Tuesday, Aug. 19th, 7pm - Relax The Back and Dr Chad McKernan have teamed up to bring you the Documentary “Food Matters”.

Join Us for Movie Night!

Relax The Back and McKernan Chiropractic have teamed up for Movie Night.  We will be showing the documentary Food Matters.  "Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine, And Thy Medicine Be Thy Food." - Hippocrates.  That is the message from the founding father of modern medicine echoed in this brave new documentary film brought to you by Producer-Directors James Colquhoun and Laurentine ten Bosch. 'Food Matters' is a hard hitting, fast paced look at our current state of health.

Relax The Back will be bringing in their “Zero Gravity Chairs” to help enjoy the movie!  Dr. McKernan will be answering any questions you may have after the showing.  Seating is limited, so please call 586-532-1448 to reserve your spot!

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped pitted dates, raisins or prunes
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt or 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium tamari
• 1/2 small serrano pepper (optional), finely chopped
• 2 heads broccoli, cut into florets and lightly steamed
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
• 1 1/2 cup mung bean sprouts

Method: 
In a blender or food processor, purée almond butter, lemon juice, dates, ginger, garlic, salt, pepper and 1/3 cup water until smooth. Transfer dressing to a large bowl, add broccoli and cilantro and toss well. Cover and marinate for up to 1 hour. Arrange bean sprouts on a large platter, top with broccoli, garnish with cilantro and serve.


Nutritional Info: 
Per Serving:150 calories (90 from fat), 10g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol,180mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g dietary fiber, 5g sugar), 6g protein
Special Diets: 

• Dairy Free, Raw, Vegan, Vegetarian

Peas: love ‘em or hate ’em; there aren’t many opinions in between. They either induce thoughts of sweet, tender green peas fresh from a summer garden, steamed, with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of salt for good measure – or they evoke painful memories of being forced to choke down a bowl of overcooked, gray, mushy ‘stuff’ in order to earn dessert. But whatever your opinion of peas may be, with the introduction of pea powders, modern technology allows us to take advantage of something positive peas offer – that being protein – without some common drawbacks.

Being a member of the legume family, peas contain a relatively high amount of protein compared to other plant foods. And because they are a plant protein, they present none of the allergenic problems of dairy-derived proteins like whey and casein. Pea protein is an ideal source of additional amino acids for those who have genuine milk allergies, or for those with varying degrees of lactose intolerance.

Where’s the joy in soy?

Pea protein also sidesteps the problematic aspects associated with soy protein. Pea protein can be considered the quintessential source of supplemental protein for vegetarians and vegans, who require protein from plant sources, but for whom soy can be difficult to digest.  It is also superior in order to avoid the potential estrogenic effects of soy. Also, unlike most commercially available non-organic soy products, pea protein currently escapes the stigma surrounding genetically modified organisms in the food supply, and their potentially deleterious effects on health. The low allergenicity and easy digestibility of pea protein makes it a better choice than soy for supervised detox programs, particularly because many of the patients undertaking a detox may be doing so specifically to strengthen weakened digestive systems or to rebalance hormones. And considering soy is among the most common food allergens, it seems like a less-than-ideal choice for strengthening digestion and healing the gut.

Despite the nearly ubiquitous use of soy protein in shakes, bars, cereals, and other ‘protein-fortified’ products, soy’s reputation as a health food rests on shaky ground. Small amounts of edamame, properly prepared, aren’t problematic but the refinement of soy into isolated protein fractions concentrates some of the antinutrients that lead to the unpleasant digestive effects some people experience from soy consumption, such as gas, bloating, and loose stools. A meta-analysis of studies on soy safety resulted in mixed conclusions, and the authors recommended “moderate amounts of traditionally prepared and minimally processed soy foods,” rather than the consumption of large amounts of highly refined and isolated soy protein.

Soy consumption is often recommended for women with elevated estrogen levels, because the weak estrogenic effects of soy phytoestrogens are believed to attenuate the more potent effects of natural estrogen. However, soy is also recommended for post-menopausal women precisely due to its estrogenic effects, as a kind of natural hormone replacement. Soy phytoestrogens either dohave potent hormonal effects, or they don’t. The marketing hype—and extremely low cost of soy as a raw material—allow food manufacturers to disingenuously play both sides. Soy is also a recognized goitrogen—meaning it can negatively affect thyroid function, particularly in people with inadequate iodine intake—not uncommon in 21st century America. In the amounts that some vegetarians may be consuming soy (via soy milk, protein powder, cereals, and soy-based meat and dairy substitutes), these potential endocrine-disrupting properties are important to consider. 

