Water is good for you. This is the message that we hear over and over, as we pursue optimal health, strive to lose weight, or overcome chronic conditions. Water is a vital part of life.
The problem is, every �expert� has an opinion of what is the best way to get this life substance. There are different messages about what is the best water source � what�s healthy, what isn�t. To cut through all the hype and get to the truth the answer isn�t as cut and dry as you might think.
Hydration Importance
Water is essential for our very survival. It keeps the functions of our organs properly, is a vital component of digestion, and it even helps us have a healthy spine. It helps to regulate body temperature and lubricates the joints. You may not realize it, but�most of your body is composed of water:
Lungs � 83%
Kidneys and muscles � 79%
Heart and brain � 73%
Skin � 64%
Bones � 31%
The average adult female requires around 2.2 liters of water per day, while the average adult male requires around 3 liters. Most of this comes from drinking fluids, but some come from food that is consumed. Dehydration is a serious condition and can cause serious damage to the body. Severe and prolonged (about 3 days) dehydration can be deadly.
Bottled Water Facts
There has been a lot of debate about bottled water in the past few years. At the center of the controversy are two main issues: much of the bottled water is said to be nothing more than tap water, and in the US alone, more than 60 million water bottles find their way to landfills every single day. Those are some pretty serious issues.
The truth is, studies show that almost half (around 40%) of bottled water is just tap water. So, what�s the big deal about tap water? It is largely known to contain chemicals that are not only toxic to humans, but many are also linked to certain cancers. Chlorine, arsenic, and fluoride are some of the more common chemicals found in tap water. Things aren�t looking good for tap water, but if so much bottled water is tap, then what can you do?
The Bottles
Before we explore the safer water options, it is worth taking a look at the plastic bottles that are used. The materials used to make water bottles are widely known to contain deadly, cancer-causing carcinogens like Bisphenol A (BPA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and phthalates. Each of these poses significant risks to your health.
Even if you choose a bottle that is BPA free (like PET bottles) you could be exposing yourself to other hazardous substances. For instance, PET bottles are made of a soft plastic that is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to clean. This can leave some unsavory residue like food, saliva, and even fecal matter to contaminate your water. The more the bottles are reused, the greater the risk of these and other contaminants making their way into your water.
Healthier Alternative To Bottled Water
Actually, tap water is the safer, healthier alternative to bottled water � but not straight out of the tap. All tap water should be run through a high-quality water filtration system before you use it. Without filtration, you run the risk of consuming contaminants like harmful chemicals, bacteria, and even heavy metals. So, what should you do?
Ditch the plastic bottles and choose glass or stainless steel instead. Next, filter your tap water using a high-quality carbon filter. Store your water in a ceramic or glass container. Do not heat or cook food or water in anything made of plastic or Styrofoam. In fact, avoid drinking or eating from plastic altogether. If you must though, do not cut into the plastic while you are eating or drinking and do not expose the food or water to a microwave, high heat, or the sun.
Drink your water, but make sure you are doing it in the healthiest way possible � on tap and filtered!
Can methylation donors help promote a balanced methylation support?
Many doctors and functional medicine practitioners generally recommend higher doses of methyl donors, such as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, or 5-MTHF, and methylcobalamin, in several patients. By way of instance, people with genetic polymorphisms and people with out-of-range methylation-related biomarkers, such as in hyperhomocysteinemia, may often develop health issues which may affect the function of specific enzymes, such as methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, or MTHFR, among others.
Nutrient deficiencies associated with methyl donors are a prevalent finding in laboratory evaluations, and depending on your population, these may be closely associated with vitamin B12 deficiency-related neuropathy, which is relatively common. Many doctors and functional medicine practitioners also understand the importance of methylation support to help improve hereditary or environmental epigenetic health issues. Improving methylation status and avoiding the pathways of disease and dysfunction associated with potential nutritional deficits in methylation activity is the goal of many healthcare professionals.
