Oh yeah, you’re thinking “Here we go again!”  Another doctor claiming that they have the secret to easy weight loss. Well first of all, we all know that dieting is “Hell on wheels.”  But that doesn’t mean that losing weight has to be that difficult.  That’s because weight gain is caused by many different factors and so dieting, or limiting foods to whatever the fad is this month, is not the big deal most authorities seem to think it is and it leads to a rebound weight gain later anyway.  What is a big deal is what your body does with the food you give it, whether its health issues that change your body’s response or from industrialized food choices. And in this context, I mean not only what your body makes of the calories you put in, but also what your brain is doing with the same information. As I wrote in a past article, your brain is a very big deal in weight management. One brain relationship is related to food options.  It turns out that we may have too many options, and your brain looks at this as a special attraction leading to increased consumption.

A recent study of the Kung San tribe (don’t forget the click sound when you say the name) of Botswana in Africa showed that their diet is 60% fat and relatively straight forward and bland, but have an average BMI of 19 (over weight is over 25, obese is 30).  In fact, many studies have shown that when an obese person is given food that has less sugar, less spices and less variety, they will automatically decrease their caloric intake dramatically. This fact has not been lost on the food industry. They are currently spending billions of dollars engineering and developing “food” that is purposely scientifically designed to maximize palatability and reward, and encourage repeat purchase and over-consumption behavior. We don’t really have a chance against this “food machine” unless we opt to stop eating those foods and start cooking our food the way we did for thousands of years—at home.

In the 1890s, 93% of food was eaten at home but now only 51% is eaten at home and a large amount of that is prepared somewhere else. Clearly, most of what we eat is highly processed, which is uniquely capable of making us fat.

Sugar intake is a good indicator of processed food intake. In 1820, sugar intake per person was the equivalent to one can of soda every five days.  Today we consume that amount every seven hours. Now that’s an increase that can’t be ignored.  Fresh potato consumption has decreased by 50% since 1960 but the consumption of processed potatoes has increased by 400% (mainly French fries and potato chips).  We have increased calories in our diet by a full 20% since the 70’s and it is food engineering that is at the heart of our desire to eat more and eat badly.

Add to this the spiral of declining health caused by these diet changes over the last few years, which predictably result in the following health problems.

1)  Increasing inflammation leading to pain, malnutrition and weight gain

2)  Poor blood sugar control leading to fatigue and weight gain

3)  Hormone imbalances, leading to a multiple health issues and weight gain

4)  Adrenal gland dysfunction leading to loss of sleep and weight gain

5)  Thyroid dysfunction leading to low metabolic rate and weight gain

So what’s the next step?  Make the decision to prepare and eat simple meals at home, the meals our ancestors ate—low on sugar, low on salt, and no sweetened drinks.  And remember that the five body problems listed above can and do cause major health symptoms and disease. These conditions need to be addressed with laboratory testing and natural treatment before you will see the weight loss you would like. That’s why our clinic looks at every sign to get to the cause of weight gain.  So you see, it’s easier than you think.  And you thought it was just “eat less and exercise more!”

Dr. Don Davis, D.C., DACNB is a BOARD CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC NEUROLOGIST in Walnut Creek.  He has been serving individuals with chronic pain for 30 years. For information about how you can get a free consultation with Dr. Davis, call (925) 279-4324 (HEAL).  Visit us at WalnutCreekHealth.com

It has always bothered me that we go through twelve years of school without learning much about our body. It seems to me that our education should include what makes up that complex structure we have to live in and how to take care of it.

There should be a mandatory course in physiology from K through 12. I used to offer a class to fourth graders on what tobacco does to you which included rather gross slides of cancer and post surgical patients still smoking through a hole in their throat. I also showed them photos of the cancer caused by chewing tobacco with testimony from baseball players on the harms and consequences of regular use.

This was only one hour in one day of school. These kids went home and raised hell with their parents who smoked. Can you imagine what could be done if every day there was a period dedicated to taking care of your body?  It would mean billions less for the medical and pharmaceutical industry, and years added to our life expectancies.

