I’m taking a bit of a different approach with this month’s tip. Rather than writing it all myself, I’m going to cut-and-paste, and comment on (my comments will be in italics), parts of a newsletter I read recently that perfectly resonated with me for several reasons:

1. It was entitled ‘Good Health Starts in the Gut’, and I am a strong believer of this statement. That is why I take a probiotic supplement, and do my best to eat naturally fermented foods on a regular basis.
2. It discussed various scenarios that put our gut health – and therefore our overall health – at risk. Two of these scenarios are extended hospital stays, and living in nursing homes and/or long-term care facilities. This struck a chord with me, as I had numerous close friends experience one or the other of these two scenarios over the past month or so.
3.  It offered practical advice on how to promote gut health.
4.  It was able to sprinkle some humour throughout the topic of ‘Fecal Transplants’, including making this statement: “Leave it to the FDA to classify sh*t as a drug.”

Here’s why good health start in the gut. Our gut contains 100 trillion microorganisms, which is 10 times more cells than the total number of cells in our entire body. Put another way, we are 10 percent human and 90 percent microorganism. If you count the number of microorganisms that live on our skin, then we’re even less than 10 percent human.

Given their vast numbers, it’s no surprise that these little ‘creatures’ can have a huge impact on our health! We need to create an environment in, and on (there are lots on our skin too!), our bodies that will nurture them, and keep them happily working with us, and not against us.

There are more ‘visitors’ in your hospital room than you can see! A fascinating study has shown that when people check into a hospital, the microbial communities that inhabit their skin quickly begin to colonize their rooms and treatment areas. Long-term patients who had more time to settle into their rooms left their personalized microbial ‘fingerprint’ long after leaving, and even after the rooms were cleaned…After years of harboring sick patients, it’s a strong possibility that harmful pathogens can gain a dominant position in a hospital, nursing home, or other care facility. This explains why 1 in every 20 hospital patients develops an infection related to hospital care.

This is why there is a saying that goes something like this: “A hospital is no place to be sick!” If you don’t have an infection when you arrive, there seems to be a chance that you’ll have one when you leave.

Keep good company. It’s probably not a surprise at this point, but researchers discovered that those in the same residence could be identified simply by the composition of their microbiota. Those living together in long-term care facilities had far less diverse types of microorganisms than community dwellers. As the variety of microorganisms decreases, you begin to see a long and ever-growing list of problems associated with accelerated aging, including increased inflammation, metabolic disorders, IBS, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, frailty, a weakened immune system, and high blood pressure.

While I don’t have any research to back this up, my experience is that many people who go into long-term care facilities experience decreasing, rather than increasing,  health and vitality. Sounds like it’s possible that an imbalance in their microbiota could have something to do with this.

You (and your microorganisms) are what you eat. …the researchers also found that as the diet became more ‘institutionalized’, the diversity in microorganisms decreased and health deteriorated. All of the signs and symptoms we associate with aging were accelerated. On the flip side, with a better diet, the numbers and variety of microorganisms increased and health improved. … The microbiota of sick or weakened individuals become more and more similar.

Can you guess what Dr. Williams’ advice was to those who have a loved one in a nursing home or long-term care facility? It was that at the very least, you should get them started on a good probiotic and try to include some fermented foods in their diet. I would also do my best to ensure they are eating (and being offered) a wide variety of foods.

‘Poop smoothie’ anyone? One of the most interesting parts of the newsletter, for me anyway, was a section on fecal transplants and how they are performed. Other than the part that described making what I’ll call a ‘poop smoothie’ in a kitchen blender (that I trust you’ll never want to use again), I feel it would be best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional to do this procedure properly and safely.

You may be asking why anyone would want to have a fecal transplant! According to the newsletter it’s because…fecal transplants have been shown to almost instantly and universally cure Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and life-threatening C.difficileinfections, without the use of antibiotics, steroids, and immune suppressant drugs. Fecal transplants have been shown to have up to a 93 percent success rate in C. difficile infections, which kill an estimated 14,000 individuals each year in this country [USA] alone. C. difficile infections affect over 3 million people in the US each year, and treatment costs exceed $1 billion. (N Engl J Med 13;368:407–415)

Now there’s a great reason to use the exclamation “No sh*t!”  Fecal transplants are not a cure-all; however they do seem to offer incredible benefits for many individuals. I bet that’s why the FDA is getting involved in an attempt to regulate poop as a drug. Gotta make it profitable!

