Back Clinic Diets. The sum of food consumed by any living organism. The word diet is the use of specific intake of nutrition for health or weight management. Food provides people with the necessary energy and nutrients to be healthy. By eating various healthy foods, including good quality vegetables, fruits, whole-grain products, and lean meats, the body can replenish itself with the essential proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals to function effectively.
Having a healthy diet is one of the best things to prevent and control various health problems, i.e., types of cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Dr. Alex Jimenez offers nutritional examples and describes the importance of balanced nutrition throughout this series of articles. In addition, Dr. Jimenez emphasizes how a proper diet combined with physical activity can help individuals reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, and ultimately promote overall health and wellness.
How important is nutrition for our brain health? In the current work force, we are continuously stressed, often forced to finish tasks faster in order to meet ever so demanding deadlines. In addition, we are expected to maintain our optimal mental health, as this can be an essential�part towards delivering quality work. When our mental health is being affected by our hectic lifestyles, however, several practices which can help you start thinking more clearly can include sleeping properly, controlling stress, and even taking nutritional supplements for your brain health.
One nutritional supplement which has been widely recognized for its ability to boost brain health is curcumin, the active ingredient found in turmeric. Well-known for its antioxidant properties and its capacity to control inflammation in the human body, this powerful herb can also promote good mood and cognition. Another specific group which has reported significant benefits with the increased use of curcumin, is the elderly population. Below, we will discuss how curcumin can help boost brain health as well as demonstrate additional benefits this golden gem can have on our overall health and wellness.
Curcumin: a Golden Gem for Brain Health
In accordance with the Journal of Pharmacology, curcumin is made-up of a variety of substances which can encourage biological mechanisms that counteract age-related cognitive decline, dementia, or mood disorders. One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial analyzed the acute, of approximately 1 and 3 hours following a single dose, chronic, of approximately 4 weeks, and acute-on-chronic, of approximately 1 and 3 hours after one dose subsequently after chronic treatment, consequences of a curcumin formulation on cognitive function, mood, and blood biomarkers in 60 healthy adults ranging from the 60 to 85 years of age. After about one hour of application, the curcumin had considerably enhanced the participant’s functionality on attention and working memory tasks, in comparison with the placebo. Working memory and mood, which included general fatigue, change in calmness, contentedness and fatigue triggered by emotional strain were fundamentally improved following chronic therapy.
Curcumin boosts BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), the brain hormone which helps boost the development of new neurons that are in charge of improving memory and learning as well as supplying a substantial option for countering the aging brain. Additionally, this powerful ingredient increases blood circulation to the brain, also providing a much better attention span for greater work productivity.
Appreciating its anxiolytic effects can be one of the greatest benefits of carrying curcumin. According to the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, a randomized double-blinded and double-blind trial with 60 subjects experiencing stress-related symptoms, including exhaustion, were to get routine curcumin nutritional supplements, and placebo for 30 days. The results indicated a greater quality of life, and diminished stress and fatigue for those receiving regular curcumin intakes. This progressive compound is believed to be able to help alleviate depression by altering the release of dopamine and serotonin, two powerful hormones which help keep the human mind and body at ease. Curcumin also promotes the optima health and wellness of inflammation pathways from the brain, which ultimately will help improve energy, mood, and production levels.
Curcumin may additionally promote cognition via its powerful antioxidant action which improves the bioavailability of DHA, the potent omega-3 fatty acid demonstrated to boost brain health. A research study in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry revealed that curcumin really does protect the brain from neurodegeneration. The evaluation and analysis included 40 participants ranging from the ages of 51 to 84 years of age. Each individual subject consumed 90mg of curcumin twice per day or placebo for 18 weeks. The results indicated enhanced long-term healing, visual memory, and focus. With its tremendous medicinal properties, curcumin can also support neuroplasticity, which empowers the brain to change and fortify itself even through the natural degeneration with aging.
