Provided by Dr. Brandon Roberts

Every child deserves to live a healthy life. This is a key premise and focus of The 100 Year Lifestyle. The choices you make for them and the choices you teach them to make for themselves will be their gateway to a healthy or unhealthy life.

The good news is that by teaching them healthy choices, you will immediately help children live healthier. The bad news is that children are being bombarded with chemical, physical and emotional stress from day one. So much so, that this generation of babies may be the first in recent history to see a shorter life expectancy than their parents.

Birth trauma, prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs and toxins from the environment combined with an exponential increase in the number of vaccinations, can place babies in a chronic fight or flight, stress, reaction that can lead to all types of health problems. This assault on immune and nervous systems can cause them to fidget, chew on things inappropriately, lose focus, and sleep irregularly. 

The decreasing health of our children is alarming. 1 out of 6 children is labeled as learning disabled. 1 out of 8 is in Special Education classes.  In the 1970s, 1 out of 25,000 children were diagnosed with Autism.  In the 1980s the rate increased to a staggering 1 in every 10,000. Today it is about out of every 50 for girls and every 32 for boys.These numbers are absolutely unacceptable.

There are millions of prescriptions filled each year for children. 25% of children in the United States are on a daily chronic medication. Many of these, such as Ritalin, are in the same category as cocaine and speed, highly addictive and considered to be a gateway drug.

The number of recommended vaccines for children by the time they are 18 years old is now 49 doses of 14 vaccines. In 1989, it was only about 11 doses.

Ask yourself, “Are kids healthier now than they were 50 years ago?”  They can be. If children were raised using The 100 Year Lifestyle model of FitN²ESS (Neurology, Nutrition, Endurance, Strength and Structure), they would be able to experience a life without limits and optimize the expression of their innate intelligence and potential.

Simple lifestyle changes can bring amazing results and focus. Drug use in children would be lower and they would grow up having faith in the incredible ability of the body to perform and function at its best without medication. Their potential would be limitless!

Start by eating whole, organic, nutrient-packed food, getting enough exercise and plenty of rest. Children have a lot of natural energy and not expressing this energy through creative play and physical activity can cause outbursts, stress and anxiety. 

We live our lives based on the function of our nerve system. If it’s clear and there is no interference to it, the Innate Intelligence inside each of us will work properly. The millions of reactions that need to take place in our body every second of our life would flow unimpeded.

Getting regular chiropractic checkups and Lifestyle Care can locate vertebral subluxations in the spine and remove interference to the nervous system, making children more adaptable to the environment.

Children living The 100 Year Lifestyle have the opportunity to live better, more productive lives every day for 80, 90, 100 years and beyond. Contact a 100 Year Lifestyle Licensed Affiliate Chiropractor in your area to learn more.

Roberts is a Chiropractor at Deer Valley Chiropractic. To learn more about Dr. Brandon Roberts and The 100 Year Lifestyle visit www.drbrandonroberts.com.

References

1. http://environmentaldefence.ca/articles/new-report-contains-first-its-kind-evidence-canadian-children-are-born-pre-polluted-toxic-c

2. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/features/birthdefects-dd-keyfindings.html

3. http://www.autismtoday.com/articles/Epidemic%20of%20autism.asp

4. National Health Statistics Reports, #65, march 20, 2013

5. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203731004576046073896475588.htmll

6. Official Recommended vaccine schedules by the ACIP, AAP, AAFP

By Jeff Belle

As with the majority of public policy, intent and pragmatism may not be in agreement. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 isn’t any different. In fact, the question is: How affordable is the Affordable Care Act? Is this massive health care expansion a life-vest for those without health care or is an expensive cruise ship plagued by over- flowing sewage and distasteful meals? Clearly there are two-sides to this question as in any worthy argument. Here are a few thoughts and facts to consider about the affordability of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

ACA as passed into law in March 2010 requires individuals to maintain “minimum essential coverage” or pay a tax penalty. In this case, minimum essential coverage includes government-sponsored coverage such as “Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Veteran’s health benefits, employer-sponsored coverage, and other coverage as approved by the Secretary of U. S. Health and Human Services.”

According to Congressional Budget Office (CBO), implementing ACA will cost $ 1.8 trillion dollars over 10 years. It was estimated at the onset of the ACA legislation in 2009 that the cost would be around $900 billion over 10 years. In reality, the cost over 10 years has now doubled. These projections are for 2014 to 2013 when ACA goes into full effect.

Since its inception in 2010, what has ACA cost taxpayers? According to the General Accountability Office (GAO), the IRS (of all federal agencies) has spent $881 million between 2010 and 2013. Here’s how the IRS has spent our tax dollars in implementing the ACA in just two and a-half years:

• $ 2.1 million and 13 full-time employees to implement the tax increases on drug manufacturers and health insurers,

• $ 12 million and 150 full-time employees to “ customer service support”,

• $ 405.2 million and 700 full-time employees to creating the infrastructure to support the exchanges and the individual mandate tax, and

• $ 20.8 million along with 161 full-time employees to “promote compliance with other new provisions.”

In order to enforce provisions of the ACA which include 18 separate tax increases, business and individual mandates and an enormous number of new regulations; the IRS requested even more spending—“ a whopping $ 439.6 million and 1,954 {new} employees.“ Now, if indeed, we {United States} are in need of a life-vest or perhaps a cruise vessel to provide expanded medical care coverage is a matter of public opinion. Why would anyone in their “right mind” empower the IRS to monitor and enforce health insurance? Empowering the IRS to enforce health insurance mandates is akin to “asking chickens to vote for Colonel Sanders”-go figure! However, the facts regarding the affordability of ACA, as we now know them, may propel us to rethink the sanity of the Affordable Care Act and the wisdom our leaders in Washington.

Sources:

Government Accountability Office, June 2012

Congressional Budget Office, May 17, 2013

Congressional Budget Office, March 13, 2013

Washington Post, April 26, 2013

The Hill, April 10, 2013

Forbes, March 12, 2012

Belle is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Public Policy and Leadership Development. He researches, writes and lectures on health policy and leadership development issues. He is a resident of Antioch.

Your skin is important.  I think that is understating it a bit. . . YOUR SKIN IS IMPORTANT!  Yes, that important.  Not only is it the largest organ our bodies have, but we also have to live within our skin our entire lives.  So, we need to take care of it, right?  But with all of the options, treatments, trends, and SO many steps, it’s very easy to just not deal with our skin at all.  We at Seacret want you to be excited about your skin!  We want to take the guess work out of caring for it, and make it not just EASY to take care of your skin, but something you’ll forward to everyday.  

The global skin care and cosmetics industry grosses over $114 billion a year.  Today, men and women of all ages are looking for safe and natural ways to protect and revitalize their skin.  Seacret, brings to you the most advanced formulation and integration of one of nature’s true gifts to us, the Dead Sea.  The Dead Sea has attracted visitors for more than 5,000 years including King Solomon, King David, Queen Sheba and Cleopatra, all of who recognized this body of water as a source of healing and beauty.  As the lowest point on Earth at more than 1,300 feet below sea level, it’s the world’s most saline body of water and provides some of the most concentrated, natural mineral salts and mineral-rich mud.  The Dead Sea’s minerals have been used for centuries to achieve the look of younger, more beautiful skin and the founders of the company wanted to bring these rejuvenating powers to American consumers.

Seacret presents a complete line of products to rejuvenate your body, face and soul for all skin types and ages.  We have more than 45 products on the market, plus 20 more in development.  We have formulated and designed our products to be the most demonstrable in the industry, clinically proven to deliver immediate results in 15 minutes; while continuing to benefit from the long-lasting effects of our advanced treatments.  We appropriately call this the “Wow Factor,” because “Wow!” seems to be the first word people say when trying our products.

Seacret has product approvals and a distribution footprint in over 40 countries on six continents. Not only are we the most recognized and advanced Dead Sea brand in the world, we are also the ONLY company whose products are manufactured by the world’s largest and most respected cosmetics company. We hold three registered patents and four additional patents pending.  Our Age-Defying Collection  contains unique peptides that stimulate your skin’s ability to produce more collagen, while reducing and relaxing the fine lines caused by expressions.  Recover is the name we have given to our anti-aging technology, a patented technology that instantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while providing long-term results.  Clinical studies for our Recover formula have been conducted in the best labs in the world, with one of the most advanced laboratories for pharmaceutical product testing.  These studies show an immediate (2 hours or less) decrease in wrinkle depth of up to 44%, and a 50% decrease after 28 days of use.

Click on this banner to visit Seacret’s website.

So, whether you desire a great skin products or a business opportunity, please contact me for more information contact Teila Millner  925-550-5795, tmillner27@gmail.com, or seacretdirect.com/tmillner.

A fun, free event promoting balance and health for mind, body, and soul!

Enjoy a Tai Chi class this Saturday, June 1 at Hillcrest Park, Antioch.

With instructor A. Ben Cabal from 9:00 – 9:30, special appearance by BJamin Cabal playing his soothing Didgeridoo music, Mary Kay Botanical facials with Tina Gutilla from 9:30 – 10:00, and 15 minute massages by Christine Stephens with Magical Moments of Massage. RSVP required so we can book your free massage!

Hillcrest Park is located on Larkspur, off Hillcrest Avenue.

Jeff Belle

By Jeff Belle

The value Americans place on having choices, extending life and ensuring quality of care are critical considerations in how the U. S. health care delivery system meets the needs of its citizens. Failure on part of policymakers to recognize this will result in lack of support for “radical changes” in the health care system—even if its intent is noble. In order to discover new oceans, one has to leave the shore. In 2010, we boarded a new voyage-“ Affordable Care Act” (ACA) with the intent of improving health care for all U. S. citizens. The ship has left shore and headed into deep waters beginning next year (2014). Medicare and Medicaid as we know it today will never look the same beginning 2014. Are we on the right course? Is the U.S. health care system treading into dangerous waters? Have we gone too far to turn the ship around? Is our health care system headed into uncharted territories?

Let’s go on board and look at Medicare-the nation’s health insurance program for Americans 65 and older, and for young adults with permanent disabilities. As the U.S. population grows older, 52 million people currently relying on Medicare will increase drastically. Medicare has four parts, each covering different benefits. Part A-Hospital Insurance (HI) program covers inpatient hospital services, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and hospice care. Part A is funded by a tax of 2.9 percent of earnings paid by employers and workers (1.45 percent each). Obamacare increased the Medicare HI payroll tax from 1.45% to 2.35% for higher-income taxpayers ($200,000/individual and $250,000/couple) and businesses. This tax went into effect last January. Most individuals do not pay a monthly premium for Part A services, but are subject to a deductible before Medicare coverage begins.

Beneficiaries are generally subject to a coinsurance for benefits covered under Part A. Although Medicare Part A imposes tax increases on those earning $200,000 or more and businesses, there is no such thing as a free lunch. In fact, BIG, BIG changes occur in Medicare Parts B, C, & D.

Unlike Part A, Part B deals with outpatient hospital care, physician visits, and other medical services. There are significant changes in Medicare Part B. I will devote next month’s entire column on Medicare Part B. If you think that Medicare changes are confusing, we dare not open the door to Medicaid changes! Now that you have boarded the voyage-ACA, you are well on your way to a new destiny. Today, skies are sunny and blue; however, forecast indicates thunderstorms are ahead and some are even predicting a tsunami over the horizon. One thing that’s certain– you will never see the shores of yesterday’s health care system again.

Source: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Jeff Belle is a senior fellow at Institute for Public Policy and Leadership Development. He researches, writes and lectures on health policy and leadership development issues.

Jeff Belle

By Jeff Belle

In the midst of so much political turmoil and economic uncertainty, there’s one thing that is for certain- Change! The Affordable Care Act of 2010 will bring about drastic changes to our health care, as we know it today. This article sheds light on the facts regarding basic health care cost and expenditures. It is necessary to get the facts straight about our current health care system and then dive into Obama Care. Unfortunately, the purview of this article doesn’t afford me the opportunity to discuss both issues at this time.

How much does the U.S. spend each year on health care? For 2010, the U.S. spent $ 2.59 trillion dollars. If you were to spend a million dollars per day, it would take approximately 5,000 years to spend what the U.S. spends yearly on health care. Wow! That’s a lot of money spent. In fact, health care grows faster than many other sectors of the economy. Today, health care cost is about 16% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP); however, by 2018 it will be about 20.3 percent of GDP. So, let’s look at a few facts about where and how health care dollars are being spent.

1. What percent of total health care costs go to prescription drugs? Fact: 10.1% or $ 259 trillion dollars

2. What percent of total costs go to hospital care? Fact: 31.1% or $ 814 billion dollars

3. What percent of total costs go to physician /clinical services? Fact: 21.4% or $ 516 billion dollars

Now that we have an idea as to where the money for health care goes, let’s see just who pays for it?

1. What percent of total health care costs does the Federal government pay? Fact: 27% or $ 699 billion dollars.

2. What percent of total health care costs does State and Local government pay? Fact: 16% or $414 billion dollars.

3. What percent of total health care costs do households pay? Fact: 28% or $ 719 billion dollars

4. What percent of total health care costs do private businesses pay? Fact: 21% or $ 544 billion dollars

Over the next few months, I will share the facts of The Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) with you. We will look ahead to what’s changing and when? How will Medicare and Medicaid be affected by Obama Care? This information will help you better understand The Affordable Care Act and how it fits into our health care system and affects your daily lives.

Sources:

Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured/Health Management Data, 2010.

McKinsey Global Institute, Accounting for the cost of U.S. health care, December 2008.

U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, National Health Expenditure Projections 2008-2018, Feb. 2009.

Jeff Belle is a Senior Fellow in Health Policy, Institute for Public Policy and Leadership Development. Mr. Belle has a bachelor’s degree in political science, graduate work at Johns Hopkins and American Universities and completing a Master in Public Administration from Grand Canyon University. He is an advisory board member to Contra Costa County Emergency Medical Care Committee and lives in Antioch.

Antioch resident Jeff Belle is a graduate student and does extensive research and lectures in public policy and health care issues.

By Brandon Roberts, D.C.

Unhealthy lifestyles have caused too many members of the baby boom generation to be in worse health compared to their parents during the same stage of life. 

A recent study in JAMA Internal Medicine reported only 13% of today’s baby boomers are in excellent health while their parents’ generation was 32%. Comparatively speaking, 39% of today’s baby boomers are obese and 16% have diabetes. The previous generation’s numbers for these same conditions are 29% and 12% respectively. 

According to Dana King, a professor at the West Virginia School of Medicine and the study’s lead author, today’s baby boomers are twice as likely to use a cane or walker than the previous generation. “It’s not too late to adopt new, healthy lifestyle habits and make a difference in your health,” said King.

Don’t Wait for a Crisis

What will it take for you to make the lifestyle changes you know you need to make to improve your quality of life? Will you wait for a severe crisis that leaves you with permanent damage and a future of disability or will you make a quality of life, Lifestyle Care, choice that will ensure your quality of life for the remainder of your years. 

Easy FitNESS Acronym to Remember

The acronym FitN2ESS can get you on the right track immediately. To get and stay healthy and fit you need neurology, nutrition, endurance strength and structure. 

Neurology: Every cell tissue and organ needs innervation, nerve supply, to function properly.

Nutrition: Choose quality calories over empty calories every time you make a food choice and drink plenty of good clean water.

Endurance: Cardiovascular exercise including walking, running, riding a bike or swimming will prepare you for the marathon of your extended life.

Strength: We have all seen an older person struggle to get out of a chair. Don’t wait until you lose your strength to try and get it back. Strength train now.

Structure: The health and function of your posture, spine and nervous system will determine how active and healthy you can be as you age. 

If your posture appears to be changing don’t waste another minute and schedule a chiropractic check-up. Lifestyle Care can improve your health dramatically. It is very important that today’s baby boomers learn from our current generation of seniors and super-seniors who were blindsided by their extended lives. You cannot blame your genes for your current health condition. Adjust your lifestyle and optimize the expression of your genes so that you can enjoy the quality life you deserve. 

Roberts is a Chiropractor at Deer Valley Chiropractic, a 100 Year Lifestyle Affiliate Office. This newsletter is reprinted with permission of The Family Practice, Inc. Deer Valley Chiropractic is located at 3381 Deer Valley Road, Antioch. Dr. Roberts can be reached at 925-757-7571. For more information visit www.drbrandonroberts.com