Avoiding The Holiday Weight Gain

It's that time again.  The time of year where we all begin to get festive and look forward to the days of celebrating.  Now that Thanksgiving is over, the momentum of this really starts to take off.  And during those times, we all seem to do the same thing...eat too much.  As a result, one would seem to gain weight.  Since this is quite common for far too many, I'd like to offer an alternative to setting yourself up for Holiday Weight Gain.  The following are 10 Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain:

1) Plan ahead to have a healthy meal before going to any of these holiday parties.  If your stomach is full before you go, you'll eat less, if at all.

2) Bring a vegetable platter to any party you are invited to, and then make sure you eat more of that vs. any other foods/snacks being offered.

3) Have a big lunch knowing you are going to the party that evening, and this will contribute to feeling full and prompt you to eat far less. 

4) Drink a large glass of water when you first get to the party, or just before beginning to eat.  This too will contribute to the feeling of being full and result in less eating.

5) Bring something non-alcoholic to drink and stick to that during the party.  Alcohol is the adult form of sugar and sets off the need to consume more of this.  Plain juice or seltzer or the combination is better than the alcohol, especially if you need to drive home after. 

6) Limit yourself to one small plate of food and avoid the holiday desert tray of cookies or other tasty sweets.  This is most people’s downfall, eating holiday cookies, etc.  Show some discipline, and simply don't eat them.

7) Begin or increase your exercise program to include more aerobic type activities consisting of walking, cycling, the elliptical or swimming.  These activities will help you burn the extra food you've eaten, especially if you do this regularly.

8) Stay home.  There is nothing that says you have to go to every party your invited to.  This may seem rude or ungrateful, but simply offer that you've been to too many parties already or you limit yourself to one party a week, and you've met your quota for that time period.

9) If you must go to the party, limit yourself to being there for an hour, and don't eat the whole time while you are there.  Go with someone else and have the agreement you won't eat and will leave after a certain time period.

10) Find someone new and interesting to talk to, and don't eat at all.

If you apply just one of these each time you are invited to attend a holiday party, I can assure you that you will not put on the holiday pounds.  Now that would really be a reason to celebrate. 

If you do have concerns about the potential excess weight, and would like to discuss that, my office is always available for Nutritional Consults.  Also, the office makes available my 4 CD Audio Program entitled, "The Real Deal: Strategies to Restore Your Health And Wellness Through Understanding Nutrition and Exercise."  It is packed with over four hours of information to help you get a handle on your weight management issues.  With the holiday season upon us, this is an ideal time to purchase this audio program for yourself or a loved one.  Normally $90.00, through December 25th I will make it available to you for $75.00.  That's the same cost as a half hour consultation, yet you get over 4 hours of helpful information so you can finally take control of your weight once and for all.

Vertebral Subluxation, Nutrition and the Health of Your Spine

Doc Rick says, "Many a Practice Member has asked over the years about their spine and why it needs to be adjusted. I offer the following information about what can be done to minimize the effects of stress on the spine and how you can help yourself." Click on the link

Vertebral Subluxation and Nutrition

Many a practice member has asked over the years about their spine and why it needs an adjustment.  I explain to them, like I teach everyone, that STRESS causes the muscles in your body to contract for extended periods of time, often times in an uneven way from left to right, resulting in the pulling on the bones and resulting misalignment of the spine.  Most seem to nod their heads, and I still feel like there is a question.  Yet most don’t ask the follow-up.  What can be done to minimize the effects of stress on my spine and how can I help myself?

 

Understanding Subluxations

In a healthy spine, the individual segments of the spine, the vertebrae, are carefully “stacked” and aligned so the various nerves from the spinal cord are free to function properly.  A misalignment of one bone in the spine in relation to the next is called a subluxation.

A subluxation may interfere with the proper nerve function when nerve signals cannot flow freely to and from the brain.  This can result in potentially improper function of a gland, organ, muscle or tissue controlled by those nerves.  The most commonly affected areas include:

Spine  Soft Tissue  Muscles  Nerves   Joints
 
Subluxation and Stress

Subluxations and stress, whether physical, chemical, mental, emotional or thermal, go hand in hand.  Repetitive motion, improper lifting, and poor posture can cause physical stress on the spine and nervous system.  Improper dietary intake of completely refined and processed foods, medications and other chemicals in our lives can and do affect the spine and nervous system.  Job stress, finances, or stress in relationships with loved ones also cause mental/emotional stress on the spine and nervous system.  And finally rapid changes in temperature during Winter and Summer months cause the muscles and ligaments to tighten.   No matter where the stress comes from, it can contribute to the development of subluxation.

Nutrition and Chiropractic

Identifying nutrient challenges is critical because they can affect nerve function and spinal stability.  Proper nutrition, supported with whole food supplements, promotes overall health and provides the human body with the building blocks for tissue repair, helping reestablish proper function in the spine.  Together Standard Process high-quality whole food supplements and MediHerb herbal products support you and your spine throughout your chiropractic care.

Subluxations can go undetected for years, and can affect any system in the body.  Seeing your chiropractor will help ensure that your body is in proper alignment.
Joints:  Improper motion or position of spinal bones leading to Difficulty turning, bending. 

