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Dr. Alex Jimenez Presents: The Effects Of Metabolic Syndrome

Dr. Alex Jimenez Presents: The Effects Of Metabolic Syndrome


Introduction

Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents the effects of metabolic syndrome that can disrupt the body’s functionality. Metabolic syndrome is a common disorder that can range from insulin resistance to inflammation and muscle pain. Considering how every person is different, we look at how metabolic syndrome is associated with insulin dysfunction and correlated with inflammation. We direct patients to certified providers that provide functional medicine treatments related to metabolic syndrome to restore body functionality. We acknowledge each patient and their symptoms by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their diagnosis for a better understanding of what they are dealing with. We understand that education is a tremendous way to ask our providers various questions that apply to the patient’s knowledge. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., applies this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

The Effects Of Metabolic Syndrome

Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of disorders that can affect the body and cause other issues to vital organs and muscle and joint functionality. Metabolic syndrome can also correlate with other conditions like diabetes and insulin resistance, which can cause referred pain in different body locations. For example, back pain associated with metabolic syndrome could overlap with obesity. So in the last article, we looked at how to recognize the causes of metabolic syndrome. In trying to understand how many people are prone to develop metabolic syndrome, we need to look at what they are eating, what kind of lifestyle they have, and if they have any pre-existing conditions. All these matters when they undergo an examination with their primary doctor.

 

Another thing to look into when diagnosing patients for metabolic syndrome is by looking at their genes. Whether it is a person’s lifestyle or environment, looking at a person’s genes, you will get a certain phenotype in the DNA sequence. To that point, if someone has an inflammatory lifestyle combined with a unique genetic code, functional medicine doctors can identify a bunch of comorbidities affecting the individual. With this information, doctors can inform their patients that if they don’t make small lifestyle changes, they could be at risk of developing overlapping conditions that can affect their bodies and invoke pain in the muscles, organs, and joints. 

 

Functional Medicine & Metabolic Syndrome

Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: That’s what the functional medicine conversation is about because we are trying to catch the issue before microvascular and macrovascular complications even set in the body. Since metabolic syndrome is a cluster of disorders, can it potentially correlate with other problems like insulin dysfunction?

 

 

Well, it can. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to provide energy to the body, it can lead to chronic inflammation. So whether it’s a poor lifestyle, microbiome dysfunction, visceral adiposity, or constant stress, inflammation associated with insulin dysfunction can drive the HPA axis into overdrive. Sometimes it could be not inflammation based. It could be related to mitochondrial dysfunction. So by looking at the analysis of the person dealing with metabolic syndrome, you look at their timeline, lifestyle, and the clinical imbalances driving the inflammatory markers to affect the body. The data can also look for signs of mitochondrial insults and comorbidities that could create insulin dysfunction that can lead to the development of the metabolic syndrome. This information will give functional medicine doctors a sense of what they are genetically predisposed to in their bodies.

 

Everyone is different, and catering to unique treatment plans for them can provide lasting results in the future. So when it comes to the functional and conventional approaches to metabolic syndrome associated with other various disorders, it is important to compare and contrast both methods to determine what the patient should consider doing to regain their health and wellness. This could be from the treatments that can work for the individual, what kind of foods can reduce the inflammatory markers and regulate hormone production, or their physical activity level. To that point, we will treat the cause through various techniques beyond pharmaceuticals and surgery as much as possible and, simultaneously, meet the patients where they are because sometimes people do well with lifestyle intervention. In contrast, others with more risks need more screening time and diagnostic tests.

 

Insulin Dysfunction Associated With Inflammation

Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: Our main goal is to detect insulin dysfunction associated with inflammation that correlates with early metabolic syndrome. The lab results from our associated medical providers can tell us a story of what the patient is going through and determine whether we need to either put in nutrients that the body needs to correct or take out toxins, let’s say, that are interfering with the ability of the body to self-correct insulin dysfunction. Because preventing these comorbidities associated with metabolic syndrome can help many individuals regain their health and wellness. 

 

Since we all have different microbiomes, the beautiful thing about functional medicine is that it brings awareness that needs to be addressed when our bodies are dealing with inflammation and insulin dysfunction that causes us to respond and use that response as an understanding of our microbiome. It allows us to reduce the effects of many issues and symptoms associated with metabolic syndrome that we may not even know about if we left it untreated. By being aware of what is causing problems in our bodies, we can make small changes in our daily life to better ourselves and our health.

 

Conclusion

Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: With that being said, as stated earlier, metabolic syndrome can be a cluster of conditions that includes inflammation, insulin resistance, obesity, and hormonal dysfunction that can develop into somato-visceral or visceral-somatic issues that affect the organs and muscle groups. When all these issues begin to affect the body, they can lead to pre-existing conditions that can lead to joint and muscle pain. Regarding health and wellness, treating the effects of metabolic syndrome can do wonders for the body, mind, and soul. Making small changes to a lifestyle can provide numerous positive results and can restore functionality to the body. 

