How we deal with stress can go a long way to keeping us healthy.  Many people dealing with high stress levels can develop a lot of health problems.  Ulcers, headaches, backaches, cardiac problems just to list a few.

Here are a few things that families can do to make sure they are keeping their stress levels under control so they aren’t becoming unhealthy.

• Exercise is the first step to feeling better.  Daily walking, jogging, biking or swimming can help to reduce the stress levels in your life.  Kids who are in school sports will benefit from practice and exercise.  Making exercise a daily activity will make huge difference.
• Food choices can increase your internal stress.  A great way to relax is by eating the right foods.  No coffee, soda or sugary foods.  These types of food and drink will just increase your bodies inflammatory process and make your stress levels rise.  Try drinking green tea instead of coffee, eating fruit instead of ice cream and cookies.
• Have your spine checked by a chiropractor.  Making sure that your spine is in alignment will help to reduce your stress as well.  Eliminating extra stress on the nervous system will help you to feel less tired, stiff, and help to reduce the frequency of things like headaches.  Constant stress will put unwanted pressure on the muscles and bones of your body, chiropractic adjustments are a great way to help eliminate these pressures.

Remember, stress is what you make it.  If you step back, take a deep breath, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

We know that toxins enter our body through contact with our skin, we also know that we inhale them, (which I will talk about next time), finally they can enter our body through our  mouth.  So lets talk about the foods we are eating.

Now I know what you are thinking… Food bad for us?  I thought that was how we got the fuel we needed to survive.  Well you are right, it is.  But what most Americans are eating these days doesn’t qualify as food.  It is counterfeit food.  Food that has very little to no nutritional value.

How has our food gotten to this point.  Well look around.  Farming is big business, and producing as much product is good for profits.  Then there is fast foods, convenience foods, processed foods, that have done nothing but make our country fat and sick. 

  Our bodies are not being able to keep up with the burden that we are putting on it.  So we end up becoming fatter, and sicker every time we eat.  Processed foods have lead to an epidemic of diabetes and obesity in adults and now our children.  Take a look around at the popular diets these days.  One that is on TV all of the time, is selling you on eating their pre-made meals, which have to be loaded with additives and chemicals that are body can do nothing with.  I know one person that is on a plan that keeps track with points, but she can still have fast food in her diet as long as she has enough points.  How is that healthy?  You are not going to lose weight being able to have fries and coke.

Foods that were once healthy for us to eat, like fruits and veggies are now being sprayed with so many chemicals to make them grow bigger and defend them for pests, that they are losing most of their nutritional value, and becoming loaded with chemicals they have absorbed while growing.

You wanted to know why your arthritis is acting up.  Take a look at your diet.  The things that you are putting into your body are most likely causing your body to stay in a constant state of inflammation because the toxic burden placed on your body is too high for it to deal with.  High fructose corn syrup,hygrogenated oils, soybean oil, food dyes, food additive, refined sugars, caffeine, these chemicals will cause your body to constantly be in pain.  But these are the things that we are constantly eating.

Yes, meds can help with some of your health issues, and yes there is a time and place for them, but if you change what is going into your body, your health will change.  Food IS our fuel, we just have to make sure that we are using the right fuel for our health.  This would be organically grown fruits and veggies, wild fish (not farm raised), grass fed beef, and free range chicken.  Avoid meats that have been given antibiotics and steroids in order to grow larger animals.  These types of chemicals will be passed onto you when eaten.

What is a Paraben?  It is what is added to products as a preservative to protect the product from bacteria and helps to add shelf life.   The bad thing is that these parabens are toxic to your body.  So if you are using shampoo and conditioners with parabens, then putting on deodorant with parabens, lathering lotion all over your body, that yes has parabens, putting on your make up, loaded with parabens. you are putting so much toxic waste into your body that it can’t barley keep up.  Then add in the fact that it is day, after day, after day. Besides, these products have been shown to cause contact dermatitis, skin irritation, and one paraben, methylparaben, which is commonly used in anti-aging products, may actually increase skin aging.  Sounds a little counter productive to me.  So just be careful.

I know that it is hard to buy things that aren’t loaded with parabens, especially in today’s economy where everyone is trying to save a buck, but you have to think about yourself a little.  If you get sick, from toxic waste build up in your body.  How much money do you think that is going to save you? 

Here is a list of parabens that are found in most personal care products.  So check your labels… benzylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, sodium methylparaben, and sodium propylparaben. 

