Dr Beecher’s June 1 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE
Week of Monday, June 1st, 2015
To download a copy of this newsletter, click here.
Mental Attitude: More Sleep May Help Alzheimer’s Patients. Extra sleep may help improve the memories of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In a study involving fruit flies, researchers found that extra sleep — the equivalent of three-to-four hours of sleep for humans — restored the ability of flies with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms to make new memories. Though more studies are needed, this finding could one day offer a new path of treatment for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Current Biology, April 2015
Health Alert: One in Four Breast Cancer Cases May Be Preventable. Experts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology advise that a healthy lifestyle can reduce a woman’s risk for breast cancer nearly 25%, even if she has a family history of the disease. Previous research has associated the following lifestyle factors with a lower risk of breast cancer diagnosis: maintaining a healthy weight, performing at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, limiting alcohol consumption, not smoking, and eating a healthy diet. American Society of Clinical Oncology, May 2015
Diet: Could a Smiley Face Make Healthy Foods More Appealing to Kids? While schools in the United States are providing healthier food options in their cafeterias as part of a federal initiative, getting kids to put more nutritious items on their plate can be a challenge. Researchers have found that adding a smiley face label to healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables or adding a small prize to a plate of four healthy foods resulted in a 62% rise in vegetable servings and a 20% increase in fruit servings on student trays. Pediatric Academic Societies, April 2015
Exercise: Reduces Vertigo Risk in Women. After examining the lifestyles of nearly 500 older women, researchers conclude that performing regular physical activity can reduce a woman’s risk for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) by over 160%! International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, October 2014
Chiropractic: Back Pain and Sleep Difficulties. After following both chronic and new-onset back pain patients for six months, researchers report that two out of three patients with low back pain experience difficulty sleeping, typically during the week following an episode of back pain. Therefore, to ensure back pain patients have the best opportunity to achieve restful sleep, it’s important for them to follow their doctor’s advice in regards to maintaining a healthy spine and making recommended lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of re-injury. Clinical Journal of Pain, May 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Smartphone App Could Prevent Teens from Using Phone While Driving. A preliminary study suggests that a smartphone app that turns off a teenager’s cell phone service when they turn on their car could help prevent accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the leading cause of accidental death among teens, with cell phone use behind the wheel increasing teen accident risk by nearly 24 times! Researchers found that teens who drove cars outfitted with phone-blocking technology drove up to 80% safer than teens in a control group. The communications director of the Governors Highway Safety Association adds, “The more we can get parents to implement these new technological tools and really engage in the process with their novice drivers, the greater chance we have of preventing teen driver crashes and the resulting injuries and fatalities.” Pediatric Academic Societies, April 2015
Quote: “Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” ~ Anne Frank
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s June 2015 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download a copy of this newsletter, click here.
“Every man is the architect of his own fortune.” ~ Sallust
If some exercise is good, then more
must be better… right? Not so fast…
Want To Live Longer?
Doing This Amount
of Exercise Will Probably Prolong Your Life, But
More Doesn’t Seem to Help.
Also this month:
- New Study Claims Adolescent Drinking Alters Adult Behavior. Binge drinking during teen years disturbs brain development with long-lasting effects.
- Which Is Worse, Eating Junk Food During Early or Late Pregnancy? One has a greater chance to cause children to be addicted to high-fat, high-sugar diets.
- Watching TV Increases Type 2 Diabetes Risk. Study shows each hour you spend watching TV increases your chance of developing diabetes by 3.4%.
- The Secret to a Happy Life: How a fisherman from a small Mexican village taught a Harvard-educated investment banker the meaning of life…
In a study published April 6, 2015 in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers analyzed information from more than 660,000 people ages 21 to 98 in the United States and Sweden who answered questions about how much time they spent doing physical activity, including walking, running, swimming, and bicycling.Houston – The idea that exercise can help you live longer isn’t a new one. Experts have touted the benefits of exercise for decades. What is new is that researchers may have found the optimal amount of exercise needed to extend your longevity…
The most interesting findings were that doing just a little exercise showed quite a bit of benefit and doing a lot more exercise provided only marginal returns.
People who exercised a little, but not enough to meet current physical activity recommendations (150 minutes of moderate activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week), were still 20 percent less likely to die during the 14-year study than those who did not perform any physical activity.
People who engaged in the recommended level of physical activity saw even more benefit. According to the data, they were 31 percent less likely to die during the study than those who did not engage in any amount of physical activity.
The maximum benefit was seen by people engaging in three-to-five times the recommended levels. They were 39% less likely to die over the study period than people who did not exercise.
Here is something interesting: Many believe if some exercise is good, then more is better. But there appears to be a ceiling on the amount of exercise that has a beneficial effect on your health.
According to the study, exercising more than three-to-five times the recommended levels did not show any significant additional health benefits. (In fact, previous research indicates that excessive exercise can even be harmful to the heart.)
The authors of the study write, “In regard to mortality, healthcare professionals should encourage inactive adults to perform leisure time physical activity and do not need to discourage adults who already participate in high-activity levels.”
Here’s the Biggest Take-Home
Message from This Study…
While many people shy away from exercise because they do not feel like they have enough time to exercise enough, this study shows that the people most likely to benefit from increasing the amount of exercise they do are those who do not currently exercise at all.
In other words, if you are not doing any exercise, you can see quite a big potential benefit from just doing a little.
You do not have to go crazy and start running marathons. You just have to get moving and do something.
And the best part is: if you do a little exercise, then you will start to feel better and be able to do more. Who knows, soon you may find yourself exercising the recommended levels and then one day you’ll look at your journal and realize you are actually exercising the maximum beneficial amount, as uncovered during this study.
But reaching the maximum level is not the important thing, and if you are not doing any exercise right now, then you should not even think about that much physical activity.
Probably the biggest reason for failure is setting goals too high. (I know goal-setting experts often say to set high goals and REACH FOR THE SKY!)
If that is working for you, awesome. But if you are like most people and do not reach a majority of the goals you set, let’s try something a little different.
Let’s set a very small goal, one that you can reach relatively easily and in a short time. When you do, you will not only feel great, you will gain a little momentum.
Once that first little goal is reached, set another small goal and so on…
For many people, this is the best way to actually reach their big goals.
So, if you are not exercising now, then make a small goal. Write down some small thing you are going to do TODAY just to get started.
Make it easy. Make it quick. Then, just do it. Tomorrow write down another one. One of the best techniques is to write down your exercise goal the night before so when you wake up you know exactly what you are going to do that day.
But let’s make this very clear: make your goal very easy so you can get the ball rolling. Remember, you are going to get quite a bit of benefit from just a small amount of exercise.
