Back Clinic Supplements. What is more fundamental to our existence than diet and nutrition? Most of us eat at least three times a day. This creates a cumulative effect, as either our diet help fuel our body or it harms it. Bad nutrition, diet, and obesity can lead to osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and chronic pain. Knowing dietary supplements such as vitamins and proper nutritional balance, and effective techniques to shed weight can help those striving to change their new healthy lives.
A dietary supplement is used to provide nutrients to increase their consumption or provide non-nutrient chemicals claimed to have biological/beneficial effects. Dietary supplements come in all shapes and sizes. There are capsules, drinks, energy bars, powders, and traditional tablets. The most popular are calcium, iron, vitamins D and E, herbs like echinacea and garlic, and specialty products like glucosamine, probiotics, and fish oils.
Supplements are essential as we take them for our overall health. Since we can�t produce supplements naturally, we make it in pill form or eat whole, nutritious food. When we don�t take our supplements, our bodies will not function properly, and we can have a severe health risk. In the last article, we took a look at what vitamins does to our micronutrients in our bodies to perform functional and healthy. Today we will discuss what some supplement that will help our micronutrients in our bodies.
The Supplements
Since supplements can come in many types of foods and can be found as pills in whole food stores in the vitamin section.� Here are some of the leading supplements to ensure that your body’s micronutrients are getting the essentials to promote a long healthy life.
Vitamin K1 and K2
Vitamin K is known for its role in blood clotting. With vitamin K1 and K2, they can provide the health benefits that will help you from getting a blood clot. Vitamin K was accidentally discovered in the 1920s and 1930s after researchers found that animals having a restricted diet leads to excessive bleeding.
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is found in plants foods like leafy green vegetables. With K2, it is found in fermented foods and animal products. Vitamin K2 (menaquinones) can be produced by gut bacteria and help promote a healthy gut. These two vitamins are fat-soluble that share the same chemical structure and have different effects on your health.
Vitamin K1 can be absorbed quickly than vitamin K2 and can stay in the bloodstream for hours. Vitamin K1 is transported primarily to and used by the liver. Even though vitamin K1 is mostly found in plant foods, here are some of the food sources that are caulked filled with this vitamin and amazing when cooked.
Kale
Collard greens
Spinach
Turnip greens
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Vitamin K2 is mostly found in animal products that contain fat. Even though it provides fatty compounds, vitamin K2�s long side-chain allows it to circulate the blood longer than K1 can remain in the blood for days.� Here are some fermented food sources and animal products that vitamin K2 as MK-10 and MK-11.
Natto
Pork sausage
Hard cheeses
Porkchop (with the bone)
Chicken (leg/thigh)
Soft cheeses
Egg yolk
Calcium
Calcium is one of the most essential supplements that is for all living organisms. It is found naturally in many foods and added to certain products like supplements. Calcium promotes bone health, and without it, bone density can happen when we don�t take in the supplement. It also helps regulate muscle contractions, including the beating of the heart muscle. When that happens, calcium helps the proteins in the muscle to carry out the work of the contraction. Here are some of the foods and drinks that are richly filled with calcium.
Milk
Cheese
Yogurt
Seaweed
Beans
Figs
Tofu
Manganese
Manganese is an essential supplement for your brain and nervous system as well as many of your body�s enzyme system. Our body stores up to 20 mg of manganese in our kidneys, liver, pancreas, and bones. In a 2011 study, manganese helps form an antioxidant enzyme called SOD (superoxide dismutase). It helps break down one of the most dangerous free radicals called superoxide; into smaller components that are not harmful. Researchers also suggested that SOD is beneficial as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases. Small amounts of manganese are present in these food sources.
Raw pineapple and pineapple juice
Pinto beans
Spinach
Black and green teas
Sweet potato
Almonds
Instant oatmeal
Copper
Copper is an essential trace supplement that is necessary for survival. It is found in all the body tissues and plays a vital role in making red blood cells, maintaining nerve cells and the immune system. When you have sufficient copper in your diet, it may help prevent cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. Copper deficiency is a rare case, but low levels of copper can lead to anemia, loss of skin pigmentation, thyroid problems, and the rare disease Menkes disease. Since copper is found in a wide variety of foods, here are some excellent food sources that contain it.
Oysters and other shellfish
Whole grains
Cocoa
Black pepper
Organ meats (liver and kidneys)
Potatoes
Dried fruit
Chromium
Also known as chromium picolinate, this supplement does serve several vital functions in the body. Chromium can improve your body�s blood sugar by impacting on the hormone insulin. Several studies indicate that people with diabetes take the chromium supplement to improve their blood sugar. While another study researched that people who are overweight or obese, taking the chromium supplement can lose weight.
Iron
Iron is one of the essential supplements that are vital to the human body. It helps hemoglobin function properly by transporting oxygen in the blood. Iron also plays a huge role as it functions in a variety of other vital processes in the body. With iron�s health benefits, the supplement can promote a healthy pregnancy, regulate body temperature, preserve universal energy and focus, help the gastrointestinal process, and support the immune system.
