Clinic Wellness Team. A key factor to spine or back pain conditions is staying healthy. Overall wellness involves a balanced diet, appropriate exercise, physical activity, restful sleep, and a healthy lifestyle. The term has been applied in many ways. But overall, the definition is as follows.
It is a conscious, self-directed, and evolving process of achieving full potential. It is multidimensional, bringing together lifestyles both mental/spiritual and the environment in which one lives. It is positive and affirms that what we do is, in fact, correct.
It is an active process where people become aware and make choices towards a more successful lifestyle. This includes how a person contributes to their environment/community. They aim to build healthier living spaces and social networks. It helps in creating a person’s belief systems, values, and a positive world perspective.
Along with this comes the benefits of regular exercise, a healthy diet, personal self-care, and knowing when to seek medical attention. Dr. Jimenez’s message is to work towards being fit, being healthy, and staying aware of our collection of articles, blogs, and videos.
I went through the physical therapy, and then I used chiropractic care, as well as crossfit, to kinda get me to that 100% mark. And I haven’t had a problem since, I continue to do crossfit and I use chiropractic care to make sure my body is aligned. It gives me that extra sense of feeling that I’m not gonna injure myself again, that my body is feeling good and 100%. I never have that feeling in the back of my mind, that, you know, I’m gonna injure myself. Sometimes I forget I even had a surgery and I think I can attribute that to a combination of chiropractic care and to the overall training aspect of crossfit. – Andrew Hutchison
There are a variety of causes for both hip pain and knee pain. While the hip joint can withstand a tremendous amount of wear-and-tear, it’s not indestructible. With age and usage, the hip cartilage can begin to degenerate, resulting in hip pain. Tendons and ligaments at the hip may also get excessive overused and can start to demonstrate signs of wear-and-tear over time. The anatomy of the knee, however, is more complex. The knee is collectively made up of bones, pads of cartilage and a joint capsule. Trauma or damage from an injury or degeneration associated with aging may cause knee pain.
Causes of Hip Pain
Hip pain is the general term used to define pain felt in or around the hip joint. Certain injuries and/or conditions may commonly cause hip pain. Arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, are the primary culprits of hip pain in older individuals. Both may result in the breakdown of cartilage in the hip joint and can cause inflammation in the area. Combined with pain and discomfort, there’s generally also reduced range of motion in the hip as well as stiffness. Bursitis may also result in hip pain. The bursae are sacs of fluid which function by helping to reduce friction between the joints. If these become inflamed, however, they can lead to pain. Typically, it’s only repetitive movements that irritate the hip joint and result in pain.
Similar to bursitis, tendinitis can also lead to inflammation and is usually caused by repetitive stress from movements. Muscle or tendon strain can be a result of overuse. Repeated physical activities can additionally place unnecessary amounts of pressure on the ligaments, tendons and joints of the hip, especially in those which support the buttocks. If some of these are inflamed, the hip won’t be able to function normally and there will be painful symptoms as a result. Below, we will describe the various causes of hip pain as well as discuss their effects on the structure of the hip in detail.�Hip pain isn’t always felt in the hip itself as it may also be felt in the groin or thigh.
Tendonitis
The most frequent cause of severe hip pain is inflamed tendons, or tendonitis. This can generally be due to excessive exercise or physical activities. This health issue can be quite debilitating but it usually heals within a couple of days with proper care.
Arthritis
As mentioned above, one of the most common causes of chronic hip pain is arthritis. Arthritis can cause painful, stiff and tender joints, and it can cause walking problems. Various types of arthritis can cause hip pain, including:
Osteoarthritis might be the final result of age-related degeneration in the cartilage that surrounds the joints.
Trauma, damage or injury to a joint, like a fracture, may cause traumatic arthritis similar to atherosclerosis.
Infectious arthritis is a result of an infection in the joint caused by the degeneration of cartilage.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a result of the human body’s immune system attacking its own joints. This type of arthritis can ultimately destroy joint bones and cartilage.
Osteoarthritis is a a lot more commonly diagnosed than rheumatoid arthritis.It’s fundamental to understand the different types of arthritis as these can be powerful diagnostic tools to help effectively treat hip pain.
Trochanteric Bursitis
Another possible cause of hip pain involves a health issue medically referred to as trochanteric bursitis, as previously mentioned. This condition occurs when the bursa, which are liquid-filled sacs near the hip joint, become inflamed. Any number of variables can lead to trochanteric bursitis, such as hip injury, overuse of the joints, underlying health issues, or even the presence of other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. This condition is reportedly much more common in females than in males.
Hip Fractures
Hip fractures are common causes of hip pain which most frequently occur in older adults and in people who have osteoporosis, which is a weakening of the bones associated with age and various other factors. Hip fractures cause very sudden and extreme hip pain, where they will require immediate medical attention. There are complications that can happen due a fractured hip, like a blood clot in the leg. A hip fracture usually requires surgical interventions to be corrected. Additionally, you may be required to seek further care from a qualified healthcare professional in order to engage in a rehabilitation program.
Less Common Causes of Hip Pain
There are additional, less common conditions that can result in hip pain. These include snapping hip syndrome and osteonecrosis, or avascular necrosis. Below, we will discuss these two health issues in detail.
Snapping Hip Syndrome
Snapping hip syndrome, which most commonly occurs in athletes, especially dancers, is characterized by a snapping noise or feeling from the hip. By way of instance, this snapping may happen when you’re walking or getting up from a chair. The problem is usually painless, but it can cause pain in several cases. Snapping hip with pain is generally an indication of a tear in the hip cartilage or other structure surrounding the hip joint.
Osteonecrosis
Osteonecrosis, also known as avascular necrosis, occurs when blood isn’t able to reach the bones, either permanently or temporarily. This can cause the reduction of bone. The cartilage of individuals with this condition is normal initially, however, it will eventually collapse as the disease evolves. Finally, bones may crack or crumble. It’s not always clear what triggers osteonecrosis. Joint harm, heavy usage of steroid drugs or alcohol, and cancer treatments could put you at greater risk of developing this condition, however, the cause is never determined in many osteonecrosis cases.
