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Cold Plunge
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What is Cold Plunging?

What is Cold Plunging?

If you’re looking for a way to improve your physical and mental health, you might want to consider cold plunging. Cold plunging, also known as cold water immersion, involves submerging your body in cold water for a short period of time. While it may seem daunting at first, this practice has been found to have numerous benefits. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the key benefits of cold plunging.

Key Benefits of Cold Plunging

  1. Boosts Circulation One of the primary benefits of cold plunging is that it can help to boost your circulation. When your body is submerged in cold water, your blood vessels constrict, which causes blood to flow to your organs and tissues more efficiently. This improved circulation can help to increase the supply of oxygen and nutrients to your cells, which can lead to improved overall health.
  2. Reduces Inflammation Another benefit of cold plunging is that it can help to reduce inflammation in your body. Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can contribute to a variety of health problems, including arthritis, heart disease, and cancer. Cold water immersion has been found to reduce inflammation by reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines in the body.
  3. Improves Mood Cold plunging has also been found to have a positive impact on mood. When you’re submerged in cold water, your body releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers and mood boosters. This can lead to feelings of euphoria and improved overall well-being.
  4. Boosts Immune System Cold plunging has also been found to boost the immune system. When your body is exposed to cold water, it triggers an increase in the production of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off infections and diseases. Regular cold plunging may help to improve your body’s ability to fight off illness and disease.
  5. Promotes Recovery Finally, cold plunging can be an effective way to promote recovery after exercise. When you engage in strenuous exercise, your muscles can become sore and inflamed. Cold water immersion can help to reduce inflammation and promote muscle recovery, which can help you to bounce back more quickly after a tough workout.

Cold Plunging Has Many Health Benefits

In conclusion, cold plunging offers a variety of health benefits, from improved circulation and reduced inflammation to improved mood and a boosted immune system. If you’re interested in trying cold plunging, start slowly and be sure to consult with your doctor if you have any health concerns. With regular practice, you may find that cold plunging becomes an integral part of your overall health and wellness routine.

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The Need for Probiotics When Taking Antibiotics

When we feel those sinus-like symptoms start to kick in, our society tends to turn
very quickly to antibiotics. These antibiotics eliminate the harmful bacteria
that are intruding on our systematic physiological flow (“anti”- against, “biotic”- living organisms).
Unfortunately, they also destroy the thriving bacteria that keep our guts strong.
We have so much concern with bacteria in and on our bodies that we go to extreme
lengths to eradicate them- all of them (which means destroying the destructive
and beneficial little buggers alike).

Here is a run-down of what happens when antibiotics are introduced to the body:

 

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Now, please do not misunderstand me- I believe antibiotics can have their place in our lives (i.e. in emergency situations). However, when we take them, we have to be so intentional about also giving our bodies plenty of probiotics to help support our gut’s natural ability to rid itself of harmful illnesses. In Joyce Killian’s article “The Overlooked Role of Probiotics in Human Health” in Life Extension Magazine, April 2012, she explains the impact that probiotics have on a person’s overall health. Our bodies depend on these organisms for healthy immune functioning (as the gut is host to more than 70% of the immune system), decreased inflammation, and gut flora balance. Probiotics also group together to line the intestinal walls, hence acting as a shield against the determined and harmful bacteria that want to escape into the body. Protecting the gut is foundational to a healthy and thriving body.

 

 

Food sources of probiotics

Sauerkraut
Kombucha (fermented tea)
Fermented vegetables
Organic Keifer (from grass-fed animals)
Organic Whole Fat Plain Yogurt (from grass-fed animals)

 

For personalized health plans and nutritional advising, contact us! We would love to chat with you about ways to help improve your health, so you can live a thriving life!

404-355-5499

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Why do you need PROBIOTICS when using Antibiotics?

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THE INSIDE INFO ON YOUR INSIDES

When we feel those sinus-like symptoms start to kick in, our society tends to turn to antibiotics like amoxicillin. The antibiotics then eliminate both the thriving and harmful bacteria that is intruding on our systematic physiological flow (“anti”- against, “biotic”- living organisms). We have so much concern with bacteria in and on our bodies that we go to extreme lengths to eradicate them- all of them (which means destroying the destructive and beneficial little buggers alike).

