The Not So Sweet Effects of Sugar

It’s sticky, it’s sweet, and it’s also nutritionally bankrupt. Sugar is making people sick, tired, and fat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports Americans take in an astounding 156 pounds of sugar each year! The amount of sugar consumed around the glove is approximately 173 million tons!

While it is easy for many to point out that sugar exists in sweet snacks, ice cream, and soda, it is also hiding in salad dressings, pasta sauces, and many more foods that we think are healthy.

Why is Sugar Making us Sick?

A study conducted by JAMA Internal Medicine, found that “Epidemiologic studies have suggested that higher intake of added sugar is associated with cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors.” The study determined that “Most US adults consume more added sugar than is recommended for a healthy diet. We observed a significant relationship between added sugar consumption and increased risk of CVD mortality.”

Another study, this one led by Dr. Custodia Garcia-Jimenez at the University Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, concluded that increased levels of sugar are a vital component connecting obesity and diabetes with cancer. According to Garcia Jimenez’s study, increased levels of sugar promote the activity of a gene widely implicated in the progression of cancer. 1

If sugar is a large part of your diet, it can decrease your immune system’s ability to function, making you more likely to get sick. It can also contribute to joint pain and increased arthritis.

Cut Back on the Sweet Stuff

A key element in cutting back on sugar is paying close attention to food labels. Make foods that have little to no added sugar a main part of your diet, and opt for more vegetables over more fruit. Fruits have high sugar, but a great option is berries. If you take sweetener in your coffee or cereal, try Stevia, which is a plant-based, natural sweetener.

We can help you break that sugar habit, and show you that chiropractic care can help boost your immune system, and your overall health!

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Reference
1. Chocarro-Calvo A, García-Martínez J M, Ardila-González S, De la Vieja A, García-Jimenez C. Glucose-induced ?-catenin acetylation enhances Wnt signaling in cancer. Mol Cell 2012; doi:doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2012.11.022 [Epub ahead of print]. | Article |

Support Your Health

When we hear bacteria, most of us think of harmful germs. But did you know that bacteria is an essential part of being healthy? While some bacteria is harmful and can cause pain and illness, there are large amounts of healthy bacteria in your body. Your body is filled with trillions of bacteria cells, which outnumber your human cells by 10 to 1!

Over 400 different types of natural bacteria exist to help your body stay health. An example is intestinal bacteria. Intestinal bacteria produces enzymes, which make it possible for your body to digest fats and carbohydrates and metabolize vitamins. The healthy bacteria in your gastrointestinal system ensures your body is properly regulating hormone levels and works to fight off harmful bacteria.

Pack A Punch With Probiotics

Want to give your diet a nutritional punch? Increase how many probiotic-packed foods you are eating. Foods that are full of probiotics increase the amount of healthy bacteria in your body. Some of these foods are sourdough bread, kombucha, sauerkraut, miso soup, kefir, yogurt, and kimchi. Keep in mind that many yogurts contain high levels of sugar, so go for plain yogurt and add your own fresh fruit. Probiotics found in these foods contain real healthy bacteria that will improve your body’s overall health.

The Chiropractic Connection

As you continue to search for waysto support your overall health, consider chiropractic care.

The adjustments you receive during your chiropractic visits help more than your spine. Chiropractic also helps your body maintain a healthy nervous system! When your nervous system is healthy, your immune system is healthy, which means you are better able to fight off harmful bacteria. Because 80% of your immune system is in your gastrointestinal system, it is very important to keep you digestive system healthy.

Your central nervous system is responsible for controlling and coordinating every system and organ in your body. Subluxations, or misalignments, herniated disks, and pinched nerves in the spine may cause problems in the communication between your brain and your gut, so we want to work with you to maintain a normal level of communication.

With the combination of healthy probiotic foods and regular chiropractic care, you can have a stronger immune system, which may lead to a healthier and better life!

Say Goodbye to Staying Still

A great number of us spend a large part of our day doing it. Whether it’s when we’re watching TV, driving around town, or staring at the computer at our place of work, it's happening. That “it” is sitting, and it’s becoming a huge problem. While we may not consider sitting to be as harmful as puffing on a cigarette, according to health experts, sitting can damage the body just as smoking can.

Dr. James Levine, an endocrinologist with the Mayo clinic, explains that most people spend an alarming 10-15 hours per day sitting. From when we wake up to when we go back to sleep, much of our daily routine involve sitting.

So, just how bad is it?

According to a recent analysis, explains Dr. Levine, “there are 34 chronic diseases and conditions associated with excess sitting.” People who sit for long periods of time increase their risk of Type-2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and even cancer.

