Just like our cars, our bodies need regular tune-ups.

Unfortunately, some individuals spend more time and money on the maintenance of their car’s health than they do on their own health!

When considering our health, it is important to take into account not just our physical or ‘material’ state, but also our electro-magnetic or ‘energetic’ state.

Our bodies are made up of matter and electro-magnetic energy and our state of health depends on the proper balance of both of these variables.

The notion of a connection between the state of our health and electricity or energy in the body is not a new one.  The use of electrical ‘technology’ goes as far back as 2750 B.C., where ancient Egyptian and Greek records suggest that exposure to electric eels offered numerous therapeutic benefits!

This connection has also been recognized for thousands of years in the Traditional Chinese Medicine practice of acupuncture, and more recently, in our own health care system, for example, with the use of instruments to measure electrical energy in the body. Some of the more common technologies include:

• Electrocardiograph (ECG) – developed in 1887 and records the electrical activity emanating from different areas of the heart.
• Electroencephalograph (EEG) – developed in 1875 and records the electrical activity emanating from various areas of the brain.
• Galvanic skin response – The electrical conductance between two electrodes placed on the skin is measured. The patient is then subjected to various stimuli, and any change in skin conductance is recorded. This technology is a major constituent of lie detector testing and is also used in biofeedback technology.
• Electromyelograph – A nerve is stimulated electrically, and the response of the muscle to that stimulation provides useful information about the functional status of that muscle or the integrity of its associated neurons.

Turning now to acupuncture, it is known that it has helped millions of people around the world.  It is based on the concept of the movement of energy, or ‘qi’ (pronounced ‘chee’, as in ‘cheese’) through various pathways, or ‘meridians’ in our body.  Each meridian is connected to specific organs in the body.  The growing acceptance of this energy-related health practice is evidenced by the fact that acupuncture is currently regulated in certain provinces in Canada and many states in the U.S.  Its effectiveness has been recognized by national and international organizations such as The National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization.

When the flow of qi through a meridian is blocked or out of balance, illness or pain can start to develop. The stimulation of acupuncture points along the meridians releases blockages, thereby promoting the smooth flow of qi and the restoration of wellness.

The ‘health’ of the energy or qi flowing through the meridians can be analysed at many specific points on the skin known as acupuncture points. It has been known for many years that acupuncture points have different electrical conduction than the surrounding tissues as the skin at these points is slightly thinner, thus making it possible to more easily and accurately measure and access electrical conductance at these points. Changes in these electrical measurements in conjunction with altered health states has been investigated extensively.

Not suprisingly, just as there are instruments that can measure the electricity emanating from the brain (EEG) or heart (ECG), there are also instruments that can measure the electricity emanating from acupuncture points.  These measurements indicate the amount of energy or qi flowing through the meridians.  One of these instruments is the Meridian Stress Assessment System (MSAS).  This system is the basis for the meridian stress assessments/bioenergetic evaluations (MSA/BE) that I offer.

During an evaluation, the level of electric current conducted through various acupuncture points on the hands and feet is measured.  Information regarding various organs and systems is obtained by the level of the readings which suggest the presence or absence of blockages or restrictions in the meridians.

A MSA/BE is an excellent tool to help identify patterns of acute or chronic stress in the various tissues, organs and organ systems related to the meridians, and if so, to develop a comprehensive, customized health program that will assist in returning them to a balanced state.

Depending on an individual’s situation, a MSA/BE is generally required on a 3 to 4 week basis, spacing them out as improvements are noted.  Once the meridians are balanced, it is recommended to have regular ‘check-ups’ to ensure they stay in balance.

For more information on BioEnergetic Evaluations please refer to the BioEnergetic Evaluation section of this website.  For more information on the history of meridian stress assessment instruments, please visit http://biomeridian.com/meridian-stress-assessment.htm.  For more information on the instrument itself, please visit http://biomeridian.com/msas-pro.htm

Please note that a MSA/BE does not provide a medical diagnosis. If an individual suspects that they have a condition requiring medical intervention, they should consult their physician who can provide medical diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment regimens.

