CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS: MORE BAD THAN GOOD?

A review of several studies published this year from the U.K. found that using calcium supplements increased the risk of heart attacks by about 30%.  According to the researchers, "given that calcium supplements only modestly improve bone density and prevent fracture, their role in the management of osteoporosis should be re-assessed."  If you eat properly, you can get enough usable calcium from a well-rounded diet.  Make sure that you exercise and have some sort of green, leafy vegetable every day, as this is nature's best source of minerals, including calcium, in a form that your body can and will be able to utilize. 

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE

A recent study found that having a purpose in life keeps you healthier. In particular, scientists discovered that among 900 elderly people, those that had a "greater purpose in life" had a much lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease and mental impairment. While this study only focused on the elderly, I'm sure the results would be similar for all people, from children to adults.  From a personal standpoint, my purpose is to empower you to function better, through chiropractic and information, and serves as the driving force in my professional life. So whether your aim in life is your work, your family, your garden, your hobby, a charitable cause, or a combination of several things, make sure you have a clear purpose. Everything that you say, think, or do affects others and the planet that sustains us. Remember, no matter what you do, lives are always at stake.

HEALTH RISKS OF FOOD DYES

One unique trait we enjoy in contrast to most of the animal kingdom is our ability to see in bright, vivid colour. Unfortunately, this is a trait that the processed food industry uses to it's full advantage, by adding the most cost-effective food colourings, in order to attract our attention. A recent study has conclusively shown a strong link between the chemicals in food dyes and childhood cancer, hyperactivity, and allergies. Some countries are already considering a complete ban on these synthetic additives that are commonly found in processed foods such as cereals, soft drinks, sweets, etc. Alternative food-derived dyes are available and commonly used, but instead of waiting for the food industry to take action, it's best to just avoid processed foods as much as possible. The closer food is to its natural form, the safer and healthier it will be.

PAIN KILLERS & HEARING LOSS

Whenever a patient tells me that they've stopped using pain pills, I always tell them that their stomach, liver, and kidneys will also be grateful. Surprisingly, it turns out that less pain pills will also help preserve your hearing. A study published recently in the American Journal of Medicine found an association between regular use of over the counter pain killers and hearing loss. The researchers from Harvard and Vanderbilt in the U.S. concluded that "regular use of aspirin, NSAIDs, or acetaminophen increases the risk of hearing loss in men, and the impact is larger on younger individuals." For men that were taking more than 2 pain pills every week the risk of hearing loss was much greater than those taking less than 2 per week. Remember, that covering up symptoms like pain may help you feel better temporarily, but you are potentially creating other long-term problems. Specific chiropractic care helps you function and feel better, which often results in less pain, naturally.

THE CHOLESTEROL/BRAIN CONNECTION

It appears that there is "a growing pile of evidence that the central nervous system is far more involved in the control of essential metabolic processes than we once thought." One example is the formation of cholesterol in our bodies, which is produced by the liver. It has been thought that cholesterol levels are mainly reliant on diet and liver function, but a new study has found "for the first time that cholesterol is also under direct 'remote control' by specific neurocircuitry in the central nervous system." So it turns out that by improving the function of your spinal cord and brain, chiropractic care may help to keep your cholesterol levels in check.

MUSIC'S HEALTH BENEFITS

Music is a universal language that unites people and apparently also makes us healthier. Since starting in professional practice, music has always been an essential element in my consulting rooms. It just made sense to create a more relaxing environment, away from the fast pace of city life, which will help you to get better faster. Many research studies are now also showing the benefits of music. One study found that listening to music while exercising improved the function of the brain. Another study found that "joyful music has a healthy effect on blood vessel function." And finally, a study of the elderly with sleep problems "reported a 35 percent improvement after they started listening to 45 minutes of soft music before bedtime." So whether it's in the car, while you're exercising, or part of your bedtime routine, make sure you're making music an integral part of your life.

ON A FIRST NAME BASIS

Ever since beginning practice, I have almost always introduced myself by my first name. I have never seen the need to say "I'm Dr. Nana." For most of the 20th century, doctors have appeared elitist and superior because of their education. However, we are merely specialists in a specific field of study like everyone else in society today. We know more and more about less and less, as I once read somewhere. Health care today is meant to be empowering, because the true healing comes from within and not from a doctor, healer, medicine, scalpel or adjustment. Whenever my patients give me credit for making them better, I always remind them that their own innate intelligence deserves the real credit, I merely helped. So remember, you are actually your own doctor and healer.

