FISH OILS

3 Reasons Why You've Been Wasting Your Money On Fish Oils

There's just a few supplements on the market that are essential for living a healthy lifestyle. Fish Oil being one of them but you've been wasting your money this whole time. Hate to tell you this but you should just throw away what you have in the fridge as what you have may be rancid and causing your body more harm than good. You see, fish oil is BIG business for supplement companies. When you have hundreds and hundreds of brands that compete against each other on price the overall quality of the fish oil is reduced to help with costs. This doesn't benefit you, the consumer. Let's learn why you've been wasting your money: 1. Your fish is in the ethyl-ester form and you had no idea. The majority of the fish oil you see on store shelves is in the ethyl-ester (EE) form as opposed to the natural triglyceride (TG) form which is the most beneficial and most bio-available for us. In processing and removing the toxins from the fish oil, the TG is broken into EE. This type does not exist in any food source in the world as it is biochemically altered. It is expensive for companies to convert the EE back to the natural TG form so this step is almost always skipped. Nature knows best so converting it back to the natural form is essential. Always, always, always look for Triglyceride Form on your fish oil bottle. If it isn't there then DON'T BUY IT! 2. Your fish oil is under-dosed and won't even benefit a toddler. A common trick most supplement companies use is boldly printing 1,000 mg on the front of the bottle. Then you go to flip it over and discover there's only 300 mg of EPA/DHA and the rest is 700 mg of soybean oil. Disgusting and unhealthy.  Also, the EPA/DHA isn't even broken down so you don't the correct ratio that is needed. Yes, there is a correct ratio and it should always be 3:2. Nowhere in the vast ocean's of planet earth will you find a high DHA fish swimming around or even a high EPA one. This is yet again another clever marketing technique by companies to maximize profits. They make more money if they can manufacture three separate products as opposed to just one with the correct EPA/DHA. 3. Lastly, you get fish burps and think it's normal. Wrong. Just wrong. Believe it or not, you don't have to go through life with daily fish burps. Just take a quality fish oil that isn't rancid. That's right rancid, rotten, spoiled. You see fish oil is very easily oxidized, which means it can spoil very quickly. That explains why you will never see anyone cooking with it.  Try this experiment next time you go fishing: reel in the catch and leave it sitting out in the sun for a couple hours and report back on how it smells. If you buy cheap fish oil at a CVS/Walgreens and got a case of the nasty fish burps then you got yourself a bottle of rancid fish oil. Probably explains why it was $9.97. Rancid fish oil actually promotes inflammation which is the exact opposite in what we wanted in the first place! By saving a few bucks you literally paid to cause your body harm. Do some research and invest in a quality fish oil. In our practice, we carry only the finest quality omega-3 fish oils. Is our omega-3 more expensive than what you'd find at a supermarket, supplement store, or an online vendor with really fast shipping? Absolutely. We will never apologize for carrying quality products. How Fish Oils Can Help Protect Your Brain From Head Trauma According to new research, consuming high amounts of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA can help protect your brain from the effects of head trauma. Photo credit: The ISSN Scoop A recent 2016 study out of Texas Christian University examined 91 NCAA Division I athletes and discovered the omega-3 fatty acid DHA could possibly help protect them from the effects of head trauma by providing a neuroprotective effect.  So why DHA and not EPA? We first need to understand the differences between these two omega-3's. Eicosapanatanoic acid or EPA, is known for its anti-inflammatory and heart health benefits. Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA plays a major role in brain health by controlling inflammation in our brain and acting as the building blocks for the outer layer of its tissues. This outer layer is called the cell membrane and controls what enters our brain. DHA is found in high concentrations in mother's breast milk and is crucial for infant brain development. But how does it help protect against head trauma? In the study mentioned above, the researchers looked for a marker called Neurofilament Light or NFL (no pun intended). When NFL is found in the blood or cerebral spinal fluid it can be a sign that there's brain damage. The athletes took only 2 grams of DHA per day and showed significantly less NFL in their blood. So by providing an abundance of DHA for the brain, a traumatic head injury has the extra bulding blocks to help repair some of the damage done to the cell. Does it prevent head trauma? No, but it gives your body the vital resources it needs to better protect itself.

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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Why You Should Take Your Apple Cider Vinegar at Night

What tastes like expired Apple Jacks® and dirty gym socks? That's right, you guessed it, ACV or better known as apple cider vinegar.  This yummy cider helps to balance your body's pH, increase your good gut bacteria, control your weight, and has now recently shown in studies to balance your blood sugar. A study at Arizona State University tested 11 subjects with type 2 diabetes (not taking insulin) by asking them to take 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a snack - an ounce of cheese - before bedtime.  In the morning, the researchers found the subjects had lower blood sugar readings than when they had the same snack with 2 tablespoons of water. ACV is widely available, very affordable, and with more than half the country diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can be extremely beneficial. Although this study is limited by the small sample size (11 subjects) there is still some promising results here that demands further investigation on the mechanism of vinegar and blood sugar.

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STRUCTURAL CHIROPRACTIC

Structural Chiropractor Joins Realm Chiropractic

Dr. Brett Berner Realm Chiropractic is happy to announce another Structural Chiropractor will be joining the practice. Dr. Berner also focuses on Structural Correction but has a particular interest in correcting ADC or Atlas Displacement Complex. Rather than cracking and popping your neck, Dr. Berner will take an engineering approach to your spine with state-of-the-art technology by using gentle yet precise targeted adjustments if a correction is needed. Call the office and schedule your complimentary consultation! Remember, a consultation is a conversation, not a commitment.

Structural Chiropractic vs Traditional Chiropractic

Traditional Chiropractic  Traditional chiropractors focus mainly on these outcomes: 1. Reducing muscular spasm 2. Increasing range of motion 3.Temporarily reducing pain This is how most chiropractors practice, and I believe most of them are great at what they do. This type of care falls under the category of symptom relief and pain management. Structural Chiropractic Structural Chiropractors take an engineering approach to the spine. If you think of the spine like a foundation of a house, you realize that weakness in the foundation can change the structure of the entire house. Walls begin to crack, doors & windows won't close properly, and floors become uneven and begin to creak. You can make cosmetic repairs, but sooner or later you'll have to address the foundation, otherwise the problems will return over and over and over again. And suddenly instead of achieving true correction, we're relying on chiropractic to be much more like a natural (and sometimes expensive) form of aspirin. Rather than constantly repairing damage, we've chosen to focus on correcting the "underlying foundation" so that your spine reaches as much of its normal structure and function as possible. Of course, our services aren't for everyone. However, if you are tired of constantly patching up the problem and are looking for a more long-term solution that you can feel AND see for yourself, then Realm Chiropractic may be the right place for you. Once the foundation has been corrected, we'll guide and teach you how to keep it that way through customized recommendations designed for your particular spine and level of dysfunction.

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ASTHMA

Why Low Vitamin D Levels Are Causing Severe Asthma Attacks

Only 5 to 37 percent of American infants meet the standard for vitamin D set by the American Academy of Pediatrics. A study followed more than 1,000 children with asthma for four years, and found those with vitamin D insufficiency were more likely to have an asthma attack that required a trip to the hospital. The researchers found that just by having adequate levels of vitamin D, the children's asthma attacks can be reduced by 50 percent. But how does a vitamin decrease the chances of an attack? Vitamin D has an inverse relationship with respiratory infections. You can decrease your chances of an infection and improve your overall lung health by having the right levels. This is due to vitamin D being involved in the upregulation of a specific gene that produces over 200 antimicrobial peptides that can essentially work like a natural antibiotic.  How do I know if I have vitamin D insufficiency? There are many different factors that your vitamin D status is dependant on, such as the color of your skin, your location, and how much sunlight you're exposed to on a regular basis.  The only accurate way to determine your levels is to get your blood tested. You'll want to have at least 50 ng/mL and even as high as 80-90 ng/mL year-round if possible. With asthma increasing by more than 300 percent over the last two decades and now affecting more than 20 million Americans, who knew the possible answer to this incredible rise in vitamin D insufficiency was right outside your door.

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PROBIOTICS

Why You NEED To Be Taking Probiotics

We have up to 5 POUNDS of good bacteria (probiotics) living in our digestive system. In last week's newsletter we talked about ACV and how it can increase your good gut bacteria. Increasing the number of these good bacteria in your digestive system is essential for optimal health. They're needed for maintaining a strong immune system, producing key vitamins and have shown in recent studies to have a huge influence on psychological health and body weight. So why do we NEED to take probiotics? With the continuous spraying of herbicides and pesticides on our produce and the massive overuse of antibiotics, the United States is consuming much less of these "good bacteria". Antibiotics have saved lives and are needed, but even in the tiniest amount they can have a negative effect on these bacteria as antibiotics essentially kill both good and bad bacteria in our digestive system.  The vast majority of antibiotic usage is actually in livestock food. When you eat meat or drink the milk from cows given antibiotics, you are actually consuming antibiotics yourself.  But why do they give them antibiotics? Are they always sick?  Cows aren't meant to eat large amounts of corn. When conventional farms feed them a diet full of this they become very sick and have severe digestive problems. So to counteract this they're given large amounts of antibiotics. This is a huge reason why consuming free range, grass-fed, organic is a much healthier option. So what should my probiotic contain? 1. Multistrain - The CFU (Colony Forming Units) is not as important as the number of strains. Your probiotics need to have 6 or more total strains. Why? It gives our body options as to what strain it wants to absorb for that given time. Our stress levels, food, exercise, and sleep can change from day to day, so it makes sense that our body would need to absorb multiple strains. Also make sure it contains one or more of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, the two most highly researched probiotics. 2. No Allergens - Many probiotics are grown in dairy and may contain traces of milk. Since probiotics have shown in studies to help with allergies  it's counterproductive to buy any probiotic that has allergens in them. Probiotic yogurts are infamous for this as they contain these plus a generous supply of sugar.  3. Low in Sugar - Please avoid any carb/sugar based probiotics. These probiotic yogurts are advertised as 'healthy' but can contain sugar to make them taste like candy. Adding any form of sugar to your probiotic can reduce any form of benefit that they can potentially provide. What you thought you were taking was healthy is actually causing your body harm.

