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  • Go Touch Grass: The Healthy Aspect of Being Outside

    Go Touch Grass the healthy aspect of being outside

    Have you been feeling exhausted lately? Have you been suffering from headaches that come and go? Maybe you have high blood pressure or are anemic? Perhaps your immune system has been suppressed, and you can’t seem to shake that stuffy nose? There are many places to turn to for advice on how to get back to the healthiest version of yourself. But have you ever considered just… going outside?

    I know what you’re thinking, that there is no way simply spending time outdoors can fix anything! But there are numerous physical, mental, and emotional health benefits to going outside:

    Benefits of Sunlight

    An estimated 1 billion people worldwide are deficient in Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin known to help the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus; both are critical for building strong bones. Luckily, our body can make its own with the help of a bit of sunlight. 

    There are two types of Ultraviolet rays the sun provides for us:

    • UVA rays have lower energy and longer wavelengths, meaning they can penetrate through glass.
    • UVB rays have a higher amount of energy and a shorter wavelength. They cannot penetrate glass, but they do help with Vitamin D Production. 

    Both indoor and outdoor sunlight exposure can cause the skin to release Nitric Oxide into the bloodstream. Nitric Oxide is a compound occurring in the body that causes blood vessels to dilate, which can stimulate the release of hormones such as insulin and human growth hormone (HGH). It can also relieve high blood pressure levels, decreasing bodily stress. 

    Sun exposure can also lead to increased iron and carbon monoxide production. Now I know what you are going to say: Isn’t carbon monoxide deadly to breathe in? It absolutely is, but when it is converted in small amounts in the cells, it prevents the production of inflammatory cytokine cells. This means your body can actually produce its own anti-inflammatory effect!

    The sun can help heal your skin too. UVB light has been shown to help improve inflammatory autoimmune-related skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. The UVB rays help to slow down overreactive skin cells and calm inflammation.

    The sun even aids in your sleep pattern. There is a direct line between decreased sun exposure and cognitive impairment. Natural sunlight impacts our circadian rhythm, which affects serotonin and melatonin production. Without proper light wave exposure, serotonin can’t produce enough melatonin to induce a regular sleep cycle later in the evening.

    Benefits of Fresh Air 

    There are many proven health benefits of fresh air. Some of these include stress relief, boosted energy, reduced high blood pressure, reduced depression and anxiety, improved sleep, and even clear lungs.

    When you breathe in, oxygen enters your lungs and then moves into the blood, while carbon dioxide moves out and is exhaled. Mold, pet dander, stale carpet, and bacteria can contribute to a poorer quality of air inside your house, so your lungs could use a break! 

    Breathing in the fresh air and smelling the outdoor plants and flowers has even been shown to relieve anxiety and stress-related issues. This is because oxygen aids in the release of serotonin, which is our mood-regulating hormone. More serotonin means a generally happier mood.

    Many studies show that time spent outside has critical psychological effects on the mind, including decreased negative thoughts, reduced symptoms of ADHD and ADD, and improved cognitive development. Breathing in fresh air increases the amount of oxygen moving into your blood and brain, improving mental clarity. 

    Benefits of Grounding

    Another way to reap the benefits of going outside is to engage in grounding, also known as earthing. Grounding is an exercise where you place your bare hands or feet directly against the Earth’s surface. It is prevalent in many cultures worldwide and has been shown to improve overall health and well-being. 

    Encounters with nearby nature help alleviate mental fatigue by relaxing and restoring the mind. Different parts of our brain activate in nature—our mind calms, leading to physical changes, like a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure.

    Did you know 90% of chronic health conditions are linked to inflammation? The Earth is FULL of antioxidants, which help to protect healthy cells from inflammation damage. When we touch the surface of the Earth, free electrons are transferred through the skin and into our bodies. They then pair up with free radicals to act as antioxidants.

    In the same way, grounding and its anti-inflammatory properties can improve wound healing. In fact, it is possible to feel a decrease in pain in as little as 30 minutes. 

    Physically connecting your body to the Earth can improve sleep, reduce pain, increase heart rate variability, increase wound healing, reduce blood viscosity, reduce stress, and so much more.

    So what now?

    GO OUTSIDE! Scientists have proven that simply looking at the color green can reduce stress levels, so the benefits of spending time outdoors speak for themselves. Not to mention going outside gets you engaged in physical activity. Whether you are walking, biking, golfing, gardening, or sitting, mother nature is ready to serve you. 

    “nature is not an amenity—it’s a necessity. We need to take it seriously.” 

    -Assoc. Prof. Marc Berman, director of University of Chicago’s Environmental Neuroscience Lab

    Also to find other ways to get healthy and stay healthy for a lifetime contact our Littleton, CO wellness center.

     

  • How Does Chiropractic Care Fit Into Holistic Health?

    What if health weren’t just the absence of disease but the pursuit of an overall healthy life? That is the idea of holistic health, also known as vitalism. 

    That was one of the founding principles laid out in the WHO’s constitution. Doctors have focused on treating the symptoms for hundreds of years rather than addressing their root causes. Holistic health takes the WHO’s approach, focusing on overall health rather than disease treatment alone.

    Chiropractic care is one such means of holistic health. The question is, how do chiropractic services fit in with the holistic health approach?

    In this article, we’ll discuss how your chiropractor can help you live the wellness life you’re looking for.

    What Is Holistic Health?

    The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.” Holistic health, as the word holistic implies, is an all-encompassing way of living. It’s a lifestyle, whereas traditional medicine is more of a practice.

    Traditional medicine, which is mechanistic in nature, begins and ends when you go to the doctor. The doctor treats your body as a machine with many parts. They see symptoms as a bad thing that needs to be taken care of immediately. They apply a generic “fix” that they’ve used for the last thousand people with similar symptoms.

    Our current western medicine model doesn’t care if you get better. This approach to health intends to provide temporary relief targeted at the disease and nothing else. Some may say they want you to remain sick, so you return for the same reason next month.

    How Holistic Health Differs from Traditional Medicine

    Traditional medicine is impersonal, temporary, and targeted. Traditional medicine believes:

    • The body is a machine made up of a bunch of parts.
    • If those parts experience symptoms, this is bad, and those parts need to be removed.
    • The whole body is equal to the sum of the parts. Thus by knowing the parts, you understand the whole. 
    • The body is inherently weak and defective and prone to injury, illness, and disease. When the parts wear out, you can just replace them.
    • Treatments are based on theories about the body and are applied to everyone ignoring individual differences.

