What Are The Facts About Nutrition?

Everyone understands by now that having a good diet is important. But what does good eating habits really mean? The thing about nutrition is that it seems like everyone agrees it is important, but no one really knows what it means. Are carbs important or fattening? Can you drink too much water? Even the so-called experts are divided about nutrition and what it means for people everywhere. Hopefully, these facts about nutrition will help you find a healthier diet and a healthier lifestyle.

Nutrition is all about calories. Calories are measured by the amount of energy burned. For instance, while an apple has 100 calories, and water has 0 calories, obviously an apple will give your body more “energy”. This is different from “feeling” more energetic, though calories have a lot to do with it. Calories are the fuel and when you eat more than you burn, you will gain weight. When you eat less, you lose weight. This isn’t true in every single case, but when we’re talking about nutrition and weight it’s the right place to start.

Not all calories are created equal. This is an important fact about nutrition. This is something we all seem to understand, albeit in a vague manner. We understand that a piece of fruit is better for you than a cheeseburger. Those discrepancies are easy. But what about a piece of ham or an egg? The difference in calories and calorie values isn’t so simple. Luckily, there are plenty of web sites about nutrition that list calorie values for all foods, as well as the quality of calories.

So how can you improve your diet without following a bunch of complicated lists and formulas? Here are a few guidelines about nutrition an nutritional value. Opt for fresh rather than canned fruits or vegetables (frozen are good too). When looking at prepared food from a supermarket, the less ingredients, the better. In fact, you are better off making meals from scratch and controlling the different ingredients that you add for maximum nutritional value.

Knowing as much as you can about nutrition will help your health, your mood, and obviously your body. Stay away from the obvious targets: fast food and junk food. But beware of supposed “health” foods as they often give you just a different kind of food lacking in nutritional value. The best way to improve your diet is to be as hands-on and selective as you can about your food – this means fresh ingredients that you select and cook yourself. This might be more work, but your body will thank you.

For more information on taking care of your body, feel free to contact our Union City Chiropractic Office. We are also located in San Lorenzo and Fremont, CA.

What Does All Natural Really Mean?

All natural is one of the most ambiguous phrase of the times. Mainly due to environmental awareness and the animal rights movement, the term, all natural, has come into our everyday vocabulary. Natural is good, right? The corporate marketing minds have successfully hyped the public with the all natural label, applying the phrase to everything from chickens to makeup. They found that by affixing the label to almost any product, sales for that item soared. However, there is no definitive meaning to the phrase.

This is where the hype becomes deceptive. After all, you can’t get more natural than a chicken. Or can you? Have you ever heard of an unnatural chicken? One chicken supplier may designate his product to be all natural, meaning that the chicken wasn’t fed antibiotics or growth hormones, although this natural chicken spent her entire life in an indoor cage crowded amongst thousands of others. Another supplier may regard an all natural chicken product to be one which is not injected with water after slaughter to pump up the weight. On the other hand, a free-range chicken is probably the best bet for procuring an all natural chicken. These birds aren’t fed the hormones or pumped up with water, are fed natural grains and allowed to roam freely just as they would – naturally. The confusion makes it apparent that there ought to be a specific definition which removes the hype and keeps the meat producer honest.

How about natural makeup? This is almost an oxymoron. We weren’t born with makeup on our faces. Therefore, makeup cannot be natural. Ah, but if you look at it a bit differently, it could be. One of the latest trends in makeup is the products which are made from minerals. Now, how natural can you get? You could argue that while minerals are all natural, minerals on your face are not.

Speaking of minerals, did you know that selenium, a trace mineral, may be taken as an internal supplement that provides a remedy for psoriasis and eczema-like conditions? People with diabetes sometimes are plagued with this skin condition, due to an inadequate supply of selenium. Although your doctor should know better, he may prescribe a popular dandruff shampoo to rub into the skin as a help. The active ingredient in this shampoo? Selenium. It would appear that the all natural remedy here is taking the supplement to eradicate the condition, rather than using a costly product that only helps alleviate it.

