Washington Park Chiropractic

  ….and the Aware Parent

Obesity rates for adults and children remain a growing concern. With the rate of obese adults reported to have doubled in the past 30 years and the rate of obese children tripling in the same amount of time, there are several factors that may have led to these statistics.

While we know that sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary choices are a definite area of concern, research is showing that the actual manufacturing and production of some food items that are considered staples in many diets could be a primary factor.

The History of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)?

Until the year 1957, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) didn’t exist. It wasn’t until a couple of researchers named Marshall and Kooi developed an enzyme called glucose isomerase that could work on corn syrup to rearrange the molecular composition of glucose and convert it to fructose.

Glucose isomerase causes the isomerization, or rearrangement, of glucose. When natural glucose in corn syrup is converted to fructose, the syrup becomes sweeter. High fructose simply means that the percentage of fructose is higher.

The significance of being able to genetically alter corn syrup from a mildly sweet syrup to a profoundly sweet syrup was not lost on the corn growers and it couldn’t have come at a better time. In 1977, new tariffs and sugar quotas made importing sugar more costly. With the increase of sugar costs, production costs on new dietary staples rose significantly. The producers of these items needed a more cost effective alternative sweetener.

It was in 1984, when soft drink makers like Coca-Cola and Pepsi began using high-fructose corn syrup, that it really jumped in general acceptance. Production grew from about 3 million tons in 1980 to about 8 million tons in 1995. Read the rest of this entry →

….Dr. G’s Pregnancy Update

By Dr. Lisa Goodman, DC

As most of my patients know, I am pregnant with number 2!  In fact, I have just 10 weeks to go until my due date of November 3.  I’ve been asked a lot of questions “how am I feeling?”, “how much longer will you work?”, “is there anything you can’t do at work?”, “where and how will you have your baby?”  I thought I’d take this opportunity to answer those questions and present a few of Dr. G’s tips for a comfortable and healthy pregnancy.

How Much Longer Will You Work?

During my last pregnancy I worked until I was 39 weeks (which was just one week prior to my due date).  I intend to do the same this time.  Looks like my last day to treat patients will likely be Monday, October 25.  That should give me ample time to nest.  This brings me to my first healthy pregnancy tip: Never think your baby will come early!  No matter what expert tells you that you might deliver early – It is probably healthiest to expect baby to come no sooner than your due date  Remember, babies don’t all develop at the same rate and your due date is really just the middle of a 4 week time frame in which a healthy baby is born.  Focusing on or after my due date helps keep me focused on my patients and staying healthy and active. 

Oh – and I plan to be back part time the first week of December (with baby in tow) and full time Mid-January!

Is There Anything You Can’t Do?

As you know, chiropractic is a very physical profession.  I have always made it a point to use good ergonomics and body position when working on patients.  Therefore, even while I am pregnant this doesn’t change much.  I work hard to protect my body and still have very effective treatments on my patients.  However, rest assured that if I ever feel that there is a treatment I cannot safely perform, I will happily refer specific patients to my partner, Dr. Jake Simpson.  Dr. Simpson will be your main treating doctor while I am on maternity leave so don’t be shy!

How Are You Feeling?

I feel terrific!  I really feel absolutely wonderful.  I attribute that to a few key things: Read the rest of this entry →

By: Cinta Porter, LCSW

You are not alone, especially these days. Most people will deal with unemployment at least once in their lives.  The important thing is to remember that this too will pass.  It is a temporary glitch in your life.  Keep a positive attitude and maintain a strong self image through this transition from loss of a job to looking in new directions.  Try repeating positive affirmations.  Research has shown that even if you do not necessarily believe the affirmation, the act of repeating them, imbeds in your brain, and you eventually accept the positive thought.  For instance, if you say to yourself “I am very hirable” over and over, research says that when you go to your next interview, your self esteem will have improved and you may have a more positive experience.   Remind yourself of past successes.  You’ve had plenty of them  before and will have them again! Read the rest of this entry →