 

Disclaimer

Dr. Alex Jimenez Presents: The Effects Of Metabolic Syndrome

Dr. Alex Jimenez Presents: Recognizing The Causes Of Metabolic Syndrome


Introduction

Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents how many people can recognize the cause of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions ranging from insulin resistance to muscle and joint pain. Considering how every person is different, we look at how metabolic syndrome is associated with cardiovascular disorders. We refer patients to certified providers that provide cardiovascular treatments associated with metabolic syndrome to relieve issues affecting the body while ensuring optimal wellness for the patient through various treatments. We acknowledge each patient by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their diagnosis to understand better what they are dealing with appropriately. We understand that education is an excellent way to ask our providers various intricated questions to the patient’s knowledge. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

What Is Metabolic Syndrome?

Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: Today, we are going to start widening the lens on metabolic syndrome. From a functional medicine perspective, many didn’t always call it metabolic syndrome. Other terms used to describe the diagnosis were: 

  • Dysmetabolic syndrome
  • Hypertriglyceridemic waist
  • Insulin resistance syndrome
  • Obesity syndrome
  • Syndrome X

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of disorders that can affect an individual’s daily life and cause various issues that can cause the body to be dysfunctional. So in 2005, the ATP three guidelines told us that patients must meet three out of five criteria to get the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. So these are around waist circumference, which is about visceral adiposity, blood pressure, blood glucose, triglycerides, and HDL. And then you see the cutoffs there. So in the International Diabetes Federation diagnosis criteria, notice that it’s required to have central obesity, but per ethnicity-specific cutoffs for waist circumference. So instead of three out of five, you have to have one, and then the other two out of four must be met. So you see the other ones the same as before, but they’re just compartmentalized differently in this diagnosis scheme. Now let’s talk about these ethnicity-specific cutoffs.

 

So if you are a standard corn-fed American, your waist circumference cutoff is 40 inches as a male and 35 inches as a female. Now, if you were from different parts of the world, the numbers for waist circumference are different whether the ethnicity is Asian, Hispanic, African, European, or Middle Eastern. By looking at the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome by looking more into the ethnicity-specific cutoffs, you can see that more people would start to meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome if doctors use the stringent ethnicity-specific standards to diagnose their patients for metabolic syndrome. Other diagnoses would also notice where the visceral adiposity is at during the cutoff and see additional hints of insulin resistance. Other factors besides insulin resistance can cause the body’s systems to be dysfunctional, which will drive the common risk factors to cause the pain associated with metabolic syndrome to affect the muscles and muscle groups. When the body becomes dysfunctional due to metabolic syndrome, it can also affect vital organ systems like the cardiovascular system. Now how does metabolic syndrome correlate with the cardiovascular system?

 

How Does Metabolic Syndrome Associated With Cardiovascular System?

Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: If you look at how a person’s lifestyle habits affect their body, you can see that the data shows how metabolic factors contribute to total cardiometabolic risk. This information lets the doctors and patients know about their LDL cholesterol, BMIs, family history, and blood pressure. Suppose a person has pre-existing cardiovascular issues associated with metabolic syndrome. In that case, it is important to know if their glucose levels have elevated or dropped and to see how to control those risk factors associated with cardiometabolic syndrome. These are important risk factors that have to be brought up in a metabolic dysfunction conversation to have a better understanding.

 

Now there are ways to reduce the effects of metabolic syndrome associated with cardiovascular diseases. By expanding the data from the patient’s test results, we can look beyond the cardiometabolic risk; we can determine the causes that are the progression of these issues affecting the body. This can be numerous issues like how much exercise the person is doing, how they deal with stress and inflammation, and what foods they eat. 

 

 

By recognizing these results, we can identify things beyond metabolic syndrome and figure out what other disorders are contributing to metabolic syndrome. Many doctors will inform their patients about how their insulin levels can become elevated, which can cause them to develop insulin resistance and lose their beta cells. When insulin resistance corresponds with metabolic syndrome, many people need to realize that their genes can also play into effect. Some people have genes that drive them with the same kind of lifestyle dysfunction, inflammation, dysfunction, and insulin resistance. Their genes will also equal blood pressure issues or crazy lipid disturbances. When cardiometabolic risk factors are contributing to underlying problems affecting the body, it is really important to have functional medicine be the main focus to figure out where the issues are causing dysfunction in the body.

 

Insulin Resistance & Metabolic Syndrome

Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: So when it comes to insulin resistance, it is important to take note of the abnormal beta cell function in the body if the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to be turned into glucose. When this happens, people will begin to have elevated glucose levels, and if it continues to rise at a certain point, they will already be prone to having type 2 diabetes. To that point, the body will have this relative insulin deficiency, causing the body’s receptors not to be as sticky and functional. 