Until such time as product industries are ready to define this ambiguous term, it’s up to you to do your homework and find out how truly natural – or unnatural – that product is.

Natural Vitamins and Herbs for Common Health Conditions?

Natural vitamins and herbs are good, inexpensive medicine for many common health conditions. It seems that every time we visit the doctor for treatment of a health condition, we’re handed a prescription that creates wallet shock when you go to pay for it. A few of these and you find yourself wondering how you’ll meet other necessary household expenses. In many cases, you can get the same or even better results with a vitamin supplement and herbs, without the side effects of the pharmaceutical product. Using vitamins and herbs appropriately, you can, in many cases, save hundreds of dollars which can be put to better use elsewhere!

It’s true that there are a number of pharmaceutical drugs which will do a better job, depending on the condition. However, there are so many cases in which vitamins and herbs can correct and treat common health conditions, it’s certainly worth taking a look.

Modern science has a pharmaceutical remedy for virtually every health condition. Allopathic physicians are not generally conversant in natural remedies or nutrition. As a result, we’re being steered away from inexpensive natural remedies, which have been used for thousands of years to relieve and correct conditions, from indigestion to menopause. Let’s take a look at just a few of the ways you can put vitamins and herbs to work for you, safely and effectively.

Naturopathic medicine treats health conditions from a holistic perspective. Let’s say you suffer from heartburn and indigestion. Perhaps you’re eating the wrong foods. Do you have a vitamin deficiency causing the problem? Might the solution to your indigestion be as simple as preparing foods with herbs that counter indigestion? Turmeric, scotch broom and ginger tea have been used for centuries to effectively ease indigestion and heartburn. These herbs go a step further, helping to correct the cause, rather than just temporarily allaying the symptoms.

How about cholesterol and cardiac problems? Garlic has been demonstrated to be equally effective in reducing the LDL (bad) levels, while boosting HDL (good) levels, when compared with expensive pharmaceuticals. The common culinary herb, rosemary, is a proven tonic for the heart, as is Motherwort. Hawthorne berry also has a tonic effect on the entire cardiovascular system. Cayenne pepper greatly improves circulation. Beta carotene and vitamin E, taken as supplements, or in foods, are of terrific benefit to heart patients. Omega-3 supplements, found in substantial quantities in cold water fish, are excellent in protecting the heart against disease. There are many other vitamins and herbs that help prevent and in some cases, can even reverse damage.

Nervous tension and anxiety are common health problems these days. Try some vitamins and herbs before you fill expensive prescriptions which typically are potentially addictive. Passion flower, St. John’s wort, valerian and skullcap are all effective natural remedies. Calcium and magnesium supplements, in a balanced ratio, are valuable in treating these conditions.

If you suffer from osteoarthritis, supplements of magnesium may bring considerable relief. Most Americans consume way too much calcium, creating a magnesium deficiency. As with heart conditions, Omega 3 supplements are good medicine for the osteoarthritis patient. Capsaicin cream, available in tubes at the health food shop, may be used topically for potent pain relief at affected sites. It works by reducing perception of pain, triggering endorphins, our brain’s natural response to pain.

There are literally dozens of common health problems that may be effectively treated with a vitamin and herb program. Consulting with qualified nutritionists and herbalists is a good first step. At little expense, you can find relief for your condition and your wallet.

Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors

Knowing the type 2 diabetes risk factors may prevent you from ever developing this devastating disease!

Type 2 diabetes is now so common in this country, that you probably know several people with this condition. The type 2 diabetes risk factors come down to two basic categories: genetic disposition and diet. Knowing what these risk factors are can prevent you or other family members from ever developing this disease. Once diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it’s far more difficult to manage and avoid the many complications of this progressive and painful disease.

It’s irrefutable that there is a genetic factor involved. Native Americans, Eskimos and African Americans have the highest rate of type 2 diabetes. This is probably due to the fact that both these ethnic groups have adopted a Westernized diet in a relatively short period of time. Their native diets did not include the highly refined and sugar laden diets most Americans eat today. While other ethnic groups may have a genetic advantage of centuries of the Western diet, gradually adapting over hundreds of years, no one is exempt. It may just take longer to develop.

