What's In Your Cereal?

I write this article with some trepidation because I know how important this may be to those of you who are on the go, and for moms who have limited budgets for food to feed their children.  With that in mind, I'd like to help you make better choices with your cereal by educating you on what goes into the manufacturing of your favorite morning food.

Are They Really Whole Grain?

Cereals are made from what started out as whole grains when they were originally harvested from the fields.  They are then milled into flour, or sometimes not, and made into the form you get when you buy a box of cereal.  What one needs to appreciate is that during the refining process, several things happen.  Obviously, the grain is processed from its original form into the form you see, but what also occurs during the refining process is it causes all of the vitamins to be destroyed.  During refining, the germ portion of the grain, where all the vital vitamins exist, is removed.  I'll help you to understand that in a minute.  But because all the vitamins have been removed, this is the reason they now have to "Enrich" the flour when making the cereal.  This is true for bread as well.  Otherwise, there would be no "nutrition" to the cereal.  Realistically, because the cereal has had all the synthetic vitamins added, there truly is no healthy nutrition within the cereal at all.  Instead, you get a small or large dose of processed sugar that gets stored as fat, while at the same time suppresses your Immune System. 

Getting back to the reason why the germ is removed, this is because of the essential oils that are found there.  For the grain to be healthy, these essential oils are needed and created by the plant during its normal growth.  They help to make the seeds necessary for the following years plant.  Once the plant is harvested, the grain, like a piece of fruit will start to decompose.  If the essential oils within the germ are left with the rest of the grain during the refining into flour, the oils, after about 5 or 7 days, begin to decompose and turn rancid.  This causes the taste of the grain to become sour or bitter.  Needless to say, if your cereal tasted bitter, you probably wouldn't eat it.  Another problem of rancid oils besides the taste, is the likelihood of the rancidity of the oils causing the formation of "free radicals."  These are potential cancer causing agents.  And why would a manufacturer want to do that?  This causes the manufacturers to make a decision.  They have to A) remove the essential oils that contain all the vitamins and nutrition, and replace them with synthetic, non-digestible and incomplete vitamins, -or- B) leave the essential oils in the cereal, and add a huge amount of sugar to disguise the rancid taste.  Neither seems a good choice if you are interested in being healthy.  So what should a person do?

My Recommendation To You

If you feel that cereal is the best choice for breakfast, due to its convenience or because of the cost issue, I suggest the following.  It will require you to become friendly with your local health food store owner.  Ask him to order you your whole grain cereal, and to call you the day it arrives.  Go and purchase it that very same day, and then return home with the cereal so you can transfer it from the box it came in to a Tupperware container.  Then keep the container in the refrigerator.  This will help to keep the oils from going rancid, and you won't have to eat all of that sugar.  Likewise, you won't be eating all of those empty calories.  This of course will help your body to respond with less weight, better energy and improved health because of it.  And you might be surprised to see you or your children having an easier time concentrating and learning.  Can you imagine what that will mean, if your kids could concentrate and listen better in school?  I realize it requires doing things differently, and that would be worth the trouble, don't you think?  After all, we are talking about your kids health and your sanity.

I hope this information has been helpful.  If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at docrick@spineboy.com or you can call me directly at (845) 561-2225.

The Sunshine Vitamin

We all know that Vitamin D is a critically important component in building strong bones and strong teeth. It turns out that Vitamin D has a vast number of additional functions that are essential for overall health and well-being..

Spinal Alignment and Vitamin D

Chiropractic care is an essential ingredient of any nutrition-focused wellness program. Ensuring that you're getting your "five to stay alive" daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables is a very important component of such a program. For many of us, daily vitamin supplementation is also important. And as we've seen in the accompanying article, getting sufficient doses of real-world, actual sunshine is an often-overlooked and misunderstood aspect of wellness care. A healthy diet combined with vitamin supplementation (as needed) is a very good beginning, and chiropractic care helps make all your good efforts pay off. Chiropractic care helps your body to make good use of what you're putting into it. Chiropractic care helps ensure that your digestive system is working properly so that your body will keep what it needs and eliminate what it doesn't. Chiropractic care helps your muscles use nutrients efficiently, so you're able to feel energized and do work effectively. Chiropractic care helps your immune system make good use of nutrients so you can reduce inflammation and fight off potential microbial invaders. Chiropractic care and good nutrition go together to help you maintain vibrant physical health.

We all know that Vitamin D is a critically important component in building strong bones and strong teeth. It turns out that Vitamin D has a vast number of additional functions.

For example, recent research shows that low Vitamin D levels is related to increased risk for diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease.¹ Insufficient Vitamin D during pregnancy can lead to gestational diabetes as well as pre-eclampsia² (pregnancy-induced hypertension), which may be life-threatening. Links between low Vitamin D levels and development of cancer have been studied for many years.³

Vitamin D insufficiency has been associated with mild depression, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke, as well as with peripheral neuropathy, lupus, and fibromyalgia. It seems that Vitamin D has a huge impact on almost every aspect of our physical health. It makes sense for everyone to ensure they are getting enough Vitamin D on a daily basis.

