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Jenison-Eating fat is bad. No... wait...
it's carbohydrates that are evil. One expert says one thing and then, another Doctor says something else. Back and forth... back and forth. Maybe that new infomercial selling the latest miracle weight loss product is the way to go?
Who knows? In the meantime, you're confused and not losing any weight. Well, get ready for some possible answers... and a few more questions...
First, the Results Of A New Study
The June 19th, 2010 edition of The Endocrine Society reports, "[According to a new study ,] Obese women with insulin resistance lose more weight after three months on a lower-carbohydrate diet than on a traditional low-fat diet with the same number of calories..." The study's lead author, Raymond Plodkowski, MD, Chief of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno wrote, "The typical diet that physicians recommend for weight loss is a low-fat diet... However, as this study shows, not all people have the same response to diets."
According to the researchers, for this group of women, the lower carbohydrate diet is more effective, at least in the short term. The study lasted 12 weeks and was funded by Jenny Craig. It found the insulin resistant women on the lowest-carb diet lost 3.4 pounds more than those on the low-fat diet. Total calories for all groups were the same. The low-fat diet included 60% of its calories from carbs, 20% from fat, and 20% from protein. The low-carb diet included 45% of its calories from carbs, 35% from primary unsaturated fats, and 20% from protein.
Both diets included a minimum of 2 fruits and 3 vegetable servings a day. The use of prepared meals made the structured diets easier and more palatable for the dieter. "This data has potential widespread applications for clinicians when counseling people with insulin resistance to help improve weight loss as part of a calorie-restricted diet,"Plodkowski said. "They should at least initially lower their carbohydrate intake."
What Is Insulin Resistance?
Since the women in the above-mentioned study were all insulin resistant - you might be wondering, "what is insulin resistance?" Insulin resistance is a condition where the body produces insulin but does not use it properly. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas to break down glucose in the blood so it can be used for energy.
Glucose is a form of sugar and is the body's #1 source of energy. After your digestive system breaks food down into glucose, glucose is then transported to different parts of your body via the bloodstream. Glucose in the blood stream is called "blood glucose" or "blood sugar." After you eat, blood glucose levels rise and your pancreas secretes insulin to allow cells to absorb and use the glucose.
When people are insulin resistant, they do not respond properly to insulin. In other words, even though the pancreas secretes insulin, it is not effective in getting the glucose from the blood into the cells. More insulin is needed so the pancreas works harder and secretes more. Eventually, the pancreas cannot keep up with the increased demand and glucose builds up in the blood. This is the beginning of diabetes. It is common for diabetics to have high levels of both glucose and insulin circulating in the bloodstream. Insulin resistance not only sets the stage for developing Type 2 Diabetes, it increases the odds of the number one killer in America: heart disease.
According to the American Diabetes Association: "People with diabetes have a higher-than-average risk of having a heart attack or stroke. These strike people with diabetes more than twice as often as people without diabetes."
What Causes Insulin Resistance?
Very good question. There seem to be several contributing factors. The first factor may be genetic. Some scientists think specific genes make certain people more susceptible to insulin resistance. But, genes aren't everything. Weight and lack of physical activity also seem to play a major role. Then, there are the types of food you eat... The more junk sugars (ice cream, candy bars, etc.) you eat, the more your little pancreas has to work to keep up with all the sugar that has been dumped into the bloodstream. Just like everything else, there is only so much work your pancreas can do. If the pace is too high for too long, it will basically burn out and quit. It is important to stop this process before it gets too far. Exercise, weight loss and proper diet can reverse many cases of insulin resistance and pre-diabetes.
According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, "The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and other large studies have shown that people with pre-diabetes can often prevent or delay diabetes if they lose a modest amount of weight by cutting fat and calorie intake and increasing physical activity; for example, walking 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. Losing just 5 to 7 percent of body weight prevents or delays diabetes by nearly 60 percent. In the DPP, people aged 60 or older who made lifestyle changes lowered their chances of developing diabetes by 70 percent."
With all of this information, the most important message to take away is this: Lifestyle has a major impact on your health. Different people react to different foods and diets in different ways, and it is important to pay attention to what you eat and figure out what is best for you. But no matter what, regular exercise and staying away from junk food loaded with bad fats and sugar is a very good idea. Research may not have all the answers yet, but to our knowledge, there is no study that says sitting on the couch stuffing your face with candy bars and ice cream is good for your health.
World’s Oldest Person Alive At 130?
Do you take good enough care of your body for it to last that long?
"If I knew I was going to live this long, I would've taken better care of myself." Those words by Eubie Blake couldn't possibly have any more meaning than they do for Antisa Khvichava. Authorities from the former Soviet Republic of Georgia claim this remote villager recently turned 130, making her the oldest person on earth. She retired from picking tea and corn in 1965, when she was 85. She said she has always been healthy and worked her whole life. It is difficult to verify her age due to wars and the collapse of the Russian empire, but she has two soviet-era documents that attest to her age. For all accounts, her mind is as sharp as ever, but her body has all but quit on her. Her fingers are so deformed she can no longer knit, and she struggles to walk. But, she refuses any help to get around when she has to. While her mind-set and determination are admirable - but also realize how important it is to take care of the one body you are given. You never know how long you will need it. One has to wonder if she ate low-carbs or low-fat? J