    Holistic medicine, on the other hand, believes that:

    • Humans have an innate healing ability, and the body knows how to heal and repair. Symptoms are an intelligent response to daily stresses and should not be disregarded.
    • The body is greater than the sum of its parts, having qualities the parts cannot have alone. Knowledge of the parts does not give the doctor complete information about the whole individual.
    • The body cannot be fully understood by doctors, scientists, and other intellectual disciplines because the body is greater than the sum of its parts.
    • Medical professionals should treat the individual rather than the disease itself. Treatments should be “permanent,” i.e., treat a problem’s root cause rather than symptoms alone.
    • Holistic or vitalistic doctors believe the only way to understand the human body is to watch it in both sickness and health. The reactions in both states provide a unique look at how individuals function. 
    • Treatments should help the person to live a longer, more fulfilling life. There should be a sense of community and team effort in a person’s healing.
    • Reliance on natural remedies is preferred where possible.

    What Is Chiropractic Care?

    You may have seen videos of chiropractic treatment before. A professional can uses specifically directed motion, whether by hand or instrument, to adjust a person’s spine. These adjustments help to “re-align” a person back into their correct form.

    Chiropractic care is all-natural. These adjustments correct your spine and help your body release natural endorphins to reduce pain. A Chiropractic doctor will not prescribe addictive opioids to deal with your pain.

    To complement your healing process, they might suggest a functional medicine approach. Functional medicine includes a blood test to identify what you lack (or have too much) in your diet. Then the doctor can recommend dietary changes and personalized supplementation for support. 

    Your chiropractor is there in the long term to make sure you find ultimate relief. Functional medicine attempts to diagnose the actual cause of your symptoms. Bloodwork is the best way to see what your body is lacking.

    Many people initially go to chiropractors with pain or symptoms such as chronic back pain. Visit any doctor’s office, and they’ll recommend harsh invasive solutions. These solutions may include surgeries, addictive drugs, and other things that don’t solve the root issue. 

    A chiropractor does go for the root issue: readjusting your spine and removing interference from your nervous system. For example, doctors of chiropractic suggest nutraceuticals (supplements) that do not have adverse side effects instead of drugs. Instead of psychiatry which uses unproven drugs to treat mental illnesses, they use neurofeedback and other techniques.

    How Do Chiropractic Services Promote the Holistic Health Approach?

    When you think about it, chiropractic care is holistic. A chiropractor isn’t just interested in making spinal adjustments and sending you on your way. They’re interested in your long-term health, which is why they recommend you come in for multiple visits.

    In addition to what is mentioned above, chiropractors may specialize in far more than chiropractic care. We have already mentioned the functional medicine approach. Another service they may provide is neurofeedback.

    Neurofeedback tries to identify the negative feedback loops and patterns in your brain waves. This may include bad habits or poor coping mechanisms. Neurofeedback helps train your brain or balance out these bad signals to build a stronger foundation.

    What if You’re Scared of Chiropractic Care?

    All of this is well and good, but some may find the chiropractic process to be scary. The chiropractor uses sharp twists that cause loud cracks during treatment. This involves turning your neck at sharp angles or putting forceful pressure on your back.

    To be clear, none of this is a risk to you. A chiropractor has in-depth knowledge of the body and years of experience to help them. Chiropractors train for years to do what they do, so all of their adjustments are safe.

    Further, those “pops and cracks” you hear are the sound of air bubbles released from synovial fluid between your joints. The “popping and cracking” is harmless. Myths for years have perpetuated the idea that this is bad for you, such as cracking your knuckles.

    That said, if you still have reservations, there is an alternative. Some chiropractors practice a gentle technique known as Korean Specific Technique or KST. This method involves no popping or cracking as traditional chiropractors do.

    Even though there is no popping or cracking, KST is no less effective. Adjustments are long-lasting, and many patients may experience very dramatic changes right after their first visit.

    Visit Dr. Dody

    Unlike traditional medicine, holistic health considers the entirety of what makes you, you. It employs natural, long-term solutions focusing on the individual over the symptoms. Chiropractic care is one such method that promotes your body to heal itself without drug intervention.

    A visit to Dody Chiropractic Center for Wholeness is a commitment to your holistic wellness. Dr. Dody isn’t just a specialist in chiropractic care. He’s an expert in many holistic treatments as well. Visit the new patient portal and schedule an appointment today.

  • How to Prevent Memory Loss

    These days, you feel like your brain is in a constant memory-zapping fog, and you can’t shake it. If you’re feeling this way now, what do the next ten years look like?

    Research shows that memory lapses may happen at all ages, although they become an increasing concern for people as they age. Still, while some people are more prone to memory loss than others are, there are ways to prevent it from happening.

    Here’s a rundown on how to prevent memory loss. Let’s jump in!

    Eat a Healthy Diet

    Adopting a balanced diet is one of the best steps for preventing memory loss. That’s because healthy eating will reduce your chances of developing diabetes, which has ties with Alzheimer’s disease.

    To eat healthy foods, choose fruits, olive oil, nuts, and legumes, including beans and lentils. Consider also consuming eggs, fish, and vegetables. Limit sugar, alcohol, red meat, and processed food if you’re serious about leading a healthy lifestyle.

    Some supplements are great for brain health that can work alongside your healthy diet. One of the essential supplements for the brain is magnesium. However, you need a specific type of magnesium to cross the blood-brain barrier. We recommend OptiMag® Neuro supplement from Xyomgen. If you want to learn more, click here- <a href=”http://www.wholescripts.com/register/dodychiro-dody” target=”_blank”>Nutritional Supplements</a>.

    If you pay little attention to what you’re eating daily, consider keeping your own food diary. This will help you to keep better track of what you’re consuming. Then, you can make adjustments to your diet to reach your health goals.

    Remain Social

    You can also prevent memory and thinking problems simply by staying social. That’s because positive interactions with other people stimulate your brain, thus keeping it sharp. Additionally, social engagement protects against depression and anxiety, which can stifle your brain’s function. 

    To maintain a healthy social network, take time to join groups and talk with other people. Stay involved in religious activities, organizations, and clubs.

    Perhaps you’re the type of person who prefers to stay home. If so, make sure you still have a couple of family members or friends- or even a pet- with whom you can still have fun.

    Give Your Brain a Challenge

    Yet another way to prevent memory loss is to keep the brain challenged.

    A wide range of activities can help to boost your cognitive functions, including your memory. These include, for example, learning brand-new skills, playing instruments, doing puzzles, reading, volunteering, and working. You can also play games like Scrabble, Sudoku, and crossword puzzles to challenge your mind.

    Another way to enhance your memory is through neurofeedback theory, a treatment used to address the irregular function of the brain. Through this technique, which is non-invasive, your brain is re-wired through training.

