New freaky reason to check yourself for ticks: they could make you allergic to red meat. The little fellow shown below is responsible.

Amblyomma americanum (aka Lone Star Tick)

This is the Lone Star tick native to the Southeast but it is making it’s way north. It is so named because of the distinctive white dot on it’s back. Fortunately, it has NOT been found to be a carrier of Lyme disease like the deer or blacklegged tick. But here is the weird part: according to an article in the Journal of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, it appears that the saliva of the lone star tick carries a certain antibody that causes the immune system to overreact in the presence of sugars found in red meat causing an allergic reaction including hives all over your trunk and back. That’s right, you take a bite out of your grilled steak after this tick takes a bite out of you and you may be itching for the epinephrine!

The need for blood never takes a vacation.

We will be having another blood drive here at the office Tuesday, July 10 from 2:30 to 5:30. We will have a prize drawing and Jenny, our in-house massage therapist will also be giving back-massages free of charge for all donors while Gracie watches longingly. Call our office at 920 757-9887 to schedule your appointment or go to www.save3lives.org to schedule on-line.

Pull Up Your Sleeve!!

Pull Up Your Sleeve!!

Here are some amazing facts about blood:

Only 37% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood and of those only about 8 percent do annually. (So if you donate – you are SPECIAL!!!)

About 1 in 7 people admitted to a hospital need blood.

One pint of blood can save 3 lives!!

A newborn baby has about one cup of blood in her body! (I was surprised too!!)

Please help make this another successful drive, Tuesday, July 10.

Thank-you.

What labels on egg cartons mean (Source: Rodale.com article, The Truth About Your Eggs, by Leah Zerbe)

If you must buy commercial eggs, there is information that you can glean from the cartons that will give you some clues as to quality and level of animal cruelty in the raising of the chickens that produce the eggs.

“Cage-Free” Some commercial operations will promote the idea that they have “cage-free” chickens. What does this really mean? This is largely a marketing tool to give the consumer the impression that the hens are happy and healthy. It is not as ideal as a small pastured flock but it is better than tiny battery cages where most eggs are produced. They are kept inside an enclosed, often dark, building and there is no limit to the number of hens that can be in this set-up, therefore, frustrating their natural pecking order instincts. Cage-free has nothing to do with whether whole sale antibiotics were used on the chickens.

“Free-Range” or “Free-Roaming” Usually these types of operations allow chickens outside of cages in barns or warehouses, but they aren’t required to provide the animals any specific amount of time outside – or even exposure to sunlight indoors. There’s no third-party inspection required for free-range claims, and the chickens can be debeaked or forced into molting through starvation, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

“Organic” A USDA-certified organic label means the eggs came from hens that were not enclosed in battery cages, and that they must be offered access to the outdoors. However, this doesn’t guarantee that the animals ever go outside. Organic eggs come from hens that were fed certified-organic feed, free of antibiotics, pesticides, and other animal products. Forced molting and debeaking are permitted in certified-organic production. Annual inspections are required.

“Natural” This means that the finished product hasn’t undergone certain unnatural processes. If this sounds vague – you are right- it means nothing.

“Pastured” Pastured chickens should be housed on grassland in portable shelters that are periodically moved to give the chickens fresh pasture, but there’s no third-party inspection required to ensure that’s what’s really happening.

“Omega-3-enriched” This means hens were fed feed with an increased amount of omega-3-rich flaxseeds. However, pasture-raised hens are already higher in beneficial omega-3s, and they get to be outside. This phrase has nothing to do with living conditions.

“Certified Humane”This means birds are not kept in cages, but they can be kept indoors. They at least have the space toperform natural behaviors. The program of Humane Farm Animal Care sets limits on the number of birds that can be contained in the same area, and outside inspectors perform audits. The program does not, however, require that the animals eat organic feed.

“United Egg Producers Certified” While forced molting is prohibited under this certification, debeaking is allowed, along with other cruel and inhumane practices, such as the use of battery cages. There are no guidelines for antibiotic use or any standards prohibiting animal by-products or growth promoters in feed. The guide lines were developed by the food industry, not independent third parties.

“Animal Welfare Approved” The birds are cage-free and continuous outdoor access is required. They must be able to perform natural behaviors like nesting, perching, and dust bathing, and birds must be allowed to molt naturally. Beak cutting is also prohibited. Antibiotic use is allowed, but any animal that receives them has to be removed from egg-laying operations for an “antibiotic withdrawal” period. And though organic food isn’t required, the program prohibits the use of animal by-products, and encourages GMO-free food whenever possible.

Chickens provide us with the gift of wonderful nutrition, the least we can do is provide them with humane living condions. Please support the small organic practicing egg and poultry producers or the Animal Welfare Approved producers.

That’s All Yolks!!

