Clinical Nutrition

Clinical Nutrition is the branch of healthcare that focuses upon the connection between food, vitamin and other natural supplements, lifestyle, environment and health. Several decades ago, our approach to nutrition was very naïve. It was generally accepted that if one consumed a proper amount of calories, enough protein, and adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals to prevent deficiency diseases, there was nothing more to consider. How times have changed! We now know that nutrition is one of the most powerful influences on how our genes are expressed. In other words, a person can have a genetic make-up that predisposes to a certain disease but by altering the way the genes function through diet and other lifestyle modification, disease can be averted. Custom-tailored diet and natural supplements can both prevent and aid recovery from illness. Determination of individual need makes all the difference. If your diet and nutrient intake are less than optimal, your health will be also.

Vitamin Counseling

The value of taking nutritional supplements was finally acknowledged by the Journal of the American Medical Association, in a 1998 editorial entitled "Eat Right and Take a Multivitamin". O.K…. But which multivitamin? Which nutrients do you need? How much should you take? When should you take them? With breakfast? At bedtime? Does it matter? Dr. Debé can provide you the answers to these questions.

Herbal Therapies

Plants have been used to assist healing and relieve suffering for thousands of years. Modern science is proving the efficacy of herbal therapies and uncovering the ways in which they affect the body. A number of herbs have been shown to be more effective than their drug counterparts. Cutting-edge research on specific herbs is allowing for their use in new powerful ways. Dr. Debé utilizes only the finest quality herbal supplements.

Evaluation for Drug-Nutrient Interactions

Medications and nutrients interact in several ways:

1. Many medications interfere with various aspects of nutrient metabolism, including digestion, absorption, transport, utilization, storage, and excretion. The bottom line is that many drugs increase the need for specific nutrients. For example, statin drugs (such as Lovastatin), which are used to lower cholesterol levels can also lower levels of Coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 is an extremely important antioxidant involved in energy production within every cell in the body.

2. Nutrients (and herbs) can interfere with the safety and/or effectiveness of medications. For example, iron can impair the absorption of Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone medication). Kava Kava may potentiate the activity of benzodiazepines.

3. Nutrients (and herbs) can increase the effectiveness and reduce the side effects of medications. For example, the absorption and effectiveness of Amoxicillin in treating respiratory infections is enhanced by bromelain. Beta 1, 3-D Glucan increases the efficacy and reduces the toxicity of anti-cancer therapies. Gastrointestinal damage from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication can be minimized by licorice and by evening primrose oil.

Dr. Debé reviews each patient’s medication schedule in order to assure the safest and most effective nutritional program and diet.

Computerized Health Assessment

The Computerized Health Assessment is an evaluation technique that provides a wealth of information. The assessment goes like this: You fill out an extensive, scientifically validated questionnaire, which is then scanned into a computer. The computer analyzes your form and produces a detailed report and graph, focusing on the status of thirty different body organs, functions, and conditions. The computer also makes therapeutic recommendations based on the results of the analysis. These include diet, nutritional supplements, exercise, stress reduction techniques, and more. Dr. Debé likes to run this assessment on all new patients to get a clearer picture of which areas need the most attention and further evaluation.

RJL Body Composition/Fluid & Nutrition Analysis

This test is the state-of-the-art in body composition analysis. It provides a wealth of information regarding the make-up of the body’s tissues. A simple five minute test, utilizing sophisticated computer software, gives a breakdown of how much of the body is lean tissue, intracellular lean tissue, extracellular lean tissue, fat, total water, intracellular water, and extracellular water. This information is invaluable for bodybuilders, for those on weight loss programs or metabolic detoxification programs, and to track the aging process and general health status.

Personalized Health Education

It is now well understood that the choices one makes, day in and day out, have a significant impact on the quality of one’s health and on the body’s ability to heal. Dr. Debé has an exceptional commitment to share the most important, up-to-date health information with his clients. In addition to his own published magazine articles (which number more than thirty), Dr. Debé utilizes the leading edge Health Coach® Personalized Education Program. This system is widely accepted as the most comprehensive and effective health education program available today. It consists of more than one hundred articles on specific health topics, four books, several audiocassette programs and thirteen core video education programs. For more information about the Health Coach® Personalized Education Program, please request the booklet entitled "Education is the Foundation of Your Healthcare".