    The neurofeedback technique can enhance your brain’s performance and function without the need for drugs, which can have unwanted side effects.

    Stay Active

    You can also keep memory loss at bay simply by exercising. That’s because exercise may prevent health issues known to cause memory loss, including the following:

    • Stroke
    • Obesity
    • High cholesterol
    • High blood pressure
    • Diabetes

    Exercise may also cause brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein, to be released. This protein promotes the health of your brain’s nerve cells, which may boost your memory.

    To start, try to walk for half an hour each day, five days per week. You can track your progress using the United States Agriculture Department SuperTracker site for weight management.

    Get Plenty of Rest

    Getting adequate sleep is also paramount for preventing memory loss. This is because concentration and attention decrease when a person suffers from restless sleep. In addition, the mental function of people who don’t get restful, normal sleep tends to be duller.

    When you’re sleeping, the brain is refreshed and cleansed. This is why getting seven to nine hours of rest each night is crucial for healthy living.

    To improve the quality of sleep you get each night, you should avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine near bedtime. In addition, be consistent when it comes to hitting the sack and rising the next morning.

    Also, don’t eat large meals before going to bed. That’s because food is essentially fuel, so when you eat before bed, you’re giving your body more energy when you’re supposed to be winding down.

    Minimize Stress

    Although avoiding stress in everyday life may seem impossible, minimizing your stress levels can help you to avoid memory loss issues.

    When your brain is under stress, a stress hormone called cortisol is produced at a high level. This makes it more difficult for you to extract information from the brain’s memory.

    Consider doing meditation, massages, or yoga to keep your stress levels low.

    Visit Your Doctor

    Finally, remember that some medical conditions might cause you to lose your memory. These include vitamin deficiency and thyroid disease. This is why you should visit your local doctor. Your physician can help you to address these health problems properly.

    Also, note that some medicines, like anxiety and sleep drugs, may affect your memory. Your doctor can review your existing medication with you to determine if any of them are the culprit in your memory loss.

    How We Can Help You to Master How to Prevent Memory Loss

    If you’re wondering how to prevent memory loss, consider taking steps to minimize stress in your life and improve your sleep quality. You may also want to stay active and adopt a more nutritious diet daily.

    Fortunately, at Dody Chiropractic, we take pride in helping health-conscious individuals to improve their health and wellness through chiropractic care and functional nutrition. We also provide neurofeedback services for individuals seeking help with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and memory issues.

    Get in touch with us to learn more about our services and how we can enhance your mind’s health today!

  • Will They Take NAC Off the Market?

    Will They Take NAC Off the Market(1)You may have heard the talk going on right now about the nutritional supplement N-Acetyl Cysteine or NAC. But, unfortunately, the FDA wants to impose regulations on this supplement, which would change how it is allowed to be sold and consumed. So they are trying to take it off the market as a supplement.

    Xymogen NAC supplementWhat is NAC?

    NAC is derived from the amino acid L-cysteine. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and our body needs them to function. You can find cysteine in some foods, but you can only get NAC as a supplement or in drugs as it is not contained in any foods. It is considered an essential amino acid. It is made from other amino acids, but higher amounts can be beneficial. NAC is also a powerful antioxidant. 

    Why is NAC so valuable to our bodies?

    NAC is the building block for our Master Antioxidant, glutathione. It is essential to many functions in our bodies, including:

    • Your Immune System
    • Liver Health and Detoxification
    • Reducing Side Effects of Over-the-Counter pain meds
    • May Help Reduce Symptoms of Respiratory Issues
    • Boosting Brain Health By Protecting Neurotransmitters

    Top 5 Benefits of NAC

    1. Antioxidant Effects and Helps Form Glutathione: NAC is a precursor to glutathione, known as the body’s Master Antioxidant, and is arguably the body’s most important antioxidant. Not only is it a powerful antioxidant, but it also helps reduce inflammation. This is because it can increase glutathione levels, scavenge free radicals, and reduce oxidative stress. For this reason, it has the potential to help with disorders that result from free oxygen radicals like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, liver disease, and even cancer.

    2. Helps Respiratory Problems by Breaking Up Mucus: NAC can help reduce coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing, as well as mucus and phlegm. This is why it is helpful when you have conditions such as a cold or the flu and even bronchitis. 

    3. Protects the Liver and Kidneys: We already mentioned NAC’s ability to fight free radicals, directly benefiting the liver and kidneys. NAC can also help control the side effects of certain medications, also protecting the liver and kidneys. For example, it can help treat acetaminophen toxicity and acute liver failure. 

    4. Can Help Lift and Stabilize Your Mood: One of the contributing factors in mood and mental conditions is believed to be an imbalance of glutamate. NAC can be a complementary treatment for anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues because it impacts glutamate, a neurotransmitter in the brain.

    5. May Help Prevent the Development of Cancer: NAC has not been shown to be a treatment for cancer; however, evidence shows it may be beneficial. This is because it may help neutralize free radicals that damage DNA. There are several ways that NAC helped in cancer treatments that were shown in clinical studies. These include:

        • Regulating the expression of genes involved with oxidative stress and inflammation
        • Reducing inflammatory cytokines and proteins
        • Increasing antioxidants

    It can also aid in helping with the side effects of cancer treatments.

    Conclusion

    As you can see, there are some significant benefits to NAC. It is hard to imagine why they would want to regulate this supplement, being that it can help so many people and is known to be very safe. Who knows what will happen, but if you would like to stock up on some just in case you can no longer get it in the near future, you can get a high-quality brand here. I have checked, and as of the time of writing this, they are still in stock!

     

  • Will They Take NAC Off the Market?

    Will They Take NAC Off the Market(1)You may have heard the talk going on right now about the nutritional supplement N-Acetyl Cysteine or NAC. But, unfortunately, the FDA wants to impose regulations on this supplement, which would change how it is allowed to be sold and consumed. So they are trying to take it off the market as a supplement.

    Xymogen NAC supplementWhat is NAC?

    NAC is derived from the amino acid L-cysteine. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and our body needs them to function. You can find cysteine in some foods, but you can only get NAC as a supplement or in drugs as it is not contained in any foods. It is considered an essential amino acid. It is made from other amino acids, but higher amounts can be beneficial. NAC is also a powerful antioxidant. 

    Why is NAC so valuable to our bodies?

