Dr Beecher’s July 20 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, July 20th, 2015
To download a copy of this newsletter, click here.
Mental Attitude: Bullied Teens at Risk for Depression Later in Life. Teens who are bullied appear to be at a higher risk for depression when they reach early adulthood when compared with their peers who were not bullied during adolescence. The study involved 4,000 teens and found that teenagers who were frequently bullied at age 13 were twice as likely to be depressed at age 18. Of the 4,000 teens involved in the study, 700 reported being bullied more than once a week. BMJ, June 2015
Health Alert: Poorly Controlled Diabetes Results in Longer Hospital Stays. Two new studies presented at the 75th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association state that diabetics who fail to control their blood sugar levels tend to have longer and more costly hospital stays. According to researchers, hospital stays for diabetics with poor blood sugar control can last an average of three days longer at a total cost nearly $2,500 greater than diabetics who do a better job at managing their blood sugar levels. Scripps Health, June 2015
Diet: BPA in Canned Foods Less Common. A new report claims that up to 30% of canned foods contain the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in their linings. According to previously published research, BPA exposure may be associated with abnormal fetal development, obesity, and reproductive health issues, among other health problems. The good news is that fewer food manufacturers are using BPA to line the inside of their cans when compared with the available historical data. Renee Sharp, a Director of Research at the Environmental Working Group adds, “Definitely the trend is moving away from BPA, but there is a long way to go.” Environmental Working Group, June 2015
Exercise: Certain Physical Activities Associated with Better Sleep. Participating in activities such as walking, aerobics, calisthenics, running, weight training, yoga, and Pilates may improve your sleeping habits. Researcher leader Dr. Michael Grandner adds, “Although previous research has shown that lack of exercise is associated with poor sleep, the results of this study were surprising. Not only does this study show that those who get exercise simply by walking are more likely to have better sleep habits, but these effects are even stronger for more purposeful activities, such as running and yoga, and even gardening and golf.” Associated Professional Sleep Societies, June 2015
Chiropractic: Back Pain Associated with Knee Pain. According to researchers at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Iran, patients with knee complaints are significantly more likely to also have a history of lower back pain. Though the researchers were unable to conclude whether or not the relationship between back pain and knee pain is causative in either direction or if both may be secondary to another issue, they do recommend that doctors consider a patient’s back pain history when assessing and managing knee pain complaints. The Journal of the Pakistani Medical Association, June 2015
Wellness/Prevention: Bug Bites & Bee Stings. While most insect bites aren’t serious, experts advise going to the emergency room if you or your child develop the following ailments after a bite or sting: difficulty breathing, a feeling that your throat is closing, swelling lips, swelling tongue or face, chest pain, racing heartbeat, dizziness, headache, or vomiting. Also, beware of a red rash that looks like a bullseye target or a fever with a spreading red or black spotty rash. Dr. Margaret Parsons, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California writes, “Although most bug bites and stings do not turn into a severe or even fatal illness like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, it’s important to pay attention to your symptoms.” American Academy of Dermatology, May 2015
Quote: “True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well-being of one’s companion.” ~ Gordon B. Hinckley
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s May 25 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, May 25th, 2015
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter , please click here!
Mental Attitude: Leafy Greens May Protect Aging Brains. An evaluation of the eating habits and mental abilities of over 950 older adults revealed that eating a single serving of leafy green vegetables per day may reduce an individual’s risk for dementia. The study found that those who consumed one or two servings of spinach, kale, mustard greens, collards, or similar vegetables on a daily basis experienced slower mental deterioration than those who ate no leafy greens at all. Dr. Yvette Sheline, a professor of psychiatry and neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine writes, “It makes sense that leafy green vegetables would have an effect on mental health… We know generally that what you eat, or don’t eat, can affect your risk for high blood pressure and vascular disease, which can both then worsen the course of dementia.” American Society for Nutrition Annual Meeting, March 2015
Health Alert: Depression and Diabetes Both Increase Dementia Risk! Previous research has shown that both type 2 diabetes and depression can independently increase an individual’s risk for dementia, but what happens when they co-occur? Danish researchers analyzed data collected from 2.4 million adults and found that while depression increases a person’s risk for dementia by 83% and the presence of type 2 diabetes results in a 20% greater risk, those with both type 2 diabetes and depression are 117% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia. This suggests that the presence of both conditions has a synergistic effect on dementia risk, not just an additive effect. JAMA Psychiatry, April 2015
Diet: New Broccoli Reduces Cholesterol. Eating ten or more weekly servings of a new variety of broccoli has been demonstrated to reduce Low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) levels by about 6%. This new broccoli variety known as Beneforte was bred to contain two to three times more glucoraphanin, a compound that is converted to sulphoraphane inside the body. Previous research has observed that sulphoraphane activates genes that keep the body from converting excess dietary fat and sugar into bad cholesterol. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, April 2015
Exercise: Exercise Helps Fibromyalgia Patients. An 18-week functional training program for women with fibromyalgia (FM) resulted in reductions in both pain and tender points along with a positive impact on their overall quality of life. If further studies verify these findings, such training (which consisted of two sessions of in-water exercise and one session of on-land exercise each week) could play an important role in helping FM patients maintain an independent lifestyle. Modern Rheumatology, April 2015
Chiropractic: Could Migraines and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Be Linked? Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center suggest that carpal tunnel syndrome can increase an individual’s risk for migraine headaches, and migraines may increase the likelihood of one developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 26,000 Americans and found that the risk of migraine was 2.6 times higher in people with carpal tunnel syndrome. Similarly, the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome was 2.7 times higher among migraine sufferers. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, March 2015
Wellness/Prevention: What Part of the Day Do Teens Become Less Active? While adolescents have been observed to be less physically active and spend more time performing sedentary activities as they grow older, no previous studies have analyzed how these changes occur during the course of a teen’s average week. In this study, 363 teens wore accelerometers at both age 12 and age 15, and researchers recorded how much time was spent each day being inactive or performing either light physical activity or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. They found that by age 15, participants were sedentary 7-8% more often during school hours and both after school and on weekends. Across the board, students spent about 7% less time performing light physical activities while moderate-to-vigorous activity levels remained largely unchanged. Due to the increase in sedentary time across all aspects of an adolescent’s week, the investigators recommend that future interventions intended to help teens become more active need to focus on both their in-school and after-school/weekend activities. Int’l Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, April 2015
Quote: “Go on with what your heart tells you, or you will lose all.” ~ Rick Riordan
Dr Beecher’s February 2015 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” ~ Harry S. Truman
New Study Shows Refined Sugars May Raise Blood Pressure More Than Salt!
