The Bolick Clinic of Chiropractic Wellness » Articles

Headaches, Fatigue Can Be a (Food) Sensitivity Issue

admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:47:36 +0000

Food sensitivities can be just as damaging as allergies, but they’re harder to decipher.

BY TRISHA POSNER

Special to the Miami Herald

“No, sorry, I’m sensitive to chicken,” the woman said as she passed by some samples at the Aventura Whole Foods.

“Sensitive?” I asked. “You mean you’re allergic to chicken?”

“Not allergic,” she said. “Just sensitive.”

I then received a 10-minute introduction into the world of food sensitivities and intolerances. We’ve all heard about food allergies, when nuts, dairy, gluten or something causes hives or itching, and in the worst cases, is life-threatening. You eat the bad stuff and your body instantly tells you.

Food sensitivities can be just as damaging, but are more complex to decipher. Researchers believe they contribute to everything from migraines to chronic fatigue to irritable bowel syndrome to acid reflux. For people trying to shed unwanted pounds, intolerant foods are harder to digest, don’t metabolize well, and have a nasty tendency to stick around as fat.

But it’s not easy to recognize your intolerant foods. Only your body knows, as white blood cells react to the foods and wreck havoc over time with your health. My Whole Foods friend told me about ALCAT, a Deerfield Beach-based company that for for more than 20 years has perfected a system for testing up to 200 foods, additives, colorings, molds and even environmental chemicals from a blood test.

I’m 57, five-seven, weigh 112, work out regularly and eat healthy foods. However, I am a migraine sufferer, usually once or twice weekly. Although I knew migraines could be exacerbated by certain foods like red wine, aged cheese, and even chocolate, I had eliminated them at different times, and never discovered my headache trigger.

In mid-June I went to ALCAT (your own doctor can draw the blood and send them the sample). The tests costs between $199 to $949, depending on how many foods, additives, and chemicals are tested. Insurance may cover part of it, but you need to check your policy.

I was surprised by the results. ALCAT classifies the intolerances as severe, moderate and mild. It then provides a long list of acceptable foods. Red-lined “severe” food should be avoided for at least six months. For me, that meant feta cheese, oats (no oatmeal!), and halibut. Turns out that your body reacts negatively to certain foods either from your genetic makeup, or over-exposure, especially if there isn’t enough variety in what you eat.

On my yellow list, moderate, I should avoid for three to six months some things I really love, like ALL wheat and gluten products, which I learned can contribute to bloating.

Finally, on my mild intolerance list, which means I should have them no more than once every four days, there is my daily cup of java, lamb, pork, tuna, strawberries, crab, coconut and too many others to list.

The good news is that you don’t have to give up these foods forever. Once your body is detoxed for half a year, you slowly reintroduce the foods one by one, and see how you feel.

Six weeks into the program, I can see the changes. I’ve had 45 days of no migraines. Also, the swelling on two knuckles has gone down about 50 percent. And my post nasal drip has stopped completely. My energy, even without my morning coffee, is as good or better than ever.

“I’m not surprised,” says Dr. Judy Woolger, co-director of the University of Miami’s Executive Medicine Program and who utilizes traditional and complementary wellness techniques in her practice. “Patients come in not feeling well, and they have had all the traditional tests, but sometimes it takes something like ALCAT to get a better diagnosis and make them healthier.”

So, now I have a scientific snapshot of those foods to which my body is intolerant. By New Year’s, I hope I’ll still be headache free, even though my frequent visits to Starbucks may be a treat of the past.

Battling Inflammation Through Food an Emerging Field

admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:44:47 +0000

New science sheds light on the impact of anti-inflammatory diets and preventing chronic illness.

An article recently published in the LA Times touts the benefits of consuming anti-inflammatory foods to prevent chronic disease and cancer. The article discusses how foods like cherries may help for rheumatoid arthritis or avoid gluten to fight off psoriasis.

“Chronic inflammation is an emerging field,” says Dr. David Heber, a UCLA professor of medicine and director of the university’s Center for Human Nutrition. “It’s a new concept for medicine.”

