by Dr. John Kupper - Chiropractor in Encinitas, CA
As a Chiropractor in Encinitas, I have always understood that the greatest way to go about being healthy is to first and foremost properly maintain the human body in order to prevent possible disease and illness. As I have gone through nearly a decade of schooling covering health, wellness, disease, and treatment, it has occurred to me that “disease prevention” and “wellness” are difficult to practice. The reason being that healthy people STAYING healthy and avoiding disease is very different than diagnosing and treating disease. Almost all of both medical school and chiropractic school is based on diagnosis and treatment of the condition diagnosed. Nonetheless, although prevention and wellness is recognized across the board as being the “way to go”, it isn’t the easiest way to practice healthcare. It’s time-consuming, results are very hard to measure, and it take patience and perseverance - all things that modern day society don’t like to hear.
Therefore, unfortunately, a large majority of so called “healthcare” these days is geared toward diagnosing, treating, and curing versus wellness and prevention. Dr. Bernard Lown said in his blog, “Diligent prevention, unfortunately, plays second fiddle to heroic cures.” That is exactly what we are seeing in healthcare today. The money being spent on “healthcare” or “Sick-Care” rather, is based on the population actually being sick! If I was able to snap my fingers and magically make everyone perfectly healthy, what would that do the hospital industry? Pharmaceutical industry? The list could go on and on. If there isn’t a disease or a symptom that can be suppressed or cured, then essentially with the way things are done... THERE IS NO PROBLEM.
That is especially the case when it comes to cholesterol and cholesterol lowering medications. Now before I get into statin therapy and the risks vs. possible benefits lets first dive into the main issue of What is Cholesterol anyway?
Cholesterol is not inherently bad. It has been vilified as the major cause of heart disease. The claim that it clogs our arteries is known world-wide, despite no scientific evidence to validate the theory. I will no go too deep into what ACTUALLY causes heart disease but as a society we really need to retrain our doctors and clinicians to look at this cholesterol theory with a non-biased physiological eye. If were completely evil, your liver wouldn't produce it (unbeknownst to many, your liver makes about three-quarters or more of your body's cholesterol—that's how important it is).
Cholesterol plays a key role in regulating protein pathways involved in cell signaling. It is well known that cholesterol makes up a large part of your cell membranes, and new research suggests cholesterol interacts with proteins inside your cells, making it even MORE important. Remember: your body is composed of trillions of cells that absolutely need to communicate with one another. Cortisol, your main anti-inflammatory hormone, is made of cholesterol! When there is stress (physical, chemical, or emotional) cortisol will be secreted in higher levels, thus demanding higher levels of cholesterol. Your brain contains roughly 25 percent of the cholesterol in your body. It is critical for synapse formation, i.e. the connections between your neurons, which allow you to think, learn new things, and form memories.
One of the biggest myths surrounding cholesterol is that high levels are caused by what you eat. This is quite simply not true! The human liver is designed to remove excess cholesterol from your body. Also, LDL “bad cholesterol” carries re-building nutrients to sites of tissue damage and inflammation. Meaning, wherever there is inflammation in your body, there will be higher levels of cholesterol needed, especially LDL. Demands that will increase cholesterol requirements include stress, inflammation and elevated demands on insulin (high carbohydrate intake). The cholesterol levels in your body are determined by your environment, choose wisely.
Further, eating nutritious cholesterol-rich foods is not something you should feel overly guilty about. It is estimated that only 20 percent of your blood cholesterol levels come from your diet! So let’s get the REAL STORY...Cholesterol is one of the most powerful healing foods and molecules your body can ingest and produce. The problem occurs during times of high stress, oxidation, and inflammation. The real key to not only reversing heart disease but also staying healthy in general is to put out the inflammatory fires, especially those that are chronic and happening due to poor lifestyle choices.
