An apple a day keeps the doctor away

An apple a day keeps the doctor away

Wayne Coghlan, B.Sc., M.A., D.C.M.A. in Counselling Psychology. Anger Management Collingwood. Anger management, Family and Marital Counselling, Stress Management, Personal psychology and counselling, Counseling, Counselling Collingwood, Men's issues As also a Doctor of Chiropractic I have a special appreciation of the mind-body connection.

An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Dec. 17, 2013 — Prescribing an apple a day to all adults aged 50 and over would prevent or delay around 8,500 vascular deaths such as heart attacks and strokes every year in the UK -- similar to giving statins to everyone over 50 years who is not already taking them -- according to a study in the Christmas edition of The BMJ.

The researchers conclude that the 150 year old public health message: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is able to match more widespread use of modern medicine, and is likely to have fewer side effects. The research takes into account people who are already appropriately taking statins to reduce their risk of vascular disease and therefore the authors stress that no-one currently taking statins should stop, although by all means eat more apples.

In the United Kingdom, lifestyle changes are the recommended first step to prevent heart disease. However, trial data suggest that statins can reduce the risk of vascular events, irrespective of a person's underlying risk of cardiovascular disease. As such, calls are being made for greater use of statins at a population level, particularly for people aged 50 years and over.

Using mathematical models a team of researchers at the University of Oxford set out to test how a 150 year old proverb might compare with the more widespread use of statins in the UK population. They analysed the effect on the most common causes of vascular mortality of prescribing either a statin a day to those not already taking one or an apple a day to everyone aged over 50 years in the UK.

The researchers assumed a 70% compliance rate and that overall calorie intake remained constant.
They estimate that 5.2 million people are currently eligible for statin treatment in the UK and that 17.6 million people who are not currently taking statins would be offered them if they became recommended as a primary prevention measure for everyone over 50.

They calculate that offering a daily statin to 17.6 million more adults would reduce the annual number of vascular deaths by 9,400, while offering a daily apple to 70% of the total UK population aged over 50 years (22 million people) would avert 8,500 vascular deaths.

However, side-effects from statins mean that prescribing statins to everyone over the age of 50 is predicted to lead to over a thousand extra cases of muscle disease (myopathy) and over ten thousand extra diagnoses of diabetes.

Additional modelling showed a further 3% reduction in the annual number of vascular deaths when either apples or statins were prescribed to everybody aged over 30. However the number of adverse events is predicted to double.

"This study shows that small dietary changes as well as increased use of statins at a population level may significantly reduce vascular mortality in the UK," say the authors.

"This research adds weight to calls for the increased use of drugs for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, as well as for persevering with policies aimed at improving the nutritional quality of UK diets," they conclude.

Dr Adam Briggs of the BHF Health Promotion Research Group at Oxford University said: "The Victorians had it about right when they came up with their brilliantly clear and simple public health advice: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." It just shows how effective small changes in diet can be, and that both drugs and healthier living can make a real difference in preventing heart disease and stroke.
While no-one currently prescribed statins should replace them for apples, we could all benefit from simply eating more fruit."

BMJ-British Medical Journal (2013, December 17). An apple a day keeps the doctor away. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 18, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2013/12/131217210549.htm

Is good posture worth a year’s supply of prozac?

Posture vs: Prozac In this article, I am comparing the effects of improved posture on relieving a mild to moderately depressed mood, a condition that may otherwise be medically managed by pharmaceuticals such as Prozac. This is for reader's information and not intended as a guide to treatment. Respectfully submitted for your evaluation. As you are sitting now at your computer station, allow yourself to slump in your chair… if you aren’t already. Computer Posture Give it a minute or so to give it time to sink in. Answer a few more emails if you wish. As you are now sitting slumped, take notice of how you feel in your chest….try taking a deep breath. You will likely be feeling constricted and the deep breath will be less than satisfying. Notice the feeling in your shoulders, the heaviness in your arms.. .. perhaps tension or fatigue in the back of your neck.... that load in your neck and shoulders get transferred to the lower back and add...

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Miracle Mediterranean Diet

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...

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Aching Back No More - Straw Bale Gardening!

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. Who should plant a Straw Bale Garden? Can't do heavy lifting? If you are less capable or less interested in doing the heavy work of traditional gardening, such as tilling the soil, constant weeding, unending insect battles and persistent disease spraying, Straw Bale Gardening virtually eliminates these challenges. Can't bend over? If you have a physical limitation or handicap that restricts you from getting down on the ground, you will appreciate the easier access to the higher surface of a straw bale, which eliminates the bending to plant and harvest. Poor soil or limited space? If your have a low soil quality, or if you have limited space that you can devote to a garden, you will love Straw Bale...

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Collingwood Chiropractor, Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ

Dr. Wayne Coghlan Collingwood Chiropractic and Sports Injury Clinic Are you looking for a Re-Evolutionary experience? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC? Chiropractic, at least how I do it, is a systematic approach to assessing and correcting the structural integrity of the body. Basically, I use hands on methods to restore the alignment and movement of your joints and muscles. HOW AM I DIFFERENT? Some chiropractors rely on outdated theories in an effort to rationalize their treatments, and use patient management techniques rather than seeking to serve the needs of their patients to justify over extended treatment plans. I make every effort to incorporate EVIDENCE BASED treatment protocols into my practice, and where evidence is forthcoming, use more contemporary and scientific theories to guide my treatment approach. Rather than trying to coerce you into a treatment plan, I will explain your options and offer my guidance. Yo...

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Case history: Jane's chair caused her injury.

A case history: Jane (name changed, yadda..), a valued employee of a leading local business institution, came to see me about pain that had progressively developed in her lower back over the past year. There was no particular event to account for her discomfort, yet by the end of a work week, she was very happy for the weekend to get some relief. This was an important clue. Through insightful discussion, I understood that Jane spent a good deal of her job seated at her desk and working with a computer. I asked Jane to demonstrate her work posture and it became evident that her habits at work put excessive strain on her back… over time, the strain was developing into a chronic injury. We discussed modifications Jane could make to her desk, chair and computer arrangement… she found and liberated a better chair from an absent coworker. Jane found to her delight, that with chiropractic treatment, a better chair and new work habits to prevent ongoing injury, she was no longer worn rag...

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Sleep Better

Sleep Better Sleep Better - Some suggestions We all have times when adequate sleep seems to elude us. For the most part, these episodes are a short lived part of the normal cycles of life. * Persistent lack of sleep - beyond several weeks at a time - produces fatigue, depression, confusion, impaired short-term memory, concentration and alertness. Long term lack of sleep impairs your ability to fight off disease and repair tissue. Effects of chronic sleep deprivation Your proper sleep pattern is what works for you. There are documented cases of people who get by very well with only a few hours of sleep yet others who feel their best with ten! People in many tropical countries find it very necessary to enjoy their mid-day ciesta. If you are reasonably well rested through your day and able to function well, lack of sleep is not necessarily your problem. Your habits - both what you think and do - can cause many chronic sleep problems. Sleep ...

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Red Meat Increases Risk Of Diabetes

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 m...

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Lumber Disc Injury, Herniated Disc, Bulging Disc, Low Back Pain, Sciatica, Spinal Traction Therapy

Lumber Disc Injury, Herniated Disc, Bulging Disc, Low Back Pain, Sciatica, Spinal Traction Therapy Lumbar disc injuries range from strained tissue, to a bulging disc, to complete herniation. The pain and disability is usually proportional to the degree of injury and complications, especially if a bulging or herniated disc is pressing on a nerve. At times, a disc can herniate with minimal pain or disability. It is usually the tissues around the disc that cause the most pain. Similarly, there can be much pain with even a relatively minor disc injury. A lumbar disc injury, as with a broken ankle or sprained knee, needs to be respected lest it becomes a chronic if not permanent disability. The problem is because we can't actually see the injured tissue and many people just try to tough their way through the injury ... or fail to recognize what they are doing to aggravate it.... and make it worse. An indication that a disc is pressing on a nerve is typic...

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HIgh Carbohdrate Diet and Weight Loss

Dr. Wayne's Summary: Of interest in this article is the comparison between high and low carb diets and weight loss. A review of low carb diets reveals that weight loss is less about engaging some metabolic short cut, but more about cutting out junk carbohydrates. In effect... eating less. When reviewing high carb diets, the same conclusion emerges. Eat less simple/junk carbohydrates, and one just generally eats less overall! The superiority of eating a diet higher in complex carbohydrates over a high protein diet is the inherent inclusion of dietary fiber, and the exclusion of animal fats. The Glycemic Index is emerging as a valuable tool in deciding what to eat... choose foods that have less impact on blood sugar. Overall guidance : Eat more fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grain. Eat less meat, dairy, egg, and processed foods. Drink more water. Be more physically active. It's that simple. In the post-Atkins era, this might seem like strange advice: Eat carbohydr...

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Mediterranean Diet and Living Well Longer

Dr. Wayne Coghlan, B.Sc., M.A., D.C. Ontario Chiropractor / Counselling Psychology, anger management www.drwaynecoghlan.com drwaynecoghlan@gmail.com Mediterranean diet has marked impact on aging First study to link women, Mediterranean diet, and biomarkers of aging. Mediterranean Diet - Live younger longer... and enjoy it! T he Mediterranean diet consistently has been linked with an array of health benefits, including decreased risk of chronic disease and cancer. Until now, however, no studies had associated the diet with longer telomeres , one of the biomarkers of aging. In a study published Tuesday online in The BMJ , researchers at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) found that greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet correlated with longer telomeres. Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that get shorter every time a cell divides. Shorter telomeres have been associated with decreased life expectancy and incr...

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Dr. Wayne Coghlan: Chiropractor

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