Obesity is no longer confined to older folks. Due to poor dietary habits, we now find children who are both obese and afflicted with diabetes. This makes the connection to the effects of poor food choices and diabetes clear. It’s the food you eat, as well as the amount, that made you overweight in the first place. No matter what your age, if you’re overweight, lose it!

Genetics and obesity are clearly two important type 2 diabetes risk factors.

With poor dietary habits, you’re a sitting duck! It’s time to change your diet to more healthful foods. Knowledge is power. Knowing the specific type 2 diabetes risk factors in food choices can literally save your life.

Insulin resistance develops when you overload your pancreas with large meals of refined, high carb foods and lots of sugar, leading to compromised pancreatic function, reducing your body’s ability to metabolize sugar. Pancreatic exhaustion is unequivocally, a type 2 diabetes risk factor. If, instead of eating the traditional three squares a day, you divide your food intake into several smaller meals a day, reduces the load on your pancreas, keeping it in good shape.

In addition to eating several small meals, make sure they are low in refined sugar, high in fiber and include complex carbohydrates, which slowly break down into sugars your pancreas can deal with at a moderate pace. A can of soda provides an instant rush of sugar into your bloodstream, whereas a plate of fruits or veggies is broken down over time.

Most fruits and veggies are also high in fiber, which flushes toxins from your body and keeps your digestive system healthy. People with type 2 diabetes are always told to include plenty of fiber in their diet, as one way to manage their condition and avoid complications. It stands to reason that a lack of fiber is another type 2 diabetes risk factor.

You’ve heard it said that drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day is essential to a healthy diet. Water flushes a variety of toxins from your kidneys, keeping them fit and healthy. Patients with type 2 diabetes usually suffer a deterioration of the kidneys, so help yours stay healthy with a daily intake of as much water as possible.

To top off your healthy eating program, stay active and get sufficient exercise. Your heart will thank you. A lack of exercise is also a type 2 diabetes risk factor, as cardiovascular problems go hand in hand with diabetes.

Understanding these risk factors and implementing a good anti-diabetic lifestyle puts you ahead of the curve!

Alternative Health Resources

Alternative Health and You.

Alternative medicine has long been used to treat a variety of conditions from psoriasis to dysentery. Today the amount of holistic therapies is staggering, and not all of it created equal, which is why it’s so important to keep up to date on the latest happenings in this rapidly growing field. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is a part of the US National Institutes of Health, located online at www.nccam.nih.gov, which is undertaking research, training, and dissemination of data to the public and professionals regarding the most popular health topics. This is a comprehensive site that discusses at length what consumers should know about the latest in alternative health claims, and other consumer concerns and issues. Check out current clinical trials, research funding opportunities, and the continuing education series for all alternative health professionals.

From Natural Solutions at www.alternativemedicine.com find complementary and alternative health medicine information about common health conditions, including natural remedies, holistic healthcare, healing foods, as well as healthy solutions and practical strategies for self-care and prevention. A popular topic for this time of year is seasonal affective disorder or SAD, which results from shorter winter days and less sunlight. Decreased energy levels are a common complaint that can be reversed simply by tanning or light therapy for twenty minutes every morning, eating more protein and omega-3, and by squeezing in any type of outdoor exercise whenever possible to boost serotonin levels from the natural sunlight. In extreme cases it may even be worth relocating to a sunnier locale to avoid the winter blues altogether.

Find true health, and empower yourself to make informed nutritional decisions, holistically. Health resources with remedies A-Z for your alternative health needs can be found online for information on alternative, ayruvedic, aromatherapy, homeopathic, essential oils, flower remedies, herbs, and more alternative treatments and therapies. Also discover sites devoted to medical systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine, including sections for spiritual self-healing. It’s important to be knowledgeable about combining alternative medicine, supplements, vitamins, herbs, and nutrition with conventional medicine too, so be sure to advise your health care professional of everything. If you’re not sure where to start, health counseling is available at our chiropractic health care center for your convenience for help to feel better in your body and achieve your ideal weight. This is also a great way to manage and reduce your stress, increase your energy levels, find healthier ways to eat, and take on a truly holistic approach to life.

