I will do my best to keep DCs informed on cutting-edge nutrition and will avoid basic topics unless new and valuable information becomes available. For example, it seems that every time a new form of vitamin, mineral, or nutrient hits the market the manufacturer will usually find a study comparing it to whatever is the most poorly absorbed form of the nutrient available. I promise that when I see good studies comparing state-of-the-art delivery forms with each other (for example, calcium hydroxyapatite versus calcium citrate, or chromium picolinate versus chromium polynicotinate) you will hear about it here.
I would also like to address nutritional issues that the profession is interested in at large. Therefore, I encourage you to contact me with topics you would like covered. Those areas with the greatest interest will be addressed.
Finally, I will continue to attempt to raise nutritional consciousness and emphasize the importance of nutrition in the chiropractic practice. Doctors of chiropractic are perfectly positioned in the health care system to be the nutritional authority for the general public. We have been practicing clinical nutrition for years. We take courses in it in our schools, study it for our boards, and are the most directly accessible health care providers for individuals seeking nutritional services.
As we continue to become accepted into the traditional health care system, having experience and knowledge that other providers don't have will help maintain our market share. Our main competition for the health care dollar are MD and RPTs. Both of these groups continue to show little interest in nutrition. It amazes me that doctors of chiropractic continue to stream into diplomate programs such as orthopedic and neurology, but not nutrition. In fact, it seems the nutrition diplomate program is close to being obsolete. Here in Southern California, where there are more DCs than anywhere else in the country, Los Angeles College of Chiropractic has cancelled the diplomate course in clinical nutrition three times due to the lack of interest, with no future courses currently planned. I feel, as a profession, we are missing a valuable opportunity by not aggressively establishing ourselves as the nutritional experts in today's health care system.
Chiropractors who utilize nutrition provide their patients more complete health care than those who do not. Furthermore, it is my personal experience that DCs who specialize in nutrition will receive referrals from other DCs. This includes local doctors. In contrast, rarely will a DC make an out-of-office referral to a geographically proximal DC for orthopedic or neurologic work. Furthermore, the study of nutrition provides constant intellectual stimulation. The amount of new theories, research, and literature is expanding exponentially. Compare this to other areas of specialization where knowledge and change occurs much more slowly. For example, how many new orthopedic tests have been invented in the last five years? Those of you who are looking for additional areas of specialization should carefully consider clinical nutrition.
Finally, the nutritional community is much more accessible than one would think. Do not be afraid to pick up the telephone and call an author or expert. In my personal experience I have found that nutritionally-oriented doctors of all disciplines are dedicated, enthusiastic, and really enjoy sharing their knowledge with interested individuals.
I look forward to a great 1992.
This month, Dr. Timothy William Brown, medical director for the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) is our guest sports nutrition columnist. Individual chiropractors across the country have appreciated how unselfishly Dr. Brown shares his extensive knowledge of sports chiropractic from integrated injury management, rehabilitation, and prevention to sports-specific structural and muscular balancing techniques for peak performance. Athletes across the country have benefitted from his "patients first, self-help, and multidisciplinary team approach" to health care.
Finally, Dr. Brown has enhanced chiropractic's national image. He has promoted chiropractic both as a subject and an author in national magazines. His television work includes a health tip series on the "Surfer Magazine" cable TV show. He has also appeared on regional and national telecasts treating the world's best volleyball players with chiropractic. Dr. Brown's continued positive exposure is helping to erode some of the senseless interprofessional barriers against chiropractic that exist in the sports world.
G. Douglas Andersen
D.C. Brea, California
"Super Juice"
(l-r) Drs. Timothy Brown, and Douglas Andersen
The sport of two-man beach volleyball combines the necessity for aerobic and anaerobic fitness. A player can play up to five matches in a double elimination format in which the matches can last anywhere from 45 minutes to over two hours. The average time between each play is only 10-15 seconds. The temperature on the court can exceed 100 degrees. Clearly, it is of critical importance that proper hydration and nutrition be applied before, during, and after competition.
Throughout my seven years with the AVP (the last six of which were with Dr. Doug Andersen), we have been given many sample sports drinks, energy bars, herbal formulas, and vitamin preparations which, in turn, we distribute to the players. However, each year a few athletes would request alternatives to commercial preparations. Through my own research and self-experimentation in tournament play and endurance training evolved a fresh, live, pure alternative energy drink.
The formula for the "Super Juice" is surprisingly simple. It consists of 2/3 fresh carrot juice combined with equal parts of fresh pressed celery, beet, bell pepper, and apple juices. We instruct the athletes to consume 8-10 ounces fresh spring water while our staff presses the whole fruit and vegetable mix on a per serving basis. Our serving size is 6-8 ounces of "Super Juice" between matches. This "water then juice" combination is our fluid-electrolyte replacement application. At the day's end, on the way to the hotel or airport, we would give the players 16-20 ounces of the juice without water for carbohydrate replenishment purposes.
Analysis of our Super Juice reveals that it contains high amounts of the antioxidents beta carotine and vitamin C. It also contains the important minerals calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chloride with trace amounts of zinc, copper, iron, and manganese. Finally, the blend includes small amounts of the entire B-complex.
The athletes who drink Super Juice have experienced no gastric problems; the positive response from the athletes has far exceeded our expectations.
Tim Brown, DC
Newport Beach, California
Click here for previous articles by G. Douglas Andersen, DC, DACBSP, CCN.
Dr. Tim Brown, co-medical director of the Association of Surfing Professionals, has more than 25 years of experience working with some of the world's elite athletes across a broad range of sports. A former college football player, Pro Beach Volleyball player, and skilled surfer and snowboarder, Dr. Brown revolutionized the world of sports taping in the early 1980s while working as the medical director for the Association of Volleyball Professionals. He is also the creator of IntelliSkin functional posture and performance apparel.