Happy Halloween from Thropay Chriopractic!

8 Best Foods to Eat For Healthy Teeth

There are far more than eight foods for healthy teeth, but I've found these to work especially well to prevent and even reverse tooth decay and gum disease in the long-term.



1. Butter Oil
Butter Oil, is a key ingredient to re-enameling teeth because it contains certain fats and activating substances that help bond the nutrients in the body to the bones. The butter must be organic from cows or goats eating rapidly growing green grasses.

2. Raisins
Naturally sweet, raisins don’t contain sucrose, or table sugar. Sugar helps bacteria stick to the tooth surface, letting them produce plaque. Raisins are also a source of phytochemicals, which may kill cavity-causing plaque bacteria. Some compounds in raisins also affect the growth of bacteria associated with gum disease.

3. High Vitamin Cod Liver Oil
This marvelous golden oil contains large amounts of elongated omega-3 fatty acids, preformed vitamin A and the sunlight vitamin D, essential nutrients that are hard to obtain in sufficient amounts in the modern diet. Samples may also naturally contain small amounts of the important bone- and blood-maintainer vitamin K. In numerous studies, the elongated omega-3 fats found in cod liver oil have been shown to improve brain function, memory, stress response, immune response, allergies, asthma, learning and behavioral disorders, including bipolar syndrome and manic-depression.

4. Tea
Compounds called polyphenols, found in black and green teas, slow the growth of bacteria associated with cavities and gum disease. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that people who rinsed their mouths with black tea for one minute, 10 times a day, had less plaque buildup on their teeth than people who rinsed their mouths with water. What’s more, the size and stickness of their plaque was reduced. Tea undermines the ability of some bacteria to clump together with other bacteria, the researchers said.

5. Coconut Oil
The human body converts the lauric acid found in coconut oil into an amazing monoglyceride called monolaurin which is only found in abundance in one other liquid–breast milk. It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-protozoa properties. Lauric acid is a powerful virus and gram-negative bacteria destroyer, and coconut oil contains the most lauric acid of any substance on earth. It is able to attack the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

6. Crunchy Veggies
It takes serious chewing to break down foods such as carrots, apples and cucumbers. But all that crunching isn’t in vain. Chewing disturbs dental plaque, and serve as a cleansing mechanism. So instead of remaining in your mouth and settling on teeth, bacteria get cleared away.

7. Vitamin-rich Foods
Foods containing calcium such raw (unpasteurized) organic hard cheese, almonds and leafy greens — and foods high in phosphorous — such as eggs and wild fish — can help keep tooth enamel strong and healthy, according to the American Dental Association. Acidic foods and beverages may cause tiny lesions on tooth enamel and calcium or phosphate help redeposit minerals back into those lesions.

8. Cranberries
Cranberries contain polyphenols (just as tea does), which may keep plaque from sticking to teeth, thus lowering the risk of cavities, according to a study published in the journal Caries Research. A caveat: Because the fruit is so tart, many cranberry products have added sugar, which may affect any potential benefits for teeth, so make eat raw unsweetened cranberries or even blend frozen unsweetened cranberries into a smoothie.

John Summerly is nutritionist, herbologist, and homeopathic practitioner. He is a leader in the natural health community and consults athletes, executives and most of all parents of children on the benefits of complementary therapies for health and prevention.

Source: realfarmacy.com via Prevent Disease

There are "multivita​mins," and then there is...

...Catalyn!

 

We've all seen the multitudes of multivitamin products under a bewildering array of names.  "How to choose" often comes down to how much advertising we have seen on one particular product. 

 

There is another "bottom line" that gives us a better foundation for our choice.  A multivitamin supplement should be based solely upon WHOLE FOODS.  Why?  Because whole foods contain hosts of nutrients - known and as yet unknown - that work synergistically with each other to optimally benefit the body.  Simply put - you get much more real nutrition!

 

Most multivitamin products consist of incomplete isolates, often chemically produced.  Ingesting these does not give the benefits that nature provides when they occur naturally in whole foods.

 

In fact, many of these multivitamin products contain other ingredients that are toxic to the body.  For example - would you ever choose to eat microcrystalline cellulose?  This is a foundational ingredient in one very popular supplement that we researched.

