way to start. Stop using commercial cleaners in your home. There are natural, safe alternatives out there that are just as effective as what you are using now and in some cases cheaper. It starts with you! Demand safer products, buy safer products and enhance the life of your family.
Here is another article from CNN of a California family's life changing story
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/10/22/body.burden/index.html
If you are just as concerned as I am about this, please e-mail me at patelchiropractic@yahoo.com and I can forward you a toxicity questionnaire that might give you insight into some of your health concerns.
Please also keep in mind that toxic exposure accumulates in your body. Some synthetic toxins are stored in the body's fat cells, making you a toxic store house! As time goes by these toxins will eventually effect your health.
Stay healthy!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
600 Physicians, Dentists, Scientists and Environmentalists Call for an End to Fluoridation
From: www.mercola.com
A statement asking Congress to end water fluoridation in the United States has been released by the Fluoride Action Network (FAN). Over 600 professionals, including a Nobel Prize winner, officers in the Union that represents Environmental Protection Agency professionals, and members of the National Research Council panel on fluoride's toxicology, have signed the statement.
The report urges Congressional members to “recognize that fluoridation is outdated, has serious risks that far outweigh any minor benefits, violates sound medical ethics, and denies freedom of choice.”
It cites eight recent events that call for an urgent end to water fluoridation. Among them:
A statement asking Congress to end water fluoridation in the United States has been released by the Fluoride Action Network (FAN). Over 600 professionals, including a Nobel Prize winner, officers in the Union that represents Environmental Protection Agency professionals, and members of the National Research Council panel on fluoride's toxicology, have signed the statement.
The report urges Congressional members to “recognize that fluoridation is outdated, has serious risks that far outweigh any minor benefits, violates sound medical ethics, and denies freedom of choice.”
It cites eight recent events that call for an urgent end to water fluoridation. Among them:
- A 500-page review of fluoride’s toxicology by the National Research Council of the National Academies, published in 2006.
- Evidence from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that found 32 percent of U.S. children have dental fluorosis, which is caused by fluoride.
- The American Dental Association’s 2006 policy change, which recommends not giving fluoridated water to infants for the first 12 months of life.
- A Harvard University study that found a five- to seven-fold increased risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) among young men who were exposed to fluoride between the ages of 6 and 8.
- The CDC’s recognition that fluoride is beneficial in reducing tooth decay when it’s applied topically, not taken systemically.
The statement calls for members of Congress to sponsor a new Congressional Hearing on Fluoridation that requires those who continue to support water fluoridation to provide scientific basis, under oath, for their continued recommendations.
According to one of the statement’s signers, Dr. Arvid Carlsson, winner of the 2000 Nobel Prize for Medicine, "Fluoridation is against all principles of modern pharmacology. It's really obsolete."
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