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Gibsons Chiropractic Blog

September 28, 2011

To Your Health Newsletter 09-27-2011

By Dr. Stacey

Source: www.toyourhealth.com

Krazy About Kale

TYH image On the hunt for a nutritious, vitamin-packed vegetable that is also loaded with great flavor? Try kale. There are many reasons to pile this cruciferous veggie on your plate. It is low in calories, has zero grams of fat and contains nearly 20 percent of the RDA of dietary fiber, which promotes regular digestion, prevents constipation, lowers blood sugar and curbs overeating.

Need more reasons? Kale also contains the glucosinolate isothiocyanate (ITC), which fights the formation of H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori), a bacteria that can attack the digestive system and cause big problems. Kale is also a superstar in the arena of carotenoids and flavonoids, two powerful antioxidants that protect our cells from free radicals that cause oxidative stress. There are also tons of vitamins in kale – think vitamins C, D, A and K. All boost immunity, help maintain healthy bones and teeth, and maximize overall health. Enjoy!


Dodging Diabetes

TYH image The number of adults with diabetes worldwide has more than doubled since 1980 to a mind-numbing 347 million, officially making it a global epidemic. But believe it or not, there’s good news about diabetes: There are a number of ways to combat and even outright prevent this growing disease.

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Alcohol Attributed to Most Cancers

TYH image A European study found that “an important proportion of cases of cancer can be attributable to alcohol consumption, especially consumption higher than the recommended upper limits.” The “upper limits” were defined as one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

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August 8, 2011

To Your Health Newsletter 08-08-2011

By Dr. Stacey

[Source: www.toyourhealth.com]

Interval Training: Blast the Fat

TYH image In order to lose weight, you need to burn more calories than your body consumes and uses on a daily basis, pure and simple. Exercise is one of the main ways to burn fat calories.

A great way to burn fat and lots of calories is through interval (circuit) training. Interval training breaks up the work with periods of rest. Not only does interval training allow you to improve your fitness quickly; it is also more effective than continuous exercise for burning lots of calories during exercise and increasing your after workout metabolic rate. Here are some fantastic interval training exercises that will help you burn calories and lose weight:

Circuit #1

  • 20 Push-ups
  • 20 Squats
  • 20 Mountain climbers
  • 20 Jumping jacks

Circuit #2

  • 20 (10 per leg) Lunges
  • 20 Siff squat
  • 20 Dips on chair or bench
  • 30-Second run in place/high knees (repeat)

Circuit #3

  • 30 Bench step-ups – alternate legs
  • 30 Push-ups on bench
  • 30 Dips on bench
  • 30 Seconds skip/jog or sprint to a tree (or swings) and back. Repeat four times.

Circuit #4 Obstacle Course (Repeat 3-4 times)

  • Set out 2 cones ( or some sort of markers) about 15 yards apart
  • Run from cone to cone for 30 seconds
  • Take a 5-second break
  • Skip from cone to cone for 30 seconds
  • Take a 5-minute break
  • Shuffle side ways from cone to cone for 30 seconds
  • End with plank hold for 30 seconds

Whichever circuit you pick, repeat the entire set of exercises 3-4 times. Your doctor can give you more information about proper performance of these exercises while helping design an exercise program suitable to your health needs.

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Try This: Greek Goodness

TYH image When it comes to yogurt, the health benefits are endless. Yogurt has everything from probiotics, which help promote healthy digestion, to calcium, which is essential for strong bones.

In the past few years an alternative to regular yogurt has made its way on to the shelves – Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is another type of yogurt known for having a thick consistency and is packed with just as many health benefits as regular yogurt – some might say even more. Here are some of the primary nutritional differences between the two:

  • Greek yogurt has approximately double the protein of regular yogurt.
  • Greek yogurt has fewer carbohydrates and less sodium than regular yogurt. This could be beneficial to diabetics and those watching their caloric intake.

So try Greek yogurt on its own or in a smoothie. Whether Greek or regular, be sure to choose low-fat or nonfat varieties.

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Three Ways to Avoid Burnout

TYH image 1. Cross It Off: Burnout is physical and mental exhaustion, commonly caused by too much work, stress or routine. It also can be a lack of organization that overwhelms you. The solution: make a list of your daily, weekly and monthly priorities, then cross them off your list one by one. Satisfaction of accomplishment and feeling “in control” will keep you motivated for the long term.

2. Change It Up: No matter what we do, life boils down to a series of routines that are both comforting (most of us need routine) and also put us at risk of suffering burnout. Whether it’s your same old diet, same old workout or same old month-to-month schedule, mix things up occasionally to stay fresh and invigorated. Try new foods, vary your workouts and plan a few vacations.

3. Give It a Rest: Because burnout is synonymous with exhaustion, the remedy is to take a physical and mental vacation from the norm. Good health is a lifestyle, so pursue it with awareness that you’re in it for the long haul. Life is more than 24/7 of dieting, exercising and working excessively. Make time to rest, recover and rejuvenate. Your body (and mind) will thank you for it.

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April 15, 2011

To Your Health Newsletter 04-14-2011

By Dr. Stacey

Healthy Snacks for Kids: Nuts and Seeds

Research continues to reveal that nuts and seeds do not deserve their bad reputation. Absolutely, they are high in fat; but it’s the good fat, not the bad, and when eaten in moderation, their health benefits far outweigh the dangers of their fat content. The fact is, the more we learn about nuts and seeds, the more we realize that they’re one of the best snack-food options for children.

