Crossroads in Health

If you’ve ever had a toothache you know how tightly wound the teeth are to the brain. At its basic levels the trigeminal nerve, the largest cranial nerve, is a ...mixed nerve: It has sensory aspect innervates the skin of the face, oral mucosa, the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, cornea, teeth, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), parts of the tongue, facial and masticatory muscles, other smaller muscles, as well as most of the dura mater and the cerebral arteries; and the motor aspect of TMJ muscles. All information that enters the mouth and face travel the 3 branches and converge trigeminal ganglion, where the cell bodies of afferent fibres are located. However recent studies show that the brain is directly measuring microbial populations in the mouth. Certain oral bacteria have been found to ‘traverse’ the trigeminal nerve of teeth and break the blood brain barrier. Penetrations of the BBB represent common routes of brain invasion, resulting in encephalitis or brain abscesses and in meningitis. However what these pathways show us is that the brain has its own functioning microbiome, that we know very little about. At the 2018 Society for Neuroscience conference in San Diego, a group of scientists from the University of Alabama in Birmingham presented data suggesting the presence of bacteria in the brain tissue of healthy people. When looking at differences between the brains of recently deceased schizophrenia patients and healthy individuals they were surprised to find bacteria in the brains of both schizophrenia patients and healthy individuals. The brain is carefully listening to what enters the body via the mouth. Cultivating a healthy, diverse, and robust oral microbiome is key to nearly every marker of human health. Did you know that teeth were so connected to the brain?

Vitamin A is the barrier nutrient. It governs your skin, lungs, immune system, bones, and many other things through the body. In the lungs, Vitamin A deficiency... depletes protective cell lining increasing the risk of respiratory disease. Retinols create the strong and elastic properties of lung cell membranes, assist in collagen formation which all deteriorate in disease. So why don’t we talk about it more? There has been a strange disconnect in our perception of Vitamin A. Yet its role in bone, gum, skin, immune and nearly every system in the body is well understood. Research clearly states that Vitamin A is associated with a significant reduction in mortality when given periodically to children at the community level in third world countries. In the mouth, as a natural defence and treatment for gum disease, you can't address the causes without having enough vitamin A. In the West however, Vitamin A’s membrane forming properties is most widely used as a skin anti-ageing treatment and in the treatment of acne. This is because it has a direct effect via retinoid receptors on the skin. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that supports skin, eye, and reproductive health, and immune function. Retinol stimulates production of new skin cells. Without it, skin can become overly dry. Topical retinoids stimulate collagen production, making them effective at reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Gum cells are also known to be responsive to Vitamin A. Direct application of retinoic acid results in suppression of pre-malignant oral lesions. The role of Vitamin A goes beyond just collagen and skin formation. Retinoic acid (RA) is an important signalling molecule in most tissues, including epithelial differentiation. However, it’s also known as one of the most potent antioxidants. It exerts local action at mucosal sites, in gut lining and throughout the body. A strong gut barrier needs vitamin A. The active form of vitamin A comes from animal products such as organ meats, cod-liver oil, egg yolks, grass raised dairy. Did you know vitamin A was so versatile?

Part of a healthy mouth is clearing the things your body has no use for. Certain bacteria, or fungi can cause infections and your teeth, tongue, and mouth parti...cipate in a body-wide toxin clearing system. Inside every tooth and draining from different parts of the tongue drain from the mouth into the lymphatic system. Lymphatic circulatory system works directly with your cardiovascular circulatory system to keep blood and lymphatic fluid levels in balance and flush toxins out of the body. It also carries immune cells throughout the body to help defend against infections. If your lymphatic circulation slows or stagnates, toxins will accumulate and immune cells won’t be delivered to the areas of the body where they’re needed, causing a variety of ailments, the very least of which are aches, pains, and swelling (lymph edema). This can also cause deterioration of your thymus gland, tonsils, and spleen key components of your immune system and weaken your body’s ability to fight infection and disease. The lymphatic drainage of the oral cavity is divided firstly into regional nodes and then into deep cervical nodes. The parotid nodes sit upon the parotid gland and drain it The buccal nodes sit on the cheek The submandibular nodes lie on the lateral wall of the submandibular gland and drain the cheek, the upper lip, the lower lip, the maxillary sinus, the upper and lower teeth, the anterior two thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, the vestibule and the gums The lymphatic system isn't lucky enough to have a powerful organ like the heart to keep fluid flowing. The lymph system is stimulated by: 1) Gravity & muscle contraction (jaw chewing and neck movement exercises) 2) Temperature change: alternating hot and cold water on the head and neck 3) Deep breathing into the diaphragm 4) Proper tongue posture to the roof of the mouth and swallowing that seals the back of the throat Have you ever felt that the glands in your neck are swollen?

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Curious about trying it? We can discuss it further. Low dose 5mg lithium capsules are available for purchase in the office.

