Every person’s body comes equipped with an amazing immune system comprised of little soldiers created with the specific purpose of being vigilant against foreign invaders in the form of germs and disease. The location of an invader triggers a set of hormones to call specific white blood cell fighters to crash the scene and destroy the unwelcome presence. The process occurs without the conscious awareness of the human body. The immune system operates through a series of constant ongoing procedures that take place without thought or human instruction. The entire fascinating process of health, healing, and restoration occurs under the guidance and direction of the autonomic nervous system.

Evidence proves that Chiropractic care improves the function of the autonomic nervous system through gentle adjustments which increase movement in the spine and balance communication between the brain and nervous system. The adjustments empower the autonomic processes by reducing stress in the nervous system. The outcome leads to improved hormone balance that guides immune function and results in better health.

Research from 2010 showed that patients receiving Chiropractic adjustments increased a specific signaling molecule in the body called Interleukin-2. Interleukin-2 regulates the activities of white blood cells responsible for immunity, a key component of the body’s natural response to microbial infection. Interleukin-2 also helps the body recognize and create specific responses that neutralize foreign invaders. This protein molecule existed at higher rates in people who received a chiropractic spinal adjustment in comparison to people who did not.

The primary focus of a Chiropractic adjustment does not target the immune system or a specific symptom or condition. The increased health function from an adjustment simply serves as an example of an outcome that takes place after removing interference from the nervous system. The static in the nervous system lines decreases when the spine becomes better aligned and mobile. While other health professions attempt to change the environment to suit a weakened body, Chiropractic focuses on strengthening the body to suit all naturally occurring environments.

Four methods of improving long term immunity include:

1) Staying on track with adjustments to keep the autonomic nervous system balanced

2) Making sure to get adequate amounts of Vitamin D (a major immune booster)

3) Adding 30-60 minutes of sleep to a normal routine (inadequate sleep plummets immunity)

4) Replacing sugary drinks and snacks with more nutritious choices (sugar drains immunity)

The post CHIROPRACTIC: The Ultimate Remedy During Cold and Flu Season first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.

What are pesticides?

Pesticides are chemicals, typically man-made, that are used to kill or repel the pests that are harmful to the plants we eat or to the environment we live/work in. There are many different types of pesticides: insecticides (for bugs), herbicides (for weeds) and fungicides (fungus killers), as well as others for germs and rodents.

Can’t I just wash it off my fruits and vegetables?

Yes, and it’s strongly encouraged to wash all of your produce, but some fruits and vegetables are “dirtier” than others and have pesticide residue even after you wash them. Strawberries currently top the list as the fruit that has the highest concentration of pesticides in the Environmental Working Group’s 2016 “Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen.”

The Dirty Dozen:

Gently rubbing fruits and vegetables under running water will wash off much of the pesticides, but not all. The following list shows the “cleanest” produce, but these should be washed as well.

The Clean 15:

Eat organic when you can, and source locally. Visit your local farmers market, pick up some produce and “eat your vegetables!”

The post Is Organic Produce Worth It? What Makes It Better Than Non-Organic? first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.

I see too many 10-year-old kids in the line at Starbucks before school grabbing their iced coffee cooler or mocha lattes. I am always shocked that any parent would allow their kid to eat something like this-EVER. It is especially shocking considering that this is supposed to fuel them until lunchtime and they are expected to concentrate and behave throughout the day.

For kids to concentrate they need good quality whole foods, a balance of carbohydrates and protein and very little sugar. Here are a few do’s and don’t for breakfast with your kids.

Do Try to get some protein in them before they leave their house in the morning. If they like yogurt, try mixing a scoop of protein powder into the yogurt. A good quality protein powder makes the yogurt taste like pudding. Lots of kids like it.

Do Get creative and try to make they a fruit smoothie with the protein powder as well. If you leave it with just fruit it is very sugary so adding the protein powder to balance it is virtually tasteless, helps make it a bit thicker and shake like and is healthier.

