Experience the Gonstead Differen

1. Water is the substance of life. There would be no life without water. You must constantly replenish your body with water to keep it working properly.

2. The body is comprised of 80% water. Is yours? Are you drinking enough water every day to make the 80%?

3. It is difficult for the body to get water from any other source than water itself. Soda pop and alcohol steal a large amount of water from the body. Even coffee, milk and juice require water to be taken from the body to be digested properly.

5. Water is essential for proper digestion, nutrient absorption and chemical reactions.

7. Water helps remove toxins from the body. Remember to drink plenty of water after an adjustment! This helps to flush any toxins (lactic acid build-up) from those sore muscles!

8. Water regulates the body’s cooling system. Be thankful for water on those hot, muggy days!

9. Consistent failure to drink enough water can lead to chronic cellular dehydration. Dehydration can weaken the body’s immune system and lead to chemical, nutritional as well as pH imbalances. Not a good thing!

10. Dehydration can occur any time of the year. Dehydration doesn’t have to occur during summer when it is HOT. The dryness that is present during the winter can dehydrate the body even quicker than when it is hot.

In general, you need to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water every day to provide the body with its MINIMUM water replacement requirements. Triple the intake for better results.

Here is an article from the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association) regarding ear infections and how parents can better control the usage of antibiotics.

Once again another study shows that most ear infections disappear on their own if left untreated with antibiotics. It was just published in Sept. 13 issue of JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association. The American Academy of Pediatrics says 80% of children whose ear infections are not treated immediately with antibiotics get better on their own...

For numerous years, the negative effects of antibiotics and the treatment of ear infections with them has been published in peer reviewed journals, yet prescribing antibiotics has continued. Doctors have insisted that parental pressure to give antibiotics is the primary reason why this unnecessary prescribing has continued. A recent article from Web MD is titled: Cutting Antibiotics for Ear Infections: Most Disappear on Their Own if Parents Can Wait, Study Shows. http://www.webmd.com/content/article/127/116676.htm

The title of the article is almost amusing, as it tends to put the blame of antibiotic abuse in the hands of the parents as opposed to the pharmaceutical and allopathic industry. In 2004, the AAP finally gave its stamp of approval to the watch-and-wait strategy, telling physicians it was OK to delay antibiotics in children over age 2 for 48 to 72 hours. They suggested the use of pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Let’s remember that the use of ibuprofen or acetaminophen have their share of side effects as well and there are natural means of pain relief for children’s ear infections. In 2001, a study showed an ear drop formulation of naturopathic origin was as effective as anesthetic ear drops and was proven appropriate for the management of AOM-associated ear pain. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11434846&dopt=Abstract
Health food stores around the country offer various similar brands to choose from.

The Web MD article further emphasizes that the solution to over utilization is parental education. Doctors of chiropractic have been offering their patients the resources to make informed health care choices for many years now. Citing study after study, we have always encouraged parents to look at the facts at hand and choose from the facts, not the outdated practices. The ICPA web site has compiled the results of these studies: http://www.icpa4kids.org/research/children/antibiotics.htm.

One of the best things we can do for our children is to have them checked for subluxation by a Chiropractor. For the majority of us, the birth process is the most traumatic event of our lives. Many procedures used during birth can cause tractioning and twisting of the infant’s spine. These stresses can easily produce a subluxation that can lead to various problems, such as ear infections. Many of the problems we encounter later in life can be easily prevented if subluxations are corrected at an early age.

Beef Jerky and cheese sticks, white bread and processed turkey, lentils and bran flakes….. what are we to eat these days? Everywhere you turn there is a new “expert” with a new “miracle diet” in store that is sure to make you into the person you want to be, but at what cost? Researchers fear that single question may not be as important to some as it should be. You’re alive! Live life! Enjoy it sensibly and completely!

The recent craze of the NO CARB diet has left some seeking caution, and rightfully so. This fad diet promises you can shed serious pounds fast while eating all the eggs, cheese, meat and fat you want AND not exercising! Amazing? Many health professionals and dietitians insist the diet is unhealthy and the weight loss is temporary. “The high-protien, no-carb plan is ‘a nightmare of a diet,’ said Kathleen Zelman, a registered dietitian and ADA spokesperson. ‘At first, it sounds so alluring. You get the green light to eat these foods.’” reports The Associated Press.

