Dr Beecher’s February 16 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, February 16th, 2015
Mental Attitude: Parental Suicide Attempts Raise Risk of Their Children Doing the Same. According to the findings of a new study, when a parent has a history of attempting suicide, the odds that their child will attempt suicide increase five-fold when compared with the children of individuals who have not attempted suicide. Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein, the president and CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation adds, “For parents who have a history of depression, bipolar disorder, and/or suicide attempts, they should be aware of the potential risk for their children and be proactive in having an evaluation if the child is experiencing depression or other psychiatric symptoms.” JAMA Psychiatry, December 2014
Health Alert: Hospital Infection Rates Falling. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that the rates of many types of hospital-acquired infections are on the decline. The researchers found a 46% decline in “central line-associated” bloodstream infections, a 19% decrease in surgical site infections, an 8% drop in multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, and a 10% fall in C. difficile infections during the previous five years. Despite the findings, the CDC states that more work is needed to protect patients. CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden writes, “[The] key is for every hospital to have rigorous infection-control programs to protect patients and health care workers, and for health care facilities and others to work together to reduce the many types of infections that haven’t decreased enough.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, January 2015
Diet: Recess May Promote Healthy Eating in Schools. Schools may want to consider adding a recess before lunch to help improve students eating habits. Investigators found that students ate 54% more fruit and vegetable servings when recess was held before lunchtime than after lunchtime. The research team also noted a 45% increase in the number of students who ate at least one serving of fruit and vegetables. They conclude, “Increased fruit and vegetable consumption in young children can have positive long-term health effects. Additionally, decreasing waste of fruits and vegetables is important for schools and districts that are faced with high costs of offering healthier food choices.” Preventive Medicine, January 2015
Exercise: Exercise Helps Reduce Risk of Falls for Some Parkinson’s Patients. A new clinical trial has found that home- based exercises focused on balance and leg strengthening may help individuals with milder Parkinson’s disease symptoms reduce their risk of falling down by as much as 70%. More research is needed to determine whether a program with closer supervision can help prevent falls in individuals with more advanced Parkinson’s cases. Neurology, December 2014
Chiropractic: For Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis… Patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA) may want to consider a course of chiropractic care. In a small-scale study including 83 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, those who received chiropractic care reported statistically significant improvements on surveys used to measure pain, stiffness, and physical function. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, January 2015
Wellness/Prevention: How to Prevent Snoring. The National Sleep Foundation offers the following suggestions that may help prevent snoring: lose excess weight, have a regular sleep schedule, sleep on your side, do not eat for at least three hours before bed, do not drink alcohol for at least four hours before bed, and avoid medications such as antihistamines, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers. The National Sleep Foundation, December 2014
Quote: “We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are.” ~ Tobias Wolff
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 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.
Dr Beecher’s December 24 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY NEWS HEALTH UPDATE
Monday, December 24th, 2012
Mental Attitude: Bad Day? Researchers found that adding just a couple extra minutes of exercise to your daily exercise routine can significantly increase your outlook on life. Penn State, October 2012
Health Alert: ‘Smoke-Free’ Laws! Laws that ended smoking at work and public places have resulted in lowered hospitalizations for heart attacks by 15%, strokes by 16%, and asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by 24%. It has reduced health care costs and also increased quality of life. Circulation, November 2012
Diet: Soda Consumption and Knee Osteoarthritis. After controlling for risk factors for knee osteoarthritis (obesity, age, prior knee injury, extreme stress to joints, and family history), men who drank sugary soft drinks experienced worse knee osteoarthritis progression than those who did not. This correlation was not apparent in women. American College of Rheumatology, November 2012
Exercise: Increased Life Expectancy! Low amounts of physical activity (75 minutes of brisk walking per week) increased longevity by 1.8 years after age 40, compared with doing no such activity. Walking briskly for at least 450 minutes a week was associated with a gain of 4.5 years. PLOS Medicine, November 2012
Chiropractic: Now That’s Fast! Your brain sends electric messages at 270 mph to every muscle and organ in your body. Guyton’s Physiology
Wellness/Prevention: High Blood Pressure and The Brain! A recent study found evidence of structural damage in the brains of hypertensive and pre-hypertensive people in their 30s and 40s. This sort of damage to the brain has been linked to cognitive decline in older people. According to Dr. Charles DeCarli, professor of neurology and director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at UC Davis, “The message here is really clear: people can influence their late-life brain health by knowing and treating their blood pressure at a young age, when you wouldn’t necessarily be thinking about it.” The Lancet, November 2012
Quote: “The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results.” ~ Anthony Robbins
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 6th, 2011 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE Week of Monday, June 6th ,2011 Mental Attitude: Shorter Hours Please. If your workday averages 11 or more hours, you probably earn more than your 8-hour a day colleagues, but your risk of developing heart disease will be 67% higher! Researchers believe doctors should include data on a patient’s working hours when listing risk factors for heart disease (smoking, total body weight, diabetes and blood pressure). Annals of Internal Medicine, April 2011 Health Alert: Adverse Drug Reports Swell! In a new study of adverse events linked to medications-compiled by the FDA since 1969, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy revealed only 55% have been reported to the agency in the past decade! According to the FDA’s website, the agency’s Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) is “designed to support the FDA’s post-marketing safety surveillance program for all approved drug and therapeutic biologic products. The FDA uses AERS to monitor for new adverse events and medication errors that might occur with these marketed products.” In the past decade, 2.2 million events reported to AERS represented a 1.65-fold increase from the prior decade. Archives of Internal Medicine, April 2011 Diet: Divide Your Plate! When putting food on your plate, fill half of it with veggies or salad (but watch out for fatty dressings). One-quarter of the plate should have lean protein, such as fish, chicken or beef that’s been grilled, baked or poached. The last quarter of the plate should be a healthy starch — but don’t load it up with butter or oil. Family Features, April 2011 Exercise: Have Some Standards! Adults who adhered to the US Department of Health and Human Services’ 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines reduced their mortality risks. To meet the guidelines, do moderate-intensity aerobic exercise at least 150 minutes per week or vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise at least 75 minutes per week and perform strengthening exercises at least twice a week. Adults who met the guidelines had lower risks of dying by 27% among those without health conditions and 50% less in those with an illness. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, May 2011 Chiropractic: Some Nerve! Growing evidence suggests that immune function is regulated, in part, by the sympathetic nervous system. Simply put: the nervous system has a direct effect on the immune system due to the nerve supply to the important immune system organs. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 1974 Wellness/Prevention: Shedding Skin Helps? The flakes of skin we shed (at the rate of 500 million cells a day) actually reduce indoor air pollution. The flakes contain squalene, a skin oil that reduces indoor ozone levels roughly 2-15%. American Chemical Society, May 2011 Quote: “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” ~ Jackie Robinson 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.
Dr. Beecher’s May 30th, 2011 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE Week of Monday, May 30th ,2011 Mental Attitude: Smile And Mean It! Customer-service workers who fake smile worsen their mood and withdraw from work, affecting their productivity. On the other hand, workers who smile as a result of cultivating positive thoughts – such as a tropical vacation or a child’s recital – improve their mood and withdraw less. Employers may think simply getting their employees to smile is good for the organization, but that’s not necessarily the case, smiling for the sake of smiling can lead to emotional exhaustion and withdrawal, and that’s bad for the organization. Academy of Management Journal, March 2011 Health Alert: A Hefty Price! People 70 pounds overweight will spend $30,000 extra in health care costs in their lifetime. Scientific American, March 2011 Diet: Why Do We Over Eat? Generational: “My parents taught me to clean my plate and not waste food.” Relational: “Feelings will be hurt if I don’t finish what they made me.” Economical: “This is such a good deal – more bang for my buck.” Convenience: “I’m in a rush and need it now.” Emotional: “Eating helps me feel better.” Loyola University Health System, February 2011 Exercise: Another Benefit of Exercise. According to David Nieman, director of Appalachian State University’s Human Performance Lab in Kannapolis, NC, “No pill or nutritional supplement has the power of near-daily moderate activity in lowering the number of sick days people take.” Wall Street Journal, January 2010 Chiropractic: The Power That Created The Body Heals The Body. This statement describes the chiropractic philosophy that the body is a self-healing organism. The body functions well on its own as long as there is no interference of function (muscular restriction of the joints, poor nutrition that decreases cellular function, mental stress, poor sleep habits, lack of exercise, etc). Wellness/Prevention: Healthy Lifestyles Help Healing. Joint replacement patients who improve their lifestyle and maintain a positive mindset prior to surgery are more likely to have better functional outcomes than those who do not. Multiple studies found that patients who smoke, misuse alcohol, fail to control blood sugar levels or simply have a poor attitude prior to undergoing total hip or knee replacement surgery can double their odds of post-operative complications. Risk factors for complications like advanced age and pre-existing heart or lung conditions are difficult or impossible to change prior to surgery, but smoking, alcohol abuse, high blood sugar levels and poor mental attitude are completely manageable by the patients themselves, which makes them an excellent target for prevention and intervention programs that are likely to improve outcomes. Current smokers had higher odds of pneumonia (53%), stroke (161%), site infections (41% ) and one-year mortality (63%) compared to non-smokers. Prior smokers were at higher odds of stroke (114%) and pneumonia (34%), compared with non-smokers. Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, February 2011 Quote: “A riot is the language of the unheard.” ~ 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 www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.
