Dr Beecher’s October 2014 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“The universal brotherhood of man is our most precious possession, what there is of it.” ~ Mark Twain
New Hope for People with
Spinal Cord Injuries and Dental Problems…
New Studies Show Stem
Cell Treatments May
Grow Back Damaged Nerves and Maybe Even Teeth!
Also this month:
- STUDY: Popular pain medication commonly recommended for back pain works no better than a placebo!
- Another Study Shows the Negative Effects of Marijuana Use on Teens’ Brains: Study shows teenagers and young adults using Marijuana just once a week have reduced cognitive skills compared with non-users.
- Natural Light in the Office May Benefit Health: Research shows the amount of light employees get at work affects sleep, mood, alertness, and metabolism.
- Who Would Kick a Paralyzed Man Out of His Wheelchair and Steal His Surf Boards? The amazing part is what happened next…
Houston – One thing is for sure, scientific discoveries and advancements have dramatically changed our lives. Not too long ago (about 20 years), only a few people owned a cell phone. Now, imagine leaving your house without one — you would probably have a panic attack!
Heck, they are not even “cell phones” any more. They are smart devices that are much more powerful than the computers we used to use at home just a few years back.
But, there are two sides to the coin. Some say this “progress” is not all good and many people are addicted to their devices and are becoming anti-social. One article states that a majority of people polled liked their fake Facebook life better than their real one. Is Facebook the problem, or the people using it?
Things that have the power for good can also be used for bad. This is not a judgment on the technology, just on how it is used.
For example, if there was technology available that could grow back the spinal cord of a paralyzed person, would that be a good thing?
Or, how about this: If the next time you have a bad tooth, instead of doing a root canal or pulling it out, what if your dentist could actually re-grow a replacement using your own tissue?
Would You Be Interested?
New research indicates that both may be a possibility in the not too distant future.
First, the spinal cord study: Scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Veteran’s Affairs, San Diego Healthcare System report that: “Neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and grafted into rats after a spinal cord injury produced cells with tens of thousands of axons extending virtually the entire length of the animals’ central nervous system.”
According to the scientists, the human iPSC-derived axions traveled through the white matter of the injury sites and often into the gray matter to form synapses (connections) with the rat neurons. The rat axons did the same thing with human iPSC grafts.
Senior author Mark Tuszynski, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurosciences and Director of the UC San Diego Center for Neural Repair, writes, “These findings indicate that intrinsic neuronal mechanisms readily overcome the barriers created by a spinal cord injury to extend many axons over very long distances, and that these capabilities persist even in neurons reprogrammed from very aged human cells.”
In other studies, grafted stem cells have formed new functional circuits across an injury site. Animals treated this way have experienced some restored movement in the affected limbs.
While There is Potential for Good,
There is Also Potential for Harm…
Dr. Tuszynski warns about moving this research to human therapy too quickly: “The enormous outgrowth of axons to many regions of the spinal cord and even deeply into the brain raises questions of possible harmful side effects if axons are mis-targeted. We also need to learn if the new connections formed by axons are stable over time, and if implanted human neural stem cells are maturing on a human time frame – months to years – or more rapidly. If maturity is reached on a human time frame, it could take months to years to observe functional benefits or problems in human clinical trials.”
Tuszynski states that 95% of human clinical trials fail, so they are trying to do as much as possible to identify the best way to forge ahead with complete information to give themselves the best possible chance at success with human subjects. If they do not take their time and do it right, their work will probably just result in another failure.
Can Stem Cells Re-Grow Teeth?
Maybe. A new study published in Science Transitional Medicine claims that a lower-powered laser can trigger stem cells in teeth to form dentin.
Dentin is the yellowish tissue that makes up the bulk of teeth. It is harder than bone but softer than enamel.
Secondary dentin, a less well-organized form of tubular dentin, is produced throughout life as a patching material where cavities have begun to form, where the overlying enamel has been worn away, and within the pulp chamber as part of the aging process.
Scientists have figured out that a blast of laser light induces some chemically active molecules to activate a growth factor that stimulates dentin growth.
Previous studies have regenerated parts of a tooth in the laboratory, but the hopes are this laser procedure will do it right in a patient’s mouth.
In this study, researchers said the low-powered laser (LPL) treatment demonstrated significant increase in dentin regeneration in rat teeth.
Will it Work with Human Teeth?
It may seem like a short bridge to cross between rat teeth and human teeth, but this may not be the case.
Rat teeth have evolved to take more physical abuse and thus may have more natural regenerative abilities than human teeth.
In fact, rodents have two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws, which must be kept short by gnawing.
