It's State Fair time again! So many sights, sounds, smells, and tastes to experience! While you and your family are out and about, remember to drink lots of water, eat as healthy as possible, and have a good time. We recognize that even the healthiest of eaters are able to indulge in fair food once in awhile so don't feel bad. However, remember that moderation is key to overall good health. Eat slowly and recognize signs that your body is telling you enough is enough - feeling sluggish, sick to your stomach, headaches, grumpiness - especially if it's super hot out. Watch out for these same signs in your children too! A grumpy child is often a tired and hungry child. If you have symptoms of allergies - watery eyes, sneezing excessively, stuffy sinus, itchy skin, let us know. Dr. Moss often helps those with "State Fair Allergies."

We have some great events coming up the next couple weeks. The first is our lunch and learn series at the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce. The next one is on Friday, August 19 at noon. Leigh Ann will be discussing a drug free approach to learning difficulties. If you have a child who suffers from learning difficulties, or know of one, come to the presentation and we will help you learn about a new approach. Feel free to bring guests!

Our next event is a lecture on How to Save Your Family's Life held at the Ankeny Library on Tuesday, August 23 at 6:30pm. Leigh Ann has different types of topics ranging from nutrition, exercise tips, weight loss etc. For both events we would love to have you and guests join us! Give us a call here at the office or let Leigh Ann know via email at events@drmoss.net so we can save a spot or several.

Dr. Moss and Staff

WESTERN DIET CONTRIBUTES TO MORE HEART ATTACKS WORLDWIDE
When it comes to increasing the risk of heart attack in relation to the foods people eat, the Western diet has come out on top again – this time as measured in 52 Countries around the globe. A Western diet is one that is high in fried foods, salty snacks, meat and eggs. According to a most recent study, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, this diet increases heart attack risk by about 35 percent. The study looked at 3 different dietary options. In addition to the Western diet was the Prudent diet. This one included a high amount of vegetables and fruits. Also considered was the Oriental diet. This one is higher in tofu, soy and a variety of sauces. “The objective of this study was to understand the modifiable risk factors of heart attacks at a global level,” said senior study author Salim Yusuf, PhD of the Population Health Research Institute at Hamilton Health Sciences in Ontario, Canada.
The results of some 16,000 people involved in the INTERHEART study were analyzed by researchers. Of this group who resided in 52 different countries, 5,761 of the cases had suffered a heart attack. The remaining 10,646 people made up the control group of persons without known heart disease. Researchers used a dietary risk questionnaire that included food items considered to be healthy and unhealthy. Both heart attack victims and healthy heart persons we interviewed.
Here is what the researchers found: Those who consumed the Western diet had a 35 percent greater risk of heart attack compared to people who ate little or no fried foods or meats. People who ate the Prudent diet had a 30 percent lower heart attack risk compared to people who ate lesser amounts of fruits and vegetables. Persons who consumed the Oriental diet showed no increase or decrease of heart attack risk. Researchers noted that the Oriental diet does include many food items that are considered to be protective of the heart. However, these benefits are reduced by the fact this diet is usually high in salt content.
Dr. Yusuf pointed out that the study confirms that the consumption of higher amounts of fruits and vegetables is healthy and can help to reduce the risk of people in populations around the globe from having heart attacks.
“At the same time, an unhealthy dietary intake, assessed by a simple dietary risk score, accounts for nearly one-third of the world population’s attributable risk.”

Source: The American Heart Association. “‘Western’ Diet Increase Heart Attack Risk Globally.” October 2008.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/

Summer is slowing down and heading fast towards the fall and back to school. Are you ready? We want to help your children - and you too - during this crazy time of preparations! Chiropractic care can help children with many things: psoriasis, asthma, allergies, athletic performance, autism, ADHD, behavioral problems, food sensitivities, heavy metal toxicity, and many many more. Do you know any children with these conditions? Why not refer them to our office to get the school year started off right?! Heavy Metal Toxicity Testing is an amazing thing to have done for your child. Why should your child be tested? Heavy metals are found to be causes for many problems kids face such as: ADHD, autism, allergies, juvenile diabetes, asthma, etc. These heavy metals are found everywhere and have a huge effect on our bodies! Did you know we are exposed to 82,500 toxins on a weekly basis? These toxins come in the form of chemicals in our food, air, cleaning supplies, medications, and more. The amount we come in contact with increases every year. Are you ready to get rid of some of these chemicals and their effect on your and your child's system? Just give us a call or let us know you are interested the next time you are in the office.

Dr. Moss can also help in the school preparations by performing school physicals. Just bring in the form required by your school and we'll take care of the rest. We will need a call in advance because we will need to set up a time slot for you. Let Dr. Moss be your child's primary doctor!

Have you attended a home care therapy class yet? Leigh Ann will be holding this special class on Tuesday, August 9th and on Monday, August 29th. We will be teaching you and the guests you bring how to do therapy at home or in the work place. This class will save you money but, more importantly, will help you stabilize faster while receiving care. There is no cost for the class and we provide food. Do you think your co-workers would benefit from this program? Leigh Ann would be more than happy to come to your office over lunch and deliver this special workshop directly to those in your workplace. To get this scheduled, please let a staff member know to have Leigh Ann contact you.

We are also hosting a weekly luncheon event at the Ankeny Chamber of commerce. This week we are focusing on Childhood behavioral problems. The talk is at 12 and lunch is provided. But, seating is limited. To reserve your spot today give us a call or email Leigh Ann at events@drmoss.net.

