Vista Issue 88 by BEAUDRY STUDIO

Canada’s Favourite Health Magazine

ISSUE 88 March/April 2013

Seven Steps

to Brain Health

Fix Your Thyroid –

Naturally

Bye-bye Love Handles! Balance Your Insulin

What's Funny About Vaccination?!

Interview with Comedian

Organic Planet

Feature: Ladies! Landfill Crisis Y O U R

C A N A D I A N

H E A L T H

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W E L L N E S S

C O N N E C T I O N

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Issue 88 | March/April 2013

CONTENTS

VISTA

Neurogenesis: Natural Options To Stimulate Brain Recovery and Regrowth By Paul Hrkal ND The seven natural steps to healthy brain function as you age.

DMSO: A Stinkinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Good Phenomenon By Michelle Agustin The many medicinal benefits of DMSO.

What Your Figure Says About Your Hormones By Igor Klibanov Where do you store your body fat?

Help Your Body Win the Fight Against Cancer By Rose Macmillan Proactively protect yourself against cancer.

Six Tips to Improve Insulin Balance and Banish Love Handles By Dr Natasha Turner, ND Smart and delicious approaches to healthy insulin levels.

No Laughing Matter: Rob Schneider on Mandatory Vaccination By Liberty Craig Beloved Hollywood comedian turns serious on the right to choose.

30 VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

The Low Thyroid Epidemic in Canada By Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, MS More than 50 percent of the population may have thyroid issues.

Sustainability: What it Really Means By Dr Cory Holly Your biological reality check.

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In the Bathroom: • Remove hard water marks and mineral deposits from faucets and shower heads. Full strength or 1:1 Dilution*

• Remove rust stains and disinfect toilets and tubs. Full strength

• Eliminate mold and mildew from tiles, grout and shower curtains/doors. Full strength or 1:1 Dilution

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In the Laundry Room: • Remove chemical or musty odours, soften fabrics and disinfect laundry. 2 tbsp to rinse cycle

• Brighten fading colours. 2 tbsp to wash cycle

• Remove yellowing and perspiration stains from clothes with overnight soak. 1:6 Dilution (warm)

• Fix colours (reds and brights) and prevent them from running with 15 minute soak. 1:4 Dilution

In the Garage and Workshop: • Revive synthetic fibre paint brushes and remove old paint by soaking. 1:1 Dilution (hot)

• Condition concrete floors before painting by precoating with Vinegar Plus solution. Allow to dry before applying paint and the paint will affix longer. 1:3 Dilution

• Recondition rusted tools by soaking them for several days. Full strength

In the Garden: • Eliminate ants by pouring a Vinegar Plus solution on ant hills and around places where you want to discourage them. 1:4 Dilution

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• Keep outdoor furniture free of mildew, by spritzing with a Vinegar Plus solution and allowing to dry in the sun.

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1:3 Dilution

• Water rhododendrons, hydrangeas and other acid-loving plants with Vinegar Plus solution. 3:400 Dilution weekly (2 tbsp per 4 L)

• Exterminate dandelions and other weeds from driveway and patio cracks by spraying with Vinegar Plus solution. 1:1 Dilution

* Dilution ratio is Vinegar Plus to Cold water unless indicated otherwise.

TO THE RETAILER: Puresource Inc. will reimburse the full value of this coupon plus our specified handling fee providing you accept it from your customer on the purchase of the product specified. Applications for reimbursement received after 6 months from expiry date, as indicated below, will not be accepted. A reduction in any applicable taxes payable is included in the coupon face value. For redemption, mail to: Promotion Solutions Box 9750 Lakeshore West PO Oakville, ON L6K 0G5 Expires: October 1, 2013 19-201

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This issue of

proudly brought to you by:

Publisher’s Word Photo Credit: Erich Saide

M A G A Z I N E

Trent Nellis Liberty Craig Shelly-Lynn Nellis Michelle Beaudry Dan Tidsbury 1-877-905-7771

Cover Credits:

Photo Credit: Neil Visel

Contributing Writers:

Dr Cory Holly, Igor Klibanov, Liberty Craig, Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, Marva Ward, Michelle Agustin, Dr Natasha Turner, Paul Hrkal, Rose Macmillan, Shelly Lynn Nellis, Terry Thrale, Tracy Kaye Holly, Laura Terlizzi

VISTA Magazine 13256 55A Avenue Surrey, BC CANADA V3X 3B3 Tel (604) 591-9991 or (877) 905-7771 e-mail vistamag@gmail.com www.vistamagonline.com

vista Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers and do not neces-

sarily reflect those of the vista Magazine publisher, editors or staff. Readers are encouraged to consult with their health professional before embarking

upon any exercise, medical or nutritional changes. Contents of vista Magazine

are copyright 2012, all rights reserved. vista Magazine may not be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without written permission of the publisher. To subscribe to vista Magazine and receive delivery to your home or office bimonthly, send $39.95 + HST $4.80 = $44.75 for 1year subscription. Include your address and we’ll ship you our next issue. Single copies are also available for $6.95 + HST $.80 = $7.75. Canadian Publications Mail Products Sales Agreement #40025872 ISSN #1715-8214

Trent E. Nellis - Publisher, Vista Magazine

his issue’s cover story features the very talented actor, comedian, screenwriter and director Rob Schneider. Rob is best known for his recurring roles on Saturday Night Live and his many appearances in comedic movies. Rob is an outspoken opponent of the mandatory vaccination pressures put on parents of children in the United States. He is vehemently opposed to California’s new law requiring parents who have not vaccinated their children through the public school programs to get a waiver saying they understand the risks and supposed benefits of vaccination. Rob is also convinced that vaccinations have led to the rise in autism throughout North America. Can you imagine Canadian parents being forced to vaccinate their children in order to attend public school? Whatever happened to freedom of choice? If you have questions or concerns regarding vaccinations, I strongly suggest you read his story. As technology in the cyber-world continues to evolve at a pace faster than most of us can comprehend, we recognize that shopping for healthrelated products is also changing. We have long been able to purchase health products online, but for the consumer who still likes to interact with the retailer and wants the knowledge that comes from buying products from a qualified retail outlet, we are introducing a new convenient and economic means of consumerism. I am excited to introduce you to the vHealthportal app, available from the iTunes app store as a free download. This new app allows you to receive daily deals, specials and sales notifications from your local health food retailer, as well as from the manufactures and suppliers of your favourite health products. Signing up for the app is simple and easy: just go to your iTunes store, type “vhealthportal” into the search function, and download the app for free. Combined with our app is www.vHealthportal.com – a new website loaded with articles from the Vista archives containing information on any and all health-related subjects we have covered over the years. As a consumer, you can interact with our writers and advertisers, obtain valuable health information faster and more conveniently, enhance your shopping experience and ultimately save money on your health supplement purchases. As an incentive to get you started on saving, one in 10 readers who sign up for the new vHealthportal app will win free health products from our advertisers. Technology is our friend, and when it starts saving us money on our everyday health and wellness needs, technology is our new BFF. We wish you the best health for the spring season!

Trent E. Nellis, Publisher To contact Trent Nellis via e‑mail, write to thepub@shaw.ca

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

Publisher: Editor: Marketing Director & Associate Editor: Art Director: Copy Editor: advertising sales:

Issue 88 | March/April 2013

CONTENTS

VISTA

Wasabi Salmon Tin Pinch By Tracy Kaye Holly CSNA Master

38 39

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

Protecting Trees: Sustainable Development By Terry Thrale Efforts to save trees were just not made in the past.

An Earth-Friendly Alternative to Ice-melting Salts By Laura Terlizzi Ice-melting products that wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t kill your pets, poison humans, or damage the Earth.

