Chiropractic Info
Shopper’s Guide to Safe Cosmetics.
17 January 2009How do we navigate the plethora of products on the market that now proclaim themselves “all natural” or declare “non-toxic ingredients”?
Often buying a “natural’ product does not provide protection from toxic or just plain obnoxious chemicals. The text on a bottle of shampoo I purchased advertised “Herbal, Daily cleansing, herbal extracts to naturally purify and cleanse hair”, there is even Nature right in the product logo. So what exactly did I buy?
The ingredients [are] as follows: Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sufonate, Cocamide DEA, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricara) Flower extract, Lavandula Augustifolia (lavender) extract, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) leaf extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract, Prunus Serotina (wild cherry) bark extract, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance. So what’s not to love?
That’s the question we all have when shopping, especially for personal care products, and although I am beginning to get good at recognizing the worst offenders, I was delighted when I found a shopper’s guide to safe cosmetics that would fold up into my wallet. No more carrying my books around with me and researching as I shop, a thankless task with two under 5’s. At the Environmental Working Group website you can discover that due to loopholes in federal law companies can hide all kinds of things in your personal products. EWG to get your personal shopper guide.
On the shopper’s guide the EWG recommends avoiding DMDM hydantoin and Imidazolidinyl urea: toxic contaminants. Fragrance and dyes – will cause allergies, cancer, nervous system problems. Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone: problems with allergies and nervous system issues. Parabans or “-paraban” negative effects on your hormones. “Peg” and “-eth”: toxic contaminants. Sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate: Skin damage, toxic contaminants. Triclosan and triclocarban: Thyroid and environmental concerns. Triethanolamine (TEA): Allergies, toxic contaminants.
Products to avoid include: Anti-aging creams with lactic, glycolic, AHA and BHA axids, Hair dyes with ammonia, peroxide, p- phe-nylenediamine, diaminobenzene; all permanent dark hair dyes. Liquid hand soaps with triclosan, Nail polish and removers with formaldehyde and skin lighteners with hydroquinone.
Remember the skin is the largest organ in the body. Whatever you put on your skin, will quickly sink in and reach all your other organs, take care to find the right products and avoid the toxic ones to maintain your best health.
Make an adjustment, stay healthy ~ be happy.
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
Depression
10 January 2009What is the cost to an idividual and society? Before it was replaced with the inexpensive generic versions, Prozac typically sold for $247.47 for a bottle of 100. But according to the U.S. Department of Commerce the actual cost of the ingredients used to make it was 11 cents. This translates to a mark-up of 249,973% (It also helps explain why Big Pharma can afford to pay for three lobbyists for every lawmaker in Washington, DC.)
Contrast the cost of Prozac to a bottle of 100 gelcaps of 2000 mg of vitamin D3, which is an effective treatment for depression. The bottle of vitamins is available for a fraction of that cost, around $7.47. This is $240.00 less than the Prozac. Or compare a bottle of cod liver oil or other omega-3 source, also shown to be an effective treatment for depression. Again, the cost difference is astonishing.
The same inexpensive vitamin, D3, has been found to help protect us against a remarkable assortment of problems, including: asthma, skin disorders, bone loss, muscle weakness (which can lead to falls in the elderly, and the many problems that follow), and cancer.
Research shows that omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) and St. John’s wort can be used to treat moderate depression. And another inexpensive supplement, chromium picolinate, has been shown to be effective for the most common form of depression.
Offices and schools designed to provide natural sunlight have shown that productivity increases and illness is reduced because sunlight enables our bodies to create vitamin D3. The value of exposure to sunlight is another good reason for schools to be sure that recess is a part of the school day.
Drugs and surgery are not the solutions for most of our health issues; they are an acknowledgement that current methods have failed.
New research with animals suggests that the onset of Alzheimer’s disease can be delayed by giving patients vitamin B3. The emotional and monetary costs of addressing Alzheimer’s is staggering. Vitamin B3 can also help patients with a history of heart disease, at a fraction of the cost of statin drugs, and without risky side effects.
