Probiotics: Good Bugs vs. Bad Bugs

Probiotics are the essential bacteria you should have in your digestive system. You have more bacterial cells in your digestive system than all other cells in your body combined. Balancing the good bacteria is a key to remaining healthy.

There are several reasons that our bacterial balance has been upset from the way it should be

The first is we live in too clean of a society. It wasn’t that long ago that if you wanted to eat a carrot you pulled it out of the ground brushed off the dirt and ate it. That would be unheard of today by most people. Now that carrot has to be triple washed in antibacterial soap and scrubbed thouroughly before most would eat it. But that scrubbing also took off some of the essential bacteria that were in the soil that your body needed. Even if you did pull a commercially grown carrot out of the dirt it wouldn’t have any of the good bacteria in it due to irresponsible over farming of crops. This is also why commercially grown produce does not have the vitamins and minerals that organically grown produce does.

Previous generations also ate a lot of fermented foods. Kim chi, sauerkraut, even pickles are made by letting the food sit in a solution that allows the bacteria to ferment the food. Then they would eat the food and bacteria that helped make it. Those same foods made today have the added step of pasteurization to kill off all bacteria in the food, good and bad.

The typical american diet is high in refined carboyrates (white breads, crackers, etc) and sugar which favors the growth of the bad bacteria in our digestive system. These bad bacteria also encourage the growth of yeast.

Ever since the discovery of bacteria causing disease we have waged a war aimed at eradicating them, but have overlooked the fact that we are also eliminating the essential bacteria we need to remain healthy.

Antibiotics are another major cause of reduced healthy bacteria counts in our digestive systems. Antibiotics will kill off the offending bacteria they are prescribed for but they are non selective and will also kill off the good bacteria. If you don’t take antibiotics regularly you may still be exposed to them by eating meats that are not organic. Traditionally raised meats are often treated with antibiotics and residues of these antibiotics can enter our system.

Having a properly balanced population of bacteria in your digestive system has been shown in published research studies to aid in digestive disorders such as Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and diarrhea.  The bacteria contained in probiotic supplements help to breakdown the foods we eat and reduce inflammation in the intestines.

Probiotics have also been shown to greatly reduce the effects of allergies. Seasonal, pet, and food allergies can all be reduced by probiotic supplementation. Your digestive tract is the first line of defense in your immune system. Good bacteria supplied by probiotics enhance the function of your key immune cells and reduce the oversensitivity which causes allergies. They also help aid digestion of foods that people are commonly sensitive to such as the lactose found in milk products. Probiotics even help metabolize fats that are eaten and play a key role in preventing heart disease

The enhancing effect probiotics have on your immune system also helps explain how they reduce the symptoms from auto-immune diseases. Typically an auto-immune disease is due to an oversensitivity of the immune system causing the body to attack its own tissues. The balancing effect probiotics have on the immune system help alleviate some of the symptoms of these diseases.

Probiotics can also detoxify carcinogens (cancer causing substances) found in foods such as cooked or processed meats. These carcinogens have been linked to colon cancer and research studies using probiotics have found reduced incidences of colon cancer.

Lets face it none of our diets are perfect. Occasionally the lawn needs reseeding to fix barren spots. Your digestive system is no different. You need probiotic supplements to re-populate your intestine with these healthy bacteria.

The only way to effectively get enough of the beneficial bacteria you need is to add it to your diet with supplements. Some yogurts contain a small amount of these bacteria but there is currently no way to verify if what the package claims is in them. The other problem is most commercial yogurts contain a large amount of processed sugars which will only benefit the bad bacteria and tip the balance in your digestive tract towards these bad bacteria and promote yeast overgrowth.

The more processed sugars, refined carbohydrates, and non organic meats you eat the more you need to supplement with probiotics. You should also increase your intake if you are taking antibiotics for any reason. As stated in the front story antibiotics wipe out any bacteria in your digestive tract, good or bad.

