The adrenal and kidney responses result from increased stimulation and stress resulting in increased tension of the vascular tone. Oftentimes, elevated blood pressure is a body response high levels of inflammation and allergy in the environment or diet. The body interprets all stress as a wild animal trying to attack it, and so stress that comes from eating certain foods has a reaction of stress that is similar to societal stress, or that comes from truly being in peril. It registers the same on the endocrine system, making no distinction between psychological stress and biochemical stress and circumstantial stress.

As we reduce the stress of our lifestyle and our diet, we significantly reduce the adrenal responses to stress attempting to elevate its metabolism and prepare itself for fight or flight responses. A most subtle but consistent factor that should be explored in high blood pressure situations is the presence of chronic food allergies. Most typically corn, soy, milk or wheat can influence the inflammatory levels, creating chronic inflammation resulting in elevation of corticosteroids. Often, simply by eliminating the food allergies, within three days the blood pressure will be falling and within two weeks it is within the normal range.

It is always best to correct high blood pressure by determining the cause of the elevation, rather than to suppress the symptom only. Magnesium and organic potassium and minerals significantly relax the body. Ionic calcium reduces acidosis and thus reduces tension. When the natural interventions fail, reduction of food allergies should always be employed to correct the possible cause of the elevated blood pressure.

Blood pressure medication is very difficult to reduce and discontinue once the body has become accustomed to it. Sometimes, blood pressure medication will require subsequent drugs as we get older. It is always desirable to avoid the need for medication until it is absolutely necessary. Oftentimes blood pressure medication will interrupt other functions of the body such as energy level, ability to respond to stressful situations, and libido, especially in men.

High blood pressure is an intelligent body response to imbalance. The difficulty is to determine what the imbalance is. Blood pressure may be naturally balanced bringing about the elimination of symptoms, instead of symptom suppression. Many are using herbal remedies as natural approaches to tactics of suppression of blood pressure, and are still symptom-based therapy. The only real correction is to assist the body back into balance and eliminate its need to elevate the vascular tone.

About High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of blood against your artery walls as it circulates through your body. Blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day, but it can cause health problems if it stays high for a long time. Having high blood pressure raises your risk for heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death in the United States.1

High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because many people don’t realize they have it. High blood pressure often has no warning signs or symptoms.

Autoimmunity literally means that the immune system has developed antibodies to attack its own tissues. There are many theories as to why this may happen. Traditional medical approaches seem to concern themselves only with trying to control the secondary symptoms of autoimmunity instead of addressing the underlying causes, which are still enigmatic and mysterious.

One possible mechanism of autoimmunity concerns the integrity of the cellular and nuclear membranes. When these membranes begin to lose their integrity leaking minute amounts of nuclear genetic material directly into the bloodstream these nuclear proteins are perceived by the liver as indication that upstream tissue damage has occurred. In response the liver develops what are called natural tissue antibodies (NTA’s) that are put into circulation designed to target the upstream tissue breaking down and degrading the perceived damage before infection by an external agent can occur. This seems an intelligent response on the part of the body and may be addressed simply by encouraging healthy membrane physiology through the application of healthy essential fatty acids and phospho-lipids, which are the primary components of the cellular and nuclear membranes.

A second mechanism thought to cause autoimmunity is described as molecular mimicry. In this model it is possible for certain inoculants to induce immune responses to protein sequences that are similar to normally occurring tissue. The best example of this is the relationship between acquired immunity to German measles from vaccination and the autoimmune disease of Ankylosing Spondylitis, in which the nucleotide sequences in the proteins of these two tissues are almost identical with only one nucleotide sequence different. This causes the acquired immunity of the vaccination to attack the normal occurring tissue in the body thinking that is a foreign protein. Many such mechanisms are speculated involving multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases.

A third and final theory, called the dual signal hypothesis, describes the possibility of the immune system being up-regulated and hyper-reactive simultaneous to another injury occurring. As a result the overly ambitious immune system identifies this injury as an antigenic marker and thus begins to attack that tissue is if it were an infection. It is very common to note that many autoimmune diseases onset following severe physical or emotional trauma within 6 to 12 months.

In any of these cases the employment of foundational therapies seeking to balance all systems of the body can assist in bringing resolution to the autoimmune diseases. Down-regulation of immune activity by reducing inflammatory and chronic infection burdens while simultaneously balancing bio-terrain issues can gradually improve symptoms and result in remission. While it is difficult to repair tissue that has been attacked and damaged by an autoimmune response, it is reasonable to expect an interruption to the progression of the autoimmune disease. In this way autoimmunity can be contained without the ongoing use of imbalancing and dangerous drug therapies.

Heavy metal exposure is entirely environmental, especially including vaccinations and flu shots, dental applications, and pesticide or xenobiotic exposure.

An impression of the heavy-metal toxic load status in the body can be found in several different ways. These include hair analysis, stool analysis and challenged urine tests, which are more expensive and complicated.

Primarily, when evaluating heavy-metal toxicity it is important to determine whether a healthy degree of excretion is occurring. If there is no excretion present it indicates that the individual is impaired in his ability to excrete. Because mercury is to some degree present in our modern-day lifestyle it is in a constant state of excretion. If the excretion is above the normal level it indicates that the person is challenged with excessive heavy-metal toxicity. Therefore when interpreting heavy-metal toxic load it is important to determine that some excretion is occurring and is within normal limits.

Heavy-metals are considered so toxic because they may interrupt normal physiological processes at cellular levels. There are many ways they may cause this, and they are sometimes called hormone disruptors or biochemical disruptors. What this means is that instead of the hormone being able to bind at its appropriate physiological site a heavy-metal displaces it and binds instead, thus interrupting the ability of the hormone to activate a certain function. This can often appear like a hormonal or physiological deficiency when in fact is simply because heavy-metal toxicity has interrupted normal physiological pathways. It should be noted that heavy metal toxicity can often result in moodiness and energy depletion and emotional congestion.

The most severe heavy-metal interference is clearly caused by mercury. Recent studies at the University of Calgary showed visual microscopic evidence of how mercury interrupts normal physiological processes. It was demonstrated that mercury displaced and occupied the beta receptor of the GTP (Guanisine tri-phosphate) receptor site on the tubulin molecule, thus impairing its ability to link together creating the cellular skeleton. This is especially important because it destroys the cytoskeletal structure resulting in a collapse of cellular integrity.

While this does not kill the cell completely, it does melt and turn the cell to mush, interfering with normal function. In the case of nerve tissue it specifically creates tangles in the nerve extensions due to a loss of a healthy sheath and structure. Mercury can do this in any tissue since tubulin is the fundamental cytoskeletal structure of every cell. This becomes a very severe issue to the person who is impaired or unable to excrete mercury.

The excretion of mercury requires normal physiological methyl formation. It was recently discovered that certain genes are essential to the ability to form healthy methyl groups. Specifically the genes for MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase), MTRR and MTR are required to form methyl groups, and that when these are deficient (from one or both parents) it results in the inability to induce methyl detoxification. This can be supported nutritionally and assisted in these types of individuals. Recently there was a study done at Stanford University that showed of five different strains of mice injected with mercury only one strain developed autistic tendencies. This suggested that there are certain genetic tendencies amongst the population toward methyl formation. It is suggested that with a genomic study identifying the MTHFR gene that this segment of the population that is deficient could be predicted and therefore support may be anticipated. This is a new development in our ability to understand why certain people have difficulty with mercury and why others don’t.

Regardless of whether one has genetic potential to produce methyl groups or not it continues to be an issue of overall toxic metal body burden. If the mercury body burden exceeds the person’s ability to excrete then in fact bioaccumulation and toxicity result. This may be what occurs in senility and Alzheimer’s in the geriatric who is given flu shots or extensive metal dental appliances and secondarily develops an increased heavy metal burden. It is now understood how to prevent and improve these tendencies in people.

With the use of cilantro, coriander and chlorella it is possible to encourage binding and excretion of mercury and other heavy-metals. It is said that mercury is the most severe heavy-metal to detoxify, and thus if excretion of mercury is achieved the other heavy-metals follow as well. As well nutritional support of the homocysteine pathway may simultaneously promote healthy methyl formation, promoting detoxification of mercury. This is accomplished by supplementation of vitamin B-6, B12, folic acid and folate. Healthy parotid gland function is also essential for the body to identify heavy-metal presence and thus with parotid nutritional support it is possible to intensify heavy-metal elimination.

