Week of: Monday Aug. 26, 2019
Courtesy of:
John H. Keefe III, D.C.
(918) 663-1111
WELLNESS: Why collagen is critical for cancer and heart disease prevention by: Lori Alton, staff writer | August 12, 2019 Cancer, which claims roughly 630,000 lives a year, remains the second leading cause of death in the United States – right behind heart disease. Sadly, experts say that a startling 90 percent of cancer deaths aren’t a result of the original tumor – but of its dangerous metastasis (or spread) into surrounding tissues and organs. Now, research is highlighting the potential of collagen – the unifying intracellular substance that helps give form and structure to skin, ligaments, cartilage, and bones – to help prevent cancer’s invasion. In order to spread, cancer must first breakthrough connective tissue, which is formed primarily of collagen. And some natural health experts, including noted German physician Mathias Rath, MD, maintain that a weak collagen matrix may actually encourage the spread of cancer. In fact, some experts refer to cancer as a “collagen disease.” Researchers have found that cancer cells utilize enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to “melt away” collagen and connective tissue so the cancer can spread. Dr. Rath, a German physician who worked with Nobel Prize-winning scientist Linus Pauling, has devoted much of his career to focusing on how to naturally stop the metastasis of cancer. And, he believes the answer lies with a specific, collagen-supporting combination of micronutrients. Dr. Rath reports that he has found that certain natural substances can deactivate the MMPs in cancer cells, thereby inhibiting the invasion of neighboring tissue. He lists vitamin C – and the amino acid lysine – as particularly beneficial.
IN THE NEWS: Medical benefits of dental floss unproven "The majority of available studies fail to demonstrate that flossing is generally effective in plaque removal," said one review conducted last year. Another 2015 review cites "inconsistent/weak evidence" for flossing and a "lack of efficacy." One study review in 2011 did credit floss with a slight reduction in gum inflammation — which can sometimes develop over time into full-fledged gum disease. However, the reviewers ranked the evidence as "very unreliable." A commentary in a dental magazine stated that any benefit would be so minute it might not be noticed by users. Are skinny people MORE likely to get Alzheimer’s? A new study warns too much weight loss could drive up our risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Experts at Massachusetts General Hospital have found a link between low body-mass index and a build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain, which fuel the devastating brain disorder. The findings have been hailed as a necessary warning to people to eat well and exercise, rather than simply dieting to stay slim. 'Finding this association with a strong marker of Alzheimer's disease risk reinforces the idea that being underweight as you get older may not be a good thing when it comes to your brain health,' senior author of the report, neurologist Gad Marshall, said. The Surprising Health Benefits of Unripe Banana, Papaya and Mango Green (unripened) banana, papaya and mango contain higher amounts of digestive-resistant starch than ripe ones, which is important for optimal gut health. Unripe banana is composed of as much as 80 percent starch, most of which is digestive-resistant starch. As the banana ripens, the starch gets converted into sugars. Unripe Langra mango has as much vitamin C as 35 apples or nine lemons, and while ripe and unripe papaya are both rich in antioxidants and fiber, green papaya contains higher amounts of potassium.
CHIROPRACTIC: Neck Function and Balance In the nervous system, there are three primary areas that regulate our balance: the cerebellum (located in the back of the brain), the dorsal columns (located in the back of the spinal cord), and the inner ear (the “vestibular” part of our cranial nerve VIII). There are also small, microscopic “proprioceptors” or mechanical receptors located in our joint capsules, muscles, and tendons that relay information to the brain and work hard to keep us upright when we walk, run, and play! Conditions that can result in balance problems include, but are not limited to, BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal where our spinal cord is located), dorsal column disease, cerebellar lesions, and/or circulation loss into the back of the brain. Other conditions associated with lightheadedness include low or high blood pressure, hydration, medications, postural or orthostatic hypotension, diabetes, endocrine disorders, hyperventilation, heart conditions, and vasovagal syncope. However, issues with BPPV/inner ear are the most common reported cause of dizziness. Emergency actions should be exercised when dizziness is associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations. If eating helps resolve the dizziness, blood testing for hypoglycemia is appropriate. If confusion, memory lapses, changes in speech, facial droop, weakness on one side of the body, or acute headache occur, these could be signs of a stroke or a brain bleed or tumor and should be quickly evaluated. If ANY of these signs or symptoms is present, we will refer you to the appropriate specialty for further evaluation. The upper cervical spine has also been found to affect balance, and it’s a primary area of treatment that we as chiropractors focus on when patients complain about balance dysfunction. Unique to this upper cervical region is the fact that the nucleus of cranial nerve V (the trigeminal nerve) extends down the spinal canal to the C2 level and adjustments in this region can have significant benefits for several other conditions, including trigeminal nerve problems as well as BPPV (inner ear dysfunction such as dizziness) where small crystals dislodge from the ampulla of the semicircular canal and interfere with the flow of fluid inside the canal with resulting dizziness. Adjustments and the BPPV exercises (Epley’s and/or Brandt-Daroff) significantly benefit this cause of dizziness.
