Was Linus Pauling Right About Vitamin C’s Curative Powers After All?

Dear Patients &Friends:

Here's a great article on one of my favorite vitamins.
It was written by Dr. Mercola and can be found in its entirety at http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/11/23/vitamin-c-curative-power.aspx.

Enjoy and go out and some Vitamin C aka ascorbic acid!!

Was Linus Pauling Right About Vitamin C’s Curative Powers After All?

By Dr. Mercola

Vitamin C is one of the most well-established traditional antioxidants we know of, and its potent health benefits have been clearly demonstrated over time, especially for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

A perfect example of the healing power of this antioxidant vitamin is the drbiochamatic case of Allan Smith, who contracted a serious case of swine flu, and was brought back from the brink of death using a combination of IV and oral vitamin C.

While most animals have the ability to produce vitamin C internally, three species cannot. Guinea pigs, primates, and humans must obtain their vitamin C from their diet.

Vitamin C has numerous functions in the human body,1 including acting as an essential cofactor in enzymatic reactions.

In this way, it plays a role in your body’s production of collagen, carnitine (which helps your body turn fat into energy), and catecholamines (hormones made by your adrenal glands).

Vitamin C is also used by your body for wound healing, repairing, and maintaining the health of your bones and teeth, and plays a role in helping your body absorb iron.

A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C also helps prevent damage caused by free radicals. Over time, free radical damage may accelerate aging and contribute to the development of heart disease and other health conditions.

It’s through this antioxidant effect that it’s thought vitamin C may play a role in protecting heart health.

Linus Paulding - The Vitamin C Man

One of the most famous forerunners of high dose vitamin C treatment for colds and other disease was Linus Carl Pauling (1901-1994), a physical chemist and peace activist who won two Nobel Prize awards; one in chemistry in 1954, followed by a Nobel Peace Prize in 1962.

The New Scientist magazine ranked him as one of the 20 greatest scientists to ever live. He almost won a third Nobel, but Watson and Crick narrowly beat him to the discovery of the structure of DNA.

Despite being a well-respected scientist, his views on vitamin C were all firmly rebuffed by the medical community.

He detailed his discoveries in a series of books, starting with Vitamin C and the Common Cold in 1970, followed by Vitamin C, the Common Cold and the Flu (1976), Vitamin C and Cancer (1979), and How to Feel Better and LiveLonger(1986).

Many felt Pauling was too far out of his field of expertise with his research into nutrition, and he was largely ignored by mainstream medicine and nutritional science.2

Was Pauling Right About Vitamin C After All?

While the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin C had been established at 40 to 60 mg per day — an amount more than sufficient to prevent scurvy — Pauling advocated amounts of 1,000 mg or even higher.

Pauling himself is said to have taken 12,000 mg per day. He noted that veterinarians recommended far higher doses of vitamin C for primates than what was recommended for people.

So he initially extrapolated the dosages from monkeys, and determined that humans likely need a minimum of six grams per day — 200 times more than the RDA.

Painful Joints? – Natural Solutions!

Painful Joints? – Natural Solutions!

Here's something you can try to battle the effects of arthritis and it involves natural solutions with no side effects. Not that medications don't work but who wants to take a chance on developing problems from the side effects.

I came across this article from Margaret Durst and her website is https://naturalcowgirl.wordpress.com/

Feel free to comment and I hope this helps.


Painful Joints? – Natural Solutions!
By Margaret Durst
Natural Health Blog
July 28, 2015

JOINT PAIN or arthritis is the number one chronic illness in America. One person in 7 suffers from it.

Many people are use GLUCOSAMINE, CHONDROITINS and MSM to manage pain and to supply building materials for joint repair. While these are very helpful, particularly with osteoarthritis, I would like to mention some other natural remedies for arthritis.

DIET CHANGES can be as remarkable as any drug or supplement in eliminating joint pain and inflammation throughout the body. Eliminating foods that trigger inflammation in the body such as white flour, orange juice, coffee, dairy, red meat, white sugar, or nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers) can be very helpful. Most of the foods I mentioned create excess acid in the body which can create not only joint problems, but other problems as well. These include indigestion, allergies, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.

A WHOLE BODY CLEANSE is an amazing tool to get rid of excess acid and stored toxins that overload the body – sometimes leading to joint pain. Try one and see if it helps. Note that if you don’t change your diet, the cleanse will not be able to eliminate ` than you are putting in on a daily basis – so give the body a chance to heal by changing your diet too.

OMEGA 3 OILS are anti-inflammatory and lubricating to all cells including the joints. A good high quality fish oil can be very helpful for arthritis.

DEVILS CLAW and YUCCA have both been used traditionally for arthritic and rheumatic conditions. They are anti-inflammatory and cleansing to the joints. The cleansing action is particularly useful in gouty arthritis.

CELADRIN is a fatty acid that acts as a lubricant, an immune system modulator and an anti-inflammatory. Celadrin resets the immune system such that it does not attack and tear down the joints. Several customers have switched to a glucosamine / celadrin formula with very favorable results.

HYALURONIC ACID is used to lubricate and preserve moisture in the joints and it helps get nutrients to cells that don’t possess a blood supply – like your joints. Hyaluronic acid is also great for aging skin and dry eyes. It is available topically, for internal use, and by injection, and it is an ingredient in several joint formulas.

NATURAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES, or COX-2 inhibitors, help calm inflammation and joint pain. Prescription drugs such as Celebrex and Vioxx are COX-2 inhibitors – with side effects typical of prescription drugs. Well known natural COX-2 inhibitors include ginger, rosemary, turmeric and boswellia. Zyflamend is a best selling combination with lots of research behind it, but the single herbs are good as well.

HYDRANGEA is worth mentioning – it is an ingredient that helps break down abnormal calcification. It is also helpful with bone spurs (as is magnesium) and is worth a try if nothing else has worked.

There are many products that will help support JOINT HEALTH naturally. Sometimes it takes a little experimentation to find what will work best for you. Not all arthritis is the same, so when in doubt, ask for advice from someone who has knowledge of how the different products work.

Why Butter and Eggs Won't Kill Us After All: Flawed Science Triggers U-turn On Cholesterol Fears

I've always have believed - based upon my chiropractic education - that the benefits of eating eggs and butter far outweigh the risks of margarine, egg substitutes, etc. Fat and cholesterol are necessary for human survival. As a matter of fact, your liver produces 8 times more cholesterol than you can consume. Well, I am happy to report that eggs and butter are not the evil food that has been portrayed.  I hope you find this article informative and will start you thinking "outside the box".

This was published on the Daily Mail website and a link is posted below in the article. Enjoy.

Dr. Geoff Sandels

Why Butter and Eggs Won't Kill Us After All: Flawed Science Triggers U-turn On Cholesterol Fears

• Foods high in cholesterol branded a danger to human health since 1970s
• Now US government is to accept advice to drop cholesterol from list of 'nutrients in concern' 
• Doctors are now focusing concern on sugar as the biggest dietary threat

By CHRIS BROOKE FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 16:40 EST, 25 May 2015 | UPDATED: 19:16 EST, 25 May 2015

For decades they have been blacklisted as foods to avoid, the cause of deadly thickening of the arteries, heart disease and strokes.
But the science which warned us off eating eggs – along with other high-cholesterol foods such as butter, shellfish, bacon and liver – could have been flawed, a key report in the US has found.
Foods high in cholesterol have been branded a danger to human health since the 1970s – a warning that has long divided the medical establishment.

A growing number of experts have been arguing there is no link between high cholesterol in food and dangerous levels of the fatty substance in the blood.
Now, in a move signalling a dramatic change of stance on the issue, the US government is to accept advice to drop cholesterol from its list of 'nutrients of concern'.

The US Department of Agriculture panel, which has been given the task of overhauling the guidelines every five years, has indicated it will bow to new research undermining the role dietary cholesterol plays in people's heart health.

Its Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee plans to no longer warn people to avoid eggs, shellfish and other cholesterol-laden foods.

The U-turn, based on a report by the committee, will undo almost 40 years of public health warnings about eating food laden with cholesterol. US cardiologist Dr Steven Nissen, of the Cleveland Clinic, said: 'It's the right decision. We got the dietary guidelines wrong. They've been wrong for decades.'

Doctors are now shifting away from warnings about cholesterol and saturated fat and focusing concern on sugar as the biggest dietary threat.

The Daily Mail's GP Martin Scurr predicts that advice will change here in the UK too. He said last night: 'I think we're at a tipping point where cholesterol is concerned. There have been a lot of vested interests in people talking about cholesterol because it's easy to convey to the public that fatty foods like butter, cheese and red meat are furring up their arteries. In fact there are many other risk factors involved but somehow we've become obsessed with cholesterol.'

London-based cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra, science director of campaign group Action On
Sugar, wrote in the British Medical Journal that it was time to 'bust the myth of the role of saturated fat in heart disease'.

He added that the food industry had effectively contributed to heart disease by lowering saturated fat levels in food and replacing it with sugar.

Matt Ridley, a Tory peer and science author, yesterday said there should be an inquiry 'into how the medical and scientific profession made such an epic blunder'.

He described the change of advice in the US as a 'mighty U-turn' and said studies linking high cholesterol and saturated fat in food to heart disease were 'tinged with scandal'.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3096634/Why-butter-eggs-won-t-kill-Flawed-science-triggers-U-turn-cholesterol-fears.html#ixzz3bvqqkozB

Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Can't sleep? Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique that claims to help you nod off in 60 SECONDS

I found this article at the Dailymail.com.uk. I use a similar technique for sleep but I'm going to try this one, too. I hope this helps those with insomnia!  Enjoy.

Can't sleep? Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique that claims to help you nod off in 60 SECONDS

    Method has been pioneered by Harvard-trained Dr Andrew Weil
    It involves regulating your breathing to various counts of 4, 7 and 8
    It lets oxygen better fill the lungs, calms the mind and relaxes muscles

By Ellie Zolfagharifard For Dailymail.com

Published: 12:04 EST, 4 May 2015 | Updated: 18:39 EST, 6 May 2015

You've tried a warm bath, a hot, milky drink and even counting sheep, but you're still lying wide awake wondering why you can't fall asleep.

