Recently there was a
piece on ABC Good Morning America about a woman who felt her mercury levels
were raised by taking Chinese herbs and other supplements. Without
knowing levels before these items were taken, whether there was fish
(like tuna) consumed or dental fillings (some do use mercury) , I cannot
say what caused her levels to be high. I want to assure people who
take herbs that I recommend, they are tested by the labs who produce them and
again by a third party independent lab for heavy metals. Here are
links to their websites so you can read the information
yourself.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Friday, October 17, 2014
The Effects of Chiropractic Care on
Disc-related Sciatica
More specifically, nearly 55% of the patients receiving
chiropractic care were relieved of radiating pain as compared to the 20% of
patients from the group that received simulated, or “sham” chiropractic
manipulation. Additionally, 28% of the
patients receiving care from chiropractors were free from the local pain as
opposed to 6% of those that received simulated manipulations.
In conclusion, chiropractic care is more effective that
other forms of sciatica treatment and has the added benefit of being free of
side effects that many drugs can cause.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Chiropractic
Care for the Treatment of Hypertension
A study headed by George Bakris, MD
compared blood pressure readings of 25 patients who received specific
adjustments to the atlas vertebra (the top bone in the neck), compared to 25
patients who received sham chiropractic adjustments. Eight weeks after undergoing the procedure,
25 patients with early-stage hypertension had significantly lower blood
pressure than the 25 similar patients who received sham chiropractic adjustments.
Compared to the patients who received
sham adjustments, those who received real chiropractic adjustments saw an
average of 14mm Hg greater drop in systolic blood pressure (the top number) and
an average 8 mm Hg greater drop in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number).
So how is this possible? The control centers for the body are located
at the base of the brain called the brainstem.
These centers control basic unconscious bodily functions such as
breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure.
If the Atlas vertebra pinches against the brainstem, it may not cause
pain but it can upset these basic functions.
This procedure has the effect of not
one, but two blood-pressure medications given in combination. The adjustment has the additional benefit of
not causing adverse side effects.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Reading
Labels by Margaret Older, Lac
What are you looking for on a label?
They have so much information, lets
break it down further.
1. Read the list of ingredients. Do you know what they all are? If there is something that you have to look
up to know what it is and then you are still not sure, don’t eat it.
2.
Look for the amounts of sugar and salt or sodium as well as fiber and
fat.
The
Recommended Daily Amount (RDA) of sodium for an average healthy adult is 2300
mg which is the equivalent of 1 teaspoon.
Sugar may
hide under many aliases: maltose, dextrose, fructose, honey, molasses and
more. There is no RDA for sugar but
about 6 teaspoons per day for an adult woman and 8 for an adult man
Fiber is
beneficial to the whole digestive system as well as the heart. You should eat 20- 35 grams per day for
optimal health benefits.
Fat comes
in many forms. Unsaturated are the
healthier fats. Avoid trans-fats and
saturated fats, they raise “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and may lower “good” (HDL) which is bad for your heart.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
|
Understanding
Blood Pressure posted by John P. Willits, DC
When your blood pressure is taken, 2 sounds
are heard. The first is called Systolic, or
top number. This is defined as the pressure reading in the arteries when the
heart beats, or when the heart muscle contracts.
The bottom number called diastolic, measures the pressure in the arteries
between heartbeats. This is when the heart muscle is resting.
Actually the lower reading is the more
important of the two, but typically more attention is given to the systolic
number. The numbers are recorded in millimeter of mercury (mg). The normal
[or national average) is considered to be 120/80, though many people may have
a "normal" pressure reading a little higher or lower.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is considered any systolic reading over 140mg, and diastolic reading over 90mg. If your blood pressure is close or above these numbers consult your physician, medication may be necessary. Chiropractic care and Acupuncture has been known to lower blood pressure in some circumstances.
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Monday, June 9, 2014
FOOD by: Margaret Older, L.Ac
Eating
well should be easy. With a constant
stream of diet plans and conflicting studies on what is or isn’t healthy, it
can seem difficult.
Lets try
and simplify.
1.
Practice
moderation.
2.
ALWAYS read labels. No matter what brand you use, or where
you shop or
even if is a product you have bought before.
3.
Avoid
processed food. Yes, this does include
fast food.
Why
moderation ? Here are some examples. Too
much protein can lead to kidney stress, dehydration, calcium loss, gout, high
cholesterol and weight gain. Too little
protein can lead to muscle weakness / wasting, swelling due to water retention,
low blood pressure, low heart rate anemia and liver problems. The recommended daily intake for the average
adult female is 46 grams and for the average adult male it is 56 grams. (Number varies with weight and activity
level)
Even
water can cause problems. Too much leads
to a burden on your heart and circulatory system, kidney overwork that can
cause permanent damage and diluted electrolyte levels. Too
little can cause dehydration ranging from mild to severe. Dry, skin without elasticity, low blood
pressure, light-headedness and rapid heart rate. Over time, this can cause unconsciousness
or delirium.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Why should you use a chiropractor?
This simple explanation was given by
938
Princeton Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19111-4107
What
a Chiropractor does seems so simple...
Just
put the bones back where they want to be. What the Chiropractic Adjustment
effects is simple —
it
effects everything!!!
When
the bones are in their desired place, all of the nervous system can operate
at maximum potential.
When
the nervous system is working with no interference, all of the cells of the
body can work in
harmony.
When
the bones are in their desired place, all of the muscles and bones can move
properly with minimum resistance. When the musculoskeletal system is working
with no interference, there is plenty of energy left for the daily activities
of living.
When
the bones are in their desired place, the person can live a more fulfilled
life.
What
a Chiropractor does seems so simple, and so important.
|
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
|t is spring, the season
of rejuvenation! Now is the time to escape our “cabins”,
get outside, breathe fresh air and do some spring cleaning -
especially of ourselves.
During the winter we tend to overindulge
in heavy, fatty foods, while at the same time,
being less active. Now is the time to
address this stale situation. In Traditional
Chinese Medicine, diet should change with the
season. Each season has its own
characteristics and its own particular effect. Foods
too, have their own qualities which
help us adapt better to these seasonal
changes.
Remember, when making dietary changes,
always try to be moderate and learn to listen
to your body. Choose the foods you like from the list below as a start
and then try one
new thing.
If you feel you can’t give up a certain food, then limit
it. There is always a chance a
recommended food does not agree with you so don’t eat that particular food or related foods. Do Not make drastic changes or you won’t be inclined to continue.
Spring is associated
with the Liver and Gall Bladder. These organs
function to keep all
our energies flowing. Stagnation can develop from, as mentioned above, rich foods, less exercise and stress. Thus causing physical symptoms such as general feeling of sluggishness, emotional frustration or agitation. In order to cleanse this system and give it a new start, we must stop adding to the congestion. Avoid saturated fats like heavy meats, eggs, dairy as well as alcohol and hot peppers. Limit nuts, Eat more unrefined (unprocessed) grains and legumes and choose from the following:
Veggies: parsnips, young beets and
carrots, baby greens (often found at farmer’s markets),
seaweeds (dulse is a nice mild one to try), watercress, onions, mustard greens, cabbage, kohlrabi, turnips, cauliflower, broccoli.
Fruits: peaches, cherries, lemons,
limes, pears, apples
Spices: horseradish, ginger*, basil,
cumin, fennel*, turmeric, cardamom*, mint*, dill
*indicates traditionally used as a
digestive aid
Use honey sparingly with
or without apple cider vinegar for a little sweet taste or sweet
and sour which helps cleanse. You may use just apple cider vinegar. Try Chamomile and/ or Cleaver's tea daily. Add 5-5 teaspoons daily of cold-pressed flax oil drizzled over one or two meals. Eat I or 2 radishes between meals once or twice a day. Food preparation is important. Eat only a small amount of raw vegetables but when
you cook,
use light steaming or quick sautéing. |f you
have weak digestion, it is best to
avoid raw veggies.
Remember, if
you suffer from seasonal allergies, acupuncture can help without the
drowsy side-effects.
Margaret Older, L. Ac
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