So let’s just be honest and get to the real facts of the story. Cholesterol is NOT the enemy, chronic inflammation and tissue damage is the real enemy. High LDL levels are a response to stress- physical, chemical, and emotional STRESS. Stress causes a cascade of metabolic and cellular activity that REQUIRES there to be more cholesterol available. It really is as SIMPLE AS THAT. Now zoning in on what those physical, chemical, and emotional stresses are in your life will be the most difficult part of the puzzle. But just because it may be difficult DOES NOT mean that it isn’t worth it. Our bodies are not designed to have to require synthetic chemicals (drugs) to function optimally. High LDL cholesterol levels are not caused by a deficiency of statin drugs. WHAT DOES cause high LDL cholesterol? In basic terms, you now know.
This article is by no means a complete review of the topic, but hopefully gives you a peek into how the human body ACTUALLY works. Your body is not stupid, it is smart. It is capable of continuously adapting to the daily stresses that are put upon it. Your goal should be to identify and reduce the amount of negative stress put on your body. In doing so, your body can spend more time healing and regenerating instead of focusing on putting out inflammatory fires. Remember that when you’re in a stressed state (“fight or flight”) your immune system is slower and weaker. Reduce the STRESS and you will be a much healthier you! For more information visit us at http://k2healthcenter.com or call us at (760) 456-9470.
Yours in Health,
Dr. John Kupper
Dr. Kupper is an Encinitas Chiropractor. He grew up in Southern California and has always been fascinated with how the body works and functions. He enjoys beach volleyball, basketball, and being by the ocean. He pursued a degree in Exercise Science from BYU and furthered his education by obtaining his Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from the prestigious Life Chiropractic College West. He graduated with both academic and clinical honors. He is currently in the process of pursuing a masters in NeuroScience and becoming board certified in Functional Neurology and Neuro-behavioral Disorders of Childhood
Sources:
Uemura K, Pisa Z. Trends in cardiovascular disease mortality in industrialized countries since 1950. World Health Stat Q. 1988;41(3-4):155-78. PMID: 3232406
CDC – Chronic Disease Overview Link Here
Ancel Keys and the lipid hypothesis: From early breakthroughs to current management of dyslipidemia Link Here
Ravnskov U. The fallacies of the lipid hypothesis. Scand Cardiovasc J. 2008 Aug;42(4):236-9. PMID: 18615352
Rosch PJ. Cholesterol does not cause coronary heart disease in contrast to stress. Scand Cardiovasc J. 2008 Aug;42(4):244-9. PMID: 18609060
Ravnskov U. A hypothesis out-of-date. the diet-heart idea. J Clin Epidemiol. 2002 Nov;55(11):1057-63. PMID: 12507667
By Dr. John Kupper, Encinitas Chiropractor
Astaxanthin - although it is difficult to pronounce, this powerful antioxidant has been touted by many of the top researchers in the world as quite possibly the most potent antioxidant nature has to offer! Continuous research is suggesting that this form of algae has broad-spectrum, system-wide health benefits. So let’s learn how this supplement supports: joint and tendon health, skin health, eye and brain health, and cardiovascular health.
It is derived from Haematococcus microalgae. Astaxanthin is produced within the algae to protect itself from UV radiation and the harsh effects of the surrounding environment. It is related to beta-carotene, lutein and canthaxanthin. However, what makes it unique is its molecular structure. Astaxanthin has deservedly been named “The King of Carotenoids”. While you may not be completely familiar with carotenoids, most likely you have consumed them in the food you recently ate. Carotenoids are what gives many of the healthy foods you eat their color: the lycopene in the red tomato, the beta-carotene in orange carrots, or the zeaxanthin and lutein in yellow corn.
