In April of 2009, an abstract was published on PubMed.gov titled, “Hepatoprotective and curative properties of Kombucha tea against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity”. This study was performed by the Department of Biotechnology at Bharathiar University in India. The study evaluated and compared hepatoprotective and curative properties of kombucha tea, black tea, and enzyme processed tea against CCl4-induced toxicity, using male albino rats as an experimental model. All three of the tea preparations showed potential to revert the induced toxicity, yet kombucha tea was found to be more efficient than the other teas were. Fermentation-generated antioxidant molecules were suspected as the reason.
Community News
Straight to the POINT!
Sports injuries are very common amongst people with active lifestyles. Many professional sports teams have acupuncturists on staff to decrease healing times and resolve stubborn ailments. But the use of acupuncture to treat acute injuries from intense or repetitive physical activity began centuries ago. It was and still is one of the primary means of quick healing for the ancient martial arts. Specific acupuncture styles and techniques were developed to stop pain and dramatically increase recovery time. This tradition continues today, and its use has expanded into competitive athletics that result in similar injuries.
Prolozone Helps Heal Colitis
Ozone therapy can be used very successfully on a regular basis for even the worst colitis cases, because it enhances circulation and provides an oxygen-rich environment for cellular rejuvenation. It can remove toxic deposits from the intestines and colon, restore acid/alkaline balance, and improve nutrient assimilation. For Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, it is an important adjunctive therapy to a good nutritional program, combined with detoxification procedures. Since ozone therapy is a biological response therapy, similar to homeopathic therapy, the success of the treatment is dependent on the practitioner’s skill and judgment.
Ask The Expert
Q: What are the best sunglasses to get this summer?
A: Sunglass lenses can be optimized for vision, comfort, protection, and performance. For instance, prescription polarized lenses in a brownish tint with anti-reflection properties and UV/blue light filters would be great to use for long road trips as well as spending time on the water on sunny days. Another thing to think about is frame choice – some frames give more coverage than other frames do, and a properly fitted frame will be a better investment than a trendy one that doesn’t fit well or hold the prescription lenses adequately.
Underactive Stomach – Hypochlorydria
Symptoms of an underactive stomach include bloating and gas, diarrhea and/or constipation, undigested food in the stool, candidiasis, chronic dysbiosis (imbalanced gut flora), and mineral deficiency (most commonly iron and zinc). Individuals may also experience increasing food sensitivities/allergies; nausea after taking supplements; weak, peeling, cracked fingernails; and dull hair or hair loss as a result of stomach acid deficiency. Improving symptoms of an underactive stomach can be done using raw, unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar. Add one tablespoon to a cup of room temperature or hot water (cold water inhibits digestion), and drink it 15 to 30 minutes before meals.
Drink Aloe for Weight Loss
Aloe Vera’s weight loss properties are becoming better known. This plant stands above the rest of nature’s products as a detoxifying agent that helps the body remove waste. This is largely due to one of its components called ‘aloin’, which taken in appropriate doses can help us achieve its beneficial cleansing properties. The Aloe plant also helps us burn fat by improving our metabolism and the production of fatty acids, which is undoubtedly a big help in the fight to rid our bodies of excess fat. Aloe promotes intestinal function and better allows us to eliminate toxins from the body.
Teach Healthy Choices Early
If we had half the knowledge we gain when we are older, as children, our childhood would have been different. It is known that as we get older, we make healthier decisions, usually due to a health issue or to prevent health issues. If we start teaching our children healthy choices at a young age, the choices soon become a healthy lifestyle for our children, which can create a longer, healthier life. This is especially important today, as a recent study conducted by Canadian Men’s Health Foundation has ranked Manitoba and Saskatchewan as the unhealthiest regions in Canada.
Meet Your Practitioner
Meet Megan Grant. Megan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing Degree from Brandon University in 2007. Over the last 11 years, she has worked as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in acute psychiatric inpatient units, outpatient clinics, forensics, assertive outreach and medical psychiatry. She offers therapy for children, adolescents and adults. Megan’s specialty is in behaviour therapies that aim to balance thoughts, feelings, urges and behaviours. Her passion is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). DBT is designed to treat individuals who are experiencing intense, sometimes debilitating emotions. Megan is committed in supporting her patients to practice acceptance and understanding while balancing the need to move forward into a place where they want to be.
Stay Protected this Summer
With the arrival of summer comes camping, hiking and all things outdoor related! Even if we aren’t into camping or hiking, most of us do spend more time outside in the sun. Protecting ourselves from the sun involves more than just applying sunscreen. Avoiding the sun around the hours of solar noon reduces our exposure to harmful UV rays. Wearing a light, long-sleeved shirt and a hat to cover our faces will also help reduce our exposure and decrease our risk of burning. Make sure to stay well hydrated with water and have a great summer!
Fun Summer Activities
Remember being a kid and summer seemed to last forever? Nanaimo Parks and Recreation has activities that will make you FEEL like a kid again. *Water Parks – Departure Bay, Deverill, Harewood and Mansfield Parks until September. *Playground Program – Monday to Friday at various locations throughout the city. *Find the Golden Bucket Contest – Get the clue from Facebook or website every Wednesday until July 25. Find the bucket, answer a question and you could win some great prizes! *Westwood Lake – lifeguards on duty daily June 24th until September 3rd. For details, visit www.nanaimo.ca.
Proper Sleep Hygiene
There are things you can do for proper sleep hygiene: Avoid long naps; consider going for a short walk instead. Maintain a regular sleep routine; go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Keep your bedroom quiet and comfy; lower body temperature generally equals better sleep. No electronic devices in bed; blue light emitted from these devices interferes with sleep. Invest in a body pillow to avoid waking up with body pain. If you sleep on your side, an organic body pillow will make hip and shoulder pain a thing of the past.
