Corn, The Vegetable World's Rodney Dangerfield

Corn, also known as maize, is a cereal grain that is a food staple in many areas of the world. Grown and harvested from stalks, corn is eaten by the whole kernel as a vegetable, or it is dried and turned into corn meal. Corn meal is used like flour and is the main ingredient in many foods. The oil from corn (corn contains a small amount of vegetable fat) is used for cooking. The sugars from corn are turned into syrup and used as sweeteners. Unfortunately, corn syrup is chemically processed into high fructose corn syrup, which has negative health consequences, including those associated with weight gain, obesity and diabetes. Interestingly enough, corn is a principle ingredient in bourbon whiskey, as well as an adjunct in some beers. In the United States and Canada, corn is widely grown to feed livestock. It is also used in pet food and fish bait. Lately, corn has taken on a larger role as an alternative source for energy called biofuel. While the benefits of corn based biofuel are debatable, corn biofuel, also called ethanol, does reduce pollutants in the air and helps lower fuel costs. As a healthy food source, corn certainly has its benefits. Corn is high in fiber. One cup of corn adds over 18% of the body's daily recommended fiber. Corn is high in B vitamins and has a decent amount of vitamin C. Corn is a good energy source. It is starchy and sweet, which makes it high in carbohydrates that fuel the body for its daily activities. Corn contains beta-cryptoxanthin (say that three times fast!), a phytonutrient that may help to lower lung cancer risk. Corn is an icon of North American, South American and Mexican culture, used in so many ways, representing history, tradition and celebration. Corn is a vital food source world wide and should be a regular part of a health conscious diet. Did I mention popcorn?

Thought for the Week: "In the age of acorns, before the times of Ceres, a single corn kernel had been of more value to mankind than all the diamonds of the mines of India." ~Henry Brooke



Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "Chiropractic's health benefits are so much greater than the relief of back or neck pain. Chiropractic is whole-body health care with the vision to see the body as much more than the sum of its parts. The science of chiropractic emphasizes the relationship between the spine and the nervous system, and how that relationship affects function and health. The chiropractic approach to health care is holistic, stressing the patient's overall well-being. It recognizes that many factors affect health, including exercise, diet, rest, environment and heredity. Chiropractic focuses on maintaining optimal health naturally so that the body is better able to resist disease, rather than simply treating the symptoms of disease." --- Quad Cities News, Channel 8, Davenport, Iowa

Sea Salt

Sea salt is obtained from the evaporation of seawater. Due to mineral content, sea salt has a slightly different taste than table salt, and is primarily used in cooking and cosmetics. Table salt, also known as sodium chloride, is mined rock salt. The main difference between sea salt and table salt is the mineral content. Sea salt contains the essential minerals, magnesium, sulfate, calcium and potassium. Table salt is refined, which means it has been stripped of its nutritional value. Interestingly enough, once table salt has been refined, iodine is added to the finished product. Iodine is an essential mineral that is absent in salt and is an important part of healthy thyroid function. The other main difference between sea salt and table salt is that many "gourmet" chefs and ordinary people feel that sea salt adds a much better taste to their food preparations. In general, salt has been vilified as a contributor to heart disease, but in reality, salt is vitally important for health. Salt is an electrolyte, a mineral that helps muscles to contract and also helps to balance sugar levels in the body. Salt clears mucous from the lungs. In addition, salt contributes to the absorption of food during the digestive process. Salt is an important part of the nervous system, as it helps with nerve cell communication and removes acidity from brain cells. Salt is even effective at stabilizing an irregular heart beat. As mentioned previously, a high salt intake has been linked to heart disease, as high salt intake can raise blood pressure levels. Recent research states that it may not actually be the salt itself that contributes to heart disease, but the many foods that the salt is added to. For instance, most junk foods contain salt, but junk food also contains trans-fats and other chemicals that have been shown to cause heart disease. Also, junk food adds a large amount of calories to the diet, contributing to obesity, which is a major factor in heart disease. If high blood pressure is a concern, switch to sea salt, as it has been reported that sea salt is 60% lower in sodium than table salt.



