September 2018 Newsletter: Back to School Learning Opportunities for All

Can you believe it is already the end of summer and Back to School season? In honor of going back to school this month’s newsletter focuses on learning opportunities. There are suggestions from Dr. Brockenshire for back to school nutrition tips for your kids, a link to a web site that makes low carb and keto diets simple, a review of the importance of calcium and magnesium, and several of my favorite YouTube channels. 

September is also a big month for national and Jewish Holidays. The office will be closed on the following days:

September 3 – Labor Day

September 10 and 11 – Rosh Hashanah

September 18 – early closing at 3 PM – Yom Kippur

September 19 – Yom Kippur

September 24 and 25 – Sukkot

Back to School Nutrition

Are you ready for the kids to go back to school? Are the kids ready to go back to school? Either way it is here, and the following brief video provides some healthy suggestions as you prepare. I have all the products he mentions in the office and others as well. Enjoy!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF8icCD4VCE&feature=youtu.be&inf_contact_key=6757662ccf556c8df0a5544f6a51a3bb1a6b907e6b3e91b1ed568f44f173f87c

Magnesium and Calcium: Are You Deficient?

We hear a lot about the importance of calcium and magnesium to our health. I’ve attended several seminars recently where this was emphasized. One presenter said he checks for calcium, magnesium, and other minerals on all his clients. Why are minerals so important to us?  They assist the body in energy production - minerals contain no calories or energy.  They work with vitamins and enzymes to fuel all our metabolic processes.  Our health cannot be optimized if these processes are impaired.

Another presenter stated that 74% of the US population is deficient in magnesium. In preparing for this article, a quick Google search reveals another website saying 80%. Quick searches state similar high numbers for calcium deficiency.

Why so much deficiency? For the rest of the article click here: https://brwellness.com/?p=1190

Low Carb and Keto Made Simple

Low carb diets (such as Paleo) and the Keto diet is all the rage today, yet it can be confusing and not everyone finds success. This is a helpful website on all things low carb and keto: https://www.dietdoctor.com/

Here’s my recent article The Sure Fire Way to Lose Weight: https://brwellness.com/?p=1161

Your Back to School  - YouTube Resources

While the kids are going back to school to learn, you can join the fun and learn more about nutrition. Here’s a few of my favorite YouTube Channels.

Eric Berg, D.C: https://www.youtube.com/user/drericberg123

Davis Brockenshire, D.C. (Innovative Health Solutions): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-23KJC-sZs-E2vGbFllVCQ

Randy Tent, D.C. (Diverse Health Services): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXV1erzvdUmHDusYfDqgntg

Ann Louise Gittleman: https://www.youtube.com/user/DrAnnLouise

Success Stories

“Thanks again for all your help in balancing my gut issues. The dark circles and bags under my eyes have been greatly reduced. My skin rashes have all cleared up.  My digestion is working perfectly!! My thinking is more clear.  I have been able to stop using the prescription Metrogel 1% for rosacea…It's amazing how your gut affects every part of your body!!!  Your supplements are fantastic!!”  C.W.

“I reached out to Bernie after hearing positive outcomes for two colleagues who see him.  I trust their perspectives, had some idea of what his recommendations would involve, and was ready to take on my declining health and wellness!  I was feeling overweight, tired, and simply unwell.  

At my first appointment, Bernie identified two food categories to avoid, and I immediately started planning my food menus to reflect his suggestions.  Within just a couple of days, I felt like a different person.  My sleep has been improved, and my energy doesn’t lag during the day as it has for so long.  My digestion is improving, and I haven’t felt hungry or deprived, which has often been the case when trying to make healthier changes in the past.

I look forward to continued improvements in my overall health and wellness and appreciate Bernie’s patience and availability for follow-up questions!” K.L.

Magnesium and Calcium: Are You Deficient?

Magnesium and Calcium: Are You Deficient?

We hear a lot about the importance of calcium and magnesium to our health. I’ve attended several seminars recently where this was emphasized. One presenter said he checks for calcium, magnesium, and other minerals on all his clients. Why are minerals so important to us?  They assist the body in energy production - minerals contain no calories or energy.  They work with vitamins and enzymes to fuel all our metabolic processes.  Our health cannot be optimized if these processes are impaired.

Another presenter stated that 74% of the US population is deficient in magnesium. In preparing for this article, a quick Google search reveals another website saying 80%. Quick searches state similar high numbers for calcium deficiency.

Why so much deficiency? My answer is simple. Minerals come from plants that are grown in healthy mineral rich soil or from animals that ate plants that are grown in this soil.  The first problem is that plants (vegetables) are under-consumed in most American diets. The second problem is that most of the plants are grown in nutrient depleted soil. There are many studies showing the significant drop in the vitamin content of our vegetables and fruits compared to pre-1950 levels. And the third problem is that most of the animals are not eating healthy plants!

Now, let’s take a closer look at these two essential minerals.

Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals to the body. It is needed for over 300 different bodily processes. Magnesium aids in enzyme activation. Enzymes make everything happen in the body!  

Magnesium helps metabolize blood sugar and produce cortisone.  Keeping your blood sugar levels under control is the key to health!  Another important role of magnesium is to support healthy nerve and muscle function.  It works with calcium to keep the nerves firing and the muscles moving!  It is involved in nerve signal transmission, muscle contraction, and heart rhythm.  Along with calcium and phosphorus it is one of the 18 nutrients critical to forming and maintaining bones and teeth.

Magnesium helps prevent heart attacks by regulating the neuromuscular activity of the heart and maintaining normal heart rhythm. It helps prevent calcium deposits, kidney stones, and gallstones. 

Magnesium is needed for proper Calcium and Vitamin C metabolism. And, it has been found to aid in bowel regularity.

A shortage of magnesium can show up in a variety of emotional symptoms such as nervousness, tension, and confusion. On a physical level it can result in tremors, muscular excitability, gallstones, kidney stones, or constipation. It has also been linked to blood clots in the heart and brain, along with brittle bones.  

As you can see, this is definitely something we need to consume!  Magnesium is found in many vegetables. The highest amounts are found in artichokes, avocadoes, legumes (black beans, green beans, navy beans, pinto beans), nuts and seeds (cashews, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds), dark green vegetables (broccoli, spinach, Swiss chard), organ meats, seafood (halibut, salmon, shrimp), and tomatoes.

If you drink alcohol or eat a lot of sweets, you need to keep a close watch on your magnesium levels as alcohol and sugar deplete magnesium in the body.

Calcium

Calcium is one of the most talked about minerals and for good reason.  It supports strong bone structure, teeth, and muscle tissue, aids in blood clotting function, supports cardiovascular and nerve functions, and helps in normal functioning of many enzymes.  We often hear about calcium deficiencies in conjunction with osteoporosis.  As mentioned above it is one of the 18 nutrients required to build bones.  

What else contributes to our calcium shortages? Would you believe soft drink (soda) consumption?  The reason is that phosphorus is added to them.  Phosphorus and calcium need to be in a specific relationship in our body.  So, when we take in excessive phosphorus and don't have sufficient calcium intakes, our body must take it from a storage location.  You guessed it - the bones!

The best sources of calcium are of course from food.  It is also a misconception that this has to come from milk.  Leafy green vegetables are a great source of calcium.  For calcium choose: bone meal, cheese (best are Cheddar, mozzarella, and Swiss), collard greens, flaxseed, liver, milk, molasses, mustard greens, sesame seeds, spinach, turnip greens, wheat germ and yogurt.

Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and Educator. He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create individualized nutrition and wellness programs. His office is in Mequon. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, e-mail at bernie@brwellness.com, call (262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.