Editor Selects

The Damage We Are Doing: Sanitary Waste By Shelly Lynn Nellis Sanitary products wreak havoc on the environment.

Organic planet

Intestinal Permeability: The Problem and the Solution By Marva Ward, CNP The complex process of digestion may need your help.

Hair Grow Technology’s Bio-Fen® product line is continually moving forward! We are introducing our two latest versions; Bio-Fen® Plus for Men and Bio-Fen® Plus for Women. These products have been assigned Natural Product Numbers (NPN’s) by Health Canada. We recognize that both men and women experience androgenic alopecia (AGA, or male / female pattern baldness) and have made some improvements to the original formulation based on the latest science to address their specific needs. You will notice that we now have additional complementary (Health Canada Approved) health claims on each product.

How does Bio-Fen® PLUS work?

Bio-Fen® Plus for Women will also help to: • Reduce elevated blood lipid levels/hyperlipidemia • Prevent iron deficiency. • Metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

We are bringing you two new products with doublethe number of capsules and triple the number of health claims for men and four times the number of health claims for women.

How long must I use Bio-Fen® Plus?

As in the previous formulation, the fenugreek seed extract in both new formulas reduces excess blood lipid levels (hyperlipidemia). Fenugreek contains β-sitosterol, an active plant sterol, which has been shown to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase activity – the enzyme responsible for converting excess testosterone to DHT(which is the primary molecule that causes hair loss). The SDG (secoisolariciresinol diglucoside) from flax lignans in both formulas also decreases excess cholesterol - the building block of testosterone. Based on new research on the rate of metabolism of SDG in flax lignans (8-12 hours on average), the dosage in both products has been revised from once a day to twice a day for optimum results.

Bio-Fen® Plus for Men capsules are usually effective at stopping hair loss within the first two months. However, since healthy hair grows only about 1 cm each month, it may take up to three months before you notice that hair growth is increased or the rate of hair loss is decreased. Anyone experiencing new growth should see it within four months. In some people the original pigmentation may come back. Once you stop completely your hair growth pattern will slowly go back to the point where you started. However, some people may be able to go with a lower maintenance dose.

As before, the saw palmetto extract inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, and this action slows down the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (or DHT) – the overabundance of which causes the miniaturization of hair follicles. This activity of the saw palmetto also helps to relieve the urinary symptoms of mild to moderate BPH for men. The saw palmetto that originally was an extract standardized to 45% free fatty acids, esters, and sterols while the new formula is a 4:1 extract to support the BPH claim. The product still contains these molecules for hair loss, but they are now at proprietary amounts based on our research so that the competition cannot duplicate our formula.

Bio-Fen® Plus for Men will also help to: • Relieve the urologic symptoms associated with mild to moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia - BPH (e.g. weak urine flow, incomplete voiding, frequent daytime and night time urination).

• Reduce elevated blood lipid levels / hyperlipidemia.

Bio-Fen® Plus for Women The women’s formula is almost the same as the men’s formula. The mechanisms and results for the women formula is the same. The only difference is it contains silicon and iron instead of saw palmetto. Silicon has been shown to contribute to hair shaft strength and thus healthy hair growth. It also contains iron which helps prevent iron deficiency. A number of studies have related sub-clinical iron deficiency in women to diffuse hair loss/alopecia. The increased amount of SDG and other revisions to the regulations allow us to make some additional health claims for Bio-Fen® Plus for Women.

What is the quality of Bio-Fen® Plus for Men? Bio-Fen® Plus for Men is manufactured in Canada according to quality assurance specifications called Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This ensures that the ingredients are tested for their level of quality, potency & purity, prior to production and the finished product prior to sale. Hair Grow Technology (Bio-Fen® Plus) is a progressive company - we continually seek out the latest research on bioactive ingredients, and on regulatory updates in the natural health products industry. See our website to locate your nearest store that carries Bio-Fen® Plus.

www.biofen.com

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Each coupon is valid for one bottle of Bio-Fen® Plus for Men or Bio-Fen® Plus for Women. Valid one coupon per bottle. Coupon is void when 2013. reproduced or altered in anyway. Coupon expires on March JUNE 31, 30/2013 Retailers must submit all coupons for reimbursement to Hair Grow Technology within 30 days after the expiration date. Redeemed coupons must be accompanied with a copy of the purchased receipt. Coupon Code: CNHL12

Editor’s Desk

Photo Credit: Cindy Hughes

o you immunize your children? Do you get a flu shot? Have you ever met a family that has experienced vaccine injury? The majority of people take at face value the widely accepted wisdom of our aggressive vaccination schedule for infants and children. Some people, however, are not so sure. Vaccines can contain allergens. They often contain toxins such as mercury and aluminum. They can and do cause adverse reactions. And despite what we’ve been taught, there may be less efficacy to the program than we are led to believe. Was the vaccination program responsible for the significant reduction of childhood mortality in North America – or was it improved access to nutrition and sanitation, and education regarding both? The answer depends on whom you ask. Thankfully, in Canada, vaccination is not currently mandatory. We must consent to our children receiving a needle in school or at the doctor – which means we have the relative luxury of being aware of what our children have been exposed to in case of severe reaction. In the US, parents are not so lucky. And perhaps we are headed that way as well. Some provinces in Canada will not allow children into schools without specific vaccines. Some organizations have tried to disallow healthcare workers who haven’t received flu shots to go to work. Most MDs will very strongly encourage vaccination, and may even refuse treatment for those who won’t comply. The issue may be reaching a boiling point. In this edition of Vista, we are honoured to feature legendary comedian Rob Schneider on our cover. Despite this hilarious man’s long history of ridiculously funny characters, there are a few things about which Schneider is very serious indeed, and mandatory vaccination tops the list. To Schneider, losing the right to choose what is being done to our children is a human rights issue. In a lively interview, Schneider expresses his well-formed opinions on how we need to better educate ourselves on these grave issues.

Liberty Craig - Editor, Vista Magazine Liberty Craig, Editor

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Smart Hormone Solutions By: Lorna Vanderhaeghe, MS

Stop Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Reverse Low Thyroid and Stop Weight Gain, Constipation and More

I was thrilled when Dr. Oz recently recommended sage for night sweats as my new supercharged Menosmart Plus formula contains 300mg of sage to ensure rapid reduction of night sweats and hot flashes. Along with the right type and dose of sage, Menosmart Plus also contains black cohosh, dong quai, gamma oryzanol, vitex and hesperidin to provide relief of menopausal symptoms fast. Black cohosh is so safe that it has been used in women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer who are taking the drug Tamoxifen. Vitex, another herb in Menosmart Plus, helps to enhance progesterone levels and reduces male facial hair growth in menopausal women. If you are on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and still get hot flashes and night sweats, take Menosmart Plus along with your HRT to ensure that you never have to suffer again. Use Menosmart Plus along with Sleepsmart for deep, restful sleep.

Low thyroid affects 23% of Canadians. Get a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test but ask your doctor for the result. A normal range for the TSH blood test is 0.5 to 5.5. Your doctor will only diagnose you with low thyroid if your TSH level is over 5.5. But research shows that you will have symptoms when your TSH is above 2.0. . If you have a TSH level higher than 2.0 and have the classic symptoms of low thyroid (weight gain and stubborn weight loss, cold hands and feet, dry skin, hair loss, constipation, low mood, no sex drive and irritability), then you need Thyrosmart. Approved by Health Canada, Thyrosmart contains nutrients that enhance thyroid hormone. Low thyroid makes you feel like you are pushing yourself through the day. Thyrosmart is safe and effective and works fast to optimize thyroid health. For men and women.

