Community News
PTSD Recovery and Exercise

Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) are attributed to the body’s coping with experiencing or witnessing traumatic stress. PTSD can be ignited by a variety of events including emotional, physical, sexual violence, war, a car accident, being a full time caregiver, and more. Symptoms may include: nightmares, avoidance/numbing, estrangement from others, flash backs, and fear of constant danger. In addition people may experience poor sleep, body pain, low mood, depression, and a loss of a sense of self. Exercise works well in conjunction with other cognitive therapies for treatment of PTSD, and assists people to be more connected to themselves, through movement and breath and to be in the present moment. Exercise also releases endorphins into your bloodstream that act as the body’s natural painkillers – they make you feel GOOD.
Don Smith, www.vitallife.ca

Best Cold Sore Remedies

Cold sores are downright embarrassing. The more we try to hide them, the more obvious they become. Here are some good home remedies in case you find yourself with an unsightly cold sore. 1. Licorice – Try choosing a licorice whip. Studies show that glycyrrhizic acid, an ingredient in licorice, stops the cold sore virus cells dead in their tracks. Be sure it’s made from real licorice. 2 – Pure Vanilla Extract. Yes, the kind you use for baking. Many people swear by this! Soak a cotton pad and apply directly to a cold sore for a few minutes (3 times daily). 3. Hydrogen Peroxide – It disinfects and speeds up healing time. Soak a cotton ball and apply to the sore. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before rinsing off. 4. Peppermint oil – When applied directly to a cold sore, people have found that the sore healed faster than usual.

Clean Eating: Easy Healthy Borscht

Use fresh and organic ingredients. 4 cups of beef broth. 2 cups water. 2T Apple Cider Vinegar. Juice of 1 lemon. 2 cloves garlic. 3 carrots. 2T Coconut Oil. ½ head red cabbage. 1 cup green beans. 3 potatoes. 3 beets with stems and leaves. 1 onion. 4 fresh sprigs of dill. 2 bay leaves. 2 T Italian seasoning. Salt and pepper to taste. Chop ingredients in tiny pieces. 1 can kidney beans. Combine in a crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours. Alternately, cook on top of the stove until the vegetables are soft enough to eat. Enjoy!

4 Toxic Foods to Eliminate

Processed Meats: Can have up to 400 percent more sodium and 50 percent more preservatives than unprocessed meats. The worst part: Some contain nitrites and nitrates, chemical additives that have been linked to various cancers, but are still used to enhance color and promote taste. 2. Margarine: Is marketed as a cholesterol-free, healthy alternative to butter, but it’s the ultimate source of trans fats, which actually elevate cholesterol and damage blood vessel walls. Stick to real foods and eat real butter instead. 3. Artificial Sweeteners: Anything with the word “artificial” in it is chalked FULL of chemicals. These fake sweeteners cause symptoms that range from migraines to weight gain and even more serious conditions like cardiovascular disease. Unless you are diabetic, please stop using these sugar substitites immediately! 4. Microwave Popcorn: Bags, in particular, are often lined with a chemical called perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), which has been shown to affect fertility, cancer risk, and kidney functioning.
www.disabilitytaxcreditwinnipeg.com

How Much Vitamin D Do We Really Need?

Vitamin D ensures our body absorbs sufficient calcium. Calcium is required for metabolism, heart and muscle function, and, along with phosphorous, is a key component of bone structure. If your body does not get enough Vitamin D, you are at risk for developing bone abnormalities such as soft bones (osteomalacia) or fragile bones (osteoporosis). Although it has not been proven, Vitamin D may help to prevent falls, boost weight loss, fight infections (colds and flus) and reduce your risk for diseases such as multiple sclerosis. To obtain these potential benefits, most adults need to take 1000 I.U per day. You should never exceed more than 4000 I.U per day unless you are severely deficient, as diagnosed by your doctor. Your body also limits the amount of Vitamin D it gets from the sun, so it is safe to continue with supplementation well into the summer months.
Care At Home Pharmacy, careathomepharmacy.ca

YOUR WINNIPEG COMMUNITY EVENTS

September 14
6:15 pm
Free Community Dinner
Learn how to achieve real health to last a lifetime.
Limited seating available, call 204-985-6750 to register.
Academy Chiropractic. www.academyhealthsite.com

 

Anger Free Sessions for Adults, Anxiety/Stress Management Sessions, and Pranic Healing.
Renaissance Centre
Call Colette for more info. 204-256-6750 (ext. 23)
www.renaissancecentre.ca

 

September: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR)
Renaissance Centre
204-803-2002 or at www.laviemindful.com

 

September: Yoga Sessions (French & English)
Renaissance Centre
204-803-2002 or at www.laviemindful.com

 

October: The Five Love Languages: Secret to love that lasts (Couple’s Group and Teen Group).
Book your spot today!
Renaissance Centre
www.renaissancecentre.ca

 

October 15
9:30 am
Cancer Killers Make Over.
Learn what cancer, heart disease, diabetes and headaches all have in common.
Receive practical protocols to get yourself healthy BEFORE disease sets in.
Tickets $10
Call 204-985-6750 to pick up your tickets
Academy Chiropractic. www.academyhealthsite.com

 

 

 

Timing of Medications

It is important to understand clearly when to take medications and how to take them. Some prescription drugs have to be taken on an empty stomach while others are taken with food – check with your pharmacist to ensure you know what that means – (how long before or after a meal do you wait)? This helps with the appropriate absorption of the drug. Some medications should not be taken with other drugs as this can lead to reduced effectiveness. The timing of medications is also important regarding when to take them – morning vs. evening – to alleviate side effects. As well, it is key to follow the instructions on the number of times per day to take the medication. When you are prescribed new medications, ask your pharmacist to fully explain these medications so you have a good understanding of them. A full medication review of all your prescription drugs and over the counter products can further help you to see how they work together.

