Need a Health Expert? Ask Mom

Mother’s Day is set aside each year to appreciate the oldest and perhaps most prevalent role in our culture, motherhood.  Moms are called upon to raise children, run households, be a neverending source of entertainment and diversion for kids, and address issues that no one else seems to be able to handle.

Moms contribute so much to our upbringing.  They can serve as a sympathetic ear, a strong back, a willing taxi driver, an expert manager, a source of wisdom, a cheery voice, and a world class problem solver.

But one of the most important jobs that lands on Mom’s list is to oversee the family health and wellness.  Mothers tend to have an intuition, a sixth sense about what’s right for their families.  Often, the mother decides what the family eats, which activities are too dangerous to risk, and which doctors the family goes to.

This is why it’s important for mothers to understand the value of chiropractic care for themselves and their families.  Often, when Mom begins her own spine and nerve system care with her chosen chiropractor, she opts to bring the children in for a check-up, to be sure that there are no early problems brewing, and sometimes even insists that Dad has to come in to get checked too.

Why do moms tend to care so much about bringing the family in for chiropractic care?  Because mothers inherently know what’s good for their family, and keeping everyone healthy is far better than waiting to get sick and then trying to get better, which can be inconvenient, costly and painful.

It’s more logical to stay well than to have to get well, so moms all over the world bring their families in for regular check-ups and chiropractic adjustments when necessary.  Faced with ongoing family decision-making, they usually just naturally know the right thing to do, so if you want to know about health, ask Mom!

Depression? Feeling Down? How is your Digestive Health?

The Gastrointestinal tract has a wide-reaching impact on your digestive health and overall health including states of depression.  Whether or not we have a healthy gut tract determines on how well we absorb the nutrients from the foods we eat.  Conditions such as depression, cancer, and autoimmune conditions are all linked to imbalances of the gut tract.  In the past few decades, the average American diet has changes to a high sugar, low fiber diet.  This type of diet is extremely detrimental for the healthy bacteria that live in our gut tracts.

According to the American College of Gastroenterology there are 2.5 million Doctors visits per year in the U.S. and hundreds of millions of dollars are spend each year on laxatives due to digestive health issues.

These healthy bacteria, known as probiotics, are necessary for us to sustain life.  Not only is it necessary to have enough probiotics in the gut tract, but the balance of certain strains of probiotics is necessary for good gut and digestive health.  The American College of Gastroenterology also states the probiotics function to:

• Boost your immune system by producing antibodies for certain viruses.
• Produce substances that prevent infection.
• Prevent harmful bacteria from attaching to the gut wall and growing there.
• Send signals to your cells to strengthen the mucus in your intestine and help it act as a barrier against infection.
• Inhibit or destroy toxins released by certain “bad” bacteria that can make you sick.
• Produce B vitamins necessary for metabolizing the food you eat, warding off anemia caused by deficiencies in B-6 and B-12, and maintaining healthy skin and a healthy nervous system.”

It is no surprise that depression has increased dramatically in the last few decades because serotonin, a powerful hormone that gives us a feeling of well-being, is created in the gut tract.  With the changes in the American diet, less serotonin is produced and then depressive conditions tend to be created.  This does not happen overnight, but trends over a period of years until the person has coping difficulties. Often times, they are prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) to combat the depression.  Taking the prescription can help the person feel better in the short term, but the cause of the problem remains unless gut tract repair takes place.  Digestive health has an impact on your overall health.

About 70% of our entire immune system exists in the gut tract.  People with compromised immune systems likely have an imbalance in the gut tract.  The same is true for people with auto-immune diseases such as Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns Disease, Celiac’s Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.  Many doctors are finally making the connection that these conditions should not be treated by pharmaceuticals alone, but need to take steps to repair the gut.  Often times, when the gut is repaired, the patient can wean off their medication or even discontinue their medication.

Just as destruction of the gut tract does not happen overnight, it may take up to 18 months to repair it.  This is a complicated process and many different treatments working together help the process. Herbs, Orthomolecular medicine (nutrients), homeopathy, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy and, of course, probiotics can help reverse gut damage and restore your digestive health.  Be sure and seek the advice of a physician that is licensed in these medical modalities before starting any program.

