Monday, January 28, 2013

What's in your kitchen to help your pain: Turmeric



In the earlier blog I talked about adding Garlic to your diet to help reduce inflammation.  Maybe you don’t like garlic, maybe you already have garlic in your diet and you still “hurt” or maybe you missed that one…if that is the case you can click HERE to read that one. 


Turmeric
Another ancient herb used in ayurvedic medicine as well as for cooking is turmeric, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The active ingredient in turmeric is called curcumin. Recent discoveries indicate that turmeric may be useful for the treatment of inflammation for ailments like arthritis and fibromyalgia, as well as for digestive disturbances and cancer, adds the UMMC. Further research is necessary to verify these claims.

In addition to turmeric's ability to reduce inflammation on its own, the UMMC adds that combining it with the enzyme bromelain, increases its efficacy. The UMMC suggests 400 to 600 mg of turmeric, three times per day. Turmeric can also thin the blood and cause bleeding. People taking blood thinners like coumadin or warfarin should consult a practitioner before using turmeric.

So what can you cook with turmeric?  I don’t know about you but Master Chef I am not.  I have heard about Turmeric but only in pill form that I see at WalMart with the other vitamins and supplements. 

Here is a roasted chicken recipe that was taken from the Food Network website that sounds YUMMY!!

Roasted Chicken Breasts with Orange, Cardamom and Turmeric 

Total Time: 40 min
Prep: 10 min 
Inactive: 5 min 
Cook: 25 min 
Yield: 2 servings 
Level: Easy 
Ingredients 

  • 6 red potatoes, peeled, sliced 1/4-inch thick 
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened 
  • 1 shallot, finely minced 
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 
  • 3 cardamom pods, husks removed and seeds pulverized 
  • 1 orange, zested and juiced 
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 
  • 1/4 teaspoon garam masala 
  • 2 bone-in chicken breasts with skin 
Directions Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. 

In the bottom of a foil-lined broiler pan, toss the potato slices with a generous drizzle of olive oil and some salt and pepper, to taste.

In a small bowl, stir together the butter, shallots, garlic, cardamom, orange zest, orange juice, turmeric,garam masala and salt and pepper, to taste. Separate the skin from chicken flesh using your index finger, moving it back and forth. Do not remove the skin completely, just make a pocket. Spoon half of the butter mixture under skin of 1 breast, smoothing it out with your index finger. Repeat with other chicken breast.

Put a rack over the potatoes in the broiler pan and arrange the chicken on the rack. Roast until the chicken registers 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, and the potatoes are tender. Remove from the oven and transfer the chicken and potatoes to a serving platter. Allow to rest for 5 minutes then serve.


This information is not intended to take the place of medical treatment.  It is for your information and should you choose to add cinnamon to your diet please consult you Doctor as there are side effects that we will discuss next time.



I strongly recommend you do see a Doctor.  Find one that has Digital Motion X-Ray  I strongly recommend you do see a Doctor.  Find one that has Digital Motion X-Ray. 

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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Side effects of cinnamon

We've talked about the benefits of adding cinnamon to your diet.  If you missed that blog you can read it HERE.  With everything there are good and bad.  This blog is to make you aware of some side effects you may experience adding cinnamon to your diet.  Remember, this is not meant to replace your Doctor's advice...it is for informational purposes only.

This information is provided by Health Diaries.

The most important thing you need to know about cinnamon is not all that is labeled "cinnamon" is created equal.
"Cassia" is an herb which looks and tastes like cinnamon and can be found on some store shelves labeled as cinnamon when actually it does not carry the health benefits of true "Ceylon cinnamon". The first step in using cinnamon safely is knowing what you are getting. Cassia contains higher amounts of coumarin than true cinnamon and coumarin is responsible for some of the side effects listed below.
Skin and stomach irritation:   The essential oil of cinnamon must never be applied directly to the skin. Small amounts of the diluted oil can be used for refreshment and to fight infection but the oil alone can quickly cause severe burning and irritation to exposed skin. Allergies are rare but sometimes manifest as sores.  Those with any prior condition of the digestive system such as an ulcer or irritable bowel syndrome should be careful when eating cinnamon. Large amounts (more than 1/2 a teaspoon) may cause the lining of the stomach to become irritated.

Increased Heart Rate:  Large amounts of cinnamon have been reported to increase heart rate which could be dangerous for those with a heart condition. Increased heart rate is also linked to cinnamon oil poisoning in children.

Uterine Contractions:  Some traditional medicine practitioners will give a mother cinnamon in order to induce or normalize contractions. Therefore, pregnant women may want to avoid cinnamon.


