Blog

Ditch Diabetes

Ongoing research demonstrates that pine bark extract may stave off blood sugar fluctuations and diabetes. In fact one study found that pine bark extract is 190 times more effective at delaying glucose uptake than the diabetes drug acarbose.

Alleviate Arthritis

Many patients with osteoarthritis turn to none steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs). But these medications may produce hazardous side effects. Fortunately, chiropractic care at Ridge Line Chiropractic may ward off joint degeneration without drugs. In addition to chiropractic care, Dr. Mainieri advises patients on nutrition, exercise and other wellness-focused choices. For instance, researchers in Slavakia have found that pine bark extract is an effective alternative to NSAIDs for arthritis pain. As part of the experiment, 100 patients with knee osteoarthritis were divided into two groups. One group took 150 mg of pine bark extract each day. The other group took a placebo pill. Every two weeks the patients were evaluated. Following treatment, patients taking pine bark extract reported significant improvement of pain and stiffness. On the other hand, the placebo had no effect. In addition, use of NSAIDs fell significantly among pine bark extract recipients, but increased among placebo recipients.

Ease Attention Problems

Biochemicals are uncovering that extract from pine bark may ease attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Children with ADHD have higher concentrations of urinary chemicals call catecholamines, compared with children without attention problems. Urinary catecholamines are a marker for oxidative stress and metabolic imbalances associated with ADHD. However, when children with ADHD take pine bark extract, urinary catecholamine concentrations drop substantially.

Manage Menopause

Pine bark extract may curb symptoms of menopause. These findings are from a new study published in the journal Panminerva Medica. Researchers from Pescara University in Italy followed 70 women, between the ages of 40 to 50. All the participants were classified as perimenopausal, a term used to describe the menopause transition years, when women have just started menopause. Study participants were assigned to two groups. A test group was given 100 mg of Pycnogenol per day, over a period of eight weeks. The other group was given a placebo. Participants were evaluated on a total of 33 common menopausal signs and symptoms. Pine bark extract substantially improved hot flashes, night sweat, mood swings, irregular periods, loss of libido and vaginal dryness. The supplement also effectively decreased bloating and overall pain. In addition, it improved irregular heart beat and digestive problems.

Breath Easier

Pine bark extract may ease childhood asthma, say scientists at the School of Medicine at Loma Linda University in California. The researchers followed 60 asthma patients, between the ages of 6 to 18 years, for three months. The children were randomly divided into two groups. One took Pycnogenol. The other took a placebo. “Compared with subjects taking placebo, the group that took Pycnogenol had significantly more improvement in pulmonary functions and asthma symptoms. The Pycnogenol group was able to discontinue their use of rescue inhalers more often than the placebo group.” Urine tests also revealed a significant reduction in chemical markers of asthma. Another analysis of 76 patients with asthma found that 55 percent of those given pine bark extract were able to reduce their dose of inhaler corticosteroids, compared with only six percent of those who were not given the supplement.

Speed Wound Healing

Topical gels and creams containing pine bark extract appear to accelerate wound healing. Studies show that not only did it reduce the healing time it also decreases the diameter of the scar left behind.

Heart Healthy

Pine bark supplements may improve cardiovascular health. A growing body of research indicates that the extract may prevent atherosclerosis, strokes and heart attacks.. It may also help manage cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Some research also suggests that pine bark extract may also prevent erectile dysfunction, a condition often associated with cardiovascular problems.

There's no doubt about it: food-herbs and spices in particular-is powerful medicine.this is good news for Dr. Mainieri, who continually urges patients to avoid unnecessary prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs, many of which have potentially serious side effects. 

The new year is the perfect opportunity to refresh the spice racks- and toss out those seasonings that have past their prime due to age and exposure to heat or sunlight. Dr. Mainieri also suggests that patients use this time to learn about the specific benefits of each herb, seed and spice.

Sprinkle some Cinnamon

Consider sprinkling cinnamon on your oatmeal if you suffer from Type 2 diabetes. Thsi tasty spice has a long track record of reducing glucose (sugar) levels among Type 2 diabetes. Left unchecked, Chronically high levels of glucose can weaken the body's ability to fight infection, lead to impaired vision, hinder circulation and wreak life-threatening havoc throughout the body.

Gobble up the Garlic

A little bad breath is a small price to pay for the powerful health benefits of this pungent spice. Research reveals that garlic lowers blood pressure and blood fats. It's also a natural anitviral, anitfungal and anitbacterial agent. But that's just for openers. Researchers note that the 'stinking rose' may reduce the risk of several cancers. Laboratory studies show that its extracts and components effectively block experimentally induced tumors. Garlic's secret ingredient is allicin, which gives the seasoning it's characteristic taste and odor. The researchers in the above-cited journal found that it's the allicin that actually inhibits the growth of cancer cells.

