Dr Beecher’s July 28 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, July 28th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Brain Abnormalities in Youths Who Commit Homicide. A new study suggests that adolescents who have committed one or more homicides have significantly different brain structures than those who have not. The results were gathered using MRI findings on 20 brains of youths who committed at least one homicide and 135 youth offenders (criminals) who had not committed a homicide. Among homicide offenders, the MRI scans revealed a significant reduction in gray matter in the areas of the brain associated with impulse control and emotional processing. NeuroImage: Clinical, May 2014
Health Alert: 1 in 8 American Kids Mistreated. More than 12% of kids in the United States experience beatings, neglect, or sexual or emotional abuse. Although lower than 25 years ago, the number of affected children is higher than researchers anticipated. The authors of the study note that the risk of childhood maltreatment is approximately four times higher during their first year of life and to reduce the risk of mistreatment, they recommend that friends and family pay special attention to the needs of parents of very young children. JAMA Pediatrics, May 2014
Diet: Does Variety in Diet Hamper Microbial Diversity in the Gut? Contrary to expectations, fish with more diverse diets have a less diverse population of gut microbes. If this holds true for humans, it could mean that the variety of foods individuals eat can impact their gut microbe diversity. Ecology Letters, May 2014
Exercise: Vibration Exercise Helps Fibromyalgia Patients. Researchers at the University of Indiana have found that whole-body vibration exercise may reduce pain symptoms as well as improve the quality of life of individuals with fibromyalgia. Regular exercise is one of the best known therapies for fibromyalgia, a disorder characterized by musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Unfortunately, many fibromyalgia patients are reluctant to exercise due to fear of pain increasing with physical activity. Whole-body vibration exercise involves standing, sitting, or lying on a machine with a vibrating platform that causes muscles to contract and relax as the machine vibrates. Indiana University, May 2014
Chiropractic: Positive Expectations Improve Outcomes. Regardless of symptom severity, low back pain patients with more positive expectations appear to achieve better outcomes than patients who are neutral or negative about what to expect from chiropractic treatment. European Spine Journal, June 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Blood Test May Identify Patients at Risk of Cardiovascular Death. A study has identified a gene expression profile associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular death. Combined with other indicators such as biochemical markers and family history, a simple blood test may identify patients who could benefit from early treatment and counseling to reduce their heart attack risk. Senior author Dr. Gregory Gibson explains, “We envision that with our gene expression-based marker, plus some biochemical markers, genotype information and family history, we could produce a tiered evaluation of people’s risks of adverse coronary events.” Genome Medicine, May 2014
Quote: “The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive.” ~ John Green
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 July 21 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, July 21st, 2014
Mental Attitude: Learning A Second Language Slows Cognitive Decline. New research suggests that speaking more than one language may slow down age-related cognitive decline, even if the second language is learned during adulthood. Research leader Dr. Thomas Bak writes, “These findings are of considerable practical relevance. Millions of people around the world acquire their second language later in life. Our study shows that bilingualism, even when acquired in adulthood, may benefit the aging brain.” Annals of Neurology, June 2014
Health Alert: Smoking & Passive Smoking Cause Hearing Loss. Smokers are 15.1% more likely to develop hearing loss compared with non-smokers and passive smokers (those regularly exposed to second-hand smoke). Moreover, passive smokers were found to be 28% more likely to develop hearing loss than non-smokers. Lead researcher Dr. Piers Dawes adds, “We are not sure if toxins in tobacco smoke affect hearing directly, or whether smoking-related cardiovascular disease causes microvascular changes that impact on hearing, or both.”
Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, May 2014
Diet: Green Tea Component Disrupts Cancer Cell Metabolism. Researchers have discovered how an active component of green tea called epigallocatechen gallate (EGCG) disrupts the metabolism of pancreatic cancer cells. They found that ECGC suppresses the expression of lactate dehydrogenase A, a critical enzyme in cancer cell metabolism. This finding adds to numerous previous studies that have suggested green tea and its extracts may provide suitable treatment
for cancer. Metabolomics, April 2014
Exercise: Quality of Exercise More Important Than Quantity. Scientists say that to lose weight and maintain optimal health and fitness, the quality of your exercise routine matters more than quantity. This new study suggests greater benefits can be attained from a multi-dimensional exercise program that includes resistance exercise, interval sprint exercise, stretching, and endurance exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology, May 2014
Chiropractic: Shoulder Impingement Syndrome Case Study. A patient with shoulder impingement syndrome underwent chiropractic treatment that included soft tissue therapy, phonophoresis, manipulation, and shoulder exercises. At the end of treatment, the patient was symptom-free with a return to normal of shoulder range of motion and daily activities, including sports-related activities. This case report shows the potential benefit of chiropractic care in resolving symptoms associated with shoulder impingement syndrome. Journal of Physiological Therapeutics, November 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Hospital Drops Obstetric Malpractice Claims By 50%! With a rise in malpractice lawsuits pushing many doctors out of practice and deterring young doctors from pursuing obstetrics, a Connecticut hospital
initiated a series of changes to help curb malpractice claims. By standardizing care, learning and practicing new teamwork
protocols, and enhancing oversight of clinical work, the hospital reduced claims by 50% and cut payments for liability
claims from $50 million to $3 million. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, June 2014
Quote: “Keep your best wishes close to your heart and watch what happens.” ~ Tony DeLiso
