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Wellness

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.


Health Coaching in El Paso: Part 2

Health Coaching in El Paso: Part 2

Health Coaching is a recent position that is being utilized by doctor offices around the country. Many doctors have realized that their patients are needing more one on one guidance but they are unable to provide this due to their hectic schedule. This is where they have created and utilized health coaches.

Health coaching is extremely beneficial for patients and can help them achieve their health goals. For more information about health coaches and a general overview of the essential role they play in the healthcare field, please see last week’s article linked here.

Health coaches use many different techniques depending on the patient they are working with, but the core values of their methods remain the same. These core values can be broken down into 6 different steps, with each individual step having smaller more detailed steps of their own. These steps can be identified as:

Identifying values and vision

Determining goals

Building a plan for action

Tracking progress

Visualizing one’s best self

Creating a plan for resiliency

 

Step 1: Identify Values

Identify Values Photo

With this step being the first, it is one of the most crucial. When a patient comes to a physician or a health coach, it is usually because they have been recently diagnosed or are unhappy with their current health status. However, this does not mean that the patient is fully ready to accept their condition or understands it fully.

The patient will be asked to write down inventory in the categories of physical, emotional, spiritual, social, recreational, intellectual, and environmental. The purpose of this is so the patient is able to search and reflect on where they’re currently at and where they would like to be.

From here, there are different techniques and models that a coach may use. One being the transtheoretical model, in which the patient will use stages to move through a behavior change.

At this point, the conversation is less about treatment and more about obtaining an awareness of their health risks, experience with a current illness or any symptoms they�re experiencing. The patient is welcome and encouraged to express their emotions openly. The health coach will move through these next 6 steps to help outline the patient’s treatment and see what stage they are at.

1. Precontemplation: the patient does not intend to take action in the foreseeable future

2. Contemplation: intending to start introducing healthy behaviors within the next 6 months

3. Preparation: patients are ready to take action in the next 30 days

4. Action: the patient has recently changed their behavior and intends to keep moving forward

5. Maintenance: the patient has sustained their behavior change for 6 months and intends to maintain the behavior change for more than six months

6. Termination: the patient has grown and is now self-aware of their behaviors and has no desire to return to their previously unhealthy behaviors

As we all know, values are formed starting in early childhood. These values are then later consciously re-evaluated and may change. It is important for the patient to work with the health coach so they properly understand their personal values. This allows the patient to get clarity and build self-awareness to make intelligent decisions and keep a balance in life.

Actually sitting down identifying values might be difficult, as many individuals do not think about them often. If this is the case, the health coach might help by asking questions like:

What is more important in your life: Beyond basic human needs, what must you have in your life to experience fulfillment?

Take this time and consider a meaningful moment: What was happening to you and what values were you honoring?

Consider a time when you were angry or upset: What were you feeling and, if you flip those feelings around, what value is being suppressed?

These questions aid in triggering times that the patient might not have been connecting to values. After the patient has identifies values, the health coach will work with the patient to select between 5-10 of their core values and then rank them in order of importance. From here, the patient is able to evaluate their values and proceed to determining goals.

Step 2: Determine Goals

goal setting.jpeg

Once a patient has identified their values, the health coach will shift their focus and have them brainstorm what they would like to focus on in their healing plan. This step is important because it will determine what they specifically want to change or improve. Some patients may feel unsure or are apprehensive, but allowing the patient time to journal or write out everything they want to accomplish, big or small, as well as the known steps or tasks, will help the patient get there.

When determining goals, the health coach will encourage the patient to create goals for multiple areas in their life. Some of these areas may include, health, family, relationships, and recreation. The health coach will encourage the patient’s goals by having them consider the following questions:

What do I want to achieve?

How will I achieve this goal?

Why do I want to reach this goal?

Who will I need to work with to achieve this goal?

What are the conditions and limitations to achieving this goal?

Based on the core areas and goals, the health coach will work with the patient to determine SMART goals. A SMART goal is a goal-setting technique that brings structure and trackability to goals. SMART goals stand for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. These create a verifiable trajectory towards a specific objective with clear milestones. By determining SMART goals, it clarifies how and when the goal will be achieved, rather than just stating a desire.

A health coach will help patients turn “I want to lose weight” into ” I want to lose 20 pounds to have more energy to play with my grandchildren. I will do so by exercising four times a week and eating less processed foods, and more fruits and vegetables. I will lose an average of two pounds every week for 10 weeks.”

By doing this, the health coach is working on a goal that immediately interests the patient and puts it into a way that is more attainable. The health coach can help the patient stay encouraged and motivated as they work together to achieve small successes, eventually leading to the patient being more willing to take on bigger challenges.

Using health coaching can be more beneficial than one might originally think. As one can see, they really go deep into one’s life and can help them in ways they might not have planned on originally. In the next article, the steps of building a plan for action and tracking progress and results will be discussed in great detail.

 

Changing your lifestyle can be difficult and does not happen overnight. Those who work with a coach to reach their goals are more successful and less likely to give up when things get difficult. Coaches are amazing for accountability, advice, health help, goal setting, and organizing expectations in a realistic timeline. Look at it this way: People use a wedding coordinator to help them oragnize food, timelines, expectations, etc. and that is for an event that lasts 1 day. So why are you not using a health coach to help you organize all of these same things for something that will last a lifetime? In addition you’re getting to help decide your future and gain a deeper undestanding of what lies ahead. Investing in yourself is one of the best things you can do for yourself. – Kenna Vaughn, Senior Health Coach

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

The information from this article was found in an article written by Integrative Practioner. The sources can be found listed below.
Resources:
American Psychological Association (2019). The Road to Resilience. Retrieved from: www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience
Jonas, W. (2019). Empowering patients with chronic diseases to live healthier through health coaching: Integrative primary care case study. Samueli Integrative Health Programs.Retrieved from: www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/give-yourself-a-health-self-assessment
Miller, W. and Rose, G. (1991). Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People to Change Addictive Behavior. Guilford Publications.
Pecoraro, Wendy. �A Six-Step Approach To Health And Wellness Coaching: A Toolkit for Practice Implementation.� Integrative Practitioner.Com, 2019.
Trzeciak, S. and Mazzarelli, A. (2019). Compassionomics. Studer Group. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Stages of Change.�Retrieved from: www.cpe.vt.edu/gttc/presentations/8eStagesofChange.pdf
Your Coach (2009). SMART goals. Retrieved from: www.yourcoach.be/en/coaching-tools/
6 Supplements For Kidney Health

6 Supplements For Kidney Health

Do you feel:

  • Complicated, infrequent bowel movements?
  • Frequent urination?
  • Poor bowel function?
  • Have more than three bowel movements daily?
  • Feeling that bowels do not empty completely?