Those are all the highlights I wanted to share with you, and rest assured that while the part of the newsletter I found most interesting was the part about fecal transplants, for now, the closest I’ll come to making anything resembling a poop smoothie are the smoothies I make that turn out  brown as a result of mixing red berries and green powders together!  Seriously though, after reading this article, I am so grateful that I take a great probiotic supplement. If you’re not doing so, I hope reading this Tip has motivated and inspired you to do so.

Take control of what you can!

I recently watched a segment on CTV News that highlighted the major findings of a new report released by Environmental Defence Canada, an environmental action organization that states its mission as follows:  “We challenge, and inspire change in government, business and people to ensure a greener, healthier and prosperous life for all.”

The report is called ‘Pre-Polluted: A Report on Toxic Substances in the Umbilical Cord Blood of Canadian Newborns.’  It contains first of its kind evidence that Canadian babies are getting a toxic start, with 137 toxic chemicals found in their umbilical cord blood.

The report was based on tests conducted on the umbilical cord blood of three anonymous newborns whose mothers lived in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas. I want to share with you the concerning results of this report, as well as some suggestions regarding what we can do to protect our health and the health of our future generations when it comes to toxin exposure.

Out of the 310 chemicals tested, 137 were found, in total, in the three babies. Of these 137 chemicals:

• 132 are reported to cause cancer in humans or animals
• 110 are considered toxic to the brain and nervous system
• 133 cause developmental and reproductive problems in mammals

The CTV news report described these toxins as things that “shouldn’t be there”; however, if they are in the environment, why would it be a surprise to find them in anything and anyone who lives in that same environment?

The chemicals that were tested for fell into seven groups. These are:

1. Dioxins and Furans. These are by-products of waste incineration and manufacturing processes such as pulp and paper bleaching.
2. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). These are flame retardants used in upholstered furniture, mattresses, electronics, clothing and other products (thankfully they’re being phased out in Canada)
3. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs). These are used to make non-stick coatings used in cooking utensils, food packaging, and water-resistant clothing.
4. Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs). Many of these are being phased out; however, residues from long banned ones like DDT are still in the environment
5. Methylmercury. This is produced when mercury from things like coal burning power plants, mining and manufacturing, compact fluorescent light bulbs, thermometers, and electrical switches, enters the environment.
6. Lead. Sources of lead include emissions from metal smelters, old leaded gasoline and paint, and impurities in products such as lipstick!
7. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Even though these were banned in Canada decades ago, they are highly persistent in the environment and in the body; in fact, 96 different kinds were found in the umbilical cord samples.

Note: For details on the health risks associated with these chemicals, you can read the full report here.

Although this was a very small test, the results are consistent with larger tests around the world that all found a ‘surprising array of industrial chemicals in the human body’.

The CTV news report included a short interview with Douglas Haines, from the Health Canada Chemical Surveillance Bureau. What did he have to say about the results of this study? He made comments to the effect that the results were ‘not cause for panic’, that the levels found are ‘relatively low’, and that the potential impacts are‘very, very, small and subtle’. That didn’t sit right with me for a couple of reasons. First, it’s my understanding that toxicity assessments are usually based on what an adult can ‘handle’, and secondly, toxicity assessments usually relate to a single substance. The Pre-Polluted report relates to tiny, vulnerable babies, with immature immune and detoxification functions, whose cells, tissues, organs, and systems (in particular the nervous system, which includes the brain), can be easily overburdened by low level exposure to just a few toxins, let alone a cocktail of any combination of 137 of them! Thank goodness research is underway at the University of Montreal that will test 2,000 babies for chemical exposures in order to more fully understand the effects of these chemicals on infant health and development.

The other thing that didn’t sit right with me was a comment made by a parent who was asked how they felt about the findings of the report. They said something to the effect that “you can make yourself crazy worrying about everything all the time”.Well, there is some truth to that, but in this particular situation, I don’t feel that ignorance is bliss.

