SUGAR-The HORROR of how much we consume!!!

Overeating, poor memory formation, learning disorders, depression – all have been linked in recent research to the over-consumption of sugar.
In 1822, the average American ate the amount of sugar found in one of today's 12-ounce sodas every 5 days.
Now, we eat that much every 7 hours.WOW!!!

While it is hard to believe, children are now eating their weight in sugar every year. Recent studies looking into the dietary habits of our children show that they are consuming more sugar than ever before and the main culprits are exactly what you might guess: soda and fruit juice. If typical, children – even small children – are eating 1/4 to 1/2 a pound of sugar a day for an average of around 100 pounds of sugar every year.
A new study in the journal, Pediatrics, looked into sugar consumption from just soda and fruit juice. Here is what they found:

• Children are consuming somewhere between 10 and 15 percent of their calories from soda and fruit juice alone
• Children aged 6 to 19 consumed an average of 30 oz of soda or fruit juice every day
• 2 to 5 year-olds consumed an average of 15.5 oz of juice or soda a day
• The average serving size of the drinks they are drinking has increased 46 percent (almost doubled) since 1972

What you have to understand about the above statistics is that they are saying that 10 to 15 percent of the calories our children are eating are coming from just soda or fruit juice. These numbers don’t include sugar such as breakfast cereals, cookies, candies, ice cream and all the hidden sugars such as those found in peanut butter, crackers, chips and other fast foods. For those who have read my book or this blog often, you know that those statistics don’t include foods that act like sugar in our bodies such as many grains and starchy vegetables.
It is clear that our children are overdosing on sugar.
The study in the journal, Pediatrics, showed something surprising: that most of this soda drinking was happening at home. Around 55 to 70 percent of sugar sweetened beverages are consumed in the home, while 7 to 15 percent in schools.
These numbers were slightly higher from very young children who attended day care or preschool where fruit juice is a common treat for the kids.
This means that parents are largely responsible for the incredible amount of sugar their children eat every day.
To reduce the amount of sugar your children consume daily replace the drinkable sugars and replace it with water.

Family First Chiropractic and Wellness is located at 142 Erickson dr, Red Deer, T4R 2X3 403-347-3261
www.family1stchiro.ca

Pregnancy woes and your pregnancy

Pregnancy woes and your pregnancy

Most women get through their pregnancies very healthily - they manage their nutrition, exercise and overall healthcare both by themselves and with the help of healthcare professionals.

CranioSacral Therapy offers women a very gentle and effective way of complementing thenatural work that their body is doing as well as complementing the work of Obstetricians, local Doctors and Midwives.

When we look at pregnancy week by week, there are many natural conditions that come and go as you progress through your pregnancy. Conditions such as early nausea through to lower-back pain can all occur during a healthy pregnancy.

An area that is found especially later in the pregnancy is discomfort in the legs or sciatica. I have found that the majority of clients experience relief from these symptoms for weeks at a time following a CranioSacral Therapy treatment. Probably one of the areas of most discomfort in Pregnancy is back pain - both of the middle and upper back - during the early stages of pregnancy, and lower back during the later stages. The discomfort of back pain during pregnancy can be effectively relieved by CranioSacral Therapy sessions.
At our clinic Family First Chiropractic and Wellness we take a team approach with your pregnancy care, we utilize craniosacral therapy, pre-natal chiropractic and massage therapy to enable you to have an optimal pregnancy experience.
Please find us at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer . 403-347-3261 or www.family1stchiro.ca

Jeannette Raskin, RMT,CST, Dr. Joelle Johnson, Dr. Stephen Kelly, Michaelle de Ruiter

Obesity Linked to increased prescription drug use

Obesity linked to increased prescription drug use

AARON TAYLOR, QMI Agency

First posted: Thursday, October 04, 2012 05:49 PM MDT | Updated: Thursday, October 04, 2012 06:10 PM MDT 

