Juicing for better health

 By Cassie McCully

Though the weather resembles nothing near the sweet days of summer, you can enjoy sunshine in a glass any day of the year. 

If you don't already juice, here's a few reasons why you might consider doing so:

1)  Fresh juice provides vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, proteins, immunity building and more
2)  Regular juicers rave about an increase in energy, clearer skin, and a clearer mind
3)  It's an easy way to consume your USDA recommended 2-4 servings of fruit and vegetables each day

Interested in adding juicing to your diet?  Here's a great 30 days of juicing list, and a green detox recipe that will be perfect for after the holidays and to start the New Year off right.

Once warmer days do roll around, I'm definitely going to pay a visit to Portland's very own juice cart, "Sip," who made it onto Food & Wine's list of best juice bars.  They're now closed for the winter, but their steamed "Flu Slayer": apple, lemon, ginger and garlic would have been a great pick for the entire family during these last couple of weeks.

Do you juice?  What has been your experience?

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Fight the Flu and Common Cold With Chiropractic

It's that time of year when coughing, sneezing and the flu is swirling around us.  Chiropractic can help boost your immunity this season!

In 1918, the flu pandemic swept across the world infecting 100 million people and killing a high estimate of 50 million people.  During this time, preventative measures, treatment and cures for the influenza were unknown.  As the flu pandemic was spreading across the world, the practice of chiropractic was on the verge of extinction as the practice became the target of medical doctors with lenient slander laws.  Because many chiropractors had such a decline in business during this time, chiropractors began doing house calls, adjusting anyone who had the flu. 

The outcome for those infected with the flu who were adjusted by a chiropractor were astounding, thus they were nicknamed, "Flu Doctors":

In Davenport, Iowa, 50 medical doctors treated 4,953 cases, with 274 deaths. In the same city, 150 chiropractors including students and faculty of the Palmer School of Chiropractic treated 1,635 cases with only one death.

In the state of Iowa, medical doctors treated 93,590 patients, with 6,116 deaths – a loss of one patient out of every 15. In the same state, excluding Davenport, 4,735 patients were treated by chiropractors with a loss of only 6 cases – a loss of one patient out of every 789.
National figures show that 1,142 chiropractors treated 46,394 patients for influenza during 1918, with a loss of 54 patients – one out of every 886.

In the same epidemic, New York health authorities (who kept records of flu as a reportable disease) showed that under chiropractic care, only 25 patients died of influenza out of every 10,000 cases; and only 100 patients died of pneumonia out of every 10,000 cases. This comparison is made more striking when viewed in the following table:
Influenza
—————————————Cases               Deaths
Under medical care                10,000             950
Under chiropractic care         10,000             25
Pneumonia
—————————————Cases               Deaths
Under medical care                10,000             6,400
Under chiropractic care         10,000             100

The same epidemic reports show that chiropractors in Oklahoma treated 3,490 cases of influenza with only 7 deaths. But the best part of this is, in Oklahoma there is a clear record showing that chiropractors were called in 233 cases where medical doctors had cared for the patients, and finally gave them up as lost. The chiropractors saved all these lost cases but 25.

The results that chiropractic care had on patients with influenza is not surprising, as research has shown that there is a direct interaction between the nervous system and the immune system when chiropractic care is administered. 

How chiropractic revs up the immune system:

• Chiropractic adjustments ensure that the nerves from the brain down the spinal cord to the adrenal glands (which help manage the immune system) are not obstructed by vertebral subluxations which are misalignments in the spine that put pressure on the nerve system.

• Chiropractic adjustments decrease the stress hormone cortisol which increases our odds of becoming sick.

• Chiropractic adjustments to the upper neck have shown an increase to the white blood cell count up to 200%, which helps the body's immune system to be strong. 

Let us help you be well this season!  If people around you are getting ill, or if you usually come down with illness yourself this time of year get ahead of things and schedule a chiropractic wellness check-up.  Call (360) 823-2225 and ask for your wellness check-up today.

Best in health, naturally,
Dr. Marc

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References:
1. "Chiropractic: Maybe the Best Defense Against Influenza." ChiroUnity. 27 April 2009.
2.  Rhodes WR: “The Official History of Chiropractic in Texas.” Texas Chiropractic Association. Austin, TX. 1978. 
 

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Six Secrets to a Strong Immune System

Do you get more than two colds or bouts of the flu per year? If so, it may be a sign of a weakened immune system. Follow these six secrets to build your immune system this season.

1. Exercise--Any exercise is better than no exercise. Think of the ways you can get moving throughout your day, the times when you can stand instead of sit and how you can find enjoyment in being active, regularly.  Did you know that walking is one of the most effective exercises?  Think of walking like an invigorating massage for every cell of your body.
2. Multi-Vitamin--Preferably one with aloe vera juice.  Studies have shown that the absorption of necessary vitamins C and E is significantly increased when taken in conjunction with an aloe supplement.  I prefer a liquid, organic multi-vitamin that includes aloe vera juice, such as the one we carry at our office. Drop by for a free tasting sample. 
3. Chiropractic Immunity Adjustment--Subluxations are subtle misalignments in the spinal column that put pressure on the exiting spinal nerves that run the organs and systems of the body, such as the immune system. Subluxations may be caused by falls, sleeping funny, bad lifting or bad posture such as prolonged computer/desk work. Subluxations increase the stress hormone cortisol in the body. Stress may tax the body and decrease immunity. Research suggests a link between a specific chiropractic adjustment of the upper cervical spine that may boost white blood cell count up to 300% and give a powerful punch to fight infection. Schedule a time for a free consultation to see if chiropractic is right for you.
4. Water--Is 8 glasses a day the right amount for you? It turns out that that amount is for someone who is truly dehydrated. For those who stay fairly well hydrated, aim for 4 to 5 glasses a day of filtered water.
5. Sleep--Most people require 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily.  A good way to measure your sleep needs are to spend a weekend or even better, a week, allowing yourself to wake uninterrupted.  After you've caught up on sleep-debt, you may see a pattern in the hours your body wants to spend sleeping.
6. Managing stress--In the office, I teach a FREE Championing Stress class*.  One tip we talk about in the class is pacing.  It may seem obvious, but the task of pacing is often overlooked.  Pacing means that if you know you have a big project coming up such as a wedding or large work/school project, you may want to postpone other non-essential tasks for later. *The next Championing Stress class will be taught 12/12 and includes lunch on me if you RSVP to (360)823-2225 while seats are still available.  Reserve a spot for yourself and a friend. 

I often get other questions on the topic of immunity. What about anti-bacterial soap, and should I wipe surfaces down with anti-bacterial wipes?  Also, do pets help or are they detrimental to immunity (and allergies for that matter)? Look for our upcoming blog posts to get answers to these important questions. Be sure you are a follower to this blog so you will know when those posts are available.

Best in health, naturally,

Dr. Marc

 'Giveaway!  Free Tickets to Sauvie Island's Corn Maze' happening now!

References:
Vinson, JA. Effect of Aloe Vera preparations on the human bioavailability of vitamins C and E.  Phytomedicine 2006; 12(10):760-765
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