The better your diet is the less supplementation you need. Once you re-populate you system with the beneficial bacteria they should remain somewhat stable. We still recommend taking a lower dose of probiotics to keep the balance in check.

Facts about High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a commonly used sweetener. It is much sweeter than sugar and is currently the number one source of calories for most Americans. It is found in many processed foods, and virtually all sodas. The average American consumes 12 teaspoons of it every day. A recent study by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy pointed out that the typical teenager or other “high consumer” can use 80% more than that. In 2007 the average American consumed 56 pounds each!

The problems with high fructose corn syrup starts with the fact that it is absorbed into you body much faster than sugar. Compound that with the fact that most HFCS is consumed as a liquid in sodas make it even more rapidly absorbed. This spike of sugar in your blood stream causes your body to release insulin to eliminate the sugar.

Sugar is energy. If you aren’t using that energy it gets stored as, you guessed it, fat. The repetitive cycle of spiking blood sugar and insulin release to combat it, taxes your pancreas which makes the insulin. Constantly overworking your pancreas and the added fat storage are why diabetes is on the rise and obesity is reaching epidemic proportions. Diabetes isn’t the only disease linked to consuming high fructose corn syrup. Excess HFCS consumption may also lead to obesity, liver disease, and an increase in LDLs (the bad cholesterol).

The majority of HFCS is made with genetically modified corn, which has it’s own health and environmental concerns. Genetically modified corn can cause development of allergies to all corn. HFCS also contains no enzymes, vitamins or minerals. That makes it just empty calories with no nutritional value.

If those were not enough reasons to avoid high fructose corn syrup like the plaque a new study published in the journal Environmental Health has shown that HFCS and products made with it are contaminated with mercury! Almost half of the tested samples of HFCS contained mercury and one third of 55 tested commercial products also contained mercury.

Don’t believe the commercials which try to make a case that corn syrup is “natural” and safe. The Corn Refiners Association spent approximately $30 million on that ad campaign to try and fool the public. They are trying to offset the negative information that is now coming to light about the detrimental health effects of HFCS.

High fructose corn syrup is a highly manufactured and refined product that would never occur in nature. Mercury is one of the many chemicals used in the process to separate corn starch from the kernel in some manufacturing plants.

Mercury is a potent neuro-toxin it binds to your nervous system cells and damages them. Mercury causes the most damage to developing brains so it is crucial for children, infants and pregnant women to avoid it. Unfortunately much of the processed foods and sodas are consumed by children putting them at the greatest risk.

In addition to taking care of your spine one of the most important things you can do to improve your health is to stop eating processed foods and eat as much real food as possible. The FDA is just now beginning to look into this source of mercury and how it is affecting us. Don’t wait for the Government or anyone else to protect you from the dangers in our food. Take control of your health now and start eating properly starting with eliminating one of the more dangerous additives high fructose corn syrup.

Water: How much is enough and what type is best?

There are many recommendations out there right now about just how much water we should be drinking and what source that water should come from.

It is important to recognize that water is essential and is the only liquid we really need to survive, despite what some might say in the early morning after that alarm clock goes off and we reach for the first cup of coffee. Water aids nearly every function in the body. It lubricates joints and keeps spinal discs healthy which are 90% water. Water eases the digestive process helping to “move things along” and keeps the kidneys clear and healthy. Water even aids in the transmission of signals through our nervous system. There is no question; water is one of the necessities of life.

There is, however, questions to just how much water we need on a daily basis. One of the most common recommendations is 8 glasses per day. Another uses a formula based on your body weight. These are a good starting point but they don’t take into account an individual’s metabolism or activity level. A better idea is to gauge your level of hydration by the color of your urine. It should be a light pale yellow. If it is dark in color you are dehydrated, simple as that. Keep in mind that if you are taking a multi-vitamin with the B vitamins in it, they will cause your urine to be a bright, fluorescent yellow which is different from the dark color of dehydration. It is equally important to drink throughout the day and not just a large quantity once or twice per day.

