Journal

Sitting could kill us?

2012-05-08T20:39:56Z

A recent study reported that men who had more than 23 hours a week of sedentary activity had a 64% greater risk of dying from heart disease than those who reported less than 11 hours a week. And many of these men routinely exercise. This study was published by professor Steven Blair at University of South Carolina who has studied exercise for over 30 years. So, the bright side is, that according to an 2008 Austrialian study, people who regularly break up their sedentary time with movement as small as taking one step had healthier waist circumference, body mass index and triglycerides. I have been preaching to clients for years to take frequent breaks from sitting, use an exercise ball to sit on, use the stairs, and park further away from where your going. Most people have sedentary type jobs so please try to keep moving

Does Milk Make Strong Bones?

2012-02-08T01:30:05Z

We see advertisements that milk strengthens our bones and teeth. This does seem logical since milk has 300 mg per cup of calcium in it. The problem is milk has an acidifying effect on the body that robs us of our calcium stores. The acid-alkaline balance is critical to maintaining health. We have a tendency in our Western Culture to eat and drink way too many acidifying foods like milk, breads and meats. We also drink carbonated beverages that not only have incredible amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners but phosphorylating agents that help to neutralize the carbonic acid to give you the fizz. These phosphorylating agents also rob us of our calcium stores.

You can consider milk and carbonated beverages to be bone thieves. If you remove the calcium from the bone to neutralize the acidity you caused through diet, you remove the integrity of the bone itself. Also remember that many people have intolerances to milk, including lactose intolerances. Cow's milk is highly treated to get rid of bacteria by heating. This destroys the enzymes that make it digestible in the first place. This also makes it a mucus former in the body.

Let's go back and take a deeper look at calcium itself. It is a potent neutralizer of acids and that is why the body pulls it out of the bone to neutralize acidic foods. It is also why it is a main ingredient in many antacid formulas people buy OTC (over the counter) or in prescription drugs.

Milk, soda and other acidifying foods cause a fire to rage in the body. Calcium is one of the fire-fighting agents your body's natural defenses use to put out the fire. Your body jumps into action and uses calcium to put out the acidic attack. The end result is, even though milk contains calcium, the net result is a calcium deficiency in your bones.

In a sea of toxins

2012-01-25T00:42:17Z

Just wanted to take a moment to remind or educate people about the dangers of heavy metals. They are becoming a major health problem for many people. In Alzheimer's disease there have been cases with high concentrations of aluminum in brain tissue, as an example. Heavy metals attach to the cell wall throughout the body and can cause malfunction and/or pathology. We come into contact with these metals (aluminum, mercury, cadmium etc.) in many areas of our daily lives such as deodorants, canned tuna, vaccinations, pesticides, and now even in our water table. So first and foremost, remove and eliminate as many of these products and exposures in your daily life. Second, do periodic cleansing and detoxify by eating a very simple plant based diet with lots of fresh green vegetable juices. You can also do some infra red saunas, ionic footbaths, epsom salt baths, and lymphatic massages. Health takes mindfulness throughout your life, so pay attention to even the little things like heavy metals and your body will show you gratitude.

Holiday Blues

2011-12-07T18:33:05Z

Avoid the holiday blues by not letting your diet and exercise routine completely collapse. Over eating and having way too much sugar and alcohol can really make your body and therefore, your brain feel the blues. If you are over 40 you should really be taking enzymes with most meals, but especially holiday type meals that are rich and processed. Our ability to completely digest our food is of utmost importance and helps to create a net gain out of most meals. When digestion is incomplete, it is very easy to end up losing energy when we eat a meal. In a short time we can become lethargic and more depressed. Remember the season is about giving and sharing of yourself and if you are down it is difficult to participate. Have wonderful holidays and take care of yourselves.

