Smokers who did not drink green tea at all may have a 13-fold increased risk of lung
cancer, compared with those who drank at least one cup per day, suggests a new study
from Taiwan.

Although expert advice is clearly to avoid tobacco smoke altogether, the results
suggest smokers could benefit from upping their intake of Green Tea, according to
findings presented at the AACR-IASLC Joint Conference on Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer.

One in three Europeans are smokers, while in the US the figure is one in five. Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 compounds, of which 60 are known carcinogens. The oxidative stress levels of smokers are significantly greater than non-smokers, and as such there is a bigger drain on the levels of antioxidants in the body.

The new study, a hospital-based, randomised trial, builds on earlier research from epidemiological studies which reported potential lung cancer risk reductions in smokers.

The benefits may also extend to non-smokers, researchers told attendees at the conference, with non-Green Tea drinkers, both smokers and non-smokers, associated with a 5.2-fold increased risk of lung cancer, compared with those who drank at least one cup of green tea per day.

At Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan, attendees were told that both Green Tea consumption and genotype may influence lung cancer risk. The study involved 170 lung cancer patients and 340 healthy patients as controls. Questionnaires revealed tea drinking habits, along with other demographic and lifestyle data. The
researchers also genotyped the participants according to their insulin-like growth factors (IGF), all of which have all been reported to be associated with cancer risk.

The results showed that, in addition to an increase in risk for non-Green Tea drinkers, genetics seemed to affect the cancer risk. Green Tea drinkers with specific types of IGF1 reported a 66 per cent reduction in lung cancer risk as compared with Green Tea drinkers with another form of IGF1.

“Our study may represent a clue that in the case of lung cancer, smoking-induced carcinogenesis could be modulated by Green Tea consumption and the growth factor environment,” said the researchers involved in the study.

A: Trick question. You can take as many pills as you want-while it MAY relieve the pain caused by this pinched nerve. It will not address the cause: the pinched nerve itself.

That is a physical problem and you are trying to address it with chemical means. Will never work.

In chiropractic we call a pinched nerve a subluxation. These can cause pain-and while drugs can cover up the SYMPTOMS, chiropractic addresses the Cause itself. What is interesting is that only about 10% of our body’s nerves carry pain signals-what do the other 90% of the nerves carry? Information. They carry information that helps the brain control the functions of the body.

What happens when THESE nerves are pinched? Well, the transmission of this information is compromised and call lead to a malfunction somewhere in the body.  Dis-ease, or lack of ease happens when an organ or body part cannot function properly due to insufficient communication with the brain and nervous system.

Have a chiropractic check up to determine if you have pinched nerves (subluxations) that are sabotaging your chance for health,

by-Author Unknown

T’was the day before Christmas,

but there was no cheer.
No jingle bells jingled, no sound of reindeer.
The word had gone out that Santa was sick.
There would be no visit from jolly St. Nick.

The people were sad; no gaiety sounded.
For Christmas had come,

but Santa was grounded.
He drove down the road,

and what should he see?
But a sign for a doctor, who was a D.C.

Now Santa was not one to like a new tactic,
But all else had failed, so he tried Chiropractic.
He entered the office and saw at a glance,
in a place such as this, illness hasn’t a chance.

The office staff smiled, the music was sappy,
with all of the patients contented and happy.
In a very short time, to judge by the clock,
he was in the adjusting room, talking to Doc.

It must be the hurry, the tension and all,
I simply can’t seem to get on the ball.
Life used to be easy;

just kids, toys and whistles,
now I dodge smog, spaceships and missiles.

And Doc, take a look at the size of this pack!
Have you any idea what it does to my back?
Poor Santa was miserable and just barely able,
with the help of the Doctor, to get on the table.

The Doctor was gentle;

without a fuss or a tussle
he examined the vertebrae

and relaxed every muscle.
He spotted trouble and then with a click,
started aligning the spine of old St. Nick.

Santa felt aches and pains slipping away
and in no time at all he began to feel gay.(really?)
The air was a tingle with new fallen snow
and a healthy Kris Kringle was rarin’ to go.