People tend to think of drinking more in the summer time when we are active and hot. It is true we need more at those times however as the weather turns cooler don’t neglect the fact that we still need plenty of water. The air is much dryer in the winter and much of the water we lose from our bodies is through our breath. You may not be sweating as much but you’re still breathing right?

If you walk up and down the aisles of your local grocery store you will see many different types of water. Distilled, spring, or super special magical water from a secret source untouched since the time of dinosaurs. Which one is best? What’s wrong with the stuff that comes out of your tap? Tap water is highly regulated, bottled water is not. In fact many of the bottled waters are just city tap water. Dansani is tap water from the Pepsi factory and Aquafina is tap water from the Coca-Cola factory. Instead of those I recommend using a good carbon based filter to clean some of the impurities or metals potentially present in your own tap water. Then store it in a reusable BPA free container. It will save you money, and help save the environment from waste.

Backpack Saftey

It’s that time of year, back to school! The kids will need new notebooks, pens, markers, erasers, and books. How will they carry those supplies around all day and to and from school? The most common choice is a backpack. The pack you choose for your child should have certain features and be used properly to minimize the stress to your child’s spine.

Some studies have shown that up to 50% of adolescents experience back or neck pain and improper use of backpacks may contribute to that pain. There are laws that protect adult workers from carrying too much weight but no laws protecting our kids! The amount of weight children are expected to carry around on a daily basis is ever increasing and happening at a younger age. So how do you protect your child’s spine?

The first thing to try and control is the amount of weight carried. Studies have reported some students carry almost 30% of their weight in a pack! The total weight of the backpack should be 10% to 15% of your child’s body weight. Younger, smaller children are more affected by the weight carried so they should be closer to the 10% limit. Using a locker can decrease the amount that needs to be carried throughout the day. At the end of the day make sure your child is bringing home only what they need for that evening.

The style of the backpack and how it is carried and loaded are also very important. When shopping for a backpack there are a number of features to look for. The shoulder straps should be well padded, curved and adjustable to conform to the body. The back of the pack should also be padded to prevent pressure points on your child’s back while they are carrying it. A pack with multiple compartments will allow you to distribute the load evenly and keep everything organized which prevents carrying extra, unnecessary items. Compression straps on the inside or outside hold the items tight so they are not moving around in the pack.

When loading the pack use the same rules hikers use when they are carrying their packs for days at a time. Put the heaviest items in first and close to your back. Start with the heavy textbooks and notebooks, then put in the smaller books, note cards etc. Avoid putting anything heavy at the top of the pack or on the outside. Those areas should be reserved for something light like a jacket at the top or pens and pencils in the outer part. Now that the pack is loaded properly it should be centered over and fit snuggly against your child’s back. Feel along your side until you hit the top of your pelvis and draw a straight line around to your back. This marks the top of your pelvis and where the bottom of the pack should sit.

Extremely important is how the pack is carried. Your child should always use both shoulder straps at the same time. Even when both straps are used it causes postural changes. A backpack carried on both shoulders will cause the trunk to bend forward, and make the wearer stick their head out forward. If the pack is carried on only one shoulder the postural changes are much greater. The lopsided load now causes the shoulder it is carried on to elevate and shift backward and the trunk shifts to the side away from the load. This is the body’s response to the uneven load and trying to maintain its center of gravity. The greater the load and the longer it is carried only increase these postural shifts. One way to avoid stressing the spine at all is to use a pack that has wheels. Many packs are now available that work just like a regular pack but have wheels on the bottom, with a retractable handle on top, and allow you to just roll it along behind you and not have to carry it all. This is the best choice if your child has to carry a lot of weight.

Carrying heavy loads for long periods of time can cause damage to the discs, ligaments, and joints of the spine. Protect your child’s spine with a quality backpack that is loaded and carried properly.

Organic. What does it mean and is it worth the extra cost?