Curcumin can also promote anti-seizure action. With its antioxidant properties, this golden gem can help slow down reactive astrocyte expression, which helps cells survive within the mind. According to the Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, the antioxidant properties of curcumin helped alleviate migraines, cognitive impairment, and cognitive stress in rats. A dental pre-treatment of curcumin was given to male rats which were additionally treated together with Pentylenetrazole, or PZT, every other day. The study demonstrated that curcumin enhanced the seizure score and indicated a diminished amount of myoclonic jerks. Furthermore, the outcome measures of the research study demonstrated that curcumin restructures seizures, oxidative stress, and brain function. Moreover, it helps protect memory function which may also be jeopardized by seizure activity.
Using its capability to strengthen fatty acids in the mind, curcumin helps athletes achieve better physical performance by boosting critical thinking, improving problem solving, and developing improved choices. The neuroprotective properties in curcumin also help regenerate tissues. In reality, based on Stem Cell Research and Therapy, a research study was conducted between the effects of curcumin on endogenous stem cells which were impartial. The study demonstrated that curcumin played an essential role in the healing of cells from combating the activation of microglia cells. Scientists in the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine in Julich, Germany, observed the effects of impartial stem cell generation. During a 72-hour period, the evaluation and analysis demonstrated and indicated that the turmeric curcumin improved cellular generation by up to 80 percent. This shows how powerful curcumin could be for successful brain health function.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Nutrition is a fundamental factor in overall health and wellness. In today’s stressful world, however, it can often become difficult to eat a proper meal, let alone making sure we are taking in all the necessary nutrients we require on a regular basis. That, plus the added pressure of the workforce can have detrimental effects on our brain health. Dietary supplements, such as curcumin, have been demonstrated to have tremendous benefits on brain health. Although we may not always have the “free time” to sit down and have a properly balanced meal, taking nutritional supplements like curcumin, among others, can help improve the human body’s general well-being.
While many research studies have found that natural remedies and botanicals, such as dietary supplements apart from vitamins and minerals, continue to be the most common complementary health approach in the United States today, more and more alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, have started to incorporate these into their practices. As a matter of fact, a majority of chiropractors give nutritional advice, as well as recommendations for other lifestyle recommendations, as a general part of their treatment plan. Because chiropractic care is based on the notion of naturally treating the human body as a whole, enhancing it’s own healing properties without the use of drugs and/or medications as well as other invasive procedures, this healthcare profession relies on offering the necessary health maintenance components for optimal health and wellness. These components can include nutrition, water, rest, exercise, and clean air. Many chiropractors also offer curcumin supplements to help promote recovery.
This exceptional nutritional supplement, curcumin, helps improve mental clarity, improve cognition, improve endurance, and supplies anxiolytic benefits. Whether it’s more work fabricating, or a much better disposition, curcumin is a hidden golden gem for health.�The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
Irrespective of a continuous surge in interest regarding the ketogenic diet, exactly why is it that individuals have been utilizing this dietary pendulum swing from the�nutritional worries that have been spreading across the world? Many people appear to be�obsessed with the latest diet fads and trends associated with achieving and maintaining a balanced weight and supporting overall health and wellness. Research studies have demonstrated evidence outcomes regarding the benefits of dieting.
The National Weight Control Registry has stored data about these types of ongoing research studies. More than half of subjects involved in these varieties of tests and evaluations had revealed that they were following some sort of diet or intended to become involved in programs or routines for weight loss. You often see annual reports listing the very best diets, including: the Top 5 Diets to Try in 2018, According to Experts, published by Time magazine. Moreover, the report claims that healthcare professionals have ranked the DASH Diet as the number one diet, followed by the Mediterranean Diet, Weight Watchers, the MIND diet, the TLC Diet and Volumetrics, as the top diets to try this year. The article, however, additionally discusses the ketogenic diet and ranks it as being among one of the lowest-ranked diets to try this year. No further details are given about this diet and the consensus appeared to be that it is challenging to follow.
