Sugar vs. Artificial Sweeteners

And the debate continues……

There are so many conflicting commercials, articles, and marketing strategies when it comes to sugar vs. artificial sweeteners I thought I would address it again. First off, I would hope that you would know my stance on anything that has “artificial” in the name. These are chemical sugar substitutes that have been designed, in a laboratory, by food scientist to help “trick” your brain into thinking you are having something sweet. By now, hopefully you have heard the many research articles that have discussed the sabotage that artificial sweeteners can have on your diet. Once your body gets the taste of something sweet, even though artificially sweet, it then triggers a response in your brain to crave more and more sweet foods. This may potentialy cause you to over-eat and consume high amounts of carb and sugar loaded food products. Not a good domino effect, if you ask me!

Joy Bauer, the health expert featured on NBC’s the TODAY SHOW, addressed the never-ending debate: to use real sugar or artificial? Her answer was simple -

“The sugar packet! The real sugar has 16 calories per packet and is more natural than the artificial stuff. As long as you stick to just one or at most two packets a day in your coffee, in my opinion, the sugar is a better and cleaner option.”

To follow Joy Bauer on facebook, click here.

“I Want Some Hot Stuff Baby This Evening” ~ Donna Summers

No, no, no….this blog has not become X-rated. I am actually making reference to our next gift from Mother Nature  – cayenne! The active ingredient in cayenne is a substance known as capsaicin. It has been shown that capsaicin actually alters the bodily compound (substance P) that transfers pain messages to the brain. Therefore, cayenne can  help to reduce pain and inflammation by short-circuiting the pain message. Cool, huh?

 

source: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/all-we-can-eat/i-spice/i-spice-cayenne.html

 

 

According to the book The New Anti-Aging Revolution by Drs. Ronald Klatz & Robert Goldman:

• Capsaicin is used in many over-the-counter and prescription creams for the treatment of arthritis, shingles, post-operative pain, cluster headaches, and psoriasis and other skin conditions.
• A recent study found that cayenne has antimicrobial effects, meaning it could be used to fight infection.
• When taken orally, cayenne stimulates circulation, aids digestion, and promotes sweating (which may help to break a fever).
• Cayenne pepper, when taken with meals, may help to reduce appetite and has shown to increase the metabolism of fats.

Bring on the hot sauce! To find out other interesting ways to incorporate cayenne into your diet, click here. Because cayenne is incredibly potent, excessive ingestion is not recommended. And you only make this mistake once – WASH YOUR HANDS if you are handling this spice. One quick rub of your eyes will have you screaming your way to the bathroom sink.

Please check with a health-care provider or nutritional expert before starting this or any other routine. However, educating yourself is the key to your own health care!

Thank You Mother Nature

I want to start a new series with this blog to highlight the many gifts that Mother Nature has provided us with. So often whenever we are diagnosed with a certain condition or experience a new symptom – the thought is to run to pharmaceuticals. But no man-made pharmaceutical comes without a side-effect. And why is that? Because they are man-made, composed of a chemistry that is foreign to our body. Thus creating side-effects and new symptoms that need to be addressed. The purpose of this series is to help educate you on other possibilities, exposing you to remedies that our ancestors have used for years. Why aren’t there commercials about these “hidden secrets?” They do not have drug companies funding them (because they can be found in nature) and because there are no randomized, double-blinded, long-term clinical studies proving their benefits – they unfortunately get over looked.

Are you ready to get started? I hope you are as excited as I am, because our first Mother Nature approved substance is going to be ALOE! Thankfully my mother loves plants and flowers, and always had an aloe plant in our home. We knew to use it every time we had a burn, as a natural soothing remedy. Aloe works wonders on not only burns, but also rashes and minor irritations.

source: google images

What makes Aloe so unique? According to the book The New Anti-Aging Revolution by Drs. Ronald Klatz & Robert Goldman – the Aloe Vera plant is native to North Africa and the gel of the leaf contains several chemicals, a polysaccharide, enzymes, nutrients, and other compounds that seem to fight bacteria and fungi, reduce inflammation, and encourage wound healing.

Because of aloe’s ability to soothe irritations, it has some wonderful properties as well when consumed. According to the American Chronicle:

The health benefits of aloe vera taken internally include: improved circulation, regulation of blood pressure, promotes healing of bones and joints, strengthens the immune system, defends the body against bacteria, heals internal tissue damage, heals ulcers, improves and even eliminates constipation, blood sugar regulation, and reduces itchiness in psoriasis helping it to heal. One of the most important health benefits of aloe vera juice is its operation as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent, helping to prevent the onset of disease in the body. Thus, taking aloe vera juice daily helps to maintain good health and provide a sense of wellbeing and energy.

Please check with a health-care provider or nutritional expert before starting this or any other routine. However, educating yourself is the key to your own health care!