 

When enough insulin is circulating the body and doing its job, the blood glucose levels don’t hit the threshold to become diabetes. Now, suppose the body maintains normal beta cell function. In that case, however, the insulin receptors are not working, which allows the pancreas to start pumping out insulin to be able to keep up with this resistance, causing the individual to be at a compensatory high insulin state. By stabilizing insulin levels, many individuals can control how much glucose is in their bodies. However, suppose a person is prone to becoming diabetic. In that case, all that insulin is being pumped out is a massive system biology dysfunction signaling many other nondiabetic downstream diseases.

 

Conclusion

So insulin dysfunction can be associated with cardiovascular disease due to poor lifestyle choices, dietary habits, and physical activity. When dealing with metabolic syndrome associated with these risk factors, it can cause the body to be dysfunctional and cause pain in the organs, muscles, and joints. This can lead to obesity and diabetes if it is not handled properly. Getting a routine started can help lower insulin resistance by eating properly, getting adequate sleep, practicing mindfulness, and exercising can help improve the body and mind. 

 

Disclaimer

Ways To Phase Out Sugar: Functional Back Clinic

Ways To Phase Out Sugar: Functional Back Clinic

Sugar is a highly addictive carbohydrate linked to obesity, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and mood disorders. Individuals ready to phase out sugar will improve overall health, regardless of age and health status, but the transition can be challenging. A sugar-free or low-sugar diet can help individuals with blood sugar or systemic inflammation, including pre-diabetes, diabetes, heart disease, PCOS, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune diseases.Ways To Phase Out Sugar

Phase Out Sugar

Low-Sugar Diet

A low-sugar nutrition plan focuses on maintaining a low overall sugar intake that limits sugar to avoid blood sugar instability and general inflammation.

  • This means choosing food with natural sugars like fruit, certain dairy products, vegetables, and natural sugars.
  • Reducing and replacing packaged or prepared foods with added sugars, like store-bought tomato sauce, cured meats, or frozen meals.
  • Reducing and replacing processed foods like snack items and fast food.
  • Reducing restaurant food that can add sugar for flavor and appetite stimulation.

Recommended Ways

Consult a healthcare provider, dietician, or nutritionist before altering diet, physical activity, or supplement routine.

Eat More Healthy Fat

  • Healthy fat is more satisfying, making the body feel fuller for longer.
  • Eating more healthy fat decreases sugar cravings and reduces sugar withdrawal symptoms.

Healthy fats include:

  • Avocados
  • Nuts
  • Seeds
  • Coconut oil
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salmon, mackerel, and sardines

More Sleep to Balance Hunger Hormones

  • Studies have shown that shorter sleep periods are associated with an elevated body mass index.
  • Not getting enough sleep negatively impacts the appetite-regulating hormones leptin and ghrelin, causing cravings for instant energy that typically comes from sugar snack products.
  • Individuals are recommended to get at least 7-9 hours per night. Enough sleep will balance the appetite hormones and decrease sugar cravings.

Manage Stress to Control Emotional Eating

Emotional eating is common when stressed out. Finding something to take the mind off sugar cravings is necessary when having a stressful day. This includes:

If sugar cravings are more serious, then professional help is recommended.

Drink More Water

When school, work, and life is happening, individuals can think they’re hungry; however, it is not hunger but the body needing hydration.

  • Drink one to two glasses of water when cravings kick in to satisfy the craving.
  • Drinking water throughout the day helps keep cravings down and helps with sugar withdrawal symptoms.
  • Individuals who have difficulty drinking water should add slices of fruit, cucumber, or mint to make it more pleasing.
  • Try sparkling mineral water or naturally flavored carbonated waters.
  • Try healthy juices, like celery, beet, or carrot juice, instead of water.

Sugar-Free Substitutes

Sugar substitutes are available, but not all are considered healthy.

  • Individuals should be cautious about using sugar-free alternatives to phase out sugar.
  • A study found that zero-calorie sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose were actually found to increase, not decrease, weight.
  • Stevia and monk fruit extract has been shown to be safe and has no negative side effects.
  • Consult a dietician or nutritionist to determine the healthiest for you.

What Happens To The Body


References

Azad, Meghan B et al. “Nonnutritive sweeteners and cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies.” CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l’Association medicale canadienne vol. 189,28 (2017): E929-E939. doi:10.1503/cmaj.161390

Bayon, Virginie et al. “Sleep debt and obesity.” Annals of medicine vol. 46,5 (2014): 264-72. doi:10.3109/07853890.2014.931103

DiNicolantonio, James J et al. “Sugar addiction: is it real? A narrative review.” British journal of sports medicine vol. 52,14 (2018): 910-913. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-097971

Franklin, Jane L et al. “Extended exposure to sugar and/or caffeine produces distinct behavioral and neurochemical profiles in the orbitofrontal cortex of rats: Implications for neural function.” Proteomics vol. 16,22 (2016): 2894-2910. doi:10.1002/pmic.201600032

