Can Food Prevent Dementia?
What is dementia? It’s a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with a person’s daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia.
A person with dementia might not remember how to do simple tasks, such as zipping up their hoodie or tying their shoelaces. When dementia gets really bad, they might not remember people’s names or even recognize their closest friends and relatives. Many people will tell you they’d rather lose the ability to walk than to “lose their mind.”
As people age, they’re more likely to experience dementia. It’s not unusual for people over 75 to exhibit some signs of this disease.
Are there certain foods you can eat to prevent dementia? Researchers seem to think there are certain foods that’ll help a person’s brain stay healthy, with an emphasis on natural plant-based foods and the avoidance (or limiting) of red meat, saturated fat and sweets.
So what’s the best food to eat to prevent dementia? That would be vegetables– especially leafy greens. Researchers looked at eating logs for older adults for several years to see if any trends were noticeable when it came to those who developed dementia… or didn’t. They learned that people who wanted to prevent dementia ate at least three servings of whole grains a day and green leafy veggies (such as salad) at least six times a week. Other good foods to eat included berries, fish, poultry, beans, nuts and… drinking wine! What were the foods to avoid? That would be red meat, fried/fast food, cheese and pastries.
Oftentimes, when people are younger, they don’t think about the consequences of their habits until years later… That said, if you’re the kind of person who wants to live a healthy and long life, and you’d like to do everything you can to prevent/avoid dementia, you can start now, adjusting your diet to eat more “brain-healthy” foods.
Back Pain May Be In Your Genes
If your parents experience back pain, will you, too? Is back pain “in the genes?” Several studies suggest a connection between back pain and genetics. Research has discovered that the development of lumbar degenerative disc disease, which gives a person chronic back pain, has a strong genetic link. Can back pain run in families? Yes. Research has shown that people with lumbar disc disease, for example, typically have other family members with it as well.
Today, researchers are on the hunt for the specific genes that influence both disc degeneration and back pain. Recently, a new study found three novel genetic variants associated with chronic back pain for loci at SOX5, CCDC26/GSDMC, and DCC. Researchers looked at the genomes of some 158,000 adults of European ancestry, with 29,000 of those having chronic back pain issues. They wanted to find gene variants that were associated with the presence of back pain, and they did. Those variants, such as the one in the SOX5 gene, involve skeletal development whereas there’s a defect in cartilage and skeletal formation. Was this just found in one study? No. There was another that looked at 280,000 individuals, including 50,000 with back pain, and they also found this SOX5 variant association with chronic back pain.
Two other genes were linked to back pain in research studies. CCDC26/GSDMC and DCC were found to be associated with intervertebral disc herniation, back pain, and the development of the spinal cord.
Did you know that back pain affects about 540 million people around the world on any given day? While things like obesity and smoking can bring about back pain, researchers keep learning more and more about the genetics of back pain. If several of your relatives have back pain, there’s a strong chance you could have it, too. Thankfully, there’s relief from chronic back pain at the chiropractor’s office. In Forest Lake, MN, call Lakewoods Chiropractic at 615-464-0800 to make an appointment and get some relief.
Chiropractic: Safe for Babies and Kids
One of the great things about chiropractic care is that it doesn’t rely on pills to relieve pain in a person’s body. For those interested in natural healing, chiropractic is the way to go!
That said, most people think of adults when they think of chiropractors. Is chiropractic care safe for babies and kids? Yes, it is. And it’s not at all unusual for babies and kids to see a chiropractor.
As we grow, our bodies change, especially in the early years. Babies and young children can and do experience musculoskeletal issues from various activities. Maybe they fall down or get bumped. Perhaps a child gets a sports injury. Things happen to little kids. Chiropractors tailor their services to a person’s age, developmental state, and size. Things like soft tissue therapy, joint mobilization or spinal manipulation can help babies and infants feel better.
So why would a parent bring a baby or their young child to a chiropractor? Practically-speaking, chiropractors can help reduce colic pain, relieve ear infections, improve a mother’s breastfeeding, alleviate constipation, and improve immunity. If a baby or child complains of neck or back pain, or they have limited neck/head mobility, chiropractic care can help. Chiropractors also help young ones who have irregular sleep patterns, uneven shoulders, or trouble standing/walking.
