Nutritional Considerations for the Prevention and Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Degenerative arthritis consists of the mechanical abnormalities of a particular joint that leads to the decay and break down of the joint cartilage and bone. Degenerative joint disease can be primarily caused by hereditary, developmental inefficiencies, metabolic alterations, and mechanical stresses, and nutritional deficiencies. In many situations, osteoarthritis accompanies other conditions such as diabetes, inflammatory diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lyme's Disease, Gout, etc), obesity, traumatic injury, and blood disorders.

Nutritionally, there are multiple minerals, vitamins and herbs than can give relief for a person that experiences pain and discomfort due to osteoarthritis. Although peer-reviewed literature occasionally demonstrates conflicting results when comparing nutritional and herbal therapies, clinical results prove the overwhelming effectiveness of supporting the natural biological process that is dependent on micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals.

• Glucosamine sulfate: Glucosamine sulfate is used to stimulate the rebuilding of damaged cartilage. It is not known to interfere with anti-inflammatory drugs, although some companies process their glucosamine sulfate with sodium chloride which can negatively affect a person's symptoms.
• Vitamin C - Iron - Alpha-ketoglutaric Acid: These substances are required for hydroxylation of L-proline to L-hydroxyproline which is needed for quality collagen production. Some of the best foods to get these nutrients include chard, spinach, kidney beans, kale, papaya, bell peppers, and broccoli.
• Manganese: Manganese is a trace mineral that's important for tissue repair including skin, bone and cartilage. Manganese is also important for the natural production of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), a powerful antioxidant enzyme. According to Katherine Toye,"Manganese-based SOD helps prevent the deleterious effects of the super oxide free radical from destroying cellular components, and without it, cells are susceptible to damage and inflammation. Immediately after trauma, the body starts coding for more SOD1 to be produced, and repletion of manganese after inflammatory trauma is necessary to keep the free radical defense system in proper working order."
• Vitamin D and Calcium: Vitamin D is required for calcium absorption in the gut and maintaining calcium and phosphate concentrations to enable normal mineralization of bone and prevent hypocalcemic tetany (spasms that result from lack of minerals in the blood stream). Vitamin D is also needed for bone growth and bone remodeling by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Without enough vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Vitamin D sufficiency prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Together with calcium, vitamin D also helps protect older adults from osteoporosis.

There are a variety of nutritional factors involved with the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis. A lifestyle and diet that negatively affects the nutritional requirements that bones and joints need will result in accelerated degeneration of the affected tissues. Nutritional requirements work best when found in a nutritional complex and a patient would benefit greatly by incorporating nutritional supplements in a whole food base and not as a single, isolated part.

To schedule a nutritional appointment with Dr. Chase Hayden in regards to the symptoms you are experiencing, please CLICK HERE.

A Complementary and Alternative Medicine Approach to Heartburn and Acid Reflux

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is commonly referred to as hearth burn, or acid reflux. Acid reflux results from contents in the stomach (both solids and liquids) leaking backwards from the stomach up into the esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach). These particles of food and liquid irritate the lining of the esophagus which creates burning and sometimes a nauseating sensation.

Heart burn is often the result of the lower esophageal sphincter losing muscle tone which can occur due to aging, obesity, heavy metal exposure, food sensitivities, a hiatal hernia, and/or a functionally slow liver. Occasionally, acid reflux is present with healthy endurance athletes and pregnant women that experience mild spasms of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the main muscle involved in deep breathing, and can affect digestion when it becomes functionally impaired. Symptoms of heartburn are often made worse through lying down after eating, exercise, and certain foods such as chocolate, caffeine, fats, and alcohol.

Diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is often made based on the history of the patient, but if a hiatal hernia is present, diagnoses may be found through x-ray, or a GI endoscopy. Traditional treatment includes is prescription of antacids or OTC H2 antagonists such as Zantac or Tagamet.

Complementary and alternative medicine approaches to acid reflux can include the following:

· Weight loss in patients that are overweight

· Avoid food sensitivities and inflammatory foods such as coffee, alcohol, gluten, casein, chocolate, and poor quality fats/oils

· Chiropractic manipulation of the epigastric region in order stimulate neurologic activity to the lower esophageal sphincter which will increase tone to the musculature

· Nutritional supplementation of zinc and/or beet derived betain HCL

· Herbal detoxification of the liver and gallbladder systems with herbs such as milk thistle, turmeric, dandelion, and garlic

· Quantum neurology rehabilitation of the esophageal sphincter through cranial nerve rehabilitation protocols with an emphasis on vagal nerve activation

Do you experience acid reflux? Looking for an alternative to medications? Contact Dr. Chase Hayden, Houston's only certified Quantum Neurologist by clicking HERE to see if his complementary and alternative approach to health care is for you!

Epilepsy, Food Sensitivities, and Heavy Metals

November has been selected as "Epilepsy Awareness Month" according to the Center for Disease Control.  This year, their focus is on seizure recognition and first aid. 

There are four main categories of seizures include:

• Generalized Seizures - affect entire brain
• Partial Seizures - affect part of the brain
• Non-Epileptic Seizures - not caused by epilepsy, but other things such as diabetes, fever, etc
• Status Epilepticus - a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes

Epilepsy affects more than 2 million in the United States, and some patients can experience over 100 seizures in a single day. 

The CDC recommends that a person seek immediate medical care if someone has a seizure that meets any of the following criteria:

• If the person is pregnant
• If they injured themselves during the seizure (falls, broken bones, etc)
• If this is the first time they have had a seizure
• If the seizure continues more than 5 minutes (Status Epilepticus)

Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of the brain can trigger epilepsy.  Trauma, illness, brain damage, abnormal development, food intolerances, and heavy metal toxicity can all be factors with epileptic patients.  It is estimated that over 75% of patients with epilepsy do not know what is causing their seizure activity.  Patients are generally provided with toxic medications that attempt to alter the seizure activity without identifying the underline cause of the problem.

From a Complementary and Alternative standpoint, I often find that patients are able to reduce the frequency of their seizure activity through dietary modifications and removing heavy metals from the body.  Certain food intolerances such as gluten, caesin, corn, or soy can be a major "triggers" for patients with epilepsy. 

Heavy metal toxicity can induce a myriad of problems in our bodies, from epilepsy, to infertility, dementia, autoimmune diseases, and more.  Once of the most common ways that we experience heavy metal toxicity is through our teeth.  Mercury fillings, gold crowns, and other metals that are placed in our mouth have the ability to "leak" into our bodies and accumulate in various organs, including the brain.  The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology has an amazing video in regards to the effects of metal toxicity in our bodies.  Click HERE to view it.

I invite you to share this newsletter with your friends and family, and encourage them to speak to a doctor that can help them with the nutritional, dietary, neurological, and toxic burdens that they are experiencing.  To contact The Hayden Institute, click HERE.