Exercise Prescription

Proper exercise is essential to stay healthy and prevent disease, as well as slow aging and recover from illness. Dr. Debé brings a broad background to this area, being a certified chiropractic sports practitioner and former competitive weight lifter. An exercise program should address strengthening, cardio-respiratory endurance, and flexibility. In some cases, balance training is also important. Dr. Debé uses specific exercise prescription as a therapy to aid in the recovery from stress, hormonal imbalance, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, weakened and altered immune conditions, accelerated aging, toxicity and more.

Sports Nutrition

Diet and nutritional supplements can enhance sports performance and contribute to improved body composition. Dr. Debé utilizes a personalized approach to help each individual achieve their potential in these areas.

Preconceptional & Prenatal Nutrition

Scientific findings are elucidating the long-term health impact of nutritional status and toxin exposure during fetal development. The link between folic acid deficiency and neural tube defects is recognized by conventional medicine. Other correlations, however, have not yet filtered down to the mainstream practitioner. For example, there appears to be a connection between adequacy of certain dietary fats and proper neurological development. This may translate into greater intelligence and reduced risk to neurological diseases in adulthood. There is still much to learn about the link between dietary factors and fetal development but there is enough information available now for us to be making better choices to assure that our developing progeny are given every possible advantage.

Metabolic Detoxification

One of the oldest therapies in healthcare is detoxification. Modern science has enabled us to improve upon the results of total fasting and juice fasting. By using a diet of specific foods in conjunction with a medically engineered detoxification supplement, we are able to reduce the body’s toxic burden and help cleanse every cell in the body. All kinds of chronic symptoms "melt away" with a professionally designed detoxification program.

Scientifically-Tailored Weight Loss Programs

Dr. Debé utilizes individual assessment to determine the best approach to losing bodyfat for each client. Although there are many principles that apply to all, there is also much that requires customization. A sluggish metabolism due to an undiagnosed underactive thyroid, elevated levels of stress hormones, or abnormal secretion of the "night-time" hormone melatonin, are common causes of difficulty with weight loss. Imbalances of the brain’s neurotransmitters and poor functioning of the blood sugar-regulating hormone insulin are other barriers to weight loss. Some people appear to carry too much bodyfat because their body’s cells are not burning energy as efficiently as they should. Toxicity and nutrient deficiency are the two common causes of this situation. A thorough work-up can lead to an approach to weight loss most suited to the individual.

Anti-Aging

The newest and rapidly growing field of healthcare is the specialty of Anti-Aging. This exciting field is in its infancy but is developing at an explosive rate. The underlying mechanisms of aging are being defined, leading to ways to slow the aging process. Dr. Debé is among the first chiropractors in training to be certified as an Anti-Aging Health Provider by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Custom-tailored programs, based upon individual assessment, can stop premature aging and help avert the diseases of aging, such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and osteoporosis. Anti-Aging healthcare can likely extend your lifespan and can certainly extend your healthspan.

Stress Reduction

Dr. Debé offers his patients a variety of new stress reduction techniques, as well as some more traditional methods. One of these, Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), is an FDA approved treatment for anxiety, depression and insomnia. It involves the application of a very weak electrical current (similar to the body’s own) and helps to restore normal electrical activity to the body. It produces a relaxed yet alert state. Freeze Frame and Cut-Thru are scientifically validated techniques to reduce stress and truly balance the mind–body connection. They are simple yet powerful. The practice of these techniques involves listening to designer music, which has in itself been shown to reduce feelings of stress and boost the immune system! Individuals can learn Freeze Frame and see its effect on their physiology while connected to a computer by a finger sensor!

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) utilizes the same weak electrical current as MET but is applied to the body by clips attached to the ear lobes. CES is a safe and effective treatment for anxiety, depression and insomnia. CES has been shown to normalize aberrant electrical activity in the body. Studies have found CES to improve other conditions, including headaches, fibromyalgia, attention deficit disorder, and phobias. It also improves recovery from addiction to various substances.