    NAC is the building block for our Master Antioxidant, glutathione. It is essential to many functions in our bodies, including:

    • Your Immune System
    • Liver Health and Detoxification
    • Reducing Side Effects of Over-the-Counter pain meds
    • May Help Reduce Symptoms of Respiratory Issues
    • Boosting Brain Health By Protecting Neurotransmitters

    Top 5 Benefits of NAC

    1. Antioxidant Effects and Helps Form Glutathione: NAC is a precursor to glutathione, known as the body’s Master Antioxidant, and is arguably the body’s most important antioxidant. Not only is it a powerful antioxidant, but it also helps reduce inflammation. This is because it can increase glutathione levels, scavenge free radicals, and reduce oxidative stress. For this reason, it has the potential to help with disorders that result from free oxygen radicals like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, liver disease, and even cancer.

    2. Helps Respiratory Problems by Breaking Up Mucus: NAC can help reduce coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing, as well as mucus and phlegm. This is why it is helpful when you have conditions such as a cold or the flu and even bronchitis. 

    3. Protects the Liver and Kidneys: We already mentioned NAC’s ability to fight free radicals, directly benefiting the liver and kidneys. NAC can also help control the side effects of certain medications, also protecting the liver and kidneys. For example, it can help treat acetaminophen toxicity and acute liver failure. 

    4. Can Help Lift and Stabilize Your Mood: One of the contributing factors in mood and mental conditions is believed to be an imbalance of glutamate. NAC can be a complementary treatment for anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues because it impacts glutamate, a neurotransmitter in the brain.

    5. May Help Prevent the Development of Cancer: NAC has not been shown to be a treatment for cancer; however, evidence shows it may be beneficial. This is because it may help neutralize free radicals that damage DNA. There are several ways that NAC helped in cancer treatments that were shown in clinical studies. These include:

        • Regulating the expression of genes involved with oxidative stress and inflammation
        • Reducing inflammatory cytokines and proteins
        • Increasing antioxidants

    It can also aid in helping with the side effects of cancer treatments.

    Conclusion

    As you can see, there are some significant benefits to NAC. It is hard to imagine why they would want to regulate this supplement, being that it can help so many people and is known to be very safe. Who knows what will happen, but if you would like to stock up on some just in case you can no longer get it in the near future, you can get a high-quality brand here. I have checked, and as of the time of writing this, they are still in stock!

     

  • Practical Benefits of Proper Nutrition for Arthritis

    Practical Benefits of Proper Nutrition for ArthritisAccording to the CDC, over 54 million Americans suffer from arthritis. But if you’re part of the 54 million, you’re not stuck with achy joints forever. Nutrition for arthritis is essential to keep your mobility and reduce inflammation. 

    How can you eat for the health of your joints? Let’s dive right in. 

    Specific Nutrition for Arthritis-

    Fish Fish

    Whether or not you have arthritis, fish should be a staple part of your diet. With arthritis, the omega-3’s and fats in fish can help ease inflammation. 

    However, it takes a lot of fish to get the recommended amount of omega-3’s. So unless you live close to the water and have access to a lot of high-quality fish, it can be helpful to supplement with fish oil capsules as well. When it comes to choosing a fish oil supplement, the quality of that supplement matters. We can help you get the right supplement for you.

    collagenCollagen

    Collagen works to strengthen your hair, nails, skin, and, most importantly, for arthritis, the collagen between your bones. This collagen that makes up the cartilage is what arthritis wears down on, so adding more to your diet can help strengthen your joints. 

    Most collagen is taken from chickens, which may not be the best quality. If you want, you can add a collagen supplement to your diet. Just make sure you get the highest quality version. We recommend collagen from grass-fed cattle.

    If you prefer using whole foods rather than supplements, incorporate bone broth into your diet to naturally boost your collagen levels.

    Bone broth has a lot of other benefits, on top of collagen. You may want to add it to your diet anyway. 

    Anti-Inflammatory

    Arthritis acts when inflammation occurs in your joints. By following an anti-inflammatory diet, you can keep some of this at bay. 

    Unfortunately, an anti-inflammatory diet isn’t a one-size-fits-all prescription. What inflames you will be different than what causes inflammation in others. 

    To avoid inflammation, avoid processed foods and refined sugars. Other common offenders include gluten, cheese, eggs, or dairy. You may want to try an elimination diet to see if it helps, and slowly add these foods back in, one at a time. We also have food sensitivity testing to help narrow down foods that don’t work well with your body.

    What can you eat to fight inflammation? Try tomatoes, fruits, nuts, leafy greens, olive oil, or berries!

    fruits and vegetablesFruits and Vegetables

    Fruits and vegetables should be a staple in any holistic diet, but they are particularly beneficial for nutrition and arthritis patients. 

    Why? Fruits and vegetables have the most nutrients, the most vitamins, and the most anti-inflammatory properties to keep arthritis at bay. On top of that, by filling your plate with non-processed foods, you’re cutting out the unhealthy fats that can cause inflammation to spike. 

    olive oilChoose Natural Oils

    As a rule, processed fats in foods will only cause inflammation to spike and make your arthritis worse. However, natural oils such as extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil can ease inflammation. Grass-fed butter is another good source of healthy fat.

    To easily incorporate more healthy oils into your diet, consider cooking with low heat or adding them to a salad as a dressing with vinegar. High heat can damage many healthy fats making them more inflammatory.

    cherriesCherries

    As with other berries, cherries have anti-inflammatory properties. These same properties can also be seen in other red or purple fruits like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries. 

    The anti-inflammatory properties come thanks to anthocyanins.

    Fun fact: anthocyanins are what give these foods their blue or purple color. 

    vitamin dVitamin D

    Too little vitamin D increases your risk for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore it’s essential to get plenty of Vitamin D to prevent further joint damage. 

    The best food sources for vitamin D are oily fish, fortified milk, or orange juice. A free and easy way to increase Vitamin D is to add a 10-minute sunscreen-free sunbath. 

    Unfortunately, that may still not be enough Vitamin D to protect your joints, so consider a supplement as well, and talk to a doctor to see if your levels are normal or too low. We check your Vitamin D levels as a part of our standard blood work.

    beansBeans

    Since you’re cutting out low-quality meat to fight inflammation, you need to add protein back into your diet. Beans are a perfect substitute. 

    Beans are chock-full of everything you need from fiber to folic acid, magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium. All of this helps to fight inflammation and boost your immune system, resulting in a happier, healthier you. 

    To help you digest your beans better, soak them for at least 24 hours before you cook and eat them.

    ginger and ginger teaGinger

    So far, most studies of ginger and arthritis have been performed on animals, but the results are promising. Adding ginger to your diet definitely won’t hurt unless you’re allergic. 

    Ginger is another excellent anti-inflammatory food to add to your diet. Ginger is particularly popular in Asian cuisine, so it may be time to break out the recipe book and try a few new things. 