How to get enough Vitamin D? The best source of this powerful vitamin is sunlight. The sun's rays stimulate skin cells to produce the activated form of Vitamin D, cholecalciferol (Vitamin D₃). Activated Vitamin D helps regulate levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood stream, helps maintain normal bone mineralization, and helps regulate nerve function, the immune response, and genes responsible for cell growth, differentiation, and cell death. These genetic regulatory functions are associated with Vitamin D's role in cancer prevention.

Back in the day, people were outdoors much more than they are in the 21st century. There were no text messages, no multiplayer games, no social networking sites (people actually "networked" by meeting each other in physical space), and definitely no computers that occupied less than entire room's worth of square feet.

Our modern lifestyle causes us to stay indoors, far away from the healthful rays of the sun. Oh wait - the sun's rays aren't that healthful anymore because of pollution and radical degradation of the ozone layer by excessive accumulations of free radicals in the atmosphere. The resulting increased exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation from the sun can cause skin cancer in those who are susceptible and do not protect themselves with sunscreens.

To balance the daily requirement for Vitamin D with the opposing need to avoid undue exposure, most studies recommend getting 15 to 30 minutes of unprotected sunlight several times per week (two to four such expeditions each week are sufficient). Importantly, studies demonstrate that three out of four Americans have Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency affects more than one billion people worldwide.

Vitamin D supplementation may also be recommended, particularly for those who live in sun-deprived climates and for most people in winter. Two thousand IU of Vitamin D₃ is typical daily dose.

¹Swales HH, Wang TJ: Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease risk: emerging evidence. Curr Opin Cardiol July 7, 2010 (Epub ahead of print)

²Lapillonne A: Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may impair maternal and fetal outcomes. Med Hypotheses 74(1):71-75, 2010

³Edlich R, et al: Scientific documentation of the relationship of vitamin D deficiency and the development of cancer. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol 28(2):133-141, 2009

Seminar on Building Immunity

As we move into Fall, which begins in the Month of September, I wanted to offer anyone interested the opportunity to learn "How to Build and Improve Your Immunity" so that you and perhaps your children could begin to have a healthy Fall and Winter.

On Tuesday, September 21st and 28th at 6:30 pm, I will be offering a seminar on Building Immunity in a Natural and Holistic Way, designed to teach you what you can do to help you and your family develop a healthy and strong Immune System.

What the one class will offer is an opportunity for you to understand What causes your Immune System to be strong or weak; What you are currently doing to sabotage your own Immune System, and those of your family; What can be done to help shift your life-style from the Immune System Suppression one you currently have, over to one that will serve as a foundation for getting and staying healthy.  I will offer simple techniques that you or anyone can do to stimulate your Immune System in a natural way, and what it means if, when practicing these techniques, your body is sore.

The class will offer the opportunity for you to ask all your health and Immune related questions, and give you the chance to have your Immune System evaluated. 

The cost of the class is FREE, but limited to the first 20 people who call and reserve their spot.  So please call the office at (845) 561-2225 and tell us which Tuesday evening will fit your schedule.  With everyone getting back into their Back To School routine, developing these Immune Building habits is important.  Please take advantage of this opportunity, and have a healthy Fall and Winter.

Sugar and Immunity

Last month I covered the first half of the Earth Element, the Stomach.  It represents the Yang or forceful energy of the element.  This month I will discuss the Yin portion of the element which covers both the Spleen and the Pancreas.  Since these organs relate to two different aspects of the body, it will be important to appreciate their differences and seeing how they fit together into the Earth Element of the 5 Element Theory. 

The Spleen as an organ is the resting place for all blood cells.  It is the recycling plant for both the red and white blood cells.  The spleen itself has two parts. The first serves to build Immune Cells known as antibodies needed to fight infection, and the second part functions to remove any parts within the blood that don't belong there, such as bacteria or viruses.  The organ itself is situated to the left and slightly behind your stomach, while sitting above and slightly in front of your left Kidney.  The Pancreas, likewise is on the left, just below the Stomach and in front and to the right of the Spleen.  The function of the Pancreas is to produce digestive enzymes designed to process sugar from the Small Intestine into the blood stream, and then to secrete Insulin when the Liver tells the body to store the circulating sugar within the blood stream.  The two together make up the Yin portion of the Earth Element as mentioned.

The Yin portion of the Earth Element represents the Subconscious mind, to balance out the conscious mind of the Yang portion, the Stomach.  The associated sense organ with the Element is taste, responding to the sweetness found in nature which causes the body to salivate.  The consciousness of the Earth Element is that of Essence--the primary sense of the presence of the body.  The Yin activity is the subconscious mind involved in the intuitive process.  Understanding something from an intuitive sense originates energetically within the body from the Spleen/Pancreas.  The Yin muscles associated with the Spleen/Pancreas are the middle and lower Trapezius muscles between the shoulder blades, the triceps in the back of the arms, and the Latissimus Dorsi of the back.  Also represented are the palms of the hands.  The areas governed by this half of the element are the body's general tissues.  