The thing that unsettled me the most wasn’t the findings of this study, but rather the news correspondent’s closing remarks, which were that until government and industries remove risky chemicals from consumer products, “mothers and babies have no way of avoiding them”.  I feel that is somewhat of a defeatist attitude.

While I absolutely agree that government and industry need to take action, it could take years for them to do so. Until then, do we all just throw our hands up in the air and say “Whatever! There’s not much we can do about it!”. Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m not a “whatever” type of gal, especially when it comes to issues that impact my health, the health of my family, and the health of others – especially when those others are our most helpless and vulnerable citizens – newborn babies – the only individuals involved in this situation who really can’t do anything about what they are exposed to. Poor little boos!

Yes, environmental pollutants are ‘everywhere’ – in the air we breathe, in the water we drink, in the food we eat, and even in the dust in our homes. While we can’t 100% avoid them (unless we want to live like Seinfeld’s ‘Bubble Boy’), there are certainly things we can do to reduce our exposure to them and/or to do our part to avoid introducing more of them into the environment while we wait for government and industries to do the right thing. There are loads of things we can do, and I thought I’d share 10 things that I do to be proactive in an attempt to reduce my family’s exposure to toxins. I hope you will find at least a few, if not all of them reasonable and simple enough to start introducing into your day-to-day routine.

1. Drink, and bathe and shower, in filtered/purified water. We have a reverse osmosis system installed under our kitchen sink that removes all chemicals and impurities from the water that we drink and cook with. We have another system installed where the main water line comes into the house to remove chlorine and other contaminants from the water, so that we are not bathing or showering in them. Remember that your skin is a super-sponge and can absorb toxins very easily (and then they will be absorbed directly into the bloodstream). We purchased our systems at Water Mart, in Bells Corners (Ottawa ON).
2. When buying fruits and vegetables, I do my best to buy organic varieties of those that have the highest pesticide residues, especially if they are ones that we eat often. For an updated list, check out the Environmental Working Group’s 2013 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce. It’s U.S. based, but since Canada imports a lot of produce from the U.S., I feel it’s still a relevant source of information.
3. If you eat meat and animal products, whenever possible, buy them from local farmers who raise naturally pastured animals. There are so many farms and farmers’ markets in the Ottawa area to explore!
4. Ditch your non-stick cooking pots, pans, skillets, baking sheets, etc, and use alternatives such as stainless steel, ceramic, glass, and cast iron.
5. Get rid of all toxic household cleaning products. You can do most cleaning jobs with vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, and some elbow grease. There are also some great environmentally responsible, biodegradable cleaners out there. Do your research!
6. Get rid of all toxic personal care products. Our skin absorbs things directly into our blood stream. My motto is that I wouldn’t put anything on my skin that I wouldn’t put in my mouth. I use coconut oil as a skin lotion and make-up remover. I often make my own toothpaste with equal amounts of coconut oil, baking soda, and a few drops of tea tree oil. Oh, and if available, buy unbleached toilet paper and other personal care products!
7. Check out Health Canada’s consumption advice to avoid those types of fish that contain higher levels of toxic chemicals and metals such as mercury.
8. If you have mercury amalgams or other metals in your mouth due to dental work, go and consult with a biological dentist. One that I know personally and can highly recommend in the Ottawa area is Dr. Farid Shodjaee.
9. Eat more whole foods and avoid packaged foods with lots of ingredients you can’t pronounce or wouldn’t find in your own kitchen cupboards. This will minimize the burden on the liver, our major organ of detoxification, so that it is better able to deal with those toxins that we honestly can’t avoid.
10. Regularly eat foods that will help to detoxify the body. There are loads of them. Here are a just a few:

• Greens, green drinks, and sprouts. The chlorophyll they contain is a gentle and effective detoxifier.
• Beets and beet juice. Beets support liver function and help it to process and flush out toxins.
• Artichokes. Artichokes support liver function and help it to process and flush out toxins.
• Parsley and cilantro. These herbs are known to detox heavy metals out of the body.
• Mucilagenous (gooey/sticky/gel-like) foods such as aloe vera gel and juice, chia seeds, ground flax seeds, and okra. They will ‘trap’ toxins and promote regular bowel movements, which are an important part of detoxification.
• Fresh squeezed lemon juice. It supports liver function and helps it to process and flush out toxins.

