It’s time to GO LOCAL! In our current food system, we spend 15 calories of energy (burning fossil fuels in transport and production) to get 1 calorie worth of food.
Our quick-fix, want it now attitude is having a huge impact on the health of the planet and the local economy (not to mention our health).
By supporting local growers we reduce ‘food miles’, eat healthier food and boost our local economy. We could create 50 000 jobs in Ontario if we ate like we did in 1970.
Join the Local Food Movement and start buying local. Also get a better understanding of where it all comes from - visit a local farm with FIELD TRIP this summer.
(www.fieldtriptoronto.ca)
Yours In Health,
Dr. Karen Baker
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Missing Magnesium?
Karen Baker, BSc, DC
Magnesium is an extremely important mineral, whose value for good health is just starting to be recognized. This essential nutrient plays an important role in the generation of cellular energy as well as the repair and regeneration of skeletal muscle and nerve cells. It is necessary for healthy bones and teeth, for controlling blood pressure, regulating calcium channels in the heart, and promoting sleep.
Magnesium deficiency can affect virtually every organ system of the body, and has been linked to many symptoms including: muscle twitches and cramps, back aches, neck pain, tension headaches and TMJ dysfunction. Other symptoms include constipation, menstrual cramps, insomnia, anxiety, PMS, numbness, tingling, and chest tightness.
While the recommended daily intake (RDI) is 310 to 420mg per day, most people are only getting about 175 mg daily. Magnesium can be found in lentils, dark green vegetables, seafood, walnuts, peanuts and almonds. One easy way and proven way to increase magnesium levels in the body, is to take an Epsom Salt Bath (Magnesium Sulfate).
The consumption of alcohol, use of diuretics, diarrhea, presence of fluoride, and high levels of zinc and vitamin D increase the body’s need for magnesium.
Recent research is exploring the therapeutic effects of its use in treating Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Migraines, and Osteoporosis.
Karen Baker, BSc, DC
Magnesium is an extremely important mineral, whose value for good health is just starting to be recognized. This essential nutrient plays an important role in the generation of cellular energy as well as the repair and regeneration of skeletal muscle and nerve cells. It is necessary for healthy bones and teeth, for controlling blood pressure, regulating calcium channels in the heart, and promoting sleep.
Magnesium deficiency can affect virtually every organ system of the body, and has been linked to many symptoms including: muscle twitches and cramps, back aches, neck pain, tension headaches and TMJ dysfunction. Other symptoms include constipation, menstrual cramps, insomnia, anxiety, PMS, numbness, tingling, and chest tightness.
While the recommended daily intake (RDI) is 310 to 420mg per day, most people are only getting about 175 mg daily. Magnesium can be found in lentils, dark green vegetables, seafood, walnuts, peanuts and almonds. One easy way and proven way to increase magnesium levels in the body, is to take an Epsom Salt Bath (Magnesium Sulfate).
The consumption of alcohol, use of diuretics, diarrhea, presence of fluoride, and high levels of zinc and vitamin D increase the body’s need for magnesium.
Recent research is exploring the therapeutic effects of its use in treating Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Migraines, and Osteoporosis.
Headaches – a pain in the neck?
Dennis Newhook RMT, CYT
Headaches are among the most common complaints we see at Lifewise, affecting both men and women, young to old. While some headaches are the result of underlying medical conditions, the majority of headaches, known as tension headaches, result from our busy lifestyles. Muscle tension in the shoulders and neck contribute to most headaches. These factors can be easily treated by paying more attention to posture, stretching, and drinking enough water. Prolonged computer use leading to poor sitting posture and strained eyes is another major contributor to tension headaches. Beyond improving your posture and increasing exercise, improving your sleep and treating any jaw or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction can greatly relieve headache symptoms.
Some people suffer with migraine headaches - which are poorly understood and experts have yet to agree on one concrete definition or cause. Two theories include the vascular model (often treated with vasoconstricting drugs) and the neurogenic model (affecting pain-sensitive nerves from the trigeminal nerve and the upper neck). The neurogenic model is supported by studies that have shown chiropractic adjustments to be helpful in relieving migraine symptoms. Migraines are often accompanied by auras, light/scent sensitivities, nausea, vomiting, and irritability.