Thought for the Week: "The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea." ~Isak Dinesen



Chiropractic Thought for the Week: A study was conducted late last year by doctors at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in the United Kingdom, to determine if chiropractic care had any benefit for colicky infants. By the 7th day of the short-term trial study, crying was significantly reduced, about 2 hours per day. By the 14th day of the trial, the reduction in crying was even more pronounced. Four weeks after the completion of the study, colic symptoms disappeared in 82% of the infants undergoing the chiropractic care.


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Concussions

One of the most common, yet least talked about bodily injuries, is the brain concussion. Inside the skull, sits the brain. The area between the brain and the skull is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The cerebrospinal fluid protects the brain from light trauma, acting as a cushion between the soft brain and the hard skull. When the head is struck by force, the brain moves within the skull. The harder the force, the greater the movement and the less the CSF can absorb or cushion the brain from the solid skull. There are two types of forces that can cause concussions. The first is impact force, when the head itself is exposed to blunt trauma. The second type of force is impulsive force. In this type of force, the head is not exposed to blunt trauma, but the head and neck are forcibly thrown forward and backward, as in a whiplash type accident. In both types of trauma, the brain is first affected by changes in intracranial pressure, blood flow, decreased oxygen and brain cell death. The most common symptoms associated with concussion are headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, tinnitus and balance disorders. In conjunction with these symptoms, MRI and, or CT scans are usually performed to check for potential brain lesions. In accidents and in today's society, physical activities (sports, recreation), head trauma is a fairly common occurrence. It is vitally important to monitor all head injuries with care and due diligence. Most concussion injuries heal with proper rest and conservative management, but it must be noted that, depending on the type of trauma and how it affects the individual's brain, more serious complications, including death could result. In addition, When any athlete suffers a concussion, the athlete must be medically cleared before participating in sporting activities. Another bump on the head, before complete concussion recovery, could be catastrophic to the individual.

Thought for the Week: "What about football? Is it a sport or a concussion?" ~Jim Murray, Los Angeles Times

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: The average weight of the human head is between 9 and 12 pounds. This copious amount of weight is supported by seven little, moveable bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Any force, what-so-ever to the head, has a negative impact on the cervical spine. When the head is impacted by force, the neck muscles immediately and severely contract to protect the spine from severe injury. This sudden muscle contraction causes the spinal bones to misalign and change the shape of the spinal curvature. One of the most important things a person can do after suffering a head trauma (in addition to medical evaluation) and whiplash type injury is to see a chiropractor for evaluation of subluxation and spinal nerve stress.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is an increasingly common diagnosis among school children. ADHD is a behavioral disorder that statistics claim to affect 8-10% of the school age population. Children with ADHD have a difficult time focusing on specific activities, paying attention to details, and tend to act without thinking. As the name suggests, there is also an issue with hyperactivity. The child tends to be "all over the place" and cannot sit still for any length of time. ADHD tends to affect boys more than girls. The diagnosis of ADHD is not a simple act. There is no medical test and it requires a complete evaluation by medical doctors, psychologists and counselors. At this time, the exact cause of ADHD is not known, but continuing research has linked ADHD symptoms to various biological causes. Deficiency of essential omega 3 fatty acids has been shown to affect brain function. Omega 3 fats are essential in brain and nerve development. When children's diets have been supplemented with these fats (fish oil, flax oil), research studies have shown marked improvements in behavior. In some instances, ADHD type symptoms have been related to cranial subluxations. The bones of the head are joined together by sutures. These "joints" are moveable and if they become fixated or stuck due to head trauma, the result has a negative effect on the cerebrospinal system. Correction of the cranial fixations via cranial / sacral therapy or cranial adjusting has been shown to help children with ADHD and other various learning disorders. It is also well known that certain food additives like artificial colors, dyes, artificial sweeteners and sugar may affect behavior. Eliminating these additives should be the first step in a successful ADHD care plan. A team approach, involving a pediatric chiropractor, nutritionist, behavior counselor and holistic minded pediatrician, may be the best approach to eliminating ADHD from a child's life.

