Why Grass Fed Beef? 

Meat, especially beef, has gotten a bad rap over the last 10 years. It has been erroneously concluded that eating red meat increases your chances of different diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Is there any truth to this assertion?

Unfortunately, if you are eating grain fed, feedlot cattle, there is a lot of truth to the assertion. Modern cattle raising techniques have cows in a feedlot, getting very little exercise and eating tons of grain. This creates a fat and very unhealthy cow.

The fats found in such a cow are called myristic and palmitic acid. They are thought to be the most important dietary factors related to coronary heart disease. In addition to being full of “bad” fats, the modern cattle are severely deficient in the healthy, omega 3 fats. So, with all this in mind, you should definitely stay away from meat right?

Absolutely not! Meat serves as a fabulous source of high quality proteins, which a single vegetarian food is not able to provide. It contains all the essential amino acids that the body requires.

The key is to choose the right meat.

The meat you choose must be grass fed and free range. This means that it comes from an animal that lives like it would out in the wild. This type of meat will be much leaner as the animal exercises continually. The fat from such an animal would be higher in the omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which have been shown to be essential for brain health, heart health and skin health. In fact, these fatty acids are called essential because we cannot make them on our own. They are required by our body to function as it would.

So, how do you choose the right meat?

1. Look at the packaging to see if it says “Grass Fed”. This is a good start. Cattle were designed to eat a grass in the pastures, not feed lot grain.
2. Ask the store if their “Grass Fed” meat has been grain fed over the last 3 months of its life. If the answer is yes, there will be very little of the good Omega 3 fats left.
3. Choose the leaner cuts of meat, especially if they are not “Grass Fed”. This will give you less of the bad fats talked about above.
4. Choose local when possible. This helps local agriculture and ensures a fresher product. Farmers markets and Cal Poly are good resources.

Now that you know that meat gives you great nutrition and how to choose the best meats for you and your family, go out and enjoy your favorite type today!

What if you could make one of the best decisions that you could ever make by finding a long term solution to optimizing your health?  Could it be that you already have?

If you are a patient of Powersource then you have begun your journey on the Path of Wellness and expressing life more fully by removing interferences to your own healing power source. This is the first step to a long term solution of optimizing your health. That is why our mission at Powersource is to, “Help you Express Life More Fully by Removing Interferences to your own healing Power Source  so you may live on the Path of Wellness.”

You’ll notice that our mission statement reads, “The Path of Wellness” and not “The Path TO Wellness.” Let me explain why this is. First off, the Path of Wellness it is not a destination, but a process—a path—and you can always be a little better off, right?  Second of all, before you begin your journey on the Path of Wellness, it is important to know where you are starting, the direction you are headed, and how to measure where you are along the path.

Your starting point is determined by your current state of health, which is extremely important for you to identify. At Powersource, we help you identify your starting point in all the aspects that we have found are important to wellness. For instance, do you eat well? Do you rest well and think well? How well are you moving both on an exercise level and a flexibility level? By answering the questions above and taking some objective measurements, we provide you with your starting point on the Path of Wellness. No matter where you begin, your Path of Wellness to you is unique to you, and understanding it will help you on your journey towards expressing life more fully.

Isn’t it time you express your life more fully? 

Wellness researchers have confirmed that there is interplay between diet and your body’s ability to optimally heal its tissues.  What they have also found is that the Standard American Diet actually increases inflammation within our bodies rather than preventing and protecting our bodies against disease. For example, the American diet is almost devoid of omega-3 fatty acids, an essential nutrient for tissue healing and repair. In fact, researchers now believe that about 60% of Americans are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and that 20% of them have such small amounts in their system that test methods are unable to detect the any in their blood. Studies are also clear that our children are deficient as well.

In 2004 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the availability of a qualified health claim for reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) on conventional foods that contain Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids.

