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Holiday Health: El Paso Back Clinic

Holiday Health: El Paso Back Clinic

Winter is when most children and adults are prone to catching colds, the flu, etc. The excitement of the holiday season can also take a toll on the body’s neuromusculoskeletal system, leaving the individual more susceptible to illness. Digestive issues such as bloating, cramping, and constipation are also common. Certain supplements can help maintain body, gut, and brain holiday health. Here are a few recommended supplements to take during the holidays.

Holiday Health: EP's Chiropractic Functional Wellness Team

Holiday Health

To help fill in the gaps from the holiday foods and increase energy, holiday health supplements to consider adding include:

Probiotics

  • Probiotics are healthy bacteria and microbes that populate the gut or microbiome.
  • They help digest nutrients, support proper digestion and elimination, and manage appetite and mood.
  • A quality probiotic supplement supports healthy digestion and immune health.
  • It can help reduce diarrhea, constipation, gas, and bloating while protecting the immune system against pathogens.
  • For the most benefits, it is recommended to take a supplement with a high CFU count, diverse probiotic strains, and a delivery method that ensures the probiotics will survive once consumed.
  • SBO – soil-based organism probiotics are also recommended.

Melatonin

  • The body produces melatonin naturally, especially at night, since this promotes sleep.
  • Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, which makes you feel tired or alert at the right times of the day.
  • Taking melatonin can help decrease jet lag symptoms.
  • Consider taking melatonin to help promote healthy sleep.
  • However, it’s usually only recommended for short-term use, so consult your doctor.

Vitamin D

  • During the winter, when less sunlight is available, low vitamin D levels are very common among adults.
  • The body naturally makes vitamin D when the skin is exposed to the sun’s UV light rays; however, most spend nearly all their time indoors once the weather becomes cold.
  • Vitamin D is responsible for hundreds of reactions related to brain function, hormone production, and immune defenses.
  • A vitamin D supplement can help maintain healthy levels, which is important for maintaining a strong immune system, cardiovascular and bone health, and mood.

Magnesium

  • Magnesium is a mineral and electrolyte providing cardiovascular and bone support, improved sleep, healthy muscle and nerve function, and healthy digestion.
  • A magnesium supplement can help with aches and pains, restlessness, headaches, and constipation.

Vitamin C

  • Vitamin C intake protects against colds and other illnesses.
  • It supports healthy immune defenses, healthy nervous system function, antioxidant activity, neuron function, and skin health.
  • A vitamin C supplement combined with probiotics further helps support healthy gastrointestinal function and absorption.

Chiropractic For Digestive Health

  • Chiropractic care supports the healthy functioning of the nervous system.
  • The vagus nerve extends from the brain stem and innervates digestive system organs.
  • Sympathetic nerves in the thoracic and lumbar regions and the parasympathetic nerves near the sacrum also support digestion.
  • Decompressing the spine and correcting posture allow room for the muscles to contract, open up the spine to circulate fluids throughout the body, and expand and properly circulate food and waste.

Functional Nutrition Lifestyle Change


References

ancientnutrition.com/blogs/all/soil-based-probiotics-vs-regular?utm_campaign=vitacost&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_source=article

Ernst, Edzard. “Chiropractic treatment for gastrointestinal problems: a systematic review of clinical trials.” Canadian journal of gastroenterology = Journal canadien de gastroenterology vol. 25,1 (2011): 39-40. doi:10.1155/2011/910469

Govender, Mershen et al. “A review of the advancements in probiotic delivery: Conventional vs. non-conventional formulations for intestinal flora supplementation.” AAPS PharmSciTech vol. 15,1 (2014): 29-43. doi:10.1208/s12249-013-0027-1

Leboeuf-Yde, Charlotte, et al. “Self-reported nonmusculoskeletal responses to chiropractic intervention: a multination survey.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 28,5 (2005): 294-302; discussion 365-6. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.04.010

ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=The%20seven%20core%20genera%20of,Enterococcus%2C%20Escherichia%2C%20and%20Bacillus.

