Saturated Fat in Breast Milk

Friday Fact:

Did you know that the fat in breast milk is made up of 50% saturated fat? Basically the same amount as butter, lard and beef tallow?

But every month on the news a new article comes out saying how bad saturated fat is for us and that it leads to heart disease, cancer and all sorts of other health problems.

Where is the common sense?

What's next, they are going to tell us to stop breastfeeding because it's unhealthy?!

Please share.

The Risk of a High Sugar Diet During Pregnancy

Eating a diet high in processed carbohydrates (sugar) during pregnancy is associated with a 100% increased risk for the babies to develop allergic asthma. 

Eating healthy is always important but especially for pregnant mothers. A high sugar diet during pregnancy can greatly impact the babies immune system causing allergies and asthma. 

"High maternal sugar intake during pregnancy may increase the risk of allergy and allergic asthma in the offspring, according to an early study led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) involving almost 9,000 mother-child pairs.

When comparing the 20 per cent of mothers with the highest sugar intake versus the 20 per cent of mothers with the lowest sugar intake, there was an increased risk of 38 per cent for allergy in the offspring (73 per cent for allergy to two or more allergens) and 101 per cent for allergic asthma."

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com

Breastmilk Contributes to Babies' Bacteria

Up to 40% of infant's gut bacteria is formed from being breastfed! 80% of our immune system comes from our intestines therefore breastfed babies are going to have a substantially stronger immune system and reduced risk of disease. 

"The study, published Monday (May 8) in JAMA Pediatrics, found that 30 percent of babies’ gut bacteria seem to come from the mother’s breast milk and that another 10 percent can be traced to skin around the mother’s nipple.

“Breast milk is this amazing liquid that, through millions of years of evolution, has evolved to make babies healthy, particularly their immune systems,” UCLA’s Grace Aldrovandi, the study’s lead author, said in a press release. “Our research identifies a new mechanism that contributes to building stronger, healthier babies.”"

Read the full article here: www.the-scientist.com

PiperWai natural deodorant - available at Kehres Health & Chiropractic

Kehres Health & Chiropractic is one of 75 retailers to carry PiperWai Natural Deodorant!

Jen and I have been using it for the past month, and liked it so much we decided to stock product at our offices.

After a successful pitch on SharkTank, PiperWai deodorant continues to gain popularity because of how well it works and that it is all natural.

Read more about PiperWai in this October 2016 Inc. Magazine article. 

Natural deodorant is important for your health, the aluminum in antiperspirants has been known to accumulate in breast tissue and may be linked to an increased cancer risk.

Dr. Mercola states there are 5 Ingredients that Make Your Deodorant Dangerous: 

• Aluminum
• Parabens
• Phthalates
• Triclosan
• Fragrances

PiperWai natural deodorant does not have any of these ingredients, it is made of natural ingredients such as charcoal and coconut oil. 

Stop by Kehres Health & Chiropractic in Saginaw and Midland to buy PiperWai natural deodorant!

Healthy non-alcoholic holiday drinks - sparkling water

Are you looking for a healthy, non-alocholic drink to enjoy this holiday season? Especially with my wife being pregnant, this has been a priority for us this year.

I was recently on NBC 25 with different, delicious drinks and a few of our favorites.

Cascade Ice comes in four flavors, citrus twist, lemon zest, lemon lime and mixed berry. It is organic and has a very short ingredients list (always a good thing!). In Michigan, it is available at Kroger, click here to see where it is sold in other states.

Perrier sparkling water is available at most grocery stores and served in some restaurants. Plain sparkling water is delicious and you can add your own flavoring through fresh or frozen fruit, but they also offer a variety of flavors. Pink Grapefruit is Jen's favorite. The ingredients list for their flavored sparkling water contains "natural flavors" which is very broad and undefined, but it still makes this drink a better option than the majority of other holiday drinks. And Perrier is often easy to find in glass bottles, which is always the best option (safer than plastic). There are a variety of other healthy sparking water brands available, these are just a few of our favorites. 

Earlier this year we went to Europe, and many of the restaurants we went to for dinner served water in wine glasses and sparkling water was always available. This simple change of glassware made drinking just plain water more fun. Add some fruit to garnish the drink, and you have a very healthy and easy to make non-alcoholic holiday drink!

