Helping Your Body Heal Itself

I n the last issue of The American Chiroprac­tor, 1 related the story of my ruptured disc and the nutri­tional protocol of pro-tcolytic enzymes that I used to recover and avoid sur­gery. I also promised that, in this issue, 1 would deal with some of the other nu­trients I used to help accel­erate the healing process. While the enzymes played a major role in my turnaround from an acute debilitating condition, the healing process occurring after inflammation places a great demand on the body's store of nutrients. I incorporated a variety of nutrients into my nutritional protocol to facilitate healing and recovery and help me return to normal function. I returned to the gym and started working out and lifting weights again, less than two months after my "turnaround", and I be­lieve that the additional nutrients I was taking al­lowed for a speedy re­covery. Here, I'd like to address those nutrients. Vitamin C First of all, the old standby, vitamin C. Even though I did my PhD re­search on this particular vitamin, I needed a chi­ropractor friend in Calgary, Canada, (Dr. Ian Smith) to remind me that I needed to add it to my protocol. Vitamin C is needed, sometimes in high doses, for tissue repair and toxin/debris cleanup. It is carried to the site of inflam­mation by the white blood cells, and helps the white blood cells accomplish their phagocytic duties of mopping up foreign material. I took 1,000 ings three times a day during the acute phase, when I was trying to avoid surgery, and then reduced that dosage to 500 mgs a day in the recovery stage. I get asked frequently about vitamin C, and whether or not it is a "whole food" vitamin C. There are many good synergistic combination formulas which contain vitamin C from food sources such as rose hips, or the sago palm. However, you would need a wheel­barrow full of rosehips to get 1,000 mgs of vitamin C. You could even go to a food source, like an orange, for vitamin C in its purely natu­ral form. Unfortunately, a disruption of the homeosta-sis of the body usually re­quires more than the vitamin punch of an orange. Ever wondered why the only studies show­ing positive effects on viral infections are studies in which doses over a gram have been used? There is a time and a place for high dose vitamin C. It is not needed for daily maintenance; but, if you have a situation such as acute disk in­flammation or infection, vitamin C will be usurped by the body almost as quickly as it is taken. Use a vitamin C from a reputable source; including the bioflavonoids with it offers a beneficial and synergistic effect. Minerals Calcium, magnesium, and manganese arc all highly important for soft tissue growth and repair. Calcium helps transport essential min­erals to the site of inflammation. After periods of trauma, the system tends to be alkaline, and it is important for an acid-calcium to deliver healing nutrients to binding sites. An acid environment makes the insoluble calcium salts in the body soluble and ionizes them (calcium has to be ionized in the intestines in or­der to be absorbed). For example, cal­cium aspartate and calcium citrate are acidic calciums. Acidifying the system will work on dissolving bone spurs, but more on that in the next issue! Magnesium "plays a crucial role in connective fibers with elastic properties."1 When the ratios of magnesium and cal­cium are looked at in relation to elastic tissues, a ratio in favor of magnesium is found to be correlated with increased elas­ticity. It is even believed by some that disc herniation is brought on by extreme aging of collagen.1 Magnesium can in­crease the solubility and retention of cal­cium; it is depleted in conditions of in­flammation, but is integral to the heal­ing process. Magnesium has also been shown to decrease swelling.2 Manganese is an important component of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD). which battles the damaging free radicals that cause swelling. Im­mediately after trauma, the body starts i coding for more ) MnSOD to be pro­duced. Repletion of 0 manganese after inflam­matory trauma is neces­sary to keep up the free radi­cal defense system.3 Anti-inflammatory Nutrients Herbs such as ginger, turmeric, and boswellia are anti-inflam­matory, as are bioflavonoids (especially quercetin and grape seed extract). Herbs like valerian, skullcap, and passionflower calm the central nervous system, and can be used to help ameliorate the symptoms of pain and inflammation. Ginger, which is an herb known mostly for