While We Are on the Topic of Exercise,
Here’s Something You Should Think About…
Do you know how much television you watch every day? According to recent research, the average American watches five hours per day! And get this, the number increases with age. By 65, the average American watches an average of seven hours of television per day.
That kind of blows the whole, “I don’t have enough time to exercise” excuse right out of the water, doesn’t it?
But here is something else you should know: a study published in Diabetologia (the Journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes) found that each hour spent watching TV daily increases an individual’s risk of developing diabetes by 3.4%.
It’s no wonder why the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported in 2014 that 29.1 million Americans, or 9.3% of the population of the United States, have diabetes. What’s incredible is 8.9 million of that 29.1 million (27.8%) are undiagnosed. That means almost 9 million people are pretty much ticking time bombs for all kinds of serious health problems and do not even know it.
The good news is that many type 2 diabetics can benefit from diet and exercise. (There is that “exercise” thing again!)
Advice for this month: Take 20 minutes out of the five-to-seven hours you may spend watching television and instead do a little exercise and watch what happens!
Don’t forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health, talk to us. Contact us with your questions. We’re here to help and don’t enjoy anything more than participating in providing you natural pain relief.
Inspirational Story Of The Month
(Names And Details May Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)
The Secret to a Happy Life:
How a Fisherman from a Small Mexican Village Taught a
Harvard-Educated Investment Banker the Meaning of Life…
Fables are short, fictitious stories that convey a moral intended to teach a lesson to help you live a better life. What you are about to read is an incredible modern fable, especially if you want to live a happy life…
An American investment banker was at the pier of a tiny coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the boat were several large yellowfin tuna.
The investment banker complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The man replied, “Only a little while.”
The American then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish. The fisherman said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The banker then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The fisherman laughed and replied, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”
The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA, and eventually New York City where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But how long will this all take?”
“15 to 20 years.”
“But what then?”
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions!”
“Millions? Then what?”
“Then you would retire, move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine, and play your guitar with your amigos.”
That’s a pretty incredible life lesson, isn’t it? Surprisingly, too many people get trapped in a self-made prison because of what they think they want, and what they think they want is simply what they think everyone else wants them to do. Their lives become a blur as they constantly chase a “dream” that is unattainable and will never lead to happiness.
Clearly, small inexpensive (or even free) things can provide a beautiful life. You don’t need an impressive title, big car (or boat), or big business to live a beautiful life and be a beautiful person. In fact, in most cases, a smaller home and fewer obligations can make life easier and much more enjoyable.
If you have a nagging feeling that you could do better, make more, and deserve to upgrade, then remember that the secret to having it all is recognizing that you already do. You just have to start recognizing it. Life is what you let slip away while you are endlessly chasing things you wished you had but don’t need.
We love helping our patients and their friends and relatives through their tough times and
getting them feeling better! We are here to help you stay feeling better and looking younger!
Don’t be a stranger. You really can afford Chiropractic care! Don’t wait until you can no longer move!
Did You Know?…
Which Is Worse, Eating Junk Food During Early or Late Pregnancy?
Does it matter if a mother eats junk food during pregnancy? A recent study claims that eating junk food has different effects on the developing fetus depending on which stage of pregnancy an expectant mother eats junk food.
According to Dr. Jessica Gugusheff, post-doctoral researcher in the School of Agriculture, Food, and Wine at the University of Adelaide, “Our research suggests that too much junk food consumed late in pregnancy for humans has the potential to be more harmful to the child than excess junk food early in the pregnancy… Importantly, it also indicates that if excess junk food was consumed by the mother in those early stages of pregnancy, there may be a chance to reduce those negative effects on the baby by eating a healthy diet in late pregnancy. The second critical window is adolescence and we’ve found differences between males and females. Our experiments showed that eating a healthy diet during adolescence could reverse the junk food preference in males but not females.”
Dr. Gugusheff also mentioned that the brain grows the fastest during these critical windows, which is probably why it is so susceptible to the effects of junk food at these times.
Tip Of The Month
New Study Claims Adolescent Drinking Alters Adult Behavior.
Here is the shocking first sentence of a recent study abstract: “Binge drinking is common during adolescence and can lead to the development of psychiatric disorders.”
Furthermore, binge drinking during adolescence may alter brain development during this important time, leaving lasting effects on genes and behavior that will continue into adulthood. In a recently published study in the journal Neurobiology of Disease, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine provided alcohol to rat subjects on-and-off in two day increments during their adolescence. Then, they observed them during adulthood. The rats given alcohol displayed much higher levels of anxiety than the control rats who were not given alcohol during development. Also, when given the choice between alcohol and water during adulthood, the rats given alcohol during adolescence drank more alcohol than the rats in the control group.
When researchers looked at the brains of the rats in the study, they found the rats in the alcohol group had higher levels of a protein called HDAC2 in the part of the brain called the amygdala. Previous studies have linked elevated levels of HDAC2 in the amygdala to higher levels of anxiety and alcohol-drinking behavior. This suggests that alcohol exposure during adolescence activates the gene/s responsible for increased HDAC2 expression.
Lead study author Dr. Subhash Pandey, a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Neuroscience Alcoholism Research at UIC writes, “This may be the mechanism through which adolescent binge drinking increases the risk for psychiatric disorders, including alcoholism in adulthood… On-and-off exposure to alcohol during adolescence altered the activity of genes needed for normal brain maturation… [The gene alterations] increased anxiety-like behaviors and preference for alcohol in adulthood.”
Remember, we’re always here to help your body heal
and maintain the pain free body you deserve.
This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.
Dr Beecher’s May 25 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, May 25th, 2015
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter , please click here!