NBC 25 - Forget Mary Ann, add Ginger to your diet

From NBC 25 with Joel Feick

The Joys of Ginger, by Joel Feick of NBC 25

Do you remember the show "Gilligan's Island?" Two of the ladies on that show were Mary Ann and Ginger. Ask any man which one he prefers. A local wellness expert says go with ginger.

Actually Saginaw chiropractor Dr. Dan Kehres may be a little too young for Gilligan's Island. 

But he knows all about the health benefits of the root known as ginger. Perhaps you've seen it in the produce section of the grocery store. Dr. Dan says chop it up and add it to tea for a soothing drink. Ginger or ginger root is consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric another one of Dr. Dan's favorites.

For more information on healthy alternatives check out his website at: http://www.kehreshealth.com

Click here to watch the video from NBC 25.

You might also like:

• NBC 25: Incredible Protein Shake for Fall
• NBC 25: Want to lose weight? Eat eggs.
• NBC 25: Healthy Halloween Treats
• NBC 25: Coconut Oil lotion 

Whipped Coconut Oil Lotion

whipped coconut oil lotion

If you can't eat it, don't use it is a rule I try to follow as much as possible when it comes to personal care. When it comes to skin lotion, this is an easy one to follow as coconut oil is affordable, healthy and works great as lotion.

As coconut oil changes texture with temperature, it can be difficult to use as lotion if the texture is too hard or too liquid.

By taking the simple step of whipping the coconut oil with an electric mixer for a few minutes, it creates a texture that works great as body lotion.

The coconut oil does not have to be melted first and you can add essentials oils if you prefer scented lotion. Jen likes to mix a few drops of vanilla and lemon oil in her lotion.

Store in a small tin or glass jar with a lid, and re-mix in the future if necessary.

Coconut oil has been shown to help protect skin from the damaging effects of free radicals. With its anti-aging benefits, coconut oil also helps improve the appearance of skin. Coconut oil is also anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, an antioxidant and nontoxic to both humans and animals.

Interested in a natural dandruff remedy or hair deep conditioner? Massage coconut oil on your scalp and hair, let sit for 10 minutes, then wash out. Is your pet itchy? Rub coconut oil on their skin or give them a teaspoon of it to eat.

Look for organic, extra virgin and cold pressed coconut oil. It can be found at most health food stores and at Kehres Health & Chiropractic in Saginaw. 

Read about all-natural laundry upgrades and healthy, homemade face wash.

Learn more about the April New Month's Resolution to create a healthy home.

Try yoga for free!

Kathryn Budig

Interested in trying a free yoga class... at home?

Yoganonymous.com offers free classes posted online and they change weekly.

YogaGlo.com offers a free 15 day trial where you can select from a variety of class lengths, teachers and styles such as pre-natal yoga.

My favorite teacher on YogaGlo is Kathryn Budig, one my favorite classes by her is Quick Flow & Go -- only 20 minutes, but fast and fun yoga.

Enjoy!

New Month's Resolution: April

Create a healthy home

True health means taking care of all aspects of your health -- including physical, nutritional, mental and chemical. Reducing toxins is very important and typically chemical health is often the area people know the least about.

Creating a healthy home is a priority for us, and should be a priority for everyone, especially families with children, pets or immunocompromised individuals.

The use of chemicals in the home is being linked to more health conditions and diseases every year, ranging from asthma to skin conditions to cancer.

A recent study by the EPA stated that the toxic chemicals in household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air.

The Environmental Working Group found that more than one in five personal care products contain chemicals linked to cancer.

Besides the health benefits of reducing toxins, it helps the environment and is often more cost-effective. To create a healthy home, use as many natural cleaning products as possible to reduce the risk of having a chemical related illness. If you couldn’t eat it, don’t use it.

Look for tips throughout the month about reducing toxins at home and share your favorite all-natural home remedies with us on the Kehres Health Facebook page. 

See the previous New Month's Resolutions: January, February and March.

Learn more:

All natural, home made face wash

Pass the pesticides please

How to choose personal care products

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In 2012, I challenge you to do a new month’s resolution instead of a new year’s resolution. This year, let’s celebrate accomplishments and re-focus on new goals each month.

