If you are a doctor of any kind you have heard this question. If you are not a doctor but have been to one, you have probably asked this question. But what does it really mean? What does the answer that follows it mean? These days the meaning is a lot different than it was about 20 years ago.
Take the average insurance plan that comes through my office on a daily basis. Patients either have high copays of over thirty dollars, or they have a super high deductible (usually between $1,500 and $3,000) before the insurance company will pick up any of the expense. Doctors must be making millions of dollars with figures like this right?! Not even close.
Let's not forget, insurance companies are a business. In the state of New York, insurance "covers" chiropractic care. Usually they set a cap for reimbursement for a patient visit. Speaking candidly that fee max averages at about $35. That's thirty five dollars, when you spell it out. If your copay is $30, the insurance company will send a check for the balance of $5. That's five dollars. Good thing you are covered huh? If you didn't spend $400 dollars or more in many cases a month your insurance company wouldn't pick up those extra $5 associated with each visit. You would have to get treatments at a rate of 80 times a month to reach your $400 monthly premium (which is on the low end by the way). This example of course is in the absence of deductibles.
Deductibles are the patient's responsibility (your responsibility) for out of pocket expense BEFORE the insurance company will start absorbing payment to your treating doctor. Let's use the average deductible of $2,000 for this example. If you have a $400 premium with a $2000 deductible, you are accepting that you will need almost $7000 worth of health care each year! Don't believe it? Add it up. $400 x 12 months = $4800. A $2000 deductible that you have to pay before the insurance company will take responsibility for chipping in plus the set $4800 is $6800 per year. Do you need that much health care? Without insurance a physical with your primary care can cost about $200. Expensive services like getting eye glasses made can cost as much as $500. An endoscopy and colonoscopy would run you about $800 to $1000. Of course there are situations like surgery where one visit would run your bill over the $10,000 mark, but if that is your concern you should be speaking with your insurance broker about catastrophic care and relying on yourself to pay other health care fees as they will be significantly less than your insurance costs annually in many cases.
This is not meant to be a sob story. I want you to understand how the insurance industry works. Patients struggle to find quality doctors who take their insurance. Doctors struggle to give you the care you deserve because they need patient volume to survive. It's a viscious cycle.
So what are the alternatives?
If you carry health insurance, of course it makes sense to ask if a doctor takes it before deciding whether to use the doctor's services or not. The doctor's answer however should not be the deciding factor in your decision. Consider your insurance first. Do you have a high deductible? Do you have a high copay? If you do it is likely that you will essentially be paying cash for your services regardless of the doctor you go to. When I have a patient come in with a $40 copay we know very well that the insurance company isnt sending us a penny to supplement the payment. The copay is really the entire pay. The insurance books and the insurance provider websites just become referral sources for doctors in many cases to recruit new cash patients. Are you a cash patient? If you have a high deductible or a high copay you probably are.
So the answer is simple. Find the best doctor and allow them to give you the best care available. A common rebuttle to this suggestion is "but Dr. Sean, your fees are a a little higher than my copay and I can't afford that." It's a fair statement. However, it is important to know what your payment is getting you. If one doctor is more expensive than another but he gets you well in half the time, over the course of treatment the fees might actually be less.
Health care has become a confusing game of finance. Fortunately common sense still prevails. Find the best doctor, and let them get you well regardless of what insurance plans they take or don't.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Is Chiropractic what you think it is?
I've been around chiropractic my entire life, and it wasn't until about a month ago that I really understood what exactly it is. With my father having started his practice 30 years ago (3 years before I was born), you would think that by now I would have a pretty firm grasp, but it's just not the case. Don't get me wrong, my patients were improving and my quality of care was high, it was the word "chiropractic" that I couldn't wrap my brain around. With so many doctors practicing so differently, what does it really mean? What does a chiropractor do?
I know what I do and I know what my father does, and I know what my friends from chiropractic school do. So I thought it was important to find out what people from different schools, who were taught different philosophies do. A friend of mine went to Life Chiropractic College West in California where the philosophy is heavily based on the nervous system controlling the entire body and mind. They are known for reducing "subluxation" through use of chiropractic adjustments and thus improving overall bodily function. My friend's patients get well.