And don't forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health talk to us. Contact us with your questions. We’re here to help and don’t enjoy anything more than participating in your lifelong good health.

Welcome New Patients!
Here are the 26 new patients that became members of our practice family the last two months! We'd like to welcome you publicly, wish you all the best, and thank those who referred you to our office!

Christine M.
Joslyn T.
Karen W.
Jacob D.
John C.
Thomas M.

William B.
Kathy D.
Kelsi D.
Kyle S.
Donna C.
Roger N.

Kristy C.
Amanda B.
Robert T.
Kathryn V.
Kelly F.

Brady M. - brought in by his mom
Tyler H. - brought in by his mother
Jeremy P. - referred by Mike P.
John N. - referred by Frank M.
Rachael L. - referred by Sarah L.
Gerald M. - referred by Chuck F.
John K. - brought in by his wife
Scott S. - referred by Jason G.
Joel L. - referred by Tracy

Inspirational Story of the Month -
(Names and Details Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)

The Ultimate American Dream

The Incredible True Story about Ray, His Candy Store,
and Community Kindness That Makes America Great!

It was 36 years ago. That's when Ray immigrated to the United States... he had $10 in his pocket, a tremendous work ethic and a desire for the American Dream.
Ray worked hard for years. Then, he worked some more. Instead of going into debt, Ray saved his money. When he had amassed $30,000, he bought a candy store. Ray didn't slow down. He continued to work hard, and built a wonderful little family business in the East Village of New York City. Everyone knew his candy store. It wasn't just a store, it was part of the neighborhood - part of the East Village family.
That's what 36 years of working hard and doing the right thing for your customers and neighbors will create. But, times changed. The United States entered its biggest recession/depression since the Great Depression.
Ray's profits dwindled... and dwindled.
He cut back and tried to make ends meet. Before he knew it, he could not pay his monthly rent. Things were getting worse and worse, and he thought he was going to have to...
Close His Doors For Good!
Ray had come to America with $10 and a dream and he lived that dream for 36 years. Now, it was all going to end in the blink of an eye. When word got out that Ray and his store were in deep trouble, the neighborhood who loved him responded. It began when a customer asked Ray this strange question… "Did you pay your rent?" "No, I'm a little short."
The man, without hesitation, reached into his pocket and handed Ray $200. Then he said, "Go pay your rent."
That was just the beginning. Soon after that, two students, Arianna Gil and Emily Allan, decided they were going to make a difference in not only Ray's life, but the world. Arianna and Emily decided they were going to work for Ray. They were going to work around the store and do deliveries... For FREE!
That's right. While all their friends were out having fun on a Saturday night, they were on their bikes or skateboards making deliveries for Ray, simply out of the kindness of their hearts. Their pay was seeing Ray keep his store and the life he had worked so hard for. Arianna and Emily took it a step further... They went on Facebook and Twitter and got other kids to volunteer. Then, other people in the neighborhood held a fundraiser and raised $3,000 for Ray.
At this time, Ray is still in business - although he is facing a $25,000 bill for a new ventilation system demanded by the New York City environmental police. A betting man would lay odds on Ray and the people who love him doing whatever it takes to get that bill paid. But no matter what, Ray's story shows what's really special about America... How people can come together, work hard and live out their dreams. America is truly the land of opportunity. You just have to put in the time and effort to get it done.

