Black seed (Nigella sativa) is the new preferred therapeutic oil prized for its immune-boosting and antibacterial benefits to reduce respiratory, viral, and digestive ailments. Anecdotally, it’s been said to “cure everything except for death!” And the research is starting to back that up. Studies show that this versatile oil can regulate the immune system, benefit blood sugar, and has anti-cancer activity (Butt et al, 2010). Look for a coldpressed black seed oil and for a synergistic blend, use oregano oil and black seed oil together and with vitamins A and D added to give your immune system the best tools to beat the bugs!
Community News
Physical Activity Throughout Pregnancy
To help stay healthy during pregnancy, newly released 2019 Canadian Guidelines for Physical Activity Throughout Pregnancy recommend 150 minutes per week (over a minimum of 3 days/week) of moderate intensity exercise for women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Exercise during pregnancy can cut odds of complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and gestational hypertension by up to 40%.
Exercise should incorporate aerobic and resistance activity. Keep in mind, some days your body will need rest – listen to your body and use rest and recovery days as needed. Exercises to avoid include contact sports, activities with a risk of falling, scuba diving, and exercising at a high altitude and in excessive heat.
Natural Product Review
Energize your body, boost mental clarity, promote vitality with an energy drink that’s actually GOOD for you! Kyäni Sunrise is carefully designed to provide the body with essential vitamins and antioxidants it needs to flourish. A natural, healthy way to help your energy soar while fighting free radicals. Nature has created a variety of adaptations that help protect plants from stresses. These protective pigments are one of the key antioxidant ingredients in Kyäni Sunrise. Featuring superfoods like the wild Alaskan blueberry, along with a host of other powerful natural ingredients, Kyäni Sunrise is the perfect way to start your day.
With Grace and Ease
Welcome each day with grace and ease. Grace is the state we are in when we are doing nothing, just being who we are at our best. Not pushing or making it happen, instead allowing and in that which is ready to be received. Who we encounter and what we experience throughout the day is not always in our control, but how we approach and take it in is our choice. When we meet life with frustration and resentment, the energies boomerang back and a viscous circle incurs as the energies get trapped. When we raise our own internal vibration, shifting to meet that of grace and ease, it gives us hope, connects us to our humanity and makes us more generous and loving beings. Allowing life to run smoother, welcoming in small gifts of connection along the way.
Natural Product Review: EMP Advanced
I recently discovered Truehope EMP Advanced and found this product works well to normalize brain function around mood and sleep issues. Although it’s not necessarily the complete answer for everyone, my wife and I both notice the difference. Many people are not functioning near their optimal levels due to sub-optimal nutrient levels in their diets. I think Truehope EMP Advanced is the most dopaminergic among all the multivitamins I’ve ever tried. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that controls the brain’s reward centers and a deficiency can result in addictive behavior and low brain energy in general (hard to get motivated to get out of bed in the morning), and at it’s severest, Parkinson’s Disease. Truehope EMP Advanced appears to help modulate dopamine levels in the brain.
Clean Eating: Simple Vegan Eggnog
Ingredients: 1 15-ounce can coconut milk (400 ml), 1/2 cup raw cashews, 1/4 cup water, 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon. Directions: Soak the cashews overnight or for at least 1 hour. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve the eggnog chilled, so keep it in the fridge for at least 1 or 2 hours. Enjoy the Holiday Season!
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is just one of over 85 naturally-occurring constituents identified in the hemp plant. Unlike THC, it won’t get you “high”, which makes it an appealing option. The most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp, CBD is becoming increasingly popular due to highly publicized exposure in the media and the wide scope of its benefits on health and wellness. Clinical reports and mounds of test data showing little to no side effects and a lack of the psychoactivity typically associated with marijuana products and high THC levels have also contributed to CBD’s rise in popularity. CBD will not adversely affect sensory awareness, perception, consciousness, reaction time, or behavior.
Choosing a Health Advocate
Choosing a Health Advocate
One of the most important steps in a senior’s life is to choose the right health advocate. Your advocate could be your family member or your friend; someone you can trust with your health concerns. The advocate will play a very important role in your healthcare plans in the future. For example, they can go with you to a doctor, the lab, your pharmacy, or the hospital. It is very important to name an advocate before you need one, and you can decide the limits of their authority. You can find more information, videos, and a “My Patient Advocate Agreement” form at www.safetoask.ca
Disability Tax Credit for Type 1 Diabetes
The Disability Tax Credit is a program designed to help those with disabilities or their caregivers reduce the amount of income tax they pay, offsetting some of the significant medical and treatment expenses. What diabetes-related activities are covered? According to CRA, the following activities qualify in the 14-hour-per-week calculation:
• Checking blood glucose levels
• Preparing and administering the insulin
• Calibrating necessary equipment
• Testing ketones
• Keeping a log book of blood glucose levels
With children, the 14-hour-per-week eligibility criteria can usually be met by combining the parent and child’s time.
T1D is an expensive disease and the disability tax credit can provide some financial relief for those who qualify.
Complications from Prostate Enlargement
Prostate enlargement is quite common among male adults who are 50 or older. It often causes various problems in urination, including a weak or slow flowing stream, a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, and sleep disturbance called nocturia. There are prescription drugs and natural treatments for this prostate problem, which can be used together to help shrink the prostate and solve urination issues associated with an enlarged prostate. Saw palmetto, a well-known natural treatment for prostate problems, is one example that may slow down the enlargement of the organ, though it isn’t usually used for problems with urination.
Pain in the Elbow?
Have you ever had an annoying pain in your elbow when you try to lift something as light as a coffee mug? Often, elbow pain without major injury, specifically on the outside of your arm, is called tennis elbow, or medically, “lateral epicondylosis”. This pain can radiate up or down the arm, cause the elbow to feel stiff, and even affect motions of the wrist. A physiotherapist has the ability to assess, diagnose, and treat this condition with great success. Management should include strengthening exercises that load the tendon, stretching, bracing, or taping. Ultrasound, dry needling, acupuncture, and manipulation of the elbow may also be used.