When we don�t get enough iron in our system, we do suffer from anemia, which causes fatigue, heart palpitations, pale skin, and breathless. So it is crucial that when we eat iron-rich foods so that way, we won�t have that deficiency. There are two types of dietary iron that we consumed, and they are known as heme and non-heme. These two forms are both animal source food and plant food, and here are what the food sources contain.
Canned clams
Cooked Pacific oysters
Beef liver
Lean ground beef
Cooked spinach
Dark chocolate
Firm tofu
Medium baked potato
Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential mineral that is found in the earth, sea, plants, animals, and humans. In our body, there is about 60% of magnesium in our bones. While the rest is in the muscles, soft tissues, and fluids, including blood. Magnesium helps to prevent problems with our bones, the cardiovascular system, diabetes and fights depression.
The recommended intake amount to take magnesium is 300-420mg per day for men and 310-320mg per day for women. We can get it from both food sources and supplements, here are some of the food sources that contain magnesium.
Dark chocolate (70-85% cocoa)
Cashews
Quinoa, cooked
Avocado
Spinach, boiled
Mackeral
Selenium
Selenium is an essential supplement that can help contribute thyroid hormone metabolism, process a healthy immune system, and protect against oxidative damage and infections in the body. Selenium deficiency is rare, but the supplement can be found in whole grains and animal products than fresh fruits and vegetables. Here are some of the food sources that contain selenium.
Brazil nuts
Tuna
Brown rice
White bread
Egg
Halibut
Omegas
The Omega supplements are very well known, especially Omega-3; which can help us with our brain, eyes, and immune health. Without the supplement, it can lead to reduced energy, loss of attention and concentration, dry, irritated skin problems, and many more symptoms. It is mostly found in fish and seafood as well as some vegetables and seed oils. Here are some of the omega supplements to help promote a healthy body.
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid): This omega supplement is the most influential on reducing inflammation and helping people who are profiled for cardiac risk.
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid): This omega supplement is vital to boost the brain and moods.
LA (linoleic acid): This omega supplement can�t be synthesized in the body, but does help fight cancer. It is needed to help out with omega 3 and is primarily found in beef.
Conclusion
Granted that these are only some of the supplements here that can help your body function properly. There are many supplements and vitamins out there in the world that are in both pill and food form to help our bodies grow and overall makes us healthier. These supplements and vitamins help us by making sure that our bodies don�t get sick and suffer from chronic diseases that we may encounter. So go out there and enjoy some whole, nutritious food that oozing with beneficial vitamins and supplements.
Cites:
Almquist, H J. �Early History of Vitamin K.� OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 1 June 1975, academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/28/6/656/4716361?redirectedFrom=fulltext.
Beulens, Joline W J, et al. �The Role of Menaquinones (Vitamin K?) in Human Health.� The British Journal of Nutrition, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23590754.
Brinton, Eliot A, and R Preston Mason. �Prescription Omega-3 Fatty Acid Products Containing Highly Purified Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA).� Lipids in Health and Disease, BioMed Central, 31 Jan. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28137294.
Calder, Philip C. �Docosahexaenoic Acid.� Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27842299.
DeLoughery, Thomas G. �Iron Deficiency Anemia.� The Medical Clinics of North America, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28189173.
Di Bona, Kristin R, et al. �Chromium Is Not an Essential Trace Element for Mammals: Effects of a �Low-Chromium� Diet.� Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry: JBIC: a Publication of the Society of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21086001.
Fu, Xueyan, et al. �Measurement of Multiple Vitamin K Forms in Processed and Fresh-Cut Pork Products in the U.S. Food Supply.� Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8 June 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27191033.
Goodson, Amy. �10 Evidence-Based Benefits of Manganese.� Healthline, Healthline Media, 31 Aug. 2018, www.healthline.com/nutrition/manganese-benefits.
Gr�ber, Uwe, et al. �Magnesium in Prevention and Therapy.� Nutrients, MDPI, 23 Sept. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26404370.
Harshman, Stephanie G, et al. �Vegetables and Mixed Dishes Are Top Contributors to Phylloquinone Intake in US Adults: Data from the 2011-2012 NHANES.� The Journal of Nutrition, Oxford University Press, July 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28566528.
Kaur, Gunveen, et al. �Short Update on Docosapentaenoic Acid: a Bioactive Long-Chain n-3 Fatty Acid.� Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26808265.
Li, Chang, and Hai-Meng Zhou. �The Role of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase in Inflammation Defense.� Enzyme Research, SAGE-Hindawi Access to Research, 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3185262/.
Megan Ware, RDN. �Copper: Health Benefits, Recommended Intake, Sources, and Risks.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 23 Oct. 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/288165.php.
Naughton, Shaan S, et al. �Linoleic Acid and the Pathogenesis of Obesity.� Prostaglandins & Other Lipid Mediators, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27350414.
Newman, Tim. �Calcium: Health Benefits, Foods, and Deficiency.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 21 Aug. 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248958.php.
