Dr Beecher’s May 25 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, May 25th, 2015
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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 November 17 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, November 17th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Mental Stress Affects Male and Female Hearts in Different Ways. Past studies have suggested that mental stress can influence heart health. Now, researchers have found that women under mental stress are more likely than men to experience reduced blood flow to the heart and are also more prone to clots due to platelet aggregation. On the other hand, men experience greater changes in blood pressure and heart rate in response to mental stress. Researcher Dr. Zainab Samad adds, “The relationship between mental stress and cardiovascular disease is well-known. This study revealed that mental stress affects the cardiovascular health of men and women differently. We need to recognize this difference when evaluating and treating patients for cardiovascular disease.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology, October 2014
Health Alert: Possible Link Between Breast Implants and Cancer. An international research group has concluded that breast implants can cause a new subtype of rare, yet malignant, lymphoma known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). This type of cancer is usually found in lymph nodes, skin, lung, liver, and soft tissue, but is not usually found in the breast. The researchers found that cases in which ALCL developed in the breast were almost exclusively involved individuals with breast implants. The actual reasons why breast implants can cause lymphoma are currently unknown, but the research team suspects the cause is an abnormal immune response. In many cases, the lymphoma subsided once the implants were removed. Mutation Research, August 2014
Diet: A Chemical in Broccoli May Help Treat Autism. Sulforaphane, a chemical found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, shows promise for improving some behavioral symptoms of autism. Researchers found that about two thirds of participants who received sulforaphane saw their scores on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist reduced by 34%, while their scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale fell 17%. They hope to discover the biology underlying the effects observed and to study them at a cellular level. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, October 2014
Exercise: Heavy Exercise Can Produce Asthma-Like Symptoms in Healthy Kids. Researchers have found that children who undergo brief periods of intense exercise can exhibit lung dysfunction and other symptoms similar to those experienced by asthma patients. These symptoms can happen even when the child has no history of asthma. Lead researcher Dr. Alladdin Abosaida adds, “We did not expect to see pulmonary function abnormalities after short periods of heavy exercise in such a large number of healthy children in our subject population.” Further research is needed to determine the mechanism of lung dysfunction in children following heavy exercise and identify possible interventions. American Thoracic Society 2010 International Conference, May 2010
Chiropractic: Immediate Changes in Brain After Manual Therapy in Patients with Pain. New research focused on the effects of manual therapies on pain modulation has revealed that therapies such as chiropractic spinal manipulation, spinal mobilization, and therapeutic touch have an immediate effect on the functional connectivity between brain regions involved in processing and modulating the pain experience. The results were gathered by using functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain combined with measurements of pain sensitivity and intensity. The findings suggest that manual therapies may lead to neurophysiologic changes that result in pain relief. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, October 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Babies Benefit if Mothers Follow Lifestyle Advice During Pregnancy. In the largest study of its kind, researchers gave nutrition and exercise advice to pregnant women who were either overweight or obese. Women who received such advice increased their fruit and vegetable intake and reduced saturated fat intake. They also engaged in 15-20 minutes of brisk walking on most days of the week. Their babies were more likely to have a healthier birth weight, less likely to have a moderate to severe respiratory distress syndrome, and were able to go home sooner than babies born from mothers in a control group that did not receive any diet or exercise advice. BMC Medicine, October 2014
Quote: “Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief.” ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero
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 November 25 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, November 25th, 2013
Mental Attitude: Einstein’s Brain. The left and right hemispheres of Albert Einstein’s brain were unusually well connected to one another, which may have contributed to his brilliance. This study is the first to detail Einstein’s corpus callosum, the brain’s largest bundle of fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and facilitates interhemispheric communication. Brain, October 2013
Health Alert: Death in Boom Times? Historically, when economies expand, death rates increase for both middle-aged and older people; however, when economies head for recession, the death rates among these groups decrease. For every
1% point increase in GDP, death rates appear to rise by 0.36% among older people, and by 0.38% among the middle- aged. Two popular explanations include: 1) During recessions, unemployed people reduce alcohol consumption, resulting in fewer road accidents. 2) Job stress and air pollution are known to increase when economies grow.
