Posititve Results and Disturbing Trends Revealed by Global Children's Nutritional Study

To find out how you and your children can enjoy the same benifits and join this study, please contact us at the practice.

We’re not paying enough attention to nutrition.

As parents, we work hard to give our children every possible advantage in life. Yet too often we don't have the time (or don't make the time) to look after their nutritional health. We're too busy. We don't completely understand what eating right means ourselves. And we're battling some pretty formidable enemies such as junk food and fast food.

 As a result, our children eat and drink too much sugar, consume too many empty calories, and don't eat enough of the good things they need - especially fresh fruits and vegetables. Because of this, our children will be at risk of developing degenerative diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke at a much younger age.

Here are a few startling statistics:

Less than 7% of all children and adolescents consume the recommended 3 servings of vegetables per day.
(Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine)

1 child in 4 is obese.
(International Journal of Obesity)

Nearly 50% of obese adolescents remain obese as adults.
(International Journal of Obesity)

About 6% of elementary school children and 7% of adolescent children miss 11 or more days of school yearly due to illness or injury.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

In the last 20 years, Type 2 diabetes has increased ten-fold.
(International Journal of Obesity)

By the age of 12, an estimated 70% of our children have developed the beginning stages of hardening of the arteries.
(Bogalusa Heart Study)

3-7% of school age children suffer from ADHD.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Interim Results: Overview

The following interim results from the Children’s Health Study are based on the first 100,000 participants responding to our follow-up questionnaires.

Initial Results

After 4-8 months participating in the trial, adult participants report that 82% of the children in the survey have become more aware of their health in general and that 90% have some positive result to show for it.

56% of the children have been to the doctor less often, while 49% report missing less school.

49% are taking less over-the-counter medication and/or taking fewer prescription drugs.

Academic achievement and athletic participation are dramatically improved, and 45% report an improvement in image and self esteem.

Nutritional habits of children are changing as well:

61% are drinking more water and 66% are consuming less fast food and drinking fewer soft drinks.

53% are actually eating more fruits or vegetables in addition to participating in the trial.

Adults in the survey report similar improvements in their health and nutrition. They report that 83% have themselves become more aware of their health in general and 93% have some specific positive results to show for it.

44% percent of the adult participants have been to the doctor less often, while 46% report missing less work due to either their own or their child's illnesses.

38% are taking less over the counter medication and/or taking less prescription drugs.

Adult nutritional habits were also changing:

61% percent are drinking more water and 67% are consuming less fast food and drinking fewer soft drinks.
64% are actually eating more fruits or vegetables in addition to participating in the trial.

Full Year Results

A greater number of children and adults report improvements in specific measures of diet and lifestyle after a full year on the program than the number reporting those same improvements after only a few months on the product.

For example:
More than half (56%) of the parents in the survey report that their children have been to the doctor less often after only 4-8 months on the program. This number increases to 63% of respondents who have been on the program for at least a full year.

Similarly, while 49% of the children in the survey are missing less school after a few months on the program, that number grows to 55% of the children after a full year.

Also, 38% of parents note a decrease in prescription or over-the-counter medications the child is taking after a few months on the program, which increases to 42% after a full year.

Three Year Results

After three years on the program, adult participants report that 92% of the children in the survey have become more aware of their health in general and that 97% have some positive result to show for it.

Conclusion: The longer the children are on the program, the greater the benefits.

The table below summarizes key results for both child and adult respondents that have been on the program for 4-8 months, 1 year and 3 years.

Worldwide Results

 
                       After 4 - 8 Months      After 1 Year        After 3 Years  
                       Children      Adult    Children     Adult     Children     Adult
Eating more fruits & vegetables                      
                            53%         64%         59%         69%         70%         79%

Less fast food/ Fewer soft drinks                    
                            66%         67%         71%         72%         79%         79%

Taking less prescription or OTC medication     
                            49%         38%         55%         42%         67%         53%

Fewer doctor's visits                                       
                            56%         44%        63%          49%          74%        61%

Increased awareness of health                         
                            82%         83%         86%         88%         92%         93%

Less school or work missed                             
                            49%         46%         55%         51%         67%         62%

Positive benefit of some kind                          
                            90%         93%         93%         95%         97%         98%

 

To find out how you and your children can enjoy the same benifits and join this study, please contact us at the practice.

Children and Chiropractic

"Dentists have improved the general population's condition of their teeth and dental hygiene by getting children and adults in for general checkups on a regular basis. In the fight against arthritis, back pain and muscular-skeletal injury, regular checkups from your chiorpractor from a young age is the best defense."  Luke Fairbrother D.C.

This article will highlight the problems that school children experience and will give advice on how to address them. The most common problems children suffer from are low back pain, headaches, period pain, growing pains, scoliosis, sports injuries and asthma. If your child suffers from any of these or indeed any other problems get them seen by a chiropractor and help them develop correctly.

