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What is Repetitive Stress Disorder?
Repetitive Stress Disorder is an overuse injury that occurs when excessive amounts of stress or strain has been placed on a particular part of the body resulting in either pain, swelling, muscle strain or tissue damage. Repetitive Stress Disorders are in the same family as strains, sprains, and repetitive motion injuries. These kind of injuries are particularly common for those whose job requires repetitive motion or those who play various sports or musical instruments at high intensity. But, be cautious because repetitive stress disorders result in nearly 50 percent of work-related injuries. How Can Chiropractic Care Help Those with Repetitive Stress Disorder? Chiropractic care can be a great way to manage and relieve swelling and pain caused by repetitive stress disorder. Routine chiropractic care provides patients with repetitive motion injuries a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to prescription medications or over-the-counter pain medications (OTCs), which are commonly prescribed to patients to help them manage their pain and swelling. Chiropractors deliver a gentle, non-invasive, non-addictive therapy, known as a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body in an effort to reduce inflammation and improve function of both the affected joint and nervous system. By increasing joint mobility and improving your nervous system function and spinal health, your body has the ability to better manage symptoms caused by repetitive stress disorder. Below are some of the health benefits chiropractic adjustments can provide patients with repetitive motion injuries:
To see if chiropractic care is right for your condition, the Doctor will perform a consultation, examination and if necessary x-ray. Based on the findings of our chiropractic exam and consultation, we can recommend the best course of care to get you healthy again. What is a Migraine Headache? Frequent or not, head or neck pain caused by migraines and tension headaches are not something to live with and endure. According to the International Headache Society, headaches impact almost 40 percent of the American population. Migraines and tension headaches alike are caused by muscle contractions in the head or neck region. Anything from a bright screen, loud music or lack of food and water can all be triggers for one of these uncomfortable aches, but there is a natural and drug-free solution. How Can Chiropractic Care Help Those with Migraines and Tension Headaches? Many times Migraine headaches stem from minor misalignments in the upper neck. This can be caused by stress, injuries, daily habits, slips and falls, and other seemingly normal events. It all adds up. By increasing joint mobility and improving your nervous system function and spinal health, your body has the ability to better manage the pain caused by migraines and tension headaches. What are Growing Pains? Achy legs keeping your child awake at night? They may have growing pains. Restless nights of aching and throbbing calves, shins and thighs in school-age children may be the result of growing. Although the name is deceiving, growing pains don’t always happen where growth is occurring or during time periods of rapid growth. Studies have shown that growing pains may be a myth, and linked to restless leg syndrome which occurs from overactivity during the day. How Can Chiropractic Care Help Children with Growing Pains? Chiropractors deliver a gentle, non-invasive, non-addictive therapy, known as a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body in an effort to reduce inflammation and improve function of both the affected joint and nervous system. By increasing joint mobility and improving your nervous system function and spinal health, your body has the ability to better manage symptoms caused by growing pains.
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Sitting or standing for an extended period of time can cause stress to your lower extremities and spine. This stress may cause back pain and discomfort from restricted joints otherwise known as subluxations or joint dysfunctions. These joint dysfunctions can cause improper joint motion and decreased nerve flow to the organs, tissues and cells of the body. A healthy spine is essential to limit and help prevent discomfort and pain.
How does chiropractic work? Your spinal column is made up of 24 independent vertebrae allowing your body to move, twist and bend through everyday motion. It also helps protect the delicate central nervous system that controls and coordinates every organ, tissue and cell of the body. Chiropractors apply a gentle, targeted movement where and when indicated to improve motion of the body’s spinal column and extremities. This is commonly known as a chiropractic adjustment. Routine Chiropractic can help with: Back Pain Neck Pain / “Text Neck” Headaches & Migraines Leg Pain / Sciatica Knee, Ankle & Foot Pain Shoulder, Arm, Elbow & Wrist Pain Arthritis & Bursitis Fibromyalgia Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Tips to Help Reduce Low Back Pain in the Workplace Sit with a back support (such as a rolled-up towel) at the curve of your back. Keep your hips and knees at a right angle. (Use a footrest or stool if necessary.) Your legs should not be crossed and your feet should be on the floor. Stand with your head up, shoulders straight, chest forward, hips tucked in and weight balanced evenly on both feet. What is Repetitive Stress Disorder? Repetitive Stress Disorder is an overuse injury that occurs when excessive amounts of stress or strain has been placed on a particular part of the body resulting in either pain, swelling, muscle strain or tissue damage. Repetitive Stress Disorders are in the same family as strains, sprains, and repetitive motion injuries. These kind of injuries are particularly common for those whose job requires repetitive motion or those who play various sports or musical instruments at high intensity. But, be cautious because repetitive stress disorders result in nearly 50 percent of work-related