Causes of Knee Pain
Similar to hip pain, arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, may commonly cause knee pain. With the breakdown of cartilage associated with osteoarthritis in the knee, the bones can begin to rub against one another, causing pain and discomfort which could eventually lead to other painful symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the joints and it can affect the soft tissue which lines the knee joints. The final result is inflammation, joint damage and joint pain at the knee. The knee joint is very prone to accidents. Typical knee injuries include: meniscal injuries, anterior cruciate ligament injuries and tendon injuries.
The meniscus might be damaged when the knee is bent and twisted in an unnatural way, where ligaments and tendons could also be overstretched and ultimately torn as a result. If it is not repaired, the probability of developing osteoarthritis increases. Any abrupt change in movement can additionally injure the anterior cruciate ligament. Nearly all causes of knee injury and knee pain are the result of a blow to the surface of the knee. Exercises or physical activities which could harm the complex structures of the knee include jogging and jumping. A dislocated kneecap is still another frequent source of knee pain. This occurs when the patella is moved from place and it can be very debilitating.
Temporary knee pain differs from chronic knee pain. Persistent knee pain is not always attributable to one incident. It the result of many causes or conditions.Persistent knee pain is characterized as long-term pain, swelling, or sensitivity in a single or both knees. The reason behind your knee pain can determine the symptoms you develop. Many conditions may cause or lead to chronic knee pain, and lots of treatments exist. Every person’s experience with chronic knee pain will most likely be different. Understanding the causes of knee pain can be a powerful diagnostic tool which can help healthcare professionals properly determine the proper treatment option for your specific health issue.�Common causes of knee pain include:
osteoarthritis: pain, inflammation and joint destruction brought on by degeneration of a joint.
tendinitis: pain in the knee which worsens when climbing, taking stairs, or walking up an incline.
bursitis: inflammation caused by repeated overuse or trauma of the knee.
chondromalacia patella: damaged cartilage under the kneecap.
gout: arthritis brought on by the buildup of uric acid.
Baker’s cyst: a buildup of synovial fluid, fluid which lubricates the joint, supporting the knee.
rheumatoid arthritis, or RA: a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that causes painful swelling, joint deformity and bone erosion.
dislocation: dislocation of the kneecap most commonly caused by trauma, damage or injury.
meniscus tear: a rupture in one or more of the soft tissues in the knee.
torn ligament: tear at one of the four ligaments in the knee, the most commonly injured ligament is the anterior cruciate ligament, or the ACL.
bone tumors: osteosarcoma, is the second most common bone cancer, which most commonly occurs in the knee.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
While the hip and knee joints are capable of sustaining various degrees of stress when performing physical activities, trauma, damage or injury as well as the degeneration of these complex structures, can ultimately lead to knee and hip pain. The balance of the human body as a whole is fundamental towards overall health and wellness. Therefore, if an individual experiences hip or knee pain, the entire structure and function of their body can be tremendously affected. It’s important for a person with knee or hip pain to seek immediate medical attention from a qualified and experienced healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor or physical therapist, in order to restore the balance of their entire body.
Treatment for Knee and Hip Pain
The treatment of hip pain is based upon the cause. For many instances of trauma, damage or injury, rest is generally enough to enable the hip to heal. By way of instance, exercise-associated hip pain is normally eliminated within a couple of days. When you have arthritis, a healthcare professional may sometimes prescribe drugs and/or medications to help relieve stiffness and pain. Furthermore, your physician will refer you to a doctor who can provide additional information regarding the cause of your hip pain along with recommending an alternative treatment option, such as chiropractic care and physical therapeutics, that will explain to you how you can perform rehabilitation exercises to help maintain joint strength, mobility and flexibility.
For injuries, therapy typically involves bed rest and the use of drugs and/or medications, such as naproxen, to alleviate pain, swelling and stiffness. Hip fractures, malformation of the hip and some injuries may require surgical intervention to repair or replace the hip. In hip replacement surgery, a surgeon will replace a broken hip joint with an artificial one. Although hip replacement surgery will need rehabilitation to become accustomed to the new joint, this type of treatment option is often considered.
Alternative Treatment Options
Some holistic remedies can offer relief from hip pain. Make certain you discuss treatment options with your doctor before considering any treatment option. Potential alternative treatment options include visiting a chiropractor for a spinal adjustment or manual manipulation. Chiropractic care is a well-known treatment approach which focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a variety of injuries and/or conditions associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous system. Chiropractic care can help carefully re-align the spine as well as help reduce pain and discomfort, improve swelling and inflammation and even increase strength, flexibility and mobility on other structures of the human body. Physical therapeutics can also help treat both hip and knee pain.
There are many benefits of physical therapeutics, including increased range of motion, reduction of pain, less inflammation and swelling, as well as an overall improvement of quality of life. The first steps a chiropractor or physical therapist will perform if you have hip pain will consist of tests, such as a gait evaluation, range of motion measurement and intensity measurements. Afterwards, the healthcare professional will create a personalized treatment program. Treatment techniques may also include ultrasound and ice. There will also be specific exercises and stretches to help boost hip strength, mobility and flexibility to decrease pain. For knee pain, tests are also done along with active and passive treatments. Chiropractic care and physical therapeutics can help promote healing without the need for drugs and/or medications, and surgical interventions.
Bursitis, a frequent cause of knee pain, can be treated in the following ways:
Ice the knee for 15 minutes once an hour for three of four hours. Do not apply the ice directly to the knee, instead, cover your knee with a cotton towel. Put ice in a plastic zip-close bag, then place the bag on the towel.
Wear cushioned, flat shoes that support your toes and do not worsen your pain.
Avoid sleeping on your side. Use cushions positioned on both sides of your body to keep you from rolling on your side. When lying on the side, keep a pillow between your knees.