Mental Attitude: Leafy Greens May Protect Aging Brains. An evaluation of the eating habits and mental abilities of over 950 older adults revealed that eating a single serving of leafy green vegetables per day may reduce an individual’s risk for dementia. The study found that those who consumed one or two servings of spinach, kale, mustard greens, collards, or similar vegetables on a daily basis experienced slower mental deterioration than those who ate no leafy greens at all. Dr. Yvette Sheline, a professor of psychiatry and neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine writes, “It makes sense that leafy green vegetables would have an effect on mental health… We know generally that what you eat, or don’t eat, can affect your risk for high blood pressure and vascular disease, which can both then worsen the course of dementia.” American Society for Nutrition Annual Meeting, March 2015
Health Alert: Depression and Diabetes Both Increase Dementia Risk! Previous research has shown that both type 2 diabetes and depression can independently increase an individual’s risk for dementia, but what happens when they co-occur? Danish researchers analyzed data collected from 2.4 million adults and found that while depression increases a person’s risk for dementia by 83% and the presence of type 2 diabetes results in a 20% greater risk, those with both type 2 diabetes and depression are 117% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia. This suggests that the presence of both conditions has a synergistic effect on dementia risk, not just an additive effect. JAMA Psychiatry, April 2015
Diet: New Broccoli Reduces Cholesterol. Eating ten or more weekly servings of a new variety of broccoli has been demonstrated to reduce Low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) levels by about 6%. This new broccoli variety known as Beneforte was bred to contain two to three times more glucoraphanin, a compound that is converted to sulphoraphane inside the body. Previous research has observed that sulphoraphane activates genes that keep the body from converting excess dietary fat and sugar into bad cholesterol. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, April 2015
Exercise: Exercise Helps Fibromyalgia Patients. An 18-week functional training program for women with fibromyalgia (FM) resulted in reductions in both pain and tender points along with a positive impact on their overall quality of life. If further studies verify these findings, such training (which consisted of two sessions of in-water exercise and one session of on-land exercise each week) could play an important role in helping FM patients maintain an independent lifestyle. Modern Rheumatology, April 2015
Chiropractic: Could Migraines and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Be Linked? Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center suggest that carpal tunnel syndrome can increase an individual’s risk for migraine headaches, and migraines may increase the likelihood of one developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 26,000 Americans and found that the risk of migraine was 2.6 times higher in people with carpal tunnel syndrome. Similarly, the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome was 2.7 times higher among migraine sufferers. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, March 2015
Wellness/Prevention: What Part of the Day Do Teens Become Less Active? While adolescents have been observed to be less physically active and spend more time performing sedentary activities as they grow older, no previous studies have analyzed how these changes occur during the course of a teen’s average week. In this study, 363 teens wore accelerometers at both age 12 and age 15, and researchers recorded how much time was spent each day being inactive or performing either light physical activity or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. They found that by age 15, participants were sedentary 7-8% more often during school hours and both after school and on weekends. Across the board, students spent about 7% less time performing light physical activities while moderate-to-vigorous activity levels remained largely unchanged. Due to the increase in sedentary time across all aspects of an adolescent’s week, the investigators recommend that future interventions intended to help teens become more active need to focus on both their in-school and after-school/weekend activities. Int’l Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, April 2015
Quote: “Go on with what your heart tells you, or you will lose all.” ~ Rick Riordan
Dr Beecher’s May 18 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
Week of Monday, May 18th, 2015
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter , please click here!
Mental Attitude: Dementia Increases Odds of Complications During a Hospital Stay. During a hospital admission, older patients with dementia have a 2.5 times greater risk for experiencing preventable complications such as urinary tract infections, pressure areas, pneumonia, and delirium. According to experts, these complications can result in an eight-fold increase in the amount of time the dementia patient remains under inpatient care. BMC Health Services Research, March 2015
Health Alert: Short People at Greater Risk of Coronary Heart Disease. Researchers at the University of Leicester claim that shorter men and women have proportionally smaller coronary arteries that place them at a greater risk for heart disease than taller people. The investigators found that every 2.5 inch (~6.35 cm) change in height affects coronary heart disease risk by 13.5%. Study leader Dr. Nilesh Samani explains, “While our findings do not have any immediate clinical implications, better and fuller understanding of the biological mechanisms that underlie the relationship between shorter height and higher risk of coronary heart disease may open up new ways for its prevention and treatment.” New England Journal of Medicine, April 2015
Diet: Dietary Fiber Supplement May Help with Weight Control. An animal study found that rats fed a fiber supplement along with a high-fat and high-sugar diet gained less weight than subjects fed the same diet without the supplement. Despite having constant access to food high in both fat and sugar, researchers found that rats given supplemental oligofructose fiber gained about 30% less weight than the control group. Senior author Dr. Keith Sharkey notes, “Our data shows that a simple dietary intervention with a prebiotic oligofructose fiber reduced weight gain and this may also lead to the long-term maintenance of a lower body weight in the face of continued dietary challenge.” Obesity, March 2015
Exercise: Exercise Is Good for Lung Cancer Patients. Physical activity should be considered as a treatment option for lung cancer patients as it reduces symptoms, increases exercise tolerance, improves quality of life, and potentially reduces the length of hospital stays and complications following lung cancer surgery. Lead researcher Dr. Gerard A. Silvestri advises that “clinicians should (at [a] minimum) consider physical activity early, counsel against inactivity, and encourage physical activity in all stages of lung cancer patients and lung cancer survivors. This review shows uniform recognition that exercise and physical activity are safe for those with lung cancer, patients are requesting increased activity counseling, and multiple studies and reviews show potential clinical benefit in quality of life, exercise tolerance, and post-operative complications. Further, we know that inactivity in cancer patients is associated with worse outcomes.” Journal of Thoracic Oncology, March 2015
Chiropractic: Vitamin D Can Improve Pain & Movement in Obese Osteoarthritis Patients. Chiropractors often recommend vitamin D because is a common deficiency and optimum levels are associated with several health benefits. In a new study, researchers analyzed blood samples, surveyed arthritic knee pain, and measured the functional performance of 256 middle age and older adults and found that higher levels of vitamin D may decrease pain and improve function in overweight and obese patients with osteoarthritis. Lead author Dr. Toni L. Glover concludes, “Vitamin D is inexpensive, available over-the-counter and toxicity is fairly rare. Older obese patients with chronic pain should discuss their vitamin D status with their primary care provider. If it’s low, take a supplement [and/or] get judicious sun exposure.” The Clinical Journal of Pain, January 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Deaths Decreasing in America. According to a new report, the United States is slowly and steadily winning the war against cancer as mortality rates from the disease continue to decline. Between 2002 and 2011, the overall cancer death rate fell an average of 1.5% per year, and the rate of new cancer rates declined an average of .5% per year. Co-author Dr. Ahmedin Jemal writes, “These numbers reflect a combination of factors that include prevention, early detection, and improved treatment.” Journal of the National Cancer Institute, March 2015
Quote: “…when it comes down to it, that’s what life is all about: showing up for the people you love, again and again, until you can’t show up anymore.” ~ Rebecca Walker
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s May 11 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
Week of Monday, May 11th, 2015
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter , please click here!