More studies need to be done before it will be known if this LPL treatment can replace some dental treatments, so don’t put off that visit to the dentist and stop taking care of your teeth just yet.
Advancements in science seem to be coming every day, but don’t gamble with your smile!
Study: Marijuana Use
Negatively Affects Teens Brains
According to psychologists discussing public health implications of marijuana legalization at the American Psychological Association’s 122nd Annual Convention, frequent marijuana use can have a significant negative effect on the brains of teenagers and young adults, including cognitive decline, poor attention and memory, and decreased IQ. “It needs to be emphasized that regular cannabis use, which we consider once a week, is not safe and may result in addiction and neurocognitive damage, especially in youth,” adds Krista Lisdahl, PhD, Director of the Brain Imaging and Neuropsychology Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Don’t forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health, talk to us. Contact us with your questions. We’re here to help and don’t enjoy anything more than participating in providing you natural pain relief.
Inspirational Story Of The Month
(Names And Details May Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)
Who Would Kick a Paralyzed Man Out of
His Wheelchair and Steal His Surf Boards?
The Amazing Part is What Happened Next…
We like to think we live in a world filled with good, caring people. Yet, each day the cable news channels are filled with the worst of what society has to offer. Does this mean most people are mean, nasty murderers and criminals? No, it does not. It simply means that’s what gets ratings and makes the television networks money.
That’s why watching the news can make even the happiest person feel depressed in no time. But every now and then, the networks give us a gift and show an amazing story – an uplifting tale that makes up for all the negativity.
This is one of those stories, but it doesn’t start out that way…
In fact, it starts by showing the worst side of humanity.
In 2007, a man named Randy Abbott went in for a simple surgery, a micro lumbar discectomy, and his life changed forever.
During the procedure, there were complications and the surgeon partially cut his spinal cord, paralyzing Randy from the waist down. The damage also caused arachnodidise, dystonia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD), and a constant headache that will never go away.
Randy spent two and a half years in the hospital and underwent several additional surgeries. Over and over, his doctors told him all the things he would never be able to do. Randy told them this was not the life he had worked so hard for and this was not the life he wanted. He had big plans and dreams and living the rest of his life in a wheelchair was not one of them.
He thought about calling it quits. But, then he said he heard a voice in his head say, “If you want to throw in the towel, I understand. It’s OK. I understand that you think your life is over and nothing good can come out of it. But before you throw it away, think about something. At this moment, you are drowning in fear and uncertainty. If you get back to living in the moment, have faith, and stop looking at everything as being problems without answers, you are going to have a great life.”
Right then and there, Randy decided to lead a great life. The first thing he did was forgive the surgeon who injured his spinal cord, then he told his doctors that he was taking charge of his medical care. They were giving him limitations based on statistics. Well, he was not a statistic and was not going to be treated like one.
By 2012, Randy was doing a lot of things his doctors told him he could not. One of those things was surfing, which was made possible when his friends designed and made him a special wheelchair and surfboards. He surfs three to four days a week and also teaches disabled kids how to surf. Randy grew up surfing and being able to surf again was amazing.
Then the worst of humanity reared its ugly head…
In July this year, Randy returned to his vehicle and found two men cutting his surf boards off the roof of his car to steal them. Randy, in his wheelchair, yelled, “Hey, I’m paralyzed. Don’t steal my surfboards!” The two men attacked him, knocked him to the ground, and ran off with his three surf boards.
Professional surfer Rob Machado tweeted about it, and the story went viral. Randy said he got over 500 text messages of support from people all over the world whom he did not even know. They told him not to worry about his surf boards because they are going to get him new ones. Quickly, two out of the three stolen boards were recovered. But they were heavily damaged. Local surfer Christopher Tomlin heard what happened and gave Randy three of his own boards while two new ones were being made.
The real news story wasn’t that two thugs robbed a guy in a wheelchair. No, the real story here is Randy’s drive to never let his disability place limits on his dreams and the outpouring of support he received from complete strangers who were moved by his story. Maybe sometimes watching the news isn’t such a bad thing. J
We love helping our patients and their friends and relatives through their tough times and
getting them feeling better! We are here to help you stay feeling better and looking younger!
Don’t be a stranger. You really can afford Chiropractic care! Don’t wait until you can no longer move!
Did You Know?…
Some Facts About Water Fluoridation…
Most people living in developed nations do not fluoridate their water. For example, in Western Europe only 3% of the population consumes fluoridated water. While 25 countries have water fluoridation programs, in 11 of these countries, less than 20% of the population consumes fluoridated water: Argentina (19%), Guatemala (13%), Panama (15%), Papa New Guinea (6%), Peru (2%), Serbia (3%), Spain (11%), South Korea (6%), the United Kingdom (11%), and Vietnam (4%).
