Crash Diet... Harmful or Helpful?

Smith Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center

Andrew Smith, DC

How Crash Diets, Like the Master Cleanse, Harm Your Health and Heart

Linda Bacon, PhD, dreads swimsuit season, but not because she has anything against the beach. Instead, the California-based nutritionist fears what the season brings: scores of otherwise health-conscious citizens who subject themselves to deprivation diets (like the Master Cleanse) or intense exercise regimens, often in blazing hot weather, to look slimmer in revealing clothes. Many unwittingly end up harming their health—and possibly even their hearts.

“Early June and January are the two times of year people do crazy, desperate things to get thin fast,” says Bacon, a nutrition professor at the City College of San Francisco and the author of Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight. “They go on fasts, yo-yo diets, detox programs, and ‘cleanses’ without realizing that there are serious consequences to weight loss and nutrient restriction.”

That crash dieting doesn’t work and can be dangerous is a message that gets lost in the national clamor over rising rates of overweight and obesity. Thinking of trying a lemonade fast or cabbage soup diet? Here’s what to keep in mind if fitting into your skinny jeans or your Speedo is high on your summer agenda.
Crash diets may harm your heart

Cardiologist Isadore Rosenfeld, MD, a professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, in New York City, and author of the forthcoming Doctor of the Heart: A Life in Medicine, opposes crash diets (less than 1,200 calories a day) and detox plans like the Master Cleanse. The Master Cleanse involves consuming a mixture of water, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper—and nothing else—for several days.

He says these very low-calorie regimens are based on the false theory that the body needs help eliminating waste.

Research suggests rapid weight loss can slow your metabolism, leading to future weight gain, and deprive your body of essential nutrients. What’s more, crash diets can weaken your immune system and increase your risk of dehydration, heart palpitations, and cardiac stress.

“A crash diet once won’t hurt your heart,” Dr. Rosenfeld says. “But crash dieting repeatedly increases the risk of heart attacks.”
Bacon adds that long-term calorie-cutting can eventually lead to heart muscle loss. “Yo-yo dieting can also damage your blood vessels. All that shrinking and growing causes micro tears that create a setup for atherosclerosis and other types of heart disease,” she says.
Chip Stinchfield, a 55-year-old shop owner in New Canaan, Conn., has experienced the cardiac effects of dieting firsthand. On the advice of friends, he went on a Master Cleanse for days and exercised vigorously. Another time he ate nothing but cottage cheese, beets, and peanut butter. Both were “quick, easy fixes” that helped him drop up to 10 pounds fast.
But both diets also gave him shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and “the feeling like I was going to have a heart attack.” Under pressure from his family, who thought his dieting might disable or kill him—like many extreme dieters, Stinchfield kept his doctor in the dark about his radical habits—he eventually went back to sensible eating.

Beware of fad diets

Experts have known for decades that extended crash diets can be dangerous—especially when the diets become a fad. In the late 1970s, an osteopath named Robert Linn published The Last Chance Diet, a best seller that advocated a miraculous “liquid protein diet.” Following the lead their favorite celebrities, millions of people bought quarts of Dr. Linn’s liquid formula and embraced the diet (or one of many copycat versions), averaging just 300 to 400 calories a day.