If you are experiencing any of these situations, then you might want to consider these six supplements for your kidneys.

It is estimated that 31 million Americans have suffered from chronic kidney disease. It might be due to the misery of the production of kidney stones. It is more common that 9 out of 10 individuals that have moderately decreased kidney function will not even know that they have it. Chronic kidney disease does not get much recognition, but it does kill more people than either breast or prostate cancer.

One reason that chronic kidney disease is not on the radar for most people is that there are no symptoms until the disease is in the advanced stage. When it does appear in the body, they include a range of symptoms that can stay in the body for a long time. Since many of the symptoms do not set off the alarms in the body, it is easy to ignore them until the person is diagnosed with kidney failure. Fortunately, with a little awareness and some natural kidney support, individuals can prevent the symptoms from escalating on the body.

Good Kidney Health

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that are located behind the lower rib cage on either side of the spine in the body. Vital to the overall health, the kidneys filter waste and toxins out of the blood and moving them to the bladder so they can be excreted out of the body as urine. The kidneys also regulate the body�s fluid balance, the minerals balance in the bloodstream, and activating vitamin D, so that way the body can use it. The kidneys also release hormone production directly to the bloodstream and regulating blood pressure.

kidneys-1000500-TransparentWhite-1

It is essential to take the necessary steps to maintain kidney health, especially if an individual has an increased risk of chronic kidney disease. Factors can affect the body and can cause individuals to have a higher risk of chronic kidney disease. Some of these factors include:

  • Being diabetic
  • Someone in the family that has a history of kidney disease, diabetes or high blood pressure
  • Someone having some form of cardiovascular disease
  • Obesity
  • Diagnosed with chronic urinary tract infections

While some of these risks are beyond a person’s control, it is crucial to adopt a few healthy lifestyle habits and adding kidney supporting supplements to prevent the spread of chronic kidney diseases and other ailments that have damaged the kidneys in the body.

The Best Ways for Kidney Health

When optimizing kidney health, changing lifestyle habits is highly essential. While quitting smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, and increasing physical activity is beneficial for the body and can boost kidney health overall. Improving the diet is one of the most accessible lifestyle modifications anyone can make.

For decades, doctors have recommended patients with CKD, a renal diet that limits dietary potassium, and phosphorus intake. The only problem with this type of diet is that it reduced some of the essential foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. However, recent studies pointed out that well-rounded diets like the Mediterranean diet or the DASH diet are the way to go for those who are with or want to prevent CDK. With these healthier diets, they focus on whole-minimally-processed foods and low, moderate amounts of protein and as a result, they support kidney health and help reduce the risk of related health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

It is also a smart move to stay hydrated with fluids, especially water, since it helps clear the sodium and toxins from the kidneys.

The 6 Supplements For Healthy Kidneys

When a person is at risk for kidney disease or wants to optimize these amazing filters, these six supplements are excellent for playing a supportive role in helping the kidneys.

Alpha-lipoic acid

Alpha lipoic acid food

Alpha-lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that is made inside the mitochondria, where it helps key enzymes turn into nutrients and energy for the body. This antioxidant plays another crucial role by protecting the cells from oxidative damage, including those in the kidneys. A study showed that alpha-lipoic acid produces a significant uptick in two other antioxidants, SOD (superoxide dismutase) and CAT (catalase) in kidney tissue. This can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the kidneys as well as preventing kidney stones from forming.

Andrographis

Andrographis-Featured-Image-v3

Andrographis is a kidney supporting herb that people do not think about when they are indulging in their favorite alcoholic beverage; however, it should be. In the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that the two compounds that are in Andrographis, which is andrographolide and arabinogalactan proteins; help protect the kidneys from alcohol toxicity. For anyone that is enjoying a glass wine with dinner, having a beer or two with friends, or drinking the occasional cocktail, taking a dose of Andrographis before consuming alcohol can provide the protection the kidneys need.

Moringa

Can-You-Eat-Moringa-Leaves-How-Do-They-Detox-Your-Body

Moringa is a superfood that comes from the leaves of the moringa tree that is essential parts of Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and Australia. These medicinal plants have possessed the ability to protect SOD and CAT levels in the kidneys. Studies have been shown using a model of acetaminophen toxicity and found that the moringa supplementation has reversed both the oxidative damage and inflammation in the kidneys.

NAC

(R)-N-Acetylcysteine_Structural_Formulae

Also known as n-acetylcysteine, NAC is the precursor to glutathione, the body�s master antioxidant. NAC is an antioxidant in its rights by protecting the kidney cells from heavy metals and other damaging toxins. Research has shown that NAC can also limit the damage from AGEs (advanced glycation end production.) AGEs are formed when glucose reacts with the proteins in the blood vessel walls, including the blood vessels within the kidneys. The resulting damage caused by AGE includes oxidative damage that can be a contributing factor to chronic kidney disease, but proactively including NAC as part of the person’s supplement routine that can help protect the harmful effects of AGEs.

Probiotics

Probiotics

Beneficial bacteria found in probiotics can do more than just enhancing the body’s gut health. Probiotics can also help protect against the complication of CKD by decreasing inflammation and the production of uremic toxin. This dual-action helps the kidney function. Probiotics can protect the body from the leaky gut syndrome, which is a common condition people with CKD, allowing harmful bacteria to “leak” from the intestinal tract into the blood. Supplementing with probiotics can improve the bacterial balance in the gut, lessening the permeability of the intestinal barrier, and reducing the complications of CKD.

