Going from Despair to Confidence with NutriMost

By Dr. Jon Thomas, DC, PSc.D,  Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.

Courtesy of Vibrant Life Health Center

Health and Wellness Open House on Saturday, May 21^st

Tracy and I and the rest of the team are really looking forward to our Health and Wellness Open House on Saturday, May 21^st. It will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Vibrant Life Health Center, 12627 San Jose Blvd., Suite 502. We’ve been planning this for some time as a way of introducing ourselves to people in the surrounding community who are not yet familiar with the range of services we provide.

We’ll be giving away the NutriMost program to one fortunate person who will have the opportunity to lose twenty pounds or more in just forty days. By the 4^th of July, someone is going to be looking and feeling great! We have details on how to enter the contest for that on our Facebook pages or on the First Coast Living website. 

Courtesy of Vibrant Life Health Center

We’ll be doing Tytron nerve scans for free and we’ll be offering a body composition analysis for $20, which is a substantial discount off the regular fee. We will have refreshments and we’ll be giving away a Whole Foods and Native Sun gift card for $250. Other items to be given away include an Urban Coffeehouse Gift Card, a Beauty Package from Metamorphosis Salon, and Mini Massages by Zyra Arroyo, LMT of Massage Renaissance.

If you have an aching back, sore knees, persistent pain in the shoulders, stiffness in the neck, or any other condition for which chiropractic could help, be sure to come by. It will be a perfect opportunity to find out how chiropractic treatment can put your body, and your life, back into alignment. Treatment is making a very positive difference in the lives of many people and you’ll be able to talk to some of them at the open house.

Several NutriMost patients will also be at the Open House. They will be telling their stories of shedding twenty pounds or more in just forty days. Real people with real stories! Anyone who is interested in NutriMost will be able to ask people who have been on it how it worked for them.

From Despair to Confidence with NutriMost

Courtesy of Vibrant Life Health Center

I personally walk patients through the process in the NutriMost program. By the time some patients find NutriMost, they’ve lost hope that anything will work for them. They’ve tried system after system, program after program, and nothing has worked for them. They’ve tried medications, they’ve done this, they’ve done that. Some people are completely discouraged by the time they try NutriMost.

We team up with them and walk them through the phases. As their bodies begin to function more effectively, they become hopeful and then confident. By the time they go through the process of transformation, they become amazed at what they’re accomplishing and at what they can accomplish. NutriMost puts the pieces together for people to accomplish their weight loss and wellness goals.

Patients can contact me about any challenges they may be facing at any time, and they do. This is one of the biggest differences between NutriMost and other programs, and it makes an enormous difference. Seeing the positive changes people are making in their lives is very gratifying for me personally. As far as I’m concerned, nothing compares to that.

People face challenges in the process of losing weight. They might be going to an event where they know there will be an excellent buffet with lots of delicious food. Maybe even their favorite foods. It’s not easy to walk by when the food looks and smells really good. It takes a plan and I love being in a position to help people in those challenging situations. I love what I do and I love the connection I have with people.

Courtesy of First Coast Living

One size does not fit all when it comes to the way people’s bodies work. We’re all at least a little bit different and those differences affect the way we process food, gain weight, and lose weight. People have trigger foods which are just no good for them and which should be avoided. For me, it’s salmon. Other people can eat all the salmon they want and have no problem whatsoever. Of course, they have different trigger foods that they should avoid.

NutriMost addresses the differences. We present each patient with a customized program that will work for him or her. It all starts with a body composition analysis which shows in great detail how a person’s body is functioning and how it’s processing things.  By the end of that, people know what their deficiencies are and where the body is not functioning optimally. They know what challenges are specific to them, challenges that might not be a problem at all to other people.

I sit down one-on-one with every patient and explain how the program works and how it’s going to work, very specifically, to address the issues they might have. We look at fat metabolism. We go through all the steps and make sure they know how to contact me whenever they need to. We stay in touch through daily texts. We are with them every step of the way.

Courtesy of Vibrant Life Health Center

After a patient has gone through the 40 day NutriMost fat burn, we take them through a three step program. We do a reset in which we program the body to continue to function optimally. After that, people go into a reentry phase where they start trying the foods that they weren’t eating while they were in the fat burn phase.

Many people who have lost substantial amounts of weight have had the discouraging experience of getting it all back. Some get it all back and more. Yo-yo dieting doesn’t work in the long run. In order to lose weight and keep it off permanently, the body needs to be reset and the new settings have to be maintained. That’s what NutriMost does and that’s why NutriMost works.

Come on out to the Open House on Saturday, May 21^st, and talk to some people who have found the answers to their weight problems with NutriMost. 

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In this article, I have discussed Vibrant Life Health Center’s upcoming Health and Wellness Open House, which will be on Saturday, May 21^st. I’ve also discussed the differences between NutriMost and other weight loss programs.

If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and on social media.

The Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.

At Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. This includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment.

Courtesy of Vibrant Life Health Center

Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. His interest in health and fitness started early, and his athletic pursuits have included BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weightlifting, and Martial Arts. After studying and learning from some of the top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective for each patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He also speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles to improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.

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Gratitude Is Good for Mental, Emotional, and Physical Health

By  Dr. Jon Thomas D.C PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.

As we enter into the season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, we enter into a time for reflecting on the many blessings we have seen through the year. Acknowledging those people, organizations, and the times that have shaped them is important and rewarding in ways you may not have thought of.

“Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and fulfilled life.” Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul

According to Wikipedia, gratitude is, “a feeling or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive. The experience of gratitude has historically been a focus of several world religions, and has been considered extensively by moral philosophers.”

In every culture, philosophers and sages have taught that gratitude is one of the keys to happiness, fulfillment, and well-being. Although the concept of gratitude seems warm and fuzzy, there has been a great deal of research in the past few decades which shows that being grateful has a significant positive impact on people’s lives.  

Gratitude Research

Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California is widely regarded as the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude. He is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and the founding editor-in-chief of The Journal of Positive Psychology. In 2003, he and Dr. Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami examined the effect of a grateful outlook on psychological and physical well-being.

The study involved 201 undergraduate students who were enrolled in a psychology class at a large university. Dr. Emmons and Dr. McCullough split the people into three groups. Participants were asked to keep diaries. One group recorded daily events without being told specifically what to write about. The second group was instructed to make a list of unpleasant experiences. The third group was instructed to note the things they were grateful for.

Dr. Emmons and Dr. McCullough discovered that daily gratitude exercises resulted in higher levels of enthusiasm, optimism, and energy. Participants in the gratitude group experienced less anxiety and depression. They were also more likely to help others and to achieve their personal goals. The findings were summarized in 2003 in a paper titled Counting Blessings Versus Burdens: An Experimental Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being in Daily Life.

Since that time, much more research on gratitude has been done. On his website, Dr. Emmons writes, “Gratitude heals, energizes, and transforms lives. We are engaged in a long-term research project designed to create and disseminate a large body of novel scientific data on the nature of gratitude, its causes, and its potential consequences for human health and well-being. Scientists are latecomers to the concept of gratitude. Religions and philosophies have long embraced gratitude as an indispensable manifestation of virtue, and an integral component of health, wholeness, and well-being. Through conducting highly focused, cutting-edge studies on the nature of gratitude, its causes, and its consequences, we hope to shed important scientific light on this important concept.”

Benefits of Gratitude

The research continues to show that people who maintain an attitude of gratitude are healthier, both physically and emotionally, than those who do not. People who have a grateful outlook enjoy the following benefits.

• Better sleep
• High energy level
• High level of optimism
• Capacity for forgiveness
• High levels of joy and happiness
• Healthy hearts and immune systems
• The ability to handle times of loss or crises
• Lowered incidence of stress, anxiety, depression, and headaches.

Journaling for Gratitude

One of the most common methods for maintaining a sense of gratitude is keeping a journal to record experiences one is grateful for. For example, a person might feel gratitude for something he or she saw in nature or in a work of art. Also, a nice conversation with a close friend or something as simple as a good cup of coffee could be noteworthy in a gratitude journal.

Recording positive experiences can boost levels of energy, enthusiasm, and determination. Gratitude journaling for as little as two weeks can produce positive effects for as much as six months. Here are a few questions to get started with a gratitude journal.

• Who or what inspired me today?
• What made me happy today?
• What gave me peace today?

It’s a good idea to avoid repeating the same items over and over. This will require you to dig a little deeper each day. As you do, you will see more and more in your life to be grateful for.

Inspiring Thoughts About Gratitude

“Reflect on your present blessings, on which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” Charles Dickens

“Gratitude is an immensely powerful force that we can use to expand our happiness, create loving relationships, and even improve our health. If you want more happiness, joy, and energy, gratitude is clearly a crucial quality to cultivate. It is a fullness of heart that moves us from limitation and fear to expansion and love. When we’re appreciating something, our ego moves out of the way and we connect with our soul. Gratitude brings our attention into the present, which is the only place where miracles can unfold. The deeper our appreciation, the more we see with the eyes of the soul and the more our life flows in harmony with the creative power of the universe.” Deepak Chopra

“Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present. In addition, behavioral and psychological research has shown the surprising life improvements that can stem from the practice of gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress.” Marelisa Fabrega

“Researchers have found that individuals who exhibit and express the most gratitude are happier, healthier, and more energetic. Grateful people report fewer symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, nausea, even acne, and spend more time exercising! And the more a person is inclined towards gratitude, the less lonely, stressed, anxious, and depressed he or she will be.” Ellen Goldman

In this article, I have discussed the positive impact gratitude can have on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical health. I’ve noted that maintaining a gratitude journal can be a very effective way to develop an attitude of gratitude.

If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section. If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and on social media.

The Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.

At Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. This includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment.

Through December, new patients can get complimentary Posture Analysis, Tytron Nerve Scan, and a one-on-one consultation about their health with Dr. Thomas.

Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. His interest in health and fitness started early, and  his athletic pursuits have included BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After studying and learning from some of the top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective for each patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He also speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles to improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.

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Flu and Cold Season is Here: How to Combat the Crud Part 1

By  Dr. Jon Thomas D.C PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.

Courtesty Wikimedia

The weather has been cooling off in Northeast Florida. Lately, there’s been a chill in the air in the mornings. Most people like this seasonal change. However, for some, the change in the weather can bring on colds or the flu. At Vibrant Life, we refer to these ailments as “the crud.” It has already started going around. The crud can manifest itself through a wide range of symptoms. They include sniffling, sneezing, coughing, headache, body aches, fever, and a general sense of malaise.

When people experience the crud, many are inclined to ingest some vitamin C in whatever form they can get. Vitamin C does strengthen the immune system before a person gets a cold or the flu. However, mega-doses of vitamin C are not the ultimate weapons against colds after the onset of symptoms. Research shows that taking vitamin C after catching a cold will not affect the duration or severity of the cold. Also, since colds are caused by viruses - not bacteria - antibiotics won’t help either.

Since laughter is reputed to be the best medicine, here are three of the Weirdest Cold Remedies known to man, according to an article on Buzzfeed.

• The ancient Greeks believed that an aching head could be cured with a shock from an electric eel.
• In Canada and the US, some believe that placing onions on a child’s feet will draw a fever out of the body.
• Some North Americans believe that cold sores can be cured by applying your own ear wax to them.

There’s no conclusive evidence that any of those remedies work, but we hope that reading about them will elicit a chuckle. While handling eels, onions, and earwax sounds like a lot of fun, we at Vibrant Life don’t recommend any of the above remedies. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to combat the crud. In a recent article for WEBMD, Andrea Billups made the following suggestions:

Get Some Rest and Reduce Your Stress. Most people know what it feels like when a cold is coming on. It’s important to listen to your body. Get as much rest as you can and eliminate stress as much as possible.

Courtesy Wikimedia

Drink Up. When you have a cold, fluids are your friend. Keep a full glass of water nearby. Most fluids, with the exception of alcohol, will help to keep you hydrated.

Sip hot tea with honey. Drinking warm liquids can help to open up a stuffy nose and soothe a sore throat.

Act quickly to combat the crud.  If you can’t hold off a cold, it may take as much as five to seven days for symptoms to improve. Getting an early jump on those symptoms is one of the keys to recovery.

Most in the medical community would agree with these helpful suggestions. I also recommend the following, which I use with my own family and recommend to my patients to shorten the length or reduce the severity of colds and flu.

Nucleo-Immune Dietary Supplement

Nucleotides are tiny building blocks of RNA and DNA. They are the blueprints for all the cells in your body. Trauma, surgery, infection, and other stresses, can rapidly deplete a body of its supply of nucleotides. When depleted, rebuilding the supply of nucleotides to meet the body’s demands can take days, or possibly weeks.

Nucleotides can help the body to rapidly overcome colds or flu, heal wounds, improve circulation, strengthen the immune system, promote new cell growth, neutralize toxins (especially in the intestines), and enhance the body’s ability to fight infection and disease. They may even help to slow the aging process.

Nucleo-Immune is a dietary supplement which promotes rapid cellular rejuvenation and healing of wounds. It also increases vitality and strength. Nucleo-Immune supports the thymus, the intestinal and immune systems, and is especially effective as a preventative booster during the cold and winter season.

Nucleo-Immune is available through the Vibrant Life Health Center. Give yourself a boost for the season and get some today!

Zinc, an Essential Mineral

Zinc plays an important role in immunity. The recommended daily intake is 15 mg/day. Research shows that adequate zinc consumption, or supplementation, not only prevents the onset of colds and flu, but also decreases their duration by a day or more. Zinc is regarded by many as the most effective remedy against the common cold. Adding the following foods to your daily intake will increase your zinc levels: oysters, crab, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, cashews, black beans, and shiitake mushrooms.

Elderberry Extract

Elderberries, Courtesy of Wikimedia

Black elderberry juice inhibits the growth of influenza viruses and shortens the duration of symptoms. It also increases antibody levels against the virus. In addition, it helps reduce swelling in the sinuses and congestion. Elderberry is commonly available as a lozenge and in capsules. It’s also available as a liquid syrup in the UMCKA Cold Products line made by Nature’s Way.  UMCKA Cold Products can be purchased at Native Sun, Whole Foods, and Grass Roots stores.

Mucilage of Oats: My family’s personal favorite

For anyone who has caught a bug that’s going around and who has a lingering cough or sore throat, here’s an easy-to-make beverage that can help. Take 1 tbsp. oats and add it to 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, and then let it steep for five minutes. Strain out the oats and drink. This process takes the mucilage off of the oats, and it’s very soothing for the throat. If you’d like to sweeten it up a bit, you can add a little honey. When I make this, I add 1 tbsp elderberries or rose hips. This gives the mixture some extra flavor and also some vitamin C.

In this article, I have discussed some of the things people can do to reduce their chances of getting the flu or catching a cold. I’ve also made several suggestions on what to do after you have symptoms. Zinc, elderberry extract, and mucilage of oats can all be very helpful. Nucleo-Immune, a dietary supplement which helps in the production of nucleotides, can also be very helpful.

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If you liked this article, please click the Google Plus button. If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please pass it along to him or her or. If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section.

At Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. This includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment. If you’d like to try Nucleo-Immune to prevent or treat the flu or a cold, please contact us.  

Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. His interest in health and fitness started early, and his athletic pursuits have included BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After studying and learning from some of the top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective for each patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He also speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles to improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.

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