In 1996, the Iowa Women’s Health Study found that women who ate nuts four or more times a week were 40 percent less likely to die of heart disease. Since then, similar studies performed by the Harvard School of Public Health and Loma Linda University in California have found the same. And the Physicians’ Health Study (2002) determined that men who consumed nuts two or more times per week had a noticeably reduced risk of sudden cardiac death.

Studies performed at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard School of Public Health revealed that three times as many people who were trying to lose weight were able to stick to a diet that included moderate fat content in the form of nuts and seeds. Researchers suggested that the fat, protein and fiber in nuts helped the dieters feel full longer, so many felt less deprived and ate less during the day.

Another study of women by the Harvard School of Public Health reported that there was a 30 percent reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in those women who ate five or more 1-ounce servings of nuts per week as compared with women who rarely or never ate nuts.

Finally, studies published in the Journal of Nutrition and elsewhere have found that seeds, flax seeds in particular, are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have proven benefits in the fight against heart disease, stroke and other circulatory diseases.

Nuts are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, with 1 ounce of Brazil nuts containing 780 percent of the recommended daily intake of selenium, and walnuts providing the most omega-3 fatty acids of any common nut. Almonds are a wonderful source of copper, magnesium and phosphorous, and provide 6 grams of protein per 1-ounce serving. And the June 2004 issue of the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry reported that pecans contain the highest antioxidant capacity of all nuts.

In short, the worst thing you can do for yourself and your children is reach for junk foods when you need a snack. Nuts and seeds are a convenient, healthy snack food that takes the edge off hunger without the added carbohydrates and sugar of most other snack food options. Your doctor can tell you more about the health benefits of moderate nut/seed intake.

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5 Simple Stress Solutions

Stress can be a killer – quite literally, research suggests, but it can also make your day-to-day existence miserable. Who wants to walk (or rush) around all day as the oppressive weight of stress takes its toll on your body and mind? Here are five simple strategies to help you deal with stress and get back on the road to health and wellness:

1. Walk it off. There are so many physical and mental health benefits to a good walk; when it comes to stress, it’s the perfect opportunity to relax, enjoy the outdoors and reduce your stress, either by forgetting about it for a while or having the chance to process it. In fact, in many cases stress isn’t caused by a particular situation, but by the sense that you can’t escape your situation – your too-loud, too-hectic, too-frantic, responsibility-filled day.
2. Talk about it. One of the things that makes stress so damaging is that we often keep it to ourselves. Sometimes talking about how stressed you are (and why) with someone else is exactly what’s needed to reduce it or at least understand it a little better – and that’s half the battle. Your significant other, a family member, a friend or even a co-worker might be just what you need to get your stress (and how it’s affecting you) out in the open. And once it’s out in the open, it’s easier to deal with.
3. Distract yourself. Stress doesn’t have nearly as much power over you if you’re not thinking about it. That can be a challenge, of course, especially when your every thought is focused on a particular stressor, but it’s worth trying something – anything – to take your mind off your stress. True distraction means doing something that forces you to discard your stress to the greatest extent possible – try a baseball game, a night at the movies (particularly pure action or comedy), or even a good book or board game at home. Anything that requires your mind to focus on something other than your stress.
4. Deal with it. How do we “deal” with stress? It can involve any of these suggestions, but there are definitely a whole bunch more. It boils down to a few simple rules: a) Recognize when you’re stressed; don’t ignore it or pretend you’re “fine.” b) Understand why you’re stressed; identify the source of the stress and think carefully about why it’s affecting you. c) Find a way to reduce the stress (or eliminate it entirely); if that’s not immediately possible, at least find a way to manage it so it doesn’t continue to build.
5. Find the positives. There’s a silver lining to every stressful situation or circumstance, whether it’s stress about your job or career, your relationship, your family life, your (lack of) free time, your finances or anything else. It might be difficult to see at first, but it’s definitely there. Think of stress as an opportunity to explore creative solutions that will not only ease your stress, but also reduce the chance it will return.

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[Source: www.toyourhealth.com]

March 16, 2011

To Your Health Newsletter 03-15-2011

By Dr. Stacey

What’s Causing Your Cough?

A cough, while common, can be caused by all manner of things; some fairly benign and some more health-threatening. Here are a few (varied) reasons why your child – or you, for that matter – could be coughing, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Respiratory Tract Infection: A cough is often a symptom of a cold, flu, pneumonia or other infection affecting the upper respiratory tract. Unlike most of the other symptoms associated with these conditions, it can linger for some time, whether because the infection is hanging around or because your airways are still inflamed and sensitive to irritation.

Asthma: The leading cause of chronic cough in children and also common in adults, asthma can also cause wheezing and shortness of breath, although with at least one type of asthma, cough may be the only symptom. As you might expect, asthma-related coughs may be worsened by respiratory infections or other conditions characterized by coughing.

Blood Pressure Drugs: Yes, some children (and many adults, of course) take ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, which may cause chronic cough; in fact, it’s estimated that 20 percent of people taking blood pressure drugs develop chronic cough that may linger even after medication is discontinued. Your chiropractor can tell you about some of the other unpleasant – and potentially dangerous – side effects of over-the-counter and prescription medications.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: GERD causes stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, so the throat and even the lungs can be chronically irritated, the result of which can be chronic coughing.

