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Sunday, January 28, 2007

Living to 100

Do you want to live to 100 years old? You won't be to happy about what it takes to get there. A recent showing of the television science show Nova presented facts on how to live to 100 years old. The most important health tip that they could give was calorie restriction. Researchers found that by cutting the food intake of any living organism 30-40%, you could extend it's life by up to 60%. Researchers have found the key to long life is lowered insulin levels. Insulin, a hormone that lowers blood sugar, is secreted into the bloodstream when carbohydrates ( sugars) are present. Eating foods or a diet based on the glycemic index helps keep insulin levels at a lower and steady level. The glycemic index is a rating of how foods effect blood sugar levels. Usually, the sweeter or starchier the food, the more insulin is needed to lower the blood sugar level. Foods like brown rice, sweet potatoes, apples and other forms of whole grains and low carbohydrate food causes glucose to be secreted into the blood slowly, thus needing less insulin to do the job of lowering blood sugar. Foods like sugar, white pastas, white rice and white potatoes break down into glucose more quickly and require a quicker insulin response. So it seems to live longer, one must carefully control how sugar and insulin react in the body. On a side note, eating a low glycemic index diet is actually very good for you and the easiest, long term way to lose weight and not be hungry. Google glycemic index for more info.

Thought for the Week:
"The best immune system is in the body, not in the pharmacy."------Clarence Gonstead, D.C.
Chiropractic Tip of the Week: " A chiropractic adjustment always brings about positive changes. The mistake comes when we pretend to know what those changes will be."------Reggie Gold, D.C.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Asthma

Asthma is health condition that disrupts lung function and makes it extremely difficult to breath. Asthma cases in the United States have increased by 1/3 over the last ten years with the majority of cases being children. Possible causes of this lung weakness include allergies, environmental pollution, diet, stress and childhood vacinations. The most common symptoms in asthma are difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, coughing, loss of sleep, mucus flow, wheezing and increased heart rate.. Attacks are usually brought on by allergies, cold air, pollutants and heavy exercise. The biggest help for an asthmatic is to make dietary changes. Eat plenty of dark leafy green vegetables and deep yellow / orange vegetables. The brighter the colors the higher the anti-oxidant value. Fish eaten more than once a week seems to help prevent asthma attacks. That is why fish oil supplementation is very important. An 8oz glass of water every three hours cleanses the respiratory system and is also particularly good after an attack as the water breaks up the mucus. It is important not to eat dairy products, foods with artificial colors, dyes and preservatives like MSG. These food additives encourage asthma attacks. It is also important not to eat frozen or very cold foods. The cold causes muscles in the airways to tighten up. Supplement the diet with fish or flaxseed oil (anti-inflammatory propeties), magnesium (relaxes bronchial tubes, helps lung function) and vitamin C (lessons spasms and fights allergies). Chiropractic treatment will loosen back muscles and will help relax bronchial muscles as well as improve nerve flow to the lungs. Cranio-sacral work helps in children. Acupuncture, massage and osteopathy have also been shown to be helpful. Deep breathing exercises should be performed daily. High EnergyParticulate Air (HEPA) Filters should be placed in the home to filter out allergens in the air.
Thought for the Week: "There are no incurable diseases, only incurable people."-------Bernie Siegel, M.D.
Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "The brain and the spinal cord do not run the body. A corpse has a brain and a spinal cord. It is the living nerve impulse, the life force if you will, that makes the difference between the living and the deceased." ---Reggie Gold, D.C.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Chiropractic, for your Health!

Chiropractic is defined as a philosophy of things natural; a system of adjusting the segments of the spinal column in order to relieve pressure upon the nerves, so that the nerve impulses may flow freely from the brain to the rest of the body. The brain communicates and controls the systems, organs, glands, tissues and cells of the body by transmitting messages through the spinal cord and spinal nerves to the body parts. If there is interference in the brain's messages, the body does not function at 100% of it's potential. Depending how much pressure is on the nerves, the body will function even less and then can become sick or diseased. Chiropractic is not a treatment for sickness or disease, but it is a systematic way of removing nerve pressure from the spine and restoring function to nerve impinged body parts. A nervous system free of interference allows the body to work better and to be healthier. Preventative chiropractic care performed on a regular basis helps every system in the body work the way nature intended it too. This includes the immune system, which is why most chiropractic patients, in general, are healthier and less sick than their non-chiropractic counterparts.
Thought for the Week: "It is a misnomer to call medicine the healing art. The healing art is the secret wisdom of the body. Medicine can do no more than facilitate it."---------Andrew Weil, M.D.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Probiotics

Probiotics is the term used for the healthy bacteria (like acidophilus) that naturally inhabit parts of the body. Probiotics are friendly bacteria and very important for our complete health. Bacteria, like acidophilus, are found in the mouth, digestive tract, throat, lungs, urinary tract and vagina. Probiotics act like natures antibiotic and destroy harmful bacteria in the body. They also break down the undigested fiber in the digestive tract preventing a build up of sugars and yeasts which lead to ill health. Probiotics should be taken everyday to support a healthy immune system. Probiotic bacteria is also of benefit to people suffering from yeast infections, digestive problems, allergies, respiratory problems and cancer. Probiotic bacteria is most commonly found in yogurt, but is easily supplemented in the diet through capsules, liquid or powdered supplements. It is extremely important to take probiotics when on antibiotic therapy, as antibiotics destroy all of the friendly bacteria in the stomach and digestive tract which then can make you sicker. Recent research has found that a build-up of the wrong bacteria in the stomach contributes to being overweight. Supplementing probiotics has helped with weight loss.
Thought for the Week: "It is unfortunate that so few appreciate from what small causes diseases come."-----Charles Mayo, M.D. (Mayo Clinic)
Chiropractic Tip of the Week: "A spine chiropractically maintained in youth is the best assurance to a healthy life that you can give a child."
-------Fred Barge, D.C.