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3 Reasons Japanese Women don't get old or fat

3 Reasons Japanese Women Don’t Get Fat Or Old

Let’s be clear… This is an outrageous statement. However, did you know that Japan has one of the longest life expectancies of any population?  On top of that… they have the longest health expectancy!

WHO
Many know that Japan boasts a very healthy population. One of the worlds healthiest. The Japanese healthcare system according to the World Health Organization consistenly ranks around the 10th spot in the world. While the USA & Canada are down around 37 & 30 respectively.  But don’t let the WHO global report bring you down as there are those that are skeptical as to just how accurate and relevant it’s rankings really are.

Okinawa Centenarian StudyDid you know that in Okinawa, Japan, there were so many centenarian’s (people who live to be at least 100 years of age or more) that, in 1975, an ongoing study began and is still ongoing?

Not only are these people living to 100 (or beyond) they also have a history of aging slowly and delaying or sometimes escaping, the chronic diseases of aging that have be ravaging, in ever increasing numbers, the populations here in North America including dementia, cardiovascular disease (such as coronary heart disease and stroke) and cancer.

The goal of the Okinawa Centenarian Study is to uncover the genetic and lifestyle factors responsible for this remarkably successful aging phenomenon so that they can better the health and quality of life for the rest of us.

How to Stay Healthy & Live to 100Of course living to 100 if you’re struck with serious disease and lack of vitality is a miserable thought. What if you could live to 100, be healthy, clear minded and full of vigor and vitality?

Well, it looks as if both science and anecdotal evidence are saying that there is a lot we can learn from the Japanese people and their way of life… especially their diet.

We cover diet a lot here on FOHN. It turns out, as the old expression goes, we really are what we eat. Many of our featured expert interviews cover diet and just how important it is when acheiving our health and wellness goals.

Our title for this blog post was inspired by this blog post. It mentions some pretty interesting points about the Japanese diet and lifestyle.

Here are 3 reasons that describe exactly why Japanese women do not get as fat on average as the populations here in North America. Many of these below factors also could possibly promote the long life & health span mentioned in the Okinawa study.

1. The ingredients simmering in a Japanese kitchen are a simple variety of foods eaten on a consistent and daily basis:

• Fish
• Sea Vegetables
• Land Vegetables
• Soy (I’ll add that there are also many fermented soy products consumed in Japan which we don’t see much of here in North America)
• Rice
• Fruit
• Green Tea

2. The Japanese enjoy home cooked meals on a daily basis. A traditional meal consists of grilled fish, a bowl of rice, simmered vegetables, miso soup, sliced fruit for dessert and green tea. The Japanese consume almost 10 percent of the world’s fish, although they make up about 2 percent of the world’s population. That’s 150 pounds per year, per person compared to the world average of 35 pounds. And this daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids may well explain why they live long and healthy lives. That, and the fact they consume 5 times the amount of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower and brussel sprouts) than Americans do.

3. The emphasis of Japanese cooking is to use what is fresh and in season. According to author Moriyama, “Japanese supermarkets are cathedrals of freshness. Food is not only dated, it’s timed—Japanese women buy fish, meat, vegetables, or prepared meals that are timed by the half hour they were packed that day.”

Although anecdotal, it seems to reason we could all benefit from eating more fresh local organic foods and produce.

Fermented Foods – Gross but Good?

Finally lets touch on one food that is supposed to be provide numerous health benefits from heart health to potentially helping suppress tumors in breast cancer studies. Natto is apparently the same consistency of mucous and tastes just about the same. However somehow the Japanese apparently consume this super food regularly and it may very well be a major contributor to their health as well.

There are many other soy products that the Japanese consume regularly as well, many of them fermented; Nama Shoyu is one of them. It’s important to note that many of the soy products consumed here in North America are processed/refined/cooked and therefore do not contain the many health properties listed in the above raw/live/fermented (cultured with good bacteria and enzymes) products.

What Do You Think?

Do the Japanese really have it all figured out? Is it really reasonable to assume that just eating a simple diet of fresh and local produce (getting away from processed and refined foods) can be the answer to staying thin and healthy for a really long time?

Please let us know your opinion in the “comments” section below and share, link, tweet and plus this post for your friends!

Be Well!

- Erai Beckmann

Article from The Future of Health Now

http://www.thefutureofhealthnow.com/3-reasons-japanese-women-dont-get-fat-or-old/

New Year; New You.

Happy Holidays!

The Natural Approach to Optimum Blood Pressure

The Natural Approach to Optimum Blood Pressure

Normal blood pressure varies from person to person.  Variations are common because of differences in height, weight, age, sex, temperament, body build, occupation, and even health history.

Because blood pressure varies in individuals, even under different circumstances, it is difficult to speak in terms of a normal blood pressure. In fact, blood pressure depends on several factors, such as the strength of the heart, resistance and elasticity of the blood vessel walls, and the amount and viscosity of the blood itself.

Every person has a blood pressure range that is normal for him or her.  Slight deviations may be expected and should not be considered a sign of any dangerous internal development. However, severe deviations up and down and between systolic and diastolic ratios, persistently found, are frequently a sign of an abnormality that should be located and promptly corrected. For this reason it is important to have you blood pressure checked regularly by a professional.

When your doctor measures your blood pressure, two readings will be taken. One measurement is called a systolic reading, and the other a diastolic reading. The systolic reading indicates maximum pressure within an artery during a pulse, and the diastolic indicates the sustained pressure within the artery when the blood vessel is relaxed between heartbeats.

High Blood Pressure

A serious deviation from one’s normal blood pressure may be due to a specific cause. In some cases, this may be caused by emotional stress, such as anxiety, frustration, and worry.  Sometimes, it is related to being overweight or eating too much or too much of the wrong foods. Sometimes, it is caused or aggravated by hereditary factors, infections, tumors, nerves, inactivity of certain glands, or impaired functions of the kidneys. Whatever the cause, it should be diagnosed and treated.

High blood pressure may be a symptom of arteriosclerosis, commonly called hardening of the arteries. Abnormal changes take place in blood vessel tissues, and fatty materials and chemical salts are deposited, resulting in arteries becoming less elastic and smaller in internal diameter.

Symptoms of chest pain, headache, hot flashes, nervousness, insomnia, and visual disturbances may or may not be associated with high blood pressure. When they are present, they should be reported to your doctor of chiropractic immediately. You also may have a bone out of place irritating a nerve.

Low Blood Pressure

It is the total circulation and not blood pressure that determines the amount of nutrition supplied to the various parts of the body. Low blood pressure is usually not considered dangerous unless the pressure indicates that circulation is being impaired.

Although some individuals seem to have a lower blood pressure than that considered average, this does not seem to be an important factor unless it appears as a sudden drop from a person’s normal pressure.  Anemia, autointoxication, heart weakening, shock, and hemorrhage are a few common causes.

Common symptoms of low blood pressure include fatigue under slight exertion, dizziness, apprehension, inability to concentrate on anything except oneself, ringing in the ears, and tingling in the fingers and toes. Such symptoms should be reported immediately.

Cause for Concern for the Total Individual

Because so many different functions, systems, and structures can be involved in the cause or aggravation of either high or low blood pressure, it is important that the overall health of the individual be considered. Often, the nervous system is involved either directly or indirectly. 

Call Dr. Florendo today. (702) 920-6556 or schedule an appointment http://www.drflorendo.com,   He will perform the necessary thorough Chiropractic, Orthopedic, Physical and Neuro-Metabolic examination to determine the cause and prescribe the appropriate natural care to allow your body to function at an optimal level and keep your nervous system functioning with out Subluxation or Interference.

Running effectively with optimum function

Running effectively with optimum function

Improving your running form can help you run faster, more efficiently, and with less stress on your body and reduced risk of injury. Follow these tips to work on perfecting your running form.

Look Ahead

Your eyes should be focused on the ground about 10 to 20 feet ahead of you. Don't stare at your feet. Not only is this proper running form, but it's also a safer way to run because you can see what's coming and avoid falling.

