Archive for Nutrition
Gluten-Free Is Easy-To-Be Workshop PART 2
Update your dietary lifestyle with the latest information on gluten-free cooking! Learn more about fast, easy & delicious ingredient substitutions, the latest expert opinion and tips for either transitioning or continuing this popular and healthful lifestyle.
- Do you continue to experience symptoms of gluten sensitivity while following the recommended gluten-free guidelines?
- Have you been challenged with weight management after transitioning to a gluten-free dietary lifestyle?
- Are you running out of ideas for preparing desirable gluten-free foods?
- Are you suffering the “crash & burn” syndrome from fluctuating blood sugar levels?
- Are you confused when foods identified as “gluten-free’ seem to trigger the symptoms that you are trying to avoid?
PLEASE JOIN US on Saturday, February 4 from 9:30am to 11:00am at PAIN-FREE GREAT POSTURE N88 W16953 Main St, Meno. Falls
Local gluten-free cooking expert and “Organic Cooking Coach” KC Thorson
of K.C.’s Kafe© will provide late-breaking news, ideas and recipes that can help to make a difference and improve your quality of gluten-free life!
KC will also (you get to sample!) an easy-to-prepare recipe that will surprise you with its flavor and simplicity, from her “Fast & Easy Gourmet Collection”.
RSVP TO (262) 251-8306 by Friday, February 3, 2012 $15.00 pp
How to Cook Healthy Foods
My patients ask me frequently, “How can I learn to cook healthy foods ?”
Well, here are a couple of resources for you that I have found to be very helpful.
For the best online information, log on to: http://whfoods.com/
They have tons of stuff, its free and they are not pushing any products. Just good, science based, healthy nutrition.
Locally, if you want help, I recommend KC Thorson. She cooks the healthy treats I serve in my office. She teaches cooking classes, prepares meals for people and has her own local cable TV show. Her web-site is : www.kcskafe.com
I know it is hard to change eating habits, I’ve had to do it myself. Keep trying ! Hopefully these resources will be helpful to you.
Paul Kramer DC
Your Health- Don’t Be a Victim
My wife and I were traveling recently and we stopped off at a gas station. We went inside and while we were waiting around we heard the woman behind the counter talk about her various health ailments.
She said she had arthritis in her hip and it might need to be replaced. She had diabetes, so she needed medication for that. She had acid reflux and she needed medication for that. Then her friend behind the counter started talking about her ailments.
As my wife and I left the store she turned to me and said “You think any of her problems might have to do with the fact that she weighs 400 pounds ?”
Now, I don’t mean to say this as a put down for her. But, she thinks of herself as a victim. A victim of all these health problems that life keeps handing her, that there is nothing she can do about. Her attitude is wrong, but its only part of the problem.
Her doctors, who should know better, feed into her attitude by prescribing drugs to fix her problems. Giving someone who weighs 400 lbs. drugs for diabetes is only going balance her blood test readings. It won’t make her any healthier. In fact, the acid reflux is most likely due to a toxic combination of bad diet and the drugs for arthritis and diabetes.
Without real change, she will be dependant on medication, and her doctor for the rest of her life. She sees herself as a victim, the doctor sees her as a victim, the doctor sees himself as the savior who prescribes drugs to ease the suffering of the victim. Without a victim, there can be no savior.
If the doctor were truly a healer, he or she would be educating and encouraging the patient to take charge of their health. Change the diet to healthier foods. Slowly increase activity to reduce body weight. Keep the focus on changing the behaviors that led to the problem. Then the problem will get solved.
For more information on how I help people to take control of their health browse my web-site at: www.painfree-greatposture.com.
Gluten Free Cooking – Questions and Answers
Dr. Paul Kramer appears as a guest on “What’s Cookin’” w/ KC Thorson. Dr. Kramer and KC reveal secrets about gluten free eating, that most people (even doctors) don’t know !
Including:
- What is Gluten ?
- Who should avoid gluten ? and why ?
- What diseases are associated with gluten in the diet ?
- What are some alternatives to gluten ?
And, much, much, more !
At the end of the show KC cooks some fabulous gluten-free spaghetti.
Chronic Pain and Omega 6 Fatty Acids
If you suffer from chronic pain, you may be surprised to learn that the types of oils you consume are making your pain worse. The biggest offender is the omega-6 type oil. These oils cause the body to become more inflamed. The inflammation not only causes pain, but a whole bunch of other nasty diseases.
Here is what the American Academy of Pain Management has to say:
“Changes in the modern diet are largely responsible for the increasing incidence of essential fatty acid (EFA) imbalances and deficiencies.”
