A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 50 million Americans live with chronic pain. Pain is complicated, because it can be difficult to identify the source of it, treat it and live with it!
Sometimes pain is managed with highly addictive drugs called opioids. Now opioids have contributed to a drug epidemic in America.
So clearly it’s important for us all to be proactive about pain management and explore credible alternative therapies to alleviate pain. Two pain relieving therapies are cryotherapy and thermography.
Low back pain is among the top 10 medical conditions causing disease burden globally. The lifetime risk for having back pain for one month is around 80 percent. The pain intensity can vary from low to excruciating, and can significantly impair even simple life activities. In 10 percent of cases, it may lead to permanent disability. According to the World Health Organization, back pain is estimated to cost 149 million lost work days in the U.S., costing between $100-200 billion per year (two-thirds of the sum coming from lost wages and lower productivity).
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Minerals are, in many ways, the unheralded and often forgotten heroes of keeping our bodies functioning at their best. While the
nutrients, carbohydrates, proteins and fat may be better well known, minerals are equally vital for helping us get and stay healthy.
They play a key role in combatting disease, helping your body heal, managing ongoing chronic health problems such as high
blood pressure, minimizing the impact of such common maladies as headaches and PMS, helping children grow up strong,
enhancing mental performance at all ages, and fatigue. They truly are your secret weapon for getting and staying your healthiest.
In this easy-to-read and easy-to-use guide, pH Lab’s team of recognized medical doctors and
specialists tell you about the role minerals play with common health issues along with detailed
information about individual minerals. You’ll also learn more about the relationship between minerals
and prescription medicines, why you need more than routine blood tests to see what minerals your body may
need, and where you can get these tests.
LIFESTYLE CHOICES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO MINERAL DEFICIENCY
SODAS
Phosphoric acid is used to enhance the flavor of many carbonated drinks. It provides that tanginess that we enjoy. Although phosphorus is an
integral part of bones, high phosphorous intake, such as from the acidic forms found in sodas, can cause essential healthy bone minerals such
as calcium and magnesium to get pushed away while phosphates take their place leading to brittle bones (osteoporosis).
ALCOHOL
Chronic excessive alcohol users frequently have multiple nutritional and mineral deficits. Alcohol
has strong diuretic effects which may contribute to loss of minerals in the urine. There are other
mechanisms by which alcohol depletes minerals and affects bone formation. These are complex
and technical issues, which are beyond the scope of this book and will not be addressed.
COFFEE
In some older studies, increased coffee intake was mentioned as a minor contributor to osteoporosis; recent studies did not find
any differences. It is also noteworthy that different types of coffee contain different amounts of minerals. Overall
regular use of one cup of coffee per day does not seem to have any adverse effects on minerals and bone health, while high use may.
WATER WITH LOW MINERAL CONTENT
The minerals in drinking water from a municipal source or from bottled water differ. Clinical studies suggest that drinking
water that is rich in bicarbonate and potassium lowered calcium excretion in the urine and bone resorption. That means bone
is being better preserved. Mineral waters rich in potassium, magnesium, medium calcium and low sodium content are useful for
overall health not just for bone and cardiovascular benefits. Fluids lacking in minerals may be counterproductive to health.
STRESS
Stress increases cortisol levels and also interferes with other mineral-reabsorbing hormones. This may cause increased urinary frequency,
decreased mineral absorption and loss of essential minerals.
LACK OF MINERAL-RICH FOODS
Many individuals may be lacking in minerals because they do not eat foods that are rich in minerals. It is generally difficult to see the results of
such mineral deficits because the clinical signs maybe vague and nonspecific. For example, some of the short term clinical signs of mineral
deficiencies may be rather nonspecific, such as fatigue, appetite changes, constipation, headaches, sleep disturbances, muscle tightness
and cramps, changes in menstruation and premenstrual syndromes, hair loss, skin conditions.
COURTESY: Joy Stephenson-Laws, founder Proactive Health Labs