Now, one scientist claims he has a way of getting insomniacs to slip into a slumber in just 60 seconds – and it doesn't involve prescription drugs or strange lighting.

Dubbed the 4-7-8 breathing technique, the method is described as a 'natural tranquiliser for the nervous system' helping to reduce tension in the body.


It was pioneered by Arizona-based Dr Andrew Weil who says on his YouTube channel: 'It is utterly simple, takes almost no time, requires no equipment and can be done anywhere.'

To do the 4-7-8 breathing technique, you first need to exhale completely through your mouth while making a 'whoosh' sound.

Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.

Now hold your breath for a count of seven.

After this time has elapsed, exhale completely through your mouth, making another whoosh sound for eight second in one large breath.

Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three times for a total of four breaths.

'Note that you always inhale quietly through your nose and exhale audibly through your mouth.

'The tip of your tongue stays in position the whole time,' Dr Weil says.


'Exhalation takes twice as long as inhalation.

'The absolute time you spend on each phase is not important; the ratio of 4-7-8 is important.'

The technique is based on pranayama, an ancient Indian practice that means 'regulation of breath.'

The Harvard-trained doctor claims that 4-7-8 is such a powerful technique because it allows oxygen to better fill the lungs.

This extra oxygen can have a relaxing effect on the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness.

During times of stress, the nervous system becomes over stimulated leading to an imbalance that can cause a lack of sleep.

As well as relaxing the parasympathetic nervous system, Dr Weil says 4-7-8 helps you feel connected to your body and distracts you from everyday thoughts that can disrupt sleep.

He says it can also help anxiety.

"I take meds for OCD and anxiety...I was feeling anxious when I stumbled onto this. One set of four and I feel way less anxious.'

Dr Weil suggests practicing the technique twice a day, for six to eight weeks until you've mastered it enough to fall asleep in just 60 seconds.


Fall Asleep In 60 Seconds

Exhale completely through your mouth while making a 'whoosh' sound.

Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.

Now hold your breath for a count of seven.

Exhale completely through your mouth, making another whoosh sound for eight second in one large breath.

Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three times for a total of four breaths.

10 Effective Natural Painkillers That May Surprise You!

Patients are inquiring frequently about what else they can do for pain relief.  Here's a great article that can help them and you as well.

This is on the Bel Marra website. One of my favorites! Enjoy!


10 Effective Natural Painkillers That May Surprise You!

By: Bel Marra Health | Friday, April 17, 2015

Painnatural-cure-for-pain affects all of us at some point, but it seems the older we get the more pain we experience. Sure it’s easy to take a pill to combat this pain, but throughout the day you may be topping up to six pills! The damage these can do to your body isn’t good, so finding effective, natural painkillers is ideal.

No matter your level of pain or location of your pain, natural cures for pain are available and should be given a fair chance. If you’re looking for natural painkillers that work, here are some of the best and most effective natural pain-relievers you should try!
Natural painkillers

From foods, to spices to even heat and ice, there is a long list of effective natural painkillers out there suitable for all levels of pain. So whether your pain stems from long-time exercise or just old age, here are our top picks for natural painkillers that work.

Cherries: Not just a delicious fruit, cherries are natural cures for pain as well. Cherries contain compounds called anthocyanins. These not only provide cherries with their bright red color but are natural painkillers that work.

Anthocyanins block inflammation which causes pain, similar to aspirin. Cherries are also high in antioxidants which are necessary in the treatment of arthritis.

Whether you have tart cherry juice – no artificial sugars added, of course – or enjoy the fresh fruit, cherries come in as one of the best and most effective natural pain-relievers.

Heat and ice: This effective natural painkiller you may have already heard of or are currently doing. But it’s important to know which to use on a particular pain for highest effectiveness.

Heat is commonly applied as a natural cure for pain when the pain is a result of arthritis. Cold, on the other hand, is used when the pain is a result of a muscle, tendon or ligament strain. This is because cold works to reduce swelling and inflammation. Furthermore, once the ice has been applied to reduce the swelling, heat can then be used to alleviate stiffness. Both are great natural painkillers for moderate and severe pain.

Cloves: A common spice in cooking and baking, cloves contain a special property called eugenol which makes them natural painkillers that work. Eugenol is a natural pain-reliever and is most effective when dealing with toothaches, headaches and arthritis inflammation. Cloves can be used topically and simply rubbed onto the painful area, but they do come with some warnings: People who use blood-thinners should use cloves with caution as they can lead to abnormal bleeding.

Willow bark: Use of willow bark to combat inflammation and as a natural cure for pain has been done for centuries. Willow bark contains salicin, which is similar to one of the main ingredients in aspirin. Willow bark is a natural painkiller that works on headaches, arthritis pain, osteoarthritis and lower back pain. It can either be chewed directly or steeped as a tea.

Although willow bark is an effective painkiller, it can also cause side effects similar to aspirin; so if you cannot take aspirin, willow bark may not be the best option for you.

Turmeric: Turmeric, most commonly found in Indian cuisine, has been used in situations to help upset stomachs and indigestion, but it’s also an effective natural painkiller. Turmeric contains curcumin which is an antioxidant that can help ward of free radicals preventing damage. It may also help combat inflammation brought on by osteoarthritis, making tumeric a natural remedy for pain.

