ABDProducts

Are You on a Slippery Slope to Cardiovascular Disease?

2011-02-09T17:45:00.000-07:00

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and high blood pressure are among the world's most prevalent health concerns. In the U.S. along, nearly 81 million people suffer from some type of CVD. That's pretty concerning. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly a third of all deaths worldwide are attributable to CVD. So, what the heck are we doing wrong? I have a few ideas for you.

The staggering numbers are in large part the result of our crazy lifestyles, characterized by high-fat, nutrient poor foods, sedentary lifestyles and high tobacco use to name a few. In fact, the WHO estimates that as many as 8 out of 10 cases of CVD are attributable to those modifiable risk factors!!! This is fantastic news! This means that YOU do have control over your life and the diseases you will have or will not have based all on lifestyle. Now, I know this isn't the easiest task for one reason or another. However, it should be a priority! CVD isn't the only disease that they've linked to these lifestyle factors. Breast cancer is another disease that has HUGELY been linked to lifestyle factors. It should be EMPOWERING to know that you don't have to suffer from the things that your parents, grandparents, other family members have suffered from. It should be EMPOWERING to know that you can control, despite genetic predisposition, what your life looks like; one that is healthy and happy, or one that is miserable and full of disease.

What can you do then in order to avoid becoming a CVD statistic?! There is an overwhelming amount of research that shows it's possible to avoid developing CVD by making healthier lifestyle choices. For example,

Daily, moderate exercise can reduce the risk by improving blood circulation throughout the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), for every 10 mmHG reduction in systolic blood pressure, the risk for complications related to diabetes is reduced by 12%.
A healthier diet, particularly a Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole grains, legumes and vegetables is not only nutrient-dense, but also lower in calories. Research shows that a Mediterranean-style diet may help fight conditions related to chronic inflammation (who's not dealing with that now-a-days?), including type-2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Incorporating targeted nutrition with a therapeutic lifestyle change program can produce even greater results. According to a recent clinical study, the use of a medical food formulated to support cardiovascular health, in combination with a low-glycemic-load diet, regular moderate exercise, and phytonutrients produced greater results than diet and exercise alone.

If you think this sounds interesting and are motivated to start making a difference for the better in your very own life and the lives you're responsible for, please join me for a FREE webinar on February 15th from 7pm - 8pm mountain time. You MUST REGISTER at www.abdwellness.com/heart to be able to access the presentation. Don't become a statistic, start making a difference today!

A Better Way to Bring Your Numbers Down - Heart Health

2011-02-07T17:19:00.000-07:00

Do you have elevated blood pressure or cholesterol? Or think you might?

High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol are 2 of the most common risk factors for chronic disease and health in general. These "silent" conditions may have no symptoms at all until they have progressed over time. Or developed into more serious diseases (metabolic syndrome, heart disease, type 2 diabetes) or cardiac events. Until then, you may "feel" perfectly healthy....even though your blood pressure and lab test numbers say otherwise.

The lifestyle connection for reversing chronic illness.

While genetic factors play a role in their development, high blood pressure and cholesterol are often referred to as "preventable" conditions because they can be strongly influence by food choices, exercise habits, stress, and other lifestyle choices like smoking. Fortunately, they're also 2 of the most "reversible" conditions. And best of all, it's never too late to do something about them.

Nutritional support can help.

Nutritional recommendations-such as fish oils, botanicals, vitamins/minerals, and medical foods-can be used strategically with simple lifestyle recommendations for eating healthier, exercising more, and managing stress a little better. And you don't have to do it all by yourself. In fact, research often shows greater success for patients who have support and guidance from a health care practitioner than for those who try to go it alone.

FREE Heart Health Webinar

February 15th 7pm - 8pm

Space is limited. Please register at:

www.abdwellness.com/heart

Chiropractic Helps Relieve Headache Pain

2011-01-31T17:46:00.000-07:00

Did you know that 9 of 10 Americans suffer from headaches either occasionally or daily?!? That's unbelievable! I had no idea that nearly 45 million people are suffering from chronic, recurring headaches either! I know most of my patients, before chiropractic, believed that they were just going to have to get use to them. Well, that's just not true or acceptable in my eyes!

Did you know that it's estimated that 20% of children and adolescents suffer from significant headaches, some of which cause debilitating pain and nausea?! Research has shown that Chiropractic care is effective in treating tension headaches, as well as headaches that originate in the neck.

Here are some recommendations that the American Chiropractors Association (ACA) offers to help reduce the risk of headaches:

If you spend a lot of time in one position (sitting in front of a computer) take breaks every 30 minutes to one hour in order to stretch.
Low impact exercise, such as walking and low-impact-aerobics, may help relieve the pain of primary headaches.
Avoid clenching teeth, as this stress on the jaw contributes to tension headaches (we adjust very gently the joints of the jaw in my office, which has helped a lot of people with their headaches).
Drink at least eight 8 ounce glasses of water each day to prevent dehydration. Avoid caffeine, salty and sugary foods and drinking alcoholic beverages (ok, we know this won't happen so at least keep them in moderation).
Chiropractic adjustments are a recommended and proven treatment option, as it improves spinal function and alleviates stress on your system.

Join me in a FREE Webinar:

Natural Solutions to Headache Pain

Wednesday, February 2nd

7pm - 8pm

Space is limited!

Please register at www.abdwellness.com/webinar

The Role of Detoxification in the Prevention of Chronic Degenerative Diseases: A Summary

2010-03-11T13:57:00.001-07:00

Low-level, long-term exposure to toxins such as heavy metals (e.g. lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium), pesticides, industrial compounds, and pollutants is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), fibromyalgia (FM), neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and atherosclerosis, and many types of cancers.^1-4 Common signs and symptoms of environmental toxicity include acne, rashes, headaches, aches and pains, fatigue, muscle weakness, tinnitus, fertility problems, memory loss, and chronic immune system depression.

