

Nutrition
Spice Up Your Diet and Spice Up Your Health
We all know the important, necessary benefits of good nutrition and whole foods. What most people don’t know is that the spices we
add to our foods can play a huge role in keeping us healthy. It has been proven that spices and herbs can double or even triple the
healthy benefits of food. Oregano and other herbs are packed with more antioxidants than fruits and veggies if measured on a per
gram basis. As well as being a great source of antioxidants, spices also have an anti-inflammatory effect, are low in calorie count,
usually inexpensive, and add great flavor to our food. It is important to use a good variety of spices and herbs just like it is important
to use a variety of food. Each spice and herb has its own unique benefits. Cinnamon is an antimicrobial agent and has been known to
kill E-coli and many other bacteria. It can also help fight obesity, regulate sugar, boost the immune system, and help fight early aging
and heart disease. Black pepper increases the nutrients available to the body of most other foods. Oregano is a powerful antioxidant
and can help fight fungus. Turmeric is best known for its ability to boost the immune system and help fight off cancer. It is 5-8 times
stronger then Vitamin C and E. Garlic, mustard seed, and chicory all help the heart pump better. Cumin and sage can help with
dementia. Cloves are great for a mild anesthetic that can be used for sore throats or a toothache. If you need help calming down or
changing your mood try nutmeg, bay leaves, saffron, or lemon grass. Coriander, rosemary, cayenne, allspice and black pepper can
also help with depression. As with all things, spices and herbs are most beneficial at their unprocessed state, so use the high quality
organic spices directly when you can. Get the most out of your food and spice up your diet and health!
Say No to Soy
After claims that soy protein can decrease heart disease as well as many other benefits, 85% of consumers started thinking soy was
a healthy alternative that should be included in any diet plan.
Western food processors separate the soybean into two different parts, the oil and the protein. It is this dangerous protein isolate
that is found in most of the 2,700 unfermented soy products on the market today. The separation of these two parts of the soybean
do not remove the anti-nutrients and leave behind toxic, carcinogenic materials that raise homocysteine levels that actually increase
the risk for heart disease, as well as stroke and birth defects.
Diets high in soy have also been known to cause problems like fatigue, hair loss, loss of sex drive, weight gain, premature puberty,
cancer, brain damage, kidney stones, weakened immune system, food allergies, and reproductive disorders.
Soy also contains ingredients that can block estrogen, block the body’s intake of minerals, cause red blood cells to clump together
which block oxygen and can stunt growth, as well as enable protein digestion. By eating many types of processed food, we will be
exposed to some kind of soy protein, so whole organic foods are always a better option.
There are some soy products that are safe to consume. Properly fermented soy foods like natto, tempeh, miso, and naturally
fermented soy sauce are fine.
Come in for a Quick Check
It always seems like this time of year everyone is sick. We get those nagging cold and flu symptoms, or someone always has a
stomach virus, etc. Most people make an appointment with their doctor to get yet another prescription medication with harmful side
effects just so you can go back to work and get sick again in about a week because your immune system is still weak. Well now you
have another option. Why not try a natural approach that will help build your bodies immune system and get rid of those symptoms
we all have become so used to getting? By using our computerized Nutritional Stress and Balance Assessment, we can run a quick
check for cold and flu like symptoms and stressors. It will then give you a list of a few natural supplements that will help you get and
stay well. The test takes about 10-15 minutes and it only costs $25. Call and schedule your quick check today and let us help you get
better naturally.
Make Your Cooking Naturally Delicious
Here are some tips and helpful information to help keep your meals natural.
When cooking with oils it is important to use the right ones. Make sure to read all the labels and look for oils that are cold pressed,
expeller pressed, or virgin. If you use canola oil make sure it is high oleic. Peanut oil can be a good choice as well as long as it is
organic and cold pressed. Olive oil is good for things like salad dressings, but looses most of its good qualities when used for cooking.
The best oils to cook with are coconut, palm fruit, or walnut. Organic, high oleic sunflower and safflower oils can also be used.
Nuts are a very popular snack this time of year. Make sure you look for nuts that are dry roasted or have been cooked in good oils like
those mentioned above.