 

Microcrystalline cellulose, according to Wikipedia, is refined wood pulp.  It is used as a texturizer, fat substitute, emulsifier, extender, anti-caking and bulking agent...and did you guess this?  Most commonly used in vitamin supplements! (for the above purposes)  How could any body receive nutritional support from such?  

 

But let's leave that, along with the polyvinyl alcohol, artificial colors and preservatives, etc. in that highly-advertised multivitamin, and get to the real thing.

 

Catalyn is a Standard Process supplement based upon  several whole foods.  One of those is carrots.  To date, over 200 known nutrients and phytonutrients have been identified in carrots.  Add in the other whole ingredients used in Catalyn, and there are literally thousands of known and unknown nutrients made bio-available to your body from nature's foods.

 

There is simply no comparison!

 

Come and celebrate with us on Friday, October 25th, as we honor Standard Process for their incredible work in the nutrition field.  Those who come for an office visit will be entered into our drawing.  Two lucky people will win a bottle of Catalyn, and one grand-prize winner will receive a free one-hour massage from Elvira, our amazing massage therapist! 

 

SEE YOU THERE!    Call us at (562) 861-3896 for an appointment.

These 20 Foods Will Help You Sleep Better

Few things are more frustrating than desperately wanting to sleep, but tossing and turning instead. When you know you’ve got to get up early and then somehow make it through a grueling day, you might be tempted to turn to sleeping pills for a good night’s rest. But you may not realize that your refrigerator contains a powerful variety of foods that can help you sleep better. These 20 foods, from fresh cherries to miso soup, help regulate the hormones that control sleep, stress and relaxation.

Make sure you use organic!

Tart cherries

Tart cherries boost the body’s supply of melatonin, and they’re packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients. Eat fresh, ripe cherries, drink a glass of 100%, no-sugar-added tart cherry juice or snack on some dried cherries before bed (but watch it on the last one – the calories from dried fruit really add up fast!)

Popcorn

Tryptophan, the same amino acid found in turkey, is also in popcorn. Because it helps create the sleep-inducing neurotransmitter serotonin in our brains, it can be helpful in falling asleep. But skip the butter and oil; air-popped is best.

Almonds

How can a food that gives you energy also help you sleep better? Almonds do contain coenzyme Q10, which helps produce energy inside our cells, but it also contains tryptophan. Try mixing them with some of the other items on this list for best results.

Bread

As a high-glycemic food, bread can definitely help you feel sleepy, especially if you eat it within four hours of going to bed. But avoid it if you’re trying to stay slim; it’ll pack a rise in blood sugar that could cause weight gain.

Jasmine rice

As with bread, jasmine rice has a high glycemic index, meaning it breaks down quickly and causes a sharp rise in blood sugar.  Jasmine rice is much more starchy than other types of rice, like long-grain.

Chamomile tea

Place some pretty little chamomile flowers in your teapot and you’ll be out like a light. Studies have found that German chamomile helps relieve anxiety in low doses, and aids sleep in higher doses. Use 2-3 heaping teaspoons per cup of boiling water and let it steep for fifteen minutes.

Bananas

Packed with healthy carbohydrates, bananas can help you slow down a little bit. They, too, contain tryptophan, as well as substances that promote the production of melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep. The magnesium found in bananas also aids in muscle relaxation.

Halibut

Most seafood contains tryptophan, but halibut is also rich in vitamin B6, a natural sleep aid. B6 plays a crucial role in the production of serotonin, and it can also help relieve leg cramps.

Milk

There really is some science behind the recommendation to drink a glass of warm milk before bed. Milk contains tryptophan, but another benefit comes from a surprising source: calcium, which can help lower stress levels.

Yogurt

It’s got all the same benefits as milk, but with protein to boot, so it’s a satisfying snack before bed. Just choose a sugar-free, low-fat variety to avoid weight gain or spikes in blood sugar.

Chickpeas

Protein and serotonin-boosting vitamin B6 make chickpeas a great choice for a relaxing late-night snack. Keep some chickpea salad in the fridge, or try some low-fat hummus.

Green tea

Green tea does contain low levels of caffeine, so unless you choose decaf, you may not want to drink it right before bed – save your nightcap for chamomile. But drinking green tea throughout the day can help you feel more calm. It may also help relieve the symptoms of sleep apnea.

Oatmeal

It’s rich in calcium and magnesium, and the perfect partner for some bananas, milk and honey, making oatmeal a great choice for nighttime breakfasts.

