Unfortunately, this was not an extraordinary experience; it happens to most of us every shopping day. The claims made for the foods we eat on their labels are not always truthful. Truth be told, some of them are outright lies. The fault lies in the reluctance of agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to come up with food labeling standards that are actually meaningful, and thus useful. Manufacturers are free to use phrases like “Lightly Sweetened” for foods that contain up to 100 grams of added sugar, because that particular phrase is not regulated by the FDA. They are also free to use phrases like “Made With Real Fruit” under photos of real fruit, when none of those fruits are used in the actual product, only tiny amounts of some other fruit juice.

So how do we, as consumers, protect ourselves from labeling that isn’t telling the whole truth? Some of the following hints may help to raise your awareness of claims to be wary of.

• “Natural” – The FDA has no formal definition of this term, and so basically any manufacturer or food provider can put it on their labels.

• “Low-Calorie” – The first thing you should do when you see this claim on a food’s packaging is to read the actual nutrition label, to find out what the calorie count per serving really is. For example, a bottle of flavored “vitamin water” lists its calorie count as 50 calories per serving, but fails to tell you that the bottle contains 2.5 “servings,” so the calorie count per bottle is much higher.

• “Serving Size” – This is a key item to look for when analyzing nutrition claims. If you read the fine print on a package of Doritos, you discover that the manufacturer’s idea of a “serving size” is 11 chips. When was the last time you limited yourself to 11 tortilla chips while watching a football game?

• “Made With Whole Grains” and “A Good Source Of Fiber” – Neither of these terms are regulated by the FDA, and thus are basically meaningless. The product may contain only trace amounts of whole grains, with the balance provided by highly refined corn flour. And the “fiber” may be provided by fiber additives that do not have the nutritive value of the fiber found in real grains and vegetables.

• “No Trans Fats” – Most of us who are trying to eat more healthy foods are aware that trans fats are bad. What we are not as aware of is that the same people who put this buzzphrase on their labels have merely replaced the trans fats with partially hydrogenated oils, which are similarly bad. Also any product with less than 0.5 grams of trans-fat is legally able to say it contains no trans-fat.

On the plus side, there are terms that are regulated and meaningful, such as “Certified Organic.” In the U.S., this means that the farm or ranch must have been herbicide-free and pesticide-free for three years. The bottom line is that the buyer must beware. The only way to be sure is to educate yourself on how to read the nutrition label on the back of the package, and learn to decipher their often equally-confusing information.

One basic distinction you may find is whether the individual chiropractor or chiropractic office is more “straight,” meaning adhering to the basic description and philosophy of Chiropractic developed by its founder D.D. Palmer in  the 1890s. Such an approach tends to focus on spinal adjustments as the primary mode of treatment. Far more common these days is a more “mixed” approach, meaning that the practitioners are open to advances in conventional medical techniques. The latter practitioners are more open to working hand-in-hand with medical doctors or practitioners of other healing techniques, and may expand their practice to include treatments relative to sports injuries, childhood related issues (bed-wetting, colic, ear infections), fitness and exercise, proper diet, preventative maintenance, and other therapies that promote holistic health.

Another distinction is that many Doctors of Chiropractic have gone on to advanced studies, and have taken courses to become certified in chiropractic specialties. Doctors who have received post-doctoral certification as a CCSP (Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner), for example, specialize in the treatment of misalignment/dysfunction in the arms, legs, shoulders, feet, ankles, or the soft tissue surrounding these extremities.   They also focus on sports-related injuries, recovery and on natural performance enhancement therapies for athletes.  A Pediatric Certified Chiropractor (CACCP) may focus more on the health challenges of the pregnant women, infants, children and teenagers in their community.   There are other post-graduate certifications based on rehabilitation, nutrition, trauma, neurology, orthopedics and radiology that other Chiropractors may have received.

