HEALTH NEWSLETTER

In this newsletter:

• Preventing Allergies Naturally


• Super Grain For Health - Quinoa


• Detoxification And Weight Loss For The Fall


• Boosting Your Immune Function


• Vitamins For The Fall


• De-stress While At Work

PREVENTING ALLERGIES NATURALLY

Did you know? A person can breathe in up to 40 pounds of dust over a lifetime!

Ragweed season is starting, which means lots of sneezing and itchy eyes for allergy sufferers. Try to reduce or prevent allergy symptoms this year by:

• Installing HEPA filters in your home.
• Invest in a good vacuum such as Dyson, which is great for cleaning up particulates.
• Get tested for food allergies / sensitivities, which will worsen your allergy symptoms.
• Improve your immune system with natural supplements such as Vitamin C and bioflavonoids.
• Close all windows on windy and rainy days, as the pollen content in the air would be higher on those days.
• Bathe your pets and wash your clothes if you have been outdoors to reduce the amount of pollen in the house.

SUPER GRAIN FOR HEALTH - QUINOA

Quinoa is light, fluffy, slightly crunchy and subtly flavored. It actually cooks and tastes like a grain, making it an excellent replacement for grains that are difficult to digest or feed yeast in the body. Quinoa is a complete protein and contains all 9 essential amino acids that are required by the body as building blocks for muscles.

Quinoa has higher protein content than wheat, barley or other major grains. One cup of quinoa has 9 grams, which trumps the protein-rich egg (6 grams) and great for vegans and vegetarians.

It is also high in minerals such as magnesium, in iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese, and zinc than wheat, barley, or corn making it a very nutritious grain. It is also high in fiber, which is great for bowel regularity and reducing bad cholesterol.

DETOXIFICATION AND WEIGHT LOSS FOR THE FALL

Fall is a great time for detoxification for the body, which also helps with loosing excessive weight and toxins built in the body over the summer. During this season, the body goes through changes just like the environment, for winter, restoring nutrients and storing away for the cold season. There are various detoxification programs available hence I usually suggest talk to myself, at the clinic to see what detox might be most suitable for your health. Here are some fantastic tips for detoxification:

1. Juice of 1⁄2 lime squeezed in warm water, a pinch of cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon of maple syrup.

   Great for cleansing colon and the liver of all the toxins built up due to exposure to the environment and in foods. I recommend at least one 8 oz. glass before breakfast. This combination is great for weight loss as well.

2. Include lots of dark colored leafy green vegetables especially beets, carrots kale, spinach, dandelion and celery in your diet.

   Packed full of anti-oxidants, nutrients and enzymes, these vegetables are great for detoxifying the liver as well. I recommend at least one serving of these juiced every morning.

3. 2 tablespoons of Kefir mixed with 1 heaping tablespoon of freshly ground organic flaxseeds.

   Kefir is a fermented dairy product that is really good for the digestive tract. Flaxseeds are high in fiber and omega 3 fatty acids. Flax seeds help to reduce cholesterol as well bulk up the stool. This is a wonderful combination in the morning for people who suffer from constipation or other digestive issues.

BOOSTING YOUR IMMUNE FUNCTION

Do you get sick often? Do you get frequent colds and flus? Do you tend to catch everything that goes around at work? If yes, your might have poor immune system function. Here are some ways to improve your immune system naturally.

• Try to supplement your body with a higher dose of Vitamin C – 1000 mg up to three times a day.
• Make sure you get at least 7 - 8 hours of sleep per night.
• Try to reduce your stress levels or manage your stress better using diet, exercise and natural supplements.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, instead have the lime and water drink suggested in the newsletter.
• Exercise regularly at least 3 – 4 times a week for at least 30 – 40 minutes.

VITAMINS FOR THE FALL

As the Fall season kicks in, daylight hours are shortened and so is amount of sun exposure. Less sunshine means less Vitamin D production, hence it would be good to have an additional source of Vitamin D – up to 2000 international units.

An additional Vitamin C supplement for the immune system would be ideal, along with essential fatty acids, which are great to keep the skin supple and soft over the windy and dry autumn months. Please talk to your naturopathic doctor for your specific individual needs.

DE-STRESS WHILE AT WORK

80% of all diseases in North America are linked to stress, and all of us experience stress on a daily basis in various ways such as work, noise, pollution, relationships and family among others. Some simple ways to de-stress are:

1. Take a breather – literally for 5 – 10 minutes and get some fresh air.
2. Take a few deep breaths and visualize some peaceful moments from a previous relaxing vacation you took.
3. Avoid relying stimulants such as coffee, alcohol and smoking. Try green tea or chamomile tea instead, which are much more beneficial.
4. Rub a drop of lavender on your wrists and smell them every once in a while.
5. Come in for a relaxing deep tissue massage!

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.