Foods with a Low Glycemic Index

A high blood sugar level can pose serious problems for everyone. If you have diabetes, it can exacerbate your symptoms, and if you don’t, a consistently high blood sugar level can cause diabetes in the future if you leave it unchecked. Foods with a low glycemic index are those with carbs that raise your blood gluclose level less than foods with a higher GI level. Foods with a GI level less than 55 are considered low.

Here are some foods to combine in your diet this summer to keep your blood glucose levels in check!

  1. Fruits: Some of the tastiest fruits in season have a low glycemic index, such as cherries, peaches, nectarines, and strawberries. They make for a refreshing snack while also helping to keep your blood sugar levels down!
  2. Pasta: If your pasta is made with white durum wheat, it has a GI level of just 44, meaning it’s perfect for anyone looking for a delicious meal while also watching their blood sugar levels. Just make sure it’s part of a balanced diet, as a low GI level isn’t the same as the total amount of carbohydrates you consume in your meal. Cook your pasta with meat or seafood to keep your glycemic load down, as they have no carbs.
  3. Oatmeal: Rolled or steel-cut oat bran or muesli are rich in all the good things for your body. They can help lower cholesterol and rich in fiber in addition to being on the low end of the glycemic index. This good for your health as well as keeping your blood sugar levels down. Combine it with blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, which also have low glycemic loads for a nutritious and delicious breakfast or snack!
  4. If you’re trying to cut down on meat, you’ll want a healthy protein-rich alternative. Baked beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, peas, and soybeans are all packed with protein and will keep your blood glucose levels down, thanks to their low numbers on the glycemic index.

To learn more about how your diabetes can be managed as part of a diet, contact us at Solstice Health to learn more about our diabetic weight loss program that provides an all-natural, GMO-free, and medically-licensed weight loss protocol.

Solstice Health Selected as Finalist at 2018 Wisconsin Innovation Awards

At Solstice Health, we are extremely proud and honored to be named as a finalist at the 2018 Wisconsin Innovation Awards for our contribution to innovation in the state. There will be an awards ceremony this October in Madison announcing the winners. Please read on for the full press release by the Wisconsin Innovation Awards.

Finalists Announced for 2018 Wisconsin Innovation Awards

Winners to be announced at public awards ceremony on October 3 in Madison

Madison— July 12, 2018 — Thirty-four companies and nonprofit organizations have been selected as finalists for the 2018 Wisconsin Innovation Awards. In total, 357 businesses, products and services from around the state were nominated. The finalists were determined by a panel of 21 statewide industry experts, with winners to be announced on October 3, 2018 at an awards ceremony at the Wisconsin Union Theater in Madison. Nominations spanned all parts of Wisconsin, represented large, medium and small companies, startups, established businesses, and nearly all industries.

The Wisconsin Innovation Awards Ceremony is open to the public, with ticket bundles currently available for sale. The event begins at 5:30 pm with a reception, and continues with the awards program at 6:30 pm. Ticket information and details are available at www.wisconsininnovationawards.com.

The Wisconsin Innovation Awards Ceremony is presented by Alliant Energy, American Family Insurance, Exact Sciences, First Business Bank, Green Clock Films, JP Cullen, Neider & Boucher, Props Unlimited, Wipfli, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, with support from Envision IT, HealthX Ventures, Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison, Madison Gas & Electric, WARF, and Workloud.