If you would like to see a MSA/BE in action and perhaps receive a free ’10-point inspection’, I invite you to visit me at my booth at the Healthy Communties Showcase, Wednesday, March 10th, 2010, from 4-8pm at Algonquin College, Woodroffe Campus, T-Building, Showcase Room T102abc.  If you would like more details regarding this free event, please visit www.SBA-Canada.ca.

Hope to see you there!

Anna

With Valentine’s Day this month, I’m guessing that some of us will consume more than our usual amount of chocolate and other sweet treats.  I know I’ll be looking forward to some dark chocolate- covered ginger!

There’s nothing wrong with occasionally indulging our sweet tooth, but it may surprise you to learn that the average Canadian consumes up to 3 pounds of sugar per week!

This seems almost impossible, until you consider the fact that sugar, in many forms, including glucose, sucrose, dextrose, lactose, maltose (basically anything ending in ‘ose’), malt syrup, and  high-fructose corn syrup, are being processed into all kinds of foods, including many so-called ‘healthy’ whole grain breads and breakfast cereals, nut butters, yogurt, spaghetti sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, salad dressings and numerous other condiments, prepared foods, and packaged meals.

It has been known for decades that sugar suppresses immune system function (and obviously good health requires a healthy immune system).

I recently read that just 1 teaspoon of sugar suppresses the immune system for up to 6 hours!   With this in mind, it makes sense that cutting back on sugar consumption is among one of the most important things we can do for our health.

Suppressing our immune system isn’t the only way that sugar negatively affects our overall health.  It also does this by elevating our insulin levels.  Elevated insulin levels contribute to nearly every chronic disease including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, and obesity.

Beware of the worst form of sugar:  high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS).  The use of HFCS in foods and drinks has increased drastically over the years thanks to a chemical manufacturing process that makes it sweeter and cheaper to use than sugar.  HFCS contains a high percentage of fructose (up to 55%).  The body handles fructose/HFCS differently than glucose, causing the following problems:

• fructose metabolism raises blood triglycerides more than other sugars, which raises the risk of heart disease
• triglycerides are the body’s storage form of fat, so HFCS promotes fat gain (recent studies show that the consumption of HFCS sweetened drinks is associated with obesity in children)
• unlike glucose, fructose does not stimulate the hormone leptin, which tells our brain that our stomach is ‘full’
• the fructose from HFCS is devoid of enzymes, vitamins and minerals which we would normally get when we consume fructose in its natural form (i.e. from eating fruit)
• it does not satisfy the body’s craving for glucose, so we actually get hungry after consuming foods/drinks that contain HFCS
• it is associated with poor development of collagen in growing animals
• animals on high-fructose diets develop liver problems similar to those of alcoholics

What is the worst source of HFCS?  Well, almost 25% of the sugar consumed in the Standard American Diet (SAD) comes from soft drinks, in the form of HFCS.  In fact, HFCS in soft drinks is now the number one source of calories in North America.  How SAD is that?  I could write pages related to the health hazards of soft drink consumption, but instead I’ll just mention a few of them:

• Drinking one can of pop per day can translate into more than a pound of weight gain per month.
• The high phosphoric acid content of colas weakens bones by leaching calcium out of them (note that teeth are bones and the combination of sugars and acids in soft drinks dissolves tooth enamel).  Phosphoric acid also promotes the formation of kidney stones and interferes with the function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, impairing our digestion.
• Some soft drinks contain caffeine, which increases stomach acid levels.  A prolonged acidic environment compromises digestion and causes inflammation which then leads to stomach aches or more serious pain.  Caffeine also stimulates the adrenal glands and regular use can cause adrenal exhaustion.
• Carbonated drinks can cause your stomach to ‘bloat’, which may cause heart burn and acid reflux.