Schurgers, Leon J, et al. �Vitamin K-Containing Dietary Supplements: Comparison of Synthetic Vitamin K1 and Natto-Derived Menaquinone-7.� Blood, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 Apr. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17158229.
Serefko, Anna, et al. �Magnesium in Depression.� Pharmacological Reports: PR, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23950577.
Suksomboon, N, et al. �Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy and Safety of Chromium Supplementation in Diabetes.� Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (UK), June 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24635480.
Tian, Hongliang, et al. �Chromium Picolinate Supplementation for Overweight or Obese Adults.� The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 29 Nov. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24293292.
Yasui, K, and A Baba. �Therapeutic Potential of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) for Resolution of Inflammation.� Inflammation Research: Official Journal of the European Histamine Research Society … [Et Al.], U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2006, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17122956.
Everyone in the world wants healthy skin. We see it advertised on television with lotions and vitamin supplements. When we exercise and change our eating habits, we see our skin getting firmer with the foods we consume. However, whenever we are stressed, anxious, consuming junk food, or staying out in the sun too long; our skin takes a huge toll on our body. Our skin is the largest organ that covers our entire skeleton structure. When we expose our skin to harsh environments or have skin ailments that we contracted during our birth, our skin is depleted with the certain nutrients that our skin needs.
Glutathione:
Glutathione is known as the �wonder drug� for skin lightening. For some darker toned individuals, it will lighten up their natural melanin. This stigma has been popularized by media influences so people can have �porcelain skin.� However, glutathione actually made up of three amino acids:
Glutamine
Glycine
Cysteine
Melanin
This powerful antioxidant fights off free radicals in our immune system and is compatible with Vitamin E and C. For a natural way to make sure that your body keeps the glutathione nutrients when you get older with age, here are some vegetables that are enriched with glutathione:
Garlic
Onions
Avocado
Cabbage
Okra
Spinach
Kale
Cauliflower
Omega-3:
Omega-3s is one of the most common supplements that is known for healthy skin. This supplement keeps the body healthy as well as preventing inflammation. Omega-3s are mostly in:
Fish
Legumes
Walnuts
Avocados
Eggs
Spinach
But, there are certain limitations on taking Omega-3 supplements if you have a seafood allergy or an egg allergy. People with these types of food allergens can talk with their physician about taking the omega-3 supplements in a pill form in low dosages or eat omega-3 enriched food.
Other patients with omega-3 deficiency have been known to have psoriasis, thus using a topical lotion infused with omega-3s have been known to calm down the inflammation.
Biotin is the three-for-one supplements that target your nails, hair, and skin. This supplement can be found in vitamin pills at your local stores and is highly recommended by dermatologists. However, some people have biotin and zinc deficiency that can be linked to skin abnormalities, thus, biotin plays an important role in our skin health.
You can either take the vitamin pill or incorporate certain food groups like eggs, nuts, whole grains, some dairy products, and certain vegetables in your diet to get the beneficiary nutrients to keep your skin healthy.
Niacin:
Also known as vitamin B3, has been known to support skin health. This nutrient has many beneficial effects to promote skin wellness. It is one of the most essential nutrients we consume since our bodies can�t produce it on their own. Some of the food groups are in the meat department and vegetarian department:
Mushrooms
Potatoes
Legumes
Whole grains
Meat
Fish
Eggs
Milk
Vitamin A:
Vitamin A is filled with nutrients as it contains beta-carotene, thus it is mostly fruits and vegetables that contain this supplement. This supplement plays an important role as it helps repair any skin deficiencies and eye health. Some of the foods that boost up vitamin A are:
Carrots
Broccoli
Cantaloupe
Squash
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is one of the most top tiers of improving skin health and has many beneficial factors in our immune system. Some patients develop scurvy when they don�t have enough vitamin C in their system. It is mostly found in citrus fruit, which is one of the best ways to consume the vitamin into your system.
But, there is a catch when you are taking vitamin C. Vitamin C when exposed to light, can oxidize and become unstable. So if you are taking the supplement, it should be stored in a dark place and the PH should be at 3.5.
Zinc:
Zinc is one of the supplements that support healthy skin. This micronutrient can protect our skin from the sun and supports our inflammatory system. Some of the food that actually can help us prevent sun damage and give us a zinc supplement boost include seeds, meat, shellfish, dairy and dark chocolate.
When our skin needs these 9 nutrients, they are thanking us for taking the time to get the necessary supplements to make sure our bodies are still functional and that we live a long healthy life. Granted that the media has televised about many ways to promote skin health, but it actually starts with eating the right foods that our body craves. When we eat processed food and ingest artificial sugars into our bodies, we feel sluggish, our skin takes a toll on the lack of nutrients we are not giving and so many health problems that we will face.
Yes, we can take topical creams and lotions to nourish our skin and combat the dryness that our skin faces. But that can only go for so long unless we change our eating styles. Some people may freak out because they hear the word, �diet� and are limited to what they can eat. However, when it�s a health issue and our physicians tell us that we need to eat healthier, we give it a go. Therefore, eating right is a lifestyle choice and it starts with these 9 nutrients to make sure our largest organ is taken care of as well as the rest of our body system. When we cut back on the bad food and focusing on good food, our bodies feel so much better.