Conquer Stress, Improve Sleep and Boost Energy Chronic stress negatively affects the adrenal glands causing adrenal exhaustion. In women the adrenals are the back-up hormone system making estrogen, progesterone, DHEA and testosterone. Women who have good functioning adrenals have virtually no menopause symptoms. And if your adrenals are tired you just can’t handle stress, you develop belly fat weight gain, you fall asleep fine but wake up several hours later and can’t fall back to sleep until 4 am and you need coffee to keep you going. Adrenasmart helps reverse adrenal exhaustion fast. Adrenasmart keeps you calm and helps you deal with life’s stressors. In men with tired adrenals they develop a beer belly and breasts. Adrenasmart for men and women.

Balance Hormones Fast and Stop Acne breakouts In women hormonal acne occurs mid cycle and clears for a few days only to reappear again. Women with hormonal acne secrete testosterone in excessively high amounts during ovulation causing acne on the face, hair line, chin, chest and the back. Hormonal acne is not just a teenage problem. Hormonal acne is very common during the perimenopause years when incompetent ovulation occurs as you head towards menopause. Estrosmart solves hormonal acne by balancing hormones naturally. Four capsules of Estrosmart will eliminate hormonal acne within 2 full menstrual cycles. Estrosmart not only clears acne but makes periods effortless, controls endometriosis, PCOS, breast and ovarian cysts and so much more. Estrosmart is a girl’s best friend.

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Neurogenesis:

Natural Options To Stimulate Brain Recovery and Regrowth By Paul Hrkal ND

nti-aging, especially brain and cognitive function, has become a focus of both the public and scientific community in the quest to find the fountain of youth in the natural health field. All you have to do is walk into a bookstore and look at the health section to find that at least one-third of the books are about “improving your memory” or “healthy brain aging.” Every week, there are a number research bulletins released showing that some natural substance, extract or food has “promising” effects on memory or brain health. With the baby boomer population aging, there is an increased fear of a looming dementia epidemic. Experts predict that the rates of Alzheimer’s dementia will increase exponentially over the next few decades. Alzheimer’s disease is not the only motivating factor for the increased focus on cognitive health. The terms neuroplasticity and neurogenesis have caught the eye of many different people from medical professionals to athletes to top executives. The terms refer to the ability of the brain to recover from damage, regrow neuronal connections, and even function at a higher level. Many online websites (such as www.luminosity.com) and private companies have created programs to take advantage of the brain’s incredible ability to grow and adapt at almost any age. While this is intriguing for top executives, it is even more exciting for people who have sustained some degree of damage to their brains. The mechanism of neuroplasticity and neurogenesis is being applied to accident victims, concussed athletes and those with neurodegenerative diseases. The concepts are very promising and more research is now finding that natural substances have powerful properties to not only stop damaging processes in the brain but also to promote recovery. The remainder of this article will highlight a number of natural health interventions that have shown promising evidence in promoting healthy brain function and even stimulating regrowth. A key molecule that will be highlighted is called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This “neuro-horomone” is essential to the structure of nerve cells and it stimulates neuroplasticity and neurogenesis.

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

Caloric Restriction

One of the most powerful ways to improve cognitive functioning is through caloric restriction and promoting ketone production. Caloric restriction (by 30 percent) involves multiple mechanisms that are responsible for the observed beneficial effects. Studies have shown it can improve memory, increase levels of BDNF, reduce inflammation and oxidative damage and enhance mitochondrial function. It also improves the function of insulin and promotes the production of ketones, which the brain can use as an efficient fuel source. The ability to regulate insulin supports one of the latest theories that suggests Alzheimer’s disease is actually a type of diabetes of the brain. The wide range of effects of caloric restriction and ketone production makes it one of the most powerful brain building interventions.

Stress Reduction

Most people know that stress has a negative impact on your health and can increase blood pressure; however, stress has a much broader and more damaging impact than was once thought. The negative effects of stress are mediated through the action of a hormone called corti-

sol. Chronically high stress levels elevate cortisol, which now has been found to have a negative impact on memory. High cortisol decreases the production of the BDNF in the hippocampus, which is the area of the brain that stores our memories. This highlights how important it is to find good coping mechanisms and stress-relieving techniques such as meditation and yoga to minimize the negative effect in our brains.

Physical Exercise

It seems slightly counterintuitive that physical exercise can have such a powerful effect on cognitive function, but studies have demonstrated that just 20 minutes of aerobic exercise a day increased the size of the hippocampus (while in normal aging, it shrinks in size) and improved memory and cognition. The latest research shows that exercise training promotes the production of BDNF. Furthermore, there is emerging evidence that exercise has been shown to increase mitochondrial (energy-producing organs) formation in the brain. It is clear that modest strength and aerobic training for a short time daily over a period of at least a year can benefit both your memory and cardiovascular health.

DHA

It is well known that omega-3 fatty acids have a beneficial effect on inflammation and brain health. This was confirmed by the Framingham heart study wherein people with the highest intake of DHA, which is a specific fraction in omega-3 fatty acids found in nerve cells, had a decreased risk of developing dementia. Other studies have confirmed the opposite was also true, where low DHA levels were characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease patients and those experiencing age-associated cognitive impairment. One of the most exciting mechanisms of DHA is the ability to increase BDNF and, therefore, promote the growth of nerve cells. One promising animal study that highlights the neurogenic potential of DHA found that it counteracted learning disability after a traumatic brain injury. Interestingly, a diet high in saturated fat and refined sugar decreased nerve growth and promoted oxidative damage.

Proline-rich Polypeptides

Proline-rich polypeptides (PRP) are compounds found in bovine colostrum (the first milk secreted after giving birth) with promising effects for treating cognitive decline. Bovine colostrum is traditionally used to help stimulate the immune system and promote healing of the digestive tract, since it contains powerful immune-stimulating proteins. Preliminary results from animal studies have shown that supplementation may reduce inflammation (by decreasing NF-kappaB), decrease the toxicity B-amyloid proteins, and stimulate nerve growth. In two human trials, memory scores improved after 15 weeks. The results are promising but more research is needed to confirm the findings. They do highlight that a substance that influences the immune system can potentially have a powerful effect on nerve growth and protection. This is further supported by the recent discovery that Alzheimer’s disease has been tied to activated immune cells within the brain.

simply beyond

Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)

Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is a well-known nutrient with a wide range of well-documented, beneficial effects. Recently, Dr Oz has made it popular for weight loss, but the effects are much more powerful when ALCAR is used to prevent damage to nerves, blood vessels and brain cells. It is important to note that ALCAR is more beneficial for nerve health than L-carnitine since it has better absorption into the brain and can also act as a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Multiple studies have found that supplementation with ALCAR improved cognitive function and short-term memory and slowed decline. One of the ways in which these effects are achieved is by protecting the mitochondria and stimulating nerve growth factor.

Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ)

Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) is a recently discovered compound that is part of the B-vitamin family with potent antioxidant and nerve growth effects. It works as an antioxidant within mitochondria, protecting it from oxidative damage. There are a number of animal trials that have shown exciting effects on nerve regeneration and growth. A study conducted in Japan in elderly patients found there was an improvement in memory after 12 weeks when PQQ and Coenzyme Q10 were supplemented together. They also found a 40 times higher level of BDNF and that the antioxidant effect of PQQ was 30 times more effective than vitamins C or E. There are many natural substances that have promising effects on reversing cognitive decline and regenerating nerve tissue. This article highlights the options with the most promising and best supporting evidence. As more research is conducted, we can continue to build on the intervention options that are available for patients experiencing memory loss and cognitive decline and recovering from brain injuries. As with all serious medical conditions, I recommend you see a qualified healthcare practitioner who can create a brain health recovery plan best suited for you. Remember, when it comes to brain health and memory, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Protect your head, stay active, eat a diet low in refined foods and stay sharp.