injuries. How Can Chiropractic Care Help Those with Repetitive Stress Disorder? Chiropractic care can be a great way to manage and relieve swelling and pain caused by repetitive stress disorder. Routine chiropractic care provides patients with repetitive motion injuries a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to prescription medications or over-the-counter pain medications (OTCs), which are commonly prescribed to patients to help them manage their pain and swelling. Chiropractors deliver a gentle, non-invasive, non-addictive therapy, known as a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body in an effort to reduce inflammation and improve function of both the affected joint and nervous system. By increasing joint mobility and improving your nervous system function and spinal health, your body has the ability to better manage symptoms caused by repetitive stress disorder. Below are some of the health benefits chiropractic care and chiropractic adjustments can provide patients with repetitive motion injuries:
What is Scoliosis? Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine. While this may sound uncommon, scoliosis affects nearly 3 percent of the population, totaling at over 7 million people. For those 7 million, quality of life can be diminished, and participating in activities or sports can be limited due to pain, reduced respiratory function or diminished self-esteem. Most scoliosis cases occur during the growth spurt just prior to puberty causing potential deformities. Other causes can include cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. To date, doctors do not know what causes scoliosis, although it appears to involve hereditary factors. While there is also no clear cure, there may be ways to provide relief and improve quality of life for scoliosis patients. How Can Chiropractic Care Help Those with Scoliosis? Chiropractic care can be a great way to manage and relieve pain and discomfort caused by scoliosis. Routine chiropractic care provides patients with scoliosis treatment that's a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to prescription medications or over-the-counter pain medications (OTCs), which are commonly prescribed to patients to help them manage their pain. Chiropractors deliver a gentle, non-invasive, non-addictive therapy, known as a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body in an effort to reduce inflammation and improve function of both the affected joint and nervous system. By increasing joint mobility and improving your nervous system function and spinal health, your body has the ability to better manage symptoms caused by scoliosis. Below are some of the health benefits chiropractic care and chiropractic adjustments can provide to scoliosis patients: Reduced pain and discomfort Decreased inflammation Improved range of motion Improved flexibility Increased activity and lifestyle  Dr. Neal Lange DC February is Heart Health Month. Many people suffer from tachycardia (fast heart beat) or hypertension (high blood pressure) and take medications to alleviate those irregularities but that only masks or temporarily fixes the problem. We need to look to the spine first! Simply put, the nervous system is divided into 2 categories, sympathetic and parasympathetic. Like many things in life, a balance is necessary to thrive. When the parasympathetic system and the sympathetic system are balanced, the body will function at higher and more efficient levels. In regards to blood pressure, if the parasympathetic system is working less than it should and the sympathetic system is working more than it should, a result can be increased blood pressure and increased heart rate. The area of the spine that protects the parasympathetic system is the upper neck, specifically the first and second neck bones (C1 and C2 respectively). If nerve irritation is caused by a subluxation (a bone out of place) in the upper neck, then blood pressure and heart rate can be increased. Chiropractic care can not only lower blood pressure and heart rate, it can safely correct the problem without medications. A study from 2015 showed a drastic 10 point reduction in systolic blood pressure after a chiropractor performed a spinal manipulation to the upper neck (C1).  There is now a new natural weapon to combat against the growing population of high blood pressure sufferers.
Now this new weapon is as close as your backyard. What I am talking about is good old sunlight. Blood pressure levels are commonly higher during winter months. The question you may ask is what is the mechanism that allows sunlight to lower blood pressure? British researchers have figured out why. The answer is nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is known to reduce blood pressure by evoking vasodilation either directly by causing relaxation of vascular smooth muscle or indirectly by acting in the rostral brainstem to reduce central sympathetic outflow, which decreases the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve terminals. Basically, nitric oxide increases the elasticity of the artery walls and helps to normalize high blood pressure. An increasingly large body of literature suggests that alterations in the NO system may play an important role in the development or maintenance of clinical hypertension. What they found is that nitric oxide stored in the top layers of the skin reacts to sunlight and causes blood vessels to widen as the oxide moves into the bloodstream. That, in turn, lowers blood pressure. According to researcher Martin Feelisch, a professor of experimental medicine and integrative biology at the University of Southampton, exposure to ultraviolet light might help reduce the risk for heart disease. "This new study finds that UV light exposure to the skin induced nitric oxide release and modestly lowered blood pressure, suggesting that this may play a role in modulating blood pressure," said Fonarow, a spokesman for the American Heart Association. In 2009, a team led by the University of Edinburgh's Richard Weller showed that human skin and the dermal vasculature contain significant stores of NO—much more than can be found circulating in the blood—and that these stores could be mobilized by UVA (long-wave UV) irradiation. “This study provides suggestive evidence that skin-derived NO metabolites may have a role in modulation of blood pressure upon UV exposure,” Thomas Michel, a professor of medicine and biochemistry at Harvard Medical School. Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S.,CFMP Reference: Donald Liu, Bernadette O Fernandez, Alistair Hamilton, Ninian N Lang, Julie M C Gallagher, David E Newby, Martin Feelisch and Richard B Weller, UVA Irradiation of Human Skin Vasodilates Arterial Vasculature and Lowers Blood Pressure Independently of Nitric Oxide Synthase, Journal of Investigative Dermatology 20 February 2014 The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Visit www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com to find practitioners thoroughly trained in functional medicine. Look for practitioners who have successfully completed the Functional Medicine University's Certification Program (CFMP). THE BENEFITS OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Chiropractic care can be a great way to manage and relieve swelling and pain caused by everyday life and beyond. Routine chiropractic care provides patients with treatment that's a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to prescription medications or over-the-counter pain medications (OTCs), which are commonly prescribed to patients to help them manage their pain and swelling. Chiropractors deliver a gentle, non-invasive, non-addictive therapy, known as a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body in an effort to reduce inflammation and improve function of both the affected joint and nervous system. By increasing joint mobility and improving your nervous system function and spinal health, your body has the ability to better manage symptoms caused by everyday stressors. Benefits of Chiropractic Care: •Reduced pain and discomfort •Decreased inflammation •Improved range of motion •Improved flexibility •Increased muscle tone and strength WHAT IS ARTHRITIS? Though common, arthritis is one of America’s most misunderstood diseases. Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints, which can cause pain, discomfort and stiffness throughout joints and the body. Common symptoms of arthritis and joint inflammation include swelling, joint pain and stiffness and decreased range of motion -- typically worsening with age. In actuality “arthritis” is not a single disease. There are over 100 different types and severities of the disease, making it the leading cause of disability in America -- affecting more than 50 million. However, there are two main types of arthritis that can benefit from routine chiropractic care: Osteoarthritis - A degenerative disorder affecting flexible joint cartilage Rheumatoid Arthritis - A chronic inflammatory disorder in joints In both cases, self care combined with non-invasive, non-addictive treatment, should serve as your first line of defense to manage and relieve pain and discomfort. How Can Chiropractic Care Help Those with Arthritis? Chiropractic care can be a great way to manage and relieve pain caused by arthritis. Routine chiropractic care provides arthritis patients with a safe, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to prescription opioids or over-the-counter pain medications (OTCs), which are commonly prescribed to patients to help them manage their pain.  Just when we thought things were returning to normal, news of a “tripledemic” — respiratory syncytial virus (RSV bronchiolitis), influenza, and COVID — could collide to make for a rough season ahead.
According to Kinsa, a health technology company that produces smart thermometers which can track the spread of illness in real time, pediatric incidence of cough, cold, and flu was 33% higher in October compared to the three-year average. So far, cough is the leading symptom affecting children 13 and under. Source: Kinsa Supportive care is vital for recovery. Help your patients understand and access homeopathic interventions available for symptom management. Stay up to date on homeopathic protocols for cough, cold, and flu at our free education center. Visit Education Center Recommended for Cold & Flu Season Oscillococcinum® reduces the duration and severity of body aches, headache, fever, chills, and fatigue.* ColdCalm® addresses sneezing, runny nose, and occasional minor sore throat at every stage of a cold.* Chestal® Honey cough syrup blends the goodness of honey with homeopathic medicines to treat all types of common coughs.* RSV Infection: The Role of Homeopathy There has been an early and recent surge in RSV this year. Watch our newest webinar hosted by pediatric pulmonologist Youngran Chung, MD, who shares her experiences and protocols for treating the following symptoms:
Follow this link to view the webinar: https://boironhcp.cmail19.com/t/r-l-tjtyog-oflklklly-j/ Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in infants, and can also cause severe respiratory illness in older adults, or anyone with heart and lung disease or a weakened immune system. There has been an early and recent surge in RSV during this pandemic year. As there is no specific therapy for RSV bronchiolitis, homeopathy can be a valuable tool to complement any supportive therapy. In this webinar, we will talk about the frequently used homeopathic medicines for RSV bronchiolitis during its acute phase. In addition, we will discuss other homeopathic medicines that may be helpful in reducing recurrences and future complications such as progression towards asthma in at-risk patients. *Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated. The information in this communication does not serve to diagnose or treat your specific patients. Recommendations from health care practitioners are based on their professional clinical experiences and knowledge. Homeopathy is an individualized treatment that requires further education and training. As a manufacturer, Boiron cannot stand in for a health care practitioner who may recommend specific single homeopathic medicines or protocols. These days, women are more active than ever, both in the workplace and at play. Whether you spend your days standing, running around in heels, sitting at a desk, or working on leveling up your performance at the gym, routine trips to the chiropractor can help to improve your overall health and well-being, while eliminating the aches and pain of everyday life. Below are 5 life hacks recommended by doctors of chiropractic to help get by between trips to your local chiropractor. 