11% of U.S. Children are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is characterized by patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that interferes with daily living and learning. Recent research has shown that aromatherapy may be a potential helpful tool for children with ADHD. The essential oil vetiver shows the most promise as it showed changes in brain activity when inhaled. Children who inhaled vetiver three times day for 30 days showed improved brain wave patterns and behavior and did better in school. When the oil is inhaled, microdroplets are carried to an area of the brain that is the center for reason, emotion and smell. The droplets also make their way to the lungs where they enter the circulatory system. Brain activity improvements were measured via EEG (electro-encephalograph) scans.
Studies are showing the link between refined sugar intake and cancer risk. All dietary carbohydrates are digested into sugars called glucose. Compared to natural sugars, the fructose found in fruits and honey, refined sugars and many carbohydrate starches cause an issue in the gut where an endotoxin is produced. The endotoxin destroys mitochondrial cell function which then results in cancer metabolism. This backs up the claim that cancer cells feed on sugar. But, now we know not all sugars, just the refined ones. These are the sugars that are added to foods. For example, candy, chocolate, ice cream, soft drinks, etc. A study published in 2014 showed that cancer patients that drank two or more servings of sugar-sweetened soft drinks had a 67% chance of cancer recurrence and death compared to those who drank less than two servings per month. All cancer patients should avoid all refined sugars and only satisfy their sweet tooth with fruits and honey.
A consistent review of past and current research is providing evidence that vitamin D deficiency may actually be a cause of colds and flu. Science is now confirming that vitamin D optimization boosts immunity and cuts the rate of colds and flu. Vitamin D supplementation is actually more effective than the flu shot. Studies show that if a person is severely vitamin D deficient ( if you are never exposed to sunshine and you do not take a vitamin D supplement, you more than likely are), vitamin D supplementation is 10 times more effective than a flu vaccine. A recent scientific review of randomized clinical controlled studies confirmed that vitamin D supplementation boosts immune system function and cuts rates of cold and flu. People who took vitamin D daily were less likely to report acute respiratory infections like influenza or the common cold.
Chiropractic for kids! Chiropractic care is a 100% all natural approach to building and maintaining your child’s health from birth to adulthood. Here are just a few reasons why chiropractic care makes perfect sense for kids. The number one reason is immune system health. Periodic spinal check-ups remove neural impulse blockages that come from fixated or stuck spinal bones. This decrease in nerve impulses inhibits function and performance of the immune system. Many studies show that spinal alignment issues contribute neural factors that influence immune system function. The number two reason is spinal curvature problems. As a small toddler learning to walk, many bumps and falls are taken. These bumps and falls can cause spinal bones to become fixated in the wrong position. Once the spinal bones are not aligned properly and the child continues to grow or has growth spurts, the spine can grow crooked which causes a curvature issue like scoliosis. Once children become older and even more active (think sports, bike riding, skateboarding etc.), alignment issues from these activities are even more common. In today’s society, what child does not spend a lot of time on their phone, tablet or video games? This forward slumped posture not only causes postural issues, but tension on the spinal muscles which then causes misalignment leading to further curvature problems, not to mention neck and back discomfort or headaches.
