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Comparing carrots to other vegetables is the same as comparing Superman to an ordinary person. Carrots are the superpowered heroes of the vegetable world. Full of many vitamins and minerals, carrots should be an essential part of the health conscious diet. Carrots are loaded with carotene. Carotene is the chemical compound responsible for giving carrots their orange color. In the human body, when carrots are digested, the carotene is converted to Vitamin A. Vitamin A is an important nutrient in bone growth, reproduction and immune system function. Vitamin A also plays an essential role in healthy vision, hence, the old saying that carrots are good for your eyes. Carrots are also excellent sources of Vitamin B and C. Carrots contain a form of calcium, called calcium pectate, that can help to lower cholesterol levels. Most of the carrot's nutritional value lies near the surface, so skinning a carrot takes away vital nutrients. A good scrubbing is all that is needed, which is one reason why baby carrots aren't as nutritious as full-grown carrots. Baby carrots are skinned and tumbled, plus they haven't reached the maturity of a full-grown carrot. The immature carrots lack the full amount of vitamins and nutritional content of full-grown carrots. Interestingly enough, due to the "tough" nature of the carrot (outer fibrous layer), the human body has a difficult time absorbing 100% of the carrot's nutrients during the digestive process. Cooking breaks down the carrots outer fibrous layer and allows the nutrients to get out to the body. Therefore, carrots are one of the only vegetables that is more nutritious cooked than when eaten raw. One exception to that rule is juicing raw carrots; the juicing breaks down the tough fiber wall of the carrot. As long as we are spouting odd carrot facts, research has found that when a raw carrot is cut with a knife or blades, the carrot increases its anti-oxidant value, making it even more nutritious than when bitten into with teeth. The sharp metal blade causes a stress reaction in the carrot, creating an increase in the carrot's phytonutrients. This reaction is a carrot genetic response to stress that actually creates healthier carrots. Scientists are researching ways to apply this knowledge to other vegetables, maximizing their nutrient value.

Thought for the Week: "Large, naked raw carrots are acceptable as food only to those who lie in hutches eagerly awaiting Easter."

~Fran Lebowitz

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "Why is chiropractic like a three legged stool? The profession of chiropractic would be the seat, and each leg represents a different aspect of what we do. The first leg represents the philosophy of chiropractic. Our philosophy is one in which we believe that the body is perfectly capable of maintaining itself if the neural pathways between the brain and the body are open. The second leg represents the science of chiropractic. Most people don't realize that chiropractors, go through just as much classroom schooling as medical doctors. There is incredible research being done everyday to improve not only the quality of care, but advance its efficacy. The third and final leg of the stool is the art of chiropractic. This can mean several different things. There are many different techniques that can be applied to helping patients feel better...... The doctors actual skill is his or her art. I prefer to think of it as the latter." ----- Adam Rathton, Pennsylvania Health Examiner