Community News
Book Club: Making a Good Brain Great

by Daniel Amen, MD

When our brains work right, we work right. But the brain is easily injured. A bump on the head, sleep deprivation and poor nutrition can all have long-term consequences leading to problems with attention, mood and even dementia. Dr. Amen shares his exciting insights into protecting, repairing and maintaining our brains with good nutrition, supplements and special exercises. A great read!

Dr. Anke Zimmermann ND,
www.drzimmermann.org

Top 5 Ways Oregano Oil Can Help You

1. Defence Against Harmful Organisms. Oregano oil is known as nature’s most potent defender against unwanted invaders.

2. Strong Antioxidant. Antioxidants fight free radicals and oxidation — the process by which your cells age and wear out. Oregano oil contains high levels of antioxidants to help fight damaging free radicals.

3. Supports Good Health. Taking oregano oil is no guarantee that you’ll never get sick, but when you want to avoid what’s going around, oregano oil can be an extra line of defense and provide support against common, seasonal ailments.

4. Digestive System Support. Oregano oil supports digestion by stimulating the flow of bile to your digestive organs. This can help you get more nutrition out of your food and enjoy a more consistent system.

5. Excellent Nutrition. As an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and E, and zinc, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, and niacin, oregano oil can be helpful in helping you meet your nutritional requirements.

Bowen Therapy

Bowen therapy works to alleviate acute and chronic skeletal muscle injury or disorders and nervous system disruptions. Tom Bowen, an Australian who developed this technique in the 1950’s, asserted that everything in the body is interrelated so damage at one site restricts the function of the entire system. Furthermore, the body is self-healing; however, injuries or disruptions can limit this healing response. It is this healing response that Bowen therapy works toward activating, with the goal of allowing the body to heal itself. Studies have shown that in addition to restoring muscle and nervous system integrity, Bowen treatments can shift the central nervous system from the sympathetic (flight and fight) response to the parasympathetic (rest and restoration) response. As a result, it can positively affect physiological functions such as circulation, arterial pressure and heart rate, digestion, sleep, lymphatic circulation, and the endocrine system.

Julia Rempel, PhD (Immunology), Certified Bowen Therapist
www.sagewaterhealth.com

Ester-C® Vitamin Review 

Ester-C® is a unique, patented form of calcium ascorbate, which is made when ascorbic acid (regular vitamin C) is buffered with calcium using a water-based process. Ester-C® is the only form of vitamin C that has been proven to last up to 24 hours in the white blood cells of the immune system. It is less acidic and easier on the stomach than ascorbic acid. Enhanced with quercetin, a powerful bioflavonoid and antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties, Ester-C® has a clinically-proven, higher bioavailability and retention rate than other forms of vitamin C. Formulated with citrus-free ingredients for people wishing to avoid citrus. Suitable for vegans and are high-potency tablets for people wishing to supply their needs with fewer pills. Each tablet contains: Medicinal ingredients: Vitamin C (calcium ascorbate*)…1,000 mg. Calcium (calcium ascorbate*)…125 mg *from Ester-C® brand calcium ascorbate. Contains no dairy, citrus, wheat, gluten, soy or preservatives.

Nutrition Plus
www.nutritionplus.com

Lose Weight the Smart Way 

If you want to weigh less, you’ve got to eat less, right? Well, if you take in too few calories, it can cause your body to lose muscle mass, which will decrease the rate of your metabolism. Plus, when you skimp on calories, your body slows the rate at which it burns calories to conserve the fuel it’s got. Under-fueling is just as risky as over-fueling and in an attempt for quick, noticeable weight loss, many people wrongfully believe that eating as few calories as possible is the best solution. Not only can this lead to numerous nutritional deficiencies, it can actually have the opposite effect on weight loss. Simply drinking more water may increase the rate at which healthy people burn calories. After drinking approximately two glasses of water your metabolic rate increases by 30 percent plus it helps to build your muscles! The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn.

Arthur Traitelovich, 

www.facebook.com/getbettertoday

L-Carnitine & Chromium

L-Carnitine with Chromium is a blend of two nutrients that play important roles in the metabolism of fat. L-Carnitine is required for the breakdown of fats into energy, while chromium supports healthy glucose metabolism. Its main function is to help insulin carry sugar into muscle cells where it is stored as energy. A lack of chromium could cause fluctuating blood-sugar levels which trigger sugar cravings. As a carbohydrate dependent society, increasing the amount of L-Carnitine & Chromium in our diet in our formula’s proportions will assist the body’s ability to manage its carbohydrate cravings and, in turn, assist with a successful weight management protocol.

