Care Wellness Center Chiropractor Arlington TX

Nutrition

Spice Up Your Diet and Spice Up Your Health

We all know the important, necessary benefits of good nutrition and whole foods. What most people don’t know is that the spices we add to our foods can play a huge role in keeping us healthy. It has been proven that spices and herbs can double or even triple the healthy benefits of food. Oregano and other herbs are packed with more antioxidants than fruits and veggies if measured on a per gram basis. As well as being a great source of antioxidants, spices also have an anti-inflammatory effect, are low in calorie count, usually inexpensive, and add great flavor to our food. It is important to use a good variety of spices and herbs just like it is important to use a variety of food. Each spice and herb has its own unique benefits. Cinnamon is an antimicrobial agent and has been known to kill E-coli and many other bacteria. It can also help fight obesity, regulate sugar, boost the immune system, and help fight early aging and heart disease. Black pepper increases the nutrients available to the body of most ther foods. Oregano is a powerful antioxidant and can help fight fungus. Turmeric is best known for its ability to boost the immune system and help fight off cancer. It is 5-8 times stronger then Vitamin C and E. Garlic, mustard seed, and chicory all help the heart pump better. Cumin and sage can help with dementia. Cloves are great for a mild anesthetic that can be used for sore throats or a toothache. If you need help calming down or changing your mood try nutmeg, bay leaves, saffron, or lemon grass. Coriander, rosemary, cayenne, allspice and black pepper can also help with depression. As with all things, spices and herbs are most beneficial at their unprocessed state, so use the high quality organic spices directly when you can. Get the most out of your food and spice up your diet and health!

Say No to Soy

After claims that soy protein can decrease heart disease as well as many other benefits, 85% of consumers started thinking soy was a healthy alternative that should be included in any diet plan.

Western food processors separate the soybean into two different parts, the oil and the protein. It is this dangerous protein isolate that is found in most of the 2,700 unfermented soy products on the market today. The separation of these two parts of the soybean do not remove the anti-nutrients and leave behind toxic, carcinogenic materials that raise homocysteine levels that actually increase the risk for heart disease, as well as stroke and birth defects.

Diets high in soy have also been known to cause problems like fatigue, hair loss, loss of sex drive, weight gain, premature puberty, cancer, brain damage, kidney stones, weakened immune system, food allergies, and reproductive disorders.

Soy also contains ingredients that can block estrogen, block the body’s intake of minerals, cause red blood cells to clump together which block oxygen and can stunt growth, as well as enable protein digestion. By eating many types of processed food, we will be exposed to some kind of soy protein, so whole organic foods are always a better option.

There are some soy products that are safe to consume. Properly fermented soy foods like natto, tempeh, miso, and naturally fermented soy sauce are fine.

Come in for a Quick Check

It always seems like this time of year everyone is sick. We get those nagging cold and flu symptoms, or someone always has a stomach virus, etc. Most people make an appointment with their doctor to get yet another prescription medication with harmful side effects just so you can go back to work and get sick again in about a week because your immune system is still weak. Well now you have another option. Why not try a natural approach that will help build your bodies immune system and get rid of those symptoms we all have become so used to getting? By using our computerized Nutritional Stress and Balance Assessment, we can run a quick check for cold and flu like symptoms and stressors. It will then give you a list of a few natural supplements that will help you get and stay well. The test takes about 5-10 minutes and it only costs $20. Call and schedule your quick check today and let us help you get better naturally.

Make Your Holiday Cooking Naturally Delicious

It is time to start making plans for your Holiday meals and fighting all the people in the grocery stores for just the right ingredients. Here are some tips and helpful information to help keep your Holiday meal natural.

When cooking with oils it is important to use the right ones. Make sure to read all the labels and look for oils that are cold pressed, expeller pressed, or virgin. If you use canola oil make sure it is high oleic. Peanut oil can be a good choice as well as long as it is organic and cold pressed. Olive oil is good for things like salad dressings, but looses most of its good qualities when used for cooking. The best oils to cook with are coconut, palm fruit, or walnut. Organic, high oleic sunflower and safflower oils can also be used.
Nuts are a very popular snack this time of year. Make sure you look for nuts that are dry roasted or have been cooked in good oils like those mentioned above.
Agave can be a great substitute for sugar. When using it in recipes, reduce the amount called for (ex: use 3/4 a cup of Agave instead of 1 cup of sugar). When using a liquid sweetener, reduce water amounts in recipe by 2 Tbs. You can also use Stevia, raw cane sugar, barley malt or rice syrup. The barley malt and rice syrup won’t taste as sweet so you may want to use the other choices if you have a real sweet tooth.
Always try to use organic products when possible. Grass fed and Grass finished meats are always a better option. Look for solar dried sea salts. Use a variety of colors in your fruits and vegetables. Take time to enjoy your food and your family!