According to the article, “The activated immune cells and hormones then turn on the body itself, damaging tissues. The process continues indefinitely, occurring at low enough levels that a person doesn’t feel pain or realize anything is wrong. Years later, proponents say, the damage contributes to illnesses such as heart disease, neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease or cancer.”

In addition to eating foods that may reduce inflammation, foods that actually cause the inflammation should be avoided. Because of an individual’s biochemistry and genetic makeup, common, every day foods may cause chronic activation of the immune system in some people and not others.

Cell Science Systems, maker of the ALCAT Test for food and chemical sensitivity, offers a way to pinpoint which foods may be causing you inflammation and recommends a rotation diet to avoid those specific foods.

“The ALCAT Test provides customized feedback as to which foods and chemicals are activating your immune system,” said Roger Deutsch, founder of Cell Science Systems. “We believe in eating anti-inflammatory foods; but we also believe in avoiding specific foods that may not be compatible with your own biochemistry. It’s all about customization.”

According to a study released by the National Institutes of Health, treating Alzheimer’s disease with docosahexaenoic acid slowed its progression in a subgroup of the study population. While the ultimate goal of consuming anti-inflammatory foods and supplements is to prevent chronic illness, this study lends credence to the value of this emerging field.

About Cell Science Systems

Cell Science Systems (CSS) is a life sciences company and the worldwide market leader in food sensitivity testing as the manufacturer of The ALCAT Test. ALCAT identifies cellular reactions to over 300 foods and chemicals. These inflammatory reactions are linked to chronic health problems like obesity and diabetes, as well as skin, heart, joint, and digestive disorders. Located in Deerfield Beach, Florida, CSS is a FDA-inspected and registered, cGMP medical device manufacturer and operates a CLIA-certified laboratory.

The Bolick Wellness Clinic and it is at 500 E. Horatio Avenue. Our phone number is 407-629-5333. Call today for an appointment. The ALCAT test is covered by most insurances.

Celiac Disease Provides Clues To Solving Autoimmunity

admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:42:39 +0000

Researcher Alessio Fasano reports new findings in the battle against chronic illnesses, Celiac disease.

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL, August 06, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ — According to an article published in Scientific America, a study of potentially fatal food-triggered disease has uncovered a process that may contribute to many autoimmune disorders.

The epidemiology of celiac disease that once was thought to be in the rage of 1 in 10,000 is now known to be in the neighborhood of 1 in 133, although not all individuals with the disease face the same set of symptoms that makes celiac and other food-related conditions so dangerous and widespread.

Dr. Alessio Fasano, Medical Director with the Center for Celiac Research at the University of Maryland Medical Center, has attributed gluten intolerance to classic gastrointestinal problems including diarrhea, bloating, and indigestion and leading to disruptions in nutrient absorption. For example, failure to properly absorb iron may lead to anemia, whereas failure to absorb folate may lead to a variety of neurological conditions. Malabsorption of specific nutrients may lead to such diverse conditions as osteoporosis, joint pain, chronic fatigue, skin lesions (eczema, psoriasis), epilepsy, dementia, schizophrenia, depression, and seizures. In addition to the above conditions, the following diseases or conditions are considered autoimmune in nature: diabetes, obesity, multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, acute ischemic heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

As researchers have elucidated the precise mechanisms involved in the cascade leading to what is considered autoimmune disease (where the body actually attacks its own tissues), it is apparent that both proteins from foods as well as several genetic components are involved.

“A growing body of evidence suggests that virtually the same trio of factors underpins most, and perhaps all, autoimmune diseases: an environmental substance that is presented to the body, a genetically based tendency of the immune system to overreact to the substance, and an unusually permeable gut,” said Dr. Fasano.

The crux of the process involves a leaky gut where partially digested food proteins (the environmental factor) pass or leak through the gut to interact with genetically-sensitive elements of the immune system setting off a cascade of immune reactions.

Fasano has identified a specific protein, zonulin, involved in controlling the spaces at the tight junctions in the gut wall, which is partially responsible for the leaky gut syndrome. He and other researchers are looking for drug therapies to prevent the initiation of the autoimmune cascade.