 

Cause and Effect – Lifestyle and Health

Most of us realize that we live in a cause and effect world.  If I touch a hot stove, my hand will burn.  If I drive my car and use up all my gas without refilling the tank, I will coast to a stop.  If I choose intelligent lifestyle habits and follow through on them, I will improve the quality of my life, cause and effect.

Each of us has a responsibility to observe how this cause and effect relationship influences our lives, so we can make the best decisions possible on our own behalf.

Think for a moment; many people believe that germs cause disease.  But if that were true, wouldn’t everyone exposed to the germs get the disease?  What could explain why this doesn’t happen?  Could it be that it isn’t the germs, but rather the strength and resistance of the individual that determines whether or not he or she will get sick?

This is one of the revolutionary concepts that makes the chiropractic viewpoint on health care different.  Instead of fighting germs with medicines, chiropractors work with you to get your body working at peak efficiency, so when you are exposed to germs, your body is stronger, and has a better chance of maintaining good function and good health.

How does the chiropractor do that?  Your body’s control center is your brain, and the wiring system that connects the brain to the body parts is the nerve system, which is protected by the spinal bones.  When this protective covering is in proper alignment, then the nerves are protected and the information from the brain gets to and from the body parts normally.

But if the spinal bones lose their proper alignment, then the nerves can be injured, disturbed or interfered with, which may or may not lead to pain right away, but surely leads to poorer body function.

If we live in a cause and effect world, then you want to make sure your brain is controlling your body properly.  When your brain can connect with your body parts, it causes the effect of better body function and better health.  An unhealthy spine causes bad communication, where a healthy spine causes good communication.

Your chiropractor can tell you, whether or not you currently have pain, if your spine is in proper alignment.  If anyone in your family has not had a spinal exam recently, schedule a check-up as soon as possible.

 

Who’s In Charge of Your Health?

Who’s in charge of your health? Who makes the best decisions for you and your family?  Is it a doctor or other health professional?  Or is it becoming increasingly clear that only you can make the most important decisions about your own health?

For many years, the doctor has been revered, looked up to as an important role model, and that should never change.  Ultimately, however, you are the one who must take the responsibility to choose your daily habits, select which professionals to consult, and make whatever mid-course corrections are required for you to have the best quality of life possible.

Yes, you may depend on doctors like your general practitioner, your chiropractor, or your dentist to give you the latest information, either about a health problem or about improving your wellness and peak performance.  These experts have been trained to notice, compile, and communicate the best ideas and observations, and from there, many people relinquish their control and just accept whatever the doctor says.

It makes more sense for you to be an active participant in your own health and wellness process.  Remember, the time you spend with the doctor is a tiny fraction of your overall time; what health choices are you making at all other times?  What do you eat, how much do you sleep, what is your typical exercise routine, if any?  How often do you visit your dentist, your medical doctor, or your chiropractor for maintenance or wellness care?  Which specialists would contribute valuable distinctions to this process?  Do you seek out a nutritionist, massage therapists, or personal trainers to help you take your health to a new level of excellence?

It is in no way disrespectful to differ with or expand upon a conclusion your doctor has drawn, especially if you do it respectfully.  It’s not that you should ignore your professional advisors, but remember, it’s your body, and you know it and feel it better than anyone else, and ultimately you reap the rewards or pay the consequences of the decisions made, either by you or on your behalf.  You can tip the scales in your favor by using common sense and following through on taking better care of yourself overall.

Clearly, in times of emergency, you need to change the balance and receive more input, but even in this situation, unless you are unable to participate, you should still play a major role in the direction of your own health and wellness care.

Putting together your team of health professionals will help you coordinate yours and your family’s health and wellness.  Because the better the information you have to work with, the better decisions you can make.  Developing communication among your advisors will coordinate the opinions you receive and give you the final word on what is in your family’s best interest.

