These days it’s rare to find anyone who has not heard of–or been affected by–ailments such as diabetes, IBS or food sensitivities.
Dr. Zachary Watkins of The LiveWell Clinic in Clive is an internist and a clinical nutritionist. He believes in prevention, natural methods and a partnership approach to healing.
On January 28 he will be talking about objective lab testing, disease management and strategies for prevention.

The program will also include remarks by Sheree Clark, a holistic health counselor and raw food chef, who will address the components of a health-promoting diet and lifestyle.

COME ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 28 TO:
    • Hear an informative talk by a healthcare provider who believes in preventative medicine
    • Taste delicious, freshly made dairy-free, gluten-free, preservative-free (raw vegan) food
    • Meet other people who are as interested in health as you are

DATE: Thursday, January 28, 2010
TIME: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. PLACE: Connxions Event Center, 3901 121st Street, Urbandale
COST: $10 per person (includes refreshments)

Visit www.meetup.com/RawFoodDSM to register.
Payment of $10 is due at time of registration to ensure space. If you choose not to use PayPal, please send your check, payable to:

Sheree Clark
4028 Ovid Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50310

If you want to pay by another method, send an email to sheree@roadinthefork.com.

This has been a hot topic as "the season" comes upon us. There seems to be a lot of fear being portrayed in the media about the H1N1 virus and how we need to "watch out" for it as there may be a pandemic in sight.
Let's look at some things that can prepare us and our immune system for the up-coming flu season and why we don't necessarily need to worry.

First of all, it has been shown that this "new flu" strain isn't really much different or even stronger then previous years' flu strains. While getting sick during the winter months is a concern, we really need to do ALL that we can do to support our bodies to combat any and all disease.

Now when it comes to supporting our body, what are the things that can "build the army" of our immune system to fight the good fight?

First, we'll mention probiotics. Probiotics are the good bacteria that we can consume that has been shown to have strong immune modulating properties. How does this happen?

The biggest thing is that they can keep the "bad" bacteria in our intestines in check. When the "bad" guys are stronger then the "good" guys, this weakens the immune system making us more susceptible to things like the flu. If we keep the bacteria balance happy in our GI tracts, the immune system can use its energy for other things like fighting virus infections.

We'll soon add more things that can be done to protect us against immune-related conditions to check back often!

We are all familiar with the importance of vitamin D intake with calcium for healthy bones. But, recently more medical research is showing and proving that it is needed for much, much more. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with the following: rickets, osteoporosis, diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, depression, multiple sclerosis, thyroid disease, cancers of the breast, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), musculoskeletal pain,migraine headaches, and more.

As you can see, there a lot of conditions linked with vitamin D deficiency therefore showing that EVERYONE should behaving this test done for optimal prevention. This isn’t to say that if your vitamin D levels are adequate, you are free from disease or these mentioned conditions. But, it is one thing we can do to help prevent future conditions.
 
Over the years, we have been told to lather up on our sunscreen and minimize our sun exposure.  According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Mayo Clinical Procedures, that the assumption of vitamin D toxicity would occur at 1,000 IU per day is completely wrong and that requirements may be as high as 4,000 IU per day! 

Important mention here should also be on simple back pain. Vitamin D deficiency causes a dull, achy musculoskeletal(bone) pain that is incompletely responsive to both drug and manual(chiropractic) treatments. This pain can be widespread or confined to a certain area, most commonly the low-back. 

So what can you do about this? How can you find out if your vitamin D level is or is not adequate? This is one reason I (as well as other doctors) believe that Vitamin D testing should be done on everyone. The regular range on a blood test says that “normal” is anywhere between 25 and 100. Functional Medicine Doctors and those who practice nutritional medicine know that the best range should be between 60 and 90 (this being based off of current research). 
  
Now that we know that a vitamin D deficiency exists, what are your options for raising those levels to a healthy and preventative range? There are two options for increasing the level of vitamin D in your body; one being sunlight and the other being oral supplementation. Most people are trapped indoors during the winter months and therefore do not receive much natural, vitamin D intake. During the summer months, people are clothed or wearing a lot of sunscreen making them not able to a take in the required amount to therapeutically raise vitamin D to the appropriate level (a lot of sun is great for you! Ten minutes per day with the sun on your face is a great way for even sensitive people to receive their “free” daily vitamin dose). It is recommended that to receive an optimal amount so as to create a change in the laboratory value, one needs to take vitamin D orally.  Also, make sure your doctor monitors vitamin D and calcium levels so as to keep both of them in a healthy range. 

 

Finally, there is a lot of talk about the new flu strains (H1N1) that may circulate this fall, endangering all of us.  Recently, news has stated that new vaccines are being made that would target H1N1 AND the regular flu.  It was also shown in a recent news reports that in New York where they are implementing a “no touching” policy; where kids are not allowed to hug, high-five, shake hands, etc. due to the fear that the spread of this new virus will take hold. 

 

We know from research that the BEST way to combat all of these “new” illnesses, viruses, and infections is help our bodies fight as best as possible.  That is what it was made to do!  Vitamin D plays a significant role in this as it is a huge immune system modulator.  This means it has hormonal effects in which to help the immune system work better and more efficiently.   So before fear sets in about all of these new disease that the media is portraying, make sure we are doing the needing things to build our own immunity!