There are only 11 countries where more than half of the population drinks fluoridated water: Australia (80%), Brunei (95%); Chile (70%), Guyana (62%), Hong Kong (100%), the Irish Republic (73%), Israel (70%), Malaysia (75%), New Zealand (62%), Singapore (100%), and the United States (64%).
In total, 377,655,000 million people worldwide drink artificially fluoridated water, that’s about 5% of the world’s population. Interestingly enough, there is no difference in tooth decay between the Western nations that fluoridate their water and those that do not.
Tip Of The Month
Popular Pain Medication No Better Than a Placebo…
You may find this shocking, especially if you take Tylenol — also known as acetaminophen or paracetamol — in an effort to relieve your back pain. A new study in The Lancet (July 24, 2014) begins with, “Regular paracetamol is the recommended first-line analgesic for acute low-back pain; however, no high-quality evidence supports this recommendation. We aimed to assess the efficacy of paracetamol taken regularly or as-needed to improve time for recovery from pain, compared with placebo in patients with low-back pain.”
Wow. It’s 2014 and acetaminophen is often the first thing recommended for low-back pain, and there is no scientific evidence it helps.
What did the study discover? Using data from 235 primary care centers in Australia collected between 2009 and 2013, the researchers write, “Our findings suggest that regular or as-needed dosing with paracetamol does not affect recovery time compared with placebo in low-back pain, and question the universal endorsement of paracetamol in this patient group.”
Natural Light in the Office May Benefit Health…
Many people are practically scared to death of sun exposure because of the risk of skin cancer. Some “experts” even recommend wearing protective clothing or sunscreen whenever you may be exposed to sunlight. However, this may not be the best advice because sunlight is essential to our health. Sunlight is how we humans produce vitamin D, and studies suggest it has other beneficial effects as well.
Now, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (June 2014) shows that even getting natural sunlight through a window can be beneficial. The study conducted by a team of scientists from Northwestern Medicine and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reports that office workers with more light exposure at the office had longer sleep duration, better sleep quality, more physical activity, and a better quality of life compared with office workers with less sun light exposure in their workplace.
According to the lead author of the study Dr. Phyllis Zee, “There is increasing evidence that exposure to light during the day, particularly in the morning, is beneficial to your health via its effects on mood, alertness, and metabolism.” Employees with windows in the workplace received 173 percent more white light exposure during work hours and slept an average of 46 minutes more per night than employees who did not have the natural light exposure at their workstations.
Workers in offices with windows also tended to be more physically active than those without window in their offices. Workers without windows reported poorer scores on quality of life measures related to physical problems and vitality, as well as poorer outcomes on measures of overall sleep quality and sleep disturbances. The researchers emphasize the importance of architects using this information in the planning of new buildings. They add that workstations should be within 20-25 feet (~6-8 meters) of windows, because daylight from side windows almost vanishes after that distance.
Remember, we’re always here to help your body heal
and maintain the pain free body you deserve.
This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.
Dr Beecher’s November 2013 Monthly Chiropractic Newletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism
or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Can Eating This Stop Arthritis
and Cancer?
Also this month:
- Smoke Yourself Stupid? Marijuana Use Starting in Youth Linked Lower IQ in Adulthood – Research reveals smoking pot is not as harmless as many believe.
- Does Coconut Oil Help Fight Tooth Decay? Results of a new study find it could help prevent cavities.
- One Simple Thing You Can Do that Will Save You Money and Make You Eat Healthier. –Hint… It has to do with something you keep in your wallet.
- The Goal that Changed a 7-Year-Old Child’s Life. The Miraculous Story of the Captain of the United States Men’s National Soccer Team… a Little Boy with Leukemia… and a Day He’ll Never Forget.
Houston – Would you eat something that is all-natural, has no side-effects, stops painful osteoarthritis, and could even help fight cancer? Of course you would.
In just a moment you will learn all about new research that will probably have you eating this inexpensive and abundant food every day of the week.
But first, let’s do the opposite. Would you stop doing something if you knew it lowered your IQ?
Well, that’s what research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) says smoking marijuana does when the habit is started during adolescence.
According to the study, “Heavy use of marijuana has been previously linked to neuropsychological impairment, particularly when use begins early in life.” The researchers found that “those individuals who use cannabis regularly, particularly those who began use in adolescence, experienced declines in everyday cognitive function that were noticeable to close contacts, who were surveyed by the researchers. Persistent marijuana users also lost several IQ points on average between age 13 years and age 38 years.”