Cod-liver oil: Cod-liver oil is continuously praised for its health benefits so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the best and most effective natural pain-relievers. In a Scottish study of participants with rheumatoid arthritis, 40 percent of those who took cod-liver oil every day reduced their use of anti-inflammatory medications by one-third. Furthermore, the University of Pittsburg performed a similar study on participants who had neck and back pain. After 10 weeks, these individuals stopped using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Cod-liver oil is great to incorporate into your daily health routine as it  is ideal for optimal health.

Ginger: Not only an effective treatment for nausea, ginger is a natural cure for pain as well. Research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine revealed that women taking ginger found it to be an effective means to relieving menstrual pain.

Ginger can be easily consumed, either in a tea, stir-fry or even in backed goods, but if you’re going to have it in a cookie, opt for a low-sugar variety.

Oranges: Oranges’ vitamin C isn’t just to ward off a cold. Oranges are also effective natural painkillers. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that vitamin C can help reduce the risk of anti-inflammatory conditions which can eventually lead to pain. So while you’re taking your vitamin C to keep your immune system strong, you’re also protecting yourself from developing pain.

Qigong: Pronounced “chee-gung” is an ancient Chinese exercise which involves the body and mind to increase energy flow. Robert Wood Johnson Medical School studied the benefits of qigong on women with fibromyalgia. The women in the study reported 73 percent less pain after five to seven sessions. Qigong is definitely a natural painkiller for severe pain.

Patient Outcomes Proves More Effective with Chiropractic Combined with Standard Medical Care Than Standard Medical Care Alone in the Military

Friends & Patients,

Here's a great article that I think you will find interesting. It proves what we all know already that Chiropractic care is an important part of health care, even in the military. Now if we can have chiropractic care covered by Tricare and at VA Hospitals for our military vets!!

Patient Outcomes Proves More Effective with Chiropractic Combined with Standard Medical Care Than Standard Medical Care Alone in the Military

BY: D. Scott Ferguson

DC, William J. Owens DC, DAAMLP

 Mark Studin DC, FASBE(c), DAAMLP, DAAPM

Many people suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives.  Most will seek the advice of a healthcare professional. However, many times this care is fragmented and not based on current evidence and can result in poorer outcomes. When considering outcomes, all doctors must consider creating a diagnosis, prognosis and then conclude a treatment plan. It is that treatment plan, which then determines the outcome after an accurate diagnosis. Many times, low back pain patients seek solely standard medical care and bypass a more effective chiropractic solution. This type of self-referral and physician triage has also been prevalent in the military and asks the question based upon outcome studies, is that in the best interest of both the military and the general public?  

In a recent paper by Goertz et al. (2013), the objective was, “To assess changes in pain levels and physical functioning in response to standard medical care (SMC) versus SMC plus chiropractic manipulative therapy (chiropractic adjustments) for the treatment of low back pain  among 18 to 35-year-old active-duty military personnel” (p. 627).  The authors stated, “Lifetime prevalence of low back pain has been estimated to be as high as 84%, with a median cost per quality-adjusted life year of $13,015” (p. 627).  The fact that lower back pain is a major source of disability and abuse of pain medication makes providing the best care possible a priority based upon outcome studies.  In this paper, it was reported that, “The majority of systematic reviews find that chiropractic manipulative therapy (adjustments) seems to reduce pain and disability at least moderately for many patients with low back pain” (p. 627).  Therefore, the questions are, “Should chiropractic care be part of your treatment plan and should it be included with standard medical treatment for lower back pain?” 

In the Goertz et al. (2013) study, the patients were allowed to seek standard medical care in an unrestricted fashion which meant they could go to their medical doctors as they normally would for lower back pain.  “Standard care included any or all of the following: a focused history and physical examination, diagnostic imaging as indicated, education about self-management including maintaining activity levels as tolerated, pharmacological (drug) management with the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents, and physical therapy and modalities such as heat/ice and referral to a pain clinic” (p. 628).  On the chiropractic side, the authors stated “Treatments consisted of HVLA [high velocity low amplitude a.k.a. chiropractic adjustment] manipulation as the primary approach in all cases, with ancillary treatments at the doctor’s discretion, including brief massage, the use of ice or heat in the lumbar area, stretching exercises, McKenzie exercises, advice on activities of daily living, postural/ergonomic advice; and mobilization” (p. 628).  This is important since chiropractors view the spine as an entire system and the approach to patients is different as well as the therapeutic intervention.

In conclusion, the authors reported, “The results of our pragmatic pilot study indicate a statistically and clinically significant benefit to those receiving chiropractic manipulative therapy (adjustments) in addition to standard medical care” (p. 631).  Finally, they report, “The results of this trial suggest that chiropractic, in conjunction with standard medical care, offers a significant advantage for decreasing pain and improving physical functioning compared with only standard medical care, for active-duty men and women between 18 and 35 years of age with acute low back pain when delivered in a pragmatic treatment setting” (p. 633).

This study concurs with a previous study by Liliedahl et al. (2010) who studied 85,402 patients and adds to the growing body of evidence in diverse forums that chiropractic for mechanical back pain is more effective and cost-effective than standard medical care. Evidence such as this helps to dispel the partial truths and overcome the prejudices to help the public make informed choices.

