Protecting the brain

Alzheimer’s disease is a side effects of the aging process. In fact, the most common view globally (scientific or not) is that aging – the process of getting older – naturally causes changes in the brain and central nervous system that lead to conditions such as memory loss and dementia.

These perceptions of aging leave our elders (and us) with little to look forward to later in life. It’s not that surprising that depression statistics among the elderly are high when most people expect aging to cause irreversible brain damage. They believe this brain damage will initially lead to forgetfulness and erratic, odd behavior. Then, it will inexorably strip your very identity away from you just before you die an idiot’s death without any dignity.

What we know about brain function has only gathered serious momentum in the last three decades, especially around the physical factors affecting old age. A new understanding is emerging. What we once thought was ‘destined,’ ‘unavoidable’ or ‘inevitable’ may, in fact, be unnatural or even unnecessary. These discoveries are beginning to form a new health paradigm, one that centers on lifestyle and dietary changes for sustained all-around health and longevity – A model that seeks to auspiciously redesign how we relate to and treat the elderly amongst us.

In line with this new paradigm, we’ve developed a pharmaceutical-free diet and lifestyle plan that is complete with recipes and advice based on the latest scientific research findings. It is created to prevent, halt, or combat degenerating conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia that commonly arise for people as they age.

Our brains can adapt and respond to our environments by appropriately changing its structure and function. This fantastic ability is called neuro or brain plasticity. Our ability to learn how to play a musical instrument, for example, relies on the brain’s ability to grow neurons into linked interconnected chains called ‘neuro-nets.’ Neuro-nets are established through the repetitions of daily practice. This means, the brain actually changes shape as you learn.

Dementia Risk Factor Matrix

Very Likely Advanced age, family history (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s), apolipoprotein E-4, Down’s syndrome, head trauma (10x risk w/ApoE4) depression, reduced blood flow, stroke, estrogen imbalance, poor word fluency

Likely Emotional stress, toxic damage, alcohol abuse, nutrient deficiencies, transmitter deficits, metabolic deficits, under activity, lower educational level, occupational electromagnetic exposure

Possible Aluminum exposure, latent viruses, sugar consumption, olfactory deficit, coronary artery disease

Drugs are bad for the brain

For the first time, researchers at Northwestern University have analyzed the relationship between casual use of marijuana and brain changes – and found that young adults who used cannabis just once or twice a week showed significant abnormalities in two important brain structures.

Elderly hospital patients who are given a common type of sedative to help them sleep have an increased risk of symptoms of delirium. 70% increased risk of symptoms of delirium, 300% increase in inattentive,

300% increase in altered consciousness, 500% of disorganized speech. These drugs block the actions of an important brain chemical called acetylcholine that can cause hallucinations, among other symptoms archives of internal medicine 2001; 161:2091-2097

Antihistamines linked to Alzheimer’s

Antihistamines  drugs block the nervous system neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease typically have a marked shortage of acetylcholine. Examples include nighttime pain relievers, antihistamines, and other sleep aids, such as: Excedrin PM, Tylenol PM, Nytol, Sominex, unisom, Benadryl, Dramamine.

There are also many different physical and psychological factors that can affect the way our memory functions: • Anxiety • Stress • Depression • Infection • Thyroid imbalance • Dehydration • Nutritional deficiencies such as insufficient Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin   B6 & B12, and folate • Alcoholism • Medication • Substance abuse • Lack of exercise / sedentary lifestyle

A general strategy for better brain health would include the five laws of health-diet, exercise, rest and relaxation, positive mental and spiritual attitude and a healthy nervous system.

Nutritional approach in rebuilding brain function.

Extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil, Acai Berry, Aronia Berry, Blackcurrant, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, cranberry, elderberry, grape or grape seed, pomegranate, strawberry, Leafy Greens and Cruciferous Vegetables, rosemary, lemon balm, Panax Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Ginkgo biloba, Curcumin, Green Tea, Cinnamon, Dark Chocolat, Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA),Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC),Vitamin D ,Vitamins C and E, fish oils, Vinpocetine, Phosphatidylserine, Vinpocetine, Magnesium, B Vitamins, Niacin, Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10),N-acetyl cysteine, Luteolin, Wild Green Oat Extract, Nicotinamide Riboside,and Bacopamonnieri.

Work at reducing inflammation in the body, ask for the anti-inflammatory food list.

Coconut oil is a brain fuel

The damage done to your brain from the wrong foods and from unbalanced insulin and leptin levels begins decades before you show any of the telltale signs of Alzheimers.  Coconut oil or MCT’s should be taken in the morning. It takes a minimum of 3 hours for the oil to convert to ketones and reach your brain. You should  repeat the dose of 4 tablespoons of coconut oil twice a day. Gradually add more coconut oil every few days until you are able to tolerate 4 tablespoons.

When digested, MCTs travel directly to the liver where they are synthesized into keytone bodies.  These chemical compounds have a positive effect on several brain disorders, most notably – epilepsy & Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia.)  High concentrations of keytone bodies in the blood have been shown to reduce seizures in children with drug-resistant epilepsy.  Keytone bodies also provide an alternate source of energy for cells in the brain which have lost the ability to process glucose, one of the main causes of Alzheimer’s.