Prevention of Obesity and How To Stay Motivated

Gaining weight? Make prevention of obesity your target! Get motivated now!

Obesity is now epidemic in the U.S. While there are some medical conditions which can cause uncontrolled weight gain, the vast majority of overweight and obese people simply eat too much, with poor food choices making up the majority of their diet. No one would say obesity is attractive, nor healthy. Prevention of obesity is really a straightforward proposition. If you’ll forgive the pun, prevention of obesity is truly worth many pounds of cure.

People of normal, stable weight may gain a few pounds over the holidays, partaking of all that holiday cheer. Cookies, fudge, delicious gravies and a few glasses of eggnog are all it takes to get you there. However, most people shed those pounds within a couple of months, once they return to normal eating habits. It all comes down to a reduction of calories.

Prevention of obesity should become your target when you find you’ve gained ten pounds or more and it doesn’t come off. An alarm should sound off in your head when weight starts creeping on and you seem unable to lose weight. Now is the time to take action! It’s far easier to lose ten or twenty pounds than a hundred!

Other signals that indicate a prevention program is necessary include finding that your clothes are too snug. Many people have sections in their closet, one their ‘fat’ clothes, with another for their ’skinny’ clothes. Not only is this an unnecessary expense, but a psychological trick you’re playing on yourself. It goes something like this. “Well, I guess I just have to accept it – people do tend to gain weight as they get older. What’s one dress size anyway? I still look OK.”

The trouble with this attitude is that you’re putting yourself in denial. This means you’ll not be motivated to prevent obesity, because you don’t think it’s possible. You might make a token attempt to diet, but you won’t stick with the program. This is how that weight eventually balloons to an unmanageable problem.

So, the real core issue in the prevention of obesity begins in your mind. You must be motivated. Do you want to wait until the day when some little child in the grocery tells her Mom, “Look how fat that woman is!”? That’s when it’s useless to deny the fact. Prevention of obesity involves an early start.

If you need help in getting motivated, here are a few tips. Go online and calculate your BMI. Read up on the many health problems you may well face. Heart disease, poor circulation, diabetes and joint stress damage are just a few. Dig through old photo albums to find pictures of you when you were of normal weight. Tape that photo on the frig, at eye level, along with a picture of you now. Try on one of your ’skinny’ clothes.

OK. Now you’ve got the motivation. You should first check with your doctor to be sure you don’t have a medical condition, like a thyroid imbalance. If that’s not the case, get ready to diet. Don’t cut yourself any slack. Remember, prevention of obesity is your goal.

Losing weight always boils down to calories. How do you know how many calories you normally eat? Keep a food journal for one week. Write down every last cracker and soda that passes your lips. Get a calorie counter book. Ask your doctor to help plan a diet that’s healthy and right for you.

Motivation is the key to prevention of obesity. With a radical dose of motivation, you’ll lose that extra weight for good!

Effective Osteoarthritis Treatments That Go Beyond Pain Medications

Effective osteoarthritis treatments that go beyond pain medications

There are millions of people who suffer from osteoarthritis. This condition is painful, most commonly affecting the joints. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis is described as a simple case of wearing out of the joints over time. While rheumatoid arthritis patients may be treated with medications, there are no conventional pharmaceutical medications which can alleviate or halt the progression of osteoarthritis. While rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic and progressive disease, with severe and lifelong complications, there are pharmaceutical drugs that can halt the progress of this disease.

Osteoarthritis is perhaps as debilitating, over the long term. The bad news for the osteoarthritic patient is that medical science has no cure. The current osteoarthritis treatments are limited to the alleviation of pain. If you are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, the standard osteoarthritis treatment is to prescribe a pain medication. Who wants to live under such a standard?

If you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and prescribed a pain pill as your only recourse, think again. With a good nutritional strategy, you can reap huge benefits, reducing pain within the space of a single week, eventually reversing your osteoarthritis, and improving your overall health for good.

Before we look at osteoarthritis treatment in terms of nutrition, it should be noted that, if you’re overweight, try to lose those unwanted pounds! The excess weight just puts additional and unnecessary stress on vulnerable joints. Drinking plenty of water, those 6-8 glasses a day we all know about, is also important. The water helps flush accumulated toxins from your body.

One of the most effective osteoarthritis treatments, among nutritional considerations, relates to the proper balance of calcium to magnesium. The ratio of calcium to magnesium intake for healthy bones and joints is roughly 2:3. Americans have one of the highest rates of osteoarthritis in the world, with the average calcium to magnesium ratio an unhealthy 10:1! In these ratios, a certain hormone is triggered to remove old dead bone tissue, while its counterpart hormone, which is supposed to channel new nutrients to bones and joints, is suppressed. This results in a net loss of bone, leading to osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Given these facts, it’s not unreasonable to conclude that perhaps an underlying cause of these conditions is not, in fact, due to ‘wear and tear’ joint degeneration, but rather an overload of calcium and a deficiency of magnesium.

One way to address this condition is to reduce your calcium intake and take a magnesium supplement of 600mg per day. Several clinical studies have shown that magnesium supplementation at this dosage has resulted in increased bone density and significant reduction of pain in as little as nine months, even in quite elderly patients! You may experience reduced pain in just a week! Now that’s an osteoarthritis treatment we can all applaud!

Other supplemental nutrients of value as osteoarthritis treatments include the B-complex vitamins as well as vitamins A, C and E and the trace mineral zinc.

There are many conditions which reflect years of nutritional deficiencies. As we age, many nutrients are not as readily absorbed, so it’s important to monitor any deficiencies to see if supplementation is advisable. Speak to your doctor about having lab tests which can determine nutritional deficiencies.

The importance of a good diet cannot be stressed enough. Young people can get away with poor dietary habits – for a while. However, over a lifetime, the body ultimately suffers the effects. Who knows how many chronic illnesses are preventable?

Anxiety and Panic Attacks controlled with Good Nutrition

Nutritional strategies you can use to reduce anxiety and panic attacks

Anxiety and panic attacks are absolutely no fun! In fact, panic attacks can be a terrifying event. The sudden onset of heart palpitations, tightening of the chest, sweating or chills along with the sensation of not being able to swallow or breathe is the Granddaddy of stressing out. The person who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks often develops a cyclic pattern, feeling anxious most of the time and living in fear of their next panic attack.

Be sure to consult with your doctor to determine what medications and therapies may be helpful in managing your condition. While there are a number of factors that play into these disorders, including genetics, allergies and trauma-related events, there are plenty of dietary changes which may provide you with significant benefits in improving the degree of anxiety and reducing the number of panic attacks you suffer. You might be surprised at how much diet matters.

In some cases, food allergies have been discovered to be a major culprit implicated in triggering anxiety and panic attacks, so discuss this with your physician.

Try to eliminate processed and refined foods from your regular diet, including as much whole foods as possible. Processed foods include chemical additives that can exacerbate anxiety. Try switching to natural meats, that is, from animals that have not been fed growth hormones. Reduce your intake of sweets, as spikes in your blood sugar can lead to that racing sensation which is often a precursor to anxiety and the dreaded panic attacks. When you shop, check food labels for the inclusion of MSG. Many people are quite sensitive to this product, which can adversely affect your nervous system, resulting in a stressed out feeling and often, headaches. Reduce your salt intake and use a salt substitute or herbal ’salt’. This is good medicine for your heart and helps keep your blood pressure in line. These basic changes in diet can produce substantial results.

Ask your doctor to check you for vitamin deficiencies. Deficiencies of certain nutrients can definitely aggravate your condition. Calcium and magnesium, in a balanced ratio, can play a major role in reducing both anxiety and panic attacks. Deficiencies in these nutrients can produce many of the symptoms you experience! The same is true for the B complex vitamins, which affect proper functioning of the nervous system, as well as a direct effect on your degree of stress and energy. Deficiencies in the B complex group can result in depression!

