HEALTH NEWSLETTER

After a long winter, springtime is the best time for springing back to health with new beginnings, as well, for the body to detoxify. We offer various cleanses and body – detoxification programs at the clinic that help cleanse the body of the toxins we accumulate from our foods and environment on a daily basis.

If we haven’t seen you in a while, make sure you come in for your follow up visit to the clinic, or drop in to say “Hello”, and be sure to pick up our calendar magnets for the year. We hope to see you soon.

In this newsletter:

• Vitamin D - Myths And Facts


• Why Is It Important To Exercise?


• Be Symptom Free This Allergy Season Using Safe And Effective Natural Products


• Spring Cucumber And Mango Salad Recipe

VITAMIN D - MYTHS AND FACTS

The new research strengthens the case made by some specialists that vitamin D may be a powerful cancer preventive and most people should get more of it. Orally, Vitamin D has been used for building bone mass and preventing bone loss when taken with calcium as well, helps with the symptoms of seasonal effective disorder. Recent studies have indicated that Vitamin D may also help in reducing the risk of colon, breast and prostate cancer and may help in treating cancer as well.

The Study

The researchers at Creighton University in Omaha focused on 1,179 seemingly healthy women with an average age of 67. The women were divided into three groups: 446 got calcium and vitamin D3 supplements, a similar number got calcium alone, and 288 took dummy pills. The research team gave 1,000 daily international units of vitamin D, more than current guidelines calling for 200 to 600 units depending on a person's age. The researchers intended to check mainly for the effects of calcium on bone health. Their interest in cancer risk was secondary.

The Results

The lower cancer risk stood out. Only 13 women, or 3%, developed cancer over four years of calcium and vitamin D supplements. With calcium alone, 17 women, or four per cent, got cancer. With dummy pills, cancer appeared in 20 women, or seven per cent. This confirms that Vitamin D does help reduce the risk of cancer to a some degree along with the additional benefits on the your health, mood and bones.

Try our lemon tasting D-mulsion (VITAMIN D drops) from Seroyal, on sale this month - at 10 % off. Each drop provides up to 1000 IU of Vitamin D.

Testing Vitamin D Levels

OHIP no longer covers the cost of testing for Vitamin D levels, but the test may be covered under your insurance coverage for laboratory testing through our naturopathic clinic. Please call the clinic at (416) 913 4325if you would like to have your Vitamin D levels checked.

WHY IS IT IMPROTANT TO EXERCISE?

Exercise is very important for your health and overall mental and physical well-being. Exercise will not only accelerate weight loss, increase energy and help you feel and look great, it will also improve the functioning of your heart, the hardest working muscle of your body. Most people tend to experience trepidation when first beginning an exercise program.

Questions arise, such as: Where do I start? How much do I perform? What do I perform? How often? The mistake most people make is thinking they have to exercise six days per week to make progress. It’s simply not the case. For those who can’t get motivated to exercise or don’t know where to begin, I recommend beginning with a minimal routine.

Begin with three alternate days per week for 20-30 minutes of moderate activity such as brisk walking. Becoming more active with something that’s easy to do and doesn’t take a lot of time is the best place to start. This allows you to begin training your body naturally, and also sets the groundwork for a new lifestyle.

There are three important components to a fitness plan: Cardiovascular exercise, strength training and flexibility training. After two weeks of adjusting to your brisk walks (cardiovascular), add two whole- body strength-training workouts per week on alternate days. Investing in some dumbbells will yield big rewards.

Perform two sets for each major muscle group for eight to 12 repetitions. The workout will take you about 20-30 minutes.

Finally, I’m a big proponent of enjoying your workouts, so start thinking about activities you might like to try such as skipping, aerobic classes, hiking, swimming, etc. Any activity you enjoy will be a big plus and keep you motivated.

BE SYMPTOM FREE THIS ALLERGY SEASON USING SAFE AND EFFECTIVE NATURAL PRODUCTS

Most people who suffer from springtime allergies develop symptoms in early Spring.

We offer various natural treatments at the clinic that can help not only lesson the symptoms of runny nose, sneezing and itchy watery eyes considerably, but also keep the symptoms at bay without the side effects of over the counter allergy relief products such as drowsiness and fatigue.

If you suffer from springtime allergies, talk to our naturopath and be symptom free this spring!

We also offer the most extensive choice of allergy tests and can test up to 200 food or allergens at one time, including grasses, weeds, trees, molds, animal dander, meat, poultry, dairy, seafood, fruits, vegetables, grains, spices and food additives.

Call us at (416) 913 4325 to schedule your naturopathic appointment and to learn about our healthy lifestyle programs to help you be symptom free this allergy season with natural and effective remedies.

SPRING CUCUMBER AND MANGO SALAD RECIPE

Cucumber is a vegetable with high water content and is therefore relatively low in calories and carbohydrates. Try having cucumber with its peel which itself is a great source of fiber and silica for hair growth. Raw mango is a valuable source of vitamin C. The fat free lemon juice and Soya sauce dressing enhances this salad, especially when it is served chilled.

Preparation Time: 15 mins. Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cucumber, peeled and diced
• 1 cup tomatoes, deseeded and cubed
• 1 unripe mango, peeled and diced
• 1 cup spring onions, sliced

You can also add a handful of raw pumpkin seeds, walnuts and cranberries.

To be mixed into a dressing:

• 1/2 green chili, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Soya sauce
• 1 tsp of Sesame seeds (roasted)
• A pinch Stevia or agave syrup
• Juice of 1/2 lemon & salt to taste

Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and toss the salad.

Serve immediately.

For any questions, or concerns, or to schedule an initial naturopathic appointment, please contact us at 416 913 4325 (HEAL) or email us at [email protected]

* DISCLAIMER: The information on this article is the property of Dr. Sushma Shah, Naturopathic Doctor, and is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any diseases or promote any services or products mentioned on the website.