Of course another way to increase the intake of important vitamins and minerals is to consume a healthier diet. A simple first step is removing the worst of the additives and gradually upgrading one’s food choices; the Feingold Association has been teaching people how to do this for more than three decades.
Reprinted from Pure Facts, the newsletter of the Feingold Association of the United States. Feingold.org
Drugs for kids increasing.
7 January 2009A new study published in the November issue of Pediatrics shows that between 2002 and 2005 there was a dramatic increase in the percentage of children being given prescription drugs for diabetes, asthma, and ADHD. This adds the risks for side effects, as well as huge costs to an already overwhelmed health care system, particularly since these drugs are intended to be used for a lifetime.
Obesity, leading to drugs for diabetes, was a major factor in the rise. Many of the doctors who were consulted by journalists commented on the need for obese children to adopt a healthier lifestyle, including eating better foods; but none of them mentioned the fact that school lunches are among the worst offenders. Unfortunately, the doctors also recommend giving babies low-fat milk, further restricting their intake of healthy fats, and introducing BHT (a preservative) which is often hidden in reduced-fat milks.
Reprinted from Pure Facts, the newsletter of the Feingold Association of the United States. Feingold.org
As we start a new year we should resolve to make a plan to feed our children better quality food. If their school is failing at lunchtime, pack their lunches, especially if they are in a school that does not provide any resource for healthy lunch options.
- Teach them to start the day of right, try to eat an adequate breakfast with them before they leave for school, and make sure to include healthy protein such as eggs, not simply a waffle or toaster tart.
- Switch their sugar laden soft drinks for water. Many studies have shown that children who drink acceptable amounts of water have far more energy and work harder and smarter in school than children who never choose water as an option.
- Finally even out their evening meal and provide smart snacks for after school or mid-morning breaks, choose cheese sticks, apples, carrot sticks, whole grain organic graham crackers with peanut butter or something similar. Getting adequate protein will give them more energy to get outside and play!
Make an adjustment: Stay healthy ~ Be happy!
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
Indigestion!
28 December 2008Did you eat too much turkey or even tofurkey this year? Are you suffering those familiar burning, heavy, gassy pains in your chest or tummy? Are you ready to reach for something to help that indigestion?
But wait – before you reach for the over-the-counter antacids, ask yourself why you suffer from this problem, and more importantly, if this is a regularly occurring problem for you.
If it is too late and you have already over-eaten or drank something citrus based that has brought on your latest bout of indigestion try dry white bed and milk. This can help level out the acid in your stomach and aid the digestive system to work away without all the problems that inadequate fluids that cause.
If you suffer regularly from heartburn and indigestion you may want to discuss this with your chiropractor.
In this study in Australia posted at Chiro Org. “Six-month prevalence of indigestion and mid-back pain rate of association between indigestion and mid-back pain, and distribution of thoracic dysfunction and manipulation. Proportion who report relief from manipulation.
Of 1567 persons who consulted 8 chiropractors on 2974 occasions during November 1994, 1494 responses were obtained. There were 119 first-time consultations. The mean age of respondents was 41 yr (range 10-94); 57% were women. Fifty-seven percent reported indigestion infrequently or more and 71% reported mid-back pain during the previous 6 months. Forty-six percent experienced both symptoms during this time. Of these, 36% reported the symptoms together at some time. Twenty-two percent of those with indigestion reported some relief after chiropractic care. Compared with those reporting no relief, mid-back pain was more common among those reporting indigestion. The level at which the manipulation was given was unrelated to relief. No major differences were noted between the three clinics in patient demographics or the main outcome measures.”
If you regularly suffer from this ailment absolutely consult your doctor, especially if there are additional symptoms. Be aware that this could be an indication of a more serious problem. Some advice will be the same if there are no serious medical conditions causing the problem, your doctor will suggest you lose weight, drink lots of water, eat smaller meals, consume less fried or fatty foods and most importantly, they will advise you get plenty of sleep and rest. Stress can make this problem worse.
