Your Health

is in reliable hands.

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

DIET: What Is Chaga Tea? Are you tired of drinking the same old tea over and over? Chaga mushroom tea may be a good option for you. Chaga tea has been used in the East for hundreds of years to boost immunity and improve overall health. It is now gaining popularity in Western countries, as numerous studies are touting the nutritional components chaga mushrooms are filled with. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a parasitic fungus commonly found in cold climates, typically in Siberia, Alaska and Northern Canada. While chaga may look like something you wouldn’t want anywhere near you it is actually popular for its wide array of health benefits. The high concentration of vitamins, minerals and nutrients it contains paved the way for chaga to be lauded as a superfood. Due to its unique appearance, experts are not quite sure whether chaga is a mushroom or another type of fungus. After numerous studies showed the benefits of chaga consumption, chaga product availability in the market has increased. These products range from raw chaga mushroom chunks, chaga tea, skin cream, lip balm and joint rubs. However, brewing chaga tea may be the easiest way for you to benefit from this mushroom. Chaga tea contains a plethora of vitamins and minerals that are essential to keeping the body at peak condition. It is rich in vitamin B2, vitamin D, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, cesium, silicon and a lot more. It has been used to help reduce the risk of tumor growth, aid in tuberculosis treatment and improve stomach problems, boost immune function, helps keep information at bay, helps in detoxification and blood pressure control.

IN THE NEWS: Are There Risks From Secondhand Marijuana Smoke? Early Science Says Yes Springer was already researching the health effects of secondhand tobacco smoke on rats at his lab at UCSF. He decided to run the same tests using joints. He knew it would be difficult. Marijuana is still an illegal drug under federal law, and Springer's research uses federal funds; so he has to purchase specially approved government cannabis for study. He also can't test it on humans; hence, the rats. In the lab, Springer puts a cigarette or a joint in a plexiglass box. Then he lights it, and lets the chamber fill with smoke, where an anesthetized rat is exposed to the smoke. So far, Springer and his colleagues have published research demonstrating that secondhand smoke makes it harder for the rats' arteries to expand and allow a healthy flow of blood. With tobacco products, this effect lasts about 30 minutes, and then the arteries recover their normal function. But if it happens over and over — as when a person is smoking cigarette after cigarette, for example — the arterial walls can become permanently damaged, and that damage can cause blood clots, heart attack or stroke. Springer demonstrated that, at least in rats, the same physiological effect occurs after inhaling secondhand smoke from marijuana. And, the arteries take 90 minutes to recover compared to the 30 minutes with cigarette smoke. Springer's discovery about the effect on blood vessels describes just one harmful impact for nonsmokers who are exposed to marijuana. Statewide sampling surveys of cannabis products sold in marijuana dispensaries have shown that cannabis products may contain dangerous bacteria or mold, or residues from pesticides and solvents. Cynthia Hallett is the president of Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, based in Berkeley, Calif. Hallett says some of the arguments being made in support of cannabis remind her of the arguments made on behalf of tobacco decades ago.

CHIROPRACTIC: Why Chiropractic Is Your Best Option for Pain Pain is a major problem, but so is medication use to help relieve the pain. If you haven't realized by now that chiropractic care, not drugs, is your best option for pain, perhaps you'll be swayed by some recent research. Let's take a quick look at two studies in particular. Follow along and see how the latest research supports our conclusion. It's not too late to avoid the pain-reliever epidemic. It's never too late to choose chiropractic. First, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Aleve) and other commonly administered pain relievers are more effective than opioids (64,000 opioids overdose deaths estimated in 2016) for relieving chronic back, knee and hip pain. NSAIDs also win out over opioids in terms of reducing limitations in the ability to perform activities of daily living (walking, working, sleeping, etc.). So, point #1: Opioids aren't your best option for pain. But neither are NSAIDs, at least when compared to chiropractic, according to a study that also appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Chiropractic spinal manipulation reduced pain and improved function in back pain patients after six weeks of treatment, and results were similar to that achieved with NSAID use – but without the side effects and other risks associated with medication use (particularly use for more than 10 days at a time). So, point #2: NSAIDs aren't your best option, either. Point #3 should be clear by now: When it comes to pain relief, chiropractic care is the effective, safe option to turn to first – a point emphasized by an increasing number of major health care organizations these days. Talk to your doctor about the risks associated with opioids and other pain relievers, and why chiropractic care is the natural, drug-free first choice. Make the right choice ... choose chiropractic today.