Mental Attitude: Stroke Prevention Efforts Paying Off. Fewer people are being treated in emergency rooms for strokes caused by blood clots in the brain, which experts believe is a sign that current prevention methods are working. Between 2001 and 2011, emergency room visits for stroke declined 35% for adults 18 and older and 51% for individuals 55 to 74 years of age. One expert explains that people are preventing strokes by taking steps to better control high blood pressure, not smoking (the greatest risk factor for stroke), and limiting exposure to secondhand smoke. National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief, March 2015
Health Alert: Increasing Alcohol Tax Could Save Lives. If taxes on the purchase of alcohol were increased, researchers claim that thousands of deaths from motor vehicle accidents could be prevented each year. A team of investigators found that alcohol-related automobile crashes declined 26% after the state of Illinois increased taxes on beer, wine, and spirits in 2009. American Journal of Public Health, March 2015
Diet: Are American Kids Eating Less Fast Food? According to a new report, the percentage of children eating fast food on any given day fell from 38.8% in 2003-04 to 32.6% in 2009-10. The authors of the report also observed a decrease in the average number of calories children consumed at hamburger, chicken, and pizza fast food restaurants during this time frame. The findings are promising as childhood obesity has been a growing health concern over the last 30 years. JAMA Pediatrics, March 2015
Exercise: A 15-Minute Walk Reduces Cravings. Going for a 15-minute walk may suppress your desire for chocolate or snacks, according to the results of a new study. Researchers found that participants who exercised prior to physically handling sugary snacks demonstrated lower levels of cravings than those who were sedentary in the fifteen minutes before being handed a treat. The authors conclude, “Short bouts of physical activity may reduce the craving for sugary snacks in overweight people. When snacking has become habitual and poorly regulated by overweight people, the promotion of short bouts of physical activity could be valuable for reducing the urge to consume at times when the person may be particularly vulnerable, such as during stress and when snack foods are available.” PLOS ONE, March 2015
Chiropractic: Common Pain Relief Drug Not Effective for Back Pain or Arthritis. Acetaminophen appears to be ineffective in the treatment of low back pain and offers little benefit for sufferers of osteoarthritis of the hip or knee according to a new report published in the British Medical Journal. The findings are based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials that were designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of acetaminophen in the management of spinal pain and osteoarthritis. The authors of the report urge patients to pursue physical treatments as the way forward and conclude that “[ongoing] and ever-increasing concerns about pharmacological management of musculoskeletal pain highlights the importance of non- pharmacological options, which form the cornerstone of self-management of spinal pain and osteoarthritis.” British Medical Journal, March 2015
Wellness/Prevention: How Vitamin D May Protect the Heart… Though recent published studies have found strong associations between vitamin D deficiency and hypertension, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis, the mechanisms by which vitamin D protects the cardiovascular system remain a mystery. In a new paper published in the Open Cardiovascular Medicine Journal, Dr. Natália Ribeiro Mandarino postulates that the presence of vitamin D improves the function of the hormone systems that regulate blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and the body’s reaction to oxidative stress. Open Cardiovascular Medicine Journal, March 2015
Quote: “If you love life, don’t waste time, for time is what life is made up of.” ~ Bruce Lee
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s May 2015 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work.” ~ John Lubbock
New Research Shows Eating at Certain Times May Decrease Heart Disease Risk!
Study Shows Changing the Hours You Eat – Without Altering What You Eat – Gets Positive Results!
Also this month:
- Does when you eat also affect type 2 diabetes? A new study says, “YES.”
- Want to shorten the length of the common cold? Study says high doses of this supplement may be the answer.
- Why would dietitians recommend mini-cans of soda as a good choice for a snack? Find out why… (HINT: money talks!)
- One moment can change everything: The incredible story of a 13-year-old boy fighting a deadly autoimmune disease and how he’s trying to make history…
| H |
ouston – Everyone knows what they eat has a huge impact on both their energy levels and their overall wellbeing. Because countless studies have demonstrated the effect nutrition has on many aspects of health, some experts even say that the majority of health problems can be avoided through proper diet (in addition to regular exercise).
In Other Words, You Are What You Eat
But what if there was a way you could be healthier without changing what you eat, even if you are already eating perfectly? If that sounds interesting, then you are really going to like this…
A new study conducted by scientists at San Diego State University found you are not only WHAT you eat but WHEN you eat. The research, published in the prestigious journal Science, found that, “By limiting the time span during which fruit flies could eat, they could prevent aging – and diet-related heart problems. The researchers also discovered that genes responsible for the body’s circadian rhythm are integral to this process, but they’re not yet sure how.
“Previous research has found that people who tend to eat later in the day and into the night have a higher chance of developing heart disease than people who cut off their food consumption earlier.”
But this study was done on fruit flies, what does that have to do with humans? Well, fruit flies have been long been used as a starting point to help identify the genetic basis of many ailments, including heart disease.
Some interesting details about the experiment: The fruit flies were split into two groups. One group was allowed to eat unrestricted all day and the other was only allowed to eat during a twelve-hour period. Researches kept track of the sleep patterns and amount of food eaten by each group.
Results: “Flies on the 12-hour time-restricted feeding schedule slept better, didn’t gain as much weight, and had far healthier hearts than their ‘eat anytime’ counterparts, even though they ate similar amounts of food.”
The researchers observed the same results after five weeks. According to researcher Dr. Shubhroz Gill, “In very early experiments, when we compared 5-week-old flies that were fed for either 24 hours or 12 hours, the hearts of the latter were in such good shape that we thought perhaps we had mistaken some young 3-week-old fruit flies [from a different part of the experiment]… We had to repeat the experiments several times to become convinced that this improvement was truly due to the time-restricted feeding.”
More Good News: The benefits of time-restricted diets were not restricted to young flies. When the researchers introduced the time restrictions to older flies, their hearts became healthier too.
What Is the “Take Home Message?”
Of course, more research must be done before the results can be extrapolated to real people, like you and me. There are several factors to take into consideration with humans, like the fact that humans do not eat the same thing every day and lifestyle often affects when someone can or cannot eat. Dr. Girish Melkani, a Biologist at San Diego State University writes, “Time-restricted feeding would not require people to drastically change their lifestyles, just the times of day they eat. The take-home message then would be to cut down on the late-night snacks.”
More Research Shows Timing
a Factor in Type 2 Diabetes
According to a new small-scale study published in Diabetologia, “The combined consumption of a high-energy breakfast and a low-energy dinner decreases overall daily hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetics.”
Researcher Dr. Daniela Jakubowicz notes, “We found that by eating more calories at breakfast, when the glucose response to food is lowest and consuming fewer calories at dinner, glucose peaks after meals and glucose levels throughout the day were significantly reduced.”
In other words, a big breakfast and small dinner helped control blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Here is an interesting finding from the research: Participants’ blood glucose levels rose 23 percent less after lunches preceded by large breakfasts. Dr. Jakubowicz adds, “By demonstrating that a diet of high-energy breakfasts and more modest dinners is more effective in lowering overall daily post-meal glucose surges, we suggest that such a regimen is a powerful therapeutic approach for improving glycemic control and may potentially reduce cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetic… It is not enough to tell the diabetic patient what he or she should or should not eat. It is more important to emphasize that a more advantageous meal schedule should be followed.”
Want to Shorten the Length
of the Common Cold?
According to findings published in BMC Family Practice, “High dose zinc acetate lozenges shortened the duration of common-cold associated nasal discharge by 34%, nasal congestion by 37%, scratchy throat by 33%, and cough by 46%.”
