Obesity is an enormous problem of epidemic proportions in this country. Factors such as changing eating habits (from healthy to “fast, fatty, and excessive”) and a sedentary lifestyle (for children as well as adults) have contributed to the obesity problem. It is also postulated that excessive consumption of fat creates failures in the signal transmitted by neurons controlling satiety in a region of the brain called the hypothalamus, and that these failures can lead to uncontrollable food intake and, consequently, obesity.

The researchers demonstrated that exercising (in this case exercising obese rodents) showed signals of restored satiety in hypothalamic neurons and decreased food intake. These findings confirmed that physical activity contributes to the prevention and treatment of obesity, not only by increasing energy expenditure, but also by modulating the signals of satiety and reducing food intake.

So, there you go, another good reason to exercise brought to you by your friendly chiropractor in Oxnard!

Source:
PLoS Biology

Technorati Tags: exercise, weight loss, Where:Oxnard-CA

Excessive weight, in the form of body fat, is hard on the structure of the human body. It was not designed for the added. Only an additional 20 or 30 pounds can put the musculoskeletal system literally on overload. Weight in the belly, for instance, requires that the body compensate (counterbalance the weight) by tilting the pelvis forward. This creates compression in the joints of the low back. Joint compression constricts nerve activity and produces painful inflammation. Weight-bearing stresses can cause a pinched sciatic nerve or create misalignments of the spinal column that impinge nerves. This is the reason that most overweight individuals suffer from low back pain. Misaligned vertebra can not only create new arthritic changes in the spine, but can continue to irritate the degenerative changes that have already taken place over time.

How can chiropractic help? Though a healthy body weight is absolutely indispensible for the ideal performance of the musculoskeletal system, chiropractic treatment relieves nerve restrictions in the spine and helps to restore motion back into the joints of the musculoskeletal system, like in the low back, hips, and knees. And, exercise and physical activity is a lot easier when the spine is in alignment and the joints have healthy motion. Exercise will not only help in weight reduction, but it can actually delay degenerative changes as we age.

It is always best to discuss diet and exercise with a healthcare professional, like Dr. Bolt, your Chiropractor in Oxnard. Chiropractors not only help individuals get pain relief from back challenges and joint inflammation due to arthritis but, in addition, they offer expert advice on the type of lifestyle changes that can aid an individual in staying healthier and more active through the years. Arthritis and immobility as we get older do not have to be inevitable. The human body was designed for a lifetime of pain-free movement.

So, if you’ve been throwing your weight around and all you’ve been getting in return is back and joint pain, Dr. Bolt can help relieve your suffering. Make an appointment today!

Technorati Tags: arthritis, chiropractic, chiropractor, excess weight, obesity, weight loss, Where:Oxnard-CA

Self.com, which shares this little slice of information, says that conjugated linoleic acid found in whole dairy may actually fuel the metabolism. One ounce — a 1-inch cube or a piece about the size of your thumb — may not seem like enough cheesy goodness, but Self offers the following ways to enjoy a smaller portion of some of your favorite full-fat cheeses (No more of that reduced-fat cheese imposter!):

>>Goat cheese
One ounce of this creamy choice contains 76 calories and 6 grams of fat (4 g saturated) and boasts 5 g of filling protein. It’s also a good source of copper, which keeps your immune system humming. Swap out mayo and smear goat cheese on a wrap or mix with chopped nuts and dried fruit for a filling toast topper.

>>Parmesan
At 111 calories per serving, it seems like a splurge, but Parmesan comes with loads of needed nutrients: A single ounce contains nearly as much bone-building calcium as a glass of milk and 10 g protein—more per ounce than chicken breast. Grate and sprinkle over a bowl of salad greens for a punch of flavor.

>>Cheddar
It’s easy to warm up to this classic queso: It gets perfectly gooey—not greasy—when heated and has 6 percent more calcium than American cheese. An extra sharp cheddar adds zing to favorite foods like tacos and veggie burgers.

>>Monterey Jack
Nosh on Monterey Jack and a piece of fruit for a salty-sweet balance of carbs, fiber, protein and fat that can tide you over until your next meal. In the mood for something spicy? Choose pepper Jack cheese, a twist on Monterey Jack that includes hot peppers such as jalepeños. Eat 1 ounce of either to secure about 20 percent of your daily requirement of calcium and 6 g protein for 110 calories.

>>Ricotta
Good news, lasagna lovers! Even full-fat ricotta is a low-cal wonder: It weighs in at a scant 49 calories and 4 g fat (2 g saturated) per ounce and has the lowest amount of sodium of any cheese out there. For a decadent-tasting dish, toss ricotta with pasta and fresh herbs or stir into jarred tomato sauce for an easy upgrade.

>>Provolone
This mellow, firm cheese is versatile enough to go with most deli meats. One slice offers 21 percent of your daily requirement for calcium, along with other bone-building minerals phosphorus and selenium. Layer it on top of lean meat for 100 calories and 7 g fat (5 g saturated).

