Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Citing a study that lends credence to her steadfast preparation of her patients for pregnancy,
Dr. Christine Anderson, Los Angeles based Pediatric-Chiropractor, will be redoubling her efforts to educate her patients and anyone who cares to listen or learn. A longtime vegetarian who also teaches
Pre-Natal Yoga in Hollywood and recommends homeopathic remedies, Dr. Anderson works closely with pregnant women through chiropractic adjustments and natural supplements to achieve optimum health during the whole process.
"My job is getting women trying to conceive to prepare their bodies for at least a year in advance of the initial attempts. Besides iron, the development of the nervous system is also dependent on folic acid, especially in the first few weeks of life, often before women know they are pregnant. Essential Fatty Acids are another important nutrient which forms the brain structure. And with more older women going through the invitro process, the health issues become even more vital"
says Dr. Anderson.
Early pregnancy iron deficiency is found to create a host of long lasting negative effects on the brain developments of the child, this even if the iron shortfall doesn't reach a level high that may cause severe anemia. A University of Rochester Medical Center study, published in the scientific journal PLoS One, emphasizes that obstetricians often don't properly monitor women's iron levels and thus the study sends a strong message for monitoring a pregnant woman's iron status beyond anemia.
According to studies, an estimated 35 percent to 58 percent of all healthy women show some degree of deficiency, with about 20% of women of childbearing age with iron-deficient anemia, a more serious condition, according to the National Institutes of Health. Beyond debate is that iron-deficient babies develop more slowly and exhibit language difficulty and behavioral issues. However, the study sheds light on the degree to which iron deficiency during pregnancy is associated with these impairments, and when during gestation the deficiency has the most impact on the central nervous system.
Dr. Anderson works with women who want to optimize their fertility and have a healthy pregnancy by advising them on diet, supplements, exercise, and preparing the uterus with Maya Abdominal Massage MAM) and making sure that the body is functioning optimally with Chiropractic Care. For more info on MAM, Chiropractic for Fertility and Pregnancy and Pregnancy and Exercise, go to www.kidchiropractic.com.
Brain and nervous system development of the fetus is also dependent on how much space the baby has to move around in the womb. Pelvic misalignment can cause a condition called In Utero Constraint, restricting movement, sometimes causing babies to get stuck in one position or preventing them from getting into a head down position for birth. Dr. Anderson practices the Webster In Utero Constraint Technique, which is a series of adjustments designed to realign the pelvis and release any tension in the soft tissue. For more information on Webster In Utero Constaint Techinique, go to www.kidchiropractic.com.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is modified to allow for the expanding belly and Dr. Anderson has a special table that allows a woman to lie face down comfortably. Regular chiropractic care can also safely help to ease some of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy, such as low back pain, sciatica, head ache, pelvic pain, and upper back pain, without any side effects.
The high amount of iron in red meat, chicken, and fish is due to the presence of blood from the animal. Most meat and chicken, however, also contain hormone disrupting chemicals, due to the fact that they are fed grain which is grown with pesticides and growth hormones. Antibiotics are also put in the feed. Fish may contain heavy metals in addition to hormone disrupting chemicals. Better choices for red meat would be grass fed, organic beef raised on small farms. Women who are trying to get pregnant or who are already pregnant may want to consider non-heme forms of iron from plant sources. Dried beans and dark green leafy vegetables are especially good sources of iron, even better on a per calorie basis than meat.
For example, you would have to eat more than 1700 calories of sirloin steak to get the same amount of iron as found in 100 calories of spinach. Iron absorption is increased markedly by eating foods containing vitamin C along with foods containing iron; its absorption is blocked by the tannins in tea and coffee, the phosphates found in sodas and calcium found in dairy and supplements. Vegetarians and vegans do not have a higher incidence of iron deficiency than do meat eaters, although vegans tend to have lower iron stores 1,2.
Other great plant sources of iron include: Organic, non-GMO Soybeans & Tofu, Lotus root, Blackstrap molasses, Lentils, Spinach, Quinoa, Prune juice, Tahini, Cashews , Brussels sprouts, Raisins , Almonds , Apricots, Watermelon, Tomato juice, Green beans, Sunflower seeds, Broccoli, Millet, & Sesame seeds. Some of the iron-containing foods, such as soy and spinach contain compounds that paradoxically block iron absorption, but eating foods high in vitamin C along with these foods can improve iron uptake enough to outweigh the iron-blocking effects. Cooking in a cast iron skillet is another way to get iron into your food!
Herbs high in iron include: Alfalfa, Burdock, Chickweed, Dandelion, Marshmallow, Milk Thistle, Nettle, Shepherd's Purse, Slippery Elm, Uva Ursi, Watercress, and Yellow Dock. Dr. Anderson carries herbal iron supplements in her office, which are non-constipating, a common side effect of some iron supplements.
About Dr. Christine Anderson:
Christine Anderson, a Doctor of Chiropractic, has been practicing in Hollywood since graduating Summa Cum Laude from Cleveland Chiropractic College (CCC-LA)in Los Angeles in 1989. As an intern, Dr. Anderson was on the faculty at CCC-LA and also assisted the head of the radiology department in the clinic. Dr. Anderson completed a 3 year post graduate program which gives her diplomate status and Board Certification in Chiropractic Pediatrics and Pregnancy (DICCP).
She received her Diploma in Homeopathy (DiHom) from the British Institute of Homeopathy in 1996 and completed Craniosacral Therapy I and II training from Upledger Institute in 2002. Dr. Anderson has lectured and presented papers at the yearly ICA Council on Pediatrics Conferences and at the 2002 Rome Symposium. Dr. Anderson has contributed articles on various health issues for local newspapers and magazines, as well as chiropractic publications.
She was consulted for the book, I Got Pregnant, You Can,Too, by Katie Boland. She developed the pre/post natal exercise program at the Hollywood YMCA, continues to teach classes there, and has produced the 90 minute DVD Dr. Christine Anderson`s Dynamic Prenatal Yoga. She also does community outreach, talking to parents and kids about health issues. "Dr. Chris" is also very involved in bringing up her children Toxil, Anzac, and Seven along with her husband, Tony.
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