Freeman, Clara R et al. “Impact of sugar on the body, brain, and behavior.” Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition) vol. 23,12 2255-2266. 1 Jun. 2018, doi:10.2741/4704

www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-sweet-danger-of-sugar

Your Weight Could Affect Your Back: Try Decompression

Your Weight Could Affect Your Back: Try Decompression

Introduction

As the world moves, so does the body. When the body does everyday movements like running, jumping, and walking without feeling pain. When people incorporate daily habits to live longer and have healthier bodies, the body will not succumb to injuries and pain. However, when certain circumstances like stressanxiety, and unhealthy habits start to take hold of the person’s body, it can lead to complications like obesitychronic inflammatory responses, and low back pain affecting the body. Treatments like physical therapy and decompression therapy have been used to help many individuals trying to get their lives back together. Today’s article focuses on how obesity is associated with low back pain, how it affects the body, and how decompression therapy can help weight loss patients experiencing low back pain. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers specializing in spinal decompression therapy. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

 

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

Obesity and Low Back Pain

 

Feeling sluggish after walking around all day long? Do you feel shortness of breath? How about aches on your lower back? Experiencing any of these symptoms could result from obesity and low back pain affecting you. Research studies have mentioned that low back pain and obesity are the most common concerns for everybody worldwide. Since low back pain is the most musculoskeletal health concern and obesity is a health problem, many individuals will have an increased risk of lumbar radicular pain. This is due to the mass body index affecting the person’s body, as research studies have mentioned that obesity can have both biomechanical and meta-inflammatory effects on the spine. Since both male and female bodies are different in fat composition, it is more likely that female bodies tend to have more fat masses stored around the torso area, causing lower back pain issues than male bodies. In regards to that, lifestyle habits and changes can also cause obesity to progress further in both male and female bodies causing low back pain issues to develop further.

 

How Does It Affect The Body

When obesity and low back pain start to affect the body, research studies have shown that chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension are associated with obesity and can influence the path for diseases in the tendons and ligaments of the body. As the body goes through the natural aging process, this can lead to low back pain and cause many overweight individuals to be at risk of osteoarthritis. The excess weight starts putting more pressure on the knees, hips, feet, and lower back when this happens. This causes the pelvis to pull forward in the body, causing the lower back muscles to become strained. All is not lost as there are treatments to lose weight and alleviate the symptoms of low back pain.


DRX9000 Decompression Therapy-Video

Do you feel aches and strains on your lower back? How about feeling out of breath from walking? Do you feel the weight bearing down onto your legs and feet? Your weight could be affecting your back, and non-surgical treatments like physical therapy and decompression therapy might be able to help you out. The video above shows how the DRX9000 decompression machine can help alleviate low back pain by gently stretching the spine to elongate the disc height and loosen up the lower back muscles. While decompression therapy helps with low back pain, research studies have found that physical therapy can help promote weight loss. Losing the excess weight can alleviate low back symptoms that are causing the muscles and joints to relax and take the stress off the spine. Suppose you want to learn more about decompression and how it can benefit you in relieving low back pain and other low back pain conditions? This link will explain what it does for the lower back.


How Decompression Can Help Weightloss Individuals

 

As stated in a previous article, physical therapy and decompression go hand in hand in alleviating low back pain. For individuals suffering from obesity, physical therapy can help get them back in shape. With the right motivation to exercise, lose weight, and eat healthier, individuals will begin to see the excess weight be taken off and take the pressure off their lower backs. Research studies have mentioned that individuals who lose weight are allowed to do spinal decompression therapy. After a person starts to lose weight, the residual low back pain is still there and can be a nuisance to the back. Luckily, that is where decompression therapy comes in, and as research shows, decompression therapy can help relieve low back pain and reduce the symptoms of leg pain. This is beneficial for weight loss individuals as both of these therapies can help improve a person’s quality of life and help them on their weight loss journey.

 

Conclusion

Overall, obesity and low back pain can cause a person to become miserable and be in pain. When a person is obese, the excess weight around the torso can pressure the lower back, hips, knees, and feet. If a person is suffering from lower back issues, it can cause them to develop other back problems that can cause them to lean and find relief. Incorporating physical therapy and decompression therapy is a match made in heaven as many individuals lose weight and start to take the pressure off their lower back. Eating healthy foods, exercising, and changing certain lifestyles can help promote a healthy body without pain, and many individuals can benefit from that.

 

References

Chou, Louisa, et al. “The Association between Obesity and Low Back Pain and Disability Is Affected by Mood Disorders: A Population-Based, Cross-Sectional Study of Men.” Medicine, Wolters Kluwer Health, Apr. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4839843/.

Frilander, Heikki, et al. “Role of Overweight and Obesity in Low Back Disorders among Men: A Longitudinal Study with a Life Course Approach.” BMJ Open, BMJ Publishing Group, 21 Aug. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4550727.

Frisco, Donald. “Weight Loss for Back Pain Relief.” Spine, Spine-Health, 2 Nov. 2004, www.spine-health.com/wellness/nutrition-diet-weight-loss/weight-loss-back-pain-relief.

Kakiuchi, Masaaki, et al. “Relief of Low Back Pain after Posterior Decompression for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.” Spine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 Sept. 2021, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34435987/.