NCBI Resources
Living a healthy lifestyle and eating your basic food groups; whether it be plant-based or omnivorous, as well as, exercising a couple of times out of the year. A bad healthy lifestyle is eating processed food and not exercising, which leads to obesity and cardiac arrest. Depending on the person and the efforts that they are willing to maintain a healthy lifestyle, they can achieve longevity by taking care of their gut first and foremost.
Protective effect against sunburn of combined systemic ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and d-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E): www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9448204/
Ever wondered why your job is so stressful? Or that you haven�t gotten enough sleep due to partying with your friends, even though you were supposed to finish that essay for that one class you signed up for and now you are typing away to meet the deadline and turning it in. Or even better� the two p.m. slumps.
Well, it might be because your L-theanine is a bit low. However, there are many ways to make sure that you get a boost of energy even though you feel tired and you are probably drinking it right now. Green tea seems to help us when we are overly stressed and when it�s nice and hot, we feel relaxed and whatever stress we hold onto melts away. However, L-theanine can also stimulate the brain and overall make you feel good, as well as blocking out certain neurotransmitters in your brain.
Try Green Tea
If you are wondering about the benefits of green tea, you can look at many Google searches and they will tell you different things about the health benefits of drinking green tea. However, they will say the same thing that is truly effective. That green tea can help your central nervous system function properly. Even though green tea has the same properties as coffee in the caffeine department without the extra �jittery� effect.
Green tea can be effective as it can make you more productive but can also give you more stable energy, while improving your brain to function properly. There is even a study that green tea can protect your brain when you are older. And that it may help lower the chances of getting Parkinson�s disease and Alzheimer�s disease. Both are very common neurodegenerative diseases that can be prevented by the various protective effect by drinking green tea. Not only that but it can also balance out the two neurotransmitters that are a key essential to having a healthy brain activity.
Neurotransmission
There are two types of neurotransmitters in our brains that work together to make sure that we are functioning properly. They are Glutamate and GABA. Both are mostly located in the brain�s neuro system as they are together and bringing a balance to our system. Glutamate’s function is to make our brain fired up and ready to learn new things. As well as being an important part of our brain development.
But when there is too much Glutamate in our brain, we become very hyper-aware of our surroundings, neurological inflammation, and anxiety. But when we add L-theanine to Glutamate, the Glutamate�s neurotoxicity is lowered by the L-theanine supplement. But the only way to counteract Glutamate is with GABA. GABA or Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid is the body�s main neurotransmitter that is responsible for our cells.
Chill Out
It�s basically the �chill pill� for our central nervous system. This neurotransmitter counteracts with Glutamate, which is very hyper; while GABA is very relaxed. Not only GABA calms downs our central nervous system, but it also gives us a much-needed restful sleep when we are exhausted from a long day. And when we are done with exercising, GABA helps our muscle tissue regenerate. GABA seems to know when we need to rest our brains from burning out and crashing hard on the couch after a long stressful day at work or school.
The best way to describe how GABA and Glutamate work together is to imagine your body as a car. Glutamate is the gas where we have to go from one place to the other and GABA is the brakes where we have stop and rest a bit. And when we add L-theanine to the mixture, it�s a sense of an added booster to our body and central nervous system to not only be relaxed but also have a bit of energy to go out on our daily day to day life.
But there is always still going to be stress in our lives if we don�t control it. Stress can be caused by many things that we all go through. Sometimes it can be something small like deadlines on projects that you are preparing for, that one exam that you have to take in class, or trying to find a job.
Those give us minor headaches that we have to step back a bit and take a deep breath. Other times stress can be something major like having too many commitments that we can�t handle, having poor organization skills, or even having a very highly stressed job. These major stressors can cause us to have high blood pressure and heart disease that we have to go to the doctor to get a prescription or even see a therapist so we can calm our mind down.
L-Theanine
Going back to L-theanine, it is proven that L-theanine can help us relax a bit in stressful situations. An animal study showed us what would happen when L-theanine is in the blood system of rats. Those rats that are treated with L-theanine are more relaxed in a stressful situation than those that are not treated.
With L-theanine, it is proven that this supplement has beneficial properties to help us calm down our central nervous system but also makes us feel a bit better in our day to day lives. We all deal with stress differently as there are certain things that help us alleviate it and even help us get better if we continue to do the things we love.
Conclusion
Whether it is taking a walk, writing down in a journal, exercising, seeking some professional help if things get way too hectic or doing a hobby that we love; stress is always going to be there within us, but only we can control it with the right ingredients.
Therefore, whenever you feel overly stressed from working too hard, having way too many plans that you can�t commit, or feeling very low on energy. Remember to stop and breathe a bit as you get into your comfiest clothes, put on a movie or binge-watch a series on Netflix, and make yourself a cup of hot green tea. Then when you are all comfortable on the couch and when you take that first sip, not only your body; but your brain will thank you for that break in your hectic daily life.