Do Use whole foods. While these ideas with protein powder added are better than their average breakfast, whole foods are better. How about a vegetable omelet? Cut up veggies they like ahead of time and add them to the eggs each morning. It won’t take more than 5-7 minutes to make and your kid is out the door with a healthy breakfast. If you can’t find veggies they like, you need to start improving your cooking skills now and model healthy eating for them. Kids usually won’t eat what parents themselves don’t enjoy.

Don’t Start the day with a sugary cereal or really any kind of cereal. Most are very high in sugar, take minutes to break down in their bodies and send their blood sugar spiking and then dropping very quickly. Also-they have very little protein and….the vitamin-fortified cereals….hate to break it to you…I’d love to test the bioavailability of the vitamins added to the cereal. I’m guessing there isn’t a lot of nutritional value coming through. Empty calories.

Don’t Allow them to start their day with a pop or coffee or any other sugar and caffeine-laden beverage. Adding all those chemicals to their little bodies at a young age isn’t good for them.

Don’t This should go without saying but the energy drinks that are so prevalent today…not good for you…not good for your kids. This is just good common sense. The amount of sugar and caffeine and chemicals in these beverages make the kids in the line at Starbucks look like they are getting healthy food.

Listen, I’m a parent and it’s not easy to get your kids to eat what you want them to eat.  That being said, you owe it to them to make quality decisions regarding their diet.  During childhood, you are setting the stage and creating eating habits that will last a lifetime.  Don’t sell your kids short and don’t let them get away with sub-par nutrition.  You’ll thank me later :-).

As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the health of your family, please give us a call at 918-940-4630.  We would be happy to schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Travis Ring of Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic to help you uncover that which is limiting your health.  Thank you for allowing us to be your chiropractor.

The post What Should My Child Eat for Breakfast? first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.

First, sugary and salty snacks….. Packaged snacks are engineered with chemicals to stimulate your brain and make you crave more.   Stop eating them. You get no nutritive value from them.  NOTHING.  For those scarfing down a higher quality of snacks; bakery snacks….stop those too. Layer upon layer of sugar and salt stimulates cravings making you want more and more. Find a buddy that has been whining about weight loss and hold each other accountable even if it is just 24 hours with no sugary or salty snacks. If you can make it 72 hours, you can make it an entire week. Breaking the craving cycle is vital to getting your eating back on track.

Second, stop drinking so much. Again, empty calories. I didn’t say don’t drink at all just not so much. Summer brings lots of time for socializing, boating, and enjoying a glass of wine on your deck. You don’t need to give it up completely, just cut back. At 250 calories a mixed drink, 150 calories a beer or 125 calories a glass of wine, in a quantity of 3 or more, no wonder you feel bloated and that you’ve gained weight. Easy? It’s not. It’s a lot more fun to party on but it’s also a lot more fun to fit into your clothes and not huff and puff with every physical exertion.

Third, eat less. Use smaller plates or bowls to cut down on your portions. That beautiful set of plates in your cupboard, the great big ones? They are the enemy. You don’t need to replace them, just use a smaller one. You will put less on it and still feel full. Trust me on this.  I have also spend the last year or so experimenting with Intermittent Fasting with great success.  I have some resources that could help you and I would be happy to share my journey with you.

Lastly, don’t dwell too much on the number on the scale.  We tend to quantify our success with fitness goals based solely on our weight but those who live in the world of health and fitness know that it goes far beyond what the scale says.  First of all, it’s a scientific fact that muscle weighs more than fat so as you begin an exercise routine along with your new and improved eating habits, it’s not uncommon to begin to gain lean muscle which may slow your progression of weight loss.  Don’t ignore the scale completely but focus your attention on how your clothes fit, how you feel and your body fat percentage.

Again, eat less, drink less, no processed snacks. Those seem like very obvious tips so there is no reason not to do them, starting today! At Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic, we are here to help you reach all of your health goals. Give our Broken Arrow office a call today at 918-940-4630.

**Dr. Ring is also a independent distributor and nutritional coach with Herbalife.  If you have any questions about their product line and how they can give you a boost or a jump start to your new you, he would be happy to discuss that as well.  We are just a phone call away.

The post What Are Some Tips for Achieving That Beach Body? first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.