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 July 14 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, July 14th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Cynics at Higher Risk for Dementia. Cynical, distrustful people may be at a higher risk of dementia, according to a new Finnish study. Researchers found that people with high levels of cynical distrust were three times more likely to develop dementia compared to people with low levels of cynicism. One possible explanation could be that individuals who are more wary of others may also be less socially active, which can increase their dementia risk. Neurology, May 2014
Health Alert: Over 1 in 10 Elderly Injured by Outpatient Care. According to new research, nearly 11% of Medicare patients are victims of medical injuries during outpatient care. The primary causes include receiving the wrong medication, an allergic reaction to a prescribed medication, or complications resulting from treatment. Injury Prevention, May 2014
Diet: Mediterranean Diet May Prevent Childhood Obesity. A new report finds that children who closely follow a diet rich in fish, nuts, grains, fruits, and vegetables are 15% less likely to be overweight or obese in comparison with their peers who do not. European Congress on Obesity, May 2014
Exercise: Bicycling Leads to Good Feelings. Compared with all modes of transportation, people who ride their bicycles are the happiest, followed by automobile passengers and drivers. Transportation, May 2014
Chiropractic: Heavy Physical Work and Low Back Pain. Among Brazil’s urban cleaning workers (drivers, trash collectors, maintenance workers, etc.), musculoskeletal pain — and low back pain in particular — is a major public health issue. Researchers interviewed 657 workers and found that 37% have experienced back pain lasting more than one week during the previous year, and of that group, 62.8% experienced back pain within the last seven days. Workers who described bending over and twisting as part of their job functions were much more likely to experience pain in one or more anatomical regions, as were workers who frequently worked overtime. Of note, workers who performed more dynamic and fewer repetitive movements on the job were less likely to experience back pain. Brazilian Journal of Epidemiology, March 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Elevated Blood Pressure Number Determines Risks. New research points to the type of heart risk individuals face based on which number of their blood pressure reading is high. Researchers found that an elevated systolic blood pressure (top number) was associated with an increased risk of bleeding strokes and stable angina while those with a higher diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) were more likely to be diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Lead investigator Dr. Eleni Rapsomaniki writes, “Our estimates provide vital new information that can be used to improve patient counseling and decision-making for people with hypertension, which are currently based mainly on the risks of heart attack and stroke, and will help to focus guidelines and doctors to the cardiovascular conditions that might
be more common, and in which screening and treatments are more likely to have an effect.” The Lancet, May 2014
Quote: “When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.” ~ Viktor E. Frankl
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 July 2014 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“Most of the change we think we see in life is due to truths being in and out of favor.” ~ Robert Frost
Important Message for Arthritis Pain Sufferers:
Study Finds Natural Spice Might Relieve Pain
as Well as Ibuprofen!
Also this month:
- How the “Black Death” Helped the Human Race: Many are surprised at the results of a new study. Here’s why you shouldn’t be and how this little know fact about the “Black Death” can make you healthier… NOW.
- Nagging Kills? New study finds nagging by a spouse can shorten their partner’s lifespan!
- Man With Only $1 In His Pocket Does The UNTHINKABLE! What this person did and his incredible story can change your life!
Houston – Do you suffer from arthritis in one or both knees? If you do and would like to know how to get some relief, then this information will be very important to you.
Here is Why…
Researchers have found curcumin, a component of the spice tumeric, may work as well as or better than anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
Tumeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant and is best know as one of the ingredients used to make curry and also as the ingredient that gives store-bought mustard its bright yellow color.
For centuries, tumeric has been used by both Chinese and Indian medicine as an anti-inflammatory treatment, and lately it’s been hailed as a “super food” with many possible health benefits. Some people even claim tumeric can be used to treat medical conditions like Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and even several types of cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society’s website, “Turmeric is a common food flavoring and coloring in Asian cooking. Animal and laboratory studies have found that curcumin, an antioxidant that is an active ingredient in turmeric, demonstrated some anti-cancer effects in the lab. But human research is needed to determine curcumin’s role in cancer prevention and treatment in people. Several types of cancer cells are inhibited by curcumin in the laboratory, and curcumin slows the growth and spread of some cancers in some animal studies. Clinical trials are underway to find out if it can help humans as well.
“Curcumin is being studied to find out whether it helps other diseases such as arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and stomach ulcers. It is also being studied to see whether it can help lower “bad cholesterol” and improve outcome in kidney transplants. A few early studies have been done in humans, but much more human research is still needed to find out if curcumin can be effective in these uses.”
Good News for
Knee Arthritis Sufferers!
A study published in the March 2014 edition of Clinical Interventions in Aging compared Curcuma domestica (C. domestica) extracts to ibuprofen to treat knee osteoarthritis. Over 350 knee osteoarthritis patients with high pain scores were given either 1,200 mg/day of ibuprofen or 1,500 mg/day of C. domestica extract.
The study concluded: “C. domestica extracts are as effective as ibuprofen for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The side effect profile was similar but with fewer gastrointestinal AE reports in the C. domestica extracts group.”
Two things are very important here…
First, according to this study, C. domestica extract relieves knee osteoarthritis pain. Even more importantly, the study concluded that the adverse effects were similar to ibuprofen except for fewer gastrointestinal problems.
But, adverse events were only noted if they occurred during the study and drugs like ibuprofen can have even worse side effects. In fact, ABC News reported the results of a large Danish study that found, “People taking ibuprofen — sold under the brand names Advil, Motrin, Nuprin — had [a] 29 percent increased risk of stroke.”