    You may also want to try ginger tea. The taste will be potent, but it creates a lovely drink. 

    green teaGreen Tea

    Green tea is another great choice for arthritis patients. Green tea has natural antioxidants, which can fight inflammation and strengthen your cartilage.

    Green tea is especially important for rheumatoid arthritis nutrition since a natural compound in the tea called epigallocatechin-3 or EGCG stops the production of molecules that lead to joint damage.  

    tumericTurmeric

    Another anti-inflammatory, turmeric, is a yellow spice traditionally found in Indian cuisine. But since it’s an anti-inflammatory, it can prevent joint swelling and keep your arthritis from acting up. 

    If you decide to use a supplement, quality and your body’s ability to use it are essential. We can help you find the right turmeric supplement for your body.

    dark chocolateDark Chocolate

    Yes, you are reading this right. Dark chocolate contains compounds called flavanols. Flavanols are potent antioxidants and can significantly reduce inflammation. Here is the catch, the chocolate you eat needs to be made with 70% cocoa or greater to get these essential compounds. If you can find a bar of dark chocolate with less sugar, it is even better!

    Nutrition for Arthritis Management Is Under Your Control

    Understanding nutrition for arthritis doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow the core of what creates a healthy diet, and focus on incorporating anti-inflammatory foods and foods that support joint health. 

    Unfortunately, there’s still no cure for arthritis, but following a healthy nutrition plan can keep your weight manageable and ease your symptoms. 

    Are you ready to see we can help you ease your arthritis pain and symptoms? We can help you dial in your nutrition plan today and help you live the life you have always wanted!

    Please schedule an appointment with us today

    Nutritional evaluation

     

  • Practical Benefits of Proper Nutrition for Arthritis

    Practical Benefits of Proper Nutrition for ArthritisAccording to the CDC, over 54 million Americans suffer from arthritis. But if you’re part of the 54 million, you’re not stuck with achy joints forever. Nutrition for arthritis is essential to keep your mobility and reduce inflammation. 

    How can you eat for the health of your joints? Let’s dive right in. 

    Specific Nutrition for Arthritis-

    Fish Fish

    Whether or not you have arthritis, fish should be a staple part of your diet. With arthritis, the omega-3’s and fats in fish can help ease inflammation. 

    However, it takes a lot of fish to get the recommended amount of omega-3’s. So unless you live close to the water and have access to a lot of high-quality fish, it can be helpful to supplement with fish oil capsules as well. When it comes to choosing a fish oil supplement, the quality of that supplement matters. We can help you get the right supplement for you.

    collagenCollagen

    Collagen works to strengthen your hair, nails, skin, and, most importantly, for arthritis, the collagen between your bones. This collagen that makes up the cartilage is what arthritis wears down on, so adding more to your diet can help strengthen your joints. 

    Most collagen is taken from chickens, which may not be the best quality. If you want, you can add a collagen supplement to your diet. Just make sure you get the highest quality version. We recommend collagen from grass-fed cattle.

    If you prefer using whole foods rather than supplements, incorporate bone broth into your diet to naturally boost your collagen levels.

    Bone broth has a lot of other benefits, on top of collagen. You may want to add it to your diet anyway. 

    Anti-Inflammatory

    Arthritis acts when inflammation occurs in your joints. By following an anti-inflammatory diet, you can keep some of this at bay. 

    Unfortunately, an anti-inflammatory diet isn’t a one-size-fits-all prescription. What inflames you will be different than what causes inflammation in others. 

    To avoid inflammation, avoid processed foods and refined sugars. Other common offenders include gluten, cheese, eggs, or dairy. You may want to try an elimination diet to see if it helps, and slowly add these foods back in, one at a time. We also have food sensitivity testing to help narrow down foods that don’t work well with your body.

    What can you eat to fight inflammation? Try tomatoes, fruits, nuts, leafy greens, olive oil, or berries!

    fruits and vegetablesFruits and Vegetables

    Fruits and vegetables should be a staple in any holistic diet, but they are particularly beneficial for nutrition and arthritis patients. 

    Why? Fruits and vegetables have the most nutrients, the most vitamins, and the most anti-inflammatory properties to keep arthritis at bay. On top of that, by filling your plate with non-processed foods, you’re cutting out the unhealthy fats that can cause inflammation to spike. 

    olive oilChoose Natural Oils

    As a rule, processed fats in foods will only cause inflammation to spike and make your arthritis worse. However, natural oils such as extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil can ease inflammation. Grass-fed butter is another good source of healthy fat.

    To easily incorporate more healthy oils into your diet, consider cooking with low heat or adding them to a salad as a dressing with vinegar. High heat can damage many healthy fats making them more inflammatory.

    cherriesCherries

    As with other berries, cherries have anti-inflammatory properties. These same properties can also be seen in other red or purple fruits like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries. 

    The anti-inflammatory properties come thanks to anthocyanins.

    Fun fact: anthocyanins are what give these foods their blue or purple color. 

    vitamin dVitamin D

    Too little vitamin D increases your risk for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore it’s essential to get plenty of Vitamin D to prevent further joint damage. 

    The best food sources for vitamin D are oily fish, fortified milk, or orange juice. A free and easy way to increase Vitamin D is to add a 10-minute sunscreen-free sunbath. 

    Unfortunately, that may still not be enough Vitamin D to protect your joints, so consider a supplement as well, and talk to a doctor to see if your levels are normal or too low. We check your Vitamin D levels as a part of our standard blood work.

    beansBeans

    Since you’re cutting out low-quality meat to fight inflammation, you need to add protein back into your diet. Beans are a perfect substitute. 

    Beans are chock-full of everything you need from fiber to folic acid, magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium. All of this helps to fight inflammation and boost your immune system, resulting in a happier, healthier you. 

    To help you digest your beans better, soak them for at least 24 hours before you cook and eat them.

    ginger and ginger teaGinger

    So far, most studies of ginger and arthritis have been performed on animals, but the results are promising. Adding ginger to your diet definitely won’t hurt unless you’re allergic. 

    Ginger is another excellent anti-inflammatory food to add to your diet. Ginger is particularly popular in Asian cuisine, so it may be time to break out the recipe book and try a few new things. 

    You may also want to try ginger tea. The taste will be potent, but it creates a lovely drink. 

    green teaGreen Tea

    Green tea is another great choice for arthritis patients. Green tea has natural antioxidants, which can fight inflammation and strengthen your cartilage.