However, as with any other biochemical process, methylation activity occurs through the balance of homeodynamics, or the dynamic form of homeostasis. An imbalance in these biochemical processes can ultimately lead to dysfunction and disease. Therefore, although we can be confident that making sure we have enough methyl donors available for use in the human body is essential, we have to question whether �pushing� reaction rates utilizing supraphysiological doses are safe and effective. Instead of forcing reaction rates, perhaps the goal of healthcare professionals should ultimately be to allow the human body to function correctly.
Methylation Supplementation
Numerous health issues associated with long-term, high-dose supplementation for methylation donors include:
According to research studies, the effects of these genetic alterations remains unclear. In comparison to the altered function of MTHFR C677T and A1298C single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, which have been moderately evaluated, the diagnosis of other SNPs can demonstrate the overall function of these specific enzymes. The effect of these SNPs on methylation activity depends on enzymes working together in the circumstance of a person’s internal and external environment. These outcome measures have been demonstrated in a variety of genome research studies. As a result, researchers are unable to determine the effects which these alterations, including that of MTHFR C677T, can develop on a patient’s overall methylation status.
The correct supplementation dose for methylation donors remains mostly unknown, as it may vary tremendously between patients. No research studies have currently demonstrated what the correct dosage or duration of methyl-donor supplementation is required to balance biochemical and epigenetic methylation status. Various side effects of high-dose 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, or 5-MTHF, supplementation have been demonstrated in clinical practice, including anxiety and worsening of symptoms.
Hypermethylation may be detrimental to an individual’s overall health and wellness. The following series of articles contain many examples of region-specific DNA hypermethylation health issues, including immune dysfunction, Downs Syndrome, and cancer. Both DNA hyper- and hypomethylation can develop due to deficiencies in methylation donors. Folic acid has been associated with increased immune hypersensitivity and cancer. The bottom line is that we don�t understand what effect long-term, high-dose methylation donors and supplementation can have on DNA methylation support. Further research studies are still required to show this effect.
Methylation is a biochemical process which involves the conversion of methylation activity for the function of a variety of processes in the human body. Methylation imbalances, however, can cause a variety of health issues. Methylation donors are a form of supplementation for methylation support. But, research studies have demonstrated that supplementation for methylation support may not be right for everyone. The best way to improve methylation is through proper nutrition, physical activity, and exercise, among other dietary and lifestyle modifications. The nutritional guidelines below can help safely and effectively improve methylation support, promoting overall health and wellness.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
Nutrition for Methylation Support
Methylation status can often depend on a patient’s dietary and lifestyle factors. Dietary and lifestyle factors, including physical activity and exercise, stress, sleep, medicines, and toxin exposure, plays a role in methylation. Single interventions with high-dose nutrient supplementation may lack long-term effectiveness or these may not achieve the desired methylation support.
Dietary and lifestyle modifications are safe and effective, alternative treatment options for most individuals with methylation imbalances. This may be fundamental for certain vulnerable individuals, such as patients with active cancers. Aging is also known to be associated with decreased methylation activity, therefore, the Methylation Diet and Lifestyle, or MDL, program can be utilized as an anti-aging tool. Methylation status diagnosis and treatment is essential during preconception, pregnancy and the postnatal period.
The MDL program and supplementation can help promote overall health and wellness. A dietary and lifestyle treatment approach can also be utilized as a follow-up plan for people who need high-dose nutraceutical support. A variety of foods can promote methylation support. Dietary and lifestyle modifications have also been demonstrated to considerably improve methylation activity.
In the following articles, we will discuss dietary and lifestyle factors which can help support methylation. We will also discuss the basic biochemistry of methylation, the roles of methylation in the human body, how to evaluate methylation status, and the risks and benefits of methyl donor supplementation as well as the health issues associated with too little or too much methylation activity.
Smoothies and Juices for Methylation Support
While many healthcare professionals can recommend nutritional guidelines and lifestyle modifications, there are several alternative treatment options you can try for yourself at home. As described above, however, supplementation for methylation support should be correctly determined by a healthcare professional. Smoothies and juices are a fast and easy way to include all the necessary nutrients you need for methylation support in a single serving. The smoothies and juices below are part of the Methylation Diet Food Plan.