Not only does it matter what you eat, but how you eat. Anxious, stressed out people commonly eat too fast. Give your digestive system a break. Chew your food well and slow down. If you don’t chew your food well enough, you’re indirectly contributing to stress, because your body won’t be able to absorb all of the nutrients.

If you’re an avid coffee lover, try to confine yourself to just one or two cups a day. The caffeine can increase your susceptibility to both increased anxiety and panic attacks.

Try making these changes in your diet, work with your doctor to devise techniques that relieve stress and see if you don’t start feeling better soon.

Turkey Recipes for Thanksgiving Leftovers

The great thing about turkey is that it can be adapted to any kind of cuisine and there are lots of turkey recipes to use up leftovers after the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays. Turkey can be a bit bland and dry, so it can be improved with spices and glazes. The important thing to remember is to cook the bird thoroughly, right into the cavity. Allow plenty time but don’t overdo it, those juices are needed for the flavor. Don’t forget to remove the giblets! Those innards don’t have to be thrown away however; they make a delicious stock for the gravy.

Plan ahead and think carefully about the size of bird you’ll need. It has been known for people to order a huge turkey and then find that it won’t fit into the oven! It’s not a good idea to keep re-heating poultry, so try to use up those leftovers in one go if possible.

Turkey needs the flavor bringing out and herbs are ideal for this. Sage, oregano or tarragon is ideal. Some people like to pep it up with some paprika. The stuffing is probably the best thing about turkey recipes and you can experiment and find what combination you prefer. There is the traditional sausage meat with sage and onion or chestnut. Fruit stuffings add a lot of moisture, with pear, cranberries or orange. All these can be mixed with garlic and lemon. Honey glazed turkey is very tasty and the sweetness of the honey combines well with vegetables such as sweet potatoes or parsnip.

You would have to be a mathematical genius to calculate the exact amount of meat needed over a festive holiday. Leftovers are inevitable and they offer tasty meals with a bit of imagination. Turkey recipes for curries can use up leftover vegetables too. Some cumin, chili and coriander will add some zest or you could use a Thai curry paste. Soup is another idea and there is no waste with this method. The carcass can be boiled for the stock. Add some chicken stock cubes and cook up some carrots, peas and barley with the meat.

Burgers are great for breakfast or lunch, made from ground turkey meat with peppers, onions and tomatoes. Add some Tabasco Sauce for a Cajun flavor.You can top them with grated cheese or caramelized onion and serve with pineapple rings or scrambled egg. A more healthy option is turkey salad with mixed green leaves, celery, sun dried tomatoes, chutney and mustard. You could accompany the salad with a homemade pizza with turkey sausage topping. Turkey recipes can use up whatever ingredients you have in the cupboard and you’ll look forward to the next big bird!

Joy And Happiness Comes From Good Health

There is nothing more important to your happiness factor than taking proper care of your body.

There is nothing better than a good night’s sleep to make you feel better. Well, maybe a perfect diet, proportioned in fat, carbohydrates, proteins and calories. Oh, I almost forgot the benefit of a good exercise program will do wonders for your health and well-being.

Taking care of your health is an integral part of taking care of your mental well-being. It’s hard to feel happy if you don’t get proper nutrition, sleep or exercise, no matter how hard you try to keep a positive attitude. If you don’t feel rested or fueled, happiness is going to be just beyond your reach.

Take time to get the rest you need. Go to bed earlier than usual, but don’t disturb your natural rhythm too much. Eat smaller meals, but more frequently, to keep your blood sugar levels regular. Eat fresh foods; lots of fresh fruit and vegetables will help keep your energy levels up, and make sure to include some proteins for long-term energy.

Exercise tells your brain to release “happy hormones,” called endorphins. Regular exercise that makes you breathe just a little bit hard helps you to burn fat and to get the added benefit of the endorphins that give you a burst of energy and a sense of well-being.

Take control of your own body as a way of making yourself happier. By making better food choices, getting plenty of quality rest and getting more exercise is a sure-fire way of increasing you “happy factor.”

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