Individuals need to eat more fiber for optimal gut health. Can adding avocado to their diet help improve the gut microbe diversity? Avocado Gut Support A diverse gut microbiome is beneficial to overall health. According to a recent study, eating one avocado a day can help maintain the gut microbes healthy, diverse, and balanced. ( Sharon V. Thompson, et al., 2021 ) The researchers observed positive changes in gut bacteria and increased bacterial diversity in individuals who consumed an avocado every day for 12 weeks. ( Susanne M Henning, et al., 2019 ) Gut Diversity The gut microbiome refers to the microorganisms living in the intestines. There are around 100 trillion microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and more, exist in the gastrointestinal tract. ( Ana M. Valdes, et al., 2018 ) Having a diverse microbiome means that the body has a range of different organisms that offer various health benefits. Not having enough bacterial diversity has been linked to: ( Ana M. Vald
Individuals trying to get and stay in shape can find it difficult to get a regular workout. Can jumping rope help when there is no time? Jumping Rope Jumping rope can be a highly cost-effective exercise to incorporate high-intensity cardiovascular fitness into a workout routine. It is inexpensive, efficient, and done properly can improve cardiovascular health, improve balance and agility, increase muscular strength and endurance, and burn calories. ( Athos Trecroci, et al., 2015 ) Jumping rope can be utilized in interval training to keep the heart rate elevated and allow the muscles to rest in between weight lifting and other intense exercises. A jump rope can be used when traveling as its portability makes it a top piece of workout gear. It can be combined with bodyweight exercises for a dependable and portable exercise routine. Benefits Jumping rope is a medium-impact exercise with benefits that include: Improves balance, agility, and coordination Builds stamina and foot speed for
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis that causes changes in posture that occur over time. Can exercise and maintaining spinal alignment help improve posture problems? Ankylosing Spondylitis Posture Improvement Ankylosing spondylitis/AS is an autoimmune arthritis that primarily affects the spine. It can also spread to other joints of the body and affect the internal organs. Back pain problems are a common side effect of the condition and depending on the severity of damage to the spine, it can have a serious impact on posture. Affects Posture The condition usually first affects the sacroiliac joints at the bottom of the spine where they attach to the pelvis. As the condition progresses it works its way to the upper spine. The spine consists of 26 vertebrae/bones stacked on top of each other. Ankylosing spondylitis can cause the bones to fuse together. ( National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. 2023 ) The condition causes kyphotic deformity
Hamstring muscle injuries are common, especially in athletes and individuals with physically demanding jobs. Is there a better chance of full recovery with surgical repair and post-op rehabilitation? Hamstring Muscle Tear Most often, hamstring muscle injuries are partial tears of the muscle. These types of injuries are muscle strains that occur when the muscle fibers are stretched beyond their normal limits. Complete tears of the hamstring muscle are unusual, but they do occur in both athletes and non-athletes. Determining the optimal treatment plan depends on: The severity of the tendon tear The expectations of the injured individual. Incomplete tears are when the hamstring muscle is stretched too far, but not completely detached . If the tear completes, the injury is more significant, as the ends are no longer connected. ( American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2021 ) Complete tears usually occur at the top of the muscle where the tendon tears away from the pelvis. A complete
Tomatoes are low-calorie and nutrient-dense, what health benefits can individuals gain from their consumption? Tomato Benefits All varieties of tomatoes offer nutrients, including potassium and vitamin C, making them part of a balanced diet. Raw tomatoes contain vitamin C, which brightens skin and fights inflammation. Cooking tomatoes releases more antioxidants which are vital in small quantities such as lycopene, for maintaining heart health and preventing certain cancers. Other benefits contribute to heart, prostate, and cognitive/brain health. Various tomato recipes and products can offer a balance of nutrients. Variety is key and this applies to all fruits and vegetables. Try them raw, cooked, and steamed, as the different methods can offer different benefits. Cooked and Raw Tomatoes Tomatoes are low in calories and rich in nutrients. A raw, medium-sized tomato contains roughly 22 calories and less than 1 gram of fat. It is low sodium and low glycemic, with just 6 milligrams of s
When individuals experience a neuromusculoskeletal injury strain, can following basic pulled muscle treatment protocols help in healing and a full recovery? Pulled Muscle Treatment A pulled muscle or muscle strain occurs when a muscle is stretched beyond its ability resulting in discomfort symptoms and mobility issues. Microscopic tears can occur within the muscle fibers potentially worsening the injury. This type of injury usually causes mild to severe pain, bruising, and immobility, and nerve injuries can develop as well. Common muscle strains include: Pulled hamstrings Groin strains Pulled abdominal muscles Calf strains Pulled muscle treatment requires patience to promote proper healing and restoration of optimal function. Individuals need to focus on the different stages of healing. Gradually increase activity levels as the body allows to prevent stiffness and atrophy which can cause complications. Symptoms The usual symptoms of this type of injury include: Pain Limited mobility
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The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to contact us.
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
phone: 915-850-0900
Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