Resveratrol

Food Rich With Resveratrol, Grapes, Plums, Goji, Peanuts, Cranberry, Raspberrys, Dark Chocolate

Resveratrol is found in grapes, berries, and peanuts. Only making the headlines a few years ago, due to its heart-healthy properties and new evidence has been found that resveratrol can protect the kidneys from a variety of toxins, including heavy metals, drugs, and alcohol that can cause renal injury. This antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound can help fortify the kidneys against injury and improves renal function once the injury has occurred.

Conclusion

With these six supplements, they can provide anyone the help they need to prevent chronic kidney disease. Even though the symptoms of chronic kidney disease do not show at a later date, individuals must add these supplements to their diet and lifestyle to prevent chronic kidney disease.�Some products can help with inflammation in the body system by containing collagen-based proteins and targeting amino acids that can offer support to the gastrointestinal system.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.


References:

Al, H S. �Protective Effect of Resveratrol against Aluminum Chloride Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats.� Saudi Medical Journal., U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=27052279.

Albertoni, G, and N Schor. �Resveratrol Plays Important Role in Protective Mechanisms in Renal Disease–Mini-Review.� Jornal Brasileiro De Nefrologia: ‘Orgao Oficial De Sociedades Brasileira e Latino-Americana De Nefrologia., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=25923757.

Chauveau, Philippe, et al. �Mediterranean Diet as the Diet of Choice for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.� Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation: Official Publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association – European Renal Association, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 May 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29106612.

Cigarran, S, et al. �Gut Microbiota in Chronic Kidney Disease.� Nefrologia: Publicacion Oficial De La Sociedad Espanola Nefrologia., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=27553986.

Gallieni, Maurizio, and Adamasco Cupisti. �DASH and Mediterranean Diets as Nutritional Interventions for CKD Patients.� American Journal of Kidney Diseases: the Official Journal of the National Kidney Foundation, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27884277.

Karthivashan, G, et al. �The Modulatory Effect of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract on Endogenous Antioxidant Systems and Inflammatory Markers in an Acetaminophen-Induced Nephrotoxic Mice Model.� PeerJ., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 7 July 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=27441110.

Ko, Gang Jee, et al. �Dietary Protein Intake and Chronic Kidney Disease.� Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27801685.

Petronilho, F, et al. �Alpha-Lipoic Acid Attenuates Oxidative Damage in Organs After Sepsis.� Inflammation., U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=26431839.

Singha, P K, et al. �Protective Activity of Andrographolide and Arabinogalactan Proteins from Andrographis Paniculata Nees. against Ethanol-Induced Toxicity in Mice.� Journal of Ethnopharmacology., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 20 Apr. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=17127022.

Unknown, Unknown. �6 Supplements That Improve Your Kidney Health.� Fullscript, 1 Oct. 2019, fullscript.com/blog/kidney-health.

Unknown, Unknown. �Facts About Chronic Kidney Disease.� National Kidney Foundation, 19 July 2019, www.kidney.org/atoz/content/about-chronic-kidney-disease.

Unknown, Unknown. �Kidney Disease Statistics for the United States.� National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1 Dec. 2016, www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/kidney-disease.

Xia, Q, et al. �N-Acetylcysteine Ameliorates Contrast?Induced Kidney Injury in Rats with Unilateral Hydronephrosis.� Molecular Medicine Reports., U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=29207099.

 

 

The Top 10 Superfoods for Inflammation

The Top 10 Superfoods for Inflammation

Do you feel:

  • Inflammation on your joints or all over the body?
  • Stomach pain, burning, or aching 1-4 hours after eating?
  • Unpredictable abdominal pain?
  • Gas immediately following after a meal?
  • Excessive belching, burping, or bloating?

If you are experiencing any of these situations, then try these top ten superfoods to prevent inflammation in your body.

Superfoods lack any formal criteria, and people wonder what makes a food a superfood. Medical experts agreed that foods with the title “superfood” have health benefits that go far beyond what is listed on their nutrition labels. There is a wide range of health-promoting superfoods that can be incorporated into a person’s diet in several different ways. Eating superfood alone will not make anyone healthier overnight, but adding them to an already balanced diet can give anyone a mega-dose of added health benefits to their body.

Getting to Know Superfoods

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a superfood is defined as “a food that rich in compounds and considered beneficial to a person’s health. It can be any foods that have antioxidants, fatty acids, or fibers in their nutrient compounds. While the Oxford Dictionary defines a superfood as �a nutrient-rich food that is considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being.�

Here are the top ten superfoods that have been scientifically proven to help optimize the body’s ability to function correctly. These superfoods are not only super healthy, but they are affordable and readily available in the grocery stores, online, and at farmer’s markets.

A�ai Berries

A�ai berries are high in antioxidants. They also contain B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, healthy fats, and phosphorus. The a�ai berry is one of the most well-known superfoods that is beneficial for the body’s microbiome. Studies have shown that a�ai berries have anti-inflammatory properties, help improve the cognitive function, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, and protect against heart diseases. The berries themselves have also been suggested to help slow down age-related memory loss in individuals.

Lecompte_Acai-berry_290519

Studies have shown that the health benefits of the a�ai berries are that the berries contain a range of polyphenols that protects cellular oxidative damage in vitro and can provide ant-inflammatory signaling in the body by reducing the production of free radicals by inflammatory cells. Chronic inflammation in the body can lead to diseases like fibromyalgia. So consuming this berry can help lower the risk of inflammation in the body.

Plant-based protein

Plant proteins are abundant, branched-chain containing essential amino acids, and are exceptionally high in lysine. Research has been shown that lysine can help balance blood glucose in the body. Lysine even can increase muscle strength and combat anxiety in the body.

chickpea-bowl

Plant-based proteins that contain carotenoids and flavonoids can modulate inflammatory responses in the body as well as the immunological process as well. Plant foods have anti-inflammatory potential that everyone needs in their diet to reduce inflammatory responses that is in the body.

