There is a lot of concern today about genetically-modified foods and for good reason – no one really knows how safe they are!

Genetically-modified foods are the result of manipulating of the DNA of an organism. Some people assert that the environment has manipulated DNA for years through mutation and natural selection, and by man for thousands of years through artificial selection.

However, the term “genetically modified” usually implies a more direct manipulation of DNA through modern-day biotechnology processes. This process of artificially transferring genes from one organism to another often involves crossing certain species that never would in nature…and some consider this potentially dangerous. Many refer to the result as “Frankenfood.”

One novel feature of this revolution in our food is that the food is owned. Not individual sacks of wheat or bushels of potatoes, but entire varieties of plants are now corporate products. In some cases, entire species are owned. The term monopoly takes on new power when one imagines a company owning major portions of our food supply — the one thing that every single person now and into the future will always need to buy.

Some argue that there are benefits to genetic engineering. Plants that are resistant to the effects of pesticides. Faster growing fish. But, how accurately can biotechnology firms predict what will happen when the newly-introduced genes begin to interact with existing ones? There appears to be a risk of unforeseen illnesses, allergens or weaknesses that could be created.

Who knows the possible side effects on humans or the environment that could result when genetically-modified organisms are introduced to existing ones? And… what about the fact that testing on laboratory animals may not be able to accurately simulate or predict what happens with a human or other animals? And…what about the fact that they are unable to predict long-term effects that could result from an altered chemical environment?

Growing up in this modern society, we are constantly bombarded with images of beautiful women – models and actresses – slinging every health and beauty product from here to Timbuktu. The ubiquitousness of these advertisements is inescapable, but what are they really telling us?

Initially, we are captivated by the models thick lustrous hair, flawless skin and trim tanned bodies; we’re intrigued by the vague and pseudo-sciencey sounding jargon used to prove how well their particular product will effectively transform us into glowing, airbrushed goddesses; but it doesn’t end there. Now more than ever we are seeing a surge in the prevalence of products marketed as ‘natural’ and ‘organic’. We are all aware of the benefits of eating organically, the pesticide and herbicide industry has come under much scrutiny as more and more research has been able to prove the adverse health effects of long-term chemical exposure.

But what do these ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ labels really mean? As it turns out, the Food and Drug Administration regulates the labeling of cosmetics as ‘organic’, but not ‘natural’. And as just about every chemical can be reduced to a natural component, essentially making it impossible to regulate, this allows marketers to use the ambiguity of the word ‘natural’ to get their consumers interested in a ‘greener’ lifestyle.

Now, I don’t want to contribute to any paranoia or fear-mongering here – but I do think that, now more than ever, we owe it to ourselves to pay better attention to what we are putting in and on our bodies. I made a list of all the things I use on a daily to semi-daily basis, and while I don’t consider myself ‘high maintenance’ by any means, I was surprised to see the actual number. I tend to be fairly basic with my beauty routine, and I’m guessing the general list of items doesn’t vary too much from woman to woman, so here are some of the most common ingredients to avoid wherever possible –

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) – Shampoo, Body Wash, Bar Soap.
Harsh detergents and wetting agents used in garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and auto cleaning products. SLS is well-known in the scientific community as a common skin irritant. It is rapidly absorbed and retained in the eyes, brain, heart and liver, which may result in harmful long-term effects. SLS could retard healing, cause cataracts in adults, and prevent children’s eyes from developing properly.

Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES)
SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylate) of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may cause more drying. Both SLS and SLES may cause potentially carcinogenic formations of nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting with other ingredients. Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood system from just one shampooing.

Propylene Glycol - Shampoo, Facial Moisturizer, Deodorant
A cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze. In skin and hair products, propylene glycol works as a humectant, which is a substance that retains the moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) warn users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.

Mineral Oil
A derivative of crude oil (petroleum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. Mineral oil forms an oily film over the skin to lock in moisture, toxins and wastes, but hinders normal skin respiration by keeping oxygen out.

Petrolatum
A petroleum based grease that is used industrially as a grease component. Petrolatum exhibits many of the same potentially harmful properties as mineral oil.

Methyl, Propyl, butyl, and ethyl parabens
Are used to extend a product’s shelf life and inhibit microbial growth. Highly toxic. Can cause rashes and other allergic reactions.

