Dr. Lei Gu ND

Love Your Heart

2012-02-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

February is heart health awareness month, the perfect opportunity to remind ourselves that the constantly hard-working muscle in the body may be in need of more TLC than we are providing.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada recently put a series of Make-Death-Wait advertisements, sending out a badly-needed message. Although heart disease has decreased by 25% over the last decade, it along with stroke is still the leading causes of death in Canada, taking a life every 7 minutes. Because of these statistics, heart disease and stroke cost our economy 20.9 billion dollars annually, as a result of decreased productivity, lost wages, and medical services and costs.

These alarming, and intimidating statistics can be changed drastically if each of us made small changes in our daily lives. This is not an overly optimistic statement, as the majority incidences of heart disease and strokes are preventable. Many people believe that if heart disease runs in the family, it means they will also suffer from these illnesses. While genetic inheritance can be a risk factor, it is certainly not the one and only determining factor. In fact, not only is heart disease and stroke largely preventable, physiological changes in the body such as cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis can reverse with the right lifestyle changes.

A study published over a decade ago, best known as the Ornish Study, found that by making lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking, increasing vegetables and decreasing fats from the diet and regular exercise, atherosclerotic lesions (plaque) have regressed by 82% compared to before these changes were implemented. It is important to point out that this dramatic change happened in just a year, and these patients were not treated using conventional medication.

Clearly the link between healthy lifestyle and the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke is not new. However, it is often neglected. While most of us understand the importance of heart disease prevention, many ignore it until it is too late. If you are think that you can afford to wait until you detect symptoms before you take action, then remember: the first noticeable symptom of heart disease is a heart attack, and possibly death.

It is never too early to prevent illnesses, it begins today, it begins now. How? A good place to start is to ensure that you get adequate sleep each night. Once you are well-rested, feeling more energized, you may be more motivated to make changes in other areas too, such as make a plan to stop smoking, start exercising on a regular basis, and examine your diet and find areas that need improvement. Lastly, but not least, good stress management is vital to protecting oneself from heart disease. The mechanism is simple, stress raises stress hormone such as cortisol and adrenaline in the body, which are hormones that, among other things, raise blood pressure, increase heart rate and blood sugar levels. These result in increased risks of not only heart disease but also diabetes.

This may sound like an overwhelming number of things that need to change, but remember that every little effort counts, and that every little change you do make, will have a greater impact than you may think.

Good luck and love your heart!

Stop Cleaning Your House!

2012-01-30T11:17:00.000-08:00

During the winter months, we spend most of our time indoors. Therefore, it is of much importance to ensure that the home environment is conducive to good health. We know about the dangers of carbon monoxide, so we install CO monitors in our houses. We also know that keeping the house clean is important for warding off cold and flu. But few of us think about the toxicity of the cleaning products themselves. If we clean too vigorously, we just might be doing more harm than good.

Did you know that by using antibacterial soaps, detergents and wipes, you may be helping to breed “superbugs” in your house? The mechanism is similar to taking antibiotic medication too frequently. When we use antibiotic sprays and soaps, we kill most of the bacteria, leaving behind a few. The few bacteria that do survive did so because they have mutations that resist the antibacterial agent. When the survivors reproduce, they pass the resistance onto the new generation…

Granted, presently, more studies that confirm the severity of this theoretical risk are needed. However, correlation has been found between the usage of antibacterial soap and hand sanitizers and childhood allergies and asthma.

Resistant germs aside, when the antibacterial chemical in antibacterial products (usally Triclosan) mix with tap water, it undergoes chemical reactions with the chlorine in the water to form toxic by-products that are harmful to health. One category of these by-products are dioxins, which can also form upon exoposure to UV light (eg. when the sun shines on the kitchen countertop, after antibacterial wipe) Dioxins, at even small amounts can act as endocrine disruptors which can affect the human body in a very wide variety of different ways. Potential problems can be hormonal imbalance, increased cancer risk, ADD in children, fertility issues in adults, and even birth defects. Additionally, dioxins are chemically stable, meaning that they do not degrade very quickly, so if internalized, they can stay in the body for long periods of time. Prolonged exposure will cause it to accumulate in the body, increasing health risks even further.

