Archive for Where:Santa-Clara-CA
A Walk in the Park May Stimulate Your Immune System
Posted by: | CommentsAah, sunshine. It has gotten such a bad rap in the past few years that that beautiful warm yellow orb has seemed more like an enemy than the smiling friend children often draw. Well, today I read some good news about sunshine, or at least about Vitamin D, that I’m eager to pass along to you. As it turns out, Vitamin D is vital in activating our human defenses.
Danish researchers found that the immune systems’ killer cells, known as T cells, rely on Vitamin D to become active. If Vitamin D is lacking in the blood, they remain dormant and unaware of the possibility of threat from an infection or pathogen. “When a T cell is exposed to a foreign pathogen, it extends a signaling device or ‘antenna’ known as a Vitamin D receptor, with which it searches for vitamin D,” said Carsten Geisler of Copenhagen University’s department of international health, immunology and microbiology, who led the study. “This means the T cell must have Vitamin D or activation of the cell will cease. If the T cells cannot find enough Vitamin D in the blood, they won’t even begin to mobilize.” Scientists have known for a long time that Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption, and that there is a link between levels of the vitamin and diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis. But, what they hadn’t realized is how crucial Vitamin D is for actually activating the immune system. And, of course, most Vitamin D is made by the body as a natural by-product of the skin’s exposure to sunlight. Though it can also be found in fish liver oil, eggs and fatty fish like salmon, herring and mackerel (or taken as a supplement), I would suggest that whenever possible, add a walk outdoors as part of your health regime. For more on this study, go to: reuters.comGetting Slim By Eating Fats? That All Depends…
Posted by: | CommentsAs a chiropractor, I always advise weight loss for my overweight patients, not only as a way to keep organs such as the heart healthy, but every system of the body, including the musculoskeletal system (my specialty). Excess weight puts a burden on every part of the human body, including the vertebrae of the spine and joints such as those in the knees and hips. My patients tend to take my advice, so many of them ask my opinion on how they can lose weight in a healthy way. I’m always looking for information to share with them that will help to turn their “temporary” diet plan into a permanent lifestyle. The good news is that not everything that tastes good is bad for you, including fats. Recently I read an article that discusses “good” versus “bad” fats that I think you’ll find helpful when choosing a healthy diet.
-
Monounsaturated Fat and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Monounsaturated fat and omega-3 fatty acids are the so-called “good” or healthy fats. They are referred to as healthy fats because they do not adversely affect your health and may actually contribute to good heart health. These types of fat come mainly from plant sources (e.g., vegetable oil), nuts, and fish (certain varieties).
Whenever possible, you should try and get your “good” fats from food sources rather than supplements. Eating more fish, walnuts and flax seeds will help. You can also take a supplement, but be sure to talk to your doctor first.
Add some sources for healthy fats to your next grocery list. These include: Extra virgin olive oil, avocado, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, ground flax seeds, walnuts (and most other nuts).
-
Polyunsaturated Fat
Polyunsaturated fats provide omega-6 fatty acids and should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. Sources of polyunsaturated fat include corn oil, safflower oil and sunflower oil.
-
Saturated Fat
Saturated fat should be limited as often as possible. Diets high in saturated fat raise cholesterol levels and can lead to cardiovascular disease. Saturated fat is found mainly in foods from animal sources. Foods that contain saturated fat include: whole milk, butter, cheese, red meat and coconut oil.
-
Trans Fat
Trans fat should be avoided as often as possible. Trans fat is a type of unsaturated fat that actually elevates blood cholesterol levels more than saturated fat.
Trans fat is typically found in “junk” food, such as prepackaged baked goods and snacks. To locate trans fat on food packages, look for the words “partially hyrogenated oil” or check the nutrition label. Foods that commonly contain trans fat include most margarine, fried foods and commercially-baked goods.
Trans fat has been widely used in fast food for frying, but is now being limited or eliminated by many fast food restaurants. Ask about trans fat at your favorite restaurant and request nutrition data for their menu items.
