I always recommend eating a healthy diet which consists of fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, sea food, nuts and grains. Organic food is the most nutrient dense if grown on rich soil. The average American has to look and seek out this type of food and in some parts of the country it is hard to find.

As a result 90% of Americans food dollar is spent on convenience foods that are processed, packaged, and as a result are usually nutrient deficient even though artificial nutrients are added back into the food product after most natural nutrients have been stripped away. The food can only be as nutritious as the ground it is grown in and studies have shown our food source is less nutrient dense than it was thirty years ago. Also, the accummulation of pesticides, artificial colors, flavor enhancers and preservatives in todays processed foods leads one to be concerned about toxicity and it's effects.

Unfortunately, nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition can persist for a long time before they show up as physical signs and symptoms. Some of the signs of inadequate nutrition are fatigue, brittle or dry hair, ridged or spoon shaped nails, cracking or inflammation at the corners of the mouth, diarrhea, irritability and lack of appetite. These symptoms may also be associated with other conditions, so it is allways wise to get tested.

Most of us should take a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement. This is a good way to get a good variety of nutrients from a single product. MVM's are not meant to replace a healthy diet. They are meant to enhance the nutritional quality of your diet. The micro-nutrients that should be included in a complete MVM supplement are vitamin A, vitamin B complex, ( thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6, folic acid, B12, pantothenic acid and biotin), vitamin C, vitamin D-3, vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), as well as the minerals: calcium, magnesium, zinc, iodine, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium and molybdenum. Phospherus is also another dietary mineral, however, it is very abundant in our diets that it doesn't need to be included,with the exception of elderly people taking high doses of calcium can interfere with phosphorus absorbtion, so they may benefit by taking phosphorus also.

What about one a day multiples? Usually they don't provide sufficient amounts of many nutrients such as vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and vitamin C to make any difference. The multiples that require 2-6 tablets a day are preferrable taken with each meal.

Other nutrients I would recommend are, omega 3 oils, (fish or krill), probiotics, and anti-oxidants.

The only way to know if the supplements you are taking are working or to know exactly what vitamin/minerals and dosages you need to take is to get tested. Using bloodwork and other diagnostic tools we will give you a report and give you the nutrient and dietary recommendations based upton your test results.

Dr. Rick Haas DC,FACO

Much of what we do at Haas Chiropractic Clinic is the treatment of neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. One of the more difficult conditions to treat is fibromyalgia.

This condition is characterized by wide spread chronic musculoskeletal pain, tenderness, fatigue and stiffness affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue. This disorder is especially common in women between 20 and 50 years old.

Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood condition and there appears to be no universal cause, and no single treatment that is effective for every person.

When we make a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, other blood tests are already ruled out for more serious diseases. The diagnosis is based on the tenderness of specific anatomical sites (at least 11 of 18 points) and pain in all four quadrants of the body that has lasted for a minimum of three months or longer.

Fibromyalgia mostly affects the neck, shoulders, lower back, chest and thighs.

 Some other symptoms that are associated with fibromyalgia are: fatigue, disrupted sleep, jaw pain, shortness of breath, depression, anxiety, irritability, poor memory and concentration, headaches, tingling in the extremities and digestive problems.

That is why this condition is challenging to treat.

There are some basic protocals we use to treat fibromyalgia at our office.

The first is chiropractic care to improve structural balance and function of the spine and nervous system. Second, is to check the patients diet, what they eat and when they eat it. We strive for an anti-inflammatory diet.

 The third point is checking for food allergies. Wheat and dairy are the most common.

Fourth is bowel transit time. The ideal window for a bowel movement is 12-18 hours with once every 24 hours being acceptable.

Fifth is heavy metal toxicity which we check through hair analysis. Common metals found are aluminum, mercury, chromium, cadmium and lead.

The sixth point is evaluate for other conditions that may amplify the symptoms of fibromyalgia such as arthritis, viral,  bacterial or parasitic infections and IBS. Also, assess stress and depression (anxiety levels).