I went to a school that is more medically modeled. Physiology and bio mechanics were important aspects of our education. We are commonly called "medipractors" by other chiropractors who do not learn from the same curriculum. I address joint dysfunction, soft tissue dysfunction, and nerve dysfunction to come up with the most appropriate and effective treatment for a given symptom set. Sometimes that treatment is a simple adjustment, sometimes it is more involved and can include soft tissue manipulation adjustments and exercises. it really depends on the patient presentation.
So, if my friend and I practice so differently, how could we possibly call ourselves the same thing? My friend called me last week and we discussed at length (2 hours) what we were doing to build our reputations, our practices, and our skill sets. We discussed what chiropractic is, and we came to a very clear conclusion. Chiropractic is the drug free administration of care at the best interests of the patient. It's very simple. While we both do it very differently, we give the patient exactly what they came in for; a side effect free, efficient, resolution to his or her ailment. Both my friend and I are after the same thing, what we believe is best for the patient. We both refer for nutritional consults with nutritionists or dieticians we trust, we both refer to medical doctors when patient complaints turn out to be outside of our scope, and we both get results.
When I spend time out in the public meeting perspective new patients, after listening to one of my talks, people typically come up with many questions about themselves. I answer the best I can and then let them know that if they come into the office I can be much more thorough with my answers. That's usually when they ask what type of doctor I am. When I tell people "I'm a chiropractor", they decide immediately if it's a chiropractor that they need to help them. My question to you is this: I've been around Chiropractic Care my entire life, and until about a month ago I couldn't identify what it really is. Are these people making decisions from an educated place? The answer is probably not. Their personal experiences in all of their years on earth led them to the moment that they make the decision to come in or not. The only thing that can alter the decision making process is experience and knowledge. People don't even know what we do. Now, you have a better idea. But in case you forgot I'll repeat myself.
Chiropractors provide patients with efficient, drug free, holistic, resolutions to their complaints. When done right it's a beautiful thing, we don't change symptoms, we change lives.
Before choosing a chiropractor you shouuld call the office, ask questions, make sure you are going to a doctor you believe can help you. Believing you are going to improve is half the battle.
Questions or comments? Let me know. Comment below.
I know what I do and I know what my father does, and I know what my friends from chiropractic school do. So I thought it was important to find out what people from different schools, who were taught different philosophies do. A friend of mine went to Life Chiropractic College West in California where the philosophy is heavily based on the nervous system controlling the entire body and mind. They are known for reducing "subluxation" through use of chiropractic adjustments and thus improving overall bodily function. My friend's patients get well.
I went to a school that is more medically modeled. Physiology and bio mechanics were important aspects of our education. We are commonly called "medipractors" by other chiropractors who do not learn from the same curriculum. I address joint dysfunction, soft tissue dysfunction, and nerve dysfunction to come up with the most appropriate and effective treatment for a given symptom set. Sometimes that treatment is a simple adjustment, sometimes it is more involved and can include soft tissue manipulation adjustments and exercises. it really depends on the patient presentation.
So, if my friend and I practice so differently, how could we possibly call ourselves the same thing? My friend called me last week and we discussed at length (2 hours) what we were doing to build our reputations, our practices, and our skill sets. We discussed what chiropractic is, and we came to a very clear conclusion. Chiropractic is the drug free administration of care at the best interests of the patient. It's very simple. While we both do it very differently, we give the patient exactly what they came in for; a side effect free, efficient, resolution to his or her ailment. Both my friend and I are after the same thing, what we believe is best for the patient. We both refer for nutritional consults with nutritionists or dieticians we trust, we both refer to medical doctors when patient complaints turn out to be outside of our scope, and we both get results.
When I spend time out in the public meeting perspective new patients, after listening to one of my talks, people typically come up with many questions about themselves. I answer the best I can and then let them know that if they come into the office I can be much more thorough with my answers. That's usually when they ask what type of doctor I am. When I tell people "I'm a chiropractor", they decide immediately if it's a chiropractor that they need to help them. My question to you is this: I've been around Chiropractic Care my entire life, and until about a month ago I couldn't identify what it really is. Are these people making decisions from an educated place? The answer is probably not. Their personal experiences in all of their years on earth led them to the moment that they make the decision to come in or not. The only thing that can alter the decision making process is experience and knowledge. People don't even know what we do. Now, you have a better idea. But in case you forgot I'll repeat myself.
Chiropractors provide patients with efficient, drug free, holistic, resolutions to their complaints. When done right it's a beautiful thing, we don't change symptoms, we change lives.