FUNNY BONE: A ham sandwich walks into a bar and orders a beer, bartender says "sorry, we don't serve food here."@@ If athletes get athlete's foot, what do elves get? Mistle-toes.@@ If you had to decide between a diet and a piece of chocolate, would you prefer dark, white or milk chocolate?

Visit our web sites: keefeclinic.com & facebook.com/keefeclinic

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: The Nitric Oxide Dump Do you have three or four minutes, one to three times a day, to devote to your health? By using that time to engage in one of the best high-intensity exercises out there — the Nitric Oxide Dump — you can improve your mitochondrial health, slowing down age-related muscle decline. The fact is, if you live in the U.S. and work full time, you sit an average of 13 hours a day, then sleep for an average of eight.¹ This means you're sedentary 21 hours of the day! The Nitric Oxide Dump workout stimulates your body’s release of nitric oxide (NO), improving your mitochondrial health, slowing down age-related muscle decline and boosting heart health. It involves just four movements — squats, alternating arm raises, non-jumping jacks and shoulder presses — which are done in repetitions of 10, with four sets each. The workout takes just three or four minutes and should be repeated three times a day, with a minimum of two hours between sessions. Squats (10) Begin by standing with your feet hip-width apart, feet parallel, toes pointing forward and the weight of your body distributed evenly between your heels and the ball of your foot. Perform 10 squats in rapid sequence, keeping your quadriceps engaged. Your butt should move back as though you're going to sit in a chair while your arms move forward for balance. You can do a shallower squat if you have knee or back pain. Alternating Arm Raises (10) Alternate swinging your arms at a 90-degree angle. Keep your form tight and your muscles controlled, avoiding swinging your arms too high or too low This will work a number of muscles in your deltoids, which are the rounded, triangular-shaped muscles on the uppermost part of your arm and the top of your shoulder. Non-Jumping Jacks (10) Begin standing straight with your arms down, fists touching in front of your pelvis. Use a broad rotation, circle your arms upward on each side to touch your fists over your head. Circle back down to hit your fists at the bottom and repeat 10 times. If you have shoulder problems with your rotator cuffs, try this variation instead: Start with your hands at a prayer position in front of your chest. Keep your hands pressed together lightly as you extend them above your head. Circle your arms out to the sides to release before bringing them back to the prayer position. Repeat 10 times. Shoulder Presses (10) Bring fists above your shoulders on either side of your head, elbows bent. Extend your arms straight above your head. Return to position with fists just over your shoulders and repeat 10 times. When you're done, you should feel your fingertips tingling, and this is a great sign because it means nitric oxide is freely flowing through your body.

CHIROPRACTIC: ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTALS FOR HEALTH To stay healthy diet, exercise, rest and relaxation are some of the components that are important. To be healthy means your body is functioning properly. Function depends on the nervous system, it’s the nervous system that tell glands to secrete their hormones or enzymes, it’s the nervous system that regulates your immune system, it’s the nervous system that performs the miracle of upright posture and walking. You nervous system can slowly become compromised by misalignments and other structural stresses that you could be completely unaware of as they develop. That’s why most health problems come on slowly over a period of time. When you get adjusted you release the intelligence within the body to better regulate and control. If you are needing more hormones the nervous system will accomplish that or if you needing more enzymes to digest your foods the nervous system regulates that as well. Patients who get regular chiropractic care become stronger and healthier over time. Once the pain is gone or maybe some other symptom doesn’t mean your body doesn’t need to continue chiropractic adjustments. Your spine is stressed from daily activities from improper lifting to improper sitting posture or even sleep posture. When you’re under stress muscles tighten up which put your spine under even more stress. When you nervous system can properly regulate and control your body then you stay in a lot better health. Stay regular with care it pays big dividends.

FUNNY BONE:

On my way home from work, I stopped at Taco Bell for a quick bite to eat. In my billfold are a $50 bill and a $2 bill. I figure that with a $2 bill, I can get something to eat and not have to worry about anyone getting irritated at me for trying to break a $50 bill.

Me: "Hi, I'd like one seven-layer burrito please, to go."
Server: "That'll be $1.04. Eat in?"
Me: "No, it's to go." At this point, I open my billfold and hand him the $2 bill. He looks at it kind of funny.

Server: "Uh, hang on a sec, I'll be right back."He goes to talk to his manager, who is still within my earshot. The following conversation occurs between the two of them:

Server: "Hey, you ever see a $2 bill?"
Manager: "No. A what?"
Server: "A $2 bill. This guy just gave it to me."
Manager: "Ask for something else. There's no such thing as a $2 bill."
Server: "Yeah, thought so."
He comes back to me and says, "We don't take these. Do you have anything else?"
Me: "Just this fifty. You don't take $2 bills? Why?"
Server: "I don't know."
Me: "See here where it says legal tender?"
Server: "Yeah."
Me: "So, why won't you take it?"
Server: "Well, hang on a sec."