There are other causes of cough, but keep in mind that an occasional, temporary cough is completely normal; it helps keep your lungs clear of foreign substances, secretions, etc., and helps to prevent infections. It’s the unrelenting cough that deserves a visit to the doctor for further investigation, if nothing else than to rule out anything serious as a causative factor.

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Healthy Eating: A Matter of Balance

Balanced eating means taking in the amount of nutrients your body needs for optimal functioning, when your body needs it, and no more. Simple to understand, hard to do! Every person requires different levels of nutrient intake, and your age, activity level, whether you’re a man or woman, and your current weight all play a role in what your plate should look like. One thing is for sure, though: It shouldn’t look like one big bagel. Here’s why.

Not to pick on bagels, but in general, they’re unbalanced -nutritionists would call this “calorie dense / nutrient light,” meaning that within your average medium-sized cinnamon-raisin bagel with butter, most of the 300-plus calories come from one nutrient: carbs. Exchange that bagel for something like a slice of whole-grain bread with cheese and tomato and you get a more balanced profile of nutrients and a lot more vitamins and minerals – key to a nutrient-dense food. And nutrient density is what you want.

Unbalanced nutrition (in either direction) causes your body to work harder. Eating a diet that’s devoid of vitamins and minerals makes your body prioritize its activity – for example, without enough calcium, your body will take it from your bones to make sure your muscles have enough. Conversely, eating more than your body needs means extra energy goes toward processing nutrients, storing them and dealing with the long-term effects of extra weight (joint pain and inflammatory chemical changes, for example). The key is to get the right amounts of macronutrients (carbs, protein and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in the right balance so your body can function. Here are five easy ways to ensure balanced, healthy eating:

1. Pay attention to what you eat. It may be boring, but writing down what you eat is the best way to actually see what your daily diet looks like. And you may be surprised by what it shows. Once it’s there in black and white, you can see what you’re doing right and what you might want to change.
2. Make sure every grain you eat is a whole grain. Grain products like bagels can ramp up your calories without providing much bang for the buck. Be adventurous! Try a new grain like quinoa, or replace the white flour in a muffin recipe with whole wheat or even a mix of oat, whole wheat and bran.
3. Eat a fruit and vegetable with every meal. Yes, even breakfast. And no, most jelly doesn’t count. Cold cucumbers with an egg sandwich or a reheated spinach omelet can help you meet your daily need for the vital nutrition found in fruits and vegetables.
4. Look at labels. If any one of the “daily values” for fat, protein, or carbohydrates is off the charts, put that item back.
5. Buy fresh and local as much as possible. Stay on the perimeter of the grocery store where the fresh food lives. And if your grocery store doesn’t stock local growers, talk to the produce manager and ask your friends to make comments, too. You could also join a community supported agriculture co-op, or make a point to visit your local farmers market.

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There’s No Better Time to Exercise

When it comes to exercise, you have to find time, make time and save time or invariably, you’ll have no time left in your busy day, week, month or year to make it happen. Regardless of how hectic your life is, here are four simple ways to ensure exercise doesn’t drop off your daily To-Do List.

Rise and Shine. With the exception of extra sleep, which is important for health in its own right, few things should beat out exercise first thing in the morning. Start the day with exercise and you’ll feel invigorated, if for no other reason than knowing you’ve gotten it done.

The World Is Your Gym. Too many people think that if they don’t make it to the gym or hit the open road for a 5-mile run, they can’t meet their exercise quota. Pure nonsense; after all, physical activity existed long before fitness clubs and fancy workout equipment did. Walk from work to lunch and back; take your dog for a jog; do push-ups with the kids; there are endless ways to stay active even during the busiest of days.

Two Is Better Than One. You want to go to the gym, but dread that it will consume precious hours of your time? Here’s what you can do: Circuit train, which means working out different body parts one after the other with little or no rest. (Many gyms have an equipment “course” set up for this very purpose.) You can also “superset” exercises, combining biceps and triceps routines, for example.

Don’t Go It Alone. If you’re one of the millions who struggle to stay the course (whether it’s exercise, diet, quitting smoking, etc.), it’s not cheating to recruit a little help. Schedule workouts with a friend or office acquaintance, join a walking or running club, or even pay for personal training sessions if you can afford it; whatever it takes to ensure exercise stays front and center.

Increasing research demonstrates the powerful benefits of consistent exercise. Talk to your chiropractor about these and other ways you can incorporate exercise into your life – and keep it there.

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[Source: www.toyourhealth.com]

February 3, 2011

To Your Health Newsletter 02-01-2011

By Dr. Stacey

Time to Put Health in Motion

Too many people (are you one?) believe intense exercise is the only way to make a difference in their health. Eventually, that path becomes frustrating, exhausting and draining, and we end up doing nothing at all. So, the key issue is not really the type or intensity of exercise, but why you need to start moving. It’s a simple issue of motion versus no motion. It’s shocking to realize how many health problems are caused by not doing anything.

Whenever we hear about someone close to us getting cancer, we pray that it doesn’t happen to us. As a result, we may change our diet, try to alter an unhealthy behavior (e.g., quit smoking), reduce our stress levels, etc.; however, one thing we don’t change often enough is our activity level. It’s shocking to truly grasp how much of an impact being sedentary has on our health. In fact, being inactive is more dangerous to your health than smoking!