While everything is as yet not understood about heavy-metal physiological impact, much more is known than was 10 years ago, and it is increasingly possible to reduce the overall heavy-metal body burden.

The questions are: Why do the vascular mechanisms that supply the brain become abnormal, and then, what can be done about it? The standard of care in the health community seems to focus only on symptom suppressing pain management, which even at best is merely a mild palliative in the real management of this malady. In nutritional practice, using foundational measures to bring about balanced body physiology a great deal of success has been achieved in learning about the underlying cause and supporting the body to prevent headaches from ever developing.

Let’s first review what we know about migraines from experience: A prodromal phase precedes the pounding pain characterized by hallucinations, visual disturbances with halo effects around objects, photophobia (light sensitivity), impaired mentation and nausea; a secondary phase follows, characterized by severe pain and pounding, more severe photophobia, and nausea (in fact the migraine usually abates after finally throwing up). This resolution to normal following vomiting may be the greatest insight into the causative mechanisms at work.

There are two stages, both characterized by profound changes in the vascular supply to the brain. The first prodromal stage is experienced because of an initial vascular constriction or starvation creating secondary localized hypoxia (loss of oxygen), and this is why the brain hallucinates without the necessary blood/oxygen for proper function. Then the vasculature, apparently fatigued by the effort of constriction, seems to lose its tone and simply dilate, sagging into the surrounding structures and creating the pounding pressure that is so crippling. Most drug therapies seek to interrupt this vascular phenomenon. In fact, in the past ergot amine drugs were employed even though they potentially compromised circulation to the heart at the same time. Even now, very little is offered except to attempt to interrupt the vascular dilation, while it provides essential relief, it is not a correction to the cause of the condition, and it also costs the person a few days of being mildly drugged.

It seems that the questions need to be asked: Why does the vascular phenomenon occur, and what sets it off? Most chronic migraine sufferers know that certain foods and smells, such as chocolate, citrus or other aromatics and perfumes, can trigger the migraine. Certainly food sensitivity and allergies can exaggerate the migraine syndrome and exploring this avenue may begin to provide insight into preventing the onset of the vascular event. Yet again why is it that a food or smell can activate a migraine complex? I learned early in practice that simple liver/gallbladder cleansing seemed in many cases to resolve headaches and migraines, and from this the following explanation is proposed.

When the upper digestive system becomes imbalanced; especially the ability of the stomach to create the proper acidity, empty its contents into the small intestine, and prevent the build up of fermentive weaker acids in the stomach, distress is referred back up the vagal nerve distribution reporting to the brain that imbalance exists in the stomach.

When this nervous tone exceeds minor amounts and begins to shout, there is a spillover effect into the adjacent basal brain centers that control vascular supply. As this spillover occurs, the vascular centers are stimulated to the degree that they increase vascular tone, and constriction occurs, so that too little blood is reaching the oxygen/nutrient hungry nervous tissue in the brain. After a period of constriction the vascular structures, or perhaps the vascular nervous control centers fatigue and dilation occurs, until of course the stomach vomits and empties itself of the distress/stimulus causing the vagal nervous feedback.

What if instead of waiting to throw up we were able to restore the normal stomach balance and interrupt the vagal/vascular feedback phenomenon before it begins? This is done with Phosfood (orthophosphoric acid) 25 drops in water hourly or more frequently as needed as soon as the first sensation of prodrome comes on, or one can use Apple Cider Vinegar or fresh lemon juice (1-2 Tbsp in water).

These are simple ways to acidify the stomach and assist in restoring the proper environment to the upper digestive processes. More extensive nutritional supplementation may be required to bring about repair and recovery of upper digestive competence so that this imbalance no longer is hair triggered, especially focusing on the gallbladder delivery of bile for fat digestion and emulsification.

Often migraines are activated by hormonal variations associated with menstruation or following pregnancy, which at first seems mysterious. When the stomach and gallbladder/pancreas functions are balanced even these hormonal triggers are reduced and less apt to activate the migraine.

