Pain Relief Chiropractic

Our basic premise is that your body is amazing. You get a do over. It doesn’t take that long, and it isn’t that hard if you know what to do. In these notes, we give you a short course in what to do so it becomes easy for you, and for you to teach others. We want you to know how much control you have over both the quality and length of your life.

This month, we want to talk about YOU and staying optimistic, or learning to be so. When you embrace a glass-is-at least half-full view of the world, and when you’re willing to acknowledge its challenges, you can increase your happiness quotient and get younger. Thankfully, you don’t have to recite wimpy affirmations like Saturday Night Live’s Stuart Smalley (who was good enough, smart enough, and doggone it, people liked him!) to get all the benefits that come from “learned optimism”. (Yes, you can learn to be optimistic.) By being optimistic, your body will have:

Arteries More Able to Give You the Energy to Live those Optimistic Dreams. Even if you’re at high risk for heart disease because of family history, have high lousy LDL cholesterol, or elevated blood pressure and blood sugar, living with a sense of hope reduces arterial disease (you know heart attacks, strokes, and most memory loss) by 30-50%. If you’ve already had a heart attack, optimism can help you stay on track with exercise and lower your odds for dying within five years after a cardiac event by a whopping 40%.

Makes the Fats in Your Blood Less Hazardous. Optimism nudges levels of healthy HDL cholesterol upward and pushes levels of heart-threatening triglycerides down.

Improved decision-making. Optimism enhances your ability to make good decisions, a skill that can help you say ‘no thanks’ to that third drink after a tough day of work, and “yes” to a walking meeting. That means you’ll be better at solving whatever challenges life throws your way.

Stronger immunity. Your positive outlook boosts your “cell-mediated immunity”. This helps you control your body’s ability to fight invading bacteria and/or a nasty virus and even helps battle some cancer cells.

So, if you’re ready to gain those benefits, here’s a way to help you learn “more” optimism:

Please turn over…

Think loving thoughts. A short “loving kindness” meditation (you focus on feelings of love and compassion for yourself and others) increases optimism.

Love Your Neighbor (spiritually, we’re talking here). Spending time with friends is another important mood-booster.

Feeling good? Go deeper. People who pay attention to and enhance into their positive emotions are more able to overcome tough times. So, turn up the volume on good feelings to build a reservoir. Notice when you feel playful, serene, or spiritually uplifted and then ask yourself how you can heighten that feeling. It’s fun!

Keep it real. Having unrealistically positive expectations or glossing over problems instead of solving them can backfire, triggering low moods.

See positive challenges instead of threats. Resilient people attack problems in everyday life like a plumber who knows she’s got a well-stocked toolbox and plenty of experience dealing with like problems. The leak may even be dirty, but she has the confidence to make things clean and dry.

Try to consciously make a positive mind shift. When you feel threatened or worried, just reminding yourself to think more positively is often all it takes. Whenever we You! docs feel negative, we just walk thru the ICU and think how lucky we are to be walking around in the first place.

That positivity will make you healthier, happier, and protect your heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, and that youthful glow on your skin! So, enjoy POSIVITY EVERY DAY!!

Thanks for reading. And feel free to send more questions–you can always send us questions at youdocs@gmail.com, and some of them we may know enough to answer (we’ll try to get answers for you if we do not know).

Young Dr Mike Roizen (aka, The Enforcer)

NOTE: You should NOT take this as medical advice.
This article is of the opinion of its author.
Before you do anything, please consult with your doctor.

You can follow Dr Roizen (and get updates on the latest and most important medical stories of the week) on twitter @YoungDrMike.

Feel free to continue to send questions to youdocs@gmail.com. You can follow Dr Roizen on twitter @YoungDrMike (and get updates on the latest and most important medical stories of the week). The YOU docs have a new web site: YOUBeauty.com and its companion BeautySage.com the only site we know of where you can find skin products proven to meet the claims (opened for business on June 1st, 2012), and a new book: YOU: The Owner’s Manual for Teens.