1. Invest in a bra that fits properly: 15% of women own a bra that fits correctly, which means 85% of women are wearing the wrong size bra everyday!1 A properly fitting bra can significantly reduce additional stress on the spine and help reduce shoulder and back pain throughout the day caused by breast size. 2. Ditch the heels, when you can: 72% of women in America report wearing high-heeled shoes on a regular basis and 58% complain3 of low back pain while wearing them. So how can you find relief if you wear heels to work everyday? For starters, reduce the heel to under 2 inches, which will help minimize the risk of back and muscle fatigue. Also, be sure to stretch leg and calf muscles before, during and after wearing your heels. And finally, consider limiting the time you wear them – kick em’ off under your desk if possible. 3-Avoid sitting for long periods: Each year we spend an estimated 1,700 hours2 in front of our computers answering phone calls, writing reports and responding to emails. However, this sedentary work life can take a real toll on our bodies. In fact, 89% of office workers report experiencing musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. This is why it’s essential to make time to get up and move. Whether it’s a short walk around the office or a few simple stretches, making time to move can relieve strain on the body and reduce the likelihood of pain throughout your day. 4-Adjust your workspace: Pay attention to the ergonomics of your setup, whether at home or in the office. Make sure your work space doesn’t require hunching forward or neck craning at unnatural angles just to see your screen. Over time, this unnatural posturing places pressure and tension on the body which can lead to chronic inflammation, pain, and misalignment along the spinal column. 5-Routinely visit your local chiropractor: Chiropractic is not just a solution for back pain, it’s key to helping improve a woman's overall health and well-being. Chiropractors offer a safe, effective and drug-free solution to maintaining spinal health and proper joint function, which ultimately keeps your body balanced, flexible and functioning at its best. KEEPING YOU MOVING Being a mom isn’t easy. Taking care of kids (and spouses!) can be a pain. The pay is good – hugs, kisses, and cuddles – but it's not without sacrifice. Perhaps the hardest part is the health woes a busy mom can experience long after childbirth. Let’s face it, motherhood is a job that's rife with strenuous activity, excessive stress and exhaustion. Think about it – as mothers we are constantly moving or on the go – lifting and carrying heavy kids or laundry baskets, bending over to clean up toys and messes throughout the house, sitting or standing for extended periods of time with carpools and practices. With so much always going on, it’s easy for us to forget about our own health and well-being. But we can’t – because over time these daily activities can manifest into neck and back pain, sleepless nights, headaches, and more. Luckily, chiropractic’s got your back and then some! “How?” you ask – simple. Your spinal column is made up of 24 independent vertebrae that enable your body to do all that moving, twisting and bending throughout your day. It also helps protect the delicate central nervous system that controls and coordinates every muscle, tissue and organ in the body. The repetitive activity and stresses of being a mom can lead to subluxations of the spine, commonly known as joint dysfunctions, which can negatively affect proper nerve communication from the brain to the body–often resulting in pain and discomfort. Chiropractors promote a safe, effective and drug-free approach to improving joint function resulting in a healthier, more active you. EXPECTING MOTHERS Find relief and comfort with routine chiropractic care. While a baby on the way makes for an exciting time in your life, it also causes a lot of change. Back, pelvic, postural, weight and hormonal changes force the body to unnaturally adapt, often resulting in unwanted pain and discomfort. In fact, during pregnancy more than 68%1 of women experience low back pain; and post-delivery, another 65% report experiencing pelvic pain. Subluxations of the spine, commonly known as joint dysfunctions, occur when two or more vertebrae become restricted and impede the body’s ability to communicate with itself. Joint dysfunctions during pregnancy can be caused by all that change taking place in your body as it prepares to support you and your new bundle of joy. Chiropractors are trained to locate and correct joint dysfunctions by applying a gentle, targeted movement to the body’s spinal column and extremities–where and when needed–restoring proper joint function and improving nerve communication throughout the body. This non-invasive technique is commonly known as a chiropractic adjustment. Benefits of seeing a chiropractor while pregnant: -Relief from back, neck or joint pain -Increased flexibility and mobility -Reduced symptoms of nausea and acid reflux -Better sleep -And more! Millions of expecting mothers look to chiropractic for its safe, effective and drug-free approach to pain relief and prevention for a healthier, happier pregnancy. Let’s face it, “good posture” is something we all strive for, but it’s hard when routine activities throughout everyday life can put a strain on our posture. Things such as stress caused by working from home, fatigued muscles, the hours spent sitting slouched over gaming with the squad, and even our shoes, impact our body’s ability to achieve and maintain good posture. In fact, they actively work against this goal.