2018 Wisconsin Innovation Awards Finalists:

Company City
Acme Nerd Games
https://acmenerdgames.com
Barneveld
AquaMetals, LLC
https://aquametalsensors.com

Wauwatosa
Carex Consulting Group
https://carexconsultinggroup.com
Madison
Clean Beam, LLC
https://www.clean-beam.com
Necedah
ConsortiEX, Inc.
https://www.consortiex.com
Milwaukee
CORNCOB, Inc.
https://www.corncobinc.com
Waukesha
dodles
https://dodl.es
Combined Locks
Doyenne Group, Inc.
https://www.doyennegroup.org
Madison
EnsoData, Inc.
https://www.ensodata.com
Madison
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin
https://www.feedingamericawi.org
Appleton
Forte
https://forteresearch.com/
Madison
Goods Unite Us, Inc.
https://goodsuniteus.com
Madison
Kohler Company WasteLAB
https://kohlercompany.com/wastelab
Kohler
LAUNCH- School District of Elmbrook
https://launch.yourcapsnetwork.org
Brookfield
MatchBack Systems Inc
https://matchbacksystems.com
Green Bay
Melius Outcomes
https://www.meliusoutcomes.com
Whitefish Bay
Nano Red Biotechnology, LLC
https://www.nanoredbiotech.com
Milwaukee
Nanolytix Inc
https://www.nanolytix.ca
Milwaukee
Oncata
https://oncata.com
Milwaukee
P4 Infrastructure, Inc.
https://www.p4infrastructure.com
Milwaukee
Photonic Cleaning Technologies,LLC
https://www.photoniccleaning.com
Platteville
Propeller Health
https://www.propellerhealth.com/
Madison
Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association
https://www.rebalanced-life.org/
Brooklyn
SmartUQ LLC
https://smartuq.com/
Madison
Solstice Health
https://solsticewi.com
Oconomowoc
Stimmi LLC
https://stimmi.org
Madison
TailoredCare
https://tailoredcare.com
Madison
The Crafter Space, Brewery Incubator
https://www.barleytobarrel.com
Milwaukee
The Mill Events
https://www.themillevents.com
Chetek
Torq Labs
https://www.torqlabs.com
Madison
Trinity Gunshot Alarm System, LLC
https://www.trinitygunshotalarm.com/
Baraboo
VisuaLeverage
https://www.visualeverage.com
Madison
Wolf Flow
https://www.wolfflow.io
Madison
WWBIC
https://wwbic.com
Milwaukee

###

About the Wisconsin Innovation Awards

The Wisconsin Innovation Awards (WIA) connects and showcases innovators throughout the state of Wisconsin, across industries and organizations of all shapes and sizes.

By producing and providing educational media content, organizing a statewide network of experts willing to mentor and support each other, and hosting events that highlight groundbreaking work, WIA is building a lasting legacy of instruction inspired by Wisconsin’s thinkers, makers, creators, and designers. WIA fosters innovation in this state and helps shine a light on companies throughout the state that have transformational ideas.

Therapies for Foot and Ankle Pain

A woman in a green tank top and gray pants sits on the floor, touching her foot with both hands, looking down with a calm expression, against a white background.

It’s no fun to experience pain at any time, but it’s especially no walk in the park to experience foot or ankle pain – literally. Our feet are what we use daily to get around, and to experience pain there of all places can mean a highly diminished quality of life and a lack of independence as a result. However, there are several ways that foot and ankle pain can be treated, allowing you to get back on your feet.

If your foot or ankle pain has come about from a recent injury, it’s a good idea to try the RICE procedure. Rest the area that is in pain, apply a cold pack or ice to the area to reduce swelling, compress the area with a bandage, and elevate it on pillows to reduce any further swelling. This procedure works best if performed immediately after an injury or a shock to the ankle or foot in question.

If good old-fashioned rest and recovery hasn’t helped relieve your foot and ankle pain, there are some exercises that may be able to help instead. Try flexing and stretching your feet and ankles to maintain your range of motion. It’s also a great idea to massage your feet to relax it and improve the chance of recovery and relieve some of the strain that’s causing your pain.

Sometimes solutions performed at home may not be enough in treating your foot and ankle pain, which is our clinic comes in. We offer a range of regenerative medicine treatments including stem cells and PRP that will put an end to any discomfort you may experience.