The style of health care is changing, and each individual and family will be called upon to add more to health care delivery and to the conditions surrounding their own health and wellness.  Stay current by reading, listening to and watching health related information, and put yourself at the top of your health and wellness decision-making team.  Cause and Effect, your lifestyle effects your health.  Your efforts will be repaid multifold in the form of a longer, better, less painful and more productive life.

Dr. Thomas Tuzzolino is SmartFem’s North Scottsdale Chiropractic Expert.  Dr. Tuzzolino is committed to bringing you better health and a better way of life by teaching and practicing the true principles of chiropractic wellness care.

Sugar, Your Body’s Fuel Source

Health Educator and SmartFem Expert Jerny Rieves talks about Sugar, our diets, and understanding the Glycemic Index.

Sugar, it’s not evil.  It’s not your enemy or your best friend either.  It is the most readily available fuel source for your body, easy to take in and easy to burn.  Throughout history it has kept the human race from starving to death.  It provides us with serotonin regulation, anaerobic power, and is the number one source of fuel for our body’s muscles after intense exercise. The brain can’t function without it. So where’s the problem?

Like everything else in the average American diet, we tend to consume too much and consume the lowest quality, cheapest forms of sugar we can.  Too much sugar replaces our fiber, our protein, and our essential fats.  We think because it’s fat free that it can’t make us fat but, to the contrary, like most of what we consume, a little goes a long way.

Simple sugar is broken down swiftly and if left unchecked, the blood sugar spike would kill us.  Fortunately we have a protective organ known as the pancreas.  All day long this poor, over worked, tiny part of our body manages the delicate balance and keeps us from going blind and getting gangrene.   Food with a high glycemic index trigger an immediate release of insulin which binds the sugar and discards it.  Anything not used for energy is stored in the muscles.  If the muscles don’t need it, such as when the body hasn’t exercised, it gets stored as fat.  Yes, FAT.  If you are in the habit of eating high glycemic foods at night before sleeping you will get a double whammy and guaranteed storage of that fat where you don’t want it.

Diabetes is on the rise and it can kill you.  If you are interested in safeguarding your health, losing some weight, and feeling better, start by managing your body’s fuel source and avoiding high glycemic index meals and snacks by following these rules.

1. Eating protein and fiber at each meal.  That way, if you have some crackers or dessert, it won’t be broken down so fast!
2. Snacks should also be high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats.  Avocado, a small amount of cheese, a handful of nuts, cottage cheese, or veggies with hummus will satisfy you longer and contribute to a higher energy level.  You won’t feel as compelled to overeat at your next meal and you won’t crave sugar so much.
3. Exercise regularly and eat your high glycemic foods immediately after exercising along with some protein to rebuild and refuel your muscles.
4. Ask yourself, did nature make it or a machine?  Processed foods have little to no health benefits and as a general rule, if you had to open a package to eat it, it’s going straight to the parts of your body you don’t want it to…picture it that way!

Ok troops, start preparing in advance by getting rid of all the junk in your pantries.  Your kids don’t need it either so do not fall into the trap of keeping treats around for them (If it isn’t always around, it becomes a “treat” again).  Microwave popcorn is a death wish so throw it out!  So get your healthy options in the fridge and ready to go.

If you’re not sure what glycemic index is or what foods are high, you can refer to websites that list glycemic index.  Lots of websites are devoted to assigning glycemic index ratings to foods you eat so take a closer look at your diet and remember, the lower the number the better.  Sugar is not the enemy, you simply need to understand your body’s fuel source and how it consumes and stores its energy.

Visit Jerny Rieves’ website, MindBody Unlimited, for more nutrition information.

Understanding Acupuncture – Roots and Branches

In medicine these days, we too often rely on a pill to treat our pain.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.  We are held victim to side effects of medication to manage our chronic pain, when in actuality there’s an alternative that’s cost effective, side-effect free, and natural.  Acupuncture is a fantastic resource for treating and managing chronic pain, as well as many diseases of the body.

