By plyfamilywellness 0 Comments Diet, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Wellness Diet, Health, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Wellness

Crash Diets and Detoxes: are they necessary?

There are hundreds of detox diets and programs out there that promise the consumer quick fixes for weight loss, improved energy, better digestion, and other reasons. For many of these people, they may have been indulging in an unhealthy lifestyle for too long and want a fast way to reverse it.
If you have been wondering if a detox is something that you should do, this may actually be the worst time for it because it is a sign that the body is in a weaker state and needs nutrient support. The body naturally detoxifies itself every day through the liver, the colon, kidneys, skin, and the lymphatic system. If, for example, the liver is already sick, and you do an extreme cleanse, you may end up with serious side effects or even a hospital visit.

Avoid crash diets for weight loss

Aggressive detox diets promoted by some celebrities like the Master Cleanse, which is basically a 10 day starvation diet where you only drink a lemon juice concoction and take a laxative, can be extremely harmful to the body. Cardiologist Isadore Rosenfeld specifically singles out the Master Cleanse Diet as an example of a detox diet that can damage your heart. “A crash diet once won’t hurt your heart. But crash dieting repeatedly increases the risk of heart attack.”1 Nutrition professor Linda Bacon states that such calorie restrictive diets can lead to heart muscle loss and damaged blood vessels. “All that shrinking and growing causes micro tears that create a setup for atherosclerosis and other types of heart disease.1” Shortages of potassium, magnesium, and copper have been suggested as possible causes of the arrhythmias seen in crash dieters, and studies have also found that the diets can cause a drop in blood pressure and sodium depletion.1

If you restrict calories for a longer period of time your body may eventually switch over to breaking down muscle for energy in which can actually slow your metabolism. This is why skipping meals is not a good idea. Some people might say that headaches are a sign of detoxing but in most cases it’s probably because you are hungry. It is a documented fact published in the journal of the American Psychological Association that the majority of people regain all the weight they lose on any diet, especially the highly restrictive varieties.2 Wouldn’t it be better to think long term? Not just for weight loss, but for the health of your body as a whole?

Do you really need to detox?

The body detoxes on its own on a daily basis. The liver does most of this but the kidneys, digestive tract, lungs and the skin also play a role. Most experts agree that quick detoxes can actual cause more damage than good, especially if one of these organs has a pre-existing condition that a person may be unaware of. “Detoxification” occurs around the clock naturally, but there may be symptoms that show up over time which may suggest that these organs need support.

Warning signs that may be present if your body has accumulated too many heavy metals or toxins are:

• Inability to lose weight
• Difficulty concentrating
• Attention disorders
• Tremors
• Hormonal imbalance
• Depression or anxiety

Many people think they need to do a detox because they believe it is a quick fix or a jump start for whatever they are looking to improve. However, there are many commercial products consumers purchase that which may be affecting your overall toxic load. Take a look around the house and see if you are using products with a lot of chemicals. Common chemical-based products that can be switched for something safer include:

Household cleaners, laundry detergents, dishwasher detergents, soap, lawn care, make up, shampoos and conditioners, air fresheners, even your water!

If you work in a field where you are exposed to chemicals, or live is an area that is heavily sprayed with pesticides, even in our industrial society and with the very real problem of pollution, it is well understood you will get exposed to many toxic elements over our lifetime. Our bodies do its best to eliminate these toxins; however, excretion rates will vary from person to person.

Consider your mineral status

Optimal nutrition is essential when dealing with metal toxicity because if you are deficient in essential metals, your body will use toxic metals as “stand-ins” instead.3 For example:

• Calcium is replaced by lead, which deposits primarily in bone. Lead contributes to poor bone health such as osteopenia and osteoporosis.
• Zinc is replaced by cadmium, which tends to accumulate heavily in your kidneys. Cadmium overload is associated with peripheral neuropathy.
• Magnesium is replaced by aluminum, which, among other things, induces neurochemical changes and has been identified as a contributing factor to developing Alzheimer’s.
• Manganese is replaced by nickel, which is carcinogenic.

Dr. Kaayla Daniel et.al. also explains in the article with this information that another component that is important for the body’s ability to detox is the healthy gut flora.3 People with healthy gut flora are better able to handle the inevitable exposure to toxic metals. In contrast, people who do not have healthy gut flora are more prone to candida and other fungal overgrowth.3

Plan of action

It is important to note that no form of detoxification or extreme diet should be done prior to consulting with your physician or experienced nutritionist. Appropriate treatment regimens vary significantly from person to person, depending upon multiple dietary and lifestyle factors, specific medical conditions.

