February 2014 Newsletter
No
more antibiotic soaps… The news is out that antibiotic soaps are not
any better than ordinary soaps for cleaning hands. Testing has revealed that the
germ-killing ingredient in antibiotic soaps, triclosan, is no more effective at
killing germs than what is found in regular soap. Also, it may actually contribute to the
development of ‘super-bugs’ that are harder to kill with antibiotics. These
soaps are currently being discontinued by major soap manufacturers. Within a year or so, triclosan will no longer
be used in soaps. Another reason to
avoid triclosan in soap is that it was identified many years ago as a possible
carcinogen. Triclosan is also found in
insecticides, which is definitely a clue that it has questionable health effects.
Changing high blood pressure standards… In the 1990’s, medical students were taught that a reading of 140/90 was considered borderline high for blood pressure. Medication unnecessary, but lifestyle changes to lower the blood pressure would be advised. Ten years later, after a new drug became available, the “borderline high” diagnosis suddenly became worthy of medication to control it. Now, recent data has revealed that medication has no impact to reduce mortality or morbidity - even when blood pressure is as high as 159/99. There was one main reason why: side effects on the brain. It was found that overzealous doctors, eager to control blood pressure, sometimes prescribe three to four medications. These drugs often had side effects of dizziness that can lead to falling. While high blood pressure is clearly an important health issue, for the elderly, the danger of falling is also significant. The resulting injury usually forces a sedentary healing time, which can actually end up being fatal. For example, an embolism (particle of body tissue floating in the blood stream) can settle in the heart or lungs. Also, disease processes like pneumonia are more likely to develop in a sedentary individual.
To understand further, let me review the relationship between water retention, blood pressure, kidney function, and also, how diuretics work. Think of your body as a closed plumbing system with one input (your mouth) and one output (urinary tract). The ‘pipes’ are rubbery, and if there is a lot of water in the pipes, pressure builds up, like when a balloon is overfilled. This somewhat simply describes high blood pressure. The kidneys function as a monitor of the pressure, and maintain the amount of fluid in the blood vessels, as well as the other tissues, at an optimum level. Age, genetics, and especially nutrition can all adversely affect kidney function. Blood pressure fluctuates all the time. For example, a “close call”, just missed accident will temporarily increase the blood pressure. Typically it will go back to normal after an hour or so. For some, the stress of just going to the doctor is enough to temporarily raise their blood pressure. When we experience stress, the kidneys interact with the adrenal glands, and do not excrete as much urine, causing an increase in pressure. Living with an ongoing, high, unhealthy level of stress results in the kidneys accepting the higher blood pressure as the ‘new normal’. The standards of the kidneys are reset for ‘optimum fluid levels’, allowing the blood vessels to stay at the higher pressure.
So, the kidneys work hard to keep us balanced between dehydration and excess fluid in the blood vessels. When water is sufficient in the body, it lets the kidneys know it is okay to let some out. When this is the case, potassium is not overly excreted. Drinking more water without added salt or sugar helps the kidneys eliminate fluid through the body’s natural mechanism. Be aware that certain beverages like coffee, beer and other alcoholic beverages can irritate the kidneys so they release more fluid out of the system than drinks like juice or water. Diuretics also irritate the kidneys such that the body gets rid of water that the kidneys would normally not excrete. The chemical in the diuretic induces the kidneys to shed fluid anyway and potassium with it. Potassium is a very key mineral in the body; too much or too little can affect the heartbeat, muscles, brain function, digestion and breathing. These days, most diuretics also contain some potassium in an effort to mitigate the loss caused by the drug. In short, non-natural diuretics irritate the kidneys and can cause other health problems related to potassium loss. The best, most natural ways to deal with fluid retention include wearing support hose, increase water consumption, drink orange juice, drink parsley tea, and eat lots of dark green vegetables and bananas.
It is vital to understand that there are effective lifestyle changes that can help one avoid both the risks of high blood pressure as well as the drugs that can have risky side effects. The acronym for this, DASH, stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.
Lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure always include maintaining a healthy body weight. Eat five to seven servings of vegetables and fruits daily. Exercise at least thirty minutes per day, six days a week. Drink at least six glasses of pure water every day. Herbal tea can count as water, but not coffee, black tea or soda. Limit consumption of sugar and simple carbohydrates (noodles, bread, crackers), these generally cause fluid retention. Many people lose two to three pounds the first day on a low-carbohydrate diet, simply because the body quickly eliminates the extra water weight. Nerve and kidney function are also supported by B vitamins. Typically, these guidelines also include the reduction of salt in the diet. It is a caution, however, not to restrict salt too much. This can result in the counter-productive effect of the kidneys adapting to where they then conserve salt, causing a downward spiral of restricting salt beyond what are healthy standards. The body needs some salt, it is the excess salt that needs to be avoided. One highly effective method of lowering blood pressure that is rarely mentioned is twenty minutes of relaxation and meditation each day.
Another idea I’d like to offer you is the idea of bio-feedback. There is a bio-feedback machine about the size of a paperback book that comes with headphones and a chest sensor. The machine coordinates with your breathing and coaches you to relax. Practicing with this machine two times a day for twenty minutes every day for the first two weeks, and then once a day at least five days a week has been shown to lower blood pressure as much as first line prescription drugs. The website to see this machine is www.resperate.com/forum, or you can call (877) 988-9388. Personally, I think the machine is really worth the expense. I was told the cost is the same as one year’s worth of blood pressure medication, and there are NO side effects. It is a lifestyle change that can really make a difference in reducing and managing stress and other stress related health issues like tension headaches.
I recently read about a Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment, for a cost of $3. All you need to do to get one is send a check or money order with a self-addressed stamped (66¢) envelope to The People’s Pharmacy, No. 67, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It can also be downloaded for $2 at www.peoplespharmacy.com.
February special… Are you an established patient? Bring in a new patient, and both visits together are only $50 total! Happy Valentine’s Day!
TCRAS Fundraiser… Throughout this winter, the Active Life clinic will host a fundraising event on the last Saturday of each month from 10am – 2pm. Chiropractic adjustment or meridian balancing treatment will be offered for donation. This month, 2/22/2014 proceeds benefit our beloved TCRAS.
Changing high blood pressure standards… In the 1990’s, medical students were taught that a reading of 140/90 was considered borderline high for blood pressure. Medication unnecessary, but lifestyle changes to lower the blood pressure would be advised. Ten years later, after a new drug became available, the “borderline high” diagnosis suddenly became worthy of medication to control it. Now, recent data has revealed that medication has no impact to reduce mortality or morbidity - even when blood pressure is as high as 159/99. There was one main reason why: side effects on the brain. It was found that overzealous doctors, eager to control blood pressure, sometimes prescribe three to four medications. These drugs often had side effects of dizziness that can lead to falling. While high blood pressure is clearly an important health issue, for the elderly, the danger of falling is also significant. The resulting injury usually forces a sedentary healing time, which can actually end up being fatal. For example, an embolism (particle of body tissue floating in the blood stream) can settle in the heart or lungs. Also, disease processes like pneumonia are more likely to develop in a sedentary individual.
To understand further, let me review the relationship between water retention, blood pressure, kidney function, and also, how diuretics work. Think of your body as a closed plumbing system with one input (your mouth) and one output (urinary tract). The ‘pipes’ are rubbery, and if there is a lot of water in the pipes, pressure builds up, like when a balloon is overfilled. This somewhat simply describes high blood pressure. The kidneys function as a monitor of the pressure, and maintain the amount of fluid in the blood vessels, as well as the other tissues, at an optimum level. Age, genetics, and especially nutrition can all adversely affect kidney function. Blood pressure fluctuates all the time. For example, a “close call”, just missed accident will temporarily increase the blood pressure. Typically it will go back to normal after an hour or so. For some, the stress of just going to the doctor is enough to temporarily raise their blood pressure. When we experience stress, the kidneys interact with the adrenal glands, and do not excrete as much urine, causing an increase in pressure. Living with an ongoing, high, unhealthy level of stress results in the kidneys accepting the higher blood pressure as the ‘new normal’. The standards of the kidneys are reset for ‘optimum fluid levels’, allowing the blood vessels to stay at the higher pressure.
