The article “Is Your Breakfast Giving You Cancer?” in the April issue of Prevention magazine has generated attention and concern regarding folic acid in my San Francisco bay area community, and elsewhere.  The article brought up recent findings that folic acid, the synthetic form of folate, seems to cause an increase in colon, lung and prostate cancers.  Understandably this should rouse serious concern because folic acid is in the vast majority of folic acid fortified foods and off-the-shelf vitamins.  More importantly, pregnant woman are told to take folic acid. This article was released following recent studies reported in the November 18, 2009 issue of JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), along with some recent studies, that show that increased folic acid intake contains significant risks ^{1 2 3}.

San Francisco Doctor: Folic Acid Facts

As I’ve been telling my patients in the San Francisco bay area, you need to know that it is crucial to know the different forms of folic acid.

Folic acid is the synthetic form while folate is the natural form.  Technically, the oxidized form of folic acid is called Pteroyl-L- Glutamic acid, which does not naturally occur in foods.  There is no naturally occurring biochemical reaction that utilizes this form.  It must be converted using a particular enzyme in order to be used in your body.  It happens to be the most stable for adding in food, thus, it is often used in fortifying foods with folic acid.  However, an estimated 33 % of people are genetically deficient in this enzyme that converts this folic acid form for it to be used by your body.

On the other hand, L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF) is the naturally occurring form of folic acid.  Technically, this is called folate.  It naturally occurs in foods.  It is referred to as the active form because it does not need to be converted to another form for used in your body.

What are the functions and benefits of L-5-MTHF?

• DNA repair
• amino acid metabolism
• biosynthesis of neurotransmitters
• involved in development of the myelin covering of nerve cells
• key detoxification reactions called methylation
• proper division of red blood cells
• reducing homocysteine
• regulation of gene expression; the control of healthful genes being “turned on” and harmful genes being “turned off”
• prevention of neural tube defects in developing embryos (spina bifida)

As I have mentioned in my other articles/blogs, the importance of folic acid in preventing neural tube defects was clearly proven by Drs. McCulley and Smithells from the 1960’s through the 1990’s in multiple studies.  Although synthetic form folic acid, was used in these studies, only 200 to 400 mcg were used, which is indicated as fairly safe.

San Francisco Doctor: Folic Acid Fallacies

Does excess intake of folic acid possibly increase the risk for cancer?

From the study by Cole ⁴, those people taking 1000 mcg of folic acid with a previous history of colorectal cancer had a 2.3 times increased risk of recurrence within 6- 8 years.  It is important to note that in this study folic acid, not folate, was used, and at the start of the study, the people participating in the study had significantly lower vitamin B12 levels.  Also note that each nutrient works synergistically with others, not in isolation from other nutrients.  Problems will likely occur when a study is designed where one nutrient is given at a high dose while excluding others.  Even more so, when synthetic forms are used.

Stolzenberg-Solomon, et al⁵ studied the effects of an average intake of 853 mcg/day of folic acid by postmenopausal women that consume alcohol. The result shows an increased risk of breast cancer for folic acid intake at higher doses.  Furthermore, those women with the higher intake of alcohol were at greater risk of breast cancer.  What’s the takeaway from this study?  The synthetic form of folate at high doses is a problem.

What studies show that folate form is protective against cancer?

In 2006, an article⁶ in The Journal of Nutrition and Cancer essentially reported that a diet with significant quantities of foods containing folate and vitamins B6, B12, C, E, selenium (a mineral) and lycopene (a phytonutrient) protects against various types of cancer, including colorectal cancer.

From careful reading of all the studies in this topic by nutritionists like myself, it is clear that the synthetic folic acid and the natural folate form are metabolized differently and used by the body differently. Therefore, it is a fallacy to equate the supplemental use of folate with folic acid regarding the increased risk of colon cancer or other cancers. I do not recommend taking supplemental folic acid at more than 400 mcg/day. Unfortunately, folic acid is what you get in most off-the-shelf supplements. Some of the professional nutritional supplement manufacturers have switched to folate in recent years since research on this started coming out.