Peterson, Caroline. “A case study of chiropractic management of pregnancy-related heartburn with postulated fetal epigenome implications.” Explore (New York, N.Y.) vol. 8,5 (2012): 304-8. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2012.06.001

Qu, Liuxin, et al. “Irritable bowel syndrome treated by traditional Chinese spinal orthopedic manipulation.” Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan vol. 32,4 (2012): 565-70. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(13)60072-2

Healthy Gifts: El Paso Back Clinic

Healthy Gifts: El Paso Back Clinic

Making and maintaining healthy lifestyle changes does not have to be as challenging when surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones who support those goals. Healthy gifts or the gift of wellness can be the real difference in improving one’s or another’s health this season. With the right health tools, individuals can make, see and feel the changes happening. Here is a list of a few of the best healthy holiday gifts to help your loved ones begin the New Year with a healthy perspective.Healthy Gifts: El Paso's Chiropractic Team

Healthy Gifts

Compact Treadmill and Walking Pad

Walking daily is an integral part of overall wellness. The body was designed to move, and walking about 8,000 steps daily has been shown to reduce all-cause mortality compared to sedentary lifestyles. Unfortunately, it’s estimated that many individuals only walk around 5,000 steps daily.

  • Walking pads and compact treadmills allow the ability to incorporate more physical activity.
  • In inclement weather, they allow individuals to walk and complete a workout.
  • Smaller walking pads can be installed under a standing desk for easy and effective movement during the workday.

Top Blender

Individuals that take supplements could benefit from a high-quality, all-purpose blender.

  • A quality blender easily whips healthy smoothies, protein shakes, and other healthy beverages.
  • Athletes can incorporate protein powder into their drinks.
  • Certain high-tech blenders double as water infusers to reach hydration goals.

Percussive Massagers and Foam Roller Sets

Muscle recovery and maintaining flexibility are essential for body health. Recovery-specific tools can help immensely.

  • A personal percussive massager uses vibration therapy to keep the muscles loose and release endorphins.
  • Percussive massage treatment relieves soreness, stretches out the muscles, and improves flexibility and muscle strength in older individuals with sarcopenia or age-related muscle mass loss.
  • Self-myofascial release tools like foam rollers can help roll out sore muscles while improving range of motion and muscle strength.

Athletic Earbuds

Research from workout enthusiasts and athletes has shown that having the right music or podcast makes or breaks the workout or sport.

  • The research found that music can have an ergogenic effect on performance by increasing exercise duration and performance.
  • Sweat-free earbuds are recommended as they are designed specifically for athletes, increasing their comfort and staying in place during their entire workout, no matter how intense.

Air Fryer

Deep-fried foods can be full of unhealthy saturated fats and trans fats and are associated with various health concerns, including cardiovascular issues and type 2 diabetes.

  • Air frying offers a healthier way to cook favorite foods, like fried chicken, French fries, fried vegetables, etc.
  • Air fryers rely on convection heat that circulates to crisp up the food.
  • This method is healthier than traditional frying methods.
  • A study found that air-frying French fries led to a reduced formation of potential food hazards versus deep-frying.
  • In addition, air frying can also be incorporated into baking or roasting.

Body Composition Scales

Body composition scales are recommended for achieving health and fitness goals.

  • These units can keep track of lean body mass, metabolism, and neuromuscular function.
  • They measure body fluid balance, muscle mass, and fat distribution.
  • They offer real metrics for current skeletal muscle mass.
  • Data points help individuals better understand their health.

Meditation Mats and Benches

Mental health is as vital as physical health.

  • Incorporating mindfulness and meditation exercises daily can improve mental and physical well-being and encourage long-term behavioral changes.
  • Regular meditation practice can help improve sleep quality, mood, and body repair and recovery from work, school, sports, workouts, etc.
  • Meditation mats and benches can make seated and kneeling meditation practices more comfortable.

Therapeutic Environment of Insight


References

Dong, Lu et al. “Effects of Air Frying on French Fries: The Indication Role of Physicochemical Properties on the Formation of Maillard Hazards, and the Changes of Starch Digestibility.” Frontiers in nutrition vol. 9 889901. 27 Apr. 2022, doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.889901

Pinho, Alexandre S et al. “Can We Rely on Mobile Devices and Other Gadgets to Assess the Postural Balance of Healthy Individuals? A Systematic Review.” Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 19,13 2972. 5 Jul. 2019, doi:10.3390/s19132972

Rusch, Heather L et al. “The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences vol. 1445,1 (2019): 5-16. doi:10.1111/nyas.13996

Thakare, Avinash E et al. “Effect of music tempo on exercise performance and heart rate among young adults.” International journal of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology vol. 9,2 35-39. 15 Apr. 2017

www.verywellfit.com/best-healthy-gifts-4178843

Wu, S., Ning, HT., Xiao, SM. Effects of vibration therapy on muscle mass, muscle strength and physical function in older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act 17, 14 (2020). doi.org/10.1186/s11556-020-00247-5

Holiday Chiropractic Stress Relief

Holiday Chiropractic Stress Relief

Getting ready for holiday celebrations takes a great deal of work. Visiting family and friends, traveling, spending hours shopping, wrapping gifts, setting up lights, trees, planning meals can make the body feel achy, tight, tired, and sore. Stress is multiplied by ten, adding to the muscle tension, which can cause illness and other health problems. Chiropractic treatment alleviates symptoms bringing stress relief to enjoy the holidays. This includes body adjustments, therapeutic massage, health coaching, nutrition guidance, strengthening exercises, stretch training, and everything to maintain full-body health, prevent illness and injury so individuals can feel and function at their best.

Holiday Chiropractic Stress Relief

Aches and Pains

Shopping at stores, malls can cause the body to experience adverse physical effects. Spending hours walking and standing can trigger neck, shoulder, back, leg, and foot pain. Spending hours hunched over a computer, laptop, tablet, or phone while online shopping can also cause neck, back, and shoulder pain. Soreness and pain can result from the spine and the rest of the body becoming misaligned.

Muscle tightening is a common sign of stress. When the mind and body become overwhelmed or anxious, the neck, shoulders, or upper back muscles can tense up. Muscle tension can limit the body’s range of motion and trigger headaches. Therapeutic massage, mobilization, soft tissue therapy, ultrasound, and other chiropractic treatments can generate stress relief. Massaging the body also triggers the release of endorphins that help the body calm down and relax. The adjustments and massage also increase/improve blood flow that supports healing and reduces anxiety when stress begins to build.

Stomach Issues

Following the usual diet during the holiday season is a challenge. Work parties, restaurant parties, and family meals offer an array of holiday foods and treats. The body is not used to eating a lot of rich, fatty, sugary, or fried foods, and can experience bloating, constipation, gas, and other uncomfortable symptoms. These issues can be traced to the nerves that control the organs. Chiropractic can balance the nerves to help avoid uncomfortable digestive problems and help the body handle the rich diet better.

Maintaining Health and Stress Relief

Aches and pains are not the only effects of stress, body misalignment, and tight joints and/or muscles. If these structures press against the nerves and/or organs, it can affect immune system function. Chiropractic ensures that the organs communicate correctly through the nerves, balance the body,  reduce inflammation, and improve lymph fluid drainage. The fluid removes toxins and wastes from the body, making fighting colds and other illnesses easier.


Body Composition


White Coat Syndrome

White Coat Syndrome is the term used for any changes in blood pressure that individuals experience in response to being in a medical office or clinic. Three distinct diagnoses are based on how an individual’s blood pressure responds to being in the presence of a healthcare professional:

White Coat hypertension

  • This is when an individual is not taking medication for blood pressure but presents with high blood pressure in a medical office and returns to normal once they leave the medical facility.

White Coat effect

  • This is when an individual is taking medication for high blood pressure and shows a high blood pressure reading in a medical office that indicates their medication is not working.

Masked Hypertension

  • This is when an individual has normal blood pressure in a medical office but high blood pressure elsewhere.
References

Ahmad, Asma Hayati, and Rahimah Zakaria. “Pain in Times of Stress.” The Malaysian journal of medical sciences: MJMS vol. 22,Spec Issue (2015): 52-61.