Excessive Foot Pronation can Affect *FOOT POSTURE & MOBILITY* | El Paso, TX (2019)
The following video discusses how excessive foot pronation can ultimately have an effect on foot posture and mobility. Several things can impact foot posture and mobility, such as excessive foot pronation. Excessive foot pronation is most widespread among the overall populace, therefore, it’s regarded as one of the most frequent factors for abnormal foot posture and mobility, which can lead to a variety of health issues like overuse injuries. Excessive foot pronation and supination can ultimately impact general health and wellness.
What’s Afoot
Foot Dysfunction can very easily cause a domino effect that extends all the way to the back. The feet are the foundation of the body and when there is a problem with the way they function it can cause the entire body to shift out of alignment. For instance, overpronation of the foot causes a series of internal changes that extend up through the leg. The femur may rotate causing hip pain and inflammation of the sacroiliac joint which leads to back pain. Other misalignments in the body that are caused by foot problems can also lead to chronic lower back pain as well.
NCBI Resources:
Researchers at Japan�s Kyoto University found that drinking green tea could help prevent deadly abdominal aortic aneurysms. They believe that the beneficial compounds in green tea are polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that fights free radicals and reduces inflammation. The polyphenols also appear to make arteries stronger and more flexible by regenerating elastin, an essential protein that makes arteries stretchy, yet sturdy. Green and white teas contain large amounts of EGCG, a powerful antioxidant linked to a lower risk of heart disease, Alzheimer�s disease, and numerous types of cancer. A study at Japan�s Okayama University found that senior citizens who drank large amounts of green tea slashed their risk of dying from heart disease by as much as 76 percent, and a Chinese study found that drinking green tea cut the risk of lung cancer by two-thirds.
Calcium overview- Calcium is a mineral that is essential for life (2). Not only does the body require calcium to build strong bones, but it also aids the body in keeping the bones strong, muscle contractions, and helps to enable our blood to clot (2). Majority of the calcium in the body can be found in the bones and teeth. However, we lose calcium every day just through our skin, nails, hair, and sweat. Once calcium is dissolved in the stomach, it is then absorbed through the small intestine lining to enter the bloodstream. From here, the calcium can then build bone and regulate the contraction of the blood vessels as well as perform its other duties (2).� One of the reasons the amount of calcium consumed each day is so important is because, no matter what, the body will take what it needs. This being said, if you are not supplying your body with the correct amount of calcium, it will start to take the nutrients it needs from the bones (1). The more and more the body does this, the more fragile your bones become, leaving you more susceptible to diseases such as osteoporosis. However, there are different forms of calcium that provide and aid the body in different things.
Calcium D Glucerate
Calcium D Glucerate is made in small amounts by humans. This is the calcium salt of D Glucerate (1). With studies performed, results showed that when Calcium D Glucerate is taken orally, it inhibits beta-glucuronidase (1). When beta-glucuronidase is inhibited, it aids the body in preventing many hormone-dependent cancers. These cancers include but are not limited to; breast, prostate, and colon (1). When beta-glucuronidase is elevated in the body,� cell damage begins to occur. However, when Calcium D Glucerate is taken orally, it helps to inhibit (block) this enzyme that is produced by the liver.
Calcium Carbonate
Calcium Carbonate is calcium with a salt formula. This medicine can be used in multiple situations but is most commonly used for temporary relief of heartburn and indigestion (3). In addition to this, Calcium Carbonate can be used to help prevent osteoporosis (3).
The recommended daily dose for adults is 1,000mg a day of calcium. Make sure that you are eating foods containing calcium as well as taking this recommended dose in order to best protect your bones. Not only will this help your bones from becoming porous, but it will aid in overall body performance. If you are confused about which calcium supplement you should be taking, please consult a local doctor. – Kenna Vaughn, Senior Health Coach
Sources:
�Calcium-D-Glucarate.� Alternative Medicine Review: a Journal of Clinical Therapeutic, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Aug. 2002, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12197785.
�Calcium/Vitamin D Requirements, Recommended Foods & Supplements.� National Osteoporosis Foundation, 26 Feb. 2018, www.nof.org/patients/treatment/calciumvitamin-d/.
Supplemental Facts title indicates that the product is marketed for sale in the USA and is FDA standard.
Serving size, and the number of servings per container will be included to help you compare between products.
Make sure the serving sizes match when comparing supplements to get an accurate comparison.
Vitaminsand minerals always show the dose in weight and % percentage daily value to help you understand your dietary requirements.
Supplements often will have doses that exceed the recommended daily value.
Dietary supplement ingredients that are not vitamins or minerals will not have the % percentage daily value because they are not essential ingredients in the diet.
Dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA, and all labels must follow a consistent format to make it easier for consumers to understand. Understanding dietary supplement labels well require some attention to the following points when you�re evaluating supplements.
Herbs sometimes have additional information listed in the supplement panel. You might see ratio numbers (example 4:1) that show how much raw material of the herb (fresh or dried herb) is in the supplement version.
Herbs might have a standardization amount that shows how much of an active ingredient is present. The dose of the active ingredient is often listed, but sometimes it is not.