Before choosing a chiropractor you shouuld call the office, ask questions, make sure you are going to a doctor you believe can help you. Believing you are going to improve is half the battle.
Questions or comments? Let me know. Comment below.
Friday, January 7, 2011
How is that New Year's Resolution Going?
Do you find yourself struggling to accomplish your new year's resolutions? Don't worry, you're not alone, and there is a good reason for it.
Every year people like yourself make resolutions, promises to yourself that something about your life is going to change for the better in the new year. The problem is that you are not always being realistic about your goals. The first obstacle that many people face is lack of a time frame, and this is paramount.
January first. That's the first day of the "New and improved you." Right? You were supposed to join the gym, start eating right, get more sleep, make more money, have a better relationship with your spouse and with your kids. You were supposed to reduce your stress. Well, if you are anything like me, and most other people, just looking at a l ist like that is stressful and thus counter productive. It's easier to hide that list in a desk drawer than it is to actually put it into action. So despite our best intentions, that's exactly what many of us do. The fact is, this list is simply too much to accomplish in one day! Just because you didn't lose a pound on New Year's Day doesn't mean weight loss can't be accomplished in the new year. It's not you that is flawed - it's your approach. Let's try a new one.
It's good to have a long list of life changing goals, but they need to be measureable, and attainable. For example, don't say "I wasnt to get in better shape this year." You have to define what "better shape" means to you. WHat does that look like? How will you feel? How many inches do you want to lose? Do you want to be able to run a mile? Maybe you just want to lose 10 pounds and keep it off this ti me. Whatever they are, your goals have to be specific, measureable, and achievable. Start small, if you haven't run around the block in a few years, running a marathon can still be a goal, but you will need to set smaller, more achievable goals first. For example, try aiming to run around the block without getting winded, and progress from there once that goal is achieved.
Once you have made a list of real, attainable, measurable goals, it is important to write them down and store them somewhere important, or somewhere you will see them often. Maybe with your jewelry, after all, they are more important than your bracelet aren't they? Writing things down signifies commitment. It's easy to change your goals when things get difficult if you haven't written them down. Putting goals to paper will help keep you in check. Once you have your list written, you should prioritize it. Put the easiest goals first and the most difficult goals last. Accomplishing your easier goals will help you build self confidence and will make those large difficult goals seem much more attainable. This list that you are writing, while specific, also needs to be fluid. Simply put, if you achieve your goals, it doesn't mean you stop progressing. Continue to rewrite your list of goals with new ones as you accomplish the old ones. Save your old lists as reminders of where you came from.
You can accomplish all of your goals, it just takes the right approach. You would probably benefit from telling a friend your goals. When someone else knows, they will commonly ask you how you are doing with your progress, this acts as great external motivation to keep moving forward. Sometimes you will even find that your friend has the same goals you do. Your book club buddy could turn into your jogging buddy. Believe me you are less likely to miss that run if your friend already woke up early and is counting on you to be there.
There is no bad time to start changing your life for the better. It doesn't have to be a Monday, and you're not to late if you didn't start on the first of the year. Make a decision and start working towards your goals. Marathons are run one step at a time. Good luck to you on a happy, successful, and healthy new year.
There is no bad time to start changing your life for the better. It doesn't have to be a MOnday or the first of the year. Make a decision and start working towards your goals. Marathons are run one step at a time. Good luck to you on a happy, successful, and healthy new year.
Every year people like yourself make resolutions, promises to yourself that something about your life is going to change for the better in the new year. The problem is that you are not always being realistic about your goals. The first obstacle that many people face is lack of a time frame, and this is paramount.
January first. That's the first day of the "New and improved you." Right? You were supposed to join the gym, start eating right, get more sleep, make more money, have a better relationship with your spouse and with your kids. You were supposed to reduce your stress. Well, if you are anything like me, and most other people, just looking at a l ist like that is stressful and thus counter productive. It's easier to hide that list in a desk drawer than it is to actually put it into action. So despite our best intentions, that's exactly what many of us do. The fact is, this list is simply too much to accomplish in one day! Just because you didn't lose a pound on New Year's Day doesn't mean weight loss can't be accomplished in the new year. It's not you that is flawed - it's your approach. Let's try a new one.
