Top 10 Healthiest Foods, Plus Covid-19 Update

Here is a list of what is generally considered to be the top 10 healthiest foods.  1. Avocados, which are actually classified as a fruit, are low in fructose and rich in healthy monounsaturated fat and potassium, and research has confirmed the avocado's ability to benefit vascular function and heart health. Avocados also provide close to 20 essential health-boosting nutrients, including fiber, vitamin E, B-vitamins, and folic acid.  2.  Swiss chard is an excellent source of vitamins C, E, and A (in the form of beta-carotene) along with the minerals manganese and zinc. When you eat Swiss chard, you get a wealth of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. The pigments in Swiss chard also support your body's Phase 2 detoxification process. 3. Garlic is rich in manganese, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, and vitamins B6 and C, so it's beneficial for your bones as well as your thyroid. It's thought that much of garlic's therapeutic effect comes from its sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin, which are also what give it its characteristic smell.  4. Fresh broccoli sprouts are far more potent than whole broccoli, allowing you to eat far less in terms of quantity. For example, research has revealed that three-day old broccoli sprouts consistently contain anywhere from 10-100 times the amount of glucoraphanin–a chemoprotective compound–found in mature broccoli.  5. Aside from being rich in protein, fiber, vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium, and minerals, mushrooms are excellent sources of antioxidants. In addition, some of the most potent immunosupportive agents come from mushrooms, and this is one reason why they're so beneficial for both preventing and treating cancer.  6.  Just one cup of kale will flood your body with disease-fighting vitamins K, A, and C, along with respectable amounts of manganese, copper, B vitamins, fiber, calcium, and potassium. With each serving of kale, you'll also find more than 45 unique flavonoids, which have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Kale is also a good source of cancer-fighting sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol.  7.  Spinach is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, including folate, vitamin A, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, and selenium. Spinach also contains flavonoids that may help protect your body from free radicals, while offering anti-inflammatory benefits and antioxidant support.  8.  Rich in vitamin K and phytonutrients – caffeic acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol – collard greens help lower oxidative stress in your cells while fighting inflammation. Other phytonutrients in collard greens, specifically diindolylmethane and sulforaphane, have been clinically proven to combat cancer. 9. Tomatoes are an excellent source of lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C (which is most concentrated in the jelly-like substance that surrounds the seeds), as well as vitamins A, E, and the B vitamins, potassium, manganese, and phosphorus. Tomatoes are also a particularly concentrated source of lycopene – a carotenoid antioxidant that may significantly lower your risk for stroke and cancer.  10.  One serving of cauliflower contains 77 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. It's also a good source of vitamin K, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, fiber, vitamin B6, folate, pantothenic acid, potassium, and manganese. Cauliflower is a good source of choline, a B vitamin known for its role in brain development, and contains a wealth of anti-inflammatory nutrients. 

 Chiropractic Thought for the Week:  Spring has sprung and so has seasonal allergies.  Chiropractic is of benefit to allergy sufferers for two reasons.  1.  Regular chiropractic care improves immune system function.  A strong immune system helps to combat allergic reactions.  2.  Nerves in the upper neck control the function of the sinuses.  If the sinuses are not working properly due to nerve interference, they cannot drain as well as they should and they will stay clogged.  Chiropractic care improves nerve flow to the sinuses, thus helping allergy attacks.

Chiropractic and Prenatal / Pregnancy Care:  Regular adjustments can make pregnancy less stressful and delivery less uncomfortable. Chiropractic treatment can continue safely until the day of delivery. A study was conducted in which chiropractic adjustments were incorporated into patients’ pregnancies. It revealed that the need for painkillers during delivery was reduced by half under chiropractic care.  In the last trimester of pregnancy, especially in the last month, when the likelihood of difficulties and discomfort is greater, frequency of visits may be increased to up to three visits a week.  Adjustments keep the segments of the pregnant woman’s structure moving freely and normally. It permits a constant free flow of all body fluids and a normal venous supply to control function. During the second 6 weeks of pregnancy, the growing fetus and expanding uterus often settle in the hollow of the sacrum and relief of nausea may be achieved…adjustments…results in an easier pregnancy and an easier delivery. The return of the mother to prepartum health also is expedited by adjustments.

Covid-19 Update:  In a preprint study from Israel, explained in this month’s issue of Science Mag, a healthcare system analysis of 32,000 people found that natural Covid-19 infection offered 13x more protection than the vaccine from reinfection.  The preprint study was published in  MedRxRv

Atlantic County, NJ and Covid-19:  Atlantic County has 1,186 new cases of Covid-19 over the last two week period, up from 1,026 cases the prior 2 weeks. Our 7 day average cases reported per day is 84 cases per day. Atlantic County has had 4 deaths in the last two week period, up from 2 the prior two week period.    On August 8/29/2021, there were a total of 923 people admitted in all of New Jersey’s hospitals for care of Covid-19 infections, down from 1,641 a week ago.  In the USA, 368 million doses of the vaccine have been given out.  38.8 million people have contracted the Covid-19 virus in the USA.

Vaccine Informed Consent Information:   Informed consent means that the person to be vaccinated has to be informed about all the risks, the risk benefit ratios, the potential dangers and what is known about side effects. For example, informed consent takes place in all drug advertising.  Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System data released 8/20/21 by the CDC showed a total of 623,343 (up 27,000 from last week) reports of adverse reactions from all age groups following COVID vaccines, including 13,627 deaths (up 559). Serious injuries increased by 3,416 this week to a total of 84,466 between Dec. 14, 2020 and August 20, 2021. According to the CDC, as of August 20th 2021,   This week’s data for 12- to 17-year-olds show 17,518 total adverse events, including 1047 rated as serious and 18 reported deaths among 12- to 17-year-olds.  2,609 cases of anaphylaxis, 444 reports of myocarditis and 89 reports of blood clotting disorders in the 12-17 year old age group. This week’s data for pregnancy /prenatal vaccination shows pregnant women had 3.190 adverse events reported including 982 reports of miscarriage or premature birth.  VAERS is the primary government-funded system for reporting adverse vaccine reactions in the U.S. Reports submitted to VAERS require further investigation before a causal relationship can be confirmed. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database contains information on unverified reports of adverse events following immunization. Reports are accepted from anyone and can be submitted electronically.

Author

Dr J. Zimmerman, Chiropractor Dr. Zimmerman is a practicing chiropractor from Galloway, NJ with 30 years of chiropractic practice.