Health Bits and More

Detoxing

2011-04-13T11:00:00.000-04:00

Idealistically, our bodies should eliminate toxins easily. However, with the barrage of toxins we face each day (like pesticides, air pollution, skin lotion, fast food) make it hard for your body to be efficient. The solution is to detox!

Bit before you drastically alter your diet - you need to prep your body and change your habits. You will also need to prepare for the post-detox lifestyle. You absolutely CANNOT return to your old habits - as this is too harsh to your system.

Suggestions for preparations are below:

Choose a D-Day. Pick a time when you can relax into the detox. The first few days are the hardest with tiredness, sugar cravings, and mood swings being the most common symptoms noticed.
Gradually wean yourself off of sugar, caffeine, dairy, and other foods not "allowed" on your detox over two weeks prior to D-Day.
Become familiar with your new foods. Try to eat more fresh foods, especially greens. Broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts, collard greens, artichokes and napa cabbage all contain sulphur compounds that help boost the liver's detoxifying capabilities.
Fiber is your friend! Your bowel is your major means of eliminating toxins. Ideally, you should have at least one, well formed bowel movement each day. 1-2 tablespoons of flax seed should help.
Learn to love water. At the least, you need half your body weight in ounces of water per day. If you are detoxing, more is better! And don't forget that if you are adding fiber and not water - you will end up with constipation. Yikes!
Light exercise always helps. If you aren't already exercising, now is a great time to start. Walking daily is one of the easiest ways to get started. Beginning a light yoga program is a good option as well. The daily exercise gets your blood pumping and lymph (or waste product) moving, whereby boosting your body's ability to eliminate waste.

To Detox or Not?

2011-04-11T19:41:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder if you are a good candidate for a detox program?

Well, let's look at a list of symptoms that may clue us in:

Constipation
Bloating
Excessive Gas
Fatigue
Breakouts (skin)
Sweet cravings
Chronic Headaches
Diarrhea
Stomach Pains
Chronic Muscle Pains - even Fibromyalgia
Difficulty losing weight

**You are NOT a candidate if you are currently pregnant, anemic, have an eating disorder, or are currently battling cancer.

Be aware that some herbs can speed up the clearance of some medications

While it is true that a detox program can jump start weight loss, this should not be its only intended function.

Detoxing is a wonderful way to make the body's system function optimally.

Interesting News about Colon Cancer

2011-01-21T08:07:00.000-05:00

I was reading "Nutrition News and Views" recently and the author, Judith DeCava, was talking about Colon and Colorectal cancer. Some of the interesting things I learned in that article are listed below:

*Most colonoscopies look for polyps, which are removed during that process. However, colorectal cancers tend to arise from nonpolyp growths (flat or depressed) which are common. These flat wounds are hard to detect and may be easily missed with routine colonoscopies.

*A colonoscopy should be done by Gastroenterologist. There is also a 2-3 times greater risk of having a suspicious growth missed when performed in the doctor's office rather than a hospital. Also be sure to ask the doctor about their withdrawal method. Doctors who take their time, up to 17 minutes, to withdraw the wand detect nearly 4 times more polyps and cancers than those with fast (as little as 3 minutes) withdrawal times.

*It is well established that lifestyle factors, like diet, affect risk of colorectal cancer. Numerous studies have found that diets rich in fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of polyps and colorectal cancer.

*A diet with high intake of refined grains, sugary foods, processed and red meats, fried foods, and altered fats can lead to obesity and being overweight. Both obesity and being overweight increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

*Foods high in fiber also contain many other substances and nutrients that may help prevent colorectal cancer.

*Several studies showed that dietary synbiotics (namely prebiotics and probiotics) help reduce risk of colorectal cancer by keeping the gut flora in balance and keep the gut lining healthy.

*Calcium and Vitamin D may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. A Harvard study in 2002 found that consuming at least 700 mg of calcium daily in food was linked to reduced risk of certain types of colorectal cancer.

*Excercise can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Not only does it help to reduce excess fat and help with weight management, but improves immune function, circulation, insulin sensitivity, bone and muscle tone, and nerve function -- all important to the digestive tract.

Proper Education

2010-10-25T21:20:00.000-04:00

It is sometimes amazing to me that parents (who are patients) do not think about bringing their children into the office for assessment and treatment. I have to blame myself for this. I have not done a great job at educating them the importance of chiropractic care to their health and the health of their family.