Sea Green Smoothie Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1/2 cup cantaloupe, cubed � 1/2 banana � 1 handful of kale or spinach � 1 handful of Swiss chard � 1/4 avocado � 2 teaspoons spirulina powder � 1 cup water � 3 or more ice cubes Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until completely smooth and enjoy!
Berry Bliss Smoothie Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen, preferably wild) � 1 medium carrot, roughly chopped � 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seed � 1 tablespoons almonds � Water (to desired consistency) � Ice cubes (optional, may omit if using frozen blueberries) Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy. Best served immediately!
Sweet and Spicy Juice Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1 cup honeydew melons � 3 cups spinach, rinsed � 3 cups Swiss chard, rinsed � 1 bunch cilantro (leaves and stems), rinsed � 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped � 2-3 knobs whole turmeric root (optional), rinsed, peeled and chopped Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!
Ginger Greens Juice Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1 cup pineapple cubes � 1 apple, sliced � 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped � 3 cups kale, rinsed and roughly chopped or ripped � 5 cups Swiss chard, rinsed and roughly chopped or ripped Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!
Zesty Beet Juice Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1 grapefruit, peeled and sliced � 1 apple, washed and sliced � 1 whole beet, and leaves if you have them, washed and sliced � 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!
Protein Power Smoothie Serving: 1 Cook time: 5 minutes � 1 scoop protein powder � 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed � 1/2 banana � 1 kiwi, peeled � 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon � Pinch of cardamom � Non-dairy milk or water, enough to achieve desired consistency Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender until completely smooth. Best served immediately!
ProLon� Fasting Mimicking Diet
alanced methylation support can be achieved through proper nutrition. The ProLon� fasting mimicking diet offers a 5-day meal program which has been individually packed and labeled to serve the foods you need for the FMD in precise quantities and combinations. The meal program is made up of ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare, plant-based foods, including bars, soups, snacks, supplements, a drink concentrate, and teas. The products are scientifically formulated and great tasting. Before starting the ProLon� fasting mimicking diet, 5-day meal program, please make sure to talk to a healthcare professional to find out if the FMD is right for you. The ProLon� fasting mimicking diet can help promote methylation support, among a variety of other healthy benefits.
Many doctors and functional medicine practitioners may recommend higher doses of methyl donors in several patients, however, further research studies are needed to determine the proper amount of methylation supplementation. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. 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
Additional Topic Discussion: Acute Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
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 the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
What is systems medicine and how is it integrated into our overall health and wellness?
Systems medicine is an interdisciplinary field of study which evaluates the systems of the human body as part of a whole, including biochemical, physiological, and environmental interactions. And, with the outlining of the human genome back in 2001, Systems Medicine became widely recognized.
Humans are estimated to have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes although this number could drop further as genome sequence quality and gene finding methods improve over time. While the code for our lives seems smaller than what we expected, tremendous consideration is now being paid to the regulatory aspects of the genome and research studies on the heritable epigenome are gaining momentum. Methylation, a cornerstone epigenetic and metabolic process, now yields more than 85,000 hits on a PubMed search.
With the readily available access to genetic testing, many patients now have a greater understanding of their genes, most often concerning their single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, associated with methylation. It truly is a wildly exciting time to be practicing Functional Medicine, the clinical application of systems medicine. Several hypotheses have been developed on the phenotypic expression of single nucleotide variations. A heterozygous mutation in MTHFR A1298C SNP, by way of instance, can make it difficult for people to detoxify efficiently. Genetic testing and metabolic biomarkers can help demonstrate “lesions” in methylation.
What is Methylation Support?
Methylation is fundamental towards a variety of bodily functions, including detoxification, neurotransmitter production, and epigenetic regulation. Researchers have seen the impact that improving methylation can have on fortifying folic acid and reducing neural tube defects. The Methylation Diet and Lifestyle, or MDL, program was created with the purpose of embracing both the importance of healthy methylation balance as well as recognizing the limitations in our current understanding of methylation.
Methylation imbalances, such as hypermethylation and hypomethylation, in the gene promoter regions are associated with many health issues, from allergies and aging to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The regulation of the epigenome is a highly complex process. And, further research studies are still required to determine the effect of high-dose, long-term methylation interventions.
