Your immune system works hard to protect you from injury, illness, and disease. This process usually involves inflammation, a natural response to stress, tissue damage, and harmful stimuli like viruses, bacteria, and toxins. Inflammation functions similarly to an engine warning light, alerting you to the presence of a problem through symptoms such as heat, pain, redness, swelling, and/or loss of function. 85% of the immune system is located in our gut. An anti-inflammatory diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E and the mineral selenium provides your gut with the ingredients it needs to bolster immunity and achieve optimal mental and physical health.

Regular yoga classes are not for everyone. Yoga Therapy is a safe alternative if you suffer from pain, injury or chronic health conditions like fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, anxiety or depression. Over 500 peer-reviewed research studies indicate that yoga therapy can relieve over 100 physical, mental and emotional conditions. It provides you with practical tools to actively participate in your own healing process. You can learn to decrease your pain or disability by relaxing, breathing better, aligning your body and increasing balance, mobility and strength. You can calm your mind to manage stress and improve sleep. The classes are designed to be gentle and mindful, and poses are modified according to your ability.

We are pleased to announce that finally, after a year and a half of hard work and much deliberation, we received our letter of No Objection from Health Canada! We are going ahead with our research project investigating the use of stem cells for osteoarthritis. If you would like more information about this ground-breaking research project, the first of its kind in Canada please visit www.pagdinhealth.com and www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03984461.

Did you know that the liver has over 500 functions in our bodies? Seasonal cleanses can help support your liver and its 500 functions. Small changes go a long way, so start slow and be consistent! Cleansing can be a simple process or it can be more involved – it’s up to you. You can start by drinking extra water to help flush toxins out, as well as eating fewer processed and refined foods, dairy, and meat and replacing it with more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and seeds. Then, consider a liver-specific cleanse for best results.

Once you’ve implemented your investment portfolio, don’t forget about it! Over time, the asset mix will drift away from its original allocation, as some will perform and some will not. This is when it’s time for some cleanup and rebalancing of your portfolio to bring it back in line. This means shaving off the profits and, depending on the investments, allocating them to the underperformers so that you are buying them at a cheaper price, and averaging down the cost. Rebalancing once a year is usually recommended, but you and your advisor can decide what’s right for you.

Dr. Gina Neonakis, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, practicing at Dawn Health and Wellness clinic in White Rock. She has a focus in women’s health and fertility and supports women of all ages with conditions such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), endometriosis, hormonal imbalances and menopause. Dr. Neonakis’ goal is to empower her patients to take control of their health by educating and supporting them along their unique journey. She aims to treat the underlying cause of conditions, rather than suppressing them. To book an appointment with Dr. Neonakis, call 604-385-3286 or visit GinaNeonakis.com to book online.