In addition, although many of the basic techniques of spinal manipulation are the same, there are many specialized treatment methodologies that individual chiropractors may offer. For example, the Logan Basic technique has many modern off-shoots and interpretations, such as Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP), Pettibon protocols, and the Webster technique.   Many utilized the principles of Diversified, Gonstead and Thompson (drop table) techniques.  All of these specialized approaches may be of benefit when dealing with specific disorders, and not every chiropractor is trained in all of them. Many doctors become proficient in one or one set of these treatment methodologies, while others have a larger group of techniques to draw from depending on the specific needs of the patient.

In general it is best, when looking for a chiropractor to help you either regain your health after an injury or maintain a high level of good health, to research the individual chiropractor or their clinics by reading their websites or asking for referrals from other health practitioners you trust. Every chiropractor can help you and your family to achieve a more balanced state of natural health you seek, and some may have specialized training or approaches that can help you and your family members to achieve and maintain it more efficiently.

Resources:

• http://www.chiropractic.org
• http://www.palmer.edu
• http://www.chiro.org
• http://www.yourhealthmatters.com.au/chiropractic.html

As we age, we all develop some degree of spinal degeneration – it is unavoidable. However, some people have more or fewer symptoms, depending on individual variation, genetics, overall health status and concurrent health issues. As the population ages, spinal degeneration and its complications will become a bigger and bigger problem, causing greater disability. The need for expert care for the spine as we get older will only grow.

Each stage of spinal degeneration has certain characteristics most patients can see and understand. These stages are explained below.

Spinal Degeneration – Stage I

Spinal degeneration begins with changes that occur inside the intervertebral disc. These changes include a loss of disc volume due to fluid loss. If there are concurrent diseases involved in the degeneration, it may progress faster than when only age-related. Either way, degeneration at this stage may or may not cause symptoms, but can lead to pain, spinal stenosis and joint problems. Physical changes include a loss of disc height, mild approximation of spinal joins and spinal segment dysfunction.

Stage II

Stage II involves the loss of normal curvature of the spine, as revealed through bone scans. The space between discs narrows moderately to severely, and discs may bulge from between the bones. Joint surfaces become rougher and bone spurs may appear at the spinal joints. There may be notable dysfunction of spinal segments, resulting in instability.

Stage III

Stage III can involve significant losses of normal spinal curvature. The discs degenerate profoundly and the space between discs narrows even further. The discs herniate and bone spurs are common. This stage may be associated with spinal stenosis, or a narrowing of the spinal column, which can create pressure on the spinal cord. Segment dysfunction progresses and may lead to degenerative fusion, also known as ankylosis, in which spinal vertebrae cement together.

Chiropractors are experts in evaluation and care of the spine. They are qualified to provide appropriate preventive care and treatment to help restore and maintain normal spinal alignment and functioning. While some degree of spinal degeneration cannot be avoided as we age, regular and proper chiropractic care can slow the progress of the process, prevent new problems from appearing and provide symptom relief.

Cervical pillows are usually made with memory foam, which is excellent at compressing and decompressing around your neck and head. Memory foam provides superior ergonomic support and an excellent night’s sleep.

You’ll want to choose the right cervical pillow for you, based on how you sleep and on your personal preferences. Several options are available:

• Cradle Pillows: This type of pillow distributes the weight of your head evenly with the goal of reducing pressure on your neck and spine. It is also good for maintaining proper breathing alignment and preventing snoring.
• Neck Pillows: Neck pillows are designed to provide support to the natural curve of your neck, and are best for those who sleep on their side or on their back. These pillows come in a variety of sizes to provide comfort to a wide range of body types.
• Side Pillows: These pillows have a curved edge that is higher on the side and lower in the middle. This design provides proper neck alignment. Side pillows cradle the upper vertebrae because of the front edge, which is tilted forward. This frontal curve also offers space for your shoulders and provides extra comfort to this area.
• Cervical Rolls: Cervical rolls can be used in several places on the body: under the neck, under the head (offering superior back alignment), under the knees (good for lower back problems) and behind the back to support the lumbar region.
• Comfort Pillows: These pillows are more like traditional pillows in their shape and feel, for those who prefer that kind of support. However they provide better ergonomic support than a traditional pillow.