Acupuncture works through stimulating acupuncture points around the body.  Some of you may have gone to an acupuncturist and asked, “I have knee pain why is he sticking a needle in my hand?”  Acupuncture and its points work off of flows called meridians.  There are 14 major meridians in the body and they travel all throughout the body in an intricate system of circulation similar to blood and its vessel.  Often when pain arises, there’s a blockage in one or more of these meridians somewhere along the flow.  It creates a cascade effect that leads to pain or discomfort, just as an accident on the freeway could cause traffic jam miles away.  Acupuncture helps to correct the flow of this congestion and alleviate the pain.  That’s often why points are used “distally” or away from the area of the pain as the location of the traffic jam on a freeway is not always the location of the accident.

Whereas medications to treat pain helps to perhaps provide instant relief, real healing does not occur.  We’re left with chronic pain and possibly chronic addiction to a medication.  With acupuncture we get to the root (cause) of the problem rather than just the branch (the symptom or pain).  It’s actually quite common that pain may not be from trauma or injury at all.  There may digestive difficulty, scar tissue from old surgeries, or blockage in the flow from another injury that’s not expressing any pain that leads to chronic pain.

With acupuncture and a professionally trained Chinese Medical Practitioner, they can help diagnosis the root issue causing discomfort and alleviate the pain (the branch) all at the same time.

Also read:  Natural Medicine, an Integrative and Alternative Approach to Health by Dr. Keith Chambers of Scottsdale

Make an appointment with Daljit at Chambers Clinic (Grayhawk Plaza, 20801 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 205 Scottsdale, AZ 85255) for a full Chinese Medical evaluation and Acupuncture treatment.

Choosing Your Wellness Team – A Guide to Long Term Health

In the old days, people went to their doctors only when they were sick, usually very sick, received some advice and/or treatment, and then went home to heal, following the doctor’s instructions the best they could.

But in modern family health care, there is more to it. There are any number of health and wellness experts who don’t only help you through health crisis and emergency, but actually make recommendations about how to improve your quality of life and longevity, whether you are sick at this particular moment or not.

Developing a relationship with a team of wellness professionals is one smart way to do it, so you already have experts who know you and your family and can advise you properly, regardless of your current health status. But how do you select the right types of professionals, and once you know what you want, how do you pick someone you can count on?

Medical doctors have divided the body up into an assortment of specific specialties, with doctors whose primary focus might be the heart, the lungs, the kidneys, the digestive system, or some other body part. The wellness process is a little different – you may still need a variety of specialists, but you start with the big picture – good body function.

Good body function comes from all the body parts working together in harmony, and that happens through the master system of the body, the brain and nerve system. So, you would want a chiropractor, who specializes in keeping the nerve system working well, to be on the team.

You must provide the right amount of the right kind of fuel for your body to burn, so you’d need someone to direct your attention on nutrition and proper eating habits.

You want to keep your muscles, bones and ligaments healthy, and build strength and coordination, so you must include the right amount of the right kind of exercise, and you may need a personal trainer or exercise physiologist to help you there.

You may need to learn to deal effectively with stress, so you may want to have a massage therapist, meditation teacher, some bio feedback training or a counselor of some sort to help in that area. Often, exercise and good nutrition work hand in hand with stress-reduction techniques to create more inner peace and less irritability in common situations that might otherwise bother you.

When you improve your eating, resting, exercising, thinking, and get your body in better working order, especially your spine and nerve system that control the other systems, it is only logical that you will experience better quality of life – and that’s the point of developing relationships with trustworthy wellness professionals, to enjoy the best quality of life and greatest longevity possible.

Your investment of time, energy and capital in this process takes you closer to that end, so start building your team of wellness advisors now, and reap the rewards for the rest of your life.

Ask your chiropractor about his or her recommendations for lifestyle habits and decisions, and refine your personal and family choices to take you toward health and wellness. Many doctors of chiropractic offer a variety of these services and products in addition to their chiropractic care, while others choose to interface with other professionals in their area to provide their patients with these worthwhile experiences.

Whichever strategy you choose, appreciate the logic of a natural wellness approach, and decide which improvements you’re going to make in your habits and lifestyle choices to move yourself and your family in this rewarding and life-enriching direction.

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Dr. Thomas Tuzzolino, of North Scottsdale Family Chiropractic is SmartFem’s featured health expert on Chiropractic Care.