To maintain good posture, you need more than some gimmicky device sold in stores. You need to have balance, muscle flexibility and strength, and normal joint motion throughout the body, particularly the spine. This means you not only need to be aware of general health, nutritional and exercise considerations, you also be able to recognize and take action to correct postural and movement habits at work, home, and while on-the-go. What is good posture and why is it important? Good posture is more than just standing tall and looking your best, it’s an important part of your overall health and well-being. Posture is simply the body's position and alignment while at rest or in motion. In fact, did you know that there are actually two types of posture? Dynamic and static posture (mind blown, right?). Dynamic posture is simply our whole body’s posture while moving. It’s how we walk, run, lift, and bend. Static posture on the other hand is our body’s posture while at rest. It’s how we sit, stand, and lay. Achieving and maintaining good dynamic and static posture is important because poor posture can have a direct negative impact on our bodies, both physically and mentally. Although back pain is the most commonly associated with poor posture, it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Poor posture can also cause or compound: Back pain and neck pain Headaches and migraines Arthritis Digestion problems Respiratory issues Poor circulation Like bad posture, good posture can also directly impact our quality of life, but for the better. Some of the many benefits of good posture include: Reduced risk of back and neck pain Better balance and coordination Higher energy levels Reduced stress and anxiety Optimism and positivity A healthy spine is critical to good posture. One of the key components to good posture is the position of your spine and the body’s ability to function optimally. As we get older, bad habits such as slouching and inactivity cause muscle fatigue and tension that ultimately lead to poor posture. And, while back problems are what most people associate with poor posture, those issues are just the tip of the iceberg. Perhaps you have one shoulder higher than the other or a tilted pelvis – over time, these imbalances can have a serious impact on the body’s central nervous system. That’s where chiropractic comes in. Chiropractors can help improve posture by adjusting the spine, strengthening the supporting muscles and soft tissue in the neck and upper back, and educating people on ways to maintain proper posture. Posture can affect all areas of health; your susceptibility to injury, breathing, digestion, even nutrition to your brain. "Posture can affect all areas of health; your susceptibility to injury, breathing, digestion, even nutrition to your brain,” says Dr. Kevin Lees, manager of auditing and quality at The Joint Chiropractic. “Chiropractors specifically treat the spine, which not only may improve spinal symptoms, but also quality of life.” Chiropractors deliver a gentle, non-invasive, non-addictive therapy, known as a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments reduce joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body, which in turn help to correct postural imbalance, reduce inflammation, and improve function of both the affected joint and nervous system. By correcting these postural imbalances, while at the same time encouraging your body to work more optimally, you and your body are able to better support good posture.  https://www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/public/1755print.cfm
8 Toxic Seed Oils-- What to KnowRonald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMPThe eight industrial toxic seed oils are Canola, Corn, Cottonseed, Soy, Sunflower, Safflower, Grapeseed, and Rice bran. Industrial seed oils are the highly processed oils extracted from soybeans, corn, rapeseed (canola), cottonseed and sunflower and safflower seeds. After the seeds are gathered, they are heated to extremely high temperatures to oxidize the fatty acids. This creates byproducts that are harmful to your health. Omega-6s are found in oils such as corn, safflower, sunflower, soy and vegetable and products made with those oils. Excess consumption of omega-6s can trigger the body to produce pro-inflammatory chemicals. What's wrong with industrial seed oils?There are six main problems with industrial seed oils, all of which play a significant role in chronic inflammatory diseases.
Summary: At this point, it should be clear that we want to avoid omega-6 fats in our cooking oil. The following is a good graphic to represent what to avoid. Oils from tropical plants such as cacao, coconut, and palm are lowest in omega-6, while oils from cold-weather plants such as sunflower and soybean are highest in omega-6 and best avoided. References https://www.bmj.com/content/353/bmj.i1512/rr-4 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21551197.2012.752335 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8050192/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-12624-9 https://www.nature.com/articles/tp2017190 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3335257/ https://openheart.bmj.com/content/5/2/e000898 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12442909/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29636341/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808795/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808858/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22334255/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11483088/ The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Visit www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com for more information on our training in functional medicine. Look for practitioners who have successfully completed the Functional Medicine University's Certification Program (CFMP) www.functionalmedicinedoctors.com. While many health screens and lab tests are overrated or unnecessary, there are a few that are vitally important, such as vitamin D. I recommend checking your vitamin D level at least twice a year. Two other really important tests are serum ferritin (which measures stored iron) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase or sometimes called gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT; a