He goes back to his manager, who has been watching me like I'm a shoplifter, and says to him, "He says I have to take it."

Manager: "Doesn't he have anything else?"
Server: "Yeah, a fifty. I'll get it and you can open the safe and get change."
Manager: "I'm not opening the safe with him in here.
"Server: "What should I do?"
Manager: "Tell him to come back later when he has real money."
Server: "I can't tell him that! You tell him."
Manager: "Just tell him."
Server: "No way! This is weird. I'm going in back."
The manager approaches me and says, "I'm sorry, but we don't take big bills this time of night."
Me: "It's only seven o'clock! Well then, here's a two dollar bill."
Manager: "We don't take those, either."
Me: "Why not?"
Manager: "I think you know why."
Me: "No really... tell me why."
Manager: "Please leave before I call mall security."
Me: "Excuse me?"
Manager: "Please leave before I call mall security."
Me: "What on earth for?"
Manager: "Please, sir."
Me: "Uh, go ahead, call them."
Manager: "Would you please just leave?"
Me: "No."
Manager: "Fine -- have it your way then."
Me: "Hey, that's Burger King, isn't it?"

At this point, he backs away from me and calls mall security on the phone around the corner. I have two people staring at me from the dining area, and I begin laughing out loud, just for effect. A few minutes later this 45-year-oldish guy comes in.

Guard: "Yeah, Mike, what's up?"
Manager (whispering): "This guy is trying to give me some (pause) funny money."
Guard: "No kidding! What?"
Manager: "Get this... a two dollar bill."
Guard (incredulous): "Why would a guy fake a two dollar bill?"
Manager: "I don't know. He's kinda weird. He says the only other thing he has is a fifty."
Guard: "Oh, so the fifty's fake!"
Manager: "No, the two dollar bill is."
Guard: "Why would he fake a two dollar bill?"
Manager: "I don't know! Can you talk to him, and get him out of here?"
Guard: "Yeah."
Security Guard walks over to me and...
Guard: "Mike here tells me you have some fake bills you're trying to use."
Me: "Uh, no."
Guard: "Lemme see 'em."
Me: "Why?"
Guard: "Do you want me to get the cops in here?"

At this point I am ready to say, "Sure, please!" but I want to eat, so I say, "I'm just trying to buy a burrito and pay for it with this two dollar bill."

I put the bill up near his face, and he flinches like I'm taking a swing at him. He takes the bill, turns it over a few times in his hands, and says, "Hey, Mike, what's wrong with this bill?"

Manager: "It's fake."
Guard: "It doesn't look fake to me."
Manager: "But it's a two dollar bill."
Guard: "Yeah... ?"
Manager: "Well, there's no such thing, is there?"

The security guard and I both look at him like he's an idiot, and it dawns on the guy that he has no clue.

So, it turns out that my burrito was free, and he threw in a small drink and some of those cinnamon thingies, too.

This all made me want to get a whole stack of two dollar bills just to see what happens when I try to buy stuff. If I got the right group of people, I could probably end up in jail. You get free food there, too!

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Help Preserve Your Eyesight With B Vitamins A study published in the July 2013 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition adds to the evidence suggesting certain B vitamins may be important in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 55 years of age in the U.S. and Canada. Previous studies have shown that taking certain antioxidant vitamins and minerals as supplements (vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, selenium and zinc), at specific dosages, can slow the progression of AMD. What the Latest Study Says In the latest study, known as the Blue Mountain Eye Study, serum folate (B-vitamin folic acid), vitamin B₁₂ and homocysteine status were determined from blood samples drawn in 1997-1999 from cohort members ages 55 and older. AMD was assessed in 1,760 survivors from retinal photographs taken in 2002-2004 and 2007-2009. Results showed that higher blood levels of homocysteine were associated with a significant increased risk of developing AMD, whereas higher levels of vitamin B₁₂ were strongly associated with decreased risk of developing AMD. Homocysteine is a toxic end-product of metabolism known to damage blood vessels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. How You Can Prevent AMD It is thought that AMD is a highly preventable disease, thus requiring attention to various lifestyle behaviors. Extrapolating from what we know from experimental, observational and clinical studies, the following practices appear to be the best proactive strategies to prevent the development of AMD:Don't smoke-Protect your eyes from UV light-Prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes by maintaining your ideal weight, performing endurance and strength-training exercises regularly, and keeping your blood sugar levels within an ideal range (talk to your doctor to for more info)-Eat a diet rich in brightly colored vegetables and fruit (dark green, yellow, orange, blue, purple, red).-Take dosages of antioxidants and B vitamins:Vitamin C: 1,000 mg-Vitamin E: 400 IU-Selenium: 200 mcg-Zinc: Vit A 25,000 IU -Lutein powder: 6 mg-B-50 complex, including 400 mcg folic acid, 50 mcg vitamin B₁₂ and 50 mg vitamin B₆(which also lowers homocysteine) If you're already suffering from advanced macular degeneration, higher dosages of certain vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients are required to slow the progression of the disease.

