Community News
Think Outside the Hoop!

The beloved Hula Hoop is making a comeback! Though not the way you may remember it. In the past 10 years this iconic children’s toy has evolved into a full body workout that not only burns 100 calories in 10 minutes, but also improves balance, coordination, flexibility and mobility. The hoop is best described as Playful Fitness; a non-competitive journey of learning and self-improvement. This high-energy creative outlet can be enjoyed at home while watching TV, or at work on your lunch break; making it the perfect instrument to stay motivated with your fitness goals. The awesomeness of the hoop doesn’t stop there! Remarkably, the hoop has a magical way of elevating your mood and boosting self-confidence. It has even been known to help those struggling with anxiety and depression. Best of all hooping doesn’t feel like exercise, it is play. So pick up a hoop; you sure to fall in love!

Karrie Blackburn, www.kurrentmotionhoops.com

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

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

Bowenwork: The Answer to TMJ/Jaw Pain

Have you ever come from a dentist appointment or cleaning and felt jaw pain that just won’t go away? Maybe you or someone you know has braces, dentures, clenches their teeth all day, or wears a night guard? Do you know that some people grind their teeth so intensely at night that they wake up with chronic migraines, headaches, or a sore jaw? Grinding teeth can also cause painful teeth, a tight face, and sore neck muscles. Bowenwork can help you STOP grinding your teeth at night, so you can get rid of that ‘attractive’ night guard. Many desperately search for a solution but have not found a natural, effective, and long-lasting option. Sound familiar? If this is you or someone you know, you should try Bowenwork to help with your TMJ/jaw pain. Bowen Therapy works, even if other therapies were unsuccessful. Don’t give up your search for natural pain relief!

Bernadette Kozak, Certified Bowenwork Practitioner, WinnipegPainRelief.ca

Pharmacists as Prescribers (Part 2)

Dermatitis is also referred to as Eczema. It is a broad term for a number of similar skin conditions. It can either be Atopic or Contact Dermatitis. Atopic Dermatitis is itchy and persisting (chronic) and is very common in young kids but may also happen to adults. Contact Dermatitis can be allergic or irritant. Contact Dermatitis starts with an itch that develops into a rash and is brought upon by an allergic reaction. Once it is decided what type of Dermatitis a person has, then suitable treatment is recommended. For better prognosis, it is important that Dermatitis be treated immediately. Delaying treatment may lead to the spread of Dermatitis and development of infection. Qualified pharmacists in Manitoba now have the authority to assess Dermatitis, recommend treatment, and follow up with patients. After detailed assessment and consideration of the risks and benefits to the patient, pharmacists have the authority to prescribe certain steroid based topical medication.

Dr Hajra H. Mirza, www.pharmachoice.com/mb/rossmere-pharmacy

Workplace Desk Ergonomics

Some of us sit at computers at work hours at a time. This position takes toll on our body, so we must do what we can to promote good posture, as well as decrease risk of injury. Start with your chair. Seat pan height allows for 90 degrees of both knee and hip flexion so feet rest comfortably on the floor. Lumbar support on the back- rest is helpful. Arm -rests should be set at a height when your shoulders are relaxed, the elbows are bent at 90 degrees and forearms rest comfortably. A cushioned wrist -rest on your desk or attached to your keyboard is beneficial. Next, look at the computer monitor. It should be positioned at a height where the centre of the screen doesn’t fall below 0-15 degrees under your horizontal line of sight. It can be angled slightly upward so it’s square to your face. Finally, the mouse or phone should only be an arm’s reach away. Try these simple steps to prevent neck or back pain!

Heath Vermette, South Sherbrook Therapy, www.southsherbrook.com

In Honour of Our Veterans – Your Brain and PTSD

Being on the defensive can be draining, as can attest any military service person that struggles with PTSD. Trained to defend our country or to help others in need and to contribute to international peace and security, military personnel can end up staying in alert mode so they can be ready for action when needed. Relaxation or meditation is next to impossible and sleep can even become an issue, making it impossible to rest. If you have experienced any kind of trauma or lived through a life-threatening event, your brain could be stuck in the “fight-flight” mode and sending your body mixed signals. A de-harmonized brain may be your core problem. Know that the use of Brainwave Optimization, a non-invasive neurotechnology that allows your brain and nervous system to relax and recalibrate, has been shown to reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms, insomnia, and depression.

Joanne Couture, RMFT RSW, laloba@lalobatraumarelease.com

What is Kirtan?

Kirtan is a means of finding our way back to the core of our being, to our heart, and to our connection with each other. It is a very simple and powerful way to meditate. It’s effortless and joyful. The music does the work for you as you flow with the melody and rhythm. It is the art of ecstatic chant. You are invited to share yourself on all levels: your joys, your sorrows, your love, and your pain. You can channel them into song; calling out to the creative energies of the Universe for support in gratitude and grievance alike. Based on ancient chants, Kitran has the ability to quiet the mind if listened to with intention. As you sing with each other, you experience a deep connection. When the music stops, your mind is quiet. All are welcome and encouraged to share their voices through this meditative spiritual practice.

Karma Yoga Winnipeg, www.karmayogawinnipeg.com