Honey

This sweet treat raises your blood sugar just enough to reduce the production of orexin in your brain, a neurotransmitter that helps you stay awake. Drizzle it onto your oatmeal or take it in your tea.

Cereal

Choose a low-sugar fortified cereal as another great late-night snack that will help you drift off to sleep. The complex carbohydrates in many cereals can increase the availability of tryptophan in the bloodstream, and fortified cereals are often a great source of vitamin B6. Combine it with milk and bananas or dried cherries.

Edamame

Yep, it’s tryptophan again, in yet another unexpected food. A cup of soybeans has over 122% of your daily recommended value of tryptophan, and edamame is the freshest (and some might say tastiest) way to eat soy.

Potatoes

The carbohydrates in potatoes make them another high-glycemic food that can help you sleep more peacefully. Try a small serving of mashed potatoes with milk, topped with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.

Miso

The amino acids in miso, which is made of fermented soybeans, can help boost melatonin production, helping you fall asleep. Miso also contains tryptophan. A warm mug of miso soup before bed might be just what you need.

Dark Chocolate

For the same reason that dark chocolate can help boost your metabolism, it can help you sleep better, too. Compounds in dark chocolate have been found to reduce the production of the hormone cortisol in the brain. This “stress hormone” is associated with weight gain, and the more stressed you are, the harder it is to quiet your thoughts at night. Eat it throughout the day to help you feel more relaxed, not right before you go to bed, since it does contain a little bit of caffeine.

Saffron

Rich orange-red hued saffron, which is the stigma of a variety of crocus flower, adds lots of flavor to foods. It also has a “mood-improving effect” that could aid in weight loss and help you relax. In a study on mice, a water-based extract of saffron reduced anxiety and increased total sleep time.

Source: ecosalon.com

10 Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance

More than 55 diseases have been linked to gluten, the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. It’s estimated that 99% of the people who have either gluten intolerance or celiac disease are never diagnosed. It is also estimated that as much as 15% of the US population is gluten intolerant. Could you be one of them? If you have any of the following symptoms it could be a sign that you have gluten intolerance:

1.) Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea and even constipation. I see the constipation particularly in children after eating gluten.

2.) Keratosis Pilaris, (also known as ‘chicken skin’ on the back of your arms). This tends be as a result of a fatty acid deficiency and vitamin A deficiency secondary to fat-malabsorption caused by gluten damaging the gut.

3.) Fatigue, brain fog or feeling tired after eating a meal that contains gluten.

4.) Diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Scleroderma or Multiple sclerosis.

5.) Neurologic symptoms such as dizziness or feeling of being off balance.

6.) Hormone imbalances such as PMS, PCOS or unexplained infertility.

7.) Migraine headaches.

8.) Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. These diagnoses simply indicate your conventional doctor cannot pin point the cause of your fatigue or pain.

9.) Inflammation, swelling or pain in your joints such as fingers, knees or hips.

10.) Mood issues such as anxiety, depression, mood swings and ADD.

Source: Eat Local Grown

Standard Process Pride Day

On Friday, October 25th, Thropay Health Center will honor Standard Process Farms for their 85 years of dedication to improving the health of America.

 

Beginning with the painstaking research and discoveries of Dr. Royal Lee (who also was known for his inventions in the dentistry, engineering, and military fields), the Standard Process company has been totally committed to the development of concentrated whole food supplements.  Like us, they believe that chemical products cannot come close to the benefits we get from nature's abundant provisions.

 

Standard Process Farms is open for public tours, and once seen - never forgotten! 

 

Part of our celebration will be a drawing that YOU can enter.  Anyone who comes for an office visit from Friday, October 18th, through Friday, October 25th, will be eligible for the drawing, and your names and phone numbers will go into the box. 

 

The prizes will be a bottle of Catalyn - the best "multi-vitamin" in the world - for second and third prizes.  The GRAND PRIZE will be a full-hour MASSAGE from Elvira, our wonderful massage therapist!

 

Increase YOUR chances of winning by bringing someone new as a chiropractic, nutrition, or massage client.  You'll get FIVE entries instead of one!

 

We look forward to seeing you!  Please call for appointments at (562) 861-3896.

This is what happens to your body when you drink a coke

Have you ever wondered why Coke comes with a smile? Because it gets you high even though they removed the cocaine years ago.