Agave can be a great substitute for sugar. When using it in recipes, reduce the amount called for (ex: use 3/4 a cup of Agave instead
of 1 cup of sugar). When using a liquid sweetener, reduce water amounts in recipe by 2 Tbs. You can also use Stevia, raw cane sugar,
barley malt or rice syrup. The barley malt and rice syrup won’t taste as sweet so you may want to use the other choices if you have a
real sweet tooth.
Always try to use organic products when possible. Grass fed and Grass finished meats are always a better option. Look for solar dried
sea salts. Use a variety of colors in your fruits and vegetables. Take time to enjoy your food and your family!
All Vitamins Are Not Created Equally
You're sitting on your couch watching TV and you hear the commercial for the latest daily multivitamin that promises to help you loose
weight or keep your heart healthy. If you are like most people, you pick up a bottle the next time you are at the store with the best of
intentions to actually improve your health. What most people do not realize is that all vitamins are not created equally. In other
words, the vitamins and supplements you buy at the store are mostly synthetic and may do more harm than good. Only 50% of
synthetic vitamins can be used efficiently by your body. Synthetic vitamins are made by isolating one compound of the nutrient which
is more than likely not the part needed. Our bodies need the entire complex of a vitamin in order to get the full benefit. Natural whole
food supplements such as Standard Process focus on getting the full complex of the vitamin. It is very important to read the labels of
the vitamins and supplements you purchase. Vitamin companies can claim they have a "Natural" product even if only 10% of the
product is natural. Guidelines for the terms Natural and Organic are very broad and lax, so be careful. Look for ingredients like liver,
yeast, buckwheat, fish oils, etc when buying supplements. If you are not sure about the vitamins and supplements you are currently
using at home bring them in and we can check them against your body to see if they are good for you. We can also run a test to see
what natural supplement would be a better multi-vitamin for you. Come in today and let us help you get on the right track.
The Importance of Prevention
One of the biggest mistakes people make is associating symptoms with health. We tend to think that just because we do not have
any symptoms, we are healthy. Let's take our teeth for example. We could have a cavity for several months before any pain occurs.
Your spine is the same way. A misalignment of the spine or subluxation could be present for years before we realize there is a
problem. Everyone knows that in order to prevent cavities and decay we have to brush and floss our teeth as well as get routine
check ups with the dentist. The same preventative measures should be taken for our overall health care as well. Disease prevention
and helping the body use its innate ability to heal itself is truly the meaning of Chiropractic care. Because the spine is the center for
our nervous system, a subluxation can cause so many more problems than just back or neck pain. Imagine how much healthier we
would all be if we worked to prevent illness rather than popping medications once the symptoms have become unbearable. It is never
too late to get back on track with you and your family's health care. Come in and join us for Family week and together we can focus
on a healthier you.
Vitamins and Minerals: Optimize Your Health
With September being ovarian and prostate cancer awareness month, you will probably be seeing many campaigns for cancer
awareness. While education of these diseases are helpful and necessary, the most important solution to these rapidly growing health
problems is prevention. Vitamins, minerals and nutrition are some of the most beneficial yet overlooked options to reduce and help
prevent many diseases including cancer. Studies show that vitamin D can help reduce the risk of cancer by 50 to 60%. By helping the
cells to reach full maturity and duplicate at a slower rate, vitamin D can reduce the chance for cancer cells to produce. Calcium is
another beneficial vitamin for reducing cell replication. Folic acid and vitamin B12 are necessary to keep our DNA strong which prevents
cancerous mutations. Foods naturally rich in Antioxidants such as vitamin C, selenium, lycopene, vitamin A, beta carotene, Lutein, and
vitamin E can help get rid of free radicals which are unstable atoms or molecules that damage DNA. This is also necessary to prevent
cancer cells from forming. When we get the essential Omega 3 fatty acids that are found in fish, fish oil, grass fed beef and flaxseed
oil, our bodies convert them to a caner fighting hormone known as prostaglandin series-3 which also slows the cell dividing process.
Because the normal American diet does not include a well balanced amount of the vitamins and minerals we need, supplements are
usually necessary to get their full benefits. With all of the supplements and vitamins available, the best one for you can be difficult to
choose. Our new stress assessment testing can actually run a protocol to see what multi-vitamin, vitamin D, calcium, and omega 3
fatty acid supplements would benefit you the most. Through the end of September we are offering this scan for FREE, so schedule
your appointment as soon as possible.