FUNNY BONE: The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.@@ The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.@@ These are actual comments made on students' report cards by teachers in the New York City public school system. 1. Since my last report, your child has reached rock bottom and has started to dig. 2. I would not allow this student to breed. 3. Your child has delusions of adequacy. 4. Your son is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot. 5. Your son sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them. 6. The student has a "full six-pack" but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together. 7. This child has been working with glue too much. 8. When your daughter's IQ reaches 50, she should sell. 9. The gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming. 10. If this student were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week. 11. It's impossible to believe the sperm that created this child beat out 1,000, 000 others. 12. The wheel is turning but the hamster is definitely dead.
Week of: Monday Aug. 19, 2019
Courtesy of:
John H. Keefe III, D.C.
(918) 663-1111
IN THE NEWS: The unintended consequences of more potent pot The legalization of recreational marijuana in almost a dozen states shows how America's attitude toward the drug may be changing. But the drug has changed too: Newly developed strains of marijuana are far stronger than what people were smoking in the past, leading to unintended consequences like addiction and marijuana toxicity. "Typically, young children around the age of 2 are getting into caregivers' -- whether it's parents', grandparents', babysitters' -- marijuana products, often edible products," said Dr. Sam Wang. Wang's findings from Colorado's Children's Hospital are included in a new nationwide study that showed a 27% increase in children and teenagers getting emergency treatment for marijuana toxicity. Seventy percent of the cases occurred in states with legalized marijuana. "In severe circumstances, it can affect how they're breathing and make them comatose and be put on a ventilator," Wang said. An exponential increase in marijuana's psychoactive ingredient, THC, is at the center of the crisis. THC content has spiked from 3.7% to more than 20% -- and some cannabis concentrates contain close to 100% THC. Twenty-year-old Colton said that his addiction to marijuana began when the drug was legalized five years ago while he was attending high school in Colorado. States that legalized recreational marijuana have generated almost $3 billion in tax revenue since 2014, when Colorado first started sales. For Brandt, the impact became clear when Colton was failing in college, couldn't quit cannabis and asked to go to rehab. Colton said that asking for help is "the hardest thing to do" and that his recovery will likely take a lifetime. "The worst part of it is until you do that, it doesn't get better," he said. "It only gets worse."
WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE
WELLNESS: Potent health benefits of cilantro and coriander seed Cilantro and coriander seed are names identifying the two stages of development of the plant genus Coriandum sativum. Cilantro refers to the initial leafy stage. Cilantro is known to be rich in dietary folate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and may help detoxify heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, cadmium and lead. Once it flowers and develops seeds, it becomes known as coriander. Recent research has found cilantro leaf contains a potent potassium channel-activating anticonvulsant, suggesting it may benefit those suffering epileptic seizures. Cilantro activates specific potassium channels responsible for regulating electrical activity in your brain, thereby reducing seizure activity. The primary active ingredient in coriander seed is linalool, which has been shown to prevent oxidative damage, inhibit microbial growth, enhance mood, improve cognition, alleviate anxiety, protect against neurological diseases and reduce pain. Medicinal use of Coriandum sativum — including both leaves and seeds — include treatment of stomachache and nausea, digestive complaints, upper abdominal complaints such as uncomfortable fullness, flatulence and griping (cramps or spasms in the bowel or stomach) and constipation.
CHIROPRACTIC: Disc problems: chiropractic versus steroid injections. The recent study comparing the effectiveness of chiropractic to a common practice of steroid injections from medical professionals have found chiropractic adjustments superior. Not only do the adjustments produce better outcome but there is significantly less side effects. What the study doesn’t cover is the difference between correcting the problem and suppressing the problem with drugs. When you have a disc problem you have an alignment problem in virtually all cases. Drugs cannot realign the spine. Even if the drug gave you symptomatic improvement the underlying issue is still present and disc damage is still progressing. When you correct the problem with adjustments, as you realign the vertebra you re-stabilize the disc which allows for normal healing. The difference in both approaches would not be fully realized until at least 5 to 10 years. At that point the continued deterioration would become obvious again under the drug therapy whereas the chiropractic approach, by fixing the problem, offers a better long-term outcome. Heart disease is a condition that is best treated through natural methods. Studies show that most medical approaches don't extend life as much is reports would indicate. Balloons, stents and bypass surgery come with several complications. Chiropractic adjustments help balance the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system which is crucial to heart health. Targeted nutrients to the blood vessels that surround the heart can cause dramatic improvement in short periods of time. Following your body type diet with emphasis on anti-inflammatory foods and balancing the body's pH can take a surgical heart condition and turn it into a healthy heart in the matter of weeks.
FUNNY BONE: Dad. noun. A man with pictures in his wallet where his money used to be.@@ Internet (noun) the reason you are failing your classes.@@ Mother [muhther]--noun 1.. One person who does the work of 20. …... For free. @@Reality-noun the annoying time between sleep and Internet.@@Teacher-noun a person who helps you solve problems would never have without them.@@Cell phone-noun a device used for looking less alone while in public places by yourself.@@Feet-noun a device used for finding Legos in the dark.@@Want to hear a joke about construction? I'm still working on it.@@"Doctor, are you sure I'm suffering from pneumonia? I've heard once about a doctor treating someone with pneumonia and finally he died of typhus." "Don't worry, it won't happen to me. If I treat someone with pneumonia he will die of pneumonia."@@What's the difference between a general practitioner and a specialist? One treats what you have, the other thinks you have what he treats.
Week of: Monday Aug. 12, 2019
Courtesy of:
John H. Keefe III, D.C.
(918) 663-1111
IN THE NEWS: 'Star Wars' protest against forced vaccinations in California Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened May 31, 2019, at Disneyland Resort in California, and a small group of “freedom fighters” staged a protest against forced vaccinations outside the entrance. Dressed as Star Wars characters and holding signs in protest against mandatory vaccinations, the protestors took the opportunity to demonstrate against this violation of informed consent rights. A number of states are eliminating conscientious, philosophical and religious belief vaccine exemptions, leaving only medical exemptions signed by a state-approved doctor or other medical worker but, according to federal vaccine use guidelines, almost no health condition qualifies for a medical exemption. California SB 276 would restrict medical vaccine exemptions to those approved by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. California Department of Public Health officials would have the ultimate say in whether a child’s health condition meets the CDC’s narrow guidelines to qualify for a medical vaccine exemption. It’s estimated that nearly half of children who are currently attending day care or school with medical vaccine exemptions may be denied entry this coming school year if the new bill becomes law.
WELLNESS: Eat your way to perfect skin! Many of us will not think twice about splashing out on expensive products to beat blemishes and ageing and make skin glow. But according to Mandi Nyambi, a US beauty expert, with a background in stem cell biology and nutrition, knowing what you eat and its effects on your skin can save you incalculable worry and money. VITAMIN A What it does: Eating food that are rich in vitamin A is great to protect the longevity of your skin, as well as to quicken your skin's ability to repair itself. VITAMIN B12 When it comes to the skin, B12 helps preserve its elasticity. VITAMIN C . A very well-known antioxidant, it is also plays an important role in the production of collagen. Collagen is a major component of our skin, but over time, its production decreases, which causes wrinkles to appear. Taking collagen supplements or eating foods that are rich in Vitamin C can help prevent the appearance of crows feet. VITAMIN D The vitamin can also help fight infections. Lack of Vitamin D can result in muscle and bone pain, as well as acne. Eating foods rich in this particular vitamin will keep pimples and blackheads at bay. VITAMIN E This nutrient offers a number of skin care benefits. Not only does it help preserve your skin's longevity, it's also full of antioxidants and helps prevent the formation of scars. ZINC What it does: Studies have found that zinc deficiency could lead to acne, so you might want to make that this nutrient makes an appearance in your diet. OMEGA 3, 6, 9 Omega 3, 6 and 9 are three types of fatty acid that play a crucial role in the well-being of our cells. Omega 3 can help with a number of things, but as far as the skin is concerned, it is particularly good for inflammation. LACTOBACILLUS What it does: Lactobacillus is a type of bacteria, but the good kind. According to Mandi it helps with repairing the skin barrier and fight inflammation all over the body.