Stay seated when possible. Should you need to stand, prevent hard surfaces and maintain your weight evenly distributed on both legs.
Participate or engage in weight loss programs and strategies to lose weight if you are overweight or obese, to reduce the amount of stress that is placed on the knees.
If you are experiencing hip pain, knee pain or some other type of joint pain, make sure to contact a qualified healthcare professional, in order to receive a proper diagnosis to begin the best treatment approach for your specific health issue. Trained and skilled doctors will take you on the path to better healing. Make sure you prepare a one-on-one consultation to acquire a comprehensive examination and say good-bye to your pain. Healthcare professionals are devoted to providing you with a healthy and wholesome lifestyle.�The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, 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.
For people struggling to control their blood glucose levels, the most common concern is, how can you regulate blood sugar levels? Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels can be complicated and unyielding. Along with food and beverages, our blood sugar levels fluctuate in response to a huge variety of unique factors. Exercise, psychological stress, the previous night’s rest, and genetics all play a role in the human body’s effort to closely regulate the degree of glucose circulating in the blood. Additionally, no matter whether or not somebody has a blood glucose dysregulation problem or full-blown diabetes, that morning meal we call breakfast actually sets the stage for your day.
What is often known as the “Dawn Phenomenon” occurs between 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM when the human body produces sufficient amounts of glucagon, cortisol and epinephrine to boost blood glucose as a natural procedure before waking up in the morning. And science supports those people who prefer to eat a hearty breakfast as soon as they wake up. One study that monitored the sugar profiles of healthy people during the day saw that the largest increase in blood glucose occurs right after breakfast. Just about every nutritionist, dietitian and endocrinologist recommends eating a high-protein breakfast so as to restrain the naturally-occurring spike in sugar during the daytime. As mentioned previously, these meals, as well as other variables, will dictate the difference in blood glucose levels throughout the day, which directly impacts the way the human body works and an individual’s overall awareness of their health and wellness.
When Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels is Difficult
A consistently higher blood sugar level has a deleterious impact on organ function. Risks for diabetes, further heart disease, stroke, kidney disorders, vision impairment and cardiovascular issues that can result in infections and amputation of recurrence increase when blood sugar is uncontrolled. Intense oscillations in blood sugar may stem from many hormonal imbalances, specifically where there is a lack of insulin manufacturing, as in the case of type I diabetes, or an inability to use insulin correctly, commonly referred to as insulin resistance. Either type of diabetes is recognized and monitored with many evaluations, but the most prevalent one is the HbA1C. As a mark of longer-term glucose levels, the HbA1C suggests the average proportion of the particular hemoglobin subtype A1C that has glucose bound to it, glycated or glycosylated, producing a glycoprotein. Since hemoglobin cells normally die off after 120 days, this process firmly reflects the typical plasma glucose level over in the past 90 days. This diagnostic tool proves more helpful than a diagram of blood sugar, which shows great vacillations through the day. Individuals with diabetes or more lengths of hyperglycemia, as noticed in patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, have increased HbA1C levels. It’s projected that in 2015 over 7 million cases of diabetes and insulin resistance went undiagnosed. The famed incidence of those conditions is alarming as the trend is nearing 10 percent of the populace.
Regulating Blood Glucose Levels with Nutrition
Though genetics�are not something people can control, nutrition, diet and other lifestyle variables are within your reach. Eating a balanced diet of low-glycemic, high fiber, and also low-saturated fat meals is recommended for individuals with glycemic control health issues. Combining foods which contain all three macronutrients, such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, can also be valuable in regulating blood glucose levels. This list of foods provides a wonderful start to a healthy diet and a platform for preventing those wild swings in sugar throughout the day:
All colors and varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables
Legumes, such as kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas, and lentils
Whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, barley, and millet
Olive oil
Tomatoes
Fermented, organic and raw dairy
Cold-water wild fish, such as salmon, mackerel and sardines
Tempeh, tofu and natto
Cage-free, organic eggs
Green and black tea
Supplemental nutrients and botanicals to help encourage wholesome glucose levels and supply a hypoglycemic effect are currently being studied and comprise of:
Magnesium
Chromium, as chromium picolinate
Vanadium
Alpha lipoic acid
Gymnema sylvestre
Fenugreek
Bitter melon
Cinnamon
Berberine
Berberine functions on multiple fronts. It was found to substantially improve glucose levels by an average of 9.5 percent down to 7.5 percent, as effective as metformin from 9.15 percent down to 7.7 percent, in a research study to find out its effectiveness and safety in type 2 diabetes patients. Furthermore, it had the effect of enhancing both entire cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the evaluation and analysis.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Diabetes has become one of the fastest growing diseases in the United States, where it is prevalent among both children and adults. With the increase in cases each year, the numbers of individuals seeking treatment and a potential cure are also rising. Fortunately, research studies have found that maintaining healthy blood sugar levels can help stabilize a case of diabetes. Proper nutrition, as well as natural remedies and botanicals, including alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, have been determined to help regulate healthy blood glucose levels, improving an individual’s quality of life.
While there are many other ways in which healthy blood sugar levels can be achieved, recent research studies have also determined that chiropractic care may be able to control blood sugar levels, potentially regulating type 2 diabetes. According to these, the key to managing blood glucose levels can be found in the connection between the central nervous system and blood sugar levels in the human body. Chiropractic care focuses on the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to correct spinal misalignments, or subluxations. It has been demonstrated that spinal misalignments, or subluxations, can interfere with important communications signals from the brain to the spinal chords as well as the rest of the body. By carefully restoring the natural integrity of the spine, chiropractors can help regulate healthy blood sugar levels and improve overall health and wellness.
Sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, commonly related to obesity and metabolic syndrome, can hinder good quality sleep, and also have been considered as a risk factor for diabetes. Although there isn’t any clearly defined correlation between sleep and glucose control, there are multiple pathways involved together with a cascade of metabolic functions which could result in metabolic derangements when disturbed.
