Do Supplements Help You Live a Better Life?

Do Supplements Help You Live a Better Life?

Author: Dr Balraj Ougra

 Bottom Line:

Supplements are everywhere. Vitamins, minerals, bone broths, and protein powders are no longer only available at the health food store, you can find them nearly everywhere you shop. For those of us with diet’s that aren’t exactly pitch-perfect, dietary supplements can provide an additional way to gain the essential daily nutrients. Not only are supplements a way to get what you’re missing from your regular diet, but they may also have the ability to help improve your overall health.

Why it Matters: 

Researchers have been hard at work examining the potential health benefits of various supplements. For instance, a fascinating new study suggested multivitamins may be able to reduce overall cancer rates in men. Even with this exciting development, and a low risk of side effects, we recommend you consult with a qualified healthcare professional before beginning to take a new supplement.

·       Supplements are often used to help maintain the daily recommended levels of many vitamins and minerals.

·       Malnutrition from an insufficient diet is found in approximately 40% of people with chronic diseases.

·       Researchers have found a statistically significant reduction in total cancer for men taking a daily multi-vitamin compared to those who did not.

Next Steps:

The best way to get your daily intake of nutrients is directly from the foods you eat. But, for many of us, it may feel impossible to reach the recommended daily levels. Dietary supplements can be a fantastic way to bridge the gap and meet your minimum daily requirements. As research continues to evolve, we may also discover additional health and performance-boosting benefits of dietary supplements.

Science Source:

Multivitamins in the Prevention of Cancer in Men: The Physicians’ Health Study II Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA 2013

Growing Up with Good Posture

Growing Up with Good Posture

Author: Dr Balraj Ougra

Bottom Line:

 “Sit up straight!” We’ve all heard it (or said it) a million times, but many people aren’t aware that poor posture as a kid can create health challenges later in life. Rounded shoulders (scapular protrusion), swayback (lumbar hyperlordosis) and a hunched upper back (thoracic hyperkyphosis) are all postural imbalances that place a tremendous amount of stress on the spine. The muscles supporting your spine consequently must work harder to support your body weight which can result in pain. These types of abnormal postures have been linked to everything from depression to decreases in energy and headaches to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Why it Matters:

 Poor posture is usually caused by what kids aren’t doing instead of what they are doing. If your child is on their phone or playing a game on their tablet, they probably may not be moving and stretching very often. One of the most important things you can do to encourage good posture is to set a timer and have them stretch and change positions every 15 minutes. This will allow their spine, muscles and joints to decompress and reset. By breaking the pattern of poor posture, you can help reduce the likelihood of your child experiencing pain.

·       Over 50% of children display the clinical signs of abnormal posture.

·       Excessive weight and decreased physical activity are risk factors for postural issues.

·       Setting aside daily times for physical play can help support stronger muscles and improved posture.

Next Steps:

If your child is suffering from back pain, neck pain or headaches, postural issues may likely be part of the cause. Next time you’re in the office, ask us for a quick posture screen for your child. We would be happy to let you know how they can improve their posture and reduce the risk of future aches and pains!

Science Source:

Prevalence of postural deviations and associated factors in children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study. Fisioterapia em Movimento 2016

How Heavy is that Backpack?

How Heavy is that Backpack?

Author: Dr Balraj Ougra

Bottom Line:

Even though an iPad can store an entire library worth of books, most kids still trudge to and from school each day carrying an oversized and overweight backpack filled with heavy textbooks. While it may not seem like a big deal, recent studies have shown that carrying the weight of a typical backpack is one of the top reasons for kids to have back pain.

Why it Matters:

A vast majority of kids wear backpacks every day that weigh 6-7kg or more. That’s a heavy backpack! Over time, the stress of the load can result in back pain, a rounding of the shoulders and postural changes. The spinal compression caused by heavy backpacks often has kids leaning forward to compensate, which begins a vicious cycle of postural issues, compensation and pain.

·       Up to 30% of kids may suffer from back pain due to carrying a heavy backpack.

·       Limiting the total weight of the backpack to less than 10% of your child’s body weight is recommended.

·       Instruct your child to wear their backpack with both shoulder straps fit snugly, so the backpack isn’t carried below the waistline.

Next Steps:

 Kids typically choose their backpack based on what makes them look cool. We recommend taking a second look and making sure the straps are wide and padded, the size is appropriate (and not too big) and that it has compartments to help distribute the load. If your child has pain, numbness, or tingling, give us a call. We would be happy to help get them back on track!

Science Source:

Backpack weight and back pain reduction: effect of an intervention in adolescents. Paediatric Research 2018