Multivitamin use and telomere length in women

This is only one reason why we recommend taking a quality multivitamin at SpineCare!


Abstract from: Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jun;89(6):1857-63. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.26986. Epub 2009 Mar 11.

BACKGROUND:
Telomere length may be a marker of biological aging. Multivitamin supplements represent a major source of micronutrients, which may affect telomere length by modulating oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.


OBJECTIVE:
The objective was to examine whether multivitamin use is associated with longer telomeres in women.


DESIGN:
We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from 586 early participants (age 35-74 y) in the Sister Study. Multivitamin use and nutrient intakes were assessed with a 146-item food-frequency questionnaire, and relative telomere length of leukocyte DNA was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS:
After age and other potential confounders were adjusted for, multivitamin use was associated with longer telomeres. Compared with nonusers, the relative telomere length of leukocyte DNA was on average 5.1% longer among daily multivitamin users (P for trend = 0.002). In the analysis of micronutrients, higher intakes of vitamins C and E from foods were each associated with longer telomeres, even after adjustment for multivitamin use. Furthermore, intakes of both nutrients were associated with telomere length among women who did not take multivitamins.


CONCLUSION:
This study provides the first epidemiologic evidence that multivitamin use is associated with longer telomere length among women.


Since telomere length is associated with longevity, this study concludes that multivitamin use may lengthen your life!

JAMA Suggests Chiropractic for Low Back Pain

Arlington, Va.- An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests patients try chiropractic services for the treatment of low back pain. According to the article, surgery is not usually needed and should only be considered if more conservative therapies fail. The information in JAMA reinforces the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) position that conservative care options should serve as a first line of defense against pain.

The article, part of JAMA's Patient Page public education series, explains that the back is made up of bones, nerves, muscles and other soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons that support posture and give the body flexibility. Back pain can be caused by problems with any of the structures in the back.

As neuromusculoskeletal experts, chiropractic physicians are particularly well suited to manage and help prevent low back pain.

"We are encouraged to see JAMA suggest patients try chiropractic and other more conservative types of treatment for their back pain. In many cases pain can be alleviated without the use of unnecessary drugs or surgery, so it makes sense to exhaust conservative options first," said ACA President Keith Overland, DC.

"Research confirms that the services provided by chiropractic physicians are not only clinically effective but also cost-effective, so taking a more conservative approach at the onset of low back pain can also potentially save both patients and the health care system money down the line," he added.

For those who are currently pain-free, the exercise tips, posture recommendations and guidance on injury prevention routinely provided by chiropractic physicians can help people maintain a healthy back throughout their lives. To learn more about chiropractic care in Cary, NC, visit www.spinecarenc.com.

Fuel for the Course

You can have the technical skills of a professional golfer, but if you are running out of energy by the 10^th hole, your golf game will never reach its full potential. Proper nutrition is one of the easiest ways to ensure that you are playing to your full potential. Golf is a game of short bursts of high intensity activity combined with long periods of low-energy-level standing, walking and sitting in a cart. It’s the relatively long duration (over 4 hours) of needed physical and mental sharpness that requires the body and brain to be operating properly.

    One of the goals of proper nutrition is to sustain a balanced blood sugar. The brain is one of largest consumers of blood sugar for it to function properly. Poor supply causes sluggishness, poor concentration, slow reaction, and altered communication with the body. Hence, poor golf performance.

    It is important to eat a well-balanced meal approximately one hour before your tee off time. Your meal should be approximately 35-45% complex carbohydrates, (fresh whole vegetables, some fruit and a minimal amount of whole grains), 25-30% protein and 20-30% fats, (lean meats, fish oil, eggs from vegetarian fed chickens, nuts etc.).

It is also important to bring nutritious snacks on the course with you, again to keep your blood sugar balanced to sustain mental and physical energy. Preparation is key, be sure to set aside some healthy snacks such as a banana, apple, celery with peanut butter or a protein bar, (bars with nuts or seeds are best). 

Finally be sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after your golf game. On average everyone should drink at least 8 glasses of spring or filtered water, (64 oz.) a day. When you are physically active or standing in the hot sun all day you should increase your uptake as well, try to drink some water at least every other hole. For those of you that think drinking pop, beer, or coffee will do the job, think again.  The caffeine and alcohol in these drinks will dehydrate you even more!

    If you are finding that you are just not getting the proper servings of vegetables we recommend getting a high quality supplement to get the vitamins and minerals that your body needs. One of the brands we highly recommend is Pure Encapsulations; www.pureencapsulations.com. Feel free to discuss this and other issues by contacting us at www.spinecarenc.com.

Car Accidents Cause Spinal Injuries

Did you know that even minor car accidents can injure your spine?  Back pain, neck pain, headaches, and shoulder pain are all symptoms commonly experienced following an auto injury. 
Typically joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons are all susceptible to injury with such a sudden impact.  If you were in a car accident, give us a call to have your spine checked.  Correcting the damage now is the best way to prevent future problems down the road.  We treat individuals from Cary, Raleigh, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, Durham, and surrounding communities.

http://spinecarecary.com/conditions/auto-accidents/

Power Plate Rehabilitation

SpineCare Welcomes Power Plate Technology to enhance our rehabilitation protocols!  Power Plate is 3-Dimensional Advanced Whole Body Vibration Technology. It stimulates the body's natural response to vibration by activating muscle contractions 25-50 times per second.  It is a safe and effective way to more quickly get results.  It literally accelerates your improvements in strength, flexibility, and pain relief.  It can also aid in weight loss and cellulite reduction.

Call to schedule a consultation to see if Power Plate could enhance your results! 

Introducing Ideal Protein Weight Loss Progam

We are pleased to now offer the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Program!  We brought in this program as a tool for not only rapid weight loss that targets your stored excess fat, but for also normalizing many aspects of overall health.  These include blood sugar and type II diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, inflammation, pain, sleep, and altered hormones.  Call us for a complimentary consultation!

Chiropractors Better Than Drugs For Neck Pain

According to a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine and funded by the National Institutes of Health, medication is not the best option for treating neck pain.

After following 272 neck-pain patients for 12 weeks, those who used a chiropractor or exercise were more than twice as likely to be pain free compared to those who took medication.

Due to their comprehensive training in musculoskeletal management, numerous sources of evidence have shown that chiropractic management is much safer and often more effective than allopathic medical treatments, particularly for back and neck pain.