Since this cascade is triggered by a number of food proteins, another viable and proven approach is to identify the offending culprits and eliminate them from your diet. Cell Science Systems has developed a laboratory technology, the ALCAT Test, involving whole blood which is incubated with various foods to identify specific foods that trigger food intolerance. The solution then involves not eating those offending foods.

Cell Science Systems has hundreds of examples of individuals who have successfully reduced or eliminated autoimmune disease symptoms by simply avoiding certain foods for a specified period of time.

Annette, an ALCAT tester, suffered from multiple sclerosis symptoms for decades. “It was as if I was drunk but I do not drink. Turning over in bed was nearly impossible to do,” said Annette. After taking the ALCAT Test and following the recommended rotation diet, her symptoms immediately began to subside. Before long, she realized it had been over a month since her last spell of symptoms. According to her husband, “It was like being married to someone else’s wife.”

Fasano, Alessio (2009, July 27). Celiac Disease Insights: Clues to Solving Autoimmunity. Scientific American, Retrieved on August 2, 2009 from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=celiac-disease-insights

About Cell Science Systems

Cell Science Systems (CSS) is a life sciences company and the worldwide market leader in food sensitivity testing as the maker of The ALCAT Test . ALCAT identifies cellular reactions to over 300 foods and chemicals. These inflammatory reactions are linked to chronic health problems like obesity and diabetes, as well as skin, heart, joint, and digestive disorders. Located in Deerfield Beach, Florida, CSS is a FDA-inspected and registered, cGMP medical device manufacturer and operates a CLIA-certified laboratory.

The Bolick Wellness Clinic and it is at 500 E. Horatio Avenue. Our phone number is 407-629-5333. Call today for an appointment. The ALCAT test is covered by most insurances.

Milk: Does It Do a Body Good?

admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:40:11 +0000

New study suggests milk good for weight loss. Others disagree.

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL, October 9, 2009 — A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests drinking fat-free milk in the morning may be better than drinking juice to stave off morning hunger.

However, the study only looks at feeling full, not weight loss or, more importantly, body composition (fat to muscle ratio). Additionally, many people are intolerant to proteins in milk, or lactose intolerant, which can cause chronic activation of the immune system.

The National Institute of Health reports that 30 to 50 million Americans have intolerance to milk.

“Immune system activation blocks insulin receptors, resulting in fat storage,” says Roger Deutsch, co-author of Your Hidden Food Allergies Are Making You Fat. “Hence, dieting should be individualized to take into account individual sensitivities.”

Many experts, including Fred Pescatore, former associate Medical Director of the famed Atkins Center, recommend testing for food and chemical sensitivity through a reliable method such as the ALCAT Test. “Food sensitivities are the next great epidemic of our time. I use the ALCAT Test to identify these sensitivities and create a pathway to wellness.”

The ALCAT Test, a simple laboratory blood test, identifies cellular reactions (intolerances, not allergies) to foods, chemicals, and various other substances. Eliminating sensitivities may help benefit weight as well as a whole host of inflammatory-related problems; such as, irritable bowel, eczema, diabetes and migraines.

A 12-week study, recently published in the Middle East Journal of Family Medicine, reported that avoidance of test-specified foods can be every bit as effective and far safer than the use of drugs, herbs, or even severe calorie restriction, for people suffering from chronic weight issues. Participants who avoided the foods shown on their ALCAT Test dropped an average of 37 lbs. and experienced a six point improvement in body mass index (BMI).

Previously, a study conducted at Baylor University Sports Medicine and Performance Institute in Houston, Texas, found that 98 percent of participants either lost weight and/or improved body composition by following the ALCAT Test.

“We generally think of these as delayed food allergies,” said Dr. Craig Koniver, MD of Primary Plus Organic Medicine in Charleston, South Carolina. “You may not have anaphylaxis; but, you may have fatigue or headache, which impairs how you function.” Rick Breslitt, a patient of Dr. Koniver, who had the ALCAT test and was found to be intolerant to milk, said, “I used to wake up and die off at noon. I figured out that milk – which I drink probably half a gallon a day, and wheat, were extreme problems for me.”