Ray's Candy store is located at 113 Ave A, New York, NY 10009, and the phone number is (212) 505-7609. Just in case you are in the mood for something sweet!

We love helping our patients and their friends and relatives through their tough times and getting them feeling better! We are here to help you stay feeling better and looking younger! Don't be a stranger. Call us and we will assist you in putting together a customized maintenance plan. It's not a luxury anymore! With our low monthly payment plan, it's less expensive to maintain your good health! You really can afford Chiropractic care! Don't wait until you can no longer move!

Did You Know?... A human can live without food for almost a month but survive no longer than a week without water. The UN estimates a person needs a minimum of 50 liters of water a day for drinking, washing, cooking and sanitation. However, over a billion people do not have access to this minimum amount. According to UNESCO, the world's population is appropriating 54% of all the accessible freshwater contained in rivers, lakes and underground aquifers. If per capita consumption of water resources continues to rise at its current rate, humankind could be using over 90% of all available freshwater within 25 years, leaving just 10% for all other living beings. Freshwater lakes and swamps account for a mere 0.29% of the earth-s freshwater. 20% of all surface freshwater is in one lake, Lake Baikal in Asia. Another 20% is stored in the Great Lakes. Rivers hold only about 0.006% of total freshwater reserves. Mankind uses only a drop in the bucket of the total available water supply. So where is all the water? Antarctica is thought to hold about 75% of the world’s fresh water (and 90% of the world's ice). In fact, almost 10 percent of the world's land mass is currently covered with glaciers, mostly in Antarctica and Greenland. But it will take more than a Zippo lighter to melt it for daily use. For the United States, one crucial source is the huge underground reservoir which stretches from Texas to South Dakota, the 800-mile Ogallala aquifer. It provides an estimated third of all US irrigation water. In fact, 95% of the United States' fresh water is underground. In Libya, as it's called, is pumping some 6 million cubic meters of water a day from aquifers in the desert, providing irrigation for 150,000 hectares of land. Many countries have turned to aquifers to quench peoples' thirst. Aquifers form over thousands of years, but many had been cut off from their original natural sources and are being steadily depleted. In some areas, like Mexico City, aquifer levels dropped by 3 - 5 feet a year, essentially sinking whole areas.

Tip Of The Month - Going On A Date? The Biggest Mistake Most People Make On the First Date