Checking essential fatty acids and magnesium deficiency are important. Deficiencies cause increased symptoms of FM.

Every patient is different so we address the most prominent symptom to treat. It is like pealing an onion, only to find other conditions the deeper you go.

Along with the treatments listed so far, an aerobic exercise program and nutritional medical foods would be recommended with plenty of filtered water.

For more information on the treatment of fibromyalgia, feel free to call our office at 424-6531.

Dr. Richard Haas DC, FACO

When developing a healthy menu, think about what you are going to eat, and how that food is going to provide nourishment and energy for your body.

Keep in mind that foods do not contain only Calcium or only Carbohydrates or only Protein. Foods are a mixture of a little bit of everything. Yet, individual foods are typically known for the largest percentage of energy or nourishment that it provides. For example, nuts are a great source of quality fats and we communicate that they contain a large percentage of fat per volume. However, nuts are a good source of protein as well. So you can use nuts to boost the protein or fat content of your meal.

Dr. Dave and I suggest a standard thought process when choosing what you will eat for your bigger meals like breakfast, lunch and dinner. The first item is nourishment. That is food that contains the vitamins and minerals needed for all the metabolic reactions occurring in the body. This would be your fruits and vegetables. You may have one serving of each or two servings of vegetables. We recommend rotating the fruits and vegetables, "eat the colors of a rainbow".

The next item is Protein. Protein should be 25-35% of the meal. Protein can be plant based like beans, seeds, nuts and sprouts, or animal based like fish, eggs, chicked or turkey. Red meat is OK if it is small portions and one to three times a week.

The Carbohydrates are your main energy source and depending on your activity level and diabetic status, we recommend 40-60% of your meal. We are talking about mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, whole grain bread. Also, your fruits and veggies are a good source of carbohydrates.

Fats should always be part of your meal plan. Fat contains vitamins A,D, E, and K and are necessary to absorb CoQ10. Your meal should contain 15-25% fat. Some good sources other than animal protein are raw olive oil, coconut butter, avocados, seeds and nuts.

Finally, when choosing your fats, carbohydrates and proteins for your menu, we suggest you take it one step further and make sure it is clean. The more you can get back to basic whole foods, the better off you will be. Remember 90%of what Americans eat are processed foods. We would like people to begin making healthier lifestyle changes and choosing fewer foods from a bag or a box.

Some of the ingredients to look for on labels that cause inflammation which is a precursor to cardiovascular diseases, IBS, and arthritis are:

Artificial  Sweeteners: aspartaine, saccharin, and sucralose

Processed Meats: that contain nitrates and nitrites like pork products, bologna, and wieners

MSG: found in dressings, sauces and Chinese foods

All Canned Foods and Drinks: the metals can leach into the foods and those lined with plastics, those chemicals can leach into the foods

Fried Foods: deep fried and breaded foods

Hydrogenated Fats: (Trans Fats) margarine and many pre-packaged foods

Refined Carbohydrates: processed foods like white flour, white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, "enriched foods", If it is truly whole grain, it does not have to be enriched.

Artificial preservatives: additives, sulfites, and artificial colors

Commercial meats: Try to get the cleanest, freshest meat you can find. Look for meat that is labeled with terms such as "No Hormones", "No Antibiotics", or "Free Range"

Shellfish and Bottom-dwellers: crab, shrimp,lobster, oyster, catfish, etc., heavy metals are prone to these meats

Dairy Products: cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese, butter, sour cream, etc., dairy is the number one food allergy in the U.S.

Soy Products: isolated soy protein, texturized vegetable protein, soy supplements, tofu, etc. Don't make soy your main protein source, limit to 3-4 servings per week.

Chlorine and Floride Sources: tap water, heavy chlorine exposure in swimming pools, fluoride toothpaste, fluoride supplements, fluoride mouthwash, etc., Chlorine and fluoride compete with iodine which can lead to thyroid imbalances.

Even if you ate a perfect diet, USDA data has shown that our food supply is simply not as nutritious as it was 30 years ago. Supplementing your diet can help to correct these short-commings. The only way to know if the supplements you are taking are working or to know exactly what vitamins/minerals and dosages you need to take is to get tested. Our office has two certified Lifestyle Therapists who will explain your test findings and set you on the right path to wellness.

Dr. Rick

There are approximately six major techniques used in the chiropractic profession all designed to correct misalignments and improve structural balance and function. Our office uses a light adjusting technique called Activator, a manual technique called diversified, a flexion distraction technique called Cox for disc problems, and Sacral Occipital Technique using blocks to treat pelvic problems.

It really depends on the patients examination findings to determine which technique or combination of techniques that would be most effective. Also, some people are apprehensive about manual techniques therefore choose instruments.

For example, an elderly person with osteoporosis and degenerative arthritis could not handle a manual chiropractic technique, it would just make the person sore and aggravate the arthritis. These patients do much better with the instrument adjusting techniques which are lighter and easier tollerated. However, most people can handle manual manipulation techniques by a skilled chiropractor. These proceedures are used to free up spinal joints and extremities that are either fixated or misaligned. Sometimes this will show up as localized pain, but may be just stiffness.

During our initial examination, we find some spinal joints move more than they should to make up for spinal joints that don't. This can lead to chronic wear and tear arthritis and degenerative disc disease. That is why we encourage people to visit their chiropractor periodically for a wellness check, just like you would going to a dentist.

The causes of these misalignments may be trauma, structural imbalances like a short leg or a pendular abdomen. It may be poor ergonomics at the workstation that may lead to muscle imbalances.

Once the balance and joint function is restored to the best that it can be, muscle balance needs to be looked at to access stability. Muscles that are weak need to be strengthened and shortened tight muscles need stretching and lengthening exercises.

By working muscle balance techniques, that helps the Chiropractic adjustment stay balanced.

So, I encourage patients to become more pro-active, because if you wait until the pain develops, much of the degeneration, the wear and tear may have already taken place.

It's like so many health problems, the symptoms are the last to appear in the disease process, and are the first to leave.

Call our office for further information.

Dr. Rick Haas

The term "body composition", is used to describe the different components that make up a person's total body weight. Total body weight is composed of lean mass (fat free mass), (muscle, bone, and organs), fat mass and water.

Weight scales determine only the total body mass. They do not tell you whether that mass is fat, lean mass or water. Body composition is more important than your weight in determining fitness and health.

 Throughout our lives, our body composition is affected both by our food intake and by our activity level. As you grow older, your ratio of fat to fat free mass usually changes. For example, if you become less active as you age, your fat mass increases and your fat-free mass decreases. That is why people lose strength, function, and mobility as they age. That is also why they become unstable and have a greater tendency to fall.

As we age our bodies typically need less energy and our metabolism slows down. Hormone changes also result in a shift to more body fat and less muscle mass. The best approach to managing these changes is to take in fewer calories, eat healthy with low amounts of fast foods, and establish regular strength training activities. This is a good way to keep up your metabolism to burn more calories.

Strength training exercises can rebuild muscle tissue even in the elderly. This also improves balance. Older people who have better balance have less fear of falling and are more willing to take part in both activities of daily living and regular physical exercise. As your metabolism goes up through life style changes, you may need to eat more, maybe up to 15% more just to maintain your weight.

So how do people determine their body composition?  Many facilities use a simple skin fold measurements to determine body fat percent. The American College of Sports Medicine says that when performed by a trained, skilled, tester, they are up to 98% accurate. Because the degree of error is potentially high, this method if not in the hands of an expert, would be unreliable. In addition, skin fold measurements only test for subcutaneous fat (fat just under the skin) which is less of a threat when it comes to diseases. Ideally, you should search out methods that measure your visceral fat (fat around your internal organs), and total body water.

Our office has a BIA (bio-impedence analyser) to measure body composition. The unit uses electrodes that run a small current through the body to a computer to give us the accurate values. Once we know the body composition, my staff works with our patients on lifestyle changes and eating choices to improve objective outcomes.

Dr. Rick