June 21, 2000 [Volume 1, Issue 16]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• Workplace Lifting: Watch Out for Spine Injuries
• DTP, Tetanus Vaccinations May Cause Asthma
• Weight Training: Is One Set Enough?
• Olive Oil Helps Prevent Colon Cancer

Most occupations involve some form of lifting, whether it’s moving files, carrying boxes, or stacking items on a shelf. Spinal loading can occur unpredictably, such as when lunging to catch a falling object or slipping while carrying a heavy weight, especially in high-risk occupations that require consistent heavy lifting (i.e., working in a warehouse or on a construction site). These unpredictable lifting situations can contribute to accidents and resulting injury.

How does workplace lifting impact the spine? In a recent study, 12 volunteers each stood on a force plate while weights (0, 2, 4, and 6 kilograms for men, 40% less for women) were delivered into their hands in one of three ways: dropped into a box with handles, held by the subject; dropped into a box with handles, held while blindfolded and wearing headphones; and pushed off a smooth table. All tests were performed with volunteers in upright, partially flexed, and moderately flexed postures.

Results showed that compressive forces acting on the spine increased dramatically under all conditions, particularly when loads were suddenly and unexpected dropped into a box held by the subject. The authors conclude that “sudden and alarming events associated with manual handling cause a reflex overreaction of the back muscles…” and suggest that greater emphasis on injury prevention should be considered.

Here’s something else to consider: making an appointment with a doctor of chiropractic. Get the facts on how to minimize injury, on the job and at home, and learn more on how to keep your back (and the rest of your body) healthy.

Reference: Mannion AF, Adams MA, Dolan P. Sudden and unexpected loading generates high forces on the lumbar spine. Spine, April 1, 2000: Vol. 25, No. 7, pp842-52.

If you’d like to find out more about back pain and how chiropractic can help, visit https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/backpain.html

DTP, Tetanus Vaccinations May Cause Asthma

Infants and young children have been routinely vaccinated against diptheria, tetanus and pertussis since the late 1940s. Such vaccination practices have reduced the incidence of disease, although they have not come without a price.

A case in point comes from a recent study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) provided information on diptheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) or tetanus vaccination, allergy history, and allergy symptoms in 13,944 children (two months to 16 years old). Results showed that vaccinated children were twice as likely to have a history of asthma, and 63% more likely to suffer an allergy-related symptom in the previous 12 months, compared with unvaccinated children. These associations were particularly strong in younger children (5-10 years of age).

The authors conclude that the number of allergies or allergy-related conditions attributable to vaccination may be high, as nearly all children in the United States receive at least one dose of DTP vaccine. Considering that chronic sinusitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis account for nearly 10 million care visits annually among children 15 and younger, parents should consult with their doctor to discuss the potential benefits and risks of vaccination.

Reference: Hurwitz EL, Morgenstern H. Effects of diptheria-tetanus-pertussis or tetanus vaccination on allergies and allergy-related respiratory symptoms among children and adolescents in the United States. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Feb. 2000: Vol. 23, No. 2, pp81-90.

Weight Training: Is One Set Enough?

The physiological benefits of resistance training include increased strength, muscle size, lean body mass, bone mass, and overall physical function. Millions of Americans spend a number of hours each week at the local gym or health club, grinding out set after set in the quest for lifelong health and fitness.

The American College of Sports Medicine and the Surgeon General recommend a weight-training program requiring a minimum of one set of 8-12 repetitions for each muscle trained per exercise, and some research suggests that multiple sets may maximize the physical benefits. However, a recent study in Medicine & Science and Sports & Exercise adds to the mounting evidence that one set per exercise may be just as effective as two or more sets.

Forty-two recreational weightlifters (20-50 years old, averaging 6.2 years of previous training) were divided into two groups and participated in a nine-exercise resistance training circuit. Group 1 performed one set of 8-12 repetitions for each of the nine exercises; Group 2 performed three sets under the same conditions. No significant differences were noted between the two groups after 13 weeks of training, with both groups improving significantly in terms of muscular endurance, one-repetition maximum strength, lean body mass, and overall body composition.

Your doctor of chiropractic can evaluate your current exercise regimen and outline nutritional and exercise guidelines suitable to your needs.

Reference: Hass CJ, Garzarella L, de Hoyos D, et al. Single versus multiple sets in long-term recreational weightlifters. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2000: Vol. 32, pp235-42.

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

Olive Oil Helps Prevent Colon Cancer

According to mythology, the olive tree was brought to Greece from the goddess Athena. Olive oil has long been considered a symbol of excellence and purity, and increasing evidence points to its value in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing disease.

Precisely this type of evidence appeared in a recent issue of the journal Gut, which published a study espousing the benefits of olive oil in preventing colon cancer. Rats were randomly assigned to receive a diet rich in one of three types of fatty acids found in oil (safflower oil, olive oil, fish oil). After one week receiving a 5% fat diet, each dietary group was redivided, with half of the animals receiving a cancer-causing agent and half receiving harmless saline. Rats fed a diet supplemented with olive oil had a lower risk of colon cancer than those fed diets supplemented with safflower oil -- nearly as low as those supplemented with fish oil (an established colon cancer-fighting agent).

These findings add to the considerable evidence linking good nutrition with health promotion and disease prevention. Your chiropractor can provide you with more information on the value of nutrition in fighting disease, and help you develop a comprehensive wellness program for you and your family.

Reference: Bartoli R, Fernandez-Banares F, Navarro E, et al. Effect of olive oil on early and late events of colon carcinogenesis in rats: modulation of arachidonic acid metabolism and local prostaglandin E2 synthesis. Gut 2000: Vol. 46, pp191-99.

For more information on nutrition, visit https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/nutrients.html

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