Think eating high cholesterol foods is what’s to blame for high cholesterol levels in the body? Think again. Today’s research shows that there is very little correlation between the cholesterol that one consumes and the body’s cholesterol production. That doesn’t mean dietary choices can’t be blamed though! The liver gets triggered to produce fat and cholesterol in response to excess sugar and carbs. Meaning high-carb diets are to blame for high cholesterol levels! Why? Well, carbs are known to increase the production of triglycerides, lower the good (HDL) cholesterol, and increase the bad (LDL) cholesterol. Relevant: Chiropractic Helps Diabetes? 3 WAYS TO LOWER CHOLESTEROL NATURALLY Incorporate cholesterol-lowering foods into your diet. What kind of foods are these? 1. Studies have proven that soluble fiber-rich foods like oats help lower cholesterol by binding cholesterol and its precursors in the digestive system and dragging them out before they get into circulation. Numerous studies have shown that eating almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and other nuts are good for the heart. Fruit like apples, grapes, strawberries and citrus fruits are rich in pectin, another form of soluble fiber that regulates cholesterol levels. Eating fish replaces meat, which has cholesterol-boosting saturated fats. It also provides you Read more…
Tips for Having a Healthy Holiday Season!
The holidays are meant to be a time of great joy and cheer, but sometimes they can be downright stressful. Especially, when we aren’t planning enough time for ourselves. That’s why I wrote this week’s blog. While the holiday season will always be a little hectic, not sticking to your healthy habits can result in you feeling run down (or even worse…sick!) over the holidays. Here are a few tips to keep you working out and eating right this holiday! Tips for Working Out During the Holiday • Pencil it In. You are less likely to skip your workout if you make a point to pencil it into your calendar. Look over your plans for the holiday and figure out when and where a workout could fit in. • Keep it Short. You don’t have to run a marathon. Schedule a quick HIIT circuit or a walk with the family to keep your body moving. • Get the Family Involved. After all, there’s nothing like skating or tobogganing to get you in the holiday spirit. Tips of Eating Healthy During the Holidays • Try Your Best. Let’s face it, it’s hard to eat clean during the holidays. If you do happen to fall Read more…
According to Stats Canada, in 2016, 7.0% of Canadians aged 12 and older (roughly 2.1 million people) reported being diagnosed with diabetes. Are you a part of the 7%? If yes, you probably already know that healthy eating and physical activity are key lifestyle factors in managing diabetes, but did you know that chiropractic care can help you manage your diabetes too? How Does Chiropractic Help Diabetes? Your spine is responsible for supplying nerve signals to the brain and the vital organs. If spinal misalignments are present, these nerve signals are often interrupted. If there are interruptions, your pancreas, blood sugar, and digestion will likely be effected. Oftentimes, a poorly functioning pancreas will result in a lack of important enzymes. Enzymes, that usually help with vital roles such as digestion and insulin production. When there are issues with your blood sugar and digestion, diabetes will often result. Chiropractic care works by finding and correcting spinal misalignments. When spinal misalignments are corrected, communication between your nervous system and vital organs is restored. This helps to ensure that your organs function efficiently and effectively, and are able to perform their individual roles. It has been said, that chiropractic care can be particularly Read more…
1 in 6 Canadians over the age of 15 report suffering from arthritis. Are you one of them? Learn what arthritis is and natural ways you can prevent arthritis damage in this week’s blog! Signs & Symptoms of Arthritis • Fatigue • Joint pain & tenderness • Joint swelling • Joint redness • Joint warmth • Joint stiffness • Loss of joint range of motion What is Arthritis? To put it simply, arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. It refers to hundreds of related conditions including: tendonitis, bursitis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. What Can You Do to Manage Arthritis, Naturally? The good news is there are natural ways to fight chronic inflammation and restore balance in your body. One way is to start including more anti-inflammatory foods in your diet. Foods like: Fresh Whole Foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds) Omega 3 Fats (wild salmon, flaxseeds, walnuts, extra virgin olive oil) Green Tea Garlic Herbs (basil, chili peppers, curcumin, turmeric, ginger, parsley, rosemary and thyme) If you need extra help, try a natural supplement. Natural supplements are a safe and effective alternative to prescription and over the counter medications. Always choose a high-quality supplement Read more…
Inflammation is the body’s normal physiological attempt to defend itself against foreign invasions and repair it from injury. This blog shares what inflammation is and how to reduce chronic inflammation naturally! Acute Inflammation When describing what inflammation is to my patients, I always explain that there are 2 types; the acute and the chronic. Acute inflammation is important, especially if we experience an injury or infection—it’s what promotes healing. Heat (calor), pain (dolor), redness (rubor) and swelling (tumor), best describe the classic inflammatory response. Acute inflammation occurs as a short-term response to harmful stimuli such as a cut, sprain or burn. Ever notice that a wounded area swells up and becomes warm? That is the body’s way of protecting the area as it begins to heal. Chronic Inflammation When inflammation persists over time it becomes chronic. Chronic inflammation is the body’s response to ongoing lifestyle stresses like: poor diet, lack of sleep, stress, and lack of exercise. It occurs when the injury is ongoing or a predisposed immune system fails at counter-regulation, contributing to the onset of many chronic illnesses. Without getting too technical, chronic inflammation can be explained as an insufficient dampening or excessive up-regulation by intracellular proteins, kind Read more…