Glucosamine Synergy: Supports the body’s natural cartilage, ligament, and bone regeneration function.
Boswelia Complex: Supports healthy joints and circulation; provides antioxidant protection
Nerves: Improper spinal function can irritate delicate nerve tissue leading to Numbness, tingling. 
Neuroplex: Supports a healthy central nervous system, especially the brain
Cataplex B: Contains B vitamins; helps to maintain nerve health
Muscle: Nerves can misfire, resulting in weak or tight muscles that causes Tension, weakness.
Myo-Plus: Contains naturally occurring CoQ10; supports the healthy functioning of the muscular system
Calcium Lactate/Magnesium Lactate: Supports healthy bone structure and function ; helps facilitate muscle contraction
Tissues: Addresses the natural anti-inflammatory response leading to inflammation and tenderness 
Ligaplex II: Feeds the musculoskeletal system and facilitates freedom of movement
Tuna-Omega-3: OilSupports a healthy inflammatory response
Gotu Kola Complex: Promotes healthy connective tissue and supports the body’s normal tissue repair process
Spine: Calcium deposits form, compromising spinal movement and function leading to Restricted movement.
Calcifood: Helps the body build healthy bone
Ostrophin PMG: Maintains healthy bone function
Cataplex D: Contains vitamin D; helps maintain a healthy level of calcium in the blood

Chiropractic care is focused primarily on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system, and how that relationship affects your health.  Doctors of Chiropractic can implement a broad range of techniques that aid in restoring proper alignment, motion, and function by removing any interference to the nervous system.  To further support your health, whole food and herbal supplements may be added to your chiropractic care plan to maximize the benefits of your treatment.

My Offer To You


If you have any questions or concerns about supporting your treatment here at the office, please ask me to check you.  During the month of December and January, I will be offering a FREE Subluxation Nutrition Check to determine if any of the 5 areas affected by subluxation need support for your body.  This service is normally $75.00, but during the months of December and January the evaluation will be FREE.  Simply call the Office at (845)561-BACK or 561-2225 and tell us you want the Subluxation Nutrition Check and we will do it during your next regularly scheduled office visit.

Breathing Exercises Improve Asthma Symptoms

In the United States, about 20 million people have been diagnosed with asthma; nearly 9 million of them are children. The most common treatment for Asthma has been the use of corticosteriod inhalers. A new study found that breathing techniques can cut the

Tips to Reduce Asthma Symptoms

Use air filters to help clean air in your home. Cover mattresses and pillows with dust covers and use hypoallergenic bed clothing to reduce exposure to dust mites. Include foods with omega-3 fatty acids in the diet—such as fish or fish oil. Supplement with vitamin C, which helps reduce allergic reactions and wheezing symptoms. Get regular chiropractic care.

In the United States, about 20 million people have been diagnosed with asthma; nearly 9 million of them are children. The most common treatment for Asthma has been the use of corticosteriod inhalers.

A new study found that breathing techniques can cut the use of asthma reliever inhalers by more than 80% and halve the dose of preventer inhaler required in mild asthma, research finds.

The new study, published in the journal Thorax, compared the impact of two breathing techniques on symptoms, lung function, use of medication and quality of life among 57 adults with mild asthma.

 

One technique focused on shallow, nasal breathing with slow exhalations, and the second technique used general upper body exercises, accompanied by relaxation.

The participants, who used a preventer inhaler and required reliever inhaler at least four times a week, were randomly assigned to one or other breathing technique.

Participants practiced their breathing exercises twice a day for around 25 minutes over a period of 30 weeks. They were also encouraged to use a shorter version of their exercises in place of reliever inhaler, and to use reliever if the exercises did not work.

Researcher Professor Christine Jenkins, of the the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, found that the use of reliever medication fell by 86% in both exercise groups, a process which began within weeks of starting the exercises, and was maintained over eight months.  She writes: "Breathing techniques may be useful in the management of patients with mild asthma symptoms who use a reliever frequently."

By the end of the study, the participants dropped from using around three puffs of their reliever inhaler each day to approximately one puff every third day.  Preventer dose requirements were also cut in half.

SYSTEMIC YEAST AND CANDIDIA INFECTIONS

 "If you've ever taken antibiotics, you have a yeast/candidia infection.  How to correct that is important.  How to prevent it is even more important."

 

SYSTEMIC YEAST AND CANDIDIA INFECTIONS

All too common today is the over utilization of prescription antibiotics.  Originally they were designed, not to prevent infection as most have come to believe, but to stop the spread of an infection after a person had acquired one.  This allowed the body's own immune system ample time to catch up while enabling it to fight the infection and return the body back to normal.  Slowly over time though, doctors began to utilize this medication to fight many symptoms in an effort to "prevent" infections from possible bacteria. This was true, even if viruses caused the infections.  The theory being, if there was the off chance that while the immune system was busy fighting the viral infection, then a bacterial infection could develop.  For many years, Americans seemed to trust their doctors and always took their prescribed antibiotics.  As we became a more symptom oriented society, every time our children experienced a symptom, we would run to the doctor who would prescribe antibiotics.  Anything to keep the child from experiencing "chronic" infections.  Over time though, because antibiotics destroy bacteria (All bacteria), this lead to a condition known as dysbiosis.  It is a fancy term meaning an imbalance in the natural flora, or components, of the digestive tract. 