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BRAIN HEALTH

Brain Health: What Is It & How To Maintain It

Photo credit: Moreintelligent.com Brain health is essential in order live a healthy life and is just as important as your physical health. All the functions in your body are controlled by the brain. Simple things such as remembering to take the clothes out of the washer to important tasks like remembering to pay a bill all depend on your brain functioning properly.

How Fish Oils Can Help Protect Your Brain From Head Trauma

According to new research, consuming high amounts of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA can help protect your brain from the effects of head trauma. Photo credit: The ISSN Scoop A recent 2016 study out of Texas Christian University examined 91 NCAA Division I athletes and discovered the omega-3 fatty acid DHA could possibly help protect them from the effects of head trauma by providing a neuroprotective effect.  So why DHA and not EPA? We first need to understand the differences between these two omega-3's. Eicosapanatanoic acid or EPA, is known for its anti-inflammatory and heart health benefits. Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA plays a major role in brain health by controlling inflammation in our brain and acting as the building blocks for the outer layer of its tissues. This outer layer is called the cell membrane and controls what enters our brain. DHA is found in high concentrations in mother's breast milk and is crucial for infant brain development. But how does it help protect against head trauma? In the study mentioned above, the researchers looked for a marker called Neurofilament Light or NFL (no pun intended). When NFL is found in the blood or cerebral spinal fluid it can be a sign that there's brain damage. The athletes took only 2 grams of DHA per day and showed significantly less NFL in their blood. So by providing an abundance of DHA for the brain, a traumatic head injury has the extra bulding blocks to help repair some of the damage done to the cell. Does it prevent head trauma? No, but it gives your body the vital resources it needs to better protect itself.

Effects Of Structural Correction On Chronic Constipation

Americans spend $1.4 MILLION every day on laxatives to relieve constipation. When bowels are not eliminated properly it can lead to secondary conditions such as headaches, low back pain, abdominal pain, and even anorexia. The vagus nerve, the nerve that controls our digestive system, travels from the brain to the abdomen. This nerve can be affected by the primary condition or what we call in our office, Structural Shifts.  Photo credit: www.emergencymedicinecases.com This study looked at a five year old girl with chronic constipation who was under Traditional Chiropractic care since she was two. She was treated for low back pain and was responding well, however, she was only experiencing one bowl movement a week and it had to be induced with medication. The patient then transferred to a Structural Chiropractor for further evaluation. During their Structural Correction Chiropractic Examination they noticed the patient had a Structural Shift that was resulting in her secondary condition of chronic constipation. Structural Radiographs were then taken and the patient's primary condtion was then corrected with Structural Corrective Chiropractic Care. It was noted that since the start of care, the mother discontinued the use of her medication. The patient experienced a bowl movement the day after her correction without the use of them. During the next two weeks of care, the patient experienced 4 to 6 bowl movements each week without medication. At Realm Chiropractic, we objectively look for any Structural Shifts that can lead to these secondary conditions. If found, these Structural Shifts are corrected allowing the body to function optimally leading to a better overall quality of life.

How Saunas May Reduce Your Risk For Dementia

Men who used a sauna 4 to 7 times a week had a 66 percent lower risk for dementia, and a 65 percent lower risk for Alzheimer's disease, compared to men who used the sauna once a week.  Photo: PortoBay Hotels & Resorts Flickr With Alzheimer's disease being the sixth leading cause of the death in the U.S., this research is crucial in terms of prevention.  But how does sweating help my brain? The heat exposure from the sauna activates brain stem cells to convert into new neurons that can then promote improved neural health. Research has shown sauna usage increases levels of norepinephrine and prolactin, which can help your brain function quicker and repair nerve cell damage more efficiently.  Any other health benefits? Sauna use has also shown to help with heart health. Men who used the sauna 7 times per week cut their risk of death from fatal heart problems in half compared to those who only used it once a week. So next time you're at the gym or spa, spend about 20 minutes in the sauna. Your heart and brain will thank you in the long run.