All Vitamins Are Not Created Equally

You're sitting on your couch watching TV and you hear the commercial for the latest daily multivitamin that promises to help you loose weight or keep your heart healthy. If you are like most people, you pick up a bottle the next time you are at the store with the best of intentions to actually improve your health. What most people do not realize is that all vitamins are not created equally. In other words, the vitamins and supplements you buy at the store are mostly synthetic and may do more harm than good. Only 50% of synthetic vitamins can be used efficiently by your body. Synthetic vitamins are made by isolating one compound of the nutrient which is more than likely not the part needed. Our bodies need the entire complex of a vitamin in order to get the full benefit. Natural whole food supplements such as Standard Process focus on getting the full complex of the vitamin. It is very important to read the labels of the vitamins and supplements you purchase. Vitamin companies can claim they have a "Natural" product even if only 10% of the product is natural. Guidelines for the terms Natural and Organic are very broad and lax, so be careful. Look for ingredients like liver, yeast, buckwheat, fish oils, etc when buying supplements. If you are not sure about the vitamins and supplements you are currently using at home bring them in and we can check them against your body to see if they are good for you. We can also run a test to see what natural supplement would be a better multi-vitamin for you. Come in today and let us help you get on the right track.

Food to Keep you Cool

Summer time in Texas can be brutal. A good way to beat the heat is to choose foods that can help keep you cool. Here is a list of nutritious foods that won't add to the heat: Melons like watermelon and honeydew
Corn
Hot sauce
Bitter foods like dark chocolate and tea
Salad
Fresh fruit
So plan a good nutritious meal this summer and stay cool!

The Importance of Prevention

One of the biggest mistakes people make is associating symptoms with health. We tend to think that just because we do not have any symptoms, we are healthy. Let's take our teeth for example. We could have a cavity for several months before any pain occurs. Your spine is the same way. A misalignment of the spine or subluxation could be present for years before we realize there is a problem. Everyone knows that in order to prevent cavities and decay we have to brush and floss our teeth as well as get routine check ups with the dentist. The same preventative measures should be taken for our overall healthcare as well. Disease prevention and helping the body use its innate ability to heal itself is truly the meaning of Chiropractic care. Because the spine is the center for our nervous system, a subluxation can cause so many more problems than just back or neck pain. Imagine how much healthier we would all be if we worked to prevent illness rather than popping medications once the symptoms have become unbearable. It is never too late to get back on track with you and your family's healthcare. Come in and join us for Family week and together we can focus on a healthier you.

Vitamins and Minerals: Optimize Your Health

With September being ovarian and prostate cancer awareness month, you will probably be seeing many campaigns for cancer awareness. While education of these diseases are helpful and necessary, the most important solution to these rapidly growing health problems is prevention. Vitamins, minerals and nutrition are some of the most beneficial yet overlooked options to reduce and help prevent many diseases including cancer. Studies show that vitamin D can help reduce the risk of cancer by 50 to 60%. By helping the cells to reach full maturity and duplicate at a slower rate, vitamin D can reduce the chance for cancer cells to produce. Calcium is another beneficial vitamin for reducing cell replication. Folic acid and vitamin B12 are necessary to keep our DNA strong which prevents cancerous mutations. Foods naturally rich in Antioxidants such as vitamin C, selenium, lycopene, vitamin A, beta carotene, Lutein, and vitamin E can help get rid of free radicals which are unstable atoms or molecules that damage DNA. This is also necessary to prevent cancer cells from forming. When we get the essential Omega 3 fatty acids that are found in fish, fish oil, grass fed beef and flaxseed oil, our bodies convert them to a caner fighting hormone known as prostaglandin series-3 which also slows the cell dividing process. Because the normal American diet does not include a well balanced amount of the vitamins and minerals we need, supplements are usually necessary to get their full benefits. With all of the supplements and vitamins available, the best one for you can be difficult to choose. Our new stress assessment testing can actually run a protocol to see what multi-vitamin, vitamin D, calcium, and omega 3 fatty acid supplements would benefit you the most. Through the end of September we are offering this scan for FREE, so schedule your appointment as soon as possible.