Salmon

Salmon is a superfood that has one of the highest sources for omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower the risk of developing coronary heart diseases, lowers metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Studies have been shown that fish oil has also been known to help combat late-onset Alzheimer�s disease.

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Consuming salmon or any foods that contain omega-3s may help alleviate oxidative stress that the body may have picked up. Omega-3s even play a role in lowering the risk of inflammation on individuals who have to develop fibromyalgia. Since it associates with pro-inflammatory cytokines, eating omega-3 fatty foods can help lower the inflammation and alleviate it as well.

Avocados

Avocados are a nutrient-rich superfood, high fiber fruits that play a significant role in combating chronic diseases in the body. Eating avocados regularly have been known to lower the risk of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and certain cancers.

1-avocado

Since avocados are a nutrient-dense source of MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids), the fruit can be used to replace SFA (saturated fatty acids) in a diet to lower LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) in the body.

Kale

kale-in-rustic-basket-on-daylight-close-up-royalty-free-image-628364204-1533848320

Kale has an excellent source of nutrients like zinc, folate, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, fiber, and iron. Research has shown that dark leafy greens can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Olive oil

Olive oil is a superfood that has been shown to provide a range of various health benefits. Extra virgin olive oil is associated with reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality on individuals that have a high cardiovascular risk.

olive-oils

Olive oil has a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid, which helps reduce inflammation in the body.

Sweet potato

Sweet potato is the superfood root vegetable that is full of nutrients that are beneficial to the body. They are an excellent source of carotenoids, fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin A.

sweet-potatoes_white-orange-purple

Consuming sweet potato is beneficial for the body due to reducing the risk of inflammation and DNA damage. Since it contains high levels of antioxidants, it may also prevent cell damage as well in the body.

Fermented Foods

FermentedFoodHeader

Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir sauerkraut, and many others are heavily sought after superfoods by consumers. This is because fermented foods have a range of fantastic health benefits like antioxidants, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, andante-diabetic properties.

Green tea

Caffeine-in-Green-Tea-1000x550

Green tea is a lightly caffeinated beverage that has a broad spectrum of health benefits for the body. It is rich with antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds that can protect the body against chronic diseases and be a useful tool for bodyweight management.

Seaweed

seaweeds

Seaweed is packed with several nutrients like folate, vitamin K iodine, and fiber that is beneficial for the body. It plays an essential role by helping lowering blood pressure and to treat several chronic illnesses. Studies have shown that due to their potential beneficial activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects that are beneficial to prevent flare-ups in the white adipose tissue and systemic IR.

Conclusion

Superfoods are an essential additive boost to any healthy diet. These ten superfoods contain anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial to the body to prevent the risk of inflammation in the body. Eating these foods combine with these products will provide relief from oxidative stress and inflammation that the body may encounter, as well as providing support to the endocrine system.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.


References:

Basu, Arpita, et al. �Dietary Factors That Promote or Retard Inflammation.� Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2006, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16484595.

Dellwo, Adrienne. �The Potential Benefits of Omega-3 for Fibromyalgia & CFS.� Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 7 July 2019, www.verywellhealth.com/omega-3-for-fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-715987.

Felman, Adam. �Fibromyalgia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 5 Jan. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147083.php.

Jensen, Gitte S, et al. �Pain Reduction and Improvement in Range of Motion after Daily Consumption of an A�ai (Euterpe Oleracea Mart.) Pulp-Fortified Polyphenolic-Rich Fruit and Berry Juice Blend.� Journal of Medicinal Food, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133683/.

Oh, Ji-Hyun, et al. �Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Diabetic Effects of Brown Seaweeds in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.� Nutrition Research and Practice, The Korean Nutrition Society and the Korean Society of Community Nutrition, Feb. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4742310/.

Smriga, Miro, et al. �Lysine Fortification Reduces Anxiety and Lessens Stress in Family Members in Economically Weak Communities in Northwest Syria.� Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, National Academy of Sciences, 1 June 2004, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15159538.

Tanaka, Takuji, et al. �Cancer Chemoprevention by Carotenoids.� Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), MDPI, 14 Mar. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22418926.

Unknown, Unknown. �What Are Superfoods? Top 10 Superfoods.� Fullscript, 4 Mar. 2019, fullscript.com/blog/superfoods.

Unni, Uma S, et al. �The Effect of a Controlled 8-Week Metabolic Ward Based Lysine Supplementation on Muscle Function, Insulin Sensitivity and Leucine Kinetics in Young Men.� Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22524975.

Wang, Li, et al. �Effect of a Moderate Fat Diet with and without Avocados on Lipoprotein Particle Number, Size and Subclasses in Overweight and Obese Adults: a Randomized, Controlled Trial.� Journal of the American Heart Association, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 7 Jan. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25567051.

Wang, Ping-Yu, et al. �Higher Intake of Fruits, Vegetables or Their Fiber Reduces the Risk of Type�2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis.� Journal of Diabetes Investigation, John Wiley and Sons Inc., Jan. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26816602.

Watzl, Bernhard. �Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Plant-Based Foods and of Their Constituents.� International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Internationale Zeitschrift Fur Vitamin- Und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal International De Vitaminologie Et De Nutrition, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2008, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19685439.

?anlier, Nevin, et al. �Health Benefits of Fermented Foods.� Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28945458.

How To Choose The Best Pillow El Paso, Texas

How To Choose The Best Pillow El Paso, Texas

We’ve all seen the commercials, web ads, emails, etcabout the best pillow around. Getting a good night’s sleep can be a struggle these days and any type of physical aid is welcome, specifically a pillow. This is especially true of people with chronic, acute cervical neck/back and neuropathic pain.�

Stores carry various lines of pillows that all claim to be the best pillow for neck pain.