But Zelman said the monotony soon gets old. Plus, it’s just unhealthy, nutritionists say. Along with the risk of increasing cholesterol levels, the diet could cause kidney problems or possibly a loss of calcium in the bones, Zelman said. Sooner or later you have to reintroduce carbohydrates into the diet, and at that point the weight returns. Limiting the intake of carbohydrates to such a dramatically low level starves the body of needed nutrients and causes an artificial metabolic state. But Americans keep getting fatter, so what’s a society to trust. Nutritionists say the best way is still a balanced diet and exercise. So, where does that leave us in our tug-of-war between high-carb, low-carb, no-carb diets?

Whole carbs- plain & simple whole grain nutrition in its original, nonprocessed state. White sugar, white flour and highly processed foods have tainted the world of carbs. Whole wheat foods have 100% of 13 key nutrients needed for a healthy body including Vitamin E, the B Vitamins, iron, fiber and essential minerals. When whole grains are refined into processed crackers, white bread, many pastas and baked goods those nutrients are cut to more than 1/3 that of it’s whole grain original. Not only are whole grains necessary for daily vitamin and mineral intake, but research is showing numerous other health benefits & disease prevention links.

-Researchers have shown that eating soluble fiber, such as barley and oats, can lower cholesterol. One study shows men who eat the most bran have the lowest risk of heart disease.

-Whole grains seem to improve insulin metabolism, decreasing the risk of both heart disease and diabetes. How so? Soluble fiber in whole grains can keep carbs from entering the bloodstream too quickly, preventing excess stress on the pancreas.

-Whole grains are also rich in antioxidants which protect against tissue damage, sometimes leading to cancer & other serious diseases.

-Some researchers believe that whole grains may have the biggest impact on the bowel, as fiber is essential for proper bowel function. New research is showing signs of decreased risk of colon cancer with diets high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

-And finally for all those fad dieters out there (you know we’ve all thought about it, if not participated in a few)… “When people eat whole grains, they feel full sooner, so they eat fewer calories” states Joanne Slavin, University of Minnesota professor of food science and nutrition.

Our immune system protects us from the flu, as well as any other infectious disease, and strives to get us well again when we do fall ill. That immune system, like every other system in the body, is coordinated and controlled by the nervous system. Specific Chiropractic care allows for a properly functioning, healthier nervous system, something a pill or vaccine falls short of.

Chiropractic's effect on the immune system, along with it's effect on specific secondary symptomatology is notable, according to recent research. Even though you are not "sick", your body may be acquiring misalignments of the spine (subluxations-see definitions link) that cause interruptions in your nervous system. This interrupts your entire body's function, most importantly this winter, your immune system. A specific chiropractic adjustment restores the alignment of your vertebrae, removing nervous system interference and allowing restoration of the flow of energy & information from your brain to the rest of your body.

Research show regular chiropractic checkups can not only relieve pain & daily ailments, but also prevent disease & chronic health issues. Ronald Pero, Ph.D, chief of cancer prevention research at New York's Preventative Medicine Institute and professor of medicine at New York University, performed research concluding significant immune boosting effects of chiropractic care. His 3 year study resulted in patients under chiropractic care for 5 years having a 200% greater immunity than people who had not received chiropractic care, and 400% greater immune comptetence than people with cancer and other serious diseases. The immune system superiority of those under chiropractic care did not diminish with age. Dr. Pero states, "I have never seen a group other than this chiropractic group to experience a 200% increase over the normal patients. This is why it is so dramatically important. We have never seen such a positive improvement in a [research] group".

From improvement in symptoms like peripheral neuropathy, to stimulation of immune system components, chiropractic is encouraging to individual well-being, quality of life issues, the prevention of disease and symptoms, as well as generalized health maintenance. Each flu season encourages us to build our immunity, but that doesn't necessarily mean a flu shot for the family. Leading immunogeneticist, Hugh Fudenberg, stated that if an individual has five consecutive flu shots, instead of two, one or no shots, his or her chances of getting Alzheimer's disease are 10 times higher. His research concludes the causative agents in the flu shots were aluminum and mercury, with a gradual buildup resulting in cognitive dysfunction. With building research showing danger in repeated flu vaccine usage, we need to look to chiropractic care for noninvasive, safe & proven effective results. Be an educated consumer, for more on vaccine research visit 909shot.com.