A Normal Healthy Digestive System

Under normal healthy circumstances, your lower digestive tract is made up of a very specific balanced community of bacteria, yeast and a type of mold known as candidia.  These three components act together to protect the lining of the digestive tract from harmful, damaging substances like unhealthy bacteria, toxins, chemicals, and wastes.  By working together, they help to filter and eliminate these substances while simultaneously allowing critical factors needed for life, such as nutrients and water, to be absorbed into circulation and made available to the billions of cells in the body that need them.  This balanced relationship between the bacteria, yeast and mold is vital for a person’s health. 

An Unhealthy Digestive System

Without it, many different health concerns can develop which include, but are not limited to, systemic yeast infections, candidia infections, increased food sensitivities or allergies, a suppressed immune system, viral infections, parasitic infections, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Fibromyalgia, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and Heart Disease, just to name a few.  How does this occur?  As stated above, when one takes an antibiotic, they destroy not only the unfriendly bacteria creating the infection, but the friendly bacteria as well.  This leads to the imbalance within the digestive tract (dysbiosis) and will present as a Systemic Yeast Overgrowth and/or Systemic Candidia Overgrowth.  The person will then begin to crave sweets/carbohydrates (breads, grains and cereals) in an effort to feed the overgrowth of yeast and/or candidia.  This overtime leads to more overgrowth, which causes Leaky Gut Syndrome, mal-digestion, food allergies and an increased stomach pH.  An increased stomach pH will lead to indigestion followed by heartburn and eventually acid reflux.  This creates the need for antacids, which actually promotes the increased stomach pH, and will create a loss of calcium from the body.  This leads to osteoporosis, muscle cramps and spasms.  As you can see, taking antibiotics can cause several common health concerns of today, if not followed up with proper treatment to restore normal digestive balance.

How To Correct The Problem

As a preventative to the negative effects of antibiotics, for each week a person is on an antibiotic, they would have to replace the normal bacteria, known as acidophilus and bifidobacterium, for 6 - 12 months with live cultures.  These are usually found in the refrigerated section of most health food stores or at the front desk here at the office. Ideally, it should be in a powdered form, and must be taken at a rate of ¼ teaspoon 3 times per day with meals.  You can mix it in a drink, or add it in your food.  Again, if you do not do this preventative measure, you can guarantee one or more of the health concerns mentioned above.
 

What You Need To Consider

What is most important to consider is, Why did you get the bacterial infection?  Or, why would you ever get an infection to begin with?  A normal healthy Immune System will recognize foreign bacteria (or other invaders) and will immediately surround and destroy the unfriendly invader prior to it multiplying and overwhelming your system.  If you get bacterial infections, whether they are occasional or several times a year, you should consider how we could help to prevent that from happening.  If you or a loved one have taken antibiotics at any time, ask Dr. Huntoon to check you for the need of acidophilus and if there is a current yeast/candidia imbalance.

The next thing to consider is the mal-absorption of vital nutrients necessary to prevent infection and promote normal functioning and health of yourself and of your Immune System.  There are two specific nutrients of which are most important.  That would be calcium and then the second being the Whole Vitamin C Complex.  We use two products from Standard Process called Calcium Lactate and Cataplex C.  Both are the highest quality whole food supplements designed to give you everything you need to have a normal Immune Response.  Appreciate that when one gets an infection, a fever will develop.  This fever is the direct indication that something got into the body that does not belong there.  This is a sign that there are holes in the defense system.  Calcium regulates this response the following way. 

When there is sufficient blood calcium and tissue calcium circulating around, the junctions between the cells are tight and everything lines up without any gaps.  When the blood calcium and tissue calcium levels drop, (usually seen a lot in children who require excess amounts of calcium to form strong bones and proper muscle function) tiny openings between the cells get created.  Sort of like having poor insulation around your windows and doors of your house in the winter.  Thus, unwanted bacteria that exist in the environment and come in contact with the body are now able to get into the body and the blood.  They sneak in through the cracks in the system.

The second component that is designed to feed the necessary defense cells, known as macrophages, is the Whole Vitamin C Complex.  By giving your body the necessary ingredient to support the growth of the primary defense mechanism within the body, this will go a long way towards preventing unwanted foreign invaders from creating infections in the body. 

That is why I strongly recommend you take both Calcium Lactate and Cataplex C, a whole food vitamin C Complex with all the necessary components nature would like for you to have to support strong Immune functioning.

My Offer To You

If you are an individual who suffers from low grade fevers or any fevers for that matter, you'll want to have these two nutrients checked.  Simply call the office at (845)561-BACK or 561-2225 and ask us to schedule you for I'm Burning Up and Need Some Food Check where I will evaluate your Immune System and the need for both of these supplements.  And if we find that you do, we can figure out what is the best dosage for you to take to help restore balance to your body and Immune System.  Then you can get on with your life;-)