Process

2011-11-16T14:09:33Z

It's all a process. Health and healing as well as disease is all a process and goes in phases. For that matter most things in life are a process from relationships to career. So to see getting adjusted as a one time event that will "fix" the problem is a bit short sighted. Seeing a chiropractor or other health practitioner is a process that evolves and changes over time. What you need help with today will surely change in years to come and involvement will vary depending on many factors such as age, stress, genetic factors and activity levels. We are all guilty of making a to do list and striking off things completed, however, health, like life is never off the list so make friends with the process.

Be Immuno-aggressive!

2011-11-02T12:51:25Z

I know I have already started talking about the change of seasons and the body's adaptation, however, now we are there and starting to see lots of people getting sick. I have found through the years that early and aggressive treatment is the way to go with viruses and infections. Many of you already know my favorite formulas are virex, ilex #15, immunoplus and total bac-t and I prescribe massive doses the first day. Some of you may already have your favorite formulas the same principle applies. The key is enough rest, proper hydration and knowing your body well enough to notice the early signs of coming down with something. Be proactive and don't lose days of work and play. The beauty of natural health is that none of these remedies have side effects, so the worst thing that can happen is you waste a few bucks. Stay well!

Prevention

2011-10-16T22:03:30Z

A dear friend of mine from Chiropractic school just had a heart attack. I was in shock at first and then gradually accepted that even chiropractors have health problems. Which brings me to the topic of prevention. I know that bad things sometimes happen to good people, but I also know that we all can lapse in our lifestyle choices. The point is, as most of you know, once we are in a crisis it is to late for prevention. So fortunately for us, my friend survived his crisis and can now work on the future. The rest of us may not have this luxury. I have been living and working in a profession that is prevention oriented and still become complacent at times. I just wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone just how important health choices are. Order the salad and not the fries, take the spot farthest from the store instead of the closest, take that extra day off from work and enjoy friends and family. I can definitely be a lot more specific clinically for each of you, but I believe I've made my point. Don't wait until you have a health crisis start being proactive.

Ear Infections

2011-10-03T02:31:48Z

The power of the chiropractic adjustment is very evident in young children with ear infections. My own personal experience was solidified about 16 years ago with my own daughter. She was up most of the night screaming and crying. So being the good and inexperienced parents we were, we went straight to the emergency room. Once there we were congratulated and informed of her first ear infection and just how life threatening they can be. ( honest not a dramatization) After returning home sleepy and disoriented I still managed to adjust my 5 month old. We then all fell into a deep slumber. When we awoke, we realized our daughter was sleeping peacefully. After that experience, I became an expert at adjusting little ones with ear infections and almost every time it is like magic. If the child has been on the antibiotic roller coaster for weeks than it sometimes takes a little more effort and time.

Uncertainty

2011-09-26T13:28:42Z

Uncertainty makes humans anxious, however, is there anything certain other than death and taxes in this life. We are in the most challenging times most of us have ever lived through. We must persevere. Times like these challenge our faith in each other, life and the universe. My advise is to stay in the moment. Eastern religions and philosophy has embraced this for centuries. Most of our anxiety stems from fear of the unknown future, but, our future is and has always been unknown. All we know for sure is now, and if we ruin today worrying about tomorrow what a missed opportunity. Make the most of now, today, do something positive for yourself and others. Take a walk, meditate, pray, help a friend encourage others to join you. We have just as much potential now as we had 5 years or 100 years ago. Turn off the T.V. and radio and focus on life all around you where you can have a positive effect.

Change of seasons

2011-09-19T00:15:48Z

We are in the midst of the transition between summer and fall. If you observe nature, dramatic changes are afoot with grass and plants withering, leaves changing color, as well as temperature and humidity declines. Yet most of us pay no attention to the changes that are taking place in our bodies. Our mucus membranes are changing to accomadate for the change in the seasons. We are expending extra energy making these changes and consequently we are more vulnerable to things such as viruses, bacteria, and allergies. So in light of these changes, we should support our body by staying hydrated, getting plenty of rest, eating well, and taking extra vitamin C, echinasea, astragalus etc. Be diligent and care for your body and you may just avoid illness and symptoms that are so prevalent this time of year.