Week of: Monday Feb. 11, 2019

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Steps to keep your brain healthy “Research summarized in the advisory convincingly demonstrates that the same risk factors that cause atherosclerosis, are also major contributors to late-life cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. By following seven simple steps — Life’s Simple 7 — not only can we prevent heart attack and stroke, we may also be able to prevent cognitive impairment,” said vascular neurologist Philip Gorelick, M.D., M.P.H., the chair of the advisory’s writing group and executive medical director of Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Life’s Simple 7 outlines a set of health factors developed by the American Heart Association to define and promote cardiovascular wellness. Studies show that these seven factors may also help foster ideal brain health in adults.The Life’s Simple 7 program urges individuals to:Manage blood pressure, Control cholesterol, Keep blood sugar normal, Get physically active, Eat a healthy diet, Lose extra weight, Don’t start smoking or quit. Note: besides these detoxification, coconut oil, fish oil and B complex will help support a healthy nervous system.

WELLNESS: Croup is mainly characterized by an infection of the child’s larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe), which are the upper and lower parts of the breathing tube connecting the mouth to the top of the lungs. Croup is common among infants and toddlers who are 6 months to 3 years old. Most croup cases occur in 1-year-old children. However, babies as young as 3 months old can develop croup, too. The same goes for older children up to 15 years old and adults (albeit rare). A viral infection is considered to be the most common cause of croup, usually the parainfluenza I virus. Children or babies can develop croup when they inhale respiratory droplets that are either coughed or sneezed out by infected people from their surroundings. Fluids: besides a cool mist humidifier as prevention, A well-hydrated patient can recover more quickly. Try increasing liquid intake to the maximum. Breast milk and water are highly recommended for infants, while older children can drink water, soups or bone broth. Other good options include organic vegetable broth, herbal teas, fresh lemonade or fruit pulp. Raw honey: This is an effective croup cough treatment, since it may reduce bedtime coughing and induce sleep. However, raw honey mustn’t be given to children less than a year old because of the risk for botulism (a rare but serious disease triggered by toxins from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria²⁰). Lemon tea: It can help alleviate throat pain and stimulate the immune system. Mix some ginger with the juice of half a lemon and add to hot water. Elderberry flowers: These can assist in boosting the immune system, alleviating respiratory problems and helping relieve congestion. Horsemint: Also known as bee balm, horsemint can help relieve severe cough. Boil two to three horsemint leaves in a cup of hot water and have the patient sip the tea two to three times daily to improve breathing. Wild cherry bark: This herb can help soothe throat irritation and deliver anti-inflammatory properties. Wild cherry bark can be inhaled or consumed as tea. Betel leaves: A child can get relief from croup by consuming tea made from betel leaves two to three times a day. Say ‘No’ to Steroids as a Croup Treatment.

CHIROPRACTIC:Keep the spark of life at 100% Health is when everything is functioning properly. Function is controlled by your nervous system thus stress on your nervous system will affect function. The degree of function equals your level of health. Your body has multiple functions working at the same time that require coordination in order to have a healthy body. It’s your nervous system, your brain and spinal cord and the thousands upon thousands of spinal nerves that are responsible for this coordination. Chiropractic adjustments maintain the communication between the central nervous system and every part, organ and cell in your body. Life causes stress and stress can impact the muscles which control vertebral position. A chiropractic adjustment not only helps reduce stress but assure the normal communication,in the body, is not hindered. As communication is restored so is health. Spinal realignments are the only treatment that improves function at its source. Stay regular with your chiropractic adjustments, getting care only when you hurt is waiting too long. Medicine is about disease and what makes people die. Chiropractic is about life and what makes people live. 

FUNNY BONES: You can’t be late until you show up.@@ I’m objective; I object to everything.@@ When there’s a will, I want to be in it!@@ Vegetarian: Indian word for BAD HUNTER!@@ Campers: Nature’s way of feeding mosquitoes.@@ If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.@@ Some people hear voices.. Some see invisible people.. Others have no imagination whatsoever.@@ I never forget a face, but in your case I’ll be glad to make an exception. ~ Groucho Marx@@ We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.@@ Age mellows some people; others it makes rotten.@@ The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age. – Lucille Ball@@ When I was young I was called a rugged individualist. When I was in my fifties I was considered eccentric. Here I am doing and saying the same things I did then and I’m labeled senile. – George Burns@@ Children really brighten up a household. They never turn the lights off.@@ In general my children refuse to eat anything that hasn’t danced in television.  Erma Bombeck

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: The opioid crisis is worsening. Over 42,000 Americans died of an opioid overdose in 2016, and government and public health officials are scrambling to find effective ways to reverse this frightening trend. Note: government research shows that chiropractic care along with acupuncture and other natural techniques can control most pain. It’s only due to politics in healthcare that these are not fully utilized and so people keep dying. There is a very simple solution to the opioid crisis. Try a natural approach first then and only then should medication be considered.

