Brook West Chiropractic Quarterly Newsletter-July 2nd.
 

July 9, 2000- Stop a strain
The best way to prevent a strain is to strengthen the muscles on the outside of your leg, says, Stephen Pribut, D.P.M., a sports podiatrist in Washington, D.C.  The following exercise is done with a Theraband, available at Brook West or any sporting-goods store. Almost any stretch cord will do, however. Place one end of the cord under a heavy piece of furniture. Sit down, cross your left leg over your right, and attach the other end of the cord to the outside of your left foot. Turn your foot and ankle out, hold for a moment, then lower. Do 14 repetitions, then switch legs. Do one or two sets per leg, three times per week. This will strengthen your leg muscles, so you can stop the strain before it happens," he says.
SOURCE:  Men's Health Magazine, ©2000

July 16, 2000- Snack Attack
Feel guilty when you sneak a snack? Don't--between-meal munching actually may be good for you.  A University of Toronto study found that people who ate the equivalent of three meals divided into five or six mini-meals and snacks throughout the day had significantly lower blood cholesterol levels and a lower heart disease risk than people who ate the same amount of food in three sittings.

Snack selection counts, of course, so skip the chips and candy bars, and opt for the healthy stuff, such as fruit and other complex carbs, and lean protein.
SOURCE:  Real Age Health Systems, ©2000

July 23, 2000- Crazy for Cantaloupe
Which celebrated summer fruit also happens to be one of the best for you? Carotenoid-rich cantaloupe.

Cantaloupe is one of the few fruits or veggies that boasts not only vitamin C, but beta carotene as well. Both of these are antioxidants--compounds that have been shown to fight cancer, heart disease, and other age-related illnesses. Half of a cantaloupe provides 5 milligrams of beta carotene--half the amount you need each day--and more than your daily fill of vitamin C. In addition, cantaloupe is chock full of potassium, which helps lower the body's LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and protects against high blood pressure.

Getting the right amount of antioxidants can help your cardiovascular health.
SOURCE:  Real Age Health Systems, ©2000

July 30, 2000- Get a Jump on Sore Joints
Feeling the first twinges in your hinges from osteoarthritis? Try the one-two punch of glucosamine and chondroitin.

These supplements aren't new, but new evidence suggests that they do work to combat osteoarthritis. One analysis conducted at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine compared the results of over 20 studies of the supplements. The researchers found that the majority of studies showed that people who used glucosamine and chondroitin had a significant improvement in pain and mobility compared to the people who received no treatment. The combination therapy may even relieve osteoarthritis pain just as well as ibuprofen.  Brook West offers these two compounds in one supplement called Omni-Joint.  Be sure to ask your doctor about this product.
SOURCE:  Dr. Tim Murphy, ©2000