Land Midfoot

Don't be a toe runner or a heel-striker. If you land on your toes, your calves will get tight or fatigue quickly and you may develop shin pain. Landing on your heels means you have overstrided and you're braking, which wastes energy and may cause injury. Try to land on the middle of your foot, and then roll through to the front of your toes.

Keep Your Feet Pointed Straight Ahead

Make sure your toes are pointed in the direction you want to go. Running with your feet pointed in or out could lead to running injuries.

Keep Hands at Your Waist

Try to keep your hands at waist level, right about where they might lightly brush your hip. Your arms should be at a 90 degree angle. Some beginners have a tendency to hold their hands way up by their chest, especially as they get tired. Ironically, you may actually get more tired by holding your arms that way and you'll start to feel tightness and tension in your shoulders and neck.

Relax Your Hands

As you run, keep your arms and hands as relaxed as possible. You can gently cup your hands, as if you are holding an egg and you don't want to break it. Don't clench your fists because it can lead to tightness in the arms, shoulders, and neck.

Check Your Posture

Keep your posture straight and erect. Your head should be up, your back straight, and shoulders level. Keep your shoulders under your ears and maintain a neutral pelvis. Make sure you're not leaning forward or back at your waist, which some runners do as they get fatigued. Check your posture once in a while. When you're tired at the end of your run, it's common to slump over a little, which can lead to neck, shoulder, and lower-back pain. When you feel yourself slouching, poke your chest out.

Relax Your Shoulders, Too

Your shoulders should be relaxed and square or facing forward, not hunched over. Rounding the shoulders too far forward tends to tighten the chest and restrict breathing.

Rotate Arms from the Shoulder

Your arms should swing back and forth from your shoulder joint, not your elbow joint.

Don't Bounce

Try to keep your stride low to the ground and focus on quick stride turnover. Too much up-and-down movement is wasted energy and can be hard on your lower body. Take short, light steps, as if you're stepping on hot coals. The higher you lift yourself off the ground, the greater the shock you have to absorb when landing and the faster your legs will fatigue.

Keep Arms at Your Side

Avoid side-to-side arm swinging. If your arms cross over your chest, you're more likely to slouch, which means you're not breathing efficiently. Imagine a vertical line splitting your body in half -- your hands should not cross it.

Most importantly get your spine checked a long with having your feet scanned to evaluate your weight bearing biomechanics.  Your body structure determines your overall body function.  Dr. Florendo can evaluate the integrity of your nervous system to see how well you are able to run.  Call 702-920-6556 or Visit Drflorendo.com and schedule your appointment 

Enjoying a Healthy, Pain Free Pregnancy

Enjoying a Healthy, Pain Free Pregnancy

Good health should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind, especially during pregnancy. As your body changes to accommodate your baby, subtle natural changes occur to your body, which allow you to carry a child. Over time these changes cause the aches and pains that are so commonly associated with pregnancy.

Nearly 50% of all women experience some form of sciatic, back or neck pain at some point during their pregnancy.

The increased discomfort to the back and neck pain is often due to a spinal misalignment caused by your baby’s increased weight in the front of the body, as well as natural changes that occur in the pelvic area that prepare your body for delivery. This along with increased organ stress and natural weight gain, disturb the normal structure of the lower spine.

When the normal structure of the Lumbar spine is disturbed, there is an increased risk of spinal misalignment, which may narrow or block the openings between the vertebra, causing compression, choked or irritated nerves and resulting in the pain that you feel. The hands-on care given by Dr. Florendo at the UNLIMITED WELLNESS INSTITUTE will help correct the cause of your problem, so your body can heal naturally.

Chiropractic care is a natural form of health care.  It eliminates the risk of potentially hazardous side effects, which often accompany prescription pain drugs, and medications.

At the UNLIMITED WELLNESS INSTITUTE we care about you and your child’s well being. Follow these 3 simple rules and you will enjoy a Healthy, Pain Free pregnancy.

·      Eat properly and drink the right fluids.

·      Exercise regularly, but also get plenty of rest. While you are exercising, don’t over exert yourself. If you get tired, stop.

·      Avoid drugs! Including: tobacco, alcohol, illegal substances and medication, unless prescribed by a doctor.

Call (702)-920-6556 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

JYou and your baby will be in caring hands J