Research now shows that our brain and nervous system are not rigid or unchanging like we once thought but are “neuroplastic”, or capable of adapting and re-wiring. This means that what we once believed – that our brain was fixed in form and function, and only changed through deterioration as we got older, is not true. With this new research in mind…
Cholesterol lowering drugs called Statins generated $34 billion in sales in 2007 and have raked in over a quarter of a trillion dollars since they were introduced two decades ago. A new study reported in the NY Times links the use of statins with a higher risk of developing diabetes. This is just the latest in a seemingly endless list of side-effects that continue to be discovered from the long term use of these drugs.
Here’s a small sample of the risks of statins: acute kidney failure, liver dysfunction, cataracts, muscle weakness, rhabdomyolysis (a breakdown of muscle fibers into the blood stream), acidosis, sexual dysfunction, immune system depression, neuropathy, frequent fevers, increased risk of cancer, anemia, pancreatic dysfunction, and increased risk of stroke.
Part of the problem is that people fail to realize that statins (like almost all prescription drugs) are not meant to be taken long term – they are a short term temporary “band-aid” while you make lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, nutritional supplements) to return your cholesterol levels to an optimal range. Continue reading “Are Statins Worth the Risk?”
Lightheaded/dizziness, Headaches, Vomiting, Anxiety, Fluctuation in weight, Skin rashes, Fatigue, Constipation, Diarrhea, Chest pain, Flu symptoms…
Medications that lower blood pressure can come with an array of side effects, but there are other ways to lower blood pressure that don’t require a prescription.
Considerable research has shown that garlic can lower elevated blood pressure and has many other useful properties. It thins the blood slightly, improves blood flow through arteries, prevents and even reverses atherosclerosis, stops arrhythmias, and protects brain cells. Also, as a powerful antioxidant it significantly lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke. It even has strong anti-cancer effects. Continue reading “Lower Blood Pressure Naturally”
Our bodies were not designed to sit for long periods of time. We were designed for movement, yet the average workday for most Americans today involves sitting for the majority of the day. How is this chronic inactivity affecting our health?
New evidence suggests, in fact, that the more hours a day you sit, the greater your likelihood of dying an earlier death. As noted in a recent Men’s Health article, researchers studied the lifestyle habits of more than 17,000 men and women and found that the people who sat for almost the entire day were 54 percent more likely to die from a heart attack. Wow. The most surprising part of the study was that the results were true regardless of how much they exercised or how lean they were. Sitting was an entirely independent risk factor.
The effects of sitting include: Continue reading “Sit Less, Live Longer”
As we age, our bodies can become more susceptible to injuries, especially if we become more sedentary and less active – but does this not have to be the case. From a recent article on That’s Fit:
Weakness is the number one factor for putting you at injury risk. “The older we get, the less elastin — a protein that keeps our tendons and ligaments flexible — we make . As a result, these connective tissues become more stiff, placing added responsibility on our muscles to bear the burden of movement and impact when we run, swing a golf club or take a Zumba class. If your muscles aren’t strong enough, you’ll get injured,” explained Henry Lodge, M.D., and coauthor of Younger Next Year. Continue reading “Stay Fit with Chiropractic”