Proprietary blends are common. Only the total amount of the blend in a serving needs to be listed, which means that you don�t get all of the information about every ingredient.
Proprietary blend ingredients are listed in order from most to least. Similar to how food ingredients are listed on prepared foods nutrition facts panels.�
The daily value percent is established against a 2000 calorie diet. This is the standard calorie amount, however, it�s always important to determine your calorie requirements that you need for your health goals.
How To Identify Organic Foods
In the United States, a food or product that is labeled as organic is required to be certified by the�U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA has a certification program for natural growers and it has a set of very stringent standards that the product or food must meet.
There are some exemptions. For instance, a producer who does not sell more than $5,000 annually just in organic foods is not required to get the certification although they do have to adhere to the USDA�s stringent requirements for organic foods.
When a food carries the USDA Organic label, it means that it meets the requirements. While natural producers are not required to put the label on their products, many do.
The labeling varies, depending on the type of food. Single-ingredient foods like eggs, vegetables, and fruits�are considered to be 100 percent natural and are allowed to carry the USDA seal.
Foods that contain two or more ingredients, like breakfast cereal, are still allowed to use the USDA seal, but also must include the following information:
Organic � The product must be 95 percent organic or greater in order to be able to use this term
100 percent organic � The product must be completely organic or all of its ingredients must be natural
Made with organic ingredients � The product contains no less than 70 percent natural ingredients
If the product has less than 70 percent natural ingredients, they are not allowed to use the word �organic� anywhere on their product labels.
Drop Foot
Drop Foot is a symptom associated with an underlying neurological, muscular or anatomical problem that is often treated with a combination of non-invasive techniques and procedures.
Overview
Drop foot/foot drop is a general term that means lifting the forefoot (front part of the foot) is difficult to do.
Drop foot is not a diagnosis but a symptom associated with an underlying condition such as:
Neurological
Muscular
Anatomical problem
Nerve or muscle injury
Brain/spinal cord disorder, including
Herniated disc
Spinal Stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Vertebral Fractures
Walking can be difficult, so the foot tends to drag on the floor.
Those suffering from drop foot sometimes raise the thigh up in an exaggerated fashion, such as when climbing stairs.
Stepping high is the most common symptom.
Symptoms of Drop Foot
High steppage gait
Foot drop may be experienced in one or both feet.
It is typically experienced in one foot if the drop foot is caused by:
Braces can provide additional support, stability, and shock absorption
Specific exercises to help the affected muscles
Physical therapy
Prevention
Prevention includes keeping your bones and tissues strong and healthy through diet and�exercise.
Avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol use creates weak bones and problems with the blood supply
Reduce the risk of injury by following safety measures on the job and beyond (i.e. wear a seatbelt).
Custom orthotics can provide additional support, stability, and shock absorption.
Kneeling for extended periods, such as on the job (certain construction functions laying tile, yard work).
Recovery
Some cases of drop foot are temporary; however, others can become permanent.
The recovery time and process depend on the cause.
Reduce *PLANTAR FASCIITIS PAIN* with Custom Foot Orthotics | El Paso, TX (2019)
Foot problems can affect the overall well-being of the human body. Many health issues which affect the foot can result in poor posture, low back pain, and sciatica. These imbalances can ultimately result in a variety of other health issues. Custom-made foot orthotics can help promote and support overall well-being by relieving foot problems.
Dr. Alex Jimenez is the non-surgical choice for foot problems and other health issues. Dr. Alex Jimenez can help promote and support overall well-being with the use of custom-made foot orthotics and other treatments approaches.
What’s Afoot
Foot Dysfunction can very easily cause a domino effect that extends all the way to the back. The feet are the foundation of the body and when there is a problem with the way they function it can cause the entire body to shift out of alignment. Overpronation and oversupination, for example, can cause a variety of injuries and conditions that affect not only the feet and ankles, but also the knees, hips, and back as well.
NCBI Resources
If you have further questions or concerns about your particular�diet, please ask us! Our Doctor of Chiropractic can help guide you toward a more healthy life, including the foods you consume. It comes down to two major areas: safety and�nutrition. That is what consumers need to understand when they are trying to make a decision on whether to purchase foods that have been conventionally farmed or foods that are natural.
Supplements can become overwhelming with everything that’s out there. This will touch on key categories of supplements and the best way on how to use them.
Supplements are divided into categories:
Nutrients
(Nutraceuticals or Orthomolecular Medicine)
Botanicals
(Herbal Medicine or Phytotherapy)
Hormones
Hormone Replacement Therapy or Restorative Medicine
Each category is meant to support underlying excesses or deficiencies, with the ultimate goal of bringing the body back into balance.
Where it becomes complicated is understanding the different uses and dosing of specific:
Extracts
Chelates (a chemical compound that dissolves more easily and is easily absorbed compared to other types of molecules and compounds)
Prepared Compounds
Hormones
Integrative medicine and hormone therapy usually involve synthetic versions of plant extracts, that mimick the chemical structure of endogenous hormones.
What are Hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers that are produced by the endocrine glands.