Low back pain

Life time prevalence of low back pain in children aged 4 – 20 years of age with initial low back pain episodes occurring most often in the ages 12 – 14 years old. It has also been suggested through research that two out of three adolescent males experience an episode of low back pain in their lifetime and it may be that work-related low back pain may actually be an aggravation of a pre-existing problem from adolescence rather than from unstable or unsuitable work conditions.

Period pain

The medical term for this is dysmenorrhoea and one study found that 48% of 12 year old girls and 79% of 18 year old girls suffered with it. It is thought to be the leading cause of recurrent school absenteeism. As one cause is thought to be related to posture, chiropractic can be very beneficial.

Headaches

Research shows that more females than males suffer form headaches with 4.6% of an Australian population studied experiencing headaches almost all of the time. Three quarters of those found that it interfered with their concentration in class and homework.

Growing pains

"Growing Pains" is a term applied to a condition in which children suffer from muscular pain during their years of fastest growth. About 20-30% of children are actually affected. This term is sometimes mis-used when in fact the child is suffering from a serious condition.

The following characteristics are used to diagnose growing pains: onset between 4-12 years of age, deep aching, cramping pain usually in the thigh or calf at night which is not present in the mornings, it may be on one or both sides and responds to massage and pain killers.

Pain usually outside of the above is quite possibly something more serious. Either way a checkup from your chiropractor or general practitioner would be advised.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a side ways curvature of the spine and when it occurs in the child it can progress rapidly and therefore quick intervention is crucial. There is an increased incidence in females but if it begins before the menstrual cycle starts, there is a chance it can progress quickly.

Sports injuries

 

The most common adolescent sporting injury is a sprained ankle through playing football.
However, in children and adolescents, the ligaments are often stronger than the bone they attach to. This can lead to a bone injury but in an adult it would cause a ligamentous injury.

Asthma

There is considerable chiropractic research to indicate that chiropractic treatment can help with asthma. This is still an area of constant research but it is worth while talking to your chirorpactor to find out more. The medical treatment of asthma often involves the use of inhalers which are corticosteroid based. This drug if overused can lead to a thinning of bone. There are naturopathic remedies to assist with asthma and it has been shown to respond well to acupuncture.

The most common causes of joint and back pain in school children are: Lack of exercise/ excessive exercise, the weight of their school bags, bad posture, and ill fitted desks, use of a computer / computer games, sport and improper shoes.

Lack of exercise/ excessive exercise

 

The general finding from various studies is that children involved in competitive sports and those who are sedentary are more prone to getting low back pain while those that participated in moderate activity were protected. The children involved in competitive sports run the risk of getting repetitive strain injuries and also developing increased muscle bulk on one side of the body due to excessive use of certain muscles. Those children who are sedentary are often those who sit and watch a lot of television or play on a computer. The implication of this will be discussed under use of computer.

Weight of schoolbags

School bags are exceptionally heavy for those attending secondary school due to the number of different subjects covered therefore the number of textbooks required and the fact the children often have to move between classes. Not all children have access to lockers which means that books have to be carried with them. Bags carried on one shoulder causes an asymmetry of the body and therefore certain muscles will have to tighten and others lengthen in order to carry the bag.

Bad posture

All aspects of life can include bad posture; lack of exercise, weight of school bags, spending too much time playing computer games or on the computer, incorrect shoes and growth. Those children who grow faster and become taller than their peers may slouch in order to not tower above their friends and this can ultimately lead to bad posture.

Ill fitted desks

Whether this is at school or home ill fitting desks can lead to bad posture. School desks and chairs cannot cater for individual heights of children and, as mentioned earlier, the children often have to move between classes. The desks and chairs are uniform and unable to be altered to the child’s individual needs. The following describes the correct posture for sitting at a desk.

The chair seat pan should be tilted down at the front by 10 degrees.
Legs should be placed 90 degrees to the floor.
The chair should have a low back support.
The desk should be tilted up by 10 degrees
The computer should be in front of the chair and not to one side, with the centre of the screen 15 degrees down from the horizontal eye level.
This should at least be implemented at home but not just for the kids but for everyone in the family who uses the desk. At school obviously this can’t be done but by advising the child to sit upright and not to slouch and not cross their legs would help.

Use of computer games

Any body position requires certain muscles to shorten and others to lengthen. This occurs every time we move. If we were to stay in one position for too long those muscles will eventually stay that particular length. When children play on computer games it quite often requires time. This leads to the above situation with muscles. Children should be encouraged to not spend longer than 30-40 minutes at any one time playing the computer games/ on the computer or even doing homework before having a break by walking around and then returning to the game/homework by reviewing their posture and sitting correctly.

Sport

Those children who play a lot of sport and those who play contact sports such as rugby may be injured either by direct contact or by overuse of certain muscles. If a child is injured it is advisable that they are seen by a chiropractor as problems unresolved can lead to compensations, i.e. walking differently due to sprained ankle leading to low back pain, a rugby tackle causing neck pain and headaches.

