How We Are Making Our Children Sick part 5 of 6

Dietary Fat Consumption

Chicken nuggets, potato chips, and other fried foods, while convenient for parents, are relegating their children’s immune systems to behave badly. Another factor that has been identified as a contributor to the rise in allergic diseases is the increased consumption of omega-6 fatty acids and the decreased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids. It has been known for many years that individuals with allergic conditions have disproportionately high levels of omega- 6 fatty acids in their blood. Omega-6 fatty acids actually suppress the immune system and promote inflammation, and allergic responses are, by their very nature, inflammatory. Sources of omega-6 fatty acids are corn, cotton, soybean, peanut, safflower, and sunflower. Omega-6 fatty acids are also present in most animal products.

Inversely, omega-3 fatty acids are known to enhance immunity, reduce inflammation, and protect the nervous system. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids have well documented immunological effects. Sources are flax, hemp, walnut, and cold water fatty fish, especially salmon. It is important to note though that the plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids are inadequate for infants and thus offer minimal benefit early in life. One study showed that children who regularly consumed oily fish were 74% less likely to develop asthma. Other studies show that fish oil supplementation is associated with improved asthma symptoms and reduced medication usage. The immune benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are likely greater during the critical stages of early immune development before the allergic responses are established, so it is recommended that women monitor their fatty acid intake during pregnancy and continue to do while nursing. Once the child is old enough there are omega-3 products designed specifically for children.

Chiropractic for Fertility?

Chiropractic and Fertility

     One of the basic premises of chiropractic care is that vertebral subluxations affect nerve transmission. Think of your brain as a computer which coordinates, via your nervous system, the functions of your organs and cells. Nerve messages can be interrupted by spinal subluxations which occur when there are misalignments of one or more vertebrae. Among other effects, vertebral subluxations can compromise optimal reproductive system function and our capacity to conceive. But the field of chiropractic care is yielding some promising results.

     In one review published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (2008), the case studies of eleven infertile women, aged 22 to 42, were examined. Ten of the women were actively trying to become pregnant and had been unsuccessful. Their pregnancy histories included one natural childbirth, two miscarriages, two failed IVF treatments and three failed artificial inseminations. Within 1 to 20 months of receiving chiropractic care, all eleven women had become pregnant. They all had adjustments made to vertebral subluxations in their spines using a variety of chiropractic techniques. Nine of the eleven received no other medical care during this time. This is one example in the growing body of research that suggests chiropractic care improves reproductive system function.

     Regardless of the type of chiropractic technique used, when subluxations are addressed, nerve function is improved and reproductive and endocrine function is enhanced. There is no exclusive infertility cure-all for couples. These proactive recommendations are designed to allow the body to balance itself and recreate its own “order.” Health practitioners cannot take credit for the magnificent design of the human body, which has an innate intelligence working to heal itself.

     If couples take the time to listen to their own bodies, they will receive invaluable advice, for the body is always sending messages. This does not mean we need be alone in the healing process. Chiropractors and Naturopaths will often work together to support reproductive integrity.

     Given the right support and enough time, the body has repeatedly shown that it is capable of transforming “dis-ease” and dysfunction into wellness…and for many couples, infertility into fertility.

“Back to Basics”

“God breathed into man the breath of life—we add—and left within, a body manager to regulate body functions including reproduction of cells.  There is a power within you—you recognize it in others as the ability to move-see-hear-speak breathe.  What is this power?  Who can answer?  We call that power INNATE INTELLIGENCE.  You look around you and recognize there is a power that governs and controls the universe and all things in it. You may call it NATURE or you may say it is AN ACT OF GOD.  But whatever you choose to call it, you do recognize a FORCE.

     “Within YOU is a ‘grain’ of the universal power.  If there were not, you would cease to move, see, hear, breathe, feel—exist as a HUMAN INTELLIGENT BEING.  As long as that power within you has control of your body a state of HEALTH exists.  Should something interfere with normal control of that internal power—then you cease to enjoy your birthright—HEALTH—instead a state of dis-ease becomes prominent.
     “Healing is a process afforded you by your Creator and is above and beyond the control of man.  Your Chiropractor does everything possible to help Innate heal—but he cannot heal nor can anyone else produce healing for you.  When the right adjustment is made, Innate goes to work.  You feel the results when dis-ease turns to ease.”  – BJ Palmer

"The Dow Jones of Healing"

Healing is like the stock market. It never progresses in a straight line. You've got to expect some ups and downs along the way.

You might experience a surge of relief when you first start your Chiropractic care only to be followed by a relapse.  Soon you're back on track again.  Progress continues with bouts of highs and lows, and you might even experience a plateau or dip in your improvements.  But don't make the mistake of 'pulling out of the market' early. 

Keep the big picture in mind.  Like stocks, the gains in Chiropractic care are best seen over time.  When you look back and see how far you've come since your first visit, you'll realize the dividends are paying off.