The study’s lead author, Madeline Meier, Ph.D., a Postdoctoral associate at Duke University, warns, “Marijuana is not harmless, particularly for adolescents.”
A study on mice, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that smoking marijuana may even increase your risk of developing serious psychiatric disorders (such as schizophrenia).
According to the study’s senior author, Asaf Keller, Ph.D., Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, “Over the past 20 years, there has been a major controversy about the long-term effects of marijuana, with some evidence that use in adolescence could be damaging… Previous research has shown that children who started using marijuana before the age of 16 are at greater risk of permanent cognitive deficits, and have a significantly higher incidence of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. There likely is a genetic susceptibility, and then you add marijuana during adolescence and it becomes the trigger.”
Another scientist involved with the study, Sylvina Mullins Raver, a Ph.D. candidate in the Program in Neuroscience in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, adds, “Adolescence is the critical period during which marijuana use can be damaging… We wanted to identify the biological underpinnings and determine whether there is a real, permanent health risk to marijuana use.
“In the adult mice exposed to marijuana ingredients in adolescence, we found that cortical oscillations were grossly altered, and they exhibited impaired cognitive abilities… We also found impaired cognitive behavioral performance in those mice. The striking finding is that, even though the mice were exposed to very low drug doses and only for a brief period during adolescence, their brain abnormalities persisted into adulthood.”
The study was repeated on adult mice and the results were normal, leading researchers to believe marijuana exposure only had a detrimental impact on cognition in the adolescent brain.
One fault of this particular study is that it was done on mice, not humans. But, the research team believes the results have implications for adolescent humans as well.
One last thing on this topic… Research presented on May 5, 2013 at the Pediatric Academy Societies annual meeting in Washington, D.C. strongly suggests that cigarette smoking is a gateway to marijuana use.
The study showed that tobacco users were more likely to have used marijuana than those who did not use tobacco.
Not only that, Megan Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH, FAAP, an investigator at Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington, adds, “Contrary to what we would expect, we also found that students who smoked both tobacco and marijuana were more likely to smoke more tobacco than those who smoked only tobacco.”
Can Eating This Stop
Arthritis and Cancer?
First, let’s be clear. There are no wonder cures for either arthritis or cancer, at least not in the world of medicine and science. But, sometimes, new research comes to light that certainly makes it look like we’re getting there…
For example, recent research published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism found that sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables (such as cabbage and brussel sprouts), could help fight osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. Kale, cauliflower, and Bok Choy are also sources of sulforaphane. The compound is released when the vegetables are chewed.
What’s more, the study showed that sulforaphane blocks cartilage destroying enzymes by stopping a molecule that causes inflammation before it can act.
Sulforaphane appears to help more than just arthritis. In another study, scientists at Oregon State University discovered “yet another reason why the sulforaphane compound in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables is so good for you – it provides not just one, but two ways to prevent cancer through the complex mechanism of epigenetics.”
Epigenetics refers to our genetic code and how diet, toxins, and other environmental factors change the way our genes are activated or expressed. In other words, you may have a genetic predisposition for cancer, but the cancer will activate or remain dormant depending on what you eat or are exposed to.
Of course, further research is needed on sulforaphane but it probably isn’t a bad idea to add more broccoli to your diet. J
Don’t forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health, talk to us. Contact us with your questions. We’re here to help and don’t enjoy anything more than participating in providing you natural pain relief.
Inspirational Story Of The Month
(Names And Details May Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)
The Goal that Changed
a 7-Year-Old Child’s Life!
The Miraculous Story of the Captain of the United States Men’s National
Soccer Team… a Little Boy with Leukemia… and a Day He’ll Never Forget.
Some people are born with special gifts. These gifts force other people to pay attention to them, to watch them, and even idolize them. Many of the people born with these gifts only use their talents to make their own lives better. They make themselves rich and famous without regard for what they can do for others. In other words, they are selfish.
Then, there are the select few who realize that the greatness they were lucky enough to be born with can do a whole heck of a lot more than make one person (them) happy. It can change the lives of countless others. It can even relieve suffering, if only for just a short time. These select few spend a good part of their lives making a huge difference in the world.
Landon Donovan is one of these people. Landon was born March 4, 1982 in Ontario, California. He joined his first competitive soccer league at age five, and even though he was playing against older players, he scored seven goals in his first game! Within 10 years, Landon was playing at the National level on the Under-17 USA Team. Soon after that, he became the youngest player on the Under-23 USA National Team. Since then, Landon has represented the USA in the Olympics and World Cup and is currently Captain of the National Team. Yes, he has the “soccer gift.”
But Landon is much more than one of the best American soccer players ever. He is a true role model who spends a lot of his time helping others.