Come in for a Quick Check

Nutrition and Gum Disease

Fall is officially here and therefore time for the Holiday treats and goodies we have all become so accustomed to. Taking care of our teeth and gums and making sure we get the nutrition we need is not an easy task this time of year. With 80% of Americans being affected by some sort of gum disease, it is time to change our priorities. Gum disease is often an early case of Scurvy, which is not only harmful to the teeth and gums, it also causes an array of other health issues. Even a mild case of Scurvy can cause inflammation which leads to hardening of the arteries, heart attacks, diabetes, and weight gain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, depression, anemia, easy bruising, poor wound healing, and lethargy. Balanced nutrition is imperative in maintaining healthy gums and teeth. Make sure your diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Even with a well balanced diet, vitamins and minerals may be necessary to achieve optimum dental health. One of the most important vitamins is vitamin C. The entire C complex is crucial as opposed to just one component of vitamin C such as Ascorbic Acid found in the majority of synthetic vitamins. Most of the benefits from vitamin C come from the large variety of bioflavinoids, polyphenolics, and trysinase. Standard Process has an excellent C complex that includes all components needed to help reduce swelling and protect gum tissue. A complete Vitamin E complex also helps protect gum tissue. Calcium maintains and protects strong healthy teeth. Recent studies show that vitamin D can reduce susceptibility to dental inflammation by utilizing its anti-inflammatory effects. Along with a healthy, well balanced diet and the use of vitamins make sure that you brush and floss twice a day and get regular check ups with your dentist. Nutrition is so important in every aspect of your health. Call and schedule your nutritional evaluation today and let us design your healthcare plan. Together we can achieve good health naturally.

Eat Healthy This Holiday Season

Many of you are probably planning your Thanksgiving menus and getting ready to stuff yourself with all the traditional Holiday treats. What we often do not think about this time of year is the harmful chemicals and toxins we are consuming in the processed foods we all eat. Try trading natural ingredients this year in all your recipes rather than sticking to the harmful artificial foods we have become so used to. Sea salt, whole wheat pastry flour or unbleached white flour, unsalted organic butter, gluten free products, and anything organic is a great alternative. Another problem with the everyday food we eat is the pesticides they contain. The toxic chemicals found in pesticides have been shown to cause serious problems especially in young children. Because these effects are understudied and not well understood, it is a good idea to avoid as many pesticides as possible. FoodNews.org recently posted a list of the foods with the most and least pesticide exposure called the Dirty Dozen and the Cleanest 12. By avoiding the Dirty Dozen, you can lower pesticide consumption by 90%. The worst foods are peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, grapes, pears, spinach, and potatoes. The healthiest options are onions, avocado, sweet corn, pineapples, mango, sweet peas, asparagus, kiwi, bananas, cabbage, broccoli, eggplant. Protect your family and think healthy this Holiday season.

Top 10 Drugs Top 10 Remedies

We have all seen the commercials about prescription medications. For example, a peaceful night of sleep or being able to lift your grandkids above your head while minimizing the dangerous side effects such as liver damage, heart attack, stroke, shortness of breath, or diarrhea. What most people do not realize is that there are alternatives to these popular drugs that do not have these side effects. Some of the most common prescription and over the counter drugs include medications for pain, indigestion, high blood pressure and/or cholesterol, anti-depression, allergies, and Insomnia. Our medicine cabinets are filled remedies to fix our common ailments that may be causing adverse reactions to each other and side effects we don't even know about. A safer way to treat our every day problems is to go back to nature for the answers. For most pharmaceutical drugs on the market, there is a natural alternative that can help us achieve and maintain a level of health that does not require potentially harmful medications.

The Common Misconceptions About Salt

It is very common to think that salt is bad for us and a low salt diet is a much safer choice. Some doctors have said for years now that a high salt diet is linked to high blood pressure and more than likely you or someone you know has been put on a low salt diet at some point. While 1% of population is sensitive to salt, using a good solar dried sea salt can actually be more beneficial than using no salt at all or high amounts of a low quality salt such as table salt. Table salt is chemically cleansed and does not have any of the extra minerals that sea salt has such as zinc, magnes-ium, and trace minerals. Recent studies show that a diet low in salt may actually be worse for your heart than using salt. In these studies, 25% of the people who ate the least amount of salt were 80% more likely to die of cardiac disease than the 25% who ate the most salt. While these studies are promising for the average salt lover, it is still important to use a good quality soar dried sea salt to get the full benefit. Sea salt has been shown to help with several health issues ranging from digestion, to supporting the adrenal glands that control our hormone production. Make an appointment today for a scan and we can tell you which sea salt would give you the most benefit.