The diet seemed to work wonders—some people reported losing as many as 10 pounds a week on the formula. But then the news of sudden deaths began to trickle in.
An investigation led by the Food and Drug Administration turned up nearly 60 deaths among liquid dieters. Although some of the deaths occurred in people with underlying diseases such as atherosclerosis (and therefore could have been coincidental), government researchers who examined otherwise healthy dieters who died of ventricular arrhythmias found that the pattern of deaths suggested “the effects of protein-calorie malnutrition on the heart,” including atrophy of the heart muscle.
Experts have since tried to pinpoint the dangers of crash diets (technically known as “very low calorie” diets). Shortages of potassium, magnesium, and copper have been suggested as possible causes of the arrhythmias seen in crash dieters, and studies have also found that the diets can cause a drop in blood pressure and sodium depletion.
The true extent of the risk posed by crash diets is unclear, however. Much of the research has been conducted in obese people—a population that can actually benefit from these extreme diets—and in most studies the health of the participants is carefully monitored. Experts stress that very-low-calorie diets should only be followed with a doctor’s supervision. But crash dieters are more likely to consult their friends than a doctor—which can get them into trouble.
Brooke Robertson, 23, learned these lessons the hard way. Last spring the Auckland, New Zealand, mom reportedly suffered a minor heart attack after she lost 100 pounds on a diet of Red Bull and the occasional fistful of dry cereal.
Despite the international publicity, Bacon doesn’t think desperate dieters will consider Robertson a cautionary tale. “There’s absolutely no benefit to fasting or detoxing,” she says. “Extreme diets are simply bad for you and they don’t work. But every year people engage in magical thinking.”
How to lose weight—safely
If you’re overweight, slimming down is critical for your overall health. Even moderate weight loss can lower your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
But it’s important to lose weight safely, which usually means slowly: Most experts recommend dropping just 1 to 2 pounds a week. And despite what some brand-name diets claim, the best way to do so is to exercise regularly and stick to a diet that limits saturated fat and sugars and emphasizes fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish, and whole grains.
“The key to losing weight is a combination of diet and exercise,” says Dr. Rosenfeld. “One alone will not do it.”

Both diet and exercise are vital for maintaining health. Keeping your spine alligned is just as important for optimal functioning of your body. Come by Smith Chiropractic today, and take that extra step to a healthier you!







Smith Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center
12300 Alternate A1A Suite 119
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
561-625-1993
info@drsmithchiropractic.com
http://www.drsmithchiropractic.com/

Are You Stuck ?

Smith Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center Andrew Smith, DC 12300 Alternate A1A Suite 119 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 561-625-1993 Are You Stuck?  I saw something absurd the other day.  A highly engineered and specially designed high-performance race car stuck on a 35 mile-an-hour downtown street. That is not what that car was made for.  That is not what the creator(Enzo Ferrari) envisioned for it.  This 6-speed, F140 Aluminum V12, 4700cc engine with 660hp was built to go 0-60 in 3.8 seconds and race at 217 miles an hour (2010 specs).  But here it is.... stuck. I see this absurity every day.  But not only in the streets-in office cubicles, conference rooms, huddled behind computer screens, and dragging luggage through airports. People who were specially engineered and designed with special talents, skills and abilities who are traveling down the wrong road, with their potential stuck in first gear; trapped and unable to race.  That is not what their creator had envisioned for them either. Are you... 1. STUCK? Traveling down the wrong road?  Are you overweight, not exercising, dealing with constant pain, or feeling boxed in on the slow lane?  is it keeping you from being able to get out of first gear and challenge your greater abilities? Sometimes it's not the car; its the road the car is on. 2. TRAVELING WITH PINTOS? Are you going slow because you are keeping pace with ordinary cars, when you were designed for racing? Sometimes it's not the car; it's the cars it travels with. 3. ARE YOU EVEN AWARE THAT YOU ARE A RACE CAR?  You were specially engineered and designed for speed... to race.  You were built for greatness.  I'm not kidding.  You are a miracle of machinery. Yes , you... the one reading this.  It's likely you have never even experienced half of what your top speed is. Sometimes it's not the car; it's the one given the responsibility to drive it. If you ever really gripped the wheel, braced your neck and punched the pedal with all your might... the awesomeness of your innate potential will shock and exhilarate you. Punch it NOW!!  Discipline Determines your Destiny!!!!  So come in and get a tune-up and get your car on the right road!   Smith Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center | 561-625-1993 | www.drsmithchiropractic.com

---

The information in this email and any attachments is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual(s) to whom it is addressed or otherwise directed. If you are not a named addressee or otherwise an intended recipient you are requested to immediately notify the sender and to delete this email and all attachments from your system.