We offer a wide range of pain relief solutions that seek to minimize invasiveness as much as possible, allowing you to recover quicker. We understand that every patient is different, and we encourage you to book an appointment at Solstice Health so we can help you understand and decide what pain relief method is best for you.

What to Do Before Seeing a Doctor for Hip Pain

A middle-aged man in a blue shirt stands indoors, holding his lower back with both hands and grimacing in pain, suggesting he is experiencing back discomfort. Shelves with binders are visible in the background.

If you are feeling pain in your hip, a doctor’s visit is likely a good idea. But while it’s always encouraged to seek a professional medical help for serious pain, there are still things you can do at home to identify and relieve pain without visiting a clinic. Here are some of the things to try before seeing a doctor.

Is It Your Hip?

The first thing to do is identify whether the pain is actually in your hip, or somewhere else. Your hip is made up of bones, muscles, and nerves, but the area we often think of as our hip when we touch our sides is actually the pelvis. The actual hip region is closer to the groin and not has easy to observe or feel with your hands. It’s important to isolate the pain precisely in order to provide the best information to your doctor. If it is or isn’t your hip, this information can make all the difference in helping you decide what your prognosis will be – for example, if your hip truly is in pain, ice won’t be able to relieve it because your hip joint is deep within your body rather than near your skin.

Relieve the Pain at Home

Just because you plan on seeing a doctor for your pain doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do at home. There are some exercises you can try from the comfort of your own home that can help improve your relief outcome. It’s a misconception that the best thing to do when you’re in pain is to stay still and rest; actually, staying active (within certain limits) is the best way to maintain your range of movement. Simple, light workouts that can help include stretches, balancing exercises, and bending exercises.

To help relieve the pain before seeing your doctor, you might want to try over-the-counter pain medications, but don’t be too dependent on them – side effects even for medicines available without a prescription can do more harm than good. Nothing beats a doctor’s visit.

If your hip pain is going away on its own, you might not need to see a doctor about it, but this doesn’t mean you should be waiting for extended periods of time in the hopes that it will fade. Untreated pain can progress and complicate into something far more serious, or it may be a sign of a condition such as arthritis.

At Solstice Health, we offer a range of regenerative medicine treatments including stem cells and PRP that can put an end to your pain.

If you are suffering from hip pain, don’t delay in contacting us at Solstice Health, where we are able to help you identify and find you the best treatment solutions to eliminate your discomfort.

Fuel Your Recovery

Various fruits, including an orange slice, strawberries, red currants, and a green apple, splash into clear water, creating dynamic splashes and bubbles against a dark background.

Foods rich in Vitamin C not only boost the immune system, but they also help the body recover from the stress of physical injuries and difficult workouts. If you are looking for a natural alternative to your favorite sports drink, try this simple recipe out.

Here are some tips to get the most out of this tasty drink!

1.     If you’re not keen on juicing your fruits every day, you can make a large batch once a week, for example over the weekened.. Lemon and lime juice lasts for a while in the fridge!

2.     If you don’t want to do any juicing at all, just stop by your local juice bar and ask for a lemon/lime juice blend.

Natural Lemon-Limeade

4-8 cups of water, depending on how concentrated you want it.

1/4 cup Fresh Squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup Fresh squeezed lime juice

2 healthy pinches of Himalayan sea salt

2 Tbs to 1/4 cup maple syrup, depending on how you like it

Instructions:

Simply combine the juice and syrup into the water, followed by the salt. Stir until the mixture is completely mixed together. Enjoy.

Keone Kela Feels Good After Stem Cell Therapy

A baseball pitcher in a red uniform winds up to throw on a stadium field. Text reads: “Rangers’ Keone Kela feels good after stem cell therapy.”.

Keone Kela, a pitcher for the Texas Rangers, had been suffering from persistent soreness in his shoulder. He had been unable to play for entire seasons because of his condition. Kela decided to undergo stem-cell therapy treatment last November to stop the pain once and for all. He had bone marrow cells extracted and then injected into his shoulder, helping his body repair tissue and joints. After the treatment, he has felt much better and pain-free, allowing him to throw harder and better than ever before. “The body feels good,”, Kela said to Dallas Morning News. “The arm feels good. I’m ready to go.” Here’s hoping that Kela can take his pain-free shoulder and turning it into results on the field.

Stem cell therapy isn’t just for athletes, however. Anyone suffering from soreness in their body may benefit from the incredible results that stem cell therapy can provide. It’s just a matter of visiting your local clinic at Solstice and taking that first step in pain relief.

10 Foods That Help You Stay Young

A flat lay of 10 white spoon dishes arranged in a circle, each holding healthy foods like berries, nuts, beans, and vegetables, next to the text 10 Foods That Help You Stay Young on a wooden background.

It’s everyone’s goal to stay young both physically and mentally, and science has been hard at work for centuries trying to find the best ways to do so. Short of inventing a time machine, it’s impossible to simply turn back a clock to stay young forever. However, there are a number of natural foods that have been proven to at least slow the process down.

  1. Dark chocolate

Eating a small piece of chocolate with a high percentage of cacao has been proven to slow the effects of aging. Next time you’re in the grocery store, look for chocolate with between 70 and 90 per cent of cacao. Of course, it’s important that you consume it in moderation. Don’t let the delicious chocolate carry you away!

  1. Salmon

Salmon is rich in antioxidants that can help increase ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and improve blood circulation, as well as boosting the immune system and preventing DNA damage. Salmon fish gets its anti-aging properties from consuming bacteria and algae in the water rich in these antioxidants.

  1. Avocado

Avocado is well-known today for being a superfood and a healthy substitute to butter. Avocados have been proven to reduce cell damage, lower cholesterol, and boost the immune system with its rich collection of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. As a source of lutein, avocados can even reduce the risk of cataracts and other degenerative eye conditions.

  1. Nuts

There are many types of nuts out there and they all help to prevent chronic disease, cancer, and boost your cardiovascular system. Nuts such as chestnuts, walnuts, pecans, and many others are rich sources of unsaturated fats that are proven to reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Of course, not everyone can consume nuts, so it’s important to make sure that you’re not allergic before incorporating them into your diet.

  1. Bone broth

Bone broth is a great way to absorb a range of minerals and healthy compounds that help to build and maintain bone strength. It’s also a great source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which help to reduce inflammation arthritis and joint pain.

  1. Maca root

As we age, our hormones aren’t what they once were, but there are natural supplements that can help to reverse this, such as the maca root. It’s a superfood that has been known to balance out estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in the body. Maca has also been said to improve sexual performance and relieve symptoms of menopause.

  1. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice known for its use in many tasty dishes, but it’s also a great way to prevent joint aging and degeneration of the brain. It’s a main source of curcumin, which is an antioxidant that reduces inflammation, lowers the risk of heart disease, and supports liver function.

  1. Blueberries

Blueberries are an excellent and delicious source of anthocyanins, which are known for its anti-aging properties, including preventing cell damage from free radicals, as well as slowing down brain cell damage.

  1. Collagen

Eating foods rich in collagen or adding collagen supplements to your meals have been found to protect the skin from the effects of aging. Studies have also indicated that it may also be helpful in the growth of bones and the maintenance of bone health.

  1. Figs

Figs are high in minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. They’re great for your digestive system, as well as potentially helping to lower cholesterol levels, and prevent cancer. Figs are also helpful in keeping your stress levels in check by preventing hypertension. Figs are a rich source of calcium, which helps to improve and maintain bone strength; this is especially essential for anyone trying to keep the effects of aging at bay a little while longer.

Come visit us at Solstice to learn more about how we can help you manage your nutrition as effectively as possible.

Living with Osteoarthritis

Illustration of a human knee joint with worn cartilage, showing effects of osteoarthritis. The text Living with Osteoarthritis appears on the right side over a blue background.

Living with Osteoarthritis

 
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, can occur because of injury, infection, from being overweight or for some it can be heredity. Knee Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in the joints breaks down causing chronic knee pain, stiffness, and abnormal joint functioning.

The knee is the largest joint in the body, the knee moves like a hinge, allowing you to sit, squat, walk or jump. When knee problems arise, they can interfere with almost all your daily activities and certainly compromise your participation in more advanced activities or sports.

Due to the wear of tear that happens along the joints, living with osteoarthritis can make daily life painful. Often patients complain that they feel loss of control of when their knee (or other joints) may act up, cause pain, or limit their ability to do something. Quite safe to say, that this condition does affect day to day life.

 

Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis

 

Traditionally, treatments have been centered around surgical and pharmaceutical interventions. While pharmaceuticals have the potential to allow for a temporary pain relief, the cartilage will continue to deteriorate. Knee replacement surgery is often required when the knee joint has reached a point where the pain can no longer be controlled. Surgery should be used as a last resort as it is highly invasive and non-reversible should you achieve less than optimal results.

A safer, non-surgical treatment is available in our clinics, in Wisconsin, with Dr. Murray.

There is recent research that does suggest, that stem cells can regrow cartilage, furthermore, there is research on the use of stem cells (specifically mesenchymal stem cells, MSCs) in knee osteoarthritis treatment. Results demonstrated that MSCs (connective tissue stem cells) administered into the knee remained on the surface of the damaged meniscus and embedded into the cartilage, resulting in the restoration of meniscal tissue.

As you can see the growing field of regenerative medicine and orthopedics show us promising results in conditions such as osteoarthritis. We understand the difficulty of living with it and are here to help guide you towards a treatment plan that can help you get back to your day to day life.

 

Do you suffer from knee pain? Contact Dr. Murray and his team in Wisconsin, at Oconomowoc, New Berlin, and/or Mequon. We would love for you to come in for a consultation and assess what is the best treatment plan for you.

Contact us today at info@solsticewi.com

How Yoga Can Help You Lose Weight

Yoga and Weight Loss

These days, people lead busy, and unfortunately, due to convenience, many of us choose fast and unhealthy food options and don’t have the time to exercise.

This type of lifestyle can lead to fast signs of aging and can affect body weight. However, if you have decided to take action and do something about your weight issue and health, you may be looking for a physical activity that you would find enjoyable.

 

How Can Yoga Help You Lose Weight?

 

Yoga is a popular activity that many locals have successfully pursued to improve their physical and mental health and wellness. It offers many benefits, and the good news is that it can also be used for weight loss. However, this is not a cardio-intensive activity, so the benefits to your weight loss efforts are more unique. Have a look:

 

Improving Your Liver Function

One of the primary functions of the liver is to detoxify the blood, and this enhances weight loss in several ways. For example, a healthy liver eliminates unhealthy fats from the body, and it enhances the use of good fats to your benefit. If you are interested in improving your liver function through yoga, there are several great poses that you can use for this purpose, including the cobra pose, the spinal twist, the wheel pose and others.

 

Promoting Thyroid Health

Your thyroid serves the important function of controlling your metabolism, so you can see how promoting thyroid health would impact weight loss efforts. When you promote ideal thyroid health, you may be able to speed up your metabolism for faster weight loss and easier weight control after you have reached your ideal body weight. Just a few of the many poses that are great for improving thyroid health include the fish pose and the shoulder stand.

 

Enhancing Muscle Strength and Tone

You may have heard that a body with greater muscle tone and mass will burn more fat while at rest than a body with minimal muscle tone and mass. This has been scientifically proven, and this means that a primary goal to accomplish with weight loss efforts is to improve muscle tone and strength. Yoga may not be a cardio-intensive activity, but it is great for improving muscle tone. Almost every yoga pose you can do will affect muscle tone and strength.

 

Elevating Your Heart Rate

While yoga generally will not raise your heart rate the way a long jog or a spin session can, it nonetheless can elevate your heart rate for an extended period of time. Most yoga classes are approximately 30 to 60 minutes, and they feature intervals where your heart rate may rise and then lower frequently throughout the session. This is a wonderful way to burn calories without over-stressing the body.

 

Yoga is a wonderful physical activity that can leave you feeling relaxed, and it is commonly used as a means for de-stressing. However, it has many total body health benefits as well, including supporting weight loss efforts.

 

If you are thinking of losing weight, or need to, we advise you to come see us and discuss a healthy approach to weight loss. At Solstice Health, under the supervision of Dr. Murray and his health team, we can ensure you are losing weight properly, and in a healthful manner that will last.

 

Visit us at three locations in Wisconsin – Oconomowoc, New Berlin, or Mequon. Contact us and set-up an appointment to have a free consultation.

 

Contact us today at info@solsticewi.com

The Importance of Sleep in One’s Health

sleep and healthy living

Sleep is an essential part of your health and well-being. It is equally as essential as a healthy diet and
regular exercise. Research shows that getting enough sleep every night helps protect your physical and mental health as well as improve your quality of life. Here at Solstice Health, in Wisconsin, we focus on our patients well-being and overall health.

 

How does sleep help your body?

There are a number of key important outcomes from getting continual, adequate, and restful sleep.

 

Improved mental health

Lack of adequate sleep often leads to forgetfulness, irritability, and tiredness. Restorative sleep helps your brain regenerate and function properly. A good night sleep allows your body to remove dead blood cells and brain cells to clear pathways for newer synapses that help you maintain maximum cognitive brain function.

 

A healthy heart

According to research conducted by the University of Warwick, getting less than 6 hours of sleep over
an extended period increases your chances of heart failure by 48% and suffering from stroke by 15%. This is because sleep deprivation disrupts biological processes like blood pressure, inflammation, and glucose metabolism.

 

Weight

Lack of sleep increases chances of obesity. Sufficient sleep helps your body sustain a healthy balance of the production of the hormones responsible for making you feel hungry and full. When you deprive your body of sleep, it produces more ghrelin which ultimately increases your appetite. If you stay awake for longer hours, your body will need more energy to help you stay up longer. Therefore, you tend to eat more.

 

Immune system

If you consistently skimp on needed rest, the chances are that you fall sick often becomes higher. Sleep deprivation weakens the immune system. It makes you more prone to catching colds and flu. When you sleep, your body creates disease fighting hormones to fight off diseases and infections. Hence, if you do not sleep enough, you restrict your body’s ability to create these substances leaving you more prone to any virus or bacteria you encounter. Recent research also shows that sufficient sleep will help you get more preventative benefits from vaccines.

 

Healthier skin

Sleep is food for your body, brain, and skin. Poor sleep can cause chronic skin conditions and make
your skin age faster. However, when you get sufficient sleep, your body produces new collagen that helps prevent skin sagging, which in turn leads to fewer wrinkles. Also, a good night sleep will give your skin sufficient time to recover from ultra violet light exposure.

 

In case you are experiencing difficulty falling asleep, here are a few tips to help you snooze.

• Adopt a regular sleep/wake cycle
• Avoid alcohol, big meals, and smoking before bedtime
• Exercise regularly
• Do not nap for too long or too late

 

Sleep is a vital part of maintaining overall wellness in so many ways. It can make an enormous impact on the quality of your life. Hence, it is important that you prioritize getting adequate and consistent sleep every night.
For more tips on health maintenance come visit our clinic, we have 3 locations in Wisconsin – Oconomowoc, New Berlin, and Mequon.

At Solstice Health, we focus on preventative, natural, and holistic approaches to good health. Dr. Murray is an expert in many areas, including direct primary care; him and his team can help you feel restful, decrease stress, and be healthy again.

 

Contact us today at info@solsticewi.com