It's good to have a long list of life changing goals, but they need to be measureable, and attainable. For example, don't say "I wasnt to get in better shape this year." You have to define what "better shape" means to you. WHat does that look like? How will you feel? How many inches do you want to lose? Do you want to be able to run a mile? Maybe you just want to lose 10 pounds and keep it off this ti me. Whatever they are, your goals have to be specific, measureable, and achievable. Start small, if you haven't run around the block in a few years, running a marathon can still be a goal, but you will need to set smaller, more achievable goals first. For example, try aiming to run around the block without getting winded, and progress from there once that goal is achieved.
Once you have made a list of real, attainable, measurable goals, it is important to write them down and store them somewhere important, or somewhere you will see them often. Maybe with your jewelry, after all, they are more important than your bracelet aren't they? Writing things down signifies commitment. It's easy to change your goals when things get difficult if you haven't written them down. Putting goals to paper will help keep you in check. Once you have your list written, you should prioritize it. Put the easiest goals first and the most difficult goals last. Accomplishing your easier goals will help you build self confidence and will make those large difficult goals seem much more attainable. This list that you are writing, while specific, also needs to be fluid. Simply put, if you achieve your goals, it doesn't mean you stop progressing. Continue to rewrite your list of goals with new ones as you accomplish the old ones. Save your old lists as reminders of where you came from.
You can accomplish all of your goals, it just takes the right approach. You would probably benefit from telling a friend your goals. When someone else knows, they will commonly ask you how you are doing with your progress, this acts as great external motivation to keep moving forward. Sometimes you will even find that your friend has the same goals you do. Your book club buddy could turn into your jogging buddy. Believe me you are less likely to miss that run if your friend already woke up early and is counting on you to be there.
There is no bad time to start changing your life for the better. It doesn't have to be a Monday, and you're not to late if you didn't start on the first of the year. Make a decision and start working towards your goals. Marathons are run one step at a time. Good luck to you on a happy, successful, and healthy new year.
There is no bad time to start changing your life for the better. It doesn't have to be a MOnday or the first of the year. Make a decision and start working towards your goals. Marathons are run one step at a time. Good luck to you on a happy, successful, and healthy new year.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Department of Parks and Recreation(al) Exercise
For many people walking through the doors of a gym on a regular basis is just not going to happen. In fact, gyms count on this. When a gym establishes its capacity, it does so accounting for a given percentage of its paying membership not coming! You don't have to spend your money on a gym membership that you know you will never use. There are other ways to get your exercise.
When I was in school for Chiropractic, I already had years of personal training experience. Some of my friends at school had similar experiences. We designed the ultimate out door workout. In fact, it was so intense, that we could only do it once a week. We started this workout in a group of 4 guys and it turned into an unofficial group fitness routine that weekly saw up to as many as 25 people come down to participate! Why? Because it was fun. For you, what I was doing might not be fun, or even possible. We were flipping 500 pound tractor tires, dragging over 100 pounds of kettle bells, swinging sledgehammers, doing pull ups in trees, and running sprints across the two acre yard. There are modifications for all skill levels. You can exercise outside, have fun, and challenge yourself at the same time.
The easiest exercise we can all do outside is going for a walk, or a run. The biggest hurdle people encounter when going for a walk or a run is lack of progression. Put simply, most people just don't push themselves hard enough to garner the results they want. For these types of people, fartlek runs can be extremely effective. I know, "fartlek" sounds silly, but it's a real word. An example of a fartlek run goes as follows; when you go outside, pay attention to the telephone poles on the block. Walk from the first one to the second one. Jog from the second pole to the third pole, and sprint from the third pole to the fourth. From the fifth pole to the sixth pole, the pattern resets, and you walk. Fartlek runs are runs in which there is a set interval dictated by a given time or distance.
Maybe the most fun way to exercise is to go to a park. Don't think playing in the swings is a workout? Think again. Sure, if you just sit there and allow momentum to do its thing, you aren't getting much of a calorie burn, but do some work and you are looking at a core strengthening, calorie burning fun time. Each time you kick your feet out in front of you, the quadriceps (leg muscles) and abdominal muscles contract. Bringing your feet in for the back swings works the hamstrings and the muscles of the lower back. Do you bring your kids to the park and watch them play tag? Why not play with them? It is great aerobics, and it is a fun, free way to bond with your child. If you walk or jog to the park, it just adds some bonus time to your enjoyable workout.