If you are looking into ways to get your body healthier to function at optimal levels, truth be known that it doesn’t happen overnight. The best way to improve digestion, lose weight, improve concentration or whatever it may be, is to test the foundation of the body by doing a comprehensive blood test. By figuring out exactly what your body needs and the direction you need to go, you’ll start seeing improvements in no time. Take out the guessing. Take out the dangers of unreliable treatments. There is no “one size fits all”. By getting the body healthier as a whole, the ability to “detox” will occur naturally and you can live a healthier life.

References

Miller, Bryan. “How Crash Diets Harm Your Health.” CNN, Cable News Network, 20 Apr. 2010, www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/20/crash.diets.harm.health/index.html.
Moores, Susan. “Experts Warn of Detox Diet Dangers.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 18 May 2007, http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18595886/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/t/experts-warn-detox-diet-dangers/.
Daniel, Kaayla T. “Mad As a Hatter.” The Weston A. Price Foundation, 2 Apr. 2009, www.westonaprice.org/health- topics/environmental-toxins/mad-as-a-hatter/.

Science Based Nutrition

September 19, 2019

By plyfamilywellness 0 Comments Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Diet, Health, Nutrition, Wellness

Easy. Healthy. Delicious.

Hey everyone!

It has been a while since we have done a blog post. Things have been getting really busy around the clinic which is very exciting! We just absolutely LOVE serving this amazing community. Thank you to everyone that has been coming in and referring your family and friends to us!

Today’s blog post is about easy and healthy weeknight meals. I get questions ALL THE TIME about how to feed your family a healthy meal that everyone at the table will eat that is also very easy to make. I want to use this post to bring you all some great ideas and resources to do just that! Some of the easiest meals to make are some of our household favorites. I find that it is important to mix it up for us with easy meals most of the time but occasionally throw in something a little more fun and exotic to keep having fun in the kitchen. One of my favorite easy meals is a sheet pan meal I am actually making for us tonight! This meal is fun because the components can very easily be swapped around to make this meal different but still easy and delicious.

For this meal I start with a basic formula. Protein + Veggie + Veggie = Dinner! Seems simple enough right? But think of the possibilities! Fish + Broccoli + Asparagus or Chicken + Butternut Squash + Green Beans…endless combinations! Everything goes on a sheet pan and gets roasted…couldn’t be easier. We are big fans of roasting veggies for dinner. If you haven’t tried roasted broccoli or roasted Brussels sprouts then you are really missing out! When you roast vegetables they take on totally different flavors. For example, think of a radish. When consumed raw, radishes have a spicy taste to them. However, when you roast a radish it suddenly takes on the flavor of a potato! Such a fun new twist to an awesome vegetable. Another benefit of roasting the veggies is that you can roast veggies straight out of the freezer. This leads to ultimate convenience. We always have at least 2 or 3 different bags of frozen vegetables in our freezer along with frozen fish. By keeping the freezer stocked with frozen fish and veggies I know I can always whip this meal together in no time if needed.

For the sake of this post I will use one of our favorite combinations in that formula. Fish + Broccoli + Potatoes. I like to use the bag of organic fingerling potatoes from HEB for this meal because they are colorful and taste so good roasted. We use the frozen organic broccoli from HEB and the frozen wild caught cod from Sam’s Club. All I had to do was wash and cut up the potatoes while the oven was preheating then throw everything in and badaboom DINNER IS SERVED! One of my favorite ways to play around with this meal is changing up the seasonings. You could use more of an Italian blend one day and then use more of a spicy Mexican flare the next and it would feel like a completely different meal! We kept it very simple this round and simply used garlic and onion powder, salt, and pepper. So easy!

I put the potatoes and broccoli in the oven at 400 for 35-40 minutes. We have a very old and slow oven…newer ovens would require even less time! After about 20 minutes I take out the broccoli tray and add the fish then put the tray back in for the final 15-20 minutes. The fish was seasoned with lemon, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Nothing fancy here this time but feel free to get creative!

I served everything together in a bowl. I topped mine with some Tessemae diary free ranch but Dr. Ply chose to eat his without any dressing because it was not needed! If we had gone with more of a Mexican blend of spices I likely would have topped mine with salsa instead for a fun change up!