The Truth About Oil

The use of oil, butter, and fats has been the root of many debates for our everyday diets. The vegetable oil industry is telling us to stay away from saturated fats, replace butter with margarine, and limit our oil intake to vegetable oil. However, a variety of fats are essential in the production of many hormones and the use of oil soluble vitamins in the body.

The quality of oil is the extremely important, but most important is to avoid trans fats, partially hydrogenated oils and fats that have been overheated. These make the oil useless and stop the utilization of good oils. Most commercial vegetable oils have been over-heated. Look for oils that are either "virgin", "expeller pressed" or "cold pressed" and avoid letting oil smoke during cooking.

Not all saturated fats are bad. Some saturated fats have been made worse by the food industry. 99% of the lard in this country has been hydrogenated, as has much of the coconut and palm oils. These partially hydrogenated saturated fats should be avoided. In their natural states, the saturated fats from grass fed animals are far superior to grain fed animals and also contain beneficial omega 3's. Good saturated fat can also be found in organic unsalted butter, shellfish, coconut and palm oils. The good saturated fats are very stable, store easily and produce very few free radicals in the body. This is also true of the mono-saturated oils (omega 9's) found in avocado, peanut, apricot kernel, olive, the "high oleic" (or high heat) canola, "high oleic" sunflower and "high oleic" safflower oils. The saturated and mono-unsaturated fats should constitute 80 to 90% of our fat intake. The remaining 10 to 20% should be high in the "essential fatty acids" (EFA's), which are the omega 3's and omega 6's. It is also very important to balance the omega 6's with equal amounts of omega 3's. They should be in a 1:1 ratio. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is typically a 30:1 ratio which results in inflammation. Omega 3's can be found in cold water fish, flax seed, hempseed, walnuts and pumpkin seed oils. A special class of omega 6's that are anti- inflammatory can be found in black currant seed, borage, and evening primrose oil supplements. Other omega 6's are found in sesame, corn, ordinary canola, and grapeseed oils. Because they are fragile oils, store both Omega 3 and 6 oils in a cool dark place such as the refrigerator and buy in small quantities to get the best results. Do not store the saturated and mono-saturated oils in the refrigerator. When you are buying an oil, read the entire label. They can claim to be trans fat free and yet it may have some partially hydrogenated oils in the ingredients.

Good oil is not only for the food we eat, but the products we use on our skin. Use a variety of oils as they each have unique properties and flavors. Don't be afraid to use oil in your diet, just make sure it is good oil.

The Key to Healthy Bones

What is the first thing you think about when you hear bone health? If you are like most people, you think about increasing your calcium intake with more dairy products or a calcium supplement. While calcium is a very important key, it is not the only thing your body needs to maintain strong and healthy bones. Our bones consist of living tissues that are constantly breaking down and building up. The best time for building strong bones is as a teenager. Once we reach peak bone mass, which is usually between the ages of 25-35, there is more break down. A well balanced diet and exercise are vital to help reduce the risk of bone disease such as osteoporosis. Calcium is such a key component to bone health because 99% of the body's calcium is found in the teeth and bones. In a process called mineralization, calcium combines with phosphorus to provide bone structure and strength. Low levels of calcium cause poor mineralization which can eventually lead to osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Milk and other dairy products are not the only place to get the calcium we need. Foods like broccoli, almonds, sesame seeds, spinach, cooked kale and collard greens can be a great source of calcium as well as other vital nutrients. Vitamin D is also an important factor in bone health by helping the body absorb calcium. We get vitamin D mostly by sun exposure so it is important to get some sun without sunscreen, but not enough to burn the skin. The complete vitamin C complex and Zinc are needed to form collagen which is the connective tissue in bones. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables such as bell peppers, cauliflower, strawberries, oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, cabbage, kiwifruit, etc, is a great way to get vitamin C. Zinc can be found in foods like red meat, poultry, fish, whole grain bread and eggs. Magnesium is needed to help maintain bone structure and function and can be found in foods like broccoli, whole grains, squash, nuts, dairy products, and chocolate (dark is always a better choice). Vitamin K produces a protein called osteocalcin that is needed for mineralization. Cabbage, spinach, Brussels sprouts, turnip greens and broccoli are all good sources of vitamin K. Protein is essential for healthy collagen which is the matrix for minerals. If protein is lost in the bone, minerals are also lost. You can get protein from meat, eggs, nuts, etc. Exercise is also a very important key to healthy bones. Our bones will actually strengthen just like muscles with exercise. It is important to do both weight bearing exercise such as walking, running, jogging, etc. as well as strength training exercises like weight lifting, water aerobics, or resistance bands. Because tobacco and alcohol have been shown to weaken bones it is important to limit intake of both. In our busy lives it is sometimes hard to get the nutrients we need. Standard Process has several products that can help supplement these nutrients. Calcifood, Calcium Lactate, and Cal-Ma Plus all are great forms of calcium with extra vitamins, minerals and proteins needed to help bones. Cataplex C or Collagen C have whole food sources of complete vitamin C that help build collagen. Ostrophin PMG or Biost produce natural bone proteins and other organic factors for optimal bone health. As always we can do a scan to help narrow down the choices and get you on the right track. Doing everything we can now can help us keep healthy bones for the rest of our lives.