The National Digestion Clearing House suggests this:
- Some people may experience relief from symptoms of indigestion by
eating several small, low-fat meals throughout the day at a slow pace - refraining from smoking
- abstaining from consuming coffee, carbonated beverages, and alcohol
stopping use of medications that may irritate the stomach lining—such as aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs - getting enough rest
- finding ways to decrease emotional and physical stress, such as relaxation therapy or yoga
Happy eating!
Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be Happy.
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at Fontana Chiropractic 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
Do you have a pain in the neck?
20 December 2008My L4 and L5 are fine, but I have been told my C3 disc is herniated!
Americans suffer from acute or persistent neck pain every year, the problem can be caused in multiple ways: injury, strain, car accidents, overuse or even just old age. Undiagnosed or untreated neck pain can become serious over time and as such should never be ignored or untreated, at least have it investigated to determine the source of the problem so you can move ahead in rectifying the issue.
Almost always, problems in the cervical spine, the first seven bones (vertebrae) in the neck running from the base of the brain to just past the shoulder blades, requires assessment and treatment to prevent further, more permanent, damage.
Will spinal decompression still be able to help me? When the pain gets too severe surgery can often be the option suggested by your doctor. Not everyone is a great candidate for this surgery and many people just do not want to undertake this type of invasive solution. So what are your other options? The DRX-9000 can be a perfect solution to resolve this problem. The DRX-9000 is a very safe, non invasive treatment that can repair the disc rather then fusing it. Unfortunately, if left untreated, for many people cervical disc degeneration can lead to cervical disc herniations, which in turn leads to pinched nerves, which then may possibly lead to a suggestion of neck surgery.
It really comes down to which would you prefer? Surgical or Non-Surgical. The DRX-9000 not only works on lower spine decompression it will also aid the body to repair the cervical herniations and ruptures further up the spine and into the neck area too.
How does it work? View non-surgical spinal decompression.
If you are considering a surgical option, watch a slide show detailing surgical spinal decompression: And if you are curious as to how it may affect you watch this video as a lady named Lesley explains her decision to successfully undergo a cervical fusion operation. She details both her operation and the recovery.
It really comes down to your decision to either choose surgical or a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment for your disc problem.
Spinal Neurosurgery: The problem with fusing bones in the neck are that adjacent levels in the neck are placed under more strain. This has increased “wear and tear” at the surrounding disc space levels has been termed “adjacent segment stenosis”. We now know that if 10 people have a single level fusion, at 10 years 3 have had to have another operation for narrowing at the next level either above or below. This is less likely with multilevel fusions. Secondly, the bone does not always heal or “fuse” correctly. In fact, the overall success rates for these procedures range from 48% to 89%.
How would you know if what you are experiencing is cervical degenerative disc disease pain or if its something else? In addition to having the low-grade pain of a stiff or inflexible neck, many patients with cervical disc degeneration have numbness, tingling, or even weakness in the neck, arms, or shoulders as a result of nerves in the cervical area becoming irritated or pinched. For example, a pinched nerve root in the C6-C7 segment could result in weakness in the triceps and forearms, wrist drop and altered sensation in the middle fingers or fingertips. Spine Health.
If you or someone you know is experiencing cervical or lumbar disc pain, enter your email above to receive your free back pain report, or call for a no-obligation consultation, and see if the DRX-9000 might be right for you.
Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be Happy!
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com Fontana Family Chiropractic Evergreen CO.
Black Strap Molasses (unsulphered) may cure what ails you.
13 December 2008Black strap molasses
WH Foods has this to say about black strap molasses, “Blackstrap molasses is just one type of molasses, the dark liquid byproduct of the process of refining sugar cane into table sugar. It is made from the third boiling of the sugar syrup and is therefore the concentrated byproduct left over after the sugar’s sucrose has been crystallized.
Blackstrap molasses is a sweetener that is actually good for you. Unlike refined white sugar and corn syrup, which are stripped of virtually all nutrients except simple carbohydrates, or artificial sweeteners like saccharine or aspartame, which not only provide no useful nutrients but have been shown to cause health problems in sensitive individuals, blackstrap molasses is a healthful sweetener that contains significant amounts of a variety of minerals that promote your health.”