To remain steady on what could be a roller coaster ride of blood sugars, a high priority should be given to a well-balanced diet plan, replete with proper nutrition and supplementation, and the close observation of lifestyle and genetic aspects. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, 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.
Research has found about 35% of Americans experience symptoms of a warning stroke. However, only 3% seek out immediate medical attention. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or reduced, which deprives brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells start to die.
Adults who have had a sign of a�temporary blockage aka, a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)waited/rested until symptoms had subsided instead of calling 911. This is according to the research from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA).
Only a formal medical diagnosis with brain imaging can determine whether someone is having a TIA or stroke. If you or someone experiences warning signs that come on suddenly or go away,�CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!
Stroke: Early Signs
Ischemic strokes occur when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain.
This type may be treated immediately with a special clot-busting drug
A device called a stent retriever may also be used to remove the clot and help prevent long-term disability.
TIA precedes about 15% of strokes
People who have had TIA are at greater risk for stroke within three months
Use The Acronym F.A.S.T. To Help Remember Common Signs:
�
Face Drooping
Arm Weakness
Speech Difficulty
Time To Call 911
Other Warnings Signs:
Confusion
Dizziness
Loss Of Balance/Coordination
Numbness Or Weakness Of Face, Arm or Leg, Particularly On One Side Of The Body
Trouble Speaking Or Understanding
Trouble Walking
Unexplained Severe Headache
Vision Loss In One Or Both Eyes
Injury Medical Clinic: Stress Management Care & Treatments
How important is nutrition for our brain health? In the current work force, we are continuously stressed, often forced to finish tasks faster in order to meet ever so demanding deadlines. In addition, we are expected to maintain our optimal mental health, as this can be an essential�part towards delivering quality work. When our mental health is being affected by our hectic lifestyles, however, several practices which can help you start thinking more clearly can include sleeping properly, controlling stress, and even taking nutritional supplements for your brain health.
One nutritional supplement which has been widely recognized for its ability to boost brain health is curcumin, the active ingredient found in turmeric. Well-known for its antioxidant properties and its capacity to control inflammation in the human body, this powerful herb can also promote good mood and cognition. Another specific group which has reported significant benefits with the increased use of curcumin, is the elderly population. Below, we will discuss how curcumin can help boost brain health as well as demonstrate additional benefits this golden gem can have on our overall health and wellness.
Curcumin: a Golden Gem for Brain Health
In accordance with the Journal of Pharmacology, curcumin is made-up of a variety of substances which can encourage biological mechanisms that counteract age-related cognitive decline, dementia, or mood disorders. One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial analyzed the acute, of approximately 1 and 3 hours following a single dose, chronic, of approximately 4 weeks, and acute-on-chronic, of approximately 1 and 3 hours after one dose subsequently after chronic treatment, consequences of a curcumin formulation on cognitive function, mood, and blood biomarkers in 60 healthy adults ranging from the 60 to 85 years of age. After about one hour of application, the curcumin had considerably enhanced the participant’s functionality on attention and working memory tasks, in comparison with the placebo. Working memory and mood, which included general fatigue, change in calmness, contentedness and fatigue triggered by emotional strain were fundamentally improved following chronic therapy.
Curcumin boosts BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), the brain hormone which helps boost the development of new neurons that are in charge of improving memory and learning as well as supplying a substantial option for countering the aging brain. Additionally, this powerful ingredient increases blood circulation to the brain, also providing a much better attention span for greater work productivity.
Appreciating its anxiolytic effects can be one of the greatest benefits of carrying curcumin. According to the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, a randomized double-blinded and double-blind trial with 60 subjects experiencing stress-related symptoms, including exhaustion, were to get routine curcumin nutritional supplements, and placebo for 30 days. The results indicated a greater quality of life, and diminished stress and fatigue for those receiving regular curcumin intakes. This progressive compound is believed to be able to help alleviate depression by altering the release of dopamine and serotonin, two powerful hormones which help keep the human mind and body at ease. Curcumin also promotes the optima health and wellness of inflammation pathways from the brain, which ultimately will help improve energy, mood, and production levels.
Curcumin may additionally promote cognition via its powerful antioxidant action which improves the bioavailability of DHA, the potent omega-3 fatty acid demonstrated to boost brain health. A research study in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry revealed that curcumin really does protect the brain from neurodegeneration. The evaluation and analysis included 40 participants ranging from the ages of 51 to 84 years of age. Each individual subject consumed 90mg of curcumin twice per day or placebo for 18 weeks. The results indicated enhanced long-term healing, visual memory, and focus. With its tremendous medicinal properties, curcumin can also support neuroplasticity, which empowers the brain to change and fortify itself even through the natural degeneration with aging.
Curcumin can also promote anti-seizure action. With its antioxidant properties, this golden gem can help slow down reactive astrocyte expression, which helps cells survive within the mind. According to the Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, the antioxidant properties of curcumin helped alleviate migraines, cognitive impairment, and cognitive stress in rats. A dental pre-treatment of curcumin was given to male rats which were additionally treated together with Pentylenetrazole, or PZT, every other day. The study demonstrated that curcumin enhanced the seizure score and indicated a diminished amount of myoclonic jerks. Furthermore, the outcome measures of the research study demonstrated that curcumin restructures seizures, oxidative stress, and brain function. Moreover, it helps protect memory function which may also be jeopardized by seizure activity.
Using its capability to strengthen fatty acids in the mind, curcumin helps athletes achieve better physical performance by boosting critical thinking, improving problem solving, and developing improved choices. The neuroprotective properties in curcumin also help regenerate tissues. In reality, based on Stem Cell Research and Therapy, a research study was conducted between the effects of curcumin on endogenous stem cells which were impartial. The study demonstrated that curcumin played an essential role in the healing of cells from combating the activation of microglia cells. Scientists in the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine in Julich, Germany, observed the effects of impartial stem cell generation. During a 72-hour period, the evaluation and analysis demonstrated and indicated that the turmeric curcumin improved cellular generation by up to 80 percent. This shows how powerful curcumin could be for successful brain health function.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Nutrition is a fundamental factor in overall health and wellness. In today’s stressful world, however, it can often become difficult to eat a proper meal, let alone making sure we are taking in all the necessary nutrients we require on a regular basis. That, plus the added pressure of the workforce can have detrimental effects on our brain health. Dietary supplements, such as curcumin, have been demonstrated to have tremendous benefits on brain health. Although we may not always have the “free time” to sit down and have a properly balanced meal, taking nutritional supplements like curcumin, among others, can help improve the human body’s general well-being.
