November 16, 2004 [Volume 5, Issue 24]
To Your Health is brought to you by:
- Your Doctor ... of Chiropractic
- Don't Be Afraid of a Little Fat
- When Headaches Strike, Even the Elderly Aren't Spared
Your Doctor ... of Chiropractic
For years, many people believed that chiropractors dealt only with back and neck pain. While it's true that adjusting the spine is a primary area of expertise, it's certainly not the only reason to visit a chiropractor. In fact, for a growing number of people, their primary "doctor" is a doctor of chiropractic.
A recent survey of U.S. chiropractors revealed that more than 80 percent reported providing information to their patients regarding exercise, diet, stress reduction and injury prevention, and obtaining information on physical activity, stress, dietary habits, medication use, and occupational hazards. More than 50 percent of those surveyed said they believed in providing patients with information on tobacco risks/cessation, skin cancer prevention, substance abuse and cessation options, and breastfeeding and diet during pregnancy. Other information some chiropractors agreed they should obtain from patients related to depression/anxiety, alcohol abuse/dependence, domestic violence, seat belt use, and helmet use.
The point? Doctors of chiropractic do a whole lot more than just "crack your back." In an era of increasing patient dissatisfaction with traditional medical care, doctors of chiropractic are dedicated to preventing health problems and maximizing the health of every patient in undeniable, lasting ways.
To learn more about how you can benefit from chiropractic care, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/.
Reference: Hawk C, Long CR, Perillo M, Boulanger KT. A survey of US chiropractors on clinical preventive services. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics June 2004;27(5):287-98.
Don't Be Afraid of a Little Fat
Fat intake has become an obsession in this country; every day, it seems as if a new fat-free product hits the market, or an existing product is modified so that it has less fat than before. But some fat intake isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, a recent study shows that specific amounts of some fats appear to improve the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream, which may help reduce the risk of certain diseases.
Researchers in Iowa studied a group of young men and women between the ages of 19 and 28 who ate salads topped with a dressing that contained 0, 6, or 28 grams of canola oil, respectively. Blood samples were taken hourly for up to 12 hours after each meal. Results showed that when the study participants consumed salads with the fat-free dressings, they absorbed virtually no beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant. However, when they consumed salads with reduced-fat or full-fat dressings, they had higher absorption rates of beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and lycopene, all of which help fight conditions such as heart disease and cancer.
The lesson here? Some fat might not be as bad as you think; in fact, consumed in moderation, it may actually be good for you. Look for salad dressings and other foods that derive their fat content from olive oil or canola oil, both of which are high in monounsaturated fat. And if you insist on fat-free dressings, mix a few slices of avocado or cheese in your salad to help absorb nutrients.
To learn more about the benefits of sound nutrition, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/nutrition.
References: Brown MJ, Ferruzzi MG, Nguyen ML, et al. Carotenoid bioavailability is higher from salads ingested with full-fat than with fat-reduced salad dressings as measured with electrochemical detection. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition August 2004;80(2):396-403.
When Headaches Strike, Even the Elderly Aren't Spared
If you've been to a bowling alley, you know the sound by heart - pins struck by balls, over and over, frame after frame. Sometimes, it's almost enough to cause a headache. Well, you don't have to be in a bowling alley to get a headache and as recent research shows, it doesn't matter what age you are, either.
Evidence suggests that headache prevalence (with the exception of chronic tension-type headache) declines progressively, particularly after 55-60 years of age. However, in this study, researchers analyzed the clinical charts of 282 patients age 65 and older, diagnosing primary headaches in 81.6 percent of the cases. Among the most common primary headaches diagnosed were migraine without aura, transformed migraine, and chronic tension-type headache.
It's been estimated that 50 million people in the U.S. suffer severe, recurring headaches. If you are one of these people, talk to your doctor of chiropractic about ways to relieve your headache pain. It may be that your symptoms are due to an identifiable cause - stress or improper eating habits, for example. Also, a number of clinical studies have noted the effectiveness of chiropractic care in relieving headache symptoms, so a chiropractor may be just the person you're looking for.
For more information on senior health, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/senior/.
Reference: Lisotto C, Mainardi F, Maggioni F, et al. Headache in the elderly: a clinical study. Journal of Headache and Pain 2004;5:36-41.
This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy by going to: www.chiroweb.com/newsletter/TYH/subscribe.php
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