Americans consume more calcium supplements than any other people on earth.  And if that’s not enough, additional calcium is added to our cereals, our fruit juices, our crackers, our antacids and many other processed foods.  Yet, ironically, the U.S. ranks among the nations with the highest incidence of osteoporosis; a painful and debilitating disease marked by calcium loss and bone deterioration.  Are we missing something?

About 40 years ago, doctors began routinely prescribing calcium to many men and almost all women over the age of 40 in order to prevent or stop the progression of osteoporosis.  The conventional wisdom was that bone loss is due to calcium deficiency.  Yet, after 40 years, it is evident that taking calcium alone does not prevent or even slow the progression of osteoporosis.

Magnesium is actually the key to the body’s proper assimilation and use of calcium.  Magnesium helps to regulate calcium in the body and allows the body to use calcium as needed.  If we consume too much calcium and without enough magnesium to balance it, the excess calcium is not utilized correctly and actually may become toxic, causing many painful conditions in the body.

Magnesium is responsible for over 350 biochemical reactions, all necessary for proper health.  Magnesium plays a vital role in digestion, energy production, muscle contraction and relaxation, bone formation and cell division.  In addition, magnesium is a key nutrient in the proper functioning of the heart, kidneys, the adrenals, and the entire nervous system.

Most cal/mag supplements contain a ratio of 2 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium.  The logic behind this ratio is based on the relative amounts of these nutrients used in the body every day.  But research shows that most people over 30 actually need the reverse ratio. Typically, the body holds onto calcium and either stores it or recycles it again and again.  But magnesium is either used up or excreted and must be replenished on a daily basis.  So, even though our daily need for calcium is greater, we are much more likely to become deficient in magnesium.

If you suffer from two or more of the following symptoms, you may have a magnesium deficiency:

- insomnia or restless sleep

- muscle tension or spasms

- muscle cramps

- constipation

- headaches

- heart palpitations

- PMS

- calcification of tissues or joints

- nervousness or irritability

I recommend magnesium citrate or malate as the preferred forms. Or magnesium in the form of an amino acid chelate. If you believe you might be deficient in magnesium, I suggest taking magnesium alone (without calcium) for several  months.  Some manufacturers are now producing these minerals together in a ratio of 1 to 1 which I recommend for the longer term.  And remember, if you are taking these minerals in the above forms,  you may not need to take as much because you’re absorbing more.  The body can only absorb a small amount of these minerals at one time. So, if you plan to take more than 100 mg of magnesium, it’s best to take two or more small doses per day than a large dose all at once. For most people, a modest supplementation in the 200 mg range of magnesium will help to maintain adequate levels, and more important, the correct balance of these important minerals.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

About 20 years ago I learned a breathing exercise called Sudarshan Kriya from the Art of Living program. There are many forms of breathing exercises available thorough different schools of yoga and Qi Gong. I can recommend the Art of Living program without hesitation. It only takes about 15 minutes a day to do the breathing and another 15 minutes for the meditation practice which is an optional addition.

A number of scientific studies have been conducted over the last 20 years which proves that meditation and Sudarshan Kriya benefit the physiology on many levels. In particular, these practices have proven to help in the treatment of hypertension and significantly reduce symptoms of headache, stress, anxiety and depression.

If you live in Portland, the Art of Living contact information is:

Janardhan at janardhan.lavakumar@gmail.com -  ph: 503-560-3521

Raghu at rchadive@gmail.com  -  ph: 503-816-7894)

Portland Web Site: http://us.artofliving.org/portland

If you live outside of Portland, go to:  http://us.artofliving.org

While I’m a great believer in acupuncture and shiatsu to treat specific conditions. I also try to encourage my clients to manage their own health through proper diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle. The Art of Living program is a program I can recommend for overall health maintenance and longevity.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a general heading for Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.  Both of these disorders are inflammatory conditions of the large intestine which can be debilitating and, if left unchecked, can lead to serious and even life threatening complications.

An estimated 2,000,000 Americans suffer from IBD.  Conventional medicine views IBD as idiopathic (of unknown cause) and treatments include steroid anti-inflammatory or immune suppressant medications.  Side effects from these medications are severe and often dangerous over the long term.  Surgery is the next option if drug treatment is not effective in controlling symptoms.  Unfortunately, surgery does not always result in a cure and subsequent surgery may be needed, thus compromising the patient’s health and quality of life.

Many patients and doctors are unaware of alternative approaches which have been successful in reducing symptoms and even bringing IBD into complete remission for many patients.  But it’s important to emphasize that no one approach works for everyone.  Finding an effective approach takes patience and perseverance.  In this article, I would like to mention several alternative approaches to IBD which are currently available and can be very effective.

Dietary Approaches

An alternative approach which is rapidly gaining attention is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (S. C. Diet), developed by Elaine Gottschall, Ph.D.  The S. C. Diet is a strict grain-free, lactose-free, and sucrose-free meal plan, based on the theory that poor digestion of carbohydrates is the single greatest causative factor in IBD.  While there is no universal agreement on exactly how the S. C. Diet works, the fact that it does work is reflected in a growing body of evidence.  Most patients who stay on the diet for a year or longer, are able to maintain complete or partial remission without medication.  And many are eventually able to include a wider range of carbohydrates into their diets.  Information about the S. C. Diet is available at www.scdiet.org.

