A chiropractor’s perspective on supporting brain health in a chemically saturated world

Dr. Sal Martingano

What If It’s Not Just Aging?

After more than 40 years in clinical chiropractic practice, I’ve witnessed countless shifts in the kinds of complaints patients bring into my office. Some issues remain timeless; low back pain, neck stiffness, sciatica, but in recent years, I’ve noticed a troubling trend: a growing number of people reporting brain fog, vertigo, ringing in the ears, and unexplained fatigue. What’s more concerning is that many of these patients are younger and otherwise healthy, yet they describe their symptoms as chronic, disruptive, and frustrating.

• Most have been through the traditional medical model using drugs
• The end result is they have accepted the premise that the problem is “unfixable”                           
• Aging is a natural process, but not always the cause of ill health

Some patients have admitted later that their vertigo, or ringing in the ears and especially brain fog, seems to have reduced dramatically or even disappeared completely under chiropractic care, without me even knowing they had such issues.  This scenario is not a commercial for Chiropractic care, but a true testament to the body’s ability to heal itself, if given the right incentives. Have you been bombarded with slick, convincing 20 min web advertisements that go on and on, repeating the same information ad nauseum, about this new and revolutionary breakthrough product, that always ends with “this product is limited and can only be bought at this low price. Once again, the announcer summarizes the entire story again before finally saying; “click the button below,” which goes to an offer of 6 bottles for $49 each.” Supplies are limited.

• I purposely listen to these advertisements, and each has a natural and convincing conclusion…. BUY NOW
• Convincing…yes, but that’s called MARKETING. 

The reality of these symptoms is that these are not just signs of aging, and they’re not just random quirks of the nervous system. They can be the cumulative effects of a chemically burdened environment, compounded by physical issues within the spine and brain. Either can be the cause that is slowly interfering with our brain’s ability to function clearly and consistently.

The Chemical Assault on the Brain

Our bodies are designed to detoxify, to eliminate waste, and to protect the brain with the blood-brain barrier.  But the level of environmental toxicity found in pesticide spraying, chemical fertilizers and food preservatives, we’re now exposed to levels of toxicity that human physiology was never designed to handle.

Here’s what we’re up against:

Pesticides and herbicides can cross the blood brain barrier, leading to the destruction of vital nerve cells and impaired neurotransmitter activity.

• Food additives, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners, affect mood, memory, and learning
• Heavy metals like mercury, aluminum, and lead from cookware, water, air, and dental work accumulate in neural tissue.
• Plastics and microplastics can enter the bloodstream and disrupt hormone balance and brain signaling.
• EMFs and wireless saturation may not be “toxins” in the classical sense, but have clear neurological effects in the brain, especially when metals are present in the body.

Toxic overload isn’t just about what we ingest; it’s about what we fail to eliminate

When the body’s detox pathways become sluggish, or the exposure exceeds the body’s capacity to cleanse, toxins settle into fatty tissue. Unfortunately, the brain becomes the depository for toxins. The result is a steady accumulation of toxic waste that gradually interferes with everything from memory, focus, balance and our ability to process sensory input.

What the Brain Needs to Stay Clear and Sharp

As chiropractors, we are trained to look at the communication system of the body, how the nervous system, spinal alignment, and structural integrity impact body health. Removing nerve interference, (Subluxations) especially in critical areas of the spine, allows the body to better recognize itself and its vital functions, which is the requirement for body healing.  However, we cannot ignore the biochemical terrain in which the nervous system functions.

For the brain to operate at its best, several systems must be optimized:

• Cellular Energy – The brain consumes up to 20% of the body’s energy. If mitochondrial function (energy producing cells) is disrupted, often by toxins or physical trauma, cognitive function plummets
• Membrane Flexibility – Every neural signal passes through cell membranes. Toxins harden cell membranes, making them “stiff” and unable to process vital information or allow for cleansing
• Neurotransmitter Balance – Serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, and GABA must remain in balance for clear thinking, memory, cognitive stability, and overall calmness
• Drainage & Flow – Lymphatic flow from the brain is achieved mostly during the sleep cycle and only in the absence of cellular inflammation

Structural Integrity – Perhaps the most overlooked element that is absolutely vital to proper body function, is structural misalignments in the spine.  Any upper cervical misalignment can distort brainstem function and pressure on the meninges, which interferes with everything from balance to brain clarity. To be more specific…the body works better with a good nerve supply than one that is interfered with

In my own practice, I’ve had tremendous success in addressing vertigo and related symptoms by correcting meningeal and spinal misalignments that result in spinal cord tension in the upper cervical spine.  The vertebrae closest to the brain stem, the Atlas and Axis vertebrae, must be in proper alignment to allow for maximum nerve integrity.  Many of these cases stem from trauma (even minor whiplash or falls) and result in mechanical stress that mimics or compounds toxic effects.

I’ve come to view this as a two-way street:

• Environmental toxins clog and confuse the brain’s chemistry
• Structural interference impairs the body’s ability to detox, circulate, and regulate

By addressing both, we give the brain the best chance to reset and recover.

Part 2 of this blog will discuss some specific nutrients to assist in the cleansing process. These are not magic pills, they’re support nutrients I’ve studied and use myself, based on verifiable research, not web marketing.

Part 2 will really surprise you!

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