However, the ketogenic diet is actually one of the most popular diets people generally talk about, subtly out-ranking paleolithic diet in most conversations. As a matter of fact, you may have already read or heard about the ketogenic diet from a variety of sources or perhaps you may even known a friend or a family member who has been trying it out themselves. A frequent concern about popular or fad diets, though, is that there doesn’t seem to be an exact guide on how to properly follow them, what kinds of problems they may cause, and/or even for whom these might be most appropriate. With eating habits like those described in the ketogenic diet, there are frequently risks or disadvantages, often involving nutrient deficiencies or lack of efficacy, especially if they’re truly hard to follow. But, how can this common issue regarding the proper diet be solved? Foremostly, it’s essential for individuals to weigh the advantages and disadvantages when choosing to attempt the ketogenic diet.
What is the Ketogenic Diet?
Let’s start with some history of what, where and when the ketogenic diet begain. There are various diets out there today which may have a lot in common with this well-known diet. Simply take a peek at a newstand, a bodybuilding website, or maybe the blogs of practicing healthcare professionals. First developed in 1921 by Dr. Russell Wilder of the Mayo Clinic as an alternative for children with intractable epilepsy, a classical ketogenic diet is supposed to alter the human body’s natural inclination to metabolize carbohydrates for energy. This can be achieved by adjusting an individual’s nutritional daily value to a particular macronutrient intake ratio of 4:1 fat-to-carbohydrates and protein diet. In this arrangement, fat comprises approximately 90 percent of daily calories, together with 7 percent of proteins and 3 percent of carbohydrates. Some alternatives for the ketogenic diet include a Medium Chain Triglyceride Diet consisting of 70 percent of fats, 10 percent of proteins and 20 percent of carbohydrates, or a Modified Atkins Diet with much more protein including 70 percent of fats, 25 percent of proteins, and 5 percent of carbohydrates, and a Low-Glycemic Index Treatment consisting of 45 percent of fats, 28 percent of proteins and 27 percent of carbohydrates.
The consequence of eating in this manner mimics what occurs when engaging in physical activities or exercise as well as what happens when fasting, a process referred to as ketosis. In ketosis, there is a depletion of glycogen reserves in the muscles and in the liver, which ultimately causes the liver to produce ketone bodies that can be used as fuel instead. Some healthcare professionals advise using either ketone strips or a sugar ketone meter to test the levels of ketosis in urine or blood. There is also a breath ketone analyzer available for purchase on Amazon. Don’t confuse ketosis with ketoacidosis, or the potentially deadly condition common to Type 1 diabetics when there are incredibly substantial levels of blood glucose and ketones.
Proof the Ketogenic Diet Works
It goes without saying, when a new dietary routine is useful for weight loss, nutrition experts understand they may also be used therapeutically for the treatment of many different diseases and ailments, among other health issues. The ketogenic diet has been used for decades to help with the treatment of epilepsy, and it has gained recent traction in its use for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders. It has even been demonstrated to positively affect the gut microbiota.
Research studies regarding the use of a very-low carbohydrate, high fat diet for obesity, however, is in its initial stages. One research study, retrospectively in comparison to a non-carb/ketogenic-style diet, utilized a classic low-carb diet in bariatric patients, focusing on weight loss. The researchers found comparable weight-loss between both diets by 12 months post-intervention. Nonetheless, the ketogenic dieters that obtained follow-up guidance on a restricted carbohydrate routine had the best success following 24 months, indicating importance of care regarding an individual’s specific dietary habits.
One masterpiece post from 2008 clearly outlines the benefits of restricting carbohydrates to cause a unique metabolic state that favorably impacts atherogenic dyslipidemia, fatty acid partitioning and metabolic syndrome. The report clearly demonstrates that ketone bodies represent an efficient fuel for the body, about 25 percent more efficient at producing ATP than glucose or fatty acid, with curative potential towards numerous health issues. Following a carbohydrate-restrictive diet might also lead to a decrease in the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals, substances and compounds, which ultimately has positive implications for cardiovascular health.
