Cruciferous vegetables have been known to have many health benefits. Cruciferous vegetables include but are not limited to broccoli, cabbage, collards, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale and bok choy. These vegetables contain several plant compounds that are important for optimal health, including powerful chemoprotective compounds that have been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers. Cruciferous vegetables are low in calories and high in fiber. One cup of broccoli even has as much vitamin C as an orange. When one bites into a raw cruciferous vegetable like broccoli, there is a slight bitter taste. This bitter taste comes from a chemical ingredient called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is what gives cruciferous vegetables their cancer preventing reputation. These types of vegetables are also good for the bones, digestive system, immune system, heart health, reducing inflammation in the body and helping with blood sugar levels. A new study shares exciting news about the major benefit to eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli. Researchers have found that sulforaphane can help with antibiotic resistance. The chemical compound breaks down an organic layer in bacteria that allows bacteria to grow resistant to antibiotics. This is major news. It would behoove everyone for their total health to eat several servings of cruciferous vegetables every day. The best way to eat these vegetables is eating raw or lightly steamed to preserve the nutritional content.
Chiropractic Thought for the Week: Childhood ear infections. It's all about the fluid. When fluid builds up in the ear tube due to improper drainage, bacteria develops in the fluid and this causes an infection which then leads to painful, swollen ears. What research has taught chiropractors over the years is that tight neck muscles can exert pressure on the ear tubes, actually forcing the tubes into a more horizontal position, preventing ear fluid drainage. This is the reason why many children have recurrent ear infections after antibiotic treatments seemingly resolve the infection. The antibiotic kills the bacteria which resolves the painful, swollen ears. But because the neck muscles are still tight and the tube is still in a horizontal like position the fluid remains in the ear and an infection occurs again. When chiropractors loosen the child's neck muscles with very gentle soft tissue work and extremely light spinal adjustments, the tube slants slightly downward in the position nature intended and the fluid drains out of the tube. This prevents the reoccurring ear infections and the merry-go-round of antibiotic treatments.