Because they observed no major adverse effects related to zinc consumption over three separate studies, the authors of the study conclude, “Zinc acetate lozenges releasing zinc ions at doses of about 80 mg/day may be a useful treatment for the common cold, started within 24 hours, for a time period of less than two weeks.”
Don’t forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health, talk to us. Contact us with your questions. We’re here to help and don’t enjoy anything more than participating in providing you natural pain relief.
Inspirational Story Of The Month
(Names And Details May Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)
One Moment Can Change Everything
The Incredible Story of a 13-Year-Old Boy Fighting a Deadly
Autoimmune Disease and How He’s Trying to Make History…
“A single moment can change your life forever. I had one of those moments today while shooting a video of a 13-year old boy who is dying from an autoimmune disease. His story is one of the most amazing and touching I have ever heard. And it’s personal because he is the son of one of my best friends.”
Those are the words posted on Facebook by the person documenting this incredible story in an attempt to raise over $350,000 to pay for medical treatments that insurance companies won’t cover. When contacted for this story, he asked to remain anonymous and added, “This story is about saving a 13-year-old boy’s life… not me. Please focus on him.” So, we will…
Imagine being a star athlete, a champion in multiple sports, and getting straight A’s in school… all by age 10! Imagine doing that while battling a terrible genetic disorder and suffering from several autoimmune diseases that can make it impossible to walk or even hold a cup. Now, imagine being told there is very little hope and there are no definite solutions to your genetic disorder, that your condition will lead to cancer and ultimately death before you reach adulthood.
At five months old, Louie was hit with his first autoimmune disease, which wasn’t diagnosed until after spending two months in the hospital. His body thought he had an infection and produced fevers ranging from 101 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit (~38-42 degrees Celsius). At one point, his heart stopped due to complications stemming from such high fevers. The attending nurse quickly prepared an ice bath, wet several small blankets, and then wrapped and placed the quiet baby in the water and prayed the cold shock would bring his fever down so CPR could be administered to bring him back. After a couple minutes in the ice bath, everyone heard a loud roar! It was Louis coming back and that incredible fighting spirit would come to characterize Louis’ entire life.
Because of his fevers, his doctor said that Louis should be brain dead or at the very least, have an undetermined amount of brain damage. Oh really? By age 10, Louis was evaluated and determined to be gifted, a “near genius.” To this day (age 13), Louis excels in school effortlessly all while battling a deadly genetic disorder.
Louis currently suffers from eight autoimmune diseases. He deals with massive amounts of hair loss, loss of skin pigmentation, skin rashes, painful eye bulging, thyroid disease, Grave’s disease, and very painful juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Nearly every day is a nightmare for Louis. He deals with pain, a dozen different medicines and their side effects, and sees doctors twice a week, all while trying to be a teenager and have fun.
His strength is uncanny and he doesn’t shed a tear and never complains. He fights with all his heart every day and treats every day as a new battle as a war he must win. He’s focused and determined, he’s unstoppable. Before his most recent diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Louis was a champion athlete. He could play nearly every position on the baseball field (including pitcher) and was both a multiple-time tournament Tae Kwon Do Champion and a Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Grappling Champion. He also enjoyed other sports like basketball and soccer. Unfortunately, his condition has now taken over his body. Most days holding a cup or making it from his bed to the bathroom in the morning is a difficult task that requires assistance. Playing his favorite sports and competing in martial arts tournaments are no longer an option for him.
Down but not out, Louis perseveres. When he is not seeing doctors, he demands to be in school. For him, anything less than an A+ is unacceptable. He’s focused on expanding his mind and learning as much as possible. He plans to be a doctor and he has been known to openly talk about curing diseases to save children, saying, “One day I will cure cancers that take children, the answer is in the genes. I just haven’t figured it out yet. I just need more time and more studying.”
Let’s hope the campaign is able to raise the funds through donations to give Louis the time he needs to make history. (See: http://www.gofundme.com/oe37s8 for more information.)
We love helping our patients and their friends and relatives through their tough times and
getting them feeling better! We are here to help you stay feeling better and looking younger!
Don’t be a stranger. You really can afford Chiropractic care! Don’t wait until you can no longer move!
Did You Know?…
Here’s How to Get More Health Benefits Out of Your Work Day!
Prolonged sitting can significantly impact both your cardiovascular and metabolic function. Ideally, limit your sitting to three hours a day or less, and make it a point to walk 7,000-10,000 steps each day.
Taking a walk during your lunch hour can improve your mood and help reduce the effect of work-related stress. You can get even more out of your walk by simply switching up your pace at regular intervals (3 minutes fast pace and then 3 minutes casual pace, for example).
Tracking your steps can also show you how simple and seemingly minor changes to the way you move around at work can add up. For example, you can walk across the hall to talk to a co-worker instead of sending an email; take the stairs instead of the elevator; park your car further away from the entrance; or take a longer, roundabout way to your desk.
Tip Of The Month
Why Would Dietitians Recommend Mini-Cans
of Soda as a Good Choice for a Snack?
First, what is a Registered Dietician? The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ website says they are, “The world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education, and advocacy.”
According to their website, “Registered dietitian nutritionists – RDNs – are the food and nutrition experts who can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. RDNs use their nutrition expertise to help individuals make unique, positive lifestyle changes. They work throughout the community in hospitals, schools, public health clinics, nursing homes, fitness centers, food management, food industry, universities, research and private practice. RDNs are advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world.”
In other words, Registered Dietitians are serious nutrition experts. So, why would some registered dietitians suggest a mini-can of cola as a snack? In fact, according to an article in the Star Tribune, “In February, several… experts wrote online posts for American Heart Month, with each including a mini-can of Coke or soda as a snack idea. The pieces – which appeared on nutrition blogs and other sites including those of major newspapers – offer a window into the many ways food companies work behind the scenes to cast their products in a positive light, often with the help of third parties who are seen as trusted authorities.”
The answer to this puzzling question can be found in a statement given to the Star Tribune by a Coca-Cola spokesperson, “We have a network of dietitians we work with… Every big brand works with bloggers or has paid talent.”
The article also states, “Other companies including Kellogg and General Mills have used strategies like providing continuing education classes for dietitians, funding studies that burnish the nutritional images of their products, and offering newsletters for health experts. PepsiCo Inc. has also worked with dietitians who mention its Frito-Lay and Tostito chips in local TV segments on healthy eating. Others use nutrition experts in sponsored content; the American Pistachio Growers has quoted a dietitian for the New England Patriots in a piece on healthy snacks and recipes, and Nestle has quoted its own executive in a post about infant nutrition.”