 

When is the Right Time to Buy Life Insurance?

Everyone knows when they need to purchase auto, home or health insurance. But how do you know if, or when, you need life insurance? It’s simple, just ask yourself: “If I died tomorrow, would I leave anyone with a financial burden?” If the answer is “Yes,” it’s time to look for a plan that will provide you with peace of mind, knowing that your debts or loved ones will be taken care of in the event of your death.

It is important to understand the different types of life insurance in order to select the type of coverage that best meets your needs. Life insurance can be more than just providing a death benefit, some types can also be a source of retirement income, fund a child’s education or a source of cash in an emergency.

If you have life insurance, it’s important to regularly review your coverage to ensure that it continues to meet your needs as part of your overall financial planning. According to a recent study by Life Insurance and Market Research Association (LIMRA), 48 million households believe they do not have enough life insurance coverage.

The internet can be a great place to start gathering information about life insurance products available and their cost. However, utilizing a Web-based insurance brokerage website to make a final purchasing decision often leads to lower customer satisfaction.

According to a 2009 survey by Beall Research & Training, Inc., 62 percent of respondents bought their insurance through an agent and were significantly more satisfied than those who purchased online in regard to how easy it was to understand their options and to choose a plan that gave them the best coverage tailored to their needs.

There are many things to consider when choosing life insurance and a knowledgeable, licensed agent can work with you to select a plan that fits your needs and budget. A good insurance agent should be an expert at what they do, dedicated to helping you find the right products for you, and be able to help you understand not just the questions you have but to educate you to know what questions to ask. The right time to buy life insurance is when you’ve asked yourself those questions and know it’s time to protect the ones you love.

 

Natural Medicine, an Integrative and Alternative Approach to Health

The Best Medicine – Dr. Keith Chambers of Scottsdale speaks about his patients’ success with integrative care and natural medicine.

National interest in integrative and natural medicine is increasing daily.  In 2002, it was estimated that over one third of American adults use alternative medicine, and the numbers are still rising.  More and more Valley residents are discovering the outstanding results that come from personalized, integrative medicine.

Integrative medicine doctors use the best of both worlds of medicine, traditional and alternative, to bring their patients back to true health.  Focusing on the cause of illness and customizing treatment to optimize health, Naturopathic doctors and others use state of the art scientific testing and evidence based medicine together with natural, restorative therapies.

What’s their prescription for better health and happiness?  Balancing the body’s hormones, immune system, mind and body to bring each person to a higher level of energy and vitality.  Safe, effective, natural therapies are used before prescription drugs with potentially harmful (and numerous) side effects.  Along with the strategies of individualized care and treating the cause of illness, many alternative and integrative practitioners provide outstanding care for lasting results.

With the volumes of information available in books and on the internet, it can be confusing and at times even dangerous to try some alternative therapies without an expert’s advice.  Naturopathic doctors are trained in traditional medicine and have expertise in alternative medicine.

It’s important to seek out and meet with an experienced doctor in your area.   It is amazing how effective natural medicine is for so many conditions.  I have seen total reversal of conditions varying from long term fatigue and autoimmune disease to chronic pain and insomnia.

Integrative care becomes more and more sought after by people of all walks of life.  Women are often the first in the family to pursue natural medicine, largely because they value the personal care they receive.  It’s important to consult with a professional that will take the time to truly listen to their  patients’ concerns and dig deeper to discover the cause of the problem.  This translates to longer visits but better doctor-patient relationships and better outcomes.  This is where healing starts.

“One thing we hear from many of my new patients is “I don’t want to take prescription drugs, can you help me?“  The answer is invariably ‘Yes!’”

Whether a person is interested in taking fewer prescriptions, finding help where traditional medicine has failed or interested in better long term health, integrative medicine might be the best medicine.  Consult with your local professional to find out more about the new way medicine is being practiced as an alternative and natural approach to health care.

 

Chambers Clinic in the Grayhawk area of Scottsdale is one of a handful of integrative clinics in the area that emphasizes alternative and natural medicine.

 

What is a Champion?

