The brain and the nervous system are the most important organs we have.  They control the function of every cell, tissue and organ in the body. 

     Even when we are sleeping, the brain is functioning.  Sleep enhances performance, learning and memory. 

     If you are having trouble finding a solution to a problem, try sleeping on it, you may find the answer.  This is because sleep helps you to reset your brain and see things from a different perspective.

Dr. Mercola says too little sleep can:

1.  Alter your metabolism and make you gain weight.

2. Cause your brain to stop producing new cells.

3.  Increase your risk of cancer by altering the balance of hormones in your body.

4.  Increase your risk of diabetes by reducing your leptin levels.

5.  Accelerate aging.

6.  Increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

7.  Raise your blood pressure.

8.  Speed up tumor growth.  Tumors grow two to three times faster in laboratory animals with severe sleep dysfunctions.

     Dr. Mercola goes on to say that your body does most of its repairs during sleep, so not getting enough of it can impair your immune system, leaving you less able to fight off diseases of all kinds.

     Adults need on average 6-8 hours of quality sleep per night.  Sleeping more than 8 hours can have the same effect on you as not sleeping enough.  There are times that require extra sleep such as an illness, emotional stress and/or pregnancy just to name a few.

     Research published in the November-December issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics and reported on by Scoop Health from New Zealand on November 23, 2007, shows how chiropractic helps affect brain and nerve system function. An excited release on the research by the New Zealand Chiropractors Association states, "Ground-breaking research has, for the first time, identified the actual changes that occur in the body, the nervous system and the brain during chiropractic spinal adjustments."

     The study demonstrates that chiropractic care sends signals to the brain that change the way the brain controls muscles. Award-winning Auckland researcher, Dr. Heidi Haavik-Taylor commented, "The process of a spinal adjustment is like rebooting a computer. The signals that these adjustments send to the brain, via the nervous system, reset muscle behavior patterns." She went on to explain how this can have a broad effect on a person's health by saying, "By stimulating the nervous system we can improve the function of the whole body. This is something that chiropractors and their patients have known for years; and now we have some scientific evidence to prove it."

     According to the Scoop Health article, Dr. Haavik-Taylor has spent the last seven years researching the effects of chiropractic adjustments on the nervous system. On this new research, Dr. Haavik-Taylor was able to measure how brain waves are altered before and after spinal adjustments. She reported, "This is the first time that anyone has used EEGs to prove that there are definite changes to the way the brain processes information after chiropractic care."

     Dr. James Burt, President of the New Zealand Chiropractors Association, touted Dr. Haavik-Taylor's breakthrough research by noting, "Heidi’s work is ground-breaking on an international level by proving that chiropractic adjustments do alter and benefit the nervous system."

The content of this article supplied by Now You Know, Inc.

Several articles appeared in the news warning of the harmful health effects from the stress of the current economic conditions. One such article on October 8, 2008 from WebMD noted that a recent study showed that 80% of Americans said that the economy was a significant source of stress in September, up from just 66% in April of this same year. The article notes that the increased stress is taking it's toll on everyone, but that older women seem to be affected the most.

The study's executive summary, conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), and published on October 7, 2008 states that, "Nearly half of Americans report that their stress level has increased over the past year, with as many as 30 percent rating their average stress levels as extreme."  Money and finances were the highest two concerns that the study showed were creating stress.

Katherine Nordal, PhD, a psychologist and APA’s executive director for professional practice, commented, "With the deteriorating economy dominating the headlines, it’s easy to worry more about your finances than your health, but, stress over money and the economy is taking an emotional and physical toll on America, especially among women." Dr. Nordal went on to warn, "Many say they are handling their stress well. Yet, people report more physical and emotional symptoms. If Americans continue to experience these high levels of stress for prolonged periods of time, they are at risk for developing serious illnesses.”