References:

1. Goertz, C. M., Long, C. R., Hondras, M. A., Petri, R., Delgado, R., Lawrence, D. J.,…Meeker, W. C. (2013). Adding chiropractic manipulative therapy to standard medical care for patients with acute low back pain: Results of a pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness study. Spine, 38(8), 627-634.

2. Liliedahl, R. L., Finch, M. D., Axene, D. V., & Goertz C. M. (2010). Cost of care for common back pain conditions initiated with chiropractic doctor vs. medical doctor/doctor of osteopathy as first physician: Experience of one Tennessee-based general health insurer. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 33(9), 640-643.

Harvard Report Points to Chiropractic Care for Pain Relief & The Safety of the Chiropractic Adjustment

Harvard Report Points to Chiropractic Care for Pain Relief

& The Safety of the Chiropractic Adjustment

By

Noah Herbert, D.C., CCSP®

William J. Owens DC, DAAMLP

Mark Studin DC, FASBE(C), DAAMLP, DAAPM

A recent article released by Harvard Health Publications at Harvard Medical School points to chiropractic care as a form of pain relief. There are currently many Americans that seek out chiropractors, but many people don’t realize the wide variety of treatments that a chiropractor can provide for pain relief. The article states “while the mainstay of chiropractic is spinal manipulation, chiropractic care now includes a wide variety of other treatments, including manual or manipulative therapies, postural and exercise education, ergonomic training (how to walk, sit, and stand to limit back strain), nutritional consultation, and even ultrasound and laser therapies. In addition, chiropractors today often work in conjunction with primary care doctors, pain experts, and surgeons to treat patients with pain.”

While this is nothing new for the chiropractic community, it may serve to further educate the public as to the many tools a chiropractor possesses to help patients. While the majority of research on chiropractic has focused on spinal manipulation, or adjustment of the spine, for pain relief, there have been studies done on the effectiveness of chiropractic for treating musculoskeletal pain, headaches, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome and fibromyalgia (Harvard Health Publications). The author goes on to state “a recent review concluded that chiropractic spinal manipulation may be helpful for back pain, migraine, neck pain and whiplash.” It should be pointed out there have been reports of serious complications, including stroke, but this has been shown to be extremely rare and some studies suggest this may not be directly caused by the treatment provided by the chiropractor (Harvard Health Publications).

Spinal manipulation, or adjustment of the spine, is a term used to describe providing a high velocity, low amplitude thrust to the vertebra. Chiropractors use this technique to correct the body’s spinal alignment to relieve pain and improve function and to allow the body to heal itself. Treatment usually takes between 10 to 20 minutes and most patients are scheduled 2-3 times per week initially. Patients generally see improvement of their symptoms in the first two to three weeks (Harvard Health Publications).

Harvard Medical School is now saying what chiropractors have been saying for over 100 years and although their article was based on pain, it does add more evidence to the false rhetoric of chiropractic patients having a greater risk of stroke. In the future, reports from Harvard and other medical academic institutions will embrace the growing body of scientific evidence of the varied maladies that respond to chiropractic care.

References:

Harvard Health Publications. (2015). Chiropractic Care for Pain Relief. Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/chiropractic-care-for-pain-relief

4 Ways You’re Sabotaging Your Energy

Here's a great article regarding ways to improve your energy level. It's from a website called Bel Marra. Check it out!

4 Ways You’re Sabotaging Your Energy

As you get older, it seems the amount of energy you used to have to get through your day starts to diminish. Sure you may attribute this to aging, but is that really the issue?
When it comes to feeling awake and refreshed, age may not be the culprit zapping your energy. In fact, it could be your daily habits that are leaving you groggy and drained. Recognizing those habits and making some changes can put you back on the right track to feeling energized again.
And who doesn’t like a bit more energy to get things done – and do more of what you love?
Take a look at some of these habits, and see if they sound familiar. They may be the reason that you’re lacking in the energy department.

1. You’re not staying hydrated

Drinking water and staying hydrated is important – the recommend at least eight glasses a day isn’t for nothing! Besides water being essential to the human body, it’s also vital when it comes to energy.
Experts at Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine suggest that even when your body is slightly hydrated – two percent loss in fluid – that’s enough for you to notice a decline in energy. When dehydration occurs, blood volume decreases causing the blood to become thicker. When this happens, your heart pumps less efficiently, meaning there’s a lack of oxygen and nutrients reaching your muscles.
Less oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, the slower you become.
Combatting this is easy. Ensure you’re drinking adequate amounts of water throughout the day. If you’re active, make sure you’re replenishing even more. Researchers suggest to calculate the proper amount of water you require, divide how much you weigh in pounds in half and drink that number in ounces. Handy!