References available from Vista on request. Dr Hrkal is a board certified Naturopathic physician and an active member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors and Naturopathic Doctors Ontario. Dr Hrkal is an expert in nutrition and supplemental treatments and has additional training and certification in intravenous and injection therapy. He has a special interest in brain health, neurological disorders, chronic pain and sports medicine. He is also strong advocate of integrative medical education, and lectures regularly to both healthcare practitioners and public audiences. Dr Hrkal is currently a medical advisor for Advanced Orthomolecular Research and maintains a clinical practice in the Mississauga area at pureBalance Wellness centre in Port Credit, Ontario.

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DMSO:

A Stinkin’ Good Phenomenon By Michelle Augustin

"I read about this product and had to try it, having just had shoulder surgery in August 2012. DMSO is one of the most effective topical pain relievers I have ever used. It penetrates deep into the tissue and worked almost immediately, and its effects were long-lasting."

or those who are familiar with dimethyl sulfoxide, or DMSO, two associations generally come to mind: a strong garlic smell and an amazing adaptability. However, despite the impressive roster of alleviated ailments, many people still do not know much about DMSO. DMSO was first synthesized in 1866 by Russian scientist Alexander Saytzeff. When experimenting with it, Dr Saytzeff and his fellow chemists found that DMSO would combine with almost any chemical. After World War II, DMSO became known as a great solvent. In 1959, a study conducted in Great Britain found that DMSO was capable of protecting red blood cells and other tissues from freezing conditions. A few years later, Dr. Stanley Jacob began investigating ways to safely freeze human kidneys, and started testing DMSO. Dr. Jacob would soon become DMSO’s biggest advocate.

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

Benefits of DSMO

DMSO became known as an incredible pain reliever and transporter. However, despite its growing popularity, the only instance where the FDA permitted DMSO usage was for the treatment of interstitial cystitis. For all other uses, the FDA continued to keep DMSO off the market. The resulting public outcry increased and eventually garnered government attention. For instance, Senator Edward M.

Kennedy held a senate subcommittee hearing on the status of DMSO. As of 1993, at least six resolutions to legalize DMSO had been presented to the American Congress. As the controversy escalated, DMSO received even more national attention. In 1980, the television show 60 Minutes did a special on DMSO, demonstrating its capabilities through personal accounts, such as the story of Emily Rudich. Her fingers were deformed from extremely painful arthritis; after undergoing DMSO treatment, her pain was alleviated enough that she could play the piano again. The initial broadcast received 70 million views, and Dr. Jacob’s office was swamped with calls. After the broadcast, governor and former presidential candidate George Wallace traveled to Dr. Jacob’s clinic to receive DMSO treatment for his paralysis. The treatment was successful. As seen in the book DMSO: Nature’s Healer, other medicinal functions of DMSO include: • Blocks pain by interrupting conduction in the non-myelinated nerve fibres • Anti-inflammatory • Bacteriostatic, fungistatic, virostatic • Transports across membranes • Reduces platelet thrombi in blood vessels • Reduces the workload of the heart

• Tranquilizer • Enhances antifungal and antibacterial agents • Vasodilator • Inhibits cholinesterase • Softens collagen • Scavenges for free radicals • Stimulates immunity • Diuretic (mainly through intravenous use) • Interferon formation • Aids in wound healing DMSO commonly comes in either liquid or gel form. Both have been known to help with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). The liquid helps to temporarily reduce the pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions of the large joints, such as post-traumatic soft tissue injuries, acute bursitis, strains and sprains. The gel is known to help with sunburns and wound healing, such as for lacerations, skin irritations and burns. Michelle Agustin is a student at heart who likes reading and writing (not arithmetic). Originally from Mississippi, she holds degrees in English and Theology. Michelle works in the natural health industry and spends her days equipping the industry with tools for growth. In her free time, she can often be found huddled over a hot beverage, enjoying good discourse, good music, or good food.

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What Your Figure Says

About Your Hormones By Igor Klibanov

ave you ever heard of the body fathormone connection? Intuitively, we know that men store their body fat in the belly, but pre-menopausal women store it in their buns and thighs. When women go through menopause, they take on a more masculine pattern of fat distribution. Isn’t it interesting that without changing your food intake, without changing your calories, fat redistributes itself from one area to another? A French-Canadian strength coach named Charles Poliquin noticed this pattern, and identified 10 different correlations between where you store your body fat (not how much you have) and your hormonal profile. Here are the correlations: • Back of the arm: testosterone • Chest: balance between estrogens (there are three different estrogens)

for women and an enzyme called “aromatase” for men. This enzyme converts testosterone to estrogen. • Upper back: genetic tolerance for carbohydrates • Over the ribs: thyroid • Love handles: insulin • Belly: cortisol • Thighs (quads and hamstrings): estrogen • Knees and calves: growth hormone You can quite literally – and quite accurately – determine your hormonal profile by simply measuring where your body fat is stored. This entire methodology of correlating the location of the body fat to the hormonal profile is called “biosignature modulation.” The truly unique feature of biosignature modulation is that it combines training, nutrition

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Designed by nature. Proven by science. and supplementation for each different profile. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, different people require very different approaches. Here is an example: let’s say that the area where you store the most body fat is your thighs. For your profile, you will want to exercise using weights and circuit training to produce a high amount of burning in the muscles (all over the body, not just in the legs). You’ll want to emphasize cruciferous veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage. You’ll want to avoid things like soy and tofu. And you’ll want to supplement with DIM (diindolylmethane) and CDG (calcium-d-glucarate). But what if you store your body fat predominantly in the belly? Then your approach is completely different. High intensity exer-

cise will actually cause you to gain body fat. You’ll want a more gentle approach. So activities that will be more appropriate for you will be walking, tai chi and yoga. You’ll want to emphasize red bell peppers, berries and liver. And on the supplement side of things, you’ll want to use the B complex of vitamins, vitamin B5 and vitamin C. Can you see why one-size-fits-all approaches fail a lot of people? The great thing about combining exercise with nutrition and supplementation is that you get results much faster than any one by itself. Igor Klibanov is a Toronto-based fitness professional and author of the book Unlimited Progress: How You Can Unlock Your Body’s Potential. He publishes a free e-newsletter on his website at www. TorontoFitnessOnline.com/blog.

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Pioneer In Natural Health - since 1923

Help Your Body Win the Fight Against Cancer By Rose Macmillan

To strengthen the immune system, there are fundamental practices most of us are aware of and know we should employ. These include good nutrition and dietary supplementation, increased rest, plenty of physical activity and avoidance of stress. In a nutshell, you must live a healthy, active, balanced lifestyle that will allow your body – and your immune system – to function at their best. It’s the kind of lifestyle that makes you feel great and, most important, can save your life.

Boost Immunity for Best Results

ur immune systems are incredible things. They fight off cold, flu, infection, disease, and the endless threats and complications to and of the human body. We diligently wash our hands and take our vitamins to ensure that our immune systems can function at peak performance, without being overwhelmed by germs or incapacitated by lack of nutrients. Yet too often, we fail to appreciate one of the most important, life-saving roles of the immune system: it’s ability to ward off cancer.