In the first 10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar(or GMO high fructose corn syrup) hit your system. (100% of your recommended daily intake.) You don’t immediately vomit from the overwhelming sweetness because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor, allowing you to keep it down.

20 minutes: Your blood sugar spikes, causing an insulin burst. Your liver responds to this by turning any sugar it can get its hands on into fat. (And there’s plenty of that at this particular moment.)

40 minutes: Caffeine absorption is complete. Your pupils dilate; your blood pressure rises; as a response, your liver dumps more sugar into your bloodstream. The adenosine receptors in your brain are now blocked, preventing drowsiness.

45 minutes: Your body ups your dopamine production, stimulating the pleasure centers of your brain. This is physically the same way heroin works, by the way.

> 60 minutes: The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium, and zinc in your lower intestine, providing a further boost in metabolism. This is compounded by high doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners also increasing the urinary excretion of calcium.

> 60 minutes: The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. (It makes you have to pee.) It is now assured that you’ll evacuate the bonded calcium, magnesium, and zinc that was headed to your bones as well as sodium, electrolytes, and water.

> 60 minutes: As the rave inside you dies down, you’ll start to have a sugar crash. You may become irritable and/or sluggish. You've also now literally pissed away all the water that was in the Coke. But not before infusing it with valuable nutrients your body could have used for things like hydrating your system, or building strong bones and teeth.

Sources: BLISSTREE.COM

This Garlic Soup Recipe Can Defeat Colds, Flu and Even Norovirus

garlic-1Forget the flu shot. A soup based on more than 50 cloves of garlic, onions, thyme and lemon will destroy almost any virus that enters its path including colds, flu and even norovirus.

As we sneeze and cough our way through these dark months of contagious nasties, garlic is being hailed for its powers to halt viruses in their tracks.

It has gained its reputation as a virus buster thanks to one of its chemical constituents, allicin.

A recent and significant finding from Washington State University shows that garlic is 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics at fighting disease causing bacteria commonly responsible for foodborne illness.

When the garlic is crushed, alliin becomes allicin. Research shows that allicin helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure and also helps prevents blood clots. Garlic can also reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Compounds in this familiar bulb kill many organisms, including bacteria and viruses that cause earaches, flu and colds. Research indicates that garlic is also effective against digestive ailments and diarrhea. What’s more, further studies suggest that this common and familiar herb may help prevent the onset of cancers.

‘This chemical has been known for a long time for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal powers,’ says Helen Bond, a Derbyshire-based consultant dietitian and spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association.

‘Because of this, people assume it is going to boost their immune systems. Lots of people are simply mashing up garlic, mixing it with olive oil and spreading it on bread.

‘But how or whether it may actually work has still not been proven categorically.’

Indeed, scientists remain divided on garlic’s ability to combat colds and flu. Last March, a major investigation by the respected global research organization, the Cochrane Database, found that increasing your garlic intake during winter can cut the duration of cold symptoms — from five-and-a-half days to four-and-a-half.

But the report, which amalgamated all previous scientific studies on garlic, said it could not draw solid conclusions because there is a lack of large-scale, authoritative research.

The problem is that pharmaceutical companies are not interested in running huge, expensive trials — as they would with promising new drug compounds — because there is nothing in garlic that they can patent, package and sell at a profit.

Modified Garlic Soup Recipe
Serves 4
26 garlic cloves (unpeeled)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) organic butter (grass fed)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
1/2 cup fresh ginger
2 1/4 cups sliced onions
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
26 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 cup coconut milk
3 1/2 cups organic vegetable broth
4 lemon wedges

Preheat oven to 350F. Place 26 garlic cloves in small glass baking dish. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and toss to coat. Cover baking dish tightly with foil and bake until garlic is golden brown and tender, about 45 minutes. Cool. Squeeze garlic between fingertips to release cloves. Transfer cloves to small bowl.

Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, thyme, ginger and cayenne powder and cook until onions are translucent, about 6 minutes. Add roasted garlic and 26 raw garlic cloves and cook 3 minutes. Add vegetable broth; cover and simmer until garlic is very tender, about 20 minutes. Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return soup to saucepan; add coconut milk and bring to simmer. Season with sea salt and pepper for flavor.

Squeeze juice of 1 lemon wedge into each bowl and serve.

garlic_cloves3efCan be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

If garlic were found to be a wonder drug, consumers could simply buy it in the supermarket for 30p a bulb or grow their own in the garden.