2. You’re overly stressed

It’s natural to have some amount of stress in our lives. Maybe you have a tight deadline to meet, or plans you made fell through. Whatever is causing you stress, it’s depleting your energy.
The Stress Management Society in the United Kingdom defines stress as, “Not having enough energy to meet the demands of life.” Makes sense! By definition, stress is leaving you with little energy. As life demands more from us, the more energy we need. But when life starts to become too stressful, more energy is drained by stress, leaving you with very little energy left.
Stress can affect so many aspects of the body from migraines, to muscle cramps, to even blood pressure. It’s no surprise it can also affect your energy. If you’re continuously stressed, you may feel tired more often and for longer. Stress can also keep you awake at night leading to poor sleep, which only compounds the issue.
Reducing stress is a must, not only for ample energy but to ward off illness. What to do? Ways to lower your stress can be as easy as breathing techniques, exercise like taking a stroll, or removing yourself from a stressful situation to calm down. Whichever method you choose, stress management should be a priority, so you can stay energized (and calm, cool and collected!).

3. You skip breakfast

There truly is a reason why breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. Breakfast is your kick-start to all-day energy, and if you’re not having it you’ll feel the effects later on.
Breakfast plays a key role in starting our metabolism. In fact, when we sleep, our bodies are still burning off the food we’ve eaten. So when we wake up, we’re left with depleted energy. The easiest way to replenish these nutrients and fuel our body is by eating. That means breakfast!
But not just any breakfast will do. If you want continued energy throughout your day, stick with whole grains and protein which can keep you not only feeling full, but energized as well. Therefore, you may want to skip the coffee and donut, and opt for oatmeal, eggs or peanut butter instead.

4. You drink alcohol before bed

Oh the evening night cap! What better way to bring your day to an end than with your favorite alcohol beverage. Sure it may relax you and make you feel drowsy, which in theory is ideal to help you sleep, but in truth, it doesn’t help at all.
In fact, drinking alcohol before going to bed can disrupt how you sleep, leaving you waking up more exhausted than ever. When alcohol enters the body, it does have a sedative effect, causing relaxation and drowsiness. But when the alcohol starts to break down overnight, it actually creates surges of energy causing you to wake up numerous times. That’s hardly restful.
When we sleep, our bodies go through stages called rapid eye movement (REM). During a typical well-rested sleep, we experience about six to seven REM stages. When we drink alcohol, our bodies only have about one or two REM stages, making for extra fatigue the following morning.
Instead of reaching for the bottle before bed, opt for a warm cup of decaffeinated or herbal tea. The aroma will soothe you more so than alcohol and with so many varieties, you can find a perfect tea for you.

Change your habits for improved energy

Energy is essential to day-to-day life. Without it, getting work done, enjoying company, and even just staying awake can be difficult. If boosting your energy naturally is important to you, take a look at some of your daily habits. You may actually be sabotaging your own energy supply.
With a few simple changes, and greater awareness, you can be back to feeling energized and enjoying yours days to the fullest.

Toxic Sugar

Here's a great article written by a fellow chiropractor, Dr. Edward Group, III. The article explains the potential harmful effects sugar has own our own body. A link to the article on his website is found below.

There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about the dangers of refined sugars like corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, and more. After decades of research, it appears the serious adverse effects of refined sugars on human health are finally making their way into mainstream attention. According to the CDC, more than 30% of adult Americans are obese. [1] These numbers exploded after health officials began pushing the high-carb, low-fat diet twenty years ago.

The Truth About Sugar

Decades of study on obesity, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and hormone dysfunction reveal sugar isn’t just dangerous, [2] [3] it’s absolutely toxic. While it’s true that our cells rely on glucose for energy, our body in no way requires refined sugar for proper functioning. Despite this, food manufacturers continue to look for new ways to sneak sugar into every last food sold on market shelves. Here’s just a few reasons why you should reduce–if not eliminate–sugar from your diet:

You Can’t See A Natural Sugar

When it comes to sugar, if it’s not a natural component of the food (like a banana, apple, or honey), chances are it’s not a natural dietary sugar. Any sugar extracted from its plant source, processed, and added to food for sweetening purposes is considered refined. This includes the spoonful of raw, organic table sugar many people put in their coffee each morning. Natural sugars occur as starches and complex sugars and are bound to vitamins and minerals. The digestive process uses these nutrients to break this natural sugar down into monosaccharides, a usable nutrient.

Fruits and vegetables don’t have the same effect on blood sugar as a candy bar for most healthy individuals because fiber in produce tends to slow down the rate at which the sugars are digested and absorbed. Table sugar is created by separating sugar molecules, glucose, sucrose, fructose, etc., from their plant nutrients. This converts them into pure, refined, and empty carbohydrates.

Your Daily Poison

We know sugar eats through the enamel of teeth and causes cavities, but its damage doesn’t stop there. Sugar leaves a path of destruction as it passes through the body, causing inflammation and degradation to blood vessels. It also disrupts the digestive process. When sugar mixes with starches in the stomach, fermentation takes place, creating carbon dioxide, acetic acid, alcohol, and water. Carbon dioxide, acetic acid, and alcohol are all toxic substances.

Sugar causes digesting protein to petrify and creates ptomaines and leucomaines, toxic protein substances. Sugars also kill the ‘friendly’ bacteria that create vitamin B12, an essential nutrient for energy creation at the cellular level. Symptoms of B12 deficiency include depression, psychosis, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart disease.

As I mentioned earlier, refined sugars have no nutritional value and lack the nutrients needed to encourage digestion. So, the body must steal these nutrients from other processes to digest sugar. This creates nutrient imbalances and deficiencies. From there, the sugar enters the blood stream.