Also this month:
- Study Links Vitamin D Deficiency to Depression. The evidence about the importance of Vitamin D is adding up. It affects your immune system and has now been linked to depression.
- Lose Weight with Potatoes? New study shows you may be able to lose weight even if you are eating a diet high in fat and refined carbohydrates with this potato extract…
- How Stealing Eggs Fed a Family of Six. Stealing is not good but the outcome of this “theft” may have saved a few lives…
Houston – There is no question, science has dramatically changed the way in which we see the world and has helped us better understand both ourselves and the universe we inhabit.
Here is something most people do not know about science and the scientific method: it raises more questions than answers. You see, the purpose of science is NOT to “prove” things. In fact, all scientific theories are actually unprovable.
The late philosopher Karl Popper believed a hypothesis, proposition, or theory is “scientific” only if it is, among other things, falsifiable.
According to Princeton University’s website: “Falsifiability or refutability is the logical possibility that an assertion could be shown false by a particular observation or physical experiment. That something is ‘falsifiable’ does not mean it is false; rather, it means that if the statement were false, then its falsehood could be demonstrated.
“The claim ‘No human lives forever’ is not falsifiable since it does not seem possible to prove wrong. In theory, one would have to observe a human living forever to falsify that claim. On the other hand, ‘All humans live forever’ is falsifiable since the presentation of just one dead human could prove the statement wrong (excluding metaphysical assertions about souls, which are not falsifiable). Moreover, a claim may be true and still be falsifiable; if ‘All humans live forever’ were true, we would never actually find a dead human, and yet that claim would still be falsifiable because we can at least imagine the observation that would prove it wrong.”
Here Are Two Important Things About This…
First, a statement that is unfalsifiable is non-scientific, but that does not mean it is not relevant or that it is inaccurate. One great example is the existence of atoms. The ancient metaphysical and unfalsifiable idea of the existence of atoms led to modern theories about atoms that are falsifiable.
In other words, just because something does not fit into the scientific method does not mean it will not fit someday or that it is false. It is very possible that things could be untestable by science but true.
Just as important, because something does fit into the scientific method and has withstood scientific testing, it does not mean it is true or even partially true. It is not uncommon to discover that things we believe to be fact are either partially or completely incorrect.
In other words, we know a lot less than we sometimes think we do and we should always keep an open mind.
Is Sodium Really the Devil?
For example, sodium has been demonized for quite some time because it has been linked to high blood pressure and heart disease. For many years, it has been an accepted “fact” that sodium intake must be reduced in people with high blood pressure and by most people in general.
Not too long ago, a study was published that suggested the important measure wasn’t sodium intake but the sodium/potassium ratio in an individual’s diet. This could mean that even a low-sodium diet could be bad if an individual’s diet is also low in potassium, or that a high-sodium diet may not be an issue if a person’s diet is also a high-potassium diet.
But it gets better… Now, a new study published in the journal Open Heart has added to the debate. In this study, high-sugar diets were found to raise blood pressure.
According to the study: “Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of premature mortality in the developed world, and hypertension is its most important risk factor. Controlling hypertension is a major focus of public health initiatives, and dietary approaches have historically focused on sodium.
“While the potential benefits of sodium-reduction strategies are debatable, one fact which there is little debate is that the predominant sources of sodium in the diet are industrially processed foods. Processed foods also happen to be generally high in added sugars, the consumption of which might be more strongly and directly associated with hypertension and cardio metabolic risk.”
The authors of the study went on to add, “Thus, while there is no argument that recommendations to reduce consumption of processed foods are highly appropriate and advisable, the arguments in this review are that the benefits of such recommendations might have less to do with sodium – minimally related to blood pressure and perhaps even inversely related to cardiovascular risk – and more to do with highly-refined carbohydrates.”
Here’s What Is VERY Important To YOU:
This may seem like a lot of “scientific” information. It may also seem confusing. Researchers are good at making things confusing!
Here is the scoop: Foods loaded with processed, refined carbohydrates are not good for you. Choosing to eat fewer refined, processed foods is one of the best ways to lose weight and stay healthy. Period. End of story.
Notice, I did not say to stop eating carbohydrates? Many people are confused by this and think all carbohydrates are the same but nothing could be further from the truth.
There is a HUGE difference between highly refined carbohydrates and unrefined carbohydrates.