Organic foods are gaining popularity very quickly. The trend will continue with more and more stores carrying organic foods. Even the consumer giant Wal-mart® will be introducing a line of organic foods in  the near future. So what does it take to be labeled an organic food and is it worth the, occasional, extra cost.

In order to be labeled as organic, foods must be grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). For meats, eggs and related products to bear the organic label they are not to be fed antibiotics or growth hormones, and allowed access to pastures to eat a more natural diet. In the United States the USDA oversees the certifying of organic foods.
Products that contain at least 95% organic ingredients can carry the label organic. If products have at least 70% organic ingredients they can state “made with organic ingredients” but cannot use the official seal.

While here in the U.S. we are making strides in the right direction, towards more organic food consumption,  some other countries are light years ahead of us. In Germany baby food is almost exclusively organic. Cuba converted its entire country to organic agriculture and currently that is the only agriculture allowed by law. In Italy all school lunches are made with organic, locally grown foods.

The benefits of choosing organic foods can be put into two categories, The benefits for the people eating it and the benefit to the environment.

Since organic farming doesn’t use synthetic fertilizers it is much easier on the environment. Testing has shown the soil from organic farms contains more of the key nutrients and minerals necessary for healthy crops. Organic farming can produce higher yields and fair much better than standard farming practices in times of drought because the soils aren’t as depleted.

The benefits to those of us eating it start with the essential nutrients and minerals that are in the soil. This translates to more nutrients in the food. Commercially grown foods are from farms on which the soil has been depleted of its vital nutrients and minerals. That’s one of the reasons so many fertilizers and chemicals are used to make them grow. Organically grown food also doesn’t have the pesticide residues that commercially grown food does. A study published by the national research council found that for infants and children the major source of pesticide exposure is through the diet.

Conventionally grown foods are designed to look good at the store. Synthetic fertilizers make the fruit larger, it’s color can be enhanced and it’s coated in wax  to look shinier, but it doe not have the nutrient content that organic produce  does. Plus organic just taste better!

Traces of antibiotics can be found in people consuming meat from animals raised on conventional farms. This will only set the stage for future antibiotic resistance. That means if a time comes that you really need an antibiotic they may not work.

Choosing organic foods makes sense for our bodies and the environment.

Shopping smart for organic foods can off-set the possible increased cost. In general organics will cost more than conventionally grown foods. Specialty food stores like A Market Natural Foods in Manchester and Trader Joes in Tyngsboro carry a wider selection of organic foods, however they may be a little more costly than your typical grocery store.  Now most major chain grocery stores have sections dedicated to organic foods and some even have their own organic brands helping to bring down costs. These stores typically don’t have the selection of the specialty stores however their prices tend to be cheaper and you should be able to find most of the basics like organic meats, fruits and vegetables. Also don’t forget your local farm stands. Local farms tend to use less synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, just ask them about their farming practices. You’ll be getting fresher food and supporting the local economy!

When you begin switching your diet to include more whole natural foods, as opposed to all of the processed foods, you will find that your overall grocery bill won’t increase much if any. When you buy processed foods your paying for just that, the cost that goes into processing and manufacturing the food, in addition to the packaging it comes in. So buying organic whole foods, meats, fruit and vegetables can be cheaper if you eliminate or minimize your processed food intake and it is much better for you! Processed foods often contain many artificial ingredients to preserve them and enhance their flavors. We just weren’t made to eat all of these chemicals. Humans have been eating the same simple foods for thousands of years, it’s what our bodies are equipped to breakdown and digest. All of the chemicals in our foods have been introduced relatively recently and we aren’t equipped to break them down properly.

If cost is a real concern consider starting with selectively mixing in organic products with  normal purchases. When purchasing fruit for example you should choose organic when buying apples, pears, or grapes. However when buying a fruit in which you will peel off the skin before using, such as oranges, lemons, or bananas you could purchase conventionally grown. The majority of pesticides are sprayed on and will be on the outside skin which is thrown away. Keep in mind some pesticide residue will leach through  to the fruit so if you want to totally avoid it you should only purchase organic.

