August 2013

HCG

Q: I used to buy HCG on line for my weight control but apparently this has been removed from the Canadian market. Is there a close substitute for HCG? A: HCG has been publicized by TV and radio talk shows as a weight reduction miracle. Cloverdale Pharmasave compounds a homeopathic mixture called Metabolic Syndrome Mix that works the same way if not better than HCG. It has homeopathic ingredients that activate and balance hormones in the same way as HCG.

August 2013

Homeopathic Travel Kit

This continuous sunny weather is inviting many travellers to pack up and leave home. On your way, health accidents may happen and it would be nice if you have something on you that can help you out. Let’s talk about some of the possible medical problems that you may encounter. Read through the following paragraphs and mark down the remedies that you would like to bring along. Go to a natural pharmacy and get the staff to help you assemble your personal First Aid Travel Kit. I never leave home without mine.

July 2013

The Woman's Word by Lorna Vanderhaeghe

The Woman's Word by Lorna Vanderhaeghe - Issue 7

July 2013

Make Friends: Stop Snoring!

Laugh and the world laughs with you; snore and you sleep alone. Snoring typically increases as we age due to changes in anatomy and medication use. It affects up to 25% of us, and if you include sufferers of “secondary snoring”, then the numbers rise dramatically. But snoring is harmless, right? Well, yes and no. Physically, even if you can endure the pillows and elbows tossed at you by your spouse or trip companions, snoring can be a sign of things such as a sinus infection, nasal congestion, deviated septum, or obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the temporary blockage of airflow during sleep for 10 seconds or more, resulting in less oxygen getting to the blood, thus causing the heart to pump harder, increasing blood pressure, and ultimately increasing the risk of congestive heart failure and stroke. Snorers may also not reach the deeper sleep stages, which are required for an appropriate night’s rest. This can be dangerous in that it renders the person less alert for their daily activities (eg. driving, crossing street, going up and down stairs).

July 2013

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

If you have frequent abdominal cramps, a lot of gas, on and off diarrhea at times alternating with constipation, feeling stressed out but experience no marked weight loss or profound tiredness, you may have IBS. IBS should not be mistakened as IBD. IBS is Irritable Bowel Syndrome while IBD is Inflammatory Bowel Disease referring to Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. As the name “syndrome” implies, IBS is not a disease entity. It is a group of symptoms and signs caused by oversensitivity of the intestinal mucosa leading to irregular contraction. In a normal subject, bowel contents are being driven along by coordinated serial contractions called peristaltic waves. In IBS, the overly responsive mucosa causes massive contraction of bowel segments giving rise to stomachache and cramps. Excessive large bowel contractions cause diarrhea. Interestingly constipation can also be a symptom of IBS. When the bowel contraction and relaxation pattern is lost bowel content can no longer be effective driven along, resulting in constipation. An abnormal bowel environment creates excessive gas. IBS happens more often in anxious personalities and is definitely related to stress. Food allergies have been implicated in many cases. Because IBS is a functional abnormality, IBS seldom causes bleeding, weight loss and malaise. If there is blood or significant constitutional symptoms then there may be structural damages to the bowel, in which case you may be IBD (Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease). IBS is a nuisance whereas IBD is a life threatening condition.

July 2013

DHA for Memory & Children

Q: How does DHA help improve my memory and how does it help children in their cognitive development? A: The omega-3 fatty acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is a major component of our brain and nervous tissues. Adequate intake is essential to maintain brain function and development. As well DHA will benefit neuropathies. It is found mainly in cold ocean fish oils. Ordinary fish oil preparations unfortunately contain more EPA than DHA.

June 2013

Tasty Omega-3s!

Q: I want to get my family started on an Omega-3 Fatty Acid supplement, but I'm concerned that my kids won't like the taste. Are there any good-tasting fish oil supplements out there?

June 2013

Natural Remedies for Insomnia

Tired of counting sheep? Prescription drugs may help but they can be habit forming, may lead to hang over, and produce side effects. There are many natural alternatives. Certain herbs contain pharmacologically active tranquilizing ingredients. These include Valerian root, hops, lemon balm, passion flower, skullcap, and chamomile. EZ Sleep® made by Nature’s Way contains a combination of these herbs and can be tried. People who are chronically stressed feel tired and exhausted yet they cannot fall asleep.

May 2013

Growing Hair and Healthy Nails

Have you noticed more hair on the floor when you vacuum your home lately? Are you now able to see your scalp between hair bundles? These are the subtle signs of insidious hair loss. Don’t wait till you go bald. You can do something to slow down the process if not grow your hair back. The first step you want to take is to have a doctor check your thyroid function. If blood tests come back normal and yet you have symptoms of low thyroid activity like lack of energy, weight gain, loss of memory, dry skin, etc., then you can take a supplement called Thyrosol® (Metagenics) to enhance the efficiency of your existing thyroid hormone.

May 2013

New Vaginal Lubricant

Q. Is there anything natural that can be used for vaginal dryness? A. An exciting new all-natural product is a vaginal lubricant called Mae by Damiva. It contains hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E, cocoa butter, kokum butter from mangosteen, and seabuckthorn. It is free of waxes, parabens, hormones and chemicals.

May 2013

Dryness in the Nether Regions

Vaginal dryness. Not a topic commonly discussed around the dinner table but nonetheless a very common problem for women as they age. In fact, it’s estimated that after menopause up to 85% of women suffer from vaginal dryness but only 20-25% seek help. Vaginal atrophy can cause dryness, burning, itching, pain when urinating, painful intercourse, and decreased sex drive and libido. Menopause and the decreased levels of estrogen can also result in an increase in the vaginal pH resulting in an increased risk of bladder infections and incontinence.

April 2013

The

“Mouse Arm” is a newly coined term designating a group of musculo-skeletal problems of the forearm and hand resulting from keyboard use. Excessive and repetitive typing, clicking the “mouse”, punching smart phones all day, and playing musical instrumentals all may result in tendon and ligament strains. The resulting muscle spasm may affect nerve conduction and sensations giving rise to more pains. Computers have revolutionised all walks of life. It is estimated that two thirds city folks use some type of computer on a daily basis. This includes those who work at the cash register, punching and scanning for a few hours a day and youngsters who cannot get their hands off their iPhones. I guarantee at least 10% of my readers have some form of the conditions that I am going to describe.