Tag: Arthritis

DR BEECHER’S JANUARY 2013 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

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“Indolence is a delightful but distressing state; we must be doing something to be happy.”

~ Mahatma Gandhi

 

Research: Does Green Tea Decrease Risk Of Cancer?

 

More this month:

• Osteoarthritis of the knee – Should you really be moving it?
• Current research shows 33% of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D. How much do you need?
• Want to add 4.5 years to your life? New study says this is how to do it.
• Can obesity really turn body fat TOXIC?
• Research shows doing this lowered coronary heart disease risk by 20%.

 

Inspirational Story: Down But Not Out – Super Storm Sandy Destroyed Many Things, But Not The Human Spirit. 

 

Houston – There’s so much to tell you and so little time.  What do you want to hear about first, green tea decreasing risk of cancer or easing knee arthritis pain?

Let’s flip a coin.  Heads… green tea.  Tails… knee arthritis.

Tails!  Knee Arthritis It Is!

Knee arthritis is not only common, it can be life-changing.  Studies show that nearly 1 in 2 people may develop symptomatic knee osteoarthritis by age 85.

What Is Osteoarthritis Of The Knee?

Osteoarthritis or “OA” is the most common form of arthritis.   OA is a condition where the cartilage between joints wears away, causing pain.

Then, when enough synovial fluid (a naturally occurring lubricant found in the knee) and cartilage is gone, the pain can be unbearable and require total knee replacement.

If You Have Knee Arthritis,

Is There Anything You Can Do About It?

According to researcher, Dr. Tatyana Shamliyan, “Several guidelines recommend non-drug treatment, including exercise, electrical stimulation, tai chi and esthetics.” Her team analyzed the evidence and came up with results that were sometimes at odds with those guidelines.  They looked at how the therapies affected pain, functioning, and disability. “Based on the analysis, we can’t conclude sustained benefit with tai chi, manual therapy or massage, or transcutaneous electrical [nerve] stimulation.”

Dr. Shamliyan’s team reviewed nearly 200 studies and found there was evidence that low impact aerobic exercise and water exercise improved function and decreased disability. Aerobic exercise, strength training and therapeutic ultrasound reduced pain and increased mobility. However, the best outcomes came when patients stuck to their exercise program. This is particularly important as exercise can increase knee pain in the short-term.

It should be noted that the study did not show that intense exercise was any better than moderate exercise.

The take home message here is that it looks like certain moderate exercise can help some of the symptoms associated with knee OA.

But this does not mean you should take it upon yourself to “just go exercise.”

If you suffer with knee OA, you should see a qualified physician.  They will be able to determine the best treatment program for your individual case.

Now For Some Green Tea

A study recently published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition investigated the association of regular tea intake (greater than 3 times per week for greater than 6 months) with risk of digestive system cancers.

The study was based on middle-aged and older Chinese women.

Results: Women who consumed ≥150g tea/mo (2–3 cups/day) had a 21% reduced risk of digestive system cancers.  The association was found primarily for colorectal and stomach/esophageal cancers.

Want To Add 4.5 Years To Your Life?

A recent study published in the medical journal PLoS One pooled self-reported data on leisure time physical activities and Body Mass Index (BMI) scores from nearly 650,000 individuals over 40 years old. Their goal was to calculate the gain in life expectancy associated with specific levels of physical activity.

A physical activity level equivalent to brisk walking for up to 75 minutes per week was associated with a gain of 1.8 years in life expectancy relative to no leisure time activity.

Even better, having a physical activity level at or above 150 minutes of brisk walking per week was associated with an overall gain of life expectancy of 3.4 – 4.5 years.

In another study, 150 minutes/week of moderate intensity leisure-time physical activity led to a 14% lower coronary heart disease risk compared with those reporting no leisure-time physical activity. Those engaging in the equivalent of 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity leisure-time physical activity had a 20% lower risk.

What does this mean?  Basically, it’s what we have known for quite some time.  Moderate exercise is good and it can, most likely, extend your life.

But, what’s really important is you do not have to go crazy.  Go for a brisk walk several times per week, or every day if you can, and you should see some healthy results.

Obesity Triggers

Inflammation In Fat Cells

New research says that obesity can trigger inflammation in the fat cells found just under the skin.  This is very bad because inflammation is believed to be linked to both diabetes and heart disease.

In a related study, researchers found no inflammation in the fat of lean individuals while 70% of obese people in the study showed evidence of inflammation-promoting fat and impaired blood vessel function.

No matter what, if you are obese, the odds are against you.  Losing even small amounts of weight can make a big difference in your overall health.

 

And 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)

 

Down But Not Out

Super Storm Sandy Destroyed Many Things, But Not The Human Spirit. 

This Wonderful Story Is Proof…

 

Super Storm Sandy is said to be the largest hurricane on record at over 1,000 miles wide. The highest wind gusts (94 mph) were recorded in Eatons Neck, New York.  33 inches of snow piled up in Clayton, West Virginia. Waves were 39.67 feet 500 miles southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey… 32.5 feet just outside New York Harbor entrance and 21.7 feet in lower Lake Michigan.

The devastation was unimaginable.  Homes were destroyed, the power was out for an estimated 7.4 million people, and over 110 people were killed in the storm.

There was and still is plenty to curse about that storm, but there are also some amazing stories, stories that show the good in people and how we come together in a time of need.

Here is one of the most amazing stories from Super Storm Sandy…

As the story goes, Christine is a homeowner in Toms River, New Jersey.  She evacuated her home before Sandy hit.  When she returned to her home, she found a note.  The note had evidently been left by someone who had broken into her home during the storm while he was trying to survive.