Thought for the Week: "Parents and professionals faced with the challenging task of treating ADD and ADHD in children commonly face an unfortunate situation, in which behavior problems at home and/or school have placed yet another pressure to opt for medication as the primary treatment. There is little doubt that the majority of these 'medicated' children will have benefits in their attention span, behavior, and other components of their disorder. And yet, the benefits of medication come with built-in risks from misdiagnosis, side effects, abuse, and unforeseen long-term complications." -------- John M. Dye, N.D.

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: A recent case study published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health, found a marked improvement in the symptoms of 3 1/2 year old boy presenting with ADHD, a history of birth trauma and ear infections using chiropractic care to correct spinal nerve stress. After one month of care, parents and teachers reported a decrease in hyperactivity, and in increase in attention. ---------- "Chiropractic Management of a Child with ADHD and Vertebral Subluxations, Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health, Pamela Stone-McCoy, BS, DC, FICIPA, Lisa Przybysz, BS, DC

Just Say No to Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are one of the most commonly used ingredients in food today. Unfortunately, artificial sweeteners are also one of the biggest offenders to our body's overall health. Developed as a marketing ploy and designed to appeal to the calorie conscious consumer, artificial sweeteners were fast tracked for public consumption with little to no long term testing on their affect on health. In past columns, we have discussed the dangerous side effects of the use of aspartame (brand name, Nutrasweet). In this column, I would like to shed some light on a newer product that was designed to appeal to consumers who would like a more "natural" artificial sweetener. Splenda, also known as sucrolose, is being marketed as an artificial sweetener "made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar." In reality, Splenda is an artificial sweetener derived from chlorinated sugar. It was released to the public with only two human research trials, the longest of which was conducted for only four days. In a recent study reported on in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Splenda reduced the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50%, increased intestinal ph levels and contributed to overall weight gain. One of the more shocking revelations was that Splenda affected glycoprotein levels in the body which could cause certain medications to be blocked by the digestive system so that they are not absorbed by the body. According to James Turner, Director of Citizens for Health, a consumer education group, the most common consumer complaints concerning Splenda are: gastrointestinal problems, migraines, seizures, dizziness, blurred vision, allergic reactions, blood sugar increases and weight gain. In conclusion, this research report is one of many that validates avoiding the use of artificial sweeteners. If you want to feel good and be healthy, just say no to the sweet stuff. For more information, visit the website, www.truthaboutsplenda.com.

Thought for the Week: "Sugar is a type of bodily fuel, yes, but your body runs about as well on it as a car would." ~V.L. Allineare

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "While other (healthcare) professions are concerned with changing the environment to suit the weakened body, chiropractic is concerned with strengthening the body to "suit" the environment." ------ BJ Palmer, D.C.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is typically associated with aging, but it can also develop due to joint trauma and repetitive motion to the joints over a period of time. Repetitive motion can be from activities such as sports or work related activities. Two examples would be throwing a baseball for 2 decades or using a hammer to bang nails for 20 years. Osteoarthritis results from the deterioration of the cartridge over the joints. As the bones start to rub together, pain and swelling occurs. As time goes on, the bones begin to misshapen, which can lead to bone spurs. This developement causes more pain and discomfort. Then pain increases due to cartilage breaking off in the joint. Sadly, Osteoarthritis, also know as Degenerative Joint Disease, is also part of the normal aging process. As we get older, joints start to wear down. The main problem with bone and joint degeneration is related to acceleration. The more friction on the joint, the more accelerated the degeneration. As far as osteoarthritis in the spine goes, spinal bones that are out of alignment cause excessive friction on the spinal joint, accelerating the degenerative process. This acceleration is why in some cases a 35 year-old may have the spinal deterioration of a 60 year-old. A traumatic accident that injures the neck or the back when someone is in their 20's will cause spinal misalignments, which then lead to friction on the spinal bones that, over time, will show up as arthritis. Smokers have an increased risk of arthritis due to toxins from the nicotine building up in the body, increasing inflammation. To keep the joint surfaces healthy, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements have been shown to provide nutrition for healthy joint surfaces. Omega 3 fats, as found in fish oils, provide an anti-inflammatory effect on the joints, easing discomfort. SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) has been shown to be just as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, but without the obvious health risk to the stomach, kidneys and liver. Resistance exercise strengthens bone density and helps keep motion in the joints, which also helps to counter the negative effects of osteoporosis.



