Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Thanksgiving Survival

Thanksgiving dinner, an American icon.... of nearly 4500 calories!

Here are some ideas to make the day less "heavy".

1) Drink 16 ounces of water before you eat, and only drink water with your meal.
2) Eat more turkey, and more from the relish tray.
3) Keep the stuffing, dressing, potatoes, casseroles to small servings.
4) One pass at the buffet line please!
5) Do you need the pie? If so, take a small slice and avoid the whipping cream and ice cream.
6) Find a "turkey trot" or a "turkey bowl" to participate in.

Most of all, enjoy your family and friends. Take the time to give thanks.

Keith Biggs, DC
www.eastmesachiropractor.com

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Tainted Turkey

A Texas turkey products company is issuing a recall of some of its products because of possible contamination with a bacteria known as Listeria Monocytogenes.

According to the CNN Health website, quoting the agricultural department, "consumption of food contaminated with listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease."

The CNN Health website describes the products in the recall as:

-- 1-pound packages of New Braunfels Smokehouse Sliced Smoked Turkey, with the package code "2210" on the label.
-- 4- to 6-pound packages of New Braunfels Honey-Glazed Spiral Sliced Smokehouse Hickory Smoked Boneless Breast of Turkey, with the package code "2180" on the label.
-- 4- to 6-pound whole breast packages of Stegall Boneless Hickory Smoked Turkey Breast, with the package code "2210" on the label.
-- 4- to 6-pound whole breast packages of Stegall Spiral Sliced Hickory Smoked Turkey Breast, with the package codes "2180" or "2210" on the label.

Each package bears the USDA mark of inspection and the number "P-975" inside the mark of inspection.

The items were produced on August 4.

Please take the time to look at your turkey breast products and compare the lables.  Consumers with questions about the recall may call the company at 1-800-537-6932.

Keith Biggs, DC
http://www.eastmesachiropractor.com
http://biggschiropractic.blogspot.com

Monday, November 15, 2010

Vitamin D Deficiency Related to Strokes

Johns Hopkins University is publicizing a new study that shows that low levels of vitamin D, the essential nutrient obtained from milk, fortified cereals and exposure to sunlight, doubles the risk of suffering a stroke in whites, but not in blacks.

In the United States, stroke is the nation's third leading cause of death. Every year, more than 140,000 Americans are killed by strokes, and hundreds of thousands more suffer neurological disabilities that often are permanent.  This recent study supports prior evidence that links Vitamin D deficiency to heart disease and arterial diseases.


Study co-lead investigator and preventive cardiologist Erin Michos, M.D., M.H.S, says that most people would benefit from and could safely take 1000-2000 iu of vitamin D daily. Many could benefit from doses even higher. The current RDA is only 400 iu. 


As many as 50% of Americans have blood levels of vitamin D that are low and unhealthy.

Keith Biggs, DC
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
www.biggschiropractic.blogspot.com



Thursday, November 11, 2010

Healthier Choices at Fast Food Restaurants

We live in an instant society, and our food choices reflect our lifestyles.  The purpose of this post is not to argue the pluses or minuses of modern society, but to simply point out a great article on CNN Health that gives parents different options when dining out at fast food restaurants. 

You can connect to the website here. Take a moment, read the study, and make some simple changes for the benefit of your health and that of your children!

Keith Biggs, DC
www.eastmesachiropractor.com

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Vitamin D and Luekemia

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have found a significant difference in the progression of cancer and patient death in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients who had adequate levels of vitamin D in their blood compared to those who did not.

It appears that adequate levels of vitamin D in the blood help to slow the progression of CLL. This is very important because CLL is typically a slow moving disease. Often, when the early stages of CLL are first detected, the physician does not immediately begin chemotherapy because chemotherapy medications are so damaging. These early patients are usually simply monitored for progression of the disease, waiting for it to reach a level at which time chemotherapy benefits out-weight the known damages of the drug.

The fact that Vitamin D has shown a potential in slowing the progression of this cancer provides these patients with an early treatment option that was unavailable to them in the past. 

According to Dr. Shanafelt, hematologist at Mayo Clinic, Vitamin D insufficiency, in general, is widespread. "Between one-fourth and one-half of patients seen in routine clinical practice have vitamin D levels below the optimal range, and it is estimated that up to 1 billion people worldwide have vitamin D insufficiency," he says.

There is a growing body of evidence that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for development and/or progression of several known cancers. Some studies have suggested that low vitamin D levels may increase the risk of colorectal, breast, and lung cancers. In other studies, low vitamin D levels may be associated with poorer clinical outcomes in colorectal, breast, melanoma and lung cancers, and lymphoma. 


If you know of a patient that has been diagnosed with CLL, you should get a copy of the Mayo study to them and their doctors.

Keith Biggs, DC
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
www.biggschiropractic.blogspot.com

Source: Medical News Today

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

B Vitamins Promote Healthy Brains

Another study in Europe shows that the B vitamins are beneficial in preventing senile dementia and alzheimer's disease.

According to Medical News Today, "A two-year clinical trial in England has shown that B vitamins, including B-6, B-12 and folic acid, slow down mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition which is a major risk factor for Alzheimer disease and other forms of dementia"

B6, B12, and Folic Acid are essential nutrients. B6, or Pyridoxine, for example, is involved in more bodily functions than almost any other single nutrient. It benefits both physical and mental health. B12, or Cyanocobalamin, is equally important. It is needed in red blood cell formation and food absorption. B12 is required for nerve tissue health and helps to maintain fertility!  Folic acid is considered a "brain food", and is essential for red blood cell formation.  It is well known for its importance in pregnancy. A daily intake of 400 micrograms has been shown in some studies to prevent many of the neural defects in infants, such as spina bifida and anencephaly.  It may also be beneficial in preventing premature births.

Clearly, the B vitamins included in the studies regarding brain function are essential chemical components of health, and are shown to aid in healthy neurological tissues and functions. The question is not whether or not they should be included as a daily supplement. The question is when are the neurological experts going to get on the band wagon and start recommending B complex vitamins to all of their patients?

Keith E. Biggs, DC
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
www.biggschiropractic.blogspot.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com

Monday, November 1, 2010

Fatty Liver Disease and Curry

Researchers at Saint Louis University have found that chemicals found in the spices that give Curry its "zing" might be helpful in the treatment of patients with benign fatty liver disease.

Benign fatty liver disease, often linked to obesity and weight gain, can lead to fibrosis of the liver, and possibly cirrhosis, cancer, or even death. Liver tissues can also be damaged by medications, such as Tylenol, through consumption of alcohol, and from poisoning. 

The chemical, according to researchers, is Curcumin, and it is present in turmeric.

"My laboratory studies the molecular mechanism of liver fibrosis and is searching for natural ways to prevent and treat this liver damage," said Anping Chen, Ph.D., who is the director of research in the pathology department at Saint Louis University. "While research in an animal model and human clinical trials are needed, our study suggests that curcumin may be an effective therapy to treat and prevent liver fibrosis, which is associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis."
Fatty liver disease, or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis affects approximately 5% of the US population. Typically, medical options have been limited. Often, the medical doctor will take a "wait and see" attitude. This approach is more reactive and less pro-active.

Another herb that has been touted for years to be beneficial in treating of liver toxicity is Milk Thistle. Milk thistle may help to protect the liver from damage due to toxins, and might actually stimulated new liver tissue growth.

For those that are suffering from liver disease, there are options. Since the liver is often damaged by medication use, it makes sense that the best current options for treatment are herbal.

Keith E. Biggs, DC
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
www.biggschiropractic.blogspot.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com