Stomach pains, burning, or aching 1-4 hours after eating?
Excessive belching, burping, or bloating?
Inflammation in your stomach?
Is gas immediately following a meal?
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then try these eating mushrooms for your immune system.
Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms have been traditionally used for centuries by protecting anyone against infectious diseases, and various cancers. The positive biological effects of mushrooms are due in part to the indirect action of stimulating the immune cells. These mushrooms have a long history of usages by supporting health, especially in early Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Mexican, and Roman cultures. In fact in 1991, a 5,300-year-old mummy was discovered carrying polypore fungus, which exerts a purgative effect. It may have been used to treat the mummies’ intestinal parasites.
What Are the Benefits of Mushrooms?
Modern research has shown that medicinal mushrooms can provide a rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds that are associated with a few health effects that primarily support the immune system. Mushrooms act as an anti-bacterial, immune system enhancer and cholesterol-lowering agents. Additionally, they are an essential source of bioactive compounds, and some mushroom extracts are used to promote human health as well as being found as dietary supplements.
Since medicinal mushrooms are edible macroscopic fungi that are visible to the naked eye and are used for their beneficial health properties. Fungi, which includes yeasts molds, and mushrooms, live on the dead matter that is found in soil, plants, animals, and other fungi. It is estimated that there are 14000 to 22000 known species of mushrooms worldwide and approximately 20 to 30 mushrooms that are cultivated edible species. Even though there approximately 15 species that are wild foraged for consumption, they can be part of functional foods or dietary supplements.
Mushrooms are a source of many nutrients, including fiber, protein, selenium, potassium, and vitamins, B1, B2, B12, C, D, and E. They also possess several bioactive components like alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, phenolic compounds, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and polysaccharides. Mushrooms have been studied for not only its immune-stimulating and prebiotic properties, but they notably contain ?- glucan, which is a polysaccharide that is commonly present in mushrooms.
Research has been examining the health effects of mushrooms and has identified approximately 130 possible therapeutic properties, including:
Antibacterial
Antidiabetic
Antifungal
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidants
Antiparasitic
Antitumor
Antiviral
Hepatoprotective
Immunomodulating
The research on medicinal mushrooms is based on animal or in-vitro trails that are up to date. Some earlier clinical trials suggested that individuals who consume mushrooms can have the benefits of reducing cancer and it�s many symptoms in the body. There are several mechanisms that have been proposed to explain the beneficial effects of mushrooms for immune health. Certain mushrooms can positively influence the gut microbiota by protecting it from harmful pathogens. There are even several mushrooms that have been shown to support immune health by enhancing the innate and adaptive responses in the body and exerting anti-allergic effects. Here are eight mushrooms that have immune supportive properties.
The Eight Mushrooms
Chaga
The Chaga mushroom is also referred to as birch mushroom or Chaga conk. It is a dark brown and black fungus that grows on birch trees. Several beneficial compounds are found in this mushroom and contains anti-oxidant polyphenols, betulin, and betulinic acid that are associated with anti-cancer effects for the body.
Studies show that Chaga mushrooms are used in traditional medicine and can be used in different remedies. This includes using Chaga as an anthelminthic, curing digestive disorders, and to help prevent chronic illness that affects the heart and liver.
Cordyceps
Even though it is not technically a mushroom, this rare caterpillar fungus grows only in high-altitude regions in northeast India. Studies found that the bioactive components in cordyceps include polysaccharides, cordycepin, and cordycepin acid. Cordyceps was described in old Chinese medical books that traditional healers used on patients to improve their energy, stamina, and their sleeping patterns.
In a study, healthy Koreans individuals took supplements that contain cordyceps extract for eight weeks, and the results were that the extract increased the activity of NK-cells (natural killer) immune cells and improving the immune system in the body.
Lion’s Mane
Also known as Hericium Erinaceus, this mushroom has a white, fur-like appearance that resembles a lion�s mane. This mushroom can be beneficial for a healthy gut microbe and is associated with reducing colon tissue damage from inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers suggested that lion�s mane may help individuals regulate their immune system and can improve the health of those who have IBD, but there is still more research being done to confirm this finding for the future.
Maitake
Maitake is both a culinary and medicinal mushroom that has proven to have anticancer activity for a variety of cancers that can affect the body. Maitake has a component called proteoglycan, and it has been associated with the immune-simulating effects.
Studies have been shown that proteoglycan can decrease mammary tumor cell behavior in animals and more research shows that maitake can exert anti-viral activity against hepatitis B and HIV from the body.
Oyster
Oyster mushrooms are a genus-group of fungi that has serval species like Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus florida. Research has found that polysaccharides that are present in P. ostreatus mushrooms can activate N.K. cells against cancer cells. While another research shows that the extract of P. florida contains several active components containing anti-inflammatory properties in animal models.
Reishi
Known as the �king of mushrooms�, reishi has been shown to prevent various diseases and can modulate inflammation that is associated with a high cholesterol diet on people.
The health effects of this mushroom may be a result of its ability to regulate the body�s microbiota composition.� The beneficial effect that is found in reishi can help increase the beneficial bacteria that are in a person�s body.
Shiitake
Shiitake mushrooms have been traditionally used to treat common ailments that a person may encounter. Studies have shown that people who consume shiitake mushroom saw that there were changes in their body as their gut immunity and the anti-inflammatory components were improving over time.
As with many mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms have anticancer effects and lentinan that is being currently used as a complementary treatment for tumors.
Turkey Tail
The turkey tail mushroom gets its name from the tan and brown rings on its surface, resembling the tail feathers of a turkey. Research has shown that in traditional medicine, healers use the turkey tail mushroom to treat fungal infections, cancer, and AIDS on patients.
A 2007 study that was conducted by the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan found that over 8,000 cancer patients that took turkey tail and combined it with chemotherapy have an increased chance of survival.
Conclusion
From coming back to the body, mushrooms are used to stop diseases and cancers. Using its many health advantages of supporting the entire body can be helpful for anyone who wants to incorporate them into their diet. Mushrooms are edible while some are poisonous from the wild consuming these eight mushrooms are safe for individuals. Combining these mushrooms and some products are beneficial in supporting the immune system and are designed for more excellent stability, bioavailability, and digestive comfort.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
El-Deeb, Nehal M, et al. �Modulation of NKG2D, KIR2DL and Cytokine Production by Pleurotus Ostreatus Glucan Enhances Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity Toward Cancer Cells.� Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, Frontiers Media S.A., 13 Aug. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6700253/.
Feeney, Mary Jo, et al. �Mushrooms and Health Summit Proceedings.� OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 8 May 2014, academic.oup.com/jn/article/144/7/1128S/4569770.
Ganeshpurkar, Aditya, and Gopal Rai. �Experimental Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus Florida.� Indian Journal of Pharmacology, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3608298/.
G�ry, Antoine, et al. �Chaga ( Inonotus Obliquus), a Future Potential Medicinal Fungus in Oncology? A Chemical Study and a Comparison of the Cytotoxicity Against Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells (A549) and Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (BEAS-2B).� Integrative Cancer Therapies, SAGE Publications, Sept. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6142110/.
He, Yanli, et al. �Grifola Frondosa Polysaccharide: A Review of Antitumor and Other Biological Activity Studies in China.� Discovery Medicine, 23 Apr. 2018, www.discoverymedicine.com/Yanli-He/2018/04/grifola-frondosa-polysaccharide-antitumor-and-other-biological-activity-studies-in-china/.
Integrative, PDQ, and Alternative and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. �Medicinal Mushrooms (PDQ�).� PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 Nov. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK401261/.
Jayachandran, Muthukumaran, et al. �A Critical Review on Health Promoting Benefits of Edible Mushrooms through Gut Microbiota.� International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI, 8 Sept. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618583/.
Jung, Su-Jin, et al. �Immunomodulatory Effects of a Mycelium Extract of Cordyceps (Paecilomyces Hepiali; CBG-CS-2): a Randomized and Double-Blind Clinical Trial.� BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, BioMed Central, 29 Mar. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6441223/.
Lindequist, Ulrike, et al. �Medicinal Mushrooms.� Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: ECAM, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4095656/.
Lindequist, Ulrike, et al. �The Pharmacological Potential of Mushrooms.� Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: ECAM, Oxford University Press, Sept. 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1193547/.
Oba, Koji, et al. �Efficacy of Adjuvant Immunochemotherapy with Polysaccharide K for Patients with Curative Resections of Gastric Cancer.� Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy: CII, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (U.K.), June 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17106715.
Panda, Ashok Kumar, and Kailash Chandra Swain. �Traditional Uses and Medicinal Potential of Cordyceps Sinensis of Sikkim.� Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, Medknow Publications Pvt Ltd, Jan. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121254/.
Valverde, Mar�a Elena, et al. �Edible Mushrooms: Improving Human Health and Promoting Quality Life.� International Journal of Microbiology, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320875/.
Wasser, Solomon P. �Medicinal Mushroom Science: Current Perspectives, Advances, Evidences, and Challenges.� Biomedical Journal, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25179726.
Do you feel:
Aches, pains, and swelling throughout the body?
Stomach pains, burning, or aching 1-4 hours after eating?
Excessive belching, burping, or bloating?
Inflammation in your stomach?
Is gas immediately following a meal?
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then try these eight edible mushrooms for your immune system.
Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms have been traditionally used centuries for protecting anyone against infectious diseases, and various cancers. The positive biological effects of mushrooms are due in part to the indirect action of stimulating the immune cells. These mushrooms have a long history of usages by supporting health, especially in early Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Mexican, and Roman cultures. In fact, in 1991, a 5,300-year-old mummy was discovered carrying polypore fungus, which exerts a purgative effect.� It may have been used to treat the mummies’ intestinal parasites.
Mushroom Benefits
Modern research has shown that medicinal mushrooms can provide a rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds that are associated with a few health effects, primarily supporting the immune system. Mushrooms act as an anti-bacterial, immune system enhancer and cholesterol-lowering agents. Additionally, they are an essential source of bioactive compounds, and some mushroom extracts are used to promote human health as well as being found as dietary supplements.
Medicinal mushrooms are edible macroscopic fungi that are visible to the naked eye and are used for their beneficial health properties. Fungi, which includes yeasts molds, and mushrooms, live on the dead matter that is found in soil, plants, animals, and other fungi. It is estimated that there are 14000 to 22000 known species of mushrooms worldwide, and approximately 20 to 30 mushrooms that are cultivated edible species, while approximately 15 species are wild foraged for consumption and can be part as functional foods or dietary supplements.
Mushrooms are a source of many nutrients, including fiber, protein, selenium, potassium, and vitamins, B1, B2, B12, C, D, and E. They also possess several bioactive components like alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, phenolic compounds, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and polysaccharides. Mushrooms have been studied for not only its immune-stimulating and prebiotic properties, but they notably contain ?- glucan, which is a polysaccharide that is commonly present in mushrooms.
Research has been examining the health effects of mushrooms and has identified approximately 130 possible therapeutic properties, including:
The research on medicinal mushrooms is based on animal or in-vitro trails that are up to date. Some earlier clinical trials suggested that individuals who consume mushrooms can be beneficial for reducing the risk of breast cancer and can help improve cancer-related symptoms like insomnia and sweating.� Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the beneficial effects of mushrooms for immune health. Certain mushrooms can positively influence the gut microbiota by improving the protection against pathogens. There are even several mushrooms that have been shown to support immune health by enhancing the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as suppressing the immune response, thereby exerting anti-allergic effects.
The Top 8 Mushrooms
Here are the top 8 mushrooms that have immune supportive properties.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
The Chaga mushroom is also referred to as birch mushroom and Chaga conk. It is a dark brown and black fungus that often grows on birch trees. Several compounds are found in Chaga, with its beneficial effects that contain anti-oxidant polyphenols, betulin, and betulinic acid that are associated with anticancer effects.
Studies show that the Chaga mushrooms are used in traditional medicine for different therapeutic indications, such as using it as an anthelminthic, as an antitubercular, to cure digestive disorders (gastritis, ulcers, etc.), or even to prevent cardiac or hepatic illnesses.
Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps Sinensis)
Even though cordyceps is not technically a mushroom, this rare caterpillar fungus grows only in high-altitude regions of Sikkim, a state in northeast India. Studies found that the bioactive components in cordyceps include polysaccharides, cordycepin, and cordycepic acid. Cordyceps was described in old Chinese medical books in ancient times and used by traditional healers to improve energy, appetite, stamina, libido, endurance, and sleeping patterns.
In an eight week study, healthy Koreans individuals took supplements that contain cordyceps extract, and the results were that with the cordyceps extract, it increased the activity of NK-cells (natural killer immune cells). This change was accompanied by improving the immune regulation in the body.
Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus)
Also known as Hericium Erinaceus, the lion’s mane mushroom has a white, fur-like appearance and may promote beneficial gut microbiota growth and be associated with reducing colon tissue damage from inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers suggested that lion�s mane may help individuals regulate their immune system and can improve the health of those who have IBD, but there is still more research being done to confirm this finding.
Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
Maitake is both a culinary and medicinal mushroom that has proven to have anticancer activity on breast cancer, melanoma, and hepatoma cells. Maitake has a component called proteoglycan, and it has been associated with the immune-simulating effects.
Studies have been shown that proteoglycan can decrease mammary tumor cell behavior in mice, and research shows that maitake can exert anti-viral activity against hepatitis B and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus.)
Oyster (Pleurotus)
Oyster mushrooms are a genus of fungi that has serval species like Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus florida.� Research has found that polysaccharides that are present in P. ostreatus mushrooms can activate N.K. cells against lung and breast cancer cells. Another research shows that an extract of P. florida contains several active components like phenolics, flavonoids, and polysaccharides having anti-inflammatory analgesic effects in animal models.
Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi)
Known as the �king of mushrooms� or the “mushrooms of immortality,” reishi has been shown to prevent or treat various diseases and modulate inflammation that is associated with a high cholesterol diet on people.
The health effects of this mushroom may be a result of its ability to regulate microbiota composition in the body, as the polysaccharides that are found in reishi demonstrates prebiotic effects and may increase the beneficial bacteria in a person’s body.
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
Shiitake mushrooms have been traditionally used to treat reasonable conditions like the common cold. Studies have shown that people who consume shiitake were associated with favorable changes in secretion patterns of various immune compounds and that the changes caused by consuming shiitake mushrooms can improve the gut immunity and anti-inflammatory response.
As with many mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms have anticancer effects and contains a glucan called lentinan that is being currently used as a complementary treatment for tumors, especially in China and Japan.
Turkey Tail (Coriolus Versicolor)
The turkey tail mushroom gets its name from the tan and brown rings on its surface, and its appearance is similar to the tail feathers of a turkey. Research has shown that in traditional medicine, the turkey tail mushroom has been used to therapeutically to treat fungal infections, cancer, and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.) Turkey tail mushrooms have PSK (polysaccharide-K)� and have been used as a complementary cancer treatment
A 2007 study that was conducted by the Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan found that over 8,000 patients that took turkey tail and combined it with chemotherapy have increased the survival rate of patients following gastric cancer resection.
Conclusion
Mushrooms have been used for a long time to prevent infectious diseases and various cancers from coming into the body. With its many health benefits for immune support, it can be beneficial to provide anti-inflammatory properties. Certain mushrooms are edible while others are poisonous in the wild, so consuming these eight mushrooms are safe for people. Combining these mushrooms and some products are beneficial in supporting the immune system and are designed for more excellent stability, bioavailability, and digestive comfort.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
El-Deeb, Nehal M, et al. �Modulation of NKG2D, KIR2DL and Cytokine Production by Pleurotus Ostreatus Glucan Enhances Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity Toward Cancer Cells.� Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, Frontiers Media S.A., 13 Aug. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6700253/.
Feeney, Mary Jo, et al. �Mushrooms and Health Summit Proceedings.� OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 8 May 2014, academic.oup.com/jn/article/144/7/1128S/4569770.
Ganeshpurkar, Aditya, and Gopal Rai. �Experimental Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus Florida.� Indian Journal of Pharmacology, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3608298/.
G�ry, Antoine, et al. �Chaga ( Inonotus Obliquus), a Future Potential Medicinal Fungus in Oncology? A Chemical Study and a Comparison of the Cytotoxicity Against Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells (A549) and Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (BEAS-2B).� Integrative Cancer Therapies, SAGE Publications, Sept. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6142110/.
He, Yanli, et al. �Grifola Frondosa Polysaccharide: A Review of Antitumor and Other Biological Activity Studies in China.� Discovery Medicine, 23 Apr. 2018, www.discoverymedicine.com/Yanli-He/2018/04/grifola-frondosa-polysaccharide-antitumor-and-other-biological-activity-studies-in-china/.
Integrative, PDQ, and Alternative and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. �Medicinal Mushrooms (PDQ�).� PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 Nov. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK401261/.
Jayachandran, Muthukumaran, et al. �A Critical Review on Health Promoting Benefits of Edible Mushrooms through Gut Microbiota.� International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI, 8 Sept. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618583/.
Jung, Su-Jin, et al. �Immunomodulatory Effects of a Mycelium Extract of Cordyceps (Paecilomyces Hepiali; CBG-CS-2): a Randomized and Double-Blind Clinical Trial.� BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, BioMed Central, 29 Mar. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6441223/.
Lindequist, Ulrike, et al. �Medicinal Mushrooms.� Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: ECAM, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4095656/.
Lindequist, Ulrike, et al. �The Pharmacological Potential of Mushrooms.� Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: ECAM, Oxford University Press, Sept. 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1193547/.
Oba, Koji, et al. �Efficacy of Adjuvant Immunochemotherapy with Polysaccharide K for Patients with Curative Resections of Gastric Cancer.� Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy: CII, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (U.K.), June 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17106715.
Panda, Ashok Kumar, and Kailash Chandra Swain. �Traditional Uses and Medicinal Potential of Cordyceps Sinensis of Sikkim.� Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, Medknow Publications Pvt Ltd, Jan. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121254/.
Valverde, Mar�a Elena, et al. �Edible Mushrooms: Improving Human Health and Promoting Quality Life.� International Journal of Microbiology, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320875/.
Wasser, Solomon P. �Medicinal Mushroom Science: Current Perspectives, Advances, Evidences, and Challenges.� Biomedical Journal, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25179726.
Do you often feel energy level drops in the afternoon? Do you often crave sugar and sweets in the afternoon? Do you often have difficulty concentrating before eating? Various medical conditions can affect the overall health of our body and mind. However, research studies have found that anemia caused by iron deficiency can tremendously affect our brain health. �
Iron deficiency is considered to be one of the most prevalent nutritional health issues, affecting approximately 2.5 billion people worldwide. In developing countries, about 40 percent of children and 50 percent of pregnant women have an iron deficiency. Iron is an essential mineral found in approximately 5 percent of the earth�s crust, however, inefficiency in absorption, low iron levels in staple grain foods, and a variety of medical conditions can make iron deficiency a common problem among humans. In first world countries, iron deficiency is still one of the most common nutrient deficiencies. �
What Causes Iron Deficiency and Anemia?
Poor iron intake and increased iron loss, generally through bleeding or breastfeeding, are several of the main causes of iron deficiency. Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women with heavy periods, children or picky eaters, vegetarians and vegans, as well as people with digestion health issues which cause decreased iron absorption like celiac disease or post gastric bypass, and people with increased bleeding, such as cancer, ulcers, gastritis, or parasites, are generally at higher risk for iron deficiency. High calcium intake, by way of instance, children who drink a lot of milk, can also affect iron absorption, together with drugs and/or medications, such as antacids and proton-pump inhibitors for gastroesophageal reflux disease. �
Although low iron levels are well-known for causing anemia because red blood cells need iron as a part of hemoglobin, iron is also needed for the brain and nerves. Severe iron deficiency in younger children can ultimately cause irreversible damage to cognition and result in lower IQ and developmental delays, especially during the most fundamental stages of human development and up to 16 months of age. Even in adults. the most common symptoms associated with iron deficiency are generally neurological symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog, and restless legs that cause insomnia, among other symptoms. �
Pica, the abnormal behavioral compulsion to eat non-nutritional foods like dirt or clay, is tremendously prevalent in regions of the world where iron deficiency is common. In the developed world, pica is a rare health issue, however, it still frequently occurs in children, pregnant women, and among other groups of people that are at higher risk for iron deficiency, including people who have had gastric bypass. Non-neurological symptoms associated with iron deficiency ultimately include pallor, generalized weakness, and higher than usual heart rate along with shortness of breath, especially with exertion. �
What are the Symptoms of Iron Deficiency?
As previously mentioned above, iron deficiency can cause problems associated with cognition and neurological health issues, such as restless legs and insomnia. The exact mechanisms of why this happens are unknown, however, without enough iron in the brain and nerves, there are problems with neurotransmitter signaling, the development of nerve insulation known as myelin, and brain energy metabolism. Reduced central neuron processing is considered to be one of the most critical problems associated with iron deficiency, which can be a cause of psychiatric symptoms and ongoing psychiatric problems. �
Occasionally, iron deficiency may also cause anxiety, depression, irritability, and even poor concentration and restlessness. By way of instance, iron deficiency has a much higher prevalence in children with ADHD but the symptoms can improve with iron supplements. People with iron deficiency have higher risks of developing psychiatric disorders, especially ADHD, and developmental disorders. Evidence has demonstrated that iron deficiency can cause a variety of other health issues. �
Iron enters the brain through the blood-brain barrier via transferrin receptors. Iron uptake into the brain is highly regulated but it also does highly depend on the iron status of the human body. Therefore, people with low iron levels will have much less iron going into the brain and people with high iron levels will have much more iron going into the brain. Several regions of the brain also appear to gather iron and have higher levels than others. Moreover, neurological symptoms can manifest before developing iron deficiency anemia. Thus, healthcare professionals can’t rule out iron deficiency anemia from the most commonly utilized basic screening test, a complete blood count. A better general screen involves ferritin levels, where less than 15 ng/ml presents the diagnosis for iron deficiency but less than 40 ng/ml presents with fatigue, brain fog, restless legs, and other neurological symptoms. Ferritin on its own can be misleading in populations of people with chronic inflammation, including people on dialysis, where ferritin can be high even if the person is diagnosed with iron deficiency. Furthermore, a full iron workup includes hemoglobin, MCV, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, serum iron, and transferrin saturation. �
What is the Treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Treating iron deficiency is considerably simple through the utilization of iron supplements or in mild or moderate cases by encouraging the consumption of foods that are high in iron. Occasionally, people with severe absorption health issues will need iron transfusions intravenously. Meat and seafood are the best sources of easily absorbable heme iron, however, non-heme iron is naturally found in leafy greens, beans, and nuts. Make sure to talk to your doctor if you have iron deficiency. �
It is ultimately essential to make sure if you have iron deficiency before treating it with increased amounts of iron supplements. With the exception of blood loss, the only way to reduce excess iron is through the process of skin cells flaking off. Therefore, adult men who take a lot of iron supplements and people with a genetic tendency to absorb more iron from foods are at a higher risk of developing a medical condition, known as hemochromatosis or severe iron overload. �
Excess iron is stored in the liver and can lead to scarring of the liver, known as cirrhosis. Iron overload can also lead to joint and hormonal problems and it can also cause a bronze-ish skin color. Symptoms of hemochromatosis include joint pain, fatigue, and low sex drive as well as a higher risk of developing diabetes. High serum iron is associated with health issues like high blood pressure. People who aren�t iron deficient can consider regular blood donations to prevent accidental iron overload. Iron is one of those types of minerals that should neither be too high or too low but rather, just right. More research studies, especially clinical trials analyzing common medical conditions, such as restless legs, insomnia, and ADHD, are fundamental to help healthcare professionals understand the relationship between iron deficiency anemia and brain health. �
Recent research studies have demonstrated that iron deficiency anemia may be associated with brain health issues. Because the brain and nerves need iron for many functions, iron deficiency can cause a variety of symptoms and medical conditions, including brain fog, fatigue, restless legs with insomnia, anxiety, depression, and cognitive problems, besides anemia or lack of healthy red blood cells. Treatment for iron deficiency anemia may utilize iron supplements, however, it’s important to make sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional in order to avoid risks and side effects through iron supplementation.� – Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
Neurotransmitter Assessment Form
The following Neurotransmitter Assessment Form can be filled out and presented to Dr. Alex Jimenez. Symptoms listed on this form are not intended to be utilized as a diagnosis of any type of disease, condition, or any other type of health issue. �
Do you often feel energy level drops in the afternoon? Do you often crave sugar and sweets in the afternoon? Do you often have difficulty concentrating before eating? Various medical conditions can affect the overall health of our body and mind. However, research studies have found that anemia caused by iron deficiency can tremendously affect our brain health. � Iron deficiency is considered to be one of the most prevalent nutritional health issues, affecting approximately 2.5 billion people worldwide. In developing countries, about 40 percent of children and 50 percent of pregnant women have an iron deficiency. Iron is an essential mineral found in approximately 5 percent of the earth�s crust, however, inefficiency in absorption, low iron levels in staple grain foods, and a variety of medical conditions can make iron deficiency a common problem among humans. In first world countries, iron is still considered to be the most common nutrient deficiency. �
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.�
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez �
References:
Deans, Emily. �Heavy Metal: Iron and the Brain.� Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 29 Nov. 2015, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201511/heavy-metal-iron-and-the-brain.
Additional Topic Discussion: Chronic Pain
Sudden pain is a natural response of the nervous system which helps to demonstrate possible injury. By way of instance, pain signals travel from an injured region through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain is generally less severe as the injury heals, however, chronic pain is different than the average type of pain. With chronic pain, the human body will continue sending pain signals to the brain, regardless if the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last for several weeks to even several years. Chronic pain can tremendously affect a patient’s mobility and it can reduce flexibility, strength, and endurance.
Neural Zoomer Plus for Neurological Disease
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural ZoomerTM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus is designed to assess an individual�s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention. �
Food Sensitivity for the IgG & IgA Immune Response
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate health issues associated with food sensitivities. The Food Sensitivity ZoomerTM is an array of 180 commonly consumed food antigens that offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This panel measures an individual�s IgG and IgA sensitivity to food antigens. Being able to test IgA antibodies provides additional information to foods that may be causing mucosal damage. Additionally, this test is ideal for patients who might be suffering from delayed reactions to certain foods. Utilizing an antibody-based food sensitivity test can help prioritize the necessary foods to eliminate and create a customized diet plan around the patient�s specific needs. �
Formulas for Methylation Support
XYMOGEN�s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.
Proudly,�Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.
Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.
If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic�Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.
�
For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link. *XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download �
* All of the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
Biomarkers are molecules that can help diagnose a health issue. These have become important for verifying investigations, choosing the best remedies, and monitoring disease progression. One exception, however, includes biomarkers for neurological diseases. Neurological biomarkers are found in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) or, in undetectable amounts, in the blood vessels. The human brain is closely guarded by the blood-brain barrier which protects it from damaging compounds circulating throughout the blood vessels. The blood-brain barrier has made it inaccessible to use these biomarkers. �
Biomarkers may be analyzed using the CSF but this also needs an invasive lumbar puncture process. Biomarker signatures, or recent improvements in discovery, in addition to the ability of clusters of biomarkers, are currently helping to make neurological disorders more treatable and more reachable. Treating and preventing neurological disorders, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autism, and major depressive disorder, is very likely to become less difficult to diagnose with the recent arrival of neurological biomarkers found in the blood. �
Biomarker for Brain Health Issues
Biomarker signatures, found with panels of high-quality antibodies, are yet another safe and effective tool for evaluating neurological disorders and diseases. Assistant professor of neurology and immunobiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine at Tucson, Kristian Doyle, utilizes biomarkers to examine how the immune system deals with dead brain tissue. The system eliminates brain tissue with a procedure called liquefactive necrosis following a stroke but the pathophysiology of the procedure is unknown. This information is essential because liquefactive necrosis may be neurotoxic. �
“We utilize multiplex immunoassays to describe inflammation within chronic stroke infarcts in the point of liquefactive necrosis, and to describe changes by ordinary stroke comorbidities,” says Doyle. Because over 10 million individuals survive a stroke every year, Doyle expects that biomarkers may help them monitor the development of liquefactive necrosis and start to tailor remedies that mitigate the secondary harm due to this procedure,” he states. Another connection between inflammation and neurotoxicity is analyzed by Alysson Muotri, professor of molecular and cellular medicine and director of the Stem Cell Program at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. The Muotri laboratory uses induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from individuals with schizophrenia and autism to search for biomarkers of those ailments. �
Muotri’s laboratory started analyzing the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a biomarker because evidence indicates that chronic exposure to elevated cytokines might be neurotoxic together with elevated levels associated with depression, autism, and schizophrenia. “The gap of one of the many brain disorders could function as cytokines act on particular types or subtypes of nerves, or within a particular brain area,” states Muotri. His laboratory differentiates iPSCs to cells, which they suspect might be releasing cytokines from patients. Also, because IL-6 can also be involved in immune-inflammatory pathways, Muotri supposes a connection between autism and in utero exposure to infection, such as the Zika virus. �
“Our forecast is that the inflammation caused by Zika vulnerability is sufficient to make a neurotoxic environment which could rewire how the human brain is shaped,” he states. “We see that in mice, therefore, we believe some Zika-exposed children are going to develop autism or have intellectual disabilities” Larger biomarker signatures are available with technologies from CDI Laboratories, which provides microarrays of practical human proteins, including over 20,000 to a single variety, to check the antibodies within human liquid biopsy samples, including blood, serum, plasma, CSF, or tissue lysates. The consequent “autoantibody profile” is a helpful tool for study and for diagnoses or prognoses of individuals. �
“We have worked in the area of biomarker discovery for various neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis, neuropsychiatric lupus, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease,” states George Dorfman, director of business development in CDI Laboratories, a spin-off firm located in Baltimore, Maryland, and Mayaguez, Puerto Rico which was created from research in the High Throughput Biology Center at Johns Hopkins University. CDI’s stage is particularly beneficial in building panels for biomarker discovery because researchers can start by utilizing patient samples or banked trials to evaluate resistant profiles of cohorts that reveal specific symptoms or no indications in the event of control trials. �
“This provides us with an inherent candidate biomarker panel that offers advice on the following clinical outcome or curative efficacy, which is confirmed to yield the last panel, then interpreted into the state an ELISA-based kit or any other immunodiagnostic format at the clinical setting,” says Dorfman. “In the event of multiple sclerosis, as a patient grows through measures of this disease, their entire body creates novel antibodies or greater present antibody titers against specific proteins, such as myelination proteins. Our panels may discover these, to provide a notion about exactly what patients’ disease development might seem like, and supply a signature which may be interpreted into another evaluation or an FDA-approved diagnostic” CDI’s technologies have also been utilized to create an autoantibody profile for neuropsychiatric lupus, a beneficial diagnostic tool to ultimately help diagnose a neurological disorder that typically lacks obvious clinical signs. �
Understanding Biomarkers for Brain Health
The amount and types of biomarkers, as well as the quantity of information which researchers have to arrange, can help provide better remedies and prevention methods and techniques. “It ought to be no surprise that researchers spend around 80 percent of the time handling and not assessing statistics,” states Scott Marshall, managing director of translational informatics and diagnostic sciences in Precision for Medicine in Frederick, Maryland. The biomarker data management system, PATH, was made to incorporate any sort of biomarker information for further neurological disease diagnosis. �
“The true power of biomarkers comes if you connect this data to clinical information,” states Marshall. Their biomarker information management system supports translational research and biomarker-guided medicine development and puts no limitation on the number of biomarkers that may be tracked. “It can manage multiple biomarker technologies concurrently, such as complicated flow cytometry, next-generation sequencing, immuno-sequencing, epigenetic profiling, and other varieties of assays measuring biological variant too,” states Marshall. Their kind of “translational informatics” instrument is much more efficient than generating reams of information” with no strategy to acquire actionable insights out of these.” �
Research teams utilize Precision to Medicine’s platform for neuro-related programs that vary from illness pathogenesis to creating complicated signatures that are predictive of treatment response. By way of instance, the system was utilized in a research study including the evaluation of transcriptomic and genomic data in the treatment of major depressive disorder. The outcome is a genomically defined subset of individuals utilizing a probability of improvement. “This type of signature can now be evaluated by means of an assay, which may subsequently be developed to accompany diagnostic or free diagnostic to successfully target the correct individual group,” states Marshall. Biomarker data management systems become more fundamental as distinct kinds of biomarkers are examined collectively, ultimately including proteins and miRNAs. �
Combining kinds of biomarkers will very likely boost their usefulness. “Diagnostics is becoming increasingly more important as we know that the interplay between microRNAs, proteins, DNA, and messenger RNA is necessary,” states Pregibon. Clinical decision-making may profit particularly in which the human brain has been blocked by the blood-brain barrier until lately. “The chance to leverage biomarker-driven targeted treatments means that the sufferers that are more inclined to react to treatments are getting them quicker,” states Marshall. “For researchers, that’s the energy of biomarkers.” �
�
The recent ability to be able to detect neurological biomarkers in the blood, despite the blood-brain barries, is largely due in part to new technological advances in diagnosis and detection. Several of these technologies can ultimately increase sensitivity, however, increased sensitivity can help improve earlier detection or diagnosis of biomarkers for neurological diseases and disorders. Researchers and healthcare professionals currently believe that the presence of these biomarkers may be present earlier than we currently understand, which can help improve health issue diagnosis and treatment. – Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
Neurotransmitter Assessment Form
The following Neurotransmitter Assessment Form can be filled out and presented to Dr. Alex Jimenez. Symptoms listed on this form are not intended to be utilized as a diagnosis of any type of disease, condition, or any other type of health issue.
Biomarkers are molecules that can help diagnose a health issue. These have become important for verifying investigations, choosing the best remedies, and monitoring disease progression. One exception, however, includes biomarkers for neurological diseases. Neurological biomarkers are found in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) or, in undetectable amounts, in the blood vessels. The human brain is closely guarded by the blood-brain barrier which protects it from damaging compounds circulating throughout the blood vessels. The blood-brain barrier has made it inaccessible to use these biomarkers. �
Biomarkers may be analyzed using the CSF but this also needs an invasive lumbar puncture process. Biomarker signatures, or recent improvements in discovery, in addition to the ability of clusters of biomarkers, are currently helping to make neurological disorders more treatable and more reachable. Treating and preventing neurological disorders, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autism, and major depressive disorder, is very likely to become less difficult to diagnose with the recent arrival of neurological biomarkers found in the blood. �
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.�
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez �
References:
Smith, Caitlin. �Biomarkers on the Brain: Putting Biomarkers Together for a Better Understanding of the Nervous System.� Science, 15 Mar. 2018, www.sciencemag.org/features/2017/12/biomarkers-brain-putting-biomarkers-together-better-understanding-nervous-system.
Additional Topic Discussion: Chronic Pain
Sudden pain is a natural response of the nervous system which helps to demonstrate possible injury. By way of instance, pain signals travel from an injured region through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain is generally less severe as the injury heals, however, chronic pain is different than the average type of pain. With chronic pain, the human body will continue sending pain signals to the brain, regardless if the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last for several weeks to even several years. Chronic pain can tremendously affect a patient’s mobility and it can reduce flexibility, strength, and endurance.
Neural Zoomer Plus for Neurological Disease
�
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural ZoomerTM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus is designed to assess an individual�s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention. �
Food Sensitivity for the IgG & IgA Immune Response
�
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate health issues associated with food sensitivities. The Food Sensitivity ZoomerTM is an array of 180 commonly consumed food antigens that offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This panel measures an individual�s IgG and IgA sensitivity to food antigens. Being able to test IgA antibodies provides additional information to foods that may be causing mucosal damage. Additionally, this test is ideal for patients who might be suffering from delayed reactions to certain foods. Utilizing an antibody-based food sensitivity test can help prioritize the necessary foods to eliminate and create a customized diet plan around the patient�s specific needs. �
Formulas for Methylation Support
XYMOGEN�s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.
