Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "How Fish Oils Help Arthritis; New Study"

Many people have heard the suggestion that Fish Oil helps people with arthritis for a while now. In fact a handful of my patients take Fish Oil regularly not just to aid them with arthritis but for other health benefits as well.

Now a recent study coming from Queen Mary University of London and Harvard has shed new light on just exactly why fish oil seems to help these patients.

Researchers have found a component found in Fish Oil; DHA, is converted in the body into a chemical called Resolvin D2. Resolvin D2 has consequently been found to be a potent anti-inflammatory with researchers claiming a small amount can have a very large effect.

But even more important to researchers was that Resolvin 2, does not seem to harm or suppress the body's own immune system. This potentially makes Resolvin 2 a far better alternative for a wider range of people while possibly being safer as well.

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Dr. Chan's Notes: This study is important to not only arthritis patients, but to many other patients as well. For example, patients with cardiovascular disease could also benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects of Resolvin 2, as it could help reduce damage to the arteries.

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Fitness Fades Quickly After 45"

It is well known that the aging process affects your fitness levels as you age. However, a recent study to appear in the Archives of Internal Medicine indicates that fitness fades fast after the age of 45.

This was a huge study conducted on about 20,000 people ranging in age from 20 to 96. The study found that the decline in cardiorespiratory fitness/health was not linear with increasing age. In fact the decline in fitness, increased at a faster rate after the age of 45. What's even more concerning was the study found the decline was even worse for participants who had a history of smoking, were over-weight or who were inactive.

To no one's surprise, the implications of these findings will have huge social impacts for everyone. For many years now, our population as a whole has been growing older with more and more baby boomers retiring. As the population ages, the impact of millions of unhealthy people will be a tremendous burden on an already strained health care system.

But wait there is good news!! Researchers say that adopting a healthy lifestyle and exercise can help to delay the effects of age. In essence, exercise can buy you time!
Instead of people suffering from detrimental health effects in their 50's or 60's, a healthy lifestyle and exercise can help delay these effects until you're in your 70's , 80's and even 90's.

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Dr. Chan's notes: I think this study is not going to come as a surprise to most people. A healty lifestyle and exercise has so many benefits that we could go on for days. But just stop and think, if regular exercise could buy you time, How can you put a price on that?

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - Glucosamine Fails Osteoarthritis Test

A recent study from the University of Pittsburgh indicates that Glucosamine was not successful in preventing cartilage loss in patients with Osteoarthritis of the knee.

Many people with Osteoarthritis of the knee take Glucosamine in order to slow or reduce the disease's progression. However, other studies have questioned it's effectiveness.

Dr. C. Kwoh, studied a group of 201 participants with mild to moderate knee pain. One group received Glucosamine while the other received a placebo. Bone lesions were monitored and it was noted worsening lesions were the same in both groups. In addition, researchers also noted that there was no difference in cartilage synthesis between the groups.

The study used MRI machines in order to visualize and monitor changes over a six month trial period.

Glucosamine is a natural supplement taken by many who are suffering from joint pain, tenderness and inflammation.
The researchers in the study did admit that any patient suffering from joint disease must consider a review of their lifestyle as a whole including diet and exercise.

Researchers also noted that Glucosamine may play a role in managing the pain associated with Osteoarthritis and this may be the benefit that keep patients taking this supplement.

Dr. Chan's Notes: Although this study looked at physical changes associated with Osteoarthritis, physical findings (imaging) and patient symptoms are often poorly correlated. For example I have seen numerous patients that have seen me for intense back pain, but x-rays showed no physical explanation for the pain.

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Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor - Dr. Dominic Chan DC; " Ohhh, My Aching.......Economy??"

A recent survey showed that more than 65% of respondents felt that the poor economy had adversely affected their bodily aches and pains. These respondents felt that their acute back pain or muscular strains in the past year were affected by the recession due to the increased stress of having to work harder at their jobs and at home.

More specifically the survey found;

- 27% of respondents said the increased stress of work and family life related to the recession, actually increased their physical pain.
- 29% said they were working harder at work or at home and this lead to increased pain.
- 21% said they recession related health issues such as; sleeplessness or delaying health care had a significant effect on their pain.
- 78% of respondents felt that back pain or muscle strain significantly affected their quality of life including; work, their ability to handle other life stresses and even their sex drive.

This survey is a great example of the often overlooked relationship between physical/mental health and overall health. It also underlies how social/ mental factors can significantly affect physical well being and vice versa.

In hard economic times, it is human nature to "ignore" physical symptoms because it feels as though you're doing just enough to keep your head above water, but this is a poor long term strategy. As the saying goes, " Those who do not make time for health, will be forced to make time for sickness". Some food for thought eh?

As always feel free to visit my website, COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC and contact me if you have questions regarding your health.