Furthermore, healthcare professionals need to consider whether high-dose, long-term methylation interventions are the right treatment approach for patients with these health issues. Numerous research studies have demonstrated reasonable concerns about supplementation. There are also patients who are unable to take methyl donor supplementation due to poor epinephrine clearance and other biogenic amines or detoxification activity. Understanding whether this treatment approach may be an appropriate methylation intervention, however, suggests that other, alternative treatment options may be required for overall health and wellness.
Food-based folates, by way of instance, have only been demonstrated to have protective effects on methylation. A variety of phytochemicals, not closely associated with methylation, seem to effectively modulate global epigenetic and biochemical methylation activity. And, decreasing methyl donor depletion by reducing toxic exposures, nourishing the microbiome, and increasing the stress response is safe and efficient. Nutrition can ultimately help eliminate the “lesions” in methylation for balanced bodily functions.
Methylation is a simple biochemical process which affects a variety of bodily functions, including DNA production, detoxification, and cellular energy, among many other fundamental processes. However, approximately 60 percent of people in the United States have a genetic mutation which tremendously affects methylation. When methylation isn’t working efficiently, it can affect the production of a variety of important molecules, including glutathione, coenzyme Q10, and melatonin, among many other fundamental substances. Understanding the importance of methylation support is important towards our overall health and wellness, and there are several ways you and your doctor can promote better methylation support.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
The Methylation Diet and Lifestyle Program
The Methylation Diet and Lifestyle program wouldn’t have been created if it wasn’t for the years of discussions on current research studies and patient treatment approaches. The following article serves as a guide to help people how to evaluate their methylation status and understand the current methylation health issues, and how to incorporate an MDL program into your protocols as well as the potential concerns from supplementation. Nutritional guidelines and lifestyle modifications can help improve methylation.
However, how can we determine when we should utilize the MDL? This treatment approach ultimately offers the methylation support patients might need, especially for those who cannot tolerate supplementation. It is also a safe and effective long-term strategy for a majority of patients who have utilized a short-term course of higher-dose methyl donors. The full MDL program also supports detoxification, microbiome and hormone balance, stress reduction, and it can be modified to incorporate other programs which are also generally recommended, such as elimination diets, grain and lectin-free plans, low FODMAP diets and traditional gut restoration programs. Highly restricted plans, such as the ketogenic diet used for epilepsy, can incorporate aspects of the MDL with additional nutraceutical support. Any dietary program can work with the Methylation Diet and lifestyle program for overall health and wellness.
Smoothies and Juices for Life
While many healthcare professionals can recommend the nutritional guidelines and lifestyle modifications described above, there are several remedies you can try for yourself at home. Smoothies and juices are a fast and easy way to include all the necessary nutrients you need for methylation support in a single serving. The smoothies and juices below are part of the Methylation Diet Food Plan.
Sea Green Smoothie Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1/2 cup cantaloupe, cubed � 1/2 banana � 1 handful of kale or spinach � 1 handful of Swiss chard � 1/4 avocado � 2 teaspoons spirulina powder � 1 cup water � 3 or more ice cubes Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until completely smooth and enjoy!
Berry Bliss Smoothie Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen, preferably wild) � 1 medium carrot, roughly chopped � 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seed � 1 tablespoons almonds � Water (to desired consistency) � Ice cubes (optional, may omit if using frozen blueberries) Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy. Best served immediately!
Sweet and Spicy Juice Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1 cup honeydew melons � 3 cups spinach, rinsed � 3 cups Swiss chard, rinsed � 1 bunch cilantro (leaves and stems), rinsed � 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped � 2-3 knobs whole turmeric root (optional), rinsed, peeled and chopped Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!
Ginger Greens Juice Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1 cup pineapple cubes � 1 apple, sliced � 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped � 3 cups kale, rinsed and roughly chopped or ripped � 5 cups Swiss chard, rinsed and roughly chopped or ripped Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!
Zesty Beet Juice Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1 grapefruit, peeled and sliced � 1 apple, washed and sliced � 1 whole beet, and leaves if you have them, washed and sliced � 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!