For the challenge seeker, parks can be a great place for exercise too. Monkey bars are pull up bars, and pushups on swinging plank bridges are much harder than pushups on solid ground. Running to the park is of course always an option as well.
When I was in school for Chiropractic, I already had years of personal training experience. Some of my friends at school had similar experiences. We designed the ultimate out door workout. In fact, it was so intense, that we could only do it once a week. We started this workout in a group of 4 guys and it turned into an unofficial group fitness routine that weekly saw up to as many as 25 people come down to participate! Why? Because it was fun. For you, what I was doing might not be fun, or even possible. We were flipping 500 pound tractor tires, dragging over 100 pounds of kettle bells, swinging sledgehammers, doing pull ups in trees, and running sprints across the two acre yard. There are modifications for all skill levels. You can exercise outside, have fun, and challenge yourself at the same time.
The easiest exercise we can all do outside is going for a walk, or a run. The biggest hurdle people encounter when going for a walk or a run is lack of progression. Put simply, most people just don't push themselves hard enough to garner the results they want. For these types of people, fartlek runs can be extremely effective. I know, "fartlek" sounds silly, but it's a real word. An example of a fartlek run goes as follows; when you go outside, pay attention to the telephone poles on the block. Walk from the first one to the second one. Jog from the second pole to the third pole, and sprint from the third pole to the fourth. From the fifth pole to the sixth pole, the pattern resets, and you walk. Fartlek runs are runs in which there is a set interval dictated by a given time or distance.
Maybe the most fun way to exercise is to go to a park. Don't think playing in the swings is a workout? Think again. Sure, if you just sit there and allow momentum to do its thing, you aren't getting much of a calorie burn, but do some work and you are looking at a core strengthening, calorie burning fun time. Each time you kick your feet out in front of you, the quadriceps (leg muscles) and abdominal muscles contract. Bringing your feet in for the back swings works the hamstrings and the muscles of the lower back. Do you bring your kids to the park and watch them play tag? Why not play with them? It is great aerobics, and it is a fun, free way to bond with your child. If you walk or jog to the park, it just adds some bonus time to your enjoyable workout.
For the challenge seeker, parks can be a great place for exercise too. Monkey bars are pull up bars, and pushups on swinging plank bridges are much harder than pushups on solid ground. Running to the park is of course always an option as well.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Kettle Bells
Ahhh Kettle Bells. If you don't know what they are, Kettle Bells (usually made out of cast iron) are like dumbells with more versatility, and sex appeal. Most "globo-gyms" have them now, but since management doesn't know how to fit them in with all of their bells and whistles, the bells get stashed away in a corner somewhere to hide like the scar you only show people when you want to impress.
The design of kettlebells is such that they are extremely bottom heavy (due to the heavy ball of iron at the bottom of a "U shaped" handle. This design makes the bells perfect for swinging and generating momentum. The fact that the kettlebells are completely sodered and have no moving parts makes the durable for activities like throwing and dragging which you would never do with dumbells.
Trainers all over the place are beginning to use kettlebells to add some spice to their client's workouts. But are they right for you? Are they even right for said trainer's client? The type of movements that kettlebells create in the human body can be very aggressive and very dangerous, especially when done improperly. When done correctly, Kettlebells can be an extremely safe, and effective way to build muscular power and endurance. Especially in the core.
Kettlebells are meant to be used in rythmic fashion. As you go through the necessary repititions, you develop momentum. For a healthy back and healthy hips, this is perfectly safe. For someone with flexion intolerance however (pain when bending forward, a typical symptom of disc bulge or herniation), this is not a good thing and it should be avoided unless under proper supervision. If you think you are in good health, experimenting with kettlebells might be a fun way to vary your workout. I always tell my clients that gym memberships are accessories to fitness, not necessities. Give me body weight, resistance bands, and body weight straps and I can take you through a workout that will make your head spin and your fat melt. However, the addition of free weights in the form of dumbells and barbells can be helpful to the process. Kettlebells should be viewed the same way.
Remember, it takes years to sculpt the perfect body. No special technique or "state of the art" video is going to give you the overnight results we all wish were out there. Unfortunately though, it only takes one bad rep to really hurt yourself. Make sure before using exercise equipment you are not familiar with it to get the advice of someone who has some expertise in the area. You know what, even if you are familiar with the exercise equipment, ask someone anyway, maybe you will learn something new.