Some headaches accompany more serious conditions or result from medication errors or side-effects. If a headache follows an acute head trauma and is accompanied with confusion, fever, or changes in vision be sure to seek immediate medical advice.
Dennis Newhook RMT, CYT
Headaches are among the most common complaints we see at Lifewise, affecting both men and women, young to old. While some headaches are the result of underlying medical conditions, the majority of headaches, known as tension headaches, result from our busy lifestyles. Muscle tension in the shoulders and neck contribute to most headaches. These factors can be easily treated by paying more attention to posture, stretching, and drinking enough water. Prolonged computer use leading to poor sitting posture and strained eyes is another major contributor to tension headaches. Beyond improving your posture and increasing exercise, improving your sleep and treating any jaw or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction can greatly relieve headache symptoms.
Some people suffer with migraine headaches - which are poorly understood and experts have yet to agree on one concrete definition or cause. Two theories include the vascular model (often treated with vasoconstricting drugs) and the neurogenic model (affecting pain-sensitive nerves from the trigeminal nerve and the upper neck). The neurogenic model is supported by studies that have shown chiropractic adjustments to be helpful in relieving migraine symptoms. Migraines are often accompanied by auras, light/scent sensitivities, nausea, vomiting, and irritability.
Some headaches accompany more serious conditions or result from medication errors or side-effects. If a headache follows an acute head trauma and is accompanied with confusion, fever, or changes in vision be sure to seek immediate medical advice.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Lifewise Health & Wellness Bulletin - June 2011
I am always encouraging my patients to add more exercise to their lives; but as the temperature starts to rise, and the weather entices us to get outside and become more active, it is more important than ever to drink enough water. We lose large amounts of fluid and electrolytes through our bodies’ cooling mechanism of perspiration. So, drink up! A nice alternative to those high-calorie sports drinks is to add a tiny pinch of natural sea-salt and a shot of lemon juice to our water bottles.
Yours In Health,
Dr. Karen Baker
Yours In Health,
Dr. Karen Baker
JUNE is Patient Appreciation Month!
All of us at Lifewise would like express our gratitude to our loyal patients and students for their continued support.
Be sure to enter our draw for some fantastic prizes.
Grand Prize: Complete Yoga Kit
Throughout the month of June, enjoy:
- BBQ & Open House
- Nutritious Snacks
- Class Demonstrations
- Draws & Prizes
All of us at Lifewise would like express our gratitude to our loyal patients and students for their continued support.
Be sure to enter our draw for some fantastic prizes.
Grand Prize: Complete Yoga Kit
Throughout the month of June, enjoy:
- BBQ & Open House
- Nutritious Snacks
- Class Demonstrations
- Draws & Prizes
Support Sarah in her Cancer Prevention Challenge!
Hey folks, it’s that time of year again. Sarah is raising funds for the Cancer Prevention Challenge. The details of the challenge are the same as last year and can be found on her blog, if you would like to follow along, or even join in. (http://sarahdobec.blogspot.com/p/my-cancer-prevention-challenge.html)
Preventative medicine refers to measures taken to prevent diseases. We often make the assumption that disease is inevitable. Imagine instead if our lifestyles, diets and habits were actually preventative in nature. Here are some simple ways for you to easily get started:
- Increase your vegetable intake
(they are full of anti-cancer phyto-nutrients)
- Reduce your sugar consumption
(sugar suppresses the immune system)
- Sweat, either through exercise or a sauna
(aids the body’s detoxification process)
- Slow down, breathe (maybe even meditate)
(in order to reduce stress)
This year Sarah is raising funds for FoodShare, this wonderful non-profit community organization’s vision is Good Healthy Food for All. There are so many amazing programs at FoodShare we couldn't list them all in this article but we love them for their commitment to teaching kids the importance of healthy food. They promote student gardens, lunch programs and classroom education. Here is the link to Sarah’s fund raising page - every penny counts! www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1865&AID=1589&PID=209417
Hey folks, it’s that time of year again. Sarah is raising funds for the Cancer Prevention Challenge. The details of the challenge are the same as last year and can be found on her blog, if you would like to follow along, or even join in. (http://sarahdobec.blogspot.com/p/my-cancer-prevention-challenge.html)
