Interesting Health Studies

Now that I have time to write some thoughts, I would like to share some “blog-type” thoughts on research that has been released over the past few months. Let’s dig in…

National Institute of Health just accepted a paper by Tracy, MD that details the nervous systems control of the inflammation and auto-immune response. Dr. Tracy states, “Stimulation of the vagus nerve could block rogue inflammatory responses.” Rather than trying to “stimulate” the nerve, why don’t we try to “normalize” the function? That is exactly what an adjustment does! So what can we infer? The normalization of vagal nerve function will decrease rogue auto-immune and inflammatory responses. That is the same message that chiropractic has been preaching for over 100 years. When will medicine catch up with chiropractic? View a chart of the vagus nerve here: http://dtc.pima.edu/~biology/201alpha/lesson12/lesson12i.htm

"Psychological stress might alter immune function through direct innervation of lymphatic tissue, through release of HPA and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary hormones that bind to and alter the functions of immunologically active cells,” states Robert Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. What does this mean? Two things. First, stress decreases immune function. Second, nerves directly control lymphatic function. If your nervous system is working correctly, your immune function is much better suited to keep you healthy. If you are ill, then a proper functioning nervous system is critical to getting you back on your feet. Now how important is your adjustments every two weeks?

• Nature will soon be publishing an article on the recent discovery of where optimism is located in the brain. Researchers have isolated the Anterior Cingulate Gyrus as the location for your positive attitude. This area is located behind your eyes, specifically your tear ducts near your nose and back about one inch. Incidentally, this is the area that is destroyed during a lobotomy. Did you know that a positive outlook on life contributes to a longer and healthier life than any other factor? People who are optimistic increase their life expectancy by 7.6 years! Optimism is a choice.

Now on to the “No Duh!” studies…

Childhood obesity is now a classified as a chronic disease by pediatricians. For decades pediatricians treated acute illnesses now they are learning “bio-psycho-social” conditions in their “lifestyle context.” Please allow me to translate. Our kids are getting fat because they don’t exercise and they eat WAY too much. Parents, you are to blame.

Researchers places five identical foods in front of kids. The only thing they changed was the packaging. The kids were asked to taste the food and pick which one tasted the best. They always picked the one in the McDonald’s type packaging. Does advertising and branding work?