With all the different designs out there, choosing the right pillow for your way of sleeping can be a challenge. Dr. Jimenez takes a look at finding the right pillow that will help you sleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed and with no neck/back pain.

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 How To Choose The Best Pillow El Paso, Texas

Cervical Support

A pillow supports the:

Throughout the sleep cycle, and therefore has a big responsibility. This guide will help you find the right one to meet your sleep needs.

Sleeping position and the pillow can play a major role in comfort or pain.

Example – Stomach sleepers usually have the most neck pain. This is because the neck is turned to the side and the spine is arched.

For relief, try sleeping either on your back or on the side. This along with a pillow that supports the neck and the natural curve of the spine.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 How To Choose The Best Pillow El Paso, Texas

 

Tips for Buying The Right One

These guidelines apply to anyone looking for a pillow that can support the spine. It should:

  1. Keeps your spine naturally aligned meaning the head should rest directly over your shoulders and should not be propped up or pushed back too much
  2. Can be adjusted for maximum support
  3. Supports your head
  4. Eliminates pressure on the cervical spine
  5. Increases sleep duration
  6. Hypoallergenic for those with allergies

Pillows come in all types and sizes, but don�t get it based on how it’s going to look on your bed. Take into account your body size and match that to the size of the pillow.

 

 

Picking Based On Your Sleep Position

Picking the right one for you and understanding how you sleep is important, as your sleep position can lead the way.

Stomach sleepers

Thin pillows are the way to go and sometimes not using a pillow at all could be beneficial.

Sleeping on your stomach puts more pressure on the lower back than any other sleeping position. Consider sleeping on your side/back or only sleep on your stomach for short periods then once comfortable switch to the side/back position.

Back sleepers

Thin pillows are also the way to go, but this pillow should have some lift at the bottom to help support your neck.

Memory foam is an option for back sleepers because it adjusts to your�head and neck shape.

Side sleepers

A firm pillow specifically one with a gusset or a piece of material that adds strength and thickness is more structured and can keep your spine aligned.

 

Specialty�

With severe spine pain or if pregnant, standard pillows do not work. There are specialty pillows that can provide comfort and pain relief.

Chiropractic

Known also as a cervical pillow, these can help if you have chronic neck or back pain that�s not allowing sleep. These are molded to your neck and keep your spine aligned during sleep, and come in a variety of styles and materials. A chiropractor can help you choose the right type and instruct you on how to use it correctly.

Pregnancy

These also come in different types but the aim is to provide support to your growing abdomen. Pregnancy pillows also come with extra body pillows designed to fit under the abdomen and between the knees supporting the entire body.

 

When To Replace Your Pillow

  • It is recommended that individuals should replace every 18 months to 2 years depending on how aggressively you sleep.
  • Using a pillow beyond its lifespan means there is no longer support for your spine which can exacerbate and create new injuries.
  • How to tell when a pillow is done its duty, fold it in half. If the pillow stays and does not return to the original position is a good indicator that it�s time for a new pillow.

 

El Paso, TX Neck Pain Chiropractic Treatment

 

 

Sleep allows your body to heal and the spine to rejuvenate. It helps you handle stress better and manage pain more effectively. It is an essential part of good health so making sure that you get good quality sleep should be a priority � and it is possible.


 

NCBI Resources

The�position that you sleep in can help relieve your back pain, but getting good quality sleep will help you manage your pain much better so it should be your goal to get proper sleep every night. And you should change it out on a regular basis.

They can get worn and no longer deliver the support they once did. If you are waking up with neck or back pain or headaches, it could be your pillow. Additionally, studies show that making your bed every day improves your quality of sleep. Make sure that the temperature is comfortable and avoid electronic devices for about an hour before bedtime. Be kind to your spine and make sleep�a priority.

 

Understanding Intermittent Fasting

Understanding Intermittent Fasting

Do you feel:

  • Hungry in an hour or two after eating?
  • Unexplained weight gain?
  • Hormonal imbalances?
  • An overall sense of bloating?
  • A sense of fullness during and after meals?

If you are experiencing any of these situations, then try considering intermittent fasting.

Since becoming popular in recent years, intermittent fasting is a dietary approach that lots of individuals have been using in their healthy lifestyle. During the time of the hunter-gatherer society, people have used this method for centuries as a way of survival. Studies have been shown that people used it for medicinal purposes throughout history as a medicinal remedy. Ancient Rome, Greek and Chinese civilizations used intermittent fasting in their daily lives. Fasting has even been used for spiritual reasons in certain religions, like Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity as individuals use it as a way to reflect on themselves and be closer to their deities.

What is Fasting?

Ketogenic Diet and Intermittent Fasting | El Paso, TX Chiropractor

Fasting is where a person does not consume food or beverages at least for twelve hours during the day. When a person starts fasting, they will notice that their metabolism and their hormones will change in their bodies. There is upcoming research that intermittent fasting can promote amazing health benefits to the body. The health benefits that intermittent fasting provides are weight loss, protective effects in the brain, decreased inflammation and improving blood glucose and insulin levels in the body.

The Different Methods

There are other methods of fasting that involves fasting from food for several days or weeks. With these different methods, they involve a shorter period that is between 16 to 24 hours. Several types of intermittent fasting are determined by the feeding window duration (when to eat the food) and the fasting window (when to avoid the food). Here are some of the other methods of fasting, which includes:

  • Time-restricted feeding (TRF): This type of fasting has a feeding window period from 4 to 12 hours. For the remainder of the day, water is the only thing that is allowed to be consumed. The common variation to eat this type of fasting is 16/8. This means that a person has to fast at least 16 hours every day.
  • Early time-restricted feeding (eTRF): This is a different variety of time-restricted fasting that is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. After the 6 hours are up, the rest of the day is made up of this fasting period.
  • Alternate day fasting (ADF): This type of fasting involves a person eating one day and the next day they completely fast. They alternate between eating and fasting each day to get the benefits.
  • Period fasting (cycling fasting): This type of fasting involves one or two days fasting per week and for the fifth or sixth days of eating as much as a person desire. The variety of period fasting can be a 5:2 or a 6:1.
  • Modified fasting: This type of fasting has some methods of intermittent fasting that are similar to alternate-day fasting, but this fasting can be modified for anyone. A person can consume very-low-calorie substances during the fasting window period.

