Sunday, February 28, 2010

Healthy Snacks for Children & Adults

Patients are always asking me about healthy snacks...so here are some ideas for you!
  1. Green beans, pea pods, carrots, peppers and hummus
  2. Kale Chips (baked pieces of kale drizzled w/ olive oil, spices)
  3. Green apples with cinnamon & almond butter
  4. Baked Pieces of chicken
  5. Chicken Salad
  6. Hard boiled egg
  7. Nuts (raw almonds, walnuts, pecans)
  8. Homemade trail mix: nuts (see above), goji berries, raw cacao nibs
  9. Dehydrated vegetables with sea salt
  10. Standard Process or Vega brand protein shake
  11. Avocado with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, pepper
  12. guacomole
  13. Quinoa with veggies, tomatoes
  14. Baked Sweet potato "fries"
  15. Standard Process bar
  16. Dr. Jennah's Hot cocoa: unsweetened almond milk, raw cacao powder, stevia
Enjoy!!

Friday, February 26, 2010

American Pregnancy Association recommends Chiropractic for pregnant women!

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/chiropracticcare.html

Me toxic?

Me Toxic? Could Toxins be Ruining Your Health?

by Dr. Jennah Dieter, D.C., C.A.C.C.P

We are meant to be Healthy!
Most people find that as they get older, things start to break down. Perhaps they gain weight or have high cholesterol levels for the first time in their lives. Or, they begin to have migraines, digestive problems, insomnia, or aches and pains. They may feel as though they are aging quicker. Sound familiar?

You could be Toxic.
Every part of our digestion and metabolism was designed to keep us active for a full, long life. Our bodies are incredibly designed with self-healing processes, provided we take care of them. If we are not healthy, somewhere along the way we have interfered with our body’s normal process of healing. Waiting until we have physical symptoms before we think about following a healthy lifestyle is often too late. Learning how to prevent disease is far better than trying to cure it!

We are all exposed to thousands of toxins and chemicals on a daily basis at work, in the home, through the air we breathe, our food and water supply, and through the use of legal and illegal drugs. In addition, we are eating more sugar and processed foods than ever before and regularly abuse our bodies with various stimulants and sedatives. Unfortunately, one of the most common ways to become toxic is through our American diet! The fast-food American diet of high fat, sugar & salt does not give our bodies enough nutrients to maintain proper health and hinders our normal internal cleansing abilities.

Common Signs of Toxicity:
Fatigue and low energy
Food Cravings
Weight gain
Indigestion or reflux
Dark circles under eyes
PMS
Gas & Bloating
Frequent headaches
Difficulty sleeping
Joint pain
Mentally dull
Hypoglycemia
Allergies
High cholesterol
Skin problems
High blood pressure
Low libido
Fibromyalgia
Constipation
Mood swings


How Toxins Rob our Health.
When we continue year after year, to demand that our body handle an overload of toxins that it was not designed to handle. Sooner or later symptoms of disease appear. The body’s inability to handle toxins may be the determinating factor in most diseases. The better your body can eliminate toxins, the more likely you will be healthy.

How do you know if you are toxic?
Your body is giving you the answers all the time but we typically ignore the signs. Check the list below. If you answer yes to many of the questions, then it is likely that your diet significantly increases your toxic load.


Do you…
Drink Tap Water?
Drink Coffee, soda, Beer, Wine or Alcoholic Drinks?
Use Artificial Sweeteners?
Eat Fast Foods?
Eat French Fries or other Fried Foods?
Eat Chips or Corn Chips?
Eat Cookies, Candy, Cake and Ice Cream?
Eat foods that contain ingredients you can’t pronounce
Eat Commercial Meat & Chicken instead of Organic/Local
Eat Commercial Vegetables & Fruits instead of Organic/Local


So you’re toxic. What can you do?
Cleanse your body from the inside out! Internal cleansing helps every part of your body heal. More importantly, cleansing helps you shift gears and go from an unhealthy to a healthy lifestyle. Internal cleansing is one of the most powerful natural healing therapies there is. Cleansing helps us correct damage done to us by our diet and lifestyle.


Benefits of Cleansing
Improved digestion and elimination
Increased energy
Improved and easier weight loss
Stronger immune system
Improve physical appearance
Normal appetite
Decreased cravings & additions
Improved circulation
Improved sleep
Clearer skin

…And these are just a few!


What type of cleansing is right for me?
Many types of cleansing products are available over the counter, but not all are safe or natural, and most products render minimal results, especially when diet is not addressed. The best type of cleanse is a nutritive cleanse which allows you to eat local, organic vegetables, protein, and clean, filtered water, while also providing you with whole food and/or herbal supplementation to support the organs of detoxification. Drastic fasts which restrict eating can be dangerous. Going it alone during a cleansing program is not recommended and could even be dangerous if there are any contraindications in your case. This article is not intended to treat any disease or dysfunction; consultation with a doctor is recommended.