What comes to mind when you hear the word, inflammation? Words such as redness, pain and stiffness may pop in your mind but chronic illnesses and diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome and asthma may not.
 
These serious illnesses and diseases may be caused in part by low-grade inflammation.  People will not feel symptoms from this inflammation but it is quietly affecting their health.  One way to combat these problems is through following an anti-inflammatory diet.  When one follows an anti-inflammatory diet, a person will cleanse their body of allergens that cause the inflammation and facilitate healing.
 
Click here to download our Anti-Inflammatory diet plan.

What is it?:  Citrus Seed Extract (also called grapefruit seed extract) is used as a broad spectrum, non-toxic, antimicrobial (a broad spectrum bactericide, fungicide, antiviral, and anti-parasitic compound).  It is currently being used successfully in humans and animals alike to eliminate many types of internal and external infections caused from parasites, viruses, bacteria, fungus, and more!

The greatest benefit is due to it's multipurpose (broad-spectrum) effect.  Citrus Seed Extract is effective even if the causes of the infections are known, unknown, or misdiagnosed.

Citrus Seed extract contains high levels of the antioxidants Vitamin C and E, and bioflavonoids.  These antioxidants are important becausetheir action can neutralize free radicals that damage cells and cause a number of illnesses.

External uses of Citrus Seed Extract Topical Cream include but are not limited to:  acne, athlete's food, nail fungus infections, skin infections (fungal/bacterial/parasitic/viral/ringworm/cuts/wounds), warts, poison ivy/oak, rashes, jock itch, shaving itch, dandruff, cold sores/herpes, head lice, chickenpox, cracked lips, and much more!

Possible Side Effects:  Citrus Seed Extract has been shown to be non-toxic at levels many times greater than the recommended dosages.  Even when taken daily, Citrus Seed Extract seldom produces a significant allergic reaction.  However, people who are allergic to citrus fruits should exercise caution in the use of Citrus Seed Extract.

As we are out about gardening, cleaning out gutters, and mowing our newly grown grass the insides of our homes are due for a cleaning as well.  Its common to find families opening windows, cleaning out closets, putting winter clothes away and getting our homes ready for the up-coming spring and summer months.  We also like to remind you that, just as its important to clean our homes to give us a cleaner living environment, its more important to clean the insides of our bodies as well.  A lot of “dust, mildew, and cobwebs” can build up inside of us over the winter months and its time to sweep up the mess left behind.  

Our body’s most important “filter” is the liver.  The food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, the medications we take, etc. all has to be processed by the liver.  With today’s food and water supply being laden with hormones, pesticides, additives, colorings, and even some medications and our air being dirtier than ever, having our filter cleaned is of utmost importance.  If it’s not cleaned out, these substances end up staying in our bodies contributing to fatigue, hormone problems, mental fogginess, and weight gain to name a few.
 
We have a great “filter-cleaning” program that is easy to implement to your regular home spring cleaning.  
It is called “Core Restore” focusing on the “core” (liver) function.  It comes complete with everything you will need for 7 days, a drink mixer, and a patient guide that gives you many recipes and a grocery guide.  We have found this to be very simple to do.  Those who have done it have really enjoyed the simplicity of it and the symptom benefits.

Finally, a good way to flush the rest of these accumulated substances out of our system is massage therapy.  
Right now through June, if you purchase a “Core Restore” 7 day kit, you will receive a $10 gift certificate towards a lymphatic massage to complement the detoxification process.

As spring approaches, it’s easy to spot people uncomfortably hunched over in their gardens.  But how easy is it to find a gardener who is kneeling on knee pads pulling weeds, or doing gardening warm-ups in their front yard?

According to the National Gardening Association, about 40 million U.S. households have a garden.  A hobby for many people, gardening can also be an intense exercise routine, using all of the major muscle groups in the body.  Legs, buttocks, stomach, arms, shoulders, neck, and back all get a workout.  And, like any exercise, gardening requires stretching as a warm-up and the use of proper form while shoveling, raking, digging, lifting, or pulling weeds.  Without proper posture positioning and warm-up, gardening can be a source of injury as well.

To properly prepare yourself for garden exercise, do some simple movements to get your heart rate up and warm your muscles.  Try walking in place using high stepping for 2 minutes, or go for a short walk.  Then doing some stretches.  All muscle groups should be gently stretched, with special emphasis on your spinal muscles.  Start by curling up in a ball with your chin tucked to your chest.  Then while seated with erect posture slowly twist to the left as far as is comfortable, including turning your head.  Then repeat to the right.  Slowly do 10 of these to each side to warm up the back and neck.

You will get more enjoyment and physical benefit from gardening if you prepare your body for the task.  Keep your body in constant movement during gardening for 30 to 45 minutes three times per week throughout the growing months and you will see a stronger, leaner you as the season progresses.  Gardening can be a fun way to help you get in, and stay in shape.  

The broader purpose of Chiropractic care is to help you accomplish everything possible in life.  

Enjoy your gardening!

We are thrilled to announce that Maggie McGinnis has joined us at The Livewell Clinic.

Maggie will be helping at the front desk and answering any questions you may have regarding our services.

Of additional benefit to you - Maggie is a licensed massage therapist (LMT) and will also be offering massage services for our patients.

Please help us welcome Maggie to our team and schedule that relaxing massage today!