PBS NewsHour. (December 2018) “Poll: How stressed are Americans this holiday season?” www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/poll-how-stressed-are-americans-this-holiday-season

Pioli, Mariana R et al. “White coat syndrome and its variations: differences and clinical impact.” Integrated blood pressure control vol. 11 73-79. 8 Nov. 2018, doi:10.2147/IBPC.S152761

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). (2019) “Holiday Safety Information Center” www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/holiday-safety

Holiday Weight Gain, Back Pain, and Chiropractic Recommendations

Holiday Weight Gain, Back Pain, and Chiropractic Recommendations

Chiropractic recommendations to avoid holiday weight gain and back pain. All the food, gravy, pies, cookies, candy, chocolate, wine, eggnog, hot cocoa, and whipped cream are great, but moderation is key to keeping unwanted weight gain that can lead to back pain. Research has found that up to 70% of individuals typically gain weight during the holidays.  
11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Holiday Weight Gain, Back Pain, and Chiropractic Recommendations
 

Holiday weight gain

Also known as the seasonal seven or a month-long celebration with the diet starting in the new year. Any type of extra weight can contribute to back discomfort and pain. A body that is overweight can begin to overwork the spine, as it tries to adjust to bear the extra weight. This can contribute to injury and back pain. When the body is overweight, the potential for a back injury increases and can be more difficult to recover from, which can result in chronic back pain. Too much weight can exacerbate and/or lead to symptoms of:
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Compression fracture
  • Osteoporosis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
 

Losing the weight

However, most individuals struggle to lose the holiday weight. Research has found that around 10% of individuals are unable to lose the holiday weight until the following fall. Another 11% say that they never lose the weight gained. Year after year the holiday weight gain adds up.  
 
To stay healthy and protect the spine, here are some recommendation to fight the holiday weight gain:

Physical Activity

Physical activity is the best way to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Walking is a quick and perfect way to get in some quick exercise. With all the shopping, wrapping, and unwrapping, it can be challenging to find time to exercise. It does not have to be a full workout. Just a quick walk around the block is a perfect option. Don’t get frustrated up over not being able to exercise regularly. A 10-20 minute walk is better than no physical activity at all.  
11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Holiday Weight Gain, Back Pain, and Chiropractic Recommendations
 

Enjoy in moderation

Don’t try to avoid all the food during the holidays, instead develop an action plan. The objective is to eat and drink in moderation. An example could be before eating, eat a healthy snack so there is no temptation to fill up on sweets, pastries, etc. Also at the dinner, pass on the gravy and share the dessert.

Lose weight effectively

 
Keeping the holiday weight off can be done with a few adjustments keeping the spine and whole-body healthy. One way is to think about keeping the spine healthy as a gift to yourself. Contact our chiropractic and health coaching team for spinal adjustments, exercises, stretches, and diet.

Weight Loss Chiropractic Treatment

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Diaz-Zavala RG, Castro-Cantu MF, Valencia ME, et al. Effect of the holiday season on weight gain: A narrative review.�Obesity. 2017; article ID 2085136. www.hindawi.com/journals/jobe/2017/2085136/ Accessed November 28, 2017.
Gifts For Back and Neck Pain El Paso, Texas

Gifts For Back and Neck Pain El Paso, Texas

Back pain during the holidays takes the joy out of everything.�All the�activities, events, and shopping can worsen spinal injuries or cause new ones.And trying to power through the pain makes family traditions like tree-trimming, cooking, baking into a very cautionary experience.�When selecting a gift for friends or loved ones with back or neck pain they would appreciate something designed to help them feel better.

Although the massage devices and foam roller sets don�t work miracles they can ease the stress and discomfort that comes with living with pain.