While many research studies have found that natural remedies and botanicals, such as dietary supplements apart from vitamins and minerals, continue to be the most common complementary health approach in the United States today, more and more alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, have started to incorporate these into their practices. As a matter of fact, a majority of chiropractors give nutritional advice, as well as recommendations for other lifestyle recommendations, as a general part of their treatment plan. Because chiropractic care is based on the notion of naturally treating the human body as a whole, enhancing it’s own healing properties without the use of drugs and/or medications as well as other invasive procedures, this healthcare profession relies on offering the necessary health maintenance components for optimal health and wellness. These components can include nutrition, water, rest, exercise, and clean air. Many chiropractors also offer curcumin supplements to help promote recovery.
This exceptional nutritional supplement, curcumin, helps improve mental clarity, improve cognition, improve endurance, and supplies anxiolytic benefits. Whether it’s more work fabricating, or a much better disposition, curcumin is a hidden golden gem for health.�The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, 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.
Are you the type of person who drinks a cup of coffee with breakfast every morning? Or perhaps you need that cup of coffee first thing in the morning in order to be able to go about your day? And if so, how many cups of coffee do you drink? With more and more people stopping by coffee shops before work on a regular basis, the debate on whether coffee is good or bad for your health is one that has become increasingly important to researchers and consumers alike.
Several research studies have demonstrated coffee’s remarkable benefits towards lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson’s Disease, while several have associated high coffee consumption with an 8 to 15 percent decrease in risk of death, others have warned how coffee can be harmful towards your health. The World Health organization and the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee have changed their idea from coffee being detrimental to coffee being a health food, going so far as advocating the consumption of 3 to 5 cups every day for achieving overall health and wellness.
The Coffee Debate
As many coffee aficionados would do anything to defend this dark elixir to the end, science is helping shed some light on the true advantages and disadvantages of drinking coffee on a regular basis. Whilst coffee on its own is full of a variety of beneficial antioxidants, caffeine being the active ingredient of this popular beverage is also at the center of the entire debate.
Aside from avoiding any of the symptoms listed by the DSM-V, there are other reasons why you should decrease or stop your consumption of caffeine and prevent caffeine intoxication. Caffeine has also been reported to display adverse effects on individuals with hypertension, nervousness, adrenal fatigue, and GERD. Its intake can aggravate symptoms of circulation diseases like Raynaud’s Phenomenon. We also shouldn’t ignore the fact that many healthcare professionals regularly indicate removing caffeine through a structured detox program to rest the liver.
But quitting the consumption of coffee is simpler said than done. The average amount of caffeine found in a normal coffee shop beverage easily exceeds the quantity indicated for overdose. By way of instance, a 20-ounce Blonde Roast coffee from Starbucks is roughly 475 mg. The same size of a Dunkin Donuts coffee with a turbo shot is almost 400 mg and a 16-ounce light-roast from Panera Bread is 300 mg. Even if we avoid drinking coffee altogether, caffeine can also be found in teas, chocolate and soda. As a result, a lot of us are walking around every single day overdosing on caffeine. According to a review, nearly 90 percent of people in the United States consume well over 250 milligrams of caffeine daily.
While the debate on whether coffee is good or bad for your health continues, an important thought to consider is that “one size does not fit all” when it comes to the consumption of caffeine. Personalized treatments have gained plenty of popularity because of this. While some individuals may get the jitters from drinking caffeine, not everybody will report experiencing the same symptoms needed to determine the diagnosis of an overdose. The main cause of this is simple, the liver’s capacity to metabolize caffeine will often differ from person to person. Concentrations of CYP450 enzymes required for stage I liver detox causes some people to be “fast-clearers” of caffeine, or people who may have a double espresso and drift dreamily to bed within the hour, and lots of others may be slow-to-impossible clearers, or people who can be considered as no more than nervous wrecks when given the tiniest sip of hot chocolate.
Alternatively, the effects of caffeine can be utilized to treat certain symptoms associated with headaches or asthma, and provide attention and focus, as well as energize the muscles of a training athlete. However, caffeine’s addictive quality, and its capability to tax the liver and nervous system, shouldn’t be ignored. When confronted with a reason to decrease or eliminate caffeine from their diet, conventional coffee lovers may be challenged by withdrawal symptoms, such as headache, agitation, muscle strain, and even anxiety, as well as altering psycho-social behaviours, such as a societal coffee-culture or an afternoon chocolate pick-me-up.
If you are on the path to attempt to detox from your coffee drinking habits, then here are a few tips that can help make the process easier for you:
Drink additional water
Eat a minimally-processed diet rich in minerals and vitamins
Get plenty of exercise and/or physical activity
Sleep properly
Find other choices to decaffeinated coffee, from several chicory and dandelion mixtures, to herbal teas
Supplement using a full-spectrum multivitamin, magnesium, L-theanine and L-DOPA
Persistent caffeine consumption can also deplete calcium, leading to muscle tension and headaches. Restoring healthy magnesium levels will help alleviate these symptoms. In addition, L-theanine is considered to have a calming effect. One research study from 2012 revealed that L-theanine reduced stress and inhibited increases in blood pressure from participants who were confronted with stressful tasks on a computer. L-DOPA, or Dopamine, otherwise referred to as the “happy chemical”, is accountable for controlling the joy and reward centers of the brain, the very same regions aroused by addictive substances like sugar and caffeine. A recent double blind, randomized controlled crossover trial compared the pharmaceutical levodopa used to treat Parkinson’s sufferers to Mucuna pruriens, a natural supply of L-Dopa, and found them similar in clinical efficacy, with Mucuna pruriens being considered more tolerable.