WELLNESS: Poor Sleep Is Bad for Your Waistline If you think you're getting a good night's sleep on a regular basis, you're either fooling yourself or in an extremely small minority. That's because increasingly, people are tossing and turning, waking up repeatedly, going to bed late and waking up early, or just plain waking up feeling tired, unrefreshed and unready to take on the next day because of a poor night's sleep. There are short- and long-term consequences of poor sleep, ranging from irritability and concentration lapses (short term) to cardiovascular disease (long term), but your weight and waistline also may suffer, according to research published in PLoS One, the peer-reviewed journal of the Public Library of Science. In a recent study, adults were divided into three groups based on their average sleep duration: Less than six hours nightly (5.88 hours), more than seven hours (7.26 hours), and more than eight hours (8.44 hours). If you got the most average sleep per night, your body-mass index (BMI) was about two points lower than if you got the least average sleep per night. Getting the most sleep, compared to the least, also corresponded with 1.6 inch smaller waistline, on average, compared to getting the least sleep. NOTE: We have several natural products that can help your sleep. Ask about it on your next visit. Also visit Keefeclinic.com and type sleep in the search bar.

CHIROPRACTIC: Knee Osteoarthritis: Steroid Injections Aren't the Answer Knee osteoarthritis can be painful and limit your activities, but corticosteroid injections aren't the answer, according to new research published in the May 16, 2017 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. In the study, quarterly steroid injections actually increased cartilage loss over a two-year period without providing any benefit. That's a loss-loss situation if you ask us. Patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis with synovitis were divided into two groups, with one group receiving the corticosteroid injections every 12 weeks for two years and a second group receiving a placebo (saline injections) at the same frequency and over the same time frame. Patients in the steroid group lost an average of 0.21 mm in cartilage thickness over the two-year period compared with only 0.10 mm, on average, in patients not receiving corticosteroids. What's more, patients receiving steroid injections scored only 1.2 points lower on a 0-20 pain scale (0 = no pain, 20 = extreme pain), while patients not receiving steroid treatment scored 1.9 points lower following the intervention period. In other words, patients who received no steroids reported less pain at three-month follow-ups than patients who received steroids! Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world, which makes finding effective treatment options paramount. Unfortunately (and as we've said repeatedly with other scenarios), drugs - in this case, injections - may not be the answer. If you suffer from osteoarthritis, talk to your doctor about nondrug alternatives to manage your pain and reduce other symptoms. NOTE: Steps to prevent and correct knee problems: arch supports, anti-inflammatory diet including fish oils, supplements that build Cartledge, keeping your knees in proper alignment.

FUNNY BONE: When I went to the ER to have a painful ingrown toenail removed, I was sobbing, gagging, petrified … the works. But my doctor knew how to calm me down. “Don’t worry about a thing,” he assured me. “I just looked up how to perform this operation on YouTube.”@@ Had a woman who was in active labor, despite insisting she couldn't be pregnant. She said her last period was "like ten months ago" so she'd gone through menopause. She was 25.@@ While in dental school my friend pulled out several bombed out (technical term) teeth on a adult male. After the procedure was finished and post-op instructions we given, the man asked, "So when should I expect my new teeth to grow in?" He was serious.@@ I gave my patient the results of her sleep study: “It looks like you stopped breathing in your sleep over 65 times per hour.” Her response: “Did I start back?”@@ Call it … carma! A car belonging to a pregnant patient was broken into. The only thing that was stolen was a wine bottle in a brown paper bag. It turns out, that’s where she was keeping her urine sample, which she’d brought in to be tested Visit our web sites: keefeclinic.com & facebook.com/keefeclinic