Protein Power Smoothie Serving: 1 Cook time: 5 minutes � 1 scoop protein powder � 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed � 1/2 banana � 1 kiwi, peeled � 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon � Pinch of cardamom � Non-dairy milk or water, enough to achieve desired consistency Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender until completely smooth. Best served immediately!
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, spinal health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. 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
Additional Topic Discussion: Acute Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
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 the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
Individuals with diabetes have a 35 percent risk of developing neck pain and back pain, according to a recent research study. The researchers conducted eight research studies on separate occasions which revealed that individuals with diabetes have a higher chance of developing neck pain and back pain. According to the researchers, chronic pain is common in people with diabetes.
Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain throughout their lifetime and nearly half of that number will also suffer from neck pain, according to researchers. Meanwhile, diabetes has become an increasingly common health issue. About 382 million individuals have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, according to the World Health Organization.
Despite the outcome measures, it seems there’s still inadequate evidence in the research study to establish a causal connection between diabetes and chronic pain,” stated Manuela Ferreira, Ph.D., the research study’s senior author and associate professor in the university’s Institute of Bone and Joint Research. “The evidence requires further evaluation of this institution,” he explained.
“Type 2 diabetes and chronic back pain both have a strong connection with lack of physical activity or exercise and obesity. Thus, a logical development of the research study may be required to evaluate these outcome measures in further detail,” he explained. “Our evaluation adds to the proof that weight management and physical activity or exercise play essential roles in health and wellness.”
The research study also demonstrated that diabetes drugs and/or medications might also influence chronic pain, possibly via its effect on blood sugar levels. However, this connection also requires further research studies. Additionally, the research study advocated that health professionals should consider screening for diabetes in patients looking for chronic pain relief, such as back pain or neck pain.
Chronic pain affects many individuals with diabetes. The most common type of chronic pain frequently reported by patients with diabetes include neck pain, back pain, and neuropathic pain in the hands and feet. Chronic pain can affect an individual’s daily physical activities. According to researchers, individuals with diabetes have a higher risk of developing chronic pain, or painful symptoms which persist for more than six months.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, spinal health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. 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
Additional Topic Discussion: Acute Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
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 the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
Although oral devices, such as splints and bite guards, are the most prevalent treatments for facial pain associated with temporomandibular disorders, or TMD, patients have found that these remedies are frequently less effective than self-care techniques, such as jaw exercises or warm compresses, according to a new research study published by researchers at the New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry in New York City.
The research study, published in the journal Clinical Oral Investigations, demonstrates that self-care techniques should primarily be utilized to help treat muscle-related temporomandibular disorders or TMD.
TMD, occasionally known as TMJ after the temporomandibular joint, is a collection of prevalent painful conditions which develop in the jaw joint and its surrounding muscles. Myofascial temporomandibular disorder, or mTMD, is a muscular condition which affects over 10 percent of women. Individuals with TMD often suffer from other chronic pain conditions. Research studies found that 7 to 18 percent of people with TMD also experience fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread pain.
Treatments for TMD and Fibromyalgia
Dentists and patients utilize an assortment of treatments to help manage facial pain, such as oral devices like splints and bite guards, pain medicines, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and self-care methods like jaw exercises and hot compresses.
Oral devices are a prevalent first-line treatment for TMD, regardless of research study outcome measures regarding their advantages, stated Vivian Santiago, Ph.D., MPH, research study scientist at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology, and Medicine at NYU College of Dentistry, and the research study’s leading author.
“While oral splints have been discovered to have some benefits, they have yet to be found to be as successful for patients who have widespread pain when treating mTMD,” she explained.
In this research study, the researchers evaluated what non-medication remedies women with mTMD utilized to handle their pain as well as how successful patients perceived these remedies. The researchers interviewed a total of 125 women including 26 women who had fibromyalgia and mTMD, so as to find out whether treatment differed for patients.
The most frequent treatments reported were oral devices (utilized by 59 percent of participants), physical therapy (utilized by 54 percent of participants), and at-home jaw exercises (utilized by 34 percent of participants). The least frequent treatments reported were acupuncture (utilized by 20 percent), chiropractic care (utilized by 18 percent), trigger point injections (utilized by 14 percent), yoga (utilized by 7 percent), and meditation (utilized by 6 percent). Participants frequently used more than one treatment.