Incorrect shoes

Children are conscious of fashion but this can affect their footwear. Girls particularly may wear shoes with a high heel. This causes the calf muscles to shorten and pushes the body forward. To prevent falling over, the girl would have to lean back causing an increase in back curvature which can not only cause low back pain but also pain between the shoulder blades. Shoes should be the correct size. When purchasing new shoes get the child’s feet correctly sized by the shop assistant making sure that they are the correct length as well as width.

Tips on how to help your child

Rucksacks should be worn across both shoulders and the straps adjusted so the bag is held close to the body.

If a locker is available encourage your child to use it and ensure they only take the books and equipment needed for that day.

Check their footwear is fitted corrected and are flat and supportive.

Encourage your child to take regular exercise, i.e. swimming, cycling.

Use of the computer, playing computer games and homework should be blocks of no more than 30-40 minutes. Advice them to have a little walk before returning and again that they sit with their shoulders down and back (not slumped) and their legs are uncrossed.

Use the instructions earlier to set the desk and chair correctly.
 

The Mind-Body Link

Emotional Stress and Its Relationship To Muscular Pain

An understanding of how the mind affects the body, and vice-versa, requires a combined knowledge of PSYCHLOGY (the mind), of NEUROLOGY (the nervous system) and of IMMUNOLOGY (the body’s natural defences)

Mind body pathways

There are two main types of mind-body pathways:
1. AFFERENT – These pathways take signals FROM the muscles and glands TO the brain and spinal cord. Chemical signals from all over the body are sent to the brain in order to regulate the hormone production signals in the brain.
2. EFFERENT- These pathways take signals FROM the brain and spinal cord TO the body’s organs, muscles and glands, strengthening the immune structures of the body.

HORMONES are chemical substances produced by various ENDOCRINE GLANDS and released into the bloodstream to effect actions in other parts of the body. Among other things the HORMONAL SYSTEM of the body is under control of mental and external stimuli which interact and operate on the HYPOTHALAMUS. The hypothalamus is the main point in the brain where the nerve and hormonal systems of the body interact. The hypothalamus controls the PITUITARY GLAND, the central gland which releases a range of hormones which in turn stimulate the action of the other endocrine glands. Electrical brain action, including that caused by mental stimuli from THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS, cause the pituitary gland to send it chemical messages to the rest of the system, which may result in the release of hormones, for example adrenaline, into the blood stream. In this way, all hormones are associated with changes in the state of the emotions and conversely, emotions change the levels of hormones in the body.

The nervous system thus has control over nearly all the body’s defence systems so every thought, emotion or belief can either enhance or inhibit the immune system by triggering different chemical reactions.
For example, there is ever increasing evidence to show that stress can have profound effects on the efferent pathways, negatively altering the immune system. Stress, both physical and emotional, has been linked with auto-immune and rheumatic diseases.

It is important then to realise that treatment and removal of muscular tension and pain will have a dramatic effect on the chemistry of the body, which will filter through to a person’s emotional wellbeing. Massage, Chiropractic and Acupuncture are all extremely effective in removing muscular tension and hence-forth improving neurological and immune system function.  For more information ask one of our practitioners.

Alcohol

It can simply start out with enjoyable social drinking or just having a few drinks to relax and de-stress you when your under pressure. Gradually, drinking alcohol may start turning into drinking for the sake of drinking. Often not even being aware of how subtle the shift happens.

Alcoholism is one of the world's largest problems and has many health-related disorders. It can shorten your life span, causing inflammation and scarring (cirrhosis) of the liver, loss of memory, widespread hemorrhaging, obesity, nausea, fatigue, aching joints to mention a few; and ofcourse an emotional rolla-coster.

Nutritional therapy attacks alcoholism differently, looking to inadequate nutrition, that can damage metabolic pathways; and emotional mental stress, all being involved.

One of the first things to do is to help stop the alcoholic from wanting drink. The amino acid glutamine is most effective, when it comes to dampening down the mechanism in the brain that causes compulsions and cravings.

Many alcoholics suffer from extremely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Responding to this, their appetite center in their brain creates an urge to consume foods to raise their circulating sugar in the blood - an urge that, alcohol meets easily.

Initially, alcohol will increase the amount of sugar in the blood, but in the long run, it actually causes a drop in blood sugar levels. To compensate, the appetite center increases the desire for sugar, so the alcoholics drink more, causing their blood sugar to drop even lower. A vicious cycle can develop and the amino acid glutamine can break this cycle, by suppressing the brain's message centre that causes the sugar cravings in the first place.

Alcohol can increase levels of the amino acid leucine, which can contribute to hypoglycemia and a variety of mood disorders. Leucine allows the kidneys to spill niacin (Vit. B3) wastefully into the urine. This may lead to a tryptophan deficiency, which in turn can lead serotonin deficiency. Serotonin works to relieve stress, anxiety and depression, aggression, unreasoning anger and sleep problems.