Chiropractors help with mobility, immunity, sleep quality, posture, and injury recovery, among other things– and they do these things for people of all ages, from infants to seniors. There aren’t specific risks associated with chiropractic adjustments for children. In general, there aren’t adverse reactions.
In Forest Lake, MN, the place to go for chiropractic care is Lakewoods Chiropractic, located at 255 Highway 97, #2A, near Forest Lake Area High School. Please call 651-464-0800 or email [email protected] for more info or to schedule an appointment.
What is Facet Syndrome?
Most people haven’t heard of facet syndrome, unless they or someone they love has it. Facet syndrome (aka facet joint syndrome) is an arthritic condition of the joints of the vertebrae. Facets, by the way, are what join vertebrae together, providing stability and a person’s normal range of motion.
When a person experiences facet syndrome, they’ve typically got arthritic inflammation in the joints in the spine. A person’s facet joints are in near constant motion– so they can easily degenerate over time, and arthritis doesn’t help! Seniors are particularly prone to facet syndrome– it’s very common for people in their later years.
Did you know that facet joints are made of cartilage that’s lubricated by a fluid-filled capsule allowing the joints to slide smoothly over each other? When the fluid-filled capsule thins out and a person’s cartilage isn’t getting lubricated, joints rub against each other. Guess what happens? Joints react by becoming inflamed and irritated. Bone spurs may grow and nerve damage can occur. A person with facet syndrome feels the pain, and it’s bothersome.
Joint degeneration can happen thanks to good ol’ wear and tear– part of the natural process of aging. That said, other factors that could aggravate facet syndrome include leading a sedentary lifestyle, having poor posture, being overweight/obese, trauma (car accidents, falls, sports injuries), etc.
Facet syndrome can happen anywhere in the spine. Typically, it’s found in the neck and lower back. If you or someone you know might have facet syndrome, chiropractic care can help relieve the inflammation and pain.
In Forest Lake, MN, the place to go for chiropractic care is Lakewoods Chiropractic, located at 255 Highway 97, #2A, near Forest Lake Area High School. For questions about facet syndrome, or to make an appointment to be checked for it, please call 651-464-0800 or email [email protected].
The True Keys to Happiness
What are some factors that influence happiness? Most people think if they have a lot of money or possessions that those things will automatically make them happier. And while it’s true that money and things can make life easier, they don’t necessarily make life happier.
Happiness has been studied over the years. Researchers have found that life satisfaction usually increases with age– the older you get, the more likely you are to be happier. Why is this? Well, family and social relationships are key factors that correlate with happiness. Generally, married people report being happier than those who are single, divorced, or widowed. Those with “fulfilling marriages” are particularly happy. Satisfaction with marriage and family life is a strong predictor of happiness. Coupled with having a partner, a person who has several friends and a strong social support network is generally happier than a person with few/no friends and no social network. The more contact with friends and family, the happier people tend to be!
Some other factors that help increase happiness include graduating from college (being well-educated), securing meaningful and engaging employment (having a job you like), and being religious/spiritual (believing in something/someone bigger than yourself).
So what are some factors that don’t show a correlation with happiness, according to researchers? What about parenthood and physical attractiveness? You might think being a parent makes you happier than those who don’t have kids, but the research shows that people who don’t have children are generally happier than those who do! And most people think attractiveness automatically makes people happier, but a person’s objective physical attractiveness is only weakly correlated with their happiness.
If you want to be happier, some good advice is this: love yourself and love others. Those two things truly help! And do what you can to relieve stress and pain in your life. Perhaps a trip to the chiropractor is in order, to help you relax and feel better…
Healthy Holiday Foods
During the holiday season in December, most people put on a few extra pounds. That said, what are some fairly healthy holiday foods? It’s good to know some foods and drinks that aren’t “too bad” for you this time of year, right?
How about turkey? Of all the traditional “centerpiece” meats, it’s the healthiest. In a 4-ounce serving of breast meat without skin there are 168 calories and just 2 grams of fat. So, if you like turkey, enjoy it! And if you want to shave off some calories and fat, eat breast meat without skin, since skin adds 50 calories and 6 grams of fat to a typical 4-ounce piece. Check labels to see how much sodium your particular turkey has– and avoid the ones with 300 mg of sodium in 4 ounces– the less “salty,” the better!
