The Chiropractic Story of Masha and Dasha

The new mother was told that her twin babies had died after birth. However the truth was far different: they were sent to an institute near Moscow to be studied. This was to be the fate of "Masha" and "Dasha", one of the most unusual sets of "Siamese" or conjoined twins ever born.

Identical twins are formed when a fertilized egg divides into two eggs. The two eggs grow into two babies that are identical in every respect. Conjoined or Siamese twins are formed in the same way as identical twins but the eggs, for some reason, don't completely separate; instead, they remain partially attached. It was the unique way in which the twins were connected that caused Soviet scientists to take such an interest in them.

Although Masha and Dasha have four arms, they have only three legs. They stand on two of their legs, one controlled by Masha, one by Dasha (they were five before they learned how to walk) while a third, vestigial leg remains in the air behind them. Their upper intestines are separated but they share a single lower intestine and rectum. They have four kidneys and one bladder, and often disagree on when to urinate. They have a common reproductive system.

Although Masha and Dasha have four arms, they have only three legs. They stand on two of their legs, one controlled by Masha, one by Dasha (they were five before they learned how to walk) while a third, vestigial leg remains in the air behind them. Their upper intestines are separated but they share a single lower intestine and rectum. They have four kidneys and one bladder, and often disagree on when to urinate. They have a common reproductive system.

Because their circulatory systems are inter-connected, the twins share each other's blood. Therefore, a bacterium or virus that enters one twin's bloodstream will soon be seen in the blood of her sister. Yet surprisingly, illness affects them differently. Dasha is short-sighted, prone to colds and right-handed. Masha smokes occasionally, has a healthier constitution, higher blood pressure than her sister, good eyesight and is left-handed.

The twins differing health patterns present a mystery. Why did one become ill with a childhood disease, like measles for example, while the other did not? The measles "bug" was in both of their bodies, in their collective bloodstream; so why didn't both get the measles?

Evidently there is more to "getting the measles" than having the measles "bug". This phenomenon was seen over and over again with the girls (flu, colds, other childhood diseases were all experienced separately). If germs alone had the power to cause infectious diseases, why would one of the twins be disease-free while the other was ill? What was it in their makeup that differentiated one from the other?

The answer was not far to seek. Although Masha and Dasha had common circulatory, digestive, excretory, lymphatic, endocrine and skeletal systems (they were joined at the hips), they had separate spinal columns and spinal cords. This was the only important difference between the two girls.

In Masha and Dasha, nature's "laboratory" devised an experiment that no human researcher could ever duplicate. These extraordinary twins are an invaluable example confirming that there is much more to "catching" a disease than simply breathing in germs; germs can make you sick if and only if your body provides fertile ground to grow in.

The state of your nervous system can determine whether you have high or low resistance to disease. If you are suffering from disease, the health of your nervous system will play a decisive role in whether or not (and how rapidly) you will recover. By keeping your spinal column and nervous system free from subluxation stress, chiropractic care keeps you in a higher state of health.

Masha and Dasha became celebrities when they appeared on a popular national television program in Russia. They were reunited with their mother (their father had since died) and are hopeful: "The past forty years haven't been so good, but things are looking up for the next forty," said Dasha.

Seven Steps to Gorgeous, Radiant Skin

by Sheryl Walters, citizen journalist

(NaturalNews) Botox is the fastest growing treatment for wrinkles. 3,181,592 people were injected with botox in the United States alone last year, and it is becoming incredibly popular in another 75 countries where it has been approved. Yet this is a toxic poison so dangerous that it could actually be used as a "weapon of mass destruction." Sure, it may smooth out the wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles, but the results don't seem to be worth it.

According to Public Citizen, who analyzed FDA data on Botox from 1997 to 2006, 180 patients developed life-threatening conditions after being injected with Botox. There were 16 deaths and 87 hospitalizations. Four of the deaths occurred in children under 18. This paralysing poison can also cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), leading to pneumonia and fluid in the lungs.