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen is in this group) have carried a warning for increased risk of cardiovascular problems since 2005. C. domestica extract use has not been found to increase an individual’s risk for heart attack or stroke. Some researchers and doctors speculate that freshly juiced tumeric may outperform tumeric extract but of course, more research needs to be done.
New Study Finds Nagging by a Spouse
Can Shorten Their Partner’s Lifespan!
Sometimes reality sounds more unbelievable than fiction, and this is one of those times. According to a new study, nagging by a spouse can actually kill you. That’s right, researchers have finally given anti-naggers some good amunnition to end the badgering. According to CBS News, “Danish researchers from the University of Copenhagen said having a nagging partner can significantly shorten one’s life, and could result in three extra deaths per 100 people per year.” The study also said people nagged by their spouses are more likely to develop heart disease and cancer and men are at greater risk than women, if only slightly. Researchers always like to say, “more research needs to be done” but it appears that nagging someone, even if your intentions are good, may be doing more harm than good.
How the “Black Death” Can
Make You Healthier
It might seem strange to think that something like the “Black Death” (also called bubonic plague) can make you healthier, especially since it was one of the most devastating epidemics in human history.
In fact, the bubonic plague is estimated to have killed nearly one hundred million people between 1347 and 1351. For a better understanding of the devastation, the plague wiped out approximately 30% of all Europeans and almost 50% of Londoners in just four years.
But, a new study sheds a different light on the Black Death, and it is not all bad.
The study published in the journal PLOS ONE suggests that, “people who survived the medieval mass killing plague known as the Black Death lived significantly longer and were healthier than people who lived before the epidemic struck in 1347.”
The article indicates that, “the disease targeted elderly adults and individuals who had been previously exposed to physiological stressors.”
A key point here is that the disease did not just target “older” people. In fact…
- The 14th-century Black Death was not an indiscriminate killer, but instead targeted frail people of all ages.
- Survivors of the plague experienced improvements in health and longevity with many people living to ages of 70 or 80 years, as compared with pre-Black Death populations.
- Improvements in survival post-Black Death didn’t necessarily equate to good health over a lifespan, but revealed a hardiness to endure disease, including repeated bouts of plague.
- The Black Death, either directly or indirectly, shaped mortality patterns for generations after the epidemic ended.
This is All Very Interesting Information… but…
Why is Any of This Important to YOU Now?
Good question. This study, like just about all studies, is not “the answer.” It shows interesting correlations and raises even more interesting questions.
One such question is, since the Black Death only seemed to kill people with weakened immune systems (the frail), wouldn’t it be wise to do everything possible to strengthen your immune system to its full genetic potential by eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and keeping your nervous system functioning optimally as possible?
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 With Only $1 In His Pocket
Does The UNTHINKABLE!
What this person did and his incredible story can change your life!
Do you watch the news? If you do, it’s very easy have a pretty bleak picture of society because most of the stories you see and hear focus on the negative side of humanity.
Why? Well, one explanation is that news shows are only interested in one thing: ratings. Evidently, reporting about the ugly side of life in a tabloid-ish, sensationalized way gets a lot more ratings than stories about good people doing good things.
But, what if people are not as bad as is reported on the majority of the new programs? What if most people live peacefully together and actually go out of their way to help on another? What if most people are actually trustworthy and if given the opportunity, would do the right thing?
Here is a perfect example that you may not have heard about on the news…
Joe Cornell is 52 years old and in rehabilitation for drug addiction. One day at work, while watering trees across the street from the rehabilitation center, Joe heard a car honk. He looked up and saw that a car had pulled up next to an armored truck and was honking to get the truck driver’s attention.
Joe thought the driver of the car was trying to tell the driver of the truck that he had dropped something. So after they both pulled away, Joe walked down the street to see what was going in.
Joe immediately saw a large orange bag that he said was similar to the type Santa Claus would carry if it were red. That orange bag was filled with money. A lot of money. $125,000 to be exact!
$125,000 is a lot of money to just about anyone but it was probably even more to Joe who only had $1 in his pocket for lunch that day. This discovery could have gone a long way to helping Joe recover all the things addiction had taken from him.
While some people would have fantasized about how they were going to spend the money, Joe focused on doing the right thing. He said there was a brief moment when the devil was on his shoulder telling him to keep it but there was also an angel on his other shoulder asking him what his grandchildren would think decades later and what a poor example he would be if he kept money that was not his. Joe said no matter how he tried to rationalize it, keeping that money would be stealing.
So, Joe decided to turn the money in. All of it. It was not an easy decision for a man with only $1 in his pocket. But the real question is: WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?
Seriously, if you found $125,000 and no one knew, would you turn it in like Joe did or would you keep it?
Before you answer, Joe is not alone. Not too long ago three college kids bought a couch at a thrift store for $20. When they got home, they found a plastic bag with $40,000 in it. They also found a deposit slip with the name of the 91-year-old woman who had previously owned the couch. The college kids found the elderly woman and returned the money.
You see, maybe there are a lot of good people out there doing wonderful things EVERY DAY you just don’t here about on the news. J
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?…
An Apple a Day…
Studies are constantly proving that food can be a powerful medicine. Such is definitely the case where apples are concerned. Recently, research has shown that the presence of fresh apples in your diet can improve your memory. Apples are becoming increasingly associated with brain health, as studies have proven that the antioxidants and flavonoids present in apples can reduce the brain-cell inflammation and oxidation that occurs naturally due to the presence of free radicals.
