The Neglected Nutrient
I
Enzymes are protein molecules
t seems as though no mat-
that
act as catalysts to facilitate
ter where you look these
nearly
every chemical reaction in
days, people are talking
the
body.
Think of them as your
about nutrition. Whether its a
body's
workers.
In fact, there are
feature on Oprah with Dr. Oz or
more
than
3,000
known enzymes
a late-night infomercial on "nat-
over
7,000 reactions
performing
ural cures:' much of the buzz
throughout
the
body.
They are in
has focused on this hot topic. We
Jeff
every living substance, and specifi-
are demanding both new and
Rosenberg
cally in raw and uncooked foods.
safer health solutions as well as
Columnist
Enzymes perform two main
ways to preserve our youth.
functions that no other nutrient
Most often the conversations
we have focus on vitamins, minerals, herbs, can perform. The first and most notable
function is that they digest foods and any
or more recently, antioxidants or phytonu-
substance that enters our body. The impor-
trients. We have done our best to decipher
between the "good" sources of proteins, fats tance of this role cannot be overstated. Poor
digestion may lead to malnourished cells,
or carbohydrates. And yet, despite the fact
that each of these nutrients plays an essen- toxic blood and bowels as well as diges-
tive complaints. The second function is to
tial role in energy, growth and repair, none
nourish the immune system. In an enzyme
would be as effective in the absence of
what I refer to as the most neglected nutri- deficient state, the immune system does
not have the nutrition it needs to maintain
ent... enzymes. Yes, enzymes! But what
are enzymes and what specific role do they ideal health. So that begs the question, how
is it that we become deficient in enzymes?
play in our body?
Enzyme deficiency occurs due to four
main factors. The first is an unavoidable
factor and that is age. Between about the
ages of 27-32, your body, and most notably
the pancreas, will slowly lose its ability to
produce enzymes. It is postulated as one of
the main reasons we begin to "feel our age"
around this time of life. The second area is
chronic medication use. Simply put, medi-
cations deplete stores of enzymes if taken
over time.
The third area is stress. Stress is an ener-
gy consuming and nutrient depleting state,
and needless to say, modern living has
bombarded us with it. The final area, and
most notable, is processed food. Any food
that is refined, boxed, canned, or cooked to
a temperature above 114 degrees, is zapped
of its enzymes. This includes all food that
is microwaved, fried, baked, barbequed and
even steamed.
To summarize, as we age, our body loses
the ability to adequately produce enzymes.
Most of us live high-stress lifestyles, while
many of us take multiple medications that
further deplete this nutrient. The great
majority of American diets are grossly
deficient in this nutrient found only in
raw and uncooked foods. For that reason,
it's no wonder why digestion and immune
health might be impaired, and the body
tends to age at an accelerated rate despite
our consumption of vitamin and mineral
supplements.
The promising news is that along with
an improved diet, we can take custom-
ized supplemental enzymes to assist in
digestion and the health of our immune
system. There are wonderful possibilities
to recover from a large variety of health
conditions as well as to preserve the vital-
ity in your life!
Dr. Jeff Rosenberg is a chiropractor and a certi-
fied digestive health specialist. His practice, the
Vitality Center, is in Birmingham. To contact
him: (248) 540-1340, docjrdt@gmail.com or at
his upcoming Web site, www.pathtovitality.com .
The Facts About Degenerative Lumbar Stenosis
Degenerative Lumbar Stenosis is a narrowing in the lumbar spinal
canal, a very small space in the lower spine that carries nerves to the
legs. After many years, this space can become even smaller, if the
surrounding bone and tissue begin to grow.
Neural Claudication is relatively easy to diagnose. Physicians can usu-
ally determine if a patient has the condition by asking a battery of
questions. However, special tests and x-rays of the spine are often
required.
Arthritis, falls, accidents and wear and tear on the bones and joints
in the spine also play a part in Stenosis. As the lumbar spinal canal
shrinks, the nerves within it become squeezed and can cause chronic
back and leg pain, as well as leg weakness.
STENOSIS VS. RUPTURED DISC: "Many patients confuse Stenosis
with a ruptured disc," says Dr. Radden. "However, they are not the
same thing." A ruptured (or herniated) disc usually pinches one or two
nerves at a time. The resulting pain, called Sciatica, is caused by a
pinched nerve in the lumbar spine and causes back pain that shoots
down one leg. This pain can happen any time, not just when standing
up or walking.
The pain and weakness associated with Stenosis is usually described
as a burning or prickly feeling which begins in the buttocks and
spreads down to the feet when standing up, walking or exercising.
Unfortunately, many adults suffer from this condition.
OTHER FACTORS: "Legs might also feel cramped, tired, or weak,"
says Dr. Louis Radden, D.O., a St. Joseph Mercy Oakland orthopedic
surgeon. "This usually points to a condition known as Neural Claudi-
cation of the legs. For patients with Stenosis, the Claudication starts
when standing up. Pain may worsen when walking, but will most likely
get better when walking stops."
Also, crouching down or lying in a fetal position has been shown to re-
lieve symptoms, since it's believed that these positions open the lum-
bar canal and take the pressure off the nerves that go to the legs.
6621 W. Maple Rd.
West Bloomfield
248-661-4700
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November 29 • 2007
TREATMENT OPTIONS: Several treatment options are available for
Stenosis and Neural Claudication, depending on the extremity of
symptoms. If the pain is mild and hasn't been present for long, an
exercise or physical therapy program to strengthen back muscles and
improve posture is usually effective. A physician may also prescribe
medication for inflammation in the backbone.
Dr. Radden notes that with severe back pain and Neural Claudication,
however, spinal surgery may be required to take the pressure off the
nerves in the lower spine.
SPINE SPECIALISTS OF MICHIGAN RC.
Dr. Louis N. Radden
RECONSTRUCTIVE SPINE SURGERY
30055 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 270
Farmington Hills
248-865-4262