Astaxanthin is an antioxidant. It is known to be over 500 times stronger power than vitamin E and 6,000 times more potent than vitamin C
Some key differences that set astaxanthin apart from other carotenoids and antioxidants include the following:
ASTAXANTHIN PROMOTES SKIN HEALTH
Every day in the Encinitas Chiropractor office I teach that it is not only what you put onto the skin to protect it, but more importantly what you put INTO it, and that is the strong point about astaxanthin. Recent buzz with the rich and famous around natural astaxanthin has increased its profile. More and more people are learning what most dermatologists have long known; natural astaxanthin helps support the skin during long periods of UV light exposure. Sunburns occur from excess skin oxidation. Ultraviolet like causes oxidation of skin cells and results in reddening. Excessive and repeated exposure to sunlight without the proper nutrients to support it causes skin aging: wrinkled, blotchy, thinned, darkened skin. A recent study of the effects of astaxanthin, scientists took a group of people to see how much UV light was needed to cause a “sunburn”. The test group was given 4 mg of natural astaxanthin for 14 days. The results were that the group treated with astaxanthin increased the amount of time it took to redden the skin and cause excessive oxidation (Lorenz, 2002).
Remember, the key to building and maintaining health is to stack the odds in your favor. I commonly teach patients that they are not victims of bad luck, bad germs, or bad genes. I teach them that they have more control over their health outcomes than they are being lead to believe by mainstream healthcare. The secret is to consistently provide your body with the nourishment it needs to continue to adapt, rebuild, and thrive. The human body seems to be designed to heal itself! In fact, your body happens to be the smartest doctor in the world. I say, give it what it needs, avoid things that it doesn’t, and then GET OUT OF THE WAY! Astaxanthin is just another powerful tool your body will benefit from. The great Dr. James Chestnut put it perfectly when he said “Eat Well, Move Well, Think Well!”
Take control of your health and be proactive. True health comes from within and it will always be that way. You can either accept it and use it to your advantage or you can struggle like most Americans with chronic degenerative diseases that in most cases can be prevented with proper lifestyle and dietary choices!
Yours in health,
Dr. John Kupper, DC
Visit K2healthcenter.com for more info
At K2 Health Center we provide our patients with an array of choices for all sorts of pain management. From upper cervical chiropractic, concussion options, alternatives to back surgery, neck pain headache and even cold laser therapy - we have several options. We strive to provide the most advanced chiropractic, massage, low-level laser therapy, nutrition, exercise therapy, and diagnostic services in and around the Encinitas area. For a complimentary 15 min. Consultation, call/text the office today to set up an appointment. 760-456-9470
If you look deep enough and do even a basic search online you’ll learn that genetic diseases are much more complicated than most doctors will have you understand because there is an entirely new field of study called Epigenetics. If you ask a chiropractor in Encinitas, you’ll also find that genetics are being blamed far too often for the health problems we are facing. If you’re not familiar with Epigenetics, don’t stress about it, but understand that it is changing the way researchers and scientists understand the effect of your lifestyle on your genes and genetic expression. Bruce Lipton’s, a well known researcher, has written many books on the topic. Epigenetics focuses on the protein that surrounds our DNA which controls gene expression in your body. It is extremely important to understand that there is a difference between a gene and the expression of that gene. Various toxins in our food and environment as well as nutrient deficiencies can negatively affect these proteins causing an expression or suppression of a gene.
Dr. John Bergman recently phrased it well. He said.. So let’s assume the worst case scenario… you have a gene for a certain type of disease such as breast cancer which has been associated with the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes. If you look at the statistics, does EVERY single person that has the gene develop breast cancer? Or do some of them do and some of them don’t? What gives? The answer is Epigenetics! Even though you have these genes, your body can express or suppress these genes based on your environmental stimulus which either positively or negatively affects the proteins surrounding your DNA. The key is to limit your exposure to toxins and increase your exposure to nutrients to positively affect the protein that surrounds your DNA.
It all boils down to what you CAN CONTROL! You can control your lifestyle. You can control what you put in your mouth. You can control what you put on your body. You can control how much sleep you get every night. You have more control than what you are being told by western medicine. You must begin to understand that there is a law of cause and effect. Every effect has a cause and every cause has an effect. You are not sick because of bad luck, bad germs, or bad genes. You are sick because of toxicity and/or deficiency. Either you are not getting enough what you need (ie. nutrients, movement, stimulation) and/or you are getting too much of what you don’t need (ie. toxins, chemicals, improper movement). The list of examples can go on for days, but I think you are starting to get the point.
