7 Habits of Thin People

1.  Drink Tea!

 Tea contains antioxidants such as catechins that may accelerate the body’s ability to burn fat.  White and green contain the most catechins. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition conducted a study. Women gained less weight over 14 years than those who drank less tea.

2. Exercise in the morning.  

 A study in the Journal of Physiology found that exercising before breakfast causes quicker weight lose. Morning exercise improves glucose tolerance which helps burn fat quicker, especially on an empty stomach.

3.  Breakfast should be Mandatory.

 It’s a fact that those that eat breakfast have a smaller waistline than those who do not.  The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed eating breakfast speeds up metabolism and may decrease cholesterol.  Get started on eating breakfast!!!

4.  Stop Wolfing your Food Down.

 Research has shown that the slower you eat creates a feeling of fullness. Those that eat too fast tend to eat more. This study was in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & metabolism. Slow down and concentrate on eating slowly!!

5.  Make it a Habit.

Biological studies on mice in LaJolla, California showed that scheduled eating times and fasting for 12 hours resulted in weight loss. Scientists explained how their liver turned on genes that burned more fat and sugar. Sit down and eat dinner the same time every night, no later than 7 P.M. and see what happens. Why not!!

6.  Drink lots of Water.

 Drinking water before meals has shown to help decrease weight than those not drinking water before meals. Water has been shown to give you a full filling. You’ll consume less calories by consistent sipping water throughout the day. Drink at least two cups before each meal.

7.  Step on the scale

Dieters who weighed themselves at least weekly lost more weight than those who didn’t, according to research from the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. Plus, the habit helped non-dieters stay at a stable weight. Spotting scale swings early allows you to tweak your eating and exercise routine before pounds can pile up.

Cancer and Natural Healing

Of all of the crises, epidemics and disasters that have affected humanity over the course of history, few hold the fear and misunderstanding that is associated with cancer.  Thousands of Americans are diagnosed with the disease every year, and the number of environmental contributors has increased exponentially in recent decades. The study of cancer has made leaps and bounds in research and treatment, but the amount of information still unknown is overwhelming.  While oncology has made great strides when it comes to treatment and prevention, there still exists a substantial population of patients that choose to address their cancer without drugs and invasive procedures.

One of the greatest risks associated with cancer and the medical practices and procedures used to treat it is over-diagnosis, and subsequently, over-treatment.  While cancer is unarguably a devastating disease, the innate fear and emotional distress that comes with the diagnosis can be as harmful as the cancer itself.  The influence of heavy medication, radiation, and the rigors of chemotherapy can result in exhaustion, illness and suffering equal to that caused by the disease it is intended to treat.

Many supporters of natural healing stand behind the idea that individuals are capable of both preventing and treating cancer without subjecting themselves to harsh medicines and dangerous testing and procedures.  A proper diet and healthy lifestyle can be imperative in the prevention of certain cancers.  For instance, the steroids and antibiotics used in many processed foods have shown carcinogenic attributes, as well as the more well-known contributors such as tobacco and alcohol.  Avoiding toxins such as these by not smoking, limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption, or maintaining a diet of organic foods, can do a great deal towards preventing cancer.

When cancer is finally identified in a patient, the options for treatment depend on both the type and severity of the disease.  Aside from the detoxification and dietary approaches, several methods exist for addressing both the causes and symptoms for cancer patients.  Immunotherapy, for instance, can help offset some of the damaging side effects brought on by orthodox treatments like chemotherapy.  Chemotherapy can suppress the immune system of patient, causing illness and further suffering.  By boosting the immune system, the natural defenses of the body can work harder to combat both the cancerous cells and any potential threats of infection. Another natural means of fighting cancer is the intake of high doses of Vitamin C.  Vitamin C has been proven to be toxic to cancer cells, and can help halt and reverse the growth of malignant tumors.

As with any illness, regular chiropractic adjustments are crucial to health and well-being.  Call us today to schedule your appointment!

Yoga and Pregnacy

Pregnancy and childbirth, while completely natural, is considered to be one of the most stressful and traumatic experiences to regularly occur to the human body.  While medical treatment including drugs and frequent doctor visits are generally accepted as par for the course during pregnancy, there are alternatives for those mothers-to-be that are more inclined towards natural and holistic treatments.

As interest in organic and natural remedies to all manner of maladies and conditions increases, many women have expressed a desire to explore drug-free approaches to dealing with the discomforts of pregnancy and the pain of childbirth.   There are a number of reasons for this – not the least of which is the alarming increase in the risk of birth defects that tends to accompany many drugs on the market today.  As a much more low-impact and safer alternative, many mommies are turning to yoga to help promote both pre- and post-natal health for themselves and their babies.