Eggs are arguably among Nature’s most perfect foods. But there are differences in nutritive value, egg quality and level of animal cruelty that depends upon where you get your eggs. The best situation is to find a local farmer who raises quality, free range, organic chickens. We have a client who supplies us with beautiful fresh eggs and there is nothing better than eggs from well cared for and well exercised chickens. The colors of the shells are amazing and the yolks are darker and more rich in flavor than most commercial eggs.

Nutrition

Pennsylvania State  University recently published a study that found that pastured hens – ones kept outside on different pastures where they can exhibit natural behavior and forage for bugs and grasses – contained twice as much vitamin E and 2.5 times more total omega-3 fatty acids as the eggs from caged birds. The study also found that chickens kept in cages had a higher risk of salmonella contamination than eggs from pastured chickens.

Animal Cruelty

More than 90 per cent of U.S. eggs come from caged hens. These birds have a space smaller than the size of a sheet of paper to move around, and live in filthy conditions. Often times they are put four or five chickens to a tiny cage. Chickens that cannot engage in normal chicken behavior such as pecking in the dirt become totally frustrated. Furthermore, the pressure of the wire cages against their feet causes infection and their feathers rub off against the side of the cages. They literally do nothing but sit around all day laying eggs. The result of this stress is that confined birds’ eggs contain less nutrition than eggs from hens with room to roam. Hens kept in these cramped conditions often kill each other because of their inability to calmly establish a pecking order natural to their species.

Next time we will eggxamine what labels on egg cartons really mean……..

Don’t cha just hate it when you’re minding your own business drinking a soda and it bursts into flames?  Nonsense you say?  Then why have our friends in the food industry been adding flame retardant to your Mountain Dew for years?  According to Rodale.com, a toxic flame retardant chemical called brominated vegetable oil, or BVO, is added to certain sodas, juices, and sport drinks to keep the artificial flavoring chemicals from separating from the rest of the liquids. 

So what?  Certainly, any responsible company such as one that shall remain nameless (rhymes with hoca hola) would never put anything harmful in their product, right?  Scientists have linked too much BVO to bromide poisoning symptoms like skin lesions, memory loss, and nerve disorders.  Is there enough of this stuff in these artificially flavored products to be harmful?  Well, I don’t know, but I’d rather not drink even a small amount of TOXIC FLAME RETARDANT if I could avoid it.

Chelation therapy is used as a treatment for acute mercury, iron, arsenic, lead, uranium, plutonium, and other forms of toxic metal poisoning.  In 1995, Dr. Yoshiaki Omura, President and Founder of the International College of Acupuncture and Electro Therapeutics found that cilantro (also known as Chinese parsley) contains a substance that is a natural chelating agent. 

If you are interested in chelating heavy metals from your body, cilantro appears to be one of the most natural ways to do it.  “Cilantro chelation” typically calls for a small amount of fresh cilantro consumed each day for a few weeks.  Now, here’s the usual disclaimer: always check with your doc first when starting a detox regimen, especially if you take medications or have a health condition.

Here’s a great Cilantro Pesto that is incredibly tasty and healthy:

Ingredients:

• 2 C.  loosely packed cilantro leaves (stems removed)
• 2 T. slivered almonds
• 2 T. parmesan cheese (use a parmesan substitute if vegan)
• 2 T. olive oil
• 2 T. lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2-4 t. water
• salt to taste

Directions:  Blend in processor until desired consistency.

While Tylenol carries significant risks, you may find it is a necessary strategy to suppress severe pain. You can protect yourself from the risks. Tylenol causes its damage by depleting glutathione, an antioxidant that protects cells from toxins such as free radicals. If you keep your glutathione levels up, the damage from the acetaminophen may be mostly preventable. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a nutrient for the formation of glutathione. Often in the emergency room, NAC is given to anyone who overdoses on Tylenol.  If you find it necessary to take Tylenol, ask your doc about taking NAC in addition.

Alternatives to OTC or prescription medication include reducing the pain naturally. Prostaglandins are facilitators of inflammation. Elevated insulin and leptinlevels stimulate inflammatory prostaglandin production.  Avoiding sugars and grains will lower your insulin and leptin levels.

Some natural source remedies to try for reducing pain:

Astaxanthin is an oil-soluble carotenoid found in microalgae, yeast, salmon, trout, shrimp and other natural sources. It has potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginger is an anti-inflammatory herb and also has stomach-settling properties. Fresh ginger used in cooking or steeped in boiling water as a tea can be helpful.

Curcumin is a compound found in turmeric. In a study of osteoarthritis patients, those who added 200 mg of curcumin a day to their treatment plan had reduced pain and increased mobility.

Boswellia is an herb derived from a genus of trees that produces frankincense. It contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties which have been known for thousands of years and used in Ayurvedic medicine.

Remember “natural” does not always mean safe so be sure to discuss with your doc before trying different remedies as there may be contraindications or cautions when used with other meds.