Please note…I am no food photographer! Pictures do not do this justice! Take my word for it, this meal is ridiculously easy and so delicious.

If you try your own combinations let us know in the comments! I hope you all enjoy the idea! For more ideas on easy weeknight meals that are a little more fun (and beautifully photographed) check out http://www.thedefineddish.com to get some inspiration. Bonus points that she has young children to feed and is always updating her recipes to include how her children eat them!

May 15, 2019

By plyfamilywellness 0 Comments Chiropractic, Diet, Nutrition Chiropractic, Health, Nutrition, Pain, Pain management, Wellness

The Opioid Epidemic and Natural Solutions

“Overall, the results indicate that the medical profession is doing a poor job of appropriately prescribing opioid painkillers. Even though the rates have leveled off, we have a long way to go in improving medical care so these are not as overprescribed as they are currently … [T]here are a lot of leftover medications. In many cases, physicians could write smaller prescriptions, or avoid them completely for those who benefit from ibuprofen or acetaminophen.”

– Dr. Wilson Compton, Deputy Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (1)

Prescription opioids are medications that are typically prescribed by dentists, family doctors and hospitals as a response to acute pain. The medication is only supposed to be used for a short period of time, but studies have found those who are prescribed opioids can take them from 2 weeks to 10 years or more. Opioids are chemically similar to endorphins, which is a substance our body makes naturally to relieve pain. Opioids can be made naturally from plants, be a blend of natural and synthetic compounds or completely synthetic.

How do Opioids Affect the Brain?

Opioids attach themselves to receptors in the brain. The chemical structure of opioids mimics our natural neurotransmitter. With the two being very similar, the body is unfortunately fooled into locking the opioid into a receptor site which activates the nerve cells. Once the opioid is attached into place, the body starts to experience what is known as the “Opioid effect”. This is where the body starts to slow down breathing rates, reduces or blocks pain and creates an overall calming effect. ⁽⁷⁾

Opioids also target our body’s reward system. Opioids open the flood gates and overwhelm the circuit with dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter located in parts of the brain that help with emotion, cogitation, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. This constant overstimulation of our rewarding system leads to an increase of misuse and addiction to opioid medication.⁽⁷⁾ An article posted in the CBS news in June 2017 stated the alarming fact that opioid overdoses are the leading cause of deaths in Americans under the age of 50. ⁽⁸⁾

Are there Side Effects of taking Opioids?

Some of the most common side effects of taking opioids include: constipation, itch, low blood pressure, excessive constriction of the pupil of the eye (miosis), nausea, sedation, urinary retention and suppressed respiration.

Natural Non-drug Solutions for Pain Relief

Reduce Sugar in the Daily Diet:

Sugar consumption has a direct correlation to inflammation. A rise in blood sugar causes a cascade of events which includes the release of inflammatory chemicals. There are multiple inflammatory chemicals released, including histamines, prostaglandins and interleukins.

These inflammatory chemicals cause an internal response that requires the immune system to step in and respond to the cleanup process. Elevated levels of inflammation dramatically accelerate degeneration in the body and can lead to a host of cell damaging diseases that greatly reduces longevity. ⁽²⁾

Take a High Quality Animal- Based Omega 3 Fats:

Omega- 3 fats block the chain of events that cause inflammation and regulate the migration of inflammatory cells and chemicals to the sites of inflammation. Consumption of Omega 3 fats are found in dark green leafy vegetables, flaxseed, walnuts, butternuts, salmon, halibut, tuna, and avocados. By taking the natural route, one is unlikely to experience the side effects of gastro-intestinal or cardiovascular systems mentioned before that are common when taking anti-inflammatory drugs. (3,4)

Supplement with Bromelain:

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples. Although mostly used as a digestive aid, it has been linked to analgesic properties which have been documented to have influence on pain mediators such as bradykinin. (6) Bromelain accounts for many therapeutic benefits like the treatment of angina pectoris, bronchitis, sinusitis, surgical trauma, and thrombophlebitis, debridement of wounds, and enhanced absorption of drugs, particularly antibiotics. It also relieves osteoarthritis, diarrhea, and various cardiovascular disorders. (5)

Supplement with Curcumin:

The anti-inflammatory properties of Curcumin has been shown to help with Osteoarthritis. Curcumin inhibits multiple pro-inflammatory molecules such as cytokines and prostaglandins. The effects of curcumin have been documented in many clinical trials demonstrating its ability to prevent or reduce cellular death and oxidative stress. (9) Clinical trial dosages between 200mg-3,000mg for curcumin have shown benefits depending on the case. It is important to talk to a physician about appropriate dosage per case.