Natural pumpkin is good for you at holiday time. It’s packed with vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants and fiber. At just 30 calories a cup, enjoy pumpkin! But watch out for “pumpkin spice,” which often has a lot of sugar added to it. And if you’re buying canned pumpkin, avoid pumpkin-pie filling (too sugary), opting for “pure pumpkin” instead.
Do you like the taste of sweet potatoes? If so, great! Like pumpkin, sweet potatoes are filled with fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. Instead of covering your potatoes with marshmallows, butter and brown sugar this year, try just baking them with a little olive oil. They’ll taste great and not have too many calories. Ideally, avoid canned sweet potatoes since they tend to be packed with heavy syrup.
Finally, there’s hot cocoa. The good thing about this holiday favorite is that it contains flavanols, which help with the brain’s blood circulation. Instead of instant mixes, it’s best to make your own hot cocoa drink using unsweetened cocoa, low-fat milk and just a teaspoon of sugar.
At holiday time, watch your portion sizes, and be careful about how much sugar, salt and fat you’re putting in your body.
Spinal Problems Can Reduce Blood Flow to the Brain
What is a cerebral hypoperfusion? It’s a term that basically means you’re not getting enough blood to your brain. A hypoperfusion can actually occur anywhere in the body, including the hands and feet or the kidneys or heart. Obviously, you don’t want one, and you especially don’t want one occurring at/near/around your brain!
A hypoperfusion can be the result of physical activities, diseases and/or spinal conditions. As you probably know, blood carries both oxygen and nutrients to cells in your body. If there’s a drop in the supply of these things, you can experience cellular damage and your body may or may not be able to recover. If blood, for some reason, wasn’t able to get to and from your brain as intended, and this happened suddenly, you’d have a stroke. Basically, a stroke is a severe hypoperfusion in the brain. Depending on the area or areas of the brain where this occurs, a person could experience all sorts of negative problems as a result!
If and when blood is not getting to the brain as it should, what are some symptoms? Dizziness, headaches, nausea, changes in vision/temporary vision loss, and fainting are some symptoms. There can also be signs of cognitive impairment, emotional instability, and uncoordinated motor functions. Basically, your brain isn’t working well, so your body isn’t working well, either.
A professional study was done to see how spinal health and cerebral hypoperfusion are linked. People with chronic neck and/or upper back pain were examined with a CT imaging system so blood flow to their brain could be noted. Then researchers checked eight areas of the brain to see if there was any correlation between vertebral subluxation (misaligned spine) and cerebral hypoperfusion. The results showed that people with neck and/or upper back pain had scores that strongly predicted cerebral hypoperfusion.
So what should you make of this? If you have chronic neck and/or upper back pain, you should see a chiropractor who can align your spine and relieve that pain. Otherwise, you’re more at risk for having a stroke and all the problems associated with the aftermath of a stroke.
Take charge of your health and be proactive. Don’t let your pain just keep going on and on. Call 651-464-0800 to make an appointment at Lakewoods Chiropractic in Forest Lake, MN.
The Healing Powers Of Peppermint
What do you know about peppermint oil? If you’re like most people, you know you like peppermint patties (to eat) or chocolate ice cream mixed with mint flavor. But did you know that peppermint is actually an aromatic herb that can be found naturally in both North America and Europe? Peppermint oil can be extracted from the leaves of the peppermint plant and then used for several purposes. Some people take it in capsules as a dietary supplement. Others use a very concentrated form applied to their skin (after being diluted with some water) or for “aromatherapy,” where they breathe in that cool, refreshing smell. Chemically-speaking, peppermint oil contains menthol and menthone.
Many people have experienced the healing power of peppermint oil. It has been used as a topical application for relief from muscle pain and headaches. People with digestive issues, nausea, and/or irritable bowel syndrome have used peppermint oil to feel better. Peppermint oil isn’t some new fad. Even in ancient times, people were using peppermint oil for health/medicinal purposes.
In modern times, research has been done to see how peppermint oil helps people. With regards to irritable bowel syndrome, peppermint oil is thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect, helping relax the smooth muscles of the GI tract. It’s also thought to decrease the pain sensation in the GI tract, according to research studies. People with nausea have inhaled peppermint oil and reported feeling less nauseous. Studies have been done where people rub some diluted peppermint oil on their forehead and temples when dealing with headaches. The results? Well, they experienced less nausea, less light sensitivity, and more pain relief. When you’re looking for some natural pain relief, peppermint oil could be just what you’re looking for! It’s definitely worth researching on your own, and you can talk to your chiropractor about it, as well.