Also it is important to note that the pituitary, so involved in menstrual cycles and ovarian function, is the same glandular control for upper digestive function. It has always been well known that pituitary support can enhance digestive secretions and efficiency, which may be why variations in the pituitary change digestive conditions and activate the migraine complex.

It is always exciting to correct underlying causes and see conditions change. There are always so many other invisible effects balanced when such foundational corrections are made. Indeed it is a cascade of improved function and health, most profound of which is the relief available to those suffering migraines.

Prevention can be achieved by reducing the risk factors, especially those which create a chronic immune burden, toxic burden and especially estrogen concentration. This is accomplished by lifestyle modification and by nutrient supplementation to support the body’s innate ability to detoxify, specifically phase I and II liver function and lymphatic and immune function.  The use of family history review and using the cancer potential survey it is possible to determine an individual’s risk tendency and therefore indicate the level of prevention that should be elected.

When cancer does occur there are some basic principles that should be employed. Cancer in it is a primitive tissue that is undifferentiated and therefore it is not very sophisticated in its ability to metabolize, requiring primarily sugar to thrive.  Simply by reducing sugar and sugar-forming foods from the diet it is possible to reduce the nourishment of the tumor. As well by moving more into a ketotic fat-burning state it is possible to encourage the body toward a cannibalistic state in which it begins to consume any unnecessary tissue. Ultimately the goal is to get the body to eat the tumor.

One principle of cancer is that the body deals with cancer the same way it deals with infection. Certain principles dictate that by unburdening the immune system of chronic sub clinical or cavitated infections the immune system can be freed to more for potently attend to any tumorous activity. This is especially so with low-grade infestations of parasites, yeast proliferation and cavitated infections carried under the teeth or in body cavities. These infections may be in reduced and eliminated thus liberating the immune system to the greater ambition of attacking any tumor formation.

The liver is considered by all cancer experts to be essential in achieving control over cancer. Phase 1 and 2 liver detoxification can be encouraged with the use of lifestyle and diet modification and nutritional supplementation. This is essential to the body’s immune ability to identify abnormal cell growth in and target it with white blood cells. It is proven that proper calcium function is an essential flag to activate union responses. Almost all natural cancer therapy is included intense systemic and liver detoxification.

It is also possible to promote enzymatic functions through enzyme therapy and supplementation, as well as by bio-terrain assessment and support. Some enzymes and antioxidants are respected for their ability to anecdotally reduce tumor activity.  While many Western cancer therapies are successful at controlling and killing tumors, it should be pointed out that unless the body is balanced and corrected from its former imbalance it may reproduce the cancer yet again. Many people waste the blessing of remission by not being active during the remission to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

In general it is evident that the immune system has been overburdened and inundated in this toxic imbalanced world. This is our first and most important responsibility when dealing with cancer. Caring for foundational issues in cancer can be done individually or complement your eye alongside other therapies.

Most of the time, by the age of 40 there begins to be chronic elevated inflammatory levels resulting in joint and muscle (musculo-skeletal) conditions. Adrenal hormones are increased to attempt to balance the levels of inflammation resulting in anxiety and panic syndromes and finally general adrenal exhaustion.

The basic four food allergies are wheat, milk, corn and soy.

One of the most important mechanisms that we must support in our body is the ability to buffer acidity (pH) through proper ionic calcium supplementation. By keeping the body alkaline and balanced we may reduce in the inflammatory responses resulting from acidosis (abnormal condition of excess acid in the body).

Another solution in reducing inflammation is to unburden the body of its chronic immune burdens, especially that of allergies. Many environmental allergies that we suffer from are actually secondary allergies being driven by primary allergic responses, principally to foods. It has always been obvious in clinical practice that when basic food allergies are corrected environmental sensitivities vanish. For example by simply taking a person off of a basic food allergy like milk or wheat oftentimes there will no longer be an environmental sensitivity to cats or dogs. The basic four food allergies are wheat, milk, corn and soy.