STUDY SHOWS BENEFITS OF NATURE

In a book I read recently, one of the characters complained about how flat and square our indoor spaces tend to be, making her feel very uncomfortable. For most of us city-dwellers, we spend most of our time in the unnatural surroundings of houses, offices, cars, shops, etc. But it turns out that a small dose of being in nature is good for your overall health. A review of 10 studies done in the UK showed that spending only five minutes a day in a natural environment improved people's mood, self-esteem, mental and physical health. Activities included things such as gardening, hiking, biking, etc. And apparently the strongest effect was around water, such as lakes, ponds, or streams. So if you're not getting your regular dose of nature, you owe it to your mind and body.

(The panoramic picture as seen above was taken in November 2009 on the way to the Drakensberg, overlooking the Sterkfontein Dam. We were only there for about 15 minutes, but it was peaceful and relaxing. And as this study shows, that short stop on our journey was actually good for our health, too. )

THE BENEFITS OF SOME CHOCOLATE

A few months ago, a study of 50,000 people revealed that eating a bar of chocolate a week decreased the risk of having a stroke. But remember that eating too much chocolate can definitely have a negative effect. This was shown recently in a study that showed that the more chocolate you eat, the more depressed you get. So chocolate seems to be a good addition to your diet, but only in controlled moderation.

ARE MULTIVITAMINS NECESSARY?

Multivitamin pills have been around since the 1930's, growing in popularity ever since to become a huge multi-billion dollar industry in itself. While these nutritional supplements make sense in theory, there is little evidence that they are actually necessary. In fact with a third to half of Americans using them, people certainly haven't become healthier as a population. A few recent studies have shown that they don't prevent diseases such as cancer and heart disease. One such study from 2009 "found no significant differences in risk of cancer, heart disease or death between the multivitamin users and non-users." Another study found that men who took more than one multivitamin a day "were 32% are more likely to develop advanced prostate cancer and 98% more likely to die from the disease." And most recently, research from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition "found a link between taking multivitamins and increased risk of breast cancer." With all this in mind, it seems that multivitamins are not necessarily good for you and could potentially be harmful. Just remember, nature has already provided us with the best way to get your essential vitamins and minerals: a balanced diet, with a wide variety of whole foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.

"THAT WAS FUN!"

After climbing down from the adjusting table the other day, one of my patients said with a big smile on his face, "Thanks. That was fun!" It's a common sentiment from many patients who seem to appreciate the experience they get here. I'm very grateful, because most people tend not to like going to doctors of any kind. I'm quite familiar with that fearful, apprehensive look that many people have on their first visit. But after going through the procedure, they are pleasantly surprised by the gentle nature of Activator Methods and the resulting effects of functioning better. On the same day, another patient marveled at how her eyesight seemed to improve right after the adjustments. So I'm glad that it is a fun experience for most people and always refreshing to hear so.

EDUCATE YOUR MEDICAL DOCTOR

In the last few years, I have seen more and more patients being referred to me by their general medical practitioners. While most medical doctors still don't refer, this trend seems to be slowly changing. This is mostly a result of patients telling their doctors about their positive chiropractic experiences. As a profession, we don't have an army of sales reps that call on the doctors, as do the pharmaceutical companies. So the only way that they can possibly learn about your positive results with chiropractic is if you tell them. Many patients suffer with debilitating symptoms for years before finally discovering chiropractic, saying that their doctor never told them about this option. Your story could help keep someone from struggling when simple chiropractic care can make all the difference.

IS KNUCKLE-CRACKING BAD?

Many people "crack" or "pop" their knuckles or even their back and neck. It usually provides some relief from tension, but only temporarily. One misconception is that this practice leads to more wear and tear and can lead to arthritis. As you can see in the video below, this is not true. However, if you have to "crack" your own joints often, it does show that there is dysfunction in the way the joints are moving and the way the nerves are functioning. One of our goals is to restore proper spinal joint and nerve function. Once your spine is subluxation-free, the need to do this becomes less and your body will be able to correct any joint fixations in a much quieter and comfortable way.