Artemis P. Simopoulos MD from the Center for Genetics, Nutrition, and Health said it well: “The health of the individual and population is determined by the interaction between their genetic endowment and a number of environmental factors.” Dr. Dan Murphy has said “The human diet has had major changes in the past 150 years, yet the genetic profile has changed very little, if any, in the past 10,000 to 15,000 years.”
As an Encinitas Chiropractor, I urge you to take control of your own health and not fall victim to the philosophy and mentality of mainstream healthcare. You are not a victim of bad luck, bad germs, and bad genes. Inside of your body resides the greatest doctor in the world! If you are looking for “ chiropractors near me,” I would suggest calling K2 Health Center at (760) 456-9470 for more information.
Dr. John Kupper, DC | K2 Health Center
The most common misconception about Upper Cervical care is that it ONLY helps with back and neck pain. Although the Encinitas chiropractor at K2 Health Center can certainly tackle problems like low back pain and neck pain headaches, these patients actually represent a small percentage of people that seek care at K2. Patients suffering from a wide range of conditions, including migraines, have had their health completely changed. At K2, we recognize that the body is a self-healing and self-regulating organism controlled 100% by the central nervous system. Understanding that basic fact can completely change the way one looks at the health of the body and more importantly how one chooses to treat health issues of the body.
The Nervous SystemThe nervous system is the first organ system to form in the womb and everything else grows off of it. It is also the only system in the body that DOES NOT regenerate like other systems do. For example, red blood cells regenerate every 120 days, the skeletal system regenerates every 7 years. Basically, you are born with a nervous system that can grow very easily but DOES NOT regenerate very well, thus it is of utmost importance to protect and preserve the master control system of the body, THE NERVOUS SYSTEM!
The nervous is housed completely in BONE. The brain is inside the skull and the spinal cord runs down the middle of the spine. Upper cervical care offered at K2 Health Center is based on the universal law of cause and effect. For every effect or symptom, physical or mental, there MUST be a cause. At K2, we focus on locating and removing interference to the central nervous system that results in health conditions. Removing this interference allows the body to heal itself naturally without harmful drugs or risky surgeries. An upper cervical correction is very gentle and controlled; there is no pulling, twisting, or cracking of the head. This precise force allows the head, neck, and spine to return to proper position, thus removing the interference and restoring balance to the body.
If you are currently suffering from migraines, you already know very well the symptoms of pain, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. Some migraine sufferers even experience visual disturbances, numbness, tingling, clumsiness, or have difficulty communicating. Conventional treatments in the medical world consist of treating the symptoms with over-the-counter and prescription medications. Unfortunately, drug therapy in NO WAY addresses the underlying cause at play.
Studies show that over 80% of headaches in general stem from the cervical spine. It only makes sense to first assess this vital region and make corrections as needed.
Dr. Seymour Diamond, Executive Director of the National Headache Foundation, has announced that new imaging techniques now allow scientists to identify what they believe to be a cause of migraines: a malfunctioning brain stem. When the brain stem, located near the top of the neck malfunctions, it increases the swelling of blood vessels surrounding the brain, setting up a chain reaction that results in a migraine headache.
Upper Cervical chiropractors receive extensive training and education in both upper cervical spine and the brain stem. They use the latest technology to analyze and correct upper cervical misalignment and achieve predictable results that heal. The goal of Upper Cervical is to correct spinal misalignment and to restore normal function to the brain stem and nervous system, thus correcting the cause of migraines instead of treating the symptoms.
If you live in the Encinitas area and you're searching for a "chiropractor near me" that specializes in migraines and Upper Cervical corrections give us a call at K2 Health Center (760) 456-9470.
Dr. John Kupper, DC
K2 Health Center
There is a famous saying that an ounce of prevention can be worth a pound of cure. Nothing could be more true when it comes to the spine, especially the neck region. We often use the phrase “ a pain in the neck” to refer to difficult circumstances, people, and situations, while not realizing that this phrase is accurately describing real neck pain! It is true that some causes of neck pain are more difficult than others to prevent. On the other hand, there are many relatively easy things you can do to minimize your risk. One significant place to concentrate on is to look at how you sleep and what effect this is having on neck pain.