The information contained within this email is meant only as a guideline for some of the treatments and services provided and not as a substitute for doctor provided care. Before pursuing any self treatment for an ailment, you should first consult your chiropractor, primary care physician, or the nearest health care facility/hospital. If you are having an emergency, call 911.

What is Surge Training??

Smith Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center


Andrew Smith, DC


12300 Alternate A1A Suite 119


Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410


561-625-1993





What is Surge Training??



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





This weeks article is from an up and coming health and fitness chiropractor in Tennessee, Dr. Josh Axe.



There are three types of exercise:

Strength/ Resistance training

Cardio/ Aerobic training

Flexibility/ Stability training

Strength/ Resistance training

The primary hormone response invoked by this training is elevated levels of Human Growth Hormone. This hormone is essential for fat metabolism. It also signals fat burning enzymes and aids in muscle mass development. HGH levels are raised during sleep, in direct proportion to exercise intensity during your workout.

Strength training will improve your glucose tolerance and increase insulin receptor sensitivity. This type of exercise also creates a bigger metabolic after burn than aerobic training, while also increasing fat free muscle, bone density and metabolism.

Cardio/ Aerobic training

There are many benefits associated with cardio and aerobic training, but also some negatives. Cardio training will lower your resting heart rate, lower blood pressure, keep your brain young by increasing circulation to the brain and aids in detoxification by stimulating the lymphatic system. Long distance running, however, decreases testosterone levels, decreases the immune system post exercise, and raises the stress hormone level (Cortisol). Increased levels of cortisol stimulates the appetite, will increase fat storing and slow down or inhibit exercise recovery.

So how do we get the benefits without the negatives?

Surge training

Surge training involves exercising at 90%-100% of your maximum effort. For 30-60 seconds in order to burn your body’s stored sugar (glycogen), followed by 30-60 seconds of low impact for recovery. This causes your body to burn fat for the next 36 hours to replace your body vital energy (glycogen) stores.

You only need to do 4-6 sets of 30-60 second bursts 3 times a week to see marked changes and improvements. More is not always better. Make sure you have a day in between for rest. Some of you are very happy with this information!!

Yours in good health,

Dr. Andrew H. Smith

Smith Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center

561-625-1993

http://www.drsmithchiropractic.com/

Can patients with arthritis receive chiropractic care?

Can patients with arthritis receive chiropractic care?


Patients who suffer from the various forms of arthritis may get significant results from chiropractic. Depending on the patient, results may vary. However, by keeping the spinal joints moving freely, the stiffness and pain associated with arthritis can be minimized. If your doctor deems it necessary, a referral to another health care provider may be suggested. Additionally, studies show that those who enjoy chiropractic from a younger age reduce their risk of osteoarthritis later in life.

June 16, 2010

Millions of Americans feel the negative effects of stress every day. In fact, many Americans suffer from chronic stress. Chronic stress can lead to severe health problems such as:

Insomnia

Anxiety

Depression

Eating Disorders

Muscle Tension

Bowel Problems















Signs and symptoms of stress overload



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



It’s important to learn how to recognize when your stress levels are out of control. The most dangerous thing about stress is how easily it can creep up on you. You get used to it. It starts to feels familiar – even normal. You don’t notice how much it’s affecting you, even as it takes a heavy toll.

The signs and symptoms of stress overload can be almost anything. Stress affects the mind, body, and behavior in many ways, and everyone experiences stress differently.

How do you respond to stress?

Psychologist Connie Lillas uses a driving analogy to describe the three most common ways people respond when they’re overwhelmed by stress:

Foot on the gas – An angry or agitated stress response. You’re heated, keyed up, overly emotional, and unable to sit still.

Foot on the brake – A withdrawn or depressed stress response. You shut down, space out, and show very little energy or emotion.

Foot on both – A tense and frozen stress response. You “freeze” under pressure and can’t do anything. You look paralyzed, but under the surface you’re extremely agitated.