Importance of Vitamin D:

Vitamin D is an important vitamin in the body that helps the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals necessary for overall bone and muscle health. (11) Levels less than 32 ng/mL have been shown to reduce intestinal calcium absorption, reduced bone density, reduced immune system, increased insulin resistance and risk of many types of cancer. Sources of vitamin D include sun exposure, food intake and dietary supplement of Vitamin D3.

Vitamin C:

A study was conducted by Dr. Zollinger et al, in a double blind random study with participants with reflex sympathetic dystrophy post wrist fractures. Vitamin C was given pre-surgery and demonstrated no reports of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The participants were given a daily dosage of 500mg 2 days prior to surgery and continued with vitamin C 7-week post-surgery.

Vitamin C is considered an anti-oxidant and is needed to manufacture collagen and work with the immune system. Collagen is needed to support the connective tissue, tendons and cartilage. It is also needed to prevent poor wound healing and supports healthy gums. (14)

What do do now?

It is important to meet with a qualified clinical nutritionist to review your personal health information to determine proper supplements and dietary recommendations. At our practice, we use a complement of diagnostic testing to put together a natural health plan to address your individual needs. Traditional chiropractic care and acupuncture work together with our nutritional advice to create a plan to get you out of pain and back to living your life with optimal wellness. Contact our office today to see how we can help!

Works Cited:

Han B, Compton WM, Blanco C, Crane E, Lee J, Jones CM. Prescription Opioid Use, Misuse, and Use Disorders in U.S. Adults: 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Ann Intern Med. [Epub ahead of print 1 August 2017]:. doi: 10.7326/M17-0865
Ballentine, Robert. CHRONIC PAIN,www.holistichealthservices.com/research/chronic_pain.html.
“Nutrition and Pain Management: Omega 3 & 6.” New York Pain Medicine, Dr. Douglas Allen, 14 June 2012, nypainmedicine.com/nutrition-and-pain-management-omega-3-6/.
“Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Pain Management | Health Plus Wellness Center.” Welcome to Health Plus Wellness Center, 16 Sept. 2016, healthpluswellnesscenter.com/omega-3-fatty-acids-and-pain-management.
Rajendra Pavan, Sapna Jain, Shraddha, and Ajay Kumar, “Properties and Therapeutic Application of Bromelain: A Review,” Biotechnology Research International, vol. 2012, Article ID 976203, 6 pages, 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/976203
Cohen A, Goldman J. Bromelain therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Pennsylvania Medical Journal. 1964;67:27–30. [PubMed]
“The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment.” How Do Opioids Work in the Brain?, The National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment, Dec. 2008, http://www.naabt.org/faq_answers.cfm?ID=6.
Reynolds, Dean. “Overdoses Now Leading Cause of Death of Americans under 50.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 6 June 2017, cbsnews.com/news/overdoses-are-leading-cause-of-death-americans-under-50/.
“How Curcumin Relieves Pain And Aches.” Turmeric for Health!, 3 Aug. 2017, turmericforhealth.com/curcumin-benefits-and-dosage/curcumin-for-pain.
Kragstrup, Tue Wenzel. “Vitamin D Supplementation for Patients with Chronic Pain.” Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care1 (2011): 4–5. PMC. Web. 22 Aug. 2017.
Holick MF, Binkley NC, Bischoff-Ferrari HA, et al. Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2011; 96: 1911–1930.
Besse JL, Gadeyne S, Galand-Desmé S, Lerat JL, Moyen B. Effect of vitamin C on prevention of complex regional pain syndrome type I in foot and ankle surgery. Foot Ankle Surg. 2009;15:179–182. [PubMed]
Zollinger PE, Ellis ML, Unal H, Tuinebreijer WE. Clinical outcome of cementless semi-constrained trapeziometacarpal arthroplasty, and possible effect of vitamin C on the occurrence of complex regional pain syndrome. Acta Orthop Belg. 2008;74:317–322. [PubMed]
Krause’s Food, Nutrition & Diet Therapy 12th Ed. 12th ed. England: W B SAUNDERS (FL/MO)-ELSEVIER Science HE, 2008. Print.