So how do you reduce excess leucine? Leucine is one of the three branch-chain amino acidsand all three must share identical transport molecules to move across the intestinal wall. Raising the levels of just one of these amino anids will lead to a depletion in the other two by using up more of the transport molecules. So it would be very important to ensure that the other two amino levels are balanced up with leucine, to prevent transportation imbalances occuring.

Alcohol disrupts brain function by interfering with membrane fluidity of brain cells, which have receptors on them that are involved with various brain signals.

For example receptors that convey pain messages are knocked out by alcohol and this accounts for the opiate-like feeling of elation that alcohol gives; and can also lead to an excess of excitable neurotransmitter called noradrenalin; resulting in many people becoming noisy, agitated and aggressive when they drink.

Continued drinking will slowly cause these membranes surfaces to adapt to the effects of alcohol (becoming more rigid), tolerance develops, the alcoholic then finds themselves constantly increasing alcohol to make their brain cell walls more fluid; simply to reach the same state of euphoria, this is what makes it difficult for them to stop drinking.

This membrane rigidity can lead to depletion of other neurotransmitters such as adrenalin, which may result in depression, fatigue and general apathy to name but a few.

The effects of alcoholism range throughout the body and treatment needs to be multifactorial, restoring fluidity to membranes, supporting neurotransmitter function, regulating blood sugar and ealing with outside events that drive people to drink and the emotional rolla-coaster; all of which need to be addressed.

DIGESTION

Stomach Acid -

Digestion is a crucial part of the body’s metabolic equation.  Suffering from poor digestion upsets this balance and causes your body more harm.  You can eat a balanced diet, but unless the food is digested properly, you simply won’t be able to grow and repair.

Many people suffer from low acid stomach.  Constipation and/or diaorrhea often result from allergies.  Emotional stress can lead to many conditions, like colitis.  

When digestion doesn’t work, as it should, your cells are starved of nutrients.  Toxins are allowed to build up, growth and repair are impeded, resistance to disease is increased, skin suffers, the body feels heavier and more sluggish and your emotions become exaggerated and unstable.  Your digestive system is the pipeline carrying vital nutrients to your cells.  Bad digestion cuts that off.

If you suffer from insufficient stomach acid, your first stage of digestion is impaired.  As food reaches the stomach, your food activates the release of hydrochloric acid, which stimulates the enzyme pepsin into action, which digests approximately 15% of the food before it passes into the small intestine.  So if you suffer from low acid, one of the first results is that the food will literally start to ferment. 

Our bodies permit the growth of a certain amount of bacteria and yeast to aid digestion.  It is our acid and enzymes that keep them in check from any dangerous expansion of their colonies.

Stress inhibits enzyme production and allows yeasts to flourish.  Low hydrochloric acid leads to lowered pepsin, which is one such stress.  If the yeast colony become metabolically overactive and causes fermentation, large quantities of carbohydrates are turned into alcohol; and for some becoming drunk on carbohydrate foods.

Like alcoholics needing a drink, they simply cannot live without eating lots of carbohydrate foods.

Digestive problems can often be traced back to a yeast problem in the intestines, and that low stomach acid levels are directly responsible.

Many stomach upsets are believed to be a result of acid indigestion (too much acid in the stomach), but actually can be the result from yeast fermentation, and too little acid.  The most common course of action is take antacids, which reduce stomach acid, making things worse; sending undigested fermenting food into the small intestines.

The pancreas sends enzymes to complete digestion, but when the body is under stress from depleted stomach acid, the pancreas may not be able to cope with the increased quantities of undigested foods.  Much of the food just sits there in the intestines and putrefies, releasing potentially harmful substances.

The results of this may range from subtle changes of behaviour, to severe emotional problems like anxiety and depression and may lead to diarrohea, putrid-smelling flatulence and fecaes.

Glutamic acid with betaine hydrochloride (hydrozyme), produces glutamic acid HCL, a quick way to raise stomach acid.  Glutamic acid itself, has several important digestive functions.  For people who have a high carbohydrate intake and fermentation in the intestines, it helps to regulate fluctuating blood sugar levels.  This eases the stress on the pancreas, allowing it to secrete the necessary enzymes into the small intestines.

Refined foods lack fibre (undigestible part of food), which is needed in our diets to help muscle contractions in the intestinal wall (peristalsis), to draw food through the alimentary canal.  The time it takes for normal high-fibre food to pass through the body is between 24 – 48 hours.  The less fibre you have in your diet, the longer it will take; and for many they suffer from low transit times of four days and more.

This is a cause in itself of serious intestinal disorders.  First, as faeces slowly moves, it causes a loss of water through the intestinal wall, causing them to become harder and more irritating in the process.  Physical friction can occur, resulting in small pouches forming on the intestinal wall (diverticulosis).  The longer the food remains in the intestines, toxic by-products can cause more damage.  They can cause anything from varicose veins to colon cancer.  Also undigested proteins start to leak through the intestinal wall, causing allergic reactions

If you feel bloated and sluggish, long after you have eaten; and are excreting hard stools, suffer from headaches and experiencing joint pain, this could be the problem.

