Most of us are blessed with good health including a normal immune system that can help the body fight infections. Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID), where the immune system is impaired, is a set of rare chronic diseases. PID patients are susceptible to infections if untreated. Fortunately, with proper medical care, many patients live full and independent lives by undergoing antibody replacement therapy. If you are 18-65 years, in good health and >110 pounds, you may be able to help these individuals through a blood or plasma donation. Over 1000 healthy donors are required to contribute to a plasma pool, that is separated using special fractionation processes into what is called Immune Globulin Intravenous (IGIV). This product contains, IgG, a key component of the immune system that is required to fight infections. When infused into PID patients monthly, they can lead normal lives. www.prometic.com
Community News
Ask the Expert: How Long Do Dentures Last?
Dentures can still be perfectly solid after ten or twenty years, but that does not answer the question: How long do they last? The mouth changes constantly. The bones get smaller with age. If you have natural teeth, then the distance between your nose and your chin stays constant. If you have dentures, this distance gets smaller as the bones supporting your dentures shrink. Your upper teeth become less visible when you smile because of this shrinkage. The lower half of your face gets shorter for the same reason. New dentures can compensate for these changes. Your smile will be fuller and more natural, and your face will look younger. Wait too long, and the changes will be much larger and harder to adapt to. So the real question is: How long before my face needs to be supported better by new dentures? The answer: Five to eight years.
Dr. George Cadigan, www.exclusivelydentures.ca
A Season For Soothing Food
Some consider fall as the ideal season to clear mental and emotional clutter and grief, as it’s naturally a time of closure. It’s an ideal time to nurture our bodies. As it gets colder, warm soups and stews are soothing, as opposed to eating raw veggies and fruits. With the weather changing, the internal body needs the support of soothing foods. The season calls for more protein, as well as nutrient-dense spices such as ginger, garlic, turmeric, and cinnamon. These strengthen the digestive system, supporting immune and lung functions. Digestion benefits from optimal food choices and probiotic-rich foods or supplements. Some foods that are healthy for the season are almonds, walnuts, grapes, cabbage, and beans. Apricots, bananas, eggs, apples, and lemons are good for your body. Additional beneficial choices include: asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, fermented vegetables, and active culture yogurt. Fall is a great time to incorporate more healing and whole foods into your diet!
Tracy Morgan, www.vitallife.ca
Re-Think Omega Fatty Acids!
Fat could be your biggest ally in health maintenance and cardiovascular disease prevention. But we need to think about the RIGHT fats. Omega fatty acids are crucial for helping to lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides. They are essential to maintaining our nervous system and act as an anti-inflammatory to fight diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Some forms of omega-3 can also reduce fat while improving lean body mass. But which omega fatty acids do we REALLY need? The ones most North Americans need is omega-3 from FISH OIL, as the typical Western diet does not give enough of it. When you are looking for an omega-3 product from the pharmacy, keep in mind a few tips: 1. Look for omega-3s from fish oil instead of krill oil. This is because krill oil contains very little omega-3. 2. Look for ingredients of EPA/DHA as opposed to alpha-linolenic acid as EPA/DHA is the form of omega-3 that the body can use most efficiently.
Teresa Giesbrecht, www.careathomepharmacy.ca
Book Club: The Dirt Cure:
Growing Healthy Kids with Food Straight from Soil. In the tradition of Michael Pollan, Mark Hyman, and Andrew Weil, pioneering integrative pediatric neurologist Maya ShetreatKlein, MD, reveals the shocking contents of children’s food, how it’s seriously harming their bodies and brains, and what we can do about it. www.dirtcure.com
Natural Product Review: pureWash® Pro
pureWash® Pro is a breakthrough in home laundry purification. As it turns out, your laundry has been keeping a dirty little secret, (It’s really not that clean at all!). Detergent may leave clothes smelling clean, but it does not eliminate the mold and bacteria that builds up from sports activities, pets, and everyday living. pureWash® Pro cleans clothes with the disinfecting power of oxygen, not detergent. This same technology is used in Hospitals and Hotels. It’s clinically proven to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and mold, plus it’s both safe for the environment and for family members of all ages! If you have sensitive skin, you will not get skin irritations as you do from detergent. Detergent build-up promotes mold growth and does not kill bacteria. Independent, scientific studies have proven pureWash® Pro kills 99.9% of both with cold water. The power of naturally oxygenated water eliminates dirt, bacteria, and mold better than detergent!