its therapeutic effect in nausea, actu­ally has powerful abilities to combat in­flammation, and these anti-inflammatory effects arc well-backed by scientific stud­ies. Ginger contains phenolic compounds that inhibit the enzymes responsible for generating important mediators of pain and inflammation in more than one path­way.4 Unlike some of the drugs that dam- age the intestinal lining, ginger is a di­gestive aid that soothes and relaxes the intestinal tract. Turmeric has demonstrated excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant prop­erties, especially curcumin, which is the active component of turmeric that is re­sponsible for the yellow pigment.5 The anti-inflammatory properties are due to the ability of curcumin to reduce hista-mine levels and possibly increase natural cortisone production by the adrenal glands.6 Boswcllia serrata is re­ported to have strong c analgesic (pain-reliev­ing) effects,7 along with anti-inflammatory and m antiurthntic activity. €. Clinical trials in India report beneficial results on arthritic patients, and boswellic acids are marketed as antiarthritic drugs in In­dia." The Importance of Liver Nutrients in Resolving Inflammation The connection of the liver to inflam­mation is sometimes forgotten; however, the liver is highly important in control- ling inflammation. The liver has to clear immune complexes, and also clears the waste and toxins of inflammation. It's similar to a bucket brigade; if the liver isn't clearing toxins efficiently, the body can't dump the waste products of inflammation, which, in turn, attracts more white blood cells to the site and increases inflamma­tion. Several liver nutrients can help this process. Additionally, the liver is also responsible for the major production of proteins, which make up the antibodies of the immune system. Milk thistle has always had a strong reputation for supporting liver function and pathways of detoxification. It in­creases the removal of wastes and toxins, which is crucial in decreasing inflamma­tion. Silymarin, one of the main ingredi­ents in milk thistle, has an anti-inflamma­tory effect on blood platelets;" and the ability to inhibit free radical production and leukotrienc synthesis means that it prevents the powerful, inflammatory leukotrienes from wreaking havoc in the body.1" Silybin, the most active ingredi­ent in silymarin, has a steroid structure that is able to regenerate liver cells by stimulating DNA/RNA synthesis." The ability to stabilize cell membranes may explain the inhibition of histamine release from basophils. giving silymarin yet an­other anti-inflammatory property.12 Glu-tathione is a potent liver antioxidant, and a conjugating agent (binds toxins in the liver for removal). That about sums up the accessory nu­trients (in addition to the proteolytic en­zymes) that I took to accelerate my goal of complete recovery from a ruptured disc. In the next issue, I'll address bone spurs, which are a major problem in arthritic conditions, and an excel­lent nutritional protocol to support their disappear­ance! Dr. Lynn Too hey re­ceived her Ph.D. in nutri- lion from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO. She has lectured to chiropractors and other health profes­sionals across the country and, also, in Canada and Europe on nutrition-related topics and complementary medicine. Various lecture engagements have in­cluded speaking for the International College of Applied Kinesiologv (ICAK), the United Chiropractors of New Mexico (UCNM), and the Florida Chiropractic Association (FCA). You may contact Dr. Toohey by e-mail at drtoohevdp.nutri-west.net. References Sinquc. C, The Physician and Spoils Medi­ cine 1989; I 7(9): 181-184.. Haularzl. 1990; 41:602-5. 3.7 Biol Chem. 1992; 267: 10625-30. Kiuchi, el til.. Inhibition of prostaglandin and Icukolricne biosynthesis by gingerols and diurylhcpUinoids. Chem Pliurm Hull. 1992; 40:387-91. Reddy. AP & Lokesh. BR. Mot Cell liioehem. I992;l 11-117. Aora RB. Basu N. Kapoor V. Jain AP. Antiinflammalory studies on Curcuma longa (turmeric). Ind. J.Meil Res. 1971:59:1289-95. Kar, A. & Menon. M.K. Life Sci. 1969; 8:1023. Handa. S.S. el al.. Fitnierapia. I992:63(l):3. Altorjay I, el al... Ada Physiol Hunj- 1992; 80:375-80. lO.AIarcon de la Lastra. C, el al.. Plania Medica 1995; 61:116-119; Fiebrich F and Kock H. F.xpcrienlia 1979; 35:148-150. I I.Sonncnbichler J, el al.. Proceedings of the International Bioflavonoid Symposium (Mu­nich. Frg) 1981; 477 l2.Miadonna A., el al.. fir J Clin Pharmacol 1987; 24:747-52.