The person “stole” a blanket and jacket to try to keep from freezing to death.  The person who broke into Christine’s house was a 28 year old New Jersey man named Mike.  The note was basically Mike’s last words and request to contact his father and let him know he had died.

Here’s what the note said: “Whoever reads this I’m DIEING – I’m 28 yrs. old my name is Mike. I had to break into your house. I took blankets off the couch. I have hypothermia. I didn’t take anything. A wave thru me out of my house down the block. I don’t think I’m going to make it. The water outside is 10ft deep at least. There’s no res[c]ue. Tell my dad I love him and I tryed get[t]ing out. His number is ###-###-#### his name is Tony. I hope u can read this I’m in the dark. I took a black jacket too. Goodbye. God all mighty help me.”

A picture of the note spread like wildfire over Facebook and Twitter.  Then, it was seen by radio talk show host, Justin Louis. Justin called the number in the note and someone answered.

The person who answered the phone was Tony.  Justin told Tony about the note and Tony said that Mike is his son.  Then, Tony asked if Justin wanted to talk to Mike.

Yes, Mike had survived! Justin interviewed Mike, and Mike told him how he had been swept out to sea for hours.  His house was flooding and when he walked out the door, he was literally swept away into the bay.

Mike couldn’t make it back to his house because the current was too strong.  He spent 5 hours battling the current and waves until ending up at Christine’s house where he grabbed some clothes and wrote the note.  He was at Christine’s house for 2 hours before he was picked up by a man named Frank on a Waverunner.  Frank rescued Mike and brought him to his house.

Now, Mike says he is afraid of the dark because of all that time he spent in the bay with 20 foot waves crashing over him,  but that’s a lot better than the alternative.

 

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?…

20 Fun and Amazing Health Facts. 

 

1.) Women have a better sense of smell than men. 2.) When you take a step, you use up to 200 muscles. 3.) Your ears secrete more earwax when you are afraid than when you aren’t. 4.) The human brain has the capacity to store everything you experience. 5.) It takes twice as long to lose new muscle if you stop working out than it did to gain it. 6.) The average person’s skin weighs twice as much as their brain. 7.) Every year your body replaces 98% of your atoms. 8.) On average, there are 100 billion neurons in the human brain. 9.) The lifespan of a taste bud is ten days.  10.) Dentists recommend you keep your toothbrush at least 6 feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles caused by flushing.  11.) Your tongue is the only muscle in your body that is attached at only one end. 12.) Your stomach produces a new layer of mucus every two weeks so that it doesn’t digest itself. 13.) It takes about 20 seconds for a red blood cell to circle the whole body. 14.) The pupil of the eye expands as much as 45% when a person looks at something pleasing. 15.) Your heart rate can rise as much as 30% during a yawn. 16.) Your heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood each day. 17.) Your heart beats over 100,000 times a day. 18.) Your hair grows faster in the morning than at any other time of day.  19.) Your body is creating and killing 15 million red blood cells per second. 20.) You’re born with 300 bones, but when you reach adulthood, you only have 206!

 

Tip Of The Month

Vitamin D

       For most people, Vitamin D levels drop considerably in the winter (or summer if you live in the Southern Hemisphere).  Vitamin D is very important for both muscle tone and health, and recent research suggests it’s important for the immune system.  Obviously, the winter is an important time to keep your immune system as strong as possible so you can fight off the common cold and the dreaded flu.  Now, some new research shows how much Vitamin D the average person needs to maintain optimal levels. According to the recommended levels in this new research, it is believed that 30-50% of Americans and Canadians are deficient.  In order to raise your Vitamin D levels into the optimum range throughout the year, the Endocrine Society has recommended the following daily intake levels of Vitamin D (from all sources):  Children under one years old: 400-1,000 IU/day; Children 1 to 18 years old: 600-1,000 IU/day; Adults: 1,500-2,000 IU/day.

Is All Vitamin D Created Equal?

            Research published in the June edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that Vitamin D3 supplements could provide more benefit than its close relative, Vitamin D2.  This is important because it is difficult for most people to get enough Vitamin D through food and sunshine, especially during the winter months.  Many foods are fortified with Vitamin D, but it is usually in the Vitamin D2 form.  The research shows that Vitamin D3 is better at raising the Vitamin D levels in your blood when given as a supplement. Dr. Laura Tripkovic explains: “We know that Vitamin D is vital in helping to keep us fit and healthy, but what has not been clear is the difference between the two types of Vitamin D. It used to be thought that both were equally beneficial, however our analysis highlights that our bodies may react differently to both types and that Vitamin D3 could actually be better for us.”

To get their results, researchers analyzed the results of 10 studies with a total of over 1,000 people.  They stated, “Vitamin D3 could potentially become the preferred choice for supplementation. However, additional research is required to examine the metabolic pathways involved in oral and intramuscular administration of Vitamin D and the effects across age, sex, and ethnicity, which this review was unable to verify.”

Is Vitamin D Really That Important?

According to the National Institute of Health: “A growing body of research suggests that Vitamin D might play some role in the prevention and treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, multiple sclerosis, and other medical conditions. Laboratory and animal evidence, as well as epidemiologic data, suggests that Vitamin D status could affect cancer risk. Strong biological and mechanistic bases indicate that Vitamin D plays a role in the prevention of colon, prostate, and breast cancers.”

 

Remember, we’re always here to help your body heal

and maintain the pain free body you deserve.

 

This information is solely advisory, and 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 healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history. We cannot be held responsible for actions you may take without a thorough exam or appropriate referral. If you have any further concerns or questions, please let us know.