The following table lists some of the common warning signs and symptoms of stress. The more signs and symptoms you notice in yourself, the closer you may be to stress overload

Stress Warning Signs and Symptoms

Cognitive Symptoms Emotional Symptoms

Memory problems

Inability to concentrate

Poor judgment

Seeing only the negative

Anxious or racing thoughts

Constant worrying

Moodiness

Irritability or short temper

Agitation, inability to relax

Feeling overwhelmed

Sense of loneliness and isolation

Depression or general unhappiness



Physical Symptoms Behavioral Symptoms

Aches and pains

Diarrhea or constipation

Nausea, dizziness

Chest pain, rapid heartbeat

Loss of sex drive

Frequent colds

Eating more or less

Sleeping too much or too little

Isolating yourself from others

Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities

Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax

Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)





What does this have to do with chiropractic care?



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------







Adjustments release muscle tension that helps the body return to a more balanced, relaxed state. Adjustments also reduce spinal nerve irritation, and improve blood circulation. A healthy and balanced spine is one key to effectively managing stress.

Chiropractors are trained in nutritional and other therapies for stress. Several nutritional supplements, including B vitamins, help the body cope with stress.

A chiropractor cannot make a job stressful, or create a quieter, calmer world. What can be done, is help you develop healthy responses to stress, reducing potential physical damage.

Chiropractic is based on the concept that given the opportunity, the mind and body can heal itself. In relieving some of the effects of chronic stress, chiropractic care provides just such an opportunity!







Smith Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center

12300 Alternate A1A Suite 119 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

561-625-1993

info@drsmithchiropractic.com

www.drsmithchiropractic.com ;

Hamburgers & Asthma?

Hamburgers & Asthma?

Researchers from Germany, Spain and Britain who studied data on 50,000 children across the world found the link between burgers and asthma was strongest in rich nations where diets with high levels of junk food are more common.

A meat-heavy diet itself has no bearing on the prevalence of asthma, according to the scientists who conducted the study. Yet, frequent burger eating could be a signal for other lifestyle factors which raise asthma risk.
“This is a sign that the link is not strongly related to the food itself, but that burgers are a proxy for other lifestyle and environmental factors like obesity and lack of exercise,” said Gabriele Nagel of the Institute of Epidemiology at Ulm University, Germany, who led the study.
She added, however, that there were “biologically plausible” links for the positive effects of a healthier diet, which could be down to the antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables, and the omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
“Fruit and vegetables contain antioxidants and other biologically active factors which may contribute to the favorable effect…in asthma,” Nagel said.
In particular, she added, foods rich in vitamin C have been linked to better lung function and fewer asthma symptoms.
Around 1.1 million children currently receive treatment for asthma in Britain, while in the United States it is the most common chronic childhood disease, with around 10 million children diagnosed with it.
Nagel’s team looked at data on 50,000 children aged between 8 and 12 years from 20 rich and poor countries around the world.
While diet was not linked to children being more prone to allergies in general, it did seem to influence the prevalence of asthma and wheezing, they found.
“Overall, more frequent consumption of fruit, vegetables and fish was associated with a lower lifetime prevalence of asthma, whereas high burger consumption was associated with higher lifetime asthma prevalence,” they wrote in the study, which was published in Thorax, a British Medical Journal title.
This study adds to an existing body of evidence showing the health benefits of a so-called Mediterranean diet — rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and fish — including reduced risks of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and depression.

How you Eat, think and move everyday of your life matters. Remember DICIPLINE DETERMINES DESTINY!!!


Yours in good health,

Dr.Smith

Dine with the Doc!

Dine with the Doc! Whole foods Palm Beach Gardens
6pm (Complementary Chair massage) 6:30pm Class FREE
Eat well, move well, and live well... Learn the secrets to living the life you've always dreamed of without medications or surgery! Come share an evening of food, fun and learning with renowned speaker, Dr. Andrew Smith, a board certified chiropractor. This event is for first time attendees only. Pre-registration Required. Sign up today (561) 691-8550 x268 or online at Acteva