On the first of every month, a new month’s resolution will be posted on DrKehres.com. Share your updates in the comments below or on the Kehres Health Facebook page. Articles and tips will be posted with each resolution.

Make your health a priority throughout the year!

Witchery, by Dr. York

This article, Witchery, is by Dr. Rebecca York of York Chiropractic in Bay City, Michigan. Be sure to check out her blog yorkwellness.blogspot.com and her new site bohograce.com.

Dr. Rebecca York

So a patient tells me yesterday, "I've had this back pain for years and I've tried everything! Prescription drugs, ibuprofin, physical therapy and now they want to do surgery. My daughter suggested I see a Chiropractor. I'm so desperate, I'll try anything!" I was annoyed. Not at my patient, but with the world.

You see, this world is a strange, crazy place. We make poor choices in our lives and health, create sickness and disease and then turn to drugs and surgery for treatment. This is completely acceptable and normal in our society. In fact, this dogma is so "normal" that if you don't follow this culture, you are considered alternative, an outsider, crazy wacko or hippie. Case in point: Home birth. Birthing your children is natural. Women are designed and meant to give birth. In fact in a world of nearly 7 billion people, add a few more billions for those already deceased, birth is about as frequent, normal, ordinary, and naturally occurring as dirt and trees. But, somehow over the last 75 years, women have become dis-empowered and are now unable to birth their own children. Now women need intervention, supervision, drugs, monitors, tests and treatment. Which directly correlates with the invention of such tests and machines. (Cha-ching!)

Now in rare -- and I mean RARE occasions (i.e. fire burns, amputations, near death experiences, horrific car accidents) we are all grateful for such emergency treatment and intervention. But, our first choice for our lives and health should be self-empowered holistic, natural and nutritional preventative wellness care. And clearly, drugs and knives and medical intervention and treatment should be the last step. Absolutely the Last. Desperate. Step.

York Chiropractic

In other words: In today's modern terms our society still believes in witch-trials and Chiropractic is witchery. Those same ridiculous fears of "something different" are just as alive today as it was in the 1600's. And after three children born at home, I can attest, everyone in America scared to death about birth and are sold on the idea that only safe place to birth is at the hospital. You see, with my home-birth, breast-feeding, anti-vaccine choices, society is afraid and burns me at the stake.

Isn't it funny and deeply ironic that when we are self-empowered, make our own choices, especially outside-the-normal choices, and simply trusting ourselves... we are deemed crazy? But, when we give up our power, fore go our own self-healing, dismiss our own capabilities and abilities, turn our minds, choices, and lifestyle over to the government, god, medical profession, drugs, surgery, it is completely acceptable? As if we are not worthy of our opinion and choices. We must do what-every-body-else-is-doing to be part of this society, or else, you will be burned at the stake. Or for now, you'll simply be considered a last "desperate" resort. We are, indeed, a crazy, crazy world.

So here is what we do: 1. Things that are natural, non-invasive, and self-healing, consider that your first priority. Consider things that involve drugs, knives, a diagnoses as last and desperate resort. 2. Question what "everyone else is doing." Just because "everyone else is doing it." Doesn't mean it's right. Case in point: There were many Nazi's.

Live Well! 

York Chiropractic is located at 3741 E. Wilder Road Suite D Bay City, MI 48706. Contact Dr. York at 989.686.4609 or RebeccaYorkDC@aol.com.

How Can A Doula Help Me?

Guest post written by Kim Langley CD(DONA). Kim is certified through DONA International and the co-owner of Naturally Yours Doula Practice, which serves the Great Lakes Bay Region, including Saginaw and Bay City.

When I tell people that I am a Certified Birth Doula, I often get confused looks and lots of questions. A doula is a professionally trained pregnancy and birthing coach. The birth of a child is a memory that a mom carries with her for an entire lifetime.

My goal as a DONA certified birth doula is to help couples have a beautiful birth experience. It can be difficult to achieve a natural birth in hospitals today. I love to come alongside couples and help them navigate the “birth system,” allowing them to achieve the kind of birth that they desire.

I meet with couples prenatally to discuss the type of birth they would like to have and how to make that birth a reality. I practice bellymapping, a technique that helps moms to understand how their baby is situated in their womb. The baby’s position greatly affects the course of labor. I help with making sure that the baby is in an optimal position for labor and birth.

