During pregnancy, the average woman gains 25-35 pounds, which is healthy; however this places increased stress on the body as specific hormones dramatically change and affect the ligaments. These biomechanical shifts and changes in posture will cause aches and pains. Medication is not encouraged because many medications cross the placental barrier affecting your unborn child. Chiropractic is a safe, drug free way to help you cope with the aches and pains of pregnancy. The adjustments are very gentle and effective, especially during this period. Here is some great basic information for expecting mothers.
Lose Weight and Reduce Heartburn
July 29, 2009 | Filed under: General Interest
The New England Journal of Medicine found that women who put on a few pounds, even if they still are not considered overweight, tend to have more problems with heartburn (GERD). The researchers found that as little as 10 pounds of extra weight could trigger heartburn episodes. Fortunately, many women who subsequently lost the gained weight reported that their symptoms improved. The data were taken from the ongoing large-scale Nurse’s Health Study and tracked more than 10,000 women and their health (June 1, 2006).
The Mediterranean Diet is Effective
July 27, 2009 | Filed under: Nutrition
Research shows that the Mediterranean diet is more effective than low-fat diets in lowering participants’ blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels. The Mediterranean diet is characterized as high intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, fish, and unsaturated fatty acids (mostly olive oil); low intake of saturated fats, meat and poultry; low to moderately high intake of dairy products (mostly cheese or yogurt); and a regular but moderate intake of alcohol (primarily wine) with meals. It has also been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Sleep More or Gain Weight
July 25, 2009 | Filed under: General Interest
A long-term Nurses Health Study of middle-age women reports that too little sleep can lead to weight gain. They found that women who slept only five hours or less each night were 32 percent more likely to gain at least 33 pounds during the 16 years of the study, compared with those who averaged at least seven hours of shut-eye. The study could not correlate the weight gain to diet or exercise habits. Scientists suspect decreased sleep modifies the metabolism or it is possible that fewer calories are burned during the day because the subject was too tired to “fidget.”
Relax and Reduce Your Blood Pressure
July 23, 2009 | Filed under: General Interest, Heart Health
Research shows that a single session of mental relaxation or slow breathing can result in a temporary fall in blood pressure. To find more information about hypertension, the University of Maryland Medical Center has helpful resources.
Aspartame Causes Cancer in Rats, and Makes Humans Fat
July 21, 2009 | Filed under: General Interest
Aspartame can be found in diet soft drinks, chewing gum, and even some cheap supplements. Yet research is showing that even in low doses, it increased the incidence of cancer. The European Journal of Oncology found the results alarming and indicative of urgent re-examination of permissible exposure of APM (aspartame) in both food and beverages, especially to protect children. Research is also showing that the more diet soft drinks someone drinks, the more weight he or she gains. The researchers said there was a 41% increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day.
Is Your Desk Breaking Your Back?
July 19, 2009 | Filed under: General Interest
Ergonomics is crucial to spinal health. The U.S. Department of Labor has a checklist for you to determine if your computer workstation is set up correctly. Even if your desk is set up correctly, there are significant risks from prolonged periods of activity (specificallly sitting too long) and ways you can provide recovery time for overused muscles. Ergonomics is not just a problem for adults anymore. It’s becoming very important for children.
(An example of how not to work)
Dr. Cohen Better Able To Help With Adrenal, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Hepatic Detoxification, Thyroid (Hyper, Hypo or Hashimoto’s or Autoimmune), Menopause, Menstraul Disorders, and Andropause
| Filed under: Dr Cohen
Dr Cohen recently participated in a uniquely structured Functional Endocrinology weekend seminar designed by Datis Kharrazian, DC, DHSc, MS, MNeuroSci, FAACP, DACNB, DABCN, DIBAK, CNS.
The seminar emphasized four critical steps to mastering Functional Endocrinology in clinical practice:
1. Understanding the complex interactions of hormone metabolism
2. Correct laboratory test selection and interpretation
3. Successful nutritional management of hormonal imbalances using
the latest scientific research
4. Effective education and support of endocrine patients essential in
maximizing benefits of any therapy regimen.
Specifically the seminar focused on functional endocrinology related to:
Adrenal and blood sugar disorders
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Essential fatty acid metabolism
Hepatic Detoxification
Thyroid (Hyper, Hypo or Hashimoto’s or Autoimmune)
Menopause
Menstraul Disorders
Andropause
Medical pharmaceutical management is one approach that is often warranted but there are many conservative approaches to manage these imbalances.
Dr Cohen is constantly adding more tools to address individuals variety of needs from the post game pain-reduction tune-up to overall health support. Email Dr Cohen at DrCohen@ProActiveSF.com to request a simple questionnaire that will help determine if there is an imbalance he can help you with.
New Research May Be Safe to Avoid of GMO Foods
July 17, 2009 | Filed under: Nutrition
FDA currently does not have a realiable way to assess the food and products safety containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). GMOs are now found in more than 80% of (non-organic) foods sold in conventional grocery stores in the U.S. This study published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences, states:
The biological plausibility of a subchronic or chronic side effect of the GM diet, linked to the new toxin in the mammalian regimen, or due to the mutagenesis effect of the genetic modification itself, is thus non negligible. Finally it should be stressed that statistically significant effects of GM diets, or of residues of pesticides that are contained by GMOs, have also been observed in other instances [21-25], but not in all studies [26, 27] enlightening the necessity of a case-by-case approach, and that the real toxicological studies are quite limited up to date for that [28]. All these observations taken together in our opinions do not allow a clear statement of toxic effects, but to suggest them as such, because they are clearly undeniable.
In English that means there are certainly more risks and indication of caution than previous claims of a Monsanto-supported expert panel about a GMO. The research, conducted by scientists from France, Italy, New Zealand, U.K. and U.S., corroborates the decade-long criticism by public interest organizations. This is an important step, wish it would have been done before GMO’s flooded the US market. But this is another case that supports buying organic produce because currently certified organic can not be a GMO.
For Those Sensitive to Gluten- New Support Available
July 15, 2009 | Filed under: Nutrition
Some people are more sensitive to gluten than others and eating out can be a disaster because often times gluten will be hidden in some ingredient the server isn’t aware of. A new supplement GlutenFlam from Apex Energetics utilizes a few key ingredients (DPP IV, brush border enzymes and flavonoids for gluten response) that have been studied and found to be effective in aiding in digestion and during inflammation promoted by unexpected exposures. It is not to be used in place of gluten or casein-free diet, but rather to be used to digest hidden sources of gluten.
Many patients have been pleased with this product since we’ve begun carrying it. Talk to me if you are interested in adding this support and I’ll provide you with supporting literature.
