Community News
Product Review: Monashee Spring Water

Nestled 300 feet below the Monashee Mountain Range near Valemount, British Columbia lies a natural spring. Monashee Water is true spring water and it contains no chemicals or additives, only essential minerals. It’s also slightly alkaline, which many health practitioners believe helps balance your body’s pH and, as a result, enhances the body’s ability to heal itself. Experience the natural spring water difference.

Profile: Udaya Wellness Clinic

A new and innovative wellness clinic is opening in Red Deer in January 2019! Located in Gasoline Alley West, this new clinic combines the talents of co-owners, Dr. Candice Staniek, ND and Stephen Roberts, Counsellor/Brainspotting Specialist (among other practitioners of various professions), to address the origin(s) of issues you may be experiencing. Through outpatient treatment programs, core packages, and multiple collaborative services they will attend to your whole health, all within a warm and welcoming environment.

Product Review: PRO Andrographis

AOR’s PRO Andrographis contains a high dose, single nutrient for flexible dosing of the traditional Chinese cooling herb andrographis paniculata. This herb has been attributed to reducing susceptibility to and recovery times from numerous bacterial and viral infections, including: the common cold, intestinal infections, and urinary tract infections. It’s been shown to clinically reduce the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms, with noticeable improvements within three days. Many of the andrographis formulas available have a low concentration of the active constituent andrographolides. AOR’s PRO Andrographis is standardized to include 33% andrographolides, equivalent to 6-9g of the raw herb.

Making Informed and Caring Decisions

Q: My siblings and I are concerned about where my elderly father should live. How do we work through our different opinions? A: Well-meaning relatives may disagree with one another or with the aging person about where they should live and the level of care they require. Lawyers work with the family and excellent resources within the community to help ensure that the legal needs of vulnerable people and those who care about them are met. This work can also include discussions about financial circumstances, concerns, and estate planning.

Best Treatments for Acne

Acne can destroy a person’s spirit, self-confidence, and well-being. In 2015, it was estimated that acne affected 633 million people globally. Although less common in adulthood, it persists in nearly half of affected people into their twenties and thirties, and a smaller group continue to have difficulties into their forties. There are several safe and effective acne treatments available, such as chemical facial peels; steroid injection of deep acne cysts (often takes them away in three days); medically supervised acne treatments; oral antibiotics; and advanced skin care regimes designed to target and eradicate unsightly acne.

Portion Control Shortcut

Want to know a great way to help with portion control and make yourself eat more slowly? Try cutting your food into smaller pieces! You’ll feel like you’re actually eating more food and it will slow you down as you eat. Any time I go out for sushi, I ask the chef to cut it into smaller pieces than they normally do. Give this a try at home or at restaurants and you’ll see a noticeable difference. In addition, put your fork down between bites. This little habit improves digestion and nutrient absorption, meaning fewer cravings later!

Hibernation, Not Only for Bears!

As we head full speed into winter, now is the time to work on a keystone habit, SLEEP. How many times have you nodded off in a meeting, felt sluggish while driving, or “hit the wall” in the afternoon? This is largely due to ignoring our body’s calls to rest. The best time frame for your body to rest is between 10 pm-6 am. Trouble falling asleep? Try a journal or notepad by your bed, remove all screens from your room, have a digestion-friendly light supper at 6 pm, and a breathing meditation to ease into slumber.

Reducing Exposure to Toxins

Did you know that many Canadian adults have dangerous levels of mercury, lead, and cadmium in their bloodstream and that the average newborn has over 200 industrial chemicals, pollutants, and pesticides in their blood? From environmental pollutants, to our lotions, deodorants, fragrances, soaps, makeup, plastics, non-stick pans, laundry detergents, dryer sheets, cleaners, and even our food, all have toxic elements that are easily absorbed by the body. Since we are exposed to more toxins than ever before, consider making small changes in your daily routine and purchases – sometimes it’s the simplest of changes that make the difference.

Pet Health: Laser Application in Surgery

Piper Creek Veterinary Clinic wants our pets to heal properly with reduced pain, so using a laser during surgery is a valuable asset in our practice. It helps in the recovery of our companions in two ways: less bleeding since the laser cauterizes when it cuts, plus less pain as it helps to seal nerve endings. These benefits result in quicker recovery times as well as reduced post-surgery pain. Although initially designed for spay and neuter surgeries, it is a nice tool for removing lumps of all types in addition to countless other applications for your animal needs.

Plantar Wart Prevention

Plantar warts appear on the soles of your feet and toes and are spread by contact with moist, well-traveled surfaces like public showers and washrooms. Caused by HPV (type 1), the skin around the wart forms and thickens so it feels like a marble in your shoe. Prevention is key. I tell my patients to always wear flip flops in public change rooms and at the pool. Treatment varies depending on the physician, but it usually requires several visits two weeks apart. A wart can get better on its own after 2 years, but it can feel like a lot longer!