Turn off the Television

One of the most popular activities we partake in while sitting is watching TV. Well, it might be time to consider turning it off. In a study consisting of 8,800 adults reported by Australian researchers in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, it was discovered that each hour spent watching TV daily “is associated with an 18% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease.”

Keep Your Body Moving

Diseases stemming from too much sitting can easily be prevented. Here are some suggestions to keep your body in action:

• Get up and move around for 10 minutes of every hour

• Stretch your legs

• During meetings, stand up or conduct walking meetings

• Instead of e-mailing your coworkers, walk to see them

• Try using a standing desk

• Always choose the stairs over the elevator

 Consider Chiropractic Care 

Chiropractic care is an excellent way to help with issues stemming from prolonged sitting. Sitting for long periods of time can contribute to poor posture and back and neck pain can worsen. Chiropractic may be what you need to improve your posture and reduce neck and back pains.

We would love to discuss even more ways to make movement a bigger part of your day. Small, easy to make changes can have lasting benefits for your health.

Plant the Seed Now to Grow A Healthy Child

Just as when you plant a garden, it requires fertile soil, quality seeds, plenty of sunshine and water, planting the seed to grow a healthy child means taking specific actions.

With a mind-boggling amount of advice available on the Internet, countless TV programs, and by well-meaning friends and family members, it’s not always easy to know what advice is best to follow. Consider the following for growing healthy kids — naturally, of course!

Make Healthy Dietary Decisions

In today's fast-paced world, it can be difficult to provide our kids with healthy options. Everything from frozen foods loaded with chemical ingredients to fast food, it's not easy to fuel our kids. Here are some options to consider making staple items in your child's diet:

• Poultry

• Fresh fruits and vegetables

• Fish (choose fish that’s low in mercury)

• Low-fat dairy products

• Healthy monosaturated fats (in moderation) such as extra virgin olive oil

• Whole grain breads and cereals 

As childhood obesity is on the rise, keep portion control in mind and offer healthy snacks when kids get hungry between meals. Another great way to reduce caloric intake is by opting for water versus juice or soda, or even offering watered down juice.

The Sleep Your Child Needs

The required amount of sleep a child needs depends on his or her age. With too little sleep, your child will suffer from crankiness, negative performance in school and overall health. Depression is even sometimes a result from chronic sleep deprivation. Setting a regular bedtime routine can help prevent these issues. These bedtime rituals provide an excellent time for bonding with your child, especially with calming activities like story reading.

Older kids will need to be encouraged to turn off electronics well before bedtime and to read instead. Those high-tech gizmos and gadgets, from tablets to smart phones, can seriously effect your teen’s sleep. Many studies show that using electronics before bed means much less shut-eye.

Exercise Is Essential

While high-tech toys may tempt your child to stay indoors, regular outdoor activity and brisk exercise helps kids to not only have healthier bodies, but healthier minds. Exercise helps children get better sleep and to fight stress easier. While team sports are a great way for kids to get regular, brisk exercise, they can accomplish this by walking the family dog, playing games outside, or riding bikes.

Natural Health Booster

You know that having your kids brush their teeth promotes oral health and a bright smile. Well, like that, regular chiropractic care can help your child experience better health. Why? Because it promotes a healthier nervous system, and kids with a healthier nervous system that is free from interference may also benefit from a stronger immune system.

Call us today to schedule your child's wellness exam!

Reduce Inflammation for Optimal Health

It's found in a wide variety of health problems, including heart disease, certain cancers, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease. You might not even know you are living with it.

What could it be? Surprisingly, it's inflammation. Unknown to many, inflammation in its chronic form can be incredibly damaging to the body.

What Exactly Is Inflammation?

Defined as “A localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a result of infection, irritation, or injury. Inflammation can be external or internal.”

According to Nicholas Perricone, MD, who is a nutritionist and dermatologist, our body's way of fighting off sudden injury or infection is through inflammation. Issues arise, however, when inflammation becomes a chronic concern. When that occurs, "the immune system mistakenly attacks normal cells, and the process that ordinarily heals becomes destructive.”

Foods That Cause and Reduce Inflammation

Did you know that what you eat could be causing inflammation? It can be caused by flour and white sugar, alcohol, dairy, and foods that are fried in trans-fats. Consider removing these culprits from your diet. While some foods cause inflammation, there are also some that fight it. Try adding these foods to your diet to help stave off illness.

• Nuts including walnuts, cashews and almonds

• Berries

• Orange and yellow fruits

• Extra virgin olive oil

• Fatty fish

• Dark leafy greens

• Avocados in small amounts

• Ginger, saffron, garlic and turmeric 

Better Health and Natural Chiropractic Care

In addition to making smart decisions with what you eat to reduce inflammation, we can also help you fight off inflammation. Call us and arrange for regular chiropractic care. Keeping your spine aligned and your nervous system in check may help lessen your risk of disease-causing and dangerous inflammation.