Going on a date can be nerve racking. Everyone knows you only get one chance to make a great first impression. Not only that, many people in the dating world say they know if things have a possibility to move forward into a relationship... Within The First Few Minutes of The Date!!! You've probably heard this. “I’m looking for that spark, fireworks, butterflies in my stomach, chemistry, and I know instantly when it's there." Clearly, many people these days are looking for things that don't exist. They see an internet dating commercial where two people describe a fairytale encounter and think that's what they should have too. Problem is - that's a commercial. Know this: Fairytales are make-believe. Expecting to go on an internet site (or anywhere else) and find your "perfect match" or Prince Charming that is going to sweep you off your feet and solve all your worldly problems is simply not living in the real world. It is also setting you up for a lifetime of bitter disappointment. Many people like to say, "I will not settle." But the real question is, w't settle for what? Bottom line is: everyone is human. Everyone has flaws, including the "perfect" person who "won't settle." We all must settle in our lives in certain ways. We all must do things we do not want to do. That also goes for building and maintaining a quality relationship - whether it be a friendship or romance. Realizing everyone is human, has flaws, and is probably nervous - no matter how "cool" they seem is the first step in dating success and relationship building. Giving someone 3 minutes to impress you before you open or close your mind is unrealistic. Since perception is reality, it is always in your best interest to make the best first impression you can. A lot of that first impression has to do with where you go and what you do on your first date. Here is rule #1 about the first date and first impressions in general: Don't do what others do. Here's why: We all have a past. That past makes up how we perceive things in the present. We cannot escape our psychology. For example, if a woman or man has been on several bad first dates that all consisted of a dinner and a movie, would it make sense to do the same? Of course not. Doing something you have already had bad experiences with will only remind you of those bad experiences. It makes this first date just like all the other miserable ones right from the beginning. It instantly brings out the "Here we go again" reaction. Instead, the secret is: DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT! Even if you have no clue what to do - doing just about anything new will give you better odds of success than not doing what has already failed many, many times. What's that? You want some examples? That's what everyone always wants - they want to be told the perfect first date. In reality, there is no cookie-cutter first date. Why not? Because... it all depends on YOU. What kind of personality do you have? What things do you like to do? Your first date should expose your date to at least some of these things. Your date should see how wonderful your personality is and the fun things you like to do with your life. That is, if you have a great personality and do fun things! Think about how you meet new friends and grow those relationships. Do you talk on the phone once or twice and then put yourselves in and awkward position like dinner and a movie? No! You usually meet doing common interest activities and grow the relationship from there. Why is "dating" any different? Having realistic expectations, giving someone a chance and not doing the typical "dating thing" really can produce dramatic results.
Monthly newsletter readership contest!
The July winner of the newsletter readership contest is John Snow, his 3rd win in 2 years!!!! Congrats! We only had 4 entries this month! The next drawing will be on August 27th. There are three ways to become eligible. You can either email in to info@hartmanfamilychiro.com, let staff know when you come in for your visit, or call in. Only one entry per person, per month. In order to be eligible, you must include the bolded patient/networking list found on page 7!!! Simple as that! Thank you for reading!
Remember, we're always here, using the miracle of Chiropractic
to help your body heal and maintain the health you deserve.
This information is solely advisory, and should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history. We cannot be held responsible for actions you may take without a thorough exam or appropriate referral. If you have any further concerns or questions, please call an appropriate health care provider or our office at 616-457-1168.

Everyone wants to lose a little weight - but it sure stinks being hungry! Well, what if there was a way to lose weight... and be healthier... without being so darn hungry all the time?

Would that be something you would be interested in learning about? If you would, this might be your lucky day. Here is why...

Part of this month's newsletter talks about "insulin resistance." If you have not read the newsletter, please read the first story. It explains all about insulin resistance and how it affects your health.

Basically, when you eat something, your body breaks it down and glucose (a sugar) is released into the bloodstream. Your pancreas secretes insulin so your cells absorb the glucose in the blood and use it for energy.

If you eat junk foods with a lot of simple sugar (soda, candy, etc.), you will have a tremendous amount of sugar in your bloodstream and your pancreas with have to work overtime. Too much sugar leads to your body becoming insulin resistant and, basically, your pancreas shuts down.

Exercise has been shown to help insulin resistance, but eating the right foods is just as important.

There is an index call the glycemic index or GI that is a ranking of carbohydrates (sugars) on a scale of 0- 100 according to the extent they raise your blood sugar level after eating.

Foods with a high GI inject a lot of sugar into your bloodstream rapidly while low GI foods do the opposite. Low GI foods produce a gradual rise in blood sugar and insulin levels. This is a much more stabile source of energy and does not spike blood sugar giving you the highs and lows associated with high GI foods.

