By Alexander Germanis
Especially for us in the Midwest, the sun and warmth of summer are like lures, coaxing us daily into the great outdoors. It is important to take advantage of these long summer days by increasing our time of activity outside. With that increased activity comes an increased need to have as healthy, efficient, and cleanly operating body as possible.
As Dr. Jess Bruin of Eastland Chiropractic & Wellness Center shared in the previous article, getting a functional movement screen to point out any trouble areas in how one moves is a great first step. Clearing up even the seemingly smallest movement issues can also help one avoid overtaxing the wrong parts of the body and causing possible strain and injury.
Something largely overlooked, however, is the need to clear up issues in the inner body as well. Vitamin D and minerals like calcium and magnesium are all essential to the proper functioning of the heart, intestines, nervous system, and bones. They can be elemental in getting proper sleep and dealing with muscle aches as well — absolutely necessary to keep in mind, especially when physical activity is on the increase. “When searching for Calcium,” Dr. Bruin adds, “always look for a supplement that includes Vitamin D as these two supplements work better together. It is also important to look for citrate based Calcium (as opposed to carbonate). Calcium citrate is usually more expensive, but well worth it since your body can absorb twice as much. This can result in less acid reflux issues for young children and the elderly.”
Dr. Bruin points out that many of us are not getting enough of these minerals and vitamins through our regular eating, therefore, supplements may be in order. Although the best source of these elements is through natural food sources, it can be difficult to get adequate amounts through food, so supplement pills can be a convenient and easy way to get them into our diets.
Dr. Bruin suggests other supplements that can help the body to function better. “I’m a big proponent of melatonin as opposed to sedatives,” she begins. Melatonin, which is produced naturally by the body to regulate what are known as circadian rhythms, can be produced at lower levels in the summer months and in older age. Production can also be interrupted at night when one is visually stimulated by one’s smart phone or the television. “It’s important for people to be able to regulate their sleep,” she says, and with melatonin supplements, that natural level can be re-attained.
Digestion is something else many people need help with regulating. As we come out of the cold season, antibiotics have been on many people’s sickness-fighting regimen. Unfortunately, Dr. Bruin warns, the antibiotics can do some harm to your digestion while they have been wiping out infection.
“Any time you’re on antibiotics you’ll want to take probiotics, too” she advises. “Because antibiotics are nondiscriminatory, they kill all bacteria carte blanche. So, probiotics will help add back in your system the good bacteria you need. Probiotic supplements can be of help for those with irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, or ulcerative colitis.”
Flax seed and flax seed oil are also beneficial for the digestive tract. Containing the plant-derived omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, flax seed is being linked to promoting heart health, fighting diabetes, and possibly reducing the risks of stroke and cancer. Dr. Bruin says it can be beneficial for nervous system function as well.
Like flax seed, fish oil is another supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids. One such acid is docosahexaenoic acid, more commonly called DHA. Used to help treat a variety of disorders including type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease, DHA also aids in the development of nerve tissue and the eye.
“Omega-3 acids cannot be made by the body,” Dr. Bruin points out. “They have to come through the diet.” When one’s diet is not providing the sufficient amounts of these vitamins, minerals, and acids,” she reiterates, “supplements can make up that difference, helping establish a better-functioning body.”
Always consult a health care professional for the proper supplements for you. To learn more about supplements and how they can help fight against inflammation, read part three of this series in next month’s issue of Healthy Cells.
For more information on Chiropractic care, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle, please contact Jess Bruin, D.C. at Eastland Chiropractic & Lifestyle Center, 309-662-8418, or online at www.EastlandChiro.com. Their office is located at 2406 E. Washington St. in Bloomington.