In one study, one in five deaths in people 35 years or older was attributed to a lack of physical activity. The risk of developing cancer increased 45 percent for men who didn’t include any physical activity in their life and 28 percent for women who were inactive. Risk of dying from respiratory diseases was 92 percent higher for inactive men and 75 percent higher for inactive women. Risk of heart disease was 52 percent higher for inactive men and 28 percent higher for inactive women.

Cardio Movements: If your goal is to establish some form of motion and activity, the minimum recommendations are 30 minutes a day. This 30 minutes does not have to be done at once. You can break it up into three 10-minute sessions. Heading to work or the mall? Park a few minutes away and walk the rest of the way. Going for lunch at work? Take the stairs after you finish. Or simply walk over to a fellow worker’s office instead of phoning them. If you are home most of the time, walk while you talk on the phone. You’d be surprised how much activity you can get doing this. In short, there are literally thousands of ways to move throughout even the busiest day.

Strength Training Movements: Strength training does not mean joining the muscle guys at Venice Beach. Simple strength exercises with your body weight can be beneficial. The general recommendation is to do eight to 10 strength-training exercises with 10 to 15 repetitions of each exercise, two to three times per week. If you don’t have weights, you can use your body weight. Simply do squats against the wall, or do a push-up against the edge of a table. Remember, the key is to start off small and work your way up.

Research is actually showing that high-repetition exercises with lower-weight loads can be as good, if not better, than heavy lifting. A recent study from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, revealed that an exercise program using a low weight load, but high volume of exercise, produced better results than lifting heavier weights.

The goal is not to run a marathon (unless that’s your goal), but rather to introduce new ways to get up and move every day. The health benefits are just too great to overlook the power of movement. Your doctor can tell you more – much more – about the value of movement as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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How to Avoid the Dreaded Rut

Rut [ruht]: noun, a fixed or established mode of procedure or course of life, usually dull or unpromising. Does this sound like your life? Are stuck in a rut, desperate to find a way to break free of your boring routine? Well, it’s time to start adding some much-needed spice to your life.

Many of the things you want to do, but are hesitant to do, lie just outside your comfort zone. We grow when we feel uncomfortable and challenged. Status quo may be safe, but it is also boring! The ability to take risks and open up your mind to new possibilities can be the most empowering combination for change you will ever learn. No risk, no nothing! Here are a simple, powerful ways to kiss that rut goodbye. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Feed Fitness: The mind-body connection is undeniable. How you feel is directly related to how well you take care of your body. If you are not currently exercising, check out a local fitness club. The very act of joining and spending just 30 minutes or so four times a week, investing in yourself, will suppress that rut. If you are exercising on a regular basis, change up your routine by doing exercises you have never done before. Take a kick-boxing class, yoga, Pilates, weight-lifting, or begin training with a workout partner.

Try a Change of Taste: The simple act of changing your food selections can bust your rut. Do you always order the same thing off a menu? Well, stop doing that! Go for something completely different and make a 180-degree turn in your choices. Try eating ethnic foods for a change of taste. Visit an ethnic restaurant and experience the flavor of other cultures. Visit the worlds of Greece, Thailand, India, Middle East, Europe, China and Mexico, to name a few. Wake up those taste buds and spice up your palate.

Volunteer: How often do you sit in front of the television every week? The average American watches three hours of television per day! What a waste. Invest that time in helping others. Search for a national or local organization and discover how you can become involved, even if it’s only for one hour a week. Transform yourself and improve the world in the process. Can there be any greater gift than that?

Control the Clock: Change your normal routine of going to bed and waking up. Choose to stay up longer or wake up earlier to invest time in yourself. Take some much needed me time, free from interruptions of family, friends, roommates, television and the overall white noise of daily living. Take this opportunity to read a good book, listen to music, write in a journal, focus on your goals and map out your activities for the day.

Make Your Own Map: Do you ever find yourself sitting in your car at your final destination and wondering how in the world you got there? Normal routines get ingrained in your brain, to the point that every stop and turn is mindless. This is the epitome of ritual rut! You go from home to work and then work to home, making ceremonial stops along the way. How about changing up that boredom and choosing an alternate route? Make a left instead of a right, take a different highway, choose a more scenic route, go straight instead of turning, be creative and become your own GPS.

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Eat Those Fruits and Veggies!

What’s the best reason to eat your fruits and vegetables? They may help you live longer, pure and simple. According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, consumption of fruits and vegetables containing alpha-carotene – an antioxidant carotenoid found in many red, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, as well as some green ones – may help defend cells from attack.

Researchers discovered that people with higher blood levels of alpha-carotene were less likely to suffer serious illness (particularly cancer and cardiovascular disease) and death over the 14-year study period compared with people whose blood levels of alpha-carotene were lower. The study evaluated 15,318 U.S. adults ages 20 and older as part of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Follow-Up Study.

If you’re not familiar with alpha-carotene, perhaps its antioxidant cousin rings a bell: beta-carotene, known for its presence in carrots, among other fruits and vegetables. Both alpha- and beta-carotene are converted to vitamin A by the body. While the study authors do not know precisely why alpha-carotene may help protect against disease or if it acts in conjunction with other nutrients, they emphasize that their findings were not attributable to participants’ lifestyle habits, health risk factors or demographic characteristics.

So eat your fruits and veggies! Whether packed with alpha- or beta-carotene, B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, selenium, magnesium or any of a host of other nutrients, fruits and vegetables provide the nutrition your body needs. Your doctor can tell you more about the health benefits of fruits and vegetables and help outline a nutritional strategy that’s right for you.

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[Source: www.toyourhealth.com][

October 27, 2010

To Your Health Newsletter 10-25-2010

By Dr. Stacey

Understanding Wellness

The term “improved function” has been used by chiropractors for years to help patients understand the benefits of chiropractic care and the role it plays in true wellness. The body is made up of muscles, organs and glands that are controlled by the nervous system, and the nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

The brain sends signals down the spine and to the nerves, which tell the heart to beat, the lungs to breathe, the stomach to digest, the glands to produce necessary hormones, and so on. It’s when the signals don’t get from the spinal cord to the nerves and then from the nerves to the muscles, organs and glands that the body begins to lose proper function and symptoms begin to occur.

Mainstream medicine doesn’t recognize these symptoms as simple alerts from the body that there’s something amiss, but instead as something that must be eliminated through chemicals or pharmaceuticals. They don’t seek wellness, but rather a lack of symptoms.

The biggest difference between mainstream medicine and wellness care is just that: medicine. Today’s medical professionals are still treating symptoms instead of the cause of the problem. The bigger problem lies with the fact that the medicines usually begin to create their own list of symptoms that must be treated with more medicines. It’s a domino effect leading not to health and wellness, but to illness and dependence.

These days, the term wellness is being overused and abused by a society that recognizes its importance but doesn’t understand its application. Marketing departments around the globe are throwing the word around because it’s popular, but often it’s simply being used as a gimmick to improve sales of products that have nothing to do with improved health and function.

We live in a society that’s been conditioned to believe there’s a medication or a surgical procedure to fix every problem. Is that really the way you want to live your life? Now that you understand wellness, start doing something to ensure you can enjoy it. Talk to your chiropractor to learn more.

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Top Whole Foods for Health

Nutritionally, there is no perfect food, although a few come pretty close. And even if there were, who’d want to eat the same thing every meal, every day? Fortunately, variety and healthy eating can go hand in hand, particularly if you know where to look. Take a look at these foods that pack a nutritional punch and can be incorporated into a wide variety of meal plans.

Beets: Beets were one of the most successful crops in the Biosphere project. Basically, it simulated living on the moon. And if you had to pick one vegetable to take with you to the moon, you’d do well to pick beets. The roots and leaves are packed with antioxidant phytochemicals, provide much-needed minerals and vitamins, and are a good source of fiber.

Rye: Obesity statistics suggest a good portion of us could use some help battling the scale, and rye is on your side. Rye has an excellent reputation for helping us feel full, produces a low insulin response, and is typically a good source of fiber. It is a rich source of minerals, too.

Organic Berries: This isn’t a hard sell, right? Juicy, bright, and tasty, berries add fiber, vitamins and antioxidants to your diet. These little gems appear to support healthy arteries, cognition, inflammation and eyesight. Many studies have found a benefit in drinking cranberry or blueberry juice for prevention of urinary tract infections.

Fermented foods: Face it Mr. Clean, the human body needs bacteria, and fermented foods provide “good” bacteria (probiotics) to give our native colonies a helping hand. Clinical trials continue to examine the benefits of probiotics on gastrointestinal complaints like diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as for conditions such as colic and eczema in infants.

Legumes: This low-fat, no-cholesterol source of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals is among the best foods we can eat. As a substitute for meat-based protein, beans can help support our drive for heart health. And the fiber and protein in legumes are excellent tools in our weight-management toolbox.

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An Education in Exercise

Whether you’re in good health, rehabbing a recent injury or have arthritis, osteoporosis or other chronic condition, the following key points should be followed to ensure you get the most out of your workout. Remember to talk to your doctor first so the two of you can work together to design an exercise program that’s right for you.

LESSON 1: Before starting an exercise program, you and your health professional need to understand what your immediate goals are. Are you trying to lose weight? Increase strength? Train for a particular sport? Do you have any swelling? Pain? Weakness? Are your joints stiff? Once you know what you want to accomplish, it’s a lot easier to figure out where to start.

LESSON 2: Exercise should consist of three clear phases. Begins with five to 10 minutes of warm-ups. Keep in mind that a “warm-up” is not the same as stretching.

LESSON 3: Type of exercise is just as important as the three phases. Try to incorporate different types of programs, such as stretching, strength training, balance training, and aerobic conditioning. Each of these affects the joints and body in different ways. By using all of them, you’ll be able to make better gains in your health.

LESSON 4: There can be some discomfort with exercise at first. Therefore, precaution should be taken to ensure you don’t injure yourself. Remember that your body’s response to exercise can change day by day. You shouldn’t feel pain, particularly sudden/sharp pain, when you are exercising.

LESSON 5: Rest time is crucial for strength training. In the past, people tended to weight train every day. Research is showing that if a body doesn’t get enough rest, it will break down instead of building up. Therefore, never strength train the same body part two days in a row. Always allow at least two days in between, if not longer.

LESSON 6: Lifestyle activities are also effective forms of exercise. For example, gardening, going for hikes, taking the stairs at work, or playing catch with your kids or grandkids is just as effective in producing positive effects as a more traditional “gym” program.

LESSON 7: Most guidelines recommend 20 to 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per day. However, if you are not able to do this, then break it up into five-minute bouts several times a day. Research shows that doing smaller bouts of exercise through the day is just as beneficial as one continuous session.

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[Source: www.toyourhealth.com]

July 8, 2010

To Your Health Newsletter 07-07-2010

By Dr. Stacey

Brought to you by Gibsons Chiropractic

Do You Know How to Breathe?

Well of course you do – after all, adults take anywhere from 17,000 to 30,000 breaths a day, on average, most of the time without even realizing they’re doing it.

That said, you’ll probably be surprised to discover that most people actually don’t breathe correctly, at least not on a consistent basis. “Correctly” means breathing that maximizes oxygen exchange in the lower lobes of the lungs. More oxygen equals more nourishment for cells.

A structure called the diaphragm separates the heart, lungs and ribs (the thoracic cavity) from the abdominal cavity. As we inhale, the diaphragm contracts, enlarging the thoracic cavity and helping the lungs fill with oxygen. As the diaphragm relaxes, we exhale, forcing carbon dioxide out of the lungs. This is why correct breathing technique is referred to as “diaphragmatic breathing.”

In more simple terms, ideal breathing is known as “abdominal” or “belly” breathing; it should engage the belly button, rather than the upper chest. Visually, if you’re breathing properly, your lower belly will rise more than your chest.

So, how are you breathing? Find a quiet place and take a few slow, deep breaths, concentrating on letting your abdomen expand fully with incoming air. Place one hand just below your belly button; it should rise and fall about 1 inch with each breath. If you’re breathing incorrectly, practice doing it the right way; proper breathing can aid in relaxation, reduce blood pressure and heart rate, and of course, help deliver the most oxygen to body tissues. Talk to your doctor for more information.

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Cancer Defense: Think Nutrition

Everyone knows about the dreaded C word, and far too many have direct experience with it in one way or another. A diagnosis of cancer alone can send shock waves through an entire family, office or even a community.

And with cancer risk factors (carcinogenic foods, environmental hazards, sedentary lifestyles) on the rise, there’s no better time to learn about a simple, painless step you can take to reduce your risk of developing cancer – or do your best to fight it if you’ve already been diagnosed. Yes, it’s the power of nutrition – nature’s best cancer defense.

According to Drs. Richard Beliveau and Denis Gringas, authors of Foods That Fight Cancer: Preventing Cancer Through Diet, research suggests that specific food-borne bioactive molecules can do the following in terms of cancer prevention:

Decrease free-radical damage to DNA, which is known to produce cancerous mutations;
Strengthen immune system function, as various immune cells are known to destroy cancer cells (e.g., macrophages and killer-T cells);
Inhibit angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels) of developing tumors;
Block key signal transduction pathways required for cancer cell replication;
Stimulate pathways that induce programmed cell death (known as apoptosis) of existing and emerging cancer cells;
Enhance detoxification, helping to neutralize and eliminate carcinogens in the body;
Promote cellular differentiation, which decreases the risk of healthy cells from becoming cancer cells;
Block the formation of dangerous nitrosamines (chemical compounds, some of which can cause cancer) in the body.

Here are some key anti-cancer foods for daily use as suggested by these two leading cancer researchers:

Brussels sprouts – ½ cup
Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage – ½ cup
Garlic – 2 cloves
Onions, shallots – ½ cup
Spinach, watercress – ½ cup
Soy (edamame, dry roasted beans) – ½ cup
Freshly ground flaxseeds – 1 tablespoon
Tomato paste – 1 tablespoon
Turmeric – 1 teaspoon
Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries – ½ cup
Dried cranberries – ½ cup
Grapes – ½ cup
Dark chocolate (70 percent cacao) – 40 g
Citrus juice – ½ cup
Green tea – three 250 ml servings
Red wine – 1 glass (5 ounces)

Talk to your doctor about the many benefits of proper nutrition. If you’re not already eating these foods consistently, there’s no better time than now.

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3 Steps to Losing Weight

When it comes to weight loss, too many people try too many quick fixes, only to find themselves right back where they started, searching for a permanent solution. That’s because effective long-term weight loss has less to do with a specific “system” or piece of equipment and much more to do with adhering to some time-tested principles. Here are three to get you on your way:

1. Mindset. When it comes to getting in shape, too many people dive into a strict exercise and diet program without the proper mindset. That’s why weight comes off, then comes back on, and why garages nationwide are littered with unused workout equipment. To lose weight permanently, you need to cultivate a don’t-fail attitude and remember that health is a lifelong pursuit, not just a quick fix.

2. Movement. The more you move, the more calories you burn – that’s a fact. The more calories you burn, the more weight you can potentially lose. Keep in mind that movement is really just that; you don’t have to run for an hour on the treadmill or swim 500 laps to burn calories (although that will definitely work). Movement can be as simple as a daily walk, gardening, or playing with your kids.

3. Muscle. Not enough people appreciate the science behind lean muscle and weight loss. The more lean muscle you have, the more it works for you. The premise is simple: Muscle tissue uses more calories than fat tissue because it has a higher metabolic rate. That means if you build lean muscle, it will elevate your metabolism and burn calories – even when you’re not working out. How great is that?