Guided Imagery

The mind is arguably the most powerful influence on an individual’s state of health. Guided imagery is one technique that harnesses the power of the mind to enhance healing. Guided imagery is usually performed while listening to an audiotape of an instructor describing a peaceful environment or biological process to be imagined. Relaxing music, soft lights and a relaxed posture (preferably lying on your back with pillows under the neck and knees) facilitate the process. The specific guided imagery to use depends on the desired goal. Studies have shown guided imagery to enhance immune function, reduce muscular tension, and even speed weight loss!

Clinical Nutrition/Herbs for Stress Reduction

Correction of nutrient insufficiencies often results in alleviation of tension and allows the body to better cope with stress. One example is from a study that found subjects who were supplemented with gamma linolenic acid had less exaggerated blood pressure response to performing a challenging mental task.

Many herbs (such as Valerian and Oats) have relaxing qualities without the strong or addictive side effects of medication. Several herbs are also adaptogens-they enable the body to more efficiently adapt to stress. Siberian Ginseng and Schisandra are examples of adaptogens.

Designer Music

Music has been found to have powerful effects on various physiological functions. With regard to stress reduction, Dr. Debé recommends specific arrangements of designer music (music created to elicit a specific response). These are Speed of Balance and Heart Zones. The mental-emotional effects of Speed of Balance were compared to selections of classical, new age, and rock music. Speed of Balance was clearly superior in reducing negative emotions while enhancing positive emotions and mental clarity. In a separate study, subjects listening to Heart Zones were found to have enhanced levels of secretory IgA- an important antibody referred to as the body’s "first line of defense".

Freeze Frame

Freeze Frame is a powerful stress reduction technique and more. It helps to reduce negative reactions to potentially stressful situations as they are happening. The technique basically involves shifting one’s perception from a negative focus to something that creates true feelings of appreciation or care. These emotions have powerful and instantaneous effects on every cell in the body. Freeze Frame also involves the simultaneous focus on the physical area of the heart and deep breathing. The physical heart has been found to be, by far, the most powerful electrical generator in the body. As such, it plays a pivotal role in the function of the rest of the body, including the brain. Focusing attention on the heart helps to improve its function.

Freeze Frame has been researched in a number of ways. It has been found to improve balance in the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is that part of the nervous system that regulates such physiological functions as heart rate, blood vessel tone, and digestive functions. Imbalance of the autonomic nervous system, as occurs from stress, contributes to dysfunction throughout the body. Dr. Debé uses a special finger sensor connected to a computer to get a visual display of an individual’s autonomic nervous system balance. While practicing the Freeze Frame technique, one can see an immediate improvement on the computer screen!

Foot Orthoses

Foot orthoses are innersoles for shoes and sneakers, which are custom-made for each individual. Foot orthoses are used to normalize altered biomechanics of the foot and ankle. This is often an overlooked factor in musculoskeletal conditions. The feet are the foundation of the body. If they are not functioning properly, any structure between the toe and head may be adversely affected and become symptomatic.

Neck & Back Pillows

Specially designed pillows are often helpful for relieving structural stress to the neck and back. Considering how many hours we spend in bed, having a proper pillow is very important for a healthy neck. After injury and in cases of arthritis, biomechanically-sound neck and back pillows can provide a lot of comfort. Dr. Debé recommends different pillows depending on the individual’s needs.

Water Filters

Dr. Debé usually recommends Doulton brand water filters. Tap water can be a source of bacteria, viruses, parasites, lead, chlorine, fluoride and other toxic compounds. Bottled water is sometimes contaminated with bacteria and is expensive. Doulton water filters are not only highly efficient at removing toxic chemicals and organisms, but also kill bacteria. Doulton water filters provide pure clean water at an affordable price.

Shower Filters

Chlorine is toxic to the body and has been linked with several forms of cancer. It not only enters the body through drinking water but it also is absorbed through the skin and is inhaled in water vapor while showering. Dr. Debé recommends a special shower filter to reduce chlorine exposure.