Holistic Health Tips from NYC Chiropractor Dr. Louis Granirer

The eyes are incredibly complex, delicate and amazing structures that allow us to witness the world around us. As we age, the eyes change and, like every organ, gland, and system, require some added support to help them function optimally. Here are eight tips to help support your eyes and to prevent eye problems. 1- For every 45 minutes of reading, take a 10-minute rest: Look into the distance for a couple of minutes or alternate looking in the distance and at something closer to you. Get up and walk around. This is important for the muscles of the eye; they get tight just like any muscle. Imagine if you were lifting bags for long periods of time. Your arms would get tired. Give your eyes a breather and let them relax. I would also suggest palming your eyes: Rub your hands together briskly for 15 seconds. Close both eyes and gently place each palm diagonally over each eye, putting the fingers of one hand over the fingers of the other hand on your forehead. Let the heat from your han

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf becomes a flower."   -Albert Camus I love the change of seasons! Just when I'm ready for the heat of summer to end, autumn brings cooler and drier weather that I welcome each year. Autumn is the end of the growing season, and all the plants and trees turn their energy inward, bringing their energy down to the root. The outward directed energy of summer slowly starts changing and becomes more inwardly directed.  As human beings, we are also affected by the natural changes that occur with the change of seasons. We can be healthier physically and emotionally by being aware and aligned with these natural changes that occur each year. In Chinese medicine, autumn is ruled by the lungs, large intestine, and the skin. These are all organs of elimination. The organs of elimination let go of waste and what is not necessary for our bodies to thrive. As the trees let go of their leaves, it is a time for us to let go of what doesn't

Traveling to a new country across time zones can be inspiring and incredibly joyful. Within 24 hours we can board a plane and end up across the globe, experiencing new sights, sounds, tastes … and jet lag. Jet lag is an aspect of travel that most people think just goes with the territory. Recently I traveled abroad, and it inspired me to share with you some great advice on steps you can take to avoid, and limit jet lag. Our bodies work on a 24-hour cycle known as the circadian rhythm. Our organs and systems are more active at certain times of the day vs. others. For instance : the liver is most active between 1:00 am and 3:00 am the lungs from 3:00 am to 5:00 am the large intestine from 5:00 am to 7:00 am the stomach from 7:00 am to 9:00 am, etc. You can look up online the acupuncture meridian clock to see the times of day that relate to the entire organ system. Additionally, certain bodily processes are more active at certain times of the day. For example : at 4:30 am the

Methylation is probably not a word that you have heard before unless you took an organic chemistry class. However, it has become a buzz word in the functional medicine and detoxification arenas. From the biochemical definition, methylation is the transfer of one carbon and three hydrogens to another molecule, like an enzyme, vitamin, amino acid, etc. Probably not that mind blowing to you, but what it means to the proper functioning of the human body is substantial. Methylation is essential for making a majority of chemical reactions in the body. It has a significant role in genetics by protecting telomeres on DNA. It prevents certain genetic diseases, and it influences one genetic trait to come from one parent as opposed to both. Methylation is essential for detoxification. It alters the toxin so that it can be eliminated by the body. It is essential for the conversion of homocysteine, which at high levels has been linked to heart disease. Additionally, it is important for the co

The gallbladder is a small organ about 4 inches long located by the liver on the right side of the body, around the level of the seventh rib. The gallbladder is responsible for storing bile and mixing it with enzymes and mineral salts to send to the intestines. Bile and bile salts are essential for fat digestion. Anyone that has an impaired gallbladder has difficulty absorbing fat properly. The gallbladder also works with the lymphatic system to help the muscles move out waste products effectively.   There are many common symptoms that are related to a gallbladder that is not functioning properly. Many people that have headaches, constipation, knee problems, or mid back pain may have a gallbladder issue. Why are these symptoms so common with gallbladder issues? Many of these symptoms have to do with the location of the gallbladder meridian. The gallbladder meridian is an energetic pathway that travels along the side of the head and continues down the neck to the shoulder, down the si

Summer is the most energetic of all the seasons. Most of us tend to increase our activity levels by traveling more, being outdoors, and taking advantage of the longer light-filled days. In Chinese medicine, summer is specifically associated with the fire element and the organs of the heart and small intestines. Yang energy represents action, light, and the masculine. Yang energy is the most prevalent during the summer months, so it is a good idea to balance the natural energy of the season with its opposite element, which is known as Yin energy. Yin energy is more passive, dark, and represents the feminine.  Through the diet, you can help to balance the summer Yang energy by eating Yin type foods. The following are Yin foods that are great to incorporate into the summer season: Cucumbers: They have been researched and found to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body, specifically reducing pro-inflammatory enzymes. They contain high levels of B vitamins and quercetin, whic

Toxins from household cleaners, chemicals on mattresses and furniture, building materials, carpeting, mold and mildew, and personal care products are some of the items that are contributing to the toxicity in our homes. Europe is way ahead of us with regard to recognizing problems with chemicals affecting our health. They have banned thousands of chemicals in personal care and cleaning products, as opposed to the U.S., which has banned a mere fraction by comparison. Here are some useful tips to clean up the air in your home: 1. Get Rid of Any Carpeting or Rugs! Carpeting is basically a petri dish. All of the toxins in the air accumulate and become a toxic dust that gets embedded in carpeting. Vacuuming doesn't pick up micro dust particles and sometimes just spreads toxins around. The best flooring is wood that is treated with a water-based polyurethane (which is less toxic than oil-based polyurethane). If you have no choice and can't get rid of your carpeting, make sure you d

Bone broth has become pretty popular in the alternative health and paleo world. Most of us stop consuming soups and broths in the spring and summer. However, bone broth is a superfood and should be consumed all year long. Bone broth is an incredibly healing superfood. Here's why: 1. It contains vital amino acids like proline, arginine, glycine, glutamine: These amino acids help with stress, inflammation, building blocks for RNA, DNA, collagen, energy production, healthy skin, tissue repair, cardiovascular health, small intestinal cellular nutrient assimilation and many other whole body benefits. 2. Helps to heal your gut: The collagen from the bones turns into gelatin, which helps heal the intestinal and digestive tract lining. It specifically supports the mucus membranes and holds and binds digestive juices, which helps leaky guts heal. Before bone broth can be optimally effective, it is important to clear out the bad guys like Candida, parasites, and microbial imbalance fir

Many runners and athletes have experienced a very frustrating injury called shin splints. Usually, the pain from shin splints develops over a period of time and gets worse with changes or increased intensity of an activity. Depending on the severity, it can put an athlete on the sidelines and become a chronic condition if not treated properly. The shin bone is also known as the tibia (although the fibula is also considered to be part of the shin). The two major muscles involved with shin splints are the tibialis anterior and the tibialis posterior. The tibialis anterior travels down the inside of the shin and connects to the top of the foot, while the tibialis posterior travels below the knee towards the back of the leg and connects to the medial arch of the foot. Shin splints are a result of muscle imbalances in the tibialis musculature, as well as imbalances in the Sharpey's fibers. Sharpey's fibers are connective tissue consisting of collagen which connect the outer layer

Who hasn't had a moment while washing your hair when you think that there is way too much hair that just came out of that head of yours? Some hair loss is normal as we age, but there are natural ways that can help to support the existing hair you have and to prevent future hair loss. About eighty percent of the population has had some concern about hair loss. This is why the hair loss industry is a 3.5 billion dollar industry. Here are some tips on helping with hair loss issues. Why is hair loss seen mostly in men and women that are over 35 years old? One of the reasons is that with age, our digestive system , which absorbs our nutrients, loses about 10 percent of its capacity to function with every passing decade. By the time we are 70, we have lost about 40 percent of the digestive capacity we had when we were 30. This is why an 80-year-old person may have thinning hair, brittle nails, and a lack of skin elasticity. The hair, skin and nails are the last areas of the body to get

Winter is here, although it has been a much warmer entry compared to the past couple of years. Winter is the season of storage, rebuilding, and restoration. In nature, it is the time when things slow down, and many aspects of life go internal to prepare for spring. We are all a part of the natural rhythms of nature, and although many of us fight against this, it important to realize that our activities and rest should be modified accordingly during this time. In Chinese medicine, the organ systems associated with the winter season are the kidney and the bladder. The kidney is the storehouse of the vital energy of the body. By nourishing the body's kidney energy, you are helping it to replenish energy stores. Many people find that they want to nap and sleep more during this time, and it is very good to sleep and nap more. Here are some winter lifestyle tips that can help your body during this time: Exercise Tips Many of us do the same activities every season of the year without co