Bacteria and toxic by-products may be responsible for abnormal anxiety, tension and depression.  Are intestinal problems a cause or an effect to many body and mind health issues?

Amino acids such as tryphtophan work as powerful neuro-inhibitors, involved in various brainwave activities, include your body’s parasympathetic nervous system, that’s involved in digestive function; such as pumping blood to the intestines and stimulating peristalsis.  Tryphtophan as the precursor of serotonin, is needed to soothe your mental activity; so when stress occurs, it helps your body to cope more effectively, ensuring that blood, which is needed for digestion will stay in the intestines rather than being diverted to the heavy muscles as part of the stress response.

Quality food choices, complete protein sources, aided with good digestive function, good bowel transient will make a big difference to your well-being. 

Microbiology - DYSBIOSIS

An extract from: ‘Functional Assessment’’ - 1999 
   by Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory

Dysbiosis is the state of disordered microbial ecology that causes disease.  It may exist in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract or vaginal cavity.  In dysbiosis, organisms of low intrinsic virulence, including bacteria, yeasts and protozoa, induce disease by altering the nutrition or immune responses of their host.

Published research has implicated intestinal dysbiosis as contributing to vitamin B12 deficiency, steatorrhea (fat in the faeces, as a result of the malabsorption or indigestion of dietary fats), irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune arthoropathies (rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and vasculitis), colon and breast cancer, psoriasis, eczema, cystic acne and chronic fatigue.

Four Patterns of DYSBIOSIS

1. Putrefaction:
A degenerative disease pattern which results from diets high in fat and meat and low in fibre.  This type of diet produces increased concentrations of Bacteroides sp. and induces bacterial urease and beta-glucoronidase activity.
These enzymes may then metabolise bile acids to tumour promoters and deconjugate excreted oestrogens, raising the plasma oestrogen level.  The faecal pH may increase, as a result of increased ammonia production that can lead to pathogenesis of colon cancer and breast cancer.

2. Fermentation:
A condition of carbohydrate intolerance induced by an excess of normal bacterial fermentation usually resulting from small bowel bacterial overgrowth.
Abdominal distention, flatulence, diarrohea, constipation and feeling of malaise are common symptoms.  In small bowel bacterial overgrowth, degradion of intestinal brushborder and pancreatic enzymes by bacterial proteases may cause maldigestion. 
Faecal short chain fatty acids may be elevated.  Patients with fermentation excess are usually intolerant of soluble fibre.

3. Deficiency:
Exposure to antibiotics or a diet depleted of soluble fibre can lead to a deficiency of normal faecal flora, which can result in irritable bowel syndrome and food intolerances. 

4. Sensitisation:
Abnormal immune responses to components of the normal intestinal microflora may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, spondyloarthropathies (rheumatoid arthritis / ankylosing spondylitis) and other connective tissue diseases or skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema and acne. 

Major causes of DYSBIOSIS

• Poor diet / nutritional status  (high fat – simple carbohydrates)

• Stress

• Antibiotic / drug therapy

• Decreased immune status

• Decreased gut motility (constipation)

• Maldigestion

• Intestinal infections

• Presence of Xenobiotics (pastics, pesticides, herbicides etc)

• Increased intestinal pH

A simple urine test can identify imbalances such as Dysbiosis
that can lead to many health concerns. 

Candida Albicans

An extract from: ‘Allergy Relief and Prevention’ - 3rd Edition 
by Frances Taylor MA, Jaqueline Khron MD & Erla Mae Larson

Yeasts are a class of fungus that are round or oval in form and reproduce by budding.  Although there are many different types of yeast, our discussion is limited to the strain of body yeast belonging to the genus Candida that can cause health problems for humans.

There are many strains of Candida in our environment, but the two that most commonly affect humans are C.albicans and C.tropicalis.  In our discussion we Candida will refer to C.Albicans and the disease that it’s overgrowth causes is referred to as candidasis. 

Candida albicans is a very complex organism.  It releases over 80 known toxins that adversely affect our body.  If left untreated, a chronic Candida infection and overgrowth can severely debilitate us, leaving us susceptible to more serious diseases.  Two chemicals produced by Candida are acetaldehyde and ethanol.  Acetaldehyde disrupts cell membrane function and alters protein synthesis.  (Acetaldehyde is also a breakdown product of alcohol and is thought to cause the “fuzzy brain” symptoms of a hangover.)  Since our metabolism cannot convert these materials into useful compounds, it must detoxify them.  When the circulating load of these materials is too great, poor memory, lightheadedness, fatigue, inability to concentrate and depression can result.