Scientists have also observed that levels of acetylcholine – a specific neurotransmitter that greatly influences brain signals responsible for movement and sensory perception – increase with the regular consumption of as few as two apples a day. Not only that, but regular apple consumption appears to hinder the accumulations of toxins in the brain, particularly one type of toxin called beta-amyloid, which is thought to be one of the main culprits that cause Alzheimer’s disease.
It is no surprise that the popular saying goes, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” This saying is actually an adaptation to an older proverb – “to eat an apple before bed will make the doctor beg for his bread.”
While apples are now being shown to potentially halt and reverse Alzheimer’s disease, enhance cognitive functions, prevent memory loss, and help in other brain-related matters, there are still a multitude of studies being conducted to prove that apples are the perfect food for diabetics, patients with heart disease, cholesterol, obesity, and even constipation. While the old proverb says one apple a day is enough, studies suggest increasing that dosage to two apples is a good idea for optimal health benefits.
Tip Of The Month
Want to be More Creative? Do This…
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory and Cognition claims to have made a remarkable discovery. As reported by Business Insider, “Participants who went for a walk saw an 81% increase in tests measuring divergent thinking, a thought process associated with creativity in which you generate a lot of ideas.”
Walking has been practiced by top thinkers to generate ideas and solve problems for centuries, perhaps even millennia. The list of “walkers” is like a who’s who in the intellectual and business world. Aristotle, Friedrich Nietzsche, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg were/are all walkers, and there are plenty more. Walking tends to stimulate your creative senses in many ways. One way is that walking simply “activates” or “awakens” your body and brain. Sitting around tends to deaden your senses. In other words, sitting slows you down and almost makes you numb to new thoughts and ideas. Walking (even if it’s just around a little room) gets the blood flowing and gets both your body and brain in thinking-mode, ready to produce and/or receive fantastic new ideas. The walk also gives you a new perspective. Perspective is extremely important to creative thinking and problem solving.
Walks do one more very important thing: They keep your spine moving and help reduce back pain. Sitting for long periods of time not only kills creativity, it slowly destroys your back. Bad posture and the forces of gravity cause joint “creep” that can cause serious problems over time. If you want to be even less creative, try thinking while you suffer from chronic back pain. Staying physically active is one of the best things you can do for both your mental and physical health.
And it’s not good enough to simply exercise at night after you sit all day at a desk. It is best to take frequent breaks and go for a walk, even if it is just in a little circle next to a tiny cubicle. Doing this little activity several times a day can pay huge dividends and help you avoid many health problems over the next 10, 20, or 30 years.
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 July 7 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, July 7th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Stress Reduces Male Fertility. Past studies have linked stress to a number of health problems including heart disease, asthma, obesity, and depression. A new study suggests that stress can also reduce male fertility. Researchers found that men who experienced two or more stressful life events over the previous year had lower sperm quality compared with men who did not experience any stressful life events. They also found that regardless of stress, jobless men had lower semen quality than those who were employed. Fertility and Sterility, May 2014
Health Alert: Worldwide Obesity Rates Significantly Increased Over the Last 33 Years. During the past three decades, there has been a significant increase in worldwide obesity rates with no significant decline noted in any country. Investigators found that over the previous 33 years, worldwide overweight and obesity rates for adults have increased
27.5%, while rates among children and adolescents increased by 47.1%. Lancet, May 2014
Diet: Do You Eat White Bread? According to new research, when white bread is a staple of an individual’s diet, they are 40% more likely to become overweight or obese compared with those who eat whole grain bread. The researchers conclude, “Consumption of white bread [of] two portions per day or more showed a significant direct association with the risk of becoming overweight or obese.” European Congress on Obesity, May 2014
Exercise: Helps Reduce Amphetamine Use. In some regions of the United States, nearly 20-25% of substance abuse admissions are for amphetamine abuse. A study involving mice showed a relationship between increased physical activity and decreased consumption of available amphetamines. If this corresponds to human subjects, exercise may become a useful tool to help individuals recover from amphetamine drug abuse. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, April 2014
Chiropractic: More Pain-Free Days! A randomized trial involving 400 chronic low back pain patients found patients who received a course of twelve spinal manipulation treatments experienced 22.9 more pain-free days and 19.8 more disability-free days over the next year compared with patients who received no treatment. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, June 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Bad Sunburns While Young Tied to Higher Skin Cancer Risk. A new report suggests that women who get five or more sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 have an 80% increased risk for melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Besides melanoma, these groups of women also have a 68% greater risk of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. Dr. Abrar Qureshi, professor and chair of the department of dermatology at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, explains, “Parents may need to be advised to pay more attention to protection from early-life sun exposure for their kids in order to reduce the likelihood of developing melanoma as they grow up. Older individuals should also be cautious with their sun exposure, because cumulative sun exposure increases skin cancer risk as well.” American Association for Cancer Research, May 2014
Quote: “The function of man is to live, not to exist.” ~ Jack London
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 30 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, June 30th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Bullied Teens Carry Weapons to School. Bullied teens are 31 times more likely to bring weapons, such as guns and knives, to school compared with teens who have not been bullied, according to a new study. Lead investigator Dr. Lana Schapiro warns, “With estimates of more than 200,000 victims of bullying carrying a weapon to high school, more effective prevention efforts and intervention strategies need to be identified.” American Academy of Pediatrics, May 2014
