Lifecare Chiropractic
James Bogash, DC
Amy Strock, DC
1830 S. Alma School Rd
Bldg 7, Ste 135
Mesa, AZ 85210
(480) 839-CARE (2273)
May 2005 Newsletter
In this issue of To Your Health:
- Older Adults Choose Chiropractic
- Yogurt Consumption Helps Reduce Weight, Body Fat
- Using an Electric Toothbrush May Improve Oral Hygiene
- Headache Relief With Regular Chiropractic Care
- Go Nuts for Your Health
- Say "Yes" to Exercise, "No" to Surgery for Shoulder Injury
Older Adults Choose Chiropractic
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among consumers has been steadily rising for the last few years, and new research presented at the annual meeting of the American Council on Consumer Interests shows that about 70 percent of adults over the age of 50 use some kind of alternative medicine, including chiropractic, acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Researchers from Ohio State University used data from the 2000 Health and Retirement Survey conducted by the University of Michigan in which 848 people responded to questions about their use of six types of alternative medicine: chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, breathing exercises, herbal medicine and meditation.
The study found that chiropractic was the most frequently used form of CAM, as indicated by 43 percent of respondents. The research also discovered that those who indicated they were in "poor health" were more likely to use alternative medicine. Among the "poor health" population, 65 percent said they used some form of alternative medicine they considered "preventative or curative." Additionally, 63 percent of those who reported feeling unsatisfied with their health care tried preventive or curative forms of CAM.
This research emphasizes the continued growth of CAM therapies, especially chiropractic care, among older adults. So, listen to your elders and make an appointment to see your chiropractor today. Chiropractic care can help relieve back pain, chronic headache, allergies, and a host of other debilitating ailments. To learn more about the efficacy of chiropractic, visit www.chiropracticresearchreview.com.
Reference: About 70 percent of older adults use alternative medicine. Newswise. April 6, 2005.
Yogurt Consumption Helps Reduce Weight, Body Fat
Recent studies have shown that calcium intake plays a role in weight loss, especially when the source of calcium comes from dairy products. To further assess this, researchers studied 38 otherwise healthy obese adults to determine if yogurt would induce calorie restriction, thereby accelerating weight and fat loss.
Study subjects were randomized into two outpatient regimented dietary groups for a period of 12 weeks. The yogurt-diet group's food intake consisted of 500 fewer calories per day than assessed at baseline; three 6-ounce servings of fat-free yogurt; and a calcium intake of 1,100 mg per day. The control group's diet consisted of 500 fewer calories per day than assessed at baseline; 0-1 servings of dairy products per day; 400-500 mg of calcium per day; and three servings of a sugar- and calcium-free, prepackaged flavored gelatin, as placebo. In both groups, calcium came from food sources. Body weight, body fat, fat distribution, blood pressure and circulating lipids were measured at baseline and at the conclusion of the 12-week study.
The researchers found that "all participants lost body weight and body fat due to the daily energy deficit of 500 kcal/day. However, both weight and fat loss were significantly increased by the yogurt diet compared to the control diet." The researchers note that lean tissue loss was reduced by 31 percent on the yogurt diet, while trunk fat loss was augmented by 81 percent on the yogurt diet vs. the control diet, resulting in "a markedly greater reduction in waist circumference," and the amount of fat lost from the trunk was higher in those on the yogurt diet.
To learn more about this study, visit www.chiropracticresearchreview.com.
Reference: Zemel MB, Richards J, Milstead A, et al. Dairy augmentation of total and central fat loss in obese subjects. International Journal of Obesity 2005;29:391-397.
Using an Electric Toothbrush May Improve Oral Hygiene
You brush three times a day, floss after every meal, and see your dentist twice yearly, but if you aren't using an electric toothbrush, you might be cheating yourself. A recent review of several studies shows that some electric toothbrushes might help reduce plaque by 11 percent and gingivitis by 17 percent over manual toothbrushes.
The review included 42 studies and 3,855 participants, which compared manual, electric and battery-powered toothbrushes with various types of bristle arrangements and motions. The review of the literature concluded that regular brushing with powered toothbrushes containing circular bristle heads that rotate in alternating directions were better at removing plaque and reducing the risk of gum disease than brushing with manual toothbrushes alone.
Although electric toothbrushes may help reduce incidences of plaque and gingivitis, the researchers emphasize the importance of regular brushing "whether the brush is manual or powered" and further indicate that "the results of this review do not indicate that toothbrushing is only worthwhile with a powered toothbrush."
To learn more about general health and wellness, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/general.
Reference: Robinson P et al. Manual versus powered toothbrushing for oral health. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 2.
Headache Relief With Regular Chiropractic Care
Nobody likes headaches. They can strike with little warning and cause debilitating pain -- especially cervicogenic headaches (HA), which are defined as pain that originates in the cervical spine, or neck area, and refers up to the head.