Nevertheless, garlic has a long and proud tradition as a medicine. The Ancient Egyptians recommended it for 22 ailments. In a papyrus dated 1500BC, the laborers who built the pyramids ate it to increase their stamina and keep them healthy.

The Ancient Greeks advocated garlic for everything from curing infections, and lung and blood disorders to healing insect bites and even treating leprosy.

The Romans fed it to soldiers and sailors to improve their endurance. Dioscorides, the personal physician to Emperor Nero, wrote a five-volume treatise extolling its virtues.

One of the most interesting of the recent findings is that garlic increases the overall antioxidant levels of the body. Scientifically known as Allium sativa, garlic has been famous throughout history for its ability to fight off viruses and bacteria. Louis Pasteur noted in 1858 that bacteria died when they were doused with garlic. From the Middle Ages on, garlic has been used to treat wounds, being ground or sliced and applied directly to wounds to inhibit the spread of infection. The Russians refer to garlic as Russian penicillin.

More recently, researchers have unearthed evidence to show garlic may help us to stay hale and hearty in a number of ways.

Last June, nutrition scientists at the University of Florida found eating garlic can boost the number of T-cells in the bloodstream. These play a vital role in strengthening our immune systems and fighting viruses.

And pharmacologists at the University of California found that allicin — the active ingredient in garlic that contributes to bad breath — is an infection-killer.

Allicin also makes our blood vessels dilate, improving blood flow and helping to tackle cardiovascular problems such as high cholesterol.

An Australian study of 80 patients published last week in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that diets high in garlic may reduce high blood pressure.

In 2007, dentists in Brazil found that gargling with garlic water (made by steeping crushed garlic cloves in warm, but not boiling, water) can kill the germs that cause tooth decay and gum disease.

But they hit a snag: the volunteers refused to continue the experiment, complaining that the garlic gargle made them feel sick. Looking at the garlic soup recipe certainly made me feel queasy. Still, it gave me an excuse to use up my ample supply of garlic.

Though last year’s awful weather caused crop failures on my allotment, I enjoyed a bumper harvest of garlic.

Among its many other virtues, garlic kills slugs and snails. Researchers from the University of Newcastle believe it contains oils that may cripple the nervous systems of these slimy creatures.

There are two schools of thought as to the best way of preparing garlic to make the most of its medicinal qualities.

Argentinian investigators found it releases its allicin-type compounds when you bake the cloves, while scientists at South Carolina Medical University believe peeling garlic and letting it sit uncovered for 15 minutes produces the highest levels of compounds to fight infection.

So you can simply peel half of the garlic cloves and roast the other half with the kitchen door tightly closed (to stop the pong permeating throughout the house).

The heady aroma certainly revs up the appetite and the first spoonful does not disappoint. Delicious as it is, however, one large bowl of home-made soup is a more than ample meal.

As for the soup’s cold-preventing powers, only time will tell. Regular bowlfuls may very well keep me free of winter ailments, thanks to the virus-killing compounds they contain.

Or it could just be that my nuclear-strength garlic breath will keep everyone who is infectious far out of sneezing range for months to come.

John Summerly is nutritionist, herbologist, and homeopathic practitioner. He is a leader in the natural health community and consults athletes, executives and most of all parents of children on the benefits of complementary therapies for health and prevention.

Source: Prevent Disease & realfarmacy.com

She's back and she's happy!

The trip to Standard Process organic farms was a hOWLing success! (Excuse the October pun :)  Our nutrition practitioner Susana was highly inspired by her tour of a world-class organic operation and her 'hands-on' experiences with the supplement  production process right on the farm premises.

 

She could talk a long time about her experiences, but we'll distill it down for you to one very encouraging point that most of us can relate to: 

 

                            Have you ever heard anyone say that if EVERYONE ate or farmed organically, there would not be enough food to feed the population?

 

If so, you can firmly reply, "That's not true"!  

 

                            The crop yield at Standard Process Farms consistently either matches or exceeds that of the "conventional" farms in the same general area...and that is achieved without ever using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified seed crops.    

 

How can that be?  With very SMART farming!   Working WITH the earth instead of trying to supersede or "improve upon" its ample abilities to provide nutritious food.  (Ask us about the fascinating details!)

