How Seeing a Chiropractor Can Improve Your Nutrition

Female doctor hand holding a green apple, sitting at the deskWhen most people think of a chiropractor they think of back pain, neck cracking and not much else. However, chiropractors, especially those that are trained in Applied Kinesiology (AK) can help with so many other ailments. They work at getting to the root of the problem, as opposed to aiding what’s on the surface.

Several years ago I was having a hard time sleeping, I was fatigued and plain burnt out. I saw my chiropractor, Dr. Jennifer Shell, who got me on the right supplements, and now I sleep great! I was even having some digestive distress and she traced it back to popcorn, something I would have never thought bothered my stomach. I learn so much about nutrition every time I see here. Today I’m sharing how seeing a chiropractor can improve your nutrition.

They do nutritional response testing
This technique, more commonly known as muscle testing, looks for weakness in the tone of an organ. Simply by pressing on the acupuncture point of an organ and resisting the doctors push of your arm they can determine if an organ is weak. This could be due to a food that you eat or because you’re lacking in a specific vitamin and mineral.

They believe in whole food supplements
Chiropractors understand that it’s difficult to get certain minerals in your diet. For instance, the higher above the equator you live, the less iodine you get through your diet. Iodine is essential for many things including thyroid function and breast tissue health. They also recognize that many things deplete our stores of these nutrients and therefore must be supplemented. I recently met with Dr. Shell and she explained how almost everything we do decreases our magnesium levels, including eating sugar. To learn more about what she had to say check out the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit.

They focus on digestion
Another thing Dr. Shell mentioned is how some deficiencies can be due to poor absorption of vitamins and minerals in your gut. If your stomach can’t probably digest the food you’re eating you will be lacking in vital nutrients. A chiropractor can test for these things and can suggest a digestive enzyme if and when it’s appropriate. Most chiropractors also suggest taking a probiotic to keep the gut happy and healthy.

They understand that the nervous system plays a role in everything
Believe it or not, your nervous system has a control over every process in your body. It is also the center that sends messages to and from your brain. If there is miscommunication between your nervous system and your brain there is bound to be a disturbance. This can include disturbances in your diet. For instance, your stomach may not be able to communicate to you that it’s full, causing you to overeat. Getting an adjustment will probably realign your spine and balance your nervous system.

Receiving regular chiropractic care is great for your overall health and an excellent addition to your healthcare regimen! To learn more about what Dr. Shell had to say pick up the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit today! It includes 6 interviews from top female health professionals, 2 workout videos as well as 3 bonus videos on living with a mind and body in harmony from MyHealthSpin Founder Lori-Ann Rickard. As an added bonus if you purchase the summit today you will receive a bonus video from Dr. Shell about magnesium and supplementation. Use promo code “BEWELL” for 50% off.

The 4 Best Foods for Your Man’s Health

Man cooking meat on barbecue for family dinnerHere at MyHealthSpin we tend to focus on women’s health. However, today we’re going to shift our focus to men’s health, because let’s be honest — men’s health is really a women’s health issue. As wives and mothers, we do our best to be sure our husbands and sons eat healthy and exercise. Because this week is Men’s Health Week we decided to show the men in our lives some love. Add these 4 foods to your grocery list to keep your man healthy all year long!

Lean proteins
Lean meats such as beef, chicken and fish help to build muscle. A man’s body requires even more protein than a woman’s, so it’s extremely important to keep it in abundance. Have him throw some chicken and beef kabobs on the grill for healthy snacks all week long!

Nuts and oils
High quality fats that are found in nuts and oils are excellent for cardiovascular health. And since men are prone to heart disease and stroke, it’s important to keep their tickers in tip top shape! Put some almonds on top of his yogurt for  a little added crunch.

Avocado
This tasty little fruit is great for lowering cholesterol. Add some to his smoothie for some extra healthy fat, plus it will give the smoothie a nice, creamy texture.

Lots of veggies
It’s a no brainer that vegetables are good for everyone. They’re full of vitamins and minerals as well as fiber. High fiber diets help protect against colon cancer as well as other cancers. It’s especially important that you incorporate orange vegetables into your guys’ diets. Orange vegetables, such as carrots and bell peppers, contain compounds that help prevent enlarged prostates. Have him add some peppers to those chicken kabobs.

Small changes to your guys diet can have a huge impact on his overall health. This Father’s Day show him how much you love him by making his health and wellness a priority!

The 3 Best Times to Take an Epsom Salt Bath

bigstock--157978358What do you do to relax? We’ve all heard that a hot bath is a great way to unwind at the end of the day. Some people even suggest using essential oils, or even throwing in some Epsom salts. But did you know that taking an Epsom salt bath is really good for your health? Let’s talk about when is a good time to take an Epsom salt bath.

After a kick-butt workout
Have you ever finished a hard workout and heard a trainer say “Make sure you drink lots of water and take an Epsom salt bath?” This isn’t because you stink after your workout, it’s to help prevent muscle soreness post-workout. Epsom salts are full of magnesium, which acts like a natural muscle relaxant and helps to pull out all of the lactic acid that leaves you sore and stiff.

When you’re PMSing
The stomach cramps and backaches that accompany your cycle can be down right miserable, an Epsom salt bath can help. Again, the magnesium helps to relax those muscles and kick PMS to the curb!

You’ve had a long day at work
Skip the glass of Pinot and jump in the bath instead. Stress depletes magnesium and soaking in a hot bath allows your pores to open and replenish what you’ve lost.

As you can see, magnesium is essential for your health and wellness! Last week I shared with you our bonus addition to the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit, a video all about magnesium! To learn more pick up the WMBW Summit. It contains 6 interviews by top female health professionals plus two workout videos and 3 bonus videos on mind-body wellness with myself, MyHealthSpin Founder Lori-Ann Rickard. Plus a newly added bonus video from Dr. Jennifer Shell! Use promo code “BEWELL” to receive 50% off!