When purchasing meats such as beef or chicken choosing organic is the best choice. All conventionally raised meats could contain some degree of antibiotics or growth hormones, and will most likely be fed an un-natural diet designed only to fatten the animal up. After all animals are typically sold by weight.  Seafood does not currently have any organic certification process since most is caught wild. You should avoid farm raised fish as it is not fed a proper diet and may be treated with synthetic ingredients. The mercury issues are another issue.

So get out there are start purchasing organics, the more we purchase the more the prices will come down!

Understanding Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an extremely important vitamin which many people are deficient in. We get it from two sources food and sunlight. It isn’t present in many foods, liver, egg yolks and some fish have it, but we don’t eat enough of these to get all of our requirements.

As we know the main disease associated with a Vitamin D deficiency is rickets, which is a softening and weakening of the bones. Prevention of this disease is where the suggested intake of Vitamin D level, 400 I.U.s, comes from. However to fully optimize your health most people need more than this. I don’t recommend taking Vitamin D supplements unless you are having your levels checked regularly, as you can develop many health issues from taking to much.

That is why regular exposure to sunlight is so important. In the winter months, especially  here in the northeast, it can be tough to get enough exposure to the sun since the sun isn’t as strong due to the higher latitude. Even in the summer months we often don’t get enough exposure due to the paranoia created by “experts” that claim we need to avoid the sun due to skin cancer risks. Even if you are out in the sun most people cover themselves in so much sunscreen and sunblock that they block the essential rays from the sun which produce Vitamin D. Studies have shown that those with the best levels of Vitamin D live in Hawaii or the southwest, and those with the worst levels are in Alaska and urban areas of the Northeast. Recommendations to reach at least the minimum levels of Vitamin D are 15 to 30 minutes in the sun per day with face and hands exposed in the mid latitudes for fair skinned people. That means here in the Northeast we need longer exposure with more of our skin exposed.

To get proper exposure without doing damage to your skin start with shorter trips in the sun or use sun screen sparingly to prevent burning. If any redness develops cover up or put sun screen on. As your skin darkens and tans you can increase your exposure.

A decrease in bone strength is not the only health effect from a Vitamin D deficiency. Studies have shown that Vitamin D is used by every cell in your body. A decrease in Vitamin D levels has been shown to play a role in such conditions as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, fatigue and depression.

As if the beautiful scenery here in New Hampshire wasn’t enough motivation now you have even more reasons to go outside and play!

Natural remedies for seasonal allergies

Spring is finally here. We made it through another long cold winter and can finally get outside in the sunshine, get our vitamin D and enjoy ourselves.

But for many people this is the time that the nose starts running, the sneezing starts and they just feel miserable. If this is you pay attention I have some natural tips to help minimize the symptoms of seasonal allergies.

First it is important to understand what allergies are. They are the body’s overactive reaction to a common substance. Think about it, everyone is exposed to the same pollens outside or even to the same pets, some of us have no reaction while others develop a wide range of symptoms.

One of the reasons someone who suffers from allergies has this overreaction to common allergens is because the bacteria in their gut is not balanced properly. Probiotic supplementation can correct this. An imbalance of gut bacteria means allergens are improperly “tagged” as harmful so the body overacts to them with excessive mucus production and airway constriction in the lungs which explains the runny nose, sneezing, and wheezing. Most allergens are identified and tagged by the bacteria in our guts so the probiotic supplements make sure the allergens are identified properly and the body does not over-react to them.

Probiotic supplements will give your immune system a boost. Getting enough sleep will also recharge your immune system. While we sleep our body is doing most of its repairing and healing. Exercise is also vitally important to the overall package of being healthy, lessening the effects of allergies.

Another important supplement is essential omega fatty acids in the form of fish oil. Fish oil benefits are two fold. One it reduces the allergic response and two it reduces overall inflammation in the body lessening the symptoms.

