Holistic Health Tips from NYC Chiropractor Dr. Louis Granirer

 Histamine: It's Not Just About Allergies If you say the word histamine to someone, they will probably think of sneezing, watery eyes, itching, a runny nose, or any other typical seasonal allergy symptom. As a kid, I suffered from seasonal allergies and remembered taking plenty of anti-histamines to deal with the miserable onslaught of an allergic reaction. If the allergic reaction wasn't enough, I could recall the moodiness that often accompanied these episodes. I thought it was the sneezing and watery eyes that were making me feel glum, but as you'll read below, histamine is garnering a closer look by many researchers. Let's start with new research published in the Journal of Neuroscience, July 28, 2021, from the Imperial College of London and The University of South Carolina may explain the connection between high histamine and mood, specifically how histamine affects the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin. The study in mice suggests that Inflammation-induced ...

 Natural Chemicals in Food That Could Be Causing Inflammation The concept of eating healthy is a bit more complex than most people understand. Our genetics and our microbiome play critical roles in determining what foods, and how many certain foods, are healthy for us. In this newsletter, I will be discussing foods that are considered healthy by the general population but can be unhealthy for some people with a sensitivity to specific natural chemicals in foods that are known to be good for us.  Isothiocyanate is a food chemical in celery, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, kale, watercress, garden cress, mustard greens, turnips, kohlrabi, horseradish, cauliflower, and bok choy. Isothiocyanate is considered an anti-cancer phytochemical, but it can cause inflammation in the body for some people. Celery juice is commonly used by many and can heal the gut lining and help strengthen the immune system and kidneys. However, if someone is sensitive to an isothiocyanate, then the in...

Immune Support Supplements I was recently excited to read that the Government of Thailand has approved the herb Andrographis to treat the early stages of Covid-19. I have been aware of this herb for many years and have recommended it to patients for antiviral and immune support. Andrographis is native to South Asian countries. The leaves and root/stem are what’s used in herbal medicine. It possesses anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, immune-stimulating, anti-inflammatory, anti-heart disease, and anti-diabetic properties. Specifically, I have recommended the product Andrographis Complex by Standard Process for immune support, which also contains tulsi and the root of echinacea. Many patients have reported that it has reduced the severity of colds and cases of flu substantially. At the time of this writing, Thailand, a country of 70 million people, has had 13,104 cases and 71 deaths. These low numbers are remarkable. Nasal saline irrigation is a typical daily practice that many in Thailand a...

Over the past month, I have been fielding many questions from patients concerning the Corona-virus, and what patients should, or shouldn’t, add to their current protocols to ensure protection from the virus. I was debating whether to write this newsletter because of the potential for this topic to stoke anxiety, but ultimately I felt this information is important for people to have. It’s important to remember that just because someone is exposed to a virus, this doesn’t equate to infection. The key factor in infection has to do with your own immune system’s state of health, and its ability to stop viral replication! Many of my patients tell me that their co-workers, one after the other, are out sick with the flu, but that they never get sick. If they do get a cold, it lasts for three days as opposed to their friends and colleagues who suffer for ten days or longer. Your immune system is enhanced if your stress is managed, you get enough sleep, you are on an Autoimmune Disorder ...

What Happens in the Vagus, Doesn’t Stay in the Vagus Simply put, the brain and gut directly influence each other. If you are nervous about something, this can directly impact the amount of stomach acid and gastric juices that are produced by your stomach, which can cause an upset stomach. If you eat poorly, this can directly impact the neurotransmitters that affect your brain chemistry and mood. The enteric nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system that lies within the gastrointestinal lining of the gut. It is often referred to as the second brain because of its impact on the brain and can operate independently of the brain and spinal cord. The Vagus Nerve connects the enteric nervous system to the brain and is a key player in the gut/brain connection. The Vagus Nerve, which is also referred to as Cranial Nerve X (10), is the longest cranial nerve in the body and runs from the brainstem to the intestines, innervating the throat, facial muscles, heart, and lungs. The...

Tips to Prevent Body Odor I’m sure that I’m not the only one who has had sobering moments of awareness when you realize that you smell a bit funky. Whether it’s on a hot summer day, walking out of a tepid New York City subway station, or after a gym workout, we all hope that unpleasant smell won’t travel beyond our own noses. It’s normal to smell after sweating, but there are helpful natural ways that can help to control and limit body odor and unpleasant breath. This can be an embarrassing topic for many, but let’s get over it and find some solutions. Microorganisms in the body are a major reason why we have body odor. The two areas of the body that are primarily associated with body odor are the gut and the liver. When the gut or digestive tract is compromised with an overgrowth of candida or other fungi, parasites, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or other overpopulated strains of certain bacteria, this leads to endotoxin production. These endotoxins interact...

Hanging for Shoulder Health Chimpanzees are our closest animal relative. We share 98.8 percent of DNA and many social characteristics, such as establishing friendships and smiling. Their bodies are very similar to ours. We have the same nervous systems, bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. We even have the same number of fingers and toes. Chimps have the ability of self-identifying when looking in the mirror, which is rare for animals. Another similarity is our bipedal (walking on two legs) nature, but Chimpanzees can also walk on four limbs and use their arms/shoulders to swing from trees. Their consistent overhead activity keeps their shoulders functioning well and limits injury. The gorilla, gibbon, and orangutan are also able to brachiate or hang by their hands. As a kid, I remember hanging from monkey bars at the playground and swinging from parallel bar to parallel bar. Like most kids, I'm sure, I felt like I outgrew the monkey bars and that was the last of hanging ...