One must remember that the upper neck is much more mobile than the rest of the spine. This affords increased versatility and mobility, however, at the expense of stability. Little muscles and ligaments are solely in charge of maintaining proper alignment and structural integrity. Most people sleep an average of 5-8 hours per night. Proper support of neutral spine position if absolutely crucial to both treating and preventing neck pain.
What is the best sleeping position for neck pain?
Studies show that two sleeping positions are best for neck pain: on your side and on your back. If you are a back-sleeper, rounded pillows are able to contour to the natural lordotic curvature of spine and help relieve tension of muscles, ligaments, and joints. If you are a side-sleeper, keep your spine straight/neutral by utilizing a pillow that is higher under your neck than under your head. Sleeping on your stomach can be done correctly but is not recommended. Stomach sleeping puts abnormal stress on your spine and cause the neck to be rotated and put under additional stress. Understandably many people have sleeping position habits that are hard to break, plus not to mention that most people don’t wake up in the same position in which they fell asleep. However, it is important to start the night off sleeping either on your back or on your side in a neutral spine position.
Remember that whatever pillow you choose to use, there will an adjustment period where you will need to get used to the new alignment. This may result in increased soreness for a few days up to 2 weeks. Neck pain typically doesn’t happen overnight and certainly will not be fixed overnight. The key is to identify probable causes and rectify them!
How to Manage Your Neck Pain at Home
Ice – Cryotherapy can reduce swelling to an area that is inflamed. It will also provide immediate pain relief and help essentially decrease the size of spinal nerve roots to create additional space. Hold a cold pack or frozen bad up vegetables wrapped in a towel and place on your neck. An accepted rule is 20 mins on (or until numb), 40 mins off and then repeat. Be sure not to place ice directly on skin in order to avoid skin burn.
Neck Exercises – Gentle neck exercises can be a very effective tool to help loosen neck muscles. You may want to consider lightly moving your neck up and down and then side to side. Be careful not to over-extend you neck beyond its normal limits, as this is likely to cause damage.
When Should You See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain?
While there are very important things you can do at home to relieve neck pain, it imperative to know when it’s time to see a Doctor of Chiropractic for neck pain. Chiropractors are specially trained to understand the physiology and biomechanics of the body, especially the cervical spine. After a thorough assessment and X-Rays, the goal is to restore motion and alignment to the joints of the neck. Drugs and surgery are not recommended until conservative natural measures are taken. See your chiropractor for neck pain if….
In summary, if you are experiencing neck pain you must consider the pillow you are using, at home therapies you are utilizing, and also any underlying causes. For more information on neck pain from your Encinitas Chiropractor, visit our site at www.k2healthcenter.com.
Concussion - it’s a term you never want to hear when meeting with your doctor, and for good reason. This growing fear, however, is often accompanied by a gross misunderstanding of the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of the problem.
Today I have the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Steven Keener, an Upper Cervical Chiropractor in Encinitas, CA. Dr. Keener’s advanced knowledge of the brain and its physiology allows him to successfully assess and treat concussions in his office. This Q&A is aimed to help provide a clearer understanding of proper diagnosis, treatment, and management of concussions.
Cathy Homuth (CH): What are concussions, anyways?
Dr. Keener (KEENER): According to the CDC, “A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury — caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.”
When a concussion is experienced, this blow to the head causes the brain to collide with the inside of the skull - this collision between the brain and skull is known as a “Coup-countercoup.” If strong enough, this collision damages the brain and is diagnosed as a concussion.
CH: So, are concussions common?
KEENER: Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Concussion rates have been steadily increasing in recent years. Of course part of this increase can be attributed to increased public awareness of head injuries and better diagnosis from health clinics, but there is no doubt that the number of concussions has been increasing. In 2013, there were 2.8 million emergency room visits, hospitalizations and death that were related to Traumatic Brain Injuries, referred to as TBI’s - so you see this isn’t a small problem, it’s actually quite a large problem.