So, the kidneys work hard to keep us balanced between dehydration and excess fluid in the blood vessels. When water is sufficient in the body, it lets the kidneys know it is okay to let some out. When this is the case, potassium is not overly excreted. Drinking more water without added salt or sugar helps the kidneys eliminate fluid through the body’s natural mechanism. Be aware that certain beverages like coffee, beer and other alcoholic beverages can irritate the kidneys so they release more fluid out of the system than drinks like juice or water. Diuretics also irritate the kidneys such that the body gets rid of water that the kidneys would normally not excrete. The chemical in the diuretic induces the kidneys to shed fluid anyway and potassium with it. Potassium is a very key mineral in the body; too much or too little can affect the heartbeat, muscles, brain function, digestion and breathing. These days, most diuretics also contain some potassium in an effort to mitigate the loss caused by the drug. In short, non-natural diuretics irritate the kidneys and can cause other health problems related to potassium loss. The best, most natural ways to deal with fluid retention include wearing support hose, increase water consumption, drink orange juice, drink parsley tea, and eat lots of dark green vegetables and bananas.
It is vital to understand that there are effective lifestyle changes that can help one avoid both the risks of high blood pressure as well as the drugs that can have risky side effects. The acronym for this, DASH, stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.
Lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure always include maintaining a healthy body weight. Eat five to seven servings of vegetables and fruits daily. Exercise at least thirty minutes per day, six days a week. Drink at least six glasses of pure water every day. Herbal tea can count as water, but not coffee, black tea or soda. Limit consumption of sugar and simple carbohydrates (noodles, bread, crackers), these generally cause fluid retention. Many people lose two to three pounds the first day on a low-carbohydrate diet, simply because the body quickly eliminates the extra water weight. Nerve and kidney function are also supported by B vitamins. Typically, these guidelines also include the reduction of salt in the diet. It is a caution, however, not to restrict salt too much. This can result in the counter-productive effect of the kidneys adapting to where they then conserve salt, causing a downward spiral of restricting salt beyond what are healthy standards. The body needs some salt, it is the excess salt that needs to be avoided. One highly effective method of lowering blood pressure that is rarely mentioned is twenty minutes of relaxation and meditation each day.
Another idea I’d like to offer you is the idea of bio-feedback. There is a bio-feedback machine about the size of a paperback book that comes with headphones and a chest sensor. The machine coordinates with your breathing and coaches you to relax. Practicing with this machine two times a day for twenty minutes every day for the first two weeks, and then once a day at least five days a week has been shown to lower blood pressure as much as first line prescription drugs. The website to see this machine is www.resperate.com/forum, or you can call (877) 988-9388. Personally, I think the machine is really worth the expense. I was told the cost is the same as one year’s worth of blood pressure medication, and there are NO side effects. It is a lifestyle change that can really make a difference in reducing and managing stress and other stress related health issues like tension headaches.
I recently read about a Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment, for a cost of $3. All you need to do to get one is send a check or money order with a self-addressed stamped (66¢) envelope to The People’s Pharmacy, No. 67, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It can also be downloaded for $2 at www.peoplespharmacy.com.
February special… Are you an established patient? Bring in a new patient, and both visits together are only $50 total! Happy Valentine’s Day!
TCRAS Fundraiser… Throughout this winter, the Active Life clinic will host a fundraising event on the last Saturday of each month from 10am – 2pm. Chiropractic adjustment or meridian balancing treatment will be offered for donation. This month, 2/22/2014 proceeds benefit our beloved TCRAS.