To choose the best pillow, think about how you sleep most often. If you are a side sleeper, you’ll benefit most from side pillows, cervical rolls, and neck pillows. For back sleepers, try cradle pillows, neck pillows and comfort pillows. Whatever pillow you choose, avoid buying a pillow that is too small or too large as that may reduce the pillow’s ability to provide the support you need.  Creech Chiropractic supplies both “Columns” and “Therapeutica” pillows.  For more information about these products and to receive a complementary fitting, contact Fran at 919-367-2828.

The benefits of probiotics were first discovered by Dr. Eli Metchnikoff, who studied the lifestyle of Russian peasants found to be living unusually long life spans. He noticed that their diet consisted of large amounts of fermented milk, which carry high levels of probiotics, and linked their longevity to this diet.

The two most common types of probiotics are bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which can be taken either in food or as a supplement to help balance our gut microflora after an illness or course of medications such as antibiotics. The excessive use of antibiotics can lead to a proliferation of problems, as they not only wipe out the bad bacteria, but take out the good as well. This allows for opportunistic organisms to gain a foothold, such as candida, a naturally occurring yeast that lives harmlessly in the digestive tract. If it is able to grow unchecked by good bacteria, it may transform into fungal form and cause all manner of health issues, such as tiredness, fuzzy thinking, leaky gut, etc. Probiotics ensure that harmful microbes are kept in check in your digestive system.

The body normally carries over 400 different strains of these microorganisms in its digestive tract, amounting to 10 trillion in total. This is 10 times more than all the cells in your body. Though the greatest concentrations of probiotics live in the colon, they reside in many other parts of the body as well, helping to support the immune system.

Up to 80% of our immune response is dependent on probiotics, which stimulate the production of macrophages, T-cells and cytokines. They also produce natural antibiotics that are able to fight many pathogens that have developed a resistance to standard antibiotics. And if a pathogen develops resistance to one of the antibiotic chemicals produced by the probiotic, it has the ability to adapt that chemical to one that is more effective in fighting the pathogen, which standard antibiotics are unable to do.

Studies have found probiotics to be antagonistic to many types of cancer, stimulating the production of cancer-fighting chemicals in the body, leading to the shrinkage of tumors and encouraging cancer cell death.

Probiotics also help fight against viruses, including colds, flus, herpes, rotavirus and ulcers. In a study done on 2- to 5-year-old children in India who were given either probiotics or placebo for 6 months, those taking the probiotics had fewer cases of cold, flu, fever and diarrhea than those taking placebo.

Probiotics can naturally be found in different fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchee, kefir, miso, kombucha and sauerkraut. Look for labeling that states “live active cultures” on the package to ensure you are getting useful probiotics in your food.  Creech Chiropractic carries a line of whole food supplements that offer you a natural means of increasing your probiotics levels.  For more information on these products visit www.creechchiropractic.com/nutrition.

The autonomic nervous system is continuously active and is responsible for unconscious regulation of our glands and organs. The sympathetic nervous system takes charge of “fight or flight” activities, such as pupil dilation, increased heart rate, increased sweating, and increased blood pressure. These activities are complementary to those of the parasympathetic nervous system, which activates processes associated with the “rest and recover” response, such as such as salivation, tears, sexual arousal, urination, digestion and defecation.

The natural opposition of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems provides both quick responses when needed, and slower responses for less urgent needs. These systems act something like an accelerator and a brake for our body, and help maintain balance, or “homeostasis”. The sympathetic system is like the accelerator, and its responses are carried out all at once, rather than as needed with the parasympathetic nervous system. It is usually activated in response to stress, or anything your body perceives as threatening. In order to maintain the fight or flight response, your body must shut down much of the “rest and repair” activities needed to heal injury. This is where chiropractic care can be helpful.

Chiropractic adjustments have been known to affect the autonomic nervous system by helping to down-regulate the sympathetic nervous system and promote parasympathetic activity. For example, pain receptors are part of the sympathetic nervous system. A chiropractic adjustment may be able reduce the firing of the pain receptor by decreasing input to the spinal cord, thus reducing the sensation of pain.