There is a wealth of products that:

  • Support the back
  • Relieve muscle tension
  • Improve sleep quality

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Gifts For Back and Neck Pain El Paso, Texas

 

Affordable Back/Neck Gifts

  • Epsom salts –�A warm Epsom bath reduces muscle soreness, eases stress and soothes the skin. The salts’ magnesium helps the body reduce inflammation along with improving muscle and nerve function. The sulfates help the body absorb nutrients and flush body toxins.

Along with the health benefits, a bath is a nice way to relax after a long day. Gift sets contain a bag of salts, bath bombs, bubble bath, and other goodies.

  • Back massage pads – A good massage can relieve aches and pains. Massage pads knead the muscles while you�re watching TV, riding in a car, or resting.

Massagers have various settings that focus on various areas of the back and thighs with vibration and heat. Each massager is different and they have all kinds of modes. You might have to do a little research but the great thing is that they fit in a car/truck seat, office chair, or reclining chair.

  • Lumbar (Low Back) cushions – These pillows make sitting in a car,� truck or office chair, a whole lot more comfortable with low back support.

Travel cushions are made to take with you on road trips, work commutes, and are heavy-duty to help prevent slouching and ease low back pain caused by long sitting times.

  • Foam Rollers – Rollers are great for working out muscle soreness and stiffness. There are a variety of styles that combine foam roller benefits with massage ball portability, as well as, kits that have specialized rollers in different sizes, and shapes for different parts of the body.

Roll out the hips, upper back, calves, feet, and other parts at the house or on the road.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Gifts For Back and Neck Pain El Paso, Texas

Indulgent Gifts

  • Massage as a gift – Massages help ease muscle tension, relieve aches and pains, and promote relaxation.

Gift a massage from a local chiropractor or physical therapist.

Look for licensed therapists that are specially trained in treating people with spine or neck pain.

  • Ergonomic chair – These chairs are made to support proper posture and reduce stress from long periods of sitting.

Consider a quality office chair. A good chair will have multiple adjustments so you can adjust the armrests, headrest, seat height, and depth. Ergonomic chairs provide more support than a standard office chair.

  • An infrared heat lamp – Heat is a solution that increases blood circulation and reduces muscle stiffness.

Heat lamps offer deep penetration that can be used at home for the larger areas of the body like the chest and back. A study found a group of patients that reported their pain levels decreased after six weeks of use.

  • Yoga classes – for the fitness people in your life gift a yoga class package.

The American College of Physicians Clinical guidelines recommends yoga as a first step in treating low back pain. As with any exercise program, they need to talk to their doctor before beginning yoga. Yoga Alliance and The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) are good places to find top qualified instructors.

The gift of relaxation, back support, and especially stress relief of family and friends will give you that fuzzy feeling all over, knowing that you’re helping someone out in a very real way!

We personally welcome all present and future patients to�Functional Medicine�and its modern�Functional Medicine Living Matrix�treatment approaches.


 

Chiropractic Care Massage Therapy El Paso, TX

 


 

NCBI Resources

Individuals who sit most of the day, like those working in a computer while sitting in an office chair, are also at high risk for non-accidental spine injury. Office ergonomics, or computer ergonomics, can help minimize the risk such as the dangers associated with prolonged sitting in an office chair, and carpal tunnel syndromes, such as lower back pain, neck strain, and leg pain.

 

Reduce Stress and Back Pain during the Holidays El Paso, TX.

Reduce Stress and Back Pain during the Holidays El Paso, TX.

Here are some tips that you can use throughout the year but are especially useful during the holidays. So give yourself the gift of spending happy holidays with less stress, neck and back pain. Christmas is a time of excitement, growth, family, friends mixed with stress.

Now there is good stress that we all use when we need it, but when everything just starts to close in all around you, that’s the bad kind of stress that we want to prevent and avoid. For people with chronic back or neck pain, the strain of getting your to-do list done can take the joy of the season right out and replace it with pain and misery. �Therefore plan ahead so you can get your holiday chores done without pain.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Reduce Stress and Back Pain during the Holidays El Paso, TX.

