Gain Independence From Poor Food Choices
June 30, 2011
Photo Credit: Bruce Tuten
In honor of Independence Day next week, we’re spending the month of July celebrating independence from an unhealthy existence. So how can you be independent from poor food choices? Here are a few suggestions:
Gain independence from sugar: Try natural alternatives like sucanat, real maple syrup, stevia and real fructose. If you eat more fruit, your body will start to crave that sweetness rather than refined sugar.
Gain independence from wheat and gluten: Many people are sensitive to gluten, which is why many products have been created to substitute wheat with other grains. Look for grains like millet, quinoa and amaranth to steer clear of gluten but still get the nutritional value of whole grain.
The key to healthy eating is trying new recipes to keep it interesting! Here are two websites with a lot of good ideas:
What are ways you gain your independence from poor food choices?
Can Food Help Your Back Pain?
June 28, 2011
Back pain is cost society ten times more in 2007 as it did in 1997 more than 30 billion dollars! There is some recent evidence that eating certain non-inflammatory foods can help decrease your pain.
Eat more:
- Cherries, or tart cherry juice
- Olive oil
- Canned salmon, sardines packed in water or olive oil, mackerel, albacore tuna, flaxseed
- Vegetable protein
- Vegetables and fruits of every color
- Nuts of all kinds
- Green Tea
- Ginger- try steeping some grated root with boiling water
Eat LESS:
- Corn oil, safflower, sunflower, cottonseed , or mixed vegetable oils
- Margarine and vegetable shortening
- Processed foods
- Products containing high fructose corn syrup
- Foods high in saturated fat, including meat, tropical oils and full fat dairy
- Foods made with trans fats
A lack of vitamin D may also contribute to low back pain. In one study 80% of people who had chronic low back pain also were deficient in vitamin D. When they began taking supplemental D their back pain improved.
This anti-inflammatory way of eating is great for ANY inflammatory condition, aim to eat this way all of the time!
Rozenhart Family Chiropractic Officially a 100 Year Lifestyle Provider!
June 23, 2011
We’ve got exciting news to share: Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Jennifer are now officially certified as 100 Year Lifestyle Providers by the California Chiropractic Association (CCA). This certification responds to the public’s desire for healthy lifestyles and peak performance in this era of expanded life spans, meaning we’ve been trained in all elements of wellness, including nutrition, fitness and spinal health with chiropractic care as the focus.
We’ve been working on this for a while, initially enrolling back in December 2009. Based on the bestselling book, The 100 Year Lifestyle, by Dr. Eric Plasker, D.C., the 100 Year Lifestyle Certification process includes 50 hours instruction that consists of classroom seminars combined with teletraining and/or Web training, and requires we complete additional classroom training to stay certified so that we stay apprised of new practice and patient developments related to the certification.
Our plans to implement the 100 Year Lifestyle at Rozenhart Family Chiropractic began when we decided to get certified. During the course of our education and training, along with the marketing materials provided, we’ve been able to see the change in focus for our members; they are now less focused on their pain, and more interested in prevention and longevity. My favorite tool is the M-PYR, or your “Minimum Potential Years Remaining.” This exercise helps our practice members think lifestyle and not just quick fix.
People are living longer than ever, and Silicon Valley residents are looking for solutions to make the most of their years through a unique, holistic total-life program. As CCA Certified 100 Year Lifestyle Providers, we are equipped with the scientific knowledge and clinical skills to assist our community in achieving proper lifestyle changes and maintaining healthy spines so they can enjoy peak vitality, greater quality of life and improved health as they age. We’re excited to help all our members on their journeys to higher-quality lives!
Pregnancy and Artificial Sweeteners
June 21, 2011
Image Credit Svadilfari
Everyone knows the risks of drinking alcohol while pregnant but what about artificial sweeteners? Are they safe for pregnant women? Recently published in The American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition, women who drank one artificially sweetened beverage per day have a 38% higher risk of pre-term delivery compared to those who drink none of these drinks. The risk rises to 78% higher in women who drank four or more drinks per day.
The study was performed with almost 60,000 women, no small sample and the results were the same whether they consumed carbonated or non-carbonated drinks. Even more importantly, NO increase was noted in women who drank soda that was sweetened with sugar.
My question is, if there are these toxic effects in pregnant women, do you think it is safe for any of us to consume? Pregnant or not?
Side Effects? Or Direct Effects!
June 17, 2011
Photo Credit: e-MagineArt.com
The most common question that individuals ask before they ever take a prescription drug is, “What are the side effects?” Before you pop another pill, you must understand how medications’ side effects directly affect your body today and in years to come.