Now, when we think of chiropractors, we immediately think, "Back Pain." While this is how some of my fellow doctors have branded themselves, I do not readily identify with this thought. I look at chiropractic as a wellness treatment, a complimentary alternative to allopathic medicine. Now, as you may guess, I don't use my MD regularly. I see them as directed, when I am sick. Chiropractic is just the opposite. It is preventative.

The body is an amazing thing that I am in awe of daily. To see the smiling faces of people who come in saying, "I feel pretty good" and see them walk out feeling that much better shows me there is more to what I do than just "crack backs." It is a lifestyle choice - A lifestyle where people are in-tune with their bodies and listen to what is has to say, make the appropriate accomodations, and make healthier choices. I'm proud of what I do. And I'm more proud of my practice where you all listen and learn.

So, if for some reason, I haven't done my job and properly educating you of how chiropractic really works - just ask me. I'd love the opportunity.

Goat Milk

2010-10-10T13:44:00.000-04:00

For those of you who may not know, my daughter has a milk allergy. It isn't lactose intolerance, instead a complete dairy allergy. While her reaction isn't as extreme as some, her reactions do include diarrhea, rash, and mood changes. Our alternative is Goat Milk.

As I was flipping through a chiropractic magazine, I ran across an article about the benefits of goat milk vs. cow milk. Now, we didn't really give too much thought to our choice of goat milk. Our daughter wouldn't drink rice or almond milk. And if you didn't know, 50% of people with a milk allergy will be allergic to soy!!

What I didn't know was that goat milk is similar to human milk. The "DNA structure has similar constituents to those in human breast milk." This is an amazing option, especially if your family has food allergies.

The article also states digestion of goat milk is much easier on the digestive tract. This is always a concern with a young child, and even adults as well.

What this article doesn't tell you is that the fat content is to a much lesser degree in goat milk as well. This is a great cooking alternative when you are watching your caloric intake.

To read the article, click HERE

Why is chiropractic care so darn important?

2010-07-29T15:54:00.000-04:00

Why is chiropractic care so darn important?
Let me take my doctor hat off for a minute. I’m sure most of you know that I have been under chiropractic care the majority of my life. My mother saw it important to our health. I grew up assuming everyone did it. You go when you hurt, when you don’t hurt, when you were sick, and more often when you were playing sports. Even when I went away to college (and had to pay for adjustments!), I sought chiropractic care for trouble sleeping, aches, pains, headaches, and more. It wasn’t until college when I realized not everyone went to a chiropractor, or knew what chiropractic was.

Ok, so, knowing this it wasn’t until I went to chiropractic school that I realized the full potential of chiropractic as a form of healthcare. Let me use some analogies. You have a home phone. Fuzz, what sounds like other callers, high pitched noises, cutting in and out are all common problems that affect the quality of your phone call. Now, where or what is the cause? The truth is that there is lots of room for error. It could be a line that is frayed or cut. What about a transformer that has blown? Miscommunication between you and your provider (ie they turned off service)? The body works very similarly. Brain is home-base and all the nerves in the body are the telephone lines. When you get pain, tingling, or numbness, there is usually one BIG source of nerve irritation. Spinal vertebrae that are misaligned cause irritation to the beginning of the nerve at that level. This can cause muscle tension, muscle spasm, inflammation, and pain all along that nerve. Now where is that nerve going? To your finger, intestine, ear, somewhere in your head? The fact that irritation is present causes dysfunction down the line. That dysfunction can mean headaches, indigestion, tightness in your chest, sciatica, and tingling in your fingers or toes to name a few. And if that irritation is left alone, it can lead to much more serious conditions.

Now, my point. While I truly believe that chiropractic can help LOTS of problems, your job is to constantly challenge me to that! I want you to tell me about a new (or old) problem so that I can help. And if you haven’t given it any further thought – Bring your kiddos in to get “checked out.” With all the falls and run-ins they take, their little bodies need to be working at 100% when growing.

One last point. In case I haven’t told you, each adjustment gives you an immune boost. Your white blood cells increase in number over the next 24 hours. This can be crucial when you are sick or are starting to feel sick. So don’t be afraid to keep that appointment when you are sick. It may be just the boost you need to get better more quickly.

I hope that you understand that chiropractic is more than just getting your back “cracked.” It really is a lifestyle. I hope that you can see why it is important to use chiropractic for more than just back pain.

Margarine - The Un-Health Food

2010-06-30T21:06:00.000-04:00

Some of you have asked me which is better, Butter or Margarine? Well, over the years the processed food industry has managed to hoodwink the American public completely regarding the "healthy" aspects of margarine. Margarine is marketed as a pure, golden vegetable oil that is low in cholesterol and good for your heart. In fact, nothing could be farther from the truth! This is what margarine really is.

Margarine was first vegetable oil - a liquid at room temperature. Unfortunately, this oil is usually already rancid. But that doesn't matter because the oil will be subjected to extreme heat or boiled. This *new* semi-congealed mass resulting from the first treatment smells so rotten that it is unmarketable. So, it undergoes a deodorizing process. After this, the material heads to a new vat where hydrogenation takes place. This vat contains metal shavings, predominantly nickel oxide. Nickel oxide is highly toxic and is impossible to remove completely from the final margarine product.

Hydrogenation is the spraying of hydrogen gas under immense pressure and temperature into the oil in the presence of the metal catalyst for up the 8 hours. The liquid oil is changed into a semi-solid "trans" fatty acid, which is very harmful since it interferes with normal metabolic processes. These abnormal metabolic reactions can cause in increase in cholesterol. So, these "low cholesterol" margarines do just the opposite of what they market.

Next, soap-like emulsifiers are squeezed into the oil, keeping water from separating out. Starch is then added to increase consistency. It is then bleached to remove any color. Then strong sulfur-refined coal tar dyes are used to add color. And since there is no taste (due to bleaching and the steam cleaning)strong flavorings are added. Let's not forget those preservatives too! Finally it is ready for packaging.

Now that you know the makings of margarine, skip it completely. Other offenders include: Crisco, deep fryers, and the majority of peanut butters, which are fully hydrogenated. These food cause you liver, heart and blood vessel trouble.

So when a little butter is called for - Go ahead - Use real butter! This healthy natural fat is loaded with fat-soluble vitamins, enzymes, and essential fatty acids.

And never forget: Everything God made is better than anything man-made

The Soda Rush!

2010-06-08T12:21:00.000-04:00

According to the Nutrition Research Center, this is what happens to your body within 1 hour of drinking a can of soda:

-10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system, which is 100 percent of your recommended daily intake. You'd normally vomit from such an intake, but the phosphoric acid cuts the flavor.

-20 minutes: Your blood sugar skyrockets. Your liver attempts to maximize insulin production in order to turn high levels of sugar into fat.

-40 minutes: As your body finishes absorbing the caffeine, your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, and your liver pumps more sugar into the bloodstream. Adenosine receptors in your brain are blocked preventing you from feeling how tired you may actually be.

-45 minutes: Your body increases dopamine production, tricking you into feeling pleasure and adding to the addictiveness of the beverage. This physical neuro response works the same way as it would if we were consuming heroin.

>60 minutes: The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in your lower intestine, which boosts your metabolism a bit further. High doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners compound this effect, increasing the urinary excretion of calcium. The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. (You have to GO!) Your body will eliminate the bonded calcium, magnesium and zinc that was otherwise heading to your bones. And you will also flush out the sodium, electrolytes and water. Your body has eliminated the water that was in the soda. And in the process it was infused with nutrients and minerals your body would have otherwise used to hydrate your system or build body cells, bones, teeth.
-60 minutes: The sugar crash begins. You may become irritable and/or sluggish. You start feeling like crap. Time to grab another soda!

Sore Throat Soothers

2010-06-03T12:39:00.000-04:00

As allergy season is finishing, some of you may still be feeling the effects. Here are some pointers to remember the next time you have a sore throat.

1. Try a Humidifier when your throat feels dry.

a. How it works: It keeps the air around you moist as to not dry our your mucous membranes. Add some Apple Cider Vinegar to the mix (5 parts water : 1 part vinegar) to cleanse and heal.

2. Eat some fresh garlic when you start to notice a tickle

a. Garlic has some “tremendous immune stimulating” effects. It has anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities. Holistic physicians recommend taking one to two crushed cloves and eating them on a cracker once a day.

3. Use Zinc lozenges when possible.

a. Why Zinc? As the lozenge dissolves, the zinc ions migrate up the nose and throat, where they bind to and may halt the virus causing a cold. One study showed those who took a zinc lozenge every 2-3 waking hours cut their cold duration in half!

4. Gargle with Salt Water when your throat is feeling sore and scratchy

a. This solution will kill bacteria in the throat and will help to increase blood flow to help speed recovery. Mix one tsp of salt for every 2 cups of warm water.

5. Herbal Tea

a. If your throat is sore all day, some herbal varieties may contain an immune booster, such as goldenseal root, Echinacea, licorice, or marshmallow herb.