“The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats has changed dramatically due to the
widespread use of vegetable oils (mostly n-6 fats) in cooking and to the processing of oils to alter omega-3 fats to improve shelf life and eliminate their stronger taste (just think of the distinctive tastes of cod liver or flax oil these are high in omega-3).”
“Historical estimates place the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 oils at nearly 1:1 for prehistoric humans.”
By the turn of the century (1900), the ratio had increased to about 4:1.
The current American ratio is about 25:1. (unbelieveable !!!)
“The sharp rise is due to increased vegetable oil consumption:
from 2 lb. per year in 1909 to 25 lb. per year in 1985!”
“Many of the chronic inflammatory conditions that accompany EFA imbalance are currently treated with symptom-specific pharmaceutical drugs such as steroids, prednisone, aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), sulfasalazine, and colchicine.”
“The problem with such drug therapies is that they prevent the formation of ‘good’ anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, or they shift the production of one type of eicosanoid to another.”
“For effective, long-term management, eicosanoid production should be modified through dietary changes (balancing dietary intake of specific fats) and controlling insulin levels in the circulation.”
“Maintaining a proper balance between the various families of dietary fats may be one of the most important preventative measures a person can take to reduce the likelihood of developing one of the chronic diseases of modern civilization, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, and autoimmune disease.”
“And for patients who may already have one of these diseases, Essential Fatty Acid testing and therapy has been demonstrated to reduce both morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases.”
For more information on natural solutions to chronic pain log on to: www.stopyourfibronow.com or www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com
Information for this article was taken from:
American Academy of Pain Management
Weiner’s Pain Management
A Practical Guide for Clinicians
Seventh Edition, 2006, pp.584-585
Edited by Mark Boswell and B. Eliot Cole
Why Gluten Free?
Gluten Free is a nutritional buzz word that is floating around quite a bit lately. You can find these words more and more on the labels you see in the grocery store. But…what does it mean ? And, why are we seeing it more and more ?
Well…gluten is a substance found in grain especially wheat. But , it is also found in corn and some other grains. The problem is that many people are allergic to it. If you have blood type O you are genetically susceptible to reactions to it. But, other blood types can develop an allergy as well.
The allergic reactions can cause a wide range of symptoms. Headaches, stomach upset, stuffy nose, fatigue, constipation, diahhrea, anal bleeding, swelling of the joints, behavioral problems, depression and anxiety. Also, patients with fibromyalgia usually do better on a gluten free diet.
When I started practice 15 years ago, I used to suggest people who are having these problems to stop eating white flour. (bleached flour) The processed white flour concentrates the gluten and gives people stronger reactions to it. However, now thanks to wonders of genetic engineering (sarcasm)…we now have whole grain wheat that is just as high in gluten content if not higher.
The reason the gluten content has been made higher is because gluten is the substance that makes dough sticky. If you want to make a fluffy bread or gooey pastry or a cracker shaped like a fish, the gluten helps the dough or batter hold together. The higher the gluten content, the easier it is to make the wacky treats Americans love to eat and then wonder why they are getting sick.
Gluten is really common because it is present in so much of our food. Try finding a processed food that does not contain wheat or corn. Its tough.
The result is, lots of people are having gluten related health problems. Especially, kids who don’t have well developed intestinal linings. This can lead to the gluten getting into the blood stream undigested. Then you get some really bad problems. Lots of allergic reactions.
As a side note, if you have a child with behavioral problems, take him/her off wheat, milk and sugar for a month. At the end of the month, if you don’t have a different kid, let me know, it will be a first.
The good news is there are many products now available that are gluten free and easy to find. The grocery stores now carry them. Many times right next to the products you normally buy. Just a few years ago, it was really hard to find this stuff. And…when you did…the products tasted…really bad. But things have come a long way.
For more information on nutrition and health log on to www.painfree-greatposture.com
For more information on how I treat fibromyalgia log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com
Is Obesity Linked to Low Back Pain?
Low back pain has been recognized as a problem of epidemic proportions. It’s estimated that approximately 80% of the North American population will experience low back pain at some point in their adult lives. It’s no surprise that more and more people are going to chiropractors to find relief.
What’s alarming is the apparent link between the incidence of low back pain and obesity. According to the American Obesity Association, 64.5 % of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese. Recent evidence suggests that obesity seriously impacts the musculoskeletal system. Obesity increases the risk of low back pain, spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis.