Dr. Beecher’s May 23rd, 2011 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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Week of Monday, May 23rd, 2011
Mental Attitude: Exercise Your Mood. Regular exercise reduces symptoms of moderate depression and enhances psychological fitness. During exercise, plasma levels of endorphins increases in the body, which can have an effect on the psychological state. Endorphins are hormones in the brain associated with a happy, positive feeling. A low level of endorphins is associated with depression. A recent National Health and Nutrition survey found physically active people were half as likely to be depressed. Exercise also boosts the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that send specific messages from one brain cell to another. Though only a small percentage of all serotonin is located in the brain, this neurotransmitter is thought to play a key role in keeping your mood calm. WebMD.com
Health Alert: Diabetes Out Of Control! 8.3% of Americans of all ages are affected by diabetes! 11.3% of Americans over 20 years old have diabetes. 27% of Americans who have diabetes do not know and 35% of individuals over 20 years old in the US have pre-diabetes. How do you prevent it? Try a healthy diet and regular exercise. CDC, 2011
Diet: Is It A Fad Diet? How can you tell if a diet is a fad diet? Here are some useful hints: It promotes or bans certain foods or food groups. It pushes a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. It promises quick, dramatic or miraculous results. It focuses on short-term changes to eating and exercise habits. It encourages ‘miracle’ pills, potions or supplements – often promoted as ‘fat burners’ and ‘metabolism boosters’. It contradicts the advice of trusted health professionals. It makes claims based on a single study or testimonials.
Dietitians Association of Australia, January 2011
Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Exercise. 1) Exercise improves mood. 2) Exercise combats chronic disease. 3) Exercise helps you manage your weight. 4) Exercise boosts your energy level. 5) Exercise promotes better sleep. 6) Exercise can put the spark back in your love life. 7) Exercise can be fun! Mayo Clinic
Chiropractic: The Very First! “I claimed to be the first person to adjust a vertebra by hand, using the spinous and transverse processes and levers. I developed the art known as adjusting, and formulated the science of chiropractic, and developed its philosophy.” ~ DD Palmer
Wellness/Prevention: Family Mealtimes? The amount of time families spend eating meals together has been linked to the health and wellbeing of children and teens. Families who eat together regularly report declines in substance abuse, eating disorders, and unhealthy weight in their children. Child Development, Feb 2011
Quote: “If you’re interested in ‘balancing’ work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable.” ~ Donald Trump
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.
Dr. Beecher’s May 16th, 2011 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
For More Information, please download this week’s newsletter, here.
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS
UPDATE
Week of Monday, May 16th, 2011
Mental Attitude: Poor Eating Habits Can Cause Depression. The ingestion of trans-fats and saturated fats increase the risk of suffering depression, while ingesting olive oil appears to protect against depression. Participants with an elevated consumption of trans-fats (fats present in artificial form in industrially-produced pastries and fast food, and naturally present in certain whole milk products) showed a 48% increase in the risk of depression. Also, the more trans-fats consumed, the greater the harmful effect they produced.
Public Library of Science, February 2011
Health Alert: Only 24 Hours In A Day! National restrictions were first introduced in 2003 to limit the hours resident physicians could be on duty. At the time, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) cited increasing acuity and intensity of medical care in teaching institutions, as well as scientific evidence of the negative effect of sleep deprivation on performance, as reasons for instituting restrictions. Those limits were not to exceed 80 hours in a week or more than 24 consecutive hours. In December 2008, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a report recommending further action to reduce resident fatigue and ensure patient safety within 24 months of the report. The IOM committee did not recommend a change from the maximum of 80 hours per week, averaged over four weeks, but instead recommends decreasing the maximum length of shifts, increasing the time off between shifts and mandating a sleep period during longer shifts.
Journal of the American College of Radiology, 2010
Diet: Tea Can Help. This study looked at the effect of treating superficial precancerous lesions in the mucosal lining of the mouth with a mixed tea product. After the six-month trial, partial regression of the lesions was observed in 37.9% of the group treated with tea as compared to only 10% of those treated with a placebo.
Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, 1999
Exercise: Exercise And Stress. Regular exercise reduces the amount of stress hormones in the body, lowers the resting heart rate, relaxes blood vessels, and lowers blood pressure. Mayo Clinic, March 2011
Chiropractic: Have Back Pain? Spinal manipulation is the best treatment for acute low back pain.
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
Wellness/Prevention: A Cup Of Tea. The antioxidant properties of tea flavonoids may play a role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by decreasing lipid oxidation, reducing the instances of heart attacks and stroke, and may beneficially impact blood vessel function (an important indicator of cardiovascular health).
Archives of Internal Medicine, 1996
Quote: “What some call health, if purchased by perpetual anxiety about diet, isn’t much better than tedious disease.”
~George Dennison Prentice
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.
Dr. Beecher’s May 9th, 2011 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
For More Information, please download this week’s newsletter, here.
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS
UPDATE
Week of Monday, May 9th, 2011
Mental Attitude: Improved Memory? Scientists from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York increased the amount of the protein IGF-II in rats and found they showed significantly improved long term memory. The effects of the IGF-II were also found to last for several weeks. Nature, February 2011
Health Alert: Kids Working? Many teens work part-time during the school year and in the current economic climate, more youths may seek after school employment. Working more than 20 hours a week is associated with declines in school engagement, a lower probability of continued education, and increases in problem behavior such as stealing, carrying a weapon, drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs. Child Development, Feb 2011
Diet: I Could Have Had A… Studies show drinking vegetable juice may be a simple way for people to increase their vegetable intake and may help them more effectively manage their weight. Adults who drank one 8-ounce glass of vegetable juice each day consumed nearly twice as many vegetable servings a day than those who did not drink any vegetable juice. Also, 9 of 10 who drank the popular vegetable juice V8 said they felt they were doing something good for themselves. Journal of the American Medical Association, 2010
Exercise: Burning Calories! Most people know exercise keeps muscles strong. Did you know strong muscles burn more calories? Muscle mass is metabolically active tissue. The more muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn even when you’re not working out! For each pound of muscle you add, you will burn an additional 35-50 calories per day. So, an extra 5 pounds of muscle will burn about 175-250 calories a day or an extra pound of fat every 14-20 days. Mayo Clinic
Chiropractic: Light As A Feather! Pressure on a nerve root equal to a feather falling on your hand resulted in up to a 50% decrease in electrical transmission down the nerve supplied by that root.
Seth Sharpless, Ph.D. and Marvin Luttges, Ph.D.
Wellness/Prevention: Prevent Bad Lifestyle Habits. Unhealthy habits are especially predominant amongst young adults ages 19-26. Data points to the fact that young people show more risk behavior than expected (more even than they themselves perceive) and believe they are healthier than they really are. Unhealthy habits include poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, risky sexual practices, smoking cigarettes, taking drugs and getting insufficient sleep. Bad habits tend to worsen with age. Special attention has to be paid to adolescents because around 16 years of age appears to be the point of no return, the age when either healthy activities are adopted or risk behavior patterns arise. AlphaGalileo Foundation. January 2011
Quote: “For the rational, psychologically healthy man, the desire for pleasure is the desire to celebrate his control over reality. For the neurotic, the desire for pleasure is the desire to escape from reality.” ~ Nathaniel Branden
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.
Dr. Beecher’s May 2nd, 2011 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
For More Information, please download this week’s newsletter, here.
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS
UPDATE
Week of Monday, May 2nd, 2011
Mental Attitude: Parents Can Help. Many studies show parenting under stress can negatively affect children. Parents who struggle financially, who suffer from depression, or who are single parents need extra support. In schools offering ParentCorps, a program for families of Pre-Kindergarten students in disadvantaged urban communities that focuses on improved parenting strategies, parents reported using more effective discipline strategies and were observed in the home to be more responsive to their children during play interactions. By the end of the Pre-Kindergarten year, children in schools with ParentCorps were rated by their teachers as better behaved and showed more social and emotional competencies. Child Development, February 2011
Health Alert: Unemployed And Unhealthy! Unemployed people between the ages of 30 and 59 years are often affected by physical, emotional, and functional impairments such as sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance addictions. The health consequences of unemployment result from loss of income, loss of social contacts in the workplace, and/or loss of social reputation. Unemployed men and women who are supported by their partners, family members, or friends are less frequently affected by these complaints.
Deutsches Aerzteblatt International, February 2011
Diet: Genes And Your Sweet Tooth. The substance ghrelin plays an important role in binge-eating and sugar consumption. Ghrelin is a neuropeptide that activates the brain’s reward system and increases appetite. People with certain changes in the ghrelin gene consume more sugar than their peers. Researchers also found, when ghrelin was blocked, rats reduced their consumption of sugar and were less motivated to hunt for sugar. Plos One, April 2011
Exercise: The Great Outdoors! Exercising in natural environments is associated with greater feelings of revitalization, increased energy and positive engagement, with decreases in tension, confusion, anger and depression. Participants also reported greater enjoyment and satisfaction with outdoor activity and were more likely to repeat the activity. Environmental Science and Technology, February 2011
Chiropractic: Stop On A Dime! At the spinal nerve root level, a sustained pressure increase of the weight of a dime was adequate to produce interference in normal nerve transmission! Dr. Chung Ha Suh, University of Colorado
Wellness/Prevention: Adopt Healthy Habits! When considering levels of HDL, or “good” cholesterol, people who did not improve any lifestyle factors between youth and adulthood had more than double the prevalence of low HDL levels (26.2% vs. 11.9%). Those who had improved at least two lifestyle factors had a prevalence of low HDL less than one-fourth that of the study average. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, February 2011
Quote: “Being entirely honest with oneself is a good exercise.” ~ Sigmund Freud
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.
Dr. Beecher’s April 25th, 2011 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
For More Information, please download this week’s newsletter, here.
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, April 25th, 2011
Mental Attitude: Risks For Quitting College. 40% of students in the US fail to get a bachelor’s degree within 6 years at the college where they began. Surprisingly, events such as a death in the family and students’ failure to get their intended major did not have a significant influence. The critical event with the most influence was depression. Other reasons include recruitment by an employer or another institution; losing financial aid or experiencing a large increase in tuition or living costs; unexpected bad grades; and roommate conflicts. Journal Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Feb 2011
Health Alert: Cough It Up. Research has linked over-the-counter cough and cold products to poisoning or death in hundreds of children, ages 2 and younger. Studies also show these medicines do little to control symptoms. In 2008, the FDA formally recommended OTC cough and cold products not be given to children under age 2. 61% of parents of children ages 2 and younger gave their children OTC cough and cold medicine within the last 12 months. More than half of parents report their child’s doctor says OTC cough and cold medications are safe for children under 2. University of Michigan Health System, Feb 2011
Diet: Too Fat! The rate of obesity among children and adolescents in the US has nearly tripled between the1980s and 2000s. Childhood obesity can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep problems, cancer, liver disease, skin infections, asthma and other respiratory problems later in life. Pediatrics Journal, February 2011
Exercise: The “Skinny” on Exercise. Exercise boosts blood circulation and the delivery of nutrients to your skin, helping to detoxify the body by removing toxins. As exercise boosts oxygen to the skin, it helps increase the production of collagen, the connective tissue that keeps your skin elastic. Mayo Clinic, Feb 2011
Chiropractic: Headache Help! A study compared 6 weeks of chiropractic adjusting for tension-type headaches to 6 weeks of medical treatment with amitriptyline, a medication often prescribed for severe tension headache pain. Chiropractic patients experienced fewer side effects (82.1%) and only chiropractic patients continued to report fewer headaches when treatment ended. JMPT, 1995
Wellness/Prevention: Zinc! The cold accounts for 40% of sickness absence from work and millions of school days missed each year. Zinc taken within a day of cold symptoms can reduce severity and shorten the length of illness. At 7 days after onset, a higher proportion of people who took zinc reported no cold symptoms compared to those who took a placebo. The Cochrane Library, Feb 2011
Quote: “If we did all the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.” ~ Thomas Edison
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.
