The Fastest Way to Get Rid of Your Kids!

Kid’s vitamins are supposed to be healthy, right? Well, then what's going on with Flintstones Vitamins, which proudly claims to be "Pediatricians' #1 Choice"?  Produced by the global pharmaceutical corporation Bayer, this wildly successful brand features a shocking list of unhealthy ingredients, including:

• Aspartame
• Cupric Oxide
• Coal tar artificial coloring agents (FD&C Blue #2, Red #40, Yellow #6)
• Zinc Oxide
• Sorbitol
• Ferrous Fumarate
• Hydrogenated Oil (Soybean)

On Bayer Health Science's Flintstones product page designed for healthcare professionals, they lead into the product description with the following tidbit of information: 82% of kids aren't eating all of their veggies¹. Without enough vegetables, kids may not be getting all of the nutrients they need.

References: 1. Lorson BA, Melgar-Quinonez HR, Taylor CA. Correlates of fruit and vegetable intakes in US children. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109(3):474-478.
   
The implication: Flintstones vitamins somehow fill this nutritional void. But let's look a little closer at some of these presumably healthy ingredients....

ASPARTAME: Aspartame is a synthetic combination of the amino acids aspartic acid and l-phenylalanine and is known to convert into highly toxic methanol and formaldehyde in the body.  Aspartame has been linked to over 40 adverse health effects in the biomedical literature, and has been shown to exhibit both neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity [1].What business does a chemical like this have in a children's vitamin, especially when non-toxic, non-synthetic non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia already exist?

CUPRIC OXIDE: According to the European Union's Dangerous Substance Directive, one of the main EU laws concerning chemical safety, Cupric Oxide is listed as a Hazardous substance, classified as both "Harmful" and "Dangerous for the environment." It has industrial applications as a pigment in ceramics, and as a chemical in the production of rayon fabric and dry cell batteries. [2]

COAL TAR ARTIFICIAL COLORING AGENTS: A well-known side effect of using synthetic dyes is attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. There is also indication that the neurotoxicity of artificial food coloring agents increase when combined with aspartame[3], making the combination of ingredients in Flintstones even more concerning.

ZINC OXIDE: Widely used as a sun protection factor (SPF) in sunscreens, The EU's Dangerous Substance Directive classifies it as an environmental Hazard, "Dangerous for the environment."  How can it be dangerous to the environment, but not for the humans ingesting it? 

FERROUS FUMARATE: Ferrous Fumarate is so toxic that accidental overdose of products containing this form is "a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6." The manufacturer further warns: Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL: Finding hydrogenated oil in anything marketed to children is absolutely unacceptable. These semi-synthetic fatty acids incorporate into our tissues and have been linked to over a dozen adverse health effects, from coronary artery disease to cancer, violent behavior to fatty liver disease.[5]
  
Sources:
[1] GreenMedInfo.com, Adverse Health Effects of Aspartame
[2] FlinstonesVitamins.com, FLINSTONES Complete Chewable, Nutritional Info Overview
[3] Karen Lau, W Graham McLean, Dominic P Williams, C Vyvyan Howard. Synergistic interactions between commonly used food additives in a developmental neurotoxicity test. Toxicol Sci. 2006 Mar;90(1):178-87. Epub 2005 Dec 13. PMID: 16352620
[4] GreenMedInfo.com, Sorbitol's Adverse Health Effects
[5] GreenMedInfo.com, Health Effects of Hydrogenated Oil

Article originally posted by Elevation Health

 

For quality nutrition and functional medicine care for your children and yourself contact Total Health of Naples, the premier center for chiropractic and wellness in Naples, Fl.  Total Health of Naples is located in north Naples, Fl at the Greentree Professional Center call 239-260-1426 or go to www.totalhealthnaples.com to schedule your appointment.

Chiropractic for Crossfit in Naples, FL

Crossfit is a high intense interval training program that encompasses various exercises that typically include a combination of gymnastics, Olympic weight lifting and power lifting.  The emphasis is to achieve increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains.  Physical and athletic prowess is best achieved when targeting the ten general physical skills as outlined by crossfit:

1.        Cardiovascular/respiratory endurance



Photo Courtesy of Crossfit Blaze Naples, FL

2.       Stamina

3.       Strength

4.       Power

5.       Speed

6.       Coordination

7.       Agility

8.       Balance

9.       Accuracy

10.   Flexibility/mobility

All of the above mentioned physical skills are limited or enhanced by flexibility/mobility.  In order to have great performance or prevent an injury, high demands are placed on optimal range of motion through all planes of movement.  For example, if an individual were to perform a basic movement such as a deadlift and lacked hamstring flexibility it is likely that difficulty would be experienced or even injury could occur.  During this movement tight hamstrings would decrease the ability of the athlete to translate their hips back in the start position thus likely causing a poor lift or compensating for that stiffness and injuring the lower back. 