How to avoid getting the synthetic folic acid:

• Avoid all highly processed grains.
• Look for “L-5 methyltetrahydrofolate” in the Supplement Facts table of the supplement bottle.  If “folic acid” is listed on the label, don’t use it!
• Do not buy a cheap multivitamin with folic acid thinking that it’s better than nothing, especially if you have a family history of colon cancer
• Eat plenty of dark green leafy vegetables daily, preferably organic
• Consult an experienced and knowledgeable nutritional expert who knows and understands the nuances of nutrition and keeps up-to-date with current research.  Test them: have them explain the differences between folic acid, folate and L-5 methyltetrahydrofolate. If they can’t, find someone else.

As promised, key reasons why “eat your vegetables” is absolutely one of the best piece of advice:

1. Dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, Swiss or rainbow chard, mustard greens and collard greens, contain folate in high amounts.
2. Nutrients work synergistically.  Vegetables have various nutrients that work together in your body.

If you have any questions regarding folic acid or help with where to buy multivitamins/supplements that contain folate, contact me whether or not you are in the San Francisco bay area.

Dr Douglas Husbands is a chiropractor, functional medicine doctor, nutritionist and anti-aging practitioner in the San Francisco bay area.  His chiropractic and wellness clinic is located in San Carlos, CA.

Copyright 2010. Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN, ABAAHP. All rights reserved.

References:

A couple of months ago, her mother brought her to me for effective non-drug asthma treatment options.  She had a chronically stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, and a deep wet cough during the day. At night, she would often have bouts of coughing for 20-30 minutes at 1 am and 5 am.  This significantly interrupted the her and her families’ sleep.  Partly as a result of the interrupted sleep, she had dark circles under her eyes.  She could not breathe through her nose but only with her mouth open.

• chiropractic adjustments
• a low-allergenic, anti-inflammatory diet
• nutrition supplements including probiotics, fish oil, curcuma longa extract powder, powdered quercetin ascorbate,  MSM powder, and extra vitamin D

By the way, regarding vitamin D,  a recent article published in the March 2010 issue of Mothering Magazine confirmed that a large majority of children with asthma have low vitamin D levels.  I also reported on this factor in my March 2007 newsletter issue of my newsletter called “Functional Health Notes”.

Within about 6 weeks, the mother reported that she has almost complete cessation of all symptoms mentioned above and has had no need of albuterol for 3 weeks.  She has decreased the dose of Flovent significantly also.  Their family is greatly relieved from this 3-year ordeal.

Copyright © 2010 Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN. All rights reserved.

http://www.drhusbands.com/blog/ Chiropractic / Asthma Treatment for Children: A Functional Medicine Approach

Pregnancy Back Pain Statistics

According to the American Pregnancy Association, 50 to 70 percent of all pregnant women have back pain. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, back pain during pregnancy is one of the most common discomforts of pregnancy.

In a February 2007 cross-sectional study reported in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics [1.  Skaggs C, Prather H, Gross G, et.al., Back and pelvic pain in an underserved United States pregnant population: A preliminary descriptive survey. J Manipulative Physiol Theraputics, 2007;30:130-134.], 67% of the 599 women reported musculoskeletal pain in the second trimester of pregnancy.  80% of those women with pain slept less than 4 hours per night. 75% of these women took pain medications. 85% of these women felt they had not been offered effective treatment options for their pregnancy back pain.

Unfortunately, many women are not aware of effective, safe, non-pharmaceutical options for back pain relief. This is partly because many obstetricians and gynecologists are not aware of the safety and efficacy of chiropractic manipulation for pregnancy-related back pain.

