Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Researchers Uncover Link Between Immune Function And Osteoarthritic Pain And Progression The immune system plays a pivotal role in the amount of pain and disease progression experienced by patients with osteoarthritis (OA), McMaster University researchers have found. This discovery could lead to new strategies for improving joint pain management and immune function in older adults with arthritis. The study, published in the medical journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, found that monocytes, the white blood cells necessary to regulate immune responses, were more activated and pro-inflammatory in women with osteoarthritis, and that elevated inflammation and body mass index were associated with this increased activation. When compared with a control group, this combination created a perfect storm – one that was found to increase the pain and progression of knee osteoarthritis. The study involved 22 women with OA, and 22 women of the same age without OA.NOTE: Monocytes are usually elevated in response to bacteria and parasites. Recently study show that rheumatoid arthritis can be triggered in some cases by a bacteria in milk. Nutritional formulas that enhance immune function allow for the body to eliminate these microorganisms and begin the healing process. Detoxification, anti-inflammatory diet are just some of the things that can be helpful in health recovery.

WELLNESS: Chuck Norris Focuses Attention on Heavy Metal Risks After Enhanced MRI Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a study allowing your physician to see detailed images of your organs and tissues using a large magnet and radio waves. Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) may be prescribed to enhance the image but the heavy metal gadolinium is known to deposit in your brain, bone and organs. The FDA acknowledges the metal may be found in your tissues for years but claims there is no known effect, despite the rising number of people suffering from kidney damage, cognitive dysfunction and muscle wasting. Strategies you may consider if an enhanced MRI is absolutely necessary include optimizing your gut and nutrition, eating fermented foods and using a sauna to aid detoxification. After undergoing three MRIs with GBCAs to evaluate her rheumatoid arthritis, Gena O'Kelley, the wife of American film icon Chuck Norris, began experiencing severe physical symptoms that began with a burning sensation in her skin. She described it as if there was acid burning her skin, slowly covering her body.  She reports that she visited the emergency room five or six nights in a row, while doctors ran multiple tests for ALS, MS, cancer and Parkinson's disease. However, it was O'Kelley who made the connection between her burning skin, contracted arm and cognitive issues and the multiple MRIs she had undergone. She told Full Measure: "When we got to the hospital in Houston this last time, and I'm so bad and I said, listen, I am sober enough in my thinking right now, because I had such brain issues going on, I said I'm only going to be able to tell you this one time and I need you to listen to me very closely. I have been poisoned with gadolinium or by gadolinium and we don't have much time to figure out how to get this out of my body or I am going to die." After five months of treatment in China and then in a clinic in Nevada, O'Kelley was able to return home to her seven children for continued treatment by a physician in Houston. Norris shared their tax return records documenting $2 million over three years in uninsured medical expenses to help O'Kelley return to health. Now Norris is suing 11 medical companies for the part they played in not warning the couple and others of the dangers of using a GBCA for MRI contrast.

CHIROPRACTIC: IMMUNE FUNCTION studies of chiropractic patients have shown interesting differences with those patients that have ongoing chiropractic care and just the average person off the street. One of those differences we have discussed in a past newsletter about DNA repair. Those who have gotten regular chiropractic adjustments have a higher level of a chemical that’s involved in repair of DNA. Our DNA is traumatized hundreds if not thousands of times during the day and repair of DNA is essential in longevity and health in general. Many years ago an immunologist studying chiropractic patients who receive regular care were found to have an immune system operating 400% better than the average person on the street. The nervous system regulates and controls every system in your body and misalignments depress function including immune function. When you receive an adjustment you improve nervous system control and coordination over your immune system. Keeping a healthy immune system requires a clean diet, plenty of fluids, exercise, proper rest and a healthy nervous system. Increase your immune function through regular chiropractic care.

FUNNY BONE: When my three-year-old was told to pee in a cup at the doctor’s office, he unexpectedly got nervous. With a shaking voice, he asked, “Do I have to drink it?”@@ Probably the worst thing you can hear when you’re wearing a bikini is “Good for you!”@@ A couple years ago my therapist told me I had problems letting go of the past.@@ "Doctor, there's a patient on line 1 that says he's invisible" "Well, tell him I can't see him right now."@@ Dr.'s are saying not to worry about the bird flu because it's tweetable.@@ When an employment application asks who is to be notified in case of emergency, I always write, "A very good doctor".@@ I grew a beard thinking it would say "Distinguished Gentleman." Instead, turns out it says, "Senior Discount, Please!"