Incorporating acupuncture in your treatment plan can be very effective in your personal program of chronic pain control. See our research page on this website for many articles and studies showing the efficacy of acupuncture.

Fact 1: The most common over-the-counter pain relief medications sold in the United States (such as Tylenol) contain acetaminophen. Fact 2: Acetaminophen is the number one cause of acute liver failure in the United States.

A recent study at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland found that you are more likely to die from a “staggered overdose” (taking just a little bit too much for several days or weeks) of Tylenol than a single large overdose. Of course, with any drug you should be careful about the dosage you take. But it is surprisingly easy to take just a little too much of acetaminophen. Many folks with chronic pain will up the dose “just a little bit” to help with a particularly bad day. Another thing that some people may not be aware of is that there are other products besides Tylenol which contain acetaminophen. Vicodin and Percocet are prescription medications that contain acetaminophen as do some other OTC medications such as cold and flu remedies. If you are a multiple med user, you must be aware of which contain acetaminophen to figure the full dosage you are taking.

Other studies have indicated that if you combine acetaminophen with alcohol you greatly increase your chance of liver damage. In fact, most emergency room admissions of possible Tylenol overdose involve combining it with alcohol.

A devious aspect of the dangers of possible overdose is that many users don’t equate the initial overdose symptoms of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain with the Tylenol they took hours or days before. The Edinburgh study also concluded that getting medical help more than 24 hours after an overdose increased the risk of death or the need for a liver transplant, compared to those who got help sooner.

So let’s be careful out there. More on what you can do to lessen the danger of acetaminophen toxicity and some alternative pain relievers next time………

You’ve seen the advertisements – Bellin Health promoting the Clay Mathews Football Camp. What could I possibly have against this?

Before I explain let’s look at a few facts.

At least 50 high school or younger football players in more than 20 states since 1997 have been killed or have sustained serious head injuries on the field, according to research by The New York Times.

A recent study in The American Journal of Sports Medicine found that catastrophic football head injuries were three times as prevalent among high school players as college players. And this doesn’t even take into account that often times concussions are drastically underreported in high school football in part because many youngsters – even adults- still mistakenly think the injury requires the player to have been knocked unconscious.Young players may also get sucked into the macho ethic that you just “play through it” if your marbles are rattled a bit.

If these reports aren’t serious enough, consider a more insidious aspect of football related brain  injuries. Doctors call it second-impact syndrome. Almost solely among teenagers, sustaining another blow to the head – even a seemingly benign one – before a first has healed can set off a devastating chain of metabolic events: Cerebral blood flow increases, arteries swell past capacity, and pressure builds inside the brain, often leading to coma and death. Helmets can do only so much to keep youngsters’ brains from sloshing inside their skulls, like the yolk inside an egg. Sudden impact from a football hit suddenly compacts the grey matter.

Pro football has slowly acknowledged the brain injury problem and is examining how to lessen the risks with improved equipment, rule changes and consistent protocol when a player sustains a concussion. When players reach the pro level apparently they have decided permanent brain injury is worth the risk.

The recent suicides of ex-pro football players has grabbed the headlines. http://usat.ly/UP31Ur  Is this what it takes before a serious discussion about the danger of football to children and teens is started? We’re talking kids here – kids unnoticed by the headlines – kids with beautiful minds not yet fully developed but full of untapped potential.  These youngsters may have unrealistic dreams of playing college or even pro ball. (Or maybe some parents with unrealistic dreams?) Kids think they will live forever. To their way of thinking having their brainsjangled from a few seasons of hitting has no real consequence. But if you ignore the truth, you suffer the consequences – you get your head hit often enough, you get dumber.

Sure, I know the argument that you can’t protect your kid from every risk in life. (That used to be the argument against seatbelts). I get it. And I also realize this particular football camp will not have tackling. But anyone who would argue that that makes it acceptable is missing the point.We’re talking about Bellin Health’s active approval and promotion of an activity that could have dire and long-term health consequences. Sponsoring marathons is a credit to Bellin Health as it is a boon to the community and great for promoting healthy lifestyles, but we’re talking potential BRAIN injuries here – brain cells destroyed you can never get back from an activity that is totally needless. Supply the medical field with casualties from the football field.

Parents have to weigh the risks of possible permanent injuries to their youngsters with the benefits of a fun, but brutal, sport. O.K. I get that, too. But what I don’t get is why Bellin Health, of all people, thinks encouraging 7-14 year-old boys and girls to play football is a suitable sponsorship – something they should endorse. It’s like Weight Watchers promoting an all-you-can-eat buffet, but while losing pounds you gain may be difficult, gaining brain cells you lost is impossible. Bellin Health’s reputation in our community is excellent – but they really fumbled the ball on this one.

James Rodowca, L.Ac.