Dr. Nana's Healthy Habits Update

12 March 2022

Chiropractic Can Help Regulate Blood Pressure

As with many problems in the body, high blood pressure has a strong neurological component. The medical term used to diagnose this condition is hypertension and the drugs used to decrease blood pressure mostly target the nervous and endocrine systems. Did you know that about 30% of people are likely misdiagnosed with high blood pressure? Many people get tense and stressed when they have their blood pressure measured at a doctor's office, resulting in a higher reading, and being falsely diagnosed and medicated for high blood pressure. In fact, there's even a medical term for this, called White Coat Syndrome, as well as a diagnosis code.

While having high blood pressure is indeed dangerous, using drugs to reduce your blood pressure has a wide range of risks and side effects, depending on the type of medication used. About 10 years ago, one of my patients who was a retired medical doctor, told me that he refused to take high blood pressure medication, because it can weaken the heart muscles and lead to the necessity of a pacemaker. Fortunately, there are many ways of reducing your blood pressure naturally. In this video, Dr Adam Story demonstrates how to reduce your blood pressure naturally in just a few minutes, with simple deep-breathing exercises. While many doctors blame high blood pressure on genes, lifestyle habits play a much more significant role.

Specific, neurologically-based chiropractic adjustments have also been shown to reduce blood pressure, by improving the function of the nerves that control the muscles of the heart, lungs, and the blood vessels of the entire body. According to a study published in 2007, "50 individuals with a misaligned Atlas (C1) vertebra and high blood pressure, showed that after a one-time specialized chiropractic adjustment, blood pressure decreased significantly. The decrease was equal to taking two blood-pressure drugs at once." Regular care will likely have a longer-lasting effect. It's truly amazing what the nervous system and the body can do when it's functioning well.

by SJ NANA, DC, DrNana.co.za

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02 March 2022

Are EMFs Contributing To Severe COVID-19?

(Click on image to enlarge)

While many neurological problems are being blamed on the covid virus, the evidence to support this theory is circumstantial at best, considering that the test used to diagnose an infection has been proven to be inaccurate. According to a paper published in 2020, "More than a third of cases displayed neurological involvement, and many severely ill patients developed multiple organ infection and injury. However, less than 1% of patients had a detectable level of SARS- CoV-2 in the blood, raising a question of how the virus spreads throughout the body." Considering that many people are now overexposed to wireless radiation, it is not far-fetched to see that this additional stress on the body can compromise health and even weaken the nervous and immune systems. In a paper published last year, the researchers "identified several mechanisms by which wireless communication radiation may have contributed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a toxic environmental cofactor." While the wireless industry and governments claim this radiation is safe, independent scientists that have been warning us for decades. I have also seen many patients report positive effects when they do limit their exposure. Unfortunately, most people today are unable to eliminate this radiation, but there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure (see infographic). Chiropractic care also reduces dysfunction in the nervous system, allowing your body to withstand this stress much more effectively.

by SJ NANA, DC, DrNana.co.za

References:

Please see my previous articles related to this topic:

23 February 2022

Healthy Reading: "Drug Muggers" by Suzy Cohen, RPh

Would you willingly consume a substance that can cause sickness or death when ingested or absorbed? Unfortunately, many people are treating one problem, while unknowingly slowly poisoning themselves. A poison is defined as "a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs an organism." This book explains how the body is essentially depleted of nutrients in order to counteract the numerous toxic effects of pharmaceutical interventions. As the author states in her introduction:

"Drugs have an intended effect on the body, but in the process of helping you, they can put your body in a dangerous state by slowly depleting you of the very nutrients you need to maintain your health and to help you heal. This slow depletion can make you feel miserable. It can even hasten your death." For example, a simple drug such as aspirin, when used regularly can lead the deficiencies is Vitamins B3, B6, B9, C, & D, as well as the minerals zinc, potassium, calcium, and iron.

Some would argue that pharmaceutical drugs are essential for survival and treating disease. However, as the author states, "The fact is, you can't cure disease with drugs made of synthetic chemicals, especially when they often suppress your body's ability to produce or use natural, healthy nutrients."