Here is a run-down of what happens when antibiotics are introduced to the body:

Antibiotics wipe out all bacteria, good & bad –> No good bacteria left to  fight off remnants of virus/disease –> Bad bacteria strengthens & becomes resilient to antibiotics –>

SCORE:

Bacteria- 1

Body- 0

Now, please do not misunderstand me- I believe antibiotics have their place in our lives (i.e. In emergency situations). However, when we take them, we have to be so intentional about also giving our bodies plenty of probiotics to help support their natural ability to rid themselves of harmful illnesses. In Joyce Killian’s article “The Overlooked Role of Probiotics in Human Health” in Life Extension Magazine, April 2012, she explains the impact that probiotics have on a person’s overall health. Our bodies depend on these organisms for healthy immune functioning (as the gut is host to more than 70% of the immune system), decreased inflammation, and gut flora balance. Probiotics also group together to line the intestinal walls, hence acting as a shield against the determined and harmful bacteria that want to escape into the body. Protecting the gut is foundational to a healthy and thriving body.


Food sources of probiotics

Sauerkraut – Kombucha (fermented tea) – Fermented vegetables

Organic fermented dairy (from grass-fed animals)

 

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Best Vitamin Supplements For Winter Months
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What Are The Best Supplements To Take During Winter: Atlanta Edition

Needless to say, the amount of rainfall this summer has been higher than normal, and because of this there will be a lot of repercussions. (At the office we’ve already noticed more patients coming in with cold and flu like symptoms, many have been asking us “What are the best supplements to take during the winter months?”. This is a great question! In this article we will dive into the question and offer advice on the topic.

Rain, rain go away! This seems to have been the jingle this summer as the amount of precipitation in Atlanta has been hitting record highs. In June, we had 9.57 inches of rain compared to the average of 3.95 inches, and in July, we had 8.48 inches compared to the 5.27 inches. Needless to say, the amount of rainfall this summer has been higher than normal, and because of this there will be a lot of repercussions.

Sun

Summertime is our opportunity to be outside, work out and store up vitamin D to protect us from the fall/winter months (aka flu season). Unfortunately, due to all the rain this summer, most people are deficient in vitamin D and have not been outside as much loading up vitamin D for the fall. I have a bad feeling that if people do not build up their vitamin D levels soon then this fall could be a very bad flu season. It will not be a bad season because the flu is bad, but because people’s bodies are not strong enough to fight off bacteria with suppressed immune systems.

Once September begins, people tend to drink more and cook out more with football season then, October brings Halloween, which includes massive amounts of sugar; November has thanksgiving, which is a gluten bomb to the body, and then the holidays hit us in December with emotional stress. All of this to say, the next 3 months make or break whether you give bacteria a chance to thrive and develop into the flu. Your goal should be to build a titanium immune system over the next 3 months, so you are not laid out and miserable from the flu or other problems going around this time of year.

A 2010 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed dramatic improvement on the immune system with the use of vitamin D and its effect on preventing the flu. Children who were taking 1200 IU (see back label) daily showed a 42% reduction in contracting the flu. There was no correlation to how much a person was taking a day, but the key was making sure her/his serum levels were between 50 – 70 ng/ml. The average adult would need to take 8000 IUs daily to achieve levels greater than 40 ng/ml, which is why the sun is the best and easiest way to get vitamin D, as we absorb it much faster and do not need as much time. Testing your vitamin D levels can be done through your medical doctor and would be a great action step to complete before October starts.

Choosing a vitamin brand that is whole food based is essential; taking vitamins made of synthetic or artificial materials is damaging to your health. We do not want a healthy action turning into a destructive one, so we have made the process easier for you. Come into the office this week and pick up your bottle of a whole food based source of vitamins D for only $10.

We thank you for taking the time to read our article about the best supplements for the winter months. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below or call our office at 404-382-9280.

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