The Health Benefits of Fasting

Some chiropractors and other natural healing disciplines suggest that occasional fasting has positive effects of cleansing the body and ridding it of toxins, allowing it functions better.

Others critique fasting, saying it starves the body and that regular periods in between eating, such as during sleep, are enough to give the digestive system the rest it needs.

So…whom do we believe?

For centuries, people have practiced fasting, whether it be for religious or therapeutic reasons. Fasting is even documented in biblical accounts. Fasting is when one voluntarily abstains from all substances, except for water, for a certain period of time. Most healthy people can stand up to three days of fasting on their own, and fasts of a longer duration should only take place with direct supervision of a trained health care professional.

What Are the Benefits?

The benefits associated with fasting may include:

• Giving the digestive system a break from its daily activities.

• Cleansing the body by eliminating harmful toxins.

• Allowing the body a period of rest for meditation and spiritual development.

• Introducing a period of transition to help the body gear up for change (this is primarily for weight loss, overcoming addictions, shift from meat eating to a vegetarian diet, etc.)  

Fasting is not advised for women who are pregnant or nursing, individuals with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer or AIDS, and for those with diabetes or liver disease. When taking prescription medication, check with your doctor prior to fasting.

What About the Research?

Studies conducted by Mark P. Mattson at the National Institute on Aging on mice concluded that fasting has positive effects on the process of aging as well. Mattson found in an earlier study that mice that fasted every other day had longer life spans. A more recent experiment found the mice also did better in factors involved in diabetes and nerve damage in the brain, like that found in Alzheimer’s.

At the 2014 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, researches presented information that fasting reduced cholesterol levels in prediabetic people over extended periods of time. Although more in-depth study needs to be done, these findings build the foundation for future study.

Fasting may not be for everyone, but if you are interested in discussing this or other options for cleansing your body, give us a call.

Exercise To Improve Your Mood

Have you ever asked a runner what he or she loves the most about running? The typical answer is, "It makes me feel good". For those of us that aren't so fond of exercise, that response is hard to understand. How can running, which makes you sweaty and hot and uncomfortable, actually make you feel good?

Can Exercise Really Affect Your Mood?

The short answer – absolutely.

Think for a moment about our example with the runner. Some might run when they are feeling stressed. Others go for a jog after an argument or a tough day at work. Why do people say this? Well, because they actually feel different after going for a run. Some report feeling calmer, happier, or stronger. Many runners have reported an experience called "runner's high", which helps them push beyond the physical pain and limits.

It a well-known fact that certain chemicals are released in the brain during and after exercise. These chemicals include endorphins and dopamine, which have an effect on our moods. The body's natural pain killers are endorphins, which are actually stronger than morphine. Endorphins help athletes stay in the game even after an injury.

How Frequent Exercise Can Benefit You

Some scientists have concluded that endorphins improve immune system function and lower blood pressure. They also claim that endorphins have anti-aging effects because they attack superoxides, molecules that are responsible for aging and illness, and that threaten living tissue. They can also raise self-esteem, and reduce anxiety and feelings of depression. Frequent exercise has a direct effect on endorphin release – the more you exercise, the more endorphins you produce each time you exercise!

Dopamine levels are also increased in the brain because of exercise. When you are experiencing low dopamine levels, you can feel mentally foggy and sluggish. Even a low or moderate amount of exercise will cause dopamine levels to increase. Unless you engage in a strenuous workout, dopamine can also help you to get a good night’s sleep.

Chiropractic Care and Exercise

For optimum wellness, combine your new exercise habits with chiropractic care. Aside from the major health benefits of exercise, including weight control and cardiovascular health, exercise also helps to improve your mood, increase pleasure and minimize pain. And when you combine that with a regular chiropractic care schedule, enough sleep and a healthy diet – you have all the makings of a lifestyle that supports optimal wellness and wellbeing!

Want To Improve Your Golf Game? Try Chiropractic!

What has been called the "gentleman's game" is now enjoyed by men and women of all ages. Many high schools and colleges have teams, and the sport is considered an excellent game for networking and negotiating big business deals.

The game itself is big business, from building and maintenance of the courses, and its only growing as more players are getting into the game. So, what's the name of the game? Golf!

Can Chiropractic Really Improve Your Game?

• Many golfers have reported suffering from chronic low back pain. Chiropractic is proven to greatly help back pain, as it responds exceptionally well to chiropractic adjustments. These adjustments increase mobility and range of motion.

• Two components of longer and more powerful drives are posture and flexibility. Chiropractic care aims to help improve those areas, leading to a better game.

