Healthy Tips

Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.

Imagine your great-grandmother (or grandmother depending on your age) at your side as you roll down the aisles of the supermarket. You’re standing together in front of the dairy case. She picks up a package of the Go-GURT Portable Yogurt tubes – and hasn’t a clue what this plastic cylinder of coloured and flavored gel could possibly be. Is it a food or is it toothpaste?

There are now thousands of foodish products in the supermarket that our ancestors simply wouldn’t recognize as food.

The reasons to avoid eating such complicated food products are many, and go beyond the various chemical additives and corn and soy derivatives they contain, or the plastics in which they are typically packaged, some of which are probably toxic.

Today foods are processed in ways specifically designed to get us to buy and eat more by pushing our evolutionary buttons – our inborn preferences for sweetness and fat and salt. These tastes are difficult to find in nature but cheap and easy for the food scientist to deploy, with the result that food processing induces us to consume much more of these rarities than is good for us. The great-grandma rule will help keep most of these items out of your cart.

Note: if your great-grandmother was a terrible cook or eater, you can substitute someone else’s grandmother – a Sicilian or French one works particularly well. *

Serve a proper portion and don’t go back for seconds.

You lose all control over portion size when you have second helpings. So what is a proper portion?

There is folklore offering some sensible rules of thumb based on your size. One adage says you should never eat a portion of animal protein bigger than your fist. Another says that you should eat no more food at a meal than would fit into the bowl formed by your hands when cupped together.

If you’re going to break the rule on seconds, wait at least several minutes before doing it: you may well discover you don’t need seconds, or if you do, not as much as you thought. *

Eat your colours.

The idea that a healthy plate of food will feature several different colours is a good example of an old wives’ tale about food that turns out to be good science too.

The colors of many vegetables reflect the different antioxidant phytochemicals they contain – anthocyanins, polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids. Many of these chemicals help protect against chronic diseases, but each in a slightly different way, so the best protection comes from a diet containing as many different phytochemicals as possible. *

 * Taken from the book “Food Rules: An Eaters Manual” by Michael Pollan

6 Week Naturopathic Detox and Weight Loss Program

Value

Purchase the entire package for $750 (save $250)! Or pay a weekly fee of $150 over six weeks (save $100).  (Regularly $1000 worth of services and treatments.)

Call today to reserve your first appointment for January 2010.

upcoming events

Healthy Kids - Naturally! Public Lecture Series for Parents & Caregivers

September 24, 2011

Get the best advice on children's health from Registered Naturopathic Doctors – from allergies and asthma to ADHD, nutrition and vaccination issues, join us for this informative lecture series and get educated! Bring your questions!

Tara Campbell, from North Toronto Naturopathic Clinic, will be speaking on Vaccination Awareness at this event.

Find out more at http://www.apnd.org/events

H1N1 Flu Alert

Cases of human swine influenza have been reported in many countries, including Mexico, the U.S. and Canada; most cases outside of Mexico are exhibiting mild symptoms thus far.

Influenza (flu) is a general term for a more serious illness, which is accompanied by fever, aches and pains and fatigue. It usually involves the respiratory tract with sore throat and cough, which can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia.

The current epidemic of Swine Flu seems to be a new strain of the flu, that was incubated in pigs, but has the ability to be passed from pigs to humans, and then from humans to humans by aerosol droplets that we breathe.

Are you experiencing worrisome symptoms?

To better understand H1N1 Flu Symptoms click here.

How To Minimize The Risk of H1N1

The main portals of entry of the virus are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In order to prevent proliferation and spread of the disease, some very simple steps can be practiced. 

1. Wash your hands frequently. In public restrooms use paper towel or hand driers, at home replace hand towels daily. Be sure to wash your hands after using public transport or upon arriving home each day.    
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of the face, especially nose and mouth.
3. Keep surfaces clean at home and at work. Wipe down common surfaces like door handles, phones, desk.
4. Drink plenty of water and warm fluids and keep hydrated. Moist mucus membranes (nose and throat) are more resistant to viral attack.
5. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water. H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
6. Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. You can use a Neti Pot (available at most drug stores) or just clear the nasal cavities by blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with Q-tips dipped in warm salt water. This is very effective in bringing down the viral population in the nasal tract.
   