Mirtz, Timothy A, and Leon Greene. “Is Obesity a Risk Factor for Low Back Pain? an Example of Using the Evidence to Answer a Clinical Question.” Chiropractic & Osteopathy, BioMed Central, 11 Apr. 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1151650/.

Ross, Donald A, et al. “Trends in Weight and Body Mass Index after Spinal Surgery for Degenerative Disease.” International Journal of Spine Surgery, International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, Aug. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8375684/.

Disclaimer

Metabolic Syndrome and Chiropractic Body Wellness

Metabolic Syndrome and Chiropractic Body Wellness

Metabolic syndrome is the term for a group of risk factors like heart disease, diabetes, along with other health issues. The number of individuals dealing with the condition could be as high as 1 in 4. An individual can have one risk factor but most have several in combination. When there are three of these risk factors it becomes metabolic syndrome. The syndrome is a collection of conditions, that culminate in a correlative diagnosis. Risk factors/Symptoms include some or all of the following:
  • High blood pressure
  • High blood sugar
  • Increased triglycerides
  • Low HDL cholesterol
  • Obesity
11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Metabolic Syndrome and Chiropractic Body Wellness
 
The disease can lead to:
  • Gastrointestinal distress
  • Insulin resistance
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Heart disease
If left untreated and continued poor life choices that include unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity/exercise, and habit formation an individual can die from complications of the syndrome. The condition requires clinical treatment and medical assistance, however, chiropractic has been seen as a viable way to help treat the syndrome.

Causes

The syndrome can have several causes that progress together:
  • Age the risk goes up as an individual gets older
  • Genetics and family history
  • Weight issues
  • Physical inactivity
  • Insulin resistance, a condition where the body can’t use insulin properly
  • The resistance can lead to high blood sugar levels
Individuals with metabolic syndrome tend to have excessive blood clotting and inflammation throughout the body. However, research has not shown whether these conditions cause the syndrome or worsen it.
 

Chiropractic

Chiropractic�s role is to stabilize the spine and the body. Too much weight leads to spinal dislocation and vertebral compression issues. This can lead to nerve impingement and disc problems. Even a small subluxation can turn into an extreme condition/s with widespread symptoms. Individuals that are overweight require a spinal realignment in order to gain proper stability. A chiropractor will administer corrective adjustments to generate the body’s natural healing process in the affected areas. Restoring the nerve pathways will promote better blood flow and nutrient delivery to and through the spine. Chiropractic will set the tone for a metabolic syndrome reversal. The second phase of treatment will look at diet and exercise. This serves a dual purpose of introducing proper nutrition to the body, encouraging weight loss, and conditioning the individual’s mindset for the lifestyle adjustments/changes. A healthy/balanced spine will help those with metabolic syndrome get a proper foothold on turning their poor lifestyle into a healthy one.
11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Metabolic Syndrome and Chiropractic Body Wellness
 

Reversal

The syndrome can be reversed with the right treatment approach. Usually, this begins with weight loss. Once the weight begins to reduce the secondary benefits kick in. This includes a reduction in blood pressure and a decrease in triglycerides. Once an individual’s spine is stable, they will then be educated on how to adapt and apply a long-term plan to maintain healthy habits for diet, physical activity, sleep, and stress relief strategies. As chiropractors focus on whole-body wellness, treatment plans will also look at: Remember, the spine is the root of the body. The key to wellness is total body balance. All-natural chiropractic medicine can help achieve optimal health.
 

Weight Loss Doctor of Chiropractic


 

Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.* 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. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Samson, Susan L, and Alan J Garber. �Metabolic syndrome.��Endocrinology and metabolism clinics of North America�vol. 43,1 (2014): 1-23. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2013.09.009
Is Fructose Bad for Your Health?

Is Fructose Bad for Your Health?

Fructose is one of the main components of added sugar. It is a simple type of sugar that makes up about 50 percent of table sugar or sucrose. Table sugar is also made up of glucose or the main energy source of the human body. However, fructose needs to be turned into glucose by the liver before it can be used as fuel for energy by our cells. Fructose, sucrose, and glucose are all naturally found in fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and whole grains as well as in many processed foods. The effects of this simple sugar on our health have been a controversial topic for many years. Research studies are starting to demonstrate the connection between fructose and obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.

 

What is Fructose?

 

Fructose, also referred to as fruit sugar, is a monosaccharide or simple sugar like glucose. It’s naturally found in fruits, most root vegetables, agave, and honey. Moreover, it’s commonly added to processed foods as high-fructose corn syrup. The fructose used in high-fructose corn syrup mainly comes from corn, sugar beets, and sugar cane. High-fructose corn syrup is made from cornstarch and it has more of this simple sugar than glucose, compared to regular corn syrup. Fructose has the sweetest taste of the three sugars. It is digested and absorbed differently by the human body. Because monosaccharides are simple sugars, they don’t need to be broken down to be used as fuel for energy by our cells.