In other words, it seems like these dieticians are getting paid to endorse a product that may not necessarily benefit the health of the people in their audience. Everyone knows celebrities and athletes get paid a tremendous amount of money to endorse all kinds of things, including junk food. Many times top athletes are paid more in endorsement deals than they make playing their sport, but is it really appropriate for certified nutrition experts to get paid to write about nutritional advice that may benefit their sponsors more than their readers?
Remember, we’re always here to help your body heal
and maintain the pain free body you deserve.
This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.
Dr Beecher’s May 4 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
Week of Monday, May 4th, 2015
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter , please click here!
Mental Attitude: Family Stress Linked to Obesity in Teens. An analysis of data from over 4,700 teens found that family stress during childhood can put teenagers at an increased risk for being overweight or obese. According to researchers, girls in the study who experienced family stress such as family disruption and financial problems during their early years were more likely to be obese and overweight during their teen years than their peers who were not subjected to such stressors. The researchers also found that boys whose mothers suffered from poor health were more likely to become obese or overweight by late adolescence. Study author Dr. Daphne Hernandez concludes, “This study extends our knowledge of stress and obesity by focusing on the family environment over time. By knowing the types of stressors that influence female and male adolescent weight gain, we can tailor specific social services to be included in obesity prevention programs.” Preventive Medicine, April 2015
Health Alert: Another Reason Not to Get A Sunburn While on Vacation! According to a report from the United Kingdom, today’s seniors are about seven times more likely to develop a potentially deadly form of skin cancer called malignant melanoma than their predecessors from just 40 years ago. Experts speculate that this massive rise in the number of seniors developing this particular form of cancer is most likely a result of sunburns sustained while on vacation during their younger years in pursuit of a good tan. Cancer Research UK, April 2015
Diet: Another Reason to Eat Lots of Fruits and Vegetables… Chinese researchers analyzed data from fourteen published studies regarding inflammatory bowel disease and found that participants who consumed the most servings of fruits and vegetables per day were 30-40% less likely to be diagnosed with either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis when compared with those who consumed the fewest daily servings of produce. European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, March 2015
Exercise: Exercise at Any Level Benefits Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. If you are overweight or obese with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a new study suggests that exercise can have significant benefits regardless of amount or intensity. During an eight-week study, researchers found that participants in three different exercise groups with varying levels of intensity all experienced a sizeable reduction in liver fat. Those who participated in a high-intensity, low-volume aerobic exercise or a low-to- moderate intensity, high-volume aerobic exercise experienced the greatest liver and visceral fat reduction. Study leader Dr. Nathan Johnson adds, “The results from our study show that all exercise doses, irrespective of volume or intensity, were efficacious in reducing liver fat and visceral fat by an amount that was clinically significant, in previously inactive overweight or obese adults compared with placebo.” Journal of Hepatology, April 2015
Chiropractic: What Causes Osteoarthritis? In the past, osteoarthritis (OA) was believed to be a wear and tear disease that affects the articular cartilage covering the ends of bones where they meet to form joints. New research shows OA to be a rather complex degenerative disease that may be caused by low-grade inflammation in the cartilage and the surrounding soft tissues that results in deterioration of the cartilage and a compromised joint structure. Although some risk factors for OA cannot be avoided (such as genetics, sex, and age), others are wholly in control of the patient. Controllable factors include: improperly treated sports injuries, lack of physical exercise, and overweight or obese body weight status. International Journal of Molecular Science, March 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Images on Cigarette Packs Educate Young Adults About Smoking Dangers. The results of two new studies indicate that young adults gain a much greater appreciation for the health consequences related to smoking when warning texts about the dangers of cigarette use are accompanied by graphic illustrations. Study author Dr. Renee E. Magnan explains, “Although this is a preliminary investigation, from a policy perspective, these outcomes suggest that focusing on deriving greater understanding and knowledge from such labels may have more impact in terms of both motivational and emotional responses. Importantly, however, these labels are only a small piece of what should be a larger campaign to educate the public on the dangers of smoking.” Annals of Behavioral Medicine, April 2015
Quote: “Once you have read a book you care about, some part of it is always with you.” ~ Louis L’Amour
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s April 27 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, April 27th, 2015
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter , please click here!
Mental Attitude: Anger and Anxiety Increase Heart Attack Risk. An analysis of more than 300 heart attack patients indicates that intense anger or anxiety dramatically increases an individual’s risk for a myocardial infarction in the hours immediately following such an occurrence. More specifically, in the 120 minutes following a bout of intense anger, a person’s risk for a heart attack increases by 8.5 times and an extreme anxiety episode elevates the risk by 9.5 times! Senior researcher Dr. Thomas Buckley writes, “While the absolute risk of any one anger episode triggering a heart attack is low, our data demonstrates that the danger is real and still there.” He further comments that the increased risk of heart attack after intense anger or anxiety is “most likely the result of increased heart rate and blood pressure, tightening of blood vessels, and increased clotting, all associated with triggering of heart attacks.” European Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care, February 2015
Health Alert: Bleeding Risk for Recent Heart Attack Patients Who Take NSAIDs. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that taking ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) elevates the risk of bleeding in heart attack survivors on anti-clotting medications. The authors note that these risks are of considerable public health concern due to the widespread use of NSAIDs and conclude that “[more] research is needed to confirm these findings; however, physicians should exercise appropriate caution when prescribing NSAIDs for patients who have recently experienced [a myocardial infarction].” JAMA, February 2015
Diet: Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Reduce Damage After Heart Attack. High doses of omega-3 fatty acids may protect the heart against further damage following a myocardial infraction. In a recent study that included 374 heart attack survivors, those who took a daily 4g dose of omega-3 fatty acids in addition to standard treatment had lower resulting levels of inflammation and were 39% less likely to show deterioration of heart function than those who received standard care with a placebo. Senior study author Dr. Raymond Kwong writes, “This is important because other anti-inflammatory agents, including steroids and NSAIDs, have failed to make a difference after [heart attack].” American College of Cardiology, March 2015
Exercise: Working Out Before Bed Doesn’t Hinder Sleep. While some fear that working out late in the evening can interfere with sleep, a study comparing the effects of working out at 5 PM and 9 PM showed no reductions in sleep quality when compared with measurements taken on nights when participants did not exercise at all.
The Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical Fitness, March 2015
Chiropractic: Resolution of Facial Neuralgia Following Chiropractic Care. After failing to respond to medical care for diagnosed trigeminal neuralgia, the mother of a 10-year-old boy brought her child to a chiropractor as a treatment of last resort. The boy’s presenting symptoms included headaches, earaches, neck pain, and extreme facial pain. After seven months of chiropractic care that focused on the upper cervical spine, the patient reported complete resolution of his main complaint. The findings suggests that chiropractic treatment to the cervical spine may benefit patients with facial neuralgias. Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, February 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Most Smokers Will Die Early if They Don’t Quit. If you want to live longer, you should quit smoking now. A new study that followed over 200,000 men and women found that two-thirds of smokers died an average of ten years sooner than their peers who were non-smokers. Study director Dr. Emily Banks comments, “We knew smoking was bad, but we now have direct independent evidence that confirms the disturbing findings that have been emerging internationally.” BMC Medicine, February 2015
Quote: “Concentrate on what will produce results rather than on the results, the process rather than the prize.” ~ Bill Walsh
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s April 20 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, April 20th, 2015
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter , please click here!
Mental Attitude: Are Men the More Narcissistic Gender? Based on information collected over 30 years from more than 475,000 people, researchers from the University of Buffalo School of Management claim they can explain why some females fail to break the corporate glass ceiling: women just aren’t narcissistic enough. The results of the study showed that men scored consistently higher than women in narcissism, regardless of age. Study author Dr. Emily Grijalva explains, “Narcissism is associated with various interpersonal dysfunctions, including an inability to maintain healthy long-term relationships, unethical behavior, and aggression. At the same time, narcissism is shown to boost self-esteem, emotional stability, and the tendency to emerge as a leader. By examining gender differences in narcissism, we may be able to explain gender disparities in these important outcomes.” Psychological Bulletin, March 2015
Health Alert: Statins Linked to Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may significantly increase a user’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The authors of a new study found that statins increase insulin resistance and also appear to impair the pancreas’ ability to secrete insulin. They also found that the risk of developing diabetes increased with higher statin doses. Diabetolgia, March 2015
Diet: Fried Food Intake Associated with Heart Failure Risk. Men who consume fried food one to three times a week have an 18% increased risk of developing heart failure compared with those who do not eat fried food. The risk rises to 25% for those who consume fried food four to six times a week, and 68% for those who eat fried food seven or more times per week. Samantha Heller, a senior clinical nutritionist at New York University comments, “The bottom line is, eating fried foods once in a while is fine but not on a daily or even a weekly basis.” American Heart Association, March 2015
Exercise: Type 2 Diabetics Should Exercise After Dinner. Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered that people with type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by exercising after eating supper. Participants in the study performed resistance exercises such as leg curls, calf raises, and abdominal crunches either before dinner, after dinner, or not at all. Compared with blood sugar tests conducted on non-exercise days, the researchers found that exercising either before or after dinner led to reductions in blood glucose levels. However, only exercise conducted after dinner was associated with reductions in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Researcher Dr. Jill Kanaley explains, “This study shows that it is not just the intensity or duration of exercising that is important but also the timing of when it occurs… Results from this study show that resistance exercise has its most powerful effect on reducing glucose and fat levels in one’s blood when performed after dinner.” Journal of Applied Physiology, December 2014
Chiropractic: Manual Therapies Reduce Foot Pain. A new study that combined treatment involving ischemic compression of trigger points and joint mobilization for chronic foot pain resulted in significant improvements in function and self-perceived improvements in pain up to six months post treatment. Further research on this approach of treatment is needed, but these findings are supportive of commonly used chiropractic care to treat foot disorders. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, March 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Are 80% of Strokes Preventable? According to an article in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, four out of every five strokes could be prevented if individuals took measures to avoid cigarette smoke, eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise on a regular basis, and better control their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, among other strategies. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, March 2015
Quote: “Always remember, your focus determines your reality.” ~ George Lucas
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s April 2015 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value.” ~ Albert Einstein
New Research Claims Treating Back Pain Quickly and Effectively May Help Reduce
Future Pain, Suffering, and Even Disability.
Also this month:
- Does eating organic make a difference? A new study compared insecticide exposure among organic and non-organic produce consumers. The results might surprise you.
- Another study shows meditation helps brain function: Brain function starts to decrease in individuals in their mid-to-late 20s… meditation may dramatically slow this aging process.
- Man Walks 21 Miles Every Day to and from Work for 12 Years… But What Happened Next Is the Best Part of the Story!
Houston – If you have ever had low back pain, then you will find this information very useful… especially if you do not want your back pain to come back!
New research published in the Journal of Pain (a peer-reviewed publication of the American Pain Society) indicates that pain severity during an episode of back pain is correlated with future pain and disability.
The authors of the study write, “After six months, the results showed that baseline pain intensity was associated with a 12 percent higher risk for developing chronic low back pain and patient beliefs that pain would persist conveyed a 4 percent risk increase. After five years, baseline pain intensity yielded a 9 percent increased risk for chronic pain, while believing that pain would persist had increased the risk by 6 percent.”
According to Science Daily: “The authors noted that their research confirms previous studies concluding that baseline pain intensity is a key predictor of future pain and disability.
“Clinically, the study confirms that effective pain relief in the initial management of low-back pain has implications for long-term improvement.”
Based on this research, it is clear that all back pain should be taken seriously and treated appropriately because treating back pain quickly and effectively may help reduce future pain, suffering, and even disability.
What About Preventing Back Pain?
If you want to prevent low back pain, then you must first understand its cause. A 2008 study found that the majority of low back pain (97%) is mechanical in nature. Mechanical low back pain is the general term that refers to any type of back pain caused by injury to the spinal structures (bones, ligaments, and disks, for example).
In other words, if you have low back pain, the odds are the cause is NOT a tumor or anything life-threatening. But… and this is a very big BUT… every case of low back pain should be evaluated by an appropriate physician to rule out non-mechanical causes. This is why chiropractors are trained in differential diagnosis to determine when low back pain is mechanical and when it is something more serious.
What Treatments Help
Mechanical Low Back Pain?
Chiropractic has been shown to be both safe and effective for the treatment of mechanical low back pain. For example, a study published back in 1990 in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) compared Chiropractic care to hospital outpatient treatment and found: “Chiropractic treatment was more effective than hospital outpatient management, mainly for patients with chronic or severe back pain. A benefit of about 7% points on the Oswestry scale was seen at two years. The benefit of chiropractic treatment became more evident throughout the follow-up period. Secondary outcome measures also showed that chiropractic was more beneficial.”
The study concluded, “For patients with low back pain in whom manipulation is not contraindicated, chiropractic almost certainly confers worthwhile, long-term benefit in comparison with hospital outpatient management. The benefit is seen mainly in those with chronic or severe pain.”
It is great that Chiropractic care can help low back pain, but the main goal of any treatment should be to get you out of pain AND prevent your pain from coming back.
New research published in Arthritis Care & Research, the journal of the American College of Rheumatology, shows that being engaged in manual tasks involving awkward positions can increase an individual’s risk for a low back injury by up to 800%. Researchers also found that those who are distracted or fatigued while performing physical tasks are also at significantly higher risk for a low back injury.