I have been taking bsm (black strap molasses) now for a little over a month. Every morning I mix one tablespoon with hot water and drink it like tea. Personally I enjoy the slightly sweet licorice taste, although from what I have read I may be in the minority. I stumbled on a website over a month ago that was touting the amazing health benefits of unsulphered black strap molasses. It will supposedly reverse gray hair, help to relieve pain from arthritis, carpel tunnel syndrome, and neck aches, it will also relieve headaches and a variety of other aches. In addition, it is rumoured to cure acne, make your hair thicker and your nails grow faster and stronger, it will even (allegedly) help you sleep. For those forced to take a daily iron tablet there is good news, black strap is also said to cure both low iron and constipation. For women it has been reported to shorten menses and make it less painful and far more tolerable. Sounds worth trying doesn’t it?
I just happened to have a bottle of unsulphered organic molasses in my cupboard and decided to give it a try. I did not really have anything specific I wanted to ‘cure’ but started to drink the liquid once daily. After about 4 weeks I am happy to report that I really am sleeping better, or at least I am waking much more rested which I attribute to better sleep. My skin is soft and actually looks better than it has in years. I sadly have not noticed my gray hairs going away yet, however, this apparently can take up to 6 months to be noticeable so I am going to hold out hope for this one. I now have my husband also drinking this daily, in the hope it would combat his general tiredness but really, like me, he doesn’t really have one particular issue to work on. However, after just a couple of weeks, he really feels like he has more energy, which has been great and quite timely as we have just completed some heavy duty home renovations.
Why does this supplement do so many great things? The specification for bsm is as follows:
Blackstrap molasses
2.00 tsp
13.67 grams
32.12 calories
Nutrient Amount DV
(%) Nutrient
Density World’s Healthiest Foods Rating
manganese 0.36 mg 18.0 10.1 excellent
copper 0.28 mg 14.0 7.8 excellent
iron 2.39 mg 13.3 7.4 very good
calcium 117.53 mg 11.8 6.6 very good
potassium 340.57 mg 9.7 5.5 very good
magnesium 29.38 mg 7.3 4.1 very good
vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 0.10 mg 5.0 2.8 good
selenium 2.43 mcg 3.5 1.9 good
After looking at the breakdown one can surmise that the copper content may be the reason gray hair becomes reversed and the B6 could explain why one would feel less tired and more energetic while drinking bsm.
Earth Clinic has some great black strap molasses information and recipes. Earth Clinic also provides a comprehensive list of ailments helped by taking this molasses as a daily therapy. If you have tried everything to cure what ails you or you have difficulty taking a multi-vitamin every day try drizzling your morning oatmeal with bsm, or like me, drink it with hot water like a tea.
Make and adjustment: Stay healthy ~ be happy.
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at Fontana Chiropractic Evergreen CO 303.674.1500
Toxic toys off the wish list.
10 December 2008Question: What is the health risk for children from lead exposure?
Answer: The most significant risk has to do with developmental delays and the impact of lead on brain development, which occurs with very low levels of exposure.
Lead is also hazardous to adult brains. In fact, there is a lot of research here at Hopkins that’s beginning to show that low levels of lead affect adult brains as well as those of children. Johns Hopkins
To ensure you are not giving your child, or even your partner and friends, a high dose of lead with their presents this year, select your holiday gifts with care. Unfortunately lead is invisible, it has no smell or taste, if your child’s toy is painted with lead paint the only way to know is through laboratory testing. Thankfully there are many companies that now market wooden and cotton based products for children. Many of these products are specifically aimed at smaller children as they will probably be mouthing and eating their toys far more than an older child.
The Playstore has some great options for toxic free toys, including the world renowned and much coveted Melissa and Doug products. These products do tend to retail a little higher than a plastic toy but the peace of mind you get from knowing your child isn’t being subjected to toxins every time they play with their toys, can be invaluable. However, it is also good to know, you can also buy Melissa and Doug products in discount retail stores from time to time.
The CDC issues this warning regarding toys with lead contamination. “Children may be exposed to lead—a well known health hazard. Toys that have been made in other countries and then imported into the U.S. or antique toys and collectibles passed down through generations put children at risk for such exposure. To reduce these risks, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issues recalls of toys that could potentially expose children to lead.
Lead may be used in two aspects of toy manufacturing.
Paint: Lead may be found in the paint on toys. It was banned in house paint, on products marketed to children, and in dishes or cookware in the United States in 1978; however, it is still widely used in other countries and therefore can still be found on imported toys. It may also be found on older toys made in the United States before the ban.
Plastic: The use of lead in plastics has not been banned. It softens the plastic and makes it more flexible so that it can go back to its original shape. It may also be used in plastic toys to stabilize molecules from heat. When the plastic is exposed to substances such as sunlight, air, and detergents the chemical bond between the lead and plastics breaks down and forms a dust.”
For older children you can still purchase safe products, think stainless steel water bottles, the Sigg line has some very trendy and cool looking designs for their bottles, what a great addition to their lunch pack or just hanging out. Or how about some cool organic hair products, John Masters organics bourbon vanilla and tangerine hair texturizer might make a great gift for an older teen.
Need more ideas? Nubius Organics have some great green or organic gift ideas for everyone, from pre-schoolers to adults, on your holiday list.
Give the gift of health! Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be Happy!
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan
Fontana Chiropractic Evergreen 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
New study on GF (gluten free) and CF (casein free) Diets.
7 December 2008This should be good news to families of children with autism, but it doesn’t look promising.
On her web site, Age of Autism, Kim Stagliano reports that the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston will be conducting a four week double-blind stuffy to see if there is a basis for many parental claims that their autistic children improve when gluten and/or casein are removed from their diet.
Many doctors are skeptical of parental reports that things like bread and milk are related to the symptoms of autism, and a study like this should help to clear up the issue … right?
Not necessarily, says Kim. She knows that it can take much longer than four weeks to see results. For some children it can take many moths after all gluten and/or casein has been removed before they see a change.
Following a diet like this requires that the food be totally controlled. Unlike the diet of a typical Feingold child, an occasional slip can mean the difference between success and failure. What assurances are there that there will not be any slip-ups or opportunities for cheating.
And finally, Kim asks, “Who is funding this study?” The lead researcher notes that “Hundreds and hundreds of parents think this works but we need some serious evidence.” Are they actually looking for evidence of success or for a way to try and hush up these annoying parents who challenge the traditional medical beliefs on autism?
Reprinted from Pure Facts, the newsletter of the Feingold Association of the United States, FEINGOLD
For those of us who have seen the effects of taking gluten and dairy out of our children’s diets, there is no doubt that it makes a difference, and also that it takes time, up to 6 months on average. Does it completely recover a child with autism, absolutely not, and I don’t think any parent of a child on the spectrum believes that. However, it is one more tool available to parents to ensure their child has the best chance possible of recovery. If there was a small chance that it would work for my child, I was going to take it. There is no harm in trying to remove these products out of your pantry, and realistically if your child was allergic to nuts or latex similar precautions would be considered a must, and any parent not adhering rigidly against contamination by those products would surely be considered a negligent parent. So why is there so much ridicule and rhetoric thrown at parents who choose to try this simple, and easy, to implement diet intervention? It really is a shame that so many are persuaded that trying is fruitless and that as no controlled studies have proven it will work, parents are often advised that attempts are a waste of time and effort. However, it is important to note that there are also no studies documenting that this dietary intervention does not work. As with everything, we also have to consider the source of the ”no merit” opinions, often this is from the same medical community, who up until 10 or so years ago, blamed autism on refrigerator mothers. One has to wonder whether egos may still getting in the way of potential recovery opportunities.
Make an adjustment: Keep an open mind ~ Stay Healthy ~ Be happy!
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
Update: If 1 in 6 kids have a learning delay, what happens when they get to adulthood?