High GI foods end up giving you short-term energy that you lose quickly, making you feel hungry again. Low GI foods spread out the energy and you do not feel hungry nearly as soon.

That’s why eating foods with low GI values not only help you lose weight and improve your overall health... you don't have to feel like you are starving!

You can read more about GI and if you want to know the GI of foods you are eating, simply click on "GI Database" on the left side of the website. Then, you can put in just about any food and you will get its GI value.

If you have any questions about this or weight loss in general, feel free to ask at your next appointment.

We have also found neck or back pain makes it very difficult for patients to achieve their weight loss goals. Exercise becomes difficult and many times, frustration sets in. That is why it is important to get your spine checked and make sure you are pain free and functioning optimally to help achieve your weight loss goals.
Give us a call and set up an appointment today if you have any questions or would like a back or neck pain check-up. The number is 616-457-1168.
CURRENT INVOLVEMENTS
There are so many wonderful community groups between networking, civic, social, and charity. I am a firm believer that in order for a business to truly become enrooted in an area, they must get involved and give back.

Future office closings
Now finishing my 8th year in practice, it is hard to believe that it has gone by this quickly. We continue to be blessed by a great community and wonderful, loyal patients. The busier the practice gets, the less time I have to do insurance reports, work on marketing, as well as other business issues. Thursday mornings have been taken up almost entirely with community group projects. I hope the remainder of the clinic hours I will be able to focus entirely on taking care of patients. I'm sorry if this causes any issues with your schedules, but reviewing the year, Tuesday mornings have been our least in-demand slots, so we hope this will inconvenience the least number of people. Thank you again for your understanding and support!
NO ADDITIONAL DAYS CLOSED

PATIENT/NETWORKING LIST
I provide this list to you for a valuable resource of professionals whom you can trust to do quality work at a fair and reasonable price. Their information is also available in the office. If you have any questions, please ask! If you are a patient and would like to be included on this list, please contact me!

AUGUST 3RD - PRIMARY ELECTIONS!
PLEASE VOTE!
If you have been out and about, you probably have noticed the yard signs popping up! In the last week or two, more and more radio and tv commercials have been airing. Our state, ranked the worst economy in the nation, has a huge election coming up. We need to elect dependable people who have the skills, vision, and ability to work across the aisle and with the private sector to create more jobs and bring Michigan out of the dumps! Most business people believe that talking politics and religion in the office is not a wise thing. In the last couple of weeks, more and more patients have asked what I think and if I know anyone running. I am fully aware that there are many different opinions out there, and I respect each and every one. The people that I support, I support because I have had the pleasure of getting to know them over the last few years as being both a business own, as well as the time I have spent lobbying for better chiropractic care in Lansing. Most of them I have had multiple meetings with and even have had lunch or dinner. These individuals are not perfect nor do I agree fully with everything they stand for or have done. In this part of the state, most candidates stand for about the same thing. Ottawa County is perhaps the most conservation county in the country! Some have more business experience, some have more political experience. When the day is done, I want someone in office who I can count on, who I can call when there is an issue, someone who will be effective. For governor, I've gotten to know Pete Hoekstra a lot over the years. His experience at Haworth and then in Congress, I think will make him very effective. For congress, the second district in which Hoekstra is leaving, I know two of the candidates very well, but State Senator Wayne Kuipers I know the best. He has been the driving force behind improving the chiropractic scope of practice and access for patients. He has voted on a few issues over the years that haven't gone as he thought they would, but when you have been an elected official for 12 years, you are bound to not be perfect, right? For state senate, another great guy out of Grand Haven that helped us move the chiropractic bill is Arlan Meekhof. In Grandville/Jenison, running for his 3rd term as a State Representative is Dave Agema. I talk to Dave weekly about what is going on in the state and follow his facebook on all the junk that is going on in Lansing.

New Research: Cutting Carbs

Better Than Low-fat?

Tip Of The Month - Going On A Date? The Biggest Mistake Most People Make On the First Date