Candida normally has a rounded, yeast-like shape.  However it can mutate and develop branching threads called mycelia, which penetrate the mucous membrane of the intestinal tract.  This mycelial form is more difficult to eradicate.  Candida has the ability to change its cell membrane structure in order to escape the effect of single drug therapy.  Dr David Soll of the department of biology at the University of Iowa has demonstrated at least five rapid mutations of the Candida cell membrane.  This mechanism is known as switching.

CAUSES OF CANDIDIASIS

Although Candidiasis is typically seen as a minor infection of mucous membranes, skin, and nails, Candida overgrowth is not a new problem.  The overuse and prolonged use of antibiotics kills the “good” bacteria, allowing Candida to proliferate and become a chronic intestinal infection.  Also, many meats contain high levels of antibiotics, which is an unexpected and in some cases a constant source of antibiotics.  The optimum growth media provided in the moist and dark areas in the gut and vaginal tract make us excellent hosts for Candida overgrowth.

Birth control pills, cortisone and other steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cause hormone imbalances in our body, encouraging Candida to grow more abundantly.  The chemicals produced by the yeast attack out immune system and if it weakens, the Candida will spread and involve more tissues: membranes swell; organisms multiply; and nasal, throat, sinus, ear, bronchial, bladder, vaginal and other infections develop.  Antibiotics are then usually prescribed, promoting further yeast growth.  Health problems will continue until this cycle is interrupted by appropriate treatment.

Candida also seriously interferes with the digestion and absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract; as a result prolonged untreated infection can lead to overt nutrient deficiencies.  Other conditions that may upset the normal symbiotic relationships of microflora in our body are: debility due to other infection, diseases or aging; drug or alcohol abuse; suppression of the immune system to avoid organ transplant rejection; and use of chemotherapeutic agents in cancer treatment.

The most common place for Candida growth is the gastrointestinal tract (the entire digestive tube from the mouth to the anus).  Its only food source is sugar.  A diet with excess refined or simple carbohydrates such as candies, sweets, cookies, and junk food contributes greatly to Candida overgrowth. 

SYMPTOMS OF CANDIDIASIS

Men, women and children can have candidiasis.  Men may have prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland).  Because women have more complex hormone systems candidiasis occurs in them more frequently, and with more severe effects.  Candida overgrowth is suspect in women’s infertility problems.  It attacks children who have received large quantities of antibiotics or who consume excessive sugar and junk food.  Babies can be infected with Candida as they pass through the birth canal if their mother has a vaginitis.

Candida is known as the great masquerader - any symptom is possible, and any organ can be targeted.  Many people with severe yeast problems have never described all of their symptoms to their doctor for fear of being labeled neurotic or a hypochondriac.

SYMPTOMS OF CANDIDIASIS FALL INTO SEVERAL CATEGORIES

• Emotional and mental problems: severe depression, confusion, extreme irritability, anxiety, memory lapses, and short term memory loss, inability to concentrate, difficulty in reasoning, drowsiness, insomnia, lethargy, and loss of self-confidence can all point to Candida overgrowth.

• Hormonal: Disrupted hormone production in the thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries, pituitary gland, or testes cause the entire endocrine system to function poorly.  Candida albicans also interferes with the receptor sites for hormones, further contributing to the problem.

• Hypersensitivity reactions to Candida or its byproducts: Asthma headaches, bronchitis, hay fever, earaches, hives, skin rashes, and severe chemicals and food sensitivities result from these reactions.

• Intestinal and genitourinary tracts: Yeast vaginitis; menstrual complaints; bowel problems, such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and gas; and inflammations of the prostate, esophagus, stomach lining, colon, and bladder can signal the presence of Candida.

• Nose and throat: Severe sinus headaches may be caused by colonies of Candida growing in nasal passages.  The increased sinus congestion and pressure can cause loss of equilibrium and may be confused with a middle-ear infection.  A white, furry tongue is also a symptom of Candida overgrowth.

• Skin: Unrelenting skin itching and deep ear itching are aggravating symptoms of Candida albicans.  The itching occurs deep beneath the surface of the skin with no visible rash.  Scratching or rubbing does not relieve the itching.  It may be caused by a hypersensitivity reaction either to antibodies produced by our body or to metabolic toxins produced by the yeast.

• Worsening of existing symptoms: Weakness, fatigue, fleeting muscle and joint pains, dizziness, difficulty in swallowing, easily detected body and breath odour, and acne and other distinctive skin rashes can all be indicators of Candida.  Sugar cravings and hypoglycemic symptoms are common.

DIAGNOSIS OF CANDIDASIS

A history of exposure to oral contraceptives, steroids, anesthesia, and multiple doses of antibiotics together with these chronic symptoms point to a Candida problem.  Positive allergy tests for yeast, mold, and fungus may also indicate candidiasis.
Several diagnostic blood tests are now available at specialised laboratories.  It is possible to detect high levels of Candida antibodies from three classes of immunoglobulins: IgA, found in mucous membranes in the mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract; and IgG and IgM from the blood.  Some laboratories perform blood titers of these specific immunoglobulins against Candida organisms to aid in diagnosis.  Testing for Candida Specific Immune Complexes is also useful for diagnosis as well as monitoring the effectiveness of treatment.  The immune complexes contain Candida Antibodies, Candida antigens, and fragments of compliment (immune) enzymes.  These complexes are present in direct proportion to the Candida antigen load, and drop quickly when the Candida load is reduced.