The right answer for when to drink coffee or not is as private as a Starbucks custom coffee order. If you’d love to kick the caffeine habit, however, here’s a simple, no-nonsense approach to slowly getting away from caffeine:
Days 1 to 2: Combine 25 percentage decaf, 75 percent caffeinated
Days 3 to 4: Combine 50 percent decaf, 50 percent caffeinated
Days 5 to 6: Combine 75 percent decaf, 25 percent caffeinated
Day 7: Try entirely decaf.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
The advantages and disadvantages of drinking coffee have become highly dependent on the amount of evidence provided over the numerous of research studies conducted to solve the health mysteries of this popular dark beverage. While some studies describe coffee to be good for your health and others urge that coffee is bad for your health, the answer to this debate is simple, it’s a little bit of both. Too much coffee can cause a variety of undesirable symptoms, however, a moderate amount of coffee can provide a wide array of benefits, including lowering the risk of developing many health issues like type 2 diabetes. Whether you choose to believe if coffee is good or bad for your health, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help provide you with a variety of health benefits in order to help improve and maintain your overall well-being.
As mentioned above, with the increasing number of coffee lovers found around the world today, the debate regarding whether coffee is good or bad for your health has peaked the interest of many healthcare professionals as well. While research studies and scientific evidence continues to amount to both of these options, you can find alternative treatment options which can help improve and maintain overall well-being. Chiropractic care is a healthcare profession which focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a variety of injuries and conditions associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. A chiropractor, will utilize spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to correct spinal misalignments, or subluxations, to restore the natural integrity of the human body. When a spinal misalignment is interrupting the signals being sent from the brain, to the spinal chord and the rest of the body, many important structures and functions can suffer.
Like the favorable effects expected from coffee and caffeine by consumers, chiropractic care can help increase strength, mobility and flexibility. Furthermore, chiropractic care can promote proper circulation and reduce inflammation associated with stress and tension. By reducing pressure around the complex structures of the spine, spinal adjustments and manual manipulations can also help reduce pain and discomfort, increasing many fundamental functions. In addition, a doctor of chiropractic, or DC, can offer exercise and nutritional advice, which may be important to those individuals who wish to cut back on their coffee intake. With the additional benefits you experience from chiropractic care, even the most avid coffee aficionado can benefit from the advantages of chiropractic care.�The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, 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.
A majority of individuals today are aware about the gut-brain connection and how approximately 90 percent of their body’s serotonin is really generated in the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract as well as the way the gut-brain axis is associated with depression. Overall gut health involving a healthy population of gut microbiota can affect many facets of our well-being, therefore, it’s no mystery that the connection between the gut and chronic health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, are also significantly strong.
Berberine, an ancient mixture frequently utilized in a variety of medicinal herbs throughout several traditional treatments has been demonstrated to benefit as well as link the gut and the heart. Berberine is an isoquinoline derivative alkaloid found in numerous herbs. Although these berberine-containing herbs aren’t traditionally utilized in food preparations, the active ingredient has been identified and may be isolated from a variety of plant sources, such as Coptis chinensis, or Coptis or Goldthread, Hydrastis canadensis, or goldenseal, Berberis aquifolium, or Oregon grape, Berberis aristata, or Tree Turmeric, Berberis vulgaris, or Barberry, and Arcangelisia flava.
Berberine is most favorably known for its function in gut health, demonstrating activity which can help support gut microbial balance. In fact, scientists have shown a growing interest in many plant-derived compounds which affect bacterial direction and berberine is a pioneer in the group. Additionally, its a botanical proven to influence blood glucose, blood lipids and also the immune system. Researchers today have learned how berberine can provide these tremendous benefits.
Gut Health Equals Heart Health
According to evidence from a 2016 research study, the gut’s immune system is fundamental towards preventing a variety of diseases and it may often contribute to metabolic disorders. However, it might also help provide a treatment goal when observing systemic inflammation in insulin resistance. Moreover, modified gut immunity has been linked with changes to the gut microbiota, intestinal barrier function, gut-residing immune cells, and resistance to antigens which enter the gastrointestinal, or GI, system. Although this has been previously believed to raise the danger of esophageal ailments including, pathogenic infections and chronic inflammation, which may ultimately lead to chronic health issues.
In our currently hectic and stressful world, a growth in the numbers of chronic disease has begun to negatively affect our overall health health. The best instance of this increase in chronic illness is type 2 diabetes, abbreviated in this article as T2DM, which often coexists with hypertension and causes individuals to pursue nutritional advice in order to achieve healthy blood sugar levels. The information viewing T2DM alone are shocking. As of 2015, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that over 30 million people in the United States had diabetes, where approximately three times as many had pre-diabetes. According to statistics, 70 percent of individuals with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes.
Natural remedies and botanicals utilized as herbal treatments which have been previously used to promote healthy blood sugar levels have been strongly evaluated in order to determine their safety and effectiveness. Numerous berberine research studies are being conducted, though these are mostly in vitro, or in cell cultures. A majority of in vivo research studies have used animals for the analysis. Despite the quality and size of those research studies, virtually all of the outcome measures throughout the last two decades are positive. One research study from 2012 looked at in vitro results to thoroughly assess the assumed mechanism of action by which berberine affects fat storage. The outcome measures using clinical therapeutics of berberine to observe participants with metabolic syndrome appeared promising.
Another research study evaluated and analyzed the use of berberine in human cell cultures to ascertain how it influenced preadipocyte, a precursor to fat cells, comparison and fat hormone as well as cell activity in patients with metabolic disease. The researchers demonstrated that preadipocyte differentiation was restricted by berberine, while leptin, adiponectin, PPAR?2, or the nuclear receptor known as the master regulator of fat cell biology and target of many diabetes drugs and/or medications, and C/EBP?, a protein necessary for fat cell differentiation, diminished. After several months, participants demonstrated a drop in their BMI and leptin/adiponectin ratio, showing that berberine could boost insulin sensitivity by limiting fat storage, which may also have beneficial effects in the regulation of blood lipid levels.
