The Great Cholesterol Myth

Say the word “cholesterol” and watch people start to squirm. Why? Because it seems that there is no other health metric that attracts as much negative attention as the one attached to your cholesterol level, which is supposedly a good predictor of future heart disease.

So each year, or maybe even several times a year, your doctor orders a battery of blood tests that includes your total cholesterol level, along with levels of “good” (HDL) and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol. When these measurements are outside certain averages, expect a big red mark in your chart – and a “dressing down” to warn you that you have three months to bring it down on your own or it’s cholesterol reduction medication time!

Would it come as a shock to you to know that your body actually manufactures cholesterol? Or that your body needs cholesterol to digest fats? Do you know that cholesterol is necessary to every cell in your body? Or… that “low” cholesterol is associated with adverse physical conditions that include asthma, allergies, low sex drive, infertility and other reproductive organ disorders, problems with blood sugar, cancer, depression, risk of stroke and aggression?

And maybe you didn’t know that your body, particularly your liver and small intestine, produces about 75% of the cholesterol your body needs. The rest comes from foods you eat. Your body is a wonderful self-regulator, all on its own. If you eat too much cholesterol or cholesterol-producing foods, the liver slows down its production. If you don’t eat enough, the liver produces more.

As to claims that high cholesterol is a marker for coronary heart disease, there is a growing list of medical professionals who have taken a stand at debunking this myth, along with routinely prescribed cholesterol-reducing medications, known as statins. Their findings? That there seems to be little correlation between high cholesterol levels and heart disease. Are prescriptions for statins to control cholesterol just a pharmaceutical company marketing ploy to sell drugs?

What about those statins that people take to lower cholesterol? Some doctors who prescribe them seem totally uninformed about their side effects, which include increased risk for breast cancer, gastrointestinal pain, abdominal bloating, constipation, vomiting and nausea.

Caution! It makes sense to conduct your own research before you take any drug that is designed to reduce the levels of something your body produces naturally.

Drug-Free Stress Busters

Something simple and inexpensive – and fun! – like game night with your family can do wonders for your stress levels.

Seems as though everyone is affected by stress to some extent these days. The world can be a pretty scary place when you factor in fear of losing your job, diminished equity in retirement accounts, investments and real estate, businesses closing their doors… So it’s really no wonder stress levels are at an all-time high!

So what do you do when you feel stressed? Do you reach for a pill or a glass of wine to calm you down? Do you escape into sleep in the confines of your room? Do you call a friend, attend a support group meeting or schedule a therapy session? Are some choices better than others? Of course they are…

If you’re looking for an all-natural stress buster, try one of these:

• Prayer – Many people find that prayer helps in times of emotional stress. The very act of praying for stress relief can lower blood pressure. Many find additional peace and comfort in prayer, meditation and religous services.

• Sleep – No, not crawling under the covers and hibernating – a regular sleep schedule with soothing, restful sleep. Can’t fall asleep? Many find that a warm shower and a good book do the trick!

• Massage – You don’t have to splurge on an expensive spa massage – have your partner or a family member give you one to ease the stress in those tight muscles – and then reciprocate!

• Ask forgiveness from someone you’ve hurt or forgive someone who has hurt you – Either way, you release pent up anger, resentment or guilt that is only hurting you. Get that heavy weight off your shoulders!

• Enjoy the simple pleasures – Take your children for an ice cream cone, get a free makeover in a department store, curl up with your cat or dog, snuggle with your special someone, brew a cup of chai or camomile tea and sip it with your feet up, watch a funny movie and laugh to release those endorphins, play a family board game, go to a bookstore and just meander, buy yourself a bouquet of flowers, watch the sunset at the beach – you get the idea – something simple, relaxing and inexpensive.

• Keep to your chiropractic adjustment schedule – Stress can really take a toll on your body. In fact, it can make you downright sick. The effects of too much stress (physical, emotional and/or chemical) can actually kill you. Chiropractic adjustments help your body stay healthy no matter what’s stressing you. And it’s far healthier than reaching for that pill or potion!

Let’s face it… stress is inevitable – but it doesn’t have to make you sick. Got stress? Get adjusted!

A Guide to Milk Substitutes

Discover some exciting new tastes and natural substitutes for cow’s milk.

One of the most common food allergies is to cow’s milk and dairy products in general. Many people suffer from a milk allergy or lactose intolerance, the inability to digest lactose sugar found in milk because their bodies lack lactase – the enzyme needed to break it down.

Because of these conditions, there are a number of milk substitutes available on store shelves, in both the refrigerated and non-refrigerated sections of your local food market. Since there is confusion about these substitutes, we will try to simplify them for you.
Soy Milk

Soy milk is the most widely available non-dairy milk substitute, and because of the availability of multiple brands, it is becoming quite an affordable milk substitute. Like dairy milk, soy milk is very high in protein and is a comparable as a source of calcium, but it has no cholesterol and less fat. It is a good substitute in both cooking and baking and there are several different flavors, including chocolate, available. Since each brand can have slightly different flavor, we recommend that you try several to see which one you might like best. Naturally, soy milk is not a suitable substitute for people with an allergy to soy!
Rice Milk

Rice milk is noticeably thinner in consistency than cows and soy milk and is not as high in protein either. It is also sweeter, which makes it a good substitute in dessert recipes and for pouring over breakfast cereal or into coffee or tea.
Nut Milk

Although harder to find, nut milks (i.e., almond milk) are good milk substitutes in recipes and for your morning coffee or cereal because of its creamy consistency and sweetness. They are high in Vitamin E, “good” fats and other necessary nutrients. They are usually found in the non-refrigerated section, along with similar types of boxed beverages. Of course, nut milk is not a suitable substitute for people with allergies to nuts!
Goat Milk

Goat milk contains proteins, similar to those found in cow’s milk that may also trigger an allergic response. It is not safe for those who are lactose intolerant, since it contains lactose.