Nutrition and Gum Disease
Fall is officially here and therefore time for the Holiday treats and goodies we have all become so accustomed to. Taking care of our
teeth and gums and making sure we get the nutrition we need is not an easy task this time of year. With 80% of Americans being
affected by some sort of gum disease, it is time to change our priorities. Gum disease is often an early case of Scurvy, which is not
only harmful to the teeth and gums, it also causes an array of other health issues. Even a mild case of Scurvy can cause inflammation
which leads to hardening of the arteries, heart attacks, diabetes, and weight gain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, depression,
anemia, easy bruising, poor wound healing, and lethargy. Balanced nutrition is imperative in maintaining healthy gums and teeth.
Make sure your diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Even with a well balanced diet, vitamins and minerals may be necessary
to achieve optimum dental health. One of the most important vitamins is vitamin C. The entire C complex is crucial as opposed to just
one component of vitamin C such as Ascorbic Acid found in the majority of synthetic vitamins. Most of the benefits from vitamin C come
from the large variety of bioflavinoids, polyphenolics, and trysinase. Standard Process has an excellent C complex that includes all
components needed to help reduce swelling and protect gum tissue. A complete Vitamin E complex also helps protect gum tissue.
Calcium maintains and protects strong healthy teeth. Recent studies show that vitamin D can reduce susceptibility to dental
inflammation by utilizing its anti-inflammatory effects. Along with a healthy, well balanced diet and the use of vitamins make sure that
you brush and floss twice a day and get regular check ups with your dentist. Nutrition is so important in every aspect of your health.
Call and schedule your nutritional evaluation today and let us design your health care plan. Together we can achieve good health
naturally.
Eat Healthy This Holiday Season
Many of you are probably planning your Thanksgiving menus and getting ready to stuff yourself with all the traditional Holiday treats.
What we often do not think about this time of year is the harmful chemicals and toxins we are consuming in the processed foods we
all eat. Try trading natural ingredients this year in all your recipes rather than sticking to the harmful artificial foods we have become
so used to. Sea salt, whole wheat pastry flour or unbleached white flour, unsalted organic butter, gluten free products, and anything
organic is a great alternative. Another problem with the everyday food we eat is the pesticides they contain. The toxic chemicals found
in pesticides have been shown to cause serious problems especially in young children. Because these effects are understudied and
not well understood, it is a good idea to avoid as many pesticides as possible. FoodNews.org recently posted a list of the foods with
the most and least pesticide exposure called the Dirty Dozen and the Cleanest 12. By avoiding the Dirty Dozen, you can lower
pesticide consumption by 90%. The worst foods are peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries,
lettuce, grapes, pears, spinach, and potatoes. The healthiest options are onions, avocado, sweet corn, pineapples, mango, sweet
peas, asparagus, kiwi, bananas, cabbage, broccoli, eggplant. Protect your family and think healthy this Holiday season.
Top 10 Drugs Top 10 Remedies
We have all seen the commercials about prescription medications. For example, a peaceful night of sleep or being able to lift your
grand kids above your head while minimizing the dangerous side effects such as liver damage, heart attack, stroke, shortness of
breath, or diarrhea. What most people do not realize is that there are alternatives to these popular drugs that do not have these
side effects. Some of the most common prescription and over the counter drugs include medications for pain, indigestion, high blood
pressure and/or cholesterol, anti-depression, allergies, and Insomnia. Our medicine cabinets are filled remedies to fix our common
ailments that may be causing adverse reactions to each other and side effects we don't even know about. A safer way to treat our
every day problems is to go back to nature for the answers. For most pharmaceutical drugs on the market, there is a natural
alternative that can help us achieve and maintain a level of health that does not require potentially harmful medications.