On the reverse side, another research study found that the information on the effects of ketogenic diets on cardiovascular disease appeared to be contradictory in animal and human studies to produce an astounding recommendation. Recently presented in the 2018 American Diabetes Association seminar, a research study consisting of a 2-year randomized controlled trial, compared a high-carbohydrate diet to some very-low carbohydrate, like the ketogenic diet, with a reduced saturated fat diet in type 2 diabetic subjects. Both diets provided similar weight loss and reductions in HbA1c, whereas the very-low carbohydrate diet enabled participants to reduce their use of drugs/medications and improved their diurnal blood glucose equilibrium and blood lipids.
Missing Link in Keto Diet
One challenge that many healthcare professionals often face, however, is that sometimes, the ketogenic diet can make you feel sick. There is even a term for this: the Keto Flu. This is mostly because of a change in electrolyte conditioning together decreased insulin levels, resulting in a greater need for potassium, magnesium and sodium. If not properly managed, it can lead to nutrient deficiencies of those electrolytes, among different micronutrients, that may have consequences not completely elucidated as a result of the paucity of research on the long-term use of the ketogenic diet. Sodium is generally over-consumed in a typical diet, and a lot of high-sodium foods make their way into ketogenic diet cured meats, cheeses, and other foods that are processed. But most individuals in Western cultures today do not get enough potassium or magnesium, found mainly in fruits and vegetables, which may play a fundamental role in the pathology of chronic diseases like stroke and kidney stones.
A 2007 research study emphasized the risk factors for kidney stones after following the ketogenic diet. Approximately 6.7percent of the children who have been prescribed the ketogenic diet for intractable epilepsy were reported to have developed kidney stones. In these cases, utilizing potassium citrate significantly diminished the incidence of kidney stones and increased the expression time on the ketogenic diet. Potassium citrate solubilizes calcium, thus decreasing concentrations of free calcium readily available to crystallize. Additionally, it will also help to improve urine pH, helping to dissolve uric acid crystals. The research study concluded that “oral potassium citrate in clinical and prospective studies, using this treatment empirically was justified.”
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
The ketogenic diet, or the keto diet for short, is a low-carb, high-fat diet which has been previously described to offer many heath benefits. As a matter of fact, numerous research studies have demonstrated how this type of diet can help with weight loss as well as help improve overall health and wellness. The ketogenic diet may often be described as a “difficult to follow” diet because it involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake to replace it with fat. However, its this reduction in carbs which allows the human body to enter a metabolic state known as ketosis. Once the human body enters ketosis, it becomes tremendously efficient in burning fat and turning it into energy, additionally turning fats into ketones in the liver, supplying energy directly to the brain. This, along with reductions in blood sugar and insulin levels, can have a variety of health benefits, making the ketogenic diet suitable for individuals with specific health issues.
Advice on the Keto Diet
If you would like to try the ketogenic diet or feel like it would benefit you in any sort of way, first make sure to check with your healthcare professional. There are a number of resources online and in texts that aren’t all peer-reviewed. Use the information with care and listen to your own body. Remember: this kind of diet requires additional understanding of biochemical processes, it may behard to follow due to its limitations and possible lack of palatability, and it has to be limited in length. Also, based on one’s genetics, the keto diet can yield quite different outcomes.
Nutrition is a fundamental part of overall health and wellness. Proper nutrition can ultimately affect the way an individual’s bodily system’s functions and without it, a variety of structures and functions can be affected. If you are seeking treatment for a specific health issue, nutrition becomes even more important. Chiropractic care focuses on the natural treatment of the spine, through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, as well as through the implementation of lifestyle modifications, to provide the human body with all the necessary components it needs to heal itself, without the use of drugs/medications and/or surgery. Many chiropractors often recommend the ketogenic diet, alongside chiropractic care, to improve well-being. Be sure to talk to your doctor of chiropractic, or DC, regarding any nutrition plan you want to follow and they can discuss the best options for your specific health issues and basic treatment needs.