Participants reported the most improvement in their pain from well-known self-care techniques, such as jaw exercises, yoga, meditation, massage, and warm compresses, with over 84 percent reporting that these techniques helped reduce painful symptoms. Only 64 percent of participants who used the oral devices reported that they helped improve their pain. About 11 percent of women who used oral devices stated that these made their pain worse, an area which warrants further research studies.
Oral devices failed to outperform self-care techniques in improving facial pain, according to Karen Raphael, Ph.D., professor at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology, and Medicine at NYU College of Dentistry, and the research study’s co-author.
“Our outcome measures encourage utilizing self-care techniques as the first line of treatment for mTMD before contemplating more costly interventions,” stated Raphael.
The researchers didn’t find substantial differences between the amount of remedies reported by women with and without fibromyalgia. While the use of alternative treatment options for mTMD was reported among women with fibromyalgia, further research studies are still required. Pain relief tended to be greater through the use of self-care techniques in women with and without fibromyalgia.
“While fibromyalgia is diagnosed by a healthcare professional, such as a rheumatologist, TMD is typically diagnosed and treated by a dentist,” said Santiago. “Our research study demonstrates that dentists must ask patients with facial pain if they also have widespread chronic pain because this might provide more information to help plan their treatment.”
Fibromyalgia is a health issue characterized by widespread chronic pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood problems. Fibromyalgia has been associated with a variety of other health issues, such as TMD and/or TMJ. Individuals with this painful disorder may often struggle to engage in their everyday physical activities. As a qualified and experienced chiropractor, I’ve helped treat numerous patients with fibromyalgia. It’s important for patients to know that they are not alone when it comes to treating their painful symptoms. Chiropractic care is an alternative treatment option which can help treat a variety of health issues, including fibromyalgia.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, spinal health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. 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
Additional Topic Discussion: Acute Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
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 the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
A heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts which is also low in meat, and full-fat dairy is related to improved middle-aged cognitive function, such as memory and thinking skills, according to a research study published in the journal “Neurology”.
The research study, directed by Claire McEvoy, Ph.D., of Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland, analyzed which dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean diet plan, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and the A Priori Diet Quality Score (APDQS), throughout early adulthood have been correlated with middle age brain function and cognitive performance.
Nutrition and Better Brain Function
Researchers evaluated 2,621 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults, or CARDIA, study participants with a mean age of 25 years old throughout a 30-year period. The study participants were asked about their diet at the start of the research study, after seven years, and after 20 years. The study participants’ brain function was analyzed when they were 50 and 55 years old.
For every diet, the participants of the research study were separated into one of 3 categories, low, moderate, or higher adherence, dependent on how closely they followed their diet plan. The evaluation demonstrated that the DASH diet wasn’t associated with any alteration in cognitive function. A Mediterranean diet or a APDQS diet also resulted in a lesser decline in cognitive functioning.
Individuals with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet were 46 percent less likely to experience poor memory and thinking skills than individuals with reduced adherence to this diet plan, according to the research study. Of those individuals in the adherence group, 9 percent had poor memory and thinking skills, compared to 29 percent of those 798 men and women in the adherence group.
Individuals with higher adherence to the APDQS diet were 52 percent less likely to have poor memory and thinking skills than individuals with reduced adherence to the diet plan. Of the 938 men and women in the adherence class, 6 percent had poor memory and thinking skills, compared to 32 percent of those 805 men and women in the adherence group, according to researchers.
The outcome measures of the research study were adjusted for other variables that may affect cognitive functioning, including the degree of education, as well as smoking, physical activity or exercise, and health issues like diabetes, according to the research study.
Numerous research studies have attempted to evaluate the effects of nutrition on brain health. Recent research studies, however, have demonstrated that certain diet plans, such as the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and the APDQS diet, can help decrease the decline of cognitive function during middle age. The research study also demonstrated the effects these diets have on overall brain health. A balanced nutrition is essential towards optimal well-being. Before following any of the diet plans described in the following article, make sure to talk to a healthcare professional about your options.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
Types of Diets for Improved Brain Function
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes the consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, healthy unsaturated fats, and fish while restricting the consumption of red meat, poultry, and full-fat dairy. In contrast, the DASH diet emphasizes the consumption of grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and low-fat dairy while restricting the consumption of meat, fish, poultry, total fat, saturated fat, sweets, and sodium. The APDQS diet emphasizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, low-fat fish, poultry, and alcohol while restricting the consumption of fried foods, salty snacks, sweets, high-fat dairy, and sugar-sweetened soft drinks.
The Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet regularly rank as some of the top diets for humans, according to the U.S. News and World Report’s yearly evaluation. According to researchers, it’s uncertain why the DASH diet didn’t result in improved cognitive functioning.
Further research studies are required to specify how nutrition, diet, and food contributes towards optimal brain health throughout our life span. According to a statement published by the American Academy of Neurology, “While we do not yet understand the perfect nutritional supplement for brain health, shifting towards a heart-healthy diet might be a relatively safe and effective approach to decrease the danger of developing health issues with memory and thinking skills throughout our middle age.”
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, spinal health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. 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
Additional Topic Discussion: Acute Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
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 the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
Chronic pain is a common health issue which affects many people in the United States. While several medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome, can cause chronic pain, it may also develop due to a variety of other health issues. Research studies have found that widespread inflammation is the leading cause of chronic pain. Inflammation is a natural defense mechanism to injury, illness, or infection. But, if the inflammatory process continues for too long, it can become problematic.
Inflammation signals the immune system to heal and repair damaged tissue as well as to protect itself against bacteria and viruses. As mentioned above, however, chronic inflammation can cause a variety of health issues, including chronic pain symptoms. Healthy lifestyle modifications can help manage chronic pain, but first, let’s understand the common causes of chronic pain.
What is Acute Inflammation?
Acute inflammation, by way of instance, occurs following an injury or something as simple as a sore throat. It is a natural response with adverse effects, meaning it works locally in the region where the health issue is found. The common signs of acute inflammation include swelling, redness, warmth, pain and loss of function, as stated by the National Library of Medicine. When acute inflammation develops, the blood vessels dilate causing blood flow to increase, and white blood cells in the injured region promote recovery.
During severe inflammation, compounds called cytokines are released by the damaged tissue. The cytokines act as “emergency signals” which bring on the human body’s own immune cells, as well as hormones and numerous nutrients to repair the health issue. Additionally, hormone-like substances, known as prostaglandins, cause blood clots to heal damaged tissue, and these may also trigger fever and pain as part of the inflammatory procedure. As the damage or injury recovers, the inflammation subsides.
What is Chronic Inflammation?
Unlike acute inflammation, chronic inflammation has long-term effects. Chronic inflammation, also known as persistent inflammation, produces low-levels of inflammation throughout the human body, as demonstrated by an increase in immune system markers located in blood and cell tissues. Chronic inflammation may also cause the progression of various diseases and conditions. Elevated levels of inflammation may sometimes trigger even if there is no injury, illness, or infection, which may also cause the immune system to react.
As a result, the human body’s immune system could begin attacking healthy cells, tissues, or organs. Researchers are still trying to understand the consequences of chronic inflammation in the human body and the mechanisms involved in this natural defense process. By way of instance, chronic inflammation has been associated with a variety of health issues, such as heart disease, and stroke.
One theory suggests that when inflammation remains in the blood vessels, it can encourage the accumulation of plaque. According to the American Heart Association, or the AHA, if the immune system identifies plaque as a foreign invader, the white blood cells can attempt to wall off the plaque found in the blood flowing through the arteries. This can create a blood clot which may block the blood flow to the heart or brain, causing it to become unstable and rupture. Cancer is another health issue associated with chronic inflammation. Furthermore, according to the National Cancer Institute, DNA damage can also be caused by chronic inflammation.
Persistent, low-grade inflammation frequently doesn’t have any symptoms, but healthcare professionals can check for a C-reactive protein, or CRP, known as lipoic acid, a marker for inflammation found in the blood. Elevated levels of CRP are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Elevated CRP levels may be found in chronic disorders like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
In the case of other chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia, the nervous system over-reacts to specific stimulation, however, it’s inflammation which causes chronic pain symptoms. Subjectively, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between the chronic pain caused by an oversensitive nervous system and the chronic pain caused by widespread inflammation. Apart from searching for clues in the bloodstream, a person’s nutrition, lifestyle habits, and environmental exposures, can also promote chronic inflammation.