Jazz it up with Ginger

Well known for soothing nausea, ginger is particularly helpful for moms-to-be because it's an all natural alternative to drugs. Side effects associated with drugs are never good, but they are especially dangerous for pregnant women.

Open the Oregano

Bountiful in anitoxidants, oregano has long been used in food preservation and in traditional medicine for the treatment of common ailments. It turns out that oregano can help with 'oxidation-linked diseases, such as diabetes.' Rosmarinic acid, a principle component of oregano, may slow the starch-to-glucose rate, "which could contribute to the management of hyperglycemia and diabetes complications in the long term."

Reach for the Rosemary

This unique herb, which contains the phytonutient carnosol, also packs a triple "anti" whammy. It's an anitinflammatory, an anitcarcinogen and anitoxidant. Rosemary may also eradicate facial wrinkles, according to researchers in Italy who tested an alcohol extract of rosemary leaves. They determined that this extract was 'endowed with strong anitoxidant activity...capable of inhibiting oxidative altertions to skin surface lipids (fats).'

Consider Cayenne Pepper

This hot spice packs a zinger-and not only for your taste buds. Cayenne and other hot peppers have been shown to improve mood. In addition, the spice may reduce pain and inflammation when applied topically.

Turn to Turmeric

Turmeric, used extensively in Indian and Asian cuisine, receives it’s yellow color from a potent health-boosting component known as curcumin. Studies show that curcumin may prevent a vast array of cancers including prostate, breast and skin cancer. Curcumin also lowers total cholesterol while boosting HDL (good) cholesterol. Turmeric is also an all-natural anti-inflammatory. It appears to stop cellular inflammation triggered by the activation of a gene call cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) without the dangerous side effects associated with COX-2 inhibiting drugs (such as Vioxx and Celebrex). Other studies shows that curcumin halts the cellular instigators of arthritis. And that;s not all. Studies highlight curcumin as a powerful antidepressant, and it’s also been shown to ward off Alzheimer’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease and multiple sclerosis.

Serve some Saffron

Researchers in Mexico have demonstrated that saffron extract and it’s main ingrediants-carotenoids-posses “chemoprevenetive properties against cancer.’

Add a Little Anise

These licorice-flavored seeds aren’t just for flavoring anise cookies during the holidays- they’re a natural diuretic, and laxative, which may assist glucose absorption.

Cook with Cumin

Popular for the zest it provides to a variety of foods, cumin seeds may also prevent stomach and cervical cancer. In animal studies conducted in India, cumin therapy resulted in “significant inhibition” of the number of tumors per mouse. Cumin was similarly aggressive when it came to reducing the number of cervical cancer cells. Researchers think cumin is able to corral cancerous cells because it changes their metabolism.

Create it with Coriander

This simple, humble spice “has been documented as a traditional treatment of diabetes” according to the researchers in England. The coriander demonstrated “insulin-releasing and insulin like activity” in animal testing.

Fetch the Fennel

Instead of risking the potentially dangerous side effects of drugs, women can add a little fennel to their diets to help alleviate the cramping associated with monthly menstrual cycles. In one study of 60 women, all-natural fennel’s effectiveness was comparable to medication. Researchers concluded that “the essence of fennel can be used as a safe and effective herbal drug for primary dysmenorrhea (painful or difficult menstruation).”

Keep Spices Fresh and Zesty!

Whenever possible, opt for fresh herbs as opposed to dried. Fresh herbs retain more flavor and nutrients. To get the maximum benefit from dried spices, it’s important to keep them fresh. That means tossing out any that haven’t been used in the last year. Also, if your spice rack is above the stove, consider moving it to another wall, and keep it out of direct sunlight as well. Overcooking food can also dilute a spice’s health benefit. Besides that, Bon Appetit!

A new study suggests that taking antibiotics unnecessarily could make virus or flu worse. Flu and most common colds are caused by viruses. Most people already understand that antibiotics only fight bacterial infections, not viral infections, but despite this, patients often push doctors to prescribe antibiotics anyway. Certainly some less common upper respiratory infections like strep throat are caused by bacteria and rather than wait for cultures to grow and the actual bug to be identified, people too often just ask for antibiotics and doctors tend to comply. Previously the main drawback was seen to be that indiscriminate antibiotic use would increase antibiotic resistant strains of bacterias. Chiropractic doctors have always believed that perhaps a bigger risk was that antibiotics also kill the good bacteria in your gut. New evidence supports this.