That made clear, there are some smart recipes available on the marketplace to rival those which have observed from the fantastic Paleo popularity. One standout origin for the ketogenic diet is the Charlie Foundation website, which was put up to give dietary advice for caregivers of young children with uncontrolled epilepsy. Check out their site for ideas to feed your keto. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
Vegan and vegetarian diet have long been touted as some of the healthiest diets for people of all walks of life. There is a lot of confusion and many misconceptions, though, about the two.
What most people don�t realize is that there are many sub-category diets that fall under vegetarianism, some of which include animal by-products, seafood, and even meat. Understanding veganism and vegetarianism as well as knowing the benefits of these diets can help chiropractic patients stay healthier, get more active, and stave off many chronic illnesses.
Is There A Difference Between Vegan & Vegetarian Diets?
There are distinct differences between veganism and vegetarianism although many books and even food companies fail to clearly distinguish the two. While it is true that they are very similar diets, the differences are significant.
Vegans do not eat any animal by-products or animal flesh at all. This includes seafood. They also do not use products that use animal testing or that are made from animals including leather products.
On the other hand, vegetarians typically abstain from eating animal flesh, but do often eat animal by-products such as dairy products and eggs. Some also eat seafood including fish, shrimp, and crab. They are also a little more relaxed when it comes to the products they purchase as well.
What Is A Vegetarian Diet?
The vegetarian diet comes in several varieties. The standard vegetarian diet consists of eggs and dairy products but excludes fish and meat. This is also called a �lacto ovo vegetarian.� However, some vegetarians include dairy products but exclude eggs while others include the eggs and exclude the dairy. A �demi-vegetarian� includes seafood.
There are also what are known as �semi-vegetarians� although there is some controversy over whether they should be classified as vegetarian or not.
Pollo Vegetarian � includes poultry but excludes other meats and seafood.
Pesco Vegetarian � includes fish and chicken but excludes red meat.
Flexitarian � includes any kind of meat whenever they want but adhere mainly to a standard vegetarian diet.
What Is A Vegan Diet?
A vegan diet excludes all animal by products and meats. True vegans do not use or wear anything derived from animals (leather, snakeskin, etc.) or that is tested on animals. Most vegans tend to avoid sodas, sugary sweets, processed foods, and ready-meals, while choosing organic, high quality foods.
Still, there are a few variations of veganism too. For instance, a raw vegan combines a vegan diet with a raw diet meaning that they exclude all products and foods of animal origins as well as food that has been cooked at a temperature greater than 118 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Paleo vegan is defined by the types of foods that are eaten. It is still meat and animal product free, but the foods that are chosen are selected from the Paleo diet.
This type of diet centers on certain types of foods that are believed to have been consumed during the Paleolithic era. It includes fish, meat, fruit, and vegetables but excludes grain and dairy products. Of course, for vegan purposes, the meat and fish are excluded.
What Are The Benefits Of Vegan & Vegetarian Diets?
Vegetarian and vegan diets have many health benefits. The tend to be much higher in vitamins C and E, magnesium, folic acid, and potassium. The fat content tends to be more unsaturated.
Vegan diets typically have less cholesterol and unsaturated fat that vegetarian diets and they contain more fiber. This translates to lower blood pressure, lower serum cholesterol, less risk of diabetes and heart disease, and much lower incidence of obesity. While some of these diets may require certain vitamin supplements such as calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B-12, and omega 3 fatty acids, most doctors agree that vegan and vegetarian diets are very healthy when done correctly.
Injury Medical Clinic: Migraine Treatment & Recovery
There has been a lot in the media lately about alkalinity and acidity in the body, but finding solid, straightforward information isn�t always easy. In short, acidity can cause a number of health issues. There are many benefits of bringing your body into balance.
What Is High Acidity?
