Try Sprouting to Improve Your Health

Diet and nutrition image.

One of the easiest and healthiest ways to improve your diet involves something you can do in your own home – sprouting!

Sprouts, also called “living food,” are one of the most nutritionally complete foods you can eat. The Chinese became aware of their nutritional value many centuries ago, and for good reason – sprouts are rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and proteins that are essential to your diet:

  • Broccoli sprouts contain a high percentage of cancer-fighting agents – in fact researchers have discovered that 3-day sprouts contain 20-30% more of cancer-fighting antioxidants than the broccoli you buy in the supermarket

  • Sprouts are easily digested and aid in the digestive process

  • Sprouts are fresh, easy to grow and harvest and are inexpensive

  • Growing you own sprouts provides you with organically grown salad greens – no pesticides or toxic chemicals to worry about!

  • Sprouts you can grow yourself can help keep your immune system functioning in tip-top condition

The best types of sprouts to grow include alfalfa, wheat grass, barley grass, buckwheat, garlic, chives, baby sunflower, Chinese cabbage, purple turnip, and curly kale.

There are on-line resources you can visit to help you get started. Do a search on “sprouting seeds.” You can also visit a health food store to obtain sprouting seeds and a wealth of information and advice on how to grow your own sprouts. Make sure the sprouting seeds are certified organic. Also, be sure to refrigerate your sprouts after picking them – although they are best eaten the day you pick them!

Dr. Crouse Asks some important questions of interest to Hickory residents - Chiropractor Hickory Dr. Crouse Asks...

Why are some people allergic to pollen and others aren't?
It's not the pollen. Chiropractors know that if it were, everyone would be allergic to pollen, nuts and pet dander. But that's not the case. It's the person, not the pollen! If you live in Hickory and your stress levels are high, then each year the grass, the trees or the weeds put your nervous system over the top. Many report that chiropractic care helps reduce the frequency and severity of their allergic response.
What happens if you stop chiropractic care when you feel better?
Many Hickory folks recognize that this predisposes you to a relapse. Chiropractors know that muscles and ligaments supporting the spine don't fully heal until after symptoms subside.