 

Somehow that last paragraph sounds very similar to the refrain you constantly hear from Thropay Health Center...where we work WITH the body instead of trying to trick it with fake foods or toxify it with artificial therapies.  

 

We are more than pleased to have the whole spectrum of Standard Process concentrated whole food supplements as tools to help you reach your health goals.  You can share our absolute confidence in the quality and integrity of these products.

 

Let us remind you of our October promo.  Pay for a first nutritional OR chiropractic visit for someone NEW, and receive 40% off your own next visit. What a deal!  And you'll be helping your friend or loved one get started on the road to better health.

 

Call us for appointments at (562) 861-3896.  And please remember to check our webpage at www.athropay4health.com

How did this happen?

The United States.............

 

 ...................makes up 5% of the world's population

 

....................is said to have the best healthcare in the world

 

....................uses 75% of the world's pharmaceuticals

 

....................has the least amount of smoking in the world

 

....................has one of the highest qualities of life in the world

 

BUT.............IS ONE OF THE SICKEST NATIONS IN THE WORLD! 

 

That's right! The U.S. rated #37 of 37 industrialized nations analyzed for overall health recently.

 

Of the five "plus-points" listed above, which one do you think is most responsible for the depressing "bottom line" fact?

 

If you guessed "uses 75% of the world's pharmaceuticals," we agree with you!

 

That's why the first line of our mission at Thropay Health Center states that we want to help eliminate dependence upon pharmaceuticals. These items always carry a "mixed bag" of effects that are to some degree detrimental to health.

 

Of course, it's never good enough to get rid of a negative factor - there must be a positive one to replace it.   And at this clinic we offer THREE positives that all contribute to good health without any toxic effects! 

 

All of these work WITH the body's pre-programmed healing and maintenance abilities:

 

1) Chiropractic - restoring and keeping structural integrity so that the body's vital message network can function without impingement. The value of this cannot be overstated!

 

2) Nutrition Response Testing - a marvelously accurate method of customized detection and elimination of hindrances to health, along with customized nutrition and appropriate lifestyle changes to encourage the very best health you can have

 

3) Massage Therapy - providing the necessary break of peaceful relaxation and inactivity that enables the body to "recharge" - plus aiding in eliminating toxins via the massage process

 

We strongly believe that EVERYONE needs what we offer here.  As more and more Americans "get it" about natural healing and maintenance, those statistics above can definitely change for the better! 

 

Please continue to share the message, and thank you for your referrals.  Call us at (562) 861-3896.

Healthful cooking is easy!

Here's a very simple recipe that always is a big hit.  It's a great way to get more of those veggies into your family (or yourself!)

 

CINNAMON CARROTS

 

5 large organic carrots, julienned or cut into coins

1-2 tbsp. butter

1/4 tsp.cinnamon

2 tsp. real organic maple syrup (optional)

 

Cook carrots  in waterless cookware, using a small amount or water, for about 6-8 minutes or until tender.   Turn off heat and drain any remaining water into your "soup collecting jar."  Add butter and cover the pot for about 2 minutes, or until butter is melted.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and add maple syrup if desired.  Toss carefully to coat the carrots.  Serve immediately and watch them disappear!    4-6 servings 

 

MRS. THROPAY'S HEALTHFUL COOKING CLASS IS SCHEDULED!

 

Wednesday, September 25, at 2:30 pm we will meet at the office for about an hour.  The class emphasizes guidelines for preparing healthful foods simply and quickly. There' will be time for your questions, as well.  AND...as always, food samples are served!    

 

If anyone else wishes to join us and is able to come, please call and let us know. 

(562) 861-3896

Bone doctor or nerve doctor?

Because chiropractors work primarily with the spine, they are often thought of as bone doctors.   But the spine is actually a protective "house" for the amazing and incredibly complex nervous system - the vital message center for ALL body functions.   If the "house" is damaged, the precious contents are likewise at risk for damage.

 

A chiropractor works to prevent and/or repair any deterrent to the spinal balance, in order to free up congestion to the nervous system that is impeding the transmission of those essential messages to and from the brain and spinal cord. So in reality, she or he could be called a "nerve doctor."

 

There are a number of other factors in our modern culture that also can deflect or block the  message paths that are so necessary for maintaining health.  Identifying these hindrances and "showing them the door" is a specialty of Nutrition Response Testing.  We're so pleased to be able to offer BOTH options in our office!