Some Causes of Pregnancy Back Pain

• Changing Hormones:  The hormonal changes during pregnancy allow the ligaments to soften in preparation for childbirth.  Ligaments connect bones to bones via the joints.  The joints can more easily get out of proper alignment, causing pain. Restoring proper alignment with specific chiropractic techniques for pregnancy can decrease pain.
• Increased Spinal Curvature: As the baby grows in the womb, a woman’s center of gravity shifts forward.  This causes the low back curvature to increase.  The mid-back and neck curves also increase as a result.  This can cause jamming of the joints of the spine, specifically the facet joints.
• Sacroiliac Joint and Pubic Symphasis Laxity: The pelvic joints in particular become more relaxed in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.  This allows the joints to very easily become misaligned.  The misalignment causes pain and restoring proper alignment via chiropractic care often provides significant relief.
• Stress: With the postural and structural changes in pregnancy stress often finds the weak spots, and during stressful times you may find an increase in back pain during stressful periods in pregnancy.

Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care for Pregnancy-Related Back Pain

A review of previous studies on the effectiveness of chiropractic for pregnant women with lower back pain was published in the July 2008 edition of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics [2.  Stuber K, Smith D. Chiropractic treatment of pregnancy-related low back pain: A systematic review of the evidence. J Manipulative Physiol Theraputics, 2008;31:447-454.].  This study reviewed the previously published journal articles between January 1982 to July 2007.  Six studies met the criteria for inclusion in this review.  Interestingly, the authors noted that 68% to 85% of pregnant women with pregnancy back pain do not look for any care for their lower back pain. The authors theorize that this is because most pregnant women consider back pain to be a normal part of the pregnancy.

In one study, 100% of the 103 women receiving chiropractic treatment attained greater than 50% relief of back pain.  In another study, 84% of the 25 subjects reported lower back pain relief with chiropractic manipulation.  None of the studies reviewed indicated any adverse effects or evidence of harm to either the pregnant woman or unborn child from the chiropractic care.

My Clinical Experience Treating Women with Pregnancy Back Pain

Over the last 19 years, I have treated many women with back pain from pregnancy.  Chiropractic treatments are modified to consider the biomechanical changes and hormonal alterations on a woman’s body for safe and effective treatment, for the mother and the in-utero infant. There are many techniques to safely and effectively perform chiropractic manipulation on pregnant women.

In my experience, one of the most comfortable and effective chiropractic treatment methods that pregnant women seem to prefer is the use of Cox Flexion-Distraction while lying on their side.  I have written about the Cox Flexion method in other articles, such as on herniated neck disc treatment.  With this method during and after treatment, I consistently have women who have had previously had other chiropractic techniques performed by other doctors telling me that they have never felt so good since becoming pregnant.  They often sleep significantly better and are more emotionally stable.

Unfortunately, not all chiropractors have training and advanced experience using Cox Flexion-Distraction.  It is an elective technique taught in some chiropractic schools and offered as a continuing education course to chiropractors.   An article that I wrote in 1991 on this technique was published in the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association.   To my knowledge, on the San Francisco Peninsula where I’m located, I’m one of the few who utilize this method.  I offer this pregnancy back pain treatment in my chiropractic clinic in San Carlos.

Copyright © 2010 Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN. All rights reserved.

http://www.drhusbands.com/blog/ Chiropractic / Pregnancy Back Pain

Case in point:  A lawsuit was filed on March 2, 2010 in San Francisco superior court against 8 brands of fish oil supplement manufacturers with high levels of contamination with polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCB’s).  The initial defendants named are (in alphabetical order): CVS Pharmacy, Inc.; General Nutrition Corp. (GNC); Now Health Group, Inc.; Omega Protein, Inc.; Pharmavite LLC (Nature Made brand); Rite Aid Corp.; Solgar, Inc.; and TwinLab Corp.  These manufacturers had fish oil supplements that exceeded the recommended safe highest limit for PCB’s of 90 parts per billion (ppb).

One fish oil supplement manufacturer that I have consistently recommended due to repeated batch testing by independent 3rd party tests showing very low contamination levels of 1.0 parts per trillion (ppt) or less, is Nordic Naturals.