 

Natural foods that are high in fructose can include:

 

  • apples
  • apple juice
  • pears
  • prunes
  • dry figs
  • sorghum
  • asparagus
  • Jerusalem artichokes
  • chicory roots
  • leeks
  • onions
  • caramel
  • licorice
  • molasses
  • agave syrup
  • honey

 

Similar to glucose, fructose is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the small intestine. Healthcare professionals have found that fructose has the least impact on blood sugar levels. It increases blood sugar levels much more gradually than glucose does and it doesn’t seem to immediately affect insulin levels. However, although this simple sugar has the least impact on blood sugar levels than any of the other simple types of sugars, it may ultimately cause more long-term negative effects on the human body. Fructose needs to be turned into glucose by the liver before it can be used as fuel for energy by our cells. Eating excess fructose can increase triglycerides and lead to metabolic syndrome.

 

Why is Fructose Bad for You?

 

When people eat a diet that is high in calories and processed foods with lots of high-fructose corn syrup, the liver can become overwhelmed and start turning fructose into fat. Research studies are starting to demonstrate the connection between this simple sugar and an increased risk of developing a variety of health issues, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer. Many healthcare professionals also believe that eating excess fructose is one of the main causes of metabolic disorders. However, there currently isn’t enough evidence to demonstrate the full extent to which fructose can contribute to these health issues. Nevertheless, numerous research studies have justified these controversial concerns.

 

Research studies have demonstrated that eating excess fructose can increase LDL or bad cholesterol which may lead to fat accumulation around the organs and heart disease. As a result, evidence showed that the deposition of fat in the liver due to the negative effects of this simple sugar can also result in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Eating excess fructose may also affect body fat regulation. Other research studies have demonstrated that because fructose doesn’t suppress appetite as much as other types of sugars do, it can promote overeating which may lead to obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, evidence has demonstrated that fructose can increase uric acid levels and cause gout.

 

For information regarding if fructose is bad for your health, please review the following article:

Health implications of fructose consumption: A review of recent data

 


 

AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED IN THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, FRUCTOSE IS ONE OF THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF ADDED SUGAR. IT IS A SIMPLE SUGAR THAT MAKES UP APPROXIMATELY 50 PERCENT OF TABLE SUGAR OR SUCROSE. TABLE SUGAR ALSO CONSISTS OF GLUCOSE OR THE MAIN ENERGY SOURCE OF THE HUMAN BODY. HOWEVER, FRUCTOSE NEEDS TO BE CONVERTED INTO GLUCOSE BY THE LIVER BEFORE IT CAN BE UTILIZED AS FUEL FOR ENERGY BY OUR CELLS. FRUCTOSE, SUCROSE, AND GLUCOSE ARE ALL NATURALLY FOUND IN SEVERAL FRUITS, VEGETABLES, DAIRY PRODUCTS, AND WHOLE GRAINS AS WELL AS IN MANY PROCESSED FOODS. THE EFFECTS OF THIS SIMPLE SUGAR ON OUR HEALTH HAVE BEEN A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC FOR MANY YEARS. RESEARCH STUDIES ARE STARTING TO DEMONSTRATE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN FRUCTOSE AND OBESITY, DIABETES, AND EVEN CANCER. IN THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WE DISCUSS IF FRUCTOSE IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH. DRINKING SMOOTHIES ADD A HEALTHY NUTRITIONAL BOOST.� -�DR. ALEX JIMENEZ D.C., C.C.S.T. INSIGHTS

 


 

Image of sweet and spicy juice recipe.

 

 

Sweet and Spicy Juice

Servings: 1
Cook time: 5-10 minutes

� 1 cup honeydew melons
� 3 cups spinach, rinsed
� 3 cups Swiss chard, rinsed
� 1 bunch cilantro (leaves and stems), rinsed
� 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled, and chopped
� 2-3 knobs whole turmeric root (optional), rinsed, peeled, and chopped

Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately.

 


 

Image of red peppers.

 

 

Red peppers have almost 2.5 times more vitamin C than oranges

 

Citrus fruits like oranges are a great source of vitamin C, however, there are other fruits and vegetables that offer an even better boost of this essential nutrient. Just half a red pepper, eaten raw, offers more than your requirement of vitamin C for the day, according to healthcare professionals. Cut it into crudit�s for a healthy mid-morning or afternoon snack. Red peppers are also rich in a variety of other essential nutrients, including vitamin A, B6, folate, and antioxidants!

 


 

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.* 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. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas*& New Mexico*�

 

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T.