Health Alert: Many Parents Not Following Recommended Sleep Practices for Babies. Half of infants in some regions of the United States (US) aren’t being placed on their back during sleep despite the fact it would reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, SIDS is responsible for more deaths among infants aged one month to one year old than any other cause, killing more than 2,000 babies in 2010 alone. Study author Dr. Sunah Hwang writes, “Although the precise cause of SIDS is still unknown, we do know that safe sleep practices, such as sleeping on the back, reduces the risk of infant death in the first year of life.” American Academy of Pediatrics, May 2014
Diet: Vitamin E May Prevent Brain Damage from Stroke. Tocotreinol, a little-known type of vitamin E, may prevent or reduce brain damage during stroke. Researchers claim that tocotreinol increases the diameter of existing arteries in response to oxygen demand. It is this process that may prevent brain damage by offering a “collateral” blood supply. Study leader Dr. Cameron Rink adds, “We know that people who have good collaterals have better recovery from strokes. We think that tocotrienol helps improve the function of collaterals, which would offer someone better protection from an initial or secondary stroke.” Dr. Rink further adds that one day vitamin E may be used as a common treatment for stroke prevention. Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science, May 2014
Exercise: Yoga During Pregnancy Good for Health. Stress during pregnancy can have negative effects on both mother and child, but a new study suggests that yoga could reduce the risk of developing anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Researchers analyzed questionnaires and performed stress hormone assessments on yoga participants and found that a single session of yoga reduced self-reported anxiety by 33% and stress hormone levels by 14%. They suggest yoga could help mothers and their children become healthier while reducing healthcare costs. Depression and Anxiety, April 2014
Chiropractic: Back Pain and Neck Pain are a Major Cause of Missed Work. An evaluation of data concerning over 8,000 Spanish workers reveals a correlation between chronic neck and back pain, and missing one or more days of work for health- related issues. Individuals who reported having frequent neck and back pain were 44% more likely to be absent from work for more than 30 days out of the year. Spine, May 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Millions of Deaths Could be Prevented by Risk Factor Reduction. A new report suggests that reducing six modifiable risk factors to specific target levels could prevent 37 million premature deaths over the next 15 years. Target levels for reducing risk factors include a 30-50% reduction of tobacco use, 10% reduction of alcohol consumption, 30% reduction in salt intake, 25% reduction in high blood pressure, and halting the rise of the obesity and diabetes prevalence. If all the targets are met, there would be a reduction in risk of dying prematurely from cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disease, cancers, and diabetes by 22% in men and 19% in women. The Lancet, May 2014
Quote: “A man may fall many times but he won’t be a failure until he says someone pushed him.” ~ Elmer G. Letterman
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 23 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, June 23rd, 2014
Mental Attitude: ADHD Kids Often Suffer from Family Issues. A new report reveals that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to come from a family background of poverty, divorce, community violence, and substance abuse. Study author Dr. Nicole Brown adds, “Knowledge about the prevalence and types of adverse experiences among children diagnosed with ADHD may guide efforts to address trauma in this population and improve ADHD screening, diagnostic accuracy and management.” American Academy of Pediatrics, May 2013
Health Alert: Global Nutrition Threatened by Rising CO2 Levels. If rising carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations reach expected levels by 2050, researchers warn that global crops may have reduced nutritional levels of iron and zinc. If these nutrients are reduced, it may represent a significant health threat to the entire world population. Lead author Samuel Myers explains, “Humanity is conducting a global experiment by rapidly altering the environmental conditions on the only habitable planet we know. As this experiment unfolds, there will undoubtedly be many surprises. Finding out that rising CO2 threatens human nutrition is one such surprise.” Nature, May 2014
Diet: A Gluten-Free Diet During Pregnancy May Protect Offspring Against Type 1 Diabetes. An animal study in Denmark has found that expectant rodents experienced a change in intestinal bacteria when fed a gluten-free diet. This change in intestinal bacteria appears to offer a protective effect against development of type 1 diabetes for both mother and offspring. Researchers are optimistic that these finding can be applied to humans. Diabetes, April 2014
Exercise: Not Enough Disabled People Exercise. Approximately one-half of the 21 million Americans with a disability do not exercise, which unfortunately jeopardizes their health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ileana Arias, principal deputy director at the CDC, adds, “We are very concerned about this, because working-age adults with disabilities who get no aerobic physical activity are 50 percent more likely to have cancer, diabetes, stroke, or heart disease than those who get the recommended amount of physical activity.” Physical disabilities can be a significant barrier to exercise, but experts explain that depending on the disability, exercise options can include aquatic exercise, chair yoga, Tai Chi, wall push- ups, balance exercises, and gym ball exercises. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2014
Chiropractic: Heavy School Bags Contribute to Musculoskeletal Pain in Children. A study of 532 Ugandan youths reveals that 35.4% of their musculoskeletal pain is associated with the weight of their schoolbags. Researchers recommend having lockers available to avoid long-term back pain issues among students. BMC Research Notes, April 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Breast Feeding Encourages Gut Bacteria in Children. A study that tracked over 300 children during their first three years of life found that breastfeeding for longer periods encouraged beneficial bacteria to flourish in their digestive tracts. Senior author Tine Rask Licht concludes, “We have become increasingly aware of how crucially important a healthy gut microbial population is for a well-functioning immune system. Babies are born without bacteria in the gut, and so it is interesting to identify the influence dietary factors have on gut microbiota development in children’s first three years of life.” Applied Environmental Microbiology, May 2014
Quote: “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” ~ Stephen King
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 16 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, June 16th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Does Yawning Cool Down the Brain? Australian researchers suggest that yawning might cool an overheated brain. Investigators found that contagious yawning was most prominent in the summer compared to the winter and most likely to occur when the temperature was about 68 degrees Fahrenheit (about 20 degrees Celsius). They suggest that cooling the brain boosts performance, so contagious yawning may be an evolutionary trait meant to improve alertness in groups of people. Physiology & Behavior, May 2014
