CHOICES NEWSLETTER

September 17, 2007

Welcome to CHOICES, Gutrich Chiropractic and Naprapathy's Newsletter

Keeping you up-to-date in the constantly changing and expanding field of complementary health care. Forward to a friend!

October is National Chiropractic Month!

For the lucky few, quality sleep is taken for granted. They’re down and out once their head hits the pillow. For most, however, quality sleep is a rare jewel - often experienced so rarely that we forget what it once felt like to wake up feeling refreshed and alert. Science has left no doubt as to the restorative nature of a good sleep - the mind and body just function better. Poor sleep has been linked to fatigue, weight gain, high blood pressure, cognitive and mood impairments, depression and anxiety, as well as car accidents and trauma due to drowsiness.
Quality does not even have to be balanced by quantity. Many people do fine on only five hours or less. Still, there are a great many myths out there that need to be dispelled. Click here for some sleep facts.

The Problem with Meds

An estimated 70 million Americans complain of sleeplessness. Millions of sleeping pill prescriptions are filled annually. Since the year 2000, these prescriptions have increased in all age groups, nearly doubling for children and young adults. Some of these are unofficial sleep aids including antidepressants, antiepileptic and antihistamine drugs. New drugs are hitting the market daily with TV campaign ads touting their effectiveness. The truth is these drugs were not meant for long term use. Rarely are they trial-tested for more than 6 weeks and, over time, they tend to lose their effectiveness. As well, there is an extensive list of side effects associated with their usage and, ironically, over time they block absorption of synergistic nutrients that are responsible for production of hormones and neurotransmitters responsible for sleep in the first place!

Insomnia & Stress

Insomnia, or a chronic inability to sleep, plagues a significant portion of the population. Excess stress, a normal element of every day life, has malignant consequences as well. Fortunately, much can be done to combat it. Here are some tips to help you reduce your stress levels.

So What is the Answer?

The doctors at Gutrich Chiropractic and Naprapathy believe in detecting and correcting the cause of your sleep disturbances through natural means. . We use spinal assessments to detect postural causes of discomfort and, specifically, the vertebral subluxation complex. These spinal distortions contributes to disease and abnormal sleep. We use extensive nutritional and lifestyle questionnaires to evaluate underlying diseases including IBS, arthritis, hypoglycemia, fibromyalgia and their possible underlying causes, nutritional deficiency, adrenal stress, food allergies and/or intolerances. Then we come up with a plan for you to improve and attain a good night’s sleep. We have lifestyle suggestions as well as natural supplements to get you started. Click to see more benefits of chiropractic.
The value of a good sleep can also be greatly enhanced by proper pillow and mattress selection and these other tips for quality sleep.
Call us today to take charge of your health. “Good night and good sleep!”

Getting the Picture?

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep, digestion, pain, mood and mental clarity. It is called the happy hormone. Serotonin is made from the amino acid tryptophan and the synergistic vitamins and minerals B6, B3 and magnesium. Serotonin helps produce melatonin.

Tryptophan turns into 5-HTP which turns into serotonin which turns into N-acetyserotonin which turns into melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the body’s Circadian Rhythm. Melatonin production is affected by exposure to UV light. As the sun sets, increased melatonin acts as natures lullaby. As the sun rises, decreased melatonin acts as nature’s wakeup call. Melatonin is also an antioxidant responsible for protecting our RNA and DNA and resetting the immune system when it has been under siege.

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is produced during our deep restorative sleep (delta-wave stage).This is when the body’s cells repairs themselves.

Natural Supplements to promote a good night’s sleep that are available at Gutrich Chiropractic take into consideration what is necessary for sleep and the cause of your sleeplessness.

Got No ‘Feel-Good’ Serotonin?
5 HTP or SAMe is the safest way to start

Stressed-out and/or an overactive mind?
Multivitamins supplying total B’s, supplements like Trancor, Myocalm, Lumina

Adrenal fatigue due to stress determined by functional testing?
DHEA, Melatonin, Benesom, Licorice

Achy body from overuse or “burning the candle from both ends”?
Multiple Minerals, Multivitamins, Biovene, Antioxidants, Milk Thistle

Not dreaming & don’t like pills?
Lifewave sleep patches; non-transdermal nanotechnology placed over acupuncture point that increase delta waves that promote deep restorative sleep.