May 2015 Newsletter

Closed for Vacation at End of May 

The chiropractic office will close after the morning session at 12:30 PM Friday, May 22nd. We will reopen normal hours at 8:30 AM on June 1st.

Massage therapist Kelly Nickel will be available by appointment by calling or texting 513.259.1667, by email: [email protected] or online.

Chiropractic Benefits for Healthy Pregnancy

In April, I attended a seminar in Atlanta focusing on perinatal care. As many of you know, my wife and I are expecting our first child later this summer, so this was a timely continuing education class!

Over the years, I have enjoyed caring for pregnant women and we know that there are specific things chiropractic can do to help keep mom and baby healthy.

• Chiropractic ensures great alignment for the pelvis, so that mom and baby can have easier labor.
• Adjustments help mom respond to changes in structure as the baby grows, addressing pain and discomfort.
• The chiropractic Webster technique corrects specific stress patterns in the sacrum and round ligament. We observe that many babies that are in breech positions are able to shift on their own into head down position after adjusting mom using these assessment protocols.
• Statistics show women utilizing chiropractic in pregnancy report less pain, less need for pain medication, and faster delivery times than those who don’t use chiropractic.

I was pleased to receive my certification in the Webster technique while at this seminar for perinatal care. Please contact me with any questions on this subject; I look forward to helping you!

Omega 3: An Assessment for Your Levels

Most people have heard about the long list of benefits of omega 3 fats, commonly found in fish oil. Is it all hype? Is it really that important?

I believe it is a vital nutrient and it’s for real! It is one of the few supplements I recommend for nearly everyone. The reason you will hear SO MANY benefits about fish oil and it being preventative for a long list of diseases is because of how it helps your body. Consider this abbreviated description from Innate Choice:

Omega 3 EFAs (essential fatty acids) are extremely important in the structure and function of every cell in the body and the function of your cells is what determines your health. Your cells are what determine your immune function, healing, hormone levels, heart function, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, digestion, moods, etc.

Omega 3 fatty acids are part of every cell membrane and are required to maintain the proper shape, flexibility, fluidity, and “slipperiness” of cell membranes. The flexibility and “slipperiness” of cell membranes is important for the flow of blood through blood vessels and decreases the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. This fluidity or flexibility of cell membranes is also crucial to ensure the proper flow of nutrients into cells as well as the proper shape of cell receptors for hormones such as insulin (insulin sensitivity).
 

In addition, EFAs are required for proper nerve signal transmission (memory, concentration, cognitive ability, muscle coordination, and strength) and immune function including defense against cancer. This is why EPA and DHA deficiency are linked with cognitive impairments and learning and behavior disabilities such as ADHD, with depression, and with decreased cognitive ability and increased risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia in the elderly. EPA and DHA deficiency is also highly correlated with increased risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer.

We now have available at the office a simple self-test kit to determine your omega 3 levels; the cost is $99. You will receive a detailed report that will let you know if you need to change your diet to reduce omega 6 fats and/or increase consumption of omega 3 fats. We also sell Innate Choice Omega 3 oil in liquid and capsule form for $45.  

In the article, Evolutionary Aspects of Diet: The Omega-6/Omega-3 Ration and the Brain, Molecular Neurobiology, October 2011; Vol 44; No 2; pp203-215,

• Several sources of information suggest that human beings evolved on a diet that had a ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids (EFA) of about 1/1. We should aim for no worse than a 4:1 ratio.
• Today Western diets have a ratio of 10/1 to 25/1, indicating that Western diets are deficient in omega 3 EFA compared to the diet which humans evolved and their genetic patterns were established.
• Omega 6 and omega 3 are not interconvertible in the human body and are important components of practically all cell membranes.

Here is another great article from nutritionist Mike Kesthely which details with the importance of Omega 3 EFA, especially relating to athletes.

The fact of the matter is that everyone needs omega 3 EFAs and due to dietary practices virtually everyone in Western society is deficient.

We Are Looking For Part-Time Help at the Office

Shawna and I are looking for someone to help us at the office. We need help with administrative tasks such as posting insurance payments, planning events and classes, helping develop the newsletter content, attending occasional health fairs, and creating some new educational items.

We are looking for someone that could help on Tuesdays for regular office work. Some additional work could likely be completed at home on your own schedule.

If you or someone you know would be interested, please us at [email protected] for more information. Thank you!

Being Smart in the Summer Sunshine

Sunshine is here and summer is approaching! It is important to know that sunlight is absolutely good for us and our health. We often hear that the sunlight can cause skin cancer. Overexposure and burning of the skin can cause changes that lead to skin cancer. However, being outside in the sunshine is one of the best things you can do for your health.

The key is being outside enough to benefit, but not too much to burn! Of course there are occasions when we may not be able to limit our time outside and need some help. Loose clothing and hats are the best choice. Sunscreens are another option we can use for prolonged time out in the sun. Unfortunately, recent press has highlighted concerns with both traditional and ‘natural’ sunscreens. It seems that some of the chemicals in traditional sunscreens can be harmful and that titanium dioxide, found in many natural sunscreens, may cause problems as well. Hopefully more research will help us develop even better sunscreen choices.

There are also ‘make your own’ sunscreen options using coconut oil as a primary ingredient. I have used the make your own variety and also this product over the past year. EWG releases a list of safer sunscreen options each year.

Recipe of the Month: Indonesian Curry Cukes

Ingredients:

2 cups sliced cucumbers, 1/4″ thick
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, sliced 1/4″ thick
1 orange, peeled, sliced 1/4″ thick
1/2 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon coconut aminos (if not on hand, organic fermented soy sauce)
2 teaspoons curry powder

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a non-reactive (glass) large mixing bowl and refrigerate 20 minutes before serving. Makes 4 servings.