Chiropractic Wellness

These are one of my personal favourites – fresh or frozen (when not in season) as a healthy, nutritious snack. They can be eaten raw, cooked, juiced, baked in muffins, pies, cakes etc. I even found chocolate covered blueberries! To be honest, I prefer them fresh – recommended at least half cup per day.

There are so many health benefits…

Did You Know?

Blueberries:

• Are packed with antioxidants which help to fight cancer and other diseases.
• Help you maintain good vision and work to prevent macular degeneration in the eye.
• Promote urinary health – help prevent and even cure urinary tract infections.
• Can help with Alzheimer’s prevention.
• Are a huge source of Vitamin C.
• Can help lower blood cholesterol.
• Slow the aging process and are good for the complexion.
• Are anti-diabetic – both in prevention and control of the disease.
• Are anti-inflammatory – beneficial for arthritis sufferers.
• Help to promote and maintain digestive health.
• Aid with weight control and contribute to a healthy diet.

So, make sure you add blueberries to your grocery list so that you and your family can receive the many health benefits of blueberries!

Superfoods by definition are foods with high phytonutrient content.  Phytonutrients are plant derived essential nutrients important to human health.

One of the “superfoods” that I incorporate into my daily nutrition is, garlic.  Garlic contains protein, Vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as the minerals Iron, Selenium and Calcium.  There are numerous health benefits, one being increasing the strength of the immune system.  It has antibiotic, antifungal, antioxidant and antiviral properties.  By having daily doses (minimum half clove per day), it helps to naturally fight off the common colds and flus.  Garlic dates back to over 4,000 years ago, even back to the tombs of the Egyptian pharoahs!

Garlic also helps to support the circulatory system which may in turn help in lowering the risk of heart disease.

Garlic has the ability to lower total LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol in your blood.

Garlic also comes in capsule form as a supplement in case the dishes you prepare are not suitable for garlic.  However, natural and fresh is the preferred method.

Let me encourage you to get creative and add garlic to meals for that extra flavour as well as extra nutrients and health benefits!

Are there any health benefits of wine?

Red or white? – that is the question!  Red has greater positive health benefits than white wine.  Wines with higher tannin levels carry more of the protective polyphenols that are good for blood vessel protection.  The polyphenols in wine have a specific interaction with the lining of the blood vessels and that interaction is able to dilate the blood vessels, relax them, and have anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory effects.

Red wine adds more health benefits.  Only certain types of red – preferably with a style that allows enough time for the extraction of the beneficial polyphenols.  Look for wines that are described as having firm tannins.  Cooler temperature regions with older vines and slow ripening grapes are preferred.  (For those of us in Western Australia, the Margaret River Region is ideal!)

How much?   Moderation is always the key.  A good rule of thumb is no more than 1-2 glasses (125ml) per day for women and no more than 2-3 glasses (125ml) per day for males.  It is actually important that the wine be consumed with food.  This helps to get the benefits of the polyphenols as the alcohol levels are kept down while it is being absorbed.  Alcohol absorption is slowed down when it is being consumed with food, so that there is less damage being caused to the liver.  The small amount of alcohol that is good for you helps prevent excess clotting.