Considering that about 1 in 2 Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime, it’s safe to assume that you or someone you know likely suffers from this life-altering disease. While chiropractic care may not be able to cure cancer, it can help reduce some of the symptoms experienced during and after treatment as well as help prevent it.* According to an article on thetruthaboutcancer.com, 84% of cancer survivors who undergo chiropractic care do so to alleviate pain, improve mood and sleeping habits, as well as to relieve stress. Though these are all great reasons to see a chiropractor, perhaps the best side effect of regular chiropractic care is its ability to boost the immune system and help the body heal! A Word on Cancer Cells Most people don’t realize this, but cancer cells are damaged cells. Meaning, most people have them. That said, not everyone will develop cancer. Why is this? In a healthy body, the immune system is strong enough to kill the cancer cells before they multiply. It is only when the immune system is too weak, that the cancer cells overwhelm the body and cancer develops. How Chiropractic Can Help Prevent Cancer Spinal misalignments (subluxations) are one of the Read more…
With Canadian Thanksgiving coming up this weekend, I thought I’d share some thoughts on the topic of gratitude. Practicing daily gratitude holds many benefits. From lower our stress levels to increasing our happiness. Studies continue to show the tremendous power of giving thanks! Gratitude can be as simple as smiling or saying thank you. It can also be a more intentional practice, like taking time to jot down a few things that you are grateful for each day or practicing gratitude through daily meditation. Instead of giving thanks just one time a year, why not do it throughout? Here are 5 tips that I believe can help foster an attitude of gratitude all year long! Tip #1 – Use Gratitude to change your state of mind. When something isn’t going your way or someone upsets you, try to list 3 to 5 things that you are grateful for in that moment. It could be something as simple your kids being ready on time or a co-worker bringing you a cup of coffee. Focusing on a few good things will help put whatever annoyances or hardships you are facing into perspective. The best part – when you start thinking this way, Read more…
At some point or another we’ve all experienced the dreaded symptoms of a cold. You know, the sneezing, scratchy throat, runny nose, and fatigue that comes along with it. Though most of us are quick to blame someone else for our symptoms, there’s really only one person to blame: ourselves. Instead of being mad at your partner or coworker for spreading their germs, you should be upset with your immune system. Ultimately, a cold is our body’s way of telling us that our immune system isn’t strong enough. Hence why we’ve dedicated this week’s blog to sharing 5 Natural Immune Boosters! 5 NATURAL IMMUNE BOOSTERS 1) ZEN TIME. With Fall in the air and the holiday season fast approaching, things can get a little chaotic. Here’s the thing though, when it comes to health there isn’t anything more harmful than stress. Especially when it comes to colds. Stress weakens our immune system, making us more susceptible to colds and illness. It’s great to have a few plans or a couple of projects to tackle but give yourself some time to relax. Plan some zen time–your body will thank you for it! 2) WATER. Just because it’s getting cooler outside doesn’t mean Read more…
Ear infections are the second most common diagnosed illness (after the common cold) in Canadian and American children. It is reported that 75 percent of children are likely to suffer at least one ear infection before reaching the age of 3. But before reaching for antibiotics why not try this ear infection alternative. What is an Ear Infection? An ear infection is an inflammation of the middle ear, usually caused by bacteria, that occurs when fluid builds up behind the eardrum. While anyone can get an ear infection, children are more susceptible than adults. Why Are Children More Susceptible to Ear Infection Than Adults? There are three primary reasons: 1) Eustachian tubes are smaller and more level in children than they are in adults. This makes it difficult for fluid to drain out of the ear, point blank. So when the Eustachian tubes are swollen or blocked with mucus due to a cold or other respiratory illness, fluid may not be able to drain. 2) A child’s immune system isn’t as effective as an adult’s because it’s still developing. This makes it harder for children to fight infections. 3) Childbirth can do a number on a child’s spine. During the Read more…
It is estimated that between 3 to 5 percent of children have ADHD. This means that in a classroom of 25 to 30 children, it is likely that at least one will struggle with symptoms. The exact cause of ADHD and hyperactivity disorders is unknown; however, it is believed to involve interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Keep reading to learn one way to manage ADHD naturally. ADHD Symptoms Symptoms of ADHD and learning disorders are generally categorized into three groups. Inattention: Meaning the child might procrastinate, not complete tasks like homework or chores, and often make careless mistakes. Hyperactivity: Common characteristics of hyperactivity include fidgeting or squirming while seated; getting up frequently to walk or run around (even when not appropriate), and talking excessively. Impulsivity: Those with impulsivity issues may be impatient, have a hard time waiting their turn, frequently interrupt or intrude on others, or start conversations at inappropriate times. How is ADHD Treated? In most cases, psychiatric drugs like Ritalin are given to children to treat their symptoms. However, according to Peter Breggin, MD, these drugs are dangerous. Ritalin can cause drug-induced behavioral disorders, psychosis, mania, drug abuse, permanent neurological ticks, and addiction. Other side effects Read more…