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Source: http://www.toyourhealth.com/newsletter/TYH/newsletter.php?chiropractor%5B%5D=0&cosponsorid=1&

May 18, 2010

To Your Health Newsletter 05-15-2010

By Dr. Stacey

Back Pain: Exercises to Help Healing

When it comes to back pain, your first thoughts may be to take over-the-counter pain medication and rest whenever possible. Two bad options. First, medication is only going to temporarily relieve the pain, if at all, and may be accompanied by various unpleasant side effects attributable to drugs. Second, rest may actually hurt more than help. While you’re seeing your chiropractor, there are a few things you can do at home to help the healing process. Believe it or not, it’s based on the simple principle of movement.

When you stop moving, everything tightens up, circulation slows down, and pain chemicals accumulate in your muscles and joints. It’s like waking up after sleeping in a cold room on a lousy mattress with a draft. You need to move. Here are two simple exercises to get you started (discuss these with your doctor first):

Exercise #1: Backward Bending (extension of the lumbar spine). An exercise called the McKenzie extension is the first thing you should try if you have sciatica (pain running down your leg). If these exercises work, your pain will diminish and may centralize, which is a good thing. Centralize means your pain goes less far down your leg, and you may feel it closer to the spine. Bending backward may not feel good at first, but you should feel better immediately afterward. If you feel worse afterward or the pain goes farther down your leg, stop, as this is not the exercise for you.

How to Do It: Lie face-down on the floor, arms bent at your sides (sort of like a starting push-up posture). Straighten your arms up slowly, lifting your upper body off the floor as you do so. Your legs and feet should stay on the ground. Hold for 3-5 seconds, then slowly lower your upper body back down. Repeat 10 times, as often as once per hour

Exercise #2: Flexion Exercises (bringing the leg toward the chest). People with lower back pain can also feel better with various types of leg flexion, bringing the bent leg toward the chest, or doing contract-relax and then bringing the bent leg toward the chest. These people usually have sacroiliac joint problems. (The SI joints are located on either side of the spine in the lower back.)

How to Do It: Lie on your back with one leg bent and then other flat on the floor. Bring the bent leg up toward the chest. Wrap your arms around the leg and then try to lower it toward the floor for 3-5 seconds, resisting with your arms. Relax, and then pull the bent leg up farther toward the chest. Repeat the entire process three times.

To reduce your risk of injury, consult with your doctor before doing these exercises for the first time, particularly if your pain is new and/or you would like further explanation of how to perform the exercises correctly.

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Break Free of the Disease Diet

The SAD fact is that cultures that eat the reverse of the “Standard American Diet” – low fat, high in complex carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables and fiber, etc. – have a lower incidence of obesity, cancer and coronary artery disease. What’s even more SAD is that countries whose populations can afford to eat the healthiest disease-preventing foods don’t. America spends more money on weight loss than any country in the world, yet the American diet contributes to the very conditions we spend so much money to prevent.

Research conducted at the University of San Francisco Department of Medicine by Drs. Lynda Frassetto and Anthony Sebastian, and subsequently published in the prestigious Journal of Gerontology, clearly demonstrates that as we get older our bodies accumulate acid wastes. They attribute the accumulation of acid and the reduction of the alkaline state as we age to eating the Standard American Diet (SAD), and conclude that the role of age-related metabolic acidosis in the cause of adult degenerative disease warrants consideration.

So, it’s obvious that we must consume more “alkaline” fruits, vegetables and plant foods to fight off disease as we age. Our SAD choices in food must change. Education and the new advances in food technologies are the keys. It’s as simple as replacing the Standard American Diet, which is:

High in animal fats including dairy products
High in unhealthy fats: saturated, hydrogenated
Low in fiber
High in processed foods
Low in complex carbohydrates
Low in fruits, vegetables and other plant-based foods

with a healthier diet that focuses on alkaline fruits, vegetables and plant foods, including the following:

Tomatoes
Carrots
Spinach
Broccoli
Blueberries
Raspberries

Talk to your doctor for more information on how you can break free of the SAD cycle of weight gain and disease and achieve your health goals.

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Avoid Common Exercise Mistakes

The most important goal when undertaking any exercise program is not to build muscle, burn fat, increase cardiovascular capacity, or anything else. Those are important, but the number-one priority is to keep from being injured. That’s the only way you’ll have a real chance of reaching your fitness goals. Here are four movements to avoid when exercising, along with a few exercises that are often performed incorrectly:

1. Don’t use jerking motions, especially when lifting. Speed is fine when done appropriately, but you should always have fluid motion and proper form when performing any and all exercises; otherwise you could strain or even tear something.
2. Don’t use body parts not required for the exercise. Have you ever seen people doing biceps curls and rounding their shoulders or arching their backs? Those are just two of the big no-no’s that can lead to injury.
3. Don’t lock out your knees or elbows. Never lock your joints when working out; keep them slightly bent so the weight will not be transferred to the joints.
4. Don’t arch your back. Picture someone on the barbell bench press, lifting a weight that is actually too heavy for them. Chances are that eventually, they will start arching their back. Sooner than later, that back is going to give out and they won’t be able to exercise for days, weeks or even longer.