Until next time, eat food, move freely, and live well.
The design of kettlebells is such that they are extremely bottom heavy (due to the heavy ball of iron at the bottom of a "U shaped" handle. This design makes the bells perfect for swinging and generating momentum. The fact that the kettlebells are completely sodered and have no moving parts makes the durable for activities like throwing and dragging which you would never do with dumbells.
Trainers all over the place are beginning to use kettlebells to add some spice to their client's workouts. But are they right for you? Are they even right for said trainer's client? The type of movements that kettlebells create in the human body can be very aggressive and very dangerous, especially when done improperly. When done correctly, Kettlebells can be an extremely safe, and effective way to build muscular power and endurance. Especially in the core.
Kettlebells are meant to be used in rythmic fashion. As you go through the necessary repititions, you develop momentum. For a healthy back and healthy hips, this is perfectly safe. For someone with flexion intolerance however (pain when bending forward, a typical symptom of disc bulge or herniation), this is not a good thing and it should be avoided unless under proper supervision. If you think you are in good health, experimenting with kettlebells might be a fun way to vary your workout. I always tell my clients that gym memberships are accessories to fitness, not necessities. Give me body weight, resistance bands, and body weight straps and I can take you through a workout that will make your head spin and your fat melt. However, the addition of free weights in the form of dumbells and barbells can be helpful to the process. Kettlebells should be viewed the same way.
Remember, it takes years to sculpt the perfect body. No special technique or "state of the art" video is going to give you the overnight results we all wish were out there. Unfortunately though, it only takes one bad rep to really hurt yourself. Make sure before using exercise equipment you are not familiar with it to get the advice of someone who has some expertise in the area. You know what, even if you are familiar with the exercise equipment, ask someone anyway, maybe you will learn something new.
Until next time, eat food, move freely, and live well.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Krill Oil Supplementation
The use of traditional fish oil in the United States has become a relative common place in modern society. No one would look at you funny if you told them you were taking a pill or two a day of your favorite brand of fish oil to keep your cholesterol down. Fish oil has great influence in our blood chemistry to lower the level of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), the bad form of cholesterol. It also has the ability to elevate the amount of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), the good form of cholesterol. There is no question; fish oil is a great nutritional supplement. Today, I’m going to introduce you to something better, Krill Oil.
Krill oil comes from a fish source just like traditional fish oil does. There are many similarities between these two nutritional supplements. However, there are several differences that set Krill Oil apart from the alternatives. Krill Oil is derived from a shell fish called Krill that primarily inhabits the Antarctic Ocean. The Antarctic ocean is far from the shores of the nearest industrial port of call and hence has significantly less pollution than waters of the Atlantic Ocean, where most traditional fish oil is found. The most notable toxic chemical lacking in the Antarctic Ocean that is readily found in the Atlantic is toxic mercury. Unfortunately, many fish that inhabit Atlantic waters are high in mercury. Since this is where most traditional fish oil comes from, many fish oils are also high in mercury. Ingestion of excessive mercury can be problematic for the normal functions of human physiology and should be avoided whenever possible. Now I’m not making a claim that all fish oils have high mercury levels, but are you going to do the research on every brand out there to find the safest choice? What will you do when you find out that it’s two to three times the price of the product you currently use? I have good news. The Antarctic Ocean is not full of Mercury, and neither is Krill Oil, so your research is already limited. But the lack of Mercury in Krill oil certainly isn’t its only benefit when compared to traditional fish oil
Krill makes up the largest biomass of all animals in the world. Simply put, Krill oil is far more sustainable than traditional fish oil and is therefore more environmentally friendly. Okay, so you’re not concerned about the environment enough to change your supplementation, I get it. There is more. Krill oil contains an important substance called Astaxanthin. Astaxanthin allows the Krill oil to be absorbed into the blood stream more than twice as readily as traditional fish oil! What that means to you is two fold, smaller pills (less than half the size) and no more fish burp. Just like egg white is the ultimate protein source, Krill Oil is the Ultimate omega-3 source, almost all of it gets used. Fish oil pills have to be so large because less than half of what you take is absorbed by the body. That’s also the reason for the fish burp. It takes so much longer to digest fish oil that some gets left be hind in your gut causing that unpleasant tasting burp. With Krill oil, fish burp simply does not happen.
Krill Oil has antioxidant properties. You might be familiar with the term “anti-oxidant”. Researchers believe that there is a strong relationship between anti-oxidants and the prevention of various cancers. Fish Oil does not have anti-oxidant value.
I don’t work for a major Krill Oil manufacturer, so my stake in you beginning a Krill Oil regimen is nothing. We do carry Krill Oil in my office, but no profit is made on its sales. I wrote this blog because I want you to know the facts. If you are currently taking fish oil and you like it, continue, and pat yourself on the back for being proactive when it comes to your wellness.
Thank you for your attention. Until next time… Eat food, move freely, and live well.
Krill oil comes from a fish source just like traditional fish oil does. There are many similarities between these two nutritional supplements. However, there are several differences that set Krill Oil apart from the alternatives. Krill Oil is derived from a shell fish called Krill that primarily inhabits the Antarctic Ocean. The Antarctic ocean is far from the shores of the nearest industrial port of call and hence has significantly less pollution than waters of the Atlantic Ocean, where most traditional fish oil is found. The most notable toxic chemical lacking in the Antarctic Ocean that is readily found in the Atlantic is toxic mercury. Unfortunately, many fish that inhabit Atlantic waters are high in mercury. Since this is where most traditional fish oil comes from, many fish oils are also high in mercury. Ingestion of excessive mercury can be problematic for the normal functions of human physiology and should be avoided whenever possible. Now I’m not making a claim that all fish oils have high mercury levels, but are you going to do the research on every brand out there to find the safest choice? What will you do when you find out that it’s two to three times the price of the product you currently use? I have good news. The Antarctic Ocean is not full of Mercury, and neither is Krill Oil, so your research is already limited. But the lack of Mercury in Krill oil certainly isn’t its only benefit when compared to traditional fish oil
Krill makes up the largest biomass of all animals in the world. Simply put, Krill oil is far more sustainable than traditional fish oil and is therefore more environmentally friendly. Okay, so you’re not concerned about the environment enough to change your supplementation, I get it. There is more. Krill oil contains an important substance called Astaxanthin. Astaxanthin allows the Krill oil to be absorbed into the blood stream more than twice as readily as traditional fish oil! What that means to you is two fold, smaller pills (less than half the size) and no more fish burp. Just like egg white is the ultimate protein source, Krill Oil is the Ultimate omega-3 source, almost all of it gets used. Fish oil pills have to be so large because less than half of what you take is absorbed by the body. That’s also the reason for the fish burp. It takes so much longer to digest fish oil that some gets left be hind in your gut causing that unpleasant tasting burp. With Krill oil, fish burp simply does not happen.
Krill Oil has antioxidant properties. You might be familiar with the term “anti-oxidant”. Researchers believe that there is a strong relationship between anti-oxidants and the prevention of various cancers. Fish Oil does not have anti-oxidant value.
I don’t work for a major Krill Oil manufacturer, so my stake in you beginning a Krill Oil regimen is nothing. We do carry Krill Oil in my office, but no profit is made on its sales. I wrote this blog because I want you to know the facts. If you are currently taking fish oil and you like it, continue, and pat yourself on the back for being proactive when it comes to your wellness.
Thank you for your attention. Until next time… Eat food, move freely, and live well.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Pain is a Terrible Indicator
Sorry for the long Wait beween posts!
I hear it every single day in my office; “It hurts right here.” Well, 90% of the time, when it hurts right here, it’s caused by something else. Our societal norms teach us to chase pain and sickness using our health insurance dollars as a cure all modality. What happened to the individual responsibility? Did you know that in Ancient China, “doctors” were paid by patients until they got sick? It’s an interesting way of thought isn’t it? Imagine that, doctors being paid to keep people healthy, working as precautionary rather than reactionary.
Here in the United States, especially on Long Island and in these times a philosophy like that would never fly. I often find myself wondering, why not? How have we fallen so far away from preventative care that now all we want to do is get help when we decide we need it? There are blood tests that can predict the onset of cardio vascular diseases like coronary artery disease and heart attack. Almost no one receives these tests until they are at the cardiologist with chest pains. There are movement screenings that can reveal postural abnormalities that might one day lead to debilitating low back pain. Unfortunately, chiropractors don’t get the chance to perform these screenings until patients are already writhing in pain. As a society, our health care is driven by two things, pain, and the almighty dollar. I’m going to briefly show you how regular check ups with proper physicians can thicken your wallet and sure up your physiology at the same time.