“Live Like a Champion”  I meditated on those inspirational words by one day while running. It was one of those runs where I was consumed by thoughts of what I was wishing for, and reminded for the millionth time of my recent failed relationship. I ran with the Rocky mountains as my backdrop, thankful for the opportunity to begin fresh with new wisdom. I can’t change the past, I can’t change people, but I can change me. The words “live like a champion” rang out.

I have worked closely with athletes since I was 14 years old. I have had a front row seat to the game, and also the locker room. What makes a champion? It occurred to me that all champions started out just like all the other athletes. They suffer injuries and losses. They have the same coaches as everyone else. Why do they rise? What element sets them apart? I smiled as I thought of the athletes that I most admired from high school, college, and adulthood. These were not just successful athletes, but good friends as well. I know them and their hearts.

It is what is in a champion’s heart that makes him/her unique? We all know that you can win a championship and not become a champion. You can make a ton of money as a professional athlete and still be a loser. Champions don’t just win games, they win at LIFE, and in the end it’s the only game that matters.

Champions give effort consistently, not just when they feel like it. Champions win with grace, and lose with class. Champions understand their power and influence and use it to make the world better. Champions understand teamwork, discipline, and focus. Champions inspire others. Most of all…

Champions don’t make excuses!

They aren’t satisfied with status quo. They aren’t settling for less than the best. Obstacles are just minor things to be overcome with hard work. Challenges are embraced as opportunities. This translates to life off of the field.

All of us have a champion within us. Whether we are athletes or stay at home moms, we all are playing the same game. Life is more challenging than any sport.

Being prepared, putting in the work, overcoming the obstacles are all required for success. Focus on the priorities (and discipline to do the hard stuff no one else wants to do) is how to become your own personal champion. Excuses leave you in last place. Blaming others for your last place finish is being a sore sport.

I asked myself today what kind of champion do I want to be? I am a champion in the making…. I want to be a champion for change in the nation’s health, a champion for children, a champion for my church, a champion for humanity. I am passionate about creating a legacy someday. When I am gone, I want people to say “yes, she never played a sport, but I would consider her a champion.”

Jerny

Eating Healthy Foods – Preparation is key

Prepare your food for the week: Dinner

We make our worst food choices when we are hungry (starving!) and unprepared.  Add “rushed” and “stressed”  to that, and you are asking for disaster.  Preparation is the key to habitually eating healthy foods.

If most of your food choices are done at the last minute with whatever you can find, chances are, you are overweight and malnourished.

No time?  Join the club.  Ok, seriously, does anyone not have to face the challenge of feeding themselves (and their children) healthfully at the end of a long day?  On a budget?   Challenging is an understatement.

Get in the habit of planning ahead.  Being prepared is KEY!

Suggestions for healthy eating for the whole family:

• Grill, bake, or broil all of your meat for the week in advance. Throw chicken on salads and leftover steak on sandwiches or in stir fry later on. If you prepare, cook, and store food on Sunday, you should be able to skate until Thursday.
• Chop up veggies and pre-make salads, so they are quick and easy for everyone to grab. Wash and cut fruit. Always have a veggie tray ready to go.
• Get the kids involved.  Investing family time into food prep on the weekend ensures a healthy selection when hunger strikes and time is limited.  Nothing is more important than teaching your kids how to eat well.
• Learn to grab and go.  Store your lunch on the go in containers and have them stacked in the fridge ready and waiting.  You will save a bundle on fast food and have a preselected serving size full of healthy stuff.
• Bag snacks and have with you at all times.  Measure out nuts, fruit, veggies, trail mix, etc, and have them stored in your purse, briefcase, or desk.  You should never go more than 3-4 hours without eating a little something.  Any longer than that and you send the wrong signals to your body.
• Avoid “grazing.”  Establish regular meal times and stick to them as best you can.  Unless you are underweight, eating all day long is NOT a good plan.

If most of your food decisions of the day are planned in advance, you can successfully navigate proper nutrition, have greater success at eating healthy foods, and avoid the empty calories that stick like glue!

 

 

Visit Jerny Rieves’ website, MindBody Unlimited, for more nutrition information.

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