As he went out the door, he threw them a kiss;
why, it had been centuries

since he felt good as this!
Then once more he shouldered

the bag full of toys,
his heart overflowing with true Christmas joys.

Merry Christmas!

Have a safe and

happy holiday.

You can set yourself up to be sick, or you can choose to stay well-Wayne Dyer

While you would think that sounds ridiculous, there are some people out there that either on a conscious or unconscious level-do not want to get heal from whatever their condition is.

I think we have all heard of the person with emphysema or lung cancer who continues to smoke. Obviously, THAT person doesn’t feel like the sacrifice involved is worthwhile. But there are a great many people out there who collect different diagnoses for conditions almost like a scout collects merit badges.

As a health practitioner, I see these types of people all the time-They are more interested in bragging about how hard it is to live with a certain problem than to actually eliminate it.

True healing is not always instant and never comes from pills in a bottle. Our creator gave us an incredible gift-this self-healing body. When there is a lack of health, we always try to blame someone or something else rather than asking,”what have I done to compromise my self-healing ability?”

As a chiropractor, I am looking for an interference in signals from the nervous system to the rest of the body. These interferences make the body less self-aware and decrease our self-healing ability. However, physical interferences are not  the only culprit, sometimes there are belief systems that must be changed or environmental challenges that must be overcome.

Sometimes we must be willing to accept change in order to be able to move forward.

The results of new research suggest that flaxseed oil has a beneficial effect on bone mineral density and reduces markers associated with osteoporosis. The researchers are indicating that this dietary supplement could be beneficial to women with diabetes or older women in reducing their risk of osteoporosis.

The findings were published in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health

Osteoporosis is characterised by low bone mass, which leads to an increase risk of fractures, especially the hips, spine and wrists. An estimated 75 million people suffer from this debilitating condition in Europe, the US and Japan.

Women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men and the authors of this study explained that previous research indicates that diabetes decreases bone turnover that is associated with impaired osteoblastic maturation and function.

According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, boosting bone density in high-risk and post-menopausal women could ease the burden of osteoporosis.

The researchers explained that they studied 70 female laboratory subjects of which 30 had their ovaries removed (ovx) to simulate the post-menopausal state whereby oestrogen is decreased and another group was rendered diabetic (Type 1) in order to determine the impact of diabetes on the development of osteoporosis.

“Bone status was tested through estimation of serum bone formation biomarkers IGF-1 and osteocalcin and bone resorption biomarker deoxypyridinoline,” explained the team.

The authors added that flaxseed oil (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) replaced corn oil (rich in omega-6 fatty acids) in the diet of some of the diabetic and the ovx-diabetic groups with the aim of testing for the impact of this oil on either delaying or preventing the development of osteopenia in ovx subjects.

They reported that, after two months, urine and blood samples were analysed and IGF-1 and the bone-creating protein osteocalcin were also measured.

Results

The researchers found that the serum concentrations of IGF-1 and osteocalcin were increased in the ovx and diabetic ovx groups but their lowest levels were detected in the diabetic group.

And the team said that bone mineral density and content in diabetic group were reduced and normalised after receiving flaxseed oil.

The researchers also found that the levels of deoxypyridinoline in the urine were raised in the diabetic group. Deoxypyridinoline is normally present in healthy bone and its presence in urine is a specific marker for bone resorption associated with osteoporosis.

Levels of this marker compound fell when the subjects were given flaxseed oil, continued the authors.

The team concluded that diabetes has a more pronounced effect on bone health than ovariectomy and they suggest that diabetes in post-menopausal women may also be a greater risk factor for osteoporosis than the decline in sex hormones associated with the menopause.

They said that the presence of healthy fatty acids in flaxseed oil may play a role in protecting the processes of matrix formation and bone mineralization, which apparently are compromised by diabetes and the menopause.

Source: International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health Published online

Funding for the study was provided by the National Cancer Institute
.
Flaxseed oil on Amazon.com

The ACA and your local doctor of chiropractic urge you to adopt the following New Year’s resolutions for a healthier 2009.

