Humidity

Posted on November 13, 2018 by DocJohn

Dr. Keefe, Keefe Clinic. Tulsa Chiropractor, pain, natural health care.

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Winter time humidity is a big issue. As the weather turns colder and the heaters start working 24/7 then the indoor air will start drying out.

Studies have shown that dry air has four main effects on the human body:

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Breathing dry air is a potential health hazard which can cause such respiratory ailments as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, and nosebleeds, or general dehydration since body fluids are depleted during respiration.
Skin moisture evaporation can cause skin irritations and eye itching.
Irritative effects, such as static electricity which causes mild shocks when metal is touched, are common when the air moisture is low.
The “apparent temperature” of the air is lower than what the thermometer indicates, and the body “feels” colder.

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As your body fights the dry air you start to use up your vitamin A stores. This enhances the dry skin and sinus problems as well as weakens your immune system. It is important that you have a humidity gauge in each bedroom and a cool mist humidifier to combat the dry air. I recommend the ultrasonic humidifiers as they put the most water in the air.

Some Of The Physical Effects Of Dry Air

Dry skin, Chapped lips, Clogged sinuses, Itchy skin, Dry throat coughs, Cracked nasal membranes, Increased risk of bacteria infection, Aggravated asthma & allergy symptoms

You may also notice these changes around your home:

Woodwork and furniture shrinkage
Hardwood floor separation
Piano goes out of tune
Wallpaper peels at the edges
Drawers loosen
Moldings gap
Collectibles shrink, warp and crack
Static Electricity increases

Dr Keefe, Keefe Clinic, Natural Health Care, Tulsa Chiropractor, Diet, Pain,

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Drier air causes sinuses to dry and crack, making people more susceptible to winter colds and flu viruses. In fact, this change from higher outside relative humidity to lower indoor relative humidity in the winter is a significant contributing factor in the spread of colds and flus. By maintaining the proper level of humidity indoors, you reduce illness in the winter. Studies have shown that the body’s immune system will function better when the relative humidity in a home is between 45%-65%.

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Pneumococcus, staphylococcus, and streptococcus bacteria die up to 20 times faster at a relative humidity between 45% and 55%, than above 70% or below 20%. Dehydration can also cause negative health effects. Symptoms of dehydration include dry skin, chronic joint and muscle pain, raspy throat, sinus and nasal pain, sore eyes, a lack of mental concentration, and a decrease in the body’s immune system.

The most comfortable relative humidity for the human body

45-65%RH

Ideal relative humidity for prophylactic and curative purposes

40-50%RH

Computer and telecom apparatuses

45-65%RH

Furniture and musical instruments

40-60%RH

Libraries (books), art galleries and museums

40-60%RH

Quick Fix 1: Get Steamy

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Dry air can cause or irritate sinus problems, but inhaling moisture can help. Simply breathing the steam from a hot shower will ease congestion.

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You can also enhance the steam you breathe with sinus-clearing essential oils. Once or twice a day, add five drops of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), or sandalwood (Santalum album) essential oils (or a combination) to a large bowl of steaming-hot water, suggests Sylvia Goldfarb, Ph.D., of Wyncote, Pa., author of Allergy Relief (Avery Penguin Putnam, 2000). Drape a towel over your head and the bowl, and breathe deeply for 10 minutes. You’ll feel relief within that time.

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To treat acute sinusitis, substitute tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and repeat the sinus steam three to four times daily. Tea tree oil’s powerful antibacterial properties fight the bacteria that cause many infections,” says Karen Barnes, N.D., a naturopath in Burlington, Ontario, and author of Naturopathic First Aid (Quarry Press, 2001). Your symptoms should clear up within a few days.

Quick Fix 2: Flush Your Sinuses

Rinsing your sinuses with saltwater helps them drain mucus. Studies show that this significantly reduced symptoms like pain and inflammation in more than 2/3 of sinusitis sufferers. Heatley says recommending nasal irrigation to her patients cut the number of sinus surgeries she performed in half.

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To rinse your sinuses, use a neti pot, a small teapot-like device sold at most natural food stores. Combine three parts non-iodized salt and one part baking soda, and add 1/2 teaspoon of this mixture to 1/2 cup of warm water in the pot. This solution matches your body’s salinity, and baking soda makes it less irritating to your sinuses.

Lean over a sink and insert the spout of the pot into your left nostril. Tilt your head and the pot to the right and let the solution flow out your right nostril. Exhale forcefully through both nostrils and repeat on the other side. Repeat as needed.

