Little things to keep you healthy: Don't drink your Calories

Don't let Liquid Calories do this to you

Ya, ya, ya....we hear this all the time.  To lose weight or not to gain weight don't drink your Calories. 

Let's focus on the obvious first:  Weight gain.  Being overweight will harm your health in many aspects:  Bones, joints, heart...just to name a few. 

The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has been linked to rising rates of obesity in the United States. The standard explanation is that energy-containing liquids are less satiating than are solid foods. However, purely physiologic mechanisms do not fully account for the proposed links between liquid sugar energy and body weight change.  (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)

We just don't realize how many calories come from what you drink.....unless you pay attention.  Sugars in liquid form are absorbed rapidly into our bodies.  When this happens:  Newton said it best:  For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, your body will react in many ways including: weight gain, diabetes, heart disease and some research says; even cancer. 

"A nine-year study followed older adults who drank diet soda daily. The results showed a 48 percent higher risk of stroke, heart attack and death, even after adjusting for other risk factors. Arguably, this study hasn't been published in a peer-review journal and may have other confounding factors. However, as a nutritionist who has observed patterns of America's intake of artificial sweeteners, I've seen their long-term effects firsthand. Research on these sugar substitutes connects diet soda consumption to metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, and Type 2 Diabetes."  (Carrie Wiatt, M.S., Diabetic Connect)

We all know that weight gain can lead to heart disease and high sugar intake can lead to Diabetes.  The question is this:  Is your health worth replacing your high sugar liquid calories with water?  I am lucky I never got "addicted" to soda but I have friends who are.  Take it one day at a time:  Let's face it.....water has been, will always be the best choice to drink.  To begin with replace one soda, energy drink, etc. with water for one week and I bet you won't even notice losing that sugary drink.  Keep going and each week replace another.  By the time you have replaced all sugary drinks with water I bet you won't even miss them. 

Don't get your energy from liquid calories.  Vitamin B12 shots work so much better and are so much healthier for you!!

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Things that harm your health....staying inside

Skin Cancer is the biggest fear that most have when you are told to get outside....but did you know that avoiding the sun has higher health risks than getting moderate sun exposure while using precautions such as sunscreen?  A good way to view sunlight is the same as we view most everything...in moderation. 

According and copied (they say it so well) from Natural Heath Restored:

 

 

 

So, what are the benefits of sunlight? Check out this long list!

• One of the major benefits of sunlight is that it helps fruits, vegetables, and grains to grow and be healthy. It also helps animals and us humans to grow and develop as well.
• A definite plus of sunshine is that it gives you a healthy looking complexion. It will make your skin smooth with an irresistible healthy glow.
• If you get regular exposure to sunlight, it will help protect your skin in the long run. That is because your body will build up a natural resistance to the harmful effects of ultraviolet light.
• If you allow your skin to get moderately tanned, it will be more resistant to infections and sunburns than if your skin is not tanned.
• The ultraviolet rays in sunshine act as a natural antiseptic. These rays can kill viruses, bacteria, molds, yeasts, fungi, and mites in air, water, and on different surfaces including your skin.
• Getting some sun tends to help clear up different skin diseases such as acne, boils, athletes foot, diaper rash, psoriasis, and eczema.
• Another of the main benefits of sunlight is that it stimulates your appetite and improves your digestion, elimination, and metabolism.
• Getting your daily dose of sunshine will enhance your immune system. It increases the number of white blood cells in your blood. It also helps them to be better fighters in their mission to destroy germs.
• Sunshine encourages healthy circulation. It also stimulates the production of more red blood cells which increases the amount of oxygen in your blood.
• Sunlight is one of the most effective healing agents that exists.
• Feeling down? One of the major benefits of sunlight is that it will soothe your nerves and boost your mood leaving you with a renewed sense of well-being. Sunlight increases the production of endorphins and serotonin in your brain which will definitely leave you feeling much better.
• Getting enough sunlight during the day can help you sleep better at night. If you are exposed to natural light during the day, it will increase your melatonin output at night. Melatonin is a natural hormone made by our bodies. It enhances sleep and slows down the aging process.
• The healing properties of the sun are excellent for people who are suffering from various diseases and ailments.
• Sunlight helps to balance out your hormones. It may even help to relieve certain symptoms of PMS.
• Sunlight improves the function of your liver and helps it to break down toxins and wastes that could lead to cancer and other diseases.
• If you've got swollen, arthritic joints, sunlight may help lower your pain levels.
• Sunlight is an effective treatment for jaundice.
• According to some studies on the benefits of sunlight, exposure to the sun may decrease your risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
• Sunlight helps your body convert a form of cholesterol that is present in your skin into vitamin D. This results in lower blood cholesterol levels. Click here to read more about the benefits of vitamin D.
• Other benefits of sunlight include the life-giving energy it gives to your organs and the way it helps to strengthen and vitalize your body.

Grab your sunscreen and go outside!!!  There are so many health benefits to getting natural sunlight and with the right protection you can enjoy the best of both worlds. 

Like Premier Back Rehabilitation Center on Facebook or visit their website.  

Understanding Joint Pain

• Joints play a large part in your movement.  
• Joints provide support you while moving.  
• Joints are the connections between your bones.

There are many reasons that would cause joint pain:

1. Osteoarthritis:  Considered the "wear and tear" arthritis.  This happens when you have a previous injury, obesity and age.  Osteoarthritis can affect any joints including the hand, wrist, neck, back, knee and hips.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis:  Chronic disease, which means long-term.  Often referred to as RA and symptoms may come and go and each person is affected differently.  Joints become inflamed, which is the body's natural response to infection or other threats, but with RA inflammation can happen for unknown reasons.
3. Bursitis:  Bursa is a sac filled with lubricating fluid that is located between tissues such as bone, muscle, tendons and skin that decreases rubbing, friction and irritation.  Bursitis is the inflammation or irritation of the Bursa.
4. Gout:  Type of arthritis that causes a sudden burning pain, stiffness and swelling in a joint.  The most common is the big toe.  Gout is most common in men.

Joint pain can range from irritating to debilitating and can go away in a few weeks or lasts for several months.  

Treatment for joint pain range from medication to physical therapy but it is essential to know what is causing your joint pain, what type of joint pain are you experiencing and what is the best treatment for your situation.  

If you are unsure what is causing your joint pain you need to speak with your Doctor.  If you know and your treatment is not working you need to get a second opinion.  

If you are in Southern Colorado and are experience joint pain I highly recommend Premier Back Rehabilitation Center, PC.  Visit their website to learn more about them.  Please share your story on your joint pain and how you treat it.

Information provided by WebMD