Blood Thinning Cinnamon may have anti-clotting properties and may cause over thinning of the blood if you are taking blood thinners. Large doses of cinnamon should also not be used before surgery, during heavy menstruation, or in any situation where a lot of bleeding may occur.

Kidney and Liver Problems:  There is anecdotal evidence suggesting that people with kidney or liver problems or people who are taking drugs that are processed in the liver may want to avoid taking high doses of cinnamon due to its coumarin content. Coumarin levels are higher in cassia than in true cinnamon, but cinnamon does contain compounds that are known to be toxic to the kidneys at high doses.

Blood Sugar:  People taking medication to regulate blood sugar should be careful when taking cinnamon, as it also has a powerful effect on blood sugar and the two in combination may lower blood sugar too much.

Antibiotics:  Cinnamon is a powerful antibiotic, but check with your doctor before taking cinnamon if you are taking prescription antibiotics, because it may change the way prescription antibiotics act on the body.

All of the above information is credited to Health Diaries.

The important thing to remember is that anything you do to change your diet can have different side effects depending on your health when starting it.  Please consult your Doctor before changing your diet.

Click HERE for a non-dessert recipe that include cinnamon.


What's in your kitchen to help your pain: Garlic




So you KNOW what has caused your injury and you and you want to try to treat your inflammation at home.  No worries we can try that. 




I have always been in awe of how the Chinese live.  They always seem to be “healthier” than the rest of us.  Beautiful skin…but that is a another topic for another day. 

So what do they “know and do” that we may not?

You don’t have to be a master chef to include this ingredient into your diet.   

Garlic
“Garlic's popularity as a healing herb has been known for thousands of years. The Chinese and Egyptians used garlic in herbal preparations taking advantage of its ability to reduce inflammation and fight infections based on its anti-microbial properties. Garlic's healing properties are described in the hieroglyphics found on the great pyramid of Cheops in Giza, according to Wright State University. Current discoveries find that garlic possesses disease-preventing compounds supporting its historical use, according to reports from Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute.”

I love garlic and so this is a simple thing for me.  My problem is I already add garlic to just about everything so if garlic worked for me…I wouldn’t still be in pain from a car accident from many years ago. 

It is important that if you try this and it doesn’t work go see a Doctor.  I know, I know the whole point of this blog was so you wouldn’t have to go see one but what if I told you there is a Doctor out there (Southern Colorado) that believes in non-surgical, drug free treatment?  Would you believe that it is possible to not worry about the side effects of drugs and the worry of surgery?  Click HERE to be taken to their website.

Click HERE to learn more about what may be in your cabinet to help reduce inflammation.  


This information is not intended to take the place of medical treatment.  It is for your information and should you choose to add cinnamon to your diet please consult you Doctor as there are side effects that we will discuss next time.






I strongly recommend you do see a Doctor.  Find one that has Digital Motion X-Ray  I strongly recommend you do see a Doctor.  Find one that has Digital Motion X-Ray. 


Like Premier Back Rehabilitation Center on Facebook or visit their website  (map)

Monday, January 21, 2013

What's in your kitchen to help your pain?


You don’t like Doctors because all they want to do is prescribe pain mediation and drugs or perform surgery…which neither option is for you.



Did you know there may be a few things you have in your cabinet that just may help you depending on your cause for injury….and for this I strongly recommend you do see a Doctor.  Find one that has Digital Motion X-Ray as this is the new way to find those hidden injuries that the standard x-rays cannot find and here is why DMX is different than standard X-Rays:
 “A 19-year-old woman was involved in an SUV rollover crash.  After several days in the hospital she was discharged.  Her ongoing headaches, neck pain, and increased pain with movement were undiagnosed by static x-rays, MRI, and CT.  In August 2001, a digital motion x-ray was performed on the patient.  The DMX study revealed several layers of cervical instability and vertebral abnormalities including, but not limited to, severe unilateral translation at C1 on C2, multiple levels of capsular ligament damage, possible compression fractures, and interspinous and longitudinal ligamentous injuries.
A follow-up DMX study was done prior to going to mediation a year later and revealed even greater translational instability of C1 on C2 caused by alar and accessory ligament damage, and facet joint instability caused by capsular ligament damage.  The neurosurgeon stated that the DMX findings demonstrated the underlying cause of the patient's chronic neck pain and headaches.  He also stated that because the ligament injuries were permanent, the patient would most likely experience neck pain and headaches during her lifetime.  As a result of this objective evidence offered by DMX, her insurance company settled at mediation six months later for $750,000.  They originally offered her nothing because they didn't believe she was injured. Until now, it has been extremely difficult for doctors to diagnose ligamentous injuries because standard x-ray, MRI, and CT do not show these types of injuries. It is important to know that there are two different types of ligament injuries.  One is called a complete failure, or "tear", and the other is a sub-failure, which is a stretching of the ligament.  Loose ligaments can only be demonstrated through a motion imaging procedure.  That is why DMX can reveal these sub-failure ligament injuries in as little as 15 minutes, allowing the physician to specifically determine which ligaments are injured. Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX) helps doctors make a fast and accurate diagnosis for patients with ligament damage.  In addition, Digital Motion X-Ray allows doctors to:
  • Make the most informed and reliable diagnosis;
  • Provide proof of injury;
  • Increase patient compliance and understanding;
  • Detect ligament injuries objectively;
  • Substantiate patient care.”  (Dr. Jere Sutton, Premier Back Rehabilitation)
So I started off this blog about what you can find in your cabinets that may reduce inflammation.  Click here to learn what those may be.




