Amazing Apples!

Did you know there are over 7000 types of apples!  

Many types but they share one thing in common.  They are incredibly healthy!

For decades scientists have been trying to isolate the unique chemical that makes them so healthy but with no results.  It appears to be because of a powerful combination of phytochemicals that give apples their health benefits.

Phytochemicals reduce damaging free radicals from damaging our cells and sometimes causing cancer.

Apples with the skin on have been shown in tests to decrease colon cancer cells by 43%, liver cancer cells by 57%!  Researches in Helsinki found that apples decrease incidence of stroke.  Apples have also been found to cut cholesterol and decrease plaque formation on arterial walls.  This has implications for heart disease but as a number of lives saved by consuming apples, that remains to be calculated.  

The whole apple is better than juice in every study.  Apple juice did have some benefits so in a pinch it’s OK.  Stay away from juice “cocktails” which sometimes have as little as 10% actual juice.  The rest is just sugar, water and colour. 

How many?  It appears that 5 per week is the magic number.  

The top four killers in North America are Cancer, heart disease, medical error and stroke.  So if eating an apple a day keeps the doctor away all the better!

Yours in Health,

Dr. D

Can adjustments to the spine make you smarter?

Most people know by now that the reason chiropractors adjust the spine is to correct movement problems in the joints so that the spinal nerves can function better.  Of course, most people associate this with getting rid of pinched nerves that go to head and cause headaches or down the leg causing sciatica.

What about effects on the brain??  There is a growing pile of research to suggest that adjustments alter brain function in a positive way.  One study was done looking at the amount of brain power it took to do an algebra question.  The subjects were in a functional MRI machine while performing an algebra question.  Following an adjustment they were asked to do similar difficulty equations and the brain was much more efficient at doing the same level of question!

Reaction times in a post adjustment group improved almost 2 times better than the group that was not adjusted.  (JMPT, 2000)

Getting back to pain.  It was found that chronic pain shrinks the brain.  A study in the Journal of Neuroscience found that people living with chronic back pain (even mild) suffered brain loss or atrophy.  The scientists equated this chronic pain change to  being equivalent to 10-20 years of normal brain aging.  

In the journal “Pain”  they found a “significant decrease of grey matter in the brainstem and the somatosensory cortex”.  There were also changes in the brain where symptoms of dementia come from.

Good time for your Kids to get checked and perhaps the rest of us too!!

Yours in Health,

Dr. D

Younger Next Year? Then Kaizen it!!!

Younger Next Year?  Then Kaizen it!!!

Forget New Years!  It’s Spring that is the best time for brand new life changing habits!!

There are so many little things that can make a huge difference.  Kaizen is a Japanese word meaning change for the better, small or large but change.  If you want that change for the better write "Kaizen" on your fridge or every time you make a grocery list or plan your week.  

A little change for breakfast from something out of a box or package to something that is real.  A little change from a potato to an avocado. A walk instead of a sit-com.   A good news book instead of bad news media to cause a little change of attitude.  Sleep instead of screen time.  Chiropractic care for improving function or getting rid of a nagging ache that’s making life less enjoyable.

They are all little things that change a life when they are done with gusto and consistency!!

Remember that excellence lies in that last 10% that most people don’t do.  You deserve excellence, so do it!

Need help, need guidance?  Give us a call.  We change lives every day!!  

Get Well, Stay Well.

Dr. D

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and your family a healthy joy filled Holiday Season, from all the staff at South Centre & Summerside Chiropractic Clinics. 

Come visit us at our new location in Summerside and now open Saturday's at South Centre!

Yours in Health,
Drs Darrell Morin, Jenna Ewasiuk & Scott Maybank

Do NOT have a Martha Stewart Christmas!

I watched her Christmas show many years ago (why I don’t know). It was, in my humble opinion, quite laughable. This perfection that she portrays puts the reality of relatives, budgets, and the work of it all completely out perspective.

If you enjoy cooking, cook. If you don’t do some simple things that will allow you and everyone else to just relax. The pressure to see everyone can also lead to guilt but give yourself the permission to just stay home if you want to. If you don’t have family around and may feel lonely one the best ways to lift your spirits and get into the holiday mood is to help others. Help out at one of the local charities is a wonderful way celebrate the true christmas feeling of giving.

Traditions are great but situations change. My wife Sarah and I loved having a elaborate fondu on Christmas eve. We were excited to include our children in this cool tradition and delicious food. What a disaster! It was so much work and needless to say kids and flames don’t mesh! The next year we simplified big time! Home made but pre made tortiere with a great salad was the new tradition that allowed us to relax and have room for some treats later on.

So this Christmas do not have a Martha Stewart Christmas, have your own imperfect Christmas. Plan ahead, drink water, don’t talk politics and focus on activities that give you the best emotional return. Remember even Martha’s life is far from perfect.

Yours in Health,

Dr. D

Welcome Dr. Maybank

Dr. Scott Maybank, B. Sc., D.C.

Born and raised in Edmonton, Dr. Scott Maybank studied sciences at MacEwan University before entering the kinesiology program at the University of Alberta. He completed his Chiropractic degree with the New Zealand College of Chiropractic in Auckland, New Zealand.

Before becoming a chiropractor, Dr. Maybank worked internationally as a professional dancer for ten years. During the challenges of performing, travelling and maintaining ones optimal health, Dr. Maybank experienced the powerful benefits of regular Chiropractic care. This experience allowed him to enjoy his performing career at the highest level and continues to drives his passion to inspire people to achieve their health goals.

Furthering his studies with functional movement, Dr. Maybank completed his Meyers Anatomy Trains and Lower Limb Active Release Therapy to better serve patients. Dr.Maybank encourages a balanced lifestyle of quality exercise, nutrition, rest and a healthy nervous system to embrace the amazing benefits of Chiropractic care.

Sunscreen Myths and Facts

First of all, misleading SPF labeling.

Did you know that SPF 55 is about 2% more protective than SPF 30?  Don't let the high number give you a false sense of security especially as some of the ingredients of that high SPF product can be harmful to you health in other ways.

Most sunscreens block UVB but not all block UVA rays which causes premature aging of the skin and is also linked to skin cancer.   SPF is related to UVB not UVA!!  That means that you may be preventing the burn but not the cancer with that high SPF sunscreen.

The following common sunscreen chemicals are known endocrine interrupters and some have been linked to certain cancers.
Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
Phthalates
Parabens

So what do you do?  The sun has been around for some time folks and we can stand to get a little without sunscreen!  We have evolved with it.  Yes, some rays are getting through that we have not evolved with due to industrialization so if you have to be in the sun it's best use a physical blocker such as a hat and tightly woven clothes.  A rash guard for large areas of skin in order to limit the areas you have to slather on the skin is also a great idea.  When you use a sunscreen try to choose mineral based formulations such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide. Only put sunscreen on areas that are going to be exposed to limit how much you or your child is going to absorb into their skin.  Remember that the skin is an absorbing organ.  A lot of the substances above can be found in the urine later on from someone applying it to their skin.  It gets into your entire body!  Also, avoid inhalation of spray sunscreens.

Best Option:   A shirt, hat and use of a full spectrum (UVA and UVB) mineral based blocker.
Worst Option: A chemical based high SPF on the entire body.

You and your kids will look a little like ghosts with all that physical blocker but at least your not filling your system with chemicals!

Yours in Health,
Dr.D