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, October 2013
Diet: More Reasons to Eat Broccoli and Cauliflower! Sulforaphane (found in cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and collards) may help reduce the risk of respiratory inflammation that leads to chronic diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In a study setting, researchers found that those who consumed 200 grams of broccoli had nearly three times as many antioxidant enzymes in their upper airway cells compared to baseline measurements. These protective antioxidant enzymes help fight against common environmental pollutants. Clinical Immunology, March 2009
Exercise: Better Math, English, and Science Grades! Research on British school children has found a link between academic performance and daily exercise. English, math, and science scores went up as the number of minutes per day of exercise increased with the greatest gains in female science scores. With boys and girls only exercising 18-29 minutes per day on average, how much could grades improve if physical education hours were increased instead of cut back to save money? British Journal of Sports Medicine, October 2013
Chiropractic: Lack of Motion and the Heart and Lungs. The negative effects of immobilization (lack of proper motion) begin as soon as four hours after injury! The direct effects of deconditioning on the cardiopulmonary system (heart & lungs) include an increase of the maximal heart rate and a decrease in your maximal oxygen consumption potential. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 1992
Wellness/Prevention: Kids Need Regular Bedtimes. A study of 10,000 children in the United Kingdom found that children with inconsistent bedtimes are more likely to suffer from behavioral and emotional problems than their peers who go to sleep at the same time every night. The good news is that the effects are reversible once children settle into a regular bedtime. Pediatrics, October 2013
Quote: “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” ~ Kurt Vonnegut
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 November 2013 Monthly Chiropractic Newletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism
or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Can Eating This Stop Arthritis
and Cancer?
Also this month:
- Smoke Yourself Stupid? Marijuana Use Starting in Youth Linked Lower IQ in Adulthood – Research reveals smoking pot is not as harmless as many believe.
- Does Coconut Oil Help Fight Tooth Decay? Results of a new study find it could help prevent cavities.
- One Simple Thing You Can Do that Will Save You Money and Make You Eat Healthier. –Hint… It has to do with something you keep in your wallet.
- The Goal that Changed a 7-Year-Old Child’s Life. The Miraculous Story of the Captain of the United States Men’s National Soccer Team… a Little Boy with Leukemia… and a Day He’ll Never Forget.
Houston – Would you eat something that is all-natural, has no side-effects, stops painful osteoarthritis, and could even help fight cancer? Of course you would.
In just a moment you will learn all about new research that will probably have you eating this inexpensive and abundant food every day of the week.
But first, let’s do the opposite. Would you stop doing something if you knew it lowered your IQ?
Well, that’s what research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) says smoking marijuana does when the habit is started during adolescence.
According to the study, “Heavy use of marijuana has been previously linked to neuropsychological impairment, particularly when use begins early in life.” The researchers found that “those individuals who use cannabis regularly, particularly those who began use in adolescence, experienced declines in everyday cognitive function that were noticeable to close contacts, who were surveyed by the researchers. Persistent marijuana users also lost several IQ points on average between age 13 years and age 38 years.”
The study’s lead author, Madeline Meier, Ph.D., a Postdoctoral associate at Duke University, warns, “Marijuana is not harmless, particularly for adolescents.”
A study on mice, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that smoking marijuana may even increase your risk of developing serious psychiatric disorders (such as schizophrenia).
According to the study’s senior author, Asaf Keller, Ph.D., Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, “Over the past 20 years, there has been a major controversy about the long-term effects of marijuana, with some evidence that use in adolescence could be damaging… Previous research has shown that children who started using marijuana before the age of 16 are at greater risk of permanent cognitive deficits, and have a significantly higher incidence of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. There likely is a genetic susceptibility, and then you add marijuana during adolescence and it becomes the trigger.”