Many free-thinking medical doctors have realized this major shortcoming in their education (see video linked below) and can help you to reduce your dependency on synthetics. This book can be a great guide if you are not able to find such a doctor that can aid you. She also provides lists of foods that will also effectively and safely help replenish lost nutrients. Another useful website is by the South African group called "Doctors Beyond Medicine" where they state that, "Physicians often tell their patients that symptoms arising from nutrient depletion are simply "part of the illness" or just signs that they're "getting older." To make matters worse, physicians frequently try to address the symptoms arising from drug-induced nutrient depletion by prescribing even more drugs, further compounding the problem."

With careful lifestyle modification and specific, neurogologically-based chiropractic care, many medications can be reduced or even eliminated once the body is able to function properly. In some cases, supplemention may be necessary, as we've created a toxic and polluted environment that is only getting worse. Fortunately, our bodies have the ability to cope and detoxify, as long as we make every attempt to live as close to nature as possible.

by SJ NANA, DC, DrNana.co.za

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21 January 2022

Raise Your Vibration

08 January 2022

Chiropractic May Help With Neurological Effects of COVID Vaccines

New diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in the
setting of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine exposure

In an interview with a professional mountain biker that developed an adverse reaction to the covid vaccine, this 29 year old athlete describes how his resting heart rate increased uncontrollably to over 135 beats per minute. As he described this disconcerting symptom, I wondered if it was the result of an ill effect on the nervous system, which controls the function of the heart. Many case studies have indeed been published describing neurological complications following the covid vaccines (see list of over 35 published medical journal articles below). We have also seen some adverse effects in our practice already.

According to an article published in October 2021, "The most frequent neurological side effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are headache, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), venous sinus thrombosis (VST), and transverse myelitis." The author also mentions that "SARS-CoV-2 and adverse reactions to SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations show a tropism for neuronal structures and tissues." Optic Nerve complications, resulting in visual problems, have also been reported (see no. 37-40 in references below), as well as Facial Nerve problems such as Bell's Palsy (see no. 9-13 below).

While these adverse reactions appear to be rare, the long-term effects on the brain and nervous system from this medical intervention remain unknown. Also, these neurological effects are usually treated with medications that can yield symptomatic relief, but often lead to even more side effects. A natural approach is usually a better and specific chiropractic care can play an important role. As neurological diseases are rising worldwide, the neurotoxic effect of this mass vaccination program should be a public health concern, potentially worse than the declared pandemic. Considering that this vaccine also appears to have a neurological consequence, improving and maintaing the proper function of the nervous system, along with adequate detoxification, appears to be essential to prevent any residual neurological effects.

by SJ NANA, DC, DrNana.co.za

Source: Brain Communications, July 2021

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02 December 2021

Vertigo: Specific Chiropractic Can Be Effective

As vertigo seems to be getting more common, traditional medical care often falls short when dealing with this condition. According to WebMD, "vertigo is a sensation of feeling off balance. If you have dizzy spells, you might feel like you are spinning or that the world around you is spinning." The causes can be quite varied for most people, including head or neck trauma, vaccine or medication side effects, or overexposure to electromagnetic radiation. While this condition is not life threatening by itself, the consequences of falling as a result of vertigo can be devestating. Over the years, we've helped many people with this problem, as improving the function of the nervous system can often help the patient to recover naturally and much faster. Many case studies have also been published verifying this positive outcome (see list below). In one study of 60 patients that were diagnosed with various types of vertigo, 80% became symptom-free under specific upper cervical chiropractic care, with the remaining 20% experiencing fewer and less severe episodes. It's important to note that nearly all the case studies were of people that were struggling with vertigo for years and nearly all were under very specific and gentle chiropractic care. While this can be a life-limiting condition, we can likely help in a non-invasive, non-toxic, and effective way.

by SJ NANA, DC, DrNana.co.za

For more information:

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15 November 2021

Healthy Reading: "Into The Forest" by Dr Qing Li

As most people these days are spending all their time indoors and away from nature, the effects on their health becomes quite pronounced. For many people, spending time with trees seems too simple an intervention in our high-tech modern world to have any significant effect. Dr Qing Li, from the Nippon Medical School, has been practicing Forest Medicine for over 30 years and performed some excellent studies verifying the benefits, including improved sleep, mood, and immune function to fight off infections and cancer (see links and chart below). I highly recommend his book, "Into The Forest," for everyone, as he also provides many ways that you can bring the practice of Shinrin-Yoku, or forest bathing, into your own home or office. With so many people spending more time indoors in front of a device, reconnecting with forests and trees is essential now more than ever before.

by Dr SJ NANA, DrNana.co.za

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(Click on image to enlarge)

One of the highlights this year was our visit to the home of a
giant tree that's over a thousand years old.
(The Big Tree, Tsitsikamma National Park.)