Preventative medicine refers to measures taken to prevent diseases. We often make the assumption that disease is inevitable. Imagine instead if our lifestyles, diets and habits were actually preventative in nature. Here are some simple ways for you to easily get started:
- Increase your vegetable intake
(they are full of anti-cancer phyto-nutrients)
- Reduce your sugar consumption
(sugar suppresses the immune system)
- Sweat, either through exercise or a sauna
(aids the body’s detoxification process)
- Slow down, breathe (maybe even meditate)
(in order to reduce stress)
This year Sarah is raising funds for FoodShare, this wonderful non-profit community organization’s vision is Good Healthy Food for All. There are so many amazing programs at FoodShare we couldn't list them all in this article but we love them for their commitment to teaching kids the importance of healthy food. They promote student gardens, lunch programs and classroom education. Here is the link to Sarah’s fund raising page - every penny counts! www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1865&AID=1589&PID=209417
Spring Panzanella Recipe
(Makes about 6 - 8 servings)
Sarah Dobec, Holistic Nutritionist
- 1 lb loaf of hearty, day-old, whole wheat bread into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme - just pluck leaves from the sprig
- a couple pinches of salt
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 bunch asparagus, cut into segments
- 2 cups peas, fresh or frozen
- 4 handfuls spinach
- 1/4 cup small basil leaves
In a large bowl toss the bread with the garlic, shallot, thyme, salt and olive oil. Turn the bread out onto a baking sheet and toast in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes - or until they are nice and golden and crunchy.
In a cold skillet pour in a splash of olive oil, a splash of water, and a couple pinches of salt. Dial up the heat and when the water starts to bubble stir in the asparagus.
Cover, wait about twenty seconds; add the peas. Cover, wait a few seconds, add the spinach. Cover and cook just a few more seconds until the spinach starts to collapse just a bit.
Put the bread crumbs in a large bowl. Pour the asparagus and peas and all the juice over the top of the bread. Toss well; add the basil leaves and toss again. Serve the salad family-style on a big platter.
Thyme has a long history of use in natural medicine in connection with chest and respiratory problems including coughs, bronchitis, and chest congestion. Thymol - named after the herb itself - is the primary volatile oil constituent of thyme, and its health-supporting effects are well documented. In studies on aging in rats, thymol has been found to protect and significantly increase the percentage of healthy fats found in cell membranes and other cell structures. In particular, the amount of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid) in brain, kidney, and heart cell membranes was increased after dietary supplementation with thyme.
Asparagus contains a special kind of carbohydrate called inulin that we don't digest, but the health-promoting friendly bacteria in our large intestine, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, do. When our diet contains good amounts of inulin, the growth and activity of these friendly bacteria increase. And when populations of health-promoting bacteria are large, it is much more difficult for unfriendly bacteria to gain a foothold in our intestinal tract.
(Makes about 6 - 8 servings)
Sarah Dobec, Holistic Nutritionist
- 1 lb loaf of hearty, day-old, whole wheat bread into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme - just pluck leaves from the sprig
- a couple pinches of salt
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 bunch asparagus, cut into segments
- 2 cups peas, fresh or frozen
- 4 handfuls spinach
- 1/4 cup small basil leaves
In a large bowl toss the bread with the garlic, shallot, thyme, salt and olive oil. Turn the bread out onto a baking sheet and toast in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes - or until they are nice and golden and crunchy.
In a cold skillet pour in a splash of olive oil, a splash of water, and a couple pinches of salt. Dial up the heat and when the water starts to bubble stir in the asparagus.
Cover, wait about twenty seconds; add the peas. Cover, wait a few seconds, add the spinach. Cover and cook just a few more seconds until the spinach starts to collapse just a bit.
Put the bread crumbs in a large bowl. Pour the asparagus and peas and all the juice over the top of the bread. Toss well; add the basil leaves and toss again. Serve the salad family-style on a big platter.