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BLOOD PRESSURE

The Effects Of Structural Correction On Blood Pressure According to a 2013 report from the American Heart Association (AHA), 360,000 American deaths were due to high blood pressure being the contributing cause of death.  In fact, 1 in 3 adult Americans are currently diagnosed with high blood pressure. Photo Credit: RIVER Clinic at UC Davis   Blood pressure is the measurement of the force applied to your arterial walls. Your heart acts as the pump as it consistently pushes out blood through your blood vessels. When these vessels become rigid with calcification or plaque build up it can lead to high blood pressure or what is referred to as hypertension.  Blood pressure can also increase when your sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) is firing more than your parasympathetic nervous system (rest-n-relax). This increase can be due to our stressful lives that we as Americans face almost every single day. This study looked at the effects of correcting a Structural Shift in the neck and how it can influence your blood pressure. The results showed a reduction similar to the use of the two-drug combination therapy that is commonly used in the U.S. The results after 8 weeks of Structural Corrective Chiropractic Care showed systolic blood pressure lowering from 147 mmHg to 130 mmHg and diastolic from 92 mmHg to 82 mmHg.  HOW does this happen? The segment that was checked for Structural Shift was the first bone in the neck  The Atlas vertebra or what is referred to as the Atlas vertebra. When there is any shift in the structure of Atlas there can be an impairment to the brainstem neural pathways which help regulate blood pressure and control your sympathetic nervous system. At Realm Chiropractic, we objectively look for any presence of these Structural Shifts by means of our thorough Structural Correction Chiropractic Examination.  After the examination, if a shift is discovered the patient will be placed on a specific care plan that will address the abnoramlitity.  To see if Structural Corrective Chiropractic Care is meant for you, please give the office a call at 813-886-8824 and our friendly staff with be more than happy to schedule you a complimenarty consulations. Remember at Realm Chiropractic a consultation is a conversation, never a commitment.  Effects of Structural Correction On A Hypotensive Patient Low blood pressure (hypotension) sounds like something you'd like to achieve eventually. However, for many people, low blood pressure can cause symptoms of dizziness, irregular heartbeats, and other severe health problems. In severe cases, low blood pressure can be life-threatening.    This case study looked at the effects of Structural Correction on a 25-year-old hypotensive female patient. She presented to the Structural Chiropractic office with a history of neck pain and unexplained hypotension with episodes of fainting. She agreed to have her blood pressure and pulse pressure measured over an 8-week Structural Correction care plan period. At the end, she reported massive reductions in her dizziness, lightheadedness, and neck pain. The changes in her blood pressure were marginal but her pulse pressure had increased with a significant improvement right after the correction was made. More research is needed to explain the influences of Structural Correction on hypotension. For now, the subjective symptoms the patient presented with were reduced once their structure was corrected. To see if Structural Corrective Chiropractic Care is right for you, please give the office a call at 813-886-8824 and our friendly staff with be more than happy to schedule you a complimentary consultation. Remember at Realm Chiropractic a consultation is a conversation, never a commitment.

How Yoga Can Help Lower Your Blood Pressure

The number of Americans who practice yoga continues to rise with current estimates at 5.1% of the total population. According to new research from The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, yoga can help lower blood pressure in individuals with mild hypertension.  Photo credit: holistichealinginstitute.org Uncontrolled hypertension is thought to be responsible for 49% of heart disease and 62% of cerebrovascular disease. What if there was a way to control it with zero adverse side effects? Introducing Yoga: The Natural Blood Pressure Reducer  This study performed a randomized clinic trial on 68 participants and split them into two groups: yoga and active control. They monitored their systolic and diastolic blood pressures in a 24-hour period. The yoga group had significantly reduced their systolic and diastolic readings, especially at night, as compared to the control group. But HOW does yoga help reduce your blood pressure? Yoga helps by decreasing stress and increasing your overall sense of well-being by reducing activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This is that fight-or-flight system metioned above that when activated can cause an increase in your blood pressure.  Yoga also helps by releasing endorphins, which are those feel good hormones you get after a good workout, and by stimulating the vagus nerve which can increase your parasympathetic nervous system to help relax you. With no known adverse effects recorded from the participants in the study, yoga can definitely be considered in helping to prevent the onset of hypertension in indiviudals who are at risk.  So keep your heart happy and give it a try already!

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