Duncan Blog

Dr. Eric Duncan Blog

Duncan Chiropractic Group P.C.

http://www.doctorofbrighton.com

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Popular Obesity Surgery Worse Than They Thought



Study believed to be the first to track long-term effects
of laparoscopic gastric band surgery finds problems.


Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is calculated from a person's weight and height, and provides a reasonable indicator of body "fatness" and weight categories that may lead to health problems.

Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and Type 2 Diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), "During the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. In 2009, only Colorado and the District of Columbia had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%.

 
Thirty-three states had prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; nine of these states (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%."


Obviously, obesity is a big problem, but what if a...

 
Treatment Is Worse Than
The "Disease"?

 
This may be the case, according to a study on the long term effects of laparoscopic gastric band surgery.

Researchers of the study, published in the Archives of Surgery, said, "The bands eroded in almost one in three patients. Sixty percent had undergone additional surgery, including 17 percent who went on to have gastric bypass."

A related article in The New York Times added: The results "are worse than we expected," said Dr. Jacques Himpens of the European School of Laparoscopic Surgery and St. Pierre University Hospital in Brussels, lead author of the new study. Dr. Himpens advised those considering gastric band surgery not to "nourish exaggerated expectations," adding that "anyone who has had the procedure should see a care provider on a regular basis and be vigilant about signs of infection or band erosion."

A Better Solution?

Once again, research has shown there are almost always unwanted side effects to every drug or surgery.

So, the question becomes - is the potential benefit worth that negative side effect?
But, an even smarter question is - is there an all-natural alternative that does not come with the same inherent risks of drugs and surgery?
In this case, the answer for many people is... YES!

For many people, obesity and weight problems can be accomplished by PERMANENT lifestyle changes.
In other words, finding what foods work for your body chemistry, eating those foods... and... exercising correctly... FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

This may seem like a daunting task, but the alternative is chilling. As research shows, quick fixes tend to lead to more problems.

Nothing in life worth having comes without a price. To achieve real health, the price is putting in the effort to eat right, exercise, reduce stress and keep your muscles working properly.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Tip of the Month


What's Better For Pain, Morphine or Medication?
And Why It's So Important For You To Know The Answer.



Mind over matter. Some believe in it. Some don't. Is it really possible for you to control the inner workings of your body through thought? Well, now there is a growing body of scientific research helping to answer this question. For example, a recent study in the Journal of Neuroscience pitted morphine against medication to see which one is better for pain relief.


The Results Were Shocking.


In the study, 15 volunteers were taught the focused attention meditation technique. This technique teaches students to let go of distracting thoughts by focusing on their breathing. In this case, the volunteers attended four 20-minute classes. Then, the volunteers were subjected to pain (a patch heated to 120 degrees Fahrenheit) for 5 minutes and 55 seconds. This "pain" was administered before and after meditation, and the volunteers recorded their level of discomfort. After the training sessions, the volunteers reported a 40% reduction in pain intensity and a 57% drop in pain unpleasantness. According to the researchers, Morphine typically reduces pain ratings by 25%. MRI scans also showed changes in brain activity before and after meditation in the areas that control pain. Here's a somewhat complex quote from the researchers, "Together, these data indicate that medication engages multiple brain mechanisms that alter the construction of the subjectively available pain experience from afferent information." In other words...


Medication Seemed To Actually Affect The Brain In
A Way That Could Reduce A Person's Sensitivity To Pain!


Even though this is very impressive, this study has a small number of volunteers, only 15, so no definitive conclusion can be drawn. But, there is mounting evidence that what you believe can control the inner workings of your body. For example, in last month's issue of this newsletter, research was presented that showed anti-depressant medication was not much better than placebos. In fact, placebos were shown to improve symptoms 82 percent as much as the real pill. According to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International: "However, if experts and antidepressant manufacturers are aware of this, the general public certainly isn't... Millions of people every year feel better, simply because they believe they'll feel better." It is no longer a question "if" your thoughts change your body chemistry... but to what extent... and... what is the best way to maximize it? The implications of this are far reaching for both health and for living the successful, happy and fulfilled life you've always wanted. It seems self-help pioneers who said things like, "thought become things" and "we become our dominant thoughts" were WAY ahead of their time.



Clearly, we must be very careful what thoughts we allow to take root in our subconscious mind. This starts with what we read, watch on television, hear on the radio, and the people who surround us. All these years, we were afraid of the germs carried by someone but maybe the words you hear from that mouth are worse than the germs it coughs up.


Remember, we're always here to help your body heal


and maintain the health you deserve.


































Did You Know?

Plants have been used for centuries as medicines - now genetically modified plants can produce plastic. Biotechnologists managed this by inserting 4 genes from plastic-producing bacteria into varieties of oilseed rape and cress. Conventional plastics are made from oil and do not degrade easily, but the plant plastic is biodegradable. However, it is expensive, costing five times more than pertoleum-derived plastic.

By the way, the word plastic comes from the Greek plastikos, meaning"to form" or "to shape".

Money doesn't grow ontrees but one day, perhaps credit cards will!

About the genetic engineering... Actually, man has been "genetically modifying" everything from food to dogs for many centuries, but in the past his only tool has been selective breeding. There are a variety of ways scientists can now modify plants and animals with genetic engineering techniques.

In the meantime, take good care of your real plants. Clean them often, speak to them, and play them some nice music- there is a lot of research showing melodic or classical stimulates plants to grow healthier.