Sugar Rots from the Inside Out

We know high blood sugar causes diabetes, but long before a pre-diabetic condition develops, widespread damage has already occurred. It all starts with one singular component–insulin. The pancreas releases insulin to trigger cells throughout the body to absorb glucose–a monosaccharide sugar–from the blood. The more constant this release of insulin, the more the cells stop listening to it. The liver then takes the excess glucose, converts it to glycogen, and stores it.

As sugar consumption continues, the liver swells and becomes damaged. This condition is known as fatty liver disease, and it’s on the rise wherever a carb-based diet is practiced. When the liver can no longer take the glucose, it gets sent to fat cells for storage. Weight gain and diseases follow.

Recent research done by Louisiana State University report those who consume sugar-sweetened beverages have a much higher risk of weight gain, type II diabetes, cardiovascular, and metabolic disease. The reason for this has been identified as the sugar load.

But this shouldn’t surprise us. Dr. Weston Price reported decades ago how primitive societies had good teeth and superior health to those in civilized societies on modern diets. Once a group of indigenous peoples were assimilated into modern society, individuals experienced physical degeneration and the onset of chronic disease all within one generation.

How to Avoid Sugar

Those who have given up sugar generally experience greater energy, a more positive mood, and successful weight loss. Plus, abstaining from sugar also reduces the risk of many diseases linked to sugar consumption, like diabetes, obesity, hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder, cardiovascular disease, depression, skin disorders, allergies, eye problems, kidney failure, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, hormone imbalance, accelerated aging, and cancer. To go sugar free, avoid it for two weeks. If you’re really ambitious, go for a month. Eat only natural, organic foods, and only use stevia or, better yet, raw organic honey whenever you need a sweetener.

Here’s a list of refined sugars to avoid:

•     Maltodextrin
•     Beet Sugar
•     Cane Juice
•     Rice Syrup
•     Maple Syrup
•     Cane Syrup
•     Dextrose
•     Fruit Juice Concentrate
•     Corn Syrup
•     Sucrose
•     High Fructose Corn Syrup

Here's a link to his website and the article...   http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/is-sugar-toxic/

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
References:

1.     Davy BM1, Zoellner JM2, Waters CN3, Bailey AN2, Hill JL2.. Associations Among Chronic Disease Status, Participation in Federal Nutrition Programs, Food Insecurity, and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage and Water Intake Among Residents of a Health-Disparate Region. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2015 Feb 9. pii: S1499-4046(15)00004-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2015.01.001.
2.     Kostecka M1. Eating habits of preschool children and the risk of obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in adults. Pak J Med Sci. 2014 Nov-Dec;30(6):1299-303. doi: 10.12669/pjms.306.5792.
3.     Bray GA1. Soft drink consumption and obesity: it is all about fructose. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2010 Feb;21(1):51-7. doi: 10.1097/MOL.0b013e3283346ca2.

Does Cold Weather Cause Joint Pain?

Yes, the weather has been nasty.  Recently, I heard a TV weatherperson say that our normal highs for this time of the year is 60 degrees. I don't think we have made it over 45 degrees in the past 15 days or so.  So if you are feeling more pain than usual, this article could explain the reason why.  I found this on the weather channel website. At the end of the article is a link to it.

And of course, Chiropractic care can help to minimize the effects of cold weather upon our cold, creaky joints.

Does Cold Weather Cause Joint Pain?

"Every mile is two in winter" said poet George Herbert. A big chunk of our Facebook fans couldn't agree more, particularly the ones who have arthritis or joint pain. We polled them to find out what triggers their hip and knee pain, and 42 percent blamed cold weather -- by far the leading cause. But can the elements really make your joints ache?

The scientific evidence is conflicting. Some studies find a strong relationship between short, cold, damp days and arthritis flare-ups. Research from Tufts University suggests changes in barometric pressure worsen knee pain in people with arthritis, while colder temps can cause painful changes in joint fluid thickness. Other studies have found little or no link between weather and joint pain.

Whether your aches are sparked by the weather or something else, these three steps can help you feel better.

Eat Healthy

Load up on foods rich in:

• Omega-3 fatty acids. Think salmon and nuts to curb inflammation.
• Vitamin K. Make meals that feature greens, such as spinach, kale, and cabbage, for their pain-soothing properties.
• Vitamin C. Add color to your diet with juicy oranges, sweet red peppers and tomatoes, and other C-rich foods to halt cartilage loss (and resulting pain) that comes with arthritis.

Avoid foods high in omega-6 fatty acids, such as corn oil, which may trigger painful inflammation. Also swap refined grains for whole grains. Early research suggests refined grains have an inflammatory effect, whereas high-fiber whole grains may help reduce inflammation.

Take Supplements

Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin may help by nourishing cartilage and increasing lubrication in your joints. A large-scale study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that a daily combo of 1,500 milligrams of glucosamine and 1,200 milligrams of chondroitin might help ease symptoms in people with moderate-to-severe joint pain.