Toxins can remain in the body for many years; therefore, we are exposed to much higher toxin doses than present environmental concentrations suggest. Research suggests we all maintain toxin contamination within our bodies on a regular basis due to this lifetime of exposure.

How Does the Body Remove Toxic Substances?

An individual’s ability to remove–or detoxify–toxins is a primary factor in susceptibility to toxin-related conditions.^5-11 In order to remove (excrete) the multitude of diverse toxins, the body has a complex system that converts them into non-toxic molecules for removal. This complex system occurs in two phases—Phase I and Phase II—that together convert (biotransform) a toxic molecule into a non-toxic molecule that can be easily excreted. The majority of detoxification occurs in the liver; however, all tissues have some ability to detoxify, including the intestines, skin, and lungs.

In Phase I, a functional group is added to the toxic molecule producing an intermediate that needs to be further transformed. Phase II detoxification involves a process called conjugation, in which various enzymes in the liver attach protective compounds to the intermediate, making it less harmful and more readily excretable. Because the products of Phase I can be highly reactive and more harmful than the original compound, achieving and maintaining a balance between the Phase I and Phase II processes is critical. Furthermore, a significant side effect of all this metabolic activity is the production of free radicals as the toxins are transformed, resulting in oxidative stress. Nutrients that help protect from oxidative stress include vitamins C and E, zinc, selenium, and copper.^12,13

Achieving Balanced Detoxification

Optimal detoxification requires that both Phase I and Phase II pathways function optimally and in balance with each other. Bifunctional modulators are phytonutrients that support balanced detoxification by modulating Phase I and promoting Phase II. This minimizes damage by reactive intermediates and free radicals. Fruits and vegetables contain many bifunctional modulators, which is one reason these foods are associated with reduced susceptibilities to cancer and degenerative diseases.¹⁴

Nutritional Support for Detoxification

Detoxification is an energy-requiring process that puts a metabolic burden on the body. Therefore, water or juice fasts are not beneficial because they deplete the body of the essential nutrients required for healthy detoxification. These fasts can have many adverse health effects, including decreased energy production, breakdown of lean tissue instead of fat, increased oxidative stress, and unbalanced detoxification.^15,16

Instead of decreasing nutrient support, a focused, high-impact, low-allergy-potential source of macronutrients should be provided. High-quality protein provides methionine and cysteine, which are beneficial to Phase II and may help with toxic metal burdens.¹⁷ Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) support energy production,¹⁸and olive oil may protect against chemically-induced liver damage.¹⁹Fiber supports fecal excretion of toxins and the integrity of the intestinal barrier, which decreases toxic burden. In particular, rice bran can directly bind some toxins, thereby removing them before they can enter the body and cause damage.²⁰

Nutrients that support energy production include vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), niacin, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), and magnesium. In addition, the following nutrients and phytonutrients provide targeted support for optimal detoxification:

N-Acetylcysteine and Sodium Sulfate promote generation of glutathione, which is used in Phase II and is a major route for detoxification of heavy metals, and supports Phase II sulfation.^16,21

Vitamin B12, Folate, Methionine, and Choline promote balanced detoxification by supporting Phase II methylation and healthy homocysteine recycling. Choline deficiency is causative for liver disease, and is a newly-designated essential nutrient.^22-24 The biologically-active, natural form of folate is 5-methyltetrahydrofolate.²⁵

Ellagic Acid from pomegranate significantly reduces tumors in animals with chemically-induced cancers, protects from toxin liver damage, enhances glutathione production, decreases lipid peroxidation, and binds some metals, thus promoting their excretion.^26-29 It is a bifunctional modulator that can bind some toxins directly, rendering them non-toxic, and can directly bind and protect DNA.^30,31

Catechins from green tea are bifunctional modulators that are strong antioxidants possessing anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic potential.^32,33Catechins are associated with lower incidence of Parkinson’s disease.^33,34The National Cancer Institute is currently investigating the chemotherapeutic potential of green tea catechins.³⁵Catechins also promote healthy gastrointestinal function.³⁶

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) contains high levels of glucosinolates, which are precursors to several bioactives that can inhibit chemically-induced cancers in animals, and promote excretion of carcinogens in humans.^37-41 The bifunctional activity of watercress is one of the proposed mechanisms for its chemoprotective effect.^37,42-44

Silymarin from milk thistle is a well-known liver-protectant that may improve liver function in patients with liver disease and toxicity.^45-47 Silymarin increases glutathione and is a strong antioxidant.^46-49

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is also a liver-protectant with a long history of traditional use that provides strong antioxidant protection and may decrease the loss of glutathione after toxic exposure.^50-53

Summary

Minimizing exposure to toxins is only one part of a beneficial detoxification program. Low-allergy potential, targeted nutrition providing the full spectrum of Phase II supportive cofactors, bifunctional modulators for balanced detoxification, and support for energy production and excretion may optimize balanced detoxification and promote optimal health throughout life.

For more information, please visit www.abdproducts.com

ABDProducts

Are You on a Slippery Slope to Cardiovascular Disease?

A Better Way to Bring Your Numbers Down - Heart Health

Chiropractic Helps Relieve Headache Pain

The Role of Detoxification in the Prevention of Chronic Degenerative Diseases: A Summary

How Does the Body Remove Toxic Substances?

Achieving Balanced Detoxification

Nutritional Support for Detoxification

Summary

Health Care Guidelines Issued For School Athletes

Healthy Habits Key to Longer Life For Men

Bad Backs, Good Sex

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Vitamin D may help prevent some skin infections

Mediterranean diet may also help stop diabetes

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