The emotions associated with the Earth Element are all a bi-product of worry.  The balanced natural emotion is thinking.  As worry is the main activator of the thinking process, all thinking is a state of various degrees of worry combined with other emotions.  Pathologically, the emotion is that of confusion.  Involved worry and thinking will create confusion in the body-mind complex.  This particularly affects metabolism -- especially sugar metabolism.  The chief emotion as a result of worry and confusion sponsors a sense of Low Self-esteem.  Isn't it ironic that when a person begins to worry which leads to confusion and low self-esteem, is it any wonder they end up reaching for sugary sweet foods?  They are trying to satisfy the Pancreas portion of the element.  And is it any wonder that when one eats sugar, it will create imbalances in the Spleen leading to Immune cell dysfunction?  Other minor emotions related to this and stored in the Spleen/Pancreas are over concern, lives through others, hopelessness, lack of control over events, and distrust. 

Conditions related to Spleen imbalance are those that present as Splenomegaly, or enlarged Spleen, primarily as a result of inflammation.  This inflammation can be caused by the following conditions:  Infectious Mononucleosis (aka Mono), Sarcoidosis, Amyloidosis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (aka Lupus) and Cirrhosis of the Liver. Because of the condition of cirrhosis, most commonly caused by over consumption of alcohol, its ironic that the Pancreas' main cause of inflammation in greater than 80 % is Alcoholism.   The remaining 20 % of Pancreatitis is due to hyperlipidemia (to many blood fats) hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia, drugs, structural problems with the pancreatic duct, or infection. 

The most common condition associated with the Pancreas, of course, is Diabetes.  Diabetes is the result of a Pancreas that does not produce Insulin, aka Type I or Juvenile Diabetes, or doesn't produce enough Insulin, aka Adult Onset or Type II Diabetes.  For children who are Insulin Dependent Diabetics,  it is important to monitor their blood sugar levels, for if they are allowed to go too high, or become hyperglycemic, it can result in a Diabetic coma.  Symptoms associated with hyperglycemia are polyuria (too much urine), thirst, hunger and weight loss.  Possible increases in infection are related to hyperglycemia.  The importance of this can't be over-emphasized. 

If the blood sugar levels are too low, or hypoglycemic due to over administration of Insulin, they can develop Insulin Shock.  For this reason, it is vital that the individual carry some candy or other immediate sugar source to avoid the faintness, weakness, palpitations, hunger and nervousness associated with hypoglycemia.  Suffering too often from these symptoms can lead to other serious injuries associated with the passing out.

What This Means To You

If you suffer with any of these conditions mentioned, it is vital for your health to get a handle on the underlying cause, or causes of your condition(s).  Since the Spleen and Pancreas are influential in many other body functions, letting them dysfunction will lead to serious complications, including death.  If you experience any imbalances in sugar metabolism, or have recurrent infectionsthat require a constantrun to the doctor for antibiotics, you need to consider having these two organs checked for normal function.  Experiencing worry leading to chronic confusion and low self-esteem, warrants having your Spleen and Pancreas functions evaluated.  Simple solutions can be administered that can restore balance to both of these organs. 

Nutritional solutions for the Spleen include Dessicated Spleen and Spleen PMG from Standard Process, which will help to repair and rebuild the Spleen.  Those for the Pancreas are Diaplex, Paraplex or Cataplex GTF.  These help to repair and rebuild the Pancreas, depending upon if the person is hypo or hyperglycemic.  Possible herbal solutions include Gymnema from MediHerb designed to suppress your sugar cravings.  It stops your ability to taste sugar and helps to curb those cravings.  It has also been shown to help regenerate the Insulin producing cells of the Pancreas.  Likewise, Aloe Vera, combined with a balanced diet helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

My Offer To You

To All Current Practice Members who suspect they may have a Spleen/Pancreas condition or concern, I would encourage you to get the Sugar and Immunity Check.  It is an evaluation designed to help you appreciate if your Spleen or Pancreas is having trouble functioning, and then determining what it would take to restore balance.  Normally this is a $75.00 value, but through then Month of September, I will evaluate this for FREE!  So call the Office and tell us to put you in for the Sugar and Immunity Check.  Call (845) 561-BACK and tell us to schedule you for the Sugar and Immunity Check.  Why wait, call NOW!

To All Potential New Practice Members, I'll give you the same offer.  Simply call the Office at (845) 561 BACK and tell us you want to come to my FREE Health Care Class where I will answer all of your health related questions and give you the Sugar and Immunity Check.  But you must call and schedule before September 30th to qualify for this offer.  Again it is a $75.00 value, and for your participation in the class it will be FREE.  So call the office NOW and ask us to schedule you for my next FREE Health Care Class held on Tuesday nights at 6:30 pm in the Newburgh Office.  Since class size is limited, reservations are required.  Call (845) 561-2225 and schedule yourself for our next class.