These messengers have an effect on most tissues and major bodily functions.
Establishing and resolving the causes of hormonal imbalance is one of the core therapeutic systems not only in integrative medicine but in conventional medicine.
How do Hormones Work?
Hormones flow through the body�s circulation in abundance. In order for hormones to perform a function, the cells being used require specific receptors.
When hormones bind to these receptors, it causes a biological response inside the cell, which is why a single hormone can have such an effect.
The entire endocrine system is based on positive and negative feedback loops. This informs the endocrine glands to produce more or fewer hormones.
Balance of endogenous hormone production is maintained through diet and lifestyle. However,�when this unique balance is disrupted is when disease can occur.
Despite their broad and potent effect on the body’s systems, hormones therapy must be done with caution and skill.
There can be long-term negative side effects with hormone therapy and should be limited to highly-trained practitioners.
Examples of Hormone Ingredients
Exogenous hormones are available in different forms.
Examples include:
Pregnenolone – this is the mother of steroidogenic hormones
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) – elevates estrogen and testosterone
Vitamin D – regulates bone density, and balances parathyroid hormone secretion
There is evidence that shows beneficial therapeutic uses for exogenous hormones.
Similar to botanical medicine, hormone therapy should be used exclusively and with caution by certified clinicians.
Fasting Mimicking Diet Basics
Some people today might eat a slightly higher amount of calories the first day as they ease into the fasting-mimicking diet. They might then decrease their total caloric intake. You also want to make sure you eat smaller amounts of foods which are easy to digest.
ProLon��offers a pre-packaged box which contains all five days� worth of meals for you to do the diet. The meals are all plant-based. One day, by way of instance, offers tea and a nut bar for breakfast, a small portion of vegetable soup and a few kale crackers for lunch, several olives in the afternoon, and finally another small portion of vegetable soup for dinner.
You can also do the fasting-mimicking diet without the need for a pre-packaged box-like ProLon�. Simply follow the right proportions and plan out how you will space them out every day. Macros for the fast mimicking diet are 34 percent carbohydrates, 10 percent protein, and 56 percent fat for the very first day and 47 percent carbohydrates, 9 percent protein, and 44 percent fat to the rest days.
A cup of black tea and coffee every day are generally allowed. Just make sure they don�t contain any added sugars or oils. Remember that people with health issues should consult a healthcare professional prior to doing the fast mimicking diet in your own home.
Foods
Dr. Anthony Gusting followed a four-day ketogenic fasting-mimicking diet. Every day, he consumed different amounts of bone broth, coconut milk, coconut oil, BCAAs, and exogenous ketones. Avocados and grass-fed butter can also be included in the fast mimicking diet. This is a great way to combine the ketogenic diet with the fasting-mimicking diet to benefit from the two regimens.
Supplements
Taking nutritional supplements can also make the fasting-mimicking diet easier by providing enough nutrition. These may include:
Electrolytes like magnesium and salt to replenish any lost during water loss
Grass-fed liver tablets to provide micronutrient support
Branch chain amino acids, or BCAAs, to help prevent loss of lean tissue
Greens powder to provide micronutrients
Algal oil or cod liver oil for omega-3s
You may also take exogenous ketones to achieve ketosis through the keto diet. The fast mimicking diet can also help you achieve ketosis before following a ketogenic diet. Below, we will discuss how the fast mimicking diet promotes ketosis.
Ketosis And The Fast Mimicking Diet
The fast mimicking diet is an excellent way to prepare you for the ketogenic diet. This is because it allows you to get into ketosis. Additionally, eating keto foods makes it possible to remain in ketosis throughout the regimen. To follow a ketogenic fasting-mimicking diet you must maintain your macros over the suitable range of 5 to 10 percent of carbohydrates, 20 to 25percent of proteins, and 70 to 80 percent of fats. If you�re unsure about whether you�re properly maintaining your macros, always choose something with more fat.
If you or a loved one need additional dietary guidance, give us a call. Our Doctor of Chiropractic is here to help!
*CORRECT BAD POSTURE* with Custom Foot Orthotics | El Paso, TX (2019)
Posture is the way in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting, or performing tasks such as lifting, bending, pulling, or reaching. However, when a person practices bad posture, it can cause a variety of health issues. According to research studies, signs and symptoms associated with a bad posture are the 3rd most common reason for doctor office visits in the United States.
The spine helps support the weight of the head and stabilizes the human body when standing upright. However, bad posture can strain the spine, causing a variety of health issues. Custom orthotics can help support good posture and promote pain relief. Dr. Alex Jimenez can help patients improve their overall health and wellness through custom orthotics. Patients recommend Dr. Alex Jimenez as the non-surgical choice for posture.
Posture
Poor posture takes a serious toll on health. Here are a few negative results:
Muscle soreness
Subluxations
Blood vessel constriction
Nerve constriction
As time passes, body/health problems also arise, which result in pain, restricted motion, and make the body more susceptible to injury and disease. Posture can even affect your emotional well-being, including self-confidence!
Treatment
Chiropractic can help you maintain proper posture with alignment adjustments, and custom orthotics can benefit the treatment making it last longer.
