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About James Whittlesey Novato Chiropractor

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So far James Whittlesey Novato Chiropractor has created 117 blog entries.
23 03, 2016

Leaky Gut — 11 Different Causes and How it Can Wreck Your Life

2017-12-01T21:54:52-08:00By |Categories: Digestive Health, Leaky Gut Syndrome|Tags: , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Leaky Gut — 11 Different Causes and How it Can Wreck Your Life

Leaky Gut -- 11 Different Causes and How it Can Wreck Your LifeIf you’ve been doing internet searches to learn how to manage a chronic health condition, chances are you’re heard of leaky gut. Leaky gut is what it sounds like — the lining of the intestines have become “leaky,” allowing undigested foods, bacteria, and other undesirables into the sterile bloodstream.

This causes system-wide inflammation that becomes chronic health issues: autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, chronic pain, brain fog, food allergies and sensitivities, depression, eczema, asthma, and myriad other complaints.

It makes sense, then, that people want to heal leaky gut.

However, it’s best to know why you have leaky gut first. That way you’re not chasing down the wrong remedies.

Eleven causes of leaky gut

Although we understand the role of leaky gut in chronic health disorders, the underlying causes of leaky gut itself can be harder to pin down.

Here are the causes we know about:

  1. Many inflammatory foods damage the intestinal walls, leading to leaky gut. Gluten in particular is associated with leaky gut. Dairy, processed foods, excess sugar, and fast foods are other culprits.
  2. Excess
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4 03, 2016

Concussion Triples Suicide Risk Later in Life

2017-12-01T21:45:42-08:00By |Categories: Depression, Functional Medicine|Tags: , , , , , , |Comments Off on Concussion Triples Suicide Risk Later in Life

Concussion Triples Suicide Risk Later in LifeConcussions have gained attention for their link to dementia, but did you know they also increase the risk for suicide? Just one concussion can triple the long-term risk of suicide in otherwise healthy people.

Concussions increase suicide risk in ordinary people

Although brain-injured football players have been receiving all the attention lately, the typical concussion patient is a middle-aged adult. Most concussions happen not on the playing field but during traffic accidents, falls at home, and in other everyday situations.

A study looked at a quarter-million subjects who had been diagnosed with a mild concussion during the last 20 years. Researchers found suicide occurred at three times more often in people who had a concussion than the rest of the population. They also found that on average suicide occurred nearly six years after the concussion.

What’s interesting is the risk of suicide increases four-fold if the concussion happens on the weekend. Researchers think this is because people don’t seek or put off medical care on the weekend.

This risk was independent of demographics or previous psychiatric conditions, and the risk increased with additional concussions.

Why does […]

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25 11, 2015

There is a Mass Extinction of Species Happening in Your Gut

2017-12-01T22:56:13-08:00By |Categories: Digestive Health|Tags: , , , , , , , |Comments Off on There is a Mass Extinction of Species Happening in Your Gut

You probably already know the planet is experiencing an extinction crisis; scientists estimate we’ll lose up to 50 percent of current species during the next 20 years. But did you know there’s also an extinction crisis of gut bacteria happening among civilized humans?

The modern diet, which is high in processed foods, meats and sugars, but very low in plant fiber appears to have killed off a rich diversity of gut bacteria on which our health depends. Chronic stress also kills off the good bacteria. The result? Inflammation and chronic disease.

Low fiber kills bacteria and increases inflammation

There is a Mass Extinction of Species Happening in Your GutTo prove the point, one study changed the diets of African Americans, who have a high risk of colon cancer, and native Africans in South Africa. They put the African Americans on a native diet high in plant fiber and the native Africans on a typical American diet high in processed foods and meats.

The researchers quickly saw a decrease in colon inflammation in the Americans eating increased fiber, and an increase in colon inflammation in the South Africans on a standard American diet.

In fact, studies […]

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9 11, 2015

High Blood Sugar Can Cause Many Deadly Diseases

2018-09-04T23:24:09-07:00By |Categories: Nutrition|Tags: , , , , , , , |Comments Off on High Blood Sugar Can Cause Many Deadly Diseases

It’s not easy being a healthy these days. We are constantly besieged by the lure of sugary, starchy treats (salted caramel latte and a scone anyone?). Yet behind the innocent disguise of these pleasures is the threat of chronic disease, the leading cause of death.

Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s are among the most common and most expensive health problems in the United States today. In most cases their origins spiral back around to those small daily decisions — the fries instead of a salad, the syrupy hot drink with whipped cream instead of a simple cup of coffee or tea, or the ice cream or pie for dessert instead of a little fruit (or, gasp, no dessert).

What is it about these seemingly innocuous indulgences that add up to deadly diseases? — Sugar and refined carbohydrates. (Although the hydrogenated fats, lack of fiber, industrialized salt, and artificial chemicals play their roles, too.)

The standard American diet chronically spikes blood sugar, which in turn chronically spikes insulin and the result is inflammation. Inflammation is now recognized as the common denominator among chronic disease today.

Stable blood sugar levels are vital to all processes of the body, […]

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19 09, 2015

Poor Sleep and Early Mornings Cause Gene Changes

2017-12-01T20:50:41-08:00By |Categories: Insomnia / Sleep Disorders|Tags: , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Poor Sleep and Early Mornings Cause Gene Changes

Poor Sleep and Early Mornings Cause Gene ChangesWe all want enough sleep so we’re less cranky and more alert. We want it for our kids too. But recent research found an even more important reason: Sleeping less than six hours a night for one week can lead to more than 700 changes in the way our genes behave and increase inflammation.  Among these are genes that regulate stress, our ability to fight disease, our sleep-wake cycles, inflammation, and aging.

Researchers believe this helps explain why chronic sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, stress, and depression. Sleeping less than five hours a night has also been linked with greater risk of death. Early mornings are especially hard on young people.

Researchers are increasingly sounding the alarm about the ill health effects of early mornings. They suggest elementary school start at 8:30, middle and high school at 10 a.m., and university classes at 11 a.m. These wake up times better match the body’s natural circadian rhythm, or sleep-wake cycle. Early starts are particularly onerous on youth because sleep is when they develop mentally, physically, and emotionally. Sleep deprivation can also be […]

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22 07, 2015

Keep Your Gut Healthy While Traveling Abroad

2017-12-01T20:40:17-08:00By |Categories: Digestive Health|Tags: , , , , , , |Comments Off on Keep Your Gut Healthy While Traveling Abroad

Keep Your Gut Healthy While Traveling AbroadNothing refreshes the mental landscape better than an exciting trip to a foreign land. However, nothing can have you regretting that adventure more than being glued to the toilet with traveler’s diarrhea or vomiting instead of traipsing through temples and markets.

With some advance planning and knowledge about gut health, stomach bugs, and supplements that can protect your gut, you may be able to breeze through your trip without days-long sessions in the hotel bathroom.

Nix stomach bugs with hydrochloric acid

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is the acid in the stomach. You can also obtain it in a supplement. Why would you want to take an acid when it seems everyone is taking antacids? Because it’s our first line of defense against stomach bugs and can help prevent traveler’s diarrhea.

It may surprise you to know that many adults are deficient in HCl, especially the ones who suffer from acid reflux and pop antacids. This is because if stomach acid is low, food in the stomach is improperly digested. This lack of acidity also fails to trigger the valves that usher the food into the intestines. As a […]

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15 07, 2015

If You Have an Autoimmune Condition You Need to Check for Leaky Gut

2017-12-01T20:39:01-08:00By |Categories: Leaky Gut Syndrome|Tags: , , , , , , |Comments Off on If You Have an Autoimmune Condition You Need to Check for Leaky Gut

Leaky Gut - Novato ChiropractorOne of the primary things we look for when someone has autoimmunity is leaky gut, a condition in which the intestinal wall is damaged, as it is usually a key factor. Autoimmunity is an extremely common disorder today in which the immune system attacks and destroys part of the body. Common autoimmune disorders include Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and vitiligo. However, there are many more.

What is leaky gut?

Leaky gut, a condition in which inflammation damages the intestinal wall and makes it overly porous, creates a hyper inflammatory state in the body that can predispose one to autoimmunity. Also known as intestinal permeability, it has been shown to play a role in triggering and exacerbating autoimmunity.

Leaky gut is still a relatively new concept. Science once believed the digestive system’s only role was to digest foods and absorb nutrients. Now we know it also serves as barrier between the outside world and the inside of the body, and that it is home base to the immune system.

When you consistently eat foods that are inflammatory (junk […]

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