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
Monday, June 21, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Eat nuts to lower your cholesterol!!!
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.
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.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Spring Cleaning For Your Body
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.
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.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Does Oseltamivir Reduce Influenza Transmission?
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.
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
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.
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.
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
"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
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
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!
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!
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