In addition to this landmark statement by the FDA, over 2,000 scientific studies have demonstrated the wide range of problems associated with being deficient in omega-3 fatty acids. These include the following: dyslexia, violence, depression, memory problems, cancer, heart disease, eczema, allergies, inflammatory diseases, arthritis and diabetes.

The simple fact is that the omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats. This means that our body needs this nutrient but does not make it. The specific omega-3 fatty acids that are found in fish oils are Eicosapentanoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA). These specific fats are used in all cell walls and make up a considerable amount of the gray matter in our brains. Needless to say, they are essential.

Therefore, the message is simple: there is an essential nutrient that is required by our bodies in order to function optimally and prevent disease, and this nutrient is called omega-3 fatty acid. The FDA has made the statement of its importance, and it has been shown to be severely deficient in most of our diets.

Do you think it may be time to supplement your diet with this essential nutrient? I would say yes given the facts presented to you.

So, what should you look for in a fish oil supplement? The following guidelines will help you choose a high quality one:

1.                   Make sure the fish oil is tested for the presence of any toxic metals and other substances in a pharmaceutical grade facility.

2.                   Make sure that the fish oil clearly indicates the amount of EPA and DHA found in it. Many will just say 1200 mg of fish oil. It is vital to know how much of each acid (EPA & DHA) is found in the supplement as this will determine how much you should take.

3.                   Make sure the product has only the necessary ingredients. Most high quality oils will have fish oil, some natural flavoring, antioxidants and glycerine (if in pill form). However, many brands also have soy, which is simply filler and not needed.

4.                   Make sure the supplement has no “Fishy” smell. This smell indicates that the oil has oxidized and is no longer good.

I sincerely hope that this information helps you to begin immediately supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids and also gives you the information to make the best choices to empower you to express life more fully.

For  

Wellness researchers have confirmed that there is interplay between diet and your body’s ability to optimally heal its tissues.  What they have also found is that the Standard American Diet actually increases inflammation within our bodies rather than preventing and protecting our bodies against disease. For example, the American diet is almost devoid of omega-3 fatty acids, an essential nutrient for tissue healing and repair. In fact, researchers now believe that about 60% of Americans are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and that 20% of them have such small amounts in their system that test methods are unable to detect the any in their blood. Studies are also clear that our children are deficient as well.

In 2004 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the availability of a qualified health claim for reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) on conventional foods that contain Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids.

In addition to this landmark statement by the FDA, over 2,000 scientific studies have demonstrated the wide range of problems associated with being deficient in omega-3 fatty acids. These include the following: dyslexia, violence, depression, memory problems, cancer, heart disease, eczema, allergies, inflammatory diseases, arthritis and diabetes.

The simple fact of the matter is that the omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats. This means that our body needs this nutrient but does not make it. The specific omega-3 fatty acids that are found in fish oils are Eicosapentanoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA). These specific fats are used in all cell walls and make up a considerable amount of the gray matter in our brains. Needless to say, they are necessary.

So, the take home message is simple: There is an essential nutrient that is required by our body in order to function optimally and prevent disease and this nutrient is called omega-3 fatty acid. The FDA has made the statement of its importance and, finally, it has been shown to be severely deficient in most of our diets.

Do you think it may be time to supplement your diet with this essential nutrient? I would say yes given the facts presented to you.

So, what do you look for in a fish oil supplement? The following will give you a good guideline as how to choose a high quality one:

1.                   Make sure the fish oil is tested for the presence of any toxic metals and other substances in a pharmaceutical grade facility.

2.                   Make sure that the fish oil clearly indicates the amount of EPA and DHA found in it. Many will just say 1200 mg of fish oil. It is vital to know how much of each acid (EPA & DHA) is found in the supplement as this will tell you how much to take. If you need assistance from on how much fish oil you need, please contact our office immediately for a consult with Dr. Dubrul

3.                   Make sure the product has only the necessary ingredients. Most high quality oils will have fish oil, some natural flavoring, antioxidants and glycerine (if in pill form). Many also have soy which is simply filler and is not needed.