For more tips on how to avoid other common sources of toxins in and around your home, check out this 2-page guide from Environmental Defence Canada.

Ideally, I feel that moms-to-be AND dads-to-be should take steps to ‘clean up’ their homes and bodies at least six months prior to conception, but it’s never too late to start!

One more thing. If this issue is of concern to you, I encourage you to take a minute right now to read and sign this petition which asks our government to improve the regulation of toxic chemicals to protect the health of Canadians. I just did.

Take control of what you can!

The aloe vera plant is often referred to as the ‘First Aid Plant’, the  ‘Magical Medicinal Plant’, or a ‘superfood’, due to its numerous healing and health-boosting properties.

Most people associate aloe vera with skin creams and lotions, especially those that are used as ‘after sun’ products, since aloe vera gel is wonderfully hydrating, nourishing and soothing for the skin. It has also been shown to promote the growth of new skin cells.

While it is commonly known that aloe vera offers numerous benefits for the outside of the body, fewer people know that it also offers benefits for the inside of the body. These include balancing blood cholesterol and triglycerides, soothing pain associated with inflammation, soothing and healing the digestive system, helping to balance blood sugar, boosting the immune system, increasing energy and stamina, and promoting regular bowel movements. Sounds too good to be true…but it is

Aloe vera is classified as a ‘succulent’ plant. These plants are desert plants, and they have an amazing ability to capture and store water inside a gel-like substance that is found in their leaves, or blades. This gel-like substance offers self-repairing abilities to the body, and is loaded with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and phytochemicals that offer powerful health benefits to those who consume them.

So how does one go about consuming aloe vera gel? You can buy aloe vera juice at just about any health food store. It is commonly recommended for digestive issues such asheartburn/reflux, ulcers, IBS, colitis, Crohn’s and Celiac disease. One of my favourite ways to get aloe vera gel into my body is simply to eat it raw and fresh…right out of the leaf! Here’s a video I made to show you how to ‘fillet’ an aloe vera leaf.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91a_C5SbfQM

To get the health benefits of aloe vera, you need to consume it regularly. You can do this by drinking aloe vera juice, putting an aloe ‘fillet’ into a smoothie or your favourite juicing recipe, or by chopping it up and adding it to a fruit salad or yogurt…use your imagination! On its own, fresh aloe doesn’t have much of a taste, so when you add it to another food, it takes on the flavour of whatever you add it to. If you’re going to add it to a smoothie, I’ve read it’s best to add it towards the end so as not to completely break down the structure of the gel.

You can find aloe leaves at most good produce stores and they are relatively inexpensive. If you’ve never had fresh aloe vera or aloe vera juice before, it’s a good idea to start with a small amount and increase it over time. A safe, commonly recommended daily dose is 4 to 6 ounces. It’s a good idea to start slowly whenever you add something new to your diet in order to see how your body responds to it…especially when it is something like aloe vera that will ‘get things moving’…if you know what I mean. Aloe is great for cleansing and detoxing the body – as are most things with a mucilaginous (sticky, gooey) texture, including chia seeds, flax seeds, and okra.

Some sources state that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult their healthcare practitioner before consuming aloe vera, as is sometimes the case with certain herbs; however, according to the recently released “Botanical Safety Handbook, 2^nd Edition”, no information on the safety of consuming aloe vera inner leaf during pregnancy or lactation is identified. The substance that is of concern is called ‘aloin’. It is in the aloe latex (the yellow sap) of the leaf, which is primarily found between the rind and the inner gel, so if you are filleting fresh aloe vera, make sure you get all the rind off (and cut a bit below it when you are removing it). Rinsing the gel fillet with water will also help to wash away the aloin. As for commercially prepared products, most are tested to ensure that they are safe, as described in this video from the International Aloe Science Council: http://www.iasc.org/index.html

Enjoy!

Anna

Resources:

1. The International Aloe Science Council http://www.iasc.org/articles.html
2. http://www.naturalnews.com/021858_aloe_vera_gel.html
3. http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/benefits-of-aloe-vera/