If you can’t avoid them all, you know what they say.  MODERATION!!

Some things that you can look for in your products that are natural alternatives to parabens are grapefruit seed extract, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, sorbic acid, vitamin E (tocopherol), vitamin A (retinyl) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid).  These will run you a little bit more, but can you really put a price on your health?

In the past there were breaks between sports, which allowed kids to recover.  Now there is no time for recovery, which isn’t good for kids that are still developing and haven’t gained the strength required for a schedule of this manner.  Sports over lap, seasonal sports have become year round, and at very early ages.  I would like to offer a few tips for families that have children participating in programs at this level.

1. Eat Healthy.  Make sure you child is maintaining a healthy weight and eating a well balanced diet.  Do not allow them to skip meals.  Increase fruits and veggies and lose the sugary foods.

2. Drink water!!  There is no reason to be drinking the popular sports drinks.  Young athletes should be drinking 5-8 8oz glasses of water a day. 

3.  Get some rest.  Kids need rest.  If they are feeling run down, allow them to take a day or 2 off.  It will help you in the long run.  Playing fatigued can only lead to one thing…Injuries.

If you have questions or your child is hurting check with your chiropractor and see how they can help you today.

High blood levels of vitamin C could cut stroke risk by as much as 42 percent and reduce your odds of developing type 2 diabetes by a whopping 62 percent.

“C” the Stats
Yep, that’s exactly what happened in two recent studies involving middle-aged and older adults. As blood levels of C went up, risks went down. Researchers suspect that the vitamin’s strong antioxidant qualities may be the reason for its protective effects. And there’s no better way to raise your blood levels of C than to start filling your body with C-rich winter foods like broccoli, brussels sprouts, and oranges

We’re talking about B6. And science shows that simply getting your share of this nutrient could cut your risk of colon and rectal cancer. A lot.

Big Time B Benefits
In one of the largest studies to date on B6 and colon health, people with the highest intake of the vitamin — from food and supplements — reduced their risk of colorectal cancer by 20 to 30 percent. And this study is just one of many showing a benefit. Researchers suspect that B’s role in the metabolism of folate — another colon-friendly B vitamin — might explain the protective effects.

What Is Organic Food?

Organic food is any food grown or raised in accordance with the Organic Food Production Act of 1990. For the most part, it includes grains, produce, animal products all grown without the use of growth hormones, pesticides, genetic modifications, or the use of any other product to increase the size of supply of products.

Conventional farming uses chemical pesticides to help protect the crops. These pesticides will reside in the soil and find their way into the produce for years, potentially leading to health or environmental problems.

Organic foods are grown in the soil without pesticides or other chemicals having been used for at least three years prior to harvest. The crop is often smaller and generally rotated to ensure healthy soil and improved nutrient content.

Although organic produce usually doesn’t look as shiny or large as conventional options in the supermarket, it often has a purer nutrient content and tastes better. If locally grown, the food should have an even greater flavor and nutritional content due to a reduced time from harvest to your table. Conventional produce may have a trace taste of pesticides or wax and may lack flavor because of poor soil, longer shelf life, artificial growth inducers, or longer traveling distance. In addition, larger produce does not necessarily mean higher nutrient content; instead, artificial means may have been used to boost production and growth of the plant.

Sensitivity to Pesticides

Many people can also be sensitive to pesticides in their foods and feel they cannot eat raw fruits/vegetables because of this.¹ Other times, allergies to specific foods may be mistaken for sensitivities to the chemicals used on the foods. Chemical sensitivities can manifest with symptoms similar to food allergy, such as headache, nausea, dizziness, and eye or skin irritation or rash.² Organics eliminate these chemicals so most people can eat the foods and receive the nutrients they provide.

But They’re So Expensive!

The cost of organic products has gone down greatly, bringing the price very close to the conventional options. To keep your grocery bill low, purchase organic products that are on sale and eat with the seasons. Think of healthful eating as a long-term investment. By taking preventive measures, you are taking steps to reduce your healthcare spending one of the greatest living expenses for many people.

Environmental Health

No matter how many fruits and vegetables we eat or how many supplements we take, if we are surrounded by smog and chemicals and have limited exposure to sunlight and nature, our health cannot be optimal. For this reason, as we consider eating organic foods, we should take into account the beneficial impact these foods have on the environment. Organic foods allow the earth to produce natural, wholesome food and prevent the use of the harsh chemicals and pollution that contribute to problems in human and environmental health.