Concerning how berberine affects cardiovascular biomarkers, many assessments can be found in the literature. The administration of berberine in one analysis generated a substantial decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, with a marked rise in high-density lipoprotein. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of this anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory effects of berberine were reviewed in twenty-seven randomized controlled clinical trials. The researchers have concluded that berberine is safe and effective due to its support of the cardiovascular system and the maintenance of healthy blood sugar levels, without any severe adverse reactions found in some of the other research studies. Berberine has also been demonstrated to restrict complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, leading to a growth of 5′ adenosine monophosphate, or AMP and 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, or AMPK activation. This seems to have a direct impact on energy metabolism as well as that in other structures and functions.
The neurological health effects of berberine have also been considered, particularly from the modulation of the dopaminergic system. Berberine has also demonstrated a possibility in the successful management of seizures, diabetes-induced memory malfunction and hyperexcitability. One animal research study investigating obsessive-compulsive disease found that berberine can promote anti-compulsive and/or anxiolytic effects because of its ability to boost brain monoamine levels. Another review from 2016 demonstrated berberine’s ability to reduce oxidative stress and supply neuroprotective benefits. The review further cites research studies which examine the botanical’s function in the evolution of amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Berberine has found its function in the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular as well as brain worlds. Truly offering a wholesome dose of gut-heart-brain link, berberine is definitely one to consider.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Research studies have found that the relationship between a healthy gut, brain and heart is fundamental towards overall well-being. Natural remedies and botanicals, such as berberine, can help promote as well as support this gut-brain-heart connection, while other alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can restore balance and encourage the human body’s natural healing abilities by correcting spinal misalignments of the spine. Furthermore, by establishing the proper relationship between the brain, the spinal chord and the rest of the body, chiropractic care can help regulate the proper structure and function of each system in the human body.
With the increasing number of gut health issues, it’s become a priority to find safe and effective treatment options to properly address these common problems. More and more research studies have found a connection between the gut, brain and heart. As previously mentioned, by both supporting and promoting the well-being of the gastrointestinal, or GI, system, the structure and function of a variety of other systems can be sustained. Natural remedies and botanicals, such as berberine, have been utilized for centuries as herbal treatments, however, other alternative treatment options can also be used to help improve gut health. Chiropractic care is a well-known, alternative treatment option which has been demonstrated to help promote the natural healing of the human body through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations as well as other therapeutic techniques to correct spinal misalignments, or subluxations. Moreover, a doctor of chiropractic, or chiropractor, can recommend a series of lifestyle modifications, including exercise and nutritional advice, in order to help further improve the overall health and wellness of the human body. Maintaining the well-being of the gut can help boost brain and heart health as well.
Berberine Warnings
In large doses, berberine may lead to gastrointestinal irritation. Thus, it’s typically administered in divided doses and taken with a meal. In addition, researchers have revealed that berberine can limit particular cytochrome enzymes that also target a lot of different kinds of drugs and/or medications, including certain antibiotics. Inhibiting cytochrome enzymes influences the liver’s detoxification system, which will be required to metabolize and, finally, clear drugs and/or medications. For this reason, it’s essential to carefully monitor those patients that are using berberine if other medicines are used concomitantly. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, 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.
Before erectile dysfunction started to become a more well-known health issue among the population of men across the United States, male reproductive and endocrine problems were rarely a topic of discussion. In the modern world, however, and with the increasing availability of information from the internet, many individuals have become surprisingly interested in understanding the consequences that diminishing testosterone levels can have on overall health and wellness.
Much like female hormone production, male hormone production can also gradually decrease with age. The period of time in which the male human body experiences a hormonal decline is most commonly known as andropause. Other terms which have been used interchangeably to refer to this structural and functional change with age includes: hypogonadism, late-onset hypogonadism, male menopause, male climacteric, androclise, androgen decline in aging male and aging man syndrome.
For women, menopause is characterized by a halt in menses, indicating the start of a new phase past their childbearing years. In Greek, “andras” means individual men, and “pause” means cessation. Therefore, andropause literally means “human male cessation”. Decreased levels of testosterone in men have been connected with a variety of symptoms, such as night sweats, decreased libido, dry skin and hair, difficulty concentrating, muscle loss, sleeplessness or insomnia, stress, anxiety and/or irritability, decreased bone integrity and insulin resistance. These symptoms have all been commonly associated with “human male cessation” and can often indicate diminishing testosterone levels in the body.
Function of Testosterone in the Human Body
Similar to the mechanisms of actions of estrogen and other androgens/sex hormones, testosterone functions as three unique hormones or cellular messengers within the human body. It can attach directly to androgen receptors; it engages in a variety of important processes on the peripheral cells of the prostate and hair glands in which 5-alpha-reductase is often found, producing dihydrotestosterone which also attaches to androgen receptors; and finally, it can ultimately be converted into estradiol, which develops on estrogen receptors in bone and in abdominal fat or connective tissue. These functions are fundamental towards preserving fertility, libido, weight management, bone health, and basic overall health and wellness.
Symptoms of low testosterone, which will be abbreviated in this article as Low-T, are generally hardly noticeable, as a result, these may only gradually become more severe health issues, aside from altering complete well-being. In addition, hypogonadism has also been reported to develop in younger men, although rarely, together which amounts to an incidence of approximately 3.1 to 7.0 percent in males 30 to 69 years of age, and about 18.4 percent in older men. From these numbers, 5.6 percent of males 30 to 79 years of age will experience symptomatic androgen deficiency. Besides it signaling a natural aging process in human males, very low testosterone levels may also serve as a biomarker signaling the presence of an underlying health issue. By way of instance, metabolic syndrome and testosterone deficiency have been reported by healthcare professionals to have a close association with each other. Various research studies have demonstrated that reduced testosterone levels may also be connected with obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in men. In the same manner, men with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes have been reported to have a greater incidence of hypogonadism.