In addition to botox, people are grasping at their youth through dangerous laser surgeries, toxic chemical peels, and cow collagen injections among others.

Yet the answers to beautiful, glowing skin are in our lifestyles and in nature. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and our overall health is reflected on it. Botox and other techniques can mask the problems for a while, but it the problems will eventually come through, if not on our skin then in our health. No matter what our age, we can make changes in our lives that will show up on our skin.

Here are 7 steps to ensuring beautiful, glowing skin.

1. Avoid Food Intolerances

If you are intolerant to certain foods, it may show up as bags or dark circles under the eyes. Sugar is one of the most aging toxins, since fluctuating blood sugars are highly aging. Cow's milk is linked with acne and poor skin quality. Excess alcohol and other toxins that make the liver overworked can make the skin look overworked. A healthy diet that is filled with foods that nurture is the key to radiant skin.

2. Avoid Free Radicals and Eat Loads of Antioxidants

Free radicals such as house hold chemicals and cigarettes cause aging. The irony is that all of these expensive creams and potions that promise to turn back the years, along with botox and other processes cause free radical damage that will eventually appear on the skin, no matter how much they seem to work in the short term.

But despite our efforts to avoid toxins, we are still going to come into contact with free radicals. Even exercise causes free radicals. Consuming as many antioxidants as possible is the natural antidote. Kale, cabbage, chilli peppers, parsley artichokes and Brussels sprouts are some of the most powerful vegetables. Berries, pineapple, pomegranate, prunes and kiwis are some of the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. Raw chocolate, bee pollen, goji berries, and spirulina are just a few of the new super foods shown to dramatically reduce aging, as well as most other health issues.

3. Find Your Optimum Weight and Stay There

The endless cycle of losing weight, gaining it back only to go on yet another diet is terrible for the skin, not to mention dangerous for the body and exhausting for the mind. This constant rise and fall of weight can potentially cause wrinkles and saggy skin. Maintaining your optimum weight keeps skin firm and youthful. Cutting out or at least dramatically reducing the amount of "dead" food such as bread, pasta and rice while significantly increasing the amount of living food like fruits and vegetables is a simple change you can make to find your ideal weight and enjoy optimum health.

4. Limit Intense Sun Exposure

Excess sun exposure can cause skin damage. Yet this fact has been taken to the extreme, making people scared of getting any sun at all. The key is to get short bursts of sun so that you don't get sun burned. Eating plenty of antioxidants will actually make you less likely to get sun burned.

On the other hand, sunscreen has been shown to cause aging and disease, so covering up when the skin has had too much sun is far more effective. Research indicates that broccoli sprouts are an especially good natural sunscreen food, and scientists are attempting to create a sunscreen out of them.

5. Moisturize with Nature's Most Perfect Oil

Coconut oil keeps the skin strong and supple, preventing sagging, wrinkled skin. It protects from free radicals and is a natural sunscreen. It prevents dry skin, blemishes and liver spots. It even has the ability to restore and rejuvenate damaged skin. It heals and repairs, leaving the skin radiant and youthful.

Coconut oil has been used for centuries by people all over the world. It is nature's oldest and most popular moisturizer and youth restorer. Who needs botox and toxic skin creams when there is nature??

6. Ensure you Get Plenty of Essential Fats

Omega-3 fatty acids are a key ingredient for beautiful skin. Most people are seriously lacking in these fats that are vital for vibrant, healthy looking skin. Eczema, dry skin, cracked heels and premature aging are all signs of omega 3 deficiency. Omega-3 fats prevent dehydration in the cells so that the skin cells are strong and full of moisture. Fish oil and Alaskan wild salmon are good sources of omega 3. If you are a vegan, you can use hemp, linseed and chia seeds.

7. Relax Your Facial Muscles

Be aware of your facial expressions. If you frown a lot, try to relax the muscles. This is actually a good form of meditation. Go around your face and discover where there is tension or holding. Breathe into the area and feel it let go. Focus on all of the key muscles groups and feel them melting into relaxation.

