We think mostly of chiropractic treatment in terms of lower back pain, neck pain, and headaches. In fact, there are numerous additional wide-ranging benefits to chiropractic health care. Many of these benefits are related to getting more out of our exercise activities.

For example, aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular function.1,2 As a result, during periods of rest the heart rate is slowed and the ability of the lungs to take in air (vital capacity) is increased. A slower heart rate means the heart is working more efficiently. Likewise, increased vital capacity means the lungs are working more efficiently. Fewer heart beats per minute and fewer breaths per minute result in reduced “wear and tear” on these critical systems. Aerobic exercise makes us healthier.

When we have stress, our muscles get tight. Occasionally this tightness is prolonged, and the normal mobility of our bones and joints is compromised. Reduced mobility of the spinal column creates a spiraling effect of tight muscles, tight ligaments, and further loss of mobility in the neck, middle back, and lower back. We experience pain in these areas as a result.3

These patterns can persist. We all know people who have frequent neck pain or lower back pain. These patterns of pain and limited mobility may result in changes to the normal curves of the spine. Normal curves may become flattened, and these changes result in further discomfort, muscular tension, and pain.

Importantly, loss of the normal spinal curvature in the neck and middle back may place additional stress on the heart and lungs. The actual physical space in which these organs function may become reduced. Maximum function may be compromised and efficiency is lost. Brisk walking used to be easy. Climbing stairs used to be no problem. Now these normal daily activities may leave you out-of-breath. You’re huffing-and-puffing and don’t know what’s happened.

You begin doing aerobic exercises to try to improve cardiovascular function. But the potential benefits are limited by these underlying muscle, ligament, and joint problems. You spend a lot of time exercising but do not seem to be making any improvements.

Chiropractic health care may be able to restore more normal functioning. Chiropractic treatment restores mobility to spinal joints. The gentle treatment relieves stress on the spinal muscles and ligaments, which in turn improves spinal range of motion. Muscle tightness eases, pain and stiffness are reduced, and you become more flexible.

Additionally, this improved flexibility allows your chest and rib cage to expand much more fully when you breathe. Your heart and lungs have more room to function, and you can now actually begin to receive the full benefits of your aerobic exercise.

Chiropractic care can help you get fit and stay fit!

1.Pivarnik JM, et al. Effects of maternal aerobic fitness on cardiovascular responses to exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 25(9):993-998, 1993. 2.Jackson EM, Dishman RK. Hemodynamic responses to stress among blackk women: fitness and parental hypertension. Med Sci Sports Exerc 34)7):1097-1104, 2002 3.Petrella RJ, et al. Can primary care doctors prescribe exercise to improve fitness? Am J Prev Med 24(4):316-322, 2003

The food we eat can affect us positively or even negatively. Too often, many people will go their entire lives without learning how what they eat impacts them. By taking the time to understand how different foods can benefit us or harm us we can better manage what we eat, and eat according to the needs of our body.

It goes without saying that you are what you eat. Eat junk and you’ll feel like junk. If you don’t know anything about how the food you eat affect you, your eating habits may unknowingly be causing you harm. Without knowing it, a food you like to eat may be hindering your health.

The food you eat often has nutritional, as well as medicinal value. Knowing what the benefits are helps you choose to eat food that fits with what your body needs at the time. If you have a cold, instead of reaching for that tub of chocolate ice cream (which wouldn’t help at all) try eating something spicy with cayenne pepper.

Papaya is an extremely nutritional fruit. What does it contain exactly? Papaya is rich in vitamins A, C, E, potassium, fiber, folate, iron, calcium, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, lycopene, lutein, zeaxathin, as well as digestive enzymes.

On top of the wonderful nutritional value the papaya has, it is also great for your digestion. It offers aid for indigestion, acid reflux, constipation, gastrointestinal distress, and is good for your overall digestive health.

If packing a huge nutritional punch and improving your digestive system isn’t enough, papaya also cleans out your lymph system, helps your heart, and it fights infections.

Papaya is good for you, and it’s even low in calories. Don’t bother eating a candy bar and give your body a real treat by eating a papaya. Your body will thank you!

Papaya is very nutritional. It is rich in lots of vitamins and nutrients, and it’s great for digestion, heart health, infections, and the lymph system. Eat a papaya the next time you crave a snack and you’re body will love you!

Recent studies from a major university in Boston named Tufts says that fruits are high in antioxidants. They rank the antioxidant value of fruits that are commonly eaten. This measurement is called Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity or for short (ORAC). This test measures the total amount of antioxidants in each fruit or vegetable.

Antioxidants are special compounds that protect against oxidation, or cellular damage caused by free radicals, and they have been shown to be effective in helping to prevent retinal diseases such as macular degeneration. Familiar antioxidants include vitamin E, vitamin C and beta carotene. It may be important to remember that, while antioxidant vitamin supplements are popular, it may be the combination of the nutrients in the foods that have the greatest effect.

Top scoring fruits for units ORAC per 100 grams (about 3″ ounces) Fruits: Goji Berry- Up to 25,000 ORAC levels, only certain companies look for the best, Prunes — 5570, Raisins — 2830, Blueberries — 2400, Blackberries — 2036, Strawberries — 1540, Raspberries — 1220, Plums — 949, Oranges — 750, Red grapes — 739, Cherries — 670, Kiwi fruit — 602, Grapefruit, pink — 483

In Chinese Traditional Medicine Goji Berries (Lycium barbarum) are believed to enhance immune system function, protect the liver, improve eyesight and improve circulation, among other effects. Goji Berries have long played an important role in traditional Eastern medicine, and are thought to extend the life of a person through their powerful antioxidant action, thereby protecting them from premature aging.

Goji berries contain 19 amino acids, including all 8 essential ones, 21 trace minerals, including germanium (anti-cancer, rarely found in foods), 13% protein, a complete spectrum of carotenoids (the richest source of all known foods), vitamins C, B, E, and essential fatty acids. They contain compounds known to be anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and active against all forms of leukemia. In addition, goji contains bioactive polysaccharides – produced by some plants as an extremely effective defense against attack by viruses, bacteria, fungi, soil-borne parasites, cell mutations, toxic pollutants, and environmental free radicals.