 

References:

 

  • Gunnars, Kris. �Is Fructose Bad for You? The Surprising Truth.� Healthline, Healthline Media, 23 Apr. 2018, www.healthline.com/nutrition/why-is-fructose-bad-for-you#section1.
  • Nall, Rachel. �Is Fructose Bad for You? Benefits, Risks, and Other Sugars.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 28 Nov. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323818.
  • Groves, Melissa. �Sucrose vs Glucose vs Fructose: What’s the Difference?� Healthline, Healthline Media, 8 June 2018, www.healthline.com/nutrition/sucrose-glucose-fructose.
  • Rizkalla, Salwa W. �Health Implications of Fructose Consumption: A Review of Recent Data.� National Center for Biotechnology Information, BioMed Central, 4 Nov. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2991323/.
  • Daniluk, Julie. �5 Health Benefits of Red Peppers. Plus, Our World’s Healthiest Pizza Recipe.� Chatelaine, 26 Feb. 2016, www.chatelaine.com/health/healthy-recipes-health/five-health-benefits-of-red-peppers/.

 

Functional Neurology: Obesity and Thyroid Dysfunction

Functional Neurology: Obesity and Thyroid Dysfunction

The endocrine system is made up of a collection of glands that release hormones that regulate a variety of bodily functions, including metabolism. The thyroid gland is a large, butterfly-shaped organ found in the center of the neck. The thyroid gland secretes three hormones, known as triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and calcitonin, in response to stimulation from the pituitary gland which secretes a compound, known as the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). However, if the thyroid gland produces too little or too many hormones, it can ultimately cause a variety of health issues, including obesity. �

 

According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, approximately 27 million people in the United States have thyroid dysfunction. Healthcare professionals found a connection between diabetes and thyroid dysfunction. People with obesity and diabetes have an increased risk of developing thyroid dysfunction compared with the healthy population. Because the thyroid gland regulates metabolism, thyroid dysfunction can cause various metabolic health issues. Thyroid dysfunction can frequently occur due to iodine deficiency, autoimmune diseases, and surgery. �

 

How Thyroid Dysfunction Can Cause Obesity

 

Research studies demonstrated that thyroid dysfunction can ultimately lead to obesity. Understanding the connection between obesity and thyroid dysfunction can help reduce the risk of developing a variety of other health issues, including cancer. Thyroid dysfunction is associated with changes in body weight and composition, temperature, and energy. In a recent research study, 27,097 participants above 40 years of age with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30.0 kg/m2, scientists found that thyroid dysfunction was associated with a higher BMI and an increased risk of developing obesity. �

 

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are higher in people with obesity, according to research studies. Scientists also demonstrated that TSH levels appear to be closely associated with the degree of obesity and BMI. Surprisingly, research studies also found increased T3 levels in participants with obesity. Progressive fat accumulation was associated with an increase in TSH and T3 levels, regardless of insulin resistance and metabolic parameters. The ratio between T3 and T4 was also associated with both BMI and waist circumference in people with obesity, according to the research studies. �

 

Although people with obesity have increased TSH levels, their TSH receptors are frequently less expressed compared with healthy people. The reduced TSH receptor expression can ultimately cause thyroid dysfunction, further increasing TSH and T3 levels. Fortunately, healthcare professionals demonstrated that weight loss can help regulate thyroid function. Thyroid dysfunction can be reversed following weight loss due to diet and lifestyle modifications or surgery. Weight loss can also cause a considerable reduction in both TSH and T3. The decrease in T3 levels during weight loss can also increase energy. �

 

According to research studies, reduced T3 levels can make it difficult to maintain or promote weight loss. Evidence suggesting that TSH and T3 levels increase in people with obesity while TSH and T3 levels are reduced during weight loss supports the hypothesis that changes in thyroid function in people with obesity may be reversible through weight loss. However, it’s frequently challenging to identify participants with obesity who are only affected by mild thyroid dysfunction. Healthcare professionals should suspect thyroid dysfunction in people with obesity that also have increased TSH levels. �

 

Healthcare professionals determined that evaluating the thyroid gland using ultrasound may not necessarily help diagnose possible thyroid dysfunction in people with obesity. As a matter of fact, the moderate increase in TSH levels is frequently associated with an increase in thyroid volume and hypoechogenicity, or the reduced response of an organ using ultrasound, with an ultrasound pattern that suggests Hashimoto thyroiditis. Furthermore, the increased hypoechogenicity in people with obesity is associated with increased cytokines and other inflammatory markers produced by adipose tissue. �

 

The increased cytokines and inflammatory markers can ultimately increase TSH levels, increasing the size of the thyroid and leading to vasodilatation and increased thyroid vessel permeability with increased parenchymal inhibition of the thyroid gland which may be responsible for the hypoechogenicity with ultrasound. Average TSH was demonstrated to be higher in people with obesity compared with healthy people. It is essential to understand that�an ultrasound pattern suggesting Hashimoto thyroiditis may also suggest autoimmune diseases associated with thyroid dysfunction and obesity. �

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez Insights Image

The endocrine system is made up of a collection of glands, such as the thyroid gland, which release several different types of hormones that regulate a variety of bodily functions, including metabolism. The thyroid gland is a large, butterfly-shaped organ found in the center of the neck and it plays a fundamental role in the secretion of three hormones, including triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and calcitonin, following stimulation from the pituitary gland, which secretes a compound known as the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). However, thyroid dysfunction can ultimately cause a variety of health issues, including obesity. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, approximately 27 million people in the United States have thyroid dysfunction. Because the thyroid gland regulates metabolism, thyroid dysfunction can also cause various metabolic health issues. Thyroid dysfunction can frequently occur due to iodine deficiency, autoimmune diseases, and surgery, according to research studies. Scientists demonstrated a connection between thyroid dysfunction and obesity. – Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight

 

The endocrine system is made up of a collection of glands that release hormones that regulate a variety of bodily functions, including metabolism. The thyroid gland is a large, butterfly-shaped organ found in the center of the neck. The thyroid gland secretes three hormones, known as triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and calcitonin, in response to stimulation from the pituitary gland which secretes a compound, known as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). However, if the thyroid gland produces too little or too many hormones, it can ultimately cause a variety of health issues, including obesity. �

 

According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, approximately 27 million people in the United States have thyroid dysfunction. Healthcare professionals found a connection between diabetes and thyroid dysfunction. People with obesity and diabetes have an increased risk of developing thyroid dysfunction compared with the healthy population. Because the thyroid gland regulates metabolism, thyroid dysfunction can cause various metabolic health issues. Thyroid dysfunction can frequently occur due to iodine deficiency, autoimmune diseases, and surgery. �

 

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

 

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez �

 

References:

  1. Doheny, Kathleen. �Does Underactive Thyroid Lead To Weight Gain-Or Vice-Versa?� EndocrineWeb, 16 Dec. 2019, www.endocrineweb.com/news/obesity/55275-does-underactive-thyroid-lead-weight-gain-vice-versa.
  2. Biondi, Bernadette. �Thyroid and Obesity: An Intriguing Relationship.� OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 1 Aug. 2010, academic.oup.com/jcem/article/95/8/3614/2596481.
  3. Jacques, Jacqueline. �The Role of Your Thyroid in Metabolism and Weight Control.� Obesity Action Coalition, 2009, www.obesityaction.org/community/article-library/the-role-of-your-thyroid-in-metabolism-and-weight-control/.

Additional Topic Discussion: Chronic Pain

Sudden pain is a natural response of the nervous system which helps to demonstrate possible injury. By way of instance, pain signals travel from an injured region through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain is generally less severe as the injury heals, however, chronic pain is different than the average type of pain. With chronic pain, the human body will continue sending pain signals to the brain, regardless if the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last for several weeks to even several years. Chronic pain can tremendously affect a patient’s mobility and it can reduce flexibility, strength, and endurance. �

 

 


 

Neural Zoomer Plus for Neurological Disease

Neural Zoomer Plus | El Paso, TX Chiropractor Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural ZoomerTM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus is designed to assess an individual�s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention. �

 

Food Sensitivity for the IgG & IgA Immune Response

Food Sensitivity Zoomer | El Paso, TX Chiropractor

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate health issues associated with a variety of food sensitivities and intolerances. The Food Sensitivity ZoomerTM is an array of 180 commonly consumed food antigens that offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This panel measures an individual�s IgG and IgA sensitivity to food antigens. Being able to test IgA antibodies provides additional information to foods that may be causing mucosal damage. Additionally, this test is ideal for patients who might be suffering from delayed reactions to certain foods. Utilizing an antibody-based food sensitivity test can help prioritize the necessary foods to eliminate and create a customized diet plan around the patient�s specific needs. �

 

Gut Zoomer for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

Gut Zoomer | El Paso, TX Chiropractor

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate gut health associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The Vibrant Gut ZoomerTM offers a report that includes dietary recommendations and other natural supplementation like prebiotics, probiotics, and polyphenols. The gut microbiome is mainly found in the large intestine and it has more than 1000 species of bacteria that play a fundamental role in the human body, from shaping the immune system and affecting the metabolism of nutrients to strengthening the intestinal mucosal barrier (gut-barrier). It is essential to understand how the number of bacteria that symbiotically live in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract influences gut health because imbalances in the gut microbiome may ultimately lead to gastrointestinal (GI) tract symptoms, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, immune system imbalances, and multiple inflammatory disorders. �

 


Dunwoody Labs: Comprehensive Stool with Parasitology | El Paso, TX Chiropractor


GI-MAP: GI Microbial Assay Plus | El Paso, TX Chiropractor


 

Formulas for Methylation Support

Xymogen Formulas - El Paso, TX

 

XYMOGEN�s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.

 

Proudly,�Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.

 

Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.

 

If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic�Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.

xymogen el paso, tx

For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link. *XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download

 

* All of the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.

 


 

 


 

Modern Integrated Medicine

The National University of Health Sciences is an institution that offers a variety of rewarding professions to attendees. Students can practice their passion for helping other people achieve overall health and wellness through the institution’s mission. The National University of Health Sciences prepares students to become leaders in the forefront of modern integrated medicine, including chiropractic care. Students have an opportunity to gain unparalleled experience at the National University of Health Sciences to help restore the natural integrity of the patient and define the future of modern integrated medicine. �