Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is typically associated with aging, but it can also develop due to joint trauma and repetitive motion to the joints over a period of time. Repetitive motion can be from activities such as sports or work related activities. Two examples would be throwing a baseball for 2 decades or using a hammer to bang nails for 20 years. Osteoarthritis results from the deterioration of the cartridge over the joints. As the bones start to rub together, pain and swelling occurs. As time goes on, the bones begin to misshapen, which can lead to bone spurs. This developement causes more pain and discomfort. Then pain increases due to cartilage breaking off in the joint. Sadly, Osteoarthritis, also know as Degenerative Joint Disease, is also part of the normal aging process. As we get older, joints start to wear down. The main problem with bone and joint degeneration is related to acceleration. The more friction on the joint, the more accelerated the degeneration. As far as osteoarthritis in the spine goes, spinal bones that are out of alignment cause excessive friction on the spinal joint, accelerating the degenerative process. This acceleration is why in some cases a 35 year-old may have the spinal deterioration of a 60 year-old. A traumatic accident that injures the neck or the back when someone is in their 20's will cause spinal misalignments, which then lead to friction on the spinal bones that, over time, will show up as arthritis. Smokers have an increased risk of arthritis due to toxins from the nicotine building up in the body, increasing inflammation. To keep the joint surfaces healthy, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements have been shown to provide nutrition for healthy joint surfaces. Omega 3 fats, as found in fish oils, provide an anti-inflammatory effect on the joints, easing discomfort. SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) has been shown to be just as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, but without the obvious health risk to the stomach, kidneys and liver. Resistance exercise strengthens bone density and helps keep motion in the joints, which also helps to counter the negative effects of osteoporosis.



Thought for the Week: "Give what you have to someone, it may be better than you dare to think." ----Longfellow


Chiropractic Thought for the Week: Chiropractic spinal adjustments, performed on a regular basis, reduce friction on the spinal joint. The adjustment puts motion into the spinal joint reducing joint friction. Spinal vertebral alignment correction should take place after any and all accidents that involve the neck and back. By correcting the alignment today, a reduction in degenerative changes from the accident will be the result. Preventative spinal adjustments maintain the health of the spinal joints, helping to ensure a healthy spine well into old age.

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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