Health Alert: “Bad” Cholesterol Involved in Cancer Spread. Researchers in Spain and Australia have identified “bad” cholesterol as a culprit in cancer metastasis. According to this new study, low density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol helps cancer cells un-stick from one another so they can more easily spread to other parts of the body. However, the presence of high density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol appears to help counter this activity. Cell Reports, May 2014
Diet: Vitamin A and the Fight Against Breast Cancer. Laboratory tests indicate that retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, may someday act as a weapon in the fight against breast cancer. Researchers exposed pre-cancerous breast cells to retinoic acid and observed the cells transform back into normal, healthy cells. However, cells that had already become cancerous were unchanged suggesting there may be a narrow window of opportunity for retinoic acid to be helpful in stopping the progression of breast cancer. Further research is needed to see if this approach is viable in animal — and eventually human — models. International Journal of Oncology, March 2014
Exercise: Exercise Crucial for Women’s Heart Health. Lack of physical activity appears to be the strongest indicator of a woman’s risk for heart disease, even more so than smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure. Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a cardiologist and medical director of the Women’s Heart Program at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, concludes, “If you want to do one thing to prevent heart disease, you should exercise. We need people to become more active again, and the way you can do that is to make it part of your life, like brushing your teeth.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, May 2014
Chiropractic: Parents Seek Alternative Care for Kids. Recent research suggests that about 60% of parents who have children with chronic neurological conditions have sought chiropractic, massage, and other complementary therapy treatments to help their children live a normal, pain-free life. PLOS ONE, April 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Focus on High BMI to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk, Not Waist Circumference. While a large waist circumference, regardless of body mass index (BMI), is associated with a greater risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers, this does not seem to be the case for post-menopausal breast cancer. Using long-term data on nearly 29,000 women, researchers found no greater risk for breast cancer among post-menopausal women with a large waist circumference once BMI was taken into account. According to Dr. Mia Gadet, “The message is that if you have a high BMI, regardless if you are pear or apple shaped, you are at higher risk of breast cancer. Most prior studies on this issue looked at BMI or at waist circumference, but had not looked at them together. This study brings some clarity to the association between obesity and risk of breast cancer.” Cancer Causes & Control, June 2014
Quote: “Even if you fall on your face, you’re still moving forward.” ~ Victor Kiam
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 9 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, June 9th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Premature Menopause Can Lead to Mental Decline. According to a new study, premature menopause can increase a woman’s risk of mental decline in her later years. Menopause usually begins after age 50; however, premature menopause begins at or around age 40. In the study, the premature group was more likely to do poorly on verbal and visual memory tests and they also had a 35% higher risk of decline in psychomotor speed compared to women who began menopause after age 50. Further research is needed to address treatment options to reduce risks of mental decline in women who enter menopause at younger ages. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, May 2014
Health Alert: E-Cigarette Vapor Potentially Harmful. A new report suggests that e-cigarette vapor produces tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, potentially causing or accelerating respiratory diseases. Investigators are unsure whether these chemicals are harmful if you inhale them, as safety research is only known regarding ingestion of these chemicals. The authors believe researchers need to come together and set standards for researching e-cigarettes, given that there are so many different liquids and devices available to the public. HealthDay, May 2014
Diet: Fruits & Vegetables Lower Stroke Risk. Research from the American Heart Association indicates that eating fruits and vegetables can reduce a person’s risk of stroke. Investigators found stroke risk decreased 32% for every 200 grams of fruit a person consumed each day. Furthermore, stroke risk decreased 11% for every 200 grams of vegetables consumed each day. Stroke, May 2014
Exercise: 40 Not Too Old to Start Exercising. Men who start exercising after age forty are likely to experience the same long- term heart benefits as those who have exercised since early adulthood. Study author David Matelot adds, “It’s never too late to change your way of life and get more physically active. This will always be beneficial for the heart and well-being. And there’s no need for a high level of training for many hours a week. Using the stairs rather than the elevator, or gardening regularly, can also be beneficial.” European Society of Cardiology, May 2014
Chiropractic: Chronic Low Back Pain Associated with Depression and Fatigue. A survey of over 500 chronic low back pain patients who have been on work disability for between two and ten months shows that 69.7% report experiencing substantial fatigue as well. Those reporting fatigue are more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms and are also more likely to still be in pain 3, 6, and 12 months after completing their initial survey. Pain Medicine, April 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Free Radicals Not So Bad? Free radicals can stimulate apoptosis, also referred to as programmed cell death. This may be a way to avoid a cell becoming cancerous or to destroy viruses that have taken over a cell. In some cases, investigators observed that free radical apoptosis reinforces cell defenses, meaning a potential increase in lifespan. According to senior author Dr. Siegfried Hekimi, “People believe that free radicals are damaging and cause aging, but the so-called ‘free radical theory of aging’ is incorrect. We have turned this theory on its head by proving that free radical production increases during aging because free radicals actually combat – not cause – aging. In fact, in our model organism we can elevate free radical generation and thus induce a substantially longer life.” Cell, May 2014
Quote: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” ~ Elmer G. Letterman
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 2014 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“Realize that everything connects to everything else.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci
Tired? Fatigued? A Little Overweight?
Do Lazy People Eat
Junk Food or Does Eating
Junk Food Make People Lazy?
Study offers surprising answer…
Also this month:
- WARNING: New research shows coughs and sneezes travel much further than expected!
- The Shocking Cost of Obesity! How much more will an obese child pay in medical costs over his or her lifetime compared with a child of normal weight? You will probably be surprised.
- Awesome Person Alert! If you found a stranger’s wallet with money in it and no one else knew, what would you do? What this person did is incredible…
Houston – Which came first, the chicken or the egg? People have debated this question for millennia and there is still not a clear answer. However, there is another debate that is probably much more important to you. Knowing the answer to this other debate may give you more energy, improve your health, and make you feel much better.
What is this debate? Here it is…
Does Junk Food Make People Lazy
or Do Lazy People Eat Junk Food?
There is a belief that people who eat junk food and become overweight do so because they are lazy. But, a new study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found the opposite to be true.
According to Science Daily, “Life scientists led by UCLA’s Dr. Aaron Blaisdell placed 32 female rats on one of two diets for six months. The first, a standard rat’s diet consisted of relatively unprocessed foods like ground corn and fish meal. The ingredients in the second were highly processed, of lower quality, and included substantially more sugar – a proxy for a junk food diet.
“After just three months, the researchers observed a significant difference in the amount of weight the rats had gained, with the 16 on the junk food diet having become noticeably fatter.”
Dr. Blaisdell reports that the rats on the “junk food” diet became obese while the rats on the healthier, more natural diet did not. The researchers also noted that as they gained weight, the rats on the junk food diet demonstrated impaired physical performance and required more rest to perform basic tasks. This suggest laziness and fatigue are caused by eating poorly and gaining weight, not the other way around.
In this study, “junk food” was described as, “highly processed, of lower quality, and included substantially more sugar.”
Most Americans eat a diet high loaded with processed foods that contains a lot of sugar and most Americans are also either overweight or obese. In fact, according to studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, more than 2 in 3 adults are considered to be overweight or obese and more than 1 in 3 adults are considered obese. More than 1 in 20 adults are considered to be extremely obese. About one-third of children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are considered to be overweight or obese and more than 1 in 6 children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are considered to be obese.
One of the most common complaints many people have is being tired and fatigued. Next time you go out to eat, just eavesdrop on the conversations taking place around your table. EVERYONE IS EXHAUSTED.
So, is it your fault if you are overweight, tired, and fatigued? Perhaps not. Processed, high-sugar content foods have been heavily marketed for decades, especially to children. They are much more accessible and cheaper, and many times, food labeling can be misleading or even deceptive. If you do not have a degree in biochemistry, you can easily be fooled. To make things even worse, serious evidence is accumulating that sugar is very addictive.
According to a WebMD article on sugar, “Sugar fuels every cell in the brain. When you overload on sugary foods, it may alter the parts of the brain that control how much you eat. In lab studies, rats that binged on sugar had brain changes like those of getting off drugs. In humans, just seeing pictures of milkshakes triggered brain effects like those seen in drug addicts. It was strongest in women whose answers showed they were more hooked on eating.”
Clearly, quitting a diet of processed and sugar-filled food is not an easy task for many people, which is why so many people try and fail. Many end up quitting for a certain time and falling back into their old ways. This is referred to as the “yo-yo effect” and can lead to serious weight gain.
Understanding this issue is the first step to making a lifetime change, a change where you finally lose weight and keep it off. Just as important, your energy levels will rise so you will not constantly feel tired and fatigued. Oh, and another thing, you may not get sick as much…
The researchers at UCLA found that the rats on the junk food diet grew a large amount of tumors throughout their bodies by the end of the study. Those on the more nutritious diet had fewer and smaller tumors that were not as widespread.
If this research is correct, processed foods high in sugar are the cause of weight gain, fatigue, and may contribute to serious health problems.
On top of all that, they are most likely very addictive.
What About Exercise?
There is no doubt exercise is good for you. There is plenty of research in that regard. But, there is one thing you must understand: You cannot exercise away a bad diet.
This is probably the most common misunderstanding and mistake when it comes to losing weight and increasing energy.
Eating processed foods full of sugar will create weight gain and fatigue no matter how much you exercise. In fact, eating poorly will make exercise extremely difficult because of the fatigue it causes.
If you want to lose weight and have more energy, it is highly recommended you cut processed foods that are loaded with sugar from your diet.
One more thing: New research shows that the average lifetime medical costs for an obese child are $19,000 higher than those of a child of normal weight who maintains normal weight through adulthood. These are direct costs and are probably higher when factoring in indirect costs. Cutting processed foods that are high in sugar from your child’s diet could have a huge impact on their life and healthcare costs.
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)
Awesome Person Alert!
If you found a stranger’s wallet with money in it and no one else knew,
what would you do? What this person did is incredible…
It’s a very old and commonly used ethical question. If you found a bag of money and no one knew, would you keep it or return it? A quick Google search of this topic reveals many important things…
First, there are a lot of people who jump into the legal debate. In other words, whether they keep or return the money is solely dependant on what they are legally bound to do. They say, if it is legal, they will keep it and vice versa. The situation gets more complicated depending on the amount of money in the bag. For example, it is much easier returning $20 than it is $1 million. What if the person who finds the money is poor? Does this mean it is okay to keep someone else’s money? It all depends on your situational ethics.
