Community News
IQ and Nutrition

What if you could increase your child’s IQ with nutrition? Inhabitants of a tiny island off the coast of Japan have the highest IQ scores in the world and produce seven times as many geniuses as any other place in the world. Seniors living there don’t seem to struggle with cognitive decline either. The secret: DHA, an essential fatty acid found in fish, krill, squid and some algae. The brain is made mostly of fat, 60% of which is DHA. DHA is found in mother’s milk and has long been recognized as aiding IQ scores in children. Almost everyone nowadays is deficient in DHA. This may be one of the reasons for the increased rates of ADHD, learning disabilities and autism as well as increasing rates of Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related cognitive problems.

Vitamin C is Not Ascorbic Acid

Mass-produced Vitamin C is a synthetic replication of one part of Vitamin C. It can be irritating and hard on the system. Vitamin C in its whole-food, natural form is a powerful antioxidant and water-soluble vitamin that needs to be eaten as food regularly; brightly coloured fruits and vegetables are a good source. Cosmetic applications often include Vitamin C as a fat-soluble, lab-altered version (e.g.,; Ester C, Liposomal Vit C). These versions of Vitamin C can oxidize (especially with sun exposure) and create more damage the longer you use them. The solution? Topically, look for products in air-free dispensers (not oxidized!) that contain food sources like Camu Camu or Ascerola Cherry. Or.. for a more youthful, brighter complexion, rub your organic fruit peel on your skin every day!

Feeling Anxious or Jumpy?

Anxiety is a normal response to life stress — when we encounter situations we don’t want, we tend to either run away, feel frozen in place, or to stay and fight. We do whatever we can to manage the situation. But sometimes anxiety sticks around — we have trouble sleeping maybe, or with concentration, or with eating. Sometimes we experience panicky feelings. Our minds rev up as we try to problem solve, or our body tells us that things aren’t settled yet. You might want help processing what is happening to you. Counseling is a safe, non-judgemental place to talk freely, learn new calming techniques, and explore new approaches to whatever is on your mind.

Clean Eating Recipe: BETTER THAN MAYO

A great spread on crackers or sliced veggies, used as a dip or salad dressing, or as a topping on Sunburgers.

Ingredients:

– 1 1/2 cup raw cashews

– 3/4 cup water

– 1 tbsp olive oil

– 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

– 1 1/2 tsp Italian spices

– 1/2 tsp sea salt

– dash of cayenne

Place all ingredients in a blender. Can blend right away, or soak 1 hour for a smoother texture. Blend until smooth. Store in fridge. Stays fresh for several days, but is so tasty you’ll probably eat it sooner.

Uncooking with RawRose – rawrose.com. Your guide to Raw Foods, book available at Rawthentic Eatery.

Clean Eating Recipe: Strawberry Chia Jam

Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and protein. They will absorb several times their mass in liquid, creating a jelly-like substance in the process. Instead of cooking fruit down, relying on pectin, and adding sugar to help it set, all we need to do is mash up some fruit and stir in a few tablespoons of chia seeds! So easy! Ingredients: 2 cups chopped strawberries, 1-2 tbsp lemon juice, 1-2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp chia seeds. Cook the berries on medium heat until they start to break down. Mash the fruit with the back of a spoon or a potato masher, leaving it as smooth or as lumpy as you like. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp of the honey and lemon juice. Stir in the chia seeds. Let stand until thickened. If you’d like a thicker consistency, stir in more chia seeds 1 tsp at a time. The jam will thicken further and become more set once completely chilled.

Mental Health Resources

Did you know that the Canadian Mental Health Association has information online regarding different mental health issues? As well, your local Canadian Mental Health Association branch can answer any questions you may have and provide services to the public. Workshops and courses are another great way to learn about these issues. The Canadian Mental Health Association along with other organizations in your community offer this service. Research what organizations are around you and call them to find out times, dates and whether courses are available for free at a cost. Visit your local library to take advantage of free resources or head to a bookstore or shop online to purchase.

5 Reasons to Eat Flaxseed

Flaxseeds are the richest sources of Plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the world! 5 Benefits of consuming this super food are 1. High in Fibre – Fibre aids in digestion, prevents constipation and suppresses hunger. 2. Women’s Health – The lignans present in them help in battling high levels of estrogen and assist in balancing hormonal levels. 3. Healthy Hair & Skin – The ALA fats in flax seeds benefits the skin and hair by providing essential fats as well as b-vitamins which can help reduce dryness and flakiness. It can also improve symptoms of acne, rosacea, and eczema. 4. Lower Cholesterol – The soluble fiber content of flax seeds trap fat and cholesterol in the digestive system so that it unable to be absorbed. 5. Weight Loss – Since flax is full of healthy fats and fiber, it will help you feel satisfied longer so you will eat fewer calories overall which may lead to weight loss.

Book Club: Is Your Child’s Brain Starving?

By Michael R. Lyon MD and Christine Laurell, PhD

Michael Lyon went from overweight academic underachiever to graduating as the top male student in his high school a year later, thanks to a total change of diet and lifestyle. He ultimately became a medical doctor involved in research on nutrition. This book is an inspiring guide to better brain function through diet and lifestyle changes. The minor downfall is the promotion of supplements he has helped to develop, but it is still a valuable book for parents and has a good recipe section.

IQ and Nutrition

What if you could increase your child’s IQ with nutrition? Inhabitants of a tiny island off the coast of Japan have the highest IQ scores in the world and produce seven times as many geniuses as any other place in the world. Seniors living there don’t seem to struggle with cognitive decline either. The secret: DHA, an essential fatty acid found in fish, krill, squid and some algae. The brain is made mostly of fat, 60% of which is DHA. DHA is found in mother’s milk and has long been recognized as aiding IQ scores in children. Almost everyone nowadays is deficient in DHA. This may be one of the reasons for the increased rates of ADHD, learning disabilities and autism as well as increasing rates of Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related cognitive problems.

Posture and Its Long Term Effects

What happens when you stand up straight? Are you truly in a balanced posture or are there tilts and twists in your body? Many of us believe that we are in a good posture but often that’s not the case. Far too often we hear from clients that they are dealing with chronic muscle aches and pains in the upper back or neck. Whether you are working, working out or simply relaxing, your body is, unfortunately, breaking down due to the wear and tear of gravity’s forces on your body faster than you would like. Solutions exist to curb this progression, but we’ve got to do something about it at the structural level. We’ve got to investigate the structural position of your spine and how are you positioning yourself throughout the day. It makes a big difference and can be a fantastic remedy for increasing your daily quality of life.

Dr. Matthew Kittleson, UC Life Chiropractic Centre, www.uclife.ca

The Sun and Our Eyes

As we all know, the sun’s UV rays are quite damaging to the skin, and most of us are great about putting on sun block to protect ourselves, but what about our eyes? The sun can cause cataracts, macular degeneration and growths on the eye, some even cancerous. The growths on the eye are called pterygiums, and they can occur in people of all ages, who spend large amounts of time in the sun. Pterygiums grow into the cornea, causing loss of vision. Other diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration occur later in life, but they occur from damage over the years of not protecting the eyes. That is why wearing sun protection, which includes sunglasses and a hat, is important for all ages including babies. So do your eyes a favour and give them the protection they need!

Dr. Nicholas Catchuk, www.iris.ca