Michael F. Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer and chair of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. His radio show streams live on http://www.healthradio.net Saturdays from 5-7 p.m . E-mail him questions at YouDocs@gmail.com. He is the co-author of 4 #1 NY Times Best Sellers including : YOU Staying Young and YOU: The Owner’s Manual. He is Chief Medical Consultant to the two year running Emmy award winning Dr Oz show– The Dr Oz show is #2 nationally in daytime TV. See what all the fun is about, and what he, The Enforcer, is up to. Check local listings or log onto DoctorOz.com for channel and time. And for more health info, log onto youbeauty.com anytime.

The Most Important Principles For Staying Young: 

Five Fantastic Things That Are Invigorating Me!

Dr. Michael F. Roizen

Co-Author of 4 #1 NY Times Bestsellers including: YOU Staying Young.

The Owner’s Manual For Extending Your Warranty (Free Press)

Our basic premise is that your body is amazing:  You get a do over: it doesn’t take that long, and isn’t that hard if you know what to do.  In these notes, we give you a short course in what to do so it becomes easy for you and then to teach others. We want you to know how much control you have over your quality and length of life

Since this series started, we’ve given you dozens of easy to adopt tips to Staying Young. This week, we were totally blown away (that’s a 70’s or 80’s term we know, but that’s what we are) by 5 that are not quite ready for prime time, but excite us about the future. We may not have room for all, but let’s start and see how much we can squeeze in before the space police (the editorial staff) cut us off.

#1. Omega-7’s and Heart Disease, and plaque in brain arteries, and even diabetes. “Wow,” you might say, “I know about that DHA omega-3, that is the active ingredient in fish oil* that helps retain memory and eyesight. But omega-7…what is that?” It was discovered that Macadamia nut oil seemed to decrease LDL (The Lousy kind of) cholesterol, Triglycerides, and inflammatory markers, and to increase HDL (the Healthy kind of) cholesterol. The problem—it was expensive, like $30 dollars a day.  Now, they’ve found a less expensive source, even purer (34-90%, and without the aging saturated fats). They restarted research, and found almost a miracle (these studies have been done at Harvard, the Cleveland Clinic, and in Japan).  Giving a minor amount (not gallons) of this Omega-7 in capsule form to adults decreased liver fat substantially in overweight humans (a very good thing), and did so in two studies (one in Boston and one in Japan). Two studies are better than one study, but not enough or done long enough for us to say to our patients you should take this.  This omega-7 stuff also decreased atherosclerosis  (it actually eliminated observable plaque in mice bred for growing plaque and fed a fat diet).   These changes after omega-7 need to be validated in at least three more human studies before we say take it. In fact, I have asked a company whose scientific advisory board I chair to start such studies.

*We like it from algae, where the fish get it from, because of the almost zero risk of contaminants, like mercury.

Our personal take: we take 900mg of DHA omega-3 a day, and added 200 mg of purified Omega-7 a day.  We even used some purified omega-7 (it is expensive) to sauté with (palmitoleic acid—the omega-7 we take and used for this has a very high boiling point for the Foodies reading this). That’s how strong the data are, and with no side effects reported in the mice and man studies. But remember, while the animal data are strong, not enough human data now exists for us to recommend this unconditionally.

Okay, we went over our allotted word count and we only got to tell you about the first of five great breakthroughs… the other four (I’ll give you the titles now) will go to next month…

2. Exercise… What type, when and how much is best for you for health, building strength, and endurance?

3. Stress management can totally eradicate the DNA changes that family violence or violent disturbing movies or events can cause you and yours. Yes, your reaction to violence changes your DNA and in a way that shortens your life more than playing football without a helmet does.  You can learn how to avoid those DNA changes (remember you control your genes). Read how right here next month.

4. Ceramides and cancer.  Scientists may have accidentally found a cure for pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma (a very bad acting brain tumor). How soon will it be available, and how it works invigorated me about the future.