The Common Misconceptions About Salt
It is very common to think that salt is bad for us and a low salt diet is a much safer choice. Some doctors have said for years now that
a high salt diet is linked to high blood pressure and more than likely you or someone you know has been put on a low salt diet at
some point. While 1% of population is sensitive to salt, using a good solar dried sea salt can actually be more beneficial than using no
salt at all or high amounts of a low quality salt such as table salt. Table salt is chemically cleansed and does not have any of the extra
minerals that sea salt has such as zinc, magnesium, and trace minerals. Recent studies show that a diet low in salt may actually be
worse for your heart than using salt. In these studies, 25% of the people who ate the least amount of salt were 80% more likely to
die of cardiac disease than the 25% who ate the most salt. While these studies are promising for the average salt lover, it is still
important to use a good quality soar dried sea salt to get the full benefit. Sea salt has been shown to help with several health issues
ranging from digestion, to supporting the adrenal glands that control our hormone production. Make an appointment today for a scan
and we can tell you which sea salt would give you the most benefit.
The Truth About Oil
The use of oil, butter, and fats has been the root of many debates for our everyday diets. The vegetable oil industry is telling us to
stay away from saturated fats, replace butter with margarine, and limit our oil intake to vegetable oil. However, a variety of fats are
essential in the production of many hormones and the use of oil soluble vitamins in the body.
The quality of oil is the extremely important, but most important is to avoid trans fats, partially hydrogenated oils and fats that have
been overheated. These make the oil useless and stop the utilization of good oils. Most commercial vegetable oils have been over-
heated. Look for oils that are either "virgin", "expeller pressed" or "cold pressed" and avoid letting oil smoke during cooking.
Not all saturated fats are bad. Some saturated fats have been made worse by the food industry. 99% of the lard in this country has
been hydrogenated, as has much of the coconut and palm oils. These partially hydrogenated saturated fats should be avoided. In
their natural states, the saturated fats from grass fed animals are far superior to grain fed animals and also contain beneficial omega
3's. Good saturated fat can also be found in organic unsalted butter, shellfish, coconut and palm oils. The good saturated fats are very
stable, store easily and produce very few free radicals in the body. This is also true of the mono-saturated oils (omega 9's) found in
avocado, peanut, apricot kernel, olive, the "high oleic" (or high heat) canola, "high oleic" sunflower and "high oleic" safflower oils. The
saturated and mono-unsaturated fats should constitute 80 to 90% of our fat intake. The remaining 10 to 20% should be high in the
"essential fatty acids" (EFA's), which are the omega 3's and omega 6's. It is also very important to balance the omega 6's with equal
amounts of omega 3's. They should be in a 1:1 ratio. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is typically a 30:1 ratio which results in
inflammation. Omega 3's can be found in cold water fish, flax seed, hemp seed, walnuts and pumpkin seed oils. A special class of
omega 6's that are anti- inflammatory can be found in black currant seed, borage, and evening primrose oil supplements. Other
omega 6's are found in sesame, corn, ordinary canola, and grapeseed oils. Because they are fragile oils, store both Omega 3 and 6
oils in a cool dark place such as the refrigerator and buy in small quantities to get the best results. Do not store the saturated and
mono-saturated oils in the refrigerator. When you are buying an oil, read the entire label. They can claim to be trans fat free and yet it
may have some partially hydrogenated oils in the ingredients.
Good oil is not only for the food we eat, but the products we use on our skin. Use a variety of oils as they each have unique
properties and flavors. Don't be afraid to use oil in your diet, just make sure it is good oil.