25 October 2021

Why 95% Effective is Misleading

About a year ago, we all heard news reports of a new vaccine that is "95% effective." However, the media failed to mention that this number is misleading, as it is the relative risk reduction and a tactic used often by industries to promote a product. What's more significant and more relevant, and hardly ever mentioned, is the absolute risk reduction. I've linked articles and videos below explaining the difference between relative and absolute risk reduction. This issue has been raised by researchers in The Lancet and even the associate editor of the British Medical Journal, in November 2020, where he stated:

"Let’s put this in perspective. First, a relative risk reduction is being reported, not absolute risk reduction, which appears to be less than 1%. Second, these results refer to the trials’ primary endpoint of covid-19 of essentially any severity, and importantly not the vaccine’s ability to save lives, nor the ability to prevent infection, nor the efficacy in important subgroups (e.g. frail elderly). Those still remain unknown. Third, these results reflect a time point relatively soon after vaccination, and we know nothing about vaccine performance at 3, 6, or 12 months, so cannot compare these efficacy numbers against other vaccines like influenza vaccines (which are judged over a season). Fourth, children, adolescents, and immunocompromised individuals were largely excluded from the trials, so we still lack any data on these important populations."

Recent studies and reviews have revealed that the countries and regions with the highest vaccination rates has not resulted in lower COVID-19 rates. Many have actually shown the opposite. According to one study from the European Journal of Epidemiology, they state that:

"At the country-level, there appears to be no discernable relationship between percentage of population fully vaccinated and new COVID-19 cases in the last 7 days. In fact, the trend line suggests a marginally positive association such that countries with higher percentage of population fully vaccinated have higher COVID-19 cases per 1 million people. Notably, Israel with over 60% of their population fully vaccinated had the highest COVID-19 cases per million people in the last 7 days. The lack of a meaningful association between percentage population fully vaccinated and new COVID-19 cases is further exemplified, for instance, by comparison of Iceland and Portugal. Both countries have over 75% of their population fully vaccinated and have more COVID-19 cases per 1 million people than countries such as Vietnam and South Africa that have around 10% of their population fully vaccinated."

While the absolute effectiveness of this campaign is questionable, adverse reactions are being reported worldwide, including more than 2.8 million thus far in the U.S. and U.K. alone. I have also seen and heard of numerous vaccine adverse reactions in my practice, including a lady the other day that had skin lesions on her legs, but said her doctor told her, "it's just an autoimmune reaction to the vaccine." Fortunately, over 60 studies have already been published verifying the robust effectiveness of natural immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This seems to be just another example of how medical science has always downplayed the innate recuperative powers of the body, in favour of prevention and treatment measures that are much more invasive, toxic, and less effective. Is it maybe because there's not much profit in natural recovery or immunity?

by SJ NANA, D.C., DrNana.co.za

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11 October 2021

Your Perception Creates Your Reality

Over a thousand years ago, the Persian physician and philosopher, Ibn Sina, said, "The power of thoughts can cause you either illness or recovery." Despite our modern conveniences and technology, it seems that things haven't changed. In fact, our thoughts seem to be at the whim of the ever-present media more than ever before. As the efficiency of our immune system is being downplayed and ignored on a global scale, there seems to be no end to the fear-mongering. Fortunately, improving your health and well-being can change your perception of the world around you. Over the years, I've heard many patients say that with chiropractic care, they feel more at ease, more confident, and more optimistic about the world around them. This allows them to be less sensitive to the things that go wrong, and allowing them to focus on what's going right. We have much to be appreciative of. This includes our innate ability to fight infections. In fact, our immune systems are so efficient that we often fight off invaders without even realizing it. Improving your health, will change your perception, which will inevitably change the way you react and adapt, empowering you to make yourself happier, stronger, and more resilient.

by Dr SJ NANA

DrNana.co.za

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29 September 2021

"The Mistreatment of Acute Disease"

