Princeton's Ask The Doctor September/October 2019

QUESTION: It seems that many people are getting “diseases” and taking medications at younger ages. They don’t feel well and many are not living as long as they should. Is there a better strategy for me to live a long and healthy life? ANSWER:

252 W. Delaware Ave Pennington, NJ 08534

There are communities around the globe that contain a high percentage of people who live to be over 100 years old (centenarians). There are some common traits in these communities detailed in a wonderful book calledThe Blue Zones. Some of these are: knowing your purpose, being connected to family and community, and eating less protein and processed foods. These people move around naturally all throughout their day, spending time in nature, and taking time to relax. The research of Valter Longo PhD, Director of the Longevity Institute at USC, has also been informed by these communities. He has combined knowledge of their diets and lifestyles with his scientific research to show how a FastingMimicking Diet canmake cells more resilient and regenerative. His excellent book,The Longevity Diet shows how a low protein, plant-based diet including daily 12hour fasting is associated with weight loss, slower aging and prevention of disease. Intermittent Fasting has become a popular eating plan recently. It is based on the idea that food was often scarce through much of human history and that evolution would favor those who were resilient enough to live through extended periods of time without eating. Research shows us that there are health benefits to Intermittent Fasting and Time Restricted Feeding but no consensus on the best plan: 5:2 (5 days eat, 2 days fast)? Alternate Day Fasting? Time Restricted Feeding (only eating in a 6 – 12hour portion of each day)?...

Dr Longo cites data showing fasting for 18 – 20 hours each day (eating in a 4 – 6hour window) has been associated with gallstone formation and some cardiovascular complications. Longer fasts usually include skipping breakfast which he reports is associated with higher rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease and death. According to Dr Longo, to live long and live well we should control our portion size of healthy foods and fast 12 hours per day. His commercial product called Prolon is a 5 day FastingMimicking Diet of prepared foods that can be done every 3 – 4 months to maximize health and longevity benefits. Dr Kate Thomsen’s office for holistic health care is located in Pennington, NJ. She is trained in Family Medicine, and Board Certified in Integrative Medicine, and is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner. She has been practicing Functional Medicine for 20 years. For more information see www.drkatethomsen.com or call the office at 609-818-9700.

A: Q:

Why Headaches Happen and How Chiropractic Can Help Most headaches are tied directly to tension in the neck and upper back. Tension can be caused by sitting at a desk all day, physical or emotional stress, or poor diet and dehydration. Muscle tightness in this area can affect the position of the vertebrae, which can then cause nerve irritation. Because these nerves are connected to the head, you end up with a headache. A chiropractic evaluation will determine where the tension is, where the nerve irritation is, and where the vertebrae is out of line. A chiropractic adjustment, electric muscle stimulation, and other techniques can realign the spinal joints, loosen the muscles, and relieve stress and pressure. Allergy and sinus headaches are both caused by inflammation. With a food allergy, substances might not be digested properly in the liver, causing inflammation. An environmental allergy, where the body is unable to process toxins or allergens, can cause inflammation. A sinus headache is caused by fluid buildup in the nasal cavities in the skull. If your body can’t break down that fluid, it can cause inflammation and pressure. There are chiropractic techniques that target specific pressure points and reduce inflammation that causes headaches. Realigning the spine can improve how the brain communicates with the rest of the body so it can process allergens effectively. Even the bones of the skull can be gently manipulated to relieve pressure and restore balance. Beyond chiropractic techniques that align the spine and loosen themuscles, a chiropractor can recommend exercises, stretches, ergonomic improvements, and changes in diet. These recommendations can help you avoid recurring tension and inflammation, resulting in fewer headaches. Of course, the worst thing you can do is ignore headaches or dismiss them as normal. Pain is your body’s built-in alarm system that warns you when something isn’t quite right. If you experience headaches on a regular basis, call to schedule an appointment at In Good Hands Chiropractic Center. Allison J. Scharf, DC

IN GOOD HANDS CHIROPRACTIC CENTER, LLC • 609-924-9331 330 N. Harrison Street, Suite 6 • Princeton, NJ 08540

www.GuntherPublications.com

Publishing Enterprises, Inc. GUNTHER