March 10, 2000 [Volume 1, Issue 4]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Have No Fear, the Chiropractor's Here
• Vegetarian Diet May Reduce PMS Symptoms
• Losing Weight, Living Longer

The term "chiropractic" comes from the Greek word "Chiropraktikos," meaning "effective treatment by hand." Effective treatment by hand is exactly what chiropractors do, delivering gentle adjustments to the spine and musculoskeletal system to maximize wellness and prevent dysfunction.

Complications resulting from any procedure are always unfortunate, regardless of the health care professional administering care. While a certain degree of risk accompanies all health interventions, specific concerns have been raised over the safety of spinal manipulation. But have no fear: As a study in the Chiropractic Journal of Australia professes, the chiropractic adjustment is "one of the most conservative, least invasive and safest of procedures within the health care professions."

The study compared complication rates, specifically cerebrovascular accidents(CVAs)and/or death attributable to spinal manipulation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and numerous medical procedures. The author emphasizes that the potential risk of "catastrophic" side-effects from spinal manipulation is substantially lower than most common medical procedures.

If you're interested in safe conservative care for yourself and your loved ones, schedule an appointment with a doctor of chiropractic. For more information on chiropractic, go to https://www.chiroweb.com/find/whatis.html

Reference: Rome PL. Perspectives: an overview of comparative considerations of cerebrovascular accidents. Chiropractic Journal of Australia, Sept. 1999: Vol. 29, No. 3, pp87-102.

Vegetarian Diet May Reduce PMS Symptoms

Women and men share many of the same health concerns. However, women must also contend with specific health issues raised by their female physiology: painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS symptoms have long been associated with hormonal changes, particularly elevated levels of estrogen.

It has been hypothesized that plant-based diets may help bind estrogen, thus reducing PMS symptoms. To test this hypothesis, 33 women followed a low-fat, vegetarian diet for two menstrual cycles, then followed their customary diet for two additional cycles while taking a supplement placebo pill.

The dietary regimen included grains, vegetables, legumes and fruits; animal products, fried foods, avocados, olives, nuts, butter and seeds were prohibited. Results showed that duration of PMS symptoms and pain intensity (particularly behavior changes and water retention) were significantly less during the diet phase compared with the placebo phase. Levels of "serum sex-hormone binding globulin," a protein known to reduce estrogen in the bloodstream, were also higher during the diet phase.

So what can you do about PMS? As these findings suggest, PMS symptoms may be mediated by dietary influences, specifically a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, beans and whole grains, and low in fats, salt, sugar and caffeine. Consult with your doctor of chiropractic for more information.

Reference: Scialli AR, Hurlock D, et al. Diet and sex-hormone binding globulin, dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual symptoms. Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feb. 2000: Vol. 95, No. 2, pp245-50.

For more information about women's health, visit https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/women.html

Losing Weight, Living Longer

Body-mass index (BMI) is basically a measure of your weight in proportion to your height. BMI is regarded as an important indicator of overall fitness and health, although the specific nature of BMI as it relates to disease is not clear-cut and the "optimal" BMI is highly subjective.

More than one million U.S. adults (457,785 men and 588,369 women) participated in a 14-year study that examined the relationship between BMI and the risk of death from all causes. Results showed a distinct association between BMI and disease, including the following:

• A high BMI was most strongly linked with death from cardiovascular disease, especially in men.
  

• Overall, heavier (higher weight in proportion to height) women and men in all age groups had an increased risk of death compared to those with lower BMIs.

• Among men and women with the highest BMIs, Caucasian men and women had a significantly higher risk of death compared with African-American men and women, although both groups had an elevated risk compared with those with a lower BMI.

Keep in mind that the "ideal" should always be considered in terms of one's height and overall body size, shape and frame. And of course, exercise and diet are also important factors which BMI doesn't consider. Lean muscle mass weighs more than fat, so good health is more than just weight in proportion to height. Your chiropractor can determine your BMI, assess your overall health status, and recommend appropriate fitness strategies to keep you on the road to lifelong wellness.

Reference: Calle EE, Thun MJ, Petrelli JM, et al. Body-mass index and mortality in a prospective cohort of U.S. adults. The New England Journal of Medicine, October 7, 1999: Vol. 341, No. 15, pp1097-1105.

For additional information on nutrition, go to https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/sports.html

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