What do I do?

What do you do?

When people ask me what I do, I'm never sure how to answer.
I'm a chiropractor, but that doesn't say much about what I do.

No, most people don't know much about chiropractic.

I help people with back and neck pain have less pain in a very short time. I also help them reduce reliance on drugs and surgery, keeping the large majority of them from needing either. The side effects of my treatments are reported by patients to be: sleeping better, fewer headaches, less intense PMS, more energy, and others. Once they are feeling better with less pain and better sleep, I offer them options to improve their wellness naturally with lifestyle changes. These can range from exercise advice to sleeping advice;  from diet advice to supplement advice. Some people have issues with fatigue and need lab work performed to determine what the underlying cause of their fatigue is. After taking a good history, and examining them physically, we order lab work. The results of all of these help determine what the best plan is to balance their body. Each patient is different. Some want to treat their issues with food and exercise. Some prefer to take supplements. Some need the boost from herbs to "nudge" their body toward a more balanced function. And this procedure works for fatigue, migraines, diabetes, weight gain, malaise, arthritis, heart disease, auto-immune disease, etc.

Not all chiropractors do all of these procedures. And some do other procedures such as acupuncture. In general, chiropractors provide care for the structure of the body, providing manipulations to keep the joints working better, which in turn, keeps the brain working better in conjunction with each body part.

The lifestyle changes fall under the "Functional Medicine" category and are separate from chiropractic. This search for the underlying cause enables us to treat the whole person.

The good bedside manner, treating people as whole people with careful listening and providing the care they desire, fall under the category of "Caring Doctor."

Top Ten Foods To Bust Belly Fat

Belly fat accumulates around the mid-section and is a big concern for many. Studies have shown that it increases your risk for heart problems. So, how does one get rid of this unsightly problem? The ideal way is to choose your foods carefully and get some regular exercise (like walking daily).

Certain foods will help get you on your way to losing those extra inches.

Photo courtesy of Apolonia by www.freedigitalphotos.net

1. Almonds are full of protein and nutrients, and unsaturated fat which is healthier for you. The unsaturated fat will make you feel fuller and you will eat less.

2. Watermelons are a great food because they are mostly water and that fills you up. But, don’t think they are just sugar, actually they are chock full of B1, B6, C and magnesium and potassium. And very low sugar, they just taste like they have a lot of sugar.

3. Celery is a natural cleanser for the inside of the body, adding it to salads or eating it with almond butter is a great option. Celery is high in vitamin C, fiber and calcium and digesting it takes more calories than the celery itself supplies.

4. Cucumbers are another food that is high in water content. They are also cleansing to the inside of the body and provide vitamins B and C.

5. Tomatoes are very low calorie and high in nutrients. They help reduce fat in the blood and provide lycopene which reduces wrinkles, fights cancer and reduces cholesterol. You may want to avoid these if you have rheumatoid arthritis, but if you don’t, you will want to eat some raw and some cooked, every day. They also provide iron, potassium and vitamins A and C.

6. Avocadoes are high in fat, but it is the monounsaturated form mostly which is good for you. Only 2 g of saturated fat. They are rich in fiber, Vitamins C and A, and potassium. They also have a little protein and Vitamin E, so overall a well rounded food. (Also on EWGs clean list)

7. Apples are great fruit, full of the best fiber, flavinoids, phytosterols, and beta-carotene. The old saying “an apple a day . . . ” really is true. Apples clean the inside of the body and provide antioxidants and fiber.

8. Tart cherries reduce cholesterol, lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Cherries, particularly tart cherries, remove fat from the blood, and are a great source of vitamins C and A and fiber.

9. Pineapple is a delicious tropical fruit that provides bromelain, vitamins B and C, protein, manganese, copper, and thiamine and fiber.  Bromelain helps process protein so it helps keep the fat off the belly, but it is very high in sugar, so use in moderation.

10. Last, but not least, dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is delicious, with the added bonus of being rich in antioxidants and vitamins. But this one, like pineapple, must be eaten in moderation due to the high fat and sugar content. And you want to find an organic, high cacao (or cocoa) content chocolate to get the best benefit in exchange for all those calories.  About 1 – 1.5 oz of dark chocolate is believed to stimulate hormones that increase metabolism, so you must be doing some exercise and eating chocolate in moderation to reap this benefit.

References:
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/89/3/794.full

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/bromelain

http://www.top10homeremedies.com/superfoods/top-10-superfoods-reduce-belly-fat.html

What’s Really In Your Herbal Remedy?

Herbal supplements (botanicals; plant-based medicine) have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Today they are recognized for having drug-like effects such as improving mood. Products that can have medicinal effects also carry risk, especially if taken with other medicines or supplements. However, most over-the-counter herbal supplements are not subjected to the same scientific scrutiny and aren’t as strictly regulated as medications.

As noted in our article about dietary supplements, makers of herbal supplements are not required to submit their products for FDA approval before going to market. Their only requirement is to demonstrate their products meet quality manufacturing standards. Studies have shown this is not enough: Many over-the-counter herbals are contaminated or substituted with alternative plant species and fillers that are not listed on the label. According to the World Health Organization, this adulteration of herbal products is a threat to consumer safety.

Before buying herbal supplements, do your homework and investigate potential benefits and side effects. Follow our tips below to help identify quality herbal supplements. Before taking an herbal supplement, talk your health practitioner–especially if you take other medications, have chronic health problems, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Quality Factors: Look for products that indicate standardized extracts; no fillers, preservatives/additives; naturally harvested; fair-trade/sustainable manufacturing practices.

Quality Control: Quality control (QC) refers to processes for maintaining the purity of a product. Without QC, there is no assurance that the herb contained in the bottle is the same as what is stated on the outside. One of the key solutions to the QC problem that exists in the United States is for manufacturers and suppliers to adhere to standardized manufacturing practices.

Products should indicate they are third-party tested. Look for a USP (U.S. Pharmacopeia) seal of approval. Check products (and product recalls) on these websites: Council for Responsible Nutrition, ConsumerLabs, and the National Institutes of Health Dietary Supplement QA Program. Check the product website for more information.
Your best source of educational support is your health care practitioner.

• References:
• Cleveland Clinic. “Herbal Supplements: Helpful or Harmful?” Reviewed December 2013.
• Mayo Clinic. “Herbal Supplements: What to Know Before You Buy.”
• Newmaster, S., et al. “DNA Barcoding Detects Contamination and Substitution in North American Herbal Products.” BMC Medicine 11 (2013): 222.
• Pizzorno, J.E. Textbook of Natural Medicine. Fourth edition. St Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Publishing: 2014.
• U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention. “USP & Dietary Supplement Manufacturers.”