The study did note that Americans are aware of the dangers of stress, noting that 86 percent, "recognize that stress increases their likelihood of becoming sick and has a very strong negative impact on a variety of conditions including depression, heart attack or stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, obesity and insomnia." Unfortunately, many people either do not know how to help their stress, think they are managing their stress well, or believe they have no control over it.

Dr. John Maltby, president of the International Chiropractors Association noted that chiropractic is one of the more effective ways to deal with the stress created by these trying times.  He commented, "The most profound result of stress is the functional and physical effect it has on the nervous system.  This is where chiropractic can play a key role. By removing physical irritation to the nervous system brought on by stress, the body is better able to cope on all levels. Stress is a cycle.  It creates spinal and nerve system problems, and is made worse by the nerve system problem stress creates.  The role of chiropractic is to break that cycle by correcting the physical component of this problem, known as subluxation."

     Many people in Macomb County use the artificial sweetner Splenda and/or use products with Splenda added to them, "made like sugar, so it tastes like sugar, but it's not sugar." 

     Splenda is a "no calorie" sweetner, which is 600 times sweeter than table sugar, twice as sweet as saccharin, and four times as sweet as aspartame.  The manufactureing process starts with a molecule of sugar, but there is no sugar in the end product.  The main ingredient is sucralose, which is manufactured in a laboratory.

     The latest study to come out of Duke University demonstrates health concerns.  The study was conducted over 12 weeks on male lab rats.  The study concluded that Splenda reduced the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50%, contributed to increase in body weight, and it also interferes with the efficacy of medications.

     The public advocacy group, Citizens for Health, wants a warning label put on all Splenda products cautioning that people who take medications and/or have gastrointestinal problems avoid the use of Splenda and/or any products that contain Splenda.  James Turner, chairman of Citizens for Health said in a statement, "The new study makes it clear that Splenda can cause you to gain weight and lose the benefits of medications designed to improve and protect your health.  The FDA should not continue to turn a blind eye to this health threat."

What is the flu?  The flu is a respiratory infection.  It is spread when you inhale droplets of the virus. The virus starts in the lungs.  As the virus works its way through the respiratory tract and reaches the bloodstream, it starts producing symptoms. Symptoms of the flu can include: coughing, sneezing, fever, body aches, fatigue, runny nose and/or congestion.  The flu weakens the immune system.  Ehen the immune system becomes weak, it allows for a more serious infection to set in.  A more serious infection may be bacterial pneumonia.

Every year, doctors of Macomb County recommend getting the flu vaccination.  But, before you line up to have your dose, make sure you know what is in that needle.  Some of the components in a flu shot consist of:

• Ethylene glycol (antifreeze)
• Phenol, (carbolic acid, used as a disinfectant, dye)
• formaldehyde (a known cancer causing agent)
• Aluminum (associated with Alzheimer's disease and seizures)
• Thimerosal (mercury used as a preservative) can reslut in brain injury

What you do with your body is entirely up to you and your doctor.  Just before you get the vaccine make sure you are informed of whats in the shot.  Ask your doctor for the brochure that comes with the vaccine and read the ingredients. 

Several natural things that you can do to prevent the flu this season are:

• Avoid Sugar
• Get plenty of Rest
• Eat a lot of garlic
• Wash your hands
• Exercise
• Keep your nervous system free from interference, so that your immune system can stay strong
• Manage your stress

The human body is so amazing that if you come close to following an optimal diet, exercise, get rest and have a nervous system working at it's optimum free from interference we will have a high likelihood of immunity from illness.

Many people in Macomb County don't realize how that the bumps and bruises that we experience through out our lives do result in a lack of health.  Medical statistics tell us that there is an 80% chance of injury during the birth process alone.  Then come all of the other injuries such as falls on our bikes, sports injuries, auto accidents, roller coaster rides, etc. All of these activities lead to a damaged spine and a weakened nervous system leading to a lack of health. 