If you have allergic type symptoms year round with an increase in the symptoms in the spring and fall you may have food allergies or sensitivities in addition to seasonal allergies. To eliminate the food issues cut out refined sugar, soda, processed foods, and dairy. All of these are common triggers that will aggravate any allergic response. All current patients are welcome to attend a complimentary nutrition workshop if they wish to find out more.

A recent study found that children who eventually developed allergies ate less butter and more margarine compared with children who did not develop allergies. This shows the importance of avoiding trans-fats at all costs. They are the primary fat in margarine and in many other processed foods. Trans-fats promote inflammation and cause the immune system to release a protein that triggers allergic reactions. The allergic children also ate less fish than those that developed allergies. This was not the first study to show that the types of fatty acids eaten may play a role in the onset of allergies. Trans fats, like those found in margarine, are thought to promote the formation of substances that increase inflammation and cause the immune system to release a protein that triggers allergic reactions.

As you can see one of the most important keys to minimizing the effects of allergies is boosting your own bodies immune system. This will take time. While your body heals and strengthens you may want to get an air purifier to help clean the air in your house. Also make sure the filters in your heating and air conditioning systems are clean. You will be on your way to enjoying spring in no time!

Chiropractic Works!

All chiropractic techniques have something valuable to offer. The chiropractic profession serves as an umbrella to a large number of alternative approaches to healthcare. So it’s not surprising that there are so many definitions of what chiropractic is and what it is not.

According to the Council on Chiropractic Education, chiropractic care has been proven to reduce pain, increase range of motion and reduce muscular spasm. That being said, many techniques take the next step by offering additional benefits.

At Chiropractic Works, we focus on the structural correction of the spine. While our initial interest is the eliminations of your pain, our fundamental goal is to restore your spine to as close to its normal alignment as is possible. While this isn’t always possible, it’s important to understand that the closer the human body is to its normal alignment, the better it will perform. We are not claiming that this technique is superior to other chiropractic procedures, it’s simply a different approach that is supported by an enormous amount of research.

Because of our commitment to your health, we focus our sights on the true cause of your condition, not simply the symptoms. Symptoms are important, but alleviating a symptom usually doesn’t correct the condition. Does a pain down the left arm necessarily indicate a problem with the left arm? Could it also be a heart related problem? Unfortunately, many people have become accustomed to temporary fixes and medication (which simply mask the pain). It has been well established be peer-reviewed scientific research that the loss of the normal alignment of the spine is the likely cause of many musculo-skeletal  and nerve related conditions.

The loss of the normal spinal curvatures (see page 2) creates the perfect recipe for a neck or low back condition. Additionally, the function of the spinal nerves and their pathways to every cell in the human body doesn’t always give us a warning signal until the damage is done.

As doctors that focus on structural chiropractic care, we naturally take a close look at posture. Posture is like a window into the spine. In fact, it’s an excellent indicator as to what we’ll find when we carefully examine your radiographs. Most people are very surprised to find out that years of poor posture (sitting at a computer, slouching, hours in the car) progressively causes a shift in the spine, which in turn, may lead to debilitating conditions such as disc-related problems and migraine headaches. Shifts in spinal alignment are also the primary causes of muscular imbalance, muscular tension, early joint degeneration and disc degeneration.

In addition to working to correct the structure of your spine we also provide many other services to help you achieve optimum health and not just temporarily relieve your symptoms.

We offer classes on ergonomics to help you set up your desk or work station, and ensure you are sitting and lifting properly. We also provide recommendations on choosing a pillow and mattress, after all you spend a third of your life sleeping!

As you know you are what you eat so we hold nutrition lectures to make sure you are eating properly. And since healing takes place from the inside out we may make recommendations on appropriate supplements for your individual case.

Our ultimate goal is to provide you with a total health package and be a resource for you to answer any questions on your health you may have.