What’s the Take-Home Message Here?
First, the majority of low back pain is mechanical and can be treated with chiropractic care. Second, many cases of low back pain can be prevented in the first place by avoiding awkward positions, distractions, and fatigue while performing physical activities.
Learning proper posture while sitting can help prevent the abnormal stress and strain that lead to low back pain over time. If you develop low back pain, seek the proper treatment, one that has a proven track record. Getting the best care to get out of pain as fast as possible is extremely important. Also, make sure your treatment plan includes information on how you can prevent your low back pain from coming back (such as learning proper lifting technique) because relapses are often worse than the original injury.
Study Shows Meditation Helps Brain Function!
A new study by UCLA researchers found that meditation appears to help preserve the brain’s gray matter, the tissue that contains neurons. This is extremely important because at some time in the mid-to-late 20s, the brain begins to decrease in size and can often lose some function.
According to the study, the effects of meditation were greater than expected. Study co-author Dr. Florian Kurth writes, “We expected rather small and distinct effects located in some of the regions that had previously been associated with meditating… Instead, what we actually observed was a widespread effect of meditation that encompassed regions throughout the entire brain.”
Dr. Kurth warns that this study does not “prove” meditation preserved gray matter in the brain. There are many other factors such as lifestyle and genetics that can have an effect, but the results are promising and hopefully more research will give more definitive answers.
Don’t forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health, talk to us. Contact us with your questions. We’re here to help and don’t enjoy anything more than participating in providing you natural pain relief.
Inspirational Story Of The Month
(Names And Details May Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)
Man Walks 21 Miles Every Day
to and from Work for 12 Years!
But What Happened Next Is the Best Part of the Story…
James Robertson is a 56-year-old man who ran into a little problem twelve years ago when his 1988 Honda Accord stopped working. He lived 23 miles from the factory he worked at and could not afford another car. For most people, this would be enough for them to quit, roll over, and play dead, but not James Robertson.
He decided to do whatever it took to get to work and “whatever it took” turned out to be quite shocking.
Every workday, Robertson would walk most of an astounding 21-mile round trip from home to work and back to home.
Here is another amazing fact about this: Robertson made this journey every day for a $10.55 an hour job. Since this is barely enough to pay for rent and food, he continued this for twelve years because he was unable to buy another car.
What does Robertson’s boss have to say about him? “I set our attendance standard by this man,” says Todd Wilson, Plant Manager at Schain Mold & Engineering. “I say, if this man can get here, walking all those miles through snow and rain, well I’ll tell you, I have people in Pontiac 10 minutes away and they say they can’t get here – bull!”
Wilson also said that Robertson comes in his office every morning to talk sports, and Wilson’s wife makes dinner for Robertson every night.
Here’s where the story gets good… One day, a banker by the name of Blake Pollock saw Robertson making his daily journey and offered him a ride. The two traveled together for work for a few months until Pollock shared Robertson’s amazing story with the Free Press. Then, Robertson’s story went viral. That’s when a 19-year-old college student, Evan Leedy, changed the 56-year-old factory worker’s life forever.
Leedy started a GoFundMe drive for Robertson that raised over $300,000 from 11,400 donors in just four days! At the time of this writing, the campaign has raised over $350,000! So much for living in a cruel world filled with people who only care about themselves!
But it gets even better… A local car dealership, Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights, gave Robertson a fully loaded 2015 Ford Taurus.
According to USA Today, the dealership’s manager, Jim Elder, said getting his own employees to work on time is often difficult, and they live in the same town as the dealership. Then there’s Robertson, who lives miles from work and hasn’t been late in a decade.
While Robertson’s dedication to his job and the work of Leedy and Pollock to help him could cause one to label them as heroes, so are the 11,400 people who donated money to a man they have never met. Here is something to think about: 11,400 people donated to reach $300,000. That means the average donation was just $26.32. It’s amazing how a seemingly insignificant act and amount of money can have such a massive impact on someone’s life.
Just imagine what kind of impact we could make on the world if everyone gave just a little time, energy, or money to help someone they didn’t know each and every day!
We love helping our patients and their friends and relatives through their tough times and
getting them feeling better! We are here to help you stay feeling better and looking younger!
Don’t be a stranger. You really can afford Chiropractic care! Don’t wait until you can no longer move!
Did You Know?…
5 Ways Exercise Can Enhance Your Brainpower and Mood!
- Exercise reverses the detrimental effects of stress. Exercise boosts levels of soothing brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. On a cellular level, exercise may even reverse some of the damage caused by stress that can accelerate the aging process.
- Exercise lifts depression. Sustained, sweat-inducing activity can reduce symptoms of depression about as effectively as antidepressants, according to a recent study.
- Exercise improves learning. Exercise increases the level of the chemicals in the brain — called growth factors — that help make new brain cells.
- Exercise builds self-esteem and improves body image. Even simply seeing fitness improvements, like running a faster mile or lifting more weight, can improve your self-esteem and body image.
- Exercise leaves you feeling euphoric. High-intensity exercise can leave you with a feeling of euphoria. Try running, biking, or swimming as fast as you can for 30 to 40 seconds and then reduce your speed to a gentle pace for five minutes before sprinting again.
Tip Of The Month
Does Eating Organic Food Make a Difference?
Eating organic food is a very hot topic. It seems like everyone is talking about it, and everyone has a strong opinion one way or the other. Some swear by it and say you are poisoning yourself if you do not eat organic foods. Others say eating organic is nothing more than a waste of money. Is there really a benefit to eating organic food over non-organic food in regards to actual pesticide levels in the body?
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives analyzed the dietary exposure of nearly 4,500 people from six cities across the United States to organophosphates (OPs), the most common insecticides used on conventionally grown produce in the country. OPs are linked to a number of detrimental health effects, particularly among agricultural workers who are regularly exposed to this class of chemicals. The results of the study showed that among individuals eating similar amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who reported eating organic produce had significantly lower OP pesticide exposures than those consuming conventionally grown produce. In addition, consuming conventionally grown foods typically treated with greater amounts of pesticides during production (such as apples, nectarines, and peaches) was associated with significantly higher levels of exposure.
Lead author Dr. Cynthia Curl adds, “For most Americans, diet is the primary source of OP pesticide exposure… The study suggests that by eating organically grown versions of those foods highest in pesticide residues, we can make a measurable difference in the levels of pesticides in our bodies.”
According to this research, it seems like eating organic fruits and vegetables is not a waste of money. As always, more research needs to be done to determine how much OP exposure may be bad for you and if there are ways to mitigate exposure if you do purchase non-organic produce. But, when in doubt, organic might be the way to go, at least when it comes to apples, nectarines, and peaches.
Remember, we’re always here to help your body heal
and maintain the pain free body you deserve.
This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.