    Green tea is especially important for rheumatoid arthritis nutrition since a natural compound in the tea called epigallocatechin-3 or EGCG stops the production of molecules that lead to joint damage.  

    tumericTurmeric

    Another anti-inflammatory, turmeric, is a yellow spice traditionally found in Indian cuisine. But since it’s an anti-inflammatory, it can prevent joint swelling and keep your arthritis from acting up. 

    If you decide to use a supplement, quality and your body’s ability to use it are essential. We can help you find the right turmeric supplement for your body.

    dark chocolateDark Chocolate

    Yes, you are reading this right. Dark chocolate contains compounds called flavanols. Flavanols are potent antioxidants and can significantly reduce inflammation. Here is the catch, the chocolate you eat needs to be made with 70% cocoa or greater to get these essential compounds. If you can find a bar of dark chocolate with less sugar, it is even better!

    Nutrition for Arthritis Management Is Under Your Control

    Understanding nutrition for arthritis doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow the core of what creates a healthy diet, and focus on incorporating anti-inflammatory foods and foods that support joint health. 

    Unfortunately, there’s still no cure for arthritis, but following a healthy nutrition plan can keep your weight manageable and ease your symptoms. 

    Are you ready to see we can help you ease your arthritis pain and symptoms? We can help you dial in your nutrition plan today and help you live the life you have always wanted!

    Please schedule an appointment with us today

    Nutritional evaluation

     

  • Living with Fibromyalgia: Understanding How Nutrition Affects Symptoms

    Living with Fibromyalgia: Understanding How Nutrition Affects SymptomsAre you or someone you love living with Fibromyalgia? If so, you aren’t alone. In fact, over four million US adults, roughly 2% of the population, have been diagnosed.

    This disorder can cause widespread pain, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, headaches and migraines, emotional and mental distress, and abnormal pain perception. Though, surprisingly little is known about what actually causes it.

    Thankfully, many natural remedies can help reduce the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. And, nutrition plays a major role. Keep reading to learn what you should eat and avoid to improve your daily lifestyle with Fibromyalgia.

    Start With the Facts

    If you want to improve Fibromyalgia symptoms, the first step is finding out exactly how your body is being affected. A comprehensive way to find out is through detailed blood analysis as part of a larger natural treatment plan.

    Once the different imbalances in your body have been identified, you’ll be able to map out a symptom-reducing Fibromyalgia diet. This approach is known as functional medicine or nutrition- and it’s a research-backed drug-free way to help you feel better!

    This type of nutritional evaluation can reveal more than just vitamin and mineral deficiencies, helping to understand which foods are triggering inflammation in the body. And, managing inflammation is the secret to reducing the painful symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

    vegetablesWhat to Eat

    Eating a well-balanced diet is essential, even for perfectly healthy people. But, as part of a Fibromyalgia nutrition plan, it’s absolutely mandatory.

    You should focus on foods that are rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins. And, you should ensure that each day’s meals include a healthy mix of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats.

    Because Fibromyalgia can make you feel tired, it’s also a good idea to eat for energy. Combining carbohydrates with protein and fats can help choose fresh, whole foods that are high in fiber and don’t contain added sugar. Instead of sweets, reach for broccoli and dark leafy greens, avocado, oatmeal, tofu, beans, seeds, or nuts.

    Some recent studies also indicate that eating a vegetarian diet may help with symptom reduction. 

    Essential Elements

    Even if you maintain a healthy diet, there is a chance that you are missing out on a few essential vitamins. Some of these vitamins can be linked to chronic health issues – for example, Vitamin D.

    While there is no evidence that this vitamin is linked to Fibromyalgia, some patients with deficiencies have reported similar symptoms. Vitamin D deficiencies can also lead to a wide variety of serious health concerns impacting the body’s immune system.

    Likewise, a shortage of Vitamin B12 can lead to serious symptoms. Lack of B12 is a fairly common concern, even among people with a healthy diet. And, the symptoms of a B12 shortage can include exactly what people suffering from Fibromyalgia hope to avoid – fatigue and low energy levels. 

    Antioxidants are beneficial because they slow the process of oxidation and reduce free radicals that can damage the body’s cells. One specific antioxidant, Coenzyme Q10, is essential to cell function. Some early studies have found evidence that adding it to the diet may improve fibromyalgia symptoms.

    fried foodsWhat to Avoid

    If you only read one of our tips for living with Fibromyalgia, make it this one! Stop eating junk. Simply put, unhealthy and processed foods can contribute to your symptoms – and while it might sound like a challenge, cutting them out entirely is the best approach.

    As part of your Fibromyalgia lifestyle, it’s best to avoid low nutrition foods and foods with excessive amounts of unhealthy fats. These foods include anything that has been processed or fried. It is also beneficial to reduce the amount of refined sugar in your diet.

    These changes can also help moderate body weight, which may be a factor when it comes to Fibromyalgia. In fact, some research indicates that even minor weight loss and changing to a low-calorie diet can reduce pain and inflammation and improve quality of life.

    Other Inflammatory Foods

    In recent years, gluten-free diets have gained popularity. And they might be beneficial to people living with Fibromyalgia.

    Some studies show that a non-celiac sensitivity to gluten may be an underlying cause of Fibromyalgia. This same research indicated that people with Fibromyalgia who tested negative for celiac disease still saw significant symptom improvement when following a gluten-free diet.

    FODMAPS, or fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, have been known to contribute to inflammation for decades. Gut bacteria ferment these carbohydrates in the digestive tract. This process may promote Fibromyalgia symptoms in some people.

    Foods high in FODMAPS include dairy products, beans, bread and pasta, barley and rye, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower, and some fruits including apples, peaches, and pears. 

    Excitotoxins are used to add extra flavor to food by stimulating the tongue’s taste receptors. And, while there is no direct evidence that they contribute to the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, some patients have linked them to pain and inflammation. It’s also worth mentioning that people have been reporting allergic-type symptoms, including inflammation to these additives, for ages.

    Common examples of Excitotoxins include:

    • MSG or monosodium glutamate
    • the artificial sweetener aspartame
    • altered proteins like those found in protein isolates and hydrolyzed protein. 

    These ingredients are found in processed foods, so they will be easy to remove from your diet as part of a Fibromyalgia lifestyle plan.

    Living With Fibromyalgia

    Now that you know a bit more about how nutrition might be affecting your Fibromyalgia symptoms, it’s time to make a change. Cleaning up your act can be easy, so long as you make small incremental changes to your diet. And don’t get frustrated if you struggle at first—it’s totally normal!

    Living with Fibromyalgia is a challenge, but you have the power to take back your life! Natural medicine like functional nutrition can help. 

    If you don’t know where to start, contact us today for more information or to book a free nutritional evaluation. We can help guide you to down the path to decreased pain, more energy, and better health! Why not start today!