The Daily Addiction; The Dangers of Coffee and Caffeine

THE DAILY ADDICTION

The Dangers of Coffee

By Dave Schwartz, Chiropractic Intern

How does this morning routine sound;

Alarm goes off 6:00am, hit the snooze a few times, then reluctantly get out of bed and mosey on down to the kitchen. Thankfully you remembered to set the timer on the coffee pot last night, so a fresh pot of “liquid energy” awaits! Grab a mug, pour…enjoy.

Sound familiar? Well, 54% of America is right along with you. That’s right, 54% of Americans drink coffee every day.¹ 87% of Americans drink coffee on a regular basis!² Here’s one that should get you going: 76% of children consume high amounts of caffeine daily!²

Sound like an addiction?

Before you set the auto timer on your pot of coffee tonight, read through these facts which show the dangerous effects both caffeinated and decaf coffee have on your body. If you are sitting back thinking you’re in the clear because you drink decaf, think again. Decaffeinated coffee is not just as bad as regular, it may be worse.

THE TOP 10 REASONS WHY TO QUIT DRINKING COFFEE

1. ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY

Every time you take a sip of coffee, whether it be regular or decaf, your body responds by releasing adrenaline from your adrenal glands. Instantly your body adapts into a “FIGHT OR FLIGHT” response. This is your sympathetic nervous system in action. Imagine you were walking in the woods late at night and a saber-tooth tiger jumped out at you…what would you do? You’d run like crazy! That is what a sip of coffee is preparing your body for. Sip after sip, mug after mug, pot after pot, your adrenals get “burned out” and you go into adrenal insufficiency. This leads to exhaustion and a feeling of whole body fatigue. ³

*Instant coffee gives you 65-100mg of caffeine, brewed coffee 80-135 and dripped coffee up to 175mg of caffeine⁴

**Some you might be thinking that because you drink decaf you are in the clear because decaf doesn’t contain caffeine. Sorry! Decaf coffee is supposed to have 97% of caffeine removed³, so not only can there be trace amounts anyway, but this 97% rule is never enforced. Starbucks reports that there is up to 15-18mg of caffeine in each 8oz of coffee and that their “smallest” cup size is 12oz.⁵ This is more than enough caffeine to stimulate your adrenals and cause a sympathetic reaction.

2. DECAF COFFEE INCREASES RISK OF HEART ATTACK

Drinking decaf is no longer safe as many seem to say. Decaf has been shown to increase the level of LDL cholesterol in your bloodstream. LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol which has been shown to be a strong predictor for heart attacks. Decaf also contains chlorogenic acid which is also found in regular coffee. Chlorogenic acid raises plasma levels of homocysteine which have been found to increase your susceptibility of developing serious heart conditions. ^3,6

3. DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

As your adrenals become overactive, adrenalin is produced in mass quantities. This causes your body to decrease serotonin in your body. Serotonin is another neurotransmitter that functions in the brain. It is responsible for preventing depression and anxiety. When this is decreased in the body, you become depressed and anxious. ³

4. DEVELOP AND WORSENING OF TYPE II DIABETES

According to James Lane, professor at Duke University: “Typically, in people with Type 2 Diabetes, there is a large and persistent rise in glucose after eating a meal. This spike in glucose is even larger and longer-lasting if caffeine is present. So, it’s reasonable to say that caffeine and coffee seem to make diabetes symptoms worse.” ⁶ The danger is the caffeine. Other studies have shown that coffee helps diabetes, however new research is showing that this is due an unknown substance in coffee. The caffeine in regular and decaf worsen diabetes and do not prevent the condition. ⁷

5. ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (ADD) AND HYPERACTIVITY (ADHD)

Caffeine has been said to cause dementia, anaphylaxis (an acute systemic and severe hypersensitivity allergic hypersensitivity allergic reaction), ADD, hyperactivity (ADHD), and reduced mental functioning.³ It does this by over stimulating the mind and body. Consistent caffeine consumption puts your body in the sympathetic state and destroys neuron receptors in the brain leading to attention disorders. The coffee “buzz” you get from a cup of java occurs when caffeine blocks a brain chemical called adenosine. Adenosine prompts feelings of drowsiness and sleepiness. So, when caffeine inhibits adenosine, your brain cannot relax and is under constant stimulation. ²

Remember that caffeine is also in soda. Think about how many adults and even children drink both coffee and soda in one day. I was just in Caribou the other day (don’t worry, I save myself a little caffeine by going with my favorite, chai tea), and a mother in front of me bought two Caramel High Rises for her teenage daughters. Caramel High Rise’s have two shots of espresso in them equating to 180 mg of caffeine!⁸ A large High Rise has 270 mg of caffeine, 24 times the amount found in decaf! (Remember that even 11 mg of caffeine, as is found in decaf, is enough caffeine to stimulate the adrenals and cause harm to your body, just think of what 270mg does.)

6. HEADACHES DUE TO DEHYDRATION

This is the most controversial issue dealing with coffee consumption. If you do a little research you will find that there are conflicting answers as to whether or not coffee consumption causes dehydration. However, think about how many have experienced or heard from their friends that they experienced a headache after drinking a pot or even just a cup of coffee. Thinking physiologically and the effect caffeine has on our body, dehydration from drinking coffee can definitely occur. Caffeine is a natural diuretic. The more caffeine you consume the more water you are going to pull out of your cells and remove through the kidneys and urinary system. If you are not replacing that water regularly, you will become dehydrated. Some signs and symptoms of dehydration include: headaches, thirst, dry mouth, fatigue, and body chills.

To show this, here is an excerpt from research done by F. Batmanghelidj, MD author of “Your Body’s Many Cries for Water”:

“When a body becomes dehydrated, the neurotransmitter histamine is activated. Histamine, in turn, activates prostaglandins, kinins, and vasopressin, in an effort to redistribute available water according to priority. The body’s response to dehydration, when left unchecked, contributes to many other problems, including DNA damage, reduced efficiency of DNA repair system, immune suppression, and irregular protein production in cells, which encourages cancer cell formation. When growth hormone production decreases as we enter our twenties, thirst perception also decreases. As we age and become less aware of being thirsty and drink less water, the water content within cells decreases so that cellular water can be redistributed to the brain and other vital functions. Gradually, we become dehydrated. The negative effects of dehydration are permitted to compound partly because people in modern societies have been taught to use painkillers to mask the pain caused by histamine, prostaglandins, and kinins. Masking the pain does not address the underlying problem of dehydration. Dehydration is especially prevalent among people who drink caffeinated coffee, tea, and sodas. Caffeine dehydrates the body.” ⁹

On a side note, notice the sentence that tells us about growth hormone decreasing when we enter our twenties? That should not happen. This is not only why we are dehydrated, but why we are obese and cannot lose weight! Exercise by BURST TRAINING to restore growth hormone levels!

Coffee causes headaches through dehydration and also through decreasing your magnesium levels because of the caffeine. You need to start hydrating yourself immediately! Your body is 60-70% water…drink at least half your body weight (pounds) in ounces daily to stay hydrated!

7. INCREASED ACIDITY

Coffee is highly acidic! Your body tries to maintain homeostasis as close to a pH slightly above 7.0, meaning your body wants to be in an ALKALINE environment. Maintaining an alkaline environment helps your body stay healthy and fight off cancer. The pH of coffee is 4.9-5.8. Decaf is even more acidic than regular.³ Drinking cups or even pots a day increases the acidity of your body making you unhealthy. You have an increased risk for GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease), heartburn, and acid reflux. ^3,6

8. DISRUPTS METABOLIC FUNCTIONING

Your body metabolizes the best in an alkaline environment and when it becomes acidic you alter bones’ cell function leading to osteoporosis. Other increased risks include: joint diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Iron deficiency, increased loss of magnesium and zinc. ^3,10

A recent study in 2002 reported that drinking four or more cups of decaf led to an increased

risk of rheumatoid arthritis, while drinking 3 cups of tea/day DECREASED the risk! ¹⁰

9. HIGH BLOOD SUGAR

The coffee addiction leads you to a high and then a crash. Many people then think they need a “pick me up” after the crash and they turn to SUGAR! (Doughnuts being the #1 culprit.) Think also about all of those flavored sugar syrups, sweeteners, and creamers you ADD to your coffee.

10. SLEEP DISTURBANCE

Coffee is a stimulant. Studies have found that caffeine can reduce a person’s perceived quality rest and their total minutes spent in slumber. It will also increase the number of times you wake up in the middle of the night especially if you drink it at night and drinking it during the day can through off your circadian (natural) sleep rhythm.

11. BONUS! HOW DECAF BECOMES DECAF

Since listing 10 things was not enough, I thought it would be very informative to show you how decaf becomes decaf. From a natural perspective, any processed foods or processed products made by man are detrimental to your health and well being. The same goes for coffee. You need to ask how they turn caffeinated coffee beans in to decaf. It must involve some sort of processing. There are three common decaffeination methods. ³

The first involves the use of either methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. Both of these solvents are supposed to be removed in the end process, but when man messes with God’s work, do you believe that happens? Both of these solvent residues have been found in decaffeinated coffee.

Methylene chloride: carcinogenic, which means cancer causing, by the National Cancer Institute. In lower doses it may cause headaches, fatigue, and behavior similar to being drunk.¹¹

Ethyl acetate: irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, followed by headache, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and unconsciousness. Prolonged exposures may cause clouding of the eye, damage to the lungs and heart and kidney and liver problems.¹²

The second and third decaffeination process uses the “Swiss water or European water” process and supercritical carbon dioxide. When either of these processes is used it leaves the coffee with a high acidity. Here is another shocking fact: Inferior coffee beans that are old or moldy are often used for decaffeination because the process masks the age and the condition of the beans! Sounds like cheap, rotten, acidic coffee to me. The manufacturers are obviously not concerned with YOUR health!

You need to ALWAYS be conscious of what you are putting into your body and where it came from. Caffeine in high amounts is not only addictive but, as you now know, DANGEROUS and DEADLY to your body. You must also apply this knowledge to anything else that contains caffeine, especially soda and diet soda. Always be wary of what you put into your body.

Caffeine can be safe in your body in very low doses and sometimes caffeine ingestion is inevitable throughout the day. However, many Americans OVERDOSE on their daily caffeine. You should be ingesting no more than 100-200mg caffeine per day. Here are some common drinks and their caffeine content¹³:

Red Bull (8.2 oz) 80.0

Mountain Dew 55.0

Diet Coke 45.6

Diet Pepsi 36.0

Tea, Iced 47

Tea, various brands, 30-40

Tea green 15

Hot cocoa 14

Coffee, Instant 65-10

Coffee, Espresso (2 ounces) 100

Coffee, Drip 115-175

Coffee, Brewed 80-135

Coffee, Decaf, brewed 3-4

Coffee, Decaf, instant 2-3

So now what? There are two choices…

A) QUIT DRINKING COFFEE

B) QUIT DRINKING COFFEE OVER TIME

Of course, option A will be the best for the health of your body, however many people will experience “caffeine withdrawals”. These can range from headaches to fatigue or general body soreness. For those who drink copious amounts of coffee, try weaning yourself off. Here are some helpful tips in doing just that.

· Decrease your amount of coffee weekly or daily – slowly decrease the amount of coffee you ingest every day or week if that’s what it takes. Any amount you decrease is a step in the right direction!

· Become addicted to herbal tea - I know many of you coffee lovers are cringing at this piece of advice, but herbal teas have tremendous health benefits and contain half the amount of caffeine as coffee. There are many different flavors and ways to make the tea (such as by adding milk after steeping). Make sure you go organic!

· Try water therapy – start drinking half your body weight or more of water per day in ounces and rehydrate your body. Tendencies are that you won’t feel as thirsty. Try adding the all-natural sweetener Stevia to your glass, which has many different flavors, to get yourself addicted to something healthy!

· “De-Coffetize” your home – get rid of all the coffee in your home and force yourself to switch. Whenever you feel a craving, burst train or drink some tea/water/juice.

· Avoid coffeehouses – you MUST avoid Starbucks, Caribou, and other cafes until you can learn to handle your cravings. Addictions are hard to break and you must constantly be on guard for temptations. Habits are said to be formed in 40 days; the same amount of time Jesus was in the desert and defeated the devil and his temptations.

· Try Natural Coffee – Now that you coffee addicts rejected all of the above, here is one for you. Natural herbal coffee! Now, I haven’t personally tried this product, but I have researched it and it is safe for your body and your taste buds. Many reviewers say that it tastes just like regular coffee, without the caffeine or solvents! The brand is Teeccino Caffeine-Free Herbal Coffee. Here is sample “weaning plan” that will get you un-addicted to coffee:

The Pain-free Way to Wean off of Coffee³

Start by mixing normal coffee 3/4 to 1/4 Teeccino Herbal Coffee. Gradually reduce the percentage of coffee over a two to three week period until 100% Teeccino Herbal Coffee is brewed. Gradual reduction of caffeine is recommended. Side effects such as headaches, fatigue, and brain fogginess can be avoided as the body gradually adjusts to less reliance on stimulants.

Day	Regular Coffee (in tablespoons)	Teeccino Herbal Coffee (in tablespoons)
1-3	4	1
4-6	3	2
7-9	2	3
10	1 ½	3 ½
11	1	4
12 – 13	½	4 ½
14	0	5

Find Teeccino herbal coffee at http://www.teeccino.com/

· GET ADJUSTED! – Subluxation has been proven to disrupt the mind-body relationship. How do you think you could defeat a craving when your brain doesn’t know what your body is doing? For you to defeat this coffee craving make sure you are adjusted regularly! As soon as you start kicking the habit and getting adjusted, your body will begin to heal from the inside out, restoring the innate God-given potential you all have and deserve!

GOOD LUCK AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, DON’T KEEP THIS FOR JUST YOU!

EVERYONE DESERVES TO LIVE TO THEIR GOD GIVEN POTENTIAL!

1 Coffee Consumption Statistics in the United States, http://www.coffeeresearch.org/market/usa.htm

2 CBS News. The Buzz Behind Caffeine. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/21/health/webmd/main689961.shtml

3 Effects of Decaffeinated Coffee on Health. http://www.teeccino.com/decaf.aspx

4 Caffeine content of popular drinks http://www.wilstar.com/caffeine.htm

5 Decaffeinated coffee still contains caffeine, researchers report

http://www.naturalnews.com/020724_caffeine_coffee_caffeine_addiction.html

6 Spilling the Beans. MSN Health and Fitness. http://health.msn.com/fitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100153347

7 Diabetes Sufferers: Beware Coffee. CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/29/health/webmd/main3763964.shtml

8 http://www.cariboucoffee.com/page/1/Wild-Coolers-2009---Caramel-High-Rise.jsp

9 F. Batmanghelidj, MD. Physiological Effects of Dehydration: Cure Pain and Prevent Cancer. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_2001_August/ai_78177228/

10 Mikuls, T.R et al. 2002. Coffee, tea, and caffeine consumption and risk of rheumatoid arthritis: results from the Iowa Women's Health Study. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 46(1):83-91.

11 Dichloromethane Fact Sheet. http://www.npi.gov.au/database/substance-info/profiles/34.html

12 Ethyl Acetate Fact Sheet. http://www.npi.gov.au/database/substance-info/profiles/38.html

13 Caffeine Content of Drinks. http://www.energyfiend.com/the-caffeine-database