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?

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Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - Setting and Achieving Health Goals

Here are some simple steps for successful goal setting;

1) Decide what it is you want to accomplish - Try to be specific and even have a picture in your mind of what it is you wish to achieve.

2) Figure out the "Whys" - Think about the reasons you wish to accomplish this goals. This can help you to succeed if you have the proper motivation.

3) Break your goals into "bite-sized" chunks - Often times, you can break up a goal into smaller goals. This will not only make it easier to reach you major goal but can help to track your progress!

4) Think about any obstacles - It's very important to be realistic with your goals. Often times, you will encounter obstacles on you path to achieving your goals. However, if you have given it some thoughts beforehand, they'll be easier to handle when and if they actually come up.

5) Write it down! - Any goals, including health goals should be written down. Something magical happens when you commit something to paper. Write down a goal and your chances of actually following through increases!

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Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Making SMART Health Goals"

Regularly, I have discussions with patients who are trying to improve their health for the better. They often come to me stating that they want to lose X amount of pounds or exercise 2-3 days a week. However, many of these same people often have difficulties just getting started. To help them, I ask them to think of 'SMART' health goals. Having goals is great. Especially when it comes to something as important as your health, goals not only help you track your progress but they can also serve as motivation.

So here is an introduction to the 'SMART' method of developing goals;

"S" - SPECIFIC - What are your goals? Let's be as specific as possible. An exampleis,
instead of saying you want to "lose weight", a more specific goal
would be, "I want to lose 15 lbs by December 25, 2009". See the
difference?

"M" - MEASURABLE - Pick a goal that you can measure so you can track your progress.
Another example here would be instead of saying, "I want to quit
smoking", a measurable goal would be, "I will allow myself to
smoke 10 cigarettes this week but next week, I will cut it back
to only 7"

"A" - ACHIEVABLE - This is an important point to think about. Do you stand a chance
of actually achieving your goal? The goal should be challenging
but not down right impossible!

"R" - REALISTIC - Realistic goals are crucial but 'realistic' will depend on the
person. Say you've never run a day in your life, well maybe running
a marathon next year is just asking too much. A more realistic
alternative is running a challenging 10 km run first. Remember,
you can always take on the marathon at a later date.

"T" - TIMELY - Set a time frame for your goal. Having a deadline is crucial for
motivation and success. Instead of saying, " sometime next year", set
a date! January 1, 2010 for example. Now you've got the motivation to
get started today!

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Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Osteoporosis"

Today I'd like to discuss a topic that is important to a lot of patients out there, particularly if you're female; Osteoporosis.

What is Osteoporosis exactly? Osteoporosis is a bone disease where by bone mass and tissue deteriorates over time. In effect, the bones become "less dense". A very simple way to think of it would be like imagining Swiss cheese. Now everybody knows Swiss cheese is known for having characteristic "holes" throughout. Now just imagine the Swiss cheese developing more of these holes over time. More holes means more empty space and thus, less cheese. Now this is a crude example but I think you get the picture.

Now a common misconception is that Osteoporosis is a problem unique to females, but not so. Did you know that 1 in 8 men over the age of 50 will also develop Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis, is known as a "silent thief" because as the bones deteriorate, the patient often notices no symptoms at all. However, Osteoporosis is a real problem because with weaker bones, a person may be subject to disfigurement, lowered self esteem, loss of mobility and an increased chance of severe injury.

For example, as one ages, co-ordination and balance often suffers. This is a major reason why falls are more common in the elderly. Now if a person with Osteoporosis also suffers a fall, the chance of a fracture goes way up. Did you know that 80% of hip fractures are Osteoporosis related? Once an elderly person suffers a hip fracture, the chances of complications and maybe even death also become a very real possibility.

So what can you do to prevent Osteoporosis? firstly, you might want to get a bone scan or measure your bone density. It's good to know what you're starting with right. Next, there are simple things like the appropriate exercise, nutrition and even supplements that can help to prevent osteoporosis. It's a good idea to have a talk with your doctor/ Chiropractor to find out the appropriate actions for you.

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