Why obesity causes back pain hasn’t been totally investigated. However, I think common sense can be applied here. The laws of physics would tell you that the excess weight causes more wear and tear on the joints of the spine. The extra stress would cause more degeneration and pain.
Also many of the foods that lead to obesity like sugar and toxic fats, also cause inflammation. Inflammation causes pain and accelerates the production of arthritis.
In order to lose weight, overweight people will need to exercise. However, if the person is suffering from back pain, they may not be able to do anything. The inactivity leads to more weight gain, which leads to more back pain, and on and on.
The good news is that chiropractic care that focuses on posture correction can relieve pain and restore function in people even if they are over weight. The treatment along with diet correction and exercise can lead to dramatic improvements in health.
For more information on how I treat back pain, log on to: www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com.
Can Food Improve Your Mood?
Most of us underestimate how food can affect our moods. The brain reacts quickly to food- both good and bad- depending on what you feed it.
Although you may feel sugary candy gives you an energy boost, you expose yourself to erratic fluctuations in your blood sugar levels. After the “sugar rush” effect wears off, your mood gets bad. (This can make you want to eat more and more sugar !)
Caffeine is not much better, as it eventually makes you feel jittery and anxious. A better approach is to feed your brain the right nutrients so you can expect good moods to consistently dominate over bad moods.
Eating right does take some time and planning. Unfortunately, in our rushed, stress-filled lives, we frequently turn to quick fixes like fast food. But these quickie meals are often nutrient deficient and heavy with ingredients that make you feel sluggish.
Select carbohydrates like fruits and whole grain products. Fruits that are lower in sugar are the best option; these include berries, apple and kiwi. If you’re not able to get these fresh or in season, choose frozen fruit. (canned fruit usually has sugary syrup in it) And, choose whole grain breads over highly-refined baked products.
Vegetables that are low in starch and high in fiber are excellent sources of brain nutrients. Try spinach, kale, tomatoes, asparagus, cucumber, carrots and cauliflower. Fresh vegetables are better than frozen, but frozen is better than canned.
When cooking food, opt for olive oil or macadamia nut oil. Stress can cause inflammation in your body. The inflammation affects how your brain functions, making you more prone to anxiety and depression. These oils are filled with oleic acids which are anti-inflammatory compounds.
And, don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Keeping your body well hydrated keeps you from feeling tired and irritable.
If you suffer from low moods look closely at your diet. If you are being treated for anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder it is especially important for you to follow and good consistent diet. You will be surprised at how good you can feel.
For more information on nutrition and a variety of other topics log on to my web-site www.painfree-greatposture.com.
Health is a Choice
They say that 70% of killer diseases like heart disease, cancer, obesity, stroke, and diabetes, are diseases of excess. They are the manifestation of poor lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, bad food choices, stress and lack of exercise.
In fact, I remember reading about a study done where they polled a large group of random people (off the street) and asked them…Tell us 3 things that you could change about your lifestyle right now that would extend your lifespan? These were the top 3 answers.
- Eat better, more vegetables, less fat and processed foods.
- Lose weight/Exercise more.
- Stop smoking or drinking.
People are smart, but we can also be lazy and indulge too much in things that taste and feel good.
And the problem with these lifestyle temptations, is they do their damage slowly, and for the most part silently. After-all…the first symptom of heart disease 2/3 of the time is a heart attack, many of those fatal.
So…while health is not a mystery, since most of us know what we should be doing to stay healthy…the mystery is why we don’t do it.
I think it’s because we think we can get away with it. We think…I’m young…I can change my bad habits before it gets too late…then get healthy. Meanwhile…time goes on and nothing happens (and years pass) to you even though you are drinking, smoking, and eating garbage…you get a sense of false security…then BOOM.
Did you hear…Betty was stricken by cancer…like she was hit by a car and had nothing to do with it.
But the thing is…a healthy lifestyle pays dividends now (and later).
You feel better about yourself when you are healthy. You look better. Your body functions better. You sleep better. It gives you a lot more options when it comes to expressing life. And you can do it for longer.
So listen to yourself…because you are right…Health is choice.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Paul Kramer call Jennifer at 262-251-8306.
Dr. Kramer on “What’s Cookin”
Last month I was on the local TV show called What’s Cookin’ with KC Thorson. She interviewed me about nutrition. It was a great little discussion filled with lots of information.
My son’s cub scout troop was there to watch and they had a blast sitting in the audience with big head phones on.
We talked about a variety of hot topics in nutrition and then KC made an excellent pizza.
To check it out, log on here!