Total Health of Naples offers specific chiropractic care to help restore lost range of motion and optimize athletic performance that the crossfit community demands.  Our Naples, FL chiropractor also implements functional rehab prescribed exercises to assist with the restoration of optimal movement patterns as it relates to crossfit.  Whether your condition is an acute injury or a joint restriction, the chiropractor at Total Health of Naples is prepared for all clinical presentations.  Dr. Michael J. Paralovos  is a Crossfit Level 1 trainer and a Crossfit Mobility trainer that works with many of the local crossfit athletes and boxes, helping to unlock those stiff joints, tight muscles and repair those injured areas.  If you or someone you know participates in Crossfit type workouts and feel as though your body doesn’t respond to new movements or you feel like you keep hurting yourself it is time to be evaluated.  Call Total Health of Naples at 239-260-1426 or visit our website www.totalhealthnaples.com to schedule your consultation today.

Total Health of Naples is the leader in helping crossfit athletes overcome injuries and prevent new injuries from occurring.  We are located in the Greentree Professional Center at 

10661 Airport-Pulling Road, suite 11

Naples, FL 34109

239-260-1426

www.totalhealthnaples.com

 

Spinal Decompression for Neck Pain

Non-surgical spinal decompression is one of the best resources for treating neck pain that arises from a musculoskeletal origin.  Generally neck pain that is characterized as musculoskeletal is often thought as the pain that accompanies injuries.   Injuries can be acute, which essentially means that they happened instantaneous, such as a motor vehicle crash or they can even be of a repetitive nature like sitting in front of a computer for prolonged periods of time.  Such injuries can result in herniated and bulging discs, sprained ligaments, muscle spasms, headaches, pinched/compressed nerves, stenosis and spinal cord compression.  If left uncorrected or if the patient chooses to mask his or her symptoms with medication, the injury will likely lead to chronic pain, early spinal degeneration (arthritis) and impairment that will affect their quality of life.   

Non-surgical spinal decompression has the ability to reverse the effects of most injury types and remiss the progression of continued spinal deterioration and allow the patient to have less pain.  This is important as pain is a limiting factor in just about all areas of life.  Chronic pain sufferers can attest to having more physical limitations, poor sleeping patterns and in some cases depression.  Though it is important to understand that not everyone is a candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression, once the doctor has performed a thorough evaluation he/she will be able to determine if this treatment is right for you.   

Our chiropractor at Total Health of Naples has had great success treating patients with all types of neck pain using non-surgical spinal decompression.  Utilizing state of the art technology, our doctor implements protocols for acute, sub-acute and chronic neck pain sufferers.  Patients feel comfortable to know that our chiropractor has advanced training in clinical neurology and that he understands the various injury types and proper conservative treatment standards.  Don’t continue to suffer with neck pain, call today to schedule your consultation to see if non-surgical spinal decompression is right for your neck pain.  Total Health of Naples can be reached at 239-260-1426 

or www.totalhealthnaples.com  

Total Health of Naples

Greentree Professional Center

10661 Airport-Pulling Road, Suite 11

Naples, FL 34109

Chiropractic Physicians Help Create Healthy Workplaces

Arlington, Va.—Chiropractic physicians are ready to provide key support to patients who are trying to create healthy working environments, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). This reminder comes as communities across the country this week observe National Public Health Week (NPHW), which promotes creating a healthy workplace on Wednesday, April 3.
 
The theme of NPHW 2013—“Public Health is ROI: Save Lives, Save Money"—promotes the value of prevention and the importance of well-supported public health systems in preventing disease, saving lives and curbing health care spending. For more than 100 years, the chiropractic profession has promoted prevention as a key component of health and wellness, and a growing body of research shows that chiropractic services reduce health care spending.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2011 musculoskeletal disorders made up 33 percent of all work-related injury and illness cases. When considering the impact of proper ergonomics on workplace safety, ACA stresses three basic principles:
    
1.    When lifting, the largest muscles in the area should perform the task. The larger the muscle or muscle group used for lifting, the lower the stress on smaller, more vulnerable muscles.

    
2.    During any work activities, people should be able to comfortably assume a number of different postures and not remain in one position for an extended time. Muscles will fatigue and be more prone to injury when assuming a particular posture, especially a poor one (e.g., partially bent forward at the waist).

    
3.    When performing tasks, it is important to keep the joints either in their neutral posture or approximately halfway into the range of motion. Working with your joints at the extremes of their ranges of motion for prolonged periods places abnormal stresses on them and can cause repetitive stress injuries.

“Our bodies are not designed to maintain the same posture for long periods of time or to repeat the same motions endlessly,” said ACA President Keith Overland, DC. “Stretches and exercises can help prevent pain and injury. There are also natural, cost-effective approaches to treating pain, such as chiropractic services, that can help patients avoid unnecessary drugs or surgery.”

For more information about creating a healthier working environment, please visit ACA’s website for health and wellness tips.

Since 1995, when the first full week of April was declared NPHW by the American Public Health Association (APHA), communities across the country have recognized the contributions of public health and highlighted issues important to improving public health. APHA creates planning and outreach materials that can be used year round to raise awareness. APHA has featured a section devoted to chiropractic and the role that DCs play in public health since 1995.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013, is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of patient care and professional ethics, and supports research that contributes to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit www.acatoday.org.