4.                   Make sure the supplement has no “Fishy” smell. This smell indicates that the oil has oxidized and is no longer good.

I sincerely hope that this information helps you to begin immediately supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids and also gives you the information to make the best choices to empower you to express life more fully.

At first glance, this probably seems like a simple question to answer. "I am sick if I feel crummy or have some kind of symptoms like a runny nose, or fever and I am healthy if I am feeling good and have no symptoms, right?”

Unfortunately this is dead wrong. Yet, if you ask most people you know, that is exactly how they would answer this question. The key to answering this question correctly and empowering you to live your life more fully lies in how you define health and sickness. The majority of the world defines health as feeling good, having energy and not being sick. On the flipside, sickness is defined as feeling bad and having some kind of symptoms that allow you to name your sickness. The question is this: Are these the right definitions according to the understanding of how our bodies work?

The answer is no. In looking at the definition of health, it is defined in Dorland’s Medical Dictionary as “A state of physical, mental and social well-being, not just the absence of sickness and infirmary.” As you can see, it comes down to “Being” well. Then next question to ask you is, “Do you know how to regain the wellness you have lost and live the lifestyle that will keep you well?” If you do not know, allow me to answer and give you powerful information that you can put into practice now to begin your journey of expressing your life more fully starting today!

It comes down to the following 4 lifestyle components:

1. Good Diet: A diet filled with vegetables, fruits, lean meats and pure water.

2. Good Movement: Daily exercises that encompass increasing your heart rate, strengthening your muscles and increasing your stamina. Regular spinal check-ups to insure the proper movement and alignment of your spine. Research shows that movement of the joints of the spine is considered and essential nutrient for brain function and development.

3. Good Thoughts: Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative and be grateful.

4. Good Rest: As your body rebuilds while you sleep, it is absolutely necessary for a state of wellness to get good rest. In addition to sleeping, add in daily meditation or rest times throughout the day.

This short list can give you a starting point. If you have any questions or would like help with any of the areas above, we at Powersource are here to empower you to live life more fully. Call 781-9155 to jump on the path of wellness today!

Chronic Disease: The Modern Plague…

Will You Succumb to its Wrath?

When you think of plagues, you probably think of things like the Black Plague that killed 30% of Europe. The fact is we are now in the midst of the greatest plague to ever hit the modern world. It is the plague of Chronic Diseases.

Chronic diseases are now responsible for the death of 80% of the industrialized world. Human beings are now the sickest species on the planet. Never in the history of mankind have we seen so much cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity related deaths.

The research is unequivocal. We are in the middle of a chronic health pandemic that not only affects our elderly, but has started to take its hold in our children as well.

What is the cause of this pandemic, you ask? Can we have a war on Chronic Disease? Maybe if we can find the cause, we can find a cure?

Despite ever increasing medical expenditure over the last 50 years we are becoming sicker and sicker. We need to look to a different solution. We need to look at the cause and correct that cause from the inside out.

The good news is that we know the cause and the cure both, you just don’t hear much about it these days. The facts of the matter are that it is our lifestyle choices that have caused this modern pandemic to tear at the fabric of our species.

We now live in a way that causes our bodies to get sick from a very young age. We eat, move, think and rest in ways that are toxic and deficient to our bodies and our minds. The result is my loved ones and your loved ones are suffering and dying much earlier than they ever should.

The cure is simply to eat, move, think and rest in a way that gives us sufficiency rather than deficiency. We need to do so in a way that gives us purity rather than toxicity. It needs to start now and we need to teach our kids so they can teach their kids and so on.

The choice is up to us.

If you are like most folks, you have had the distinct “pleasure” of having a case of the stomach flu that had you running to the bathroom for one of two reasons or possibly both!

This stomach virus is especially dangerous for children because the symptoms can last for over a week and they can quickly get dehydrated, which can be life-threatening.

This bug is also very contagious…even after the explosions cease! In fact, it can continue to be spread for a week after the symptoms have gone! Most people aren't aware of that. And that's why it continues to spread like wildfire.