Also make sure you're getting plenty of vitamin D to help keep your bones strong and prevent joint pain. Look for a supplement with 1,000 milligrams of D3 (the kind your body manufactures from sunlight), but check with your doctor first because some supplements can interact with prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Keep Moving

One reason cold weather is linked to joint pain is people are less likely to work out when it's chilly and damp. Being a couch potato is bad news for your joints because exercise helps lubricate them to prevent pain.

Too cold out? Bring your workout indoors -- and don't overdo it! Choose low-impact aerobic moves that are easy on joints, such as a walking and yoga or tai chi, which enhance your range of motion. Lifting weights can also help because it builds joint-supporting muscles.

Here's the link to the article on weather.com...  http://www.weather.com/health/aches-pains/news/does-cold-weather-joint-pain-20120404

Arthritis Prevention and Chiropractic

According to an article by Dr. Mark Studin Chiropractic prevents arthritis in accident victims, the elderly and the sedentary. Here's the article below.

According to the Arthritis Foundation (2007), "Forty-six million [46,000,000] Americans are currently living with arthritis, the nation's leading cause of disability, and we are all paying a high price for it.
CDC attributes the dramatic increase to the aging of the population, predominantly baby boomers, and increased prevalence of arthritis. CDC also estimates an additional 8 million new cases of arthritis will be diagnosed in the next decade" (http://www.arthritis.org/cost-arthritis.php).

Arthritis, A.D.A.M., Inc. (2010, February 5), "...is inflammation of one or more joints, which results in pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement. There are over 100 different types of arthritis...

Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects the joint, allowing for smooth movement. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, like when you walk. Without the usual amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness.

You may have joint inflammation for a variety of reasons, including:

- An autoimmune disease (the body attacks itself because the body immune system believes a body part is foreign)
- Broken bone
- General wear and tear
- Infection (usually cause by bacteria or viruses)...　

With some injuries and diseases, the inflammation does not go away or destruction results in long-term pain and deformity. When this happens, you have chronic arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type and is more likely to occur as you age. You may feel it in any of your joints, but most commonly in your hips, knees or fingers. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include:

- Being overweight
- Previously injuring the affected joint
- Using the affected joint in a repetitive action that puts stress on the joint (baseball players, ballet dancers and construction workers are all at risk)

Arthritis can occur in men and women of all ages. About 37 million people in America have arthritis of some kind, which is almost 1 out of every 7 people" (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002223). With hypomobility (less mobility or movement), adhesions occur in a joint (the region where 2 bones connect).

According to A.D.A.M., Inc. (2010, March 30), "Adhesions are bands of scar-like tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body and cause them to stick together. As the body moves, tissues or organs inside are normally able to shift around each other. This is because these tissues have slippery surfaces.

Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors

Inflammation (swelling), surgery, or injury can cause adhesions to form almost anywhere in the body...Once they form, adhesions can become larger or tighter over time. Symptoms or other problems may occur if the adhesions cause an organ or body part to twist, pull out of position, or be unable to move as well.

Adhesions may form around joints such as the shoulder...or ankles, or in ligaments and tendons. This problem may happen:

- After surgery or trauma
- With certain types of arthritis
- With overuse of a joint or tendon

Symptoms

Adhesions in joints, tendons, or ligaments make it harder to move the joint and may cause pain...Adhesions in the pelvis may cause chronic or long-term pelvic pain.

Signs and tests

Most of the time, the adhesions cannot be seen using x-rays or imaging tests" (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002462).


Cramer, Henderson, Little, Daley and Grieve (2010), cite previous studies that have shown that adhesions have been found in numerous hypomobile (loss of normal movement) joints and that spinal adjusting separates the articular surfaces of the joint. The researchers inquired as to whether connective tissue adhesion developed in lumbar articular joints as a consequence to intervertebral hypomobility and utilized animal studies.  They concluded that "...hypomobility results in time-dependent [adhesions]..." (Cramer et al., 2010, p. 508). In other words, internal scar tissue (arthritis) developed within the joints over time.

Cramer et al. (2010) sited previous studies that found the spinal adjustment separates the joints which could break up intra-articular adhesions. In other words, in their animal studies, spinal adjustments/manipulation increased the "Z gap" or spacing between the joints/bones and the mobility of the joints. If this applied in humans, the adjustments would then prevent further development of adhesions and degeneration and osteophytes, which is how the arthritic process progresses.

While arthritis affects approximately 1 in 7 Americans, the prevention of and/or correction of arthritis would relieve a great strain on our economy. While not all arthritis is a result of hypomobility, much of it is. If every person was under chiropractic care, we could not only positively affect the lives of every American, we could potentially rescue the economy of the United States and every other country and insurer in the world that assumes risk for an aging and hypomobile society.




By Mark Studin DC, FASBE(C), DAAPM, DAAMLP



References:

1. Arthritis Foundation. (2007, January 17). Cost of arthritis increases to $128 billion annually. Retrieved from http://www.arthritis.org/cost-arthritis.php

2. A.D.A.M., Inc. (2010, February 5). Arthritis. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002223

3. A.D.A.M., Inc. (2010, March 30). Adhesion. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002462

4. Cramer, G. D., Henderson, C. N. R., Little, J. W., Daley, C., & Grieve, T. J. (2010). Zygapophyseal joint adhesions after induced hypomobility. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 33(7), 508-518.