Local Vs. Organic

Organic and local foods are both good choices. When choosing between them, select the option that makes more sense for your personal concerns. Organic foods, produced without pesticides and containing purer nutrients, may be especially important for people with pesticide allergies or those concerned with reducing cancers linked to some pesticides. Local foods reach the consumer closer to the date they were picked, ensuring more nutrients and reduced impact to the earth since the foods are not traveling long distances. Local foods also allow you to support your local farmers. There is even a growing idea that eating local honey can help stave off allergies by exposing you to small amounts of your local pollen.³

Does Organic Mean Healthful?

Remember that organic does not always equal healthful. With the popularity of organic foods, many processed food manufacturers have begun including more natural ingredients into chips, cookies, crackers and other foods. While these options are certainly better than the traditional packaged foods, many contain high amounts of salt, sugar and fat and are still highly refined, stripping the food of its nutrient values. When selecting such products, pay attention to your serving size and complement these choices with whole, unprocessed foods.

Tips for Healthful Eating

• Choose local, unprocessed foods whenever possible.
• Use a safe cleaning agent such as Castile soap or a fruit or vegetable wash to remove external pesticides from produce.
• Peel the skin from conventionally grown produce. Eat organic produce whole, if possible — edible fruit and vegetable skins store the majority of fiber and nutrients in most produce.
• Grow your own foods!
• Request and support organic choices at your local grocer or farmer’s market. If local markets see demand for organic foods, they will meet it by stocking the requested products. Your voice can help make organics available in your area.
• Go to www.localharvest.org to find a local coop or CSA, so you can purchase organic produce directly from the grower.

References:

1.http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/about/consumer_faq.htm#chemically_sensitive

2.http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/multiple-chemical-sensitivity

3.www.honey.com/consumers/honeyhealth/healing/diseaseprevention.asp.

A recently published study conducted by a team of researchers from Cornell University found that 40 percent of the elementary school children they studied used computer workstations that put them at postural risk. The remaining 60 percent scored in a range indicating “some concern.”

“Emphasis needs to be placed on teaching children how to properly use computer workstations,” stated Dr. Scott Bautch, a member of the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Occupational Health. “Poor work habits and computer workstations that don’t fit a child’s body during the developing years can have harmful physical effects that can last a lifetime. Parents need to be just as concerned about their children’s interaction with their computer workstations as they are with any activities that may affect their children’s long-term health,” added Dr. Bautch.

What can you do?
To reduce the possibility of your child suffering painful and possibly disabling injuries, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and its Council on Occupational Health offer the following tips:

• If children and adults in your home share the same computer workstation, make certain that the workstation can be modified for each child’s use.
• Position the computer monitor so the top of the screen is at or below the child’s eye level. This can be accomplished by taking the computer off its base or stand, or having the child sit on firm pillows or phone books to reach the desired height.
• Make sure the chair at the workstation fits the child correctly. An ergonomic back cushion, pillow or a rolled-up towel can be placed in the small of the child’s back for added back support. There should be two inches between the front edge of the seat and the back of the knees. The chair should have arm supports so that elbows are resting within a 70- to 135-degree angle to the computer keyboard.
• Wrists should be held in a neutral position while typing – not angled up or down. The mousing surface should be close to the keyboard so your child doesn’t have to reach or hold the arm away from the body.
• The child’s knees should be positioned at an approximate 90- to 120-degree angle. To accomplish this angle, feet can be placed on a foot rest, box, stool or similar object.
• Reduce eyestrain by making sure there is adequate lighting and that there is no glare on the monitor screen. Use an antiglare screen if necessary.
• Limit your child’s time at the computer and make sure he or she takes periodic stretch breaks during computing time. Stretches can include: clenching hands into fists and moving them in 10 circles inward and 10 circles outward; placing hands in a praying position and squeezing them together for 10 seconds and then pointing them downward and squeezing them together for 10 seconds; spreading fingers apart and then closing them one by one; standing and wrapping arms around the body and turning all the way to the left and then all the way to the right.
• Your child’s muscles need adequate hydration to work properly and avoid injury. Encourage your child to drink four 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Carbonated beverages, juices and other sweet drinks are not a substitute.
• Urge your child’s school or PTA officials to provide education on correct computer ergonomics and to install ergonomically correct workstations.

“If your child continues to complain of pain and strain from sitting at a computer, see a doctor of chiropractic,” urges Dr. Bautch. “A chiropractor can help alleviate your child’s pain and help prevent further injury.”