The term acidity describes a condition where the body is affected by the excess production of gastric acids. Under normal conditions, hydrochloric acid is secreted by the stomach, aiding in the digestion and breakdown of food.
However, when this normal process is triggered in such a way that it causes overproduction of the acid, it can result in health problems. Acidity can be caused by irregular eating patterns, fad diets, alcohol consumption, stress, smoking, an unhealthy diet, and a sedentary lifestyle. Symptoms can include:
Indigestion
Burning in the stomach
Belching
Sour taste
Burning in the throat
Constipation
Nausea
Restlessness
What Are The Dangers Of High Acidity In The Body?
When the body is acidic, it can affect everything from immunity to neurological function to bone health. The Japanese have linked acidity to degenerative diseases like arthritis, cancer, and osteoporosis.
An acidic body is also a very hospitable environment for bacteria and viruses to thrive meaning the person will often get sick more often. When the body is out of balance it becomes susceptible to conditions as simple as dandruff and as complex as diabetes. Interestingly, many people have reversed or gone into remission by simply bringing their body into balance.
What Is Alkalinity?
In order to understand alkalinity, you need to understand pH levels. This is the measure used to determine how alkaline or acid something is. A pH of 0 is at the acidic end of the scale and means the thing being measured is completely acidic. At the other end of the scale, a pH of 14 is totally alkaline. The neutral point is a pH of 7.
Different parts of the body have different pH levels, meaning that some parts are more acidic while others are more alkaline. For instance, blood typically has a pH that is between 7.35 and 7.45, making it slightly alkaline. The stomach, on the other hand, is highly acidic, registering a pH of 3.5 or lower. Making the body more alkaline is not about making it completely alkaline � you need some acidity, it is necessary for digestion and other processes � it is more about bringing the body into balance.
What Are The Benefits Of Alkalinity?
When the body has increased alkalinity, bringing it into better pH balance, it is healthier and has a decreased risk of chronic illness. There is also less likelihood of illness. When the body is in a better pH balance it can result in many benefits including:
More energy
Improved cognitive function
Slowed aging process
Weight loss
Lower cancer risk
Decreased risk of chronic illness
Increased immunity
How Can You Bring Your Body Into Balance?
The best way to bring your body into better pH balance is by modifying your diet. As a rule of thumb, animal based foods like meat, eggs, and dairy tend to be more acidic. A vegetarian diet rich in plant-based foods like vegetables and fruits tend to be more alkaline. While the body does need a diet that includes both acidic and alkaline foods, a diet of processed foods and foods high in fat and sugar can cause too much acidity. By adjusting the diet, eliminating processed foods, and maintaining a healthier, more vegetarian based diet, you can bring your body into balance and enjoy better health as a result.
Injury Medical Clinic: Elderly & Geriatric Fitness
Diets: The statistics are sobering. The typical American diet far exceeds the daily recommended intake levels in calories from sugars and solid fats, sodium, refined grains, and saturated fat. It is also lacking in the recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains, and oils. The result is obesity and experts project that by 2030, in the United States alone, half of all adults will be obese.
That�s when people start dieting � and that is what gets them into trouble.
Diet vs. Lifestyle Change
Bottom line, diets are temporary. There are some serious consequences that can come from dieting, especially fad or crash diets. The effects of these types of diets can also seriously impact your chiropractic care, hindering your progress.
Also, because diets are temporary, once you return to your regular eating habits the weight usually comes back.
A lifestyle change is a far better choice. It involves making smart, healthy eating choices � choices that you maintain for the rest of your life. This also impacts your chiropractic care by strengthening your body and keeping it healthy so that it is in an optimal state for healing and responds well to treatment.
Types Of Diets
There are all sorts of diets out there. Some are blatantly unhealthy but others are sneaky. They come with claims of being healthy, of being created or endorsed by doctors, or include tons of vitamin supplements but very limited food intake. It is important to be able to spot these destructive fad diets so you don�t get suckered into their hype.
