Kids don't have that strong a relationship to vegetables. Kids will go through the motions, pushing broccoli spears and lima beans around their plate a few times, but few veggies actually reach the inside of a kid's mouth.
And yet, we want our kids to eat vegetables on a regular basis. The best way to do this is to serve fresh veggies daily, and make sure WE eat all the vegetables on our plates!
Why bother? It turns out that vegetables - all kinds of vegetables - contain super-powerful ingredients that help keep us healthy and help us ward off a wide range of serious illnesses.1,2 These magical substances - phytochemicals - give fruits and vegetables their big nutritional kick!
"Phyto" is Greek for "plant". Brightly colored fruits and vegetables contain the most nutrients and the most phytochemicals.
Well-known phytochemicals include lycopene, found in tomatoes; isoflavones, found in soy; and flavonoids, found in fruits such as blueberries and cranberries.3 Phytochemicals have wide-ranging effects - some are antioxidants, others stimulate enzyme activity, and others have hormonal action. All phytochemicals act to enhance health and well-being and human performance.
Antioxidants provide significant protection for your body's cells against the destructive oxidation potential of free radicals. Free radicals are produced by normal metabolic activities, and they are neutralized by antioxidants which we obtain in a well-balanced diet.
But if we're not consuming our daily requirement of fruits and vegetables, our reserves of antioxidants are decreased, and free radicals can destroy cells and create disease. For example, certain types of cancer are linked to free radical damage.
Bottom line - broccoli spears are much more than flowery green things your Mom used to make you eat. Broccoli is a superfood, rich in antioxidants and rich in cancer-fighting ability.
Carrots - another superfood- are rich in beta-carotene, an important antioxidant. Your body converts a portion of beta-carotene into Vitamin A, which helps strengthen the immune system and protects the digestive tract.
Tomatoes round out the list of the top three super-veggies. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene - a potent antioxidant. Lycopenes give tomatoes their rich, red color. These phytochemicals have proven health benefits in the areas of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
Eating vegetables daily provides so much benefit for people of all ages. Five to nine portions of fruits and vegetables are recommended in a balanced nutritional program.
Your chiropractor is an expert on nutrition and will be glad to help you construct food plans that work for you and your family.
1Hayes JD, et al: The cancer chemopreventive actions of phytochemicals derived from glucosinolates. Eur J Nutr 47(Suppl 2):73-88, 2008
2Nair S, et al: Natural dietary anti-cancer chemopreventive compounds: redox-mediated differential signaling mechanisms in cytoprotection of normal cells versus cytotoxicity in tumor cells. Acta Pharmacol Sin 28(4):459-472, 2007
3Vinson JA, et al: Cranberries and cranberry products: Powerful in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo sources of antioxidants. J Agric Food Chem June 2008 (in press)
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Do I need to have a “problem” or an “issue” to get started with care?
No. Usually a symptom is the last phase of tissue injury - stiffness and mild discomfort or occasional pain that “comes and goes” are some early indicators. As a neurologically based chiropractic office, we focus on proactive health measures and thorough exams so we detect problem areas before symptoms arise.
How long will my first appointment be?
Your first visit will last about 60 minutes.
Insurance or No Insurance?
We are in-network with most major insurance providers. Unsure if chiropractic care is covered by your insurance? Bring in a copy of your ID and insurance card and our team will do a complimentary benefits check for you!
No insurance? No problem! We serve many individuals and families that do not have insurance or that have non-traditional health share plans. For any out of network plans or health share plans, our team will supply you with a detailed superbill.
No matter if you have insurance, or not, you will always be informed of any cost prior to receiving a service.
What is included in my first visit?
The first visit will give us an opportunity to connect with you, listen to your concerns, and discuss goals for your health. We will conduct a thorough consultation to gather information on your past and current experiences that have contributed to where you are now. You will also receive a thorough palpation and postural examination to help our doctors assess how your spine and nervous system are functioning. If recommended by the doctors, chiropractic postural x-rays will be taken as well.
Do you take x-rays?
Yes. At Vita Chiropractic, we have an on-site digital x-ray suite for your convenience and cost effectiveness. Most practice members, if not pregnant, will receive x-rays as part of our examination process.
What happens next?
Getting scheduled for your initial examination is just the first step towards your road to optimal health. After you submit your appointment request, you will receive a call from our team within 24 hours on business days. Once your appointment date and time are confirmed with a call from our team, you will be instructed to complete new patient forms prior to your visit. Those forms will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and can be found on our website. If at any time a scheduling conflict arises, please give us a call so we can make accommodations to reschedule your first visit.
How is treatment structured?
Each practice member undergoes a thorough health history consultation on their first visit to assess their specific chiropractic needs and health goals. This thorough visit allows our doctors to create a specific care plan for each individual who comes through our doors. Our focus is to help patients reach their health goals and serve their bigger purpose. Our doctors tailor care plans for corrective results, not just temporary change!