All I Want For Christmas Is…… an Exercise Ball!

Trying to come up with a great gift idea for that special someone? Can’t figure out something unique to get them besides the same-old gift certificates? Look no further, I have your solution. Exercise balls are a wonderful gift for anyone of any age. They are the solution to these common questions/concerns – what can help me have better posture? What will help to decrease my back pain? What is an exercise tool that doesn’t cost thousands of dollars? And how do I get rock-hard abs? Exercise ball, exercise ball, exercise ball! Get the point?

source: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com

Sitting in a chair all day at work or while on the computer can wreak havoc on your posture and your low back. This most definitely will happen if you don’t make yourself continually aware of your shoulders slouching over, your leg being crossed for too long, and/or your many hours staring at a computer screen starting to stiffen your neck. Sitting on an exercise ball forces your spine into proper alignment and requires that you maintain your balance. Thus, working on the strength in your abs and back without you even knowing it.

Exercise balls are also a wonderful addition to any at-home exercise routine. What other piece of equipment is that inexpensive and yet works out every major muscle in your body?? You can use an exercise ball to do squats, push-ups, and of course abdominal work. Most exercise balls come with some sort of program to get you going. And another thing I love about my exercise ball, is that is it just as easy to store, as it is to use. You can inflate and deflate as often as needed, and their convenience allows for easy traveling.

Hopefully this gives you an idea for that difficult-to-buy-for relative you may have. And please, by all means…..spend the money on yourself if you don’t already have one. They are definitely worth every dollar!

The Art of Rescheduling

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend was a much-needed break for many people. However, is it just me, or has anyone else found it hard to be motivated after a couple of days of bliss? According to the amount of rescheduled appointments we have had in the office this week….I think I can make an educated guess, it’s not just me. This month, with Christmas approaching, schedules get more and more hectic and time seems to be less and less available. Although we are more than happy to always reschedule a patient’s appointment, I wanted to go over a couple of times when people should NOT reschedule their appointments.

source: http://blog.fabshophop.com/blog/?p=1791

 

 

Some of the MOST common reasons -

1) “I’m sick and don’t think I will be able to make it in today.”

–> Now, unless you are on your death-bed. Can’t get away from the toilet. Or are in an emergency situation…..please re-think rescheduling. We work on the body’s immune system! By coming to get chiropractic and/or acupuncture treatments, you are giving your body an extra boost of defense. We don’t mind extra Kleenex in the garbage cans, we just want to do everything possible to make you feel better sooner. And we have had some wonderful results.

 

2) “I am feeling better, so I don’t think I need to come in.”

–> Did you know that pain is the last symptom to appear, yet the first symptom to go away. Just because you are feeling better, doesn’t mean you need to quit cold turkey. There may still be a couple more treatments required to completely fix the CAUSE of the pain. Unless you want to continue to see us every time your pain symptom flares up again (because it will if you don’t fix the cause), then we always recommend following through with the original treatment plan. If you had a bacterial infection, you wouldn’t stop a 7 day supply of antibiotics, just because you felt better on the 4th day, would you??

3) “I am too busy today and just can’t seem to make it in.”

–> Now, we completely understand that last-minute situations come up. And sometimes there really isn’t enough time during the day to get everything done. HOWEVER, how important is your health to you? You can always trade in your car for a new one, and you can even get new fake teeth if all of yours fall out. But, if YOU don’t have your health……there is nothing anyone can do to bring back all those times in the past where you didn’t look out for you. Make your health a priority. All of these “busy schedules” will be much more complicated if your health fails you.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Surviving the Holiday Parties

Now that you have made your way through Thanksgiving, have you weighed yourself lately? Did you fare ok? Or gain a couple of pounds? We are about to start the month of December….you know what that means!?!? Holiday Parties!?! No matter what occasion you are celebrating, it seems like the celebrations find themselves revolving around food. You may be able to skip that New Year’s Resolutions to lose weight if you find the willpower to just maintained your weight during the holidays.

Holiday parties are all about the planning. And not just for the host or for the food items you may have to bring to the party, but for your health! No where does it say that you have to live in a complete bubble and not participate in any celebrations in order to continue to be healthy. My theory about planning, comes down to the fact that if you know you are going to be indulging on a Friday night at the company party…..eat healthy Monday – Thursday before the meal, thus allowing yourself several treats on Friday night. And DO NOT turn this into a five day binge after the party, continue to get back on your healthy eating plan the morning after! People don’t become overweight after one “bad” meal…..it’s repetitive “bad” meals that cause the problem. So, therefore having more good days than bad is the key to surviving holiday weight gain!

source: http://www.momgoesgreen.com

I found a great article that gives tips & tricks to avoiding over-eating at holiday parties. The best advice I can give – is be in control of your food! Never go to a party hungry;  be in control of the food that you have before the party. Snack on some nuts. Make yourself a salad before you get there. And be in control of the food that you bring to the party. If you are trying to stay away from certain food groups that you know are bad for you, make sure that you bring something you know is healthy and you will be able to enjoy.