Kevin Shale, Low Environmental Impact Technologies, Leit.ca
3 Ways to Naturally Boost Your Immune System
It’s officially cold and flu season. Here are five simple things you can do to improve your body’s natural immunity: 1. Drink a TON of Water: Ensuring you are hydrated is an important part of keeping your immune system strong. Try to drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water each day to keep your body in tiptop shape and ready to fight cold and flu bugs. 2. Get a Good Night’s Sleep: The body regenerates and repairs itself while you sleep. Getting a proper night’s rest – between six and eight hours – is important for keeping your body’s natural defenses at optimum efficiency. 3. Take a Hot/Cold Shower: The next time you take a shower try alternating hot and cold water. Research shows the body’s immune system is stimulated when it tries to warm itself up in between the extreme temperature changes. White blood cell production is increased and endorphins are released that help you relax and relieve pain.
Brett Scott, www.disabilitytaxcredit.webs.com
To Floss or Not to Floss?
By now, most of us have heard of the recent Associated Press (AP) article, which looked at 25 peer-reviewed studies on flossing. The article cited weak or unreliable evidence that flossing has long-term benefits (published Aug 2016). The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) continues to support flossing as an effective preventative measure to remove plaque, the main cause of gum disease. Floss is meant toclean between teeth and under the gums (areas where your toothbrush can’t reach). If you avoid interdental cleaning, you are missing as much as one third of your tooth surface! There are other tools available, such as interdental or proxabrushes and mechanical devices, such as Waterpik (or AirFloss). However traditional floss is the most cost effective option and, therefore, the one most often recommended. If you have any questions, contact your local dental office.
Dr. Sarah Keating Sangalang, www.reflectionsdentalhealth.ca
Self-Awareness Is Key
How could you ever repair a vehicle if the causes of what made it break down were invisible to you and everyone else? This statement is true for nearly everyone in all aspects of our lives (not our vehicles). We desire to improve our health, relationships, and life but we have no idea what is actually preventing us from achieving these desired improvements. “I would fix it if I knew what it was’” is a common theme for many of us. Becoming self-aware leads us to uncover and understand what are the hidden causes and factors. It also gives us the opportunity to release, move on from, and heal whatever the invisible factors have been. Self-awareness leads to answers. Answers lead to solutions. Solutions lead to living a most excellent, healthy, balanced, and productive life. Are you looking for solutions? Self-awareness is the key!
Shannon Russell, www.bodymindfreedom.net
Mindful Holiday Eating
It’s not the shortbread or chocolates that’ll get you. It’s what you THINK about the shortbread and chocolates that’ll do it every year. It’s the extreme all or nothing thinking, the good food/bad food mindset that’ll turn a couple cookies into ten. It sounds something like this: “get it while you can and lose it in January” or “I’m not gaining an ounce this year.” Mindful eating is the middle ground. Conscious eating decisions that leave you feeling better after eating, holidays or not. Less food provides more joy and satisfaction which lends itself well to savoring all the season has to offer. The basics to ask yourself this season before eating and drinking: 1. “Am I Hungry?” 2. “How Hungry Am I?” 3. “What do I REALLY want? 4. “How much will satisfy my hunger/craving while leaving me feeling peaceful? 5. “How do I want to feel in my body after I’m done eating?”
Lisa Kehler, www.offyourplatenutrition.ca
Healing with Crystals
Crystals and gemstones have amazing holistic healing abilities and can be used for many applications such as meditation, reiki, and chakra clearing and balancing. With a little practice and intuition, anyone can interpret the immediate characteristics of a stone. For example, red is the colour of action and red stones can invigorate and enliven in the same way that the blood in your body gives you life. Amethyst is a good crystal for protection against all sorts of negative energy. It expands the mind, encouraging creativity, intuition, and calm. Rose quartz is a beautiful crystal for love, compassion, tolerance, and radical self-love. Citrine is the prosperity crystal. It attracts abundance, as well as boosting your self-esteem! Hematite protects against negativity. Its mirrored surface deflects other people’s moods and bad vibes.
Sherri Versluis, www.thepreferredperch.ca