Our chiropractor at Total Health of Naples focuses on full body kinematics and movement patterns.  He is the leading authority for the Naples, FL area on moving better and injury prevention.  Whether you are looking to get out of pain or prevent it contact 239-260-1426 or go to www.totalhealthnaples.com to schedule your consultation with our doctor.

Author: American Chiropractic Association
Source: ACA Online. April 1, 2013.
Copyright: American Chiropractic Association 2013

Soda Consumption Linked To Diabetes

According to a new European study, drinking more than one 12-ounce soda a month can increase your chances of developing diabetes by nearly 23 percent. Researchers at Imperial College London tracked data from 350,000 people in eight European countries. Participants were questioned about their diet, including how many sugary and artificially sweetened soft drinks and juices they drank each day. The researchers found that every 12 fluid ounce sugar-sweetened drink the participants consumed raised their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 22 percent. 12 ounces is the normal serving size of a can of Coca-Cola, Pepsi or other soft drinks. Interestingly, fruit juice consumption was not linked to diabetes incidence. The European study's findings confirm recent research in the US, where several similar studies have linked sugar-sweetened drinks to diabetes and higher body weight. Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition characterized by insulin resistance. The World Health Organization estimates that currently more than 310 million people worldwide suffer from the disease.

At Total Health of Naples we address metabolic conditions like diabetes, inflammation, autoimmune and other chronic illnesses.  If you or somebody you know suffers from any of the above mentioned conditions call 239-260-1426 today to schedule your appointment to see if Functional Medicine is right from your condition.

Author: ChiroPlanet.com
Source: Diabetologia. April 2013.
Copyright: ProfessionalPlanets.com LLC 2013

Sore Muscles? Exercise And Massage Can Offer Equal Relief

A new study comparing the benefits of massage and exercise has concluded that working out is as effective as massage at relieving the aches and pains of sore muscles. The research, conducted by the National Research Center for the Working Environment in Copenhagen, asked 20 participants to perform a shoulder exercise designed to engage both of the trapezius muscles between the neck and shoulders. Two days later, the subjects returned to the lab and rated the pain of the aching muscles on a scale of one to ten. The average pain experienced by the participants was described as a five. Subjects then received a 10 minute massage on one shoulder and spent 10 minutes exercising the other. Participants were asked again to rate their pain. Both massage and exercise offered relief, with massage decreasing the pain by an average of .07 points and exercise relieving an average of .08. Researchers are unclear how massage or exercise relieve soreness, but believe that they help to clear out metabolic byproducts associated with tissue damage.

 Dr. Michael J. Paralovos at TOTALHEALTH of Naples is a great resource for functional fitness.  He is a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer and a Crossfit Mobility trainer and a former college athlete.  With his profound knowledge in sport and fitness his patients can maximize their results.  TOTALHEALTH of Naples also offers spinal decompression as well as traditional chiropractic care in his North Naples office at the Greentree Professional Center.  To find out if you may benefit from spinal decompression or traditional chiropractic care visit www.totalhealthnaples.com or call 239.260.1426 to schedule an appointment.

 

Author: ChiroPlanet.com
Source: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, online March 21, 2013.
Copyright: ProfessionalPlanets.com LLC 2013

 

 

 

Back Pain Surgery Leads to Spinal Condition

Highlighting the need to explore non-invasive treatment alternatives for back pain such as chiropractic care, medical researchers have concluded that a common surgical procedure designed to relieve back pain, instead exposes patients to a 29 percent greater risk of developing a degenerative spinal condition. The study, conducted in Nantong, China, examined the medical histories of over 35,000 back-pain surgery patients who underwent a spinal fusion to relieve the pain. After the procedure, 29 percent of the patients developed adjacent segment degeneration (or ASD), a long-term degenerative condition of the spine. ADS patients often experience new back problems and pain symptoms to previously non-injured vertebrae. In a spinal fusion, a surgeon fuses faulty vertebrae together with supplementary bone tissue to immobilize the area and relieve pain. After a spinal fusion, patients are unable to move the fused vertebrae, which forces intervertebral joints above and below the surgery site to do double duty to make up for the now-immovable portion of the spine. The researchers concluded that the extra wear and tear on these vertebrae results in the degenerative condition. They also recommended that patients explore alternatives to surgery, including chiropractic care, before consulting a surgeon.

Don't fall victim to unnecessary spinal surgeon!!  Find out the natural options like chiropractic, non-surgical spinal decompression and functional rehab. 

Dr. Michael J. Paralovos, Chiropractor at TOTALHEALTH of Naples offers spinal decompression as well as traditional chiropractic care in his North Naples office at the Greentree Professional Center.  To find out if you may benefit from spinal decompression or traditional chiropractic care visit www.totalhealthnaples.com or call 239.260.1426 to schedule an appointment.

Author: ChiroPlanet.com
Source: Spine. April 1, 2013 - Volume 38 - Issue 7 - p 597–608.
Copyright: ProfessionalPlanets.com LLC 2013