Safety is just one reason why I take painstaking detail in researching fish oils and other nutrition supplements for my patients’ needs.  Knowing the nutrients required in helping restore a patient’s health is as important as choosing the right brand.  Some brands simply do not have the adequate therapeutic amounts, while some have questionable safety.  Adequate dosage, in the purest form available, and combined with other nutrients for their synergistic effect, along with functional medicine approach and effective chiropractic techniques, are components of our health restoration program in our clinic.

If you have need to consult regarding using fish oil or our health restoration programs call our appointment desk at (650) 593-4447.  We are offering a free consultation for the first 10 minutes for those who are scheduling for the first time through March 2010.

http://www.drhusbands.com/blog/ General / Is Your Fish Oil Safe?

Now back to why you are reading this page.  If you are looking for some latest nutrition articles, read on.  In the interest of time, instead of lengthy articles, I will share briefs from the 2009 clinical nutrition symposium.

When I attend scientific symposiums, I look for health and nutrition facts to share with my patients, and readers of my nutrition articles, blog and newsletter.  In particular, I look for health and nutriton info that empowers people to make well-informed healthy choices.  Here are briefs from the 2009 International and American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists (IAACN) Symposium.  Each section begins with the name of the doctor the statements are attributed to.

Mitchell Ghen, DO, PhD

• Here’s a simple at home test to check if your stomach is producing too little stomach acid (hypochlorhydria):  First thing in the morning, mix 1 egg, 4 oz beet juice and a glass of water in a blender and drink.  If after 4 hours there is any pinkness in the stool, you have hypochlorhydria.  Why is adequate stomach acid important?  Read my nutrition article on low stomach acid.
• Due to sprayed pesticides being recirculated in the air inside airplanes and exposure to ionizing radiation from thinner atmosphere at high altitudes, in an 8-hour flight, your body gets the equivalent DNA damage of smoking 200 cigarettes.  It would be impractical to never again get on an airplane for a trip for family, business or leisure reasons.  However, this should serve as another reason why having antioxidants in our diet and nutrition supplements is very important.
• The adequate blood vitamin D levels are 40 to 80 ng/ml.
• 50,000 to 70,000 deaths per year could be prevented if everyone has adequate blood vitamin D levels.
• The maintenance dose of supplemental essential fatty acids (found in fish and krill oil) for a healthy person is 2500 mg/day.  For anyone with heart rhythm abnormalities (arrythmia), it is 5000 mg/day.  For those with neurologic disorders (Parkinsons, Alzheimer’s), it is 10,000 mg/day.
• Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a measurement of how well a food absorbs damaging free-radicals.  The average person gets 1200 ORAC units/day.  3000-5000 are needed to raise tissue antioxidant levels.  Some products contain 21,000 ORAC units.  People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) should not take extremely high ORAC unit products because they will often feel more fatigued.

Thomas O’Bryan, DC, DACBN, CCN

• Vitamin D controls a molecule made in our body (called “zonulin”) that allows potential immune-damaging substances in getting through our gut lining into our bloodstream.
• Gluten, found in many grains, signals our gut lining to activate zonulin.  If our vitamin D intake is too low, or our blood vitamin D levels are inadequte, too much zonulin is produced.   Therefore, adequate vitamin D is necessary to prevent damage from gluten-containing grains
• A recent study showed that elevated blood zonulin levels measured prior to the development of type 1 diabetes, were found in 70% of those who eventually developed type 1 diabetes (childhood onset diabetes); the study also showed the elevated zonulin levels preceeded the onset of type 1 diabetes by 3 1/2 years.  ¹
• Markers for elevated zonulin can also be found using special urine tests.  Measuring urine indicators for elevated zonulin provides early detection of potentially developing type 1 diabetes.  If detected, you can then decrease dietary gluten and increase vitamin D to prevent type 1 diabetes.  This could save many families from the discomfort, inconvenience and expense of childhood onset diabetes.