That was just one example, what about the air freshener you use, the oven cleaner, the floor cleaning liquid, your bathroom sprays, glass cleaner? Do you take your clothes to the dry cleaner? We are, on a daily basis surrounded by thousands of chemicals (in our own houses!) Did you know that 18,000 new chemicals are produced each year? Worse yet, most of these have NEVER been tested on humans to assess for health risks? We don’t even know how harmful these substances are to our health in the long run!

It is important to clean your house, hygiene is certainly necessary for good health. However, we need to choose much safer substances to clean with. Some examples include:

1. Mixing 1 part of white vinegar and 1 part water to use as all purpose cleaning spray, and mirror cleaner

2. Pour 1 cup of white vinegar and 1/3 cup baking soda into the toilet bowl, scrub after letting it soak for 10 minutes.

3. Mix 10 drops of essential oil (lavender, for example) with a full spray bottle of water, shake to mix well. Use as air freshener.

Remember, a clean home is scent-free. If you prefer certain fragrances, you can use the natural air-freshener described above, or add a few drops of essential oil to your all purpose cleaning spray. You can also add pleasant fragrance to your home by baking cookies, or boiling a pot of water with cinnamon sticks in it, just to name a couple! Healthier options are numerous!

Enjoy cleaning in a more healthy manner!

A Gentle Approach To Fibromyalgia

2012-01-18T09:54:00.000-08:00

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by diffuse body pain accompanied by fatigue. Other associated symptoms include headache, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, rheumatic disease, anxiety, and even irritable bowel syndrome. It is more frequently found in women, often under a great deal of stress. Fibromyalgia can be attributed to other underlying problems such as arthritis or chronic fatigue syndrome or it can be idiopathic (from unknown cause).

Diagnosis of fibromyalgia is symptom-based, and the prognosis of fibromyalgia is not malignant. A study published in Arthritis Care and Research followed fibromyalgia patients for three years, and found that symptoms decreased over time (regardless of treatment used). Regardless, it is a disorder that can significantly decrease quality of life in those suffering from it.

Treatment options from conventional medicine include: NSAIDs, anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications, and cortisone injections. Various combinations of these can be effective; however, they are not without side effects. Numerous alternative treatment options are also available.

As with any health condition dealt with naturopathically, treatment would depend on the culprit (which is unique to each patient). While a healthy diet is the essential starting point, fibromyalgia patients benefit from nutritional supplementation along with herbal remedies to gently help ease the pain. In addition, patients also see a great deal of relieve with the usage of intravenous therapy, where high doses of nutrients (including vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, B5 B6, B12, magnesium & Calcium) are delivered into the blood stream. These vitamins and minerals help to decrease inflammation, relax tense muscles, and boost energy and mood as well. Patients have notice improvement after as few as just one treatment.

If you, or someone you know suffers from fibromyalgia, naturopathic medicine is definitely the way to go for effective therapy with minimal side effects.

Vitamin D – Too Much Of A Good Thing?

2012-01-10T17:34:00.000-08:00

Vitamin D has gotten a great deal of media attention in the past decade. It has been said to be beneficial for health concerns including osteoporosis, depression , and even cancer prevention. Should you be supplementing too? And how much should you take?

First, remember that there is a reason why vitamin D is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin. Our skin, after the exposure to UVB light has the ability to produce its own vitamin D. Studies have shown that the exposure of skin on our hands arms and face to natural sunlight for about 15 minutes, three times a week, would suffice. Why, then, would anyone need to take it orally?
Many people, especially those living in the northern hemisphere tend not to get enough sunlight (thanks to the long winters). Second, with age, our skin’s ability to produce vitamin D decreases. Lastly, among those people who do get adequate sun exposure, many are vitamin D deficient. The cause of the last category can be complex, as the synthesis of the active form of vitamin D need the help of the liver and the kidneys. If you have chronic liver or kidney related conditions, you are likely not getting enough vitamin D despite adequate sunlight exposure. Severe vitamin D deficiency leads to rickets, osteomalacia and muscle weakness. Although these are rare now that many food items we eat are fortified with vitamin D, less than optimal levels of vitamin D have been linked to fibromyalgia, depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.

If you are someone who does require vitamin D supplementation, it is important to note the following. First, the form of vitamin D that you take is important; to maximize the effect, the active form (vitamin D3) is preferred. However if you are on prescription vitamin D (which is the less potent form, Vitamin D2), and you are at risk of cardiovascular events, you should consult a health care provider before switching.

Second, the dosage of vitamin D is also crucial. Not everyone requires the same amount of vitamin D intake. Too much vitamin D has a variety of side effects. Most of these result from the mechanism that helps to prevent osteoporosis . Vitamin D helps the body deposit calcium from the blood stream out to body tissues. This deposition can be where we would like for it to be- bones, or places where it shouldn’t be, such as kidneys, arteries. Too much vitamin D will cause inappropriate amounts of calcium deposition, causing the latter scenario. Calcium deposition onto soft tissue can lead to kidney failure and even cardiovascular events.

The take home message is this; it would be ideal to get vitamin D from sunlight exposure. If this is not possible, vitamin D supplementation may be required. For those that are taking oral vitamin D, it would be best to consult a health care provider in order to achieve the greatest efficacy without compromising on safety.

Calcium, Osteoporosis & Heart Disease

2012-01-03T12:16:00.000-08:00

On the news last night, some tidbits of information on nutritional supplementation were given. The emphasis was on calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, and vitamin E. I’d like to expand on the story from a naturopathic perspective beginning with calcium.

Calcium supplementation is typically used for women over the age of 50, for the purpose of osteoporosis prevention. At first glance this is a logical solution. However, osteoporosis is no longer has begun to be understood as a result of calcium loss, as opposed to deficiency. What this means, is that it isn’t so much that our diet does not supply sufficient calcium. Rather, the problem is that we lose much of the calcium that is ingested. How? Well, a diet high in refined carbohyrates including sugar, saturated fats, animal protein and low in mineral rich vegetables causes that calcium in the bones to be leached out to offset this imbalance in the blood stream.

Furthermore, too much calcium supplementation can actually increase one’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Surprised? A correlation between calcium supplementation and heart disease has been found by a study conducted by Dr. Ian Reid, a professor of medicine and endocrinology at University of Auckland; this study was published by the British Medical Journal in April of last year. For more details on the study, go to:
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20110419/calcium-supplements-heart-110419/

The Take home message is that without a well-balanced diet, calcium supplementation would not provide the protection against osteoporosis as you may think it does. On the contrary, it can even predispose one to heart attacks. The best way to get adequate calcium into your bones is to get it though dietary sources, where the form of calcium is much more readily absorbed by the body, thereby reducing cardiovascular event risk compared to supplementing with calcium pills.
For information on Magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin E, please check back, I will be discussing those at a later date!

Dirt Is Good For You.

2011-04-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

Do you always try your best to keep your house clean by using antibacterial wipes, soaps & dish detergents? Are you especially careful with your children's areas, their dishes, bottles, rooms etc.? Did you ever think that maybe you might be doing more harm than good by over-sterilizing your living space?

According to two recent German studies (involving over 15000 study subjects), children who grow up on farms have less incidences of asthma and allergies compared to children raised in urban environments. This is attributed to the fact that children living on farms are exposed to a much wider variety of microbes compared to those living in urban areas.

More exposure to microorganism early in life stimulates the immune system such that it is less likely to result in hypersensitivity (allergic reactions).

In addition to the above, another reason not to over sterilize your home environment is that the antibacterial cleaners don't kill 100% of the bacteria. The small percent (<1%) of bacteria that are not killed will multiply and create a new strain of bacteria, all of which resistant to these cleaning agents. In other words, by cleaning vigorously with antibacterial products will turn your home into breeding ground for tougher, stronger bacteria, which if infects your body, may not respond to antibiotics!!

For more detailed review of the two studies, you can go to http://dermatology.jwatch.org

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Found To Increase Diabetes Risk

2011-03-30T05:29:00.000-07:00

In 2010, The Lancet published a meta-analysis stating that after all stain drug use, there is a small increase of new-onset diabetes (diabetes that wasn't found prior to drug use). Following this finding, the Journal of American College of Cardiology published three more studies which all indicated the same result. Further analysis showed that this risk did not decrease significantly between small doses(10mg/day)vs. higher doses(80mg/day).

Authors of both studies concluded that the benefit of statin drugs far outweight the risks. The trials along with the analysis were sponsored by the manufacturer of atorvastatin.

Neither set of studies took into consideration the option of using the first-line of defense against high cholesterol- lifestyle changes. The group of patients given statin drugs were compared to those given a placebo. The questions come to mind are:

1. What if both groups were told to make lifestyle changes such as health diet and regular exercise, would this help prevent the increased risk of diabetes?

2. Better yet, what if patients who were given the drugs (without lifestyle changes)were compared to those who were NOT given any drugs but do make improvements on dietary habits and daily activity levels?

Take home message (from Lei): don't take drugs unless it's absolutely necessary, because they do pose side effects, some you may not even yet know about.

Free Seminar on Sunscreen and Skin Cancer

2010-06-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

Summer is officially here, today is the longest day of the year!
Dr. Lei Gu ND is holding a free seminar on sunscreen and skin cancer.
Come and join us to learn about how to REALLY prevent skin cancer and facts that you may not know about!!

Date: Tuesday, June 29th
Time: 5:00pm-5:30pm
Location: 69 Yonge Street, suite 301 (The Well Adjusted Chiropractic Centre)

Call ahead to reserve your spot at (416) 504-8880

Eat nuts to lower your cholesterol!!!

2010-05-11T14:47:00.001-07:00

Nut Consumption Associated with Improved Cholesterol Levels

Consumption of nuts may lead to significant improvements in blood lipid levels, according to an industry-funded study in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Researches compiled data from 25 studies that assessed the effects of nut dietary interventions on blood lipid levels in nearly 600 adults. After at least 3 weeks, nut diets were associated with reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol, and ratio of total cholesterol to HDL, compared with control diets.

The mean nut consumption with the intervention diets was about 2.5 ounces per day. Greater lipid improvements were observed in participants who had greater nut consumption and who had higher baseline LDL or lower BMI. The effect was similar for different types of nuts.

Spring Cleaning For Your Body

2010-04-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

The human body, when functioning optimally, has the inate ability to nutrualize certain toxins and then eliminate it through a number of different routes. These toxins include by-products from our normal metabolism, and some from foods that we ingest, and to a small extend toxins from the environment that we live in. The routes of elimination include our skin, lungs, kidneys, and one other very important detoxification organ, the liver.

Unfortunately, however, our environment is has become heavily polluted with more toxins and our our foods are laced with them as well. Poor lifestyle, prolonged pharmacuetical drug use, exccessive alcohol consumption along and/or long term stress all contribute to a compromised detoxification functions. A sub-optimally detoxifation systems leads to accumulation of these toxins, which in turn predispose us to health problem such as skin breakouts, indigestion, low energy, frequent colds and flus etc.

It goes without saying that that a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and healthy stress managment methods would mean a perfectly balanced body that functions optimally. The reality, however is that no one lives in an ideal world, we all neglect some aspect of healthy living, some times, at best. This is why it is important to do a “detox” on a regular basis. This way, you are giving your body a break, a chance to recuperate from the prolonged stress.

A detox can be done in a variety of different ways and in different combinations, the two most well-known are herbal supplementation and/or dietary changes. Dietary changes is the core of the process, while herbal supplementation is also necessary. By “cleaning up” your diet, you would essentially be eliminating or minimizing the input of toxins into the body, breaking the constant assault. Because detoxification after a long period of poor lifestyle is a taxing activity on the body, herbal supplementation are needed to help support the organs, such as the liver and also help quicken the elimination of the increased toxin load.

While there are many detox kits on the market, some may not be suitable for your specific needs. It is important to consult a licensed health prfessional to ensure that you are not doing your body a dis-sevice by taking the supplements that are not suited for your health needs. Naturopahtic doctors have the expertise to advise you to detox effectively and safely. Give us a call today and book an appointment with our naturopathic doctor Lei Gu to see how you can best begin your detox this year.

Does Oseltamivir Reduce Influenza Transmission?

2010-03-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

Oseltamivir is an effective treatment for influenza, but little is known about whether it reduces infectiousness. To explore this possibility, researchers performed a secondary analysis of a community-based trial that took place in Hong Kong during the influenza seasons of 2007 and 2008, before the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) epidemic. Individuals were enrolled in the trial at the time of influenza diagnosis and were followed, along with household members, for 7 to 10 days. Decisions regarding oseltamivir use were made by the treating physician.
Of the 384 eligible study participants, 90 received oseltamivir; the rest received no antiviral therapy. Oseltamivir use was associated with a significant reduction in the time to resolution of all symptoms (P=0.01) and of respiratory symptoms (P=0.03), in particular. However, the drug was not associated with a significant reduction in the duration of viral shedding or in the likelihood that household contacts would become infected. The secondary attack rate did vary, though, according to the time of initiation of oseltamivir: 4.7% when it was initiated within 24 hours of symptom onset, 6.0% when it was initiated within 24 to 48 hours after symptom onset, and 7.0% when it was initiated >48 hours after symptom onset (P for trend<0.01).

Reference: Journal Watch Infectious Diseases (March 24, 2010)

Take home message: Oseltamivir is effective in reducing severity of influenza symptoms and shortens recovery time. However, it may not have an effect on decreasing the infectiousness unless administered early on in the course of the infection.

FDA Tells Physicians to Temporarily Stop Using Rotarix Vaccine

2010-03-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

The FDA is advising clinicians to temporarily stop using the rotavirus vaccine Rotarix because components of a separate virus, porcine circovirus 1 (PCV1), have been detected in the vaccine.
PCV1 is not known to cause illness in humans, and according to FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg, "there is no evidence at this time that there is a safety concern."
The agency says that children who've already received one dose of Rotarix can receive RotaTeq instead for the next two doses to complete the series.
The FDA will continue to investigate the finding and expects to make additional recommendations on the use of rotavirus vaccines after an expert advisory committee meets in about 4 to 6 weeks.

Reference: Physician's First Watch

Background information:
Retrovirus causes stomach flu, it is a common infection that affects infants and young children worldwide. Once a child has had the infection, immunity develops. Rotavirus infection leads to vomiting, diarrhea, malabsorption and a low grade fever. Covnetional treatment focuses on symptom management ensuring adequate re-hydration and electrolyte replacement. In severe cases, death can result, however, with proper management, prognosis is excellent.

2010-03-25T12:25:00.001-07:00

For those of you with new babies, it is important to read the following!!

"Infantino has recalled 1 million of its SlingRider and Wendy Bellissimo infant slings because they pose a suffocation hazard, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Consumers should immediately stop using the slings in infants younger than 4 months and contact the company for replacement products. Three infants died in these slings in 2009."

To read the news release by the Consumer Product Safely Commission, go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10177.html

Source: Physician's First Watch

2010-02-10T10:53:00.000-08:00

Weight Loss Tips

It February, this is the time when many people are starting to go downhill with their New Year's resolutions. If being more healthy and achieving a healthier body weight is one of your new years resolutions, make this the last “new year's resolution” by actually making it happen!
The following are some tips to help you stay on track in your journey to a healthier weight.

1. Never skip breakfast!!

Upon waking, your metabolism jump starts, as your body goes from sleeping (lying down) to standing. If you do not eat a breakfast that provides energy boost and necessary nutrients to sustain you until the next meal, your metabolism will fall. The human body is designed to be “energy efficient”, if it is made to think that it is “famine time” (by you not eating breakfast), it will slow down your metabolism to conserve energy until the next time that food is available (lunch), at which time, it will store as much energy (fat) as possible to compensate for the earlier lack of food.

2. Eat better, not eat less

For the purpose of losing weight, often people cut down on the amount of food that is eaten by focusing on counting calories (and nothing else). If this is something you've done in the past or are thinking of doing again (but more strictly this time around), you are doing your weight-loss plan a dis-service. What you would neglected by only counting calories, is that you are putting yourself at more risk of cravings; which you will end up satisfying with a tiny slice of cake (to save on calories) that still doesn't satisfy your body it's real need, that is the need for quality nutrients, leaving you crashing after a brief sugar high. Instead, if you ate adequate calories but in food items that are packed with necessary nutrients, you won't have the cravings, and as a result be more successful with your weight-loss goals.

3. Manage your stress

Stress leads to increased hormones in the body such as adrenaline, which increases blood sugar. When you are stressed (be it mental or physical), your body is unable to “rest and digest” optimally, causing the body's cells to utilize sugar less resulting in more sugar to be stored away, exessive amount of stored sugar also leads to fat storage.

4. Go to the bathroom

Having regular bowel movments (once a day) helps to eliminate toxins including by-products of cholesterol metabolism and exessive fat. Stool remaining inside your colon are not simply staying there waiting to be excreted. The colon walls are actively reabsorbing back toxins and water back into your body, which can contribute to gas, bloating and water weight.

5. Sleep tight

Sleeping is seemingly an activity that burns little energy, indeed it does. Study shows that inadequate sleep is correlated with weight gain. In fact, a study done at the University of Chicago shows that chronic partial sleep may increases obesity. The mechanism is yet to be clearly understood, however, it is known that inadequate sleep negatively impacts the body's ability to metabolize glucose, leading to fat-storage. It also cause the body to crave more carbohydrates and blinding the brain's ability to realize that enough food has been eaten even after adequate meals. Sleep also decreases growth hormone, as a result negatively affects body composition (less muscle tissue, more fat tissue).

If you are overly stressed, have chronic constipation or suffer from insomnia, a consultation with our naturopath would be greatly beneficial to you. She is also able to design a nutritional plan specifically for you to help achieve a healthy body weight!

To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate Against the H1N1 Virus

2009-11-13T18:02:00.000-08:00

This flu season, the focus is on the H1N1 influenza virus. It has become a pandemic, it is affecting more flu cases than the regular seasonal influenza virus. The question regarding whether or not one should get vaccinated against the H1N1 virus continues to be a controversy. What are the risks? What are the benefits? Should you get vaccinated?

Whether or not to get the H1N1 vaccine is a personal decision. Read the following carefully, and click on the links for more detailed information before making your decision. Whatever your decision is, be sure that it is a well-informed one.

H1N1 Flu Statistics:
Up to date, there has been over 1600 cases of H1N1 infection across Canada
Of theses cases, 101 have died from complications related to the infection
Each year, 2000-8000 Canadians die from the seasonal flu
Teenagers and young adult are the majority of the infected population
Rate of hospitalization is the highest in very young children (6months – 5years of age)
Between 1% to 10% of patients with clinical illness require hospitalization.
Of hospitalized patients, from 10% to 25% require admission to an intensive care unit and 2% to 9% have a fatal outcome.
7% to 10% of all hospitalized patients are pregnant women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women are ten times more likely than the general population to require admission to an intensive care unit when compared with the general population.
Are there oral drugs available to treat the H1N1 flu virus?
Early research has shown that oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) that are effective in treating the H1N1 Flu Virus.
These are not recommended to give these drugs for mild disease or for preventative purposes.
No sufficient information is available to suggest that H1N1 virus requires the use of antivirals.
Most patients in Canada are recovering well on their own.
There is a risk that the virus could be resistant to antiviral treatment if antivirals are overused to treat mild illness.
The known and potential benefits of Tamiflu outweigh the known and potential risks for children under 1 year. Treatment decisions remain with a physician, who would consider prescribing Tamiflu after weighing the potential risks and benefits to any individual patient.

What's in the H1N1 vaccination?

Non-adjuvant type contains:
Split influenza virus, inactivated, containing antigen
Thimerosal (mercury derivative), sodium chloride, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium chloride, water, egg proteins, formaldehyde, sodium deoxycholate and sucrose

Ajuvant type contains:
The above ingredients plus DL-α-tocopherol (vitamin E), squalene oil, polysorbate

What are the benefits vs. side effects of getting vaccinated?
According the Public Health Agency of Canada, the seroprotective rate is 97%. (note: seroprotective rate does not necessarily translate into clinical protection rate.)

Side effects
Pain, swelling, redness in the local area
systemic symptoms include: fatigue, headaches, arthralgia, myalgia, sweating, fever
in extreme cases, vaccination has been linked to Guillian Barre syndrome and neuropathy

Who are most at risk for contracting the H1N1 flu?

children under 5 yr of age
pregnant women
people with chronic conditions including:
Heart disease
kidney disease
diabetes
asthma and chronic lung disease
liver disease
blood disorders
severe obesity
immunosuppressed (those on cancer drugs and people with HIV/AIDS)
neurological disorders

What is the difference between a cold and H1N1 flu symptoms?

Symptom
Cold
H1N1 Flu
Fever
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.
Coughing
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.
Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.
Chills
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.
Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu.
Sneezing
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.
Sudden Symptoms
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are fairly uncommon with a cold
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are sometimes present in H1N1 flu.
Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu.

What can I do to prevent myself from contracting the H1N1 virus?
Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer.
Keep your hands away from your face.
Cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand. If you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands.
Get immunized.
Keep common surface areas—for example, doorknobs, light switches, telephones and keyboards—clean and disinfected.
Eat healthy foods and stay physically active to keep your immune system strong.
If you get sick, stay home.

If you would like more specific advice on individualized treatment or preventative measures (ie. Specific dietary modifications, nutritional supplementation, or herbal medicine treatments), contact naturopathic doctor Lei Gu for an appointment.

References:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/legislation/interimorders-arretesurgence/prodinfo-vaccin-eng.php#a2
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/index-eng.php
http://www.boardofnaturopathicmedicine.on.ca/

2009-08-05T14:36:00.000-07:00

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (July, 2009) found that men who exercised for at least 30 minutes a day at moderate to high intensity halved their risk of dying prematurely from cancer, mainly gastrointestinal and lung cancer. Regular exercise at adequate intensity benefits the health of gastrointestinal tract and the lungs. Since many cancer deaths result from colon or lung cancers that have been spread from the primary cancer source, lifestyle that benefits colon and lung health can help prolong lifespan of cancer patients.

The protective mechanism of exercise is the result of the following. First, regular exercise encourages regular bowel movements, which means that the carcinogens in the stool have less chance of being reabsorbed back into the body through intestinal walls, thereby reducing cancer development, especially in the colons. Also, excessive body fat has been correlated with increased cancer risk, therefore, regular exercise (which helps to maintain healthy body weight) translates into decreased cancer risk. Lastly, regular exercise also modulates antioxidant enzymes activities as well as regulating hormonal levels, both of which contribute to decreased cancer risk and progression.

It is important to note that regular exercise (in this case) refers to at least 30 minutes daily, of moderate to high intensity.

2009-07-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

Patients Not Informed of Abnormal Lab Test Results

According to a poll done by Medscape, about 1 of every 14 abnormal (lab) tests was not reported to the patient.

So be sure to follow up with your doctor after you've had tests done. Medical labs are usually able to get the results to the medical doctors within a week (with some exceptions, some tests take an entire week to perform, in which case, it would take two weeks. Many assume that no news (from the doctor's office) is good news. That is not a safe assumption to make. It is your health, be sure that you get all the answers you are looking for.

-Dr. Lei Gu ND

Sunscreen safety

2009-06-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Summer is here, which means more time spent in the sun! Those of you who are health conscious are probably adding sunscreen to your daily skin care routine. Before you can put skin cancer on the back burner, however, be sure that your sunscreen is causing more health problems than you are trying to prevent by using it!
What you may not realize is that (based on a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group, on 1000 products) 4 out of 5 sunscreens out on the shelves at best do not have as much sun protection as the bottle claims. Many even contain ingredients that pose threat to your health ranging from allergic reactions to possibly cancer!

Some of the common problems with sunscreens include:
1. Containing of toxic chemicals
2. Breaking-down with exposure to sunlight (ironically)
3. Not protective against both UVB and UVA rays

Remember, just because the label claims it is gentle and protects all day does not mean that it's true; as there are a number of the safety criteria are not required by the FDA.

When choosing a sunscreen look for titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the primary active ingredients. However these same ingredients in spray or powder form is to be avoided as one can easily inhale the fine particles which can cause health problems. Also be sure that neither of these ingredients are in the nano form, which means that the particles are small enough to be absorbed into the skin posing potential health issues (that are yet to be studied).

Active ingredients commonly found in sunscreens you should avoided include: octyl methoxycinnimate, oxybenzone and octisalate to name a few. For a complete list, visit the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Safety Database at:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/index.php

Choose your sunscreen carefully and enjoy the sunshine!
-Dr. Lei Gu ND

Antibiotics & asthma risk

2009-03-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

A recent study in Pediatics examined 251,817 infants for any association between antibiotic use and asthma. It was concluded that children who have been given antibiotic use in the first year of their life have an increased risk of developing asthma after the 1st 24months of their lives.

Furthermore, this risk increases with the number of courses of antibiotic use. The study found that the highest asthma risk was in children given more than 4 courses of antibiotics within the first year of their lives.

So, before you give any child antibiotics for minor infections, remember the risks associated with it. Consult a your naturopathic doctor for alternative treatments!

Pediatices 2009;123:1003-1010