• 1. I will limit my intake of caffeinated coffee, sodas and teas. The caffeine in these drinks can cause dehydration and can rob the body of essential nutrients. Stick to water, natural juices and other decaffeinated beverages.
• 2. I will avoid over medicating myself and my family. Many over-the- counter and prescription medications have unknown side effects. Discuss alternative remedies with your chiropractor.
• 3. I will not carry a heavy purse or briefcase with its strap over my shoulder, unless I place the strap over my head on the side opposite the bag. Wearing a shoulder strap over one shoulder unevenly places the weight of the bag on one side of the body, potentially causing shoulder and back pain.
• 4. I will not allow my children to carry backpacks that weigh more than 10 percent of their body weight. Beyond that weight, the backpack can cause the wearer to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back, instead of the shoulders.
• 5. I will not lift heavy objects over my head. These types of movements can strain muscles and affect nerves, causing severe neck, shoulder and arm problems.
• 6. I will not turn my torso while lifting relatively heavy objects. This rotates the spine and can bring on a “back attack.”
• 7. I will avoid the habit of consistently crossing the same knee over the other. Such a habit can also eventually cause misalignment of the spine.
• 8. I will try to keep moving while I’m at work. If sedentary for the majority of the work day, it is very important to take periodic stretch breaks. Get up from the desk and take a brief walk, and stretch arms and legs as frequently as possible to avoid postural and spinal stress.
• 9. I will, when using a shovel – in winter or summer – remember to push rather than lift, whenever possible.
• 10. I will use luggage with wheels whenever possible. Carrying, lifting and moving a heavy suitcase can ruin a vacation.

This is not just a Sunday school lesson; science is proving this to be a fact. When you choose to hold on to symptoms of unforgiveness, such as hatred, resentment, bitterness and regret, these feelings act like a poison that slowly eats away at your body, devouring your health. People who harbor unforgiveness within them often develop ulcers, high blood pressure, cancer, suffer strokes or even have heart attacks.

The good news is that when you choose to forgive someone, you’re not doing it for them; you’re doing it so that YOU can have a healthy life and move on.

Forgiving someone doesn’t mean that what they did was right, nor does it mean that you agree with their actions. Forgiveness means that you recognize that the other person or people have made a mistake and they can’t take it back. Forgiveness means that you love yourself enough to not want to be stuck living every day in that situation—in those feelings—so you forgive the mistake, let go of the situation, and move forward in living your life to the fullest.

Remember, whatever you are not willing to release will stay with you. And negative feelings associated with unforgiveness have the potential to wreak havoc on your health.

Live healthy. Forgive often.

[Source: Book, “Setting Things Straight” by Dr. John Madeira, D.C.]

By Kevin Donka, D.C.

This is a question parents ask in our office at least once or twice every week. In order to answer it, we need to be clear of both the dangers and benefits of a fever.

Many of you just did a double take when you read that fever can have a benefit. But, according to a 1992 brochure published by the makers of Tylenol, fever is a very important thing for your body to be able to produce. It helps the body prevent or clear infections, whether they are viral or bacterial.

This same publication states that fevers are generally not dangerous until they reach a temperature of 106.3 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, it says that there is not really even much danger of a seizure from the fever until it has been at 106 degrees for 3 days or more. Furthermore, it states that, “even if a seizure does occur, there rarely is any residual effect at all.”

Now, this is not to say that we want to let a fever get to the point where a seizure or any damage could occur. Nor does it mean that we should not make sure something more serious isn’t going on.

What it does mean is that we should be acutely aware that the body has a specific purpose for producing a fever, and we should respect that and not automatically try to reduce it.

This is a very important thing to understand, and while many adults can now grasp this concept, many of our kids have grown up believing that fever is a bad thing and must be reduced as soon as it starts. We have an explanation for fever in our office that I would like to share with you here. It is the way we explain fever to a child, and it usually helps clear it up for adults as well. It goes something like this…

“Hi Timmy! Your mom told me you’re not feeling quite the way you would like to, and that you have a fever, is that right? Well, do you remember how we always tell you after your adjustment that your Power is on now? You know Tim, that “Power” is just like a light! Have you ever touched a light bulb when it’s been on? It’s very hot isn’t it? Well, sometimes, when your body needs a little more Power to help itself get or stay healthy, it turns its Power up, and you get hot…just like that light bulb! That’s what we call a fever, and it’s a very good thing for your body to be able to turn its power up if it needs to. My job is to adjust you and make sure that your Power gets turned up as high as it needs to go to get you well again, but only as high as it needs to go and no higher! Your adjustment also helps to make sure that your Power is only turned up for as long as it needs to be and no longer. Pretty cool, huh?! Isn’t it great how your body knows exactly what to do to stay healthy?! Come on, let’s get you adjusted and make sure your Light can help your body be the best it can be!”