• As we age and face immobility (whether it's from sitting at a desk all day or sitting in the car driving around town), we become less flexible. In order to effectively swing a golf club, your many joints need to collaborate, from the feet up to the hands, including ankles, knees, hips, spine, elbows and wrists. A lack of flexibility contributes to many repetitive motion injuries in the joints. As a chiropractic care facility, we aim to address, correct and prevent joint injuries.

• When combined with stretching and corrective exercises, chiropractic care is an all-natural and cost effective way to improve mobility… which translates to consistency during the four – five hours it takes to play 18 holes. 

If you're looking to improve your game, don't waste time with expensive new high-tech clubs, shoes with the right spikes or the latest golf attire. They do nothing to better your playing. However, increased mobility and flexibility can surely improve your golf score. Just ask the pros – nearly 75% of them opt for regular chiropractic care while they are on tour each year.

Take it from Jeffry H. Blanchard himself, a golf professional and author of The Geometry of Golf who stated, “The chiropractor is the perfect choice to evaluate, educate, treat, condition and train those who choose to play golf.”

What’s in Your Kitchen?

Natural remedies are becoming increasingly popular as people are looking for alternatives to pharmaceuticals. If you'd like to try some natural remedies for common ailments, you don't have to spend a lot of money. Most kitchen cupboards are full of good stuff that works as natural remedies!

As we've learned in earlier blog posts, our nutrition and what we eat is hugely impactful on our health. This has never been more apparent than in today's world, when we know more than ever that some foods are much better for us than others.

Yuan Wang and Warren Sheir, Chinese medicine experts, and writer Mika Ono co-author the book Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life.  In their book, they share items they've researched that you probably have lying around your kitchen that might help keep you healthy.

• Fresh ginger. When your stomach is upset, ginger can be used to help provide relief and aid digestion. It may also help fight off some types of the common cold.

• Garlic. Based on research, garlic has antibacterial and immunity-enhancing properties. This one is particularly easy for many people to incorporate in their diet, as it is a tasty addition to many recipes.

• Mushrooms. Mushrooms have a long history that includes being known for enhancing the immune system. It is even being investigated for its potentially anti-cancer and anti-viral properties.

• Green tea. It has been suggested by laboratory studies that green tea may help to slow down certain cancers. It may also aid in lowering blood cholesterol, weight loss, inhibit the absorption of fatty foods, and to protect your skin from sun damage, though there is not conclusive data on this subject.

• Walnuts. Not only do walnuts make a great addition to breads, muffins, and salads, but they also provide you with Omega-3s! Walnuts are event being studied for the role they might play in reducing the damage caused by unhealthy fats and ability to combat Alzheimer’s disease.

• Peppermint. This refreshing herb may help with indigestion, bloating and gas. It is suggested that its cooling properties relax the involuntary muscles in your digestive tract.

• Cinnamon. It's used for more than just desserts! Some studies have shown that cinnamon not only helps control blood sugar but it may have antibacterial properties. 

If you're looking for a proactive approach to protecting your body and mind, look no further than your own kitchen cabinets. The combination of a healthy diet with regular chiropractic care that checks your nervous system function will equip your body to work as it was meant to. We want to be a part of your journey towards a fuller, richer life. 

Move It or Lose It!

Do you find that chronic joint pain and tightness are keeping you from doing the things you love? Mobility is an essential part of being healthy and happy. Let's make sure we work to improve your range of motion, so that you can live your life to the fullest!

The Basics Range of Motion

So, what is range of motion? It is the mobility of the joints in the body, measured in degrees of a circle. If you are healthy, your joints maintain a normal range of motion that makes you able to move about freely, carry on with normal daily activities, and just enjoy life. Injury, being overweight or obese, incorrect posture, a lack of movement, aging, and issues with the spine may impair your flexibility and range of motion.

Keep Active!

Many clients come to us with common problems including joint, neck, and back pain. The purpose of seeing you chiropractor regularly helps you to maintain and retain your health, no matter your age. Normal range of motion is particularly important for any type of athletic performance.

Maintain Your Range

We were designed to turn in bend in certain ways, so how can we maintain those abilities?

Stretching. Stretching exercises not only improve your range of motion, but can also reduce pain. Both active and passive range of motion exercises are practiced, and they work on strengthening your muscles and joints. We can show you what exercises will work best for you.

Regular chiropractic care. Maintaining regular chiropractic care helps your neck, limbs, and joints stay flexible and mobile. When addressing pain issues, chronic ailments are often healed because the normal range of motion is restored.

We would love to show you additional ways to help you live a longer, better, and healthier life. Call us and schedule an obligation fee consultation and let's get started!