Culture surveys for Candida albicans can be done using smears from the nose, throat, rectal area, and vagina.  Anyone with a positive culture and accompanying symptoms should be treated.  In some cases evidence of the overgrowth cannot be ascertained unless repeated cultures are run.  Women with chronic vaginal yeast infections do not always show growth of yeast from vaginal culture.  Finally, response to treatment confirms the diagnosis of Candida overgrowth.

TREATMENT OF CANDIDIASIS

Treatment is intended to reduce the organism’s colonization to a tolerable level.  It is essential to change the environment of Candida.  This can be accomplished in four ways:

• Deny it food (sugar)
• Provide an acid medium
• Increase it’s natural enemy, ‘good’
     bacteria
• Introduce antifungal agents that the
    body can tolerate

A combination of treatment modalities is necessary to prevent ‘switching,’ the cell membrane mutation mentioned earlier.

Treatment should be cumulative; do not stop taking one material when the next is added.  It is important to proceed slowly with treatment and target all areas in and on the body simultaneously.  Since most Candida infections are long standing and well established, treatment must be persistent and continued for as long as necessary to prevent symptoms from returning.  Unfortunately there is no quick fix.  Treatment duration will vary - some people may require treatment for only a few months, but most will have to treat for a year or more.
Treatment must be long term, consistent, and continual because the Candida organism is very resistant, natural symbiotic inhabitant of the gut.  When it is not in balance with the normal flora, the Candida organism is encouraged to bury itself deeper into the tissues by developing the mycelial form.
However if the Candida organisms are killed off too rapidly, our body is flooded with overwhelming amounts of toxins from ruptured yeast cells.  The body immediately reacts with an inflammatory immune response that can cause unbearable symptoms, known as “die-off” or Herxheimer reaction.  You may feel slightly dizzy, light headed, or depressed; experience tightness in your chest; or have muscle aches, diarrhea, or an upset stomach.  Some people have nightmares and night sweats.
These die-off symptoms can also be an exaggerated form of the symptoms you experienced prior to treatment.  As each yeast cell dies, the cell ruptures and its toxic contents are released.  An accumulation of these toxins produces the symptoms, which will pass within a few days.  Although you may feel a little discouraged by temporarily not feeling well, die-off symptoms are a sign that the treatment is working.  Treatment is complete when there is no relapse after treatment is withdrawn.  The immune system must recover sufficiently to keep the Candida under control, since Candida overgrowth will return with a vengeance if therapy is stopped too soon.  When therapy is complete, substances and dosages should be reduced slowly, one at a time, under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Watch for a subtle return of symptoms; if they reappear, resume full treatment.  When all therapy is discontinued your diet should continue to remain low sugar or sugar free.

When one family member has candidiasis, other members are often infected.  It is wise to have the whole family checked for infection and treated if necessary.  Otherwise, the one who is being treated will be constantly re-exposed, making the treatment less effective.  Candida can be passed back and forth between sexual; partners.

If Candida overgrowth is not treated, it will continue to spread and break down our body’s ability to fight off other serious infections and diseases.  Merely destroying the Candida organism does not immediately undo its damage to our immune and endocrine systems.  It takes about one to three years or longer for our body to rebuild its immunocompetence against Candida albicans infections.  Each of us is unique; therefore treatment programs must be tailored to each person’s specific needs.  Faithfully following a treatment program will speed the rate at which candidiasis is controlled.  For this type of treatment you need a long-term commitment to being fully involved in your recovery.  This requires a process of education about our body functions and a willingness to share the responsibility for a return to wellness.

We are in control of our health, and symptoms from Candida are a signal that something in our lifestyle needs to be altered.  Exercise, diet improvements, nutritional supplements, and active Candida treatment are necessary to keep Candida under control.  Once this has been achieved, our healthier bodies - together with altered lifestyles  - will keep the organism suppressed.