Imidazolidinyl urea and DMDM hydantoin
These formaldehyde-forming preservatives can cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pain, chronic fatigue, dizziness, insomnia and asthma. Can also weaken the immune system and can even cause cancer. Found in skin, body and hair products, antiperspirants and nail polish.

Animal Fat (Tallow)
A type of animal tissue made up of oily solids or semisolids that are water-insoluble esters of glycerol with fatty acids. Animal fats and lye are the chief ingredients in a bar of soap; a cleaning and emulsifying product that may act as a breeding ground for bacteria.

Alcohol
A colourless, volatile, flammable liquid produced by the fermentation of yeast and carbohydrates. Alcohol is used frequently as a solvent and is also found in beverages and medicine. As an ingredient in ingestible products, alcohol may cause body tissues to be more vulnerable to carcinogens. Mouthwashes with an alcohol content of 25% or more have been implicated in mouth, tongue and throat cancers.

Aluminium
A metallic element used extensively in the manufacture of aircraft components, prosthetic devises and as an ingredient in antiperspirants, antacids and antiseptics. Aluminium has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Bentonite
A porous clay that expands to many times its dry volume as it absorbs water. Bentonite, commonly found in many cosmetic foundations, may clog pores and suffocate the skin.

Collagen
An insoluble fibrous protein that is too large to penetrate the skin. The collagen found in most skin care products is derived from animal skins and ground up chicken feet. This ingredient forms a layer of film that may suffocate the skin.

Heard the saying ‘You are what you eat’? Well, the same adage applies to what you put on your skin or in your hair. These chemicals are absorbed into the body’s tissues, and may be causing allergic reactions that you aren’t even aware of. Pregnant women should also note that the fetus absorbs everything you take in as well. While such treatments as Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy can reduce some of the symptoms of exposure to these substances, and thousands more, there are still long-term health effects.

In short – Just be aware! Read the ingredients! If you aren’t sure about one, make a note and research it when you get a chance, but don’t fall for the gimmicks and infomercials.

For more information on the specific beauty products you use or to find some new ones if you are concerned, www.cosmeticsdatabase.com is an excellent resource. You can browse by brand, or toxicity rating.

(Article written by Jessica B. – on staff, BioVeda Health & Wellness Center – Conner Chiropractic Care)

In our modern world, you can’t avoid electromagnetic fields – or their effects on your health and wellbeing – entirely.

If you talk on a cell phone, use a microwave, watch television, sleep under an electric blanket or on top of a waterbed, or work on a computer, you are exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). From the electricity that runs into your home and the transporters and wires that transport it there, to your household appliances, computers and cell phones, you are bombarded with EMFs on a daily basis and there’s no getting around the fact that they can have a severe impact on your health.

Many people suffer from the physical effects of electrosensitivity – heightened sensitivity to electrical energy – that shows up in various symptoms such as headaches, nausea, irritability, fatigue and muscle aches and pains.

But the risks of exposure to EMFs are potentially even more severe in terms of illnesses, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, allergies, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, asthma and fibromyalgia. Other studies have linked EMF exposure to an increased risk of miscarriage, DNA mutations and childhood leukemia.

Bottom line? Electricity is all around us and power lines, transformers, microwave towers and cell towers certainly aren’t the only sources that pose EMF danger, although staying as far away from them as possible is certainly advisable. Other precautions you might take to reduce your EMF exposure include:

• Sitting at least six feet from your television and as far away as possible from your computer.

• Not sleeping under an electric blanket or on a water bed.

• Unplugging all appliances when they are not in use.

• Arranging computer equipment and home appliances so their sides and backs do not face into the room. Place them on an outside wall if possible.

• Not standing too close to a microwave while it is in operation.

• Not placing electrical wires under beds.

Would it surprise you to learn that you are exposed to electromagnetic radiation that is up to 200 million times more intense than what your ancestors received from natural sources like the sun? Considering this, imagine how challenged your body is on a daily basis to stay healthy. Remember that regular chiropractic care and NSRT help your body to deal with all types of stresses – so be sure to keep your appointments with us to maximize your health potential!

Not enjoying the foods you love? NSRT from BioVeda can help!