Essential oils can have many health benefits. Besides peppermint, there’s lavender, which helps calm people down, rosemary, which helps with joint pain, and frankincense, which acts as a stress-reducer and mood-enhancer.
If you’re not too familiar with essential oils like peppermint and the aforementioned goodies, why not make an appointment at Lakewoods Chiropractic? With chiropractic care, you’ll learn about pill-free pain relief, with good advice on diet, exercise, and holistic natural healing methods.
Call 651-464-0800 to make an appointment at Lakewoods Chiropractic in Forest Lake, MN.
Spine 101
What role does your spine play regarding your health? You’d be surprised to know that your spine is vital to whatever’s going on in your body! When a chiropractor adjusts your spine, he or she can help relieve all sorts of problems, from digestion troubles to your ability to breathe better. Researchers have found that there’s a direct correlation between the spine’s vertebrae (bones) and nerves that go to your organs.
Sometimes tension or inflammation occurs in a region of the spine due to physical, chemical or emotional issues, such as stress. The spine can then go “out of alignment.” When this happens, your nervous system doesn’t work as intended. It’s kind of like if you were driving a car on a highway but suddenly the highway has a traffic jam and you tried to go around it on the side of the road through the dirt and grass– that wouldn’t be as smooth a ride, right? Exactly.
A spine that’s out of alignment can cause problems with the way your brain communicates with your body. When this happens, certain parts of your body might have pain and/or not work well. Take, for instance, someone who is in a car crash. Their body moves in an awkward position forcefully and quickly, and damage to the spinal vertebrae can occur. Depending on which vertebrae are affected, a person could then experience problems. For example, if a certain vertebrae is negatively affected by an injury, a person could experience bad leg pain and/or numbness in the foot or certain toes. Sometimes the body can heal on its own. Sometimes a chiropractor can help the body heal itself. And sometimes the damage is so bad that major surgery has to be done for the good of the patient.
In most cases, people who have pain typically have misaligned spines that can be corrected by hands-on adjustments made by a knowledgeable chiropractor.
In Forest Lake, MN, call 651-464-0800 and make an appointment at Lakewoods Chiropractic. See how an adjustment works, in person, and how it makes you feel afterward. Many people with lower back problems, as well as neck and shoulder issues, utilize chiropractic care in order to feel better. Chiropractors know how much the spine matters to every part of a person’s body and their overall well-being!
The Chiropractic Approach To Insomnia
How have you been sleeping lately? Have you been dealing with insomnia? It’s a common sleep disorder where you have a hard time falling asleep or find it hard to stay asleep. It can also include waking up early and not being able to easily get back to sleep. The result of insomnia is feeling tired when you do wake up and have to deal with the day ahead. Insomnia usually makes people feel moody and irritable. This affects a person’s health, their quality of life, and their work performance.
People often experience insomnia because they have unmanageable stress in their lives. Their heart beats fast, they have muscle tension, and they have a hard time relaxing or sleeping. Those who are anxious or in pain can also experience insomnia. Even little things like lights in a room, noises, “the wrong temperature in the room,” and the lack of comfort in a bed can cause or exacerbate insomnia.
Can chiropractic care help with insomnia? Yes, it can. Chiropractic care helps relieve stress. Through stretches and exercises, people can “work out” their stress, getting rid of tension in their muscles. A good massage can help relax the body. Chiropractic adjustments, which are literally “hands-on,” can improve the body’s systems, including the immune system which helps reduce inflammation and stress. When a chiropractor does a spinal adjustment, he or she is helping reduce a person’s pain by treating it at its source. Spinal adjustments help improve blood flow and can improve the nervous system’s function, too.
If you’re someone who suffers from insomnia to the point where it’s interfering with your quality of life, consider chiropractic care at Lakewoods. This is a holistic, pill-free way of dealing with your condition. Your chiropractor can help you identify what’s going on with your body as well as help you make environmental changes so you can sleep better. Chiropractors offer smart lifestyle advice that can literally change the way you sleep– for the better!
Call 651-464-0800 and make an appointment at Lakewoods Chiropractic in Forest Lake, MN. There is help available when it comes to dealing with insomnia.
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