HEALTH NEWSLETTER

In this newsletter:

• The Vitamin To Save You From Prostate Cancer?


• Does Your Gut Bacteria Rule Your Mind?


• Updates for Massage Therapy At The Clinic.


• Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup.

THE VITAMIN TO SAVE YOU FROM PROSTATE CANCER?

A new Northwestern University study reports that low levels of vitamin D could increase your risk of prostate cancer and the spread of the disease.

Researchers looked at vitamin D levels in the blood from 667 men between the ages of 40 and 79 with abnormal PSA or digital rectal exams of their prostate before undergoing their first biopsy and found that a severe deficiency of a measure of vitamin D-25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D) - was associated with later-stage, more aggressive prostate cancer.

Adam B. Murphy, M.D. the study author says that Vitamin D has been shown to slow the growth of prostate tumor cells in animal models of prostate cancer.

The vitamin also regulates the growth of new blood vessels, which is important for keeping cells in your body healthy, he says. In another study of 438 men, researchers found that those with colon cancer had lower levels of Vitamin D than those who did not have the disease. Across the board, men with the highest vitamin D intake had the best chance of avoiding colon cancer.

Vitamin D has many benefits for the body and it is important for those living in the northern latitudes to supplement as we do not get enough sunshine to stimulate Vitamin D production in winter.

However, an excess of Vitamin D can cause side effects in the body, so it is very important to get your levels tested before supplementing with it. A simple blood test for Vitamin D25 hydroxy vitamin D will help to identify if you are in fact deficient.

DOES GUT BACTERIA RULE YOUR MIND?

Researchers from UC San Francisco, Arizona State University and University of New Mexico concluded that microbes in our gut influence our eating behaviours and dietary choices to favor consumption of the particular nutrients they grow best on.

Bacteria within the gut are manipulative and do so by altering the neural signals in the vagus nerve changing our taste receptors, creating toxins to make us feel bad and creating chemicals rewards to make us feel good.

Communities of microbes, collectively known as the gut microbiome, may influence our decisions by releasing signaling molecules into our gut and because the gut is linked to the immune system, the endocrine system and the nervous system, those signals could influence our physiologic and behavioral responses affecting our mood and obesity.

Fortunately, it's a two-way street. We can influence the compatibility of these microscopic, single-celled houseguests by deliberating altering what we ingest with measurable changes in the microbiome within 24 hours of diet change.

In mice, for instance certain strains of bacteria increased anxious behavior. In humans, and one clinical trial found that drinking a probiotic containing Lactobacillus casei improved mood in those who were feeling the lowest.

Stool tests available to the clinic can identify what gut flora you have, which can then be modified for a more favourable health outcome.

So changing our diet to a more healthier diet, taking probiotic and prebiotic supplements, and clearing out undesirable bacteria will help us change certain behaviours, attitudes and our will and desire to live healthier and less obese lifestyles.

Source: University of California, San Francisco

MASSAGE THERAPY UPDATES

We are pleased to announce our newest team member - Miss Ekaterina Zelenkin, to help you with your health and wellness goals. Ekaterina is a registered massage therapist and brings her 5 years of great experience and expertise to our naturopathic clinic.

She is well trained in deep tissue massage therapy, hot stone massage as well, therapeutic and lymphatic massage.

Her services are available at the clinic on Tuesday and Thursdays from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, so call us or email us to book your massage therapy appointment today for relaxation, stress release or deep tissue therapy.

We also have Diana Islam, our resident massage therapist on Fridays from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

PUMPKIN AND SWEET POTATO SOUP

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp of coconut oil
• 1 tsp of cumin seeds
• 1 small red onion (minced)
• 2 cups of pumpkin and 1 cup of sweet potato (cut into 1 inch pieces and roasted)
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp of chopped coriander and raw pumpkin seeds to garnish

Instructions:

• Heat the coconut oil in a saucepan and add the cumin seeds. Let the seeds brown a little and add the onion. Sauté the onion until it browns and then add the roasted pumpkin and sweet potato. Stir infrequently for about 5 - 7 minutes.


• Finally add the vegetable broth and let the mixture cook for 5 more minutes. Allow the mixture to cool and then puree. Add seasoning and fresh herbs to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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.