(Click here to watch the video.)

ELDERLY PATIENTS VERY SATISFIED WITH CHIROPRACTIC CARE

While studying chiropractic during my student years, I was uncertain of how much we could actually help elderly patients. After getting out into the real world, I was pleasantly surprised to see that we truly can make a big difference. The results are often very heart-warming as these patients greatly appreciate feeling and functioning better. In a recent survey of elderly patients in the U.S. that received treatment under the government funded Medicare program, 87% were very satisfied with chiropractic care, with 56% giving their chiropractor a perfect 10 out of 10. In fact, 60% percent said they received "complete" or "a lot of relief." I'm sure that the results would have been even better with trained and certified Activator chiropractors, since most chiropractors do treat their elderly patients with the Activator instrument, but seldom do the proper analysis. Making the right adjustment at the right place is essential.

(Click here to read more.)

LEARN HOW TO MEDITATE WHILE WALKING

With more and more research, it appears that meditation improves your overall health. If you don't know how, a good start is a "walking meditation." All you need is a nice place to walk and you're all set. According to wikihow.com, follow these simple steps:
1. Set time aside for this particular kind of walking.
2. Choose a place to walk.
3. Pace your breathing with your steps.
4. Live in the moment.
5. Little by little, incorporate this practice into your daily life - taking three or four slow, mindful steps whenever you remember to.

Click on the link below to read more about it and watch the video:
How to Do Walking Meditation

HAPPINESS PROMOTES A HEALTHY HEART

In a study of 1,739 healthy men and women, it was found that people with more positive emotions, such as happiness and enthusiasm, had a lower risk of experiencing a heart attack. This shows the effect that your nervous system has on the function of your whole body, including the heart as shown in this example. Remember that whether you are happy or not is always a decision you make. Life has its ups and downs, but how you choose to react is up to you. And when you have less irritation coming from your spine, it is much easier to be happy. So make sure that your spine and nervous system are functioning optimally, as subluxations in the upper neck, upper back, and pelvis can affect the function of your heart.

(Click here to read more.)

GRATEFUL TO HELP YOU FUNCTION BETTER

This morning while examining patients I was reminded of how much I love to help people to function better. Yesterday, one lady told me she appreciated my "attitude toward patients." I suppose that if you enjoy what you're doing, you can't help but have a nice attitude. People come here often desperate and hopeless, many resigned to living a life with dysfunction and often pain. When they start to function better and then feel better, they are always very appreciative, which makes my job that much more gratifying.

THE WEEKEND EFFECT

About four years ago, after having our first child, I realized that I didn't spend as much time with my family as I'd like. So I stopped working on Saturdays, every other week. Three years later when our second little girl was born, I decided to take the bold step of not working on Saturdays at all. It wasn't a popular decision with many patients, who relied on that time, but many of them made an effort to come during the week. It has turned out to be one of the best moves I've made, as I've been able to develop a strong bond with my kids and give my wife a helping hand with the ever demanding task of raising two very energetic kids. The weekend is a very important time for all of us to rest, spend time with loved ones, do something different, and recharge for the next week. A recent study found that people are generally happier on the weekend, regardless of how much they earn or how satisfied they are with their jobs. They called this the "weekend effect." So if you are denying yourself of that essential rest and relaxation time, you may be compromising your happiness and health.

SOFT DRINKS AND PANCREATIC CANCER

One of the worst culprits in the modern diet are the sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages which are often called soft drinks or sodas. They are commonly consumed without any regard to its ill effects, with many people drinking more than two glasses on a daily basis. A study published this month found that people drinking only two glasses per week doubled their risk of developing pancreatic cancer. So the less soft drinks you drink, the better.

(Click here to read more.)

THE DANGERS OF THIRD-HAND SMOKE

We know that smoking is bad for the smoker and the people that inhale the second-hand smoke, but a new study has shown that "third-hand smoke" is just as bad. Researchers found that "tobacco smoke residues found on everyday surfaces react with molecules in indoor air to form potent cancer causing chemicals." Third-hand smoke is due to nicotine that has been absorbed by indoor materials, surfaces, floors, furniture, and clothing. So it turns out that smokers not only pollute their own bodies and those around them, but also the environment they live in. Just another reason not to smoke.

(Click here to read more.)