Several patients have been asking my opinion about some of the different weight-loss supplements that are on the market. There has definitely been an explosion of this stuff lately. It seems like just about everyone has jumped into the market, and they all claim to have the formula for success.
My first word of warning is: there is no such thing as a supplement that is going to make you lose weight. If you read the fine print, it always says, "In combination with exercise and a healthy diet." The trick is, you can combine anything with exercise and a healthy diet and you will lose weight. It is kind of like Stone Soup (great little book by the way, a good one to read).
Secondly, most of these supplements have substances that work on two different physiological effects that in theory will help you lose weight faster. One, they contain stimulants that boost your metabolism and blood pressure; Two, they contain diuretics, which cause water loss. I say "in theory" because all of these substances are tested in a lab in what is called "in vitro", which means in a test-tube. Scientists are able to study the exact processes that happen, and then they apply these processes to the human body. They do not actually know 100% what happens to these substances "in vivo" or in the body, but most studies suggest that most if not all of the oral (by mouth) stimulants are metabolized (or destroyed) before they ever reach the blood stream. This could mean that most of these supplements rely heavily on the placebo effect.
Let's say, purely for the sake of argument that the stimulants actually do what they are supposed to, what happens next. So you are taking these supplements and your metabolism is artificially boosted and you are losing water weight. The minute you stop taking them, your metabolism is going to drop back down to where it was before, and you are going to gain you water weight back. What have you gained?
A better way to boost your metabolism is thru the natural process of exercise. It takes much longer to permanently change your metabolism, but it is also much easier to maintain once you get there. The higher your metabolism and the better your physical condition, the less you are going to have to worry about the number of calories you eat. Take a look at Michael Phelps (the Olympic Swimmer); while in training, he consumes over 12,000 calories a day! His body needs that much just to keep up with demand.
As far as water weight, the better way to control that is by cutting back on salty foods and foods that cause bloating (dairy for example).
There are weight-loss supplements out there that are safe and legitimate, but you have to do due diligence and get beyond the hype in order to figure out which ones are which. If you have specific questions about a supplement, bring it to my attention and I will help you do the research to find out the details. If you have other questions about weight loss, give me a call or come by and we can talk.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
October is National Chiropractic Health Month, but ACA Asks: Why Weight? Get Healthy!
October is National Chiropractic Health Month, but ACA Asks: Why Weight? Get Healthy!
2010 Observance to Promote the Chiropractic Approach to Overall Health and Weight Management
National Chiropractic Health Month, sponsored by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), is a nationwide observance held each October. This year’s theme—“Why Weight? Get Healthy!”—and activities will focus on how doctors of chiropractic can play an important role in preventing and treating obesity.
More than 60 percent of adults in the United States are either overweight or obese, according to CDC statistics, and obesity is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and some types of cancer. However, many people don’t know that even modest weight loss, such as 5 to 10 percent of a person’s total body weight, could improve blood pressure as well as blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels. That’s only 10 to 20 pounds for a person who weighs 200 pounds.
Yet losing weight can be a struggle, and many people wonder where to begin. The answer for some may be in the office of a doctor of chiropractic (DC). Consultation with a DC is particularly important when you consider that the effects of obesity on the musculoskeletal system—osteoarthritis, back pain, neck pain and joint pain—often cause overweight and obese people to avoid physical activity and exercise when they need it most. DCs also counsel their patients on good nutrition and offer dietary and lifestyle advice in addition to expert structural care.
“If you’re carrying more weight than the load-bearing structures of your body—spine, legs, etc.—can handle, there’s going to be pain, loss of movement and degeneration in the joints,” explains James Powell, DC, a member of ACA’s Wellness Committee. “Particularly if you’re carrying most of your weight in your abdomen, the low back and the spine will need to work harder to hold you upright. This adds extra stress and tension on your muscles, which in turn creates stiffness.”
Each year in October, ACA and its members raise public awareness of chiropractic care by observing National Chiropractic Month. Starting this year, the association will celebrate National Chiropractic Health Month in an effort to promote a broader understanding of chiropractic’s approach to patient care—as natural, whole-body, patient-centered health care.
“National Chiropractic Health Month is an important opportunity to educate the public on the general health benefits of chiropractic care, which include so much more than simply the expert hands-on care that DCs are so well known for,” said ACA President Rick McMichael, DC. “Doctors of Chiropractic focus on changing patients’ habits—postural, physical activity, nutritional, etc.—to promote health and wellness, short-term and long-term. Patients are tired of quick fixes that don’t produce lasting weight loss and better health; and they are always delighted to discover how doctors of chiropractic promote total health and wellness over a lifetime.”