Although Santa is the symbol of this Christmas holiday, nobody wants to end up looking like one after a few too many pieces of pie

On The Road Again

With the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaching, it is no doubt that most of you will spend some time in the car. According to the Bureau of Transportation “the most traveled day of the holiday period – and of the entire year – is the Sunday after Thanksgiving, when 13.7 million long-distance trips are made. The day after Christmas is the second most traveled day during the holidays, with 12 million trips.” You are one of the lucky ones if you only have to travel a couple blocks, but for most, this could mean multiple hours cramped up in the car. Does this make you worry about back pain? Here are some tips to prevent you from hobbling into your relative’s house for the big turkey dinner.

source: http://www.alexander.ie/cushion.html

From Spine-health.com:

• If your car seat provides little back support, roll up a towel, pillow or back support and place it between your lower back and seat for some more support. There are many different types of cushions and pillows (including but not limited to ones for sciatica, the neck, lumbar spine, bottom and full body) that you can also purchase to alleviate your back pain.
• Don’t sit on your wallet, cell phone or anything else that may throw your spine out of whack.
• Reduce reaching (which places more stress on the lumbar spine, neck, shoulder and wrists) by sitting as close to the steering wheel as possible without compromising your safety.
• Sit up straight with your knees slightly higher than your hips, and keep your chin pulled in.
• Since staying still is bad for your back, don’t just pick a position and stay in it. Rather, adjust your seat and make slight adjustments to your position every 15-20 minutes.
• Perhaps you’ll be renting a car for your vacation. If so, seek a car that provides lumbar support, is high enough for you to see past other vehicles without having to cringe your back and neck, and allows an easy way to get in and out without having to do much bending.

Frequent stops that will allow you to get in and out of the car, stretch your back, and walk around are also advisable. And if you are already suffering from back pain before getting into the car, anticipate bringing ice packs for the ride.  Ice will help to ease the discomfort felt in the muscles.

When pain-free, you are able to focus your energy on the joy of the holidays! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

NOT THIS YEAR!

With winter weather temperatures officially upon us and the warm coats coming out of storage, something else likes to make its presence known during this time of year;  that never convenient, knock you on your butt, stressful, take your energy, mess with your mind…..common cold!! If you haven’t already had one, or know someone who has, keep it mind…..just because you get one every winter season, don’t mean you need to get one this year!! Lets be proactive about your health and keep you feeling just fine.

I came up with a list of tips that will keep your immune system functioning, your mind (and sinuses) clear and free, and your pockets NOT filled with Kleenex.

source: http://www.medicinenet.com/

1. Practice Proper Hygiene

Do I really need to tell you to wash your hands frequently? Don’t rub your eyes? Don’t drink after people? We all know the drill by now. And with all the water you will be washing your hands with, make sure you drink plenty as well to stay hydrated!

2. Rest, Rest, Rest, Rest, and MORE Rest

Sleep is ESSENTIAL for your body. It is the only time during a normal 24 hour period where your body doesn’t need to focus on everything and everyone around it. Make it a priority.

3. Exercise Regularly

Not just because it makes you healthier, but because exercise has been proven over and over to reduce stress. And when do people get sick most often? When they are stressed! Your body can’t handle a million things at once. If you are stressed, and a little invader notices your immune system is no longer as healthy as it should be, you get sick! Exercise is a great way to sweat out all those angry feelings you have towards your work, kids, or spouse.

4. Eating Healthy & Taking Your Supplements

If you put junk in your body, you get junk out (and not just junk in your trunk). When your body isn’t getting the necessary vitamins and nutrients from your foods or through supplementation, you aren’t giving yourself a fighting chance. Along with taking a high quality multivitamin, consider adding Vitamin D (a wonderful immunity booster) and Probiotics (the good bacteria) to your regimen.

5. Flush It Out

By keeping your nasal membranes moist, you make it harder for bacterial invaders and allergens to get in. “I ward off and resolve colds by irrigating the sinuses out with salt water using a neti pot,” says Dr. Jordan S. Josephson, Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist at Lennox Hospital in New York City and author of Sinus Relief Now (Perigee Trade, 2006).

6. Add Some Sweet & Spicy to Your Life

Adding strong spices to your foods will help to keep those sinuses clear of mucus. And honey has been found to be one of nature’s best remedies. “Honey is well known for its antimicrobial action when applied to wounds and burns, and studies have also shown that it can work as well as medication for cold and flu symptoms,” states Mark Moyad, MD, Phil F. Jenkins Director of Preventive & Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center.