 

That brings us to what is happening here next week.  Our nutrition practitioner, Susana Mora, will be visiting the organic farm and production plants of Standard Process, in Palmyra, Wisconsin from October 3-5.  She will be absent from the office on Thursday and Friday, the 3rd and 4th, so this is a heads-up for you to be sure to schedule your appointments with her early in the week, from Monday through Wednesday.  

 

This is such an exciting opportunity for Susana to see first hand the entire process - "from soil to supplement bottle" - of the wonderful concentrated whole food supplements that are impacting all of our lives and health!

 

Thanks to all who came to Mrs. Thropay's Healthful Cooking class on Wednesday of this week.  Another big step along the road to good health!

 

Call us anytime at (562) 861-3896.

Exercise is Statistically as Good as Pharmaceuticals to Treat Diseases

A recent study published in BMJ found that physical activity is as effective as drug interventions for patients with existing cardiovascular diseases and other chronic conditions such as diabetes.

In the few conditions where the life-saving benefits of exercise have been studied, physical activity was often found to be as effective as drugs at reducing the risk of death, according to the first study to aggregate and assess the comparative benefits of drugs and exercise for reducing mortality in a wide range of illnesses.

"We were surprised to find that exercise seems to have such powerful life-saving effects for people with serious chronic conditions," said Huseyin Naci, an HMS visiting fellow in population medicine at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, and a graduate student at the London School of Economics. "It was also surprising to find that so little is known about the potential benefits of physical activity for health in so many other illnesses."

Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce the morbidity and mortality from many chronic diseases. Millions suffer from chronic illnesses that can be prevented or improved through regular physical activity. This include heart disease, heart attack, type 2 diabetes, obesity, colon cancer, hip fractures, stroke and high blood pressure. On average, people who are physically active outlive those who are inactive.

Despite the well-known benefits of physical activity, most adults and many children lead a relatively sedentary lifestyle and are not active enough to achieve these health benefits. A sedentary lifestyle is defined as engaging in no leisure-time physical activity (exercises, sports, physically active hobbies) in a two-week period.

Study Details

In addition to providing guidance for patients and clinicians about the importance of discussing the potential benefits of exercise, the researchers highlighted the importance of continuing to research the value of exercise for health.

The researchers argue that more trials comparing the effectiveness of exercise and drugs are urgently needed to help doctors and patients make the best treatment decisions. In the meantime, they say exercise "should be considered as a viable alternative to, or alongside, drug therapy."

"We're not saying people who have had a stroke should go off their medication and head to the gym," Naci said, "but having a conversation with their physician about incorporating exercise into their treatment might be beneficial in many cases."

Preventable illness makes up approximately 80% percent of the burden of illness and 90% of all healthcare costs. Preventable illness accounts for eight of the nine leading categories of death.

In the United States, 80 percent of people 18 and older failed to meet the recommended levels of aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity in 2011, according to the CDC. What's more, the average number of retail prescriptions per capita for calendar year 2011 was 12.1, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

For people with chronic ailments, exercise used to be viewed as asking for trouble. However, current evidence suggests that in both health and disease, the overall prognosis is better for the exerciser than for the sedentary. For example, a recent study showed that intensive workouts can not only slow the progress of coronary disease, but actually restore lost coronary function when the disease is still stable.

"We've yet to find a disease state where exercise isn't helpful." said Miriam Nelson, Ph.D, from Tufts University. 

For the current study, the researchers analyzed the results of 305 randomized controlled trials involving 339,274 individuals and found no statistically detectable differences between exercise and drug interventions for secondary prevention of heart disease and prevention of diabetes.

Exercise Often More Effective Than Drugs

Among stroke patients, exercise was more effective than drug treatment.

The authors point out that the amount of trial evidence on the mortality benefits of exercise is considerably smaller than that on the benefits of drugs, and this may have had an impact on their results. Of the nearly 340,000 cases analyzed, only 15,000 patients had had exercise-based interventions.

For chronically ill individuals, the psychological as well as physical benefits of exercise can be profound. Even ten minutes of light exercise a day, can help most chronically ill patients feel more vibrant, energetic and alert.

"Exercise is empowering and energizing, and it increases your sense of control over the situation. You're never too sick or too old to get started exercising," stated Bess Marcus, Ph.D, of Brown's University. 