Steve Haltiwanger, MD, CCN

• Free-radical damage to the brain and a decline in the energy production of nerve cells preceeds symptoms of dementia by years.  Antioxidant protection is necessary to prevent and treat free-radical brain damage.  Therapeutic doses of lipoic acid, vitamin E, vitamin D, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), vitamin C, and Ginkgo biloba are helpful for this purpose.
• All cells have energy producing structures called “mitochondria”.  Nerve and brain cells should normally have about 4000 mitochondria in each cell.  Deginerative brain diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzhiemer’s, etc.) have low energy produced by nerve cells and a decreased number of mitochondria.  To increase the energy produced by brain cells and restore mitochondria to prevent or treat deginerative brain diseases, supplemental Coenzyme Q10, NADH, phosphatidylserine, acetyl-L-carnitine in therapeutic doses are very helpful.

More nutrition articles that you can apply right away will be posted in this blog.  Stay tuned for part 2.

http://www.drhusbands.com/blog/ Anti-Aging / Nutrition Articles Update: Briefs From the 2009 IAACN Symposium

1. Lack of sufficient sunlight with dangerously low vitamin D levels in the blood – Many studies have now established that proper levels of vitamin D are critical for prevention of hormonal disruptions associated with pre-diabetes and obesity, (or weight gain). Getting your serum vitamin D (25-OH-D) levels measured through blood tests and using sufficient amounts of supplemental vitamin D to bring your level to between 40 and 80 ng/ml is a simple preventive measure.
2. Development of “SAD” – Seasonal Affective Disorder, which affects about 25% of the population with about 5% at severe levels.  It is a form of depression that commonly begins in September, and peaks in the months of January and February. It often involves sleep disturbances, fatigue, adrenal gland dysregulation, weight gain or development of obesity, and diabetes or pre-diabetes (better known as insulin resistance). What’s the solution for not getting SAD? Getting your vitamin D levels measured and supplementing with sufficient vitamin D.
3. Having a SAD diet – The Standard American Diet, which is also abbreviated SAD, has high amounts of processed grains and sugar, high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, low levels of omega-3 fatty acids, and insufficient vegetables, fruit, beans, legumes and nuts.  Americans often go for convenience rather than planning and preparing meals and snacks.  Maintaining the SAD diet will predispose you to diabetes and obesity.
4. Poor daily detoxification – During the cold, rainy winter months, people are indoors for the vast majority of the day. As discussed in a previous blog on detoxification, detoxification from environmental exposures such as carpet out-gassing, paints, and cleaning products is necessary for preventing storage of fat. Making every effort to enhance your body’s own detoxification processes is critical, particularly in the winter months.

I encourage you to prevent diabetes and obesity, by increasing your vitamin D especially during the winter months, having a healthy diet, and practicing a lifestyle that enhances detoxification and going on a detox program periodically.

http://www.drhusbands.com/blog/ Diabetes / Prevent Winter Weight Gain: Prevent Diabetes and Obesity

Your genes do not predetermine your health, epigenetics play a bigger role in determining your health.  In other words, your lifestyle, diet, nutrition program, habits, daily health choices and environment influence your health much more so than your genetic make-up. These factors actually change what genes are turned on and off.  On top of that, not only do they influence your health, but also the health of your children and grandchildren!

Epigentics is the topic in the featured article in the recent Time magazine issue, (dated January 18, 2010).  This was a compelling article.

It reminded me of the series of articles I wrote in 2005.  If you’d like to know how you can practically apply principles of epigenetics to your advantage, read these articles:

• Fitting Into Your Genes: How Nutrition Can Alter Your Future – Part 1
• Fitting Into Your Genes: How Nutrition Can Alter Your Future – Part 2
• Fitting Into Your Genes: How Nutrition Can Alter Your Future – Part 3

With 66% of Americans overweight and 33% obese, the dietary, lifestyle and environmental influences are the controllable variables which can modify genetic predispositions towards obesity.  Of particular interest in the current scientific community is the role of detoxification of environmental toxins in weight loss.