Another dietary approach comes out of research into the inflammatory response itself.  Many nutritional researchers have found that a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA in particular) and low in saturated fats and Omega-6 fatty acids, will help to establish a biochemical environment within the body which actually protects against inflammation.  This discovery is just beginning to play an important role in the treatment of IBD as well as other inflammatory diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharides (AMP)

Another alternative approach to IBD comes in the form of highly concentrated Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharides (AMP) from the inner gel of the Aloe plant – Aloe Vera.  Drs. John Pitmann and Ivan Danhof have published research about AMP and it’s powerful anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune modulating properties.  In addition, it has no known side effects at effective dosage levels. Based on this research, some companies have developed highly concentrated, freeze dried forms of AMP and the response among IBD sufferers is very enthusiastic.  In order to be effective, AMP must be highly concentrated (1000 to 1) and pharmaceutical grade.  Ordinary Aloe Vera juice or gel will not provide sufficient concentrations of AMP to be effective.  Additional information about AMP may be obtained from Serovera at http://www.serovera.com

Combined Modality Approach

Alternative health practitioners will frequently combine two or more modalities in the treatment of IBD.  In my own practice, I have found that regular acupuncture treatments to help regulate the immune system, combined with an individually tailored diet and supplemented with AMP and Omega-3 oils, will often produce good results over a period of 8 to 12 weeks.  Although I want to emphasize that no one approach works for everyone, a combined approach like this seems to address both the symptoms and the underlying causes of IBD for many patients.

Summary

One of the sad facts about IBD is that patients are often left on their own to find effective alternatives.  But doctors are not entirely wrong in counseling against unproven therapies.  For every successful alternative approach to IBD, there are dozens which claim to “cure” IBD but, in fact, are worthless or misleading.  It is only through the continued efforts of the alternative medicine community that patients who suffer from long term, chronic disorders, such as IBD, can become informed about alternatives that are safe and can be effective.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805

As many as 30% of Americans suffer from acid indigestion and/or Gastric Esophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD). These are actually two distinct disorders although they are often confused and sometimes overlap with one another.

Acid indigestion is experienced as a burning sensation or pain in the abdomen, just below the ribs. People who have this discomfort after eating assume they are producing too much stomach acid and seek relief from over-the-counter medication designed to neutralize excess stomach acid.  But in fact, very few people actually produce too much stomach acid.  In most cases, the problem is a deficiency in the protective mucous lining of the stomach.  Without the proper protection, the underlying stomach tissue is exposed to stomach acid which causes discomfort or possibly the formation of an ulcer in extreme cases.

On the other hand, GERD (also known as acid reflux or heartburn) is a condition in which stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, creating a burning sensation higher up, in the pit of the stomach, under the ribs or in the chest. Left untreated, GERD can lead to serious and potentially life threatening complications.

Some people develop GERD because they have a weakened lower esophageal sphincter muscle (LES) due to age or because of a hiatal hernia, which occurs when part of the stomach gets caught above the diaphragm. Specific foods can exacerbate GERD by weakening the LES or by stimulating acid production (see list below). Smoking and stress can also contribute to the problem.

Whether you suffer from acid indigestion or GERD, acupuncture can be extremely helpful in reducing or eliminating symptoms. In addition, the following dietary and lifestyle recommendations will be helpful in most cases.

Acid Indigestion

1)  One or two ounces of pure Aloe Vera juice, taken with a pinch of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) two or three times a day, will help to heal the stomach lining and reduce inflammation.

2)  Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) tablets. Whole Licorice root is a wonderful herb but it has one component (glycyrrhizin) which increases blood pressure. This component has been removed from DGL tablets which can be found in most health food stores or natural groceries. One or two tablets 15 minutes before a meal will help to increase the mucous protection in the stomach lining and regulate the stomach acid production. Note: DGL tablets must be dissolved in the mouth.

3)  Avoid or reduce chocolate, coffee, alcohol, fried or greasy foods, hot or spicy foods, citrus fruit (unless ripe and sweet), tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, chili sauce, vinegar, ibuprofen, aspirin and tobacco.

4)  Drink plenty of room temperature water throughout the day.

5) Take two capsules of Mastic Gum in the morning on an empty stomach. Continue with this dosage until symptoms disappear.

Gastric Esophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD)

1)  Eat slowly and chew your food well.  Avoid over eating and never eat when tense or hurried.  Better to eat smaller, more frequent meals. The saliva is alkaline and will help to neutralize any excess stomach acid.  Also, eating slowly allows the stomach an opportunity to begin the digestive process and move the food into the duodenum. This one recommendation will do a great deal to alleviate painful symptoms for many people.

2)  Avoid or dramatically reduce chocolate, coffee, alcohol, fried foods, hot or spicy foods, carbonated beverages, citrus fruit, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, chili sauce, vinegar, peppermint, spearmint, ibuprofen, aspirin and tobacco. Not everyone responds to these foods in the same way. Keep a daily journal. By documenting your food intake and symptoms, you can identify which foods are a problem for you.

3)  Avoid lying down immediately after eating.  Allow at least two to three hours for food to digest before bedtime. Many people find it helpful to elevate the head of the bed four to six inches.

4)  Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight is a key factor for GERD.

5)  Avoid lifting, bending, or stooping after eating.

6)  An ounce or two of Aloe Vera juice, with a pinch of baking soda, after meals can be a good home remedy for GERD.

7)  Papayas or papaya juice with 2 pinches of cardamom is another helpful preventative for GERD.

Thank you for visiting my blog. If you have questions about acupuncture and shiatsu, or if you have a specific health concern, please contact me at:

Bart Walton, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture & Shiatsu
Portland, Oregon
503/939-5805