The events of the last year or so have clearly shown that our health care system is dysfunctional, and likely creating even more problems. One example is the overly aggressive treatment of acute illnesses. Dr. Thomas Cowan is one of the few medical doctors who have realized that modern medicine, like most of our health care system, is not designed to make people healthier. The country that spends the most on health care is also arguably the unhealthiest. I read his book, entitled "Vaccines, Autoimmunity, and the Changing Nature of Childhood Illness," while my body was detoxing. Most doctors would have called it the flu or covid. I was due for a good detox, as I hadn't had a prolonged fever in about 10 years. This book made what I was experiencing make even more sense and also made me appreciate that I haven't had any vaccines or taken any medication in over 20 years. The wisdom of our innate intelligence is far superior to anything that is designed in a lab or a board room.

According to Dr Cowan, on page 21, "Whatever it was needed to be flushed out of the body. The "flushing" is what we today call "acute illness." We (modern doctors), however, have forgotten (or never learned) that acute disease - disease that is typically self-limiting and usually accompanied by fever, rash, and pus - is the primary way the body rids itself of unwanted toxins or other substances.... The mistreatment of acute disease is a fundamental mechanism for chronic disease. In order for a disease to become chronic, there needs to be an insult, often a toxic exposure, and then a suppression of the body's attempt to detoxify." We have all recently seen the mistreatment of acute disease on a global scale, fueling the irrational fear of millions of people, and creating distrust of our body's innate ability to keep us safe and well. It is very sad to see, because millions more will likely suffer needlessly...

by DR SJ NANA, DrNana.co.za

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22 September 2021

Chiropractic is 126 Years Old

On 18 September, the chiropractic profession celebrated its 126th birthday. The following is an article by Dr Frank M. Painter, describing the beginning of a profession that is helping millions of people around the world to function better naturally:

"The year was 1895, the same year that x-rays were discovered. At that time, Health Care was provided by a diverse group of unregulated and unlicensed professions, including osteopaths, magnetic healers, and "medical" doctors. In those days most medical education consisted of working as an "apprentice" for a medical doctor. and learning the craft by observation.

D.D. Palmer the Father of Chiropractic, was a magnetic healer, with a huge practice in Davenport, Iowa. He had doubts about the "germ theory" as the complete explanation of all disease. After all, if germs kill... shouldn't we all be dead? He asked "how it was that 2 brothers could work in the same shop, eat the same food, sleep in the same bed, and that one would sucumb to a disease while the other wouldn't?"

His answer was that it was not the "seed" (or germ) which was the cause of dis-ease. He felt that the "soil," or the recuperative power of the body (which he later referred to as "innate intelligence," and we now call homeostasis) was the missing component of the health equation, which defines the conitinuum between health and "death."

One day, D.D. was talking with Harvey Lillard, the man who owned the janitor service in his building. Harvey was deaf. He mentioned to D.D. that years before, while lifting a heavy weight, he felt something "snap" at the base of his neck. Shortly thereafter his hearing started to fade.

D.D. was intrigued, and asked Harvey if he could have permission to examine his back. What D.D. "felt" (we refer to this art as "palpation") was that one of the upper thoracic bones was sticking out much more that the one above or below it. He explained to Harvey that he felt that this "bone out of place" could be causing pressure on his spinal cord, and that this could be the reason that Harvey was now deaf. He convinced him to lie down on the couch, and placed his hands on the transverse processes of the bone, as D.D. explained, "wracked it back into position." When Harvey got up, he stated he could hear a horse drawn cart down in the street! This was the first thing he had heard clearly in 17 years!

Although D.D. thought he had found (one of) the causes for deafness, what he found over time was that when he corrected mis-alignments in the spine (what he termed "subluxations"), where they happened to be, it improved the nerve supply, thus the function, of whatever tissues and organs that nerve supplied.

What an auspicious way for a profession to be born. Our "no drugs, no surgery" approach has remained true to D.D.'s philosophy of the "seed and the soil." What a chiropractor accomplishes with the adjustment of the spine, is to remove the impediment to the brain's control of the body. We call that impediment, which impinges the nerves, a spinal subluxation."

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23 July 2021

Are Masks Creating More Problems?

(Click on image to enlarge.)

