Office Hours- Change Week of July 26th

Hello,

This is just a friendly reminder that our office will be open on Monday July 26th from 8:30-Noon and 2:30-6:00.

We will be closed from Tuesday, July 27th through Friday July 30th.

Our office will reopen at 8:30 AM on Monday August 2nd. 

Best of health always,
--
Keith E. Biggs, DC

3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ  85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Office:  480-985-3334
Cell:     480-375-0068

Calcium, Vitamin D, and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones gradually loose calcium and other minerals over time. The net result is that the bone becomes week, often resulting in spinal and hip fractures. The fractures are painful and often result in the "hunched over" appearance that many women suffer from. This picture is an x-ray image of a compression fracture in the spine.

Women are much more likely than men to develop osteoporosis, but the condition can still be debilitating in men. Women who undergo complete hysterectomies are even more at risk, since the loss of normal female hormones accelerates bone loss.

There are some medications that have been shown to aid in bone strength, such as Phosomax and Boniva. There are some indications, however, that long term use of these medications actually increases the risk of bone fracture.

Calcium and Magnesium are the most prevalent minerals in healthy bone.  Vitamin D is essential for helping in the absorption of Calcium in the intestines, and for the depositing of Calcium in the bone.  The RDA for vitamin D is 400 iu per day, but some experts believe that this should be increased to as much as 2000-4000iu per day.

In the past, I have always recommended that my patients take additional amounts of Vitamin D and Calcium Citrate if they begin to develop osteoporosis, but there is increasing evidence that preventative care is more affective.  Young teenage women should take healthy doses of Calcium, Magnesium, and Vitamin D, in particular between the ages of 9-13. By doing so, they can decrease their risks of developing osteoporosis later in life by 40% or more.  Prevention is the best medicine.

If you have young women, do them a favor and start them on Calcium, Magnesium, and Vitamin D supplements. While you are at it, give it to your young boys as well. The teenage years are when bone strength can be affected the most, yet it is often the very time that they become picky eaters.

Cranberry Juice for Urinary Tract Infections

I know, you have heard it before, that Cranberry Juice is helpful in getting over urinary tract infections.  I have seen that this is true in many of my patients, but with no hard scientific evidence, it was often hard to convince some patients that it was truly helpful. Some, including myself, even speculated that the most benefit from cranberry juice was the increased consumption of fluids, resulting in increased urine flow.

Most urinary tract infections (UTI) are caused by a particular strain of the bacteria E. coli. This strain of E. coli is covered with small hair-like projections known as fimbriae which act like hooks and latch onto cells that line the urinary tract. When enough of the bacteria attach themselves to the cells along the urinary tract, it causes an infection.

A group of scientists at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) have found that the fimbriae of the E. coli bacteria are affected by cranberry juice, causing them to change shape and detach from the urinary tract cells.  As the attachment weakens, urinary flow then is capable of washing away the weakened invasive bacteria.

So, it appears that Mom has been right all along, and now there is scientific evidence as to what is happening. If you or someone you know is having troubles with urinary tract infections, cranberry juice is a healthy and affective first line of defense.  Try it before you run to your doctor for an antibiotic. 


Keith E. Biggs, DC

3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ  85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Office:  480-985-3334
Cell:     480-375-0068

Just Say No...

Just Say No was an advertising campaign prevalent through the 1980's and 1990's that was part of the War on Drugs. The purpose was to try and teach young people the dangers of recreational drugs.

It is now our turn "take our own medicine", as it were.

The abuse of prescription pain medication has been skyrocketing in this country. According to an article at MSN, "Substance abuse treatment admissions for non-medical use of prescription pain relievers have increased more than 400 percent over 10 years, according to a new study."


According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) administrator Pamela S. Hyde, "The non-medical use of prescription pain relievers is now the second most prevalent form of illicit drug use in the nation, and its tragic consequences are seen in substance abuse treatment centers and hospital emergency departments throughout our nation."

A few suggestions:

1) Consider alternative treatments for pain relief BEFORE you develop a dependency on medication. Consider chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, for example.
2) If you think that you might be addicted to pain killers, confront the issue, and talk to your MD about alternatives.
3) If you are taking pain medications for pain, and you are not sure if you are addicted or not, have an open discussion with your doctor.
4) Don't keep pain medications around the house and accessible to your friends, spouse, significant other, or children. Don't share your drugs with others.

SAY NO TO DRUGS.  Stop the insanity. Our society is addicted to the idea that there is a drug for everything, and it is time to stop thinking that health is found in a bottle of pills. Ask questions about every medication that you are prescribed. Here are a few that you might consider:

1) What are the desired affects of the drug you are giving to me?
2) What are the negative affects of the medication? Could you give me a printed list of all side affects?
3) What are the ramifications if I choose not to take the medication?
4) What are the ramifications, positive and negative, if I choose to take the medication?
5) How long do you expect me to have to take the medication? Is it short term or long term?
6) If long term, what are the long term study outcomes of people who take the medication?
7) Are there any natural therapy alternatives to the medication?

Whenever possible, say no to drugs.

Keith Biggs, DC
3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ  85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com

Diabetes Drug May Kill You

CNN has published a recent article in which they bring into question the drug Avandia. GlaxoSmithKline produces Avandia, which is used for treating diabetes. It appears that GlaxoSmithKline might be involved in somewhat of a cover-up. Avandia might be responsible for causing heart attacks in its users, and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) doesn't want you, the consumer, to know about it.  GSK asserts that the drug is "safe".

