Samantha came into my office complaining of severe headaches, fatigue, depression, and insomnia and carrying a bag full of supplements. She had seen numerous health care practitioners over the past couple of years and had tried virtually every nutritional and herbal supplement that was suggested to her. When I met Samantha I noticed the yellowish smoker’s tint to her teeth and the smell of tobacco on her clothes and hair. Her lips and toes were blue; her fingernails, complexion, and hair looked unhealthy; and her hands and feet were very cold to the touch. These were all symptoms of poor circulation due to smoking. She admitted she had been smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for the past three years. She began smoking to curb her appetite and keep her weight under control. Unfortunately, this left her in a constant state of low blood sugar during the day and compromised lung function.

I made it very clear to Samantha that she needed to significantly cut down on her smoking and begin eating small meals of vegetables and proteins frequently during the day to stabilize her blood glucose. Otherwise there was no point for me to work with her as her smoking and low blood sugar were causing her symptoms and were deal breakers to success. She agreed to cut down on her cigarette smoking and to stabilize her blood glucose levels. I supplemented her with natural compounds that have been shown to increase circulation and blood flow to the brain. She quickly experienced complete resolution of her headaches, fatigue, depression and insomnia and no further care was required.

I share Samantha’s case with you because it demonstrates the importance of addressing the root problem. Samantha had been given countless numbers of supplements for each of her symptom to no avail because smoking and low blood sugar had decreased circulation to her brain. Without healthy blood circulation the brain cannot function. Remember, circulation carries blood and your blood carries nutrients, hormones, neurotransmitters, glucose, and oxygen necessary for proper brain function.

Datis Kharrazian, DC, DHSc, MS, MNeuroSci