Usually within three days elimination, chronic inflammation reduces and the elevated adrenal responses regulate down. Although change will continue for months after eliminating a basic food allergy, change is felt immediately, sometimes as increased energy, clarity of mind, digestive wellness, and a reduction of symptoms. By simply reducing these items experimentally for two weeks at a time and then reintroducing the allergen, it becomes apparent as to whether a food allergy is occurring. Upon re-introduction of an eliminated food allergy one may notice an immediate inflammatory response such as a rash, itching or burning eyes. It may also cause aching in the body. Sometimes two or three days later after the re-introduction of the food allergen a virus or cold or immune issue may occur, which means that the food allergy caused inflammation in the gut lining which lost its ability to be sealed and impermeable letting resident virus in the lumen of the intestine to leak into the blood. Then the body has to manage a viral process.

In practice this has been so successful that I no longer respect the environmental allergies until after these basic food allergies have been eliminated. Once the inflammatory levels of the body have had an opportunity to normalize then one may determine what allergies are actually real and what allergies were just secondary to an elevated inflammatory system.

As always, sometimes answers are simpler than we wound have expected. Basic food allergies are alot of times the result of genetic predispositions, blood types and unique metabolism. Reducing inflammation will lengthen our lives, reduce discomfort, especially of the musculo-skeletal nature, and spare the immune system to be active in ways that protect us from more important issues than chronic inflammation.

Jami Thomas

I started coming to Harris Chiropractic because I was having headaches, lower back and shoulder pain, and could not sleep through the night. Sometimes the headaches were so bad, I wouldn’t get out of bed! This had been going on for months.

I had received chiropractic treatment in the past as needed, so I had no doubts that it would help me. I decided to try it again. I felt it was safer than taking drugs.

My first impression was that this office was very welcoming. They were the first people I knew in Clarksville! Dr. Harris recommended that I change the way I sleep. He also told me not to slouch!

I have been coming in for 4 months, and my headaches have subsided. I am continuing to come in for treatment. My husband also sees a chiropractor for his lower back, and it has eased his pain. I have recommended chiropractic to many others. I love it! I know I get results!

Jami Thomas

If you have Type II diabetes and your doctor has told you that in order to avoid disaster he or she needs to radically lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, and/ or glucose, watch out! This is a common medical practice that has proven useless, or outright dangerous to you. Believe it or not, despite the fact that this is now medically proven, your doctor will not call you up to warn you.

Aggressive treatment for type II diabetes is the “norm” in American medicine. This treatment takes the form of drugs to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. After all, it only makes sense since those with diabetes are at high risk for heart attack, stroke, and premature death. The common medical assumption is that extreme reduction in blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose will result in equal reductions in heart attack, stroke, and premature death. It just isn’t the case.

When it comes to reducing blood pressure to below 130 systolic ( the top number), this therapy is a waste of time and money (1) When it comes to even more aggeressively lowering blood pressure, it is a waste of time and money with three times the serious side effects, including death and disabilty. (2) Lowering cholesterol showed no benefit and does not reduce heart attacks, strokes ect. (3) However it killed fewer people than treatments to aggressively lower blood pressure.

These medical findings, which will take a long time to become part of the common medical practice come directly from ACCORD ( action to control cardiovascular risk in diabetes) study sponsored by the U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Just two years ago, the first of the ACCORD studies had to be stopped because there were more deaths among patients given drugs to lower their blood glucose levels to below normal.

Diabetes drugs-

Diabetes drugs are a bust, though they are still effective. Meaning that your doctor will praise you for following drug protocol and keeping your glucose levels down- even though the lowered numbers do not provide any benefit.

These drugs did nothing to halt or even reduce instances of diabetes- driven heart attacks, high blood pressure, obesity, high blood fats, strokes, kidney failure, leg ulcers, amputations, blindness and premature death! Twenty three percent of all Americans over age 60 have type II diabetes. In addition $116 billion is spent annually to treat diabetes in the United States, with most of this going to drug makers. Therefore, it will take a long time for the facts to trickle down to you from your doctor. So if you want to avoid this charade, you will have to help yourself.

Type II diabetes is caused by lack of exercise and a wrong diet that produces profound nutritonal deficiencies, rendering the body insensitive to insulin. Unless you address the underlying cause of this disease, drugs for glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol will not help you, it can hurt you, and might even kill you. Instead change your diet to a low- carbohydrate, high- protein, Mediterranean diet, begin to exercise, and use the correct supplements for the prescribed period of time. If you want to supercharge your results eliminate gluten ( all foods made with wheat, rye, barley and oats) from your diet. This will plummet your blood sugar toward normal, knock off excess weight quickly, supercharge your energy level, and probably eliminate at least a dozen other health problems at the same time.