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: What are the best foods to fight aging? EDAMAME, or fresh soybeans, have been a staple of Asian cuisine for generations, the beans are rich in isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen – that is. plant-derived, estrogen-like substances. Isoflavones are known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial properties. CARROTS This common culinary ingredient, best known in its orange variety, is famously recommended for its high content of beta-carotene, a pigment — and carotenoid — that gives the widespread version of this root vegetable its color.Beta-carotene can be converted by our bodies into vitamin A, which, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), "is involved in immune function, vision, reproduction, and cellular communication." Our bodies cannot produce vitamin A on their own, so it must be derived from our diet. moreover, research has shown that foods rich in carotenoids — and, of course, carrots are a prime example here — can protect against age-related macular degeneration, the vision damage caused by old age. CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES Another important type of food on our list are cruciferous vegetables — also known as "Brassica vegetables" — which include a wide array of green foods, such as cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, bok choy, radish, and kale. These vegetables boast an especially rich nutrient content, including many vitamins (C, E, K, and folate), minerals (potassium, calcium, and selenium), and carotenoids (lutein, beta-carotene, and zeaxanthin). Cruciferous vegetables also contain glucosinolates, some glucosinolates seem to regulate the body's stress and inflammation response; they have antimicrobial properties, and some of them are being investigated for their anti-cancer potential.

WELLNESS: Reducing stress naturally Stress can be a factor in the breakdown of the body and the development of certain disease processes. Stress has different factors emotional, chemical, structural/neurological and physical. One of the benefits of chiropractic adjustments is that patients report caring less stress in their body. This can have a ramification on the quality of sleep and how well a person handles other life stresses. One type of emotional stress is replaying certain traumas in a subconscious way. This can show up as avoiding certain activities like driving, meeting new people or new experiences. The Emotional Freedom Technique is a tool we use to help eliminate the subconscious stressors. It allows the body to release these programs that are being replayed at the subconscious level thus allowing people to overcome phobias and other things that produce stress. Just improving diet and detoxing the body can improve stress handling considerably. If you feel like stress is taking over we can help. Talk to us today about any issues you feel are affecting your health.

CONDITION OF THE WEEK: Why Americans Love Chiropractic Findings from the most recent National Health Interview Survey providing data on the use of chiropractic and other complementary health care approaches by U.S. adults reveals why Americans utilize chiropractic and what they value most. The survey provides data on lifetime (54.6 million; 24%) and 12-month (19.1 million; 8.4%) use of chiropractic services and various sociodemographic characteristics. But the most intriguing data illuminates the primary reasons for visiting a doctor of chiropractic and the perceived health and wellness benefits received by chiropractic users. Why visit a chiropractor? Here's why: Reasons for Visiting a Chiropractor For general wellness / disease prevention: 43.6%-To improve energy: 16.3% -To improve athletic or sports performance: 15.4%-To improve immune function: 11.4%-To improve memory or concentration: 5.3% Benefits of Chiropractic Improves overall health or makes feel better: 66.9%-Helps to sleep better: 41.9%-Helps to reduce stress level or to relax: 40.2%-Makes it easier to cope with health problems: 38.5%-Gives a sense of control over own health: 32.5%-Helps to feel better emotionally: 27.4% Why Not Just See an Medical Doctor? Chiropractic treats the cause and not just the symptoms: 61.9%-Chiropractic is natural: 37.5%-Medical treatments do not work for specific health problem: 33.8%-Chiropractic focuses on the whole person: 24.9%-Medications cause side effects: 18.1% So, let's recap: U.S. adults visit doctors of chiropractic for a variety of health and wellness reasons (not just when they have back pain); the majority find it "very important" or "somewhat important" in maintaining their overall health and well-being, yet most all believe it is effective in helping their specific health problems; and chiropractic presents an all-natural, drug-free alternative to traditional medical care. Someone you know needs chiropractic!

FUNNY BONE: An Uber passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped inches from a shop window. For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, "Look man, don't ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!" The passenger apologized and said, "I didn't realize that a little tap would scare you so much." The driver replied, "Sorry, it’s not really your fault. Today is my first day as an Uber driver – I've been driving a hearse for the last 25 years."@@ Walking up to a department store's fabric counter, the pretty girl said, "I would like to buy this material for my new dress. How much does it cost?" "Only one kiss per yard," replied the male clerk with a smirk on his face. "That's fine," said the girl. "I'll take ten yards." With expectation and anticipation written all over his face, the clerk quickly measured out the cloth, wrapped it up, then teasingly held it out. The girl snapped up the package, pointed to the old man behind her, and smiled, "Grandpa's gonna pay the bill."

Visit our web site: keefeclinic.com& facebook.com/keefeclinic

Terms & Conditions