Quick Fix 3: Eat Spicy Food

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The zing of certain spices opens clogged sinuses and promotes drainage. As condiments, use hot salsas or chutneys that contain chiles, or sprinkle cayenne pepper on your food, recommends Goldfarb or use wasabi.

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday Nov. 12, 2018

Posted on November 12, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: What Are Poppy Seeds Good For? The poppy plant (Papaver somniferum) is infamous for numerous reasons; one of them being that it is the source of opium, a highly addictive narcotic. But despite its notoriety, the poppy plant is also the source of one of the most loved pastry ingredients in the world: poppy seeds. They are well-known for adding a crunch to various confections and desserts. Poppy seed oil, which can be used as both a culinary and a medicinal oil, can be extracted from them as well. Being a product of a relatively infamous plant, the health benefits of poppy seeds have been questioned time and time again. People fear that the seeds may cause the same narcotic effects that other poppy products give. However, poppy seeds actually offer impressive nutritional components that can help your body improve or maintain optimal function. The health benefits of poppy seeds include the following: Aids in the prevention of heart disorders. Each serving of poppy seed contains a considerable amount of linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that offer protection against heart disease.⁸ However, it should be noted that excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids can still cause detrimental effects on the body. A healthy balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is highly recommended to maintain heart health. Supports bone maintenance and development. Poppy seeds contain both iron and phosphorus, minerals essential for the maintenance of both muscles and bones. Prevents constipation and other digestive problems. Poppy seeds have high amounts of dietary fiber, which aids the digestive system in metabolizing and smoothly processing ingested food, preventing constipation and other digestive problems. Enhances brain function. Calcium, iron and magnesium are minerals needed by the body to regulate brain activity and the development of neurons. They also aid in the production of neurotransmitters.Assists in red blood cell production. The abundance of copper and iron in poppy seeds improves red blood cell formation, which helps in the prevention of anemia and other blood-related conditions. Helps deal with sleeplessness. Taking a teaspoon of poppy seed oil before going to bed has been observed to help ease the symptoms of insomnia by promoting relaxation.

WELLNESS: 4 Times Better Than Beets for Increasing Nitric Oxide and Lowering Blood Pressure is a relative of the cruciferous family, which includes radishes, cauliflower and broccoli. Like other members of this family, it contains a number of medicinal nutrients, including cancer-fighting compounds. It’s an excellent source of fiber, vitamins A, C and K, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and manganese. Arugula also provides high levels of protein, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, zinc, copper and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). Arugula contains the highest amounts of nitrates of any vegetable. Your body uses the nitrates in food as raw material to make nitric oxide, which supports healthy blood vessel function, blood pressure and mitochondrial health. Easy to grow, arugula can be grown in your garden to maturity in about 40 days, or harvested after just a week or two of growth, when nutrients are at their peak. Arugula⁹ is a cool season crop, and can be added to your fall garden plantings. It’s forgiving in that it can tolerate low-fertility soils and frost, and is really easy to care for, although it does best in humus-rich soils with a pH between 6 and 6.8. Seeds germinate best at temperatures between 40 and 55 degrees F. Plant your seeds directly into your garden bed, but avoid planting them in a spot where you just harvested another cabbage family crop.

CHIROPRACTIC: CHIROPRACTIC: EMOTIONAL WELL BEING AND BEATING ADDICTIONS A few years ago, Dr. J.M. Holder researched effects of auricular therapy (a form of acupuncture stimulation to the ear – a technique we have used here at Keefe Clinic since 1980). You may have read about that study in the papers then – it indicated that auricular therapy was the most effective therapy for drug addictions of the 178 government-approved therapies at that time! This study was released in the early 1990’s and has started to revolutionize drug addiction programs across the country. Now to his next study: Dr. Holder reasoned that the effects demonstrated in the first study described above dealing with problems with the limbic system could be tied in to the effects that subluxations have on the nervous system. He knew that the limbic system is not just a compartment hidden in the center of the brain, but it also extends down the “dorsal horn” of the spinal column. He decided to test to see what Chiropractic adjustment intervention could do with this particular system of the nervous system. This is what is called the “brain reward cascade” is a scientific model that has the vertebral motor unit as its common denominator which provides an understanding to the neurophysiological mechanism on how the meso-Limbic system expresses a state of well-being. Therefore, a subluxation-free spine is mandatory to express one’s greatest potential. At the end of that study, the results were astonishing, even to Dr. Holder. After compiling all the data, he found that the combination of Chiropractic adjustments with counseling therapy approach to addiction and compulsive disorders produced far better results than any other test results for any other government-approved technique now available. His conclusion: for the 180 different addiction disorder techniques that have been tested, Chiropractic now proves to be the most effective, even more effective than the use of auricular therapy found previously so helpful. This means that: Chiropractic care, coupled with proper nutrition, electro-stimulation of points in the ear, and counseling is the best help currently available for individuals who have addictive-compulsive disorders.