When comparing places around the world that required masks to places that did not require them, it's quite clear that mask mandates failed to have a positive effect. In fact, one could argue that the overuse of masks may have made things worse, with most places showing increases in cases and mortality after masks were required. A CDC study showed that 80% of people that developed COVID-19 said they were "often or always wearing masks." Obstructing the air passageways is far from natural and has well-documented harmful effects. Recent studies have confirmed this, including one from the Journal of the American Medical Association, that conducted a randomized clinical trial and found dangerously high levels of carbon dioxide, a waste product of lung respiration, that is being inhaled, leading to hypercapnia, which "can cause effects such as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, as well as serious complications such as seizures or loss of consciousness." According to one review that found 65 studies documenting the harmful effects of masks, it was concluded: "Extended mask-wearing by the general population could lead to relevant effects and consequences in many medical fields." A study published this year also found high levels of microscopic heavy metals, including lead, in disposable masks (see image below), with the researchers concluding that "The toxicity of some of the chemicals found raises the question of whether face masks are safe to be used on a daily basis." Even inhalation of natural fibres, including cotton, can lead to narrowing of air passageways, causing a condition known as byssinosis, as "prolonged exposure to cotton dust increases the frequency of symptoms (wheezing, chest tightness) and leads to permanent lung disease, which can sometimes be disabling." So it seems that like most medical interventions, we are trying to prevent one thing, while creating many potentially more harmful future problems.

"The toxicity of some of the chemicals found and the postulated risks of the rest of
the present particles and molecules, raises the question of whether [masks] are safe
to be used on a daily basis and what consequences are to be
expected after their disposal into the environment."
(Click on image to enlarge)
Source: Water Research

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"Extended mask-wearing by the general population could lead to
relevant effects and consequences in many medical fields."
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research
and Public Health

02 July 2021

The Vitamin D Deficiency - COVID Link

As people shelter themselves more and more from the elements, we often miss the nurturing effects of nature. A good example is sunshine, as many of us shy away from its harshness and potential damage from UV rays. Just as the plants need sunshine to live, so do we. One essential purpose of sunshine is to help our skin to produce Vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones and optimal nerve function. Furthermore, many studies are also now showing a possible link between Vitamin D deficiency and cancer, heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and other chronic diseases, including osteoporosis. More recent studies have even shown a link with increased mortality and covid-19 (see graph to the right). While we can get this vitamin from our diet, our best source is from exposure of our skin to sunlight, which fuels our body's innate process that produces Vitamin D naturally. So be sure to expose your skin to about 15 minutes of direct sunlight every day. Living on the highveld of South Africa we are also fortunate during the winter time, as we are blessed with sunshine nearly every day. So be sure to enjoy some daily sun in moderation.

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06 June 2021

Corticosteroids Weaken The Whole Body

Corticosteroids are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the medical world, because it can yield quick short-term symptomatic relief. However, it's important to remember that this is also one of the most toxic drugs used today, as these drugs deplete the body of many nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, potassium, calcium, magnesium, selenium, and folic acid. According to Dr Deepak Chopra, in his book Quantum Healing:

"When I give steroids to an arthritis patients, trillions of molecules and receptor sites are involved. That is why the blood vessels, skin, brain, fat cells, and so on all exhibit their different responses. If I go to my desk reference, the long term consequences of staying on steroids include diabetes, osteoporosis, suppression of the immune system (making a person more susceptible to infections and cancer), peptic ulcers, internal bleeding, elevated cholesterol, and much more. One might even include death among these side effects, because taking steroids for a long period causes the adrenal cortex to shrivel (an example of how an organ will atrophy if not used). If the steroid is withdrawn too quickly, the adrenal gland does not have time to regenerate. The patient is left with inadequate defenses against stress, which adrenal hormones help to buffer. He can go to the dentist to have a wisdom tooth extracted, a stress that is usually well within the normal limits, but deprived of the adrenal hormone, he can go into shock. A tooth extraction could even kill him."

Corticosteroids are the current treatment of choice for most people when they are admitted to the hospital with any respiratory infection, especially if they have tested positive for coronavirus. Sadly, this approach is likely making recovery even more challenging. Remember that your body produces its own natural steroids, such as cortisol, in the exact doses, at the right time. It's up to you to avoid polluting your body with chemicals and other environmental stresses, and to make sure that your body is functioning well.

by Dr SJ NANA

DrNana.co.za

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