March 27, 2019

By plyfamilywellness 0 Comments Uncategorized

Aluminum

Today’s blog post is brought to you by our monthly science based nutrition newsletter! The information is too good not to share. Please enjoy!

The awareness of evidence regarding aluminum exposure and its negative effects on our bodies is growing. Researchers have been linking aluminum exposure to neurological disorders such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, ADHD, and even cancer for years. In fact, “there has been a strong link between human exposure to aluminum and the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease for half a century or more” says Chris Exley, PhD, of Keele University in England who has been studying the impact of aluminum on the human body since 1984.¹ Aluminum occurs naturally is the soil, water, and air but we are contributing to the load by manufacturing of aluminum products, power plants, pollution from industrialization, “chemtrails” from aircraft in the skies, and vaccines.

If significant aluminum load exceeds the body’s capacity to eliminate it, it is deposited into various tissues that include bone, brain, liver, heart, spleen, and muscle.² And, humans living a modern lifestyle, can very easily reach these daily dose levels. Children and elderly people are the populations at greatest risk of exposure to potentially harmful levels. Dr. Chris Shaw, a neuroscientist and professor at the University of British Columbia explains in his studies regarding the aluminum that is in countless products we use every day since the Industrial Revolution; “We increasingly have this compound that was not part of any biochemical process on Earth, that can now only go and do havoc, which is exactly what it does. It causes all kinds of unusual biochemical reactions.”² Side effects of chronic Aluminum exposure or toxicity are muscle weakness, confusion, speech problems, slow growth in children, brain diseases, and nervous system problems causing difficulty with voluntary and involuntary actions.

Where does it come from?

Aluminum contamination has been found in a number of products on the market to include foods and beverages, deodorants, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals like antacids and buffered aspirin.

Additional contamination occurs when food comes into contact with aluminum equipment. Cooking with aluminum foil dramatically increases your aluminum levels. According to a 2006 study, cooking meat in aluminum foil increased aluminum levels as follows:³

Red meats cooked in aluminum foil increased in aluminum by 89 to 378 percent.

Poultry increased by 76 to 214 percent.

Aluminum levels increased with higher cooking temperatures and longer cooking times

Vaccines are a primary source of aluminum that exposes children to the metal more now than ever. Children today are receiving 17 shots that contain aluminum, compared to 4 vaccines in the 1970s-1980s.⁴ Common vaccines that contain aluminum are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, DTap, Pneumococcal HPV, and Hib but there are more. The worst part is that many children are receiving more than just one vaccine at a visit in which the concentration of the aluminum levels is greatly increased.

A study published in BMC (BioMed Central), a portfolio of high quality peer-reviewed journals, in 2013 concluded⁵:

“Alum has high neurotoxic potential, and planning administration of continuously escalating doses of this poorly biodegradable adjuvant in the population should be carefully evaluated by regulatory agencies since the compound may be insidiously unsafe… especially in the case of over-immunization or immature/altered blood brain barrier.”

Following a typical injection, 59% of the aluminum content is excreted within the first five days, but 25% may be retained long term. In some children, the aluminum may have a 10-year half-life.⁶ Injection of aluminum is different than ingestion. However…this topic deserves its own newsletter.

Intake of daily antacids and aspirin that contain Aluminum is the reason why elderly persons are more susceptible to aluminum intake at neurotoxic levels. Oral intake of 330 mg/kg/day or more results in decreased myelination of nerves in experimental animals, and even 230 mg/kg/day is enough to cause neurological damage.⁶ Adults who take a buffered aspirin everyday as directed by their physician to reduce cardiovascular risk with an antacid are getting between 840 and 5,000 mg of aluminum-containing compounds per day!⁶

Alzheimers

Very small amounts of aluminum are needed to produce neurotoxicity and is done so in increments of small amounts over a lifetime. The hypothesis that aluminum significantly contributes to Alzheimer’s disease is built upon very solid experimental evidence and should not be dismissed.⁷ Data combined from 37 studies involving 1227 participants was published as a meta-analysis in The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. The studies examined autopsy’s measuring amounts of aluminum in the brain, blood, and CSF. The conclusion of the report demonstrated that aluminum levels are significantly elevated in the brain, serum and CSF of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.⁸

Getting rid of it

Actual absorption of Aluminum from ingestion is pretty low. Most aluminum ingested from food, water and drugs is excreted out by the kidneys into the urine but the brain, however is extremely sensitive to it. The problem is that neurons are very good at absorbing whatever aluminum does make it into the bloodstream.⁵ The result over time is a gradual destruction of neural tissue.

There are many nutrients you can take to aid in removal of heavy metals:

Vitamin E

Vitamin C

Selenium

Turmeric

Milk Thistle

Chlorella

Try adding herbs to your foods like cilantro, parsley, curry, and garlic.

It is also very important to test liver function, kidney function, and your immune status. Testing a comprehensive blood panel will not only cover all of these, but can also detect any major deficiencies or toxicities that could be affecting your body’s ability to heal, repair, and detox. You can test your toxic element status by doing a hair and urine tests. Hair testing will help show what you are currently excreting. However, further investigation can be done by a urine test to determine if there are toxic elements you are NOT excreting. This is critical in that some people develop or have an impaired ability to efficiently eliminate aluminum and other heavy metals. Basically, the heavy metals are going in faster than they are being eliminated. Oral chelation agents can help assist the heavy metal elimination process.

There are some oral chelating agents that can be very effective and cause heavy metals to be quickly removed from the body. However, caution should be used: high doses of these products can have side effects such as upset stomach. Your SBN health professional can help guide you to efficiently and safely eliminate heavy metals. Using oral chelating agents should NEVER be done unless under supervision of your experienced healthcare provider. To find out more about heavy metals you may be exposed to and/or to see what other deficiencies exist, it is recommended to always get tested first. An individualized plan of action is important because not everyone’s body excretes toxins at the same rate. There are many variables that can play into your body’s healing rate. It is never too late to get started. Call us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced nutritionist to get tested!

References

Dr. Veronique Desaulniers. “Aluminum Toxicity: 4 Ways to Detox Your Brain & Body.” The Truth About Cancer, 27 Mar. 2018, thetruthaboutcancer.com/detox-aluminum-toxicity/.
Walia, Arjun. Here’s Where Aluminum Goes When It’s Injected Into Your Body from a Vaccine. The Vaccine Reaction. Published May 31, 2016
Turhan, S. “Aluminium Contents in Baked Meats Wrapped in Aluminium Foil.” Meat Science., U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2006, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22063217?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m% 2Cisrctn.
NVIC.org Vaccination Pamphlet
Khan, Zakir, et al. “Slow CCL2-Dependent Translocation of Biopersistent Particles from Muscle to Brain.” BMC Medicine, BioMed Central, 2013, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3616851/.
Goldman, Erik. “Aluminum, Alzheimer’s & Autism: Understanding the Connection.” Holistic Primary Care, 26 May 2015, holisticprimarycare.net/topics/topics-a-g/chronic- disease/1701-aluminum-alzheimer-s-autism-understanding-the-connection.html.
Gherardi, Romain Kroum, et al. “Aluminum and Alzheimer’s Disease: after a Century of Controversy, Is There a Plausible Link?” Frontiers in Neurology, Frontiers Media S.A., 2011, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4318414/.
Sohaib A. Virk Sohaib A. Virk Guy D. Eslick. Aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease: A comprehensive meta-analysis. Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. University of Sydney. 2003, January 09.

February 27, 2019

By plyfamilywellness 0 Comments Uncategorized

What’s the Deal with Turmeric?

If you enjoy South Asian and Middle Easter cuisine, chances are you’ve come in contact with a spice called turmeric. It is one of the main ingredients in curry dishes and has a vibrant color and flavor¹. One of the main reasons why turmeric has been linked to its main health and medical benefits is due to its active ingredient known as curcumin. A typical turmeric root may contain 2-7% concentration of curcumin¹. There are over a million articles on the web and in journals supporting turmeric and its multiple pharmacological activities. Some examples of these benefits are listed below.

Anticarcinogenic
Anti-inflammatory
Cardiovascular protectant
Helps support the liver
Supports the nervous system
Cancer prevention and treatment adjunct

Anti-carcinogenic Effects:

An anticarcinogen is defined as a substance that counteracts the effects of a carcinogen or inhibits the development of cancer². Turmeric has demonstrated that it is capable of having an anti-carcinogenic effect on all steps of cancer development. Some studies are currently being conducted to prove that it may also play a part in cancer regression. The protective mechanism of turmeric is due to its direct antioxidant and free radical-scavenging effects. It helps jump start the body’s natural antioxidant system while simultaneously increasing levels of glutathione and other enzymatic processes of the body³. In various studies, turmeric has been reported to exhibit activity against the development of skin, breast, oral and stomach cancers. A study published by the Journal of Biological Chemistry found that Curcumin improves the effectiveness of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients³. Curcumin also promotes anti-angiogenesis, meaning it helps prevent the development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth.