It turns out that the good bacteria in your gut- the ones that help digest your food-  have additional benefits, one to keep the immune system on alert for viral invaders, even viral invaders in your lung and respiratory system seemingly far away from the gut. Scientists have known that friendly bacteria in the gut crowd out disease causing bacteria in the gut and prevent them from setting up shop. What the new study showed was that protection from disease from beneficial intestinal bacteria in not just confined to the intestines. They regulate the immune response to viruses to distance places too.

They treated mice with antibiotics and then infected them with the flu. The antibiotics impaired the ability of the mice to make the immunity substance called interleukin-1 beta which is necessary for the body to fight flu and other viruses. The mice given antibiotics had a much harder time fighting the flu than control mice not given anything.

Our office suggests that for most colds and flu that you simply stay home, get lots of rest, drink tons of fluids, and watch and wait. If you don't start to get better in a few days you can always see a medical doctor. Of course we also believe that spinal problems can impair your immunity so before you even catch that cold we suggest regular spinal checkups to keep your immunity strong in the first place.

One study found that adults who report fewer than four hours of sleep a night are a whopping 73 percent more likely to be obese, compared to adults who maintain adequate sleep. And it isn't just adults whose lack of sleep affects their waistline. Skimping on sleep appears to be adding to the growing trend of obesity in children and adolescent. For instance, one survey shows that teenage boys who slept seven hours or less on weekdays had an average body mass index that was 3.8 percent higher than those who slept more than seven hours. Likewise, teenage girls who slept seven hours or less had a body mass index that was 4.7 percent higher than girls who got more than seven hours of sleep per weekday. What accounts for the connection between sleep, hunger and metabolism?

Sleep deprivation alters the way the body digests food-especially how it processes carbohydrates. Disrupting this delicate process hastens weight gain. Dr Mainieri explains to patients that missed sleep triggers hormonal changes-and consequential alterations to the brain and nervous system. Two keyt hormones called ghrelin and leptin are involved in appetite. Ghrelin causes hunger, while leptin signals the brain to stop eating when full. Lack of sleep throws these crucial hormones out of balance, causing increased hunger and the lack of a sensation of fullness. This imbalance also causes a craving for calorie-dense, high-carbohydrate foods. The hormone orexin also plays a role in the sleep-hunger connection. It seems that orexin, which is important for healthy sleep patterns, activates a protein called HIF-1. This protein, which has long been known to stimulate cancerous tumor growth, also plays a role in metabolizing carbohydrates.

Fatigue is perhaps the most common excuse for skipping a workout. People who skimp on sleep are more likely to simply feel too tired to exercise, or not exercise as vigorously or for as long as their more rested peers. While exercise is vital to optimal health, don't skip sleep to exercise. Rather, re-evaluate your schedule to allow time for both. Some research indicates that, for the purpose of weight loss, sufficient sleep may be as-or perhaps even more-important than exercise. Make both a priority, even if it means cutting back on work or other activities. The ideal amount of sleep typically ranges from seven to nine hours a night for most adults. Who new that sleep could have such an effect on more things than just fatigue and drowsiness?

Commit to Chiropractic Care

The chiropractic lifestyle protects and builds the immune system, which is fundamental to ward off colds. The foundation of this lifestyle centers on making choices that focus on preventative health- from the adequate nutrition and sleep to regular chiropractic visits.Why is chiropractic care vital to the immune system? The spinal cord contains a multitude of nerves that emerge between spinal bones or vertebrae. Vertebrae often become misaligned, restricting spinal movement and affecting adjacent nerves- a condition called vertebral subluxation. Preliminary research shows that vertebral subluxations weaken the immune system and lower white blood cell levels.

Savor Sleep

Sleep is essential to rejuvenate the body and mind. Lack of sleep effects health, concentration, memory, decision-making abilities, energy, enthusiasm, and mood. If that isn't enough, inadequate sleep severely inhibits the body's natural ability to fight off colds. Whenever you begin to feel rundown, make a point of getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

 Have Some Hot Peppers

For most cold sufferers, sinus congestion is their most detested symptom. Many medications that temporally thin lung and nasal secretions are loaded with unhealthy ingredients, such as high-fructose corn syrup, coloring and flavors. Certain ingredients can also have side effects, such as intestinal pain and excitability. Loosening lung and sinus congestion with spicy food- notably hot peppers- is an all natural way to thin and expectorate bronchial secretions. And, unlike drug expectorants, hot peppers have immune-boosting vitamins, such as A, C and E. They are also rich in potassium and folic acid.

Get Some Green Tea

Research shows that sipping green tea has spectacular health benefits from reducing allergies to killing cancer cells to speeding weight loss. In addition, green tea also amplifies antioxidant activity, decreases inflammation and helps fight the common cold!!! Try adding natural honey to this emerald libation. Scientific studies show that honey boasts it's own cold-fighting properties as well.