Valentus – The Healthiest Coffee in the World.

Greg Doll
www.experiencevalentus.com/lakewinnipeg

Dry Needling for Pain 

Have you or someone who know been suffering with chronic muscular pain? Pain that is associated with nerve symptoms? Loss of range of motion in an area of your body?  Well it may be time to try a treatment technique called Dry Needling. Why do we feel pain?  Pain is a signal of tissue injury and inflammation (Acute Pain).  Chronic Pain occurs when there is an ongoing irritation to an area that causes inflammation. Chronic pain can also occur because of changes to the nervous system that causes increased firing of nerves (Neuropathic Pain). This type of pain can be attributed to unwell hyper sensitized nerves.   The term “hypersensitivity”  or, “super sensitivity” is a result of overactive and misfiring of nerves.  The end result is increased muscle trigger points and muscle shortening. Dry Needling is the use of a acupuncture needle that is inserted into muscular trigger points for a brief second then removed.  There is no solution inserted into the tissue and is the reason why it is called dry needling.  It is a technique that is used best for chronic pain with a Neuropathic origin.  It helps by desensitizing the nervous system by decompressing/ releasing the chemicals that cause the shortened muscular bands.  Usually you will require approximately 3 sessions to know if this type of treatment will work for you.  Though most people notice a change instantly. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING DRY NEEDLING OR WANT TO GIVE IT A TRY COME SEE ONE OF OUR QUALIFIED PHYSIOTHERAPISTS WHO ARE CERTIFIED IN DRY NEEDLING!

Lindsay Stevenson

www.prairietrailphysio.ca

Self Help for Headaches

Headaches are a common pain that ruins the days of many people. Here’s how to help yourself during a headache. Each should be done for 7-10 seconds and with firm pressure.

1. Take your thumbs or your middle finger and press into the sides of your temple, adding a slight circular motion.

2. Take your thumbs and press into the bridge of your nose, just underneath your forehead. Press towards each other and up into the forehead.

3. With both hands pull your skin just below your eyebrows and hold. Pull away from your face.

4. Press into the sides of your nose and move fingers away from your nose towards your cheekbones.

5. MOST IMPORTANT – drink lots of water. In addition to these, you can use a cold pack or foam roller at the base of the neck. For more help contact your wellness professional.

Trenna Reid, RCRT,
www.discoverreflexology.ca

Seniors at Risk 

Did you know that some medications put seniors at risk of falling? Recent data reports that 3000 seniors die each year as a result of medication-related problems of which 88% are considered preventable. 11% of Emergency room visits by seniors are drug related, and 20% of seniors in the community take medications that are considered inappropriate for their age. Many seniors fall through the cracks in the health care system. One of the reasons is that timely review of the complex health care needs of seniors is often not routinely done in community practice. A Senior Care Practitioner has advanced training and knowledge of how to prevent medication-related problems in the elderly. Expertise in Geriatric Pharmacy identify actual and potential medication-related problems, determine the relevance, safety and appropriateness of medications, suggest and implement safer alternatives and improve functionality and quality of life.

Mathilda Prinsloo
www.seniorcarepractice.com

4 Foods You Should Never Eat Again
  1. White flour. The body doesn’t even know how to properly digest this so-called food! Refined white flour has been bleached with chlorine and brominated with bromide, two poisonous chemicals that have been linked to organ damage.
  2. Frozen meals. Most conventionally-prepared meals are loaded with preservatives, hydrogenated oils and other artificial ingredients, not to mention the fact that most frozen meals have been heavily pre-cooked, rendering their nutrient content minimal at best.
  3. Microwaveable popcorn. This processed “food” is one of the unhealthiest foods you can eat. Practically every component of microwaveable popcorn, from the GMO corn kernels to the processed salt and chemicals used to enhance its flavor, is unhealthy and disease-promoting.
  4. Soy-based meat substitutes. Besides the fact that nearly all non-organic soy ingredients are of GM origin, most soy additives are processed using a toxic chemical known as hexane, which is linked to causing birth defects, reproductive problems, and cancer.
Those Cool Drinks of Summer 

Well, spring has sprung and, in typical Winnipeg style, those sweet drinks of summer seem oh so tempting. While refreshing and sweet, there are things you should know if you choose to treat yourself and your family to these treats. They are not good for you! They cause cavities, weight gain and contribute to type 2 diabetes. You would be shocked at how much sugar and how many calories are in these drinks and slushes. In short, enjoy these sweet treats in moderation. Rinse and brush often and remember the health benefits of a tall cool glass of water: Aaaahhh!

Dr. George Cadigan
www.exclusivelydentures.ca