Your Blood Type Can Affect Your Heart Health.

A 2011 study from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston published in the American Heart Association journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology found that people who have blood types A, B, or AB have a slightly higher risk of heart disease compared to those with type O, the most common kind.  The new study involved about 90,000 men and women in two observational health studies that cover more than 20 years.

The increased risk for type A was 8 percent; type B, 11 percent; and type AB, 20 percent.

Those who know they are at higher risk may be more motivated to make changes to lower their chances of heart disease, said Dr. Lu Qi, senior author of the study.  "We cannot change blood type but we can change lifestyle," said Qi, who led a study released last year that showed blood type may affect stroke risk.

No matter what blood type, Harvard's Qi said everyone should pay attention to risk factors they can change, including smoking, weight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and a sedentary lifestyle.

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Diet and exercise are extremely helpful in maintaining cardiovascular health.  Both can help maintain a healthy weight.  A diet high in antioxidants can also lend an extra protective level with its inflammatory fighting capabilities. There are many things you can do to promote longevity.

Another often overlooked or even unconsidered factor in heart health is posture. 

Probably the most common postural problem we find in American society is the Forward Head Posture.  This is simply where the head is carried forward on the shoulders as determined by a "plumb line" that runs through the ear to the shoulder.  Not only is it the most common but probably also the most detrimental.

Forward head posture results in loss of vital capacity of the lungs. Lung capacity is depleted by as much as 30%.  This shortness of breath can then lead to heart and blood vascular disease.

Even without pain, spinal postural problems can cause health issues down the road.  Just as we get preventative checkups at the dentist and eye doctor it is wise to have periodic spinal postural checkups with your doctor of chiropractic.

Acetaminophen Now #1 Cause of Liver Failure

Acetaminophen is a readily available over the counter (OTC) drug that has been recommended regularly for pain relief and fever reduction. It is the most common drug ingredient in America.  It has been shown that it can be used fairly safely, when taken at the recommended dosage.  For adults and children 12 years of age and older, the recommended dose of acetaminophen is 650 to 1000 mg every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 4000 mg in 24 hours.  For children under 12 years of age, the recommended dose of acetaminophen is 10 to 15 mg/kg every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed five doses (50-75 mg/kg) in 24 hours.  If you start to take more than one product for pain and/or fever, you may want to read the labels.


Acetaminophen is marketed under the brand names: Acephen, Actamin, Feverall, Q-Pap, Tactinal, Tempra, Tylenol, Uniserts, Vitapap, as well as being found in more than 600 different over-the-counter and prescription medicines.  You may also find it listed under other generic names such as APAP, N-acetyl-para-aminophenol, Paracetamol.
 
Acetaminophen is found in so many pain relieving formulas.  Combining those products can lead to over dose which can lead to liver damage and liver failure. 

Be safe, be healthy and see you chiropractor for those aches and pains to avoid inadvertently injuring yourself with unnecessary medications.

For Your Health,
    Dr. Heller

Health: Its a Healing Thing

It can be difficult for individuals to understand why their recovery under chiropractic may require multiple visits over time.  They are used to going to the medical doctor and receiving a pill or an injection to combat the symptoms.  Very few prescription medications are intended to address the truly causative situation.  Even antibiotics, though they squelch the reproduction of illness causing bacteria, do not address the reason that the body has allowed the infecting agent to get a foot hold in the system in the first place.

Chiropractic care is aimed at correcting the underlying problem causing the decreased function of the body's systems which is causing the symptom(s).   It looks at the body as a whole; a group of systems that must work together in optimal function to maintain a healthy body.  This correction often times will require a period of healing,  like any healing process this simply takes time with the healing and return of improved function better.  True healing comes from within and can yield longer lasting improvements, better vitality and quality of life.

The chart below gives other examples of how organized medicine and chiropractic health care see the aspects of health care.

Store Wars - Video Humor

As a Doctor of Chiropractic I have an interest in overall health and wellness which means taking into consideration daily nutrition.  Although I do push "organic only" in my practice I do encourage my clientele to eat as wholesome of product as possible.

I wanted to share a little parody on the state of our food supply with you.  So I give you "STORE WARS"