Supplements 101

Supplements can become overwhelming with everything that’s out there. This will touch on key categories of supplements and the best way on how to use them.

Supplements are divided into categories:

Nutrients

(Nutraceuticals or Orthomolecular Medicine)

 

 

Botanicals

(Herbal Medicine or Phytotherapy)

 

 

Hormones

Hormone Replacement Therapy or Restorative Medicine

 

 

Each category is meant to support underlying excesses or deficiencies, with the ultimate goal of bringing the body back into balance.

Where it becomes complicated is understanding the different uses and dosing of specific:

• Extracts
• Chelates (a chemical compound that dissolves more easily and is easily absorbed compared to other types of molecules and compounds)
• Prepared Compounds

Nutrients

Nutrients are defined as ingredients that would otherwise be found in food, which include:

• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Phytochemicals
• Antioxidants

What are Nutrients?

For sustaining life and staying healthy, the human body requires a balance of nutrients, which can be categorized as macronutrients and micronutrients.

Macronutrients constitute the major food groups of

• Carbohydrates
• Fats
• Proteins

These are required in large amounts and are used for energy production and tissue growth.

Micronutrients are required in small amounts and include vitamins and minerals.

Phytonutrients, such as anthocyanin found in blueberries or resveratrol found in grapes, are also often classified as micronutrients.

How do Nutrients Work?

Macronutrients are the caloric basis for our

• Daily energy needs
• Provide the building blocks of tissue development
• Fiber for our microbiota
• Cholesterol for hormone production

Micronutrients are not relevant for energy and contribute to:

• Tissue development
• Hormone and Neurotransmitter Production
• Brain function
• Immune function

Common Nutritional Supplements

Dietary supplements can provide nutrients in a condensed form, which allow for targeting specific conditions or in order to upregulate certain pathways that require those nutrients.

Examples include:

• Whey Protein Isolate
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids
• Calcium
• B vitamins

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Eating Properly & Healthy

 

Make Protein A Priority

Muscle injuries are one of the most popular reasons for chiropractic visits. Protein helps build and heal muscle tissue, helping it to renew itself back to a pre-injury state.

If your daily intake of protein is low, it can hinder the healing process and stand in the way of chiropractic visits giving you the maximum results. Fish and lean meats are the foods that offer the highest protein.

Other vegetarian options are tofu, soybeans, eggs, milk, and nuts. Help your muscles rebuild and heal by adding high protein foods into every meal menu.

Staying Hydrated

Why do most of us view water drinking with dread? If you wish to promote healing, it’s imperative to drink enough water every day.

Water provides an entire slew of benefits, from transporting those important nutrients to where they need to be, to flushing harmful toxins out of the body. Aim for eight glasses of water a day, and try to drink it throughout the day.

Getting into this habit will boost overall health, and promote healing of injuries and other medical conditions.

While it’s a smart goal to try to ingest all the nutrients you need through food and drink, supplements are available to bridge the gap. Before beginning a supplement regimen, talk to you chiropractor for recommendations on the type and dosage that will aid and improve your unique situation.

You may also want to download a smartphone app to track your daily intake of calories, calcium, protein, and liquid. There are many available, one being My Fitness Pal.

Easy and free to use, this is a powerful tool to keep you on the right nutritional track.

Chiropractic treatment is a big step in the right direction for overall health/well-being and incorporating these nutritional tips into your daily routine will help you get the most out of your chiropractic care.

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Do you have a bad Posture? Fix it with *FOOT ORTHOTICS*| El Paso, Tx (2019)

 

 

Posture is the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting, or lying down. Good posture allows the body parts to be properly supported through correct alignment to promote the right amount of tension against gravity. Bad posture can cause a variety of health issues, including neck pain and back pain. Understanding how bad posture can affect your health is essential for overall wellness. Custom foot orthotics can also help improve posture. Dr. Jimenez is the non-surgical choice for posture health issues.

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What’s Afoot

Treatment for foot pain varies depending on the condition/injury. Treatment can go from rest and ice to physical therapy, chiropractic and in severe cases surgery. Reflexology can provide relief, as well as, stretching exercises. Over the counter pain medication is often used. If the pain is too intense that it prevents sleep, a physician may prescribe non-addictive pain medication. Wear shoes with good arch supports, and if pain persists, see a podiatrist for special orthotic shoe inserts. Insurance often covers orthotics.

 

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NCBI Resources

Don’t forget that most pain in the body is caused by inflammation and can be helped with anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle stressors. Concentrate on eating whole, unprocessed foods. Stay away from sugar, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and white flour. Make sure to drink enough water every day, and get eight hours of sleep. This is one of the most effective ways to address inflammation. Bring the body back into balance.