Medications are tested in a laboratory until the chemical reaction that they are designed to achieve is reproducible. The direct effects of this lab testing must be consistent before these chemicals are ever tested on animals or people. Once human testing begins, scientists measure the impact of these medications to see if they cause the same direct effects that were induced in a laboratory. If these effects are reproducible, the testing continues to see if any other effects occur. These are called “Side Effects” because they were not present in the laboratory setting and their impact on humans was outside of their intended effect. In actuality, these side effects are direct effects of these drugs on the body. Because we are all unique in our body chemistry, direct effects, labeled side effects, impact people differently, and they are much more common than people think.
The direct effects of Lipitor, for example, are constipation, gas, headaches, stomach pain, weakness, rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, chest pain, swelling of the mouth or face, bone, joint or tendon pain, change in urination, fever, chills, sore throat, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, bowel changes, skin changes, swelling of the hands or feet, yellowing of the eyes or skin. This “incomplete” list, according to drugs.com, shows that while Lipitor may affect cholesterol levels in the body, there can be dozens of other direct effects that impact you in an unhealthy way.
Drug companies prepare a list of side effects for the consumer, while also listing additional side effects that doctors should be aware of. If you go to drugs.com and type in any drug, then select “side effects,” you will notice that the side effects to the consumer take up half a page while the side effects/direct effects for the physician to be aware of might be up to a dozen pages. Most people are unaware of all the effects that medications can cause, and often treat these symptoms with other drugs. This is dangerous because the interactions between drugs can cause even more severe direct effects. Too many people unknowingly go down this road until their body chemistry and health is completely screwed up.
Additionally, as in the case of Lipitor, there are twelve different listings of side effects/direct effects showing adverse reactions in greater than 2% of the cases. When you add the numbers of each direct effect, you will notice that nearly 60% of cases are experiencing at least one of these effects.
The direct effects of these medications, combined with the reality of our extended life spans to 80, 90, 100 years and beyond, and knowing that drugs only need to be tested for about 8 years before they are brought to market, makes it obvious that living a lifestyle that keeps you independently healthy and free from the need for medications is your best long-term option.
Thomas Edison saw this coming over 100 years ago stating, “The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” The future is now. Our office will help you and your loved ones adjust your lifestyle so that you enjoy good health for a lifetime.
Reprinted with permission from The Family Practice.
Men: Is Caring For Your Car Easier Than Your Health?
June 16, 2011
Photo Credit: marioanima
“For many men, tuning up our cars is easier than getting checkups for our health.” – NASCAR driver Terry Labonte
As reported by Reuters Life! earlier this week, “Almost 70 percent of American men said they find it easier to care for their cars than their personal health, according to a survey released on Monday. And 40 percent said they would be more likely to address issues with their car than their health.”
Why is this? Is it that health seems like a mystery and a car is straightforward? Is it that there are parts to be replaced easily on a car and it comes with an owner’s manual?
Health and longevity are not difficult or mysterious. There are consistent things to do with both your car and your health that will maintain it for years to come. In fact, here are 4 things men can do right now to start taking better care of themselves.
Your body and health are the best investment you can make, while cars continually lose value. You can always replace a car, but there is no full body transplant yet available! Is it the invincibility factor? Or is it that there will be a pill to fix you if you ever need one? What are your thoughts as to why more men take better care of their cars?
The High Cost of Crisis Care
June 15, 2011
Photo Credit: AMagill
Crisis Care is bankrupting our country and causing tremendous unnecessary suffering to individuals and families. As an example, look at the following numbers:
Condition & Cost per Year
Back Pain: $86 Billion
Cancer: $228 Billion
Heart Disease: $316 Billion
Diabetes: $174 Billion
Obesity: $147 Billion
The total cost for just these five conditions is $951 billion which is the equivalent of $3,100 for every man, woman and child per year whether you have this condition or not. Keep in mind that this does not include every other diagnosed condition that we did not mention including allergies, ulcers, thyroid conditions, intestinal disorders, etc.
If you and your family have suffered from some type of health crisis, then your numbers are substantially higher because of the direct effect that these conditions are having on your life and your family.
One thing that we should learn from our parents’ and grandparents’ generation is that we will all probably live longer than we ever thought. The old model of not taking care of yourself until you have a crisis, solving your crisis and then not taking care of yourself again until you have another crisis, won’t work for an extended life span. In fact, this attitude, a 60 year lifestyle, can lead to decades of unnecessary suffering and deterioration.