In my 20 years of clinical experience, with patients successfully achieving weight loss and maintenance, I can attest to the power of the application of Functional Medicine principles for turning off bad genes and turning on good genes.

Use factors of epigenetics such as lifestyle changes, diet, nutrition program or exercise to improve your health and appearance.  If your genes are keeping you from fitting into your jeans or your desired lifestyle and appearance, then join us at one of our Detox Group Classes!  A new class will be starting in February.   Contact us if you are interested.

http://www.drhusbands.com/blog/ Anti-Aging Health / Epigenetics: You Can Make Your Genes Fit You

Not all weight loss programs cause primarily fat loss, and not all fat loss programs enhance detoxification.  For long-term and effective weight loss, you have to have a fat loss program that enhances detoxification.

Weight Loss Programs With Detoxification Results in Significant Fat Loss

Most toxins are lipophilic compounds, meaning, they are literally “fat loving” compounds.  They love to hang out in fat cells.  They also promote fat gain.  The more fat present on a person’s body, the more room for toxins to be stored.  In addition, the more stored toxins, the more they can promote more fat stored.  Thus, a vicious cycle goes on, unless you remove the toxins from the stored fat.

Why Detoxification Is Important in Weight Loss Programs

Research data implies that the obesity epidemic in the U.S. is due to toxic overload. An article in the April 2002 issue of The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine¹ concluded that: “The commonly held causes of obesity -overeating and inactivity- do not explain the current obesity epidemic.  Because the obesity epidemic occured rather quickly, it has been suggested that environmental causes instead of genetic factors may be largely responsible”.  In other words, they are saying that environmental toxins created in large amounts over the last 50 to 100 years could explain the widespread obesity epidemic.

We All Have Toxins In Our Bodies

In our current environment, we have toxins everywhere: from chemicals used in cleaning products, to outgassing of newly installed flooring and newly painted rooms, and from exposure to pesticides and plastic food containers.  Many of these toxins have estrogen-like activity.  As Harry Eidenier, PhD stated: “We are swimming in a sea of estrogens”.  So what?  Excess estrogens in the body cause fat storage.

It is not a question of whether or not we are exposed to toxins, we are all exposed.  The questions should be what is the extent of exposure and how many of these toxins are stored in our fat cells. Toxins are even found in babies in their mothers’ wombs!  In a study overseen by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), researchers at two major laboratories found an average of 200 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals in 10 newborn babies, with a total of 287 chemicals found in the group. Of the 287 chemicals found in newborn umbilical cord blood, 180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause developmental problems.  EWG detected 287 chemicals of 413 tested (69 percent) in umbilical cord blood samples from 10 newborn babies, with a range of between 154 and 231 for each child. They found 101 chemicals in all babies tested. You can go to the Humane Toxome Project homepage to find toxic exposure results in your area.

What Happens During Detoxification?

Technically speaking, detoxification occurs in all the cells of the body, not just the liver.  Cellular detoxification is a two-phase process.  A simplified explanation in a multi-step process is being provided for the scope of this article.  Phase 1 detoxification essentially pulls toxins stored in fat cells and converts them to a form so they can be circulated in the bloodstream.  Phase 2 detoxification essentially converts the toxins circulating in the bloodstream to a form where they can be excreted from the body via urine, feces and sweat.  Balanced phase 1 and 2 detoxification is crucial.

For the beginning of the year, we are having a detoxification program designed to pull toxins from fat stores and decrease stored fat as described above.  On Saturday, January 9th from 12:30 to 2:00 pm, we are having our introductory session for the “Post Holiday Group Detox/Weight Loss Program“.  Complimentary lunch is being provided by CookSF.com.