Cardiovascular Effects:

The effect of turmeric and curcumin on the cardiovascular system includes the lowering of cholesterol levels and inhibiting platelet aggregation. A study was conducted on 10 healthy individuals who received 500mg of curcumin a day for 7 days. There was a 33% reduction of Lipid Peroxides, which contributes to a reduction of cell damage. There was a 29% increase in HDL cholesterol and 11.63% reduction in total serum cholesterol. This cholesterol lowering ability is due to turmeric interfering with the intestinal cholesterol uptake and by increasing cholesterol conversion into bile salts⁴.

Liver Support Effects:

A study was conducted on mice given aspirin and carbon tetrachloride (widely used as a cleaning fluid). The mice experienced a significantly reduction of the liver blood markers when treated with 100mg/kg of turmeric⁵. The antioxidant effect of turmeric supports its role in treating liver conditions, especially anti-inflammatory and chloretic effects (stimulating the secretion of gastric acid). This helps with increasing biliary excretion of bile salts, cholesterol and bilirubin⁶. Turmeric has also been noted to help increase the solubility of the bile, showing great benefit to the prevention and treatment of gallstones⁷.

Nervous System Support:

Multiple studies are currently underway demonstrating the effectiveness of turmeric on the nervous system. Some studies have indicated that a protective role of turmeric on stroke models, including links to the reduction of plaque buildup in models of Alzheimer’s disease⁸. It also has helped with the reduction of cataract formation on the lens by reducing the rate of cellular death and boosting resistance of the optic lens^9-10.

Cancer prevention and Treatment Adjunct:

One human study was conducted on 16 chronic smokers and 6 nonsmokers. The nonsmokers served as a control group, while the 16 chronic smokers were given 1.5g of turmeric per day. At the end of a 30 day trail period, the smokers who had received the turmeric each day had a reduction of a mutagenic (radiation or a chemical substance) agent in their urine¹¹. The results of the study are quite significant. With the rise of smoke and other environmental cancer causing agents, the frequent use of turmeric appears warranted¹¹.

How much do you need?

The typical dosage for turmeric and curcumin depends on the type of condition being treated. The most common recommendation for turmeric as an anti-inflammatory aid is between 1000- 3000mg per day. Turmeric’s active form curcumin may have difficulty being absorbed with its rapid metabolism and low bioavailability in the body. Some reports show that not all oral administered curcumin is 100% absorbed in the GI tract, in fact 40-85% may go completely unchanged. Some tips on how to help curcumin get in the body is to mix it with black pepper, fats and with quercetin (pigment found in plants and food such as red wine, red grapes, berries and onions¹².)

Before considering a dosage for yourself, it is important to consult a nutrition specialist. You can find out the level of your deficiencies and toxicities by getting a comprehensive blood test and tissue mineral analysis. Reviewing results of these testing methods with your experienced nutrition professional can help you understand where to start. By knowing exactly what diet to follow and what supplements you need with the correct dosing, you can control your body’s health status. Get tested today to get started on a pathway towards optimal wellness!

Works Cited:

1 Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects 2nd Edition, “Chapter 13: Turmeric, the

Golden Spice”

2 “Anticarcinogenic.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2018.

3 Curcumin Treatment Suppresses IKKβ Kinase Activity of Salivary Cells of Patients with Head

and Neck Cancer: A Pilot Study http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/17/18/5953

4 Soni KB, Kuttan R. Effect of oral curcumin administration on serum peroxides and cholesterol

levels in human volunteers. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol

5 Lin SC, Lin CC, Lin YH, et al. Protective and therapeutic effects of Curcuma Xanthorrihza on

hepatotoxin-induced liver damage. AM J Chi Med 1995; 23: 243-254

6 Ammon HP, Wahl MA. Pharmacology of Curcuma Longa. Planta Med 1991;57:1-7.

7 Ramprasad C, Sirsi M. Curcuma Longa and bile secretion. Quantitative changes in the bile

constituents induced by sodium curcuminate. J Sci Ind Res 1957;16C: 108-110.

8 Lim GP, Chu T, Yang F, et al. The curry spice curcumin reduces oxidative damage and amyloid

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This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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