CH: The CDC mentions the term TBI, but i’ve heard doctors and other people say mTBI. What do they mean when they say mTBI?
KEENER: The ‘m’ in mTBI stands for mild. It is important to note, however, that mTBIs can be just as severe as TBIs - and in some cases, even more severe. This is because mild does not refer to the severity of the brain injury - it simply denotes whether or not a skull fracture was sustained. So technically speaking - head injury accompanied by skull fracture = TBI, head injury with NO skull fracture = mTBI.
CH: Okay, so let’s say someone hits their head, but they do not lose consciousness. Does that mean they did not have a concussion?
KEENER: A concussion can occur whether the blow to the head/neck area was severe enough to cause a loss of consciousness or not. In fact, some of the most severe concussion cases I see are cases when the patient denies “blacking out”, or losing consciousness. Even a relatively light blow to the head/neck - say hitting your head on a low door frame, or sitting back to fast and hitting your head on the back of the chair - can result in a concussion.
CH: How do I know if I have suffered a concussion?
KEENER: If you or someone you know has hit their head and are unsure if they have experienced a concussion, you need to go to your healthcare provider for proper evaluation. Your doctor will not only assess the degree of concussion you may have sustained, but will also check for other problems that can occur with head trauma, such as brain-based bleeds and fractures.
According to the CDC, the following four categories of symptoms can be experienced following a concussion.
This is important though - and the CDC is very clear about this. If the following symptoms are experienced, you should seek medical attention immediately:
CH: If I have a concussion, what is the best way to treat it?
KEENER: The first step is removing yourself of the activity or risk that provided you with the concussion in the first place. Too often, especially with kids and sports, the athlete returns to the activity too fast and risks sustaining another concussive blow to the head. This is especially troubling because we know that if a second brain injury is sustained prior to the initial injury FULLY healing, than the damage is compounded and much more severe.
After controlling the risk of a subsequent brain injury, it is important to properly supply the brain proper treatment necessary to heal as fast as possible. You see, when a concussion occurs, the damaged brain cells release chemicals that cause further damage. So it is extremely important to use proper treatment to heal the brain as fast as possible. Every patient and every concussion is so different, but in our office, treatment typically consists of a specialized combination of the following: rest, hydration and nutrition, supplementation, low level laser therapy (LLLT) and head/neck realignment.”
CH: Head/Neck realignment? Go on, how would that help with someone who has suffered from a concussion?
KEENER: That’s a great question. When the hit to the head is strong enough to cause a concussion, turns out it is often also strong enough to disrupt the normal alignment between the head and how it connects to the rest of the spine. When the head and neck are misaligned, a fluid called CerebroSpinal Fluid (CSF) cannot drain out of the head properly. This lack of drainage creates an increase in pressure of the fluid within the skull, creating what is known as Increased Intracranial Pressure. Your brain and spinal cord actually float in this fluid, so the pressurized environment is very bad for brain health. If left uncorrected, this alignment/pressure problem can contribute to Post Concussive Syndrome, which is when concussions continue to cause symptoms and problem for people long after the initial injury to the brain.
You also mentioned Low Level Laser Therapy - do you find that also helps treat concussions?
KEENER: Absolutely. The laser is a great tool for accelerating the healing of all types of tissues. If you dive into the science, it has been shown to speed up the healing of cuts, ligament tears, and tissue trauma nearly 30% faster when compared to control groups. Scientifically, the laser works by photo-stimulating the mitochondria inside the cells. The mitochondria are responsible for the energy production the cell needs to function. So this stimulation results in cells being more efficient in how they utilize energy. Clinically, this means the laser will reduce inflammation and stimulate a faster healing response - both of which is critical when talking about healing from a concussion.
CH: That is so fascinating. Thank you so much Dr. Keener for taking the time to sit down with me today.
KEENER: Anytime. Thanks Cathy.
Monday & Thursday:
10am - 1pm | 3pm - 6pm
Tuesday & Wednesday:
8:30am - 11:30am | 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday:
CLOSED
