Is Chocolate Good for Your Heart?

From the Cleveland Clinic Website:

Chocolate has gotten a lot of media coverage in recent years because it's believed that it may help protect your cardiovascular system. The reasoning being that the cocoa bean is rich in a class of plant nutrients called flavonoids.

Flavonoids help protect plants from environmental toxins and help repair damage. They can be found in a variety of foods, such as fruits and vegetables. When we eat foods rich in flavonoids, it appears that we also benefit from this "antioxidant" power.
Antioxidants are believed to help the body's cells resist damage caused by free radicals that are formed by normal bodily processes, such as breathing, and from environmental contaminants, like cigarette smoke. If your body does not have enough antioxidants to combat the amount of oxidation that occurs, it can become damaged by free radicals. For example, an increase in oxidation can cause low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as "bad" cholesterol, to form plaque on the artery walls.
Flavanols are the main type of flavonoid found in cocoa and chocolate. In addition to having antioxidant qualities, research shows that flavanols have other potential influences on vascular health, such as lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow to the brain and heart, and making blood platelets less sticky and able to clot.
These plant chemicals aren’t only found in chocolate. In fact, a wide variety of foods and beverages are rich in flavonols. These include cranberries, apples, peanuts, onions, tea and red wine.

Are all types of chocolate healthy?

Before you grab a chocolate candy bar or slice of chocolate cake, it’s important to understand that not all forms of chocolate contain high levels of flavanols.
Cocoa naturally has a very strong, pungent taste, which comes from the flavanols. When cocoa is processed into your favorite chocolate products, it goes through several steps to reduce this taste. The more chocolate is processed (through things like fermentation, alkalizing, roasting, etc.), the more flavanols are lost.
Most commercial chocolates are highly processed. Although it was once believed that dark chocolate contained the highest levels flavanols, recent research indicates that, depending on how the dark chocolate was processed, this may not be true. The good news is that most major chocolate manufacturers are looking for ways to keep the flavanols in their processed chocolates. But for now, your best choices are likely dark chocolate over milk chocolate (especially milk chocolate that is loaded with other fats and sugars) and cocoa powder that has not undergone Dutch processing (cocoa that is treated with an alkali to neutralize its natural acidity).

What about all of the fat in chocolate?

You may be surprised to learn that chocolate isn’t as bad for you as once believed.
The fat in chocolate comes from cocoa butter and is made up of equal amounts of oleic acid (a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat also found in olive oil), stearic and palmitic acids. Stearic and palmitic acids are forms of saturated fat. You may know that saturated fats are linked to increases in LDL cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.
But, research shows that stearic acid appears to have a neutral effect on cholesterol, neither raising nor lowering it. Although palmitic acid does affect cholesterol levels, it only makes up one-third of the fat calories in chocolate. Still, this does not mean you can eat all the dark chocolate you’d like.
First, be careful about the type of dark chocolate you choose: chewy caramel-marshmallow-nut-covered dark chocolate is by no means a heart-healthy food option. Watch out for those extra ingredients that can add lots of extra fat and calories. Second, there is currently no established serving size of chocolate to help you reap the cardiovascular benefits it may offer, and more research is needed in this area. However, we do know that you no longer need to feel guilty if you enjoy a small piece of dark chocolate once in a while.
So, for now, enjoy moderate portions of chocolate (e.g., 1 ounce) a few times per week, and don’t forget to eat other flavonoid-rich foods like apples, red wine, tea, onions and cranberries

December Massage Specials

Be sure to take advantage of these specials offered in December!

Appleton Massage Offer:

1.       Purchase a massage gift certificate and your name will be entered in a drawing to win a Young Living bamboo diffuser and 2 bottles of essential oils.

2.       December only special – purchase 4 one hour massages for $180 (normally $60 per hour).  Massage includes hot stones, hot packs and aroma therapy.

Gift certificates and massage specials may be purchased by stopping in the Appleton Office or by calling Michelle Schreiber at 920-540-0807.  Michelle Schreiber operates a massage business in the Appleton Office but is not employed by Schubbe Resch.

Neenah Massage Offer:

$10 off a 60 minute massage December 1^st – December 31^st - Gift certificates available! 

How to Fight a Cold

With cold and flu season fast approaching, here a few tips to help you recover faster.

1. Rest - don't try to ignore the fact that you are sick.  Take the time to sleep, sleep, and get more sleep until you are better.
2. Fever - your body creates a fever when it is trying to fight off an infection.  Let the fever do it's work and try not to take fever reducers unless absolutely necessary.  If you don't have a fever but want to create your own, try a very hot bath or soak in a hot tub for 20 minutes to help kill the bug.
3. Cut out Dairy and Sugar - dairy can make your body produce more mucous and that is not what you want right now. Use dairy substitutes or just avoid for a few days.  Avoid sugar because it can reduce your immune activity by 50%.
4. Protein - your body needs protein when you are sick to help your immune system do its job. You might not be very hungry, but try to eat some protein anyway.
5. Fluids - hot fluids will help loosen mucous, sooth sore throats, and keep you warm.  Try herbal teas, clear broths, or add lemon slices to hot water.
6. Probiotics - good bugs in your belly fight bad bugs in your body.  Taking a good probiotic will increase the good bugs in your system to help boost your immune system.

These tips were inspired by a newsletter by Dr. Paulson

Is it Time to Detox?