You can view the nutrition data, including fat content, for many popular foods, fast food eateries, and restaurants online at About.com’s Calorie Count.
A Family That Gets Healthy Together Stays Healthier All Together
Posted by: | CommentsAs a chiropractor I am very concerned about the obesity “epidemic” in this country. In my family chiropractic clinic I see the results of excess weight on the musculoskeletal systems of my patients (not to mention the organic health challenges such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease), especially as the human body ages. Unfortunately, the amount of time the body is required to carry around extra poundage and, therefore, begin to damage a person’s health, is starting earlier than it once did. Childhood obesity has been continuously rising and something THAT WILL ACTUALLY WORK needs to be done NOW to help to turn things around. That’s why I was particular happy to read the following WebMD feature:
Make Kids’ Fitness Fun and Safe
Over the past 30 years, childhood obesity rates have nearly tripled among kids in all age groups. How can you keep your child from joining the obesity epidemic? Keeping a child healthy and fit means keeping them active. Ideally, you can do that both at home and in activities at gyms, health clubs, and in after-school sports. But what if your child won’t set foot in a gym or participate in school sports? Here’s how to keep your child fit and active, happily and safely.
Make Time for Fitness and Family
The best way to get your child active is to be active yourself, says Brian Grasso, founder and CEO of the International Youth Conditioning Association (IYCA). “If Mom and Dad aren’t active, the kids won’t be either.” He recommends setting aside as little as 15 minutes a day for “family fitness time,” just like homework time, dinnertime, and bath time. (Click on the link above to read more.)
Whether you see a chiropractor for “crisis” care or on a regular basis, you may have assumed that chiropractic treatment has always been included for the athletes participating in Olympic Games. But, sadly, that hasn’t been the case until now. Read on… For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, will include chiropractic care inside the Olympic Village Polyclinic, a multi-disciplinary facility that offers comprehensive health care and medical services. While doctors of chiropractic (D.C.s) have historically been included on the Olympic medical staff, the upcoming events mark the first time that D.C.’s from the host country will be treating athletes and officials from around the world directly inside the Polyclinic.
“This is an historic event not only for the chiropractic profession, but also the athletes who will now have access to the care that will help them prepare their bodies for competition,” states Michael Reed, D.C., MS, DACBSP, and Team USA Medical Director (USOC). “These athletes train hard and endure significant physical demands. Sports-focused D.C.s, along with other members of the sports medicine team, are specially skilled to assist them in reaching peak performance.”
Throughout the years, chiropractic has become a mainstay in the care of world-class athletes, leading to a growing number of D.C.s included in the Olympic Games. Countless athletes attribute the care they receive from their chiropractors — working along-side other health care professionals – as a key to properly preparing their bodies to perform optimally.
Dr. David Hoewisch, your Santa Clara Chiropractor, offers a number of chiropractic treatment plans that can be adaptable when caring for your musculoskeletal system, from working with distinct injuries to dealing with general health concerns. After thoroughly examining you, Dr. Hoewisch will inform you as to which solution would probably be the most helpful for you personally. He may supply you with several treatment programs from which you can select depending on your present health disabilities as well as your future health and fitness pursuits.
It might be interesting for you to have some understanding, ahead of time, about the different chiropractic treatment plans Dr. Hoewisch will probably recommend.
Relief Care is a type of chiropractic treatment plan proposed to individuals who are experiencing any kind of pain or physical distress, regardless of the cause of the condition. The aim of this therapy is to give a sufferer fast pain relief. The length of the treatment time frame is likely to vary as it depends solely on the scope of the injury or dysfunction suffered by the individual and how fast it can be remedied.
Corrective Care is often a “more advanced” form of chiropractic treatment. It is for those who have suffered from spinal issues over an extended period of time, i.e., for individuals who have a chronic problem that has evolved into a more complex issue as a consequence of not pursuing proper care in the first place. Restorative treatment often stretches over a longer time frame. How long care is necessary is based on the extent of the progressive impairment and how rapidly the individual responds to the treatment.