What about fruit juices or diet sodas?  Most commercial fruit juices are also high in sugars and/or HFCS – in fact, I bet that some are just as bad as sodas.  While freshly squeezed/juiced fruit juices are a better alternative, they are still high in sugar (and devoid of the fibre you would get from eating the whole fruit), so it is recommended that they be diluted with water. Artificial sweeteners (e.g. aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose) cause a whole host of other health issues and some recent studies suggest that they actually make you gain weight…in addition to being neurotoxins and hormonal disrupters.

There’s nothing better than a glass of good, filtered water to quench our thirst!  Most of us don’t drink nearly enough water in a day (a common guideline is that the number of ounces of water you should drink daily is equal to half of your weight in pounds – e.g. if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink 75 ounces of water per day).  A splash of fresh lime or lemon juice adds a nice touch of flavour.  There are also so many herbal teas that are not only delicious hot or cooled but that also offer numerous health benefits.  Bottoms up!

Enjoy!

References

1. Soft Drinks:  America’s Other Drinking Problem, Judith Valentine, PhD, CNA, CNC, May 26, 2002 (http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=269187)
2. Perfect Weight Canada:  Change Your Diet, Change Your Life, Change the World, Jordan Rubin, Siloam Publishing, Lake Mary, FLA, 2008
3. 10 Diseases Linked to Soda, mercola.com, Feb 10, 2009
4. Soft Drink Consumption: The Frightening Statistics and Associated Health Risks! (http://www.everyday-wisdom.com/soft-drink-consumption.html)
5. Sweet Deception: Why Splenda, NutraSweet and the FDA May Be Hazardous to Your Health, Dr. Joseph Mercola and Dr. Kendra Degen Pearsall, Nelson Books, Nashville, Tennessee, 2006

Happy New Year!

I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday time with friends and family and that you guiltlessly enjoyed all the delicious meals and treats that come with the holidays…in moderation of course!  I certainly did and now am ready to get back into my routine.

I’m sure that many of you have made New Year’s resolutions and I hope that you have been kind to yourself in this regard.  Most New Year’s resolutions involve doing something to make ourselves physically healthier, such as quitting smoking, losing weight and exercising – but we should also consider things that make us emotionally healthier, such as taking more time to nurture ourselves by doing things we enjoy, learning new things, spending more time with family and friends and helping others.

If you have yet to do so, take a moment to reflect on your nutrition and lifestyle habits and think of just one or two things that you would like to improve in these areas.

Set yourself up for success by focussing on just a few simple, SPECIFIC, realistic steps and then tackle them one at a time; for example:

• drink an extra glass of water every day
• go for a 30 minute walk at least 3 times a week
• avoid eating/drinking anything with trans fats or high fructose corn syrup
• get pampered with a reflexology treatment once a month
• take at least one hour a week to do something just for yourself
• eat one more fruit and vegetable serving every day
• take vitamin D and a probiotic every day

Once the one or two things that you decide to start with have become part of your routine, you can add one or two more until they also become part of your routine and so on.  Even the longest staircase is conquered by simply taking one step at a time!  Note that it generally takes at least a month to effectively form a new ‘habit’.

Nurturing ourselves with healthy, balanced food and lifestyle choices is the best thing we can do to improve our overall well-being.  Last year, the Wall Street Journal printed an article written by Deepak Chopra, Dean Ornish, Rustum Roy and Andrew Weil – all experts in ‘alternative’ medicine.  The article had the following headline:

‘Alternative’ Medicine Is Mainstream:  The evidence is mounting that diet and lifestyle are the best cures for our worst afflictions.

