2502 NYCC TRANS FINAL2 - New York Chiropractic College

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Use and Abuse of Nutritional Supplements by Robert Crayhon, M.S., C.N. The Type of Fat You Eat Matters Americans were quick to learn that fewer calories mean looser waistbands. In the course of counting calories they found that fats were packed with them. Consequently, people began to limit the amount of fat they ate. Now we discover that some fats are better than others. Animal fats and those found in processed foods are less healthy than monounsaturated fats found in olive oil and nuts. What’s more, omega-3 fats found in canola, fish, flaxseed, walnuts, cold-water fish, pumpkin seeds, and green leafy vegetables help control inflammation, platelet aggregation and vascular dilation. These essential fatty acids can only be obtained through diet, as they are not made by the body. Increasing Fats to Lose Weight??!! Simply cutting out all fats does not necessarily ensure weight loss and, curiously, may actually increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Endocrinologist Gerald Reaven, M.D., of Stanford University urges people to eat fewer carbohydrates and more fats in order to lose weight. The percentage of protein remains the same. Rather than approaching weight loss as simply a matter of reducing calories, he encourages consumption of certain types of foods to lose weight and control blood sugar and lipid levels. The fats that are eaten are to be monounsaturated and include olive, peanut, and canola oils and high monounsaturated varieties of safflower and sunflower oils; avocados; nuts such as macadamias, hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios, cashews, peanuts, Brazil nuts, English walnuts, and butters made from these nuts. The higher fat content actually reduces appetite. The past 20 years have witnessed an avalanche of scientific data confirming that aggressive nutritional strategies can reduce the rate of many chronic diseases and improve the overall quality of life. When properly administered, together with changes in diet and lifestyle, nutritional protocols can have remarkable therapeutic benefits in managing and possibly preventing a myriad of current health concerns. Unfortunately, a protocol’s effectiveness can be compromised, even downright harmful, when improperly administered. Nutritional supplementation is, nevertheless, generally safer than taking prescription drugs. This is due largely to our bodies’ natural adaptation to metabolizing, storing and ultimately excreting most supplemented nutrients. In addition, our bodies have a natural, though often adverse, reaction to toxins and unfamiliar compounds found in many pharmaceutical drugs. The nutritional supplement industry is virtually unregulated as compared with the highly regulated drug industry. Nonetheless, the number and severity of health complications reported each year that are associated with nutritional supplementation remains minuscule. People increasingly turn to nutritional therapies for management of chronic illnesses and to achieve health. Problems are most likely to surface with consumers who are uninformed or misguided about side effects, contraindications and optimal therapeutic dosages for supplements they take. Take, for example, a protocol including magnesium, chromium and zinc intended to enhance insulin metabolism. The layman is unlikely to know that magnesium in single doses above 400 mg may result in loose stools. Additionally, magnesium supplementation may adversely impact people who suffer kidney failure. What is more, protracted zinc intake should be balanced with ingestion of copper. And chromium administered in amounts above 600 mcg can reduce the system’s blood sugar and result in fatigue. A supplement’s effectiveness presents its own complications. For example, since supplements can improve insulin and blood sugar metabolism to the point where diabetics may no longer need blood sugar medications, it is important that prescribing physicians routinely monitor patients in order to reassess drug dosages. In summary, people with medical conditions and health concerns are well advised to take supplements under the guidance of health professionals. Since few of today’s professionals are fully knowledgeable about the health effects of supplements, chiropractors who are educated about the many supplements and their therapeutic effectiveness, contraindications, food synergies, and appropriate dosages are well positioned to offer much-needed advice to an eager market, and to benefit financially from their expertise. Robert Crayhon serves on the scientific advisory board for Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences, and author of four books, including “Robert Crayhon’s Nutrition Made Simple” and “The Carnitine Miracle.” Robert co-wrote “Dr. Atkins Vitanutrient Solution.” 18
Dopamine, Obesity and Addiction Does dopamine, a brain chemical that stimulates feelings of satisfaction and pleasure, cause obese people to binge in the way alcoholics or drug addicts abuse alcohol or drugs? This was a possibility that was researched by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York. In fact, obese people have fewer brain receptors for dopamine and, consequently, may eat more to stimulate the pleasure circuits in the brain. As a result, Brookhaven scientists are looking past appetite suppressants and fat blockers, instead targeting dopamine as a possible remedy for obesity. The researchers also uncovered the existence of an inverse correlation between body mass index (BMI) and dopamine receptors, not apparent in people of normal weight. Subjects exhibiting the greatest BMI had the fewest receptors. Regulating dopamine through selected foods and/or exercise may hold the key to controlling feasting urges. Trouble Sleeping? Lose Weight! Have you ever awakened and wondered why you do not feel refreshed? Diet may have been the cause. Good nutrition can relieve the debilitating effects of sleep apnea, a condition that interrupts sleep and causes people to feel lethargic throughout the day. The condition is often caused by a blocked upper airway. Consequently, the sufferer stops breathing for short periods of time during sleep. Though the sleeper doesn’t fully awaken when this occurs, by morning he/she nonetheless doesn’t feel well rested. Apnea is often caused by obesity, commonly afflicting people during middle age. Alcohol and sleeping pills can trigger the condition as well. Unfortunately, most drugs available for sleep apnea have serious side effects. Therefore, it makes sense to undertake some lifestyle changes, including losing weight and minimizing use of alcohol, antihistamines and tranquilizers. Avoid mucus-producing foods such as dairy and bananas, and monitor the results. Increase essential fatty acids, since they tend to moderate inflammatory response. Chromium supplements are known to stabilize blood sugar and thereby decrease sugar cravings. Finally, try sleeping sideways rather than on your back. Ephedra: Dangerous Supplement or Effective Weight Loss Treatment? by Jonathan Kropf, 7 th Trimester People are more concerned than ever about their appearance: Calories are the enemy and fat is a dirty word. Statistics reveal that most Americans are overweight. Nutrition and healthfood companies ride a lucrative fat-burning wave as new and improved “miracle” weight-loss supplements promise vim and vigor. Truth is, no single supplement or medication will fully deliver. Currently, ephedra is one supplement that enjoys widespread use as an anti-obesity supplement. What is Ephedra? Ephedra, referred to by the Chinese as Ma Huang, is a plant source of natural ephedrine alkaloids. Ephedrine alkaloids are what give Ma Huang extracts their sought-after properties. Used extensively in Europe, it is employed both as an appetite suppressant and for upper respiratory infections. Though synthetic forms of the extract exist, the most common source is the plant ephedra silica. How is Ephedra Used? Ephedra is generally regarded as safe when used correctly. The ancient Chinese used the extract as a fever-reducing agent and to increase perspiration. Ephedra affects the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) in a way similar to that of epinephrine – increasing heart rate and blood pressure, and as a bronchodilator. In Europe, ephedra may be used in conjunction with caffeine, and sometimes aspirin. This is known as “stacking” — several substances used in combination to provide a cumulative therapeutic effect. The herbal equivalents of caffeine and aspirin, guarana root and willow bark, provide a fat-burning stack effect. What are the Possible Negative Effects of Ephedra? More controlled scientific studies are needed. When it is inappropriately used, ephedra’s side effects can include severe hypertension, cardiac arrest, heart attack, stroke, suicidal tendencies, psychosis, seizures, hepatitis and exfoliative dermatitis. Less harmful side effects include confusion, disorientation, rash, numbness and tingling in the extremities, palpitations, anxiety and nervousness. Obvious risk factors relating to ephedra supplementation are hypertension, history or seizures, suicidal tendencies or a history of liver disease. Since 1994, the FDA has received more than 40 reports of deaths resulting from ephedra overdosing, and nearly 900 dangerous reactions ranging from the serious to the mild side effects listed previously. Yale University School of Medicine reported that ephedra and the similar product PPA increase the risk of hemorrhage and stroke. What is more, there is an especially high risk of hemorrhage in or around the soft tissues surrounding the brain. Clearly, ephedra should be used only in an appropriate, controlled and safe manner, preferably under a doctor’s supervision. www.nycc.edu 19
Page 1 and 2: Fall 2001/Winter 2002 Special Featu
Page 3 and 4: Fall 2001/Winter 2002 New York Chir
Page 5 and 6: President’s Council 2001 Presiden
Page 7 and 8: from the PROVOST Faculty Promotions
Page 9 and 10: our toy poodle, under her shirt to
Page 11 and 12: NYCC Intern Gerald Stevens Returns
Page 13 and 14: CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CENTERS OF NYCC
Page 15 and 16: Interview With: Howard F. Loomis, J
Page 17: Treating Osteoporosis From an Exerc
Page 21 and 22: From Mighty Mice to Healthy Humans
Page 23 and 24: Turmeric: The Golden Root with the
Page 25 and 26: Interview With: Howard F. Loomis, J
Page 27 and 28: AN EXAMPLE OF EXCELLENCE for recomm
Page 29 and 30: 12345678901234567890123456789012123
Page 31 and 32: STUDENT/ALUMNI NETWORK PROGRAM In a
Page 33 and 34: news BRIEFS Drs. Cartica and Nicchi
Page 35 and 36: Unity Day 2001 by Alana Starr, 3rd
Page 37 and 38: center for POSTGRADUATE AND CONTINU
Page 39 and 40: Dr. Dennis Homack, D.C., C.C.S.P.,
Page 41 and 42: Ergonomic Nutrition by Dennis Homac
Page 43 and 44: y Daniel Kanaley, Library Director
Page 45 and 46: esearch ROUNDUP Visiting Chiropract
Page 47 and 48: COMMENCEMENT commencement August 20
Page 49 and 50: What’s News? What’s News? What
Page 51 and 52: www.nycc.edu 51
Page 53 and 54: enrollment MANAGEMENT Amanda Gray L
Page 55 and 56: PUBLIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE by Beth

2502 NYCC TRANS FINAL2 - New York Chiropractic College

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