Researchers investigated the effect of chiropractic treatment on HA in 20 randomized patients, specifically focusing on the relationship between the number of chiropractic treatments and pain relief. Participants were assigned to one of three treatment groups for comparison: Group one received a total of three office visits, one visit per week, for chiropractic manipulation; group two received a total of nine office visits, three visits per week, for chiropractic manipulation; and group three received 12 total visits, four visits per week.
Researchers discovered a correlation between the number of chiropractic visits and positive outcome in headache patients. "For HA pain, substantial differences were found between participants receiving 1 treatment per week and those receiving either 3 or 4 treatments per week," the researchers wrote. The researchers indicated that a larger clinical trial testing the relationship of HA and chiropractic treatment is warranted, and concluded that there are benefits to "9 to 12 [chiropractic] visits over 3 weeks for the treatment of HA/neck pain and disability. A larger number of visits than 12 in 3 weeks may be required for maximum relief and durability of outcomes."
If you suffer from headaches, your doctor of chiropractic can help. Make an appointment for a chiropractic evaluation today. To read more about this study, visit www.chiropracticresearchreview.com.
Reference: Haas M, Groupp E, Aickin M, et al. Dose response for chiropractic care of chronic cervicogenic headache and associated neck pain: a randomized pilot study. JMPT 2004;27(9):547-553.
Many people avoid eating peanuts and other nuts because of their high fat content; however, a large body of evidence also associates nut consumption with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
Using data collected in a continuing food survey from 1994-1996, researchers sorted respondents by "use" or "nonuse" of peanuts. Data were based on a national sample of 14,262 men, women and children who completed two-day food intake records. Differences between peanut users/nonusers were analyzed relative to energy and nutrient intake, health eating index (HEI) scores, and body mass index (BMI). Peanut consumption included peanuts, peanut products, peanut butter, peanuts as part of a sweet snack, peanuts as part of a savory snack, and peanuts or peanut oil as ingredients in a meal.
Respondents tended to have generally good diets, with higher HEI scores among individuals consuming peanuts than non-consumers. Results demonstrated improved diet quality of peanuts users indicated by higher vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and dietary fiber intake, and lower intake of saturated fat and cholesterol. Energy intake was significantly higher for peanut users compared with nonusers, and BMI was lower in users compared with nonusers.
Conclusion: "In summary, the results of the present study have shown that peanuts and peanut products enhance the nutrient profile of the diet," note the authors. "Moreover, inclusion of this energy dense food can be done in a manner that does not result in weight gain provided that energy intake does not exceed energy expended over time. … Encouraging the use of peanuts and peanut butter, both popular and familiar foods, gives additional options that may promote adherence to a healthy diet that reduces risk of chronic disease."
So go nuts! And remember that peanuts are relatively high in protein, which means that in addition to the health benefits, they are a satisfying snack. For more information on nutrition, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/nutrition.
Reference: Griel AE, Eissenstat B, Juturu V, et al. Improved diet quality with peanut consumption. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2004;23(6): 660-68.
Say "Yes" to Exercise, "No" to Surgery for Shoulder Injury
Shoulder injuries are common and often referred for treatment through surgical means. Researchers compared surgery vs. exercise training in patients suffering from shoulder pain to determine which has the more positive outcome. Shoulder pain in this study was defined as rotator cuff disease and nerve impingement.
Eighty-four participants were randomized into a surgical intervention group (41 patients) or physiotherapeutic exercise group (43 patients). All patients were evaluated before intervention and filled out a questionnaire regarding pain and impairment. The exercise group received 19, 60-minute sessions consisting of the application of heat, cold packs, or soft-tissue treatments, followed by muscle training and rotator cuff strengthening exercises.
Results: Both groups were evaluated at three, six and 12 months. Pain was measured using the Constant score totaling 100, which includes pain measured on a visual analogue scale, as well as measures in daily activity limitations, range of motion and shoulder strength. Before intervention, the exercise group Constant score was 34.8, while the surgery group was 33.7. After intervention, the exercise group Constant score improved to 54.8, 55.5, and 57.0 after three, six and 12 months, respectively, while the surgery group’s scores were 49.2, 53.8 and 52.7. After one year, 20 participants (10 in each group) reported a score of 80 or higher.
Although the researchers note some study limitations, they ultimately concluded that they "are now more reluctant to recommend surgery" for shoulder impingement. For more information about this study, visit www.chiropracticresearchreview.com.
Reference: Haahr JP, Østergaard S, Dalsgaard J, et al. Exercises versus arthroscopic decompression in patients with subacromial impingement: a randomised, controlled study in 90 cases with a one year follow up. Ann Rheum Dis 2005;64:760-764.
James Bogash, DC and Amy Strock, DC
1830 S. Alma School Rd, Bldg 7, Ste 135, Mesa, AZ 85210
(Alma School Road, just south of the Superstition Freeway/Highway 60)
Chiropractic Health Care Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert & Tempe, Arizona
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