Patient Jeff Keating, who had sensitivity to both casein and whey, avoided milk and other items listed on his ALCAT test report. “I am now at 279 lbs which brings the weight loss total to 87 lbs. This is absolutely amazing!” said Keating. “The results have been amazing and eye-opening.”

With those numbers, maybe it’s the ALCAT Test that does a body good.

About Cell Science Systems

Cell Science Systems (CSS) is a life sciences company and the worldwide market leader in food sensitivity testing as the manufacturer of the ALCAT Test. ALCAT identifies cellular reactions to over 300 foods and chemicals. These inflammatory reactions are linked to chronic health problems like obesity and diabetes, as well as skin, heart, joint, and digestive disorders. Located in Deerfield Beach, Florida, CSS is a FDA-inspected and registered, cGMP medical device manufacturer and operates a CLIA-certified laboratory.

The Bolick Wellness Clinic and it is at 500 E. Horatio Avenue. Our phone number is 407-629-5333. Call today for an appointment. The ALCAT test is covered by most insurances.

What Everybody Ought to Know About Forbidden Foods

admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:35:10 +0000

Are Your Favorite Foods Ruining Your Health?

Headaches, fatigue, obesity and more can be a sensitive issue. Food sensitivities can be just as damaging as allergies, but they’re harder to decipher. Many people confuse food intolerance with food allergy. This difference between the two is complex, but a simple distinction is that the person allergic to foods, such as peanuts, strawberries, or shrimp reacts IMMEDIATELY—often with a rash or in extreme cases anaphylactic shock (a severe and sometimes fatal allergic response). This type of reaction is rare—less than 5% of the U.S. population exhibits what is called a “true” food allergy.

In contrast, food intolerance is often called the “hidden” food allergy, because you usually have no apparent immediate reaction when you eat a food to which your body is sensitive. In fact, the body’s reaction to the offending foods usually occurs in small steps. Each step leading up to a “breaking point” or the “final straw.” At that point the body reacts by developing one or more symptoms and diseases such as obesity, arthritis, diabetes, digestive problems, sinus conditions, migraines and more… The subtle changes are often so discrete that you don’t even associate them with a food you regularly eat or even “crave,” yet if you continue to eat this food your health will progressively deteriorate.

No drug, no medical therapy and no diet alone can improve your healthy or help you loose weight if you continue to bombard your body with your own “personal poison.”

Food sensitivities can be just as damaging as allergies, but are more complex to decipher. Researchers believe they contribute to everything from migraines to chronic fatigue to irritable bowel syndrome to acid reflux. For people trying to shed unwanted pounds, intolerant foods are harder to digest, don’t metabolize well, and have a nasty tendency to stick around as fat.

But it’s not easy to recognize your intolerant foods. Only your body knows, as white blood cells react to the foods and wreck havoc over time with your health.

ALCAT classifies the food intolerances as severe, moderate and mild. It then provides a long list of acceptable foods. Red-lined “severe” food should be avoided for at least six months. Turns out that your body reacts negatively to certain foods either from your genetic makeup, or over-exposure, especially if there isn’t enough variety in what you eat. On the yellow list, moderate, these foods should avoid for three to six months. Finally, on the mild intolerance list, which means these foods should be eaten no more than once every four days.

The good news is that you don’t have to give up these foods forever. Once your body is detoxed for half a year, you slowly reintroduce the foods one by one, and see how you feel.

ALCAT helps some people loose weight when all else has failed. A 12-week study, recently published in the Middle East Journal of Family Medicine, reported that avoidance of test-specified foods can be every bit as effective and far safer than the use of drugs, herbs, or even severe calorie restriction, for people suffering from chronic weight issues. Participants who avoided the foods shown on their ALCAT Test dropped an average of 37 lbs. and experienced a six point improvement in body mass index (BMI).

ALCAT test shows that people stop eating foods they do not tolerate well find that their “craving for sweets” is diminished. This strongly suggests that the intolerant foods, which damaged the white blood cells, also disrupted the chemicals in those cells, thus continuing the patient’s cycles of obesity and poor health. The bottom line is that all the drawbacks of conventional weight loss diets are removed when people follow diets that remove foods they do not tolerate as identified by the ALCAT test.

Patient Jeff Keating, who had sensitivity to both casein and whey, avoided milk and other items listed on his ALCAT test report and lost a total to 87 lbs. “This is absolutely amazing!” said Keating. “The results have been amazing and eye-opening.”

Examples of common conditions often associated with food intolerance: Acne, Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, ADD/ADHD, Autism, Bedwetting, Chronic Diarrhea, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Diabetes, Ear & other frequent Infections, Eczema, Fatigue, Hay fever symptoms (year round), Headaches (tension type, migraine & others), Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Migraine, Muscle Aches, Obesity, Panic Attacks, Stuffy Nose, Urticaria (hives). Although these are some of the most common food intolerance symptoms, food intolerance has been implicated in nearly any symptom imaginable.

Food intolerance testing and treatment is a simple, painless, non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical approach to improving health.

Some people have tried a lot of things to handle their health problem that failed them or only gave temporary relief at best. While I’m not saying that I can help everyone; I do believe that something can be done about it. Even if you’ve been told by a chiropractor or some other specialist that they couldn’t help you–I’d still like the chance to work your case up and make my own determination. I’ve helped many patients over the years that thought or were told that they could not be helped.

We are participating with a number of new insurance companies this year. I have affordable plans and will work with you. My assistant is Stephanie and she is a really great person. Our office is both friendly and warm and we try our best to make you feel at home. We have a wonderful service, at an exceptional fee. Our office is called The Bolick Wellness Clinic and it is at 500 E. Horatio Avenue. Our phone number is 407-629-5333. Call Stephanie or me today for an appointment. We can help you. Thank you. ALCAT test is covered by most insurances.

Auto Injury Facts

admin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:14:07 +0000

A whiplash injury occurs when the head and neck are thrown very quickly in one direction and then rebounds in another. Studies indicate that injury can occur at impact speeds of 8 mph where there is little or no damage to the car itself. National Transportation Safety Council: A one vehicle accident at 10 mph is the equivalent of a person from a second story elevation throwing a 50 lb. sack on you.

Many accident victims falsely assume that wearing their seatbelt reduced the risk of Whiplash injury. Seatbelts can actually increase the likelihood and degree of neck injury. Now, no one denies that seat-belts save lives, but when the body is firmly secured to the seat, the seatbelt actually increases the “whipping” action of the neck this can increase injury to the neck and its supporting structures. Soft tissue injuries are often not visualized on x-rays and frequently overlooked. Soft tissue injuries can cause severe debilitating pain after a car accident.

Although “rear ender” type of accidents represent on 20% of motor vehicle accidents, it causes 80% of injuries giving long-term and persistent symptoms. An older accident victim will generally suffer more serious injury because of decreased elasticity, dramatic loss of flexibility and strength, and slowing of the natural healing rate. Auto accident victims have an 80% higher incidence of osteoarthritis and get it faster.

If you have been in a car accident with an impact of 10 mph or greater it is a good idea to get checked out by your local chiropractor who is well trained to evaluate and treat these types of injuries.

“Do You Have These Dirty Dozen Dangerous Thoughts About Your Health?”

admin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:03:43 +0000

Do You Make These Common Mistakes?

There are three basic kinds of stress (1) physical stress: like an accident or trauma; (2) emotional stress; (3) environmental or toxic stress. Any combination of these three types of stressors that the body cannot effectively handle can cause vertebrae in the spine to become displaced very much like the circuit breaker panel in your home. Chiropractic, which was discovered in 1895 can effectively treat misaligned vertebrae along with all of the symptoms associated with this physical problem.

Dangerous thought one: “It will go away if I ignore it.” While it does take the body time to heal; it sometimes needs some outside physical help. A simple muscle strain should only last a few days and then never come back. If you have back or neck problems longer than a few days then it is probably more than a simple strain and should get checked out. The body also has an ability to “adapt” to pain; where you don’t perceive the physical problem as much, all the while it is degenerating your body.

Dangerous thought two: “I’ll just take some Ibuprofen.” Drugs and pain killers often just mask a physical problem—if they have any positive effect at all for many types of neck and back disorders. Long term use of pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs can cause serious damage to vital organs (ex: long term Ibuprofen use linked to kidney failure). If you have been taking over the counter pain remedies for more than a week or two you should definitely consult a doctor to get at the true cause of your health problem. If you have tried a lot of chemical solutions (drugs) that have not permanently resolved your problem, then your problem may by physical in nature that would respond best to a physical solution–like a gentle chiropractic adjustment. A 2002 study from Annals of Internal Medicine found that Chiropractic was more effective than drugs in treating neck pain.

Dangerous thought three: “I’m fine my back doesn’t hurt at all.” This can be one of the more dangerous health attitudes. Just like death can be the first symptom of a heart attack, there could be misaligned vertebrae in your spine that are not giving you symptoms yet. Simple non-invasive tests by a Chiropractor can determine if your spine is in proper alignment or not. Preventative care can save you a lot of time and money. Unfortunately, most patients wait until their situation is unbearable before they seek help, then bounce around in the American “sick” care system a long time before they find it.

Dangerous thought four: “It’s too late. I’m too old to get better.” I have a number of patients who first sought my care when they were well into their 90’s and my oldest patient is over 100—all of these cases that I accepted had a positive outcome and were very happy with their care. I won’t waste your time or money. I only accept cases I feel I can truly help, others I refer on to the appropriate specialist.

Dangerous thought five: “I can crack my own back.” A gross manipulation delivered by yourself or some other unqualified person could be dangerous. Even if it feels good at the time moving the wrong vertebrae can lead to instability of the ligaments of the spine and other more serious complications. Frequently feeling the “urge” to “pop” your own back is a huge warning sign you are moving the wrong vertebrae. When the correct vertebrae is put back in place by a gentle specific Chiropractic adjustment, this sensation to “pop” your own spine usually goes away after just a few visits.

Dangerous thought six: “My doctor says there’s nothing else I can do.” All I can say is I have helped hundreds of patients who were given this advise—there is a chance I might be able to help you too.

Dangerous thought seven: “I went to a Chiropractor once and he fixed me.” This is like going to the dentist to get a toothache handled, then never going back for a check-up. If you have ever had a problem with your spine, then you are predisposed to having more problems with your spine. Getting a regular check-up can prevent serious issues in the future.

Dangerous thought eight: “I’m healthy. I’m not taking any medications at all.” Take this quiz: When was the last time I consistently felt my very best? If the answer is anything other than “now,” then you should come in to get checked out. You may need nutrition or lifestyle changes to regain optimum health.

Dangerous thought nine: “I’m too busy. I’ll do it next week.” The longer you wait the more time and money it can cost to handle or it may get to a point where conservative care (Chiropractic) is no longer an option for you. Some people think the worst that can happen by putting it off is having a surgery, only to be disappointed when the surgeon says they waited too long and will just have to live with it. Why wait until it is so bad you would even consider a surgery?

Dangerous thought ten: “My wife/husband/partner doesn’t believe in it.” Chiropractic is not a religion or a belief system. It is a type of physical medicine. It is the process of moving a misaligned vertebrae off a “pinched” nerve so the body can regain normal function to whatever that nerve controls.

Dangerous thought eleven: “I don’t have any money.” Could you find $300 to fix your car if it were broken today? Most people would easily say yes. Americans commonly take better care of their car than they do their body.

Dangerous thought twelve: “I only want to do what my insurance will cover.” The insurance company is in business to turn a profit for their shareholders and executives not to take personal responsibility for your health and well being. Their goal is to spend the least amount of money per diagnosis, if it is cheaper to patch a problem (like mask it with drugs) than it is to fix it, you can bet they will only pay for the patch. Wellness and holistic care are often foreign territory for an insurance company. HMO patients presenting with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or heart attack have twice the risk of dying in-hospital compared with AMI patients with fee-for-service type insurance in a study done by the American Heart Association.