>>Mozzarella
Net 22 percent of your daily calcium with one serving of this luscious pick. Mozzarella contains 85 calories and 6 g fat (4 g saturated) per ounce. It’s an ideal fit for omelets because it won’t overwhelm the mild flavor of eggs and meshes well with most vegetables. Cheese for breakfast? Yes, please!

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Technorati Tags: health, nutrition, weight loss, Where:Oxnard-CA

(healthDay News) — If you want to lose weight, exercise and diet are crucial. But a new study says other factors appear to play a role, too — including the number of TVs in your house and the presence of exercise equipment.

“The home environment really came out as a stronger factor than we would have anticipated,” Suzanne Phelan, assistant professor of kinesiology at California Polytechnic State University and lead author of the new study, said in a news release.

Phelan and colleagues looked at the results of surveys of 167 people who lost a big chunk of their body weight — at least 10 percent — and managed to keep the pounds at bay for five or more years. The researchers compared this group to two other groups of people who were overweight or obese.

The researchers investigated what set the weight-losers apart from the others, and published their findings in the October issue of the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Read more…

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By Serena Gordon
HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Nov. 2 (HealthDay News) — Though someone is diagnosed with diabetes every 20 seconds, many Americans lack basic knowledge about the potentially life-threatening disease, according to a new survey from the American Diabetes Association.

Diabetes is responsible for more deaths each year in the United States than breast cancer and AIDS combined, but just 42 percent of those surveyed knew that diabetes could be so deadly.

“There’s a real lack of awareness of the seriousness of the disease,” said Sue McLaughlin, president of health Care and Education for the diabetes association. To combat that, the organization has launched a new campaign called Stop Diabetes to encourage people with diabetes to share their stories. The effort aims to increase awareness of the disease, fight the social stigma sometimes associated with it and get more people involved in the fight against diabetes.

Those who have the disease often say the lack of awareness can feel like a lack of support.

“Living with diabetes every day is a struggle, and people don’t always understand what you go through every day,” said Malika Bey of Pittsburgh. Bey was diagnosed with gestational diabetes during two pregnancies, and then with type 2 diabetes after her last pregnancy.

“It would help if family members were more supportive,” she said. “You know, I can’t eat everything I want to eat, and at a party, nobody thinks about something simple, like getting diet drinks.”

McLaughlin said a common myth is that sugar and overeating cause diabetes. But, that’s not true for either type of diabetes. Diet isn’t a factor at all in type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks the islet cells in the pancreas, destroying the body’s ability to produce insulin. And, though type 2 diabetes is more common in people who are overweight, genetics and other unknown factors — not just diet — can be contributors. Even some thin people have type 2 diabetes. Read more…

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Technorati Tags: childrens health, diabetes, healthy lifestyle, weight loss, Where:Oxnard-CA

Many individuals who are overweight experience moderate to severe back pain. This happens because the spine was not designed to carry anything that is more substantial in weight than the body is at its normally healthy weight.  As an individual puts on extra weight, the spine begins to unduly stress and to compress, creating a lot of pain and discomfort.  It can also have an influence on the pelvis, tilting it forward and perhaps forcing it to pinch the sciatic nerve. This is a major reason why those who are overweight tend to have challenges with their lower back. The pain is due to either sciatica or the distorting of the spinal column.

If this problem sounds sorely familiar, and you’d like to get out pain, undoubtedly the thing to do is to get rid of some of the extra weight that you are toting around, and your spine will immediately respond and return to its regular position.  But, losing those pounds is difficult and it can take time, even with the best of intentions. But, luckily you don’t have to continue to experience back pain as you lose the weight. A chiropractor, like your Chiropractor in Oxnard, can help you to get the pain relief you’ll want as you shed the extra pounds.

But, you will still need to lose the extra pounds, and not having back pain will actually assist you in doing it. Losing the extra weight naturally and healthfully is very important, and there are two (simple but not easy) things that can’t fail: Get some kind of exercise every day, even if it’s just a small amount, and be certain that you take in fewer calories than you burn! Sure, you’ve heard about these two things before. However, now that you know your back is depending on you, it’s the perfect time to get truly inspired.

Start exercising slowly, particular if you’re having challenges with back pain. And, most importantly, be sure to see a chiropractor so that you don’t make the mistake that many people do, which is to exercise into the pain. That will only make matters worse. Exercise, though occasionally uncomfortable, should never be painful or cause pain. That’s why it’s important to see a chiropractor if you’re experiencing back pain.

Do simple stretching exercises and also concentrate on your core abdominal body muscles. Strong stomach muscles aid in relieving back pain. Dr. Bolt will be able to provide exercises that are best for you, individually. After a very short period of dedication to shedding the pounds that are producing your back pain and conceivably other health difficulties as well, you should begin to notice a dramatic difference in the way that you feel.

Technorati Tags: back pain, fat, overweight, Oxnard Chiropractor, weight loss, Where:Oxnard-CA