Empower Your Body to Beat Cancer

The body’s natural immune system is replete with NK cells, or “natural killer” cells, that are designed to seek and destroy cell abnormalities that can and do become cancer. These cell abnormalities, which are cancerous or pre-cancerous cells, are common occurrences in our bodies. Most often, however, they are eradicated. It is only when the NK cells are not functioning properly, or when the cancer cells are growing so quickly that they become unstoppable, that cancer is able to take hold in the body. It stands to reason that two important approaches must be considered and undertaken in cancer prevention: first, to strengthen the immune system so that it can fight off these abnormal cells as efficiently as possible; and second, to prevent the rapid growth of invasive cancerous cells. Science is working hard on the latter. For the former, the strengthening of our immune systems, there is a great deal that rests in our own hands.

Interested in taking your anti-cancer initiatives a step beyond diet and exercise? For the great many of us who have lost a loved one to cancer, lived in fear of our genetic predisposition to cancer, or been diagnosed ourselves, there is another option that is of increasing interest to both the scientific community and the public: immunotherapy. By directly targeting the NK cells that fight off cancer, and strengthening and increasing the activity of these cells, we can help our bodies not only ward off the threat of cancer but also fight existing cancers. Now available to the general public is a health supplement that has been clinically proven highly effective in boosting NK cell activity. Known as MGN-3, this natural therapy is made from an extract of rice bran modified by enzymes from shiitake mushrooms. In 1996, a study involving 27 patients with different forms of cancer (presented at the 87th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research), all taking conventional treatments plus three grams of MGN-3 per day, showed that patients had significant rises in NK cell activity when taking MGN-3, ranging from 100 percent to 537 percent increases. In 1998, a study documented in the International Journal of Immunotherapy involved 24 patients taking MGN-3 in three different concentrations. NK cell activity was significantly increased after one week and peaked at two months in all individuals. MGN-3 is not meant to replace conventional therapies in treating advanced malignancies. However, conventional cancer therapies (including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation) can be extremely taxing on the body and can significantly weaken the immune system. Since no cancer treatment avoids the risk of leaving some number of cancer cells alive and well in the body with the potential to thrive in a weakened immune environment, this may be the most important time to help boost immunity. Rose Macmillan is a regular contributor to Vista Magazine.

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Six Tips to Improve Insulin Balance and Banish Love Handles By Dr Natasha Turner, ND

f the thought of the weather getting warmer and clothing options getting lighter fills you with dread, you aren’t alone. Hormones influence not only how much body fat you have, but also where you carry it. If your trouble areas are your love handles, you can be certain that your insulin levels are too high. Too much insulin not only encourages your body to store unused glucose as fat, but also blocks the use of stored fat as an energy source—a double whammy for any waistline. Implement the following suggestions to reduce your insulin in as little as three days to six months.

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

1. Have a blueberry smoothie to reduce insulin by 22 percent Could eating blueberries help get rid of belly fat? According to a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Nutrition, a daily dose of the bioactive ingredients from blueberries also increases sensitivity to insulin and may reduce the risk of developing diabetes in at-risk individuals. Researchers discovered that obese, non-diabetic and insulin-resistant participants who consumed a blueberry smoothie daily for six weeks experienced a 22 percent change in insulin sensitivity, compared to less than five percent in the placebo group.

2. Take 4,000 IU vitamin D daily to improve insulin balance in 6 months The sunshine vitamin can help you get a better midriff, not to mention boost your hormones. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that women who were given a daily dose of 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 showed improvements in their insulin resistance after six months of supplementation. You may wish to have your blood level of vitamin D3 tested by your doctor at some point. The participants whose vitamin D levels reached 119nmol/L had the biggest

improvements. A blood value of 125 nmol/L is optimal for ideal insulin balance and carb sensitivity. 3. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to improve insulin balance in 20 days Just a little cinnamon in your smoothies can go a long way towards balancing your insulin levels. A teaspoon a day for 20 days is enough to improve your insulin response and lower blood sugar by up to 20 percent. A research group from the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center found that cinnamon reduced blood sugar, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in subjects with type 2 diabetes after just 40 days of consuming one to six grams per day.

but don’t swallow. People who notice no taste at all or who notice a mineral-type taste are likely to be deficient in zinc. Those who notice a strong, unpleasant taste are not likely to be deficient in this mineral. Dosage is 15mg to 25mg a day with food. 6. Snack on tart cherries to improve insulin balance in 90 days Researchers have found that tart cherries have significant health benefits in animal models, including reduced belly fat. In the study, rats that received whole tart cherry powder mixed into a high-fat diet didn’t gain as much weight or build up as much body fat as rats that didn’t receive cherries. The blood of tart cherry -fed rats showed much lower levels of molecules that indicate the kind of inflammation that has been linked to heart disease and diabetes. In addition, they had significantly lower blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides than their counterparts. As an added bonus, these berries are high in melatonin and can improve your slumber. Add them to your smoothies or enjoy a snack with half a cup Greek yogurt, a quarter-cup tart cherries and a tablespoon of nuts mixed together.

4. Have a tablespoon of nuts to improve insulin balance by 30 percent A prospective cohort study of women found that frequency of nut consumption had a substantial and highly significant inverse association with risk of type 2 diabetes. Those consuming nuts five or more times per week had a 30 percent reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and those consuming nuts one to four times per week had a 20 percent reduced risk, compared to those who almost never ate nuts. I recommend having varied nuts as a fat source once daily. 5. Take zinc daily to improve insulin balance in 8 days Zinc is involved in more than 200 enzymes in the body. It is also one of the most common mineral deficiencies I find in clinical practice. In fact, according to a study published in American Physiological Society, rats who were fed a zinc-deficient diet demonstrated a peripheral resistance to insulin within just eight days of feeding! A quick way to detect a zinc deficiency is to crush a zinc tablet to powder and mix it with a quarter-cup of water. Slosh the mixture around your mouth

Dr. Natasha Turner is North America’s leading naturopathic doctor and founder of the Clear Medicine Wellness Boutique in Toronto, Canada. She is the author of three bestselling books, The Hormone Diet, The Supercharged Hormone Diet and The Carb Sensitivity Program. She was recently recognized by the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors as being a leader in her field. Dr. Turner is also the first Canadian Naturopath to be featured as a guest expert on The Dr. Oz Show. Her work has been endorsed by New York Times bestselling authors, Suzanne Somers, Dr. William Davis and Dr. Christiane Northrup. Visit www.drnatashaturner.com

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Cover story

No Laughing Matter:

Rob Schneider on Mandatory Vaccination By Liberty Craig

Photo Credit: Neil Visel

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“Robby! Rob-o. The Robinator...” So speaketh the Rob Schnieder of Saturday Night Live, circa early nineties “copy machine” skits. Along with colleagues Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade and Chris Farley, Schneider was a beloved cast member of the edgy comedy show for five funny years. (Anyone remember Sensitive Naked Guy?) The hilarious Schneider is probably most well known for his starring role in the infamous Deuce Bigalow, Male Gigolo and for his leads in The Hot Chick, The Animal and Grown Ups. If you’ve ever seen an Adam Sandler movie, Rob Schneider was probably in it. If you’ve ever seen a Rob Schneider movie, Adam Sandler was probably in it. The comedic duo have worked on 18 movies together over the course of their 25 year friendship and, as Schneider informs us, there is no end in sight. But there’s a serious side to this comedy legend, and for Schneider, the issue of mandatory vaccination is no laughing matter. As a resident of LA, Schneider is both affected and offended by legislation that forces a medical procedure he doesn’t even agree with upon his own children. Parents are no longer given a choice in the US and, to Schneider, that is a serious human rights issue. Vista was honoured to chat with Rob Schneider about his current career, his brand-new baby girl, and his well informed, vehement opposition to mandatory vaccination.