Sure, there is a raging debate over low-carb and high-carb diets but that is another conversation. The first thing you must understand is highly refined carbohydrates are not good for you in any amounts. How many unrefined and GOOD carbohydrates you should consume is a very different topic.
Does science always have the right answer? No, it is not supposed to. Science is a method, a process. It is one part of how we know what we know. It is not all of it.
We should use science as part of the process to make the best decisions about life and health.
With that being said, I will go out on a limb and say this: If you want to be healthier – possibly much healthier – stop eating processed, highly refined foods.
Are You SAD? Vitamin D Deficiency
Might Be The Cause…
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is believed to affect up to 10 percent of the population. SAD is a type of depression related to the changes in the season and can affect some geographic locations more than others. The symptoms of SAD usually start in the fall and continue throughout the winter months. Now, new research suggests that Vitamin D plays a HUGE role in whether or not a person develops SAD. According to Dr. Alan Stewart of the University of Georgia College of Education, “Rather than being one of many factors, Vitamin D could have a regulative role in the development of SAD… We believe there are several reasons for this, including Vitamin D levels fluctuate in the body seasonally, in direct relation to seasonally available sunlight. For example, studies show there is a lag of about eight weeks between the peak in intensity of ultraviolet radiation and the onset of SAD, and this correlates with the time it takes for UV radiation to be processed by the body into Vitamin D.”
It is important to note that Vitamin D is involved in the synthesis of dopamine and serotonin and lower levels of both are linked to depression. This is especially important since many people now avoid the sun as much as possible out of fear or developing skin cancer. Clearly, exposure to sunlight is important for optimizing your health. But there is a big difference between getting too much sunlight (and getting sunburns) and taking an extreme position to get no sunlight at all. The tricky thing is determining what level of sun exposure is most beneficial for you. Factors like skin tone and geographic location drastically affect how much sun any given person should be exposed to. However, a vitamin D supplement may safely help increase your vitamin D levels, especially during winter months when sunlight exposure is extremely limited.
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)
How Stealing Eggs Fed a Starving Family of Six
Ever had a bad day? One of those days where you wish you never got out of bed? We all have those days. Sometimes we get more of them than we want to deal with.
Clearly, life can be tough and it has brought many good people to their knees. It’s a safe bet that EVERYONE at one time or another has needed help. Getting help is what this amazing story is about…
Helen Johnson was just buying groceries, something we all do. But that’s where the similarity ends for most of us.
Helen was not buying much, just the necessities because the children in her charge had not eaten in two days. When the cashier told her the total, she was 50 cents short. This put Helen in a very tough spot. She is raising her two daughters, two grandchildren, and a niece. She gets assistance from disability and welfare, but her last check got lost in the mail.
Helen was faced with letting her family go hungry… or stealing. She chose the latter.
She put three eggs in her pocket and they broke. This mistake turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Here is why: The cashier saw the broken eggs and knew she was trying to shoplift them, so she called the police. When the police came, Helen was honest and told Officer William Stacy what had happened.
Officer Stacy said she started crying and said she needed help to put food in her babies’ stomachs.
Instead of arresting her, Officer Stacy told her to wait for him in the parking lot. She did and he came back with a carton of eggs he purchased for her. When he handed Helen the eggs, she almost broke down with overwhelming emotion.
What’s more, someone in the parking lot caught the entire exchange on video. The video was uploaded to the internet and as you can imagine, went viral.
But it gets even better… Officer Stacy is employed by the Tarrant Police Department in Alabama. The Tarrant Police Department signed up Helen’s family for a local toy drive and also collected enough donations to deliver two truckloads of groceries to the family.
Helen has been quoted as saying, “I was just getting eggs and now that’s saved my life. I’ve never been more grateful in my life. I’m so overwhelmed with the goodness of these people… My heart is wide open right now.”
This story is not as unique as one may think. In 2013, Jessica Robles was caught shoplifting groceries in a Publix Supermarket in Florida. When Miami-Dade Police Officer Viki Thomas looked at the situation, she decided to pay $100 for the woman’s groceries instead of arresting her.
Everyone knows there is plenty of bad in the world, but there is also plenty of good. Most of the time, you see what you are looking for.
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?…
Are You Drinking Enough Water?
Throughout each day, your body loses water through your urine, exhalation, and sweat glands – even when you’re not purposely working up a sweat. As a result, you have to drink water to constantly replenish this fluid. No, coffee and soft drinks do not count toward this requirement. Both coffee and soda are high in caffeine, which act as a diuretic that will dehydrate you. Worse yet, sodas, fruit juices, and other sweetened beverages are loaded with sugars that could negatively impact your health. So, the key is to drink pure water. Once your body has lost 1-2% of its total water content, it will signal its needs by making you feel thirsty.
Besides listening to your thirst, a good rule of thumb is to look at the color of your urine. In most cases, you want to drink enough water to turn your urine a light-colored yellow (if it’s clear, you may be drinking too much water). Also, Riboflavin (vitamin B2, which is also found in most multi-vitamins) will turn your urine a bright, almost fluorescent yellow. So, if you’re taking supplements containing B2, it may be more difficult to judge hydration by the color of your urine. Frequency of urination can also be used to judge your water intake. If your urine is scant or if you haven’t urinated in several hours, that too may indicate you need to drink more water.
Tip Of The Month
Lose Weight with Potatoes?
Potatoes (and other carbohydrates) have gotten a bad rap in recent years. Now, newly published research claims they can help you lose weight. Well, sort of. According to researchers at McGill University, a potato extract may help limit weight gain from a diet that is already high in fat and refined carbohydrates. The study was done on mice that were fed an obesity-inducing diet for ten weeks. Some of the mice were also fed a potato extract. The mice fed the potato extract gained less weight.
Here are a few things that are important… The extract comes from 30 potatoes. Obviously, attempting to eat 30 potatoes a day would not achieve the same results (due to the large amount of calories) and is not advisable. That’s why an extract was used. But there is a bigger issue: This potato extract was tested on mice eating diets high in fat and refined carbohydrates. A much better solution would be to stop eating that sort of low-quality diet. The answer is not to eat poorly and hope that a supplement or drug will solve your problems. The answer is to eat right in the first place. The study said the mice taking the extract with the poor diet gained LESS weight. This means they still gained weight. There are no good shortcuts to losing weight and staying healthy. Making the decision to eat right and exercise for the rest of your life is the only real solution.
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 November 2014 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
“Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what’s right.” ~ Isaac Asimov
If you suffer from fatigue, persistent gas or bloating, recurrent yeast infections, constipation or diarrhea, migraines, weight gain, depression, or skin issues, then this might help you…
Probiotics!
What are probiotics? What do they do?
Do they make you healthier? Should you take expensive probiotic supplements or is there a much cheaper and superior way to get all the probiotics your body needs?
Also this month:
- STUDY: Even a Small Amount of Stress is Harmful to Your Health, Unless You Do This…
- What’s Better For Depression, Working or Taking Time Off? The Answer May Surprise You.
- Why You Should Not Use Your Smartphone in Bed…
- How a Man with Dwarfism Turned People’s Daily Ignorance and Cruelty Into an Incredible Message of Inspiration – All Summed Up in One Sentence…
You may have also noticed trends in the area of personal health. Sometimes they may be caused by a breakthrough diagnostic procedure or a new treatment. Other times, they can be motivated by less-than-pure intentions.
For example, you have probably seen a recent influx of advertisements (especially on the internet) for probiotics. One video on the internet in particular goes into depth about a government conspiracy to get people hooked on sugar and all the health problems eating too much sugar causes, namely Candida (or yeast) overgrowth. Then, the video offers the solution: their probiotic supplements, auto-shipped and billed monthly.
The purpose of this is not to get into the validity of the “sugar conspiracy” but to lay out a few facts regarding processed sugar consumption, candida or yeast, and probiotics.
Without going into great detail, it is no secret that excess sugar and processed food are not good for you and that it can be a large contributing factor to yeast overgrowth. (Stress, antibiotics, and prolonged birth control pill use are a few other possible contributors.)
What is Yeast Overgrowth
and How Does it Affect You?
The gut is your body’s gatekeeper, letting in helpful compounds and evicting harmful ones. It is home to 70 to 80% of your immune cells. When the gut is in good shape, your systems run efficiently, but when it’s not, you may experience upset stomach, be at risk for weight gain or digestive problems (like heartburn and constipation), or just feel vaguely out of sorts.
The gut is swarming with about 100 trillion bacteria, or flora, which outnumber human cells in the body 10 to 1. These bacteria are often referred to as either “good” or “bad” because they can have either a positive or negative effect on your health. The key is to eat things that promote the growth of “good” bacteria and inhibit the growth of “bad” bacteria.
What are the symptoms of
bad bacteria overgrowth?
- Painful and persistent gas and bloating
- Recurrent yeast infections in women
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Migraines
- Weight gain
- Depression and brain fog
- Skin issues like eczema and acne
- Food sensitivities
- Fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome
Here is some pretty incredible information from a CNN article posted on June 14, 2014:
“Incredibly, some bacteria might even make you fat: A recent study of twins published in “Nature,” found that when bacteria from an obese human twin were introduced into the digestive systems of lean mice, the mice turned fat; when bacteria from the thin sibling were introduced into lean mice, the mice stayed lean. Studies also suggest that diabetic and obese patients tend to lack a diversity of bacteria, and the Cleveland Clinic found that some bacteria metabolize components of egg and meat to produce a compound that aids in the clogging of arteries.
“This might explain why some unhealthy eaters get heart disease while others don’t.”
As you can see, keeping your “gut” flora in the right balance so the correct bacteria grow is vitally important for your health and the way you feel.
How do you do that?
The first thing you want to do if you have an overgrowth of yeast is to STARVE IT. Because yeast thrives on sugar and processed foods, stop eating them. There is no “magic bullet” like some probiotic supplement marketers will tell you. You cannot simply take their probiotic supplements and continue eating whatever you want.
Does that mean you should not take probiotic supplements? No. Probiotics are the “good” kind of bacteria that you want in your gut.
There are many supplements being sold, but probably the best way to get probiotics is to eat naturally fermented vegetables, like sauerkraut. In fact, an analysis has shown that the amount of probiotics in naturally fermented sauerkraut is as much as 10 times greater than the commonly used supplements the investigators compared them with.
Even better, making sauerkraut is easy and cheaper than buying many supplements.
A simple YouTube or Google search will walk you through exactly how to do it. It is nothing more than cutting up some green cabbage, mixing and squeezing it in a large bowl with the proper amount of salt (1.8 teaspoons per pound of cabbage) to create a “brine” and then letting it ferment for approximately three weeks.
And here is something very important most people miss: Sugar and processed foods are a major cause of bad bacteria (yeast) overgrowth because processed foods and sugar are food for the yeast. That’s why we said to stop eating those foods to starve the yeast.
Now that you put good bacteria into your gut by either eating naturally fermented foods or taking a supplement, wouldn’t it make sense to “feed” the good bacteria so they flourish?
That’s where prebiotics come in. Prebiotics are basically probiotic food. A prebiotic is a specialized plant fiber that beneficially nourishes the good bacteria already present in the large bowel or colon. The body itself does not digest these plant fibers; instead, the fibers act as a fertilizer to promote the growth of many of the good bacteria in the gut.
Like probiotics, you can get prebiotics from supplements or by eating a natural source. Here are some natural sources of prebiotics…
In parentheses is the prebiotic fiber content by weight, followed by the amount of food required to obtain 6 grams of prebiotic fiber:
- Raw chicory root (64.6%) – 1/3 oz.
- Raw Jerusalem artichoke (31.5%) – 3/4 oz.
- Raw dandelion greens (24.3%) – 1 oz.
- Raw garlic (17.5%) – 1.2 oz.
- Raw leek (11.7%) – 1.8 oz.
- Raw onion (8.6%) – 2.5 oz.
- Cooked onion (5%) – 1/4 lb. or 4 oz.
- Raw banana (1%) – 1.3 lb.
One last thing: This was just an introduction to a vast topic. It is best to consult a healthcare professional who is an expert in this issue and it is NOT recommended to simply experiment by yourself. A trained healthcare professional can give you expert advice that is best for your individual case.
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)
How a Man with Dwarfism Turned People’s
Daily Ignorance and Cruelty Into an Incredible Message
of Inspiration – All Summed Up in One Sentence…
“I don’t think there is a certain point in anyone’s life where they grow up. I think that we’re growing up all the time and we always will be.” These are the words of Jonathan Novick. Pretty wise words for someone who is just 22 years old, don’t you think?
Jonathan has achondroplasia, a form of short-limbed dwarfism. Even though the term “achondroplasia” literally means “without cartilage formation,” his problem is not in forming cartilage but in converting it to bone (a process called ossification), particularly in the long bones of the arms and legs.
All people with achondroplasia are short – the average male is 4’4” (~1.3 meters) and the average female is 4’1” (~1.2 meters). Achondroplasia is the most common type of short-limbed dwarfism. The condition occurs in 1 in 15,000 to 40,000 newborns. Jonathan grew up in a small town and said even though he had a few negative experiences, for the most part, he was surrounded by family and friends who supported him. Things changed drastically when he moved to New York City and started experiencing some appalling behavior. People yelled terrible things at him. Others harassed him. Some even took pictures. Jonathan said this stuff happened to him on a daily basis and he was sick and tired of it. He was also tired of telling his family and friends about what was happening. So, he decided to show them and the rest of the world what a day in his life was like.
Jonathan started wearing a tiny button camera to shoot video of his daily experiences. What he captured on video was shocking. One child yelled, “What is he?” People walked by and held out their cell phone to take a picture, acting as if they were being clever and he would not notice. One man asked if he had been on TV. When he said no, the man told him he looked like the reality-TV star Zach Roloff. (The two look nothing alike, except that they are both dwarfs.)
Other people randomly yelled stuff as they walked by like “Hey short stuff!” or “Are you from one of those shows with the little people?”
One has to wonder what these people are doing with the pictures and videos they try so hard to take. Do they post them on social media so all of their friends can have a good laugh? Maybe they’ll get a few likes out of it.
It seems as though if you are unlucky enough to do something embarrassing, like trip and fall in public, then someone is likely to catch it on video and post it on social media. Imagine how it would feel if that happened to you? You may have thick skin and you may be okay with that. Well, now imagine if EVERY SINGLE DAY was an opportunity for people to snap pictures and videos of you because of the way you looked.
The last thing Jonathan said on his video summed it up nicely…
“I don’t want to tell anyone what to do or what to think or how to feel. But instead, what I’ll do is I’ll ask. I’ll ask that the next time you see someone who is different than you, think about what their day might be like. Think about all of the events of their life leading up to that point. Then think about their day. And think about what part of their day you want to be.”
We never know the true impact and how far reaching our actions are. A simple act of cruelty or kindness can change someone’s life. One simple act of cruelty or kindness performed each day can change countless lives over your lifetime. It’s all making a choice as to what part of someone’s day or life you want to be…
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?…
Sitting All Day is Risky!
Prolonged sitting significantly impacts your cardiovascular and metabolic function and can leave you at greater risk for heart failure and other heart-related problems. One study claims that exercise may not even be able to counter the cardiovascular risk caused by sitting. In fact, the authors of the study write that the positive health benefits of one hour of exercise can be counteracted by six hours of uninterrupted sitting. The good news is that you have virtually unlimited options when it comes to breaking up your sitting. From standing desks and office-friendly intermittent exercise to short walks, all of it counts. Standing up or bending down increases the force of gravity on your body, and this is the key to counteracting the cellular degeneration that occurs when you’re sitting down. A recent study has been found that taking a five-minute walk for every hour you spend in your chair can reduce the heart disease risks associated with chronic sitting.
Tip Of The Month
STUDY: Even a Small Amount of Stress is Harmful to Your Health, Unless You Do This…
There are two facts we know about stress. Fact #1: Stress is bad. Fact #2: Stress cannot always be avoided. Many “experts” give advice on how to “lower your stress levels,” but for the vast majority of people, that is simply not an option. Stress is simply a built-in part of modern life. That’s the bad news. But there is GOOD news and here it is…
According to a study published in Experimental Gerontology, it is not the amount of stress you are under that is important but how you perceive and react to the stress that determines its effect on your life expectancy. For example, Dr. Carolyn Aldwin, Director of the Center for Healthy Aging Research in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University states, “It’s not the number of hassles that does you in, it’s the perception of them being a big deal that causes problems. Taking things in stride may protect you.” Dr. Aldwin went on to say, “Don’t make mountains out of molehills. Coping skills are very important.” Stress will always be part of your life. If you want to live longer (and happier), take action and change what you can and do not worry about the things you cannot.
What’s Better for Depression, Working or Taking Time Off?
A new study conducted by scientists at the University of Melbourne is the first to estimate the long-term health care costs and health outcomes of taking time off work versus continuing to work during an episode of depression. According to the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Fiona Cocker, “We found that continuing to work while experiencing a depressive illness may offer employees certain health benefits, while depression-related absence from work offers no significant improvement in employee health outcomes or quality of life… This is important information for employers, health care professionals (e.g. GPs) and employees faced with the decision whether to continue working or take a leave of absence. It suggests that future workplace mental health promotion strategies should include mental health policies that focus on promoting continued work attendance via offering flexible work-time and modification of tasks or working environment.”
Why You Should Not Use Your Smartphone in Bed…
The American Macular Degeneration Foundation now warns that retinal damage caused by blue light may eventually lead to macular degeneration and the loss of central vision. Blue light is emitted by smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other LED screens. It seems as though the most danger occurs when holding a screen close to the eyes, which can occur while lying in bed. Nighttime exposure to this blue light can also suppress production of the hormone melatonin and can interfere with your natural sleep cycles.
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.
Houston – Trends are a big part of Western culture and cultures around most of the world. Most entertainment and fashion trends are blatantly obvious. A celebrity wears big headphones, glasses, or gets a certain haircut and in no time, countless people all over the world will do or wear the same thing.
Dr Beecher’s February 10 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, February 10th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Depression’s Influence on Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers! Based on data provided by 322 patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis, researchers have identified that a patient’s psychological state can affect self- reported measurements about how their body responds to different treatments and therapies. The researchers recommend rheumatologists be aware of their patient’s mental state when assessing the efficacy of their treatment plan.
Arthritis Care & Research, December 2013
Health Alert: Smoking is a $289 Million Dollar a Year Burden! During the last half-century, 20 million Americans have died as a consequence of smoking and 16 million more continue to suffer from smoking-related conditions. The combined healthcare expenses and lost economic productivity that results from smoking-related illnesses costs the United States (US) about $289,000,000 each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every thirteen children alive in the US right now will die prematurely from smoking-related diseases unless current smoking rates drop! Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, January 2014
Diet: Diet Soda Not Helpful for Dieters! A new study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that drinking diet soda may not help dieters lose weight. Using data from the long-term National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers discovered that, even though people who drink diet sodas are drinking fewer calories, they tend to consume just as many or more total calories than people who drink sugary beverages. According to lead author Dr. Sarah Bleich, “The results of our study suggest that overweight and obese adults looking to lose or maintain their weight–who have already made the switch from sugary to diet beverages–may need to look carefully at other components of their solid-food diet, particularly sweet snacks, to potentially identify areas for modification.” American Journal of Public Health, January 2014
Exercise: How to Keep that New Year’s Resolution. Recording goals in a fitness diary, reflecting on successes and failures, and being held accountable by others are key strategies that have been found to maximize the achievement of all goals, including New Year’s resolutions. Loughborough University, January 2014
Chiropractic: The Cause of Post Car Accident Neck Pain. After a car accident, the cause of neck pain may be unknown. Muscles and ligaments can become strained and even inflamed, but they usually heal within six to ten weeks. Pain that lasts longer is usually due to injury to the disk, facet joint, or both. Facet joint pain is the most common cause of chronic neck pain after an accident. Facet joint pain may occur alone or along with disk pain and may sometimes be mistaken for muscle pain. North American Spine Society, January 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Breastfeeding and Rheumatoid Arthritis? A study of 7,000 older Chinese women showed that those who breast fed their children had a 50% reduced risk for rheumatoid arthritis later in life.
Rheumatology, January 2014
Quote: “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.” ~ Maya Angelou
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 January 13 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, January 13th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Maternal Depression? Depression is a serious mental illness with many negative consequences for its sufferers. Depression among pregnant women may also have an impact on their developing babies. Children of depressed parents are at an increased risk for developing depression themselves, which can be the result of a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. These children also display alterations in their amygdala, a part of the brain that’s important for the regulation of emotion and stress. Biological Psychiatry, December 2013
Health Alert: E-Cigarettes? E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that look like cigarettes and deliver an aerosol of nicotine and other chemicals. These devices are largely unregulated, with no effective controls on marketing them to minors. Despite industry claims that it markets only to adults, the percentage of 12-18 year olds who use e-cigarettes doubled from 2011 to 2012. As of 2012, an estimated 1.8 million American adolescents have used the devices. Journal of Adolescent Health, November 2013
Diet: Low Vitamin D Levels. A recent study shows that vitamin D deficiency may cause damage to the brain and other organs. When middle-aged rats were fed a diet low in vitamin D for several months, they developed free radical damage to their brains and also performed poorly in cognitive functioning tests for learning and memory. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, December 2013
Exercise: Parents Need to be Fitness Role-Models! Two-thirds of United Kingdom schoolchildren surveyed about their parent’s fitness levels stated that their mom and dad do almost no physical activity. After testing the children’s fitness levels, researchers found that the children of sedentary parents were 50% more likely to be classified as physically unfit. Dr. Gavin Sandercock, the lead author of the study, adds, “As parents we don’t need to be Olympic athletes to be good role models for our children. We need our children to know that we encourage and support their physical activity and, most importantly, we need our children to see us being active ourselves.” University of Essex, June 2012
Chiropractic: One More on Cracking Knuckles. Dr. Donald Unger spent a half-century cracking the knuckles of his left hand but never his right. After fifty years, he reported no arthritis or other problems in either hand, despite cracking the knuckles in his left hand over 36,500 times. Arthritis & Rheumatism, May 1998
Wellness/Prevention: Get a Dog! Several studies have shown that children exposed to dogs during early infancy have a much lower risk for developing allergies and asthma. Now, researchers and the University of California-San Francisco believe they know the reason and it’s in the gut. Mice were exposed to dust samples from homes with and without dogs. The immune systems of mice exposed to dust from homes with dogs had decreased reactivity to common allergens. The researchers examined the gut bacteria in these mice and observed that it had changed after exposure to the dust. In particular they noticed a greater presence of the bacteria Lactobacillus johnsonii. When this bacteria was introduced to a different group of mice, they exhibited nearly the same decrease in response to common allergens as the group exposed to dust samples from the homes with dogs. According to Dr. Susan Lynch, “Gut microbiome manipulation represents a promising new therapeutic strategy to protect individuals against both pulmonary infection and allergic airway disease.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, December 2013
Quote: “People don’t quit playing because they grow old. They grow old because they quit playing.” ~ George Bernard Shaw
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 December 16 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, December 16th, 2013
Mental Attitude: Long-Term Opioid Use and Depression. Recent studies show more than 200 million prescriptions for opioid analgesics were issued in 2009 in the United States. Data on over 50,000 patients reveals that those on opioids for 180 days or longer have a 53% increased risk of developing major depression. Journal of General Internal Medicine, November 2013
Health Alert: Alcohol and TV. According to a voluntary standard adopted in 2003, alcohol companies agreed not to place any ads on TV programs where more than 30% of the audience was younger than age 21. However, a survey of television programs popular with youths shows that 25% of the programs still featured ads selling alcohol. Studies have shown that exposure to alcohol marketing increases the risk that children and young adults (under age 21) will begin drinking, and those who do start drinking will drink more and do so more often. CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, November 2013
Diet: Cruciferous Vegetables and Ovarian Cancer Survival Rates. Women with the highest fruit and vegetable intakes have better ovarian cancer survival rates than those who generally neglect these foods. Researchers found that yellow and cruciferous vegetables contributed to longer survival. The authors concluded that low-fat, plant based diets are not only beneficial for cancer prevention, but they may also play a role in increasing survival time after diagnosis. Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women in the United States. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, August 2010
Exercise: Even Elderly Hearts Can Benefit From Exercise. A pilot study involving 310 adults over age 70 found that even men and women in their later years can improve their heart’s health with moderate physical exercise. To assess the effect of exercise on the heart, researchers measured a blood-based injury marker called Troponin T that is traditionally used to assess damage to the heart. After one year, Troponin T levels in the exercise group were less than a third of the levels found in the control group that did not exercise. The study’s lead author, Dr. Christopher DeFilippi adds, “Our findings suggest biochemical evidence to support the old adage, ‘You’re never too old to start a physical activity program to improve cardiac health.'”
American Heart Association, November 2013
Chiropractic: Pain in the Neck? The cervical spine is made up of seven bones called vertebrae, and these vertebrae are separated by disks filled with a cushioning gel-like substance. Your cervical disks stabilize your neck and also help it to turn. Decades of movement can really take a toll on the neck as two-thirds of people will experience neck pain at some point in their lives. Researchers estimate that 50% of the population at 40 years of age and 70% of those at 65 years have some level of cervical disk degeneration. Cervical disk degenerative processes can cause radiating pain, as well as numbness and weakness in your shoulders, arms, and hands. Clinical Evidence Concise, 2004
Wellness/Prevention: Sleep for Children. In a recent study, when children increased their sleep by 90 minutes per night over just a few weeks, they consumed an average of 134 fewer calories per day, weighed a half pound less (~.2 kg), and had lower fasting levels of leptin, a hunger-regulating hormone that is also highly correlated with the amount of adipose (fat) tissue in the body. Pediatrics, November 2013
Quote: “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
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 24 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, June 24th, 2013
Mental Attitude: Depression and Stroke Risk in Middle-Aged Women. A 12-year study of over 10,000 middle- aged Australian women found that those who suffered from depression had nearly double the risk of stroke compared to non-depressed women in their same age group. The American Heart Association encourages everyone to learn how to recognize a stroke. Think F.A.S.T: F-Face Drooping. A-Arm Weakness. S-Speech Difficulty. T- Time To Call 9-1-1 (or the appropriate emergency services number if you’re outside the United States).
American Heart Association, May 2013
Health Alert: Childhood Disability On The Rise! In the United States, disabilities due to neurodevelopmental and mental health problems increased 16.3% during the first decade of the current century. Six million kids had a disability in 2009-2010, that’s almost 1 million more than in 2001-2002. Pediatric Academic Society, May 2013
Diet: Brain Rewards. Restricting food intake increases the reward value of food, particularly high-calorie and appetizing food. The more successful people are at caloric-restriction dieting, the greater difficulty they will face in maintaining the restriction. Dieting by skipping meals and fasting is less successful than weight loss efforts characterized by intake of low energy, dense, healthy foods. If people want to lose excess weight, it would be more effective to consume healthy, low-fat/low-sugar foods during regular meals, rather than go for long periods of time without eating. NeuroImage, May 2013
Exercise: It’s Not Too Late To Cut Heart Failure Risk! In an eight year study, middle-aged participants drastically reduced their risk of heart failure up to 40% by increasing their cardiovascular fitness level. American Heart Association, May 2013
Chiropractic: No Headaches! Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is an effective treatment for tension headaches. In a study, patients who received SMT continued to benefit from care even four weeks after treatment concluded. This is in contrast to patients who received pharmaceutical therapy; they reverted to baseline values when checked a month after treatment ended. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 1995
Wellness/Prevention: Fish Oil, Your Heart, and Stress. A new study finds that regular consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids (most commonly found in cold water fish like Salmon) improves cardiovascular health by dulling the connection between mentally stressful events and cardiovascular functions like heart rate, blood pressure, the fight- or-flight response, and blood flow. Those who frequently find themselves in stressful situations may benefit from adding Omega-3s to their diet. American Physiological Society, May 2013
Quote: “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s April 1 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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Week of Monday, April 1st, 2013
Mental Attitude: Decreasing Depression Symptoms in Adolescents. Teenage students who received mindfulness training (a form of meditation therapy focused on exercising ‘attentiveness’) in school were almost half as likely to report depression related symptoms than their peers who received no such training. At a six month follow-up, these results held up. Mindfullness, March 2013
Health Alert: Type 2 Diabetes Costs! Diabetes cost the United States $245 billion in 2012. The new figure represents a 41% rise in just five years. The $245 billion includes $176 in direct medical costs (such as hospital and emergency care, visits to the doctor, and medications), and $69 billion resulting from indirect costs (such as absenteeism, reduced productivity, diabetes-related job loss, and productivity loss due to premature deaths). 26 million adults and children have type 2 diabetes, and another 79 million have pre-diabetes. Medical expenditure for people with diabetes is about 2.3 times higher than for people who don’t have the disease.
American Diabetes Association, March 2013
Diet: Phytonutrients? “Phyto” nutrients are substances of plant origin that appears to provide added natural protection against cardiovascular disease, cancers, and degeneration. They have anti-oxidant properties, which help with immunity, inflammation, growth, repair, and overall health. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts are rich in phytonutrients. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2009
Exercise: Short Bouts. Short bouts of moderately intense exercise seem to boost self-control, possibly due to increased blood and oxygen flow to pre-frontal area of brain. This is particularly important for children and teens, because well-developed higher brain functions are important for academic achievement.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, March 2013
Chiropractic: Standard Medical Care and Chiropractic. Compared to those who received standard medical care (SMC) alone, military personnel (ages 18-35) with back pain who received chiropractic care in addition to SMC showed significantly more improvement in both decreased pain and increased physical function. Note: This particular study did not include a group of patients who only received chiropractic manipulative therapy. Spine, October 2012
Wellness/Prevention: Omega-3s Reduce Cancer Risk. According to researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, a lifelong diet containing omega-3 fatty acids may reduce cancer risk by as much as 30%. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, February 2013
Quote: “The best doctor gives the least medicines.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
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 February 6 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, February 6th, 2012
Mental Attitude: Sleeping Problems? People who are poor sleepers exert a ton of energy trying to force sleep. Sleep is something that has to naturally unfold, so the more you engage in behaviors to try to sleep, the less likely you’re going to fall asleep. Behavior Therapy, Dec 2011
Health Alert: Acid Reflux Up! Reports of acid reflux experienced at least once a week have increased by 47% in the last decade. The prevalence of any acid reflux symptoms rose 30%, while the more severe symptoms rose by 24%. There is concern that these findings will lead to an increase in cancer of the esophagus, a once rare but now more common malignancy that is very difficult to treat. Acid reflux, also known as gastro-esophageal reflux, is where the stomach contents (food and acidic digestive juices) escape upward into the esophagus. This can irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn and other symptoms. Being overweight is a risk factor for acid reflux. Gut, Dec 2011
Diet: Depression And Vitamin D. Because depression affects one in 10 adults in the US and low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to depression, researchers suggest that screening for vitamin D levels in depressed patients and perhaps screening for depression in people with low vitamin D levels might be useful. Vitamin D levels are now commonly tested during routine physical exams, and they are accepted as risk factors for a number of other medical problems such as autoimmune diseases; heart and vascular disease; infectious diseases; osteoporosis; obesity; diabetes; certain cancers; and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, multiple sclerosis, and general cognitive decline. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Jan 2012
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise helps to alleviate depression and increases your ability to adapt to cold environments. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: What Did He Say? “The quality of healing is directly proportional to the functional capability of the central nervous system to send and receive nerve messages.” ~ Janson Edwards, MD. PhD
Wellness/Prevention: Don’t Smoke, Be Happy! Smokers have concerns that their quality of life may deteriorate if they stop smoking. However, a study found, in the long term, smokers who successfully quit experience no such deterioration due to quitting. If anything, they see some noticeable improvements. Specifically, compared with those who continued to smoke, quitters scored higher on measures of overall quality of life, health-related quality of life and positive emotions, both one year and three years on. They also felt they had fewer stressors by the third year. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Jan 2012
Quote: “Without Chiropractic I never would have won.” ~ Lance Armstrong
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 www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.