FUNNY BONE: What lights up a soccer stadium? A soccer match.@@A Mexican magician tells the audience that he will disappear on the count of three. He says, “uno, dos…” *Proof*… He disappears without a tres.@@I just left my job. I couldn’t work for the man after what he said to me. What did he say? “You’re fired”@@ what do you call a snobbish criminal going down the stairs? I don’t know. What? A condescending con descending.@@I threw a boomerang a few years ago. Now I live in constant fear.@@What time is it? I don’t know. It keeps changing.@@If a child refuses to take a nap, is he resisting a rest?@@Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon? Great food, no atmosphere.@@“What time did the man go to the dentist? Tooth hurt-y.” @@The shovel was a ground-breaking invention.

Fighting the 10 Collagen Killers

Posted on November 8, 2018 by DocJohn

No matter how old you are, chances are the #1 way others perceive your age is through the largest organ on your body: skin.

But the extent of showing natural signs of aging is not totally up to fate. In fact, lifestyle factors have a lot of say in the matter.

Stress levels and food choices affect how our genes express themselves. That may sound scary, but it’s actually great news. It means we have significant control over a topic that’s gaining steam in wellness and beauty circles: the accelerated breakdown of collagen.

But first … why is collagen so important when it comes to appearance and skin health? Collagen is actually the most abundant protein in the human body. Seventy percent of skin, hair and nails and nearly 100 percent of connective tissues are collagen. It literally holds you together: from the hairs on your head to every inch of your skin, to your joint comfort and mobility. It even impacts the overall health of your gut including gut integrity.

But here’s the problem…

As we age, our bodies’ natural production of collagen slows dramatically. Over 25? You’re probably losing collagen.

And as collagen levels lower in the body, skin typically starts “looking older,” with less elasticity, vibrancy and hydration. Creaky joints and gut disturbances can also set it. Dropping collagen levels could even mean thinner hair and brittle nails.

Collagen Stats

The typical woman can expect to lose about 1 to 2 percent of her body’s collagen every year
This loss typically begins in the mid-30s
This rate increases as a person hits 40, 50 and beyond
By the time a woman reaches 40 years old, she will likely have lost 10 to 20 percent of her total collagen
A woman in her 50s will have significantly less collagen available than she did in her teens, 20s or 30s
Collagen production in an 80-year-old is up to 75 percent less than someone 30 or younger

This decrease in collagen can result in less mobility, muscle mass, muscle performance and skin health.

But it’s not just the natural aging process robbing us of our collagen … there are other “thieves” hiding out as modern-day hazards…

10 Surprising Collagen Killers

Poor sleep
Excess sugar consumption
Injuries and unhealthy joints
High cortisol from emotional stress
Sun overexposure
Diet low in antioxidants
Sitting all day and lack of activity
Poor gut health
Nutrient shortfalls of vitamin C and zinc
Free radicals

Thankfully, natural collagen boosters exist.

The Top 5 Collagen Boosters

(preferably simmered for 48 hours with bones, along with tendons and ligaments for the most collagen)
Adaptogenic herbs, including Ashwagandha, Holy Basil, Ginseng and Fo-Ti
Vitamin C-rich foods including kiwi, citrus, camu camu, broccoli, bell peppers and kale.
Sulfur-rich foods including garlic, onions, egg yolks and cruciferous vegetables
Antioxidant-rich herbs, spices and foods including turmeric, rosemary, green tea, acai and goji berries

All of the above are great collagen boosters, but I believe none of them compare to the greatest collagen booster in the world: collagen itself that comes from food sources like chicken broth, beef broth, wild fish broth and eggshell membranes.