In general, you want your body to be in a state of rest in order to heal, repair tissues, and grow new tissues. This resting state is also supportive of the immune system, which is highly sensitive to stress and stress hormones. We are more susceptible to illness when we are stressed, because stress hormones are released as part of the fight or flight response. Those hormones are helpful when we need them to deal with a real crisis, but when they are chronically activated due to personal or physical stress, they lower our defenses against illness and disease.

Your chiropractor will conduct a thorough examination and medical history to determine if there is an imbalance between your sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. This imbalance could be contributing to your health problems and m

ay be restored to balance through chiropractic adjustments and manipulations, as well as additional stress-relief techniques.

If you have a specific health problem, particularly a problem with your back or spine, you should check with your physician or health care provider about the kind of mattress that might be best for you. That will help narrow your choices. Dr. Creech recommends ChiroSlumber Sleep System.  There product is CertiPUR-US which means it certified skin-friendly, hypoallergenic and non-toxic flexible polyurethane foam.

Many people assume waterbeds are better than other kinds of mattresses because of the lack of pressure points and the fact that a waterbed conforms to the shape of your body. It is also nice to be able to adjust the temperature of the bed based on the season. However, waterbeds are expensive, require heaters, they may leak, and they are not good at isolating movement. If you are sensitive to motion in bed, a waterbed is probably not the right choice for you. Some rented homes and apartments place restrictions on the use of waterbeds as well.

In terms of typical mattresses, the most important thing to consider is proper sleeping posture. When you are lying on your side, your waist should be supported by the mattress and your shoulders and hips should sink in. That way your spine is in the same position while lying down as it is when standing up. No matter what the mattress is made of, if it is too firm or too soft you may not achieve proper spinal alignment. One special note for heavier people is that a firmer mattress often provides better support.

As you are exploring your options, remember that mattresses are often significantly marked up and then discounted during sales. Ask the salesperson about a comfort guarantee, and get the details in writing. Chiro Slumber offers a Zero-Risk, 120-Day In-Home Trial Period with Free Returns. That way if you end up unhappy with the mattress, you can return it or exchange it for a better one.

Resources:

• http:// www.chiroslumber.com
• http://www.consumersearch.com/mattress-reviews/how-to-buy-a-mattress
• http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/guide/mattress-construction.html

How to Calculate Your BMI

Your BMI is simply determined by the ratio of your weight and height. More specifically, BMI is calculated using the following formula:

BMI = weight / (height)²

This formula uses the metric system, with weight in kilograms and height in meters. To calculate your BMI based on height in inches and weight in pounds, multiply the result by 703.

BMI = 703 x weight (lbs.) / (height [in.])²

Interpreting Your BMI

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) considers BMI scores for average individuals to be ranked as follows:

Condition            BMI

Underweight     Below 18.5

Normal               18.5-24.9

Overweight        25.0-29.9

Obesity               30.0 and above

It is important to note, however, that BMI scores may fail to properly estimate the level of body fat in certain individuals. Athletes and others with muscular builds, for example, may fall into the overweight category despite having near perfect physiques, while the elderly and those who have lost muscle mass may fall into the underweight category despite having excess body fat.

The other important thing to note is that BMI assessments vary by sex and age. BMI scores for boys are slightly lower than for girls (aged 7-16), and scores for women are slightly lower than for men (aged 18 and up).

Despite these caveats, for most people, the BMI is a simple and useful tool for determining disease risk due to excess fat.

Risk Factors Associated with High BMI

There are a number of risk factors linked to high BMI scores that put individuals at significant risk for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, gall bladder disease and some types of cancer. These include:

• High LDL cholesterol (considered “bad” cholesterol)
• Low HDL cholesterol (considered “good” cholesterol)
• High blood sugar
• High triglycerides
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking

How much BMI do I need to loss to see improvements?

It may seem that a significant amount of exercise is needed to lose weight but even a small drop of 5 to 10 percent body weight can help lower the risk for obesity related diseases. As with all exercise programs, care must be taken when starting up. Check with your doctor before you begin and discuss the fitness program you intend to start.