Maintenance Care, as the name indicates, is intended to maintain or support any type of therapy already administered to a patient. Oftentimes, chiropractic treatment is extended only after the initial treatments have proven to be efficacious. The goal of this type of chiropractic care is to reduce the potential of the initial dysfunction coming back and to prevent degenerative changes in the future.
Wellness Care is available to those that are not challenged by severe discomfort, but are looking to strengthen their overall health. Periodic chiropractic treatment enhances the movement of blood and oxygen in the body, improves muscle flexibility, helps prevent work and play injuries, and boosts an individual’s all round sense of well-being.
Regardless if you are presently in pain or you would like to enhance your overall health, chiropractic care can help. Call Dr. Hoewisch, your Chiropractor in Santa Clara, today!
Your Santa Clara Chiropractor Explains the Many Health Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Posted by: | CommentsDid you know that chiropractic therapy has been growing in popularity for years, and that it’s continuing to increase each year as the favored healthcare choice for many people? Dr. Hoewisch, your Santa Clara chiropractor, wants you to know that individuals seeking treatment for pain are selecting chiropractic care because of the many health benefits that such care provides. No alternative medical practice is less invasive to the body and, at the same time, can promote the body’s inherent power to heal instead of masking symptoms with medications.
Let’s face it, wherever there is a musculoskeletal system, for instance within the human body, there is the possibility of musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain and neck pain, pain in the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee joints, and ankle and foot pain. No one is immune from misalignment of the spine and joint inflammation, even though a wide range of troubles are often the result of sports injuries, accidents, and the aging process. Irrespective of the reason, though, any type of motion on a traumatized area of the body can not merely lead to more pain or suffering, but incapacity. And, obviously, certain musculoskeletal conditions, if left untreated, can result in irreversible disability.
It has been said of chiropractic treatment that its “pros exceed” just remedying a particular condition. In actual fact, a patient who comes in to see a chiropractor for low back pain, for example, not only benefits from pain relief, but also improved circulation, a lowering or elimination of lactic acid, easier travel of oxygen and nutrients within the body, more flexibility, much less everyday pain and tenderness, better recuperation time, a more stress-free experience, and the deterrence of future harm! Is it any mystery why chiropractic care has become the treatment of choice for so many people?
In combination with offering skilled musculoskeletal treatment, chiropractors also promote education and assistance when it comes to improving your overall health and wellness. Chiropractors recognize that in order for you to get healthy and stay that way, it is important for you to decide on a healthy approach to life, e.g., consuming a sensible amount of water to keep the body hydrated, following a nutritiousl diet program, and developing a daily stretching and exercise routine.
Chiropractic treatment doesn’t quite work “miracles, ” however it can come fairly close in numerous areas that may well surprise you. For example, chiropractic treatment helps women that are pregnant give birth more easily. It can improve the developmental abilities of babies, particularly improved motor skills, and can often protect against scoliosis. Chiropractic adjustments for kids may help eliminate bronchial asthma discomforts, ear infections, and bed-wetting. In addition to the health benefits just mentioned, routine chiropractic management can help adults to feel more vital and stay more active, which in turn makes them more productive. And, as a final point, for maturing baby boomers and the growing senior population, not only can chiropractic treatment help to reduce age-related troubles and keep a person more active in later years, chiropractic treatment can reduce the balance problems that all too often end up in critical injury from falls.
If you are currently seeing a chiropractor, that’s great! You’ve no doubt already experienced many of the plus points mentioned above. And, in that case, have you thought to tell a friend about chiropractic? Don’t let a person you care about fall victim to the kind of misinformation about chiropractic care that can keep them from experiencing their day more completely. Tell a friend or loved one to give Dr. Hoewisch, your chiropractor in Santa Clara, a call. He can help!