2 December 2008In our recent 4th July article it was discussed how 1 in 6 children are learning delayed and how many more are diagnosed with developmental, anxiety or bi-polar disorders. The article posed these statistics:
- 1 in 6 children (school age) are learning delayed.
- 1 in 150 children has an autism spectrum disorder.
- 1 in 95 of boys has an autism spectrum disorder.
- 7% of children seen at psychiatric facilities fit bi-polar disorder.
- 15,000 children each year are diagnosed with juvenile diabetes: that’s 40 children per day.
- As many as 3 million Americans may have type 1 diabetes.
- Between 16-33% of children and adults are obese.
- Infertility affects 1 in 6 couples.
And goes on to explain: “Learning delays encompass many different disorders including but not limited to: dyslexia, central auditory processing disorder, sensory processing disorders, ADD, ADHD, PDD, and other behavioral / learning disorders. … In 2003 a federal study found that at least 425,000 American children under 18 had some form of autism, including 114,000 children under 5. Talk About Curing Autism lists current data as an estimated 1 million in the US as having autism spectrum disorder, this figure does not include any of the letter disorders, JUST Autism. … In California there are currently two new cases recognized every day!
Bipolar disorder is also becoming more and more common in young children. Recently Newsweek ran a great article about the increase of childhood bipolar disorder. In the article a 7 year old boy with the disorder discusses his unhappiness, the various suicide notes he has written, and one attempt to take his own life. … To learn more on bipolar disorder go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.”
The Associated Press published a story on December 1 2008, that may help us understand the bigger picture. Specifically, what happens to these children when they become young adults. Young adults who must enter the highly stressful and self-motivated world of college and employment. The challenges of just being in this more stressful position of advanced learning, single living, or even mantaining employment can obviously exasperate the stress on someone who is already struggling. The article makes a claim for 1 in 5 young adults having personality disorders. “The disorders include problems such as obsessive or compulsive tendencies and anti-social behavior that can sometimes lead to violence. The study also found that fewer than 25 percent of college-aged Americans with mental problems get treatment.” A depressing statistic for those with children, family members or friends having these particular issues.
“The study was released Monday in Archives of General Psychiatry. It was based on interviews with 5,092 young adults in 2001 and 2002. Olfson said it took time to analzye the data, including weighting the results to extrapolate national numbers. But the authors said the results would probably hold true today. … In the study, trained interviewers, but not psychiatrists, questioned participants about symptoms. They used an assessment tool similar to criteria doctors use to diagnose mental illness. …
Dr. Jerald Kay, a psychiatry professor at Wright State University and chairman of the American Psychiatric Association’s college mental health committee, said the assessment tool is considered valid and more rigorous than self-reports of mental illness. He was not involved in the study. …
Personality disorders showed up in similar numbers among both students and non-students, including the most common one, obsessive compulsive personality disorder. About 8 percent of young adults in both groups had this illness, which can include an extreme preoccupation with details, rules, orderliness and perfectionism. …
In both groups, about 8 percent had phobias and 7 percent had depression. Bipolar disorder was slightly more common in non-students, affecting almost 5 percent versus about 3 percent of students.” SOURCE MSNBC
If you or someone you know is struggling with a personality disorder seek help. There are multiple organizations available to assist you to maintain a less stressful life. You can start by contacting the Bipolar Help Center or speak with your college health center for a referral to a professional trained in these areas.
Make an adjustment: Stay healthy ~ Be Happy!
Call Dr Paul or Dr. Susan at 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
Terminally Tired.
29 November 2008Terminally tired.
Turkey is on our brains and bellies right now, as we wave bye-bye to the Thanksgiving holiday and get ready to welcome the Christmas holidays, turkey is the main protein for many from Nov 27th to Jan 1st. It is said that tryptophan, an amino acid naturally found in turkey, causes us to feel sleepier and more tired than we usually would. Apparently it’s actually not the case, according to How Stuff Works “nutritionists and other experts say that the tryptophan in turkey probably won’t trigger the body to produce more seroton¬in because tryptophan works best on an empty stomach. The tryptophan in a Thanksgiving turkey has to vie with all the other amino acids that the body is trying to use. So only part of the tryptophan makes it to the brain to help produce serotonin.” that’s fine, I am still going to blame the tryptophan, but what of the ther 11 months of the year? My brain fogs and general forgetfulness seem to be a daily battle. After one more afternoon of slugging my way past 4 pm, I decided to do a little research on ways to beat those afternoon, morning, and early evening blues without just losing the turkey.