Healthy Food Ideas For the Summer

Finding foods to keep us cool in the summer that your kids will actually eat can be a challenge. With obesity rates and the amount of dangerous chemicals in our food rising, natural organic foods should be included in our diets. Here are some great, easy snack ideas for you and your family this summer.

Freeze your favorite organic fruit juice in ice trays or popsicle molds for a cool snack.

Have veggies already cut up in the fridge like carrot sticks, celery, broccoli, etc for the kids to graze on all day. If you put the carrot sticks in a bowl of water they won't dry out and they stay nice and cool and ready to eat.

Fresh organic fruit is always good to have around and easily accessible. Watermelon is a great fruit to cool the body down on a hot summer day. Try freezing some grapes. You can also sprinkle a little cinnamon over some apples for a great treat.

Nuts are always a good snack to have around. Roasting pecans or almonds can really enhance their flavor.

Popcorn is always a fun snack especially for movie night. To keep it healthy use organic popcorn popped in organic coconut oil with solar dried sea salt and organic unsalted butter.

Gluten Sensitivities

In almost every diet or nutrition plan on the market today, we are told to include grains in our daily meals. While grains do have some important nutritional value, they are not always a safe choice for everyone. Research has shown for years that grains can cause digestive disorders that lead to gas, bloating, and malnutrition in some. These symptoms can be traced back to a gluten sensitivity or allergy.

About 90 million Americans are suffering from non-celiac gluten sensitivities. If a sensitivity or allergy to gluten exists and it is left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to several life threatening diseases like cancer, auto immune disorders, neurological diseases, chronic pain syndromes, psychiatric and other brain disorders, osteoporosis, epilepsy, learning disorders, ADD, infertility, miscarriage, premature births, and chronic liver disease.

Studies done in Australia in the 1980's have shown that over 100 people got rid of their symptoms of lupus, which is known as an "incurable" disease by eliminating all grains except rice and corn in their diet. They also removed milk and other dairy products from their diet.

Studies have also shown that some whole grains like wheat, rye, barley, spelt, triticale, kamut and possibly oats are the cause of celiac disease in some. This disease affects the intestinal tract and leads to gas, bloating, loose stools, weight loss, malnutrition, and affects the ability of the body to absorb vital nutrients properly.

There are blood tests that can be done to determine if a sensitivity to gluten exists. We can also do a scan to test for sensitivities and give the best treatment options for you. Call and schedule your appointment today.

Labels Can be Misleading

It is becoming more and more common to see organic and natural products on the store shelves. Our regular grocery stores are setting up "natural" food and product sections. While this is a step in the right direction, these products using these terms can be very misleading. The requirements for the use of all natural and organic are very lax and vague. Only a certain percentage of the product has to be organic. This leaves room for harmful toxins and synthetic ingredients to still be used. A recent study shows that companies are using shortcuts to convert harsh ingredients to milder forms. These shortcuts produce cancer causing byproducts which do not show up on a label. Products certified by the USDA National Organic Program do not use these shortcuts and did not show the use of any harmful chemicals. Some of the product lines that showed to be safe are Dr. Bronner's, Nourish, Aubrey's Organics, and Terressentials. Here are some tips when you are shopping for organic products. Look for the USDA Organic label. Avoid products that contain ingredients you cannot pronounce. Most of all read the entire label and know that just because it says all natural and organic does not make it completely safe. For a complete list of safe and unsafe product lines click here.

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Chiropractic Health • Massage Therapy • Nutrition • Rehab • Acupuncture • Homeopathy