Five tips for making the holidays more enjoyable and comfortable

 

Tip 1 – Shop Simple

Back and leg pain, along with sciatica, can make walking at a shopping mall almost impossible. Instead of doing a lot of walking maybe pick up gift cards or go online. This way the family and friends get to pick whatever they want and you avoid lifting and carrying shopping bags. But, if you do buy personalized gifts, go online. Everything gets shipped straight to wherever you want.

 

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Reduce Stress and Back Pain during the Holidays El Paso, TX.

Tip 2 – Plan Before Cooking

If you’re expecting a large crowd, prepare all you can ahead of time. Example: pies can be baked the day before.

Before you start cooking, look at the kitchen. Is there room for everyone to fit while helping, conversing, etc? If not, set up the space so people can flow easily around each other and get things done.

Use your counter-top to lean on every now and then for a few minutes and take the pressure off your back. Do not stay in any one position for an extended period. To help you not forget, set a timer to remind you to sit, rest, or stand. Also, let your guests help with serving and clean up so any stress on the body is reduced.

Tip 3 – Make Decorating a Group Activity

Don�t decorate by yourself. Especially when moving heavy objects. Get help so everyone is involved. This will prevent repetitive injuries when reaching or twisting and reduce stress to you and your family’s backs.

 

Tip 4: Make Time for Yourself

During the holidays we can get tempted to forget about our regular eating and exercise routines.

Stay focused, as you need strength and flexibility to be able to accomplish these tasks. So stretch out and continue your exercise regimen no matter how hectic it gets.

Stretching will help keep you limber and reduce the risk of a sprain or strain.

If there is no time for your regular exercise routine, don�t just drop it. Adapt and break up the exercises into little segments throughout the day.

Continue to eat the regular healthy meals you’re used to. Gaining weight will make back pain worse. Staying on track isn�t easy during the holidays. Take a look online for healthy strategies before the holiday parties begin.

Here are some examples:

  • Eat breakfast to prevent overeating later in the day.
  • At the party, fill up with low-calorie foods like vegetables, leafy green salads, and lean proteins.
  • Try to stay out of easy reach of nuts, chips or candies, cookies, etc.
  • If you’re going to have some high-calorie food have some, but don’t overdo it.
  • And if you�re going to indulge try something that doesn’t come around all the time, like a piece of your aunt�s pie, cookies, cake, ham, tamales, that you only get once a year.

Tip 5 – Look to the Future

Look ahead to the future and look up some simple ways to improve your back or neck pain. Setting some goals like adding a 5-minute walk break to your day that you could gradually increase to ten, fifteen minutes and so on. Signing up for a yoga/fitness class could be another idea. This could also be the year to replace your mattress. Whatever the case, take it all in, look at the options and figure out what works for you.


 

How to eliminate Back Pain naturally | (2020) Foot Levelers |El Paso, Tx

 


 

NCBI Resources

There are 3 major categories of stress: bodily, environmental and emotional.

  • Bodily stress: Caused by lack of sleep, disease, trauma or injury, and improper nutrition.
  • Environmental stress:�Caused by loud noises (sudden or sustained), pollution and world events, such as war and politics.
  • Emotional stress:�Caused by a variety of life events, such as moving homes, starting a new job and regular personal interactions. In contrast to the other two categories of stress, however, people can have some control over their emotional stress. Such can depend on the individual�s own attitude.

 

Tis The Season For These Botanical Herbs

Tis The Season For These Botanical Herbs

Do you feel:

  • Unpredictable abdominal swelling?
  • Hormone imbalance?
  • Occasional stress?
  • Inflammation in the gut?
  • Weight gain?

If you are experiencing any of these situations, then why not try these botanical herbs in your food dish.

The holiday season brings out the joy out of people with holiday traditions and its unique, universal foods, drinks, seasonal herbs, and spices to the table. The colder seasons are where everyone in the U.S. indulges in hearty soups, pumpkin spice products, root vegetables, and turkey leftovers. Many holiday menu items will incorporate sweet and savory herbs and spices in their food dishes. What people do not realize is that even though these herbs and spices enhance the flavors of the food, they also provide a plethora of health benefits for the body. So using these herbs and spices in the kitchen can help increase the person’s chances to receive their beneficial properties, hence “the more, the merrier.”