Thyme has a long history of use in natural medicine in connection with chest and respiratory problems including coughs, bronchitis, and chest congestion. Thymol - named after the herb itself - is the primary volatile oil constituent of thyme, and its health-supporting effects are well documented. In studies on aging in rats, thymol has been found to protect and significantly increase the percentage of healthy fats found in cell membranes and other cell structures. In particular, the amount of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid) in brain, kidney, and heart cell membranes was increased after dietary supplementation with thyme.
Asparagus contains a special kind of carbohydrate called inulin that we don't digest, but the health-promoting friendly bacteria in our large intestine, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, do. When our diet contains good amounts of inulin, the growth and activity of these friendly bacteria increase. And when populations of health-promoting bacteria are large, it is much more difficult for unfriendly bacteria to gain a foothold in our intestinal tract.
Beyond the Reiki Table
Paul Lara, Reiki Master
Most of us are familiar with Reiki as a form of therapy even if you haven’t had a treatment. But not many of us are aware that the therapeutic aspects make up only about 10% of Reiki as an actual discipline.
As a discipline, it is part of daily life and not just a compartmentalized concept that is accessed when you aren’t feeling so well. Beyond the treatment room, Reiki is practical and something that can be used while doing just about anything else. Having the ability to remain calm and centered in the present moment is the discipline we practice. The use of our hands makes sense for treatments but in the streets it is all about intent, internal awareness and environmental adaptability.
In the everyday, even a cup of tea should be given our full attention. Our training teaches us to see value in a larger perspective that has its root in the now.
Paul Lara, Reiki Master
Most of us are familiar with Reiki as a form of therapy even if you haven’t had a treatment. But not many of us are aware that the therapeutic aspects make up only about 10% of Reiki as an actual discipline.
As a discipline, it is part of daily life and not just a compartmentalized concept that is accessed when you aren’t feeling so well. Beyond the treatment room, Reiki is practical and something that can be used while doing just about anything else. Having the ability to remain calm and centered in the present moment is the discipline we practice. The use of our hands makes sense for treatments but in the streets it is all about intent, internal awareness and environmental adaptability.
In the everyday, even a cup of tea should be given our full attention. Our training teaches us to see value in a larger perspective that has its root in the now.
IDEAL PROTEIN WEIGHT LOSS SYSTEM
Dr. Jordanna Clarfield-Henry, BSc, DC
Like many women, I was looking to lose a few pounds before my wedding, last year. I was introduced to a new weight loss system and decided to give it a try – I ended up losing 35 pounds and have kept if off! I found the program really easy to do, and never felt deprived because the food is gourmet tasting. I also had a great coach all the way through the process, and most importantly, I received continued support even after I lost the weight.
As a chiropractor, I believe many of my patient’s major complaints would be alleviated by losing the excess weight and reducing the stress on their joints. AND they would get healthier, happier and have more energy.
I was so happy with my results and impressed with the system that I became involved in the company and am now offering the IDEAL PROTEIN WEIGHT LOSS SYSTEM at Lifewise.
If you are interested in learning more about this program, I am holding the next info session on Wednesday, June 22nd at 7:00pm. Or sign up for a complimentary consultation by calling the front desk.
Dr. Jordanna Clarfield-Henry, BSc, DC
Like many women, I was looking to lose a few pounds before my wedding, last year. I was introduced to a new weight loss system and decided to give it a try – I ended up losing 35 pounds and have kept if off! I found the program really easy to do, and never felt deprived because the food is gourmet tasting. I also had a great coach all the way through the process, and most importantly, I received continued support even after I lost the weight.
As a chiropractor, I believe many of my patient’s major complaints would be alleviated by losing the excess weight and reducing the stress on their joints. AND they would get healthier, happier and have more energy.
I was so happy with my results and impressed with the system that I became involved in the company and am now offering the IDEAL PROTEIN WEIGHT LOSS SYSTEM at Lifewise.
If you are interested in learning more about this program, I am holding the next info session on Wednesday, June 22nd at 7:00pm. Or sign up for a complimentary consultation by calling the front desk.
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