     

  • Living with Fibromyalgia: Understanding How Nutrition Affects Symptoms

    Living with Fibromyalgia: Understanding How Nutrition Affects SymptomsAre you or someone you love living with Fibromyalgia? If so, you aren’t alone. In fact, over four million US adults, roughly 2% of the population, have been diagnosed.

    This disorder can cause widespread pain, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, headaches and migraines, emotional and mental distress, and abnormal pain perception. Though, surprisingly little is known about what actually causes it.

    Thankfully, many natural remedies can help reduce the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. And, nutrition plays a major role. Keep reading to learn what you should eat and avoid to improve your daily lifestyle with Fibromyalgia.

    Start With the Facts

    If you want to improve Fibromyalgia symptoms, the first step is finding out exactly how your body is being affected. A comprehensive way to find out is through detailed blood analysis as part of a larger natural treatment plan.

    Once the different imbalances in your body have been identified, you’ll be able to map out a symptom-reducing Fibromyalgia diet. This approach is known as functional medicine or nutrition- and it’s a research-backed drug-free way to help you feel better!

    This type of nutritional evaluation can reveal more than just vitamin and mineral deficiencies, helping to understand which foods are triggering inflammation in the body. And, managing inflammation is the secret to reducing the painful symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

    vegetablesWhat to Eat

    Eating a well-balanced diet is essential, even for perfectly healthy people. But, as part of a Fibromyalgia nutrition plan, it’s absolutely mandatory.

    You should focus on foods that are rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins. And, you should ensure that each day’s meals include a healthy mix of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats.

    Because Fibromyalgia can make you feel tired, it’s also a good idea to eat for energy. Combining carbohydrates with protein and fats can help choose fresh, whole foods that are high in fiber and don’t contain added sugar. Instead of sweets, reach for broccoli and dark leafy greens, avocado, oatmeal, tofu, beans, seeds, or nuts.

    Some recent studies also indicate that eating a vegetarian diet may help with symptom reduction. 

    Essential Elements

    Even if you maintain a healthy diet, there is a chance that you are missing out on a few essential vitamins. Some of these vitamins can be linked to chronic health issues – for example, Vitamin D.

    While there is no evidence that this vitamin is linked to Fibromyalgia, some patients with deficiencies have reported similar symptoms. Vitamin D deficiencies can also lead to a wide variety of serious health concerns impacting the body’s immune system.

    Likewise, a shortage of Vitamin B12 can lead to serious symptoms. Lack of B12 is a fairly common concern, even among people with a healthy diet. And, the symptoms of a B12 shortage can include exactly what people suffering from Fibromyalgia hope to avoid – fatigue and low energy levels. 

    Antioxidants are beneficial because they slow the process of oxidation and reduce free radicals that can damage the body’s cells. One specific antioxidant, Coenzyme Q10, is essential to cell function. Some early studies have found evidence that adding it to the diet may improve fibromyalgia symptoms.

    fried foodsWhat to Avoid

    If you only read one of our tips for living with Fibromyalgia, make it this one! Stop eating junk. Simply put, unhealthy and processed foods can contribute to your symptoms – and while it might sound like a challenge, cutting them out entirely is the best approach.

    As part of your Fibromyalgia lifestyle, it’s best to avoid low nutrition foods and foods with excessive amounts of unhealthy fats. These foods include anything that has been processed or fried. It is also beneficial to reduce the amount of refined sugar in your diet.

    These changes can also help moderate body weight, which may be a factor when it comes to Fibromyalgia. In fact, some research indicates that even minor weight loss and changing to a low-calorie diet can reduce pain and inflammation and improve quality of life.

    Other Inflammatory Foods

    In recent years, gluten-free diets have gained popularity. And they might be beneficial to people living with Fibromyalgia.

    Some studies show that a non-celiac sensitivity to gluten may be an underlying cause of Fibromyalgia. This same research indicated that people with Fibromyalgia who tested negative for celiac disease still saw significant symptom improvement when following a gluten-free diet.

    FODMAPS, or fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, have been known to contribute to inflammation for decades. Gut bacteria ferment these carbohydrates in the digestive tract. This process may promote Fibromyalgia symptoms in some people.

    Foods high in FODMAPS include dairy products, beans, bread and pasta, barley and rye, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower, and some fruits including apples, peaches, and pears. 

    Excitotoxins are used to add extra flavor to food by stimulating the tongue’s taste receptors. And, while there is no direct evidence that they contribute to the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, some patients have linked them to pain and inflammation. It’s also worth mentioning that people have been reporting allergic-type symptoms, including inflammation to these additives, for ages.

    Common examples of Excitotoxins include:

    • MSG or monosodium glutamate
    • the artificial sweetener aspartame
    • altered proteins like those found in protein isolates and hydrolyzed protein. 

    These ingredients are found in processed foods, so they will be easy to remove from your diet as part of a Fibromyalgia lifestyle plan.

    Living With Fibromyalgia

    Now that you know a bit more about how nutrition might be affecting your Fibromyalgia symptoms, it’s time to make a change. Cleaning up your act can be easy, so long as you make small incremental changes to your diet. And don’t get frustrated if you struggle at first—it’s totally normal!

    Living with Fibromyalgia is a challenge, but you have the power to take back your life! Natural medicine like functional nutrition can help. 

    If you don’t know where to start, contact us today for more information or to book a free nutritional evaluation. We can help guide you to down the path to decreased pain, more energy, and better health! Why not start today!

     

  • Are The Covid-19 Vaccines Safe and Effective?

    Are The Covid-19 Vaccines Safe and Effective(5)

    When we look at the safety and effectiveness of any vaccine, studies report the numbers in many different ways. Several years ago, I did a video on the flu vaccine (see video here) and how the studies reported its effectiveness. 

    If you watched that video, you saw how they used statistical mathematics to make the flu shot seem more effective. 

    These math calculations are the same thing we see with the Covid-19 vaccination. Let me explain more.

    Many experts believe that to bring this COVID-19 pandemic to an end, a large portion of the world needs to be immune to the virus by receiving the required protection through vaccination. In the past couple of months, several research teams wrote studies to challenge how well the vaccines offer protection. As these vaccines trick the body into making the spike protein that causes the disease, the possible side effects may include fever, headache, fatigue, pain, diarrhea, weakness, and swelling or itchiness at the injection area. 

    Clinical trials and expert researchers are trying to learn more about these vaccines to keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available. So in this article, we will discuss how relative risk and absolute risk vary in showing the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine to help you make well-informed decisions.