Lavender-Herb-Wreath-2-lg_large

Throughout the centuries, medicinal plants have been traditionally used by a variety of cultures. Some of nature’s most potent herbs are most used in culinary dishes, while also providing the beneficial properties to the human body; they are rosemary, sage, and clove.

Rosemary

Being commonly used as a condiment and a food preservative, rosemary is a native herb in the Mediterranean region. A review did an animal study of in vivo and in vitro that showed that rosemary had demonstrated similar beneficial effects to any medications that are for a variety of physiological disorders. Some of the physiological disorders include:

  • Lead hepato-nephrotoxicity
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Bodyweight and dyslipidemia
  • Pain
  • Cerebral ischemia

Another review was looking at how rosemary has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and that its abundance in isoprenoid quinones. The review stated that rosemary could �act as chain terminators for free radicals and as chelators for ROS (reactive oxygen species.)” The antioxidative properties in rosemary have about the majority of phenolic diterpenes; like carnosic acid and carnosol, that are responsible for about 90% of this herb. Since it inhibits lipid peroxidation, scavenge radicals, and helps reduce cytochrome c by activating the redox-dependent signaling pathways in the body.

With carnosic acid, it has been shown to provide superior antimicrobial actions to other significant constituents that are found in rosemary. Furthermore, there have been studies shown that rosemary has antibacterial effectiveness against resistant bacteria in the body.

Sage

Sage is another herb that is native to the Mediterranean and Middle East regions and has been used in traditional folk medicine to treat a variety of disorders in the body. There is recent research that has suggested that sage can possess a wide range of beneficial properties for the body due to the presence of carnosic acid and carnosol in this herb. Another study showed that sage contains high contents of glycosidic flavones that provide functional inhibitory capacity against xanthine oxidase activity in the body. Some of the beneficial properties include:

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antinociceptive
  • Antibacterial
  • Hypoglycemic
  • Antioxidative

There is further research that demonstrates how sage has powerful cognitive enhancing and neuroprotective properties. Studies show that patients with Alzheimer�s disease took a 4-month supplementation of sage, and the results are remarkable. Alzheimer patients experienced significant improvements in their cognitive function and mood enhancements. In another study, sage extract can help reduce the severity of physical and psychological systems that are experienced in premenstrual syndrome in the body. A recent article showed how freshly harvested sage leaves can become a potent modulator for neuroreceptor pathways that involves serotonin transporters that may help normalize thermoregulation and mental impairment for menopausal women.

Surprisingly though, both rosemary and sage have been proven and shown that they can help improve gabaergic pathways in the brain and can help decrease the neuronal activities that are associated with anxiety disorders. Studies show that rosemary and sage extracts have hepatoprotective and antioxidative roles that can increase catalase and glutathione levels and decrease lipid peroxidation in the body.

Cloves

Clove buds were initially found in east Indonesia, and it plays a role as the herb has a potent antimicrobial and antioxidative botanical. Research shows that clove oil possesses a bactericidal effect against pathogenic species that can harm the body. Earlier this year, a research study found out that clove oil extract can enhance anti-inflammatory activity by reducing myeloperoxidase activity in human neutrophils significantly. This herb can help reduce ROS and a variety of other inflammatory mediators that can promote significant damage to the body at the site of inflammation.

Conclusion

So for the holidays, adding these three powerful herbs to the next holiday feast are not just there to help enhance the flavors of the dishes, but they are beneficial to the body. Since they provide anti-inflammatory properties to the body by decreasing the inflammatory responses. So for the colder seasons, add that extra dash of herbs into the dish recipe will make anyone’s day merry. Some products are specialized in countering the metabolic effects of temporary stress and can support the body.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.


References:

Chniguir, Amina, et al. �Syzygium Aromaticum Aqueous Extract Inhibits Human Neutrophils Myeloperoxidase and Protects Mice from LPS-Induced Lung Inflammation.� Pharmaceutical Biology, Taylor & Francis, Dec. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6366422/#!po=2.63158.

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