7. Avoid or limit sugar and junk food – sugar is an immune suppressant!
   
8. Boost your natural immunity. Consume foods that are rich in vitamins by eating the widest variety of colours possible – blue/black (blueberries), red (papaya, tomato) yellow/orange (squash/sweet potato) dark green (spinach/broccoli). Consider taking a multivitamin containing zinc and additional Vitamin C.
9. Do not share drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, lip balm or lipstick with others as all of these objects can transfer virus containing saliva from one person to another
10. If you do become sick, consult with your Naturopathic Doctor or other primary health care provider.

Flu Shots Offer No Protection

Conventional flu shots are focused on two or three possible viruses, and the body may respond by producing specific antibodies to those viral antigens. The Swine Flu is a totally new strain of flu, therefore, the flu shot you may have received in 2008/2009 does not offer any protection for this strain of flu.

The Importance of the Immune System

Susceptibility to flu viruses is largely determined by the function of your immune system. We are in constant contact with viral and bacterial particles. Hand washing does protect us by minimizing the number of particles on our hands that we can contaminate ourselves with. Eating well, sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals, adequate sleep, and balancing stressors are also vital for good immune function.

Infrared Sauna Treatments are a good all-round immune stimulant. In addition to stimulating immune cell activity and lymphatic flow, the infrared sauna can reduce muscle tension and pain. Call the clinic to book an appointment.

Supplements can also help to boost your immune system. Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Zinc are of special importance. A good probiotic also helps to build your immunity. High carotenoid foods such as kale, spinach, carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes should be consumed daily.

We also recommend the use of homeopathics such as influenzinium or mucococcinum.

Our patients can get more information and pick up our flu prevention kit with specially chosen products and appropriate dosages by making an appointment with their ND. If you are new to the clinic and would like an appointment with one of our Naturopathic Doctors regarding H1N1, we are offering 30 minute consultations to educate you on:

• the importance of strengthening your immune system
• minimizing risks during flu season
• natural alternative therapies available

and most importantly.....how to stay healthy!

NO MORE ALLERGY SHOTS!!!!

Do allergy symptoms affect your quality of life?

Get tested for some of the most common allergens safely, effectively and non-invasively! Our clinic has been chosen as a center of excellence to contribute to the growing body of evidence on sublingual immunotherapy.

We are excited to introduce you to a new type of allergy testing and treatment that does not involve needles or skin prick tests!! Instead a concentrated allergen is applied to the skin and after a period of observation, a highly specific skin reaction may occur. This test has been proven to have a very high degree of specificity and sensitivity without patient discomfort. Medical allergy specialists have confirmed the efficacy of this diagnostic method and treatment. It is safe for both children and adults.

Sublingual immunotherapy utilizes specifically prepared drops according to your own allergic profile (as determined by the allergy test). These drops are taken daily under the tongue. Patients report a dramatic 70% improvement in allergy symptoms over time, and an even greater reduction on reliance on anti-histamines.

Food, mould, dust mites and pet dander allergy assessment and treatment may be started at any time. Treatment for seasonal allergies in Ontario should begin in March. In order to take advantage of this non invasive new therapy, please book your appointment for testing at the clinic as soon as possible. Please note that any antihistamine use should be discontinued for 48 hours before testing.

Test panels are available in the following categories:

• seasonal allergies(weeds, trees, grasses etc..) & pets
• household and environmental moulds
• common anaphylactic foods and gut pathogens

The cost for allergy testing is $40 for one panel, $70 for 2 panels and $95 for all three panels. Allergy testing is covered by most extended health care plans.

To book your allergy test, simply call the clinic at 416-385-9277.

Heavy metal screening test

Are you concerned about your drinking water or the efficiency of your water filtration system? Fast, convenient assessment available through our lab. Cost $27.00

For more information, contact us.