I have included a link to this article in the reference section at the end of this tip so that you may read it in its entirety, but I wanted to highlight a few important statements that were made (although the comments in the article refer to the health crisis in the United States, I’m sure we can extrapolate it to Canada):

• Our “health-care system” is primarily a disease-care system. Last year, $2.1 trillion was spent in the U.S. on medical care, or 16.5% of the gross national product. Of these trillions, 95 cents of every dollar was spent to treat diseaseafter it had already occurred. At least 75% of these costs were spent on treating chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, that are preventable or even reversible by changing diet and lifestyle.
• The latest scientific studies show that our bodies have a remarkable capacity to begin healing, and much more quickly than we had once realized, if we address the lifestyle factors that often cause these chronic diseases. These studies show that integrative medicine can make a powerful difference in our health and well-being, how quickly these changes may occur, and how dynamic these mechanisms can be.
• Many people tend to think of breakthroughs in medicine as a new drug, laser or high-tech surgical procedure. They often have a hard time believing that the simple choices that we make in our lifestyle — what we eat, how we respond to stress, whether or not we smoke cigarettes, how much exercise we get, and the quality of our relationships and social support — can be as powerful as drugs and surgery. But they often are. And in many instances, they’re even more powerful.
• When you eat a healthier diet, quit smoking, exercise, meditate and have more love in your life, then your brain receives more blood and oxygen, so you think more clearly, have more energy, need less sleep. Your brain may grow so many new neurons that it could get measurably bigger in only a few months. Your face gets more blood flow, so your skin glows more and wrinkles less. Your heart gets more blood flow, so you have more stamina and can even begin to reverse heart disease.

So, you can see that all those New Year’s resolutions we make are very important and worthy of pursuing! They will have a significant, positive impact not only in the quality of our overall well-being, but also on our health care system.

Set yourself up for success by remembering the following:

• Setting resolutions is an every day, year long process.  Write them down and put them up somewhere where you’ll see them everyday.  You can come up with new and improved resolutions any time of the year and modify your list!
• Focus on just a few small, realistic and specific goals at a time.  For instance, if you want to lose 25 pounds this year, start by setting a goal of losing at least 2 pounds each month.  That may not seem like a lot, but it is realistic and achievable.  If you stick with it, at the end of the year, you will be at least 24 pounds lighter.
• Don’t beat yourself up if you slip once in awhile.  Tomorrow offers you a clean, blank slate so you can get back on track.
• Acknowledge and celebrate all of your achievements, no matter how small you may think they are. Get yourself a journal and write them down.  Review them often so you can see how many good things you’ve accomplished.  It’s a great idea to be accountable to someone for your goals so that they can help you celebrate and encourage you to stay on track.

My New Year’s message for 2010?  Do more to nurture yourself.  As always, I look forward to partnering with you to help you achieve a healthier, more vibrant you!

New Year.  New You!

Enjoy!

References:

1. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123146318996466585.html
2. http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpposted/archive/2009/12/28/

Spices add incredible richness, flavour and sometimes colour to our food.  While recent research is uncovering the numerous health benefits of various spices, many cultures around the world have used spices for their numerous healing properties for thousands of years.

This month, I would like to share a few of the health benefits of a combination of spices that reminds me of Christmas time, even though I love to use them all year long.  I’m also sharing one of my favourite cookie recipes that incorporates these wonderful spices!

Cinnamon

This spice is one of the oldest around and has been used in botanical medicine since 2,700 BC. Known especially for its warming properties, cinnamon contains many phytonutrients which provide the following health benefits:

• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Prevents blood platelet clumping which is beneficial for cardiovascular health
• • Prevents the growth of bacteria, including the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers (H. pylori)
  • Prevents the growth of fungus, including Candida (yeast infections)
  • Promotes blood sugar regulation.  Recent research has shown that consuming as little as 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day assists in blood sugar regulation (by helping with insulin sensitivity) and also lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

  You can add ground cinnamon to just about anything – cereals, yogurt, stews, soups, baking and more.  One of my favourite ‘treats’ is simply mashing up a baked yam with a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil and then generously sprinkling cinnamon on top.  Delicious!  I also enjoy adding a stick of cinnamon bark to many herbal teas as they steep.

  Ginger

  Ginger has many health benefits, with the most common relating to digestive issues.  Whether in dried ground or fresh root form, ginger’s health benefits include:

  • Calms gastrointestinal problems such as upset stomach, nausea and flatulence
  • Anti-inflammatory properties
  • Anti-cancer properties
  • Boosts immune function

  Just like cinnamon, ground or fresh ginger can be added to so many things.  Sautee it with onions to make a delicious base for stir-fries, curries and soups – I really enjoy it in squash, pumpkin, yam or carrot soups.  Try a fresh ginger root tea with a touch of honey and fresh lemon.  Simply bring 4 cups of water to a boil, add a 2-inch piece of fresh ginger root (peeled and cut into thin slices), reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, strain and enjoy.  This is a great tea for settling the stomach as well as relieving cold and flu symptoms.

  Cloves

  Many of this spice’s health benefits are due to a substance called eugenol.  Potential health benefits associated with cloves include:

  • Detoxifying/cleansing properties
  • Anti-inflammatory properties
  • Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic properties
  • Mild anaesthetic properties, most commonly related to relieving pain associated with toothaches

  Most of my cooking experience with cloves has been in baking and curries, but you can experiment with it in other dishes, starting with just a sprinkle as this spice does have a very strong flavour.

  While this next bit of information is getting off the topic of spices, I wanted to mention it now since most people I know are doing considerably more baking at this time of year than usual.

  Coconut flour

  Coconut flour is a healthy and delicious substitute for some or all of the flour in your baking.  It offers many important health benefits including:

  • High in dietary fibre compared with gluten-based flours.  Coconut flour has 58% dietary fibre compared with 27% for wheat bran.  1/4 cup of coconut flour has approximately 14 grams of fibre
  • Fewer digestible carbohydrates compared with other flours, so it can help with calorie reduction/weight loss
  • Gluten-free
  • Lower glycemic index compared with other flours

  The amount of flour in a recipe that can be substituted with coconut flour depends on what you’re making.  It may take a bit of experimenting to get it just right, but you will usually get good results by substituting up to 1/3 of the flour in the recipe with coconut flour.  I have never tried this before, but I have read that you can use 100% coconut flour in a recipe if you add one egg per approximately every 30 grams of coconut flour. Coconut flour also contains natural sugar, so the added bonus to adding some to your recipe is that you can add less sugar.

  And now to share a little bit of holiday baking decadence with you, using all of the above information!

  Hermit Cookie Recipe (makes 4 to 5 dozen cookies)

  Ingredients (use organic whenever possible):

  • 3/4 cup soft, unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1 to 1.5 cups brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups flour (if you have coconut flour, recall the substitution guidelines)
  • 1 tsp each of baking soda and baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground sea salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground all spice
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 2/3 cup chopped dates
  • 2/3 cup toasted, slivered almonds
  • 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips (Try Cocoa Camino chocolate chips, available at most health food stores.  They are organic and fair trade certified and contain at least 50% cocoa)

  Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375F
  • Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
  • Beat in eggs, one at a time, until light and fluffy
  • Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices together and then mix into the butter/sugar/egg mixture
  • Mix in dates, almonds and chocolate chips

  Drop the cookie batter onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (about 1 tbsp batter per cookie, spaced approximately 1.5 inches apart).  Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until bottom is just golden.

  Finally, if you are still looking for Christmas gifts, here are a couple of ideas:

  • BioPro cell phone chips are on sale for $40 (reg $45) until the end of December 2009, or until quantities last.  You can purchase them at both my east and west end locations.  Even Dr. Oz has finally discussed this issue on his show:  http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/link-between-cell-phones-and-cancer.  To learn more about the BioPro cell chip, visit:http://www.mybiopro.com/BioProTemplate.aspx?ItemID=1450&ID=prhealth
  • Gift certificates are available for all of my services.  A relaxing and rejuvenating foot reflexology treatment is a wonderful gift at any time of year.  If you would like to purchase a gift certificate please email me at avarriano@rogers.com.

  I wish you all a joyful Christmas and Holiday Season.

  Enjoy!

  References

  1. http://www.mercola.com/products/coconut_flour.htm
  2. http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/MainSite/HealthCenter.aspx?Healthcenter=WALT_HC%20Blood%20Sugar
  3. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=68
  4. http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/organic_coconut_flour.htm

I hope all of you are coping with all the H1N1 news.  Remember, H1N1 is just another strain of flu and finally, we are even hearing from the media that it is no more virulent or life-threatening than the ‘usual’ seasonal flu.

Stay calm and do what you can to keep your immune system strong.  Please review my October 2009 Tip of the Month (now in the Archive section) for things you can do to boost your immunity naturally.

In addition, I would like to let you know that a homeopathic flu kit is now available at the Vibrant Health Centre (my east end location) for prevention and treatment of the seasonal flu.  The kit strengthens the immune system and offers a safe alternative to the seasonal flu shot as well as treatment for a variety of flu symptoms. Cost of the kit is $25.

Isn’t it great to know that there are alternatives for those of us seeking them?

And staying on the topic of appreciating access to safe alternatives, this month I would like to ask all of you to do your share in protecting your right to have unrestricted access to Natural Health Products.

This access is currently at risk.  If you are not aware of this issue or wish to learn more about it, I strongly urge you to visit the following web-site:

 www.saveournaturalhealthproducts.ca/site/ext/sonhp/home.htm

This website has been created by the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA).  For your convenience, I have summarized some of the information found on this website below:

In 1998, after extensive consultations with consumers and the Natural Health Products (NHPs) industry, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health produced a report entitled: Natural Health Products: A Shared Vision. The report included 53 recommendations and stated that NHPs were neither food nor drugs and warranted a separate regulatory framework. The then federal Minister of Health, the Hon. Alan Rock, approved all 53 recommendations and the development of new Natural Health Product Regulations.

In 2004, Health Canada implemented new Natural Health Product Regulations which were intended to ensure Canadians have access and choice to a wide variety of high quality, safe and effective Natural Health Products.  These regulations meant that NHPs are required to get a product ‘license’ before being sold in Canada and that NHPs have to be made in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices.   Sounds reasonable, right? The truth of the matter is that of the 41,000 license applications that have been submitted since then, only about 1/3 have received approval, while the remaining 2/3 have either been rejected or stuck in a backlog for the last 5 years and may never get approval. Unfortunately, the Natural Health Product industry currently faces regulatory constraints that are not reasonable and not consistent with the 53 recommendations of the Standing Committee.  Some experts predict that by the end of Health Canada’s new enforcement strategy, which is supposed to take effect April 2010, over 50% of our country’s natural health products industry will be eliminated.

Your right as a Canadian consumer to choose from the best possible variety of high quality, safe and effective health care products is being threatened and the only way you can protect this right is to take some action!

There are currently over 50,000 Natural Health products available in Canada.  These include numerous products which I know many of you are taking on a regular basis to improve and maintain your health, such as:

• Vitamins and Minerals
• Herbs, Homeopathic and Traditional Chinese Medicines
• Probiotics
• Fish oils
• Other supplements such as chondroitin and glucosamine

I trust that all of you want to preserve your right to continue making informed decisions regarding what natural health products you wish to use and to be able to access them freely.  If so, it is up to you to take action. The CHFA has made it easy for us to get involved by carrying out a few simple steps:

1. Go to:   www.saveournaturalhealthproducts.ca/site/ext/sonhp/home.htm
2. Select English or French
3. Read all about the issues listed down the right hand side of the page should you wish to learn more
4. Scroll down to the bottom of any page within this website and click on the second and third boxes entitled:  “Send a message to your political leaders!” and “Other things you can do”.

I urge all of you to take a little time to do this so that together we can make a big difference.  Even if you have signed other petitions related to this issue, take this action as well.  The more messages we send, the better.

 TAKE CONTROL OF WHAT YOU CAN!

With flu season starting, I am getting a lot of questions about how to build up our immune systems. Below are 10 simple things that you can do (not necessarily in order from most to least important) to build your immunity naturally and to prevent illness.

1)  Vitamin D* – Recent research indicates that vitamin D deficiency is likely the reason for the seasonality of the flu – not the flu virus itself.

Taking vitamin D is likely the single most important and inexpensive thing you can do to decrease your risk of getting the flu. Many sources state that children can take up to 2,000 IU/day, adults up to 5,000 IU/day. Some researchers suggest doubling this dose for a week if you feel you are coming down with something or if you do get sick.

An excellent resource for Vitamin D research is http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/. When purchasing vitamin D, look for brands that are bio-emulsified for maximum absorption and efficacy. See Nov 2008 in the Tip of The Month Archive section for more information on vitamin D

2)  Probiotics* – Healthy gut flora play a big part in protecting our body from illness. To promote healthy gut flora, consume naturally lacto-fermented foods and drinks whenever you can and take a good probiotic supplement (multiple strains, heat and acid resistant) daily. See May 2008 in the Tip of the Month Archive section for more information on probiotics

3) Get Enough Sleep – Your body can only repair and rejuvenate when it is resting. When it comes to sleep (and most everything else) your body craves routine. Have a bedtime routine and try to stick to it every night of the week. Whenever possible, get to bed by 10pm and wake up at 6am. The hours of sleep you get before midnight are very important. Your body cannot ‘make-up’ for sleep deprivation.

4) Exercise and Releasing Stress – Exercise has many benefits. It boosts the circulation of your blood and lymph, which helps to better circulate immune system cells. Stress suppresses the immune system, so it is important that you find ways that help you deal with, minimize and eliminate the stress in your life. Some suggestions include walking in nature, deep breathing, yoga, meditation, hobbies and anything that makes you laugh!

5) Omega-3 Fatty Acids* – These fats offer numerous health benefits, one of which is keeping our immune system healthy. Food sources include fatty fish such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, salmon, ground flax seeds/flax seed oil and chia seeds. In terms of fish oil supplements, krill oil is especially potent with most sources stating that it has 48 times the antioxidant power of most other fish oils.

6) Eat Healthy. Eat a healthy diet including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables (local & organic is best). Drink plenty of pure (filtered) water. Avoid sugar and processed foods as these nutrient-poor foods create an acid body and supress the immune system. For added protection, take a high-potency, whole food multi-vitamin/mineral supplement daily.*  See July 2008 in the Tip of the Month Archive section for a list of local farmer’s markets

7) Coconut Oil* – Coconut oil is a good source of lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which the human body can convert into monolaurin. Monolaurin is an antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride which can destroy lipid coated viruses, such as the swine flu virus. Interestingly, breast milk contains lauric acid and a study published in 1998, in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, revealed that lactating mothers who eat coconut oil and coconut products, increased lauric acid levels in their breast milk significantly – up to three times the original level.

8) Wash your hands often and keep them away from your mouth, nose and eyes -Health Canada explains proper hand washing techniques and other tips for minimizing the spread of germs at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/hands-mains-eng.php. Avoid using anti-bacterial soaps; they kill good bacteria along with the bad which can contribute to the problem of antibiotic resistance. Also, sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not into your hands.

9) Eat Garlic & Olive Oil* – Both have anti-microbial properties. Garlic is a natural broad-spectrum antibiotic that won’t cause antibiotic resistance. Raw is best. For olive oil, organic, extra-virgin, cold-pressed is best. Look for brands that are unfiltered (they will look cloudy). When tasting the olive oil on its own, you should notice a peppery, slightly ‘stinging’ sensation in the back of your throat.

10)  Oscillococcinum^TM – This homeopathic remedy is a safe and very effective way to prevent and decrease the duration of the flu.  Prevention protocol depends on your risk:

• Low risk cases – take one tube per month from October to the end of March
• Moderate risk cases – take one tube every 2 weeks from October to the end of March
• High risk cases – take one tube weekly from October to the end of March

As a treatment, as soon as you suspect you may be getting the flu, follow the instructions on the packaging.  Oscillococcinum is available through the Natural Health Centre, 2605 Carling Avenue, Ottawa.  See Oct 2007 in the Tip of the Month Archive section for more info on Oscillococcinum

Whether you are thinking of getting, or have to get the flu vaccine this year, please visit http://www.russellblaylockmd.com and click on the heading ‘Swine Flu Data’ to learn more about the vaccine.

* an excellent brand is available through Perfect Resonance Natural Health Counselling.  From October 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, receive 10% off the regular sale price when you purchase a bottle of each of the following products from Perfect Resonance Natural Health Counselling:

• high-potency multi-vitamin/mineral
• bio-emulsified vitamin D
• krill oil
• probiotics

 TAKE CONTROL OF WHAT YOU CAN!

Oregano is a delicious herb that is native to Europe. It was highly valued by the ancient Greeks and considered to be a cure-all. Today, the fresh or dried leaves are commonly used in many Italian, Greek and other Mediterranean dishes. It is a very versatile herb that can be added to vegetables, meats, salad dressings, tomato sauces and more.

The essential oil made from  oregano is commonly used for fighting a variety of infections, including the flu and the common cold.

Oregano is easy to grow in the garden or in a container. I have a small patch of oregano in my front flower garden that comes back every year. It provides me with more than enough fresh oregano to use during the summer and at around this time of year, I pick the leafy stems, tie the cut ends together into a bouquet and hang it upside-down to dry.

Once completely dry, I put the bouquet into a large, clean plastic bag and rub and scrunch it until all the leaves have fallen off into the bag. I put the dried leaves into a glass jar, store it in my pantry and enjoy it all winter. Note that when harvesting fresh leaves, the level of essential oil falls as the plant begins to flower.

Oregano offers many health benefits, including:

• Digestive aid – it calms flatulence and stimulates the flow of bile, which is required for the digestion of fats and oils.
• Potent antioxidant – on a per gram fresh weight basis, oregano has demonstrated 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries.  It is also a source of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Antiseptic – two constituents of the volatile oil it contains – caracrol and thymol – have been shown to be antibacterial and antifungal.  In Mexico, researchers have compared oregano to a prescription drug that is commonly used to treat Giardia lamblia infections and found it to be more effective than the drug.

The antiseptic properties of oregano are super-boosted when it is taken as an essential oil.  As with any oil, proper emulsification is required for absorption, which is a challenge for many individuals; however, there is a form of the oil that addresses this issue.

Biotics Research, widely recognized for its emulsified fat-soluble nutrients and other lipids, has applied this technology to oregano oil in its product A.D.P., thereby increasing the oil’s absorption and bioavailability.  By emulsifying oregano extracts, the effective surface area of the oil is dramatically increased.  In addition, Biotics Resarch applied a sustained release mechanism, assuring a slow release throughout the digestive tract.

These technologies optimize the oil’s exposure to the digestive tract, where it functions to positively impact intestinal organisms.  This makes A.D.P. a very effective treatment for toxic bowel syndrome, Candida, molds, fungal and parasitic infections and other fungal/yeast problems of the bowel and genito-urinary tract.  Please remember that after taking any substance with anti-bacterial properties for an extended period of time, it is important to re-establish the friendly bacterial flora in the gut with a high quality, potent probiotic.

A.D.P. is also extremely useful for upper respiratory bacterial and viral infections, so I would strongly recommend that you have some on hand for the upcoming cold and flu season, in addition to Bio-D-Mulsion 1,000, the company’s micro-emulsified liquid vitamin D (one drop = 1,000 I.U.).  You can learn  more about preparing for flu season by reading the October 2007 and November 2008 posts in the ‘Tip of The Month Archive’ section.

Both A.D.P. and Bio-D-Mulsion 1000 are available through Perfect Resonance Natural Health Counselling.  Dosage depends on your individual situation, so please consult me if you are interested in using these products.

Take control of what you can.

References:

1. www.whfoods.com
2. Natural Health Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Andrew Chevalier, DK Publishing, New York, 2000
3. bioticscan.com