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WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE

Week of: Monday April 22, 2019

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: A growing threat could kill 10 million people by 2050, but one company thinks it can stop it Our best line of defense against life-threatening illnesses has turned against us. Antibiotics — which we've relied on for decades to beat deadly, contagious infections — are set to kill 10 million people by 2050. After years of abuse in people and animals — with doctors practically doling them out like candy and farmers stirring them into animal feed — antibiotics have virtually stopped working. In January, a woman died after a raging infection that failed to respond to 26 different kinds of antibiotics. The bacteria have outsmarted us, and they're stronger than ever. In addition to spurring the creation of more and more powerful infections, antibiotics aren't good for our bodies. Like a carpet bomb, the drugs attack indiscriminately, neutralizing the good bacteria in our guts in addition to the bad ones that make us sick. A better solution might involve targeting only the infection-causing bacteria, rather than killing everything in our guts and contributing to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Note: actually the best solution is to strengthen your immune system so it can eliminate the necessary organisms. In most cases with baguette testing we can determine the best immune formula to help your body recover without damaging the immune system even further as antibiotics do.

WELLNESS: Help Preserve Your Eyesight With B Vitamins A study published in the July 2013 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition adds to the evidence suggesting certain B vitamins may be important in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 55 years of age in the U.S. and Canada. Previous studies have shown that taking certain antioxidant vitamins and minerals as supplements (vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, selenium and zinc), at specific dosages, can slow the progression of AMD. In the latest study, known as the Blue Mountain Eye Study, serum folate (B-vitamin folic acid), vitamin B12 and homocysteine status were determined from blood samples drawn in 1997-1999 from cohort members ages 55 and older. AMD was assessed in 1,760 survivors from retinal photographs taken in 2002-2004 and 2007-2009. Total intakes of folic acid and vitamin B12 were assessed using a food-frequency questionnaire. Results showed that higher blood levels of homocysteine were associated with a significant increased risk of developing AMD, whereas higher levels of vitamin B12 were strongly associated with decreased risk of developing AMD. Homocysteine is a toxic end-product of metabolism known to damage blood vessels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies continue to show that high blood levels of homocysteine also contribute to damage seen in AMD. People with folate or vitamin B12 deficiency at the beginning of the study (baseline) were approximately twice as likely to develop AMD during the 10-year study period. What is important is that homocysteine levels are reduced via supplementation with, and dietary intake of, vitamin B12 and folic acid. These B vitamins recycle homocysteine back to the nontoxic and highly useful amino acid known as methionine. This explains why high levels of serum homocysteine, and low levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid, are so strongly linked to the development of AMD, as confirmed in the Blue Mountain Eye Study. Note: have us check you on our eye formulas, be proactive.

CHIROPRACTIC: Health tips----Oil with carrot, saves life – For all the carrot curry lovers, this one is for you. Carrots contain the much needed anti-oxidant called beta-carotene. Just like all antioxidants, this one is good for health in general and heart in particular. When carrot is sliced and cooked in oil, the fat content dissolves up to 75% of the valuable beta-carotene. However, if one were to eat raw carrot, the body can absorb about 11% of this life saver. Belly needs berries – Which is the best relief for a troubled stomach? Strawberries. They not only eliminate the ulcers of the stomach, but also minimize the damage done by the mucous membrane. It is free of side effects as it is a fruit and is hence suggested by naturopaths for regular consumption. It is good to note that turmeric, dark green vegetables and yoghurt also pack similar benefits Relaxing the feet to prevent headaches – Sounds strange, but very true. When you are suffering from mild headaches, try placing feet into a bucket of warm water. Better still if you add a tablespoon of salt. Best to add few drops of lavender or eucalyptus. The story behind this is that the blood vessels dilate thereby drawing blood away from head and rushing towards feet. It also cleans the skin pores and lets the oil contents get into the bloodstream. Magic of Mushrooms – The risk of breast cancer is reduced to one third for those who eat mushroom at least thrice a week. research shows that folks who consume at least 10 grams a day were 64% less likely to develop this form of cancer than others. Protect ears through humming – This is particularly useful when approaching loud and noisy places. By pressing the lips together and humming softly, tenses the muscles in the ear and reducing exposure to external sounds that will harm your ear drum. In line with this, one should be wise while choosing the ear phones. The plug-in models are harmful as the music doesn’t leak out and bears full brunt on the ear. It is better to go for over the ear models.

FUNNY BONES: Once, there was a preacher who was an avid golfer. Every chance he could get, he would be on the golf course swinging away. It was an obsession. One Sunday was a picture-perfect day for golfing. The sun was out, no clouds were in the sky, and the temperature was just right. The preacher was in a quandary as to what to do, and shortly, the urge to play golf overcame him. He called an assistant to tell him that he was sick and could not do church, packed the car up, and drove three hours to a golf course where no one would recognize him. Happily, he began to play the course. An angel up above was watching the preacher and was quite perturbed. He went to God and said, "Look at the preacher. He should be punished for what he is doing."  God nodded in agreement. The preacher teed up on the first hole. He swung at the ball, and it sailed effortlessly through the air and landed right in the cup 250 yards away. A picture-perfect hole-in-one. He was amazed and excited.  The angel was a little shocked. He turned to God and said, "I beg your pardon, but I thought you were going to punish him." 
God smiled. "Think about it-who can he tell?" Asked