Acid Reflux and Good Ol' Vinegar

Acid Reflux Disease, commonly called heartburn is a digestive disorder that usually occurs in some people due to overeating the "wrong" types of food or drink. The digestive acids travel back up the esophagus (throat) causing a distasteful burning sensation in the chest, throat and mouth. Most people think that Acid Reflux is caused because of too much acid production in the stomach. On the contrary, progressive health care professionals have learned that the problem may actually be coming from too little acid in the digestive system. Why would we have an acid shortage in the body? Naturally, the body knows how much acid to produce and in the correct amounts, it seems too much processed "boxed" food in our diets throws off the balance. Live, naturally foods as we were intended to eat maintains a proper acid balance. Live foods like fruits and vegetables. To help correct an acid "shortage" in the body pump up your diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. In the mean time, to help restore acid to the body, recent research has shown the benefits of taking pure, organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar with each meal. One tablespoon before each meal will help balance the acidity in the body and may even eliminate the acid reflux. If a tablespoon of vinegar is too strong to swallow, mix it in one 4 oz glass of water which should make it easier to swallow. The digestive enzyme Betaine Hydrochloric Acid taken with each meal, also helps balance acid production. Taking the vinegar and betaine for four to six months should bring the digestive acid levels into the proper balance reducing or eliminating heartburn. It should be noted that over-the-counter and prescription acid reflux drugs, reduces the acid in the stomach, which temporarily gives symptom relief, but in the long term is throwing the important acid balance of the stomach out of kilter, and could be contributing to the problem.

Thought for the Week: "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." ------ George Bernard Shaw

Chiropractic Tip of the Week: The spinal column can be described as part of an assembly line. It's first function on the line is to support the body. Secondly, the spine protects the spinal cord and nerve fibers from harm and injury. The third and most important part of the assembly line is when the nerves divide off the spine and pass outward from the spinal bones sending all of the vital nerve impulse energy from the brain to the rest of the body. Without the proper flow of this nerve energy, the body could not function and could even cease to live.

The Sacred Cow

There are certain topics that bring out very strong emotional reactions when brought up for debate. These topics are usually called Sacred Cows because the majority of the population believes very strongly in them. This week we will attempt to bust apart two scared cows. The first topic is fluoridated water. Fluoride, long thought to protect our teeth, is added to our water supply. Over the years, there has been great debate as to the helpfulness versus the harm of this chemical. Recently, the American Dental Association has issued a statement saying that fluoride levels in water could be dangerous to infants and the ADA has advised not to use common tap water in formulas, foods or for drinking by infants. Fluoride has a negative effect on the thyroid gland as well as being harmful to diabetics and kidney patients. The next sacred cow is the infamous flu shot. The Institute of Medicine has said that flu shots contain mercury and should not be given to sensitive populations. I do not know what the term "sensitive population" means, but the majority of flu shots contain 25 micrograms of mercury an amount considered unsafe for anyone under 550 pounds of body weight. The scary thing is that the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta Ga. is still advising pregnant women, infants and children to receive the vaccine. The sad fact is that the representative for the CDC, who said that the flu shot is safe, is also a consultant for Merck and Glaxo/Smith/Kline, drug companies that continue to use mercury in their vaccines. This was reported on in Medical News Today , 2/24/2007.

Thought for the Week: "A bit of wisdom, is a joy forever." ---- Will Durant

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "Drugs don't have side effects. It's that the effects of drugs are unpredictable." --Reggie Gold, D.C.

Most people think that a drug is designed to go right to the body part that needs it. We forget that drugs are absorbed through the lining of the stomach before entering our blood stream. The drugs are then processed through the liver and filtered through the kidneys. This is why the regular use of drugs, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, lead to stomach, liver and kidney disease. The New England Journal of Medicine reports that 1000 pain relievers in the course of your life time will triple the risk of kidney and liver disease.-----Dr. J.Z.

Healthy Environment

Green. It's the new buzz word. When the word green is used today, more than likely we are talking about environmentally friendly actions. For instance, recycling. The reasons for the recycling of cans, glass, and plastic are obvious. Saving precious landfill space and converting waste into reusable products are just two important reasons. What is less known are some of the reasons and rationale for recycling paper products. In addition to saving trees, recycling paper conserves water, reduces landfill and saves energy, The purchase of recycled paper products seriously helps our environment and is an action that is easily accomplished by everyone. Some common easy to purchase recycled paper products are paper towels, napkins and toilet tissue. Did you know if every household in America replaced just one 4-pack of bathroom tissue with 100% recycled ones we would save 1,450,000 trees, 3.7 million cubic feet of landfill space, 523 million gallons of water and avoid 89,000 lbs of pollution. Recycled paper products are easy to purchase. My household has recently converted to recycled paper towels, napkins and bathroom tissue. It is a little more expensive, but well worth the cost. You can purchase these products at better markets and healthfood stores. Locally, Organically Yours in Brigantine and Bonterra Market in Northfield carries a whole line of recycled paper products.

Thought for the Week: "The immune system is controlled by the brain, either indirectly through hormones in the bloodstream, or directly through the nerves and neurochemicals." ------- Bernie Siegle, M.D.

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "Look to the Nervous System for the Key to Maximum Health." --- Claudius Galen

"The nervous system controls the function of every system in the body, including the immune system. To be as healthy as possible, make sure the nervous system is working properly. Chiropractic care improves and maintains nerve function thus improving and maintaining health."

---Dr. J.

Olive Oil for Stomach Helth

If you suffer from gastritis attacks or peptic ulcers, recent research has come out with some exciting news. There is an evil bacteria that can exist in the stomach lining. This bacteria is know as H. Pylori. H. Pylori build-up leads to stomach ulcers and gastritis attacks. Laboratory studies have shown that Cold Pressed, Extra Virgin Olive Oil has antibacterial components that attacked eight different strains of H. Pylori. Olive oil's chemical make-up was strong enough to survive the acidic environment of the stomach. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is one of the healthiest oils that we consume. It is extremely high in Omega 9 fatty acids. All other cooking (vegetable) oils are high in Omega 6 fatty acids, which when consumed in excess have a negative effect on health. Most store bought boxed and canned foods are made with Omega 6 vegetable oils. One last note, while Extra Virgin Olive Oil is extremely healthy, it is not a cooking oil. At high temperatures the oil denatures and is not good for you any longer. Use Olive oil as an added ingredient. Pour it over salad or onto your food once it has been cooked.

Thought for the Week: "Genius is not a secret of a few. It is buried in us all." ---- BJ Palmer, D.C.

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "If you place a rubberband snugly around your finger, when would be the intelligent time to take it off? Waiting for gangrene or blood poisoning to occur would be foolish. If you have vertebra out of alignment in the spine, pinching a nerve, when would be the intelligent time to take the pressure off? Waiting for pain, or your body to become sick would be foolish. Chiropractic's greatest virtue is preventative." ------ Reggie Gold, D.C

Did You Know? In the early 1900's, developer of Chiropractic, Dr. BJ Palmer owned and operated the 1st and only radio station west of the Missisippi River. His radio station broadcast to four states. It was called WOC, Wonders of Chiropractic. His DJ, was Ronald Reagan.