Archive for June, 2006

Breastfeeding Prevents Asthma and Allergies

26 June 2006

Introducing milk other than breast milk to infants younger than 4 months old increases the risk of asthma and atopy (a predisposition to certain allergies).

“Public health interventions promoting an increased duration of exclusive breastfeeding may help to reduce…childhood asthma”, an article in the British Medical Journal recently reported.

In the first study of its kind, the investigators followed 2,187 children from before birth through their 6th birthday, questioning their parents regarding various manifestations of asthma and allergy.

Children who were fed milk other than breast milk before 4 months of age experienced higher rates of all indicators of asthma and allergy, the report indicates. Such children were 25% more likely to be diagnosed with allergy and 30% more likely to have a positive skin test for allergies than were children who received only breast milk during their early months.

The total duration of exclusive breastfeeding was less important, though longer breastfeeding was associated with less asthma and allergy, the authors note.

“Delaying the introduction of milk other than breast milk until at least 4 months of age may protect against asthma and atopy later in childhood.

from the British Medical Journal

Mountain Living – Good for Health and Heart

26 June 2006

Research by scientists in Greece show that mountain dwelling is good for the heart and longevity. People living at higher altitude have lower odds of dying from heart disease than those closer to sea level, even if they have factors that could increase their risk.

“Residence in mountainous areas seems to have a ‘protective effect’ from total and coronary mortality,” said Dr. Nikos Baibas of the University of Athens. He and his colleagues suspect that the increased exercise from walking up mountainous terrain gives the heart a good workout and enables it to cope with lower levels of oxygen. The researchers studied the health records and death rates of 1,150 Greeks who lived in three villages near Athens over 15 years. One village was 1,000 yards above sea level and the other two were in low-lying areas.

Although men and women living in the mountainous village had higher blood pressure rates and other risk factors than people in the other villagers, they had a lower rate of death from heart disease and other causes after a 15 year follow-up. “The contrast was more evident among men than among women,” Baibas added in a report in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Heart disease is one of the world’s top killers. Smoking, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol levels, being overweight or obese and a family history of the illness increase the odds of developing the disease.

If It Doesn’t Hurt, Why Fix It?

26 June 2006

It’s easy to understand why a person would visit a chiropractor when they have an ache or pain resulting from 100’s of causes. In these cases, the doctor can determine whether a course of care is appropriate and Initial Intensive Care can be initiated to reduce or eliminate the symptomatic problem. Pain however is only one of seven reasons for consulting a chiropractor. Interestingly, the other six usually have little or no pain associated with them. Here is a condensed explanation of the other six.

2. STABILIZATION: During Initial Intensive Care, relief may be obtained in a few visits depending on the problem and how well you follow the doctor’s recommendations. But, relief is only half on Initial Intensive Care. In order to assure the problem doesn’t immediately reoccur, a period of care to stabilize the spine is necessary.

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Vegetables Much Better Than Drugs at Building Bone Density

26 June 2006

The evidence continues to pour in that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is good for your health. In this case, researchers found that both young and old age groups had improvements in bone mineral status when they ate a lot of fruits and vegetables.

Specifically, boys and girls aged 16-18 years and women aged 60-83 years had significant positive associations between spine bone mineral content and fruit intake. In boys, the association was true for neck bone mineral content as well. Among women aged 60-83 years, a significant positive association was also found between spine bone mineral content and fruit intake.

The results found that if fruit intake doubled, it would result in a 5 percent increment in spine bone mineral content. Previous studies have also found associations between fruit and vegetable intake and positive measures of bone health.It is not yet known how fruits and vegetables may affect the bones, though some suggest it may be the alkalizing effect of fruit and vegetable consumption on acid-base balance.

Other possible mechanisms include the dietary effects of vitamin K, phytoestrogens and other unidentified dietary components they contain.
From the: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition June 2006, Vol. 83, No. 6, 1420-1428 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition June 2006, Vol. 83, No. 6, 1254-1255

Why Nordic Naturals?

25 June 2006

The Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are essential for maintaining optimal mental and physical health. To date, over 2,000 research studies document the health-promoting effects of Omega-3 fatty acids. Every year additional studies
continue to be published, focusing on the mental and physical health benefits of EPA and DHA.

Nordic Naturals was founded by Norwegian native, Joar Opheim, and his wife, Michele, in response to a lack of quality Omega-3 fish oils in the US. For almost ten years, Nordic Naturals has set the standard for freshness, purity, and taste in Omega-3 supplements. Today, they are the leading supplier of fish oils to the natural health market as prominent research organizations and medical facilities
around the world rely on Nordic Naturals for extraordinary results.

Nordic Naturals’ products are produced with exclusive raw materials and a multi-patented manufacturing processes, which deliver freshness and purity levels unheard of only a few years ago.

In the competitive Norwegian market, leading medical doctors are describing Nordic Naturals products as “simply the best fish oils in the world.”

For more information on the benefits of Nordic Naturals visit the site Nordic Naturals.

Download a pdf booklet to print and read offline: “Why Nordic Naturals” Booklet

Whole Food Supplements

24 June 2006

For 75 years, Standard Process has provided health care professionals with high-quality, nutritional whole food supplements. The extensive collection of products supports the healthy functioning of the endocrine, cardiovascular, digestive, hepatic, respiratory, skeletal, renal, and other physiological systems.

In order to produce high-quality supplements, the products undergo a unique process. To ensure the utmost quality, many of our raw materials are grown organically on company-owned farmland and then processed utilizing exclusive manufacturing techniques.

For more information on Whole Food Supplements talk to Dr. Susan or Dr. Paul. Or visit the Standard Process website at Standard Process.