Urgent Need for Plasma Protein Therapies

 

Urgent and Ongoing need for Plasma Protein Therapies

Did you know that a large number of patients depend on protein therapies derived from human plasma and blood donors in Canada? Donors are required because large volumes of plasma, the liquid portion of blood are required to treat a wide variety of diseases.

For example:

  • 1200 plasma donations are required to treat one patient with hemophilia, a bleeding disorder.
  • 130 donations to treat one patient with primary immunodeficiency, condition where people can not make functional antibodies to fight infections.
  • 900 donations are required to treat one alpha-1 patient, a disorder that affects the lungs.

These therapies replace missing or defective proteins in patients with rare disorders so they can lead healthier and otherwise normal lives. They typically require on-going infusions throughout their lives as they are chronic diseases so plasma is always required.

Bill Bees, Vice- President, Plasma Technology
www.plasma.prometic.com

 

 

Examples of diseases and their products are outlined in the table below:

 

Disease Product Description of Condition
Hemophilia A Factor VIII Bleeding Disorder caused by a lack of Factor VIII clotting factor. Affects 1 in 10,000 people.
Hemophilia B Factor IX Bleeding Disorder caused by a lack of Factor IX clotting factor. Affects 1 in 25,000 people.
Von Willebrand Disease Von Willebrand Factor VIII Bleeding disorder due to a defective Factor VIII gene. Affects 1.2 million people worldwide.
Antithrombin Deficiency Antithrombin III Bleeding disorder due to a defective ATIII gene.
Primary Immunodeficiency (PID) Immune Globulin Intravenous or subcutaneous Genetic disorder where insufficient or defect immune globulin is produced, leading to susceptibility to infections.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) Immune Globulin Intravenous Autoimmune disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system of both children and adults. Can lead to muscle weakness and paralysis.
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) Immune Globulin Intravenous Autoimmune disorder that affects blood platelet levels leading to bleeding disorders.
Kawasaki Immune Globulin Intravenous Primarily affects children under 5-years of age leading to heart disease.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) Alpha-1 Protease Inhibitor Also called genetic emphysema that affects lung function.
Burns, Shock, Trauma, Major Surgery Albumin The major plasma protein is used for fluid replacement for a variety of disease conditions.
Infectious diseases like:

Rabies

Tetanus

Varicella Zoster

Hepatitis B

Hyperimmune globulin directed against a specific virus or bacteria Used for treating ore preventing a variety of infectious diseases.
Hereditary angioedema C1-esterdase inhibitor A rare and potentially life threating condition characterized by acute attacks of swelling of face, airway, stomach and extremities.

 

Clean Eating – Turkey and Sweet Potato Curry

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp finely chopped ginger;
2 Tbsp finely chopped garlic;
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes;
2 Tbsp curry powder;
2 tsp garam masala;
1 cup plain greek yogurt;
1 lb cooked turkey breast, chopped;
1 Tbsp cooking oil;
1 yellow onion, chopped;
2 tomatoes, chopped;
1 lb sweet potatoes, chopped;
1 cup chickpeas;
1 Tbsp brown sugar.

Directions: Put ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, curry powder, garam masala and yogurt into medium bowl and stir to combine. Set aside. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent. Reduce heat; slowly add curry sauce being careful not to boil. Stir in turkey, tomato, sweet potato, chickpeas and sugar; cook until heated through. Serve with basmati rice or toasted pita bread. Delish!

Book Club – Always Hungry?

Conquer Cravings, Retrain Your Fat Cells, And Lose Weight Permanently by Dr. David Ludwig. Renowned endocrinologist, Dr. David Ludwig, explains why traditional diets don’t work and presents a new plan to help you lose weight without hunger. “Always Hungry?” turns dieting on its head with a three-phase program that ignores calories and targets fat cells directly. The recipes and meal plan include delicious high-fat foods (like nuts and nut butter, full-fat dairy, avocados, and dark chocolate), healthy proteins, and natural carbohydrates. The result? Fat cells release their excess calories, and you lose weight and inches without battling cravings and constant hunger. This is dieting without deprivation. This helpful book reveals a liberating new way to tame hunger and lose weight for good. Available at your local bookstore.

Exercise for Mental Health

After a long day of work, or chasing children, or just trying to fit life into your schedule, the last thing you might think about is being active. However, staying active is part of a healthy lifestyle, and it has the added benefit of helping us feel happy. When we are active, our brain releases a chemical called serotonin. This chemical helps us feel happier. Feeling down? Start with a low-intensity activity such as walking. Bring the dog or your family along to share the experience. Other great activities include biking, doing yard work, swimming, and throwing a ball around. Still having a hard time fitting in being active? Try to add a little bit of activity to your work routine, especially if you have an office job. Stand at your desk instead of sitting. Take time during the day to stretch. Remember, small changes over time can make a big difference!