Current Career

“I’m enjoying my new baby first and foremost. I’m writing a movie that’s going to be done in Spanish, and I’m looking forward to producing a couple of shows. I’m doing stand-up comedy fairly regularly. I think it’s important for me to maintain my umbilical cord to show business, which is comedy, so I’m going to do some funny shows and I’ll probably be in another sit-com. I’m doing another movie with Adam Sandler called The Ridiculous Six, which is going to be with Jack Black and Adam Sandler, maybe Robert Duvall – I’m not sure, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Favourite Career Moments

“Probably saying, ‘Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!’ Having a movie like Deuce Bigalow make me famous in China – that was weird. When I was in Ireland promoting a movie with Adam Sandler, we were driving to the premiere and hundreds of red-headed Irish kids were running alongside our car. I asked who all these kids were and the driver said [puts on a thick Irish accent]: They’re here to see you and Adam! We couldn’t take enough pictures or say hi to enough of these beautiful Irish kids. Making people laugh; getting a standing ovation for my stand-up – that’s pretty exciting. Sneaking into one of my movies and hearing people laugh at my jokes is pretty fun, too. I like to do that when the movie opens. I talked to Quentin Tarantino about it and he’s like: Dude, I’m there from noon to midnight. I work my ass off on this shit, I want to hear what people think!”

A Long-term Relationship with Adam Sandler

“It’s not sexual yet, but you never know.... Adam’s a good buddy; a really good friend. We’ve known each other for 25 years and worked on 18 films together. People expect to see us in each other’s movies. He’s a loveable person. What have I learned from him? That he makes a lot more money than me! Honestly, I’m happy to be able to spend more time with my wife and daughter. We work like Germans in America. I was shocked when I went to Australia and I was talking with some really talented directors about what they were working on, and they said [puts on a thick Australian accent]: We’re taking six months off! And I said, six months off? How the hell do you do that? I’ve never taken six months off in my life! In America, we just work and work and work.”

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

“The United States is the most oppressive country in the world for vaccine mandates. It’s lunacy that we’re dealing with.”

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Cover story left to deal with the consequences, legally and financially, if their child becomes vaccine injured.”

Vaccine Injury and Human Rights

“The idea that vaccines don’t injure people is a fallacy. More than 2.5 billion dollars have been paid out under a federal vaccine injury compensation program to people who have been vaccine injured or died in the United States. This is a real thing. Another law has been passed in California to prevent a child from going to school unless he or she has been vaccinated with dozens of doses of vaccines. Kids have to take all the shots on a certain schedule, and if they don’t, they can’t go to school. That’s a human rights issue. When you have taken away parental rights and you’re forcing people to do an invasive medical procedure that can cause harm, it’s a violation of basic informed consent rights that were defined in the Nuremberg Code. The Nuremberg Code states that you have the right to be informed about all risks and you have to have the right to say no without being threatened.”

The Glorification of Vaccines

“Vaccines have been glorified as the be all end all for diseases, and frankly it’s just a theory. The National Institute for Health and the World Health Organization tell you that vaccines can be credited for the significant reduction in childhood mortality rates in the past century, but that’s not what did it. What put a stop to high childhood mortality was good nutrition and proper sanitation. In a book called Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970, you’ll see that before the onset of mass vaccination programs in the mid-20th century, these mortality rates had already declined a significant amount. In fact, right now the United States has one of the highest infant mortality rates of all developed countries. We’re below Bolivia – it’s crazy.”

Coming to Canada

“My wife and I are thinking about moving to Canada, probably to British Columbia. Canada is a beautiful country full of smart people – for the most part... except for some of your leaders! But Canadians need to stop following the United States as a guide. Stop following the US into wars. And I hope Canada continues to do what’s in the best interest of the people, not the pharmaceutical industries.”

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Getting involved

“The global mass vaccination infrastructure has been set up by both the US public health authorities and the World Health Organization, and they’ve become very powerful. The United States is the most oppressive country in the world for vaccine mandates. An outrageous thing happened in California in 2011: the governor of California, bowing to pressure from the pharmaceutical lobbies, signed a controversial bill into law that allowed 12-year-olds to be vaccinated without the knowledge or informed consent of their parents. Suppose the child has adverse reactions, and the parents taking the child to the hospital don’t even know what their child is reacting to. It’s lunacy that we’re dealing with in the United States. This law puts the lives of minor children too young to make medical decisions at risk. The parents will not be informed before their children are given vaccines, but they’ll be the ones

“I have to be careful on stage: I’m there to get laughs, but I do try to sneak in some messages along the way.” Forcing the Issue

“What we have now is a 25 billion dollar global pharmaceutical industry with a 13 billion US vaccine market that’s in cahoots with the government to force people. There are societal sanctions attached to these vaccine mandates in the US: your child can’t go to school, including college; you can be dropped from your healthcare provider; denied employment if you’re a healthcare worker. Teachers are going to be next. Pediatricians are throwing children out of their practices if parents won’t agree to the entire vaccination schedule. You can legally get a doctor to sign a medical exemption so that your child doesn’t have to be vaccinated. However, up in Sacramento, we called over a hundred doctors, and about 80 percent would not take a child into their practice if parents wouldn’t agree to all the vaccinations.”

Know the Numbers

“Take a look at the number of shots being given. Currently, it’s 69 doses

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Cover story of 17 vaccines from the day of birth to the age of 18. Forty-nine doses before the age of six. Concurrently, we’re seeing serious problems with kids in America. One child is six is learning disabled in the United States. One in nine has asthma. One in 54 boys develops autism. One in 450 becomes diabetic. These numbers have gone way up, and Canada is also suffering an increase in chronic illness among children. There is no explanation coming from either US or Canadian health officials explaining why this is happening. The potential role of increased vaccination should not be left off the table either on research agendas or in public conversation. We can’t just say that widespread vaccination has nothing to do with it. “How can known toxins – mercury, formaldehyde, aluminum – be mixed into a vaccine cocktail and considered safe. There’s just no proof. There has never been a study in which a thousand children are given vaccines and a thousand children are not, to see which group does better. They don’t need a study because they’re just forcing people to do this and, in America, the drug companies selling vaccines are completely shielded from vaccine injury lawsuits by Congress and the US Supreme Court. Let’s talk about the flu shot. If you have 200 parts per billion of mercury in your swimming pool, you would need a team in hazmat suits to clean what would be considered toxic waste. A flu shot has 25,000 parts per billion mercury. And they just assume this is safe? Mercury is the second most toxic substance you can put in your body.”

The Possible Link to Autism

“When one out of every 54 boys in America develops autism, we have to look at every possible cause, and not just say it has to be some environmental thing. The University of British Columbia recently did a study that got barely any press in Canada and none in the United States. In the study, monkeys received the same vaccination schedule as human beings. The monkeys developed autism spectrum disorders along the lines of what we see in children. That’s pretty interesting – and it’s almost more interesting that they don’t talk about it in the United States. The idea behind science is that it should question everything; not question everything except vaccines.”

Environmentalist by Default

“There are some things that are pretty basic to human rights: the abili-

ty to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and eat food that doesn’t make you sick and that has nutrients in it. If that makes me an environmentalist, then I think everybody should be an environmentalist. People have to wake up, take charge, become involved. What we have now is a world where people are getting sicker and the few who can afford it have a better life, and that’s not okay. You have to look at the whole. As we move forward, I think that’s going to happen. Eventually, when you buy a product, it will have a big red label on it if it’s made by 14-yearolds working 16 hours a day in horrible conditions. If you’re aware, and you’re okay with buying it, then you’re an asshole. People have to decide with every purchase they make what kind of world they want. It’s pretty simple.”

