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Body Mass Index

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Source: http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01320/aaaabmi-chart-for-_1320321a.jpg  The body mass index is an advance from the older and less meaningful height and weight charts. And is the current tool used by health and insurance agencies to assess body weight and degree of obesity. However, it does not allow for individual variation of muscle mass and bone structure.  Click on image for better view http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01323/lf-jockology-obesi_1323094a.jpg Although body mass index (BMI) has been adopted by WHO as an international measure of obesity, it lacks a theoretical basis, and empirical evidence suggests it is not valid for all populations.1 The body mass index (BMI) does not accurately represent the amount of [body] fat,"2 The BMI has been around since the 1840s, but it has a number of weaknesses. Firstly, it doesn't give a real estimate of percentage body fat. Secondly, the BMI can be quite diffe

Red Meat Increases Risk Of Diabetes

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This article from Scientific American reports that people who eat red meat have much higher probability of developing diabetes. There is some indication that red meat may actually have a causative factor, perhaps due to an overload of iron in the diet, or animal source fats. However, the most significant factor is that generally, people who eat more red meat, also eat more dairy, eggs, starchy, and processed foods, and are less likely to be physically active. Essentially, higher consumption of red meat is associated with a lifestyle that promotes excessive eating and weight gain. Excessive body weight is the leading indicator of age related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and some cancers.   Generally, people who actively choose to avoid red meat are more attentive and discerning toward their overall nutrition and lifestyle, and make healthier choices. As I have promoted in other posts to this blog, progress toward a diet that is less dependent on meat,

Beat Gluttony with Gullibility

Beat Gluttony with Gullibility Eating-behavior expert Brian Wansink ​ offers tips on fooling yourself into eating less. Katherine Harmon reports Our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. And visual perception plays a big fat role in eating—often without our realizing it. So says Brian Wansink , a professor of consumer behavior and nutritional science at Cornell. His research has shown that people eat more when their food is served on larger dishes. Because lots of folks use an empty plate—rather than a full stomach—as a cue to put down their fork. Wansink reviewed his findings last week at the American Psychological Association meeting in Washington. In one experiment, he had unsuspecting subjects eat soup from bowls that continually refilled from the bottom. And volunteers who unknowingly ate from these bowls consumed on average 73 percent more soup than those who had had a finite supply. But both groups thought they had eaten about the same amount. Wansink’s advice i

Straw Bale Gardening for Low Back Pain

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In this post, I’ll discuss two things I enjoy very much: helping you become and stay healthier through chiropractic, and gardening. More specifically, let me introduce you to STRAW BALE GARDENING. The idea is that you plant our tomatoes or zucchini, petunias if you like, or pretty well anything you would plant in the ground, directly into a straw bale. The benefits are: you can grow a garden over any type of soil, including the sandy conditions in Wasaga Beach, or even over a drive way if you so choose; there are few if any weeds growing in the straw to disturb your prize veggies (Caution! Use straw bales, not hay, as hay bales contain seeds); the straw retains moisture which lessens watering somewhat; it eliminates the problem of root nematodes and other soil born pathogens that can carry over in the soil and prevent tomatoes from thriving; and… here is the part that relates to chiropractic and your health … the straw bales raise your garden and requires less bending a stooping!

Miracle Mediterranean Diet

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Olive Oil, Fresh Vegetables, and Wine are part of the Mediterranean Diet. People who have scanned my blog will appreciate that I promote doing the basic things well, and most of the other problems we have tend to diminish. I do promote a diet with more fruit, vegetable, whole grains, and less meat, dairy, and egg. Alcohol, if at all, in moderation.  How much more fruit, veggies and grains? More than you are eating now. How much less meat, dairy, and egg? Less than you are eating now. No drastic changes.. just whatever you are doing…keep tweaking and you’ll get it right. Here is a well written article that gives some more information how the simple things are often the best. Dr. Wayne Coghlan. drwaynecoghlan.blogspot.ca Get ’em to the Greek (diet) LESLIE BECK , Globe and Mail, Mar. 22, 2011 It’s arguably the healthiest diet in the world. The Mediterranean diet – which emphasizes fruit and vegetables, grains, nuts and olive oil – is recognized as the gol

Snow Shovelling Safety Tips

How not to break your back shovelling snow February 1, 2011 Brandie Weikle What could be more natural than a Canadian shovelling snow? A Canadian with a back, arm or wrist injury, apparently. The Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) conducted a survey of members and found that the most common cause of winter injury treated by chiropractors is careless snow shovelling. “The number one reason is that people don’t realize how heavy the snow is,” explains Natalia Lishchyna, an Oakville chiropractor and vice president of the OCA. “A shovel full of snow is probably five to seven pounds, so it’s probably several hundred pounds per driveway. They go out there and try to do it all at once, and that’s when you get strains and sprains, or worse, a disc injury.” When a bunch of people who don’t ge

What could be more natural than a Canadian shovelling snow? A Canadian with a back, arm or wrist injury, apparently. The Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) conducted a survey of members and found that the most common cause of winter injury treated by chiropractors is careless snow shovelling. “The number one reason is that people don’t realize how heavy the snow is,” explains Natalia Lishchyna, an Oakville chiropractor and vice president of the OCA. “A shovel full of snow is probably five to seven pounds, so it’s probably several hundred pounds per driveway. They go out there and try to do it all at once, and that’s when you get strains and sprains, or worse, a disc injury.” When a bunch of people who don’t get enough exercise are faced with 20-30 centimetres of snow, their bodies just aren’t prepared, says Lischyna. That’s why Ontario’s chiropractors have launched a public awareness campaign geared at encouraging people to Lift Light and Shovel Right. Here are some tips for getting through the snow storm with your back intact. Don’t let the snow pile up: “What we want people to think is, ‘Every two to three centimetres I should go out there and clear it off,” says Lischyna. “During a big storm, it could be every hour that you go out and clear it for a few minutes.” Frequent shovelling will allow you to move smaller amounts of snow at once. Plus, it makes you a better neighbour. Warm up: As with any strenuous activity, you should take the time to warm up before shovelling. A 10- to 15-minute walk to your coffee shop could do it, followed by some simple stretching. “Don’t get out of bed and run out there to do the shovelling,” she says. Pick the right shovel: Use a lightweight pusher-type shovel. Newer models are far more ergonomic. Snow is more likely to stick to a plain metal shovel so look for one that has a coating that encourages snow to slip off easily. Push, don’t throw: Always push the snow to the side rather than throw it. This way you avoid lifting heavy shovelfuls of snow, and sudden twisting or turning movements. “Keep your nose between your toes,” says Lishchyna. “Keep your shovel within the line of sight instead of twisting your entire back.” Bend your knees: If you find you do have to lift a shovelful of snow, handle it the way you would any heavy object. Use your knees and your leg and arm muscles to do the pushing and lifting, while keeping your back straight. Take breaks: If you feel tired or short of breath, stop and take a rest. Shake out your arms and legs. Stop shovelling immediately if you feel chest pain or back pain. If you have back pain that is severe or that persists for more than a day after shovelling, see a chiropractor. If you have chest pain that is severe, see a medical doctor immediately. “It’s not unusual for people to have some aches and pains after doing this kind of work,” says Lishchyna, who recommends five minutes of stretching when you’re done. “Don’t lie down and watch TV. Just before you go to bed, do a little bit of stretching again.” You can expect to be a little sore for about a day. “If it’s going beyond a couple of days, seek professional help.”