local insights

Food Affects Our Mood

by David Pollack, D.C.

Most people, young and old, with mood and behavioral imbalances have a digestive problem, even if they don’t realize it. The digestive tract is home to many functions having little to do with actual digestion. The digestive tract contains 70 to 80 percent of the body’s entire immune system. Problems involving immune function often present as allergies, skin issues, postnasal drip, swelling and as mentioned, digestive problems. Another major non-digestive function of the digestive tract is neurotransmitter and hormone production. Neurotransmitters are the compounds that become our thoughts and reactions to our environment. Changes in this function can cause enormous changes in mood and behavior. Hormones, directly and indirectly, are manufactured in the digestive tract. Many of these hormones control mood, appetite, blood sugar levels and other blood chemistries, among other functions. Our digestive tracts have an enormous influence on how we feel, think and act; food can exacerbate that. Some foods irritate us and cause inflammation, while others tend to be more calmative. Sugars, simple carbohydrates, poor-quality fats and proteins, such as pork products and most conventional meats and cheeses, artificial coloring, preservatives and genetically modified foods are among inflammatory and irritating nutrition. In contrast, such foods as grass- fed and organic meets, organic or unprocessed vegetables and foods that contain no preservatives, coloring or other artificial enhancements or ripening agents are more calming by nature. Modest portion sizes also are important, as too much food makes us bloated and leads to an inflammatory cascade. Besides improvements in health, many individuals seeking support for digestive, hormonal or auto-immune issues often report that dietary modifications lead to significant improvements in their mood and emotional state. They report increased energy, clarity and calmness and reductions in anxiety, anger and depression directly related to what they eat. Controlling our diet and food intake can have massive effects on our mood and behavior. Ensuring we have a well-optimized digestive tract can make us feel even better and more serene. Along with dietary adjustments, natural therapies can help the body heal from the inside out. Using enzymes, nutraceuticals, acupuncture and other Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies, detoxification and cleansing regimens and a variety of other safe and natural techniques can assist the body and mind in relaxing and functioning at optimal levels.

Our digestive tracts have an enormous influence on how we feel, think and act; food can exacerbate that.

Dr. David Pollack, DC LAc CFMP is a chiropractor and acupuncturist. He also has advanced studies in nutrition, Traditional Chinese Medicine and botanical medicine. His practice, Pollack Wellness Institute, is located at 66 Commack Rd., Ste. 204, Commack, NY. For more information, call 631-4620801 or visit PollackWellness.com See ads, pages 4 and 13.

CHILDREN’S BACKPACK MISUSE LEADS TO SPINAL PROBLEMS

by Gina Marino, D.C. Back pain is pervasive among American adults, but a new and disturbing trend is emerging. Young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations and the use of overweight backpacks is a contributing factor, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). The disproportionate amounts of weight they carry in their backpacks—often slung over just one shoulder—is a leading cause in this new trend. A recent study found that the average child carries a backpack that would be the equivalent of a 39-pound burden for a 176-pound man, or a 29-pound load for a 132-pound woman. Of those children carrying heavy backpacks to school, 60 percent had experienced back pain as a result. The results of these types of studies are especially important as more and more school districts— many of them in urban areas—remove lockers from the premises, forcing students to carry their books with them all day long.

Four Steps to Safe Backpack Use

Limiting the backpack’s weight and urging the use of ergonomically correct backpacks can help. The American Chiropractic Association offers the following tips to prevent the needless pain that backpack misuse could cause students.

Step 1: Choose Right

Choosing the right size backpack is the most important step to safe backpack use. Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more a child will carry and the heavier the backpack will be. The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing a child to lean forward when walking. Although backpacks with wheels have increased in popularity, the ACA is now recommending that they be used cautiously and on a limited basis by only those students that are not physically able to carry a backpack. Some school districts have begun banning the use of rollerpacks because they clutter hallways, resulting in dangerous trips and falls.

Step 2: Pack Right

Make sure the child’s backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of their body weight. A heavier backpack will cause them to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back, rather than on the shoulders, by the straps. If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to the child’s teacher. Ask if the heaviest books can be left at school, and only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks get brought home. A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on the child’s back.

Step 3: Lift Right

Face the pack, bend at the knees, and use both hands to check the weight of the pack. Lift with the legs. Apply one shoulder strap and then the other. Don’t sling the backpack onto one shoulder.

Step 4: Wear Right

Urge students to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain. Wide, padded straps are important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable and can dig into a child’s shoulders. The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be properly fitted to the body—snug, but not too tight. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain. When the backpack has a waist strap, use it.

Chiropractic Care Can Help

If any pain or discomfort is experienced from backpack use, chiropractic spinal adjustments can help. Doctor of Chiropractic are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages and will use a gentler type of treatment for children. In addition, they can also prescribe exercises designed to help children develop strong muscles, along with instruction in good nutrition, posture and sleeping habits.

Dr. Gina Marino, DC, has her own practice, The Center for the Alignment of Body, Mind & Spirit, located at 2050 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh. She and her team offer the finest quality care using modern chiropractic techniques. For more information, call 516-221-3500 or visit Align-Me.com. See ad, page 10.