We covered all bases for an effective weight loss program:

• Patient program guides and instructions are included.
• Suggested meal plans are included.
• All detox-enhancing supplements are included in the price of the 3 week detox program.
• No time to make your meals?  Can’t cook?  We have chosen CookSF as an optional part of this program because they deliver organic and gluten-free meals at very reasonable prices.  Most of their prepared meal choices are in line with the principles of our detoxification program. You may purchase detox meals during the program at an additional cost.  Get a taste of their food when you attend on Saturday.
• Selected personal exercise trainers will be present this Saturday as an option to help you get correctly started on a sustained exercise program.

Come join us on January 9th to find out more about the weight loss/detoxification program that is unlike the vast majority of weight loss programs out there.  You will end up having sustainable, effective weight loss and fat loss, look and feel better.  Contact us now to reserve your seat with program guides and materials, and of course, your free meal.  For those outside the San Francisco bay area, contact us, too.  If we get enough interest from outside our area, we will do a webinar version of the program.

Copyright © 2010 Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN. All rights reserved.

http://www.drhusbands.com/blog/ Anti-Aging Health / Effective Weight Loss Programs Cause Fat Loss And Detoxification

Most people take a pain pill for their lower back pain and try to continue their activities while thinking of getting professional help later at a more convenient time.  They are unaware that, in many cases, they could get pain relief or decreased pain from just a few chiropractic adjustments.  In some cases, a significant decrease of pain on the first visit to a chiropractor occurs.  I know this because I’ve had new patients say, “wow!” after experiencing their first chiropractic adjustment for their lower back pain.

It is not surprising that many are unaware of this.  Statistically, most people go to their family doctor (often specializing in general practice or internal medicine).  For lower back pain syndromes, family doctors typically do not delve deeply into diagnosing the underlying origin of musculoskeletal pain.  A prescription for a pain reliever or a muscle relaxant is typical.  This only covers up the problem temporarily.  Often, the lower back pain cause is not identified.  When the problem is not resolved, it could lead to complications, and in some cases, disability.

Two of the most common lower back pain causes are facet joint pain and disc pain.  To find out more about facet joint pain and disc pain, go to these links.

Lower Back Facet Joint Pain Treatment

Restoring smooth unrestricted motion is key to resolving facet origin lower back pain.  In cases where restoring smooth unrestricted motion is unattainable, such as in significant arthritis, restoring normal motion to the greatest extent possible will often provide significant relief.  For best results, decreasing intra-joint inflammation and supplying the joints with the necessary nutrients for repair and maintenance are required.  In my chiropractic clinic in the San Carlos – Redwood City area, I use some or all of the following “tools”:

• Chiropractic spinal manipulation, aka chiropractic adjustments, to decrease nerve irritation and restore motion
• Therapeutic exercise to restore motion, strengthen muscles and relax hypertonic muscles
• Postural alignment such as use of special pillows for sleep positioning
• Activity modification such as altering your work or home environment to avoid excessive twisting or slouching
• Use of anti-inflammatory herbs and nutrient compounds such as Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), Willow bark (Salix species), Boswellia (Boswellia serrata), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), proteolytic enzymes and essential fatty acids
• Use of cartilage-nourishing nutrients such as glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), and essential fatty acids

With the use of some or all of these methods, you can often experience facet-origin lower back pain relief after the first treatment or within a day or two.  Some or all of these tools are used depending on the extent of the pain or injury.  Medical management of facet joint pain includes injecting anti-inflammatory medicines into the facet joints with a needle, which is often unneccessary.  Sometimes surgical treatment of facet joint pain is recommended, but this is very rarely necessary.

Lower Back Disc Pain Treatment

The primary goal of effective disc pain treatment is to decrease the nucleus pulposus from bulging out through the slight ligament tears, thereby taking the pressure off the nerves, and allow the tears to heal.  In cases where restoring the nucleus pulposus to the center of the disc is unattainable, such as when a piece of the nucleus pulposus has seperated from the disc and moved up or down the spinal cord (termed a disc extrusion or free fragment), then more invasive surgical procedures may be required.  Disc extrusions are not as common as disc protrusions however.  For best results, decreasing localized disc inflammation and supplying the discs with the necessary nutrients for repair and maintenance are required. In my chiropractic clinic in the San Carlos – Redwood City area, I use some or all of the following “tools”:

• Chiropractic spinal manipulation, aka chiropractic adjustments, using the Cox Flexion-Distraction procedure to resolve the lower back disc protrusion
• Therapeutic exercise to decrease the disc bulge, and decrease pain and inflammation
• Temporary, short-term use of orthopedic supports (such as a removable lower back support) to maintain the reduction of disc protrusion after a treatment
• Postural alignment such as use of special pillows for sleep positioning
• Activity modification such as altering your work or home environment to avoid lower back disc irritation or reinjury
• Use of anti-inflammatory herbs and nutrient compounds such as Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), Willow bark (Salix species), Boswellia (Boswellia serrata), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), proteolytic enzymes and essential fatty acids
• Use of cartilage-nourishing nutrients such as glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), and essential fatty acids

Using some or all of these methods, you can often expect significant lower back disc pain relief after the first treatment.  There is between an 89 to 95% success rate for complete resolution of disc protrusions within 8 to 10 weeks using the Cox Technic.

Best Options for Lower Back Pain Treatment

Rather than just try to cover-up the lower back pain and/or not identifying the lower back pain cause, seek help from a chiropractor and nutritionist!  You will save yourself a great deal of pain and inconvenience, and may even save your ability to participate and enjoy this season’s festivities!  By the way, not all chiropractors have extensive training and experience in nutrition as I have, so they may not provide a comprehensive nutrition program to help decrease inflammation and support healing as I have outlined above.  If you live or work near San Carlos, Redwood City, San Mateo, Foster City, Belmont and Redwood Shores, contact us to schedule an appointment.  If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your condition first, take advantage of our free 10-minute consultation.

Copyright © 2009 Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN. All rights reserved.

http://www.drhusbands.com/blog/ Chiropractic / Lower Back Pain Causes and Relief

Here is your chance for input!     Voice your opinion on improvements for food labels.  Since many of you who follow this blog are well informed on nutrition, here is your opportunity for direct input on food label that will impact our lives for years to come. The invitation to comment by the FDA can be downloaded [PDF] or viewed online.  For reference, the docket number is FDA–2009–N–0532 and you can submit your comment here.

Here are my suggestions for improving the food labels:

1. Caffeine content:  Items containing caffeine should state the exact amounts.  Often energy drinks, sodas and snacks contain a significant amount.  This information should be made available on the food label.
2. Amount of added sugar:  Presently there is no distinction between total sugar in foods and drinks, and added sugar.  The sugar found naturally in foods may be far different from the amount of sugar added.  Putting this on the food nutrition facts label would help those who are trying to better control their blood sugar, such as diabetics and pre-diabetics (insulin resistant).
3. Real amount of trans-fats:  Presently if a product contains less than 0.5 grams trans fats per serving, manufacturers can label it 0 grams trans fats.  The manufacturers often “adjust” the serving size so that it contains less than 0.5 grams trans fat, so they can legally label that as 0.  But the serving size is often a ridiculously small amount.  For instance, 3 potato chips.   In other words, the manufacturers should be required to indicate if there are any trans fats in the product based on a realistic serving size!
4. Standardized food labels:  A standard format for food labels would be helpful.  Presently, check marks, stars, and other markings are allowed.  If there is some type of standardized food nutrition facts label format, it would be easier to read and understand.
5. Percentage of ingredients: If the percentage of ingredients are known, it would shed a great amount of light on what is really in the food product.
6. Highlight controversial ingredients: Red food dye in particular is associated with hyperactivity in kids.  This warning, and others like it should be clearly available to parents on food labels!

I hope you join me in sending input to the FDA for the improvement of food labels.  Having better information on the food nutrition facts label will help those with specific health issues that require reducing or eliminating certain foods from their diet.

Copyright © 2009 Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN. All rights reserved.

http://www.drhusbands.com/blog/ Help the FDA Improve the U.S. Food Labels