Depending how many additional risk factors you have, your doctor may advise a weight control program rather than a weight loss program. For dangerously high BMI scores, your doctor may advise more drastic measures, which may include surgery. However, for most individuals, a sensible fitness program and healthy diet that is incorporated into daily life and maintained in the long term can significant lower BMI scores and thus lower the chances for excess fat related disease.

Sources of indoor air pollution

Indoor air pollution can come from sources such as gas, oil, coal, kerosene, and wood burning products. Certain building materials can increase pollutant levels, such as asbestos, damp carpets, certain pressed wood products. Household cleaning, renovation and hobby products can be sources of indoor air pollution, as can central heating and cooling systems. Finally, outdoor sources such as pesticides, radon, and outdoor air pollution can contribute to indoor air pollution in your home.

Whether or not any of these things results in poor or dangerous indoor air quality depends on many factors. These factors include the age of the source, the quantity of pollutant it releases, how hazardous the pollutants are, and how well maintained the source is. For example, a gas stove emits carbon monoxide, but a properly adjusted stove emits far less than an improperly adjusted stove.

Effects on health

Poor indoor air quality can result in a variety of symptoms, including nose and eye irritation, sore throat, dizziness, headache, and fatigue. These symptoms are treatable and, if the exposure to the pollutants is stopped, usually go away quickly. More serious illnesses, such as asthma pneumonitis, and humidifier fever are also possible consequences of poor indoor air quality.

Your age and your general health status affect your sensitivity to indoor air pollutants, as does your genetic makeup, which varies from person to person. Sometimes the symptoms resemble those of a viral or bacterial infection, so it can be hard to know if the problem is due to indoor air pollution. It is important to note the time and place the symptoms started, and if they change depending on location. If the symptoms fade when away from home, for example, indoor air quality problems are a likely source of the problem.

Some health effects take years of exposure to develop. They include cancer, heart disease, and respiratory diseases. Because these illnesses are so serious, it is a good idea to try to ensure good indoor air quality in your home at all times, even if no one living in your house has any symptoms. This can be accomplished by eliminating sources of pollution or reducing their emissions, improving ventilation in the home, and by using effective air cleaners.

Adjustments, also known as “spinal manipulation”, involve the use of a certain amount of controlled force, applied in a specific direction, to a joint that is not moving properly. Adjustments are usually carried out manually by the doctor, or by using an instrument. Chiropractic adjustments help return your vertebrae to their natural position and range of motion, with the goal of restoring health proper neurological & musculoskeletal function. In addition to restoring joint mobility, adjustments can also allow healing of tissue injuries involving inflammation and pain.

Before carrying out an adjustment, your chiropractic doctors will thoroughly evaluate your case through collection of a health history, physical examinations, laboratory tests, imaging (such as X-rays) and other procedures. During the adjustment procedure itself, you may be lying down on a specially designed chiropractic table. Your chiropractor will apply the adjustment in a controlled, sudden manner, pushing your joint beyond its normal range of motion.

Each adjustment is customized to the specific patient. Factors in this decision include how much force is needed, where in the body the adjustment is needed, the position of both the chiropractor and the patient also contribute to the selection of the best type of adjustment for your particular condition.

Adjustments may be used to treat back pain, neck pain, or pain in other areas of the body such as arms, legs, and shoulders. The procedure rarely causes pain; however if there is recent trauma or if you are new to chiropractic medicine there may be some discomfort. The popping and cracking noises that occur during adjustments are due to the release of gas bubbles between the joints, and these sounds are perfectly normal. It is a similar phenomenon as when knuckles are cracked.

In many cases, chiropractic care is all that is needed to treat a certain kind of problem, such as lower back pain. However, adjustments may be complemented by other medical treatment if concurrent conditions are present.

Resources

http://www.acatoday.org/

http://www.chiro.org/acc/What_is_Subluxation.shtml

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chiropractic-adjustment/MY01107

http://www.mdguidelines.com/chiropractic-adjustments-and-manipulations