Week of: Monday Dec. 30, 2019
Courtesy of:
John H. Keefe III, D.C.
(918) 663-1111
IN THE NEWS: Study Suggests Early-Life Exposure To Dogs May Lessen Risk Of Developing Schizophrenia Ever since humans domesticated the dog, the faithful, obedient and protective animal has provided its owner with companionship and emotional well-being. Now, a study from Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that being around “man’s best friend” from an early age may have a health benefit as well — lessening the chance of developing schizophrenia as an adult. “Serious psychiatric disorders have been associated with alterations in the immune system linked to environmental exposures in early life, and since household pets are often among the first things with which children have close contact, it was logical for us to explore the possibilities of a connection between the two,” says Robert Yolken, M.D., chair of the Stanley Division of Pediatric Neurovirology and professor of neurovirology in pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, and lead author of a research paper recently posted online in the journal PLOS One. In the study, Yolken and colleagues at Sheppard Pratt Health System in Baltimore investigated the relationship between exposure to a household pet cat or dog during the first 12 years of life and a later diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. For schizophrenia, the researchers were surprised to see a statistically significant decrease in the risk of a person developing the disorder if exposed to a dog early in life. Across the entire age range studied, there was no significant link between dogs and bipolar disorder, or between cats and either psychiatric disorder.
WELLNESS: Nutritional strategies to improve heart health Heart disease statistics are absolutely out-of-control and clearly demand a new approach for millions of people. According to the most recent reports, someone dies of cardiovascular disease every 38 seconds and, on average, someone dies of a stroke every 3.70 minutes! Costing billions of dollars per year, we want to focus our attention onto highly effective heart health strategies. With frequently strong ties to drug companies and easy access to medications, conventionally-trained physicians are quick to prescribe drugs to “treat” heart disease and its symptoms. However, besides being costly, these drugs have unwanted (dangerous) side effects. Thankfully, these toxic drugs are not your only option. In fact, there are many nutritional supplements that can improve heart health – at a fraction of the cost in pain and dollars spent. Doctors are likely to fall back on prescription drugs when they notice hypertension or elevated cholesterol or triglyceride levels. What they don’t always tell you is that poor nutrition is one of the biggest causes of heart disease. And, of course, their medical training leaves them with little knowledge as to how to cure any chronic disease condition. For example, does your doctor understand that omega-3 fatty acids can lower triglycerides, regulate blood pressure, and lower LDL cholesterol? Garlic is one of the most powerful herbs for heart health – thanks to its active compound called allicin. One study looked at the effects of garlic on blood pressure. Dr. Kurt M. Reinhart and colleagues at Hartford Hospital concluded that this “suggests that garlic is associated with blood pressure reductions in patients with an elevated systolic blood pressure.” Vitamin C and D are widely known to help lower the risk of degenerative diseases – especially heart disease and cancer. In addition, the B vitamins – B6, B12, and folic acid – can lower the risk of a stroke. And, finally, foods (or supplements) rich in flavonoids derived from chocolate, berries, and apples, plus DHEA, a hormone, can substantially improve heart health. If you’re suffering with heart disease – find a trusted, (experienced) healthcare provider to help guide you through the healing process.
CHIROPRACTIC: NUMBNESS IN THE ARM AND HAND if you or someone you know suffers from numbness in the arm or hand then you’re most likely dealing with the neck problem. Sometimes you might not have any symptoms in your neck yet the tiny bones in your neck could be pressing on the nerves that go down to your fingertips. Besides nerve pressure an unresolved whiplash can cause compression on the discs in the neck and as they break down put pressure on the nerves to the fingers. Realignment of the neck can resolve this condition along with shoulder problems, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome as well as numbness or swelling in the hand. It’s important to understand you can have nerve pressure without pain. If you or someone you know suffers from this condition have them call 918-663-1111.
If athletes get athletes foot, what do astronauts get? Missletoe!@@Why is Christmas just like a day at the office? You do all the work and the fat guy with the suit gets all the credit.