Inflammation is the immune system’s natural defense mechanism against injury, illness, or infection. While this inflammatory response can help heal and repair tissues, chronic, widespread inflammation can cause a variety of health issues, including chronic pain symptoms. A balanced nutrition, including a variety of diets and fasting, can help reduce inflammation. Fasting, also known as caloric restriction, promotes cell apoptosis and mitochondrial recovery. The fasting mimicking diet, which is a part of the longevity diet plan, is a dietary program which “tricks” the human body into a fasting state to experience the benefits of traditional fasting. Before following any of the diets described in this article, make sure to consult a doctor.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
Nutrition, Diets, Fasting and Chronic Pain
Anti-inflammatory diets mainly consist of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and fats. The Mediterranean diet plan, by way of instance, is an anti-inflammatory diet which promotes eating moderate amounts of nuts, ingesting very little meat, and drinking wine. Anti-inflammatory food parts, such as omega-3 fatty acids, protect the human body against the damage brought on by inflammation.
An anti-inflammatory diet also involves staying away from foods which could promote inflammation. It is ideal to decrease the amount of foods you eat which are high in trans and saturated fats, such as meats. Additionally, an anti-inflammatory diet limits the consumption of refined carbohydrates and foods, such as bread and rice. These also promote cutting back on the utilization of margarine and oils that are packed with omega-6 fatty acids, such as sunflower, safflower and corn oils.
Fasting, or caloric restriction, has long been known to decrease oxidative stress and slow down the mechanisms of aging in various organisms. The effects of fasting involve programmed cell death, or apoptosis, transcription, mobile energy efficiency, mitochondrial biogenesis, antioxidant mechanisms, and circadian rhythm. Fasting also contributes to mitochondrial autophagy, known as mitophagy, where genes in the mitochondria are stimulated to undergo apoptosis, which promotes mitochondrial recovery.
Intermittent fasting can help you fight inflammation, improve digestion, and boost your longevity. The human body is designed to be able to survive for extended periods of time without food. Research studies have demonstrated that intermittent fasting can have positive changes in the overall composition of your gut microbiota. Moreover, intermittent fasting can reduce insulin resistance while increasing the immune system response. Finally, intermittent fasting can promote the production of a substance, known as ?-hydroxybutyrate, that blocks a portion of the immune system involved in inflammatory ailments as well as substantially reducing the production of inflammatory markers, such as cytokines and the C-reactive protein, or CRP, previously mentioned above.
The Longevity Diet Plan, presented in the book by Dr. Valter Longo, eliminates the consumption of processed foods which can cause inflammation, promoting well-being and longevity. This unique dietary program, unlike most traditional diets, doesn’t promote weight loss. Although you may experience weight reduction, the emphasis of this unique dietary program is on eating healthier. The Longevity Diet Plan has been demonstrated to help activate stem cell-based renewal, reduce abdominal fat, and prevent age-related bone and muscle loss, as well as build resistance to developing cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer.
The fasting mimicking diet, or FMD, allows you to experience the benefits of traditional fasting without depriving your body of food. The main difference of the FMD is that instead of completely eliminating all food for several days or even weeks, you only restrict your calorie intake for five days out of the month. The FMD can be practiced once a month to help promote overall health and wellness.
While anyone can follow the FMD on their own, the ProLon� fasting mimicking diet offers a 5-day meal program which has been individually packed and labeled for each day, that serves the foods you need for the FMD in precise quantities and combinations. The meal program is made up of ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare, plant-based foods, including bars, soups, snacks, supplements, a drink concentrate, and teas. Before starting the ProLon� fasting mimicking diet, 5-day meal program, or any of the lifestyle modifications described above, please make sure to talk to a healthcare professional to find out which chronic pain treatment is right for you.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, spinal health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. 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
Additional Topic Discussion: Acute Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
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 the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
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