The Key to Healthy Bones
What is the first thing you think about when you hear bone health? If you are like most people, you think about increasing your
calcium intake with more dairy products or a calcium supplement. While calcium is a very important key, it is not the only thing your
body needs to maintain strong and healthy bones. Our bones consist of living tissues that are constantly breaking down and building
up. The best time for building strong bones is as a teenager. Once we reach peak bone mass, which is usually between the ages of
25-35, there is more break down. A well balanced diet and exercise are vital to help reduce the risk of bone disease such as
osteoporosis. Calcium is such a key component to bone health because 99% of the body's calcium is found in the teeth and bones. In
a process called mineralization, calcium combines with phosphorus to provide bone structure and strength. Low levels of calcium
cause poor mineralization which can eventually lead to osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Milk and other dairy products are not
the only place to get the calcium we need. Foods like broccoli, almonds, sesame seeds, spinach, cooked kale and collard greens can
be a great source of calcium as well as other vital nutrients. Vitamin D is also an important factor in bone health by helping the body
absorb calcium. We get vitamin D mostly by sun exposure so it is important to get some sun without sunscreen, but not enough to
burn the skin. The complete vitamin C complex and Zinc are needed to form collagen which is the connective tissue in bones. Eating a
variety of fruits and vegetables such as bell peppers, cauliflower, strawberries, oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, cabbage, kiwi fruit, etc,
is a great way to get vitamin C. Zinc can be found in foods like red meat, poultry, fish, whole grain bread and eggs. Magnesium is
needed to help maintain bone structure and function and can be found in foods like broccoli, whole grains, squash, nuts, dairy
products, and chocolate (dark is always a better choice). Vitamin K produces a protein called osteocalcin that is needed for
mineralization. Cabbage, spinach, Brussels sprouts, turnip greens and broccoli are all good sources of vitamin K. Protein is essential
for healthy collagen which is the matrix for minerals. If protein is lost in the bone, minerals are also lost. You can get protein from
meat, eggs, nuts, etc. Exercise is also a very important key to healthy bones. Our bones will actually strengthen just like muscles with
exercise. It is important to do both weight bearing exercise such as walking, running, jogging, etc. as well as strength training
exercises like weight lifting, water aerobics, or resistance bands. Because tobacco and alcohol have been shown to weaken bones it
is important to limit intake of both. In our busy lives it is sometimes hard to get the nutrients we need. Standard Process has several
products that can help supplement these nutrients. Calcifood, Calcium Lactate, and Cal-Ma Plus all are great forms of calcium with
extra vitamins, minerals and proteins needed to help bones. Cataplex C or Collagen C have whole food sources of complete vitamin C
that help build collagen. Ostrophin PMG or Biost produce natural bone proteins and other organic factors for optimal bone health. As
always we can do a scan to help narrow down the choices and get you on the right track. Doing everything we can now can help us
keep healthy bones for the rest of our lives
Gluten Sensitivities
In almost every diet or nutrition plan on the market today, we are told to include grains in our daily meals. While grains do have some
important nutritional value, they are not always a safe choice for everyone. Research has shown for years that grains can cause
digestive disorders that lead to gas, bloating, and malnutrition in some. These symptoms can be traced back to a gluten sensitivity or
allergy. About 90 million Americans are suffering from non-celiac gluten sensitivities. If a sensitivity or allergy to gluten exists and it is
left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to several life threatening diseases like cancer, auto immune disorders, neurological
diseases, chronic pain syndromes, psychiatric and other brain disorders, osteoporosis, epilepsy, learning disorders, ADD, infertility,
miscarriage, premature births, and chronic liver disease. Studies done in Australia in the 1980's have shown that over 100 people got
rid of their symptoms of lupus, which is known as an "incurable" disease by eliminating all grains except rice and corn in their diet.
They also removed milk and other dairy products from their diet. Studies have also shown that some whole grains like wheat, rye,
barley, spelt, triticale, kamut and possibly oats are the cause of celiac disease in some. This disease affects the intestinal tract and
leads to gas, bloating, loose stools, weight loss, malnutrition, and affects the ability of the body to absorb vital nutrients properly.
There are blood tests that can be done to determine if a sensitivity to gluten exists. We can also do a scan to test for sensitivities and
give the best treatment options for you. Call and schedule your appointment today.
Labels Can be Misleading
It is becoming more and more common to see organic and natural products on the store shelves. Our regular grocery stores are
setting up "natural" food and product sections. While this is a step in the right direction, these products using these terms can be
very misleading. The requirements for the use of all natural and organic are very lax and vague. Only a certain percentage of the
product has to be organic. This leaves room for harmful toxins and synthetic ingredients to still be used. A recent study shows that
companies are using shortcuts to convert harsh ingredients to milder forms. These shortcuts produce cancer causing byproducts which
do not show up on a label. Products certified by the USDA National Organic Program do not use these shortcuts and did not show the
use of any harmful chemicals. Some of the product lines that showed to be safe are Dr. Bronner's, Nourish, Aubrey's Organics, and
Terressentials. Here are some tips when you are shopping for organic products. Look for the USDA Organic label. Avoid products that
contain ingredients you cannot pronounce. Most of all read the entire label and know that just because it says all natural and organic
does not make it completely safe.