North Raleigh Chiropractic

Every time you see the post headline of “Nutrition News”, I plan on posting some studies that can help you and your family get healthier! Okay, here a few interesting bits of information:

Regular Glucosamine and Chondroitin Intake Extends Life!

The online version of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has published the first study proving that regular intake of dietary supplements of either glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate significantly reduce mortality risk.Individuals age 50-76 who took either glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate at least four days a week for at least three years reduced their risk of death by 17%.  The results were statistically significant.  Both of these nutrients are well known for their ability to support joint health and tissue rejuvenation.  Less well promoted are the ability of these nutrients to promote healthier cardiovascular/arterial structure as well as acting as inflammation regulators. 

This report provides clear documentation that taking a regular dose of glucosamine and/or chondroitin can have significant health benefits including improved length of life.Some Co-Q10 nuggets:  

Coenzyme Q10 Enhances Vitality and Longevity:

Coenzyme Q10 is required for energy production within cells. When cellular energy declines then cells die faster and the process of aging is accelerated. The importance of Q10 as an energizing anti-aging nutrient was first proposed in the 1990s. In fact, Q10 was one of the first nutrients widely touted for anti-aging benefits. A number of new studies continue to show the importance of Q10 to extend life as well as to support a higher quality of energetic function.

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center in New York have now demonstrated that the degree of Q10 deficiency in cells correlates directly to excess free radical production and cellular death.

A study of European women showed that those living in polluted areas had lower levels of Q10 and vitamin E, as the antioxidants were used up combating the environmental toxins.  The researchers felt this helped explain why the more polluted areas had higher rates of poor health and mortality.  Every major metropolitan area in the United States has higher-than-desirable levels of pollution which are bound to deplete Q10 and other antioxidants.

A new study has shown that Q10 supplementation boosts protection to the eyes and helps prevent the formation of lens damage that otherwise leads to cataracts.

Survival potential of the human race is based in no small part on the energetics of reproductive function.  A new study shows that male infertility is directly related to Q10 levels in semen.  Poor sperm function and increased free radical damage in semen are directly related to the lack of Q10.

Q10 levels are lower in patients with depression, especially when the depression is resistant to treatment or accompanied by chronic fatigue.  Q10 deficiency is common in patients with fibromyalgia (as is depression).  Q10 supplementation, along with other antioxidants, has even been shown to significantly extend life in patients with untreatable cancer.  These studies support the use of Q10 to help recover highly de-energized states of health.

All of these Q10 studies support the use of Q10 to improve energy, enhance survival and bolster longevity potential ? especially in the context of cardiovascular and metabolic stress

Q10, E, C and Selenium Improve Cardio Health In At-Risk Patients: 

A 6 month, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 70 patients at high risk for heart disease found that a combination of antioxidant nutrients improved the health of arteries, lowered blood pressure, improved blood sugar metabolism, and boosted HDL cholesterol. 

Each day the participants took 120 mg of Q10, 1000 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, and 200 mcg of selenium or placebo. 

The authors described the results of their study, ?Antioxidant supplementation significantly increased large and small artery elasticity in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. This beneficial vascular effect was associated with an improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism as well as significant decrease in blood pressure.?

With millions of Americans heading in the direction of the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease it is nice to see that even basic antioxidants can help prevent the problem.  Right now, billions of health-care dollars each year are being wasted on toxic drugs to address these issues even though they don?t actually fix anything.

Lead researcher, Reuven Zimlichman, stated ?The findings of the present study justify investigating the overall clinical impact of antioxidant treatment in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.?

 Neck pain and headaches can be very disabling and can significantly alter a person?s normal pattern of living.  Simple things like reading the newspaper, cooking, driving a car, and/or looking down when feeding a baby, can become almost intolerable.  Canceling plans for the day or saying ?no? to vacations can be very disheartening and often occurs because of severe neck pain and/or headache making these activities simply, ?no fun.?  The cause of the headaches associated with neck pain and dysfunction is usually due to the compression caused by the tight neck muscles squeezing the upper three nerve roots in the neck region, resulting in radiating pain into the head.  Frequently, light and noise sensitivity, as well as nausea, can accompany a severe headache, which only adds to the activity limitations associated with neck pain. In fact, there are many experts who feel most headaches, even migraines, stem from the neck or are at least are very closely related.  Since neck pain affects approximately two thirds of the population at some point during their lifetime, it becomes clear that headaches, in the absence of neck pain, are quite uncommon. 

 Another interesting and lesser-known relationship is the jaw (frequently referred to as the TMJ) and its association with neck function, especially the upper cervical vertebrae, as well as headaches.  The muscles that move the jaw/TMJ are largely innervated by the 5^th cranial nerve, also called the trigeminal nerve.  Several studies have found that when stimulating structures innervated by the trigeminal nerve, neck and/or jaw pain was created and vise versa.  Similarly, patients with jaw problems (called temporomandibular dysfunction or, TMD) often report neck pain.  When we open our mouth wide, head-neck extension always occurs followed by head-flexion when we close the jaw.  Hence, the neck is always moving when we chew, yawn, talk, and clench our teeth.  In fact, all of these every day activities result in jaw, head, neck motion extending from the base of the skull and first cervical vertebra (occiput-C1) and continues down through the entire cervical spine.  This was investigated in a study where the relationship between neck symptoms, jaw function – specifically active mouth opening, and pressure pain sensitivity in a trigeminal nerve innervated region after a spinal manipulation was applied to the upper neck vertebrae.  Here, 37 female patients with neck pain were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups (control and experimental) and, before and after treatment, exams of mouth opening and pressure pain levels were measured.  The group receiving the upper neck manipulation showed a significant increase in active mouth opening motion as well as improved pressure pain tolerance compared to the control/non-manipulation group in a sample of woman with neck pain.  This study is very important as many people suffer from neck pain, headaches and TMD.  In order to properly treat these patients, one must focus on multiple regions, not just the neck area.  It has been demonstrated when we bite down, there is a corresponding tightening of two important muscles in the neck and upper back region.  Similarly, studies show relaxation of muscles in the neck, upper back and TMJ after spinal manipulation to the neck is applied.  Injuries to the TMJ are common but often not pursued by patients as often they?ll say, ?my jaw clicks and snaps but I don?t think about it much.?                                                                         

If you, a friend, or a loved one are struggling with neck pain, headaches, or TMD/jaw pain, we will properly assess your condition and administer the appropriate care that is required.  We also coordinate services with other health care providers when necessary.  This recommendation may represent one of most significant acts of kindness you can give to those that you truly care about.