Basics of Health

Posted on November 7, 2018 by DocJohn

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday Nov. 5, 2018

Posted on November 5, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Dirt Don’t Hurt When it comes to keeping your children healthy, most parents are cautious, if not hypervigilant, over-sterilizing their environments so their children never get dirty and overusing antibacterial soaps. In years past, parents served (and the kids ate) fermented foods containing good bacteria and allowed them to get dirty outside and play with animals on a regular basis, a stark contrast to many kids today. Soil-based organisms (SBOs) may help to stimulate your immune system, reduce inflammation and aid in detoxification. In 2012, the National Institutes of Health’s Human Microbiome Project, five years in the making, concluded that humans are essentially superorganisms with microbes that outnumber our own cells 10 to 1. In a fascinating article, The Atlantic reported that some scientists think health care, in response, will begin focusing “less on traditional illnesses and more on treating disorders of the human microbiome” with targeted microbial species and therapeutic foods for gut health. In studies of what is called the hygiene hypothesis, researchers are concluding that organisms like the millions of bacteria, viruses and especially worms that enter the body along with “dirt” spur the development of a healthy immune system. Several continuing studies suggest that worms may help to redirect an immune system that has gone awry and resulted in autoimmune disorders, allergies and asthma. These studies, along with epidemiological observations, seem to explain why immune system disorders like multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and allergies have risen significantly in the United States and other developed countries.

WELLNESS: Study Reveals Previously Unknown Mechanism Behind Acupuncture’s Ability to Reduce Pain Research suggests acupuncture can be an effective treatment for pain. Clear and robust effects have been found in the treatment of back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, osteoarthritis, and headaches. When properly administered to elicit de qi, acupuncture results in the release of nitric oxide (NO) at the acupuncture site, which in turn encourages the release of natural analgesics in your body. Previous research shows acupuncture deactivates certain parts of your brain, thereby altering your experience of pain.I n a 2012 analysis of 29 published studies involving more than 17,900 participants, researchers concluded that acupuncture has a definite effect in reducing chronic pain — more so than standard pain treatment. Real acupuncture also produced slightly better results than using sham needles, which suggests the benefits of needling are due to more than the placebo effect. Acupuncture can be looked at as point stimulation. Different points affect the body in different ways and knowledge of which line of points to stimulate with a given condition is the basis of acupuncture. When stimulation can be done not only with needles but with electrical current, magnets, tiny pellets or tiny, what look like thumbtacks, called press needles that can be worn for several days. Ask if acupuncture can benefit you.

CONDITION OF THE WEEK: Natural healthcare can help you In 1993 the American Medical Association did a survey of health habits of Americans and found that more Americans visited doctors that practiced natural healthcare than doctors practice drug therapy and surgery. There are many reasons for this shift in healthcare. Some people are concerned about the side effects that drugs have, (2000 deaths per week noble 1 million injuries per year), some people have a sense of body ecology and don’t want to put any artificial substances within their body. Some people have discovered drugs mainly cover-up symptoms and never get to the root of your problem, and are more concerned with maximizing their health than just making some symptoms disappear. I’m sure you have seen either a popular magazine or news program on TV, the benefits of different natural healthcare techniques. Chiropractic is the world’s largest natural healthcare profession and specializes in finding the root cause of health problems and helping restore patients to better health through natural methods. At Keefe clinic these are the principles that we specialize in. We promise you that we will not just cover-up your symptoms and allow the underlying condition time to get worse. Chiropractic care, homeopathic care, individualized diet, acupuncture, nutritional therapy, muscle therapy and exercise, whatever it takes to move your body from disease to health, dysfunction to realizing your genetic potentials. We will customize a program to fit your particular health needs, from low back pain and headaches to digestive problems and PMS. From ear infections in babies to arthritis or heart disease and the geriatric patient, we offer the latest and natural healthcare. If you have a health problem or suffering from some painful condition I would like to invite you to come in for complete complimentary consultation, or, if you have been looking for a clinic that offers natural healthcare and want to get started rebuilding your health, please give Keefe clinic call at 918-663-1111. We offer classic diagnostic testing as well as unique state-of-the-art innovative testing take weeks the natural healthcare field to help understand the nature of your particular health issues and help customize a treatment program. We offer comprehensive natural family care. Come join the revolution. Learn how to take control of your health needs. For more information visit our website: www.Keefeclinic.com

FUNNY BONE: Never play leapfrog with a unicorn.@@The farmer said, “That pig is the bravest pig I ever saw.” “So why does he have a wooden leg?” the tourist asked. “One night, our house caught on fire, and he came inside and woke us all up.” The tourist asked again, “So, why does that pig have a wooden leg?” “You can’t eat a pig that brave all at once!”@@Me and my wife decided that we don’t want to have children anymore. So anybody who wants one can leave us their phone number and address and we will bring you one.@@ In a boomerang shop: “I’d like to buy a new boomerang please. Also, can you tell me how to throw the old one away?”@@Men 1845: I just killed a buffalo. Men 1952: I just fixed the roof. Men 2018: I just shaved my legs.

Visit our web sites: keefeclinic.com & facebook.com/keefeclinic