A New American Diet

“My wife and I try to eat as much live foods as we can. I think you can eat meat as long as it’s clean. We eat a lot of wild salmon. We don’t eat farmed salmon –franken-fish that are breeding in the wild and genetically weakening the species, even though they allegedly can’t do that. If we want to have salmon as a food source that’s not polluted, we’re going to have to step up and say no. I’ve never heard of a human intervention in a species where it helps. “You can find healthy food that’s inexpensive. You can grow vegetables, form a food collective, go to farmers’ markets. It’s going to take organizational people and it’s going to take people who say, I don’t want to buy stuff that’s going to make my kids sick. Healthy food is a human right, and the government needs to be there to protect its people – not its corporations.”

The Serious Side of a Funny, Funny Man

“I’m not the Rob Schneider of 20 years ago. I’m 49 and I’m not a kid anymore. You have to develop and grow. I was always curious: why did I become famous? I made some funny movies and now I get to reach out to people, and potentially help them learn something or inspire them to educate themselves to make better choices. I have to be careful on stage: I’m there to get laughs, but I do try to sneak in some messages along the way. I think it’s important to state my political and philosophical beliefs. Maybe there’s a conflict there, but I need to follow my instincts. Standing up against the tyrannical system of medical intervention in the United States is something I’m very proud of.”

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The Low Thyroid Epidemic in Canada

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

By Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, MS

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Low Thyroid Function: Peri-menopause & Menopause

Estrogen decides body fat distribution and, in women, that fat is stored on our hips, bottom, abdomen and thighs. Fat cells manufacture and store estrogen. During the peri-menopausal years (the 10 to 15 years before menopause) and menopause (menopause means one year with no periods), it is common for women to suffer a multitude of hormonal complaints, including period irregularities, weight gain, hot flashes, fibroids, night sweats and sleep disturbances. Most would think these symptoms are associated with a decline in estrogen, but they are also hallmark symptoms of low thyroid, especially night sweats and insomnia. Most menopausal women are given hormone replacement therapy with estrogen for these symptoms. Peri-menopausal women may be put on the birth control pill. The problem with these treatments is that estrogen further shuts down the thyroid: high estrogen levels interfere with the thyroid hormones, particularly the utilization of T3, which is the most biologically active thyroid hormone. Too much estrogen, either from hormone replacement, your own estrogen or estrogens found in the environment, causes a host of problems and also impairs thyroid function. Many women experienced a 10- to 15-pound weight gain and increased blood pressure when they started taking synthetic estrogen at menopause. This happens because estrogen blocks the thyroid hormone, causing our metabolic rate to slow down. As this happens, many women develop problems with fat metabolism, because one of the functions of thyroid hormones is to stimulate fat cells to burn fat. Weight control problems result.

Know Your Thyroid Test Number

The normal range for a TSH test is 0.5 to 5.5 IU/ml. Your doctor will not prescribe thyroid hormone until your TSH is over 5.5, yet many people suffer with low thyroid symptoms when their TSH is greater than 2.0 IU/ml but less than the 5.5 IU/ml level. As such, they contend with the many symptoms of low thyroid function but are not treated with medication. If you have followed a healthy eating plan and exercised and still cannot lose a pound, you may have subclinical low

thyroid function. Make sure you go for your thyroid test first thing in the morning for more accurate results.

Low Thyroid and Hormonal Problems

A woman’s ovaries have receptors on them for thyroid hormone. If low thyroid develops, women can experience hormone-related problems such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), infertility, ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, fibrocystic breasts, menstrual pain, heavy bleeding or menopausal symptoms. Back in the days before fertility drugs, when a woman could not get pregnant or had recurring miscarriages, doctors prescribed thyroid hormone with some success. Women who suffer post-partum depression could also benefit from thyroid hormone, as childbearing can often promote low thyroid. Decades ago, potassium iodide was added to table salt. The purpose of iodized salt was to treat goiter and subsequent thyroid problems, but many people are no longer eating salt and, as a result, we are seeing an increase in hypothyroidism. As well, stress, anemia, estrogen replacement, birth control pills and other medications that block iodine uptake are associated with an increase in hypothyroidism. Those living in the northern hemisphere do not get enough sunshine to produce vitamin D, a cofactor in thyroid hormone production; as a result they are more prone to hypothyroidism. Trace minerals are also required to make thyroid hormone, and deficiencies promote hypothyroidism.

Low Thyroid Solutions

Thankfully, we can improve thyroid function quickly. Reduce the consumption of soy foods (called goitrogens) that impede the uptake of thyroid hormone in the thyroid gland. Avoid fluoride toothpaste and fluoridated water, as they compete with iodide for absorption. Severe hypothyroidism with a TSH over 5.5 IU/ml generally requires the use of thyroid medication. But if you have a TSH over 2.0 IU/ ml but less than the 5.5 IU/ml level, the following nutrients will help support thyroid function. Or, if you have been on thyroid medication for a while and you still have symptoms, you may not be converting your thyroid hormones properly, and the following nutrients will help. • Ashwagandha and guggal: These two herbs work together to help improve thyroid activity. Ashwagandha increases the level of T4 thyroid hormone while guggal (Comiphora mukul) enhances the conversion of T4 to the more potent T3 form directly on the thyroid gland. Look for Sensoril Ashwagandha, as this is a pure, standardized form of ashwagandha. Ninety-five percent of all cases of low thyroid are due to impaired conversion of T4 into T3 in the tissues of the thyroid gland. • Tyrosine: Tyrosine is another important amino acid that aids the manufacture of thyroid hormones. • Pantothenic acid: Pantothenic acid supports optimal thyroid function. • Manganese citrate: A deficiency of mineral cofactors like manganese citrate can contribute to hypothyroidism. • Potassium iodide: Don’t forget potassium iodide, which is an essential nutrient for the manufacture of thyroid hormones. Look for all of these ingredients combined in a thyroid support nutrient at your local health food store.

Lorna Vanderhaeghe, MS is a women’s health expert with degrees in biochemistry and nutrition. She is the author of 12 books including A Smart Woman’s Guide to Hormones. Go to www.hormonehelp.com for more information.

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

ypothyroidism or low thyroid is very common, affecting approximately 20 to 25 percent of the female population and about 10 percent of males. An additional 30 percent of people over the age of 35 may also have subclinical or mild hypothyroidism, wherein their thyroid tests in the normal range, but they have the symptoms of low thyroid. The thyroid is a small gland that lies below the Adam’s apple in the neck, wrapped around both sides of the trachea. The thyroid secretes the hormones T3 and T4, which are crucial for controlling many body functions including temperature, heart rate, weight gain and metabolism, fertility, happiness, energy and more. If you have the following symptoms, low thyroid may be your problem: • Thinning hair • Dry skin • Weight gain or difficulty losing weight • Sensitivity to cold • Menstrual problems (heavy periods) • Fatigue or lethargy • Infertility • Never-ending menopause symptoms • Depression or mood swings • Constipation • Irregular heart rate

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Sustainability:

What it Really Means By Dr Cory Holly

e’ve all heard about sustainability in relation to the environment and the planet as a whole. But what about personal sustainability? Just for a moment, let’s focus on the individual. Forget the environment. What’s going on with you? Is your life sustainable? Can you continue living exactly the way you’re living right now and not suffer any illness, infection, mental breakdown, injury or degeneration of the mind or body? If the answer is yes, you’re definitely on the right track. However, if what we are doing (or not doing) right now is contributing to our own personal demise in any manner, it’s time to stop the insanity. It’s time to change, modify or update the program.

Is Your Program Sustainable?