Let’s examine some common examples. It is recommended by the medical community that before turning fifty or soon there after to have an exploratory colonoscopy. If you have health insurance, a colonoscopy can cost up to $200 or as little as nothing, depending on your carrier. If you are uninsured, there are clinics that provide the same services for similar prices, a private practice or hospital would generally be slightly more expensive. Assuming the high end, that’s $200 one time. Ignoring the necessity of this type of exam could lead to an undetected patch of cancer cells for which the treatment could include surgeries that drive costs into the thousands!
I tell my patients all the time “Let’s stay well, not get well.” Simply put, you are feeling good now and regular monthly or bimonthly checkups will keep you that way. Everyone knows someone who “threw their back out” sneezing, tying a shoe, or doing some sort of benign activity. Well I have news for you, that back was already “out”. That movement was the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back. Regular check ups can clearly demonstrate a patient’s weakest link. Knowing is half the battle. Once we know where an injury is likely to occur, we can address it through adjustments, by altering one’s exercise program, daily activities, or even sleep position and that once a month visit can cost as little as five or ten dollars out of pocket. However, when patients wait for a major injury to occur, the necessary treatment protocol becomes much more regular leading to the accumulation of higher fees.
It is simple to understand. Pain is a poor indicator of physical condition. A paper cut for example can be excruciating, while cancer can go undetected for years. I don’t know about you, but if given the choice, I’d take the pain of the paper cut any time in that situation. When was the last time you got checked? Are you due? Have you had an ache or a pain for weeks that “should have gone away by now?” Schedule your regular check up with who ever it is that you trust with your health today.
I hear it every single day in my office; “It hurts right here.” Well, 90% of the time, when it hurts right here, it’s caused by something else. Our societal norms teach us to chase pain and sickness using our health insurance dollars as a cure all modality. What happened to the individual responsibility? Did you know that in Ancient China, “doctors” were paid by patients until they got sick? It’s an interesting way of thought isn’t it? Imagine that, doctors being paid to keep people healthy, working as precautionary rather than reactionary.
Here in the United States, especially on Long Island and in these times a philosophy like that would never fly. I often find myself wondering, why not? How have we fallen so far away from preventative care that now all we want to do is get help when we decide we need it? There are blood tests that can predict the onset of cardio vascular diseases like coronary artery disease and heart attack. Almost no one receives these tests until they are at the cardiologist with chest pains. There are movement screenings that can reveal postural abnormalities that might one day lead to debilitating low back pain. Unfortunately, chiropractors don’t get the chance to perform these screenings until patients are already writhing in pain. As a society, our health care is driven by two things, pain, and the almighty dollar. I’m going to briefly show you how regular check ups with proper physicians can thicken your wallet and sure up your physiology at the same time.
Let’s examine some common examples. It is recommended by the medical community that before turning fifty or soon there after to have an exploratory colonoscopy. If you have health insurance, a colonoscopy can cost up to $200 or as little as nothing, depending on your carrier. If you are uninsured, there are clinics that provide the same services for similar prices, a private practice or hospital would generally be slightly more expensive. Assuming the high end, that’s $200 one time. Ignoring the necessity of this type of exam could lead to an undetected patch of cancer cells for which the treatment could include surgeries that drive costs into the thousands!
I tell my patients all the time “Let’s stay well, not get well.” Simply put, you are feeling good now and regular monthly or bimonthly checkups will keep you that way. Everyone knows someone who “threw their back out” sneezing, tying a shoe, or doing some sort of benign activity. Well I have news for you, that back was already “out”. That movement was the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back. Regular check ups can clearly demonstrate a patient’s weakest link. Knowing is half the battle. Once we know where an injury is likely to occur, we can address it through adjustments, by altering one’s exercise program, daily activities, or even sleep position and that once a month visit can cost as little as five or ten dollars out of pocket. However, when patients wait for a major injury to occur, the necessary treatment protocol becomes much more regular leading to the accumulation of higher fees.
It is simple to understand. Pain is a poor indicator of physical condition. A paper cut for example can be excruciating, while cancer can go undetected for years. I don’t know about you, but if given the choice, I’d take the pain of the paper cut any time in that situation. When was the last time you got checked? Are you due? Have you had an ache or a pain for weeks that “should have gone away by now?” Schedule your regular check up with who ever it is that you trust with your health today.
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