Let's talk about one of the simplest and most powerful molecules in your body. Nitric oxide is produced by nearly every type of cell in the human body and one... of the most important molecules for blood vessel health. It’s a vasodilator, meaning it relaxes the inner muscles of your blood vessels, causing the vessels to widen. In this way, nitric oxide increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure. Supplements that increase nitric oxide in the body make up one of the most popular supplement categories today. Mouthwash destroys bacteria in your mouth that can contribute to the growth of cavities and other dental diseases. Unfortunately, mouthwash kills all types of bacteria, including the beneficial ones that help produce nitric oxide. Special bacteria in the mouth convert nitrate to nitric oxide. In fact, humans cannot produce nitric oxide from nitrate without these bacteria. Certain mouthwash kills the oral bacteria needed to produce nitric oxide for up to 12 hours. Nitric oxide (NO) and its derivatives (reactive nitrogen species) have multiple effects on mitochondria that impact on cell physiology and cell death. Mitochondria may produce and consume NO and NO stimulates mitochondrial genesis. Nitric oxide (NO) is known to have a protective effect on the gastrointestinal tract. In preclinical studies NO was shown to help maintain gastric mucosal integrity, to inhibit leukocyte adherence to the endothelium, and to repair NSAID-induced damage. In addition, epidemiologic studies have shown that the use of NO-donating agents with NSAIDs or aspirin resulted in reduced risk for gastrointestinal bleeding. Nitric oxide may regulate blood sugar. The detrimental effects of mouthwash on nitric oxide production may even contribute to the development of diabetes, which is characterized by malfunctions in insulin production or action. This is because nitric oxide also regulates insulin, which helps cells utilize the energy obtained from food after it’s digested. Without nitric oxide, insulin cannot work properly. Whats your strategy to get more nitric oxide?

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I think of Vitamin K as almost a miracle compound. Good food sources of Vitamin K1 are green vegetables. K1 is converted to K2, which provides the benefits described below. Good sources of K2 are pastured egg yolks, and aged grassfed dairy products like butter and cheese. An excellent plant source of K2 is Natto, which can be found frozen in Asian markets.

Can you spot the signs of crooked teeth? Teeth teach us so much about ourselves. Today we are in an orthodontic epidemic. It’s the biggest health problem o...n the planet. When teeth are crooked, it’s a sign the craniofacial system has not developed in a way the human form has been designed to. Parents can pick up the signs early. Thin, narrow jaws often come alongside a set of symptoms. If you look at the two pictures above, the general pattern of development on then left accompanies crooked teeth. When the platforms of the jaws don’t grow, teeth don’t fit, it’s that simple. But the problems that ensue are not simple and orthodontics is a great fix for straightening teeth, but there may be more to the picture. It becomes a complex syndrome with different signs/symptoms. #1: Incorrect Skeletal, Jaw and Teeth Development Jaw development Developing a wide palate is key to a child’s healthy teeth and jaw development. Cranial imbalances can involve the skull, jaw, and vertebral bones. The development of the upper jaw or palate is the main factor directing the growth of these bones. #2: Nasal airway obstruction Nasal breathing is central to proper jaw and teeth development. In one day you will take between 20 000 to 30 000 breaths. Normal breathing provides forces that expand the maxilla and upper jaw. Signs: Snoring, mouth breathing or gasping during sleep #3: Incorrect Tongue Posture In proper tongue posture, we should see the tongue up against the palate. The tip of the tongue behind the front of the top teeth right to the back of the tongue should be pressed upwards to the back of the throat. This activates all the muscles that connect to the jaw, the base of the skull, the spine and the throat. #4: Poor Lip Posture Your child’s facial muscles should close the lips at rest. If their lips don’t sit together at rest, it’s often due to a low and forward tongue posture. #5: Oral behaviors Certain non-nutritive sucking such as: Thumb sucking and pacifiers can create affect how the jaw develops early in life. Do you notice any of these signs in yourself or your children?

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Ok, you may find this uncomfortable, but just remember, you’re on my page for the most powerful health tips, not fluff. They may not be the easiest, or the m...ost popular, but they are the most potent, I promise. One part of the modern diet that is missing, is removing organ meats. Muscle meats are comparatively nutrient poor compared to organ meats like liver, heart, and brains. The most commonly consumed organs come from cows, pigs, lambs, goats, chickens and ducks. Every traditional society at organ meats, because they pack with nutrients like no other food on earth. What Are the Different Types? The most common types of organ meat include: Liver: Liver is the detox organ. It’s also the nutritional powerhouse of organ meats and sometimes referred to as nature’s multivitamin. Tongue: Tongue is actually more of a muscle. It’s a tender and tasty cut of meat due to its high fat content. Heart: The role of the heart is to pump blood around the body. It may not look edible, but it’s actually lean and tasty. Kidneys: Like humans, mammals have two kidneys. Their role is to filter waste and toxins out of the blood. Brain: Brain is considered a delicacy in many cultures, and it’s a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Iron: contains heme iron, which is highly bioavailable, so it’s better absorbed by the body than non-heme iron from plant foods Great source of choline: Organ meats are among the world’s best sources of choline, which is an essential nutrient for the human brain Cheaper and reduced waste: Organ meats are not a popular cut of meat that are often wasted! Critical Vitamin A Liver is an important source of retinol, which is pre-formed vitamin A. Just three ounces of beef liver contains 26,973 IU of vitamin A, while pork liver and chicken liver contain 15,306 IU and 11,335 IU, respectively. If you aren’t eating cod liver oil, you’ll probably want to eat liver a couple times a week to make sure you’re getting enough vitamin A. Let’s put our heads together for organ meat ideas, how did your grandparents add organ meats to their diet? We need to revive this treasured human way of eating.

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