How Does It Work?

Intermittent fasting is the result of changes in the body as the hormone patterns and energy metabolism are being affected. Once a person finishes consuming food, the contents are being broken down and transforming into nutrients, so it can be absorbed into the digestive tract. What happens is that the carbohydrates are broken down and turn into glucose and absorb into the bloodstream, distributing it into the body’s tissue as the essential source of energy. The insulin hormone then helps regulate the blood glucose levels by signaling cells to take the sugars from the blood and turning into fuel for the body to function properly.

With intermittent fasting, a person is done with a meal and their glucose levels are depleted from the body. For the energy to meet its requirements the body has to break down the glycogen that is found in the liver and skeletal muscles causing gluconeogenesis. Gluconeogenesis is when the liver produces glucose sugars from non-carbohydrate sources in the body. Then once the insulin levels are low after 18 hours of fasting, a process called lipolysis begins. What lipolysis does is that the body begins to break down the fat components into free fatty acids. When there is a low quantity of glucose for the body to consume for energy, the body itself with start using fatty acids and ketones for energy. Ketosis is a metabolic state where liver cells start to help fatty acids breakdown and converting them into ketone acetoacetate and beta-hydro butyrate.

The muscle cells and neuron cells use these ketones to generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is the main carrier for energy. Research has stated that the usage and availability of fatty acids combined with ketones as an energy replacement for glucose are beneficial for vital body tissues. This includes the heart, the liver, the pancreas, and the brain.

The four metabolic states are induced by fasting are referred to as the fast-fed cycle, and they are:

  • The fed state
  • The post-absorptive state
  • The fasting state
  • The starvation state

The physiological effect of intermittent fasting can also be achieved by following a ketogenic diet, which is very high fat and low carbohydrate diet. This diet’s purpose is to shift the body’s metabolic state into ketosis.

The Benefits of Fasting

There are tons of research that have demonstrated how intermittent fasting has a wide variety of health benefits, including:

  • Weight loss
  • Type 2 diabetes prevention and management
  • Improved cardiometabolic risk factors
  • Cellular cleansing
  • Decreased inflammation
  • Neuroprotection

Studies have been shown that several proposed mechanisms are responsible for these health effects of intermittent fasting and have proven to be beneficial to a person’s lifestyle.

Conclusion

Intermittent fasting has been practiced for centuries and has gain popularity in recent years. It involves abstaining from consuming foods for at least 12 consecutive hours by turning the fat cells into energy for the body to function. The health benefits that intermittent fasting provides is beneficial for an individual who is trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some products help provide support to the gastrointestinal system as well as making sure that sugar metabolism is at a healthy level for the body to function.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.


References:

Dhillon, Kiranjit K. �Biochemistry, Ketogenesis.� StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 21 Apr. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493179/#article-36345.

Hue, Louis, and Heinrich Taegtmeyer. �The Randle Cycle Revisited: a New Head for an Old Hat.� American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism, American Physiological Society, Sept. 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2739696/.

Stockman, Mary-Catherine, et al. �Intermittent Fasting: Is the Wait Worth the Weight?� Current Obesity Reports, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5959807/.

Zubrzycki, A, et al. �The Role of Low-Calorie Diets and Intermittent Fasting in the Treatment of Obesity and Type-2 Diabetes.� Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology: an Official Journal of the Polish Physiological Society, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30683819.

 

 

 

 

What A Health Coach Does El Paso, TX.

What A Health Coach Does El Paso, TX.

In today’s busy world individuals need a little help when it comes to letting go of bad/negative behaviors and adopting/embracing positive behaviors to sustain optimal health and lifestyle. This is where a health coach�comes in.

More adults in the United States have a chronic disease and around thirty percent have two or more.

Many healthcare professionals do not know how to counsel patients on healthy living and, if they do, the information is limited to very basic knowledge like exercise and eat healthily. With this type of info and not a lot of enthusiasm, patients are not going to listen or make lasting changes.

Many providers do not listen to what’s going on and just tell patients what to do, instead of discussing the best options they have for their health. People being told what to do are not likely to listen or act upon the recommendations.

A health coach creates a custom getting healthy plan with you that fits your life, gets you going, sets up a strategy for the challenges and sees you through! This is what a health coach does.

Health coaching Involves

  • Communication
  • Motivation
  • Continued Support

This allows individuals to make meaningful behavior changes that will last forever.

Coaching centers on:

  1. Thorough conversation
  2. Listening
  3. Clinical Intervention
  4. Strategies

These are aimed to actively engage patients in positive behavior change.

Health coaches take on patients wherever they are in their health. An individual can be healthy and just want some advice to individuals that are extremely unhealthy with weight issues, chronic illness, disease or all of the above.

The point is to help individuals learn self-management techniques. The coach teaches, motivates and strategizes with the individual to make educated/informed decisions that will turn into regular healthy habits.

Coaching comes in the form of:

  • Setting�goals that are achievable�
  • A Patient’s Values
  • Strengths
  • Motivation
  • Encouraging the patient

This is how healthy attitudes and behaviors are developed.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 What A Health Coach Does El Paso, TX.

 

The Health Journey Begins

The patient’s health history is taken into account. Then the coach asks:

  1. Where they want to be in their health
  2. What Values they hold close
  3. What Goals they have in mind
  4. The plan is Created
  5. Progress is Tracked
  6. Challenges are met
  7. The long-term plan is Created

Patients oftentimes do not know where they are from a health perspective and might not be sure how to explain. This is where health coaches and their training can breakdown any questions/issues a patient may have.

A health coach will look at where a patient is healthwise based on:

  • Emotional factors
  • Environmental factors
  • Financial factors
  • Psychological factors
  • Physical factors
  • Recreational factors
  • Spiritual factors
  • Social factors

This health inventory is for the patient to reflect on where they are in their health and where they want to be.

