Cholesterol - Villain or Victim?

Although it gets a bad rap, cholesterol is a steroid necessary for body function.  The body produces cholesterol naturally and utilizes it for cell wall function and hormone production (estrogen, testosterone). Its presence in the body is not malicious; however, because the body produces it, there is no dietary requirement that must be ingest per day.

Good, Bad, or Neither?

The first thing everyone should understand about cholesterol is that the “good” cholesterol (known as HDL) and the “bad” cholesterol (known as LDL) are very poor labels. In fact, HDL (high density lipoprotein) and LDL (low density lipoprotein) are not even cholesterol at all; they are proteins that carry cholesterol. LDL carries cholesterol from your liver to other body parts and HDL carries cholesterol from your body, back to your liver.

Switching Standards without Support

Before 1993, the recommended total cholesterol level in the blood was 240 mg/dl. Then a panel of 10 doctors agreed to lower it from 240 to 200 mg/dl. This increased the number of Americans who were eligible to take a statin drug (i.e. Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor) by over 37 million. Now nearly two decades later, there is absolutely no evidence that there has been a decrease in heart attacks, which was the original aim of increasing the medication.

High Cholesterol is Not the Real Issue

I speak to all my patients about getting to the cause of their health problems. No one on Earth has high cholesterol because of a deficiency in statin drugs. High cholesterol is not a diagnosis; it is merely a symptom of poor health. With all the risks and side effects associated with statin medications (headaches, muscle pain/weakness, constipation, kidney failure), I am not convinced the benefit (if there is any at all) outweighs the risk.

Just Tell Me What To Do!

The best thing to do? The only time it is safe to come off your medication is under the supervision of your prescribing physician. Talk to you doctor about coming off the medication for a few months while adding exercise and increasing raw vegetable intake.  If your doctor insists you stay on the medication (consider getting a second opinion) you must find a good Co-Q10 supplement. Statin drugs deplete the body of this energy-producing molecule that is synthesized naturally in your body.  Because of this, it's best to replenish CO-Q10 with a quality nutritional supplement in order to avoid some of the statin drug side effects.

Find a holistic practitioner that will take the time to get to the cause of your health problem. Your cholesterol is high for a reason and it is not because of a deficiency in statin drugs. If you want to be drug free, then you have to be willing to live a drug-free lifestyle. People who exercise regularly, eat plenty of vegetables and lean meats, and practice stress reduction techniques will not have high cholesterol levels and will ultimately live healthier and happier lives.

Abundant Blessings,

Dr. Dan

Dr. Dan Turo is the owner and chiropractor of Turo Family Chiropractic located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, PA. Follow him on facebook and twitter.

5 Tips for Sleeping like a Baby

ZZZZZZ.....ZZZZZZ...ZZZZZZ...Oh excuse me! I didn't see you there. I must have drifted off. In our crazy GO, GO, GO world today, why is it that so many people still struggle to get a good night of sleep? You would think that as hard as we push ourselves, our engine would be empty by the end of the day and we would crash as soon as our head hits the pillow. Unfortunately, for millions of Americans, that is just not the case. So here are some simple tips that will allow you to catch those very important ZZZ's.

1. Position
As a chiropractor, people always ask me about proper sleeping position. The best position, in my opinion, for proper body and spinal mechanics, is lying on your side. Your pillow should be tucked under your head AND neck so that you are in a neutral position. The most important piece of the puzzle? Use a body pillow (or 2 separate pillows) that will fit comfortably between your knees and arms. This keeps your hips and shoulders in a neutral position and maintains healthy spinal alignment. Poor sleeping position is a gateway to poor spinal alignment, which is what your chiropractor is working hard to correct. Help him out and try this sleep position!

2. Same Time, Same Place
Having a regular routine for the time and place of your sleep allows you to take advantage of your body’s natural rhythm and hormone levels. Different hormones in your body rise and fall throughout the day. Keeping a consistent bed time and place will help your body prepare for and maintain a good night's sleep. (I apologize to travelers with fluctuating schedules. Good thing your body is so adaptable!)

3. Organize and Prioritize
Restless sleep is often related to anxiety about your TO DO list. Whether it is something you didn't get to, or something that needs to be done tomorrow, make sure you WRITE IT DOWN! I joke with my wife that if it isn't written down, it doesn't exist. Writing things down and prioritizing will take them off your mind and allow you to focus on the task at hand: SLEEP.

4. Eating
Snacking before bed is an epidemic in our society. Unfortunately, when we eat, we change our hormone levels.  As I mentioned before, this can make it difficult to fall into that restful state you need for quality sleep. Digestion also slows down during the night and food can become stagnant in your stomach. Did you ever notice that if you eat a meal right before bed, you still feel full the next morning? Then you don’t breakfast and start your day in a downward energy spiral. Try not to eat anything 1-2 hours before bed.

5. Gratitude
Touching again on the anxiety, most people are anxious because that are not focused on how amazing their life is. It is easy to get trapped into that fearful, victim mentality. Believe me, with a new business, new baby, student loans, and my wife leaving her job, I know a thing or two about anxiety. Always remember, if you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, family and friends, then you are among the wealthiest people on Earth. Give thanks and get peace.


Try out these tips before your head hits the pillow tonight. Your body will thank you!

Sweet Dreams!

Dr. Dan

Dr. Dan Turo is the owner and chiropractor of Turo Family Chiropractic located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, PA. Find more information at his website. Follow him on facebook and twitter.

4 Truths about Aging Before You Age Another Minute

Depending on who you talk to, the concept of aging is either embraced with a smile or feared worse than public speaking. In fact, the "anti-aging" industry is worth hundreds of billions of dollars. That is a lot of money to combat a process that is just as natural as sleeping, eating, and drinking. So before you spend another penny to stop or slow a process that cannot be stopped, let's learn the truth about aging.

1. Aging Cannot be Stopped
This may seem obvious, but there are many people out there in denial about their aging. Let me reiterate that aging is natural and normal! One of the best steps you can take to make this process more exciting is to embrace the fact that we all age.  Enjoy every day for what it is: a gift! Stop using popular phrases like, "I am getting old" or "I feel so old." Embrace your aging and your age will be rewarding.

2. You Age What You Eat
We all know the famous adage, "you are what you eat." It only makes sense that the aging process is largely determined by what you feed your body. Every second millions of your cells are dividing, multiplying, and dying. The new cells are created from what you eat. We all know the 45 year old who looks like he is 60, and we also know the 65 year old who looks like she is 50. Why do some people age so well? Very little has to do with genetics and a large part has to do with what you are putting into your body day in and day out. If you are one of those people obsessed with how you age, think before you eat that next doughnut or scoop of ice cream. Fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and nuts will give your body the vitamins and minerals it craves, giving rise to new and healthy cells.  Healthy cells are an easy way to beautify the aging process!

3. Lotions are not Magic Potions
Women and men alike will try any product that claims to enhance skin and hair. Consumers beware! Every product you use on your skin is absorbed into your blood stream and must be processed by your liver.  Many chemicals in popular lotions, creams, and hair products that are "safe for human use" have been linked to various types of cancers in animals. Information is at our fingertips. Be an informed buyer and research some of the chemicals that are in your current lotions. Will one or two uses give you cancer? Of course not, but neither will smoking one or two cigarettes. The problem is repeated use over a lifetime. Be aware and limit the chemicals you use on your skin and hair. These toxic chemicals can build up in your fat and skin cells over time.  This causes your cells to break down more quickly, making you look older than you actually are. "But wait, we have a lotion for that!" Get the picture?

4. Motion is life!
Circulation, nerve messages, joint lubrication, and healing all require a certain amount of motion to work at their optimal level. When you participate in any activity, you stress your body in a very good way and promote healthy cell growth. Healthy cell growth leads to beautiful aging, not only on the outside, but the inside as well, which is where health begins! Get up, take a walk, do some stretching, dance, swim, or ride a bike! The more you move, the better you age.

Do not buy into the "anti-aging" gimmicks. You are aging exactly the way you are supposed to.   Besides, growing old sure beats the alternative...dying young.

Abundant blessings,

Dr. Dan

Dr. Dan Turo is the owner and chiropractor of Turo Family Chiropractic located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, PA. Follow him on facebook and twitter.