Push-ups. The wrong way: You should never have a dip or arch in your back or lock your arms. The right way: Arms should be underneath you and not locked, back parallel to the floor. Engage your “core” the entire time (squeeze your glutes and draw in your belly button).

Walking lunges. The wrong way: When performing a lunge, extending the front knee past the front foot will cause injury at some point. The right way: When you are in a split stance, go straight down and do not let your front knee go past your foot.

Squats. The wrong way: Knees coming forward over your toes. The right way: Perform this exercise as if you were sitting back on a chair and putting 80 percent of your weight on your heels. Then lean slightly forward so you won’t fall back.

Chest press. The wrong way: Lifting the weight using your back (high arch). The right way: Keep your back flat and relax your shoulders while lifting the weight.

And let’s not forget about the right and wrong way to exercise in general. Get some expert advice prior to working out. Most gyms have personal trainers who will give you a free consultation and show you some basic machines and correct postures. Your doctor is also a good source of information, particularly if they specialize in exercise and rehab protocols.

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December 2, 2009

The Top 5 Things You Can Do To Be The Healthiest You’ve Ever Been! Part 2

By Dr. Stacey

Solutions (also known as “The Action Plan”):

This is part 2 of a two part posting. Click here for The Top 5 Things You Can Do To Be The Healthiest You’ve Ever Been! Part 1

1: Eat an anti-inflammatory diet:

AVOID:

  • Sugar
  • Grains (esp. wheat)
  • White foods (e.g. flour, salt, sugar)
  • Trans-fats
  • Fried foods
  • Soda pop/soft drinks
  • Chemicals & preservatives
EAT PLENTY OF:

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Nuts
  • Raw is best
  • Local and/or organic is best
EAT IN MODERATION:

  • Fish
  • Poultry
  • Eggs
  • Lean red meat
  • Dairy
  • Eat less food, more often (e.g. grazing frequently)

 Include these Top Eleven Superfoods in your diet as much as possible:

  • Guava
  • Gogi berries
  • Dried plums
  • Pomegranate juice
  • Cabbage
  • Beets
  • Swiss chard
  • Nettle Leaf
  • Purslane
  • Cinnamon

 2: Take these supplements:

a) Omega-3 fatty acids (potent anti-inflammatory effects)

  • From purified cod liver oil preferably (that way you get your vitamin A and D as well as the purification removes heavy metals like methyl mercury present in some fish).
  • Flax seed and borage oil are also good sources.

b) Probiotics (improves and maintain digestive and immune system health)

c) Anti-oxidants/phytonutrients (prevents damage from free radicals, has an anti-inflammatory effect, boosts immune health and more)

  • Especially vitamins C, D & E.

 3: Get physically fit:

Exercise – aerobic and resistance training is the only way to achieve fitness!

But not just any exercise, the ideal is combo fitness. An aerobic workout (such as running, walking briskly, swimming, water aerobics or biking) will increase your heart rate and lower body fat, but adding resistance training (such as weights, Pilates or yoga) will build lean muscle and improve insulin response by 40%. There is a synergistic benefit, and the two types of exercise combined are better than each one alone. Your skeletal muscle is the most insulin sensitive, so by improving lean muscle mass, you have more tissues to have that metabolic effect.

Fit people:

  • Burn fat not sugar (fat people burn sugar, not fat, as lean muscle metabolizes insulin better)
  • Have greatly reduced stress hormone levels
  • Have healthier hearts
  • Have more muscle/less fat
  • Look and feel younger and better
  • Live longer!

 4: Manage your stress:

  • Get regular chiropractic adjustments (more later)
  • Exercise! Exercise! Exercise!
  • Breathe
  • Meditation/quiet reflection/prayer
  • Get more sleep!
  • Manage your time better (consider a coach)
  • Talk about your stress with a friend/counsellor
  • Accept what you cannot change
  • Learn to say no!
  • Delegate
  • Massage
  • Take a vacation
  • Focus on living in the present
  • Avoid drugs, alcohol

 5: Keep your nervous system free of interference:

Your nervous system controls EVERYTHING! Your spine is constantly subject to stresses, traumas and injuries:

Traumatic birth, motor vehicle accidents, falls, lifting, twisting, bending, yard work, shoveling snow, moving furniture, repetitive strains, poor posture, allergies, chemical sensitivites, emotional stress, dehydration, tension etc.

Nerve interferences may cause symptoms and conditions such as:

  • Headaches
  • Head pain
  • TMJ syndrome
  • Hearing problems
  • Sinus pain
  • Allergies
  • Neck pain
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Shoulder pain
  • High blood pressure
  • Frequent colds or flu
  • Stomach problems
  • Other digestive problems
  • Kidney and bladder problems
  • Postural abnormalities
  • Low back or hip pain
  • Constipation
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Menstrual problems
  • Certain types of infertility
  • Sciatica (leg pain)
  • Children’s problems such as: Asthma, Ear infections, Colic
  • Many other conditions…

In short, the health of your spine and nervous system is the most important factor in how healthy you can be! And the only way to assure a nervous system free of interference is with a nerve exam.

Click here to download a coupon for a free computerized spinal nerve check.

 

[This article was adapted from a PowerPoint and DVD presentation by Dr. Rosenberg, which was based on a presentation by Dr. Tom Klapp, courtesy of Assistants for Chiropractic Excellence by Kim Klapp]