Back to pea…

Vegetarians aren’t the only people who can benefit from pea protein. Pea protein is relatively high in branched chain amino acids(leucine, isoleucine, and valine), so athletes and bodybuilders may benefit from the bioavailability of these elements which are so critical for muscle growth, repair, and recovery.

Beyond the helpful role of supplemental protein in athletes, pea protein may have beneficial effects on lipid profiles. In rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet, those fed pea protein had more favorable lipid profiles than those fed casein. Triglycerides and genes involved in fatty acid synthesis were lower and mRNA expression of LDL receptor genes higher in the pea protein-fed rats, suggesting that the pea protein somewhat reduces the internal synthesis of fats while also possibly helping to facilitate the clearance of LDL particles from the bloodstream. Additionally, compared to whey protein, pea protein was shown to have short-lived but powerful anti-hypertensive effects in rats. The potential for pea protein to help reduce blood pressure is another reason to favor it over other sources when supplemental protein is needed in a program designed to support overall health.

All in all, regardless of how you feel about their flavor in whole food form, peas are a wonderful source of protein without the problematic aspects of the more common dairy and soy proteins. So even if peas rarely end up on your plate, consider harnessing their beneficial qualities in the form of a quality protein powder. 

This wonderful season of summer invokes images of beaches, picnics, camping and pools.  Nearly all of our favorite summer activities include enjoying the warm weather and the brilliant sunshine. However, summer’s coveted golden rays not only inflict more direct ultraviolet rays our way, but they target a much greater surface area as more of our skin is exposed during this season. This unfortunately results in damaged skin cells that are in dire need of nourishment and repair. 

The outermost layer of skin – the epidermis – is composed of keratinocytes in various levels of maturity, containing different amounts of melanin. These cells create the largest physical barrier to protect the body from outside assaults. Often referred to as the body’s largest organ, this layer of the skin possesses a multitude of functions. The melanin, specifically, protects the deeper layers of skin from penetrating ultraviolet photons, scavenges free radicals that may damage DNA, and contains antimicrobial activity 

Damage to keratinocytes from excessive sunlight exposure initially elicits an inflammatory response classically known as sunburn. Further exposure induces apoptosis of keratinocytes, followed by a fervent rebuilding of cells to form a more protective barrier. However, this latter response leads to the characteristic skin thickening seen in individuals frequently exposed to sunlight. Exposure to UV radiation also encourages free radical production and oxidative damage to cells and their DNA, accentuating the DNA damage induced directly by UV photons

Nutrition Support 

Various nutrients have been found to be helpful in repairing keratinocytes and preventing further damage to skin that has been already marred from sunlight. Plant polyphenols have an extraordinary array of benefits for sun-damaged skin, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties.  In one study that followed standard photocarcinogenesis protocolsoral administration of green tea polyphenols resulted in significant protection from skin tumorigenesis and an inhibition of UV radiation-induced cutaneous edema, erythema, and bi-fold skin thickness. Additionally, green tea polyphenols were able to significantly reduce free radical production and damage. Clearly, plant polyphenols – such as those found in green tea extract, olive fruit extract, grape seed extract and resveratrol – are highly beneficial for sun-damaged skin.

Individual micronutrients may also play an important role in overall skin health. Vitamin A, known to be a powerful antioxidant, is a naturally occurring constituent of the epidermis and is involved in cell differentiation and turnover. Overexposure to sunlight will quickly deplete the keratinocytes of vitamin A, leaving them more prone to oxidative damage from UV radiation.3  Vitamin C also plays a contributory role in reducing initial inflammation from UV radiation, and is significantly involved in the healing process. This vitamin aids in the synthesis, maturation, secretion and degradation of collagen, the structural protein found in deep skin layers. Collagen is damaged by frequent or excessive exposure to sunlight and results in signs of early aging, including wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of elasticity. Vitamin C will help to rebuild collagen and prevent the aging effects associated with sun-damaged skin.

When it comes to sun exposure, it appears that moderation is the key, with the best way to protect the skin from excessive UV radiation is by limiting your exposure to the sun.  Yet, there are ample reasons that drive everyone to get outside and enjoy some of those rays. While no nutrient will completely turn back the clock on the effects sunlight has on skin health, these nutrients mentioned here do offer some much needed skin protection.

For a further look at skin health, please listen to our Clinical Rounds from February 9, 2011, The Clear Skin Diet, with Valori Treloar, MD.

Related DFH products: H-S-N Complex & Resveratrol Synergy