At our prenatal meetings we also talk about what to expect during labor and birth and how to avoid common interventions in labor.

• Our clients averaged 9 hours of labor (compared to an average of 18 hours for a first labor)
• 90% of our clients avoided inductions with Pitocin
• 80% of our clients avoided an epidural
• 95% of our clients avoided a c-section

Having a doula present during labor tends to create faster, less painful labors. Many of my clients comment that having me as their doula helped them to be less fearful of labor and birth.

For more information on doulas and what they can do for you, check out http://www.naturallyyoursdoulapractice.org/ or contact Kim at naturallyyoursdoula@live.com or 989-450-6933.

Why My Baby Will Always Get Adjusted

I'm excited to feature another guest post today, this is by my friend Victoria Rechcygl. I went to Palmer College of Chiropractic in Florida with her husband Dr. Chad Rechcygl, and my wife and I enjoyed getting to know Victoria, Chad and their daughter Gemma.

Owners of Rechcygl Family Chiropractic in Hales Corners, Wis., read more from Victoria at http://www.innatemama.com/ as she blogs about healthy recipes, raw food fasts, raising a healthy baby and more.

Gemma getting adjusted by her dad, Dr. Chad at 4 months old

I did a lot of work to keep my pregnant self, and growing baby healthy. My first priority was to get adjusted regularly by my chiropractor during my entire pregnancy. After my daughter was born, I made sure her spine was checked to make sure nothing had shifted from her birth.

I learned a lot during my pregnancy, what my body and baby need and how she was developing. I was amazed to find out that the baby’s spine and nervous system is the first thing to develop. It makes sense, because the brain and nervous system run everything in our bodies from our beating hearts to our breathing lungs and immune systems.

Everyone who spends time with us and sees our daughter is amazed by her. At 1 ½, she hardly ever gets sick and just gets the sniffles sometimes, sleeps like a rock, eats fruits and vegetables, has been alert from day one and she is always happy. We did not vaccinate her. She is stronger than any chemical that could go into her body and hinder her health. She has such a strong immune system, and much of that is due to her regular adjustments.

Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York’s Preventive Medicine Institute and professor of medicine at New York University, did a study measuring the immunity of chiropractic patients. His initial three-year study of 107 individuals studied people who had been under chiropractic care for five years or more. The chiropractic patients were found to have a 200% greater immune competence than those people who had not received chiropractic care, and they had 400% greater immune competence than those people with cancer and other serious diseases. And as Dr. Pero noted, the immune system superiority of those under chiropractic care did not appear to diminish with age.

Victoria and Gemma

More and more studies have shown that a chiropractic patient’s immunity after an adjustment. My family and I might get sick, but it will not last long.

Knowing this, I felt much more powerful and in control of my daughter’s spine, and ultimately her total health. People say to me, "You're such a calm mom, what's your secret?" Honestly, it's knowing a chiropractic adjustment, and the perfect structure in my daughters spine, is the key to ultimate health, and longevity. I don't have to worry if she falls over, or gets a few sniffles. I know that her body heals, from her brain down through her spine, and out over her nerves to her organs and body, it simply needs no interference. That is why I am so grateful for my chiropractor, who is also my husband.

With chiropractic and a wellness lifestyle, we've seen kids on anti-depressants and Ritalin, get off their medication and be happy, healthy, focused children. We've seen babies who are scheduled to get tubes put in their ears, with "chronic" ear infections, get adjusted once, and the next day they are healed. It is possible!

This is why my daughter, and any future children we have will get adjusted from the moment they are born, for the rest of their life. We all want what is best for our kids. You have everything to gain by getting your kids spines checked, and adjusted today!


Much Gratitude,

Victoria and Dr. Chad Rechcygl

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I recently featured another mom of a chiropractic family, click here to read Jenn Cohen’s article on the benefits of exercise and chiropractic care during pregnancy.

How Chiropractic & Proper Exercise Together can Benefit a Woman During Pregnancy & Postpartum

I'm excited to feature a guest post today by my friend Jenn Cohen. I went to Palmer College of Chiropractic in Florida with her husband Avery, and my wife and I enjoyed getting to know Jenn and Avery, and their son Nolan.