Part of a medical history that you have to fill out for your doctor should include the foods you eat. Processed foods are real foods that have been altered in some way to enhance their flavor and shelf life and make them “safer.”  Do you eat such foods and how often do you eat these foods?  Heart disease has been found to be much more serious when inflammation is present. Processed foods contribute greatly to inflammation.

Almost any food in a package or box is processed. So what does processed mean and why is it done?

The processing kills bacteria and other organisms which would spoil the food and not allow it to by shipped long distances or stored in markets. Natural fats can quickly go rancid. When replaced with cheap trans-fats the food can last months. Adding chemicals, heating, irradiating, milling and pressure treating are also used to extend shelf life (read profits) and, in most cases alter the food to be much less nutritious and often devoid of nutrition.

I like to refer to these foods as empty calories. The only problem is that empty calories do not supply the nutrients necessary for their digestion and assimilation requiring the body to give up some of the important vitamins and nutrients leaving it depleted. White rice and alcohol are examples of empty calories and can cause loss of B complex vitamins damaging many organs especially the liver.  Thus you can see that potentially nutritious foods can be altered to become indirect poisons.

Two major ingredients found in processed foods are sugar and trans-fat. In order to entice your taste buds, the food industry uses high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated trans-fats. These two ingredients can help to threaten your heart even more. Not happy yet with what they have done to your heart health, they add salt to boost your blood pressure. In this case the real motive is not just to preserve the food, it is greed without conscience.

The list of chemicals added to “preserve freshness” and enhance flavor would take pages to list and explain.  Here are a few with their consequences: MSG is used for flavor enhancement and causes head aches, chest pain, mood swings and more. Artificial flavors are associated with ADHD and allergies. Propylene Glycol is used to emulsify and can cause reproductive issues, allergies, neurotoxicity and hormone disruption. High fructose corn syrup is used because it is cheaper than sugar and is associated with liver toxicity, stimulation of inflammation, obesity, oxidative stress, diabetes and more.

I know it is so tempting to simply open a box, a can, or take something processed out of the freezer, but is it worth the price?  You also miss out on the fulfillment of creating something everyone enjoys knowing you are not hurting them but instead nourishing them physically and mentally. Chances are you and your family will live longer, too.

And at the end of the day, isn’t that why we nourish our bodies?

Robert Brown, DDS has a TMJ, orthodontia, and sleep apnea practice in Danville and thoroughly enjoys discussing holistic medicine. You can contact him at 925-837-8048, at info@aodtc.com, or visit his web site at www.aodtc.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q. I enjoy container gardening and plant in medium to large plastic pots, however, I’m concerned about the roots when the temperatures get hot. Will the heat permeate through the plastic pots and burn the roots? Other than buying clay pots, what else can I do?

A. Yes, this is a legitimate concern. It’s a bigger issue for those plants growing in the same container for several growing seasons than with new plantings. Overtime, roots reach the sides and fill the container while the insulating soil layer disappears. Plastic containers have a thin wall and the heat transfers directly through it when hit by the sun, damaging any of the roots next to the wall. I’d be concerned with established Japanese Maples, Camellias, Citrus, Roses and other ornamentals. Containers with established plants are difficult to keep moist during hot, dry weather. There is little soil to hold moisture and lots of roots so water stress occurs quickly. The late afternoon sun is the most critical as this is when the temperatures are peaking. The heat factor is influenced by the color of the container. White or other bright colors will reflect heat while earth tones and dark colors absorb the heat. The containers are cooled when the plants are watered but the moisture evaporates quickly or it can heat up if the stand for any period of time. My rule of thumb for watering container plants is very simple: When the temperatures are over seventy-five degrees, water daily. Be sure to fill the containers the brim and empty the water from any saucer, better yet, remove the saucer altogether. It’s almost impossible to over water plants in containers when the water flows out the bottom. Root rot and other problems are more likely to occur from the constant wicking action when water is left in a saucer not to mention the West Nile Virus concern from the breeding mosquitoes. The best time of the day to water plants is in the morning before eleven. With ninety degrees or higher temperatures, a second application may be necessary in the late afternoon to those plants in the heat of the day sun. It’s advisable to apply a wetting agent such Grow More E-Z Wet or similar product to increase the water flow through a root bound plant. Besides frequent watering, here are some other things you can do. Move those containers in the afternoon sun to a shadier location when the temperature is over ninety degrees. These plants can survive temporarily in shady conditions since our typical heat spell only last a couple of days. Plant dollies or walkers with wheels make this a simple task and are available at your favorite garden center. Another option is to place the plastic pot inside a larger container, the so-called pot in pot method. You need to leave at least a two-inch space between the containers that is then fill with small bark to increase the insulation. With seasonal color or vegetables containers, frequent watering is sufficient.