-Dr. Jennah Dieter, Pediatric Chiropractor, Clinical Nutrition Master, Offering safe & effective Purification/Cleansing Programs. Healthcare Complete, 260 Merrimac St. Newburyport, MA 01950. Phone: 978-499-(WELL) 9355. Complimentary consults available.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Sunday Dinner

My Sunday Dinner--to last throughout the week too!  This was so easy!!


Sweet Potato - Beef - Shepherd's Pie
(Gluten and Lactose Free!)

4-5 Sweet Potatoes, peeled, cut coarsely
2 lbs Grass Fed Ground Beef (Tender Crop Farm)
1 Pepper, diced
1 pkg Organic Peas
1 medium Onion, chopped
5 Carrots, peeled, cut in small pieces
1/4 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk (Almond Breeze brand)
2 tbsp Ghee, clarified butter (can be omitted if allergic)
Cumin
Celtic Sea Salt
Ground Pepper
Paprika
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup Organic Beef Broth

Boil sweet potatoes until tender. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in pan and add ground beef. Brown beef and crumble meat. Add onions, carrots, peas, peppers, beef broth, cumin, salt, pepper (seasonings to desired taste) and saute until carrots are fork tender (about 10-15 min). Drain potatoes when tender, add almond milk, ghee, salt, pepper and mash together.  Put the ground beef and vegetable mixture in the bottom of a casserole dish. Top with the sweet potatoes. Season the top with paprika, salt, pepper. Put in oven at 350 degrees for 25 min.

Enjoy!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Me Toxic? Could Toxins be Ruining Your Health?

by Dr. Jennah Dieter, D.C., C.A.C.C.P

We are meant to be Healthy! Most people find that as they get older, things start to break down. Perhaps they gain weight or have high cholesterol levels for the first time in their lives. Or, they begin to have migraines, digestive problems, insomnia, or aches and pains. They may feel as though they are aging quicker. Sound familiar?

You could be Toxic.
Every part of our digestion and metabolism was designed to keep us active for a full, long life. Our bodies are incredibly designed with self-healing processes, provided we take care of them. If we are not healthy, somewhere along the way we have interfered with our body’s normal process of healing. Waiting until we have physical symptoms before we think about following a healthy lifestyle is often too late. Learning how to prevent disease is far better than trying to cure it!

We are all exposed to thousands of toxins and chemicals on a daily basis at work, in the home, through the air we breathe, our food and water supply, and through the use of legal and illegal drugs. In addition, we are eating more sugar and processed foods than ever before and regularly abuse our bodies with various stimulants and sedatives. Unfortunately, one of the most common ways to become toxic is through our American diet! The fast-food American diet of high fat, sugar & salt does not give our bodies enough nutrients to maintain proper health and hinders our normal internal cleansing abilities.

Common Signs of Toxicity
Fatigue and low energy
Food Cravings
Weight gain
Indigestion or reflux
Dark circles under eyes
PMS
Gas & Bloating
Frequent headaches
Difficulty sleeping
Joint pain
Mentally dull
Hypoglycemia
Allergies
High cholesterol
Skin problems
High blood pressure
Low libido
Fibromyalgia
Constipation
Mood swings


How Toxins Rob our Health.
When we continue year after year, to demand that our body handle an overload of toxins that it was not designed to handle. Sooner or later symptoms of disease appear. The body’s inability to handle toxins may be the determinating factor in most diseases. The better your body can eliminate toxins, the more likely you will be healthy.

How do you know if you are toxic?
Your body is giving you the answers all the time but we typically ignore the signs. Check the list below. If you answer yes to many of the questions, then it is likely that your diet significantly increases your toxic load.



Do you on a regular basis…
Drink Tap Water?
Drink Coffee, soda, Beer, Wine or Alcoholic Drinks?
Use Artificial Sweeteners?
Eat Fast Foods?
Eat French Fries or other Fried Foods?
Eat Chips or Corn Chips?
Eat Cookies, Candy, Cake and Ice Cream?
Eat foods that contain ingredients you can’t pronounce
Eat Commercial Meat & Chicken instead of Organic/Local
Eat Commercial Vegetables & Fruits instead of Organic/Local

So you’re toxic. What can you do?
Cleanse your body from the inside out! Internal cleansing helps every part of your body heal. More importantly, cleansing helps you shift gears and go from an unhealthy to a healthy lifestyle. Internal cleansing is one of the most powerful natural healing therapies there is. Cleansing helps us correct damage done to us by our diet and lifestyle.



Benefits of Cleansing
Improved digestion and elimination
Increased energy
Improved and easier weight loss
Stronger immune system
Improve physical appearance
Normal appetite
Decreased cravings & additions
Improved circulation
Improved sleep
Clearer skin

…And these are just a few!