The transition from summer to fall is a great time to detox.  As the temperature and climate change, you can help your body transition into the new season through detoxification, which eliminates toxic wastes that have accumulated in the body.  Getting healthier is important… and so is feeling your best.

Each year, more than 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals are released into the environment.  These toxic chemicals can accumulate in your body and affect overall health.  Many health problems may be associated with prolonged exposure to various toxic agents that our bodies may not be able to cleanse completely.  During periods of detoxification, certain nutrients are in increased demand to help turn toxic substances into harmless by-products for elimination from the body with the use of specific supplements and medical food.

Benefits of Detoxification:

1.       Remove toxins from the body

2.       Increase energy

3.       Prevent chronic disease

4.       Enhance immune function

5.       Lose weight

6.       Slow premature aging

7.       Improve skin quality

8.       Improve mental and emotional clarity

9.       Restore balance to the body’s systems

10.   Improve quality of life

Our chiropractors at Schubbe Resch are equipped to guide you through a safe metabolic detoxification program to help you feel your best as we head into the fall.  Schedule an appointment with your chiropractor or call the office for more information. 

ACA Presses Federal Government to Encourage Conservative Forms of Pain Management

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), in recent comments submitted to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Office of Pain Policy on the draft National Pain Strategy, strongly urges the agency to include recommendations encouraging patients and health care providers to first exhaust conservative forms of pain management, when appropriate. 

"Doctors of chiropractic practice a hands-on, drug-free approach to health care that has been shown to alleviate neuromusculoskeletal complaints. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition," writes ACA Acting Executive Vice President Richard Miller as part of ACA's formal comments. 

ACA specifically urges the federal government to change outdated, statutory language in Medicare to allow chiropractic physicians to practice and be reimbursed for the fullest extent of their licensure, training and competencies; appoint doctors of chiropractic as officers in the commissioned Regular Corps and the Ready Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service; make clear the intention of Section 2706(a) of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to allow patients to see providers of their choice when seeking treatment for pain and other musculoskeletal conditions; expand access to chiropractic services in the nation's military and Department of Veterans Affairs health care systems; and expand access to chiropractic services in all other federal health programs, including research programs related to pain management.

The comments submitted by ACA are part of the profession's ongoing efforts to educate the public about the value of exhausting non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical treatments for pain management and health enhancement before moving on to riskier options. ACA’s annual observance National Chiropractic Health Month this October will promote the conservative approach to care with the theme #PainFreeNation.

A conservative model of care encourages, when appropriate, the use of more cost-effective and safer approaches over potentially addictive medications, surgery and other invasive procedures for pain management. For example, conservative management of painful conditions may include spinal manipulation combined with exercise and stretching prior to moving on to treatments involving higher risk, such as opioids.

The comments received by NINDS from ACA and other groups will be used to create a comprehensive population health level strategy for pain prevention, treatment, management and research.

The American Chiropractic Association based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit us at www.acatoday.org.

Chiropractic Physicians Urge Conservative Treatments for Pain Amid Opioid Epidemic

During National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM) this October, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) will bring attention to the public health crisis caused by pain, and in particular the overuse of prescription painkillers, with the theme #PainFreeNation. The campaign is part of the chiropractic profession's ongoing efforts to educate the public about the value of exhausting conservative forms of care for both acute and chronic pain before resorting to higher risk options, such as opioids.

National Chiropractic Health Month is a nationwide observance that helps raise public awareness of the benefits of chiropractic services and the profession’s natural, whole-person, patient-centered approach to health and wellness. 

"Opioid medications involve the risk of overuse and addiction. Beyond this, prescription drugs that numb pain may convince a patient that a musculoskeletal condition is less severe than it is, or that it has healed. This misunderstanding can lead to overexertion and a delay in the healing process or even to permanent injury," explains ACA President Anthony Hamm, DC. 

President Hamm notes that people in pain should be informed of all management strategies, including non-drug approaches such as chiropractic, to reduce their risk of overuse and addiction. 

"Each patient is unique, and care plans should be tailored to focus on what is the safest, most effective treatment for the individual. Chiropractic physicians stand ready to work together with medical physicians to help address this epidemic that has caused unnecessary suffering, enormous loss of human potential and massive financial and personal costs," he adds.

Fortunately, health care quality organizations have begun to recognize the value of this conservative, multidisciplinary approach. Earlier this year, the Joint Commission, which certifies more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including every major hospital, revised its pain management standard to include chiropractic services and acupuncture. Clinical experts in pain management who provide input to the commission's standards affirmed that treatment strategies may consider both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches. 

For updates and more information on #PainFreeNation as October 2015 approaches, go to www.acatoday.org/NCHM and follow ACA on Twitter at@ACAtoday and on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

The American Chiropractic Association based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit www.acatoday.org.

ALCAT Food Sensitivity and Intolerance Testing Seminar 9/24/15

Have you ever wondered if the food you eat is making you sick?  If so, plan on attending a FREE seminar on Thursday, September 24th to find out more about ALCAT Food Sensitivity and Intolerance Testing.  Dr. Laura Kemps, a Clinical Chiropractic Nutritionist, will explain how the ALCAT test is done, what the test will tell you, and what to do with the results.

The seminar will be held at the Appleton office at 5:30 on Thursday, September 24th.  You may sign up by following the link below, by calling the Appleton Office at 920-738-0200, or by emailing pateintservices@schubbeappleton.com.

ALCAT Seminar sign up form