liver enzyme correlated with iron toxicity, disease risk and all-cause mortality). By monitoring your serum ferritin and GGT levels and taking steps to lower them if they're too high, you can avoid serious health problems. For adults, I strongly recommend getting a serum ferritin test and GGT on an annual basis. When it comes to iron overload, I believe it can be every bit as dangerous to your health as vitamin D deficiency. In this interview, Gerry Koenig, former chairman of the Iron Disorders Institute and the Hemochromatosis Foundation, explains the value of these two tests. Iron Overload Is More Common Than Iron Deficiency Iron is one of the most common nutritional supplements. Not only can you get it as an isolated supplement, but it's also added to most multivitamins. Many processed foods are also fortified with iron. While iron is necessary for biological function, when you get too much, it can do tremendous harm. Unfortunately, the first thing people think about when they hear "iron" is anemia, or iron deficiency, not realizing that iron overload is actually a more common problem, and far more dangerous. Many doctors don't understand or appreciate the importance of checking for iron overload. Virtually all adult men and postmenopausal women are at risk for iron overload due to inefficient iron excretion, since they do not lose blood on a regular basis. Blood loss is the primary way to lower excess iron, as the body has no active excretion mechanisms. Another common cause of excess iron is the regular consumption of alcohol, which will increase the absorption of any iron in your diet. For instance, if you drink wine with your steak, you will likely absorb more iron than you need. There's also an inherited disease, hemochromatosis, which causes your body to accumulate excessive and dangerously damaging levels of iron. If left untreated, high iron can contribute to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and many other health problems, including gouty arthritis. In one small study, 2 100 percent of the patients achieved marked reduction in attacks or complete remission after phlebotomy was used to remove iron and maintain an iron level at near-iron deficiency — "the lowest body iron store compatible with normal erythropoiesis and therefore absence of anemia." Iron causes all this harm by catalyzing a reaction within the inner mitochondrial membrane. When iron reacts with hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl free radicals are formed. These are among the most damaging free radicals known, causing severe mitochondrial dysfunction, which in turn is at the heart of most chronic degenerative diseases. GGT Is a Potent Predictor of Mortality GGT is a liver enzyme involved in glutathione metabolism and the transport of amino acids and peptides. Not only will the GGT test tell you if you have liver damage, it can also be used as a screening marker for excess free iron and is a great indicator of your sudden cardiac death risk. In recent years, scientists have discovered GGT is highly interactive with iron, and when both your serum ferritin and GGT are high, you are at significantly increased risk of chronic health problems, because then you have a combination of free iron, which is highly toxic, and iron storage to keep that toxicity going. "Recently, [GGT] was proven by the life insurance industry as the single measure that is most predictive of early mortality," Koenig says. "In other epidemiological studies, it's linked to pretty much every cause of death, because it provides those free radicals and hydroxyl radicals … I believe that … people born after World War II are now at greater risk because of the environmental toxicants we face … Basically, reduction in glutathione levels — your body's most important antioxidant — is indicated by an increase in GGT … [G]lyphosate, excess iron, all of the substances in the environment — whether you take it in as food or it's in the air — that utilize your body's toxic waste disposal system in some way [will] reduce your antioxidants, whether it's vitamin D, cholesterol, vitamin E or vitamin A. A reduction of those makes you more vulnerable to disease, particularly chronic disease and autoimmune diseases across the board." Ideal GGT and Iron Levels As with many other lab tests, the "normal" ranges for GGT and serum ferritin are far from ideal. If you're in the "normal" range, you're virtually guaranteed to develop some sort of health problem. Based on Gerry's recommendation I had my GGT tested last month and it was 17, which is healthy especially since my ferritin level is 37. You really need both tests to confirm lack of iron toxicity as he explains in the full interview. According to Koenig, women with a GGT above 30 U/L have a higher risk of cancer and autoimmune disease. Interestingly, while for most other tests the range between what's healthy and what's risky tends to be quite broad, in the case of GGT, the range between health and disease is in the single digits. "Part of it is dependent on body weight," Koenig says. "Strangely enough, the most recent indications are that people who are too thin (whatever their level of GGT is), it could be harmful if [their GGT is] relatively high.9 For instance, for a thin woman with a GGT … in the range of the second quartile, which is going to be generally 14 to 18 today it can be dangerous if she's expecting to have children and has a very low BMI." When it comes to serum ferritin, a level of 200 to 300 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) falls within the normal range for women and men respectively, which is FAR too high for optimal health. An ideal level for adult men and non-menstruating women is somewhere between 30 and 60 ng/mL. You do not want to be below 20 ng/mL or above 80 ng/mL. The most commonly used threshold for iron deficiency in clinical studies is 12 to 15 ng/mL. Maintaining a healthy iron level is also important during pregnancy. Having a level of 60 or 70 ng/mL is associated with greater odds of poor pregnancy outcomes. That said, iron deficiency during pregnancy is equally problematic, so make sure you get tested. Last but not least, since the ferritin and GGT are interactive, low GGT tends to be protective against higher ferritin. So, if your GGT is