Always first and foremost on every list is water, always water, water, water. Drink, drink, drink. It is like a broken record, 8 ounces of water at least 8 times a day. “If you’re looking for a little pick-me-up, don’t reach for your usual double espresso. Instead try drinking two glasses of water. The caffeine in coffee and soda may temporarily make you feel more alert, but in the long run will make you even more tired by dehydrating your muscles and constricting your blood vessels.” Brainz.
Puzzles: Who knew, spending an afternoon with Soduku doesn’t just make everyone around you think you are smart; in the long run it actually may make you so! Or at least stave off the effects of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Brainz: “Studies with dementia patients have shown that playing word games and puzzles can increase and even restore mental cognitive abilities. The crossword, a pub quiz, or Soduku: all these fun activities can keep your grey matter in the pink. And the best part is that you don’t actually need to know anything. This is one instance where winning doesn’t matter, because your brain responds to the attempt to solve the problem, not the knowledge stored in your head. Probably the best brain games are those with strategic goals like Chess, Risk, and Stratego, as the objectives are in a constant flux, and require more activity from the brain.”
Exercise: Always on the list with water. Send oxygen to your brain, exercise your heart muscles, expand your lungs, and your body responds with renewed energy. Aim for 30 minutes a day, even if you are just taking a walk with the dog.
What are you taking? Check those medicines your doctor prescribed for you. Some medications, particularly anti-depressants or anti-anxiety pills, are known to cause tiredness and fogginess as a side-effect of their use. However, it could be the way the medicine affects just you not the general population, or it could be an interaction with something you are already taking. Check the report your pharmacist gives you, or get online to the manufacturers website. If you noticed the symptoms after you started a new medication or even added a medication this may be your problem.
Eat right, that means healthy, fresh fruit, veggies, protein. Your brain consumes about 20 percent of the body’s energy, and you get energy from food. If you put the wrong fuel in your body, your body’s not going to work properly. In general, try avoiding sugar and sugar-containing products, particularly those high-fructose corn syrup sodas and sweets, but also white bread, pasta, and white rice, which are the most common culprits related to brain fog. These over processed, pre-packaged foods are metabolized very quickly which will cause a spike in our blood sugar, but then it will drop rapidly, this cycle naturally makes you tired which has a side-effect we think of as brain fog. It can also lead to additional health complications such as diabetes and obesity.
Try peppermint. Keep peppermints in your pocket or on your desk. Many of us know that peppermint is good for a stomach upset and can even freshen the breath (thank you Altoids) — for a little while, anyway. Now scientists in the U.S. are claiming that it also increases alertness by as much as one-third. More, it reduces tiredness by 15%, they say. Peppermint is obviously an herb you should have on your shelf, not to mention a box of mint teabags.
Fish oil: These fatty acids keep the dopamine levels in the brain high, increase neuronal growth in the frontal cortex of the brain, and increase cerebral circulation. Which is a complicated way of saying that fatty acids make your brain work at top efficiency, kinda like a tune-up. But before you stockpile your pantry with tuna, remember that eating large amounts of fish can put you at risk to toxins and mercury poisoning. So it’s better to get EPA and DHA from alternative sources and supplements. Brainz
Sleep: You have to sleep to function, the less sleep the more irritable, and tired, you feel. You are likely to be moody and experience gross impairment of brain function which will include reduced reasoning and lack of judgment. Children who do not sleep often have behavioral problems and developmental delays. Adults should aim for 8 hours of sleep every night, children need between 8 and 12 hours depending on their age.
Make an adjustment: Stay Alert ~ Stay healthy ~ Be Happy.
Call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
Fontana Family Chiropractic, Evergreen, Colorado.