Is Sugar a Toxin?

A lengthy article posted in The New York Times April 13, 2011 gives compelling evidence that sugar, specifically fructose (high fructose corn syrup) increases the likelihood of obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cancers in humans. In a viral YouTube Video Robert Lustig presents his case for chronic diseases and their link to overt sugar consumption in the United States and elsewhere. Dr. Lustig is a pediatric specialist and makes a persuasive case that sugar, specifically high-fructose corn syrup found in soda and fruit juice is a "toxin" or "poison". The number of American diabetic or obese --termed "diabesity"--has skyrocketed in the last 30 years and, if Lustig is right, it would mean under-exercising, overeating of all foods, and overt consumption of sugar is the likely dietary cause of several chronic ailments namely: heart disease, hypertension and many common cancers. 100 calories of glucose (from potato or bread or other starch) is metabolized differently than 100 calories of sugar (half glucose half fructose). The fructose component of sugar and high fructose corn syrup are metabolized primarily by the liver and glucose from sugar and starches is metabolized by every cell in the body. Consuming sugar (glucose and fructose) means more work for the liver than if you consumed the same number of calories of starch (glucose). In laboratory studies, it's clear that if fructose hits the liver at sufficient speed and quantity, the liver will convert much of it to fat, inducing a condition known as insulin resistance, considered to be a fundamental problem in diabetes, and may also be the underlying defect in many cancers. The Department of Agriculture analysts and the USDA estimates that consumption of these 'added sugars' has increased from 40 pounds per person per year (that's a can and a half of coca-cola per day of sugar) to 90 pounds per person per year. That's a lot of sugar! The consumption happens to coincide with current epidemics of obesity and diabetes. Maybe this is circumstantial evidence, but it's compelling nonetheless. Read the rest of the article for a complete explanation and many thought provoking arguments. In Health, Amanda Gibson, DC

First Well-Net Speaking Experience

This is a follow-up to a speaking engagement I did last week that I wanted to reflect upon. The first Austin Well-Net meeting of 2012 was a huge success. We met at Beets Café and had over 20 attendees. We began by introducing ourselves to the crowd and found a diverse group in the audience: chiropractors, massage therapists, nutritionists, pilates instructors, chefs, naturopaths, etc. I gave a speech on the journey that led me to chiropractic and how that ties in with what we do at Clear Point Wellness. It was important to distinguish ourselves from the rest by emphasizing that we are gentle, non-force. We see lots of clients here from sports injuries to pregnant moms. Everybody enters the practice with different needs. The second half of my talk focused on networking and how we should approach it. This is primarily done by creating value in your own life and the lives of others by continually improving on your skills, focusing on the client's wants and needs, and having an attitude of abundance. I was so blessed to give a talk to a crowd like this and I am excited to see how the Well-Net morphs in the future to create an even better referral network for our clientele. Find out more about Austin Wellspring Well-Net at Clear Point Wellness. In Health, Dr. Amanda Gibson

Hyperbaric Oxygen Improves Symptoms of PTSD

Hyperbaric Oxygen shown to improve PTSD Nearly 20% of servicemen and women returning from war-zones have been affected with symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury/post-concussive syndrome (TBI/PCS). A study performed in November of 2011 and available in the Journal of Neurotrama found that treatment with hyperbaric oxygen nearly three years after injury significantly improved veteran's quality of life. Post-treatment testing revealed improvements in cognitive testing, physical exam findings and quality of life measurements, along with a decrease in short-term memory problems, cognitive deficits and depression. Improvements were seen in irritability, balance, motor function, IQ, and blood flow to the brain. Dr. Paul Harch, the Medical Director of the LSU Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Care Department concludes that "the study strongly suggests that both post-traumatic stress disorder and the post-concussion syndrome of mild traumatic brain injury are treatable nearly three years after injury. [And] the magnitude of improvements in memory, executive function, function brain imaging, and quality of life, as well as reduction in concussion and PTSD symptoms cannot be explained with a placebo effect." With our troops returning home, many will come back with PTSD, TBI/PCS or major depression, some with all three. Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy may be a reliable treatment instead of a prescription that to date has had minimal effectiveness for the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and post-concussive syndrome. Source: Medical News Today

Resolutions

Achieving your 2012 Resolutions may be easier than you think. A great website to help boost your know-how and keep you on track is livestrong.com. They supply a calorie counter, body fat calculator, exercise ideas, healthy recipe ideas, articles and a quit smoking challenge. Set your goals and use the tools available to make them happen.

2012 Goals

As human beings, we were designed for many things. Movement, change, growth, love. Energy flows where our mind goes - where are you going in this New Year of 2012? What goals if made could transform your experience? You are never too young or too old to step up to your destiny. Try something new that inspires you and expands your consciousness. Small goals of clear intention each day set you on your path. Check out Create the Life you Love in 8 Steps by Dr. Demartini and Success Tips from an Advice Guru by Dr. Wayne Dyer to keep you centered on your path.

Chi Workout Part III

There are four basic skills of ChiRunning or ChiWalking: focusing, body sensing, breathing and relaxing. Whether you want to run a 5k, 50k or longer, use these skills to maximize your performance while minimizing physical effort. These skills will actually help you achieve any goal in life with greater ease. Focus your mind and thoughts to instruct your muscles to work together and relax. Your mind coordinates the perfect run, perfect tempo and engages the beauty of chi, allowing you to finish relaxed, empowered and full of energy for the day ahead. Use full body/mind focus to improve efficiency, speed, and decrease injury. Align your body, vision, forward movement, mind and your heart so eventually your ChiRunning form becomes second nature and your mind and body become one effortlessly. Body sensing is the skill of having your mind and body work together as a team. Constant communication between mind and body works without judgment of whether information is good or bad. Any negative or judgmental thought breakdown in communication creates static in the line. There are three steps to body sensing: listening carefully to little nuances of how your body moves, assessing the information to discern if the adjustment made is working, and adjusting incrementally. Relaxation begins with the breath and in this type of exercise, expect at first to be out of breath and work up to proper oxygen supply with long, slow distance running to increase your aerobic capacity. Belly breathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which has a calming effect on your body. Try to breathe in an out through your nose, as this is a great self-regulating mechanism as you won’t be able to do it if you’re running too fast or inefficiently. Use relaxation to create a focused spaciousness without unnecessary effort. Using these skills correctly can dramatically improve your exercise capacity and purpose on and off the track. For information on the cousin of Chi Running, Pose, visit posetech.com

Chi Workouts Part II

Last week’s blog was all about how to use gravity to your advantage in your Chirunning or Chiwalking exercise. This week we focus on the principles of chi. Chi is also known as many other things: Qi, vim, ki, energy, vitality, innate, spirit, or life-force. Two thousand years ago, Chinese masters wisely studied nature and its properties taking notice of how universal laws create a balanced system. The laws of the universe work on four basic levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. So we use motion to create momentum, seek fulfillment in our lives, study and discover truth, and connect to our own spirituality. Breaking universal laws can result in a stressed system and eventual breakdown. In Tai Chi and in ChiRunning, all movement originates from your center, so body alignment is crucial, while your arms and legs are soft as cotton and hold no tension. Free, flexible, and relaxed motion in your spine allows your center to work efficiently. Do you have this flexibility and adaptive quality in your own spine? Our spines house our nervous system, the master-system that controls all actions of the body. Health in the spine translates to better health throughout the whole body. Be patient with yourself and be sure to read more about ChiRunning and ChiWalking, or try an instructional video. This is a gradual process and should be started slowly so your body has opportunity to adapt to movement. Balance is two-fold in effort and physical movement with the purpose to create symmetry and harmony. For those who wish to learn more about Tai Chi principles and its many health benefits, click here.