low, you're largely protected even if your ferritin is a bit higher than ideal. Still, it would be wise to take steps to lower your ferritin to a more ideal level nonetheless. On the other hand, even if your ferritin is low, having an elevated GGT levels is cause for concern, and needs to be addressed. When Might a Transferrin Saturation Test Be Useful? If you are thin, with a body mass index (BMI) below 22 or 23, Koenig suggests getting a transferrin test as well, which gives you a percentage saturation level. A level of 25 to 35 percent is typically considered healthy. In the 1970s, the transferrin saturation test was used as a marker for early death. Having a transferrin saturation percentage of over 55 indicated a 60 percent increased risk for premature death. At that time, an estimated 2.6 percent of the U.S. population had transferrin saturation percentages that high. Today, it's down to half of that, in large part because of the increase in obesity, which "dilutes" your saturation percentage, and the transferrin test is no longer used as a marker for early death. However, if you are very thin, it can still be a useful test. "Anything between 25 and 35 is safe. If you're unusually thin, I would get that test because there you could have unsuspectingly high transferrin saturation, particularly if you're malnourished … Anorexia nervosa has severe effects on the brain when you're that thin and your BMI is at 14 or 15," Koenig says. Why Excess Iron Is so Dangerous Your body creates energy by passing the electrons from carbs and fats you eat as fuel to oxygen through the electron transport chain in your mitochondria to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Ninety-five percent of the time, the oxygen is converted to water. But 0.5 to 5 percent of the time, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are created. ROS are not all bad as they are important biological signaling molecules, but excessive ROS leads to mitochondrial damage and dysfunction. Iron can react with hydrogen peroxide in the inner mitochondrial membrane. This is a normal part of cellular aerobic respiration. But when you have excessive iron, it catalyzes the formation of excessive hydroxyl free radicals from the peroxide, which decimate your mitochondrial DNA, mitochondrial electron transport proteins and cellular membranes. This is how iron overload accelerates chronic disease. If you eat excessive net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) the situation is further exacerbated, as burning carbs as your primary fuel can add another 30 to 40 percent more ROS on top of the hydroxyl free radicals generated by the presence of high iron. Unfortunately, most people reading this are burning carbs as their primary fuel. If you struggle with any kind of chronic health problem and have high iron and eat a standard American diet that is high in net carbs, normalizing your iron level (explained below) and implementing a ketogenic diet as described in my book, "Fat for Fuel," can go a long way toward improving your health. Taking extra antioxidants to suppress ROS generated by high iron alone or in combination with a high-sugar diet is inadvisable, as ROS also act as important signaling molecules. They're not all bad. They cause harm only when produced in excess. Your best bet is to lower the production of ROS. One of the easiest and most effective ways to do that is to eat a diet high in healthy fats, adequate in protein and low in net carbs. Eating healthy fats can make a bigger difference than you might think, especially if you have high iron. How to Lower Your Iron The good news is it's easy to lower your iron level if it's too high. One of the easiest ways is simply to donate blood two or three times a year. If you have severe overload you may need to do more regular phlebotomies. Two years ago, my ferritin was 150 ng/mL. I implemented self-phlebotomy where I would take out anywhere from 2 to 6 ounces of blood every few weeks, which brought me below 100 ng/mL. I stopped the phlebotomy when I started a comprehensive detoxification strategy involving near and far infrared sauna, and interestingly, despite the fact I was no longer removing blood, my ferritin continued to drop over the next nine months. Now, it's down to 37 — far lower than I was ever able to get down to with therapeutic phlebotomies, and as I mentioned earlier I have a healthy GGT level of 17. As it turns out, an effective detoxification program can lower iron as well. While this was a surprise to me, Koenig confirms that this has indeed been documented by Dr. F.S. Facchini in some of his research on iron. While I've long recommended donating blood as the solution to iron overload, I now believe a balanced approach using phlebotomy, detoxification and reducing dietary iron, especially meat, is the best way to go about it. Keep in mind that trying to control high iron through your diet alone can be risky, as you will also forgo many valuable nutrients. That said, to avoid maximizing iron absorption, avoid eating iron-rich foods in combination with vitamin C-rich foods or beverages, as the vitamin C will increase iron absorption. If needed, you could also take a curcumin supplement. Curcumin acts as a potent chelator of iron and can be a useful supplement if your iron is elevated. How to Lower Your GGT GGT is inversely related to glutathione, a potent antioxidant produced in your body. As your GGT level rises, your glutathione goes down. This is part of the equation explaining how elevated GGT harms your health. By elevating your glutathione level, you will therefore lower your GGT. The amino acid cysteine, found in whey protein, poultry and eggs, plays an important role in your body's production of glutathione. Red meat, which does not contain cysteine, will tend to raise GGT, as will alcohol, so both should be avoided. Research also suggests eating at least 10 servings of fruits and vegetables rich in in vitamin C, fiber, beta-carotene, anthocyanins and folate per week can help reduce GGT. Examples include carrots, romaine lettuce, spinach, sweet potatoes, apricots and tomatoes. Also, be aware that certain medications can raise your GGT. If this is the case, please confer with your doctor to determine whether you might be able to stop the medication or switch to something else, and