"A slip on the snowy sidewalk in winter is a small thing.  It happens to millions.  A fall from a ladder in the summer is a small thing.  It also happens to millions.  The slip or fall produces a subluxation.  The subluxation is a small thing.  The subluxation produces pressure on a nerve.  That pressure is a small thing.  That decreased flowing produces a dis-eased body and brain.  That is a big thing to that man." (Taken from B.J. Palmer, Developer of Chiropractic)

 "Now comes a man.  And one man is a small thing.  This man gives an adjustment.  The adjustment is a small thing.  The adjustment replaces the subluxation.  That is a small thing.  The adjusted subluxation releases pressure upon nerves.  That is a small thing.  The released pressure restores health to a man.  This is a big thing to that man." (Taken from B.J. Palmer, Developer of Chiropractic)

Your nervous system controls the function of every single cell, tissue and organ in the body. If your nervous system is not working at 100% you cannot experience 100% health.  Your stomach and lungs cannot function properly.  Your muscles are not as strong as they should be. Your systems, gastrointestinal, immune, cardiovascular, lymphatic etc, will not function the way they should.

When your cells, tissues and organs are not functioning properly, your body is suffering. Over a period of time, your body will start to produce symptoms. 

The symptoms may be physical such as weakness, numbness, aches and pains, acid reflux, asthma and/or headaches etc. The symptoms may be mental, such as anxiety, panic attacks, short temper, hostility and/or depression etc.

When the nervous system isn't working, your body isn't working.   

If you have any questions on your spine and nervous system, please contact Dr. Wilbraham at drwilbraham@comcast.com  

In the scientific periodical the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (JCCP), comes a study that involved the literature review of 10 different papers of the cases of 11 women who were suffering from infertility. The review, published in the bi-yearly JCCP March 2008 issue, reviewed the case studies of 11 women ages 22 to 42 who were diagnosed as suffering from Infertility.

According to the article, Infertility is defined as an inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse or to carry a pregnancy to term."  The author of the review Stacy Bula D.C., notes that in the US infertility impacts six million women between the ages of 15 and 54.  According to the study the US Centers for Disease Control reported that in 2004 there were 127,977 artificial reproductive procedures performed to try to help women get pregnant. The study notes that although only 34% of the medical procedures attempted will result in a live birth, the costs can range up to $30,000 per menstrual cycle attempt.

In the cases reported in this literature review study, the cases of eleven female patients were reviewed from 10 separate documented case studies. Their histories included one natural childbirth, two miscarriages, two failed in-vitro fertilizations, and three failed artificial inseminations. In some of these cases the women sought chiropractic care for a variety of other problems in addition to infertility.  Some of the additional problems that brought the women to a chiropractor included, ulcerative colitis, lower back pain, neck pain, menstrual cycle problems, diabetes and joint pains.

The average age of the women in the various studies was 32.  In 10 of the 11 cases the women were actively trying to become pregnant and were unsuccessful.  Several had unsuccessfully tried more expensive and risky procedures.  The author noted that the standard medical care for infertility, "..can have serious health problems for both the mother and child."

The results from these various case studies showed that all 11 women got pregnant shortly after the start of chiropractic care.  The author of the review noted that 9 of the 11 did not receive any further medical care to become pregnant.  The care rendered in all of these cases was specific correction of vertebral subluxations using a variety of chiropractic analyses and techniques.  The author noted that correction of vertebral subluxations caused an improvement in function which allowed the women of these studies to become pregnant.

In her conclusion, Dr. Bula  stated, "The ten case studies examined in this paper suggest that regardless of the type of chiropractic technique used, when subluxations of the vertebral spine were adjusted there was a simultaneous improvement in function of the reproductive organs and related endocrine system."

     Gardening is not only relaxing, but it's also a form of exercise.  1 hour/day of pulling weeds, planting flowers, hoeing the garden, trimming, fertilizing and watering can increase your level of wellness.

     Due to manufacturing, produce bought at the store has less vitamins and nutrients in them than home grown.  Plus, home grown produce gives you control over fertilizers and pesticides.  Did you know that you can make your own pesticide? Using cayenne pepper, garlic and water.  Also instead of using toxic chemicals to keep pests out, check with your local garden supply store for larvae of garden friendly bugs.