Another scientist involved with the study, Sylvina Mullins Raver, a Ph.D. candidate in the Program in Neuroscience in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, adds, “Adolescence is the critical period during which marijuana use can be damaging… We wanted to identify the biological underpinnings and determine whether there is a real, permanent health risk to marijuana use.
“In the adult mice exposed to marijuana ingredients in adolescence, we found that cortical oscillations were grossly altered, and they exhibited impaired cognitive abilities… We also found impaired cognitive behavioral performance in those mice. The striking finding is that, even though the mice were exposed to very low drug doses and only for a brief period during adolescence, their brain abnormalities persisted into adulthood.”
The study was repeated on adult mice and the results were normal, leading researchers to believe marijuana exposure only had a detrimental impact on cognition in the adolescent brain.
One fault of this particular study is that it was done on mice, not humans. But, the research team believes the results have implications for adolescent humans as well.
One last thing on this topic… Research presented on May 5, 2013 at the Pediatric Academy Societies annual meeting in Washington, D.C. strongly suggests that cigarette smoking is a gateway to marijuana use.
The study showed that tobacco users were more likely to have used marijuana than those who did not use tobacco.
Not only that, Megan Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH, FAAP, an investigator at Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington, adds, “Contrary to what we would expect, we also found that students who smoked both tobacco and marijuana were more likely to smoke more tobacco than those who smoked only tobacco.”
Can Eating This Stop
Arthritis and Cancer?
First, let’s be clear. There are no wonder cures for either arthritis or cancer, at least not in the world of medicine and science. But, sometimes, new research comes to light that certainly makes it look like we’re getting there…
For example, recent research published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism found that sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables (such as cabbage and brussel sprouts), could help fight osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. Kale, cauliflower, and Bok Choy are also sources of sulforaphane. The compound is released when the vegetables are chewed.
What’s more, the study showed that sulforaphane blocks cartilage destroying enzymes by stopping a molecule that causes inflammation before it can act.
Sulforaphane appears to help more than just arthritis. In another study, scientists at Oregon State University discovered “yet another reason why the sulforaphane compound in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables is so good for you – it provides not just one, but two ways to prevent cancer through the complex mechanism of epigenetics.”
Epigenetics refers to our genetic code and how diet, toxins, and other environmental factors change the way our genes are activated or expressed. In other words, you may have a genetic predisposition for cancer, but the cancer will activate or remain dormant depending on what you eat or are exposed to.
Of course, further research is needed on sulforaphane but it probably isn’t a bad idea to add more broccoli to your diet. J
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 Goal that Changed
a 7-Year-Old Child’s Life!
The Miraculous Story of the Captain of the United States Men’s National
Soccer Team… a Little Boy with Leukemia… and a Day He’ll Never Forget.
Some people are born with special gifts. These gifts force other people to pay attention to them, to watch them, and even idolize them. Many of the people born with these gifts only use their talents to make their own lives better. They make themselves rich and famous without regard for what they can do for others. In other words, they are selfish.
Then, there are the select few who realize that the greatness they were lucky enough to be born with can do a whole heck of a lot more than make one person (them) happy. It can change the lives of countless others. It can even relieve suffering, if only for just a short time. These select few spend a good part of their lives making a huge difference in the world.
Landon Donovan is one of these people. Landon was born March 4, 1982 in Ontario, California. He joined his first competitive soccer league at age five, and even though he was playing against older players, he scored seven goals in his first game! Within 10 years, Landon was playing at the National level on the Under-17 USA Team. Soon after that, he became the youngest player on the Under-23 USA National Team. Since then, Landon has represented the USA in the Olympics and World Cup and is currently Captain of the National Team. Yes, he has the “soccer gift.”
But Landon is much more than one of the best American soccer players ever. He is a true role model who spends a lot of his time helping others.
Recently, Landon appeared on ESPN’s “My Wish” series. The star of that episode was a 7-year-old soccer fan from Colorado named Brendan Galanaugh.