The American Chiropractic Association maintains proper posture involves sitting, standing, and lying down properly. Here’s an excerpt:
Sitting properly
Keep your feet on the floor or footrest, for feet to be stabilized.
Ankles should be in front of your knees.
Keep a small space between the back of the knees and the front of the seat.
Your knees should be at or below the level of your hips.
Standing properly
Keep your weight on the balls of your feet.
Keep your knees slightly bent.
Keep your feet in line with your shoulders.
Arms hang naturally down the sides of the body.
Sleeping properly
Find the mattress that is right for you.
A firm mattress is generally recommended but sometimes people do better with a
Softer mattresses to reduce back pain.
Remember comfort is important.
Sleep with a pillow.
Special pillows are available to help with posture problems that come from a poor sleeping position.
The feet are complex structures which function to provide protection and support to the body in relation to the spine and head posture. The feet are essential towards balancing the body�s entire weight, allowing it to walk, run, stand, and, jump. Foot complications may cause severe issues throughout the spine, hips, knees, and ankles if left untreated. Chiropractic care can be effective for treating injuries or conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and ankle sprains. Foot health is essential towards establishing the body�s proper support and balance, together with a proper spinal posture. In the presence of foot complications, chiropractic treatment can be used to achieve long-lasting health.
NCBI Resources
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.
Supplements can become overwhelming with everything that’s out there. This will touch on key categories of supplements and the best way on how to use them.
Supplements are divided into categories:
Nutrients
(Nutraceuticals or Orthomolecular Medicine)
Botanicals
(Herbal Medicine or Phytotherapy)
Hormones
Hormone Replacement Therapy or Restorative Medicine
Each category is meant to support underlying excesses or deficiencies, with the ultimate goal of bringing the body back into balance.
Where it becomes complicated is understanding the different uses and dosing of specific:
Extracts
Chelates (a chemical compound that dissolves more easily and is easily absorbed compared to other types of molecules and compounds)
Prepared Compounds
Botanicals
(Herbal Medicine or Phytotherapy)
Botanicals?
Records of humanity using botanical extracts therapeutically date back to the beginning of first recorded history.
Today, botanical medicine serves as an inspiration for pharmaceutical inventions and continues�via modern research.
Botanical medicine is essential in integrative medicine and normally elicits fewer and less significant adverse side effects than pharmaceutical interventions.
Growing research shows that when used correctly, botanical extracts are more effective than pharmaceutical equivalents, and more cost-effective as well.
Botanical Work?
Given their capacity to interact with virtually every system and tissue in the body, there are thousands of therapeutic uses.
There is a great deal of literature on traditional botanical medicine, however, there is a very little amount of modern research relative to modern medicine.
As a result, it becomes somewhat challenging to compare botanicals with pharmaceuticals regarding
clinical outcomes.
Botanical Ingredients
Botanical medicine provides very helpful effective therapeutics and allows everyone, from professional practitioners to common laypeople apply these treatments.
Common examples:
Garlic (Allium sativum) – immune function, cardiovascular function
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.
Diet Type
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.
Healthy Eating/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!
Get Rid of *FOOT PRONATION PAIN* with Custom Foot Orthotics | El Paso, TX (2019)
Foot pronation is the natural movement which occurs during foot landing while walking or running. Foot pronation also occurs while standing, and in this instance, it is the amount in which the foot rolls inward toward the arch. Foot pronation is normal, however, excessive foot pronation can cause a variety of health issues, including bad posture. The following video describes the 5 red flags of excessive foot pronation, which can ultimately affect a person’s overall health and wellness. Dr. Alex Jimenez can help diagnose and treat excessive foot pronation. Patients recommend Dr. Alex Jimenez and his staff as the non-surgical choice for excessive foot pronation health issues.
What’s Afoot
The feet are complex structures which function to provide protection and support to the body in relation to the spine and head posture. The feet are essential towards balancing the body�s entire weight, allowing it to walk, run, stand, and, jump. Consequently, foot complications may cause severe issues throughout the spine, hips, knees, and ankles if left untreated. Chiropractic care can be effective for treating injuries or conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and ankle sprains, among others. Foot health is essential towards establishing the body�s proper support and balance, together with a proper spinal posture. In the presence of foot complications, chiropractic treatment can be used to achieve long-lasting health.
NCBI Resources
While most of us know that proper nutrition is vital in assisting us to reach our optimum health and feel our best; finding time to eat a balanced diet on a daily basis seems a formidable job in this fast-paced, affluent society. Though your life may be frantic, there are still many good tasting, healthful alternatives which can assist you to lose weight and enhance your health.
IFM's Find A Practitioner tool is the largest referral network in Functional Medicine, created to help patients locate Functional Medicine practitioners anywhere in the world. IFM Certified Practitioners are listed first in the search results, given their extensive education in Functional Medicine
Herbs sometimes have additional information listed in the supplement panel. You might see ratio numbers (example 4:1) that show how much raw material of the herb (fresh or dried herb) is in the supplement version.