Is Andropause Similar to Menopause?
In comparison to menopause, where women’s estrogen levels decrease abruptly, total testosterone levels in men decrease at an average rate of 1.6 percent annually once a human male reaches the age of 40, while free and bioavailable levels generally decline by 2 to 3 percent each year. Even though the decline is normally continuous and gradual, about 50 percent of men over the age of 80 still report having total serum testosterone within normal standard quantities. Additionally, fertility is not affected in men exactly the same way as post-menopausal women.
According to the British Medical Journal, or BMJ, the estimate of the prevalence of Low-T was recorded from the European Male Aging Study. Measuring a combination of sexual symptoms and testosterone levels, it was discovered that just about 0.1 percent of men in their 40’s, 0.6 percent of men in their 50’s, 3.2 percent of men in their 60’s, and 5.1 percent of men in their 70’s, would meet the criteria for a Low-T evaluation and analysis.
Pros and Cons of Hormone Therapy
Despite information suggesting that Low-T may be as widespread as we all believe, at least we know that the search to increase testosterone levels is. Testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, has been a widely considered yet controversial treatment utilized by endocrinologists and urologists when hypogonadism is found. A variety of research studies have discovered that it may be a viable choice, while others shed light on an assortment of concerns and contraindications. An observational research study conducted in 2012 compared the mortality of men over 40 years of age with reduced testosterone levels that had been treated with TRT to men who were not treated with TRT. The research study demonstrated that the mortality rate of those men not treated with testosterone replacement therapy was greater, approximately 20.7 percent compared to 10.3 percent. Although the research study outcome measures seemed to favor TRT, it was not a gold-standard, placebo controlled randomized clinical trial and it also did not account for confounders.
Moreover, TRT has been demonstrated to enhance insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and sexual dysfunction in males with Low-T, although there have been no long-term research studies to assess its overall impact on mortality. In patients with breast or prostate cancer, TRT, or testosterone replacement therapy, often comes with risks. As a matter of fact, guidelines in the Endocrine Society suggest not utilizing TRT when a patient has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, a palpable prostate nodule, or even after a raised prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, test with results over 4 ng/ml has been determined. Even men with a family history of prostate cancer have been steered away from utilizing this kind of treatment option.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
The spine is primarily in charge of protecting the spinal chord, one of the main channels between the communication of the brain to the rest of the body, such as that of the endocrine system, which helps in the production and regulation of hormones. When there is a spinal misalignment, or subluxation, however, these signals may be interrupted, ultimately affecting your overall health and wellness. Through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, a doctor of chiropractic, or DC, can help carefully restore the integrity of the spine, correcting these fundamental connections and their relation to the rest of the human body’s structures and functions. The balance of the spine can help delay the decrease of testosterone levels associated with human male cessation or andropause, reducing symptoms and boosting essential energy and vitality.
Delaying Low-Testosterone Levels
Though decreasing testosterone levels are commonly associated as a part of the normal aging process, many men dread andropause or “human male cessation”. The loss of muscular mass itself generally motivates men to search for solutions to delay this natural process. Steroids help build muscle by raising testosterone, but they can also ultimately affect the liver, prostate, heart and even the sexual organs. Selective androgen receptor modulators, or SARMs, are encouraged to athletes and active individuals as an alternative to anabolic steroids, but these can also include their own risks and concerns. Many of these alternative treatment options can actually decrease natural testosterone production since they change the chemical structure of testosterone alone.
Thus, some lifestyle modifications worth exploring which can help delay the decrease of testosterone levels include health, diet, stress reduction and supplementation. A prerequisite for healthy testosterone levels include maintaining regular weight and encouraging overall endocrine function. In addition to deciding upon an entirely whole foods-based diet teeming with healthful fats which serve as a hormone precursor and fiber, a few research studies have found that intermittent fasting, characterized by remaining anywhere from 12-16 hours every day, by way of instance, sleeping hours, without eating food, as a way to help maintain weight and testosterone levels during the rebalancing of hormones. Intermittent fasting was additionally found to increase the adrenal hormone, or LH, by 67 percent, overall testosterone by 180 percent and improve the growth hormone secretion in men. Intermittent fasting also helps to improve leptin levels, which ultimately benefits testosterone levels since the clinical condition most closely associated with reduced cholesterol is obesity, and normalizing leptin levels is vital for maintaining healthy weight. In terms of fluids, significant water consumption, while reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption helps bring hydration into the epidermis and hair in addition to reducing fatigue associated with “human male cessation”. Physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day boosts energy and fundamental vitality.
Supplement suggestions for Low-T include vitamin D, Ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, Ashwagandha, Damiana, Velvet Deer Antler, Maca or combinations thereof. Anecdotal evidence abounds concerning supplementation, with more and more clinical evidence coming forward. Recently, one research study measured the cross-sectional association of plasma 25(OH)D levels and total and free testosterone in 1,362 male participants, which also found 25(OH)D to be positively associated with total and free testosterone levels.
Moreover, other alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can be beneficial towards delaying the decrease of testosterone levels in men. Many people believe that chiropractic care only works for spinal health issues, however, an individual’s overall health and wellness also depends largely on the proper alignment of the spine. Spinal misalignments, or subluxations, can interrupt the communications which travel from the brain to the spinal chord and the rest of the human body, ultimately affecting a variety of other essential structures and functions. By carefully restoring the balance of the musculoskeletal and nervous system, a chiropractor can influence positive effects throughout other areas of the body. One of the many benefits of chiropractic care includes the maintenance of hormone imbalances. Through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, along with guidance and advice on specific lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and nutrition, chiropractic care can help regulate hormones.
Overall, Low-T might feel as the conclusion of manhood, but the conversation about it is just starting. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, 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.
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