Some of the most common types of fad diets include high protein, low or no carb, liquid, cabbage, grapefruit, broth or juice, and food combining. Some of these can cause serious health problems including vital organ damage. Others can cause vitamin deficiencies and dehydration. None of them can (or should) be maintained over a long period of time, much less the rest of your life.
The Dangers Of Diets
Unhealthy dieting can come with some pretty scary dangers. Because they typically omit key foods or food groups your body can become imbalanced. Some of the dangers of dieting include dehydration, fatigue, weakness, vitamin and mineral deficiency, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, mental fogginess, loss of muscle mass, organ damage, and even heart attack and stroke.
One popular diet restricts carbs, often cutting them out completely. This includes all whole grains (which have vital minerals and fiber) as well as many fruits and vegetables. The result is a diet that is mostly protein and fat.
While the dieter may lose some weight on this plan, it is at a great cost. The extremely high intake of protein which exceeds the levels that the body should have can cause liver and kidney failure. The omission of vital grains, fruits, and vegetables can lead to serious vitamin deficiencies while the increased fat intake can lead to heart attack and stroke.
If a diet eliminates any of the key foods (lean meats, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables), it advocates losing more than 2 or 3 pounds a week, or it restricts caloric intake to less than 1,200 calories a day it is potentially unhealthy and should only be done 1) under a doctor�s close supervision, and 2) on a very temporary basis.
Healthy Eating Is A Lifestyle
When you make the life changing commitment to adopt a healthy eating lifestyle you open yourself up to a world of better health, more energy, and better focus. Your body will heal faster and you will feel better.
A diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fresh fish, and whole grains, along with lots of water should become a way of life. It is far healthier than the temporary diets that are out there and more effective too.
If you or a loved one need additional dietary guidance, give us a call. Our Doctor of Chiropractic is here to help!
Organic Diet: It seems our moms were right; we are what we eat. Unfortunately in today’s marketplace, there are many valid worries about the foods we consume. Antibiotics, pesticides, and foods tainted with dangerous diseases are a top concern for many Americans. In addition, processed and genetically modified foods and artificial ingredients contribute to a number of health issues from obesity to cancer.
Our diet is one of the most important facets of maintaining overall good health for the long term. Farmer’s markets, small grocery stores, and the movement toward organic labeling shows the trend toward making healthier food choices.
If you are thinking about adding a few organic foods to your meal plan, or chucking all processed foods altogether, you are moving toward a healthier, higher performing body with fewer health issues.
Organic Diet: Five Reasons Why
#1: Fewer Chemicals
The practice of using a variety of pesticides in non-organic farming is widespread in the United States. No matter how fastidiously you wash them, foods with these toxins are harmful to your body. A recent article in The Huffington Post stated that toxic pesticides are present in 70% of the food found in grocery stores!
Many large, traditional farms aim to produce as much food as possible, as cheaply as they can. They turn to pesticides and herbicides to make the crops grow faster and last longer. It’s a sad fact, but the American public ends up paying a price anyway. An organic diet offers a respite from these chemically laden foods.
#2: Tastes Better
You may not even realize the taste you DON’T get when eating processed foods. Toxins that make them grow and keep them fresh deplete the taste dramatically.
Growing from properly maintained soil without the presence of pesticides, organic foods deliver a richer, more engaging flavor. Individuals who eat organic often eat less and are better satisfied with their meals because of the increased taste.
#3: More Nutrient Density
According to The Ideal Bite, organic foods contain up to 50% more nutrients than their non-organic counterparts. Depleted soil quality from over farming is a key reason for this situation. This means a person needs to eat less organic food to maintain the necessary dietary vitamins and minerals that ensures good health, offsetting the initial higher cost of choosing organic.
#4: Less Antibiotic Exposure
Large food manufacturing farms often choose to pump their animals full of antibiotics to reduce illness and promote rapid growth. Obviously, these make their way into the end product that we end up eating.
