An Important Nutritional Supplement Distinction T here is a great need today to acomplement a healthy diet with appropriate nutritional supple- mentation. The rules on what constitutes optimal health have changed due to signifi- cant changes in the quality of our soil, air, water and food. A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains may very well help to prevent most deficiencies, but that same diet may not today provide the opti- mal level of nutrition our cells require to provide abundant health, vitality and the ultimate protection from a host of chronic conditions. And yet, as with any thriving industry, the almighty dollar has led to introduction of literally thousands of products promot- ing health. As consumers, it is quite chal- lenging to differentiate one product from another. Instead, we use the product's price or clever marketing on the label as a deter- mining factor. We live in a "super-sized" America where we often believe that more is bet- ter. Nutritional supplement companies understand this mentality and may take advantage by isolating a single component from an herb or whole-food source and create a product from that one ingre- dient. That product is then marketed to us for its health- promoting benefits. The list of potential prob- lems with this philosophy is vast. For one, any isolated nutrient lacks the very impor- tant co-factors that are natu- rally present in the whole food in nature. An example of this is Vitamin C. The Vitamin C complex is much more than ascorbic acid. A slice of an orange contains Vitamin C with all of the factors present that the body requires. Savvy nutritional companies, however, may label a product as Vitamin C and the product may contain only a very high dose of ascorbic acid. This "mega- dosing" may not only be of little benefit, but it has the potential to be dangerous. Often, synthetic supplements are also treated with high-powered chemicals, solvents and heat, destroying much of their nutri- tional content. Isolated nutrients may cause three additional concerns. First, they may actually cause nutri- tional deficiencies. The second is that synthetic vitamins do not simply pass through the body; the body has to process them. Lastly, synthetic nutrients often act as a stimulant rather than as a true nutrient. This may explain why some products produce an initial rush of energy but have fading benefits or ill consequences over time. On the contrary, "whole-food" supple- ments are literally dried versions of whole foods with only the water and fiber removed. Typically, they are processed at low temperatures to preserve enzymes and their nutritional value. Since these nutrients contain the whole- food complex, all of the important co-fac- tors are present in the supplement. This makes the ingredients very bio-available and recognizable by the body. There is no level of toxicity with whole- food nutrition, and unlike synthetic vitamins, the shelf life is often indicated on the product to assure freshness. Whole- food supplements help to bridge the nutritional gap and provide optimal levels of nutrition for greater protection, energy and vitality. Look at labels carefully and consult a health-care provider or nutritionist. Remember, more is not always better! ❑ Dr. Jeff Rosenberg is a chiropractor and a certi- fied digestive health specialist. His practice, the Vitality Center, is in Birmingham. Contact him at (248) 540-1340, docjrdt@gmail.com or at 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 resufting 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 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 P.C. Dr. Louis N. Radden RECONSTRUCTIVE SPINE SURGERY 30055 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 270 Farmington Hills 248-865-4262 February 28 • 2008 A37