All the cells we have in our bodies have specific purposes. Think about the big, strong cells that constitute our muscles, or the branched cells in our brain, the cells in our bones, or any other cell type. These highly specialized cells all derive from unspecialized, undifferentiated cells, called stem cells. We can think of it as cells that have not decided yet what they want to be when they grow up. The possibilities are (almost) endless. Under the right conditions, stem cells can be grown and expanded indefinitely in their undifferentiated state. They can also be differentiated in a…
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We’ve all heard that psychological factors such as positive thinking may significantly affect the results of treatment for an illness. Consider stories of ‘miracle cures’ by terminal cancer patients who kept their spirits up and were persistent with that ‘never give up’ attitude throughout treatment. A study in the journal Spine suggested that pessimistic thinkers may have trouble recovering from low back pain. The authors looked at the relationship between patient expectations of treatment benefits and outcomes. One hundred thirty-five patients with chronic LBP were divided into either a massage or an acupuncture treatment group. Prior to the study, patients rated how…
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We all sleep as the result of being tired, right?! Fatigue is an important signal, but not the only reason to be catching Zzz’s. Here is a list of other very important reasons to sleep other than fatigue: Sleep Can Improve Memory. Wouldn’t this be nice?! Sleep can improve our short-term memory and allow us to remember information better the following day. You Won’t Be Cranky. Sleep deprivation actually inhibits our ability to process emotions. Less sleep=cranky. More sleep=happy! Your Immune System Will Be Stronger. Quality sleep means a recovering body, which equals a healthy immune system and improved defense against bacteria and viruses. Great to know…
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Most of us grew up being taught to avoid and fear fat. We’re told it “makes you fat” and “causes health problems”. A great amount of medical research is spent on this topic and the cause of many top health issues (heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes,…). What we now know is that not all fat is created equally and fat may not be to blame. What happened during the ‘fat-free craze’ was the removal of fat from products replaced with sugar; what was created was high sugar, low nutrient foods that were anything besides healthy. So, what kinds of fats…
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Food allergies are well known in our society. These allergies are an immune system response that is typically characterized by hives, shortness of breath, digestive system upset and in some rare cases severe symptoms that can lead to a medical emergency. The most common food allergies are to nuts, shellfish, wheat and dairy. According to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network about 4% of the United States population has a food allergy. Food intolerance, on the other hand, is much more common than food allergies and is characterized by digestive disorders, migraines, obesity, chronic fatigue, aching joints, skin disorders and…
Read More Catch Better Zzzzzz's If counting sheep is getting old, you’re among a great majority who have difficulty sleeping – falling, staying, or getting restful sleep. You may not be able to fall back asleep if you wake up, you may feel you need coffee all day or need to nap by noon. There are natural ways to sleep better at night! Most of us need about 7-8 hours of good shut-eye for optimum daily functioning. Most of us need about 7-8 hours of good shut-eye for optimum daily functioning. After all, when it is terrible, so is everything else! As…
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Whether suffering from acute or chronic pain, we can all agree that it can be MISERABLE! Often times we find ourselves on a much larger regimen of pain relievers than we’d like to take. We may take a small dose, realize that dose isn’t working, and continue to take more. Our goal is to help you get to the root of the problem get some pain relief and remove the ‘band-aid’ approach! While some medications may be the best temporary option, long-term consumption can cause chronic issues and lead to more serious health problems. Common conditions seen may include leaky…
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People have been eating seasonally since the beginning of time – there was no other choice. We usually find that ‘in-season’ foods taste much better, cost less, and are readily available. It has also been found that these 8 fall foods contain a greater quantity of nutrients than when you purchase the same food out-of-season. Top 8 Fall Foods That Contain an Array of Nutrients and Benefits Pears – try the Bartlett variety which contains a great source of vitamin C, fiber, and copper. Additional benefit: people who ate a diet high in white-fleshed fruits like pears or apples had a…
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It is estimated that approximately 70 percent of people are affected with some form of neck pain at some time in their lives; five to ten percent suffer a pain in the neck that is debilitating. Relating to those with “nonspecific” discomfort – pain not associated with injury, disorder, or tissue degeneration – a recent study in the journal Spine, researchers examined 40 adults with no prior neck injuries or treatment, to study the structural composition of the neck and its relation to pain. Volunteers were tested for neck-muscle endurance, range of motion, and extension, and questioned about their history…
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What’s the harm in having too little of one vitamin?! The issues could potentially be lengthy. Your body uses B12 injections to make nerves, DNA, red blood cells, and to carry out any necessary functions. Like many other vitamins, B12 cannot be made within our body; it has to be absorbed from our food or from supplementation. For many, issues often begin with a poor diet or inability to properly absorb what they’re taking in. As a result, it is common to see B12 deficiency in older individuals, those on medications, and with illness. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that up…
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