My foremost objective when examining the state of any athlete is to determine the sustainability of their training, diet and lifestyle. It either is or isn’t sustainable, and I make this judgment based on a detailed analysis of diet, a fitness assessment and a variety of biomarkers identified in blood, urine and saliva. It’s called a biological reality check. By coming to terms with the results of this reality check, we can determine whether or not the athlete in question can continue living, training and eating the way he or she is without suffering from chronic disease, injury, depression or premature death. Most people are blind to the facts or live in denial. For whatever reason, and there are many, we allow outdated traditions or irrational social obligations to control our actions. But the truth is, our behaviour is often controlled subconsciously by neural programs planted deeply within our brains during our most vulnerable time: our defenseless childhoods. Life is a gift and science is a wonderful guide. Our purpose is to survive, thrive and stay alive, not terminate prematurely. This may be blatantly obvious, but then why are so many of us suffering from autoimmune conditions, obesity, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and mental illness? Is most of our suffering self-inflicted?

Our Sustainable Reality

Fitness and optimal nutrition are absolutely essential to sustain a healthy, functional human long-term. Without consistent workouts,

progressive athletic training and a clean, whole food diet reinforced with dietary supplements, it’s simply not possible to stay lean and free of chronic disease for life. How can we possibly take on the forces of nature that exist independently of our perception of them? Easy. Seek first to understand. Entropy, oxidation, radiation and gravity all directly affect us. Bertrand Russell said, “Believe what is, don’t believe what isn’t, and for everything else, suspend judgment.” So when it comes to the interpretation of truth or “reality,” don’t be too hasty. Science itself teaches that certainty doesn’t exist, and Einstein said if you want to learn about yourself and relative truth, study nature. What you believe is what you achieve. In the most general sense, we are limited (or not!) primarily by ourselves and by what we believe, accept or deny. Do you want to suffer with the masses? Do you crave the same pain, disability or disease pathology as your parents or grandparents, or would you prefer to live free from disease for the rest of your life? Do you believe it’s possible to live without disease and infection, to live without being a slave to negative emotions and fear? I do. If we analyzed your lifestyle right now, what would we find? Is your current pattern of day-to-day living sustainable? In practical terms, I’m talking about your diet, your exercise pattern, your sleep routine, the work you do and the relationships you keep. Is your life, viewed as an independent living ecosystem, sustainable long-term? If so, I commend you for your approach and wisdom. But if not, why not? Only you are capable of making whatever changes are necessary. Sustaining yourself in a state of optimal health and wellness on every possible level is your first and only obligation, and yes, this task may be more difficult than trying to save the world. Trouble is, the world can’t be saved, at least not by us. Put the oxygen mask on your own face first.

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recipe FOR HEALTH

Wasabi Salmon Tin Pinch

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

By Tracy Kaye Holly CSNA Master

his little recipe is great in a pinch. It’s always a good idea to have at least one can of wild red sockeye salmon in your pantry. There are a multitude of recipes you can prepare with canned salmon; this one is on the top of our list. With the avocado and fresh lemon juice, this recipe will leave you feeling satisfied and well oiled. It’s a delicious, nutritious, spicy, high-protein snack that’s super fast and easy to make. Canned salmon is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and healthy omega-3 fats. As you shop for canned salmon, consider the quality and price as well as whether it was produced sustainably and is packaged in a way that promotes wellness. One advantage of sockeye salmon is that this beautiful red fish is obtained from the wild. Wild sockeye feed extensively on zooplankton and are extremely low in methylmercury. Natural selection keeps them highly functional and diverse. Wild salmon provide excellent levels of omega-3 fatty acids and tend to be lower in toxins such as dioxin. Like all wild fish, sockeye aren’t fed pellets loaded with GMO, pesticides or antibiotics. As you shop for canned salmon, look for a BPA-free can; this should be indicated on the can itself. Sockeye salmon is high in good-quality, muscle-building protein; just over 40 grams in one 213-gram can. This particular species of fish also contains a direct source of the difficult to obtain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which as a biochemical precursor for prostaglandin-3, reduces platelet aggression, lowers inflammation and helps sustain a healthy brain. One can provides 350g of EPA. Sockeye salmon is a great source of vitamin D, niacin, folic acid, pre-formed vitamin A, potassium and calcium. Like people, salmon store calcium in their bones. During the canning process, salmon bones are softened so they can be easily crushed and included in any recipe.

Most canned salmon includes the skin and bones of the fish. If you are new to canned salmon, this might put you off a bit. You will pay more for the boneless, skinless canned salmon; however, I recommend including the skin and bone as these parts of the fish contain many micronutrients essential to health.

Wasabi Salmon Tin Pinch Ingredients 1 tin (213g) wild pacific red sockeye salmon 1 avocado, chopped in small pieces Juice of one lemon 1 teaspoon wasabi (or more) Whole grain rye cracker or Nori wraps Method In a bowl, add salmon and mash with a fork. Add chopped avocado, lemon juice and wasabi powder or paste. Stir all ingredients together until well mixed. Spread mixture on Nori wrap and roll up, or spoon on top of a whole grain cracker. Add more wasabi for a spicy flavour. Enjoy!

Tracy Holly is the Executive Director of the Cory Holly Institute and a CSNA (Certified Sports Nutrition Advisor) Master. She is the author of several books including The Athlete’s Cookbook and Sports Nutrition for Kids, and writes for several national health magazines. Visit www.coryholly.com.

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Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow

Organic planet OP FEATURE The Damage We Are Doing:

Sanitary ByWaste Shelly Lynn Nellis

Protecting Trees:

Sustainable Development

By Terry Thrale

An Earth-Friendly Alternative

to Ice-melting Salts

Laura Terlizzi

Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow

The Damage We Are Doing:

Sanitary Waste

he average North American woman will dispose of about fifteen thousand sanitary pads or tampons in her lifetime. That’s about 135 kilograms (or 500 pounds) of non-biodegradable, bleached, and plastic materials. Consider that in the US alone, there are approximately one hundred million menstruating women at any given time. That adds up to about 12 billion pads and seven million tampons, plus all their packaging, thrown into landfills or flushed into our water systems each year. And that’s just in the US. It takes about 500 years for a pad to break down in a landfill. If it is incinerated instead, it releases toxins into the air. We know how damaging plastics are to the environment, yet this one area of massive plastic and bleached-pulp production and disposal does not receive much recognition. Consider this disturbing fact: the US Center for Marine Conservation retrieves more than 170,000 plastic tampon applicators from oceans and water systems each year. The plastic-laden feminine hygiene products we use and dispose of each year are the equivalent of throwing out 180 billion plastic bags – again, in the US alone. Why has it not entered our consciousness that our hygiene products are destroying the environment? Why do we carry cloth bags to the grocery store, then blindly toss our menstrual products in the trash? Perhaps people are still uncomfortable with the subject of used sanitary products. Perhaps we just haven’t fully understood the link between our habits and their ramifications. Maybe we fear change, and don’t want any more hassles related to this already inconvenient time of month. Or maybe we just don’t realize that there are other choices out there.

approach we’ve learned is to embrace all that is bleached and disposable, with the intention of remaining “clean.” But just how polluting is this pursuit of cleanliness? Furthermore, how healthy are those bleached, chemical-laden, plastic-infused products we put inside or against the most sensitive areas of our bodies? And why is this fundamental component of reproduction considered “dirty” or difficult? Menstruation is not only natural, it is a sign of good health, fertility and the amazing power of the female body. Forget what you’ve been taught: your period is a gift. The options for environmentally conscious women today are leaps and bounds beyond what you might expect. Companies like Lunapads offer eco-friendly panty liners (for regular or thong panