Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

Ethnic Restaurants: What to eat and what to avoid!

February 8th, 2011

I found this very helpful as I try my best to eat healthy when I’m going out to dinner..which I sometimes do a few times a week! This information is from the book ” The Raw Food Detox Diet” by Natalia Rose.

CHINESE:

What to eat:  steamed veggies with steamed shrimp or chicken. steamed veggies with brown rice (with small amount of plum sauce if desired).

What to avoid: MSG, Dumplings (white flour), fried items, white and fried rice, thick sauces, heavy meats such as beef or pork and cheap cuts in low-quality sauces.

JAPANESE:

What to eat: avacado, cucucumber rolls, sashimi, fish entree (no starch), seaweed salad, miso soup.

What to avoid: fish rolls, soy products, tempura.

ITALIAN:

What to eat: always begin with a mixed green salad with a natural vinaigrette. whole wheat pasta, marinara, puttanesca, tomato or broth-based primavera sauces. grilled fish or other seafood. baked, grilled or rotisserie chicken, vegetable plate.

What to avoid: cream sauces, white pasta, white bread, gnocchi, breaded meats, starchy sauces, very oily veggies.

INDIAN/THAI/MALAYSIAN

What to eat: curried veggies or other low-oil veggies, brown rice, any grilled, seared or steamed seafood.

What to avoid; fried or battered dished, white rice, poorly combined dishes.

MIDDLE EASTERN

What to eat: grilled vegetable kabob, baba ghanouj, whole wheat pita or veggie gyros, greek-styple salad, tabouleh, hummus, grilled or seared fish or lamb.

What to avoid: meat gyros, yogurt, couscous, fried and battered dishes

I do agree with many of the suggestions that this author made, however I try to avoid all meat unless it is wild-caught. I also try to limit the grains..I do not eat wheat and I do not eat a lot of rice.

My favorite restaurant in Denver: Root Down– their delicious Arugula, squash salad. TO DIE FOR!!  I am there at least once a week and i know what to expect. It is big and hearty. A little soup with it doesn’t hurt either ;-) . Root Down is wonderful because it has many vegetarian and vegan options. Their sweet potato fries are amazing as well, in moderation ;-) !

Another great restaurant to go to for some healthy options is Sushi Den- again, many vegetarian options and  great sashimi! Their soups are pretty good too. I’m not a huge fan of rice, so sushi in general is not one of my favorites however they have a pretty diverse menu.

Cherry Creek Grill- another one of my favorites. I usually order the “macho salad” without the chicken and goat cheese. Many would think that it would be boring without, but it has so many delicious additions like dates, avacado, nuts, etc that you really don’t even miss the chicken or cheese. Not that I am vegetarian but I really do try to limit the meat in my diet and I avoid dairy whenever possible.

If you know of any other great places to dine that  have healthy menus please comment and let me know as i am always looking out for healthy restaurants!

The TRUTH about dairy…

February 1st, 2011

The most common condition associated with the intake of dairy is Lactose Intolerance, which is the lack of enough lactase in the body to properly break down the lactose (sugar) contained in milk. Most of the world’s population has this condition, except for many of the Northern European and Northern Indian populations who’ve been consuming large amounts of dairy for millennia[5]. Most of these people become intolerant to dairy as they get older however… Another condition that can result from consuming dairy products is a serious reaction to casein and whey[5].

Dairy products, including milk, cheese, ice cream, butter and yogurt contribute to significant amounts of cholesterol and fat to the diet[1]. Diets high in fat and saturated fat can increase the risk of many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease.  Clinical research shows that dairy products have no effect on preventing osteoporosis, in a Harvard Nurses’ Health Study[1]. Increased intake of calcium from dairy products was associated with a higher risk of fracture in an Australian study[2].

Several cancers have been linked to the consumption of dairy products, such as Ovarian cancer[2].  According to a study by Daniel Cramer, M.D., and his colleagues at Havard, when dairy product consumption exceeds the enzymes’ capacity to break down galactose, it can build up in the blood stream and it may affect woman’s ovaries[1].  Breast and prostate cancers have also been linked to the consumption of dairy products[2].

Synthetic hormones such as recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) are commonly used in dairy cows to increase the production of milk[3]. Mastitis can result due to an over-production of milk thus antibiotics are used and there have been traces found in samples of milk and other dairy products[3].

Eating dairy can cause the following symptoms: puffy face and eyes, sinus headaches, stuffy head,  watery eyes, itchiness, sneezing, insomnia, phlegm, clogged ears, sore throat, foggy head, indigestion, eczema and skin problems, and weight gain[3].

Does your stomach churn after you eat cheese/yogurt/milk…and do you have bowel issues shortly afterwards? This may be a sign that you’re lactose Intolerant!  The National Institution of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) estimates that 30 to 50 million Americans are Lactose Intolerante[6].  Gas, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and diarrhea are other symptoms that dairy consumption can cause!

There are mainly delicious alternatives to dairy products. Almond milk has gotten more popular over the last few years, as it is dairy-free and delicious..great in smoothies and in your coffee/tea.  You will also find that natural foods stores, Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage, Sunflower, and even Costco now carry Almond milk!  I prefer to make almond milk at home with my Vitamix Blender .  Grocery stores also carry dairy-free cheeses that are actually quite tasty and they melt!! Great for pizza ;-) !

I will be having a workshop at Higher Health Chiropractic bimonthly, and will be showing those who attend how to make various nut milks and dairy-free cheeses! If you have interest in attending one of our workshops please call the office at (303) 925-0808 and schedule with Bobbie!

:-)


Decreased sex drive? Omega-3 supplementation may be the answer!

January 26th, 2011

OmegaPure 820Omega-3 is a healthy fat made from the tissue of oily fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, lake trout and sardines. Omega-3 fatty acids contain EPA and DHA. EPA can help prevent heart attack, sudden cardiac death, strokes, diabetes and cancer[1]. DHA protects our brain and nervous system[1]. Studies have shown that adding Omega-3 can help with depression, bipolar disorder and Schizophrenia, autoimmune diseases, Psoriasis and Alzheimers, Arthritis and Antiaging[2]. Omega-3 Fatty acids reduce inflammation by preventing the production of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules[2]. It is highly recommended that pregnant women take at least 900 mg/day (= a serving of salmon) to ensure their babies have a healthier brain, good nervous system, better eyesight, decreased behavioral problems and better sleeping patterns[3]. By taking Omega-3s mom will also benefit by decreasing her chance of breast cancer[2]. Did you know that 70% of a newborns brain, retina and nervous system is made up of Omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA!!?[3] In our current environment we get way too much Omega-6, and we need to balance it out with Omega-3 –conveniently with supplementation. Too much Omega-6 can cause inflammation, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, skin damage, accelerated aging and decreased sex drive!! We ingest Omega-6 fats in the form of oils made from vegetables grown in the U.S.A- ie- soybeans, canola oil, corn oil, the “cheap oils” that are inexpensive and have high profit margins[3]. XYMOGEN’s OmegaPure oils are processed through “special molecular distillation” (triple phase!)- which ensures a high standard, pharmaceutical grade product. “Traditional molecular distillation technology uses high temperature to evaporate the oil and contaminants which can decrease the quality of the Omega-3. XYMOGEN goes above and beyond special Molecular Distillation standards to ensure its quality and safety[5], and the evaporation stage is reduced to half the time of traditional systems to drive down oxidative risk. OmegaPure 780 EC contains 450 mg of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and 330 mg of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). If you have any questions regarding Omega-3 and our supplements at Higher Health Chiropractic please call the office (303) 925-0808 and speak to Dr. Deanna.

Anti-aging with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy!

January 4th, 2011

I have had my Hyperbaric Oxygen Tank for 3 years now and although the majority of my patients that utilize it are post-surgical (rhinoplasy, facelift, etc) I have had many inquire about the anti-aging benefits.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has been clinically proven to produce a more efficient immune system, rapid regeneration of cells, and works as a potent anti-aging therapy[1]. By increasing the delivery of oxygen throughout one’s body it will result in improved health and vitality[2].

Hyperbaric means increased atmospheric pressure. At sea level, we live at an average pressure of 14.7 psi (pounds per square inch/aka 1 atmosphere)[1].  The hyperbaric chamber enables one to breath in pure oxygen under a pressurized environment (4 psi in my chamber) which significantly delivers oxygen to all tissues in the body–most importantly to places that have “restricted blood flow or blockages”[1].

Pure oxygen under a pressurized environment is effective in the aging process because oxygen is full of antioxidants.  The saturation of oxygen in muscle tissue will aid in helping stop the aging process by infusing blood cells with 100 % oxygen–and this type of saturation will cause significant healing at a cellular level[2]. The deposits of collagen in the body will be saturated with oxygen as well. This in itself is extremely important in the anti-aging process.

If you have any questions regarding Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and how it may be beneficial for you, please call the office at (303) 925-0808 :-)


Benefits of green smoothies!!

December 30th, 2010

Green smoothies are simply smoothies with greens blended through them. Blended greens are easier to digest as their structures are “ripped” apart and they are effectively pre-digested[1].
Green smoothies are a great breakfast choice as they provide a healthy abundance of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and chlorophyll[2]. They are also an excellent source of fiber.
There are many choices of greens to choose from when creating your smoothies: spinach, Kale, Parsley, dandelion greens, collards, etc…
HOWEVER, if you’re new to adding greens to your smoothies, start with Spinach as it is a little easier to get use to than some of the others. Adding lemon and fruit can really help to take away the “feel like i’m eating grass” taste!! ;-) The more you practice making these smoothies, you will find what ratio of fruits and greens works for you! I go as far as to add protein powder and almond milk to my smoothies. “Xymogen” makes an amazing chocolate and vanilla protein powder — “Opticleanse/ I5 Shake” that blends very well and is super yummy!!
DO rotate your greens in time as spinach contains “alkaloids” which can act like a toxin in our bodies if ingested in large quantities[3].

Here is an example of a greens shake that I absolutely love!

1 bunch of spinach
1 cup of almond milk
1 cup filtered water
1 frozen ripe banana
1/2 cup organic blueberries
1/2 squeezed lemon
2 tbsp ground flax seeds
1or2 scoop(s) Xymogens vanilla I5

Put the spinach in last (vitamix blenders are the best!) . Blend for 30 seconds and place in freezer for 10 minutes (tastes better cold).

If you have any questions regarding Xymogens protein powder please call our office at (303) 925-0808!

One more important note! It is important to CHEW your green smoothie with each sip as it initiates the digestive process!! :-)

The importance of buying Organic!

December 28th, 2010

Organic foods are better for you for many reasons.  They contain no pesticides, they are more nutrient packed than their non-organic counterparts [1]. Buying organic can be very expensive so ONLY buying organic foods may not be an option financially. Here is a list of fruits and vegetables that should be bought organic whenever possible, as they contain more pesticides than others:

Apples, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Celery, Cherries, Grapes, Lettuce, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Potatoes, Raspberries, Spinach, Strawberries and Tomatoes.


Organic or not, make sure to wash your vegetables and fruits before consumption. According to the FDA, roughly 12 % of all food-borne illnesses that occurred between 1990 and 2000 originated in fresh produce! [1]  The contamination was likely to have originated at the farm where the product was grown or in the processing plant[2]. Nevertheless, the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables still outweigh the drawbacks and eating organic cuts down on this issue.

HOW TO SAFELY WASH YOUR VEGETABLES AND FRUITS:

1.  Wash your hands thoroughly before food preparation.

2.  Wash all fruits and veggies in cold running, filtered water. (you can find reasonably priced filteres at most natural food stores- such as Sunflower Market or Whole Foods. Remove all dirt.

3. Use a fruit/veggie wash– you can buy this or can make one home-made: Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with two quarts of water- soak fruits and veggies in this for at lease five minutes than rinse with cold filtered water again.

4. Always rewash bagged products, even if it says “pre-washed”.

5. Clean your counter-tops, cutting boards and utensils with hot soapy water.

Certified Organic food should not have pesticides, heavy metals, dangerous industrial chemicals like artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. It’s “real” food.

We have only encountered the 100,000+ chemicals added to toxic food in the last 70 years or so. our cells and bodies are used to “real” food. Not to mention the scientists that have messed with the genetic make-up of our food (“GMO”–watch out for this!!) and our bodies don’t recognize how to process this!!

Grow or purchase local, fresh, organic food!

Protect yourself- it’s flu season!

November 3rd, 2010

Did you know there are more than 200 different viruses that cause colds, the most common beigh “rhinoviruses” but “coronaviruses” and “adenoviruses” as well as respiratory syncytial viruses can all cause colds too [1].

The most common way that colds are spread is via direct contact with others that are infected. Moist, warm environments are where they thrive. Symptoms will develop within about ten hours from the arrival of the virus in your body – the “incubation period”.

Cold symptoms: dry, scratchy throat, runny nose and sneezing, hoarse voice, cough, mild headache, mild fever and a generally unwell or muzzy head feeling [1].

Symptoms should improve after 3 days and be gone after 7. If it does not go away, you may have the flu so make sure to take your temperature as a high fever indicates that your body is fighting something more serious! (above 38 deg C).

Treatment:   keep well hydrated. Use a humidifier. Get plenty of rest and eat regularily to keep energy lovels from dropping.Take a vit C supplement and a good D3 supplement (5000 IUs is recommended in resent studies for the normal healthy individual but it would be a good idea to take 50,000 IUs when you are having cold-like symptoms. Zinc may be useful too.

If you have any questions on how to better prevent the cold and flu –rather than fleeing to get a flu vaccination– please call the office (303) 925-0808 and ask for Dr. Deanna.

The common cold (Image: woman sneezing)


Want To Reduce Your Stress? Try A Massage!

September 2nd, 2010

A new study found that Swedish Massage may be beneficial for high stress levels and inflammatory/autoimmune conditions.

Researcher Mark Hyman, MD found that Massage Therapy increased levels of vasopressin and cortisol, leading to decreased brain activation of stress hormones; via decreased activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) activity) and enhanced immune system function.

Study Conclusion

Preliminary data suggest that a single session of Swedish Massage Therapy produces measurable biologic effects. If replicated, these findings may have implications for managing inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.


Study Source: Hyman, M. A Preliminary Study of the Effects of a Single Session of Swedish Massage on Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal and Immune Function in Normal Individuals The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Ahead of Print 2010.

Health Care Breakthroughs – Hope or Hype?

September 20th, 2009

Health care breakthroughs are big business. We know this because such news is reported in the Business Section of newspapers and magazines. Discussions relate primarily to the potential impact on the company’s share price and revenues. Possible benefits to patients are a secondary concern compared to the amount of money involved.

Business coverage of these issues is yet another reminder of how far health care has moved away from its original and sole focus on treatment. Sadly, the bottom line has become the bottom line. And yet, there may be real breakthroughs on the horizon. Advances in DNA analysis and nanotechnology may bring us closer to a world of personalized treatment for cancer and other disorders. (more…)

Living With Pain

September 20th, 2009

Chronic disease is a major problem in U.S. health care. More than one-third of Americans have one or more chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The personal costs to patients and families are often severe, daily, and ongoing. The economic costs to society are almost $1 trillion annually.1

Heart disease includes high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, coronary artery obstruction, angina, and heart attacks. Most of these conditions represent a chain of events. Left untreated, of course, high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attack and stroke. (more…)