Patients are welcome and encouraged to ask questions about the plan, make changes, reset goals, etc.

Motivating the Patient

Motivation can come in various forms. As people learn in various ways, so too are the motivational strategies to get patients to exercise the positive behavior outlined in their treatment plan. Some ways coaches motivate are:

  • They collaborate with patients and don’t approach the plan with an all-knowing mindset.
  • Understand the motivation of the individual to change.

Motivational Principles:

  • Empathy
  • Discrepancy
  • Support patient’s ability

Six stages of behavioral change:

  • Precontemplation – Patients do not see any problems and do not consider their behavior as negative, and do not see the problems their behavior is causing.
  • Contemplation – Patients start to think about healthy behaviors.
  • Preparation/Determination�– Patients are ready to take action toward behavior change and believe the new behavior will lead to a healthy life.
  • Action�– Change begins and the intention is to keep going.
  • Maintenance – Behavior change has been for more than six months and continuing on the right track.
  • Termination�– Negative behaviors are eliminated.

There are different strategies to get through each stage and on to the next until the positive behavior is achieved.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 What A Health Coach Does El Paso, TX.

Helping the patient find the coaching plan that is right for them.

Patients are helped by figuring out what they want to change about their health based on what they see and
the most important changes for them. There is no correct answer, as it is different for everyone.

Understanding Your Values

Coaches encourage the patient to identify their values, and what is most important for each individual.

These include:

  • Family
  • Friendship
  • Health
  • Love

Values begin early in childhood and become reevaluated as life goes on, and can change.

Clarity is important to help the patient build self-awareness to make intelligent decisions and staying balanced.

A coach might ask questions like:

  • What made you choose the unhealthy product versus the healthy version?
  • How much stress do you think you have to deal with on a daily basis?
  • Do you make time for yourself?

For some, identifying negative behavior can help, as the patient grows and realizes how their health is changing, their values start to change.

This information helps to create a plan of action along with steps to help the patient’s decision making.

While working with the patient to determine goals and create steps, tools and methods are created help to ensure the patient understands their role in getting healthy.

Asking Questions

Coaches ask patients what they know and what they would like to know?�There are no incorrect questions, aks away, as the more an individual knows, as well as the more that the coach knows about the patient, the better the treatment plan will be.

Teaching

If the patient doesn�t understand, the process is repeated until the patient is able to explain the treatment plan back to the coach so everything is clear.

This technique is recognized by various associations, including the:

  • American Academy of Family Physicians
  • American Hospital Association

Primary Areas of Improvement

Before setting goals the patients go over the primary areas of their life that they want to improve/change.

These primary areas may be very similar to the patient�s values.

Examples include:

  • Health
  • Family
  • Career
  • Finances
  • Recreation
  • Social Relationships

Once a patient has identified what they would like to focus on, brainstorming sessions are put into action, as to what they want to change or improve for each primary area.

They are then broken down into smaller goals in the creation of the main plan of action.

As the patient moves forward they are more motivated and encouraged to take on bigger challenges.

 

Couple making a healthy smoothie

Goals

Patients understand what areas of their life they want to improve/change.

With the primary areas known, the patient begins the challenge of changing their current unhealthy status to healthy.

Areas to consider:

  • What exactly do I want to achieve?
  • How will I achieve this goal?
  • Timeframe to achieve this goal?
  • Why is this goal important to me?
  • Where to go to next once the goal is achieved?

SMART Goals

When the patient is ready, the coach will assist in developing:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Attainable
  • Relevant
  • Timely

SMART goals that allow for structure and trackability and create clear milestones for the individual.

 

Planning

Once a health coach understands where the patient wants to go, the next phase is planning.

Patients help in creating their treatment plan.

This plan is an agreement between the patient and the health coach that describes the behavior change that the patient wants to make, how they’re going to go about it, and their commitment to the final result.

Example of goals a patient will follow to lose weight:

  • Try new fruits and vegetables
  • Find creative ways to incorporate exercise at work.
  • Stay hydrated by keeping a water bottle and refilling it every two hours.
  • Cooking healthy meals at first twice a week then three times and so on.
  • Walking after meals.

These small tasks make it easier for the patient to see their progress.

The coach will check with the patient regularly to make sure they are sticking to the plan.

 

Health Coach

 

Goal Progress

Health coaches can ensure a patient has consistent motivational support by creating a follow-up plan that works in conjunction with their primary treatment plan.

Follow-up care may include schedules for physical exams or tests, referrals, and recommendations to keep positive behavior development.

Coaches and patients work together to create realistic goals for the future.

As the patient progresses, the health coach may make additional recommendations or work with the patient to adjust their plan or making sure the patient knows where to turn to if they have questions.

Continued Support

Once goals are being achieved it is important to have support to continue the positive behavior. Traditional sources of support include:

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Colleagues
  • Community

Patients may not always have access to external support, coaches also teach the patients how to find positive support in various activities around town that can help patients and their overall health.

At Injury Medical Chiropractic & Functional Wellness clinic we have the best-rated team of health practitioners to get you to your best optimal health.


 

*Detox Your Body* | Detox Doctor | El Paso, TX (2019)

 

 

Fred Foreman is a basketball coach who depends on his overall health and wellness to be able to engage in his everyday responsibilities. As a result, coach Foreman started the 6 Day Detox Program, designed to help renew and enhance the human body’s cleansing and detoxification capabilities.


 

NCBI Resources

Good health is built on diet and exercise. The goal is to continually improve by maintaining healthy habits that develop more healthy behaviors. You do not have to do anything drastic. You will have an easier time making changes if you start small and gradually shift towards a lifestyle that is best for you. A health coach can get you operating and performing at the highest level!

 

The 4Rs Program

The 4Rs Program

Do you feel:

  • Like you have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis, or Leaky Gut Syndrome?
  • Excessive belching, burping, or bloating?
  • Abnormal distention after certain probiotics or natural supplements?
  • Suspicion of nutritional malabsorption?
  • Do digestive problems subside with relaxation?