What type of cleansing is right for me?
Many types of cleansing products are available over the counter, but not all are safe or natural, and most products render minimal results, especially when diet is not addressed. The best type of cleanse is a nutritive cleanse which allows you to eat local, organic vegetables, protein, and clean, filtered water, while also providing you with whole food and/or herbal supplementation to support the organs of detoxification. Drastic fasts which restrict eating can be dangerous. Going it alone during a cleansing program is not recommended and could even be dangerous if there are any contraindications or complications in your case. This article is not intended to treat any disease or dysfunction; consultation with a doctor is recommended.

-Dr. Jennah Dieter, Pediatric Chiropractor, Advanced Clinical Nutritionist
Offering safe & effective Purification/Cleansing Programs.

Healthcare Complete, 260 Merrimac St. Newburyport, MA 01950. Phone: 978-499-(WELL) 9355. Complimentary consults available.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Do you have Celiac Disease?

Approximately 40% of Americans have the genetic potential to become gluten intolerant. More than 1% of Americans have celiac disease. In fact, this percentage may be a low estimate because most physicians are unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of celiac disease, which can be a “great masquerader." Importantly, gluten intolerance and celiac disease may be related to a variety of serious disorders.

Approximately 40% of Americans have the genetic potential to become gluten intolerant. More than 1% of Americans have celiac disease. In fact, this percentage may be a low estimate because most physicians are unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of celiac disease, which can be a “great masquerader”. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease are closely related. After repeated exposure to gluten, a person who is gluten intolerant may develop celiac disease. Gluten is a complex of proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley. The human digestive tract cannot break down gluten into its component amino acids, so gluten proteins persist in the gastrointestinal tract until they are excreted.

In susceptible individuals, the gluten proteins may be identified as "foreign" and their immune systems may launch a reaction against these non-self proteins. In such persons, including infants, children, teenagers, and adults, continued exposure to gluten may cause development of signs and symptoms of celiac disease. (1-2)

Wheat, rye, and barley comprise significant components of the Western diet. Almost all breads are made from one or more of these three grains. Cookies, cakes, bagels, muffins, pizza, and pasta are all gluten-containing foods. Additionally, gluten is found in vitamin pills, shampoo, toothpaste, household cleansers, and even prescription drugs. Wheat-based binders are often used in the manufacturing process of these articles. So gluten is literally everywhere.

A susceptible person's initial immune reaction to gluten persists with continued exposure. Eventually the immune reaction may damage the lining of the person's small intestine, leading to the classic symptoms of celiac disease - abdominal pain, constipation and/or diarrhea, and abdominal bloating. Intestinal damage causes these very unpleasant and debilitating symptoms and may also lead to additional serious diseases. Malnutrition is one of the major consequences of celiac disease.

Importantly, gluten intolerance may be related to a variety of serious disorders. Neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia may be associated with underlying gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), and psoriatic arthritis may be related to gluten intolerance. Endocrine conditions including diabetes, hyper- and hypothryroidism, and Addison's disease are often related to gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Infertility and frequent miscarriages may also be related to an underlying condition of gluten intolerance.

The takeaway is this. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease may be an underlying cause of serious medical conditions that have not been treated successfully. The key is considering gluten intolerance as an underlying cause and taking appropriate action. Patient knowledge and increased physician knowledge and awareness are crucial to correctly identifying a hidden problem. (3)

Your family chiropractor is an important resource. She is an expert in nutrition and is trained to identify underlying causes of health problems. In addition, chiropractic treatment may help restore more normal and more effective immune system functioning. In cases requiring a holistic, multidisciplinary approach, chiropractic treatment is a crucial component.

Beginning a Gluten-Free Diet
A strict gluten-free diet is the number one step in treatment of gluten intolerance and celiac disease. This is a big undertaking and yet it is critically necessary. Symptoms of these disorders will only resolve when gluten is removed from the diet. Even small amounts of gluten reactivate the disease-causing immune mechanism. Even 20 parts per million (ppm; a standard measure of concentration) can cause symptoms in a person who is gluten intolerant.The very good news is that gluten intoelrance and celiace disease are receiving a much higher media profile. Broadcast, print, and new media are focusing on these disorders, with featured content appearing frequently in the national press. The result is that gluten-free foods and household products are becoming much more widely available. Most health food stores and markets have created a gluten-free section and continue to expand their offerings.

1. Selimolu MA, Karabiber H: Celiac disease. Prevention and treatment. J Clin Gastroenterol 44 (1):4-8, 2010
2. Setty M, et al: Celiac disease: risk assessment, diagnosis, and monitoring. Mol Diagn Ther 12(5):289-298, 2008
3. Schuppan D, et al: Celiac disease: from pathogenesis to novel therapies. Gastroenterology 137(6):1912-1933, 2009