The researchers argue in the paper that this "blind spot" in available scientific evidence "prevents prescribers and their patients from understanding the clinical circumstances where drugs might provide only modest improvement but exercise could yield more profound or sustainable gains in health."

Participation in regular physical activity-- at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on at least five days per week, or 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity at least three times per week--is critical to sustaining good health. Youth should strive for at least one hour of exercise a day. Regular physical activity has beneficial effects on most (if not all) organ systems, and consequently it helps to prevent a broad range of health problems and diseases. People of all ages, both male and female, derive substantial health benefits from physical activity.

Regular physical activity reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness in the United States. Regular physical activity improves health in the following ways:

• Reduces the risk of dying prematurely from heart disease and other conditions;
• Reduces the risk of developing diabetes;
• Reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure;
• Reduces blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure;
• Reduces the risk of developing colon and breast cancer5;
• Helps to maintain a healthy weight;
• Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints;
• Helps older adults to become stronger and better able to move about without falling;
• Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety; and
• Promotes psychological well-being. 

Exercise v.s. Diet v.s. Drugs

Exercise v.s. diet v.s. drugs is often the debate that many health professionals evaluate. By examining each disease through clinical trials, we can better determine the efficacy of both exercise and diet in the treatment of many common ailments. Diet, for example, is the cornerstone of diabetes care, but if diet is combined with exercise, diabetics dramatically improve their condition by more than 45% than with diet alone. 

CONDITION	TYPE OF EXERCISE	MAXIMUM IMPROVEMENT WITH EXERCISE	MAXIMUM IMPROVEMENT WITH DRUGS	MAXIMUM IMPROVEMENT WITH DIET
High Blood Pressure	Aerobic	15%	9%	11%
Diabetes	Strength training, flexibility, low-impact aerobic	52%	5%	38%
Stroke	Strength training, flexibility, low-impact aerobic	28%	7%	--
Heart Disease	Aerobic	33%	11%	26%
High LDL cholesterol	--	--	13%	20%
Low HDL cholesterol	Aerobic	15%	--	--
High Blood Sugar	Aerobic	15%	11%	30%
Arthritis Pain	Strength training, flexibility, low-impact aerobic	40%	12%	--
Low Bone Density	Weight bearing	3%	--	2%

Regular physical activity is associated with lower mortality rates for both older and younger adults. Even those who are moderately active on a regular basis have lower mortality rates than those who are least active. Regular physical activity leads to cardiovascular fitness, which decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in general and coronary artery disease mortality in particular. High blood pressure is a major underlying cause of cardiovascular complications and mortality. Regular physical activity can prevent or delay the development of high blood pressure, and reduces blood pressure in persons with hypertension.

Despite this uncertainty, the authors claim that based on the available data physical activity is potentially as effective as many drug interventions and more trials to address the disparity between exercise and drug-based treatment evidence are needed.

"What we don't know about the benefits of exercise may be hurting us," Naci said.

Sources:
bmj.com
nlm.nih.gov
preventdisease.com
medicalnewstoday.com

Dr. Marianna Pochelli is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine specializing in the treatment of disease through superfoods and herbal strategies. She actively promotes detoxification, colon cleansing, and a vegetarian lifestyle using living foods as a platform to health.

How Long to Nap for the Best Brain Benefits

Taking a nap, we've seen time and again, is like rebooting your brain. But napping may be as much of an art as it is a science. Scientists offer recommendations for planning your perfect nap, including how long to nap and when.

The sleep experts in the article say a 10-to-20-minute power nap gives you the best "bang for your buck," but depending on what you want the nap to do for you, other durations might be ideal:
For a quick boost of alertness, experts say a 10-to-20-minute power nap is adequate for getting back to work in a pinch.

For cognitive memory processing, however, a 60-minute nap may do more good, Dr. Mednick said. Including slow-wave sleep helps with remembering facts, places and faces. The downside: some grogginess upon waking.

Finally, the 90-minute nap will likely involve a full cycle of sleep, which aids creativity and emotional and procedural memory, such as learning how to ride a bike. Waking up after REM sleep usually means a minimal amount of sleep inertia, Dr. Mednick said.

In addition to those recommendations, one surprising suggestion is to sit slightly upright during your nap, because it will help you avoid a deep sleep. And if you find yourself dreaming during your power naps, it may be a sign you're sleep deprived. While you're planning your nap, don't forget to time it during the right time of day as well.

Source: LifeHacker