Nutrition and Toxins
Techniques
Why does a chiropractor care about nutrition?
Nutrition is the science of how our bodies use the nutrients in the food we eat to maintain and repair themselves. It’s a vital part of healing! In order for a body to heal it needs all the right nutrients and your body also needs the ability to break them down and use them.
Even if we think our diet is great, there are many reasons to check that our bodies have everything they need to heal. Conditions like stress and digestive distress can impact a person's ability to absorb nutrients effectively. Here's how these factors can affect nutrient absorption:
Stress
Chronic or prolonged stress can affect the functioning of the digestive system. When the body is under stress, it produces stress hormones such as cortisol, which can alter digestion and nutrient absorption. Stress can lead to decreased blood flow to the digestive organs, reduced enzyme secretion, and changes in gut motility, all of which can hinder the proper breakdown and absorption of nutrients.
Digestive Distress
Digestive conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or gastrointestinal infections can affect the health and functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to impaired nutrient absorption. For example, in celiac disease, the body's immune response to gluten damages the lining of the small intestine, impairing the absorption of nutrients.
Malabsorption Issues
Many conditions can cause malabsorption issues, where nutrients are not adequately absorbed by the digestive system. Conditions such as Gastric reflux, low stomach acid, Crohn's disease, pancreatic insufficiency, or gallstones can interfere with the normal absorption of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and other essential compounds.
Scientific studies provide compelling evidence that many fruits, vegetables, and grains grown today may contain lower levels of essential nutrients compared to those grown decades ago. Nutrient decline in our food raises concerns about our body's ability to defend against chronic diseases and undermines the potential of food as preventive medicine.
One significant study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition in December 2004, conducted by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, analyzed 43 different garden crops using USDA nutrient data from 1950 and 1999. The study revealed changes in 13 nutrients across various fruits and vegetables.
The findings indicated declines in protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin, and vitamin C in these crops. These nutrients play vital roles in bone and teeth health, nerve function, oxygen transport, metabolism, tissue growth, repair, and immune function. This is another reason we always check to see if your body has what it needs!
By making sure we consume all the essential nutrients our body needs through the right diet and decreasing the foods that don't support our health, we can improve our overall health and well-being. In our office, we check nutrition and suggest any necessary supplements to support deficiencies and target nutrients that support specific health goals.
What are Toxins?
Toxins are anything that interferes with our natural homeostatic state of balance and health. Toxins need to be addressed whenever there is an issue you are trying to heal.
Common sources of toxins that humans may encounter include:
Air pollution
Urban areas often experience high levels of air pollution due to vehicle emissions, industrial activities, power generation, and other sources. Particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are among the pollutants that can be harmful when inhaled over an extended period.
Industrial emissions
Proximity to industrial facilities may expose individuals to toxic substances released into the air or water. These can include heavy metals, volatile chemicals, and hazardous waste byproducts.
Pesticides and herbicides
In urban environments, pesticides and herbicides may be used for pest control or landscaping purposes. Exposure can occur through direct contact, inhalation, or ingestion of residues on fruits, vegetables, or in water sources.
Indoor pollutants
Indoor environments can also harbor toxins such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from building materials, cleaning products, paints, and furnishings. Additionally, mold, mildew, and allergens from dust mites or pets can contribute to indoor air quality issues.
Contaminated water
Water sources in urban areas may sometimes contain pollutants such as heavy metals, industrial waste, or microbial contaminants due to inadequate treatment or aging infrastructure. Drinking or using contaminated water can lead to health risks.
Noise pollution
While not a direct toxin, chronic exposure to high levels of noise pollution in cities can contribute to stress, sleep disturbances, and other health issues.
It's worth noting that the body has natural detoxification mechanisms to eliminate toxins and maintain homeostasis. The liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, and digestive system play crucial roles in processing and eliminating toxins from the body. However, excessive or prolonged exposure to certain toxins can overwhelm the body's detoxification processes and lead to adverse health effects.