7. Preventative Medicine

Being a chiropractor and acupuncturist, I know how important it is to have energy flowing properly in your body. Energy is what keeps you alive, keeps your cells functioning, and allows your body the ability to perform all the duties that need to be done. If ever a patient feels like they might be getting sick, I always work on the sinuses, lymph nodes, qi (acupuncture word for the body’s energy) and spine. Start focusing more on your health BEFORE you get sick, instead of during  “panic-I-am-sick mode”…..and you will notice those work sick days are being used less often.

Best advice  for today……

If you don’t have time to be sick, you better make time to be healthy!

REAL vs. FAKE Ingredients?!?!

I read an interesting article yesterday that was featured while checking my yahoo email account. The focus of the article – Wendy’s is now going to be selling fries with “real ingredients.” Does this surprise anyone else? I mean, what exactly were the “fake ingredients” they were using that we didn’t know about all this time? It seems to me, and I may just be a simple girl, but shouldn’t fries just be…… potatoes, sprinkled with salt….cooked in some type of oil?? Guess they have been tricking us into believing what we were eating WAS “real.”

As mentioned in the article, “we want every ingredient to be a simple ingredient, to be one you can pronounce and one your grandmother would recognize in her pantry,” said Chief Marketing Officer Ken Calwell, who declined to say what the Dublin, Ohio, company was spending on the effort.

THANK YOU WENDY’S! Finally they are listening to the American people…..they are listening to those who are confused as to what is good for them and what isn’t, how much a serving size really is, and how much crap we really do ingest into our bodies.

HOWEVER, please don’t ever trust fast food companies. Aren’t they part of the reason we are so unhealthy anyways? Think that just because the fries will contain “real ingredients” that you should indulge in them? Think again.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101110/ap_on_bi_ge/us_wendy_s_new_fries

The new fries are slightly slimmer than the old ones, and crispier because they’re smaller. They will have more salt, a medium size fry goes from 350 milligrams to 500 milligrams, and calories add 10 to 420. The selling price will not change, ranging from 99 cents to about $2. The fries will still come to stores frozen.

I appreciate Wendy’s changing up their menu. However, my best advice to anyone who wants it….. if you MUST have fries, make your own at home! Set the oven to 450 – cut up some REAL potatoes, add your OWN seasonings (then you can control the salt content), and bake in a healthy oil.

Go to work today? NO THANK YOU!

With the weather playing an awful trick on us today in Northwest Indiana (highs in November in the upper 60′s is definitely not normal), today would have been GREAT for a “mental health day.” What is this you ask? People take a mental health day when “you have no physical ailment but you know you can’t focus on the job” and need an unplanned absence to re-energize, says David Campbell, senior vice president of quality and customers at Chicago-based ComPsych Corp. Everyone is entitled to take one of these every now and then, and what better excuse for one…. than the amazing weather!

Mental health days not only benefit the person who gets to take them, they also benefit all co-workers involved, close friends and family (because you are in a better mood), and the boss may be pleasantly surprised how much more productive you are the next day. According to the Associated Content, Mental Health Days do all of the following:

• Decreases Stress- Work related stress takes a toll on your physical health. Stress can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, ulcers, gastrointestinal disorders and a host of other illness.

• Increases Productivity – If you have ever spent hours reading and re-reading a report, or staring at a computer screen and making no progress in the task at hand you know that productivity is not related to the hours you are on the clock! A break from routine and the time to focus on a completely unrelated activity often leads to increased productivity when you return to work. The report that seems so much gibberish a day or two earlier now makes absolute sense and you are able complete it in a shorter time.

• Provides Life Balance - All work and no play does nothing to strengthen family relationships or connect with friends in a meaningful way. Taking regular mental health days reminds you there is life outside of work. Mental health days provide the balance between work and personal time that is often sacrificed for the sake of a paycheck.

• Extends the benefits of a full vacation – According to a study published in the July 2010 issue of the Journal of Organizational Behavior, taking advantage of mental health days can help reduce job demands and extend the positive effects of vacation. In the study, individuals who took a full summer off from work returned with increased productivity and less burn-out. However, within a month of working a full-time schedule they reported feeling as though they had not even had a break.

source: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.musicnewsculture.com/pix/misc/bath.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.musicnewsculture.com/stress-in-the-city-how-to-get-your-zen-back/

Family and relationship issues top the list of why people typically take so-called mental health days. However, to me, it seems like these are warranted just to have a day devoted to bettering yourself. Whether that means sleeping in past your normal time, watching a movie in bed, catching a day-time movie, or just having lunch with your friends without having to be rushed back to work…..life is short.

On their dying bed, no one wishes they had worked more. It’s the simple moments in life where you took the time to really enjoy something/someone that we truly treasure.