BASICS OF CANDIDA TREATMENT

The following instructions are basic principles you should follow when treating Candida, regardless of the treatment materials you use
• Begin each treatment substance separately and gradually increase your intake at weekly intervals as die-off permits.  Build up to top dosage as rapidly as possible so the treatment will not be prolonged and die-off will not be constant.  The speed of therapy varies with the severity and the length of time the infection has been present.
• Treat any other suspected illnesses (including allergies) and infections to lower the total load on the immune system.
• Avoid antibiotics, steroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs unless absolutely necessary.
• Avoid birth control pills and hormones, particularly progesterone (also know as Provera).  Women will have difficulty recovering from candidiasis if they continue to take birth control pills as, as progesterone and the higher than normal levels of estrogen cause Candida to proliferate.
• Avoid environmental molds at home and at work.  Continued exposure to molds inhibits recovery from candidiasis.
• Avoid chemicals in the environment as much as possible in order to lower the total load of the immune system.
• Take supplements of additional vitamins and minerals, glandulars, and enzymes that will enhance proper functioning of the digestive, immune, and endocrine systems.
• Take detoxification baths or saunas to rid the body of toxins produced by the Candida organism.
• A brisk five - minute walk or other tolerated exercise several times daily will help the body rid itself of toxins.
• Have your stool checked for parasites.
• Proper bowel function (at least two soft stools daily) is very important.  Increase vitamin C intake to help accomplish this. 
• See a qualified health care professional who will tailor a program to suit your needs.

Curbing Your Appetite: An In-Depth Look

(this article gives quite a technical look into the functions or your metabolism and gut - if you would like a simpler explanation then don't hesistate to ask your practitioner about it)

The parent molcule of three different metabolic pathways, which affect your weight, is an amino acid called phenylalanine.

This amino acid triggers the release in your stomach of a substance called cholycystokinin (CCK), which is like a hormonal dipstick. As far as appetite is concerned, low levels of CCK is your stomach relays a message to the brain, telling you that your body needs food, and that's when you experience those familar hunger pangs.

Also, within half an hour of consuming a large meal, your CCK levels in your stomach have risen by around fifty percent, telling your brain that your body has eaten enough and your physically full.

Your first choice to curb your appetite involves taking a prescribed amount of phenylalanine (we would first need to ensure your body has no intolerance to it), which includes CCK release, a perfect way to help cut down on the amount of food you eat.

Taken last thing at night, many people find that it helps them avoid nutritionally worthless midmorning and midafternoon snacks. They also find themselves choosing smaller helpings at mealtimes. Phenylalanine is effective because it makes you feel physically full.

The second appetite-curbing pathway involves phenylalanine's conversion to noradrenalin. this neurotransmitter has been used to treat depression, elevate mood and reduce your desire to eat.

The third benefit of phenylalanine to your weight reduction program comes from its role as the precursor of the amino acid tyrosine.

Staying slim is often harder than losing weight in the first place. Tyrosine helps your body to stay at its desired weight once you've reached it.

Your thyroid is involved in controlling your body's metabolic rate, by secreting the hormone thyroxine, which dictates the growth of every cell in the body, as well as the amount of food to be burned as energy.

For any weight loss program, it would be advisable to have a thyroid function test (thyroflex) and urine iodine spot test. By getting your thyroid functioning properly, you burn fuel into energy and not store it as fat.

You can depend on the team at the Health & Healing Wellness Centre to help you overcome the enormous hurdle to control your appetite.

Emotional Eating - Weight Gain

Most diet programs, while stressing on how they will reshape your figure, completely ignore the damage they can cause to the body's sensitive metabolism. Making sure that the body is adequately nourished while dieting is very important. for example, by including amino acids into your program, they will assist your body to work more efficiently to metabolise fat and improve muscle tone, whilst supporting you to lose weight.

Amino acids are the body's essential building blocks that will guard you against malnutrition and energy loss.

For many of us, we have developed the habit of eating to help us to relax, pass the time, or eat food as a psychlological crutch to cope with emotions such as anxiety, ultimately resulting in weight gain.

Anxiety is a sign that your body is reacting to a situation by firing a stress response. In these situations, you may find yourself eating a snack in an unconcious attempt to relieve the physical sensations of anxiety. As you chew, and as food passes down into your stomach, digestive enzymes are secreted, blood is pumped away from the heavy muscles and brainwave activity slows.

This compulsion to eat when you don't really want to - out of habit or in response to anxiety, rather than hunger, can be managed by including an amino acid formula that has been formulated by your healthcare practitioner to help you relieve the anxiety and tension that leads you to eat with unwanted consequences of weight gain.

You can depend on the team at the Health & Healing Wellness Centre to help you to overcome the enormous hurdle of emotional eating that can lead to weight gain.

Carnitine and Weight Loss

Carnitine is an amino acid you can use to break down fat deposits in the blood vessels and muscles.

Having broken down the fat, carnitine carries it into the cells where it is burned as fuel. Studies have shown that many overweight patients have low levels of carnitine and often suffer from high blood cholesterol and blood pressure.

The energy that is released when the fatty acids are burned also have other benefits, such as increased alertness, greater stamina and heightened sexual interest.

Carnitine also helps to protect dieters from ketosis. This is the damage caused by an accumulation of ketone bodies - the toxic waste products of fat. When fat is mobilized, ketones are left behind like sediment in a wine bottle. They raise the level of activity in your blood and make the body dump vital minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium and more. This can lead to kidney damage and more serious problems.

If you do make the decision to lose weight, you can depend on the team at the Health & Healing Wellness Centre to help you achieve the best possible outcome when it comes to burning fat more efficiently.