CHIROPRACTIC: Keep Your Spine in Shape Your spine is the backbone of your entire body – literally and figuratively. That means poor spine health can negatively impact you from head to toe. How can you keep your spine in shape? Let’s learn more about this critical anatomical structure and take a look at some of the simple strategies you can employ to ensure a healthy spine and a healthy body. Exercises First, a strong core supports the spine, whereas a weak core can lead to pain and injury. To build the core, think planks, bent-leg knee raises, stability ball exercises, ab curls, medicine ball slams and other exercises that strengthen the core muscles (remembering to keep your spine protected at all times by avoiding rounding the back / neck). Sleep Matters: Your sleep position and the overall quality of your sleep play a big role in spinal health. The ideal position for the spine during sleep places you on your back with a pillow under your legs. As you might imagine, lying on your stomach is the worse position. Nutrition Essentials: Believe it or not, certain foods promote a healthy spine (and vice versa). For example, adequate water intake is necessary to nourish not only the body’s cells, but also the spinal intervertebral discs, which consist primarily of water at birth. As you might imagine, water helps keep the discs (and thus the spine) from getting stiff and subject to injury.  In addition, an anti-inflammatory diet is key to preventing back pain and other spine problems Chiropractic Care: No conversation about spine health would be complete without mentioning chiropractic, an entire health care profession founded on the principle that a healthy, properly aligned spine has far-reaching effects on the entire body. Research asserts chiropractic’s effectiveness in treating back pain, neck pain and various other musculoskeletal conditions, and the goal of periodic chiropractic care is to maintain spinal health, optimize the body’s self-healing capacities, and thus prevent pain from returning.

WELLNESS: 3 Ingredient Daily Drink Tonics for Your Best Health Here are two three-ingredient concoctions that may just provide that miracle of health and healing you’ve been searching for. Apple cider vinegar, honey and cinnamon super syrup. While very simple to make and with no rare or hard-to-find ingredients, this health tonic is wide-ranging in the benefits it bestows upon those who drink it. It can relieve constipation, reduce inflammation, support kidney function, promote heart health, prevent or fight urinary tract infections, protect against bacterial, fungal or viral attack and keep the common cold at bay. As you can see, it is a heavy-hitter in the realm of health care, helping to boost your immune system and support strong heart and organ function. The key to success with this health tonic is to source only the highest quality ingredients. Now is not the time to worry about your wallet at the supermarket or health-food store. It’s absolutely a worthwhile health investment to buy high-caliber ingredients. With this in mind, here are the qualifications for each ingredient: The apple cider vinegar must be raw and organic. Raw means it still contains the active cultures that support your gut biome and bolster your immune system. Organic means the apples from which it was made are not coated in pesticides, heavy metals and toxins, which would then pass into your system and offset all your hard work. The honey must be raw, preferably organic. Organic just implies the bees have not pollinated flowers or plants which are treated with pesticides, herbicides or other nasty applications. This ensures you get only the highest quality honey from known sources. Raw means that the honey has not been pasteurized, a process to increase its shelf life but can render it biologically inactive by killing off the active enzymes in the honey — the reason it’s such a potent ingredient. And of course, your cinnamon should also be organic. As with our other ingredients, buying non-organic cinnamon means you’re at greater risk of ingesting harmful toxins and heavy metals, which can negatively impact your health. Combine two cups of the apple cider vinegar, one cup of honey and two teaspoons of cinnamon in a jar and stir/shake well. Store your super syrup in a cool dry area, keeping in mind that placing it in the fridge will cause the honey to harden and settle to the bottom. A couple of sips in the morning, and again at night are enough to ensure you enjoy all of the nurturing benefits of this tonic. Warm water, lemon and apple cider vinegar health-ade. That’s right, we’re once again employing the health properties of our friend apple cider vinegar — it’s just that good! This time it’s a simple concoction you can make in seconds if you have the ingredients ready; all you need is some warm or room temperature filtered or mineral water, raw organic apple cider vinegar and half an organic lemon. Simple as that. Drinking this each morning, as soon as you wake up and before you put anything else in your stomach, is an excellent way to start your day. It stimulates digestion, expels toxins from the liver and supports your digestive enzymes for a busy day ahead. Fill a glass with warm water, squeeze in half a lemon, and pour in a rough teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Sip it slowly and let it work its magic! These health tonics work best if you keep at it — make sure you drink them as directed for at least a week to begin experiencing the myriad of health benefits they offer.

FUNNY BONE: Analyst: I can give you the numbers, but you can’t go public with it. Marketing Manager: I’m not going to go public with it. I’ll just present it at a meeting. Analyst: Who’s going to be at the meeting?

Marketing Manager: It’s a stakeholder meeting. So whoever wants to come. You know, it’s open to the public.@@Thanks to autocorrect, 1 in 5 children will be getting a visit from Satan this Christmas.@@When my eight-year-old asked how I knew I was pregnant, I told her I had taken a pregnancy test. “Oh,” she said. “What questions were on the test?”@@Autocorrect has become my worst enema.