Recently, Landon appeared on ESPN’s “My Wish” series. The star of that episode was a 7-year-old soccer fan from Colorado named Brendan Galanaugh.
Brendan suffers from leukemia. When he is not going through difficult medical treatments like chemotherapy, he plays soccer with his father or cheers for his idol, Landon Donovan. Through it all, Brendan has been remarkable. When another child said he felt sorry for him because he was sick, Brendan replied that he was not sick, he just had cancer.
One of the things that kept Brendan going was the World Cup soccer tournament. His father said they did not miss a single game, and Brendan would even wake up at 5:00 a.m. to watch his hero play.
Not too long after the World Cup, Brendan’s parents brought him to the sports store to get a new pair of soccer shoes. When he opened the box, he found a DVD of Landon Donovan inviting him to come meet him and spend the day with him.
Brendan and his family were taken (by limousine) to the headquarters of the LA Galaxy, the professional team Donovan plays for. In the locker room, Brendan received a personalized team jersey and got to meet his idol.
Brendan attended practice and actually played one-on-one with Landon. Then, he got an all-access pass to the Galaxy’s upcoming game. In that game, Landon scored twice and gave his game jersey to Brendan who was cheering for him on the sidelines.
At the time of this writing, Brendan is now in remission and continues to cheer for Landon every time he plays. Imagine how wonderful the world would be if more people were like these two.
We love helping our patients and their friends and relatives through their tough times and
getting them feeling better! We are here to help you stay feeling better and looking younger!
Don’t be a stranger. You really can afford Chiropractic care! Don’t wait until you can no longer move!
Did You Know?…
14 Things You May Not Know About Yourself…
- Unless food is mixed with saliva, you can’t taste it.
- The average person falls asleep in seven minutes.
- Eight percent of people have an extra rib.
- The smallest bones in the human body are found in your ear.
- One day of blinking equates to having your eyes closed for 30 minutes.
- The average human brain contains around 78% water.
- Your brain uses between 20 – 25% of the oxygen you breathe.
- A quarter of your bones are in your feet.
- Your tongue is the fastest healing part of your body.
- A one-minute kiss burns 26 calories.
- You burn more calories sleeping than watching TV.
- Skin is the human body’s largest organ.
- Enamel is the hardest substance in your body.
- The hyoid bone in your throat is the only bone in your body not attached to any other.
Tip Of The Month
Want Fewer Cavities? Try Coconut Oil.
Do you want fewer cavities? If you do, you are not alone. In industrialized countries, 60% – 90% of children battle tooth decay. New research has shown that coconut oil, at relatively low concentrations, attacks the bacteria that causes tooth decay and can be used to help fight cavities.
According to BBC NEWS Health, “[The] research team from the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland tested the impact of coconut oil, vegetable oil, and olive oil in their natural states, and when treated with enzymes in a process similar to digestion. The oils were then tested against Streptococcus bacteria, which are common inhabitants of the mouth. Only the enzyme-modified coconut oil showed an ability to inhibit the growth of most strains of the bacteria. It also attacked Streptococcus mutans, an acid-producing bacterium which is a major cause of tooth decay.”
Coconut oil can also help fight off yeast, fungus, and candida. It can also positively affect hormones for thyroid and blood sugar control. Not only that, it can reduce cholesterol and boost thyroid function, helping increase metabolism, energy, and endurance. One study has shown that consuming about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil a day for 12 weeks resulted in women having less abdominal fat.
One Simple Thing You Can Do That Will Save You Money and Make You Eat Healthier.
Want to eat healthier and possibly lose weight? Want to save money in the process? The Journal of Consumer Research might have the answer you are looking for. According to their research, “Some food items that are commonly considered unhealthy also tend to elicit impulsive responses. The pain of paying in cash can curb impulsive urges to purchase such unhealthy food products. Credit card payments, in contrast, are relatively painless and weaken impulse control. Consequently, consumers are more likely to buy unhealthy food products when they pay by credit card than when they pay in cash.”
The research went on to report that there are many factors that cause the consumption of unhealthy food, including faulty beliefs and lack of knowledge. But impulsivity seems to be one of the most, if not the most, influential factor. Having a credit card present and making it a habit to pay with a credit card can seriously add to the impulse to purchase “bad” food. Simply making a shopping list and figuring out the amount of cash you will need and bringing that amount in cash will not only save you money but it will stop most of the impulse buying that contributes to poor overall health.
Remember, we’re always here to help your body heal
and maintain the pain free body you deserve.
This information is solely advisory, and should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history. We cannot be held responsible for actions you may take without a thorough exam or appropriate referral. If you have any further concerns or questions, please let us know at 281-286-1300.