Too much exposure to antibiotics causes everything from early puberty in children to antibiotic resistance. If you become ill and require antibiotic medical treatment, long-term consumption of non-organic meat could literally hinder you from responding.
#5: Supports The Local Economy
In addition to building a strong body and mind, choosing organic contributes to the local community by supporting the small farmer. The small farmer is able to adopt to organic standards with less effort, and is more likely to embrace healthy soil practices and other ethical farming traits in the first place. Seek out local establishments for the widest variety of the freshest, locally grown food.
There are an assortment of reasons to choose an organic diet. In a nutshell, it is proven to offer great benefits to your long-term overall health. If you can’t commit to an entirely organic diet, substitute a few organic choices from your present food selections. Even changing small areas of your diet will provide better taste, greater nutrition, and stronger well-being.
Have more questions? We�re here for you! Simply ask our Doctor of Chiropractic during your next visit how eating organic foods can benefit you.
Good Nutrition & Chiropractic Care Contribute To Overall Well-Being
Healthy Diet: It’s hard to turn on the television or cruise the internet without being bombarded with headlines about “Americans don’t sleep enough” or “one third of adults are obese.”
While stress, heredity, and smoking are all factors that play into a person’s well being, one of the biggest is a healthy diet. Choosing to eat healthy benefits the body in a number of key areas. Still gobbling up the pizza and slurping down the diet soda, unconvinced? See if these eight points about a healthy diet change your mind.
1. Healthy Diet Strengthens & Improves Muscle Function
Healthy muscles carry us where we want to go. The right foods, along with proper exercise, build and maintain muscle mass, maintaining strength and mobility.
2. Promotes A Longer Life
Feeding your body what it needs can add years to your life. Reducing stress is one way to promote health, and a healthy diet is another. Foods rich in minerals and vitamins build up every cell in your body, preparing it to fight illness and stay alive longer.
3. Enables Richer Years
An individual who is healthy maintains a higher level of physical activity and brain function than their less healthy peers. A stronger body provides a richer life with more unique experiences.
4. Makes You Prettier
If you won’t eat healthy for your insides, maybe a better outside will motivate some dietary changes. We all want to be physically attractive. Healthy foods contribute to clear skin and shiny hair that no amount of high priced beauty products provides. Fueling the body with rich omega fatty and other healthy foods nourishes skin, hair, and nails.
5. Makes You Smarter
Research shows certain dietary choices power up your brain to function at a higher level, and help everyday brain function. Introducing “brain foods” into your diet aid with memory retention and problem solving skills.
This is one of the best reasons to commit to a healthy diet of vitamin-rich foods, as a healthy brain allows a much more active and independent lifestyle, from working longer to being able to drive.
6. Decreases Your Injury Risk
A high-functioning body with strong bones and muscles maintains balance, handles heavy loads, and holds up under stress better than its weaker counterparts. Muscles and bones lacking calcium and protein over time grow weaker.
This, unfortunately, causes the body to be less stable and more prone to injury. Falls, slips, and twists end up with more serious injuries if a person’s body isn’t strong and healthy.
7. Fights Bad Genes
If you are already worried about the cancer that runs on mom’s side or the heart attack risk that runs on dad’s side, take heart. While you can’t change your DNA, you can use a healthy diet to combat some of your genetic disposition to disease.
Ingraining a healthy diet into your life, as well as exercise and regular doctor checkups, helps minimize the risk of falling victim to your family’s predisposed illnesses.
If you end up with an illness, whether or not from heredity, a healthy diet….
8. Prepares You To Fight Illness
A nutrient-rich diet boosts a person’s immune system to be able to fight off infection and illness. When a person falls victim to a disease or other medical condition, their diet helps them fight it off so it hopefully doesn’t get worse and is cured quickly.
A healthy diet is integral to a long, happy life. Deciding to eat healthy and maintain that commitment consistently may seem like a big change in lifestyle at first, but it will benefit you and your loved ones in ways that are practically immeasurable.
Tips For Preventing Dehydration
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5. Makes You Smarter