From the main link: http://www.acatoday.org/press_css.cfm?CID=4005
2010 Observance to Promote the Chiropractic Approach to Overall Health and Weight Management
National Chiropractic Health Month, sponsored by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), is a nationwide observance held each October. This year’s theme—“Why Weight? Get Healthy!”—and activities will focus on how doctors of chiropractic can play an important role in preventing and treating obesity.
More than 60 percent of adults in the United States are either overweight or obese, according to CDC statistics, and obesity is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and some types of cancer. However, many people don’t know that even modest weight loss, such as 5 to 10 percent of a person’s total body weight, could improve blood pressure as well as blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels. That’s only 10 to 20 pounds for a person who weighs 200 pounds.
Yet losing weight can be a struggle, and many people wonder where to begin. The answer for some may be in the office of a doctor of chiropractic (DC). Consultation with a DC is particularly important when you consider that the effects of obesity on the musculoskeletal system—osteoarthritis, back pain, neck pain and joint pain—often cause overweight and obese people to avoid physical activity and exercise when they need it most. DCs also counsel their patients on good nutrition and offer dietary and lifestyle advice in addition to expert structural care.
“If you’re carrying more weight than the load-bearing structures of your body—spine, legs, etc.—can handle, there’s going to be pain, loss of movement and degeneration in the joints,” explains James Powell, DC, a member of ACA’s Wellness Committee. “Particularly if you’re carrying most of your weight in your abdomen, the low back and the spine will need to work harder to hold you upright. This adds extra stress and tension on your muscles, which in turn creates stiffness.”
Each year in October, ACA and its members raise public awareness of chiropractic care by observing National Chiropractic Month. Starting this year, the association will celebrate National Chiropractic Health Month in an effort to promote a broader understanding of chiropractic’s approach to patient care—as natural, whole-body, patient-centered health care.
“National Chiropractic Health Month is an important opportunity to educate the public on the general health benefits of chiropractic care, which include so much more than simply the expert hands-on care that DCs are so well known for,” said ACA President Rick McMichael, DC. “Doctors of Chiropractic focus on changing patients’ habits—postural, physical activity, nutritional, etc.—to promote health and wellness, short-term and long-term. Patients are tired of quick fixes that don’t produce lasting weight loss and better health; and they are always delighted to discover how doctors of chiropractic promote total health and wellness over a lifetime.”
From the main link: http://www.acatoday.org/press_css.cfm?CID=4005
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
I need a couple of volunteers
I need a few volunteers! Apparently it is time to put-up or shut-up. I have been griping about how unhealthy everyone eats for so long that my wife finally told to either do something about it shut-up (she said it a little nicer). For those of you who don't know, I put on a few extra pounds during college (I got up to 250). I have spent the last several years absorbing every bit of knowledge I can about nutrition and exercise. I lost about 75 pounds in the process. Now, with the encouragement of my wife and a few close friends, I have started a program to teach others what took me so long to learn. This is not a diet, nor is it like weight watchers or LA Weightloss. This is more like going to school for 15-20 minutes each week and learning how to apply sound nutritional principals in order to make some reasonable dietary and lifestyle changes in order to lose weight or just eat healthier. The hard part is transferring all of this information from my head to others in a timely fashion. That is where the volunteers come in. I am offering the information to a few people for free who are willing to stick with it, learn, and give me feedback in the process. Contact me if you or someone you know is interested.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Chiropractic Myths Explained
There are several myths or misunderstandings about Chiropractic that are floating around. There is one myth that I feel is actually worth explaining. The others I will let stand; it kind of adds to the air of mystery surrounding Chiropractors, and I think I would miss that if it was totally gone.
The #1 misunderstanding that I hear is: Once you go to a Chiropractor, you have to keep going forever. There are several reasons for this misunderstanding, with not the least being the confusion between "have to keep going", and "want to keep going." For the most part, Chiropractors see patients for one of three main reasons. One, to help someone heal from an injury or acute episode of pain; two, to help someone feel better and manage a chronic or uncorrectable problem; and three, to help someone maintain a healthy spine in order to be healthier, prevent injury, and function better. Most patients are introduced to Chiropractic care for one of the first two reasons, but often maintain a relationship with a Chiropractor for the third reason.
In order to help someone maintain a healthier spine, it takes periodic visits; much like it takes periodic visits to a dentist to maintain healthy teeth. Unfortunately, unlike dental check-ups which can occur every 6 months or so, Chiropractic check-ups need to happen much more frequently. Our bodies, and specifically our spines, undergo an amazing amount of stress on a daily basis, which can result in stiff joints, tight muscles, and improper joint movement patterns. If left alone, this can lead to major episodes of pain and chronic problems. When corrected on a regular basis, these types of problems can be better avoided. A good rule of thumb for most people who have generally healthy spines is a check-up about every 2 weeks. Even though regular visits will keep you feeling better and reduce your risk of developing more complicated spinal problems, don't let anyone tell you that if you don't go often, you are guaranteed to have problems, or end of having surgery, or other such dire consequences. It is simply not true.
For the individuals that have chronic, uncorrectable problems, Chiropractic adjustments will usually help them feel better for a while, but they will start hurting again eventually. The idea behind regular adjustments in this case, is to keep them feeling as good as they possibly can and to keep the spine as healthy as it can be. Once again, this is a choice that individuals are allowed to make; to feel better or not.
It is always a matter of choice. Come in as long as you need to in order to feel better, or keep coming on a regular basis in order to stay feeling better, stay healthier, and try your best to prevent bigger problems from occurring.
If you have other questions that you would like answered or other "things" you have heard and want to know about, contact Dr. Calvin Shanks at 270-450-0848, calvinshanks@gmail.com, www.thefixchiro.com, or come by the office at 4645 Village Square Drive in Paducah (Behind The Home Depot).
The #1 misunderstanding that I hear is: Once you go to a Chiropractor, you have to keep going forever. There are several reasons for this misunderstanding, with not the least being the confusion between "have to keep going", and "want to keep going." For the most part, Chiropractors see patients for one of three main reasons. One, to help someone heal from an injury or acute episode of pain; two, to help someone feel better and manage a chronic or uncorrectable problem; and three, to help someone maintain a healthy spine in order to be healthier, prevent injury, and function better. Most patients are introduced to Chiropractic care for one of the first two reasons, but often maintain a relationship with a Chiropractor for the third reason.
In order to help someone maintain a healthier spine, it takes periodic visits; much like it takes periodic visits to a dentist to maintain healthy teeth. Unfortunately, unlike dental check-ups which can occur every 6 months or so, Chiropractic check-ups need to happen much more frequently. Our bodies, and specifically our spines, undergo an amazing amount of stress on a daily basis, which can result in stiff joints, tight muscles, and improper joint movement patterns. If left alone, this can lead to major episodes of pain and chronic problems. When corrected on a regular basis, these types of problems can be better avoided. A good rule of thumb for most people who have generally healthy spines is a check-up about every 2 weeks. Even though regular visits will keep you feeling better and reduce your risk of developing more complicated spinal problems, don't let anyone tell you that if you don't go often, you are guaranteed to have problems, or end of having surgery, or other such dire consequences. It is simply not true.
For the individuals that have chronic, uncorrectable problems, Chiropractic adjustments will usually help them feel better for a while, but they will start hurting again eventually. The idea behind regular adjustments in this case, is to keep them feeling as good as they possibly can and to keep the spine as healthy as it can be. Once again, this is a choice that individuals are allowed to make; to feel better or not.
It is always a matter of choice. Come in as long as you need to in order to feel better, or keep coming on a regular basis in order to stay feeling better, stay healthier, and try your best to prevent bigger problems from occurring.
If you have other questions that you would like answered or other "things" you have heard and want to know about, contact Dr. Calvin Shanks at 270-450-0848, calvinshanks@gmail.com, www.thefixchiro.com, or come by the office at 4645 Village Square Drive in Paducah (Behind The Home Depot).
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Putting the final nails on the sugar coffin....
I am probably overdoing it with my anti-sugar campaign, but here is another great article about the dangers of sugar.
Click Here
Click Here
Monday, August 23, 2010
Information on Fibromyalgia
Information for Fibromyalgia Sufferers: Check out this article forwarded to me from Meshea Crysup. It explains Fibromyaglia very well. She also is a Fibromyalgia "coach", helping people to learn about, live with, and conquer Fibromyaglia. Her website is www.fibrolife.us.
CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE
CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE
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