On the other hand, the health care hierarchy of The 100 Year Lifestyle puts Self Care and Health Care first while putting Crisis Care last and hopefully avoiding the crisis all together as often as possible.
Lifestyle Care, as we call it is a much better option because of its preventative nature. When you look at the conditions listed above, and do the research, a majority of these conditions and expenses would never occur if we all lived a healthy 100 Year Lifestyle.
Beginning Today….
Make Healthier Food Choices – Healthier food choices include more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and pastas and lean sources of protein. When you shop, buy organic fruits and vegetables and free range meats. Avoid farm raised fish and reduce or eliminate your sugar intake. When dining out, choose menu items that fit this description and be wary of oversized portions knowing that you do not have to finish everything on your plate in one sitting.
Get Your ESS in Shape – This fitness plan of The 100 Year Lifestyle stands for Endurance, Strength and Structure. It includes cardiovascular exercise like walking, running, swimming or bike riding. Strength training can include weights, pilates, or yoga to name a few and Structure includes chiropractic care to ensure that your spine and nervous system are healthy. Many people only do two out of three, neglecting the health of their nervous system which supplies the vital energy and communication between the brain and body, which is necessary for you to heal, function normally and be healthy.
Make the Critical Transition to Lifestyle Care – while some people initially schedule a chiropractic checkup because of a crisis, the critical transition to Lifestyle Care can be life changing for you. While this portion of the care is rarely covered by insurance, it is the portion of the care that will contribute to a healthier life. During this phase of care you will receive less frequent visits over a longer period of time, regardless of how you feel, so that your body spine and nervous system can regenerate and function at optimum levels. This can only happen after symptoms and inflammation are gone and optimum alignment is achieved.
It’s time for you to break the cycle of crisis that has plagued so many in our society. Make the critical transition and make Lifestyle Care your top priority.
Reprinted with permission from The Family Practice.
3 Healthy Summer Smoothies That Will Cool You Down
June 9, 2011
Photo Credit: khawkins04
The weather is warming up, which makes it the perfect time to cool down with a smoothie! Instead of paying someone to make one for you, pull out your blender and make your own with one of these healthy summer smoothie recipes:
Strawberry Banana & Flax Smoothie from Fitness Magazine
Ingredients:
- ½ medium banana
- ½ cup frozen unsweetened strawberries (or fresh strawberries and a few ice cubes)
- 1 ½ cups almond or rice milk*
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
Directions:
Blend all until smooth.
Berry Healthy Breakfast Smoothie from Smoothie Web
Ingredients:
- ½ cup blueberries
- ½ cup strawberries
- ½ cup blackberries
- 1 medium carrot
- 1 cup almond or rice milk*
- 1 cup pomegranate (cranberry is an okay substitute)
- 2 cups ice
Directions:
Blend all until smooth.
Sandra’s Fresh Mango-Banana-Strawberry Smooth (Non-Dairy) from Sandra’s Recipes
Ingredients:
First layer:
- 1 mango, peeled, pitted and chopped
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 medium ice cubes
Second Layer:
- 1 banana, chopped
- 10 strawberries, cut in half
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 3 medium ice cubes
Directions:
In a blender, puree the mango, orange juice, lime juice, honey, and ice cubes, until smooth, and divide amongst 2 straight-sided 8 oz. glasses, and set aside.
Rinse blender, then puree banana, strawberries, lemon juice, and ice cubes, until smooth, and gently pour into glasses while trying to maintain a line separating the layers. – Enjoy!
* The recipe calls for skim milk or soy milk, but we recommend using almond or rice instead.
The Skinny on Sunscreen: What to Look For / Avoid
June 3, 2011
Photo Credit: Robert S. Donovan
Not all sunscreens are created equally. Now that it’s summer, we want to provide you with a few tips for protecting yourself and your family against the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Before slathering cream all over your body, we ALWAYS recommend you look at the ingredients list so you know exactly what’s soaking into your skin. Not sure what to look for?
Here’s what you want to avoid:
- Oxybenzone
- Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate)
- Added insect repellent
- Sprays
- Powders
- SPF above 50+
Here’s what you want to look for:
- Zinc
- Titanium dioxide
- Avobenzone or Mexoryl SX
- Cream
- Broad-spectrum protection
- Water-resistant for beach, pool & exercise
- SPF 30+ for beach & pool
Read additional tips, including what to do before applying sunscreen and safety tips for kids, at EWG’s Skin Deep website.
See additional summer safety tips, such as drinking plenty of water and wearing a hat & sunglasses on our “Heat Wave! Stay Safe” article.