EDMONTON - A study released by the University of Alberta has shown a link between childhood obesity and increased prescription drug use.The study found that obese children between the ages of 12 to 19 were 59% more likely to require the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs than their normal-weighted peers."With higher health-care costs, this emphasizes the need for ... obesity prevention programs," said Christine Fung, the co-author of the study. "If you establish healthy habits at an early age, there are returns when you get older."The two most common types of medication for obese children that the study found were antihistamines and respiratory medications.It's something that Fung said was not surprising as there is an increased level of risk for allergies and asthma in obese children.Fung says the study could shed a light on the economic strain obesity is putting on the health-care system."We're hoping that this gives policy makers a better picture of the impact that obesity is having on the health-care system," she said."If 14% of drug use among kids is due to obesity, prevention then equates to real savings."And the savings could be big, Fund said, adding that currently obesity-related illnesses have a yearly impact of $6 billion on the health-care system.Moving forward, Fung hopes that the study will increase awareness for programs offered by the university like its Alberta Project Promoting active Living and healthy Eating.The program, dubbed APPLE Schools, motivates change by improving learning and health in 40 schools across northern Alberta."(This program) would reduce the negative health effects on the child," she said.But it would also reduce the economic strain on the health-care system."

This post is reposted by Family First Chiropractic and Wellness located at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta T4R 2C3 403-347-3261 to book an appointment today.
www.family1stchiro.ca

Improve Brain Function with Therapeutic Massage

Improve Brain Function with Therapeutic Massage

Massage therapy promotes healthy brain function through the applied pressure to the muscles, which stimulate receptors in different areas of the brain. This is accomplished by the production of intracellular messengers (proteins such as neurotransmitters). These messengers are key to a healthy brain and are primarily useful through three main systems of the body. These are the endocrine, nervous and immune systems.Each of these systems has a tremendous impact on brain activity as well as each other. They form a network of communication that allows the brain to receive the intracellular messengers during a massage session. If one of these systems becomes compromised, it can cause problems with the other two systems, thereby decreasing brain activity.
The healthier the brain, the better results from the massage and other alternative healing modalities, such as aromatherapy. It becomes a symbiotic relationship between the body and the brain; much like strengthening and stretching a muscle through exercise, yoga, walking, etc. Everything we do, or neglect to do, affects our brains. Everything we “perceive” has to do with brain function. A decrease in brain activity affects the body’s ability to function normally.

References:
1. Dr. Datis Kharrazian CD lecture on “Intracellular Messengers of Endocrinology”
2. http://www.massagetherapyworks.com/entry/brain_health_by_cambridge_naturals
3. http://www.jneurosci.org/content/29/18/6042.full
4. http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=14331
 

Insulin levels and your health!

Optimizing Your Insulin Levels is Paramount for a Long, Healthy Life

The Staff and Practitioners at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness

Having high insulin levels is a surefire way to speed up your aging process. If there's a single marker for lifespan, it would be insulin, specifically insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance is the basis of virtually ALL of chronic diseases of aging, and one of the primary reasons for this is because it promotes chronic inflammation throughout your body. Please understand that a firm appreciation of insulin's role is one of the most important things you can do to optimize your health. The two most important elements for normalizing your insulin levels and avoiding insulin resistance are:
1.     Avoiding sugar/fructose and grains (remember that beverages play a paramount role here, as high fructose corn syrup from soda is one of the primary sources of calories in the US)
2.     Regular exercise

We are located at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness located at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, 403-347-3261
www.family1stchiro.ca

If You Want to Live Longer—Get Moving!

High-intensity interval-type training also boosts human growth hormone (HGH) production, which is also essential for optimal health, strength and vigor. Make sure you have regular chiropractic treatment to optimize your health and wellness.

Grocery Shopping with kids!

Grocery shopping with kids!

For all those single kid moms out there, you might think its hard to shop with your kid in tote...its not...once you have shopped with 3, shopping with one is a walk in the park. Shopping alone is now a vacation, I look forward to it, I stroll through, taking my time and enjoying the time off, yeah I am going to squeeze every loaf of bread instead of grabbing the closest one, I might price compare, and usually end up getting everything on the list, instead of bailing half way through because you think you might actually throw your own temper tantrum right there in the cereal isle...Shopping with 1 kid is enjoyable, you can treat them if they behave, and you can still contain them when they miss behave, while getting your groceries. 2 kids start presenting a issue, if one misbehaves you can still handle it, if both start misbehaving people start staring, but the fearless (ultimately frustrated) mother you are, you press on, with a "this too shall pass" chant. Now for shopping with 3, your completely out numbered, and they have started a pack mentality, most shopping carts have one seat, some 2, at least one is running around like the feral child they are. You grab the basics, not looking at nutritional value, just bang for your buck, and hope that when you're home you can slop together an acceptable meal. A daycare in your local grocery store...just a thought!

Brought to you by Family First Chiropractic and Wellness 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer

403-347-3261

www.family1stchiro.ca