Dr. Brown's weBlog

Sounds obvious doesn’t it? But the reality is that when we skimp on healthy living habits we allow ourselves to become candidates for all manner of problems. Sitting still is perhaps the worst offender because inactivity sets the stage for so many health problems. Yet, unfortunately our culture encourages it with desk work in front of computers, long hours at the TV in the home along with various electronic pass-times. All of these things contribute to a too sedentary lifestyle.
Then, when sickness strikes we seek help from a health care system that is in a crisis of its own and the crisis seems to be getting worse, not better. An article I saw this morning on a popular health care site carried a review of a book called Hospitals and Health by Dr. Andrew Saul. It makes the observation that, “According to the 2011 Health Grades Hospital Quality in America Study, the incidence rate of medical harm occurring in the United States is estimated to be over 40,000 harmful and/or lethal errors each and EVERY day.”
The best answer we know of is to stay healthy in the first place.

Research published in the journal, Neurology have found that a diet lacking in omega-3 fatty acids may cause your brain to age faster and lose some of its memory and cognitive capabilities. Regular fatty fish consumption (salmon, sardines, mackerel) or supplementing with a molecularly distilled form of fish oil is shown to improve memory and thought retention. This may significantly lower the risk of cognitive decline associated with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Eating fish several times each week or supplementing with good quality fish oil improves brain development and cognition as we age. Vegetarians: no, you don’t have to eat fish. There are a variety of plant based omega-3 sources including flaxseed, hempseed and canola oils, and nuts like walnuts. Sources: naturalnews.com/035263_omega-3s_dementia_aging.html#ixzz1pIEzAHum Z (and for vegetarians read this: womentowomen.com/healthynutrition/veganepadha.aspx)

Millions of people heard unconditional praise for chiropractic from Dr. Phil on Wednesday’s broadcast of the popular TV show. On this week’s show Dr. Phil welcomed the President of a chiropractic college who was there promoting his new book. Dr. Phil had many positive things to say about his experiences as a chiropractic patient. Dr. Phil shared that chiropractic has helped him and his wife mentally, physically and spiritually and has stated that, “I’m a big believer in chiropractic…” To hear it from Dr. Phil please click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDM7oPMMoGQ&feature=related

The office will be open late today so that we can be sure to get everyone checked before taking a trip to Iowa tomorrow. The office will be open on Tuesday, March 7th at 8:00 a.m.
Charlene and I will be visiting our daughter Arianna and Charlene’s sisters who also live in Iowa. It’s been about 3 years since we’ve been in Iowa so we’ll also try to catch up with friends depending on how much time is available.

Clinical trials of drugs and other medical therapies are carefully carried out and are the very gold standard of scientific proof, right? According to an in-depth review of this question just published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) the answer is no. In fact, the BMJ showed that data reported by scientists is too often not the truth – because the researchers leave out inconvenient evidence. The result of facts-gone-missing could well be harming patients, spiking up healthcare costs by the selling of treatments based on bogus findings, and threatening the very integrity of medicine. Ed. Note: The stakes are high, and so are drug maker’s profits – so shouldn’t we remain skeptical about drugs? Source: naturalnews.com/034577_quack_science_clinical_trials_BMJ.html#ixzz1iiHOeNq3

Speaking of love, wouldn’t this be a great day to share what you know about chiropractic with someone you care about?

Remember those Dual Ridge Metal Boutique™ tissue boxes sold at Bed, Bath & Beyond stores? They were found to be radioactive. Made with the extremely dangerous cobalt-60, they emit gamma rays that are known to cause both cancer and infertility. Manufactured in India, they were shipped to the U.S. and distributed to Bed, Bath & Beyond stores in 20 states. Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman David McIntyre said that standing near one of these tissue holders for 30 minutes a day would expose you to the equivalent of “a couple of chest X-Rays” each year. It’s interesting to consider how tritely he brushed off the importance of avoiding all unnecessary radiation. It is very important to be our own health advocates and to remember that all exposure to radiation poses a cumulative threat to a person’s health. With that fact in mind it makes sense for people to actively attempt to limit their exposures to radiation.
Ed. Note: I am reminded how it raised such a furor a year or two ago when research revealed that the annual mammograms so many physicians were recommending may actually be more of a threat to cause cancer than being helpful in prolonging life. The take away message for all of us is to ask a lot more questions, especially where harmful radiation is involved. Source: Naturalnews.com/034659_Bed_Bath_&_Beyond_radioactive_products.html#ixzz1k2AoYAbm

Project Connect for the Homeless – January 29th from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
The Catawba Area Coalition for the Homeless (CACH) and a number of related area agencies are hosting another Project Connect for area homeless persons today at First Assembly Church located at 1089 Edwards Street in Rock Hill. As a member of the CACH Board I am pleased to see this important service continue.

The event features a voluntary community outreach providing information and an array of services to the homeless. Over the past couple of years, this event has helped over 450 clients with much needed services like haircuts, chiropractic care, clothing, medical screenings and food. Joining me on Saturday will be Rock Hill colleague, Dr. Rhonda Werner. We and others will be providing services without charge for those attending the event.

Please note that the office will close early on Saturday, January 29th so that I may attend to folks at Project Connect.

An exploratory practice-based research study just published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health suggests that pregnant women with abnormal fetal positions may derive benefits from chiropractic care.
The study published by investigators, Dr. Joel Alcantara, et. al., found a relationship between chiropractic care and improvements in abnormal fetal pregnancies. They considered sociodemographic information, previous prenatal care and abnormal fetal positioning prior to care. According to the article, 70% of the subjects with abnormal fetal pregnancies reported a return to the vertex position.
Ordinary obstetricians generally are untrained about the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy and as a result women may need to become their own advocates regarding this valuable information. For more information click this link: http://youneedchiro.com/joomla/links?start=1 then scroll down about half way. Another link with quite a bit of related information is: http://icpa4kids.org/Chiropractic-Research/ADD/ADHD/

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) will be hosting celebrity superstar athletes and those aspiring to greatness at the annual Natural Fitness Symposium scheduled for March 1 – 3 in Columbus, Ohio. Arnold Schwarzenegger will be its keynote speaker and the event will be held in conjunction with The Arnold Sports Festival.
Other speakers on the ICA program will include The Incredible Hulk, Lou Ferrigno, who often speaks about the benefits of chiropractic. He’ll be on hand to talk about his experience developing strength in the power athlete. Also featured will be 8 time “Mr. Olympia” winner, Lee Haney. Haney, who appreciates the value of chiropractic care, will be revealing his top ten strategies for strength, conditioning, injury prevention and nutrition. Information about attending the event is available at the link below: http://members.chiropractic.org/asset/docs/SymposiumFLRG201220HSpeakers.pdf