Jenn is a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor, she designed and teaches a Prenatal Fitness class. Jenn’s class provides moms-to-be with an outlet for physical activity, mental clarity, emotional support and social interaction. Jenn and her husband Dr. Avery Cohen, D.C. had Nolan on June 9, 2009. Visit her blog http://www.the-natural-mama.blogspot.com/ for more great information.

 

As a Certified Personal Trainer, mother to a 19-month-old, and the wife of a Chiropractic Physician, I know first-hand the amazing benefits a mother-to-be can receive from regular chiropractic care and proper exercises during and after pregnancy. I had a comfortable, easy, amazing pregnancy. I felt great the whole time because my body was balanced and my nervous system was functioning at 100%.

I stayed active throughout my whole pregnancy, biking up until three weeks prior to the birth. I received weekly chiropractic care and massages, continued Yoga and Pilates (with modifications) up until just days before birth, and I used the basic principles of Yoga through labor.

As I specialize in prenatal and postnatal fitness, I’ve seen tremendous results with my clients when incorporating chiropractic, Yoga, Pilates-based principles, strength-training and cardiovascular exercise designed especially for pregnant women.

Pregnancy is different for each woman, and a chiropractor and personal trainer can work together to balance the pelvis and the spine for a pregnant woman. A balanced pelvis comes from a strong core, which will help support the growing uterus. If the body is not balanced, the pelvic ligaments could over-contract, causing the baby to shift into an undesirable presentation and can cause the mother pain or discomfort. Even if there is no pain, the imbalanced ligaments can cause an altered center of gravity and affect proprioception, possibly leading to many complaints.

As the mother’s body changes during pregnancy, the spine takes on the toll of these postural changes. As her belly grows larger, she might have a tendency to over extend the lumbar curve in the low back. This could cause tight low back muscles and tight hip flexors. To maintain a center of gravity, the thoracic spine might flex more with rounded shoulders and a forward head posture, resulting in tight neck extensors. Upper-cross/lower-cross syndrome is very common among pregnant women.

Proper breathing is a huge component of both Pilates and Yoga. As the baby and uterus grows larger, it will start to push up on the diaphragm. This results in shortness of breath/difficulty of breathing. Many mothers then resort to shallow, chest breathing instead of deep belly breathing. Shallowly breathing into the upper portion of the lungs prevents full oxygen exchange. It also overuses the accessory breathing muscles creating tension in the neck and shoulders. The more focused the breath is, the more relaxed the mother will be, the more oxygen will be supplied to her body as well as the baby and placenta.

Deep breathing and relaxation that comes with Yoga can help relieve STRESS! Stress is a main contributor to: high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, fatigue and/or insomnia, headaches and irritability. If the mother can relieve stress, she can avoid many other health issues to herself and the unborn baby.

The relaxation and meditation that I teach in my Prenatal Fitness class helps with labor and delivery. Whatever childbirth method the mother decides to use, they all have a common factor of focus, concentration, breathing and visualization, which we work on in our class. Many say that when the mother can visualize and meditate on her birth, it often goes much smoother and quicker, with less of a chance for complications.

What’s in it for baby? Many researchers theorize that changes in heart rate and oxygen levels in exercising moms-to-be stimulate the baby. They also think that babies that are born to active moms are more fit, born at healthier weights, smarter, better self-soothers and reduced risk for diabetes in the future. Plus, they have a strong, centered mama ready to take care of them!

Here is how exercising during trimesters changes:

• First trimester can come with fatigue and nausea. Heavy exercise might not be desirable. If you can get outside for a short walk, it can boost you energy and the fresh air will diminish nausea.
• Second and most of third trimester can come with a burst of energy. Increased blood volume in your body will boost your VO2 (the volume of oxygen in your blood). Some cardiovascular exercises you normally would find difficult might seem easier now. Make sure your heart rate does not exceed 70% max heart rate.
• The third trimester will come with an overall feeling of excitement, anxiousness, fatigue at some times and bursts of energy in preparation of the baby. Exercise can help you burn off some nervous energy, clear your mind and boost your mood.

Proper key movement patterns received through exercise will help hold chiropractic adjustments longer, keeping mother and baby balanced and comfortable. Are there any reasons NOT to visit your chiropractor and personal trainer? Visit The Natural Mama blog for more information at http://www.the-natural-mama.blogspot.com,
watch this video about Jenn and her prenatal fitness class: