Not All Supplements Are Created Equal

The New York State Attorney General's office accused four major retailers in February 2015 of selling fraudulent and potentially dangerous herbal supplements and demanded that they remove the products from their shelves.

The authorities said they had conducted tests on top-selling store brands of herbal supplements at four national retailers (GNC, Target, Walgreens and Walmart) and found that, on average, four out of five products did not contain any of the herbs on their labels. The tests showed that pills labeled medicinal herbs often contained little more than cheap fillers like powdered rice, asparagus and houseplants, and in some cases substances that could be dangerous to those with allergies.

We want to assure you that 

 InnerMovement Chiropractic ONLY carries those supplements that offer documented scientific research & are subject to Third-Party regulation.

Click here to download and print the Biotics Research Patient Warning
Click here to download "Why Should I Buy Supplements Through My Healthcare Professional" 
Click here to download the Biotics Research Quality Control brochure

If you have any questions, please inquire at our office.

Estrogen-Mimicking Chemicals To Avoid

For decades, there has been serious concern about the environmental implications of hormone disrupting chemicals called "xeno-estrogens" or false estrogens. Literally translated, Xeno-estrogens are "foreign estrogens" that imitate estrogen and its effect on the body.

These types of products contain "foreign estrogens":

• Weed killers
• Sunscreen lotions that contain 4-MBC
• Food preservatives such as BHA
• Canned foods and plastics (BPA and BPA-S)
• Insecticides and pesticides
• Food Dyes
• Food chemicals that are used to protect fats and oils from becoming rancid
• Anti-perspirants that are made with Metalloestrogens or toxic metals
• Make ups and skin care products that have the preservative called paraben
• Tap water (most city waters are contaminated with estrogens from oral contraceptive pills)
• Detergents and surfactants
• Growth hormones in dairy and meat products

Recipe Of The Month: Gluten-Free Black Bean Soup

Gluten-Free Black Bean Soup Ingredients 1 pound dry black beans 1 1/2 quarts filtered water 1 organic carrot, chopped 1 stalk organic celery, chopped 1 large organic red onion, chopped 6 cloves garlic, crushed 2 green bell peppers, chopped 2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional) 1/4 cup dry lentils 4 fresh tomatoes 2 tablespoons chili powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon sea salt 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice  Instructions In a large pot over medium-high heat, place the beans in three times their volume of water. Bring to a boil, and let boil 10 minutes. Cover, remove from heat and let stand 1 hour. Drain, and rinse.  In a slow cooker, combine soaked beans and 1 1/2 quarts fresh water. Cover, and cook for 3 hours on High. Stir in carrot, celery, onion, garlic, bell peppers, jalapeno pepper, lentils, and tomatoes. Season with chili powder, cumin, oregano, black pepper, red wine vinegar, and salt. Cook on Low for 2 to 3 hours. Stir the rice into the slow cooker in the last 20 minutes of cooking. Carefully puree about half of the soup with a blender or food processor, then pour back into the pot before serving.

Treating Endometriosis with Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that each life force has an innate energy flowing throughout its form. This is called "qi" and qi is also believed to move the blood.   It is the liver's job to maintain the free flow of qi. In Chinese medicine, the uterus and the liver are closely related as the liver, spleen, and kidney channels run through the pelvis and all can effect menstruation. Stagnant qi is associated with liver depression, which is intimately associated with the menstrual cycle and almost always manifests as some menstrual-related problem.  In TCM, the body comprises points located on pathways at which the qi, traveling through them can be manipulated and therapeutically adjusted. This is how acupuncture can treat endometriosis symptoms along with Chinese herbal medicine.  It has been shown that acupuncture treatment may specifically be of benefit in people with endometriosis by: providing pain relief  reducing inflammation regulating levels of prostaglandins  combining acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicine for endometriosis has been shown to provide benefits In a NIH study published in 2011, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine provided:  the total effective rate ('cured', 'significantly effective' or 'effective') for auricular acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine was 91.9% and 60%, respectively. Hopefully this information demonstrates that Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine treat effectively: painful menstruation, menstruation irregularities, amenorrhea, PMS, lower abdominal pain, any endometriosis symptoms and infertility.  If you want to learn more about how Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine can help you, please contact us to book your appointment with Dr. Monica to take advantage of this month's special offer. Sources and helpful links: National Institute of Health Acupuncture.com British Acupuncture Council

What Is Endometriosis?

 

Endometriosis  is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus - the endometrium - grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, bowel or the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond your pelvic region. In endometriosis, displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would - it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Because this displaced tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped. When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts may form. Fertility problems also may develop.  Endometriosis is most common in women in their 30s and 40s, but it can affect any female who menstruates.

Factors that May Increase the Risk of Endometriosis

Studies show that women are at higher risk for endometriosis if their:

• Mother, sister, or daughter had endometriosis (raises the risk about sixfold)
• Periods started at an early age (before age 11)
• Monthly cycles are short (less than 27 days)
• Menstrual cycles are heavy and last more than 7 days

Factors that May Lower the Risk of Endometriosis

Studies also show that some factors may lower the risk for endometriosis, including:

• Pregnancy
• Starting menstruation late in adolescence
• Regular exercise of more than 4 hours a week
• Low amount of body fat

Common signs and symptoms of endometriosis may include:

• Painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Pelvic pain and cramping, may include lower back & abdominal pain.
• Pain with intercourse. Pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis.
• Pain with bowel movements or urination during your period.
• Excessive bleeding. You may experience heavy periods or bleeding between periods.
• Infertility. Endometriosis is first diagnosed in some women who are seeking treatment for infertility.
• Other symptoms. You may also experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.

The good news?  Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine has proven VERY effective in treating this condition.  Please read on below... 

Sources:

National Institutes of Health

Mayo Clinic

National Awareness Month for Endometriosis

March is National Awareness Month for Endometriosis. It's currently estimated that 5 million women in the U.S. suffer from this condition.  It is very painful and can lead to infertility, repetitive surgeries, and even hysterectomy. Women deserve natural solutions for this often debilitating illness.. Unfortunately, traditional medical intervention merely treats the symptoms of Endometriosis using birth control pills, surgeries, and pain medications. That is where we come in! 

Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine have been shown to be very effective in treating Endometriosis.  A licensed Acupuncturist can find the root cause of this imbalance by using age old techniques that identify areas of hormone imbalance.  Diet modification and abdominal massage have both shown to be very effective in helping this condition.  

If you know anyone that suffers from Endometriosis, please share this post. It is full of research and helpful information for these woman.  Also, it is important to mention that ANY hormone imbalance: PMS, Menopause, Ovarian Cysts etc, can be helped immensely by Acupuncture & Herbal Therapy. There are many women suffering unnecessarily.  We are here to help!  We just need all of YOU to let the women in your life know about these effective therapies!

Until our next adjustment...

  

Yours in Health,

Dr. Heidi & The InnerMovement Wellness Team

March Special: Your First Acupuncture Visit

March 2015 Special: Your First Acupuncture Visit Just $79 ($125 value)

Food Ingredient Labels

photo via: FindYourBalanceHealth.com

Food labels are an important source of information about calories and the nutritional value of the foods we eat, however deciphering these can often present some challenges.  Here is some helpful information:

• Ingredients are listed in the quantity in which they appear
• Sugar can also be listed as high-fructose corn syrup or corn syrup, agave nectar, barley malt syrup or dehydrated cane juice
• Hidden sugars:  Fructose, sucrose & dextrose 
• Salt can be listed by name or sodium benzoate, disodium or monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• MSG can also be hidden as "yeast extract" or "soy protein isolate"
• Trans-fats can be listed as hydrogenated oil
• Artificial sweeteners: Sucralose, Saccharin, Aspartame, Acesulfame
• Sodium Nitrites and Sodium Nitrates (these present a possible cancer risk)
• Artificial colorings: Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Red 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, and Orange B
• Beware of "Natural Flavorings as many of these are processed using hexane, a toxic component of gasoline
• "Castoreum", a substitute for vanilla, is made from the anal gland secretions of beavers

Aside from consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and grass-fed, antibiotic-free meats; a good rule of thumb is to choose packaged foods with 5 or less ingredients.  And avoid any foods with High Fructose Sugar, Monosodium Glutamate, and any food that lists ingredients you do not recognize as a food.

A Word On GMOs, Genetically modified organisms

A Word On GMOs

Genetically modified organisms

Found in nearly 80 percent of American processed food, GMOs are produced when genes from one plant or animal are inserted into another plant or animal to create desirable traits. Nearly 90 percent of conventionally grown corn, canola, soybean, and sugar beet crops have been genetically modified. Add to that dairy from cows treated with the genetically engineered hormone rBGH, and meat and eggs from animals fed genetically modified feed. GMOs haven't been tested for long-term safety, and short-term studies have indicated serious concerns related to infertility and immune problems.

To sidestep GMOs, buy produce, dairy, and meats with the "USDA Organic" label; avoid most processed foods and high-fructose corn syrup; and look for the "Non-GMO Project Verified" seal.

More info:

• Many G.M.O. Labels, Little Clarity Over Rules (NY Times)
• Non-GMO Project (website)
• Former Pro-GMO Scientist Speaks Out On The Dangers of Genetically-Modified Food (Global Research)

Drink 16oz. of Water Right After you Wake Up

H2O Healthy Habit

  

Drink 16oz. of water right after you wake up

• It fires up your metabolism. Drinking a large, glass of water after you wake up has been shown to fire up your metabolism by a whopping 24% for 90 minutes.
• You're dehydrated when you wake up. You just went 7-8 hours without drinking any water! Even if your body isn't telling you that it's thirsty, it probably is.
• Water helps your body flush out toxins. Getting fluids into your body right after your wake up will help your body flush out toxins first thing in the morning.
• Your brain tissue is 75% water. When you're not properly hydrated, your brain operates on less fuel, and you can feel drained, or experience fatigue or mood fluctuations.
• You'll eat less. One study showed that people who drink a glass of water before every meal lost 4.5 pounds over a three-month period, because it helps people feel full.