A recent study out of Japan measured vitamin B6 and iron levels in 21 people with panic disorder and found both B6 and iron to be low compared to the control group. They also measured vitamin B2 and B12 but found no difference in these levels between the groups.
-
Magnesium. A Naturopath’s Favourite Mineral.
Magnesium is one of the minerals I prescribe most often in my naturopathic practice because it is so important for a wide variety of functions in the body. While we tend to most commonly think of magnesium as boosting calcium absorption, this mighty mineral does much more than that. Here are some of the amazing uses for magnesium:
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Top Minerals in Osteoporosis – Beyond Calcium
Osteoporosis is often blamed on low calcium intake but recent studies have shown that a number of other vitamins and minerals are equally important for healthy bone metabolism.
The naturopathic approach to improving bone health focuses on a number of dietary and lifestyle factors.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Boost Your Immune System with Vitamin D
Naturopaths love Vitamin D because it supports a wide variety of functions in the body. More recently, we are now finding out that Vitamin D can help support your immune system to prevent colds and flu, especially important for Canadians who have more limited sun exposure.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Good fats – Olive oil protects your heart!
Often we hear about the perils of eating fat – and don’t get me wrong – there is certainly no shortage of artery-clogging saturated fats available to eat. There are, however, some healthy fats that improve heart health.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Mediterranean Diet May Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women?
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition followed 14,807 women over a decade and found that following a Mediterranean Diet* was associated with a statistically significant inverse association with breast cancer among postmenopausal women. The authors of this study conclude that this could in part explain the lower incidence of breast cancer in Mediterranean countries.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Flaxseed Oil Supplementation Improves Skin Dryness
The Journal of Skin Pharmacology and Physiology just published the results of a randomized control trial that found oral supplementation with raw flaxseed oil may reduce skin sensitivity and improve skin barrier function and overall condition. The subjects received either flaxseed oil or sunflower oil daily for 3 months.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Drinking Green Tea May Help You Feel More Full?
Here is some additional evidence that drinking green tea helps with weight loss. The results of a recent randomized control trial published in the November edition of the Nutrition Journal suggest that drinking green tea helps people feel more full after a meal, and consequently, consume fewer calories. The non-control participants in this study drank 300ml of green tea with breakfast.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Olive Leaf Extract Helps Reduce High Blood Pressure
A randomized controlled trial has found olive leaf extract supplementation to be as effective as an anti-hypertensive drug called Captopril (ACE Inhibitior). Patients with Stage I Hypertension (mild to moderate) were either given olive leaf extract capsules twice daily or Captropril twice daily. After 8 weeks of treatment both groups experienced a significant reduction in blood pressure, with no significant difference in the amount of reduction between the two groups.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Dark Chocolate Consumption Improves Visual & Cognitive Functions
Yes, it’s true! Dark chocolate can help improve eyesight and memory. Researchers in England recently conducted a study that found daily consumption of a single dose of dark chocolate containing 720mg of cocoa flavanols was associated with improvements in visual and cognitive function. It turns out that cocoa flavanols can increase blood flow to the brain and the eyes.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Too Much Salt, Not Enough Potassium = Heart Disease and Mortality
A recent study involiving over 12,000 people in the US found that higher sodium intake was associated with increased mortality from cardiovascular disease. In contrast, higher potassium intake was associated with lower mortality risk.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Walnuts Improve Cognitive Function
A recent 8 week clinical study found that 1/2 cup of walnuts per day (containing 6.8mg of ALA) given to young adults significantly improved their critical thinking skills. Walnuts contain a number of nutrients that are important for our nervous system to function well. More specifically, walnuts are the only nuts that contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Soda Pop Consumption Increases Risk of Stroke
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently published the results of a prospective cohort study that showed increased consumption of both sugar-sweetened and low-calorie sodas were associated with an increased risk of stroke. The researchers collected data from 84,085 women followed for 28 years (Nurses’ Health Study) and 43,371 men followed for 22 years (Health Professionals Follow Up Study).
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Cinnamon May Benefit Diabetics
A recent meta-analysis in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that cinnamon may have a positive effect on blood sugar control. The researchers found that fasting blood glucose levels were lower among those regularly consuming cinnamon.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Food for Depression – A Naturopathic Approach
Dietary Changes Do Impact Mental Health
This time of year can be hard for people who are at risk for depression. There are a number of treatment options that naturopath’s can improve mild to moderate depressive episodes. Following a holistic approach, a naturopath will look at diet, lifestyle and supplementation options to lift mood. In this article we look at diet changes that can improve depression.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
The Pros and Cons of Green Smoothies
Smoothies. Green smoothies. Are they the best thing since sliced bread, or just another attempt to trick you into buying a blender?
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
So Many No Grain Diets! What’s the Difference?
What are the Keto & Paleo Diets? What are the Differences?
A number of emerging dietary trends include the complete removal of grains from daily consumption. The research is still growing but there are indications that removing grains has a number of significant benefits.Beyond just going grain-free there are more restrictive diets that remove other foods as well, such as the Paleolithic and the Ketogenic diets.Let’s have a closer look at each of these diets, starting with the simplest which is grain-free.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Eat your fruit and vegetables! Here are 7 reasons why!!
Eat your fruit and vegetables! Here are 7 reasons why!!
We have all been told to eat our veggies and it sounds like a punishment of some kind, something we have to force ourselves to do. Sure they may not taste like chocolate or chips but fruit and vegetables are crucial to our health. Let’s have a closer look at why we care so much about fruit and vegetables. Here are the top 10 health reasons to consume loads of fruit and vegetables each and every day.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
How does a Naturopath approach treatment of Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a multifaceted condition that presents with a variety of symptoms and occurs more frequently, but not exclusively in women. A number of mechanisms have been proposed as to the etiology of fibromyalgia, but there may not be one single causative factor. Various theories have been proposed including central nervous system abnormalities, altered neurotransmitters like serotonin, immune dysregulation, underlying chronic viral infections, elevated substance P levels and stress.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Plantar Fasciitis or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Did you know that muscle trigger points can be a major factor in the development of both plantar fasciitis and carpal tunnel syndrome? One of the best naturopathic treatments I have found for these kinds of muscle trigger points is a specialized form of dry needling called Myofascial Acupuncture.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