Buzz Bertolero is Executive Vice President of Navlet’s Garden Centers and a California Certified Nursery Professional.  His web address is www.dirtgardener.com and you can send questions by email at dirtgarden@aol.com or to 360 Civic Drive Ste. ‘D’, Pleasant Hill, Calif. 94523

 

 

Align Healing Center was established in Danville in 1999 and since first opening my doors I have seen a progressive increase in chronic pain and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), now called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in our community. RSD/CRPS is a chronic, painful, and progressive neurological condition that affects the skin, muscles, joints, and bones. The syndrome usually develops in an injured limb, such as a broken leg, or following surgery. However, many cases of RSD involve only a minor injury, such as a sprain. And in some cases, no precipitating event can be identified.

RSD/CRPS is characterized by various degrees of burning pain, excessive sweating, swelling, and sensitivity to touch. Pain may begin in one area or limb and then spread to other limbs. In some cases, symptoms of RSD/CRPS diminish for a period of time and then reappear with a new injury.

Causes and Risk Factors for RSD/CRPS

An exact understanding of RSD/CRPS is not complete. It appears to involve a complex interaction among the sensory, motor and sympathetic nervous system as well as involvement of the immune system. Currently Western Medicine is not sure what causes RSD/CRPS.  It is believed that in most cases the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in sustaining the pain. Another theory is that CRPS is caused by a triggering of the immune response, which leads to the characteristic inflammatory symptoms of redness, warmth, and swelling in the affected area.

Treatment Options for RSD Patients

Medical treatments for the management of RSD/CRPS include analgesics, anti-depressants, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nerve blocks, and multiple other drug therapies.

The Natural Approach for Chronic Pain and RSD/CRPS

Holistic, non-invasive treatments for RSD/CRPS offer new possibilities patients may consider for pain and symptom management. As with traditional treatments, holistic treatments may need to be combined for optimal results. Natural Medicine (vitamins, herbs, natural compounds, etc.) has proven to be effective and long-term in helping calm the sympathetic nervous system and reduce systemic inflammation.

At Align Healing Center we are currently seeing beneficial results in the treatment of chronic pain and RSD/CRPS. The combination of Laser Therapy combined with Natural Medicine is yielding hopeful results.

Laser therapy is the application of low levels of laser light to areas of the body that have been injured or damaged. Contrasted with high-powered lasers used in health care that cut tissue, such as surgical or hair-removal lasers, therapy lasers produce beneficial chemical and biological interactions that can help relieve pain and repair injured/damaged tissue.  Just as photosynthesis creates energy for plants, the absorption of the laser light by your cells causes increased production of cellular energy. In areas of injury or damage, this means there is more energy available to improve the rate and quality of healing. Studies on tissue cultures have revealed a wide range of beneficial physiological effects, including increased levels of endorphins, reduced levels of inflammatory compounds and an increased rate and quality of tissue healing. We often have patients notice improvement after the very first treatment session; whereas with chronic pain or RSD/CRPS it is realistic that it may take a few treatments. The effect of laser therapy is cumulative, meaning that each successive treatment builds on previous ones.

The results that we are experiencing with our patients are nothing short of remarkable.  Class IV Laser Therapy has exceeded our expectations of the healing potential that it ignites in the body and it is our mission to share it with anyone who is seeking freedom from their pain.

Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. She has been active in our natural health & wellness community since 1999. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

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