     If you are planting an herb garden - Did you know how beneficial fresh herbs are for your health?

Garlic: Helps in reducing blood pressure, preventing heart disease. It also fights infections and cancer, and protects against pollution.

Ginger & Spearmint: Effective for motion sickness, nausea and upset stomach.

Rosemary:  Good for your memory.

Basil: Is good for an insect repellant.

     So if you haven't already planted your garden...what are you waiting for?

I have found that when one is diagnosed with cancer, they have several options available to them, which include:

1.  To have no treatment at all.

2.  Traditional treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation.

3. Alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, oxygen therapy, dietary changes and supplements and many others.

4. Or they may decide to do a combination of traditional treatment and alternative treatment togethor.

 In doing my research I have found some very valuable information regarding treatment options that are not harmful to your body like chemotherapy and radiation are. Due to the extensiveness of the material, I can not list it all here, so I am going to post the websites where the information can be found and you can look to see what may suit your needs. There is information on balancing your pH levels, The Budwig diet protocol, oxygen therapy, protocel/cancel and Barley greens. Whatever treatment option you choose, you must be comfortable with it.  

I hope that this information will help all of you looking to find it.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at my office: (586) 781-4314 or email me at drwilbraham@comcast.net

The websites for alternative treatment options are as follows:

www.cancertutor.com

www.beating-cancer-gently.com

www.healingcancernaturally.com

www.alternativecancer.us

www.outsmartyourcancer.com

The alternativecancer.us website also has a test kit that you can purchase for $35.00.  The results from the test kit will show you what alternative treatment would work best for you and your body chemistry, so you don't waste time and money on treatment options that will not work for you.

Again, I found much of the information valuable, and I would like to pass it along to help others. If you are suffering or someone you know is suffering with cancer, I would like to help. 

I have been given a gift, a gift to help people. I want to help as many people that I possibly can, through education, and through hands on healing.  There is no charge for my service. I am opening my heart and door to you.  Call me at my office and make an appointment to have your spine and nervous system examined at no charge.   

Dr. Wilbraham practices in Macomb, Michigan, (586)781-4314.

Several news stories including a June 3, 2008 ABC News story reported that the consumer watchdog group, the "Center for Science in the Public Interest" (CSPI), has petitioned the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban artificial food coloring.  The group CSPI claims that Yellow 5, Red 40, and six other widely used artificial colorings are linked to hyperactivity and behavior problems in children and should be prohibited from use in foods.

A June 4, 2008 report in Medical News today notes that several of these food dyes have already been banned in the United Kingdom. Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, D.C states the CSPI case by stating, "I think it's crystal clear the dyes affect kids' behavior. The tougher questions are how many kids, and to what extent is their behavior affected? But time is long overdue to get rid of these dyes from the food supply. Let scientists study them in a laboratory."

Dr David Schab, a psychiatrist at Columbia University Medical Center and one of the authors of a 2004 comprehensive review of the literature, published in the journal Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, noted in the Medical News story, "The science shows that kids' behavior improves when these artificial colorings are removed from their diets and worsens when they're added to their diets. While not all children seem to be sensitive to these chemicals, it's hard to justify their continued use in foods, especially those foods heavily marketed to young children."

The FDA maintains that there is no evidence of a link.  The ABC News story noted that pressure from the British government on the food industry has caused food companies to make changes.  For instance in Britain, a strawberry sundae at a London McDonald's contains real strawberries, whereas the U.S. sundae is red because of the dye Red #40. 

CSPI Executive Director Michael F Jacobson, summed up the petition to the FDA by stating, "The continued use of these unnecessary artificial dyes is the secret shame of the food industry and the regulators who watch over it."  He added that these food dyes can be removed from the US food supply, "Absolutely, the dyes can be eliminated," Jacobson said. "They're unnecessary, they have no health benefits to the consumers whatsoever. They only pose a risk and that risk is intolerable."