TYPE II DIABETES- SOME GOOD NEWS !!!!!

The incredibly good news is that you can change your lifestyle and actually cure your type II diabetes, thus eliminate all the conditions that come with diabetes. It will also eliminate the need for all the drugs that don’t work but only treat each of the individual problems that come with diabetes. This can be done in 3 to 9 months relatively easily, safely, effectively, and with no side effects. Best yet, it can be done for a fraction of the cost of ineffective medical treatment.

Schedule an appointment to change your life and get off the current ineffective medicine and treatment for diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol. Call HARRIS CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC to start getting your problem under control by changing your life style, food intake, and nutrition. (931) 368-1996 or visit our website www.HarrisCare.com

NOTES

1 New England Journal of Medicine online at www.nejm.org March 14, 2010 (10.1056/NEJMoa100286).

2 IBID

3 New England Journal of Medicine online at www.nejm.org March 14, 2010 (10.1056NEJMoa1001282).

Jennifer B

I started coming to Harris Chiropractic in July 2009. I was having head and neck pain and migraines. The migraines were accompanied by the usual symptoms: sensitivity to light and sound and nausea. The headaches were severe and would occur about once a month and would last a few days at a time.

I went to a neurologist and a general physician, and neither could find anything wrong with me. The general physician said that I would outgrow the headaches. I took over the counter medications for the pain.

I decided to try chiropractic because a doctor and my friends recommended it. I had been to a chiropractor before, so I had no doubts that chiropractic would help me. The doctors here are friendly and knowledgeable, and the things they have told me have made a lot of sense to me.

I started coming in 3 times per week and now come in 2 times per week for adjustments and traction. My headaches have decreased. My mother and sister are chiropractic patients as well. They go for their general health.

I have told all of my friends and family about chiropractic. I enjoy chiropractic and will continue care for general health even after my initial treatment.

Jennifer B

Patient of the Month, Robert Judd

In the past, I have tried physical therapy, steroid injections, large doses of pain killers, and radio frequency ablation. I found mixed results with none being a permanent solution. I can’t begin to list all of the medications I was once taking. I was taking so many pills at one point that it was like eating a meal. I am now taking only hypertension medication and some supplements suggested by Dr. Harris.

I have seen chiropractors off and on throughout my life. I know that chiropractic care can be effective, but finding the right chiropractor is the challenge. After giving up most of my hobbies, my exercise routine, and missing time from work, I decided I needed to find a chiropractor once again.

From my first visit I have been impressed with this office. Dr. Harris would not lay a hand on me until he had completed X-rays and developed a care plan. I was in a lot of pain during my first visit, and Dr. Harris accomodated me into his schedule without compromising his protocol. He recommended 3 traction sessions and 3 adjustments per week for 10 weeks, and then he would re-evaluate. Having a massage therapist in the office is awesome! I have had many massages in my life in many parts of the world. Let me tell you that Ms. Rebecca is as good as it gets! She is passionate about her work and has a truly unique style. The entire staff is friendly and professional at all times. I don’t consider them staff anymore. I consider them friends.

My pain has been greatly reduced. I no longer have pain every day, and the occasional days I do have pain, it is not nearly as severe. I have returned to my hobbies and my exercise routine. I have lost 16 lbs. since I started treatment. I contribute this to feeling well again mentally and physically. I have stopped taking my medication for acid reflux disease and no longer have symptoms. My blood pressure has dropped from an average of 147/94 to 123/78. My quality of life has been restored.

Everyone that I notice is in pain; I know the symptoms because I had them for years. All of my friends keep telling me that I’m looking and acting younger than I have in years. That’s when I tell them about my chiropractor. I have always believed in the benefits of chiropractic care. Unfortunately, there are plenty of good and bad chiropractors in the phone book. Harris Chiropractic is not just good, in my opinion they are simply the best! First and foremost, there are people who are worse off than you. Secondly, the decision to feel better is up to you. And last, call Harris Chiropractic and get feeling better now!

Rob J.