Thought for the Week: "Give what you have to someone, it may be better than you dare to think." ----Longfellow


Chiropractic Thought for the Week: Chiropractic spinal adjustments, performed on a regular basis, reduce friction on the spinal joint. The adjustment puts motion into the spinal joint reducing joint friction. Spinal vertebral alignment correction should take place after any and all accidents that involve the neck and back. By correcting the alignment today, a reduction in degenerative changes from the accident will be the result. Preventative spinal adjustments maintain the health of the spinal joints, helping to ensure a healthy spine well into old age.

What's up Doc?

Comparing carrots to other vegetables is the same as comparing Superman to an ordinary person. Carrots are the superpowered heroes of the vegetable world. Full of many vitamins and minerals, carrots should be an essential part of the health conscious diet. Carrots are loaded with carotene. Carotene is the chemical compound responsible for giving carrots their orange color. In the human body, when carrots are digested, the carotene is converted to Vitamin A. Vitamin A is an important nutrient in bone growth, reproduction and immune system function. Vitamin A also plays an essential role in healthy vision, hence, the old saying that carrots are good for your eyes. Carrots are also excellent sources of Vitamin B and C. Carrots contain a form of calcium, called calcium pectate, that can help to lower cholesterol levels. Most of the carrot's nutritional value lies near the surface, so skinning a carrot takes away vital nutrients. A good scrubbing is all that is needed, which is one reason why baby carrots aren't as nutritious as full-grown carrots. Baby carrots are skinned and tumbled, plus they haven't reached the maturity of a full-grown carrot. The immature carrots lack the full amount of vitamins and nutritional content of full-grown carrots. Interestingly enough, due to the "tough" nature of the carrot (outer fibrous layer), the human body has a difficult time absorbing 100% of the carrot's nutrients during the digestive process. Cooking breaks down the carrots outer fibrous layer and allows the nutrients to get out to the body. Therefore, carrots are one of the only vegetables that is more nutritious cooked than when eaten raw. One exception to that rule is juicing raw carrots; the juicing breaks down the tough fiber wall of the carrot. As long as we are spouting odd carrot facts, research has found that when a raw carrot is cut with a knife or blades, the carrot increases its anti-oxidant value, making it even more nutritious than when bitten into with teeth. The sharp metal blade causes a stress reaction in the carrot, creating an increase in the carrot's phytonutrients. This reaction is a carrot genetic response to stress that actually creates healthier carrots. Scientists are researching ways to apply this knowledge to other vegetables, maximizing their nutrient value.

Thought for the Week: "Large, naked raw carrots are acceptable as food only to those who lie in hutches eagerly awaiting Easter."

~Fran Lebowitz

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "Why is chiropractic like a three legged stool? The profession of chiropractic would be the seat, and each leg represents a different aspect of what we do. The first leg represents the philosophy of chiropractic. Our philosophy is one in which we believe that the body is perfectly capable of maintaining itself if the neural pathways between the brain and the body are open. The second leg represents the science of chiropractic. Most people don't realize that chiropractors, go through just as much classroom schooling as medical doctors. There is incredible research being done everyday to improve not only the quality of care, but advance its efficacy. The third and final leg of the stool is the art of chiropractic. This can mean several different things. There are many different techniques that can be applied to helping patients feel better...... The doctors actual skill is his or her art. I prefer to think of it as the latter." ----- Adam Rathton, Pennsylvania Health Examiner