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Sunday, January 13, 2013

What's in your kitchen to help pain: Cinnamon

We hear about the benefits of this one day and then the next we hear that it can harm us.  I'm sure we've all heard:  Hair dryers cause cancer, red M&M's cause cancer...the list goes on and one.  One thing that has stayed consistent are a few foods (or spices) we can eat that has many benefits.



Cinnamon.  I LOVE cinnamon.  Cinnamon rolls, cinnamon in my hot chocolate, anything with cinnamon is my friend.

Besides enjoying cinnamon, what are the health benefits?  (This information is provided by health diaries)
  1. Prevents cancer:  So I'm thinking I eat cinnamon rolls each time I blow dry my hair and I am good, right?  In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
  2. Lowers Cholesterol:  Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.  (The bad cholesterol)
  3. Blood Sugar Regulation:  Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.
  4. E. Coli Fighter:  Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.
  5. Anti-Bacterial: When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
  6. Anti-Clotting:  It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
  7. Yeast Infection Help:  In some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.
  8. Arthritis Relief:  In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.
  9. High in Nutrients:  It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.
  10. Brain Health:  One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.
So I look at this list and think that if one thing can help with all this I'm going to have to add it to my diet every day.  

This information is not intended to take the place of medical treatment.  It is for your information and should you choose to add cinnamon to your diet please consult you Doctor as there are side effects that we will discuss next time.





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Thursday, January 3, 2013

Have you kept your New Years Resolution



The first week of January hasn't even been completed and many I talk to have already broken their New Years Resolution. Whether it was to eat healthy, lose weight, exercise, stop smoking, stop drinking...the list goes on and on.



Stopping a bad habit, which let's be honest...if you made it your New Years Resolution it is a bad habit that you wanted to change.

Let's look at the bad habit; no matter what it is.  Habits, by definition, are an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary: the habit oflooking both ways before crossing the street, customary practice or use: Daily bathing is an American habit, a particular practice, custom, or usage: the habit of shaking hands, a dominant or regular disposition or tendency; prevailing character or quality: She has a habit of lookingat the bright side of things and/or addiction, especially to narcotics (often preceded by the ).  (Dictionary.com)

With this in mind it is something that we regularly do and if we have done it to the point in which it has become involuntary....we have done it for a long time.

What takes us years to develop will not go away in a few days.  Setbacks will happen and we have to learn how to adjust to these setbacks.  For instance, quitting smoking.  We already know that nicotine is addicting and some have been successful with quitting cold turkey but for most it requires MORE.  More attention, more drive and more reasons to quit.

No matter what your resolution is/was don't give up.  If you have already failed at keeping it you don't have to quit.  Imagine if Albert Einstein quit trying to invent the light bulb the first, second or even third time he failed?  We have to fail to understand and appreciate success.

What you can do to make your New Years Resolution successful:

  1. Baby steps.  Rome wasn't invented in a day.  Don't make the goal to big to achieve. If your resolution is to eat healthier...eat healthier one meal at a time.  If it is to quit smoking break your day into 15 minute time spans.
  2. Tell everyone your plan.  If you keep it a secret no one will help you.  If your friend/spouse doesn't know you want to eat healthier they will ask you to go to lunch or dinner at a fast food restaurant.  If they do not know you are wanting to quit drinking....How about Happy Hour.
  3. Get help.  Enlist your friends, family and Doctor to help you.  The more people you are accountable to the better your chances of success are.  
  4. Don't give up.  Failure is a part of learning.  If you fail...look at the circumstances and learn from it.  If your goal is to quit smoking and you have a cigarette after a fight with your boss/friend/spouse learn the trigger.  
  5. DON'T QUIT!!  Make it important to you and let your new behavior become your new habit.
How are you keeping your New Years Resolution?  Any suggestions for everyone?



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