CHIROPRACTIC: Chiropractic Sleep Relief If you can't seem to get a good night's sleep, there's some good news. Booking a visit with a chiropractor won’t just soothe your achy back—it may also improve the quality of your shuteye. While chiropractors generally aren’t thought of as being experts on sleep issues, one-third of people who have a chiropractic adjustment report that they experience immediate sleep improvement. Chiropractic care helps alleviate discomfort and improve relaxation and blood flow. Not only can a chiropractor diagnose and treat spinal problems to relieve discomfort, but he or she can also offer suggestions for getting better sleep. Your chiropractor may tell you which particular sleep position is best for you (most chiropractors discourage snoozing on your stomach) and whether a chiropractic pillow or a more supportive mattress might be the key to ending your restless nights. And adults aren’t the only ones who can benefit. Forty percent of infants experience deeper slumbers after just one session with a chiropractor—a fact that every parent will love, considering that about one out of four babies has sleep troubles. And it’s likely that once your tot is sleeping well, you’ll get a better night’s sleep, too. Intrigued? Luckily, chiropractic visits are covered by most health insurance plans, so there’s no harm in finding out whether the treatment works for you—especially if you’re someone who prefers natural treatments to medication.
FUNNY BONE: A first-grade teacher can’t believe her student isn’t hepped up about the Super Bowl. “It’s a huge event. Why aren’t you excited?” Because I’m not a football fan. My parents love basketball, so I do too,” says the student. “Well, that’s a lousy reason,” says the teacher. “What if your parents were morons? What would you be then?” “Then I’d be a football fan.”@@ Regular naps prevent old age, especially if you take them while driving.@@ Few women admit their age; few men act it.@@ A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age.@@ Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.@@ If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?@@ Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.@@What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
Week of: Monday Aug. 5, 2019
Courtesy of:
John H. Keefe III, D.C.
(918) 663-1111
IN THE NEWS: Allergy, Asthma Risk Are Increased by Microbial Compound in Infant Gut Research ‘Paves the Way’ for Early Interventions to Prevent Childhood Inflammatory Diseases By Nicholas Weiler A study of newborn infants has identified a compound produced by gut bacteria that appears to predispose certain infants to allergies and asthma later in life. “We have discovered a specific bacterial lipid in the neonatal gut that promotes immune dysfunction associated with allergic asthma and can be used to assess which babies are at risk of developing the disease in childhood” said study senior author Susan Lynch, PhD, a professor of medicine at UC San Francisco. “This finding paves the way for early-life gut microbiome interventions to prevent these diseases from developing.” Lynch’s lab has previously shown that one-month-old infants with unhealthy gut microbial ecosystems – more like a weedy lot than a well-functioning garden – are at increased risk of developing asthma later in childhood. They have also shown that a specific fatty molecule, or lipid, called 12,13-diHOME, found at high concentrations in the feces of these babies, reduced the number and activity of a key group of immune cells called regulatory T cells (Tregs) that normally suppress allergic inflammation. This is likely just one component of a complex microbiome-immune interaction in young infants that promotes allergy and asthma development in childhood,” Lynch said. “But it is a first step towards a more mechanistic understanding of the suite of microbial products that increase susceptibility to allergies and asthma during childhood.” Note: in order to protect the newborns gut it’s important to avoid antibiotics, certain chemicals in foods and drink and make sure a good dose of friendly bacteria is part of the normal diet.
WELLNESS: Pleasant Smells Can Curb the Urge to Smoke Your sense of smell plays a role in modulating behavior and interpersonal relationships; smokers report a reduction in cravings after smelling pleasant odors. Smells, also called olfactory clues, play a significant role in your memories and in your sense of taste. Loss of smell may be one of the initial symptoms of a degenerative neurological disease. Your sense of smell has an impact on your psychological health and how well others are treated, potentially since odors affect the amygdala involved in emotion and the hippocampal system involved in long-term memory. Smoking damages your lungs, cardiovascular system and cognition; however, while vaping is perceived to be safe, it carries additional long-term dangers affecting the same systems and, if used, should be for a short time to quit smoking. Additional strategies to help you quit smoking are getting healthy first to support your efforts, eating a nutritionally balanced diet, exercising and finding a healthy emotional outlet. NOTE: Ask at the front desk for our stop smoking handout.
CONDITION OF THE WEEK: 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. 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.