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid, proves beneficial for the brain... in all ages! Sounds complicated and perhaps too time consuming to add to our dietary intake. Or is it? DHA is most often found in fish oil, however a small amount can also be obtained through chia, flaxseed, nuts & seeds, or a dietary supplement. So, think you are smart enough already without this new found brain food? Think again!

Leading researchers have found DHA beneficial for the cognitive development of pre-term & term infants, as it is an additive in infant formula and a natural product of breast milk. Research has also shown that low levels of DHA have been associated with ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, depression and dementia. Beyond the benefits to the brain, DHA has also been found to reduce the level of blood triglycerides in humans, thus lowering the risk for heart disease!

Scientists tracked approximately 900 men and women, avg. age of 76, recently to obtain correlations between DHA intake and dementia. Those with the highest blood levels of DHA were 47% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia over the next 9 years than those with lower DHA level (accounting for age, race, gender & health history risk factors). The high-DHA group consumed an average of 180 milligrams a day, largely from 3 servings of fish per week. EPA, the other omega-3 fat in fish, had no impact on dementia.

WHAT TO DO? Eat 2-3 servings of fish every week- preferably fatty fish like salmon, herring or mackerel. You can also buy DHA supplements or DHA-enriched eggs. Start reading labels!

*Concentrate on what is being said to you. Avoid thinking about what you are going to say while the other person is speaking. If you are thinking of what you are going to say, you may miss key information.

*Remember that listening is a skill. An active listener sits quietly, doesn't interrupt and lets the other person finish speaking before commenting.

*Make eye contact to show your sincerity and let the other person know that the conversation is important. It also lets the other person know that you take their thoughts and concerns seriously.

*Listen to your body. You don't need to live with aches and pains. Seek chiropractic care to relieve pain and pressure. And learn to listen to friends, family and coworkers when they mention aches & illnesses that need the attention of a Gonstead Chiropractor. If they do not live in the area, Dr. Blake would be happy to refer to a Gonstead Doctor in other areas of the country.

*Several university studies have found that people who interrupt conversations are at greater risk for heart problems. One specific study, out of Duke University, found that people who interrupt are up to 7 times more likely to get heart disease, linking the fact to their competitive, controlling, "Type A" personalities. The amazing part---- these people can reduce their risk by being better listeners! One study proved that subjects who focused on being silent while others talked reduced both their blood pressure and stress hormone levels!

*Be a better listener with the next person who speaks to you, it's good for you & they will appreciate it!

"Chicken has been touted as an alternative to red meat because it has less saturated fat. But a new study shows that some chicken may be less healthful than once believed. Arsenic )a known carcinogen) was found in 55% of 155 samples of raw chicken purchased in Minnesota and California supermarkets, according to research commissioned by the nonprofit Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).* All of the 90 samples purchased from fast-food restaurants contained arsenic. *To read the full report, go to www.iatp.org.

Many poultry producers feed animals an organic form of arsenic, which is believed to be harmless, to control intestinal parasites. But there is evidence suggesting that some of this arsenic is converted in the birds into a toxic, inorganic form of arsenic. Questions remain about what happens to it in the human body.

The US Department of Agriculture tests chicken livers for arsenic (residues are almost always found to be under the legal standard), but the IATP report is the first extensive data on other chicken meat. 'You don't want to have any more arsenic in your body than what you absolutely can't avoid,' says toxicologist Paul Mushak, PhD, of Durham, North Carolina, an expert on arsenic and other toxic metals."

To find out about the chicken at your local grocery store & reduce your exposure, contact the customer service dept. of the producer whose poultry you typically buy. Ask if the birds are given any arsenic at all. OR you may decide to purchase organic chicken, which cannot legally be given arsenic, which would be labeled as "kosher" or "free range".

12,700 emergency room visits in 1998 were related to backpacks, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Spinal injuries in young children may lead to a lifetime of chronic health issues. Protect their spines! Helpful tips are:

1) Look for bags with wide or "S" shaped straps, 2) Use both straps & carry the bag close t your body, 3) The recommended weight to carry is 5-15% of your child's weight. Weigh your child & his/her school bag and do not exceed the limits!! 4) Schedule a spinal examination for your child with Dr. Wayson to promote posture, spinal health and an overall strong immune system for the start of this school year.