Proudly,�Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.
Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.
If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic�Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.
�
For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link. *XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download �
* All of the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
Lower back pain is a condition that pretty much affects most of us at some point in our lives. Some find:
Sitting
Standing
Walking
can be painfully difficult or helpful, depending on the position or the activity they’re involved in.
Low back pain varies from person to person, yet there remains no consensus on the optimal way to diagnose and treat patients.
Lower back pain can be caused by a multitude of factors and can be difficult to diagnose the exact cause. However, there is an advanced method of diagnosing and treating individuals with musculoskeletal conditions/injuries.
TENS, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Physical Therapy. Therapist Positioning Electrodes onto Patient’s Lower Back
Successful treatment
Dividing patients with lower back pain into more similar groups based on the same factors that aggravate and alleviate the pain means that a more custom based treatment plan can be created.
The one size fits all method just doesn’t cut it. A more focused approach for every individual leads to better results.
Patients find that placing their bodies in certain positions and certain physical activities can:
Activate
Aggravate
Deactivate their back pain.
Patients also find the pain being either better or worse.
Understanding why sitting, standing, and walking can change the severity of low back pain can be helpful in diagnosis.
These are important cues that help to diagnose and treat low back pain.
People sit, stand, and walk all day. This is why so much research has been conducted on how these specific positions and activities contribute to low back pain.
Spine Anatomy
The alignment of the spinal column, from the skull to the pelvis, is S-shaped.
The cervical and lumbar spinal segments curve towards the front of the body, and so are lordotic,�while the thoracic spine curves towards the back of the body and is kyphotic.
The amount of curvature does not stay in one place and changes based on body position.
Compared to standing, sitting decreases lumbar lordosis by about 50%.
Changes in lumbar lordosis can relieve pain from certain forms of back pain but can aggravate others.
Picture The Spine Bending
Imagine you are holding a garden hose. Holding it vertically in front of you. The hollow part of the tube represents the spinal canal, the part of the hose facing you is the posterior spinal column, and the part of the hose facing away from you is the anterior spinal column.
Bend the hose in half. The hose on the outward-facing side of the curve will stretch out, while the hose on the inward-facing side of the tube will be compressed.
This exercise helps visualize that an object being bent will experience two forces, either:
Compression
Tension
Increasing lumbar curvature will compress the posterior column�and stretch out the anterior column vertebrae and discs.
Decreasing lumbar curvature will�stretch out�the posterior column and�compress�the anterior column. This is the basis of why certain body positions can relieve back pain symptoms for some people and make it worse for others.
Prolonged sitting, and especially if poor posture is involved, can cause overstretching of spinal muscles.
Arthritis can affect the joints.
The facet joints are posterior based structures and can become compressed with increased curvature. When the facet joints are the primary cause of back pain, patients usually find that sitting improves the pain, while standing and walking make it worse.
When the discs are the pain generator, sitting seems to aggravate the pain as there is more compression in the tissue.
With certain types of disc herniations, sitting can compress the disc to the point that the herniated tissue starts to press against a nerve root causing radicular pain or pain that radiates out to another area of the body like the legs. In this case, walking seems to alleviate the pain.
Spinal Conditions
Various spinal conditions definitely contribute to back pain and have the same presentations and alleviations.
Spinal Stenosis which means the narrowing of the spinal canal. Patients with this type of spine pain improve with leaning forward sitting. This is because the posture increases/opens the size of the canal�and decreases the nerve root compression.
Spondylolisthesis is when one vertebra slips forward over the vertebra right underneath. This is more commonly known as a slipped disc. There are various forms of this condition. But the pain occurs immediately when sitting, bending or walking and is usually relieved when standing still or in a neutral position for short periods.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction comes from the sacroiliac joint becoming inflamed. Pain is usually aggravated when sitting or about to sit. especially when there is added weight on the affected side. This can be difficult to diagnose because of trying to figure out if it’s the hip or low back causing the pain.
Locating the Pain Generator
Sitting, standing, walking low back pain causes are different for everyone. But finding the root cause helps to prescribe the best treatment possible. A chiropractor uses many different techniques to relieve pain. These include:
Applied pressure
Massage
Hands-on manipulation (adjustments)
X-rays
MRI’s
Lab work
Health coaching
Chiropractors don�t prescribe medications, but they do recommend therapeutic, rehabilitative exercises and nutritional lifestyle counseling to help the body heal itself.
Low Back Pain Treatment El Paso, Texas
NCBI Resources
A chiropractor sets up treatment approaches based on the individual. This begins with the natural, non-invasive treatments before moving on to more aggressive techniques. And as an added bonus patient�s who have received chiropractic treatment have experienced improvements to their digestive health and have reported better and deeper sleep after a chiropractic visit.
Do you often feel that your energy levels drop in the afternoons? Do you often feel brain fog or have unclear thoughts and poor concentration? Do you often experience brain fatigue with chronic pain and inflammation? Diet and supplements are essential for overall well-being. However, fish oil omega-3s are a common supplement with a variety of health benefits. �
Fish oil is a well-known supplement that comes from fatty fish, such as sardines, anchovies, mackerel, and salmon. Fish oil has two types of omega-3 fatty acids, known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both of which are commonly used to support skin and heart health. Fish oil supplements can also promote brain health, especially when it comes to improving memory and mood problems like depression, as well as a variety of other health issues. The purpose of the following article is to discuss how the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may support and promote brain health. �
What Are Fish Oil Omega-3s?
Omega-3 fatty acids, best known as omega-3s, are polyunsaturated fats that offer most of the brain health benefits of fish oil. Fish oil has two main types of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. These two omega-3s are found in cell membranes and these also have anti-inflammatory effects in the human body. They are also well-known for their fundamental roles in human development and heart health. EPA and DHA are found in fatty fish and fish oil. Because the majority of people do not eat the recommended amounts of fish, many people probably aren’t getting enough EPA and DHA in their regular diets. �
The human body can make EPA and DHA from another type of omega-3 fatty acid, known as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is commonly found in a variety of foods, including walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, canola oil, soybeans, and soybean oil. However, the human body can’t properly turn ALA into EPA and DHA, where healthcare professionals and researchers estimate that approximately less than 10 percent of the amount of ALA you eat is properly turned into EPA or DHA. Fish oil is a good option for people who don�t eat a lot of fish but are still looking to gain the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. �
How Do Omega-3s Improve Brain Health?