Brendan suffers from leukemia. When he is not going through difficult medical treatments like chemotherapy, he plays soccer with his father or cheers for his idol, Landon Donovan. Through it all, Brendan has been remarkable. When another child said he felt sorry for him because he was sick, Brendan replied that he was not sick, he just had cancer.
One of the things that kept Brendan going was the World Cup soccer tournament. His father said they did not miss a single game, and Brendan would even wake up at 5:00 a.m. to watch his hero play.
Not too long after the World Cup, Brendan’s parents brought him to the sports store to get a new pair of soccer shoes. When he opened the box, he found a DVD of Landon Donovan inviting him to come meet him and spend the day with him.
Brendan and his family were taken (by limousine) to the headquarters of the LA Galaxy, the professional team Donovan plays for. In the locker room, Brendan received a personalized team jersey and got to meet his idol.
Brendan attended practice and actually played one-on-one with Landon. Then, he got an all-access pass to the Galaxy’s upcoming game. In that game, Landon scored twice and gave his game jersey to Brendan who was cheering for him on the sidelines.
At the time of this writing, Brendan is now in remission and continues to cheer for Landon every time he plays. Imagine how wonderful the world would be if more people were like these two.
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?…
14 Things You May Not Know About Yourself…
- Unless food is mixed with saliva, you can’t taste it.
- The average person falls asleep in seven minutes.
- Eight percent of people have an extra rib.
- The smallest bones in the human body are found in your ear.
- One day of blinking equates to having your eyes closed for 30 minutes.
- The average human brain contains around 78% water.
- Your brain uses between 20 – 25% of the oxygen you breathe.
- A quarter of your bones are in your feet.
- Your tongue is the fastest healing part of your body.
- A one-minute kiss burns 26 calories.
- You burn more calories sleeping than watching TV.
- Skin is the human body’s largest organ.
- Enamel is the hardest substance in your body.
- The hyoid bone in your throat is the only bone in your body not attached to any other.
Tip Of The Month
Want Fewer Cavities? Try Coconut Oil.
Do you want fewer cavities? If you do, you are not alone. In industrialized countries, 60% – 90% of children battle tooth decay. New research has shown that coconut oil, at relatively low concentrations, attacks the bacteria that causes tooth decay and can be used to help fight cavities.
According to BBC NEWS Health, “[The] research team from the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland tested the impact of coconut oil, vegetable oil, and olive oil in their natural states, and when treated with enzymes in a process similar to digestion. The oils were then tested against Streptococcus bacteria, which are common inhabitants of the mouth. Only the enzyme-modified coconut oil showed an ability to inhibit the growth of most strains of the bacteria. It also attacked Streptococcus mutans, an acid-producing bacterium which is a major cause of tooth decay.”
Coconut oil can also help fight off yeast, fungus, and candida. It can also positively affect hormones for thyroid and blood sugar control. Not only that, it can reduce cholesterol and boost thyroid function, helping increase metabolism, energy, and endurance. One study has shown that consuming about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil a day for 12 weeks resulted in women having less abdominal fat.
One Simple Thing You Can Do That Will Save You Money and Make You Eat Healthier.
Want to eat healthier and possibly lose weight? Want to save money in the process? The Journal of Consumer Research might have the answer you are looking for. According to their research, “Some food items that are commonly considered unhealthy also tend to elicit impulsive responses. The pain of paying in cash can curb impulsive urges to purchase such unhealthy food products. Credit card payments, in contrast, are relatively painless and weaken impulse control. Consequently, consumers are more likely to buy unhealthy food products when they pay by credit card than when they pay in cash.”
The research went on to report that there are many factors that cause the consumption of unhealthy food, including faulty beliefs and lack of knowledge. But impulsivity seems to be one of the most, if not the most, influential factor. Having a credit card present and making it a habit to pay with a credit card can seriously add to the impulse to purchase “bad” food. Simply making a shopping list and figuring out the amount of cash you will need and bringing that amount in cash will not only save you money but it will stop most of the impulse buying that contributes to poor overall health.
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 at 281-286-1300.