If you are experiencing any of these situations, then you might be experiencing gut problems and might have to try the 4R Program.

Food sensitivities, rheumatoid arthritis, and anxiety have been associated with impaired gastrointestinal permeability. These various conditions can happen from many factors that can impact the digestive tract. If left untreated it can potentially be the result of dysfunction of the intestinal permeability barrier, causing inflammation, and severe health conditions that the gut can develop. The 4R program is used to restore a healthy gut in the body and involves four steps. They are: remove, replace, reinoculated, and repair.

Intestinal Permeability

The intestinal permeability helps protects the body and makes sure that harmful bacteria do not enter the gut. It protects the body from potential environmental factors that can be harmful and are entering through the digestive tract. It can be either toxin, pathogenic microorganisms, and other antigens that can harm the digestive tract causing problems. The intestinal lining is consisting of a layer of epithelial cells that are separated by tight junctions. In a healthy gut, the tight junction regulates the intestinal permeability by selectively allowing substances to enter and travel across the intestinal barrier and preventing harmful factors from being absorbed.

blog picture of doctor and elderly patient speak

Certain environmental factors can damage the tight junction, and the result is that it can increase the intestinal permeability, which causes intestinal hyperpermeability or leaky gut in the body. Contributing factors can increase intestinal permeability like an excessive amount of saturated fats and alcohol, deficiencies in nutrients, chronic stress, and infectious diseases.

With an increased intestinal permeability in the gut, it can enable antigens to cross the gut mucosa and enter the bloodstream causing an immune response and inflammation to the body. There are certain gastrointestinal conditions that are associated with intestinal hyperpermeability and if left untreated it can trigger certain autoimmune conditions that can cause harm to the body.

4Rs Program

The 4Rs is a program that healthcare professionals advise their patients to use when they are addressing disruptive digestive issues and help support gut healing.

Removing the Problem

The first step in the 4Rs program is to remove harmful pathogens and inflammation triggers that are associated with increased intestinal permeability. Triggers like stress and chronic alcohol consumption can do much harm to an individual’s body. So targeting these harmful factors from the body is to treat it with medication, antibiotics, supplements, and the removal of inflammatory foods from the diet is advised, including:

  • – Alcohol
  • – Gluten
  • – Food additives
  • – Starches
  • – Certain fatty acids
  • – Certain foods that a person is sensitive to

Replacing the Nutrients

The second step of the 4Rs program is to replace the nutrients that are causing the gut problems through inflammation. Certain nutrients can help reducing inflammation in the gut while making sure that the digestive tract is being supported. There are some anti-inflammatory foods that are nutritious. These include:

  • – High-fiber foods
  • – Omega-3s
  • – Olive oil
  • – Mushrooms
  • – Anti-inflammatory herbs

There are certain supplements can be used to support digestive function by assisting and absorbing the nutrients to promote a healthy gut. What the digestive enzymes do is that they assist in helping to break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in the gut. This will help benefit individuals that have an impaired digestive tract, food intolerances, or having celiac disease. Supplements like bile acid supplements can help assist in nutrient absorption by merging lipids together. Studies have stated that bile acids have been used to treat the liver, gallbladder, and bile duct while preventing gallstone formation after bariatric surgery.

Reinoculated The Gut

The third step is of the 4rs program to reinoculated the gut microbe with beneficial bacteria to promote a healthy gut function. Studies have been shown that probiotic supplements have been used to improve the gut by restoring beneficial bacteria. With these supplements, they provide the gut an enhancement by secreting anti-inflammatory substances into the body, help support the immune system, altering the body’s microbial composition, and reducing the intestinal permeability in the gut system.

Since probiotics are found in fermented foods and are considered as a transient since they are not persistent in the gastrointestinal tract and are beneficial. Surprisingly, they still have an impact on human health due to influencing the gut by producing vitamins and anti-microbial compounds, thus providing diversity and gut function.

Repairing the Gut

The last step of the 4Rs program is to repair the gut. This step involves repairing the intestinal lining of the gut with specific nutrients and herbs. These herbs and supplements can help decrease intestinal permeability and inflammation in the body. Some of these herbs and supplements include:

  • – Aloe vera
  • – Chios mastic gum
  • – DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated licorice)
  • – Marshmallow root
  • – L-glutamine
  • – Omega-3s
  • � Polyphenols
  • – Vitamin D
  • – Zinc

Conclusion

Since many factors can adversely affect the digestive system in a harmful way and can be the contributor to several health conditions. The main goal of the 4Rs program is to minimize these factors that are harming the gut and reducing inflammation and increased intestinal permeability. When the patient is being introduced to the beneficial factors that the 4Rs provide, it can lead to a healthy, healed gut. Some products are here to help support the gastrointestinal system by supporting the intestines, improving the sugar metabolism, and targeting the amino acids that are intended to support the intestines.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.


References:

De Santis, Stefania, et al. �Nutritional Keys for Intestinal Barrier Modulation.� Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers Media S.A., 7 Dec. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4670985/.

Ianiro, Gianluca, et al. �Digestive Enzyme Supplementation in Gastrointestinal Diseases.� Current Drug Metabolism, Bentham Science Publishers, 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4923703/.

Mu, Qinghui, et al. �Leaky Gut As a Danger Signal for Autoimmune Diseases.� Frontiers, Frontiers, 5 May 2017, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2017.00598/full.

Rezac, Shannon, et al. �Fermented Foods as a Dietary Source of Live Organisms.� Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers Media S.A., 24 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6117398/.

Sander, Guy R., et al. �Rapid Disruption of Intestinal Barrier Function by Gliadin Involves Altered Expression of Apical Junctional Proteins.� FEBS Press, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 8 Aug. 2005, febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1016/j.febslet.2005.07.066.

Sartor, R Balfour. �Therapeutic Manipulation of the Enteric Microflora in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Antibiotics, Probiotics, and Prebiotics.� Gastroenterology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2004, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15168372.