The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are essential for normal brain function during all stages of life. EPA and DHA play a fundamental role in the development of a baby�s brain. Several research studies have associated pregnant women�s fish intake or fish oil use with higher scores for their children on brain function and intelligence tests in early childhood. �
These omega-3s are also essential for the regulation of normal brain function throughout life. They are commonly found in the cell membranes of brain cells, preserving cell membrane health and facilitating communication between brain cells. �
When animals are fed diets without omega-3 fatty acids, the amount of DHA in their brains decreases, and they often demonstrate deficits in learning and memory. In older adults, decreased levels of DHA in the blood have ultimately been associated with smaller brain size, a prevalent symptom of accelerated brain aging. Clearly, it is essential to make sure that you get enough omega-3 fatty acids in order to avoid these detrimental effects on brain function and development. �
Fish Oil for Memory
The omega-3s found in fish oil play important roles in brain function and development. There are also claims that fish oil can improve brain function in people with memory problems, such as dementia and Alzheimer�s disease. Alzheimer�s disease affects brain function and quality of life in millions of elderly adults. That’s why finding a supplement or natural remedy that can help improve brain function in this population of individuals would be a major, if not a life-changing discovery. �
Unfortunately, a review of the research study found no compelling evidence that omega-3 supplements like fish oil can improve brain function in people with dementia and Alzheimer�s disease. However, several research studies suggest that fish oil supplements may improve brain function in people with more mild types of brain health issues, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or age-related cognitive decline. Although these types of brain conditions aren�t as severe as dementia and Alzheimer�s disease, they can still result in memory loss and sometimes other types of impaired brain function. �
One research study gave 485 older adults with age-related cognitive decline either 900 mg of DHA or a placebo every day. After 24 weeks, those taking DHA performed better on memory and learning tests. Similarly, another research study investigated the effects of taking 1.8 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil supplements daily for 24 weeks. The researchers found improvements in brain function in people with MCI but there were no benefits for those with dementia and Alzheimer�s disease. According to the research study, fish oil supplements may be most beneficial when people start taking them in the early stages of brain function decline. If you wait too long, fish oil may be of little benefit to brain health. �
Fish Oil for Depression
Finding treatments for depression and other mental health issues is still a public health priority. A recent review of several research studies concluded that taking fish oil supplements improved symptoms in people with depression. However, the greatest improvements in depressive symptoms seemed to occur in people who were also taking antidepressants. In addition, people seemed to experience greater effects when the fish oil supplement also had higher doses of EPA. �
It is still unclear how EPA and omega-3s help improve depressive symptoms. Researchers suggest that it may be associated with their effects on serotonin and serotonin receptors in the brain. Others have proposed that omega-3s from fish oil can improve depressive symptoms through their anti-inflammatory effects. Additional evidence suggests that fish oil may also help improve other mental health issues like borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder. However, more high-quality research studies are required before the medical community can make definitive recommendations. �
Should You Take Fish Oil for Your Brain Health?
According to the evidence gathered from a variety of research studies, you may want to consider taking fish oil omega-3 fatty acids if you are experiencing mild memory loss, depression, or if you want to improve your overall brain health.�There are no official recommendations regarding how much omega-3s from fish oil you need to take to see benefits in brain function and mental health. The amounts of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids used in the research studies varied from each clinical trial. �
The US Food and Drug Administration has set a safe and effective limit for the intake of omega-3 fatty acid supplements to be at 3,000 mg per day. The European Food Safety Authority has set their recommendation a little higher, at no more than 5,000 mg per day. Taking 1,000 to 2,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil daily is likely a good starting point, which is under the recommended limit. People with depression should choose fish oil supplements with higher amounts of EPA. �
It is essential to read labels carefully when evaluating fish oil supplements. A 1,000-mg capsule of fish oil may have less than 500 mg of actual omega-3 fatty acids but this can vary for each brand. In general, fish oil supplements are considered to be safe and effective at dosages under those that were previously mentioned. Make sure you talk with a healthcare professional before taking fish oil omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Because research studies have reviewed their potential effects on blood clotting, this is especially important if you are taking blood-thinning medications or have an upcoming surgery. �
EPA and DHA are omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil that are fundamental for normal brain function and development. People with mild decline in memory or brain function and mood changes like depression may consider taking omega-3s from fish oil because these can improve symptoms and overall brain health. Although fish oil is typically praised for its benefits for heart health, it also has incredible effects on brain and mental health that are worth mentioning.�- Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
Neurotransmitter Assessment Form
The following Neurotransmitter Assessment Form can be filled out and presented to Dr. Alex Jimenez. Symptoms listed on this form are not intended to be utilized as a diagnosis of any type of disease, condition, or any other type of health issue. �
Do you often feel that your energy levels drop in the afternoons? Do you often feel brain fog or have unclear thoughts and poor concentration? Do you often experience brain fatigue with chronic pain and inflammation? Diet and supplements are essential for overall well-being. However, fish oil omega-3s are a common supplement with a variety of health benefits. �
Fish oil is a well-known supplement that comes from fatty fish, such as sardines, anchovies, mackerel, and salmon. Fish oil has two types of omega-3 fatty acids, known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both of which are commonly used to support skin and heart health. Fish oil supplements can also promote brain health, especially when it comes to improving memory, mood problems like depression, as well as neurological diseases and other health issues. The purpose of the article above was to discuss how the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil support and promote brain health. �
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.�
Sudden pain is a natural response of the nervous system which helps to demonstrate possible injury. By way of instance, pain signals travel from an injured region through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain is generally less severe as the injury heals, however, chronic pain is different than the average type of pain. With chronic pain, the human body will continue sending pain signals to the brain, regardless if the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last for several weeks to even several years. Chronic pain can tremendously affect a patient’s mobility and it can reduce flexibility, strength, and endurance.
Neural Zoomer Plus for Neurological Disease
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural ZoomerTM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus is designed to assess an individual�s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention. �
Food Sensitivity for the IgG & IgA Immune Response
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate health issues associated with food sensitivities. The Food Sensitivity ZoomerTM is an array of 180 commonly consumed food antigens that offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This panel measures an individual�s IgG and IgA sensitivity to food antigens. Being able to test IgA antibodies provides additional information to foods that may be causing mucosal damage. Additionally, this test is ideal for patients who might be suffering from delayed reactions to certain foods. Utilizing an antibody-based food sensitivity test can help prioritize the necessary foods to eliminate and create a customized diet plan around the patient�s specific needs. �
Formulas for Methylation Support
XYMOGEN�s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.
Proudly,�Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.
Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.
If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic�Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.
�
For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link. *XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download �
* All of the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then it might be the weather that is affecting your mood and your body.
The Weather
Does the weather forecast make anyone smile? Whether it is nothing but bright, sunny skies and warm temperatures or gray, overcast skies with threats of rain and thunderstorms, the weather can affect a person’s joints and cause them pain. The old saying “Feel it in my bones” comes to play when environmental conditions can affect the physical body. Research has indicated that these effects are not just skin deep, but the weather can affect a person�s mood and emotional health. They found that patients experience increased joint pain in response to a decrease in pressure and indicating that low atmospheric pressure conditions exacerbate joint pain.
Lots of people are affected differently by different weather patterns. There are no hard-fast rules regarding the influence of how the weather affects people�s moods. The research suggested that high humidity may increase sleepiness and can negatively affect concentration and focus on a person. While rising temperatures can help lower anxiety and skepticism mood scores in a person. Since humidity is the most significant predictor since it implicates for school and office performances are being discussed and highlights the importance of humidity as a weather variable.
Some individuals love to sit out in the sun and soak up every ray while basking in the heat. Others instead prefer to let themselves stay indoors surrounded by air conditioning and feeling so much better in the colder weather with less sunshine.
Types of People Affected By The Weather
Studies have researched that there were four distinct types of people, especially in children and their mothers that were identified when it comes to the weather and their moods. They are:
Summer Lover
Unaffected
Summer Haters
Rain Haters
Summer Lovers have better moods in warm, sunny weather while the Summer Hater has the worse moods under the warmer conditions. People in the Unaffected category has shown only the weak association between the weather and their moods. When it comes to rainy days, Rain Haters experiences particularly bad moods during those types of days. The correlation between the children and their mothers was founded for two of the types. It stated that there might be some intergenerational influences, and the finding from the study and many others show that there is a massive individual difference in how the weather affects people’s moods. Some people love rainy or sunny days, while others loathe them.
A 2013 paper found that rising temperatures and increased precipitation can have a significant impact on human conflict and interpersonal violence. The correlation between the higher temperatures like more extreme rainfall and increased violence was seen on both scales, large and small. Other researchers have suggested that the psychological effects of the weather are influenced by seasons and the time a person is outside. What they found was that higher temperatures or the barometric pressure were related to better moods, memory, and “broadened” cognitive style in the springtime as an individual spends more time outside has increased.
Weather Can Affect People�s Mood
While this relationship is perfect for some people, others see this relationship as an inverse during the other seasons. Some people found out that during the warmer seasons, lowers their mood. It is correlated strongly with individuals who live in the south. The hotter weather can cause them to have poorer moods when the summer has higher temperatures, and it can become downright debilitating.
Researchers speculated that the discrepancy between spring and summer moods might be related to seasonal affective disorder. With seasonal affective disorder, the results were consistent with their findings. They suggested that pleasant weather improves moods and broaden cognition in the spring because people have been deprived of such weather during the winter.
The founder and editor-in-chief of Psych Central, John M, Grohol, Psy.D., noted that the weather could affect people’s moods and emotions. He also mentions that the strength of that relationship varies from person to person, and the effects are noticeable, whether it be small in some people or more pronounced in others.
Another study found that many people intuit that the bad weather makes them sad and pleasant weather makes them happy. Scientific investigations have largely failed to support such associations, however, with variations in meteorological variables either showing no or weak relationships with variations in normal moods. It means that a person�s definition of� �good� or �bad� weather is their own opinion. If someone likes the rain, then gray, rainy days are �good� in their view while others view rainy days are �bad� and prefer sunshine, blue skies, and warmer weather.
Conclusion
The weather can affect anyone’s mood. Whether people enjoy the colder seasons or the warmer seasons, their moods can change due to the type of weather. If they are aware of their mood patterns, taking supplements can ease the transition of the change of seasons and be a beneficial impact on their moods. Some products can help support the body and making sure that the entire system is functioning correctly by targeting amino acids and sugar metabolism.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Bullock, Ben, et al. �Highs and Lows, Ups and Downs: Meteorology and Mood in Bipolar Disorder.� PloS One, Public Library of Science, 9 Mar. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5344507/.
Grohol, John M. �Weather Can Change Your Mood.� World of Psychology, 28 Mar. 2019, psychcentral.com/blog/weather-can-change-your-mood/.
Howarth, E, and M S Hoffman. �A Multidimensional Approach to the Relationship between Mood and Weather.� British Journal of Psychology (London, England: 1953), U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 1984, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6704634.
Hsiang, Solomon M., et al. �Quantifying the Influence of Climate on Human Conflict.� Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 13 Sept. 2013, science.sciencemag.org/content/341/6151/1235367.
Keller, Matthew C, et al. �A Warm Heart and a Clear Head. The Contingent Effects of Weather on Mood and Cognition.� Psychological Science, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16137259.
Keller, Matthew C, et al. �A Warm Heart and a Clear Head. The Contingent Effects of Weather on Mood and Cognition.� Psychological Science, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16137259.
Klimstra, Theo A, et al. �Come Rain or Come Shine: Individual Differences in How Weather Affects Mood.� Emotion (Washington, D.C.), U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21842988.
Team, DFH. �Weather Forecast � Can It Predict Your Mood, Too?� Designs for Health, 15 Aug. 2019, blog.designsforhealth.com/node/1085.
Verg�s, Josep, et al. �Weather Conditions Can Influence Rheumatic Diseases.� Proceedings of the Western Pharmacology Society, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2004, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15633634.
To get the best treatment for upper or mid-back back pain, you should understand what may be causing it.
A doctor or chiropractor can help you figure out what is contributing to your back pain, then determine the root cause, and set up a treatment outline. Here are some of the more common causes.
Improper posture
Poor posture is one of the leading causes of upper back pain because so many people spend their workdays sitting at some station for most if not the entire day. Sitting with a:
Rounded back
Shoulders hunched forward
Just these two positional behaviors can put massive stress on the back muscles.
Getting into bad habits and not sitting properly, and sitting for so many hours a day is a sure way to bring out some form of body pain.
Not lifting objects properly
When picking something up, you should use proper lifting body mechanics to protect the spine.
Not using proper lifting form can definitely cause injury/s.
Overloaded backpack/purse
Anyone who uses backpacks and big purses is at risk for upper back injury and consistent pain.
Over-loading backpacks and purses can be dangerous to the spine and shoulders.
Also not wearing the backpack correctly, for example just using one strap causes imbalance, which leads to soreness, and that leads to injury.
Trauma Accident
Auto accidents, slips, and falls can cause all kinds of injuries including upper back pain.
Fracturing a vertebra or a spinal bone is possible.� When this happens part of the vertebrae presses on a spinal nerve and can cause pain.
Osteoporosis
This condition affects the bones, and an individual might not know they have osteoporosis until some type of fracture like a vertebral compression fracture.
It weakens the bones, which can affect how the body supports its weight. This opens the door for fractures.
Weakened vertebrae won’t support the body’s weight correctly, so the muscles, ligaments, and tendons have to work harder.
That leads to:
Sprains
Strains
Muscle fatigue
Various injuries
Kyphosis
The spine is supposed to curve outwards in the upper back; the curve is called kyphosis or a kyphotic curve.
With problematic kyphosis, the spine begins to curve outward in an exaggerated fashion that can lead to back pain.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis causes an unusual curve or curves in the spine. It makes the spine look like the letter “S” or “C” when seen from the back.
Non-Spine Conditions
Upper back pain can develop from other medical conditions that are not related to the spine. For example:
These conditions can cause individuals to move or contort into awkward positions, and swelling of muscle tissues that radiate into the upper mid-back.
Upper Back Structure
The upper back is the more stable area of the spine compared to the neck and lower back. It does not move as much because part of its main job is to protect the organs in the chest. This works in conjunction with the ribs, that is attached to the mid-back.
Because it doesn’t move as much, joint and disc problems are not as common. But that does not mean that you can’t get a herniated disc. It’s also less common to have degenerative problems in the upper mid-back.
We want you to live a life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, less pain, proper body weight and educated on how to maintain this way of life. I have made a life of taking care of every one of my patients.
I assure you, I will only accept the best for you.
Lower Back Pain Specialist El Paso, TX Chiropractor
Mike Melgoza is a very active person who is always engaging in physical activity, as a result, he occasionally suffers from debilitating back pain symptoms. Mr. Melgoza was struggling to sleep properly due to his symptoms of back pain before receiving chiropractic care with Dr. Jimenez.
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit the doctor or miss work and it is also a leading cause of disability globally. The majority of people have back pain at least once throughout their lifetimes. Luckily, you can take steps to prevent or relieve back pain.
NCBI Resources
Pain in the upper and/or mid-back is not as common as lower back or neck pain. Movement in the upper back is limited because of the attachments to the rib cage.
Upper back pain is generally caused by soft tissue injuries, like sprains or strains, muscle tension, bad posture, or looking downward for extended periods like texting, over phone use.
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