This kind of explanation from you can help your children understand the incredible miracle they have within them. It will also help them to grow up knowing that health does not come from drugs, but that it is our natural state. And, by keeping our spines aligned and functioning properly so that our brains and bodies are fully connected, we all have the best possible chance of staying healthy and moving toward the full expression of Life. This also means that we all are more likely to reach our potential in life. And after all, isn’t that what life is really all about anyway?

Symptoms of colic in an otherwise healthy baby are described as periods of prolonged irritability, fussiness and inconsolable crying that lasts at least three hours a day, at least three days a week. While nearly all infants experience times of unexplained fussiness, colic escalates “fussiness” to a whole new level.

The good news is that colic is very treatable through gentle chiropractic adjustments.

In a study of healthy babies who were diagnosed with colic, chiropractic adjustments were administered to correct misalignments in the infant’s spines. After just two weeks of chiropractic treatment, 94 percent of parents reported that their infants experienced fewer episodes of inconsolable crying and irritability. Of these babies, over fifty percent of them had been previously treated with medication to alleviate the symptoms of colic, but to no avail.
In another study, over 90 percent of the infants experienced a major decline in episodes of colic after just two chiropractic adjustments.

The root of colic behavior can be traced back to the birthing process. As the baby is being born it experiences tremendous pressure and strain on the neck and spine. A prolonged time of “pushing” or extraction with forceps or vacuum multiplies the pressure placed on the baby’s delicate spinal column. During this time it is common for vertebrae in the neck and back to shift out of place, causing pain and discomfort (as well as a plethora of other health issues) that provokes a baby to become irritable, fussy and cry for hours on end.

The good news is that through simple and gentle chiropractic adjustments, an infant’s spine can be realigned, delivering much needed relief to both baby and parent.

It’s never too early to have your child checked and adjusted for misalignments in the spine. It’s a healthy practice that will help your child grow and develop to their fullest potential.

[Source: www.colichelp.com, article “Chiropractic: Can It Help Ease Colic?” at www.parenting.iVillage.com]

The most likely answer—the FDA is caving into pressure from artificial sweetener manufacturers who fear they will lose their empire in the wake of a new “natural” sweetener hitting the market. So instead of approving the Stevia plant for use as a natural sweetener the FDA decided to only approve one of Stevia’s active ingredients: rebaudoside.

Rebaudoside is the agent that provides most of the sweet taste found in Stevia. The problem is this: when used as a whole plant Stevia offers zero calorie sweetness with other health benefits. But by extracting just one element of the Stevia plant for use as a sweetener, this element loses its group synergy and will most likely perform differently when consumed. In a nutshell, the new Stevia based sweeteners now on grocery store shelves may not affect your body the same way as the Stevia plant—Stevia based sweeteners may deliver adverse health affects.

Here’s what we know for sure. The plant Stevia has been used as a natural sweetener for over 1,500 years. Besides being a zero calorie natural sweetener, studies have found many other health benefits associated with Stevia including a reduction in blood glucose, triglycerides and triiodothhyronine (Dec 2008 Journal of Animal Psychology and Animal Nutrition). Stevia is also a great source of antioxidants (Journal of agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2007).

All of this information paves a clear path of action for us as consumers: avoid artificial sweeteners at all costs including Stevia based sweeteners (the ones that use only Rebaudoside). Instead, opt for using natural, untampered with, regular old Stevia as your sweetener of choice.

Uncover the health hazards of using artificial sweeteners and refined sugar; order your copy of Dr. John Madeira’s book ‘Setting Things Straight’ available at www.SettingThingsStraight.com.