You eat strawberries. Hives. You eat shellfish. Your throat starts to close and you can’t breathe. You eat nuts. Your lips and tongue start to swell. You obviously are suffering from food allergies. Is there anything can you do to prevent them?

Food allergies are the result of the immune system’s inability to detect what is healthy and what is not in the food that you eat. It may see that strawberry as an invader of sorts, so it launches an all-out attack to get rid of the invader, or allergen. To do this, the immune system produces proteins, called antibodies, against the invader. These antibodies can then recognize the alien invader (strawberry) if it enters your body again.

Your body also responds to allergens by producing histamines; these histamines produce the allergic reaction to the food source in the form of a runny nose, hives, rashes, inflammation or swelling, difficulty breathing, and at its worst – anaphylaxis, a severe reaction that leads to difficulty breathing, a sharp decrease in blood pressure and unconsciousness.

Food allergies can also produce conditions such as ADD/ADHD, irritability, stomach and digestive system problems, migraines, arthritis, depression, seizures, irritable or inflammatory bowel diseases, colds and ear infections.

Obviously if you’ve had a bad reaction after eating a certain food, it would be best to stay away from it in the future. Some people have tried eliminating whole groups of food from their diets (i.e., dairy, gluten, grains, nuts, etc.) when it is difficult to pinpoint one cause.

Since allergies are the result of an immune system response gone haywire, improving immune system function may reduce or even eliminate allergies. Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy (NSRT) has been shown to eradicate the nervous system triggers that cause numerous chronic and acute conditions. Once these stressors to your nervous system are reduced, allergies often disappear or are far less bothersome.

If you, or someone you know, suffer from allergies, let us know. We have collected comments from allergy-free patients that may encourage you.

A study published in the International Chiropractic Association, by Dr. J. Fallon, author and internationally recognized chiropractic pediatrician, demonstrated that chiropractic adjustments effectively reduce the average amount of time spent in labor by 25% for first time mothers, and 33% for mothers who had previously given birth.

We are asked on a fairly regular basis here at the office if we perform chiropractic manipulations on pregnant women.

The answer is YES!

Chiropractic care, aside from being beneficial for overall health, is exceptionally conducive to healthy gestation and delivery, both for the mother and the new born baby, as it reduces labor time which in turn lessens stress on the infant, and helps to prevent a possible breach presentation at birth.

According to the new guidelines set by the IOM (Institute of Medicine), women of “normal weight” (based on BMI) before becoming pregnant should gain and average of 25 – 35 pounds during those nine months. That’s a lot of weight to gain in a fairly short time, and because most of it is concentrated in the abdomen, the spine and pelvis are guaranteed to come out of alignment.

Misalignment of the sacroiliac joints, (stretching of the ligaments between the sacrum and the ilium at the base of the spine) is among the majority of common causes of back pain during pregnancy. However, every woman carries differently and low back pain isn’t the only complaint. Neck, hip and pelvic pain tend to increase as the confinement progresses and it becomes increasingly difficult to sleep and perform daily activities comfortably.

Some women are skeptical at first as to the safety of chiropractic treatment during pregnancy, but rest assured, any respectable doctor will take your personal health issues and concerns into account before performing treatment of any kind.

So, if you’re sporting a baby bump this season – no matter how big! – and feeling any discomfort, or just want to improve the overall health of your pregnancy, don’t wait. Your pregnancy should be a special time, filled with wonderful memories, so come in and treat yourself and your new baby to a relaxing massage and spinal adjustment today – you’ll both be glad you did!

The purpose of the BioVeda Health & Wellness Meetup Group is to educate people about neurological stress and provide people with an alternative to shots, medications, supplements and substance avoidance for the elimination or alleviation of symptoms related to Allergies & Sinus Conditions, Asthma & Shortness of Breath, ADD, ADHD, Autism & Asperger’s Syndrome, Skin Irritations, Eczema & Rosacea, General Digestive Discomfort, Indigestion, Constipation, Swelling & Bloating, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Erectile Dysfunction, Menstrual Irregularity, Headaches & Chronic Fatigue.

Join us to learn about the most common environmental substances that can cause nervous system stress to your body and discover if NSRT is right for you.

You can go to this website for more information on the meetup group and our Health and Wellness programs.