The bottom line? You don’t have to go without “milk” just because your body is allergic to it or you can’t digest it. There are some very suitable alternatives, and purchasing them, especially store brands, won’t break the bank!

Very Motivating Video by Tony Robbins -

I found this clip very motivating - you might too! Have a great day, thanks for visiting!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_CRPRCEpLM&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Law of Gratitude

Are you facing a challenge? Be thankful. Are you still paying for a past decision? Be thankful. Are circumstances less than desirable? Be thankful.
The natural tendency is to resist or condemn situations that are less than ideal. Be grateful instead!
"But if I'm thankful, it's as if I'm inviting still more problems," we lie to ourselves.
Not true. Virtually every circumstance has a lesson for us if we're willing to look deeply enough and learn. Especially our so-called "failures." Begin by first giving thanks for them.
You can't leave somewhere you've never been. Gratitude is the discipline that provides the access for something better. Accept what is (the Law of Reality) and be thankful for it, good or bad. Not only does life get instantly better, but what you thought were challenges, difficulties or trying circumstances are reduced to helpful reminders of what doesn't work. How great is that? ~Bill Esteb

Can Birth Really Be That Traumatic?

Childbirth is painful for the mother, but even more painful and traumatic for the delicate newborn! Help your baby recover from Birth Trauma with a chiropractic adjustment.

Traumatic Birth Syndrome, Birth Trauma – they both refer to the same thing – the negative effects of today’s birthing methods on a newborn. Oh, you may think your newborn looks healthy enough. And… your baby’s doctor might even assure you that you have a “healthy baby boy or girl.” But what can’t you and your baby’s doctor see that might be lying just beneath the surface?

Birth trauma to a newborn is almost a given. Think about it… most mothers give birth lying down. This position works contrary to the laws of gravity and reduces the size of the mother’s pelvic opening. Then there’s the force that pushes the baby through the birth canal into the world, often with a lot of pulling and twisting that affects the infant’s delicate head, neck and spine.

Now… let’s add some “mechanical” assistance, maybe some forceps or a vacuum extraction. These common, everyday birth practices produce birth trauma. Some types of birth trauma can be serious, such as spinal cord and brain stem injuries, neurological defects, and sudden infant death syndrome. Less life-threatening birth trauma may result in learning disabilities, inadequate immune system functioning and hearing/vision problems.

Many experts are proposing that some changes be made and be made quickly. They are recommending a birthing position that works with gravity, standing or squatting, that also allows for full opening of the pelvis. This position requires less pushing, pulling and twisting and less pressure exerted on the infant.

Most chiropractors believe that every infant should be checked for subluxation (nerve interference) as soon after birth as possible. Traumatic Birth Syndrome can result in immediate life-threatening symptoms or it can weaken one’s potential over the years. To ensure your baby is on the best road possible for optimal health, be sure to arrange a newborn chiropractic exam as soon after delivery as possible.

Be proactive and give your baby his or her chance at the best possible life experience. Subluxation causes disease that can rob your child of an active, healthy and long life. If you have any questions, please let us know. Chiropractic adjustments on children are extremely low force and equally as effective as the ones we perform on you. We will be happy to demonstrate for you!

Back to Health!

You’ve heard it said, “music soothes the savage beast.” Researchers believe that we respond to music because it’s rhythmic, like so many of our basic body functions, such as breathing and the beating of our hearts. They’ve even identified something they call the “Mozart Effect,” music that shifts the brain into alpha waves that reduce stress and help with concentration. One particular study conducted in England found that students who listened to Mozart before taking an IQ test scored 10 points higher than those who listened to nothing, white noise or other types of music.

The health and memory effects of listening to classical music are fascinating researchers.

Different types of music affect people in different ways. Religious music tends to make a person more peaceful and reduces physical or emotional pain. Department stores often pump “easy listening” music through their sound systems to calm people down so they are inclined to spend more. Many restaurants use fast-paced music to hurry eaters in and out.

Studies are being conducted to determine the effects of music on memory-impaired individuals, such as those with Alzheimer’s, dementia and brain injuries. One such study in the UK determined that dementia patients recalled a higher percentage of autobiographical information when they were listening to music. Because of this, the researchers concluded that physicians should play music when questioning those suffering from dementia to obtain more accurate information from them.

Listening to soft music before bedtime also helps the elderly to sleep better and for longer periods. It results in physical changes, such as lowered heart and breathing rates, making it easier to get a good night’s sleep.
It’s easy to understand why there is a growing field in health care today known as “music therapy” that is showing profound results using music to help with those with cancer, ADD, chronic pain, depression and muscle tension. When you “bed down” with Bach, you might find yourself waking up ready to “rock and roll”!