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www.lifewisehw.com 416.482.3340

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Lifewise Health & Wellness Bulletin - December 2011

Once again, it has been a busy year at Lifewise, with many positive changes that we hope will help us to continue to grow and to serve you better for years to come.

As 2011 comes to a close, all of us at Lifewise would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our patients and students for your support and encouragement over the past year. We feel blessed to have such happy and generous people to work with each day, and are thankful for the smiling faces you bring each time you visit the office. Warmest wishes to you for the holiday season!

Yours In Health,
Dr. Karen Baker
WINTER CLASSES

Winter Registered Classes (12 week sessions) will begin Jan 9th, 2012.

Be sure to contact the office to reserve your space!

Starting in January, we will be offering a series of 4 & 6 week yoga and pilates workshops.

If you already have one of our drop-in passes, you are welcome to use it to attend these sessions.

Stay tuned for more details!
Exercise Can Help Ward-Off Cancer

Studies show that exercise has a positive effect in cancer prevention efforts. Several explanations have been offered as to how: First, exercise leads to higher levels of NK cells, the frontline of defense against the emergence of tumors that might produce cancer. Second, being seriously overweight is statistically related to the development of certain types of cancer – breast cancer in particular. It seems logical, then that people who exercise regularly would be less likely to be obese and therefore more likely to avoid the types of cancer that are influenced by body size. Exercise also speeds the passage of food through the body, leading to faster elimination of potentially cancer-producing compounds in food. This might explain, in part, an exercise-related decrease in colon cancer.

Exercise and Chronic Illness

If you have a long-term health problem, don’t automatically assume you should not exercise. Physical activity can increase energy, strength, balance, and coordination, as well as ease pain. But be sure to ask your doctor for guidance in putting together an appropriate regimen, especially if you have any of these conditions:

Heart Conditions: Angina (chest pain), Atherosclerosis, Coronary Artery Disease, Heart Valve Disease, High Cholesterol, Hypertension (high blood pressure), Low Blood Pressure, Past heart attack or bypass surgery, Heart Rhythm Disorder
Lung Conditions: asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, history of collapsed lung
Bone or Joint Disorders: Arthritis, Low Back Pain, Osteoporosis
Other Health Issues: Autoimmune Disorders, Blood Disorders, Neurological Problems, such as a history of stroke, a seizure disorder, or Parkinson’s Disease, Pregnancy, Vision or Hearing Impairments.
Green Tea ~ Red Tea

Indulge in the soothing ritual of tea this holiday season.

Green Tea is lower in caffeine than regular black tea, and is high in catechins, powerful antioxidants, with strong anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to reduce the risk of cancer and high blood pressure.

To prepare: Bring your kettle to a boil and let it rest for 3 minutes, then pour the water into the tea in the pot and allow it to steep for 3 minutes. Having the water temperature a bit lower than a full boil when poured on the tea leaves and only steeping for a short period of time helps to maintain the true taste of green tea.
Red tea (Rooibos) is actually an herbal product that is naturally caffeine-free, has a soothing effect on the central nervous system, and contains antioxidants not found in other teas.

Pour boiling water on the tea leaves in the pot and let it steep for 4 to 5 minutes. The result is a pleasant aroma, great taste and good health.

Red or green, both teas can be enjoyed on their own, or with a meal, at any time of the day. Raise a cup for good health this holiday season!
Ladies... what’s the deal with high heels?

Sure they look fashionable, make you feel sexy, and increase your height... but are they worth it? Women are four times as likely as men to experience foot problems due to ill-fitting footwear.

The excessive wear on your body from high heels can put you at high risk for serious health complications, bring about leg and back pain or intensify existing conditions. When your foot is on a high heeled incline, it forces your entire body to realign, which causes your posture, stride, and balance to suffer. Increased knee internal rotation and instability can result in osteoarthritis and the constant pull on the ankle can lead to Achilles tendinitis or even ankle fractures. With all the pressure pooling in your forefoot you run the risk of developing bunions, not to mention calluses, corns and blisters.

It’s never too late to take care of your feet. Try wearing lower heels (which are actually better for balance than flat shoes), or even just save high heels for special occasions and you’ll avoid a myriad of problems down the line.