Think About Vitamin C

Harnessing the Power of Vitamin C: A Natural Anti-Inflammatory with a host of benefits

I am committed to holistic healing, whenever possible. I've seen firsthand the remarkable impact that proper nutrition can have on our overall well-being, particularly when it comes to managing inflammation. I want to shed light on a potent ally in our quest for better health: Vitamin C.

While many of us associate Vitamin C with its immune-boosting properties, its role as a natural anti-inflammatory agent is equally impressive, but much less known. Let's delve into why this essential nutrient deserves a prime spot in your daily regimen.

Understanding Inflammation

First, let's clarify what inflammation is and why it matters. Inflammation is your body's natural response to injury, infection, or irritation. It's a crucial part of the healing process, helping to repair damaged tissues and fight off harmful pathogens. However, when inflammation becomes chronic or excessive, it can contribute to a host of health issues, including chronic pain, arthritis, and even heart disease.

The Anti-Inflammatory Power of Vitamin C

Enter Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – a water-soluble vitamin found abundantly in fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers, and broccoli. This vitamin boasts antioxidant properties, meaning it helps neutralize harmful free radicals that can trigger inflammation and damage cells.

But that's not all. Vitamin C also plays a pivotal role in collagen synthesis, essential for maintaining the integrity of connective tissues such as cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. By bolstering collagen production, Vitamin C aids in tissue repair and supports joint health, thereby reducing inflammation and associated discomfort.  Typically, a soft tissue injury heals more efficiently when you have plenty of Vitamin C in your system.

Evidence-Based Benefits

Numerous studies have highlighted the anti-inflammatory prowess of Vitamin C. Research published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that individuals with higher levels of Vitamin C in their blood had lower markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP). Moreover, a review in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences underscored Vitamin C's ability to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation, particularly in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

Incorporating Vitamin C into Your Routine

So, how can you harness the benefits of Vitamin C for your own health? Here are some practical tips:

1. Eat a Rainbow: Load up on Vitamin C-rich foods by incorporating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables into your diet. Think oranges, strawberries, kale, bell peppers, and Brussels sprouts.

2. Consider Supplementation: While whole foods should be your primary source of nutrients, supplementation can be beneficial, especially for individuals with specific dietary restrictions or increased needs. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage for you.

3. Pair with Other Nutrients: Vitamin C works synergistically with other antioxidants, such as Vitamin E and selenium. Aim for a balanced intake of these nutrients to maximize their collective anti-inflammatory effects.

4. Mind Your Lifestyle: Remember that lifestyle factors, including stress management, adequate sleep, and regular exercise, also play a crucial role in reducing inflammation. Embrace holistic wellness practices to complement your dietary efforts.

Final Thoughts

As a chiropractor, I believe in empowering my patients to take charge of their health naturally. By embracing the anti-inflammatory prowess of Vitamin C through wholesome nutrition and mindful living, you can pave the way for a vibrant, pain-free life. Remember, small changes today can yield significant benefits tomorrow.

Well Adjusted Kid

On my homepage, I have featured my son, Will Miner.  Will grew up living a healthy lifestyle, including periodic chiropractic adjustments. In June, 2019 Will became the youngest person to solo climb and summit the highest mountain in North America, Mt Denali, at 20,310 feet. He is also the youngest person to ski down the mountain on a split board. The climb took 18 days, pulling a sled with 120 pounds of food, fuel and equipment with temperatures down to -25C. In 2021, he climbed Kilimanjaro on his quest to climb the highest mountains on each continent, “The Seven Summits”.

Treatment Room Tour

Chiropractic techniques, like chiropractors themselves, vary widely. In my experience working with a wide variety of people from small children to world class professional athletes, ‘decompression’ of the spine and joints is often times helpful. Gentle techniques to improve range of motion and mobility while reducing restrictions tend to result in feeling less discomfort, better balance and stability as well as increased energy levels. When there is mechanical dysfunction, the muscles and nerves work overtime to tighten and protect restricted areas, taking energy and effort to do so.

Disc Problem? What to do

Back pain patients are routinely referred for MRI's, given the diagnosis "bulging disc" then sent to physio or surgery.  I examine many patients that have little understanding of what is actually going on with the disc.  These guys explain it well. It is important to note: for non-surgical lower back disc problems, chiropractic treatment is ranked as one of the most effective treatments you can have!

Hidden Sugars

We all know what foods, snacks and treats have large amounts of sugar...(the ones that generally taste really good!) When we decide to get healthier, lose weight or make sure we are not joining the growing number of Americans who have diabetes, we can easily avoid those foods.

It is important to watch for foods which appear "healthy" (like a granola bar, low fat yogurt or a few slices of bread) likely each contain 4, 5 or 6 teaspoons of sugar. But just in those three examples, which would hardly make a dent in your appetite, you would be consuming about 15 teaspoons of sugar and the day is just beginning!

The phenomenon of "hidden sugars" in so many food products is unhealthy and dangerous. It is clearly contributing to the epidemic levels of diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Now neuroscientists are finding a connection to Alzheimer's and dementia with this daily overdose of sugar.

The food industry tells us "fats" are the problem and they offer many "low fat" products as a solution. We don't realize the fat is replaced with sugar. Without fat, we don't get full as quickly and we eat more. The accumulation of so much sugar on a daily basis is far more hazardous to our bodies than fat.

Unfortunately, no rules, limits or regulation is coming. The food industry is unlikely to manage themselves with so many hungry customers.

The solution is to be informed and make informed decisions about what you feed yourself and your family. Take a few minutes to read the labels and better yet, understand the label. Realize when a low fat yogurt has 20 grams of sugar per serving, that is the same as dumping 5 teaspoons of sugar on it. Eat more produce and fresh foods. Drink more water instead of soft drinks. If you want to enjoy how great sugar tastes, do it when YOU CHOOSE to eat it and not when it is part of "hidden sugars".

Dangers of Over The Counter Medications

The long running radio show, "This American Life" has done a thoughtful report on the dangers of using the active ingredient in Tylenol, acetaminophen. They highlight the dangers of the drug that has always been advertised as "the safest", and how decades passed without proper warnings to the 50 million people who take the drug every week in the United States. The show's title: "Use Only As Directed"
You can listen for free at: This American Life

Be careful, once you start listening to this, you won’t want to turn it off until its over!

Work Your Core - Save Your Back

This is a great 3 minute work out, done just once a day will help stabilize your back, burn calories and flatten your stomach. Doing a regular plank type work out and/or teaming up with a Pilates professional is a great path toward a healthier spine and a happier life.

SKLZ Ball

“Peanut Balls”, like this one by SKLZ, is a great product for very specific deep muscle massage as well as joint traction.  Perfect for the upper back/neck junction and just above the tail bone in the lower back.  For 20+ years I have told people, "push two tennis balls into a sock, and tie it tight".

More Fun with Your SKLZ ball

One of the reasons I like the SKLZ ball is its simplicity. You can simply, “find the spot”, lay down and do nothing for 2 minutes. Feel it stretch the spine. Here she gives a few other ways to use your SKLZ ball.

Taping Your Knee

Being active can cause knee pains. When the joint are not aligned correctly, muscle imbalances can occur. This can happen from an injury or from repeated twisting or bending, like from cleaning the floors, tennis or golf. A good start is to have your knee examined by the chiropractor who may suggest taping. Here is a quick and easy demonstration on how to tape the knee with KT Tape. (RockTape works well too)