The January 8, 1998 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine reports on the findings of the Honolulu Heart Study, a study of 8000 men. Over a 12-year period, the study found that walking just two miles a day cut the risk of death almost in half. The walkers' risk of death was especially lower from cancer. Those who walked infrequently were about 2 1/2 times more likely to die of cancer than were the two-mile-a-day men. These were men age 60 and above who appeared in good enough health to be able to walk. Those who did walk were less likely to die in the 12 years that followed.

Walking and other kinds of exercise probably protect the heart and circulatory system by raising HDL, the good cholesterol, and keeping weight down. Experts suspect it may help prevent cancer by beneficial effects on the immune system and hormone levels, among other things. Walking also contributes to "regularity" which in turn reduces the risk of colon cancer. Studies are in the works to see if walking helps prevent breast cancer.

1. Asparagus - Packed with folic acid, this food steadies serotonin levels in your body and helps keep your spirits up throughout the day

2. Beef - Boost your mood with the zinc, iron and B-vitamins in this delicious meat

3. Cottage Cheese - Sugary snacks cause blood sugar roller coasters. Instead opt for this high protein snack to help check you satisfied during those mid-afternoon cravings.

4. Oranges - When your stressed your body produces free radicals. The Vit C in oranges fights those free radicals in our body!

5. Almonds - Load up! Vitamin E can help your body eliminate free radicals that cause heart disease.

6. Tuna - A great source of the good omega 3 fatty acids. Vitamins B6 and B12 help lower your stress

7. Blueberries - High-fiber, low-calorie fruit rich in Vit C which helps relieve stress!

Information from the National Vaccine Information Center on Preventing & Treating the Flu Naturally:

6) Eat a well-balanced diet full of Vit D (ie. cod liver oil), other vitamins and minerals.

8) Consider chiropractic adjustments and other natural health options for maintaining immunity and recovering from illnesses.

Steve is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"

He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Steve would be there telling the employee how to look at the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all the time. How do you do it?"

He replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or, you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or, I can choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life".

"Yeah, it is," he said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or a bad mood. The bottom line... It's your choice how you live your life."

I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that Steve was involved in a serous accident, falling 60 feet from a communications tower. After 8 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.

I saw him about 6 months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better I'd be twins... Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him about what had gone through is mind as the accident took place.

"The first thing that went through my head was the well being of my soon-to-be-born daughter," he replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remember that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live."

Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. He continued, "... the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I aw the expressions on the faces of the doctor and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he is a dead man'. I new I needed to take action.

"What did you do?" I asked. "Well there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me, she asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes, I replied' to the doctors and nursed stopped working as they listened for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'. Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."

He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude... I learned from him that everyday we have the choice to live fully.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about it's self. Each day had enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34.

We all know of someone or are someone who is struggling to achieve pregnancy. Do you know someone who is now or has tried to get pregnant but can't? There's new research, some say surprising, that is offering couples and families new hope!

Currently infertility affects more than six million women and their partners. Six million families longing for something they fear they'll never have. A CBS 2 Special Report out of New York reported on a couple dreaming to become parents, unsuccessful even with fertility drugs, for years. That is, until she visited a chiropractor. They couple was so excited that within a couple of months they were pregnant!\

New and upcoming research is showing increased fertility with spinal adjustments for some women. This startling research offers those six million couples new hope. The CBS report looked at a study done by Dr. Behrendt, who followed 15 women struggling to acheive pregnancy, some for more than 10 years. After all of the women went to the chiropractor 14 out of 15 became pregnant and then mothers!

Dr. Behrendt explained the rationale of this amazing fact by looking at the nervous system. The nerves that make your reproductive organs and hormones work properly run through your spine. When there is a misalignment of the bones (or vertebra) of your spine, those nerves can be pinched and the vital message telling your reproduction how to work will be interrupted. These nerves misfire, often times causes hormones crucial to achieve and maintain pregnancy to be out of balance. This also means there is hope for women who have suffered a miscarriage.

The chiropractors job is simple, to ensure proper alignment of your spinal vertebra, so that your nerves can tell your body parts how to work properly. Your body was made to work correctly. Now we know that chiropractic can ensure our bodies can be healthy enough to do their jobs! And this is a breath of fresh air for the millions of couples awaiting their future child.

WCBS-TV New York. February 25, 2004