avoid over-the-counter medicines, including ibuprofen and aspirin, both of which can damage your liver. General detoxification is another important component if your GGT is high, as your liver's job is to remove toxins from your body. The fact that your GGT is elevated means your liver is under stress. The Protein-Iron-GGT Connection I personally typically eat only 2 to 4 ounces of meat per week Americans tend to overeat meat in general, and most of it is dangerous CAFO meat loaded with toxins. Additionally, while the meat supplies you with more iron than you likely need, excess protein can also cause problems. Another little-known fact is that giving iron to a person who is malnourished and cannot process protein properly can be extremely dangerous. Koenig explains: "I've been studying malnutrition for several years now, mainly kwashiorkor (also known as protein-calorie malnutrition), which is a typical malnutrition disease, along with marasmus in developing countries. There you have a situation where the children, particularly in kwashiorkor, cannot synthesize important proteins because of essential amino acid deficiencies … [When] giving iron too early in a recovering child with kwashiorkor, or an adult for that matter, the measure that skyrockets early on, in that particular case, happens to be GGT. High amounts of free iron [are dangerous] because they don't have the proteins to safely contain that iron into either transferrin, which is the protein that protects the body from the iron in the bloodstream, or ceruloplasmin, which is necessary for copper transport. To get iron safely into the brain, it needs to be complexed with ceruloplasmin. Those can't be synthesized in a malnourished person. [So, giving] iron to a malnourished person is highly toxic." African and Chinese Research Confirm GGT's Relation to Chronic Disease Koenig recently found a few African studies showing the importance of GGT. In the 1990s, when GGT was tested broadly in the U.S. as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III, 1988 to 1994), results revealed that African-Americans had higher levels of both serum ferritin and GGT than Caucasians and Hispanics. "Back then, those measurements were compared to measurements in Zimbabwe. In [Zimbabweans] who were not exposed to spraying for mosquitoes … the [ferritin and GGT measurements] were roughly half. They had obviously been on a native diet … But I found, through several papers recently submitted in South Africa, that those measurements now are very high. They're catching up and probably surpassing the American Blacks' measurements, and they're suffering the [same] chronic diseases …" More recent studies from South Africa depict increasing GGT levels are associated with insulin resistance and cardiometabolic disease risk. Moreover, a recent Chinese study showed that while having a GGT level above the midpoint raised the risk of chronic kidney disease, when combined with high serum ferritin, that risk increased nearly fivefold. Other common diseases associated with high iron and GGT include diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Blood Donations Lead to Radical Reduction in Disease A number of epidemiological studies have also documented a significant reduction in chronic diseases among those who donate blood two or three times a year — findings that support the notion that iron overload is prevalent, and contributes to chronic disease. In some, heart disease and cancer were reduced by as much as 50 percent, Koenig notes. Unfortunately, many doctors are still unaware of the importance of checking for iron overload (based on ideal levels and not what's considered normal), and may overlook the GGT test as well. "One of the reasons it's difficult to get doctors to order GGT tests is they're discouraged because they know some prescription drugs increase [GGT]. Although the overall effect may be protective, it's not a happy situation to see a measure of disease increase just by taking a drug. There's resistance in that area of getting tested. But it's a pretty simple test. It would be recommended. And blood donation basically keeps one healthy," Koenig says. In summary, if you're concerned about maintaining your health and preventing chronic disease, I would strongly encourage you to get a ferritin and a GGT test regularly, and if needed, implement the strategies discussed above to get them into their optimal ranges. Serum ferritin and GGT are markers for iron toxicity, which is a major mostly unrecognized contributor to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and many other chronic diseases. High iron even increases your risk of infections. As noted by Koenig, you really don't want to check into a hospital with high iron, as your risk of contracting a hospital-acquired infection will be that much greater. The good news is, it's so easy to turn around, thereby dramatically reducing your risk. If either serum ferritin or GGT is elevated, you need to take action. The treatment couldn't be simpler. Unless you're a menstruating woman, simply donate blood two to three times a year. If you do not qualify to donate blood, ask your doctor to write you a prescription for therapeutic phlebotomy. References: 1 Hemochromatosis.org 2 Rheumatology 2003 Dec;42(12):1550-5 3 Disease Markers 2015; 2015: 818570 4 Leading Contributors to Mortality Risk in Life Insurance Applicants 5 Journal of Insurance Medicine 2012;43(3):162-8 6 Clinical Chemistry 2007; 53(5): 940-946 7, 8 Irondisorgers.org, Four Important Tests Where Ranges for Normal Vary (PDF) 9 Biomedical Reports March 2016; 4(3): 307-312 10 Diabetes Care. 2014;37(7):1878–1884 11 Transfusion Medicine April 20, 2017, DOI: 10.1111/tme.12408 12 Mercola.com, Gerry Koenig Interview, June 12, 2016 13 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition April 2004; 79(4): 600-605 14 European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2008) 62, 60–67 15 Livestrong March 2, 2012 16 European Journal of Preventive Cardiology 2014 Dec;21(12):1541-8 17 Disease Markers 2017; 2017:9765259  |
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4012 Postal Way
Suite A
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
Copyright © 2014-2023. MyChiroClub. All Rights Reserved. "MyChiroClub" is a registered trademark owned by Neal Lange.