That’s why this story is so impressive.
Christian Reyes lost his wallet at a Florida Marlins’ baseball game and the person who found it did something amazing. He looked in the wallet and found Reyes’ Miami Senior High School student ID card. He brought the wallet to the school and turned it in. When he went to the front office, all he said was, “Somebody lost this wallet. One of your students. I think it’s one of your students from this school, lost this wallet at the game, and I just want to make sure he gets it back.”
Then, the good Samaritan left, not even telling the office staff his name. But here is the most amazing part: When Reyes got his wallet and opened it, he found there was EXTRA money in it and a note. Whoever found and returned his wallet actually put an extra $20 in the wallet with a note that said…
“I added $20 to it so you know the world is a great place. Do me a favor, when you get the chance, do something nice for someone else.”
Reyes is reported as saying he is looking forward to holding up his end of the deal. This is incredible because not only did this kind person add money to the wallet, he did not even tell anyone his name. He is obviously just looking to make the world a better place and not looking to make himself look good.
But this is not the only good Samaritan case. According to the Boston Globe, last October, Red Sox player Shane Victorino lost his wallet on a plane. A good Samaritan actually shipped the wallet back to him from Paris! Victorino told the press, “There’s honest, trustworthy people in this world.”
Here is one more good Samaritan story that is nothing short of awesome…
A bunch of college kids got intoxicated and were smart enough to not drive home. They decided to take a chance and knock on the front door of a house at 11:00 p.m. and see if they could get a ride back to their house. What greeted them when the door opened was a little scary…
You see, the house they chose was being rented out by several professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters and the guy who answered the door was 6’3” pro MMA fighter Jake Gombocz. As you can imagine, this story could have gone very wrong for these drunken college kids pounding on a stranger’s door at 11 p.m.
But it didn’t. Jake is a gentle giant and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Jake offered them a ride home all the way across town. When the college kids offered Jake money, he refused to take it and told them to pay the kindness forward to someone else.
The most amazing part of all these stories is the good Samaritans did not give their names and did not try to take credit for their acts of kindness. We only found out Jake’s name because one of his friends was there and posted the story about Jake on his Facebook account.
Maybe these are the real heroes we should pay attention to, praise, and look up to. J
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?…
The Benefits of Happiness
The feeling of happiness – whether you equate it with optimism, joy, well-being, personal achievement, or all of the above – goes hand-in-hand with healthier habits. People who are in good spirits tend to eat better, exercise more frequently, and get better sleep than those who are not. This could be because leading a healthy lifestyle helps you achieve your goals, which leads to happiness. It could also be that such habits lead to better health, which, in turn, lends itself to a better mood and contentment.
Beyond these rather common-sense associations, there’s something more about happiness that makes you healthy. It appears that a positive mental state may have a much more direct effect on your body. Positive thoughts and attitudes are able to prompt changes in your body that strengthen your immune system, boost positive emotions, decrease pain and chronic disease, and provide stress relief. Happiness, optimism, life satisfaction, and other positive psychological attributes are associated with a lower risk of heart disease. People with a deep sense of happiness and well-being have lower levels of inflammatory gene expression and stronger antiviral and antibody responses.
Tip Of The Month
WARNING: Coughs and Sneezes Travel Much Further than Expected!
Researchers have known for some time that coughs and sneezes travel quite a distance. You have probably seen slow motion videos showing the huge droplet mist caused during a sneeze. Well, new research conducted by researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) shows that coughs and sneezes have associated nearly invisible gas clouds that travel much further than previously thought. According to Dr. John Bush, a Professor of Applied Mathematics at MIT, “When you cough or sneeze, you see the droplets, or feel them if someone sneezes on you. But you don’t see the cloud, the invisible gas phase. The influence of this gas cloud is to extend the range of the individual droplets, particularly the small ones.” The new research shows the smaller particles travel between 5 to 500 times further! Even more shocking is that because particles are suspended in a gas, they are much more likely to be picked up by air circulating systems such as heating and air conditioning vents. This can spread “germs” throughout an entire building, just about instantly. Oh the horror!!! Or is it?
The first thing to understand is while this research is new, the distance traveled by sneezes and coughs is not. In other words, “germs” from sneezes and coughs have been suspended in small gas clouds that travel large distances and possibly through heating and air conditioning vents since there have been sneezes, coughs, and vents. Researchers (and you and I) knowing about it is the only thing that is new. So, two things are clear. (1) Knowing about it does not mean more people will get sick and (2), which is the most important, this is just further evidence that “germs” are everywhere. Everyone breathes them in constantly. If you are breathing “germs” in all day, and germs make you sick, then why aren’t you constantly sick?
The answer is quite simple. Germs will never be eradicated, and they should not be. They are an essential part of our ecosystem. Beyond living in a bubble, you are always going to be in contact with germs. So, the best way to deal with “germs” is to make sure your immune system is functioning to your genetic potential. This is because “germs” easily invade a body with a weak or weakened immune system, take hold, and make that person sick. On the contrary, “germs” are easily fought off by a strong, well functioning immune system. This is why), holding all other factors constant, people who do not get enough sleep, drink excessively, smoke cigarettes, have high stress levels, and eat a poor diet (loaded with processed food and sugar) are more likely to get sick when exposed to the same “germs.” Even worse, their sickness can be worse and last longer which is all the more reason to focus on the things you can control like diet, sleep, and stress reduction.
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 chiropractic professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.