5. Bexarotene and Alzheimer’s. The first results from attempts by other labs to replicate this amazing cure should be in by mid-June.

While we do not know of side effects from DHA-omega-3 or purified omega-7, do tell your doc about all the things you take. You may be the first to push her (or him) to google “Omega-7”.

Thanks for reading.

Young Dr Mike

You can follow Dr Roizen  (and get updates on the latest and most important medical stories  of the week) on twitter @YoungDrMike. 

Feel free to continue to send questions to youdocs@gmail.com. You can follow Dr Roizen on twitter @YoungDrMike (and get updates on the latest and most important medical stories of the week).  The YOU docs have a new web site: YOUBeauty.com  and its companion BeautySage.com the only site we know of where you can find skin products proven to meet the claims (opened for business on June 1st, 2012), and a new book: YOU: The Owner’s Manual for Teens.  It makes a great (even late) graduation gift.  Thanks for reading.

Michael F. Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer and chair of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. His radio show streams live on http://www.healthradio.net  Saturdays from 5-7 p.m . E-mail him questions at YouDocs@gmail.com.   He is the co-author of 4 #1 NY Times Best Sellers including : YOU Staying Young and YOU: The Owner’s Manual. He is Chief Medical Consultant to the two year running Emmy award winning Dr Oz show– The Dr Oz show is #2 nationally in daytime TV.  See what all the fun is about, and what he, The Enforcer, is up to. Check local listings or log onto DoctorOz.com for channel and time. And for more health info, log onto youbeauty.com anytime.

NOTE: You should NOT take this as medical advice. This article is of the opinion of its author.  

Before you do anything, please consult with your doctor.

The Most Important Principles For Staying Young: 

You’re Not Dead Yet!!

Dr. Michael F. Roizen

Co-Author of 4 #1 NY Times Bestsellers including: YOU Staying Young.

The Owner’s Manual For Extending Your Warranty (Free Press)

Our basic premise is that your body is amazing:  You get a do over: it doesn’t take that long, and isn’t that hard if you know what to do.  In these notes, we give you a short course in what to do so it becomes easy for you and then to teach others. We want you to know how much control you have over your quality and length of life.

This month, one of our readers, John (not his real name, he asked that not be printed) wrote in with: “I recently had a heart attack while having sex… [I] want to know when I can start enjoying sex again… and how will I know if I am in trouble short of serious chest pain…that was the first sign last time. My doctor doesn’t seem to want to address those questions with me.”

I’ll start my answer by referencing a favorite PBS show, Monty Python’s Holy Grail (look it up on YOUTube).  In one memorable (for me at least) scene, John Cleese carries out John Young (a dead body), when John Young utters the immortal words, “I’m not dead.”

I want to be very clear about this, John: If you’ve had a heart attack and you’re reading this, you’re not either! That means you can live life passionately.

Yes, check in with your doctor, but if it’s been 10 days since you were released from the hospital and you’re healthy enough to walk at a nice pace for a mile or so, and climb two flights of stairs (a la Jack Nicholson in “As Good As It Gets”), then you’re likely to be cleared for sex.

Your doc is unfortunately typical. Most docs don’t talk about post-heart-attack sex with their patients. Only half of male and a third of female patients are ever told when to restart their love machine. Without that info, many patients are too timid to test the waters. So, I am glad you asked the question. Two long flights easily we say, and then get cleared by the doc.  I’ve been very disappointed that 87% or so of patients after heart attacks (both nationwide and in Cleveland and surroundings) do not avail themselves of either the usual cardiac rehab or any of the three Intensive Cardiac Rehab programs we offer [the ICR of Dean Ornish –paid for by Medicare, The Granddaddy of all programs–the Esselstyn Program (developed in Cleveland)—or the Lifestyle180 program].

You should take one of these programs (many are offered in other parts of the country) if you are at high risk of a heart attack, so you don’t have another one.

By the way, beta blocking drugs like metoprolol were commonly prescribed after heart attacks until two months ago for rhythm control if you had abnormal heart beats after your attack.  But, they caused patients to eat more, have insulin resistance and even have problems achieving an orgasm. New data supports rhythm control with rhythm specific drugs, which means you won’t need those beta blockers and can probably perform better (better orgasms for both males and females). If you are at high risk (50% of men over 65 are), and don’t go for Intensive Cardiac Rehab, and do have a heart attack, you’ll probably feel like a dolt – and you should. You can prevent all that pain, and suffering for you and your loved ones, and not have that heart attack in the first place. (The Essy program is only one day!)

Worse, worrying about sex after a heart attack can be harder on the heart than having sex. Sex reduces stress, and reducing stress and having a great partner with whom you enjoy life helps reduce heart-stopping belly fat. That’s one reason why sex twice a week cuts your risk of heart attack in half.

By the way, why would Medicare pay for it? Probably because it just might save your life, allow you much more fun (I’m not sure Medicare cares about your fun), and reduces your lifetime Medicare costs (Intensive Cardiac Rehab does in randomized controlled trials). So, don’t be an 87 percenter and remember, if you are reading this, you aren’t dead yet.   So John, and all you John wannabees, after that two flights of stairs test and after Intensive Cardiac Rehab has started, snuggle up with your honey and remember: you’re doing this for your health!

Thanks for reading.

Young Dr Mike

You can follow Dr Roizen  (and get updates on the latest and most important medical stories  of the week) on twitter @YoungDrMike. 

Feel free to continue to send questions to youdocs@gmail.com. You can follow Dr Roizen on twitter @YoungDrMike (and get updates on the latest and most important medical stories of the week).  The YOU docs have a new web site: YOUBeauty.com  and its companion BeautySage.com the only site we know of where you can find skin products proven to meet the claims (opened for business on June 1st, 2012), and a new book: YOU: The Owner’s Manual for Teens.  It makes a great (even late) graduation gift.  Thanks for reading.

Michael F. Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer and chair of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. His radio show streams live on http://www.healthradio.net  Saturdays from 5-7 p.m . E-mail him questions at YouDocs@gmail.com.   He is the co-author of 4 #1 NY Times Best Sellers including : YOU Staying Young and YOU: The Owner’s Manual. He is Chief Medical Consultant to the two year running Emmy award winning Dr Oz show– The Dr Oz show is #2 nationally in daytime TV.  See what all the fun is about, and what he, The Enforcer, is up to. Check local listings or log onto DoctorOz.com for channel and time. And for more health info, log onto youbeauty.com anytime.

NOTE: You should NOT take this as medical advice. This article is of the opinion of its author.  

Before you do anything, please consult with your doctor.

The Most Important Principles For Staying Young: 

3 Steps To More Active & Healthier Kids

Dr. Michael F. Roizen

Co-Author of 4 #1 NY Times Bestsellers including: YOU Staying Young.

The Owner’s Manual For Extending Your Warranty (Free Press)

Our basic premise is that your body is amazing:  You get a do over: it doesn’t take that long, and it isn’t that hard if you know what to do.  In these notes, we give you a short course in what to do so it becomes easy for you, and for you to teach others. We want you to know how much control you have over your quality and length of life.

Believe it or not, in the United States only 6% of middle and high schools provide daily physical education (PE) for everyone, and 20% of elementary schools have abolished PE altogether.

We want everyone to realize physical education reduces stress and calms kids, making them happier and more attentive in the classroom. Physically fit kids are more likely to skip risky behaviors. PE is also the best way to battle obesity (30% of all teens) and type 2 diabetes (21% more kids have type 2 now than in 2001), which threaten children’s heart health even while they’re young.

Now, the summer is a great time to start a year-round plan for getting your kids active. You’ll establish habits for life-long good health.

Step One: Get yourself off the sofa and away from the computer! Active parents have kids who are 5 to 6 times more physical than children of couch-potatoes.

Step Two: Plan all-season family activities: Walk for 45 minutes after dinner; take kids to a swim club twice a week; go on weekend hikes; garden or do tasks around the yard!

Step Three: Make it a community effort. Call teachers, neighbors, and the parents of your kids’ friends. Even if your kids go to a private school, the health of your community may depend on it.  Plan activities together, and lobby that school board to get PE back into your school!

Thanks for reading,

Young Dr Mike

NOTE: You should NOT take this as medical advice. 

This article is of the opinion of its author.

Before you do anything, please consult with your doctor.

You can follow Dr Roizen  (and get updates on the latest and most important medical stories  of the week) on twitter @YoungDrMike. 

Feel free to continue to send questions to youdocs@gmail.com. You can follow Dr Roizen on twitter @YoungDrMike (and get updates on the latest and most important medical stories of the week).  The YOU docs have a new web site: YOUBeauty.com  and its companion BeautySage.com the only site we know of where you can find skin products proven to meet the claims (opened for business on June 1st, 2012), and a new book: YOU: The Owner’s Manual for Teens.

Michael F. Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer and chair of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. His radio show streams live on http://www.healthradio.net  Saturdays from 5-7 p.m . E-mail him questions at YouDocs@gmail.com.   He is the co-author of 4 #1 NY Times Best Sellers including : YOU Staying Young and YOU: The Owner’s Manual. He is Chief Medical Consultant to the two year running Emmy award winning Dr Oz show– The Dr Oz show is #2 nationally in daytime TV.  See what all the fun is about, and what he, The Enforcer, is up to. Check local listings or log onto DoctorOz.com for channel and time. And for more health info, log onto youbeauty.com anytime.

The Most Important Principles For Staying Young: 

Breast Cancer and Exercise

Dr. Michael F. Roizen

Co-Author of 4 #1 NY Times Bestsellers including: YOU Staying Young.

The Owner’s Manual For Extending Your Warranty (Free Press)

Our basic premise is that your body is amazing:  You get a do over: it doesn’t take that long, and it isn’t that hard if you know what to do.  In these notes, we give you a short course in what to do so it becomes easy for you, and for you to teach others. We want you to know how much control you have over your quality and length of life.

This month, we wonder…

If Exercise Is So Good As A Preventive Strategy, Then Why Do So Many 

Great Women Athletes of the Recent Past Get Breast Cancer?

Arnold said it best: “I don’t know an athlete who hasn’t given up her body for her sport.” Yes, a little intense exercise prevents breast cancer, but too much promotes it. We’ll tell you the appropriate amount for best health and to best prevent breast cancer below (don’t peak). But first, why does intense exercise for prolonged periods cause breast cancer if a little intense or even moderate exercise prevents it?

The key is how many free radicals you produce (exercise produces them inside your cells; longer and more intense exercise produces more free radicals) and how many antioxidants you produce (it is the antioxidants you produce and have inside your cell when you exercise, not that you eat, that are key).

You see, the key to preventing abnormal DNA inside your cells is handcuffing the free radicals you produce as soon as you produce them with antioxidants inside you cell (before those radicals can do damage), and harmlessly escorting the cuffed (or bound to an anti) free radical out of your body. A little intense exercise actually helps your cells learn how to produce more antioxidants, that’s why a little regular, intense exercise is good.

But, too much intense exercise at once (think Olympic training regimen, or marathon) overwhelms most people’s inside the cell antioxidant producing capability. This promotes breast (and other) cancers, free radicals and wear and tear damage elsewhere.

As it turns out, you can run from breast cancer, if you do the right amount of exercise with the right intensity. Run, lift weights, do stretch bands, cycle, walk, swim – any regular, occasionally intense, exercise will slash your risk by up to 30%.  (Some studies show even active housework and gardening can make a difference.) A little vigorous exercise helps your cells learn how to produce antioxidants inside your cells, and you can benefit at any age.

So to answer the question, a little exercise really can fend off the biggies . . . like breast cancer. Bet on it!! Staying active reduces your odds of colon, pancreatic and prostate cancer (for men). Breast cancer rates are at least 33% lower in women who exercise regularly; in fact, two studies show just 20 minutes of daily walking cut them by 34 to 38%.

How does this work? Yes, moderate or intense physical activity helps you produce more antioxidants inside your cells to reduce DNA damage rates, but exercise also lowers specific hormone levels. Exercise also helps you decrease inflammation, which helps make it more likely you’ll live without disability from heart disease, stroke or memory loss. Physical activity also reduces body fat and triggers a chain reaction: Less fat, less estrogen, and less inflammation, and… less cancer risk.

So, what’s the best routine according to the data? #1) General physical activity every day (10,000 steps every day, no excuses). #2) Two days of strength training for just 15 to 30 minutes each of the two days.  It’s form (shoulders back and relaxed, core centered and strong, pelvis tucked in very slightly) and repetitions (3 sets of 12) that get results. #3) 20 minutes of cardio (raising your heart rate to at least 80% of your age-adjusted max) three times a week, with one minute as intense as your doc says you can go every 10 minutes. This triple combo will make you stronger, more relaxed and healthier in many ways, from dodging cancer and heart disease to keeping your mind sharp and your emotions calm.  Remember, there are other things to add, like daily cruciferous veggies, avoidance of getting too big a waist, and two baby aspirins with a half glass of water for maximum prevention of breast cancer (only if your doc agrees).

Thanks for reading.

Young Dr Mike

NOTE: You should NOT take this as medical advice. 

This article is of the opinion of its author.

Before you do anything, please consult with your doctor.

You can follow Dr Roizen  (and get updates on the latest and most important medical stories  of the week) on twitter @YoungDrMike. 

Feel free to continue to send questions to youdocs@gmail.com. You can follow Dr Roizen on twitter @YoungDrMike (and get updates on the latest and most important medical stories of the week).  The YOU docs have a new web site: YOUBeauty.com  and its companion BeautySage.com the only site we know of where you can find skin products proven to meet the claims (opened for business on June 1st, 2012), and a new book: YOU: The Owner’s Manual for Teens.

Michael F. Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer and chair of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. His radio show streams live on http://www.healthradio.net  Saturdays from 5-7 p.m . E-mail him questions at YouDocs@gmail.com.   He is the co-author of 4 #1 NY Times Best Sellers including : YOU Staying Young and YOU: The Owner’s Manual. He is Chief Medical Consultant to the two year running Emmy award winning Dr Oz show– The Dr Oz show is #2 nationally in daytime TV.  See what all the fun is about, and what he, The Enforcer, is up to. Check local listings or log onto DoctorOz.com for channel and time. And for more health info, log onto youbeauty.com anytime.

Dr. Michael F. Roizen

Co-Author of 4 #1 NY Times Bestsellers including: YOU Staying Young.

The Owner’s Manual For Extending Your Warranty (Free Press)

Our basic premise is that your body is amazing.  You get a do over. It doesn’t take that long, and it isn’t that hard if you know what to do.  In these notes, we give you a short course in what to do so it becomes easy for you, and for you to teach others. We want you to know how much control you have over your quality and length of life.

This month, I wanted to reemphasize something that tastes really good—ethnic foods. What do spicy Indian curry, zesty Italian pesto, refreshing Spanish gazpacho, and Mexican chocolate-rich mole sauce have in common? They’ll all get your taste buds dancing, and bring you more gold than Michael Phelps. Tasty ethnic cuisine all-stars like these deliver a heap of phytonutrients that make you younger by avoiding cancer, heart disease, high blood sugar, dementia, and more. Benefits like these are just another great reasons to visit your city’s summertime street fairs and make liberal and creative use of the herbs and spices hiding in your kitchen cabinet.

Don’t just eat ethnic sometimes — sprinkle more of this good stuff on the foods you munch every day.  How? Think outside the box, like Dr. Mike does (me). I dust steamed broccoli with cinnamon and spreads yellow mustard (a great source of the super-healthy spice turmeric) on everything from celery to grilled salmon, and whole-grain pasta!

Giving your spice rack a work-out is just as brilliant as eating fruit and veggies. Take oregano.  Prized in Italian and Greek cuisine, these tasty little leaves boast 30 times more polyphenols than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges, and 4 times more than blueberries. You’d never munch a bunch of oregano that’s as big as a potato, but even a pinch packs a wallop. A tablespoon of fresh oregano’s got as much antioxidant power as a medium-sized apple!

Here’s the lowdown on other herbs and spices that punch up the flavor of popular ethnic cuisine, along with ways you can use them to get healthier as you spice up whatever you’re cooking tonight.

Turmeric:  The compound curcumin, found in yellow mustard (not so much in brown mustard, as that has real mustard seed.. but there’s true value in its less expensive yellow imitation).  Turmeric and curry powder have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, and may offer protection from cancer, diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. It is a premiere flavor in Indian cuisine and you can use it on veggies, sautéed chicken, or salad dressing.

Cinnamon: A compound in this tasty spice called hydroxychalcone makes receptors on cells work better, so your body absorbs blood sugar more easily. Getting ½ to 1 teaspoon a day, sprinkled on food, could lower blood sugar 10 points.It’s a favorite in German baked goods and Greek main dishes like hearty moussaka. Cinnamon is also delicious on oatmeal, in hot cocoa, and sprinkled on fresh fruit, like apples and bananas.

Ginger: This popular flavor in Thai cuisine may also cut your odds for inflammatory diseases like arthritis, as well as cancer and migraine headaches. You can also eat some if you’re prone to motion sickness or are nauseous, too. Try grated fresh ginger in salad dressings and shake powdered ginger into whole-grain muffins.

Garlic: Munching a clove a day could help lower your cholesterol by as much as 9%. Garlic contains tons of tangy compounds that may help protect against cancers of the breast, stomach, colon, esophagus, and pancreas — and soothe high blood pressure a bit, too. Garlic’s a favorite from Scandinavia to Spain and China. Use it to spice up veggies, fish, and your next pan of brown rice. It seems to make everything taste better (you could even try it on fruit and all veggies).

Rosemary: A top seasoning in Mediterranean cooking (the French roast it with almonds, the Italians add it to herb mixes), rosemary’s antioxidant capabilities make it a must for 21^st-century grill masters. Adding this herb to meat, fish, and veggie marinades before grilling reduces cancer-causing compounds, called heterocyclic amines, by up to 80%.

So, use spices to keep your body and brain younger and watch the Dr Oz show for more spicy tips.

Thanks for reading.

Young Dr Mike

NOTE: You should NOT take this as medical advice. 

This article is of the opinion of its author.

Before you do anything, please consult with your doctor.

You can follow Dr Roizen  (and get updates on the latest and most important medical stories  of the week) on twitter @YoungDrMike. 

Feel free to continue to send questions to youdocs@gmail.com. You can follow Dr Roizen on twitter @YoungDrMike (and get updates on the latest and most important medical stories of the week).  The YOU docs have a new web site: YOUBeauty.com  and its companion BeautySage.com the only site we know of where you can find skin products proven to meet the claims (opened for business on June 1st, 2012), and a new book: YOU: The Owner’s Manual for Teens.

Michael F. Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer and chair of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. His radio show streams live on http://www.healthradio.net  Saturdays from 5-7 p.m . E-mail him questions at YouDocs@gmail.com.   He is the co-author of 4 #1 NY Times Best Sellers including : YOU Staying Young and YOU: The Owner’s Manual. He is Chief Medical Consultant to the two year running Emmy award winning Dr Oz show– The Dr Oz show is #2 nationally in daytime TV.  See what all the fun is about, and what he, The Enforcer, is up to. Check local listings or log onto DoctorOz.com for channel and time. And for more health info, log onto youbeauty.com anytime.