How DCs Can Help the Population Achieve Cardiovascular Health (Pt. 2)

04/23/25 • 14 min

In part two of his article, Dr. Jeffrey Tucker urges chiropractors to actively engage in their patients' cardiovascular health beyond musculoskeletal concerns. He emphasizes the importance of personalized protein intake based on lean body mass and dietary preferences, noting that meat, poultry, and seafood provide coenzyme Q10 which can help preserve nitric oxide. Dr. Tucker strongly advocates for an anti-inflammatory, plant-based forward diet to combat various conditions linked to inflammation, including vascular issues. He highlights the crucial role of deep sleep in cardiovascular restoration. Regarding fats, he favors olive oil (especially extra virgin) for its nitric oxide-boosting polyphenols and cardiovascular benefits, while expressing concerns about the processing and high omega-6 content of many seed oils. Other recommendations include limiting sugar and processed foods, promoting nasal breathing, and considering water filtration and specific supplements like red ginseng and red sage to enhance nitric oxide production. Ultimately, Dr. Tucker stresses that lifestyle factors significantly impact heart disease risk and that chiropractors have a vital role in educating patients about prevention.

Previous Episode

Transforming Chiropractic Care in Latin America: A Global Call for Support

Chiropractic care in Latin America has experienced remarkable growth over the past 25 years, expanding from virtually no established schools or practitioners to 10 legitimate schools and significant numbers of chiropractors in countries like Brazil and Mexico. This growth signals increasing demand and trust in the profession. However, this rapid expansion has brought challenges, notably a lack of standardized regulation and accreditation which has allowed unqualified individuals and institutions to operate, potentially harming patients and the profession's reputation. Adding to the concern, physical therapy schools in Brazil have begun offering chiropractic as a supplementary procedure, setting a troubling precedent.

To address these critical issues, the Latin American Federation of Chiropractic (FLAQ) has spearheaded the development of the Council on Chiropractic Education - Latin America (CCE-LA). This council aims to establish educational standards across the region, ensuring graduates meet international levels of excellence. Achieving this requires financial support, and the international chiropractic community is being called upon to contribute to the urgent need for $40,000 to launch CCE-LA's accreditation process. Two anonymous donors are matching contributions up to $10,000, doubling the impact of donations. Supporting this initiative is crucial for safeguarding the future of chiropractic education, improving patient care, and protecting the profession's integrity in Latin America and globally.

Next Episode

Smarter Than Static Stretching: Prolonged Isometric Contractions

Forget everything you thought you knew about stretching injured or aging tendons! This article reveals that for conditions like Achilles tendinopathy, the real issue isn't tightness, but often an overly flexible or "compliant" tendon due to microscopic tears or age. This forces the calf muscles to operate in a shortened, weaker position. Aggressively stretching such a tendon would only worsen this problem.

Instead, research strongly supports using heavy-resistance, prolonged isometric contractions as a powerful way to actually tighten injured and aging tendons. This method can significantly increase tendon stiffness, allowing muscles to work more effectively and improve force output. Studies show remarkable results like increased Achilles tendon stiffness, improved running economy, and immediate, significant pain reduction in painful tendinopathy. These safe and effective exercises empower patients, decrease reliance on pain medication, and underscore that "Exercise is medicine".