Now, what is the definition of a "safe" drug?  What ratio of dosages to fatalities is considered simply a statistical anomaly or an acceptable loss? At what levels do we finally determine that a drug that was thought to be a lifesaver is actually a killer?  GSK, who has invested substantial amounts of money on the drug would like you to think of Avandia as safe, regardless of the risks. After all, business is business. Deaths are expected and acceptable as long as the bottom line is good...

The truth is that there is no such thing as a safe drug. All drugs are artificial chemicals that nature did not design to be used in the body. They might cause some positive physiological reactions, but they will ALL cause negative ones as well, and some reactions are deadly.

If you are using Avandia, contact your MD and consider using an alternative. Better yet, if you are a diabetic, start eating better, exercising, and loosing weight. Maybe you won't need any of the diabetic drugs.  You are certainly going to be healthier either way.

Keith Biggs, DC
eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com

Vitamin E May Help Prevent Alzheimers

By Keith Biggs, DC
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com

A recent study showed that high blood levels of Vitamin E might be helpful in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

The study followed 232 participants over a six year period of time. All subjects were 80+ years old and AD free at the beginning of the study.

After six years, 57 of the original 232 had developed AD. The results of the study showed that the subjects with higher blood levels of Vitamin E were 50% less likely to develop AD.

Although this study shows that  Vitamin E may play a significant role in reducing the affects of neurological aging, excessive doses of Vitamin E can be harmful.  The RDA is 15 mg for adults. The upper safe limit is estimated at 1000mg per day, according to the National Institutes of Health website.

Many foods provide vitamin E. Nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils are among the best sources. Significant amounts are available in green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals (see the table for a more detailed list). Most vitamin E in American diets is in the form of gamma-tocopherol from soybean, canola, corn, and other vegetable oils and food products.

  Selected Food Sources of Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol)

Food	Milligrams (mg) per serving	Percent DV*
Wheat germ oil, 1 tablespoon	20.3	100
Almonds, dry roasted, 1 ounce	7.4	40
Sunflower seeds, dry roasted, 1 ounce	6.0	30
Sunflower oil, 1 tablespoon	5.6	28
Safflower oil, 1 tablespoon	4.6	25
Hazelnuts, dry roasted, 1 ounce	4.3	22
Peanut butter, 2 tablespoons	2.9	15
Peanuts, dry roasted, 1 ounce	2.2	11
Corn oil, 1 tablespoon	1.9	10
Spinach, boiled, ½ cup	1.9	10
Broccoli, chopped, boiled, ½ cup	1.2	6
Soybean oil, 1 tablespoon	1.1	6
Kiwi, 1 medium	1.1	6
Mango, sliced, ½ cup	0.9	5
Tomato, raw, 1 medium	0.8	4
Spinach, raw, 1 cup	0.6	4

Study Shows Chiropractic Helps with Back Pain

In a recent study that was published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, it was found that the majority of people who seek care for back pain through alternative practitioners, such as chiropractors, were able to experience significant benefits.  Chiropractic care was clearly the most widely used alternative treatment used for back pain. 74% of the subjects in the study used chiropractic. According to my online source, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/193712.php, "Overall, 60 percent of those surveyed who had at least one CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) therapy in the last 12 months found remarkable relief using the top six CAM modalities; chiropractic care, massage, yoga/tai chi/qi Cong, acupuncture, herbal therapies, and relaxation techniques - with chiropractic care the most popular choice."

Clearly, patients that suffer from back pain find significant help through the use of CAM.  This is very important, since back pain is the second most common reason for doctor office visits in the United States.

The sad truth regarding this study, however, is that while even though Chiropractic and other CAM methods were clearly helpful in the treatment of back pain, only 24% of the subjects in the study reported that their medical doctor had recommended that they see a chiropractor or CAM practitioner.  Most subjects in the study went to visit a chiropractor simply because they felt that conventional medicine would not be helpful in dealing with their back pain.

According to Dr. Gerard Clum, D.C., Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, "Back pain sufferers should be made aware of all treatment options, especially alternatives that have been scientifically proven to provide relief. While chiropractic care has in the past been considered alternative there is now a case to be made for making it the first choice for patients and in the process making interventions like injections and surgery the alternative approach."


Sources:
Medical News Today
Foundation for Chiropractic Progress

Keith E. Biggs, DC

3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ  85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Office:  480-985-3334
Cell:     480-375-0068

Acupuncture Helps Lazy Eye Syndrome

Researchers in Hong Kong found that acupuncture is affective in helping to treat young patients with the vision problem known as lazy eye syndrome, according to an article published in the Earth Times.

"Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is a condition that effects around 4 per cent of children under 6 worldwide. It occurs because the brain does not acknowledge signals from one eye and, left untreated, can cause loss of vision and depth perception."

Patients with amblyopia are usually treated with occlusion therapy, in which the patient wears a patch over the good eye, forcing the brain to further recognize and utilize the signals sent from the lazy eye. This is called occlusion therapy, and it is used in conjunction with glasses to help correct the problem.

In two different clinical  trials, it was found that acupuncture applied to points in the hand, ankle, and head five times per week helped significanly to improve the function of the lazy eye, especially when used in conjunction with traditional eye glass therapy.

In my office, I have used acupuncture for patients with eye fatigue, and have often sent home patients with exercises to perform when at home that help improve eye function. I learned these exercises from an acupuncturist who came across them once when traveling through Asia. The exercises, which stimulate acupuncture points in the face and around the eyes, help to move the "Qi" (pronounced "chee") through the area, promoting better eye and facial muscle health. 

Watch your children for signs of lazy eye. Often, it is manifest by an eye that drifts off to the side. The condition, however, is often asymptomatic and only found during eye examinations.  If you have any doubt, go to your eye doctor for an evaluation.

--
Keith E. Biggs, DC

3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ  85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Office:  480-985-3334
Cell:     480-375-0068