Gentle yogic workouts offer a wide range of benefits for both mother and child.  Regular exercise can improve muscle tone in the back and pelvic areas, which can ease some of the strains of childbirth as well as improve the recovery time afterward.  The breathing exercises utilized during yoga also offer increased blood flow and subsequently an improved flow of oxygen to unborn babies.  This is vital to their development, and has been shown to aid in both physical and mental growth in children.  While strenuous workouts are to be avoided due to the stress that can be caused to the body, regular, mild yoga can offer valuable benefits.

Hypertension Drugs

Almost 75 million Americans are currently living with high blood pressure.  In a society dominated by excess, this doesn’t really come as much of a surprise.  Although many of the causes of high blood pressure are still unknown, it remains a serious health concern among adults in the United States.  Continuous research is being performed in an effort to better understand the causes and possible treatments for the condition, and countless medications are available on the market today.  Unfortunately, while new information is coming to light daily, much still remains a mystery, and the side effects of many of the available drugs can be as dangerous as the condition they are meant to treat.

As is the case with any drug, allergic reaction is always a potential risk.  ACE inhibitors such as benazapril and quinapril are associated with severe reaction that can include swelling, breathing difficulties and trouble swallowing.  Users should also be aware that reactions may occur even after prolonged use of these drugs.  However, drug allergies are not the most common problem associated with hypertension medications.

Postural hypotension is the term used to refer to the most dangerous side effect of such drugs.  Postural hypotension is the low blood pressure that comes about as a result of a physical position.  This occurs most commonly (and poses the most danger) when an individual taking the medication attempts to rise after sleep.   Patients must take extra care when moving and should avoid quick changes in posture in order to avoid the complication associated with a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Diuretics are another commonly used form of hypertension medication and posses a number of their own potential dangers.  Dehydration and potassium deficiencies can occur if caution isn’t used when taking such drugs.

Regular chiropractic adjustments, along with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, can go a long way to keeping your blood pressure in check.  For the best chiropractic care in Richmond, call us today!

Natural Childbirth

When preparing to give birth, every woman is faced with the decision of natural versus assisted childbirth.   When making this decision, it is important to take into consideration as much information as possible on both options.  It’s also important to know what’s fact, and what’s hyperbole.  Much of the information surrounding natural childbirth is clouded by myth and exaggeration, while some of it is blatantly false.  By disseminating the fact from the fiction, it makes it simpler to choose the best possible option for you.

It has been repeated over and over that natural childbirth should be avoided, as the actual birthing process is the worst pain that can be experienced.  Admittedly, the birth process will likely never be pain-free, but it must also be taken into consideration that pain is the body’s alarm system.   While certain types of pain can be expected during birth, strong medication can cause a numbness or lack of sensitivity that will dull this system and prevent the awareness of pains and discomfort that may signal a problem with the labor. While the thought of treating this pain medically can be tempting, the side effects of many pain medications can prove harmful to both mother and child.  Natural remedies such as herbs and massage can help ease labor pains without introducing harmful drugs into the system.  While these methods may not completely alleviate the pain, it can allow the mother to cope more effectively without the potential of overlooking important body signals.

Many women also believe that natural childbirth means staying at home and giving birth in bed, with no professional assistance.  This is wildly inaccurate.  While many women do choose to stay at home (simply for comforts sake), there are specialized birthing centers that offer all of the comforts of home, along with the security that comes from working with trained, certified professionals.  There are also midwife services that will travel to the home to provide the same level of security and preparedness.  Midwifery is a highly regulated practice in the United States, and any woman choosing to use this method can work closely with their midwife to develop a safe, reliable plan not only for the labor process, but the entire course of their pregnancy.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing natural childbirth is preparation.  Enduring labor without medication is an admirable goal, but there are steps that can be taken during pregnancy to prepare the body for the strain and stress of the process.  Regular, light exercise and stretching can tone muscles that are integral to the birthing process, which can ease pain and shorten the recovery period.  Yogic exercise is highly useful in this respect, as the gentle movements and stretches can be easily altered to accommodate a growing body.  Eating wholesome foods and taking natural vitamins is also important, as the mother’s body provides nourishment to her growing child.  As much of the nutrients she takes in will go to the baby, the amount of these vitamins and minerals will need to increase to compensate for the loss.

The discomforts of pregnancy call also be treated without the use of dangerous drugs.  Herbal remedies, meditation and plenty of rest can contribute greatly to the well-being of a mother-to-be.

Regular chiropractic adjustments are safe for you throughout your pregnancy, and safe for your baby, too!  To find out more about pregnancy and chiropractic, call us at 804-740-3434.

Colon Hydrotherapy

In the realm of “new” ideas about natural health treatments, the practice of colon hydrotherapy has actually been in use for centuries.  References to the procedure can be traced as far back as ancient Egypt, and has even been reported to have been practiced by the Greek physician Hippocrates.  While the methods may have changed over the centuries, the underlying purpose of the practice hasn’t deviated much from the original theory of cleansing the body. Modern advances in technology help assure the safety and effectiveness of the procedure, while maintaining the principle that the body must be kept clean in order to operate properly. The human colon is responsible for eliminating the biological waste and toxins that can build up in the body, and over time, can benefit from a little extra help cleansing the body of by-products that can cause discomfort or even illness.

Aside from the more commonly known ailments that can be treated using colonic hydrotherapy – such as constipation, bloating and diarrhea – fatigue, lower back pain and headaches can also come about as a result of increased toxin levels in the body.  The cleansing of the colon can eradicate the causes of these maladies and promote an overall improvement in wellbeing.  This procedure offers a safe, low-impact alternative to drugs and surgery, and avoids the potential side-effects and long recovery times that can accompany more invasive methods of treatment. Combined with other methods of lowering the toxins in the body, such as maintaining a proper diet, getting regular chiropractic care and drinking plenty of water, colonic hydrotherapy can improve energy levels and help fight off disease.

Dr. Andy is a Richmond, VA chiropractor, and this is his blog.

High Fructose Corn Syrup – Is it Dangerous?

In a recent report by Dr. Mercola, he alleges that high fructose corn syrup might cause fibrosis (or scarring) in the liver.  His report, featured in the March 23, 2010 edition of Science Daily, describes a study conducted with a test group of 400 adults all of whom had non-alcoholic liver disease, all of whom succumbed to liver biopsies for this test.  The study found that 81% of the patients consumed high fructose corn syrup-containing beverages.  Is this a coincidence, or is fructose truly damaging to the liver?

photo by anyjazz65

Many different lifestyle choices can result in poor health.  The liver, as the body’s filter, can take quite a beating.  The people in the aforementioned study all had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver as a result of substances other than alcohol.  Alcohol abuse causes fat to accumulate in the liver as well, and also causes cirrhosis.  Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has symptoms like abdomen pain, fatigue, and sometimes jaundice, like many other liver diseases, but the tricky thing about it is that without a definite cause like alcohol, it is hard to tell what caused the condition.

The Mayo Clinic says that the risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are high cholesterol, high levels of triglycerides in the blood, malnutrition, obesity, and the ingestion of toxins and chemicals.  These risk factors are all health conditions that can cause disease, and are usually a result of lifestyle choices.  Obesity is most often caused by poor food choices, lack of exercise, and leading a sedentary lifestyle.  High cholesterol is also very indicative of bad food choices.  This lends credence to the idea that the consumption of high fructose corn syrup can cause buildup on the liver.  Since it exists in so many foods and beverages, an individual who does not choose fresh fruits and vegetables over processed foods will likely encounter high fructose corn syrup several times per week, if not per day.4

Further support for the idea that high fructose corn syrup can cause a fatty liver lies in the risk factor of toxins and chemicals.  There has been a lot of fuss in the media regarding the corn syrup debate.  Some restaurants have proudly announced that they no longer use high fructose corn syrup.  “Sugar” has become, instead of the dirty word it used to be, a new indicator of a “healthier” product.  Obviously, this has the corn refining industry up in arms.  No corn syrup production hurts business.  They’ve gone on record saying that corn syrup is no different than sugar in terms of nutritional value, and that because it is made with corn it is a natural product.

The USDA has a different opinion.  They say that while some forms of high fructose corn syrup might be “natural,” most are processed with some sort of chemical, and therefore cannot be considered completely natural.  One of these chemicals used is glutaralhyde – an organic substance used not only to tan leather, but also to clean dental and medical instruments.  It is toxic.  So, if one were to consume a large amount of high fructose corn syrup, they are likely going to encounter plenty that is processed using chemicals – which can damage the liver.

The last risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that the Mayo Clinic highlights (that we’ll talk about here) is malnutrition.  High fructose corn syrup, like many sweeteners, is full of calories but almost completely devoid of nutritional value.  That means one can be obese, with high cholesterol, and still be malnourished.  In fact, those conditions are certainly indicative of malnutrition.  So perhaps there is something to Dr. Mercola’s report.  It certainly makes one want to err on the side of caution and choose a healthier lifestyle with a focus on wellness, health, and proper nutrition.