Medical care professionals say to rest, drink fluids and eat soft, bland foods when you have viral gastroenteritis.

That's great advice, but there is something else you can do...

Take a high quality probiotic to restore the normal bacteria and help your body fight the way it is designed!

The Probiotic-Diarrhea-Gastroenteritis Study

This study was done on 287 children who had been hospitalized for severe diarrhea due to viral gastroenteritis and the results were published in 2000 in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.

140 of the 287 children were given an ordinary electrolyte solution to drink, and the remaining 147 were given the same solution with just one probiotic strain -- Lactobacillus rhamnosus -- added. None of the parents knew which solution their child had been given.

On average, the duration of the diarrhea was reduced by nearly 20% in the group receiving probiotics. The results also showed that L. rhamnosus was especially effective for diarrhea caused by rotavirus, reducing it by almost a whole day.

It is a study like this that prompted me to carry a high quality probiotic supplement that has L. Rhamnosus included. Not only will Probiotic Sufficiency help beat the bug, but it is essential in the digestion of your food and your overall immune system function.

Be prepared this “Flu” season and stay strong all year long!

Well, another Chirofeed has come and gone. As always, it was an amazing success.

Every year I am amazed at the people I talk to and serve. They are so grateful and helpful throughout the day.

Thank you for all who helped make this a special day to so many! May God Bless You Abundantly!

In today’s world of texting, tweeting, and computers, our bodies are being continually stressed into poor posture. Day in and day out, the stress becomes too much to bear and over time, our bodies are becoming more strained. A recent study in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society has shown that the common postural distortion known as Hyperkyphosis, commonly referred to as “Hunch Back”, is significantly increasing the rate of mortality due to lung and heart problems.

Evidence is showing that poor posture affects the upper back in such a way that we become hunched and our heads are pushed forward, making it harder for us to breathe and putting more strain on our heart. The research spells out that the death rate is increased by 1.44 to 2.4 times.  Although there are a multitude of negative consequences of poor posture, here are the top five:

1. Diminished Breathing (and Possible Early Fatality): Poor posture can lead to a condition called Hyperkyphosis (“Hunchback”) in the upper back. This restricts the ability to take a full breath and get all the oxygen your body needs to run efficiently, which can lead to cardiac and pulmonary problems.

2. Fatigue: Because gravity is constant, poor posture causes your muscles to work overtime. Add that to the diminished oxygen intake and you can imagine how tired your body becomes. This usually leads to decreased production at work and, more importantly, steals time away from the ones you love.

3. Tension Headaches: The head forward posture created by many daily activities leads to tight muscles in the upper neck and back which can cause nerve irritation and muscle knots called trigger points. These can cause severe headaches.

4. Back Pain: The most common initiating factor of chronic back pain is poor posture. The concept is simple: our ligaments and muscles are under a tremendous amount of stress due to the poor posture in gravity. This increases the firing of the pain fibers and will damage these structures creating long term problems.

5. Makes You Look and Feel Older: Poor posture portrays a lack of confidence and can add to the appearance that you are older than you are. Good posture is not only beneficial to your body but it also makes you look taller, slimmer, and more confident!

Awareness of poor posture is the first step in preventing this condition. Understand that poor posture is corrected through a combination of stretching the tight muscles, strengthening the weak muscles, and making sure your spine is in good working alignment. With that said, get moving in the right direction today.

Source: T. Moses Public Relations and Consulting, http://tmosespublicrelations.com

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Scott Dubrul, DC has been in private practice in the San Luis Obispo area for more than 17 years. Dr. Dubrul’s chiropractic clinic is dedicated to guiding a patient from pain relief to optimal function. Since 1993, he’s been encouraging patients to examine their internal motivations to achieve overall wellness. Through an objective examination, he educates patients and provides tools to make improvements.  For more information about how Dr. Dubrul can help you achieve better overall health and wellness, please schedule a complementary consultation by calling 805-781-9155.