    Efficacy and Effectiveness

    Efficacy refers to the relative risk reduction or RRR. In other words, how well does any treatment do its job. It is a ratio that compares the risk of someone in the control group relative to someone in the treatment group. The efficacy and effectiveness of each vaccine are measured by the rates of disease between the vaccinated people compared to those who are not vaccinated. 

    Controlled clinical testings and trials measure the vaccine’s efficacy. In contrast, the vaccine’s effectiveness can only be determined once these vaccines are FDA-approved and are given to the general public. Or in the case of the Covid-19 vaccine given emergency authorization use by the FDA.

    The duration of immunity provided by these clinically tested vaccines varies by individual and the type of vaccine, but generally, lifelong immunity may not be possible. Therefore, one should consider the time or period when vulnerability to the disease is most prevalent. Your risk of contracting any disease is directly related to your immune system function. Knowing how to keep your immune system high is essential.

    What were the outcomes of the clinical trials?

    The clinical trial evidence suggests that fully vaccinated individuals are less likely to get sick or severely ill with COVID-19. Severe sickness is the outcome they studied in the vaccine trials.

    However, it is also important to note that some people who received all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine may still get sick because no vaccine is 100% effective to all individuals. They did not look at this outcome in the trials. 

    If you were to ask most people if the vaccine prevented you from contracting the disease, most people would say yes. Sadly, most people believe this vaccine prevents you from contracting Covid-19. This belief is not true.

    Thus, according to the World Health Organization, one should assess COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness using observational study designs for an unbiased evaluation and laboratory-confirmed result.

    Do you think our health experts will do an unbiased evaluation? 

    Explaining RRR 

    According to a study published by The Lancet, vaccine efficacy is reported as a relative risk reduction.  RRR tells us how much a specific treatment reduces the risk of bad outcomes as a proportion to the rate of the control group who did not have the treatment. 

    Here is an example from an article on NCBI’s website of RRR- “The relative risk reduction of fever and rash in the group of the children on the intervention was 40 percent (1 – 0.6 = 0.4 or 40 percent).” In this example, the relative risk was 0.4, subtracted from 1, giving you the 40% relative risk reduction.  

    It is important to note that no treatment can be expected to produce the same outcome for every individual. This is due to several factors, such as genetics, lifestyle, or an existing chronic illness. Therefore, these relative risk reduction statistics are implemented to allow medical practitioners to understand the likelihood that the treatment will produce an unfavorable outcome.  RRR can help explain to patients what effects can be expected.

    Explaining ARR

    Another useful tool to calculate the effectiveness of a vaccine and prevent the virus’s further spread is absolute risk reduction (ARR). It is referred to as the difference between the event rates in the two groups–the control group and the treatment group. The result tells medical experts how much risk of an adverse effect could happen. ARR helps them alleviate this from happening. While RRR helps determine the total number of participants who could benefit from the vaccine, ARR helps them see the difference between attack rates in the groups with and without the vaccine.

    A comparison of the numbers among the two is needed to derive the overall effectiveness and absolute reductions of a vaccine to allow medical professionals to figure out exactly how many lives the vaccine will save. Furthermore, when choosing which type of vaccine to take, it is crucial to use the RRRs and the ARRs to compare the science-backed evidence and have a complete picture of the actual data. 

    Efficacy Data From The Clinical Trails

    The vaccination datasets published by governments and health ministries worldwide were reported to have a relative risk reduction of 95% for Pfizer-BioNtech, 94% for the Moderna-NIH, 90% for the Gamaleya, 67% for the AstraZeneca-Oxford, and 67% for the Johnson and Johnson vaccines. Lancet Microbe has also pointed out that the absolute risk reductions in Pfizer, J&J, and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are as follows: 0.84% for Pfizer, 1.2% for J&J, and 1.2% for Moderna. 

    Another article published on the website Wired talks about these differences in statistics. It might be an easier read than the research study. 

     

    What does that mean for you? 

    We know all medical treatments that use medications or vaccines have side effects. Taking a new vaccine with limited safety studies has inherent risks. You have to consider your overall health, age, and risk of contracting a severe cause of Covid-19 with the unknown potential long-term risks. We will dive into the safety of this shot later. The overall effectiveness for an individual from the trials, which the ARR represents, is about 1% with these vaccines.

    However, using the currently available data may not be enough to answer all our general questions because of the difficulty in different study protocols, including study populations, primary end-points, types of placebo, duration of exposure, background risks of COVID-19 during the study, statistical methods for efficacy, and many more.

    Safety of the Vaccines

    A large portion of our population is still hesitant to be vaccinated because of the misguided information about vaccines. On the other hand, research data from large clinical trials from the FDA has shown that vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna were deemed to have good safety records. Remember, these clinical trials had a limited time to study any adverse outcomes. 

    However, after these vaccines were distributed to the general public, we can see some alarming numbers that have not been reported in the media. 

    The Covid-19 adverse effects data is easy to find on the Open Vaers website. As of May 14th, there have been 4,201 deaths associated with the Covid-19 vaccines. You can also research this yourself by going to Vaers website directly. Open Vaers takes the data from the Vaers website and simplifies it. 

    Known Adverse Events

    The federal agencies received reports about a small number of women in the U.S. who developed a severe and rare type of blood clot a few weeks after getting the J&J vaccine. Although the number of reported severe problems in controlled clinical trials was relatively low, it is still crucial to know the difference between those who received the actual vaccine and those who received a placebo. 

    Furthermore, a statement from the CDC suggests that people suffering from severe allergies to certain foods, insects, latex, or other common allergens should take caution and discuss the vaccination with a medical expert who can evaluate and assess their risks before deciding to get vaccinated. 

    Pfizer’s press release about pregnant women

    Pfizer also put out a statement the pregnant women should avoid exposure to the vaccine during pregnancy. They also stated in their press release that exposure could be the following-

    • “A female family member or healthcare provider reports that she is pregnant after having been exposed to the study intervention (vaccine) by inhalation or skin contact.”
    • “A male family member or healthcare provider who has been exposed to the study intervention (vaccine) by inhalation or skin contact then exposes his female partner prior to or around the time of conception.”

    If a pregnant woman has exposure to the vaccine (study intervention), the risks to watch are as follows-

    • ectopic pregnancy, 
    • spontaneous abortion, 
    • intrauterine fetal demise, 
    • neonatal death, 
    • or congenital anomaly.

    Conclusion-

    It is also important to stay vigilant with the information found online. Make sure to verify the new information with reliable sources to help navigate these ever-changing times.

    It would be best if you made an educated risk vs. benefits analysis for taking these vaccines. Only you know what choice is best for you.