"If you have health, you probably will be happy, and if you have health and happiness, you have all the wealth you need, even if it is not all you want." ~Elbert Hubbard

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For your health,

Dr Moss & Staff

Book Review: Slow Death by Rubber Duck The Secret Danger of Everyday Things By Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie

Book reviews are not normally the subjects dealt with in Singer Health Reports, but this book is so important to the present and future health of all Health Report readers that an exception is being made.
Many informed and interested people are concerned about their absorption and consumption of toxic chemicals in their everyday lives. But it’s hard to really know how much of these chemicals one is actually being exposed to, how much is being assimilated and what the health effects are. The technical information on environmental pollutants is hardly written for consumers, even informed ones. So how can we find out about our risks without going back to college and getting chemistry degrees?
Authors Smith and Lourie addressed this subject by placing themselves in harm’s way for our sakes. They selected seven common chemicals, ones that nearly every consumer is exposed to on a daily basis, that have been suspected or proven to present health dangers. Then, while their normal habits involved avoiding exposure to these substances, they briefly indulged in a lavish lifestyle of chemical exposure to plastic additives, antimicrobial ingredients, non-stick cookware, flame retardants, mercury and more. They then tested their bodies’ absorption of the toxins through blood or urine samples.
The startling results were compiled in a highly readable report published by Counterpoint Press. The authors point out that while tens of billions of pounds of chemicals are produced or shipped into the United States every day, few of them are tested for health safety. And even when major chemical companies know that their products are unsafe, they have in many cases hidden this fact until they were forced to finally act (think Erin Brockovich).
This book provides a hard look at the assault on our health that we’re all experiencing while breaking down the underlying science into very understandable concepts. Even “green” households may be surprised at how many ways toxins are sneaking into their indoor environments.
The really good news is that the authors provide very specific instructions on how each concerned family or individual can reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals. Careful purchasing and consuming can steer one clear of some toxic chemicals. Other toxins can only be removed from one’s environment by the support of new legislation banning the manufacture or use of certain substances.
It is important that this type of message be communicated in a way that the average reader can understand it, and just as important, know what to do about it. The authors have done a commendable job of providing a way we can all improve our understanding of these pervasive environmental threats.
This book is available through most online booksellers or in retail bookstores.

We have been having some crazy weather lately. It just can't decided between hot, really hot, or really really hot! Wow! I think that Kin Hubbard said it best: "Don't knock the weather. If it didn't change once in a while, nine out of ten people couldn't start a conversation."

August's health board topic is Psoriasis. Did you know psoriasis affects greater than 3% (more than 5 million adults) of the United States population? In its typical form, psoriasis results in patches of thick, red, inflamed skin covered with silvery scales. These patches usually itch or feel sore. They most often occur on the elbows, knees, legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet but can occur anywhere on the body. Individuals with psoriasis may experience significant physical discomfort and even some disability due to severity of the condition. People with moderate to severe psoriasis may feel self-conscious about their appearance and have a poor self-image. Psoriasis is a skin disorder driven by the immune system. With the help of chiropractic care, we can help boost the immune system and help reduce the symptoms. If you or anyone you know is suffering from these symptoms, please don't hesitate to come in and see what we can do for you and them!

Do you have kids, grand kids, nieces or nephews that are going to be heading back to school? Then we have a series of events coming up just for you! All throughout the month of August we have a series of luncheon events at the community center focused on kids and what we can do to help them. The first one is on August 3rd at noon. It will be focusing on how to improve athletic performance and how to prevent injuries. If you would like further information or to reserve your spot, please contact Leigh Ann at events@drmoss.net or give us a call here at the office. Also, remember that we are able to perform school and sports physicals for patients and non-patients. If your children are needing these, let Wendy know ahead of time. Then, just bring in the form and we will get it all taken care of at their regular adjustment time. Remember to let Wendy know ahead of time so we are able to schedule the correct amount of time for that appointment.

"If you're happy, if you're feeling good, then nothing else matters." Robin Wright Penn

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For your health,
Dr. Moss & Staff
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CANCER RISK FROM ECZEMA CREAMS FORCES FDA TO ISSUE "BLACK BOX" LABEL WARNINGS

The Food & Drug Administration has issued a Public Health Advisory for users of Elidel® while urging the medication manufacturers to add a "black box" warning to their eczema creams. The FDA's warning states, "It may take human studies of ten years or longer to determine if use of [the drugs] is linked to cancer."

The "black box" labeling is for two topical eczema drugs, Elidel Cream (pimecrolimus) and Protopic Ointment (tacrolimus). The FDA action in 2006 to upgrade label warnings to "black box" warnings followed the agency's recommendation in 2005 that Elidel and Protopic carry cancer risk label warnings.

The order has been disputed by the manufacturers, Novartis, which makes Elidel, and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical, which makes Protopic. However, an FDA advisory panel said it was concerned that the companies were aggressively advertising the medicines to treat infants and others with skin problems that the creams are not approved to treat.

Link to Cancer Is Unavoidable
The FDA's "black box" ruling for the creams - the strongest warning carried by medicines in the US - said animal studies had shown a potential link with cancer. There have also been multiple reports of cases of lymphoma and skin cancers among children and adults treated with Elidel or Protopic.

Both creams work by suppressing the immune system. Depressing immune activity in this way is known to potentially contribute to cancer.

Physicians were warned to prescribe drugs only for short-term applications, and to only use the drug if other eczema treatments had failed. Protopic should not be used on children under the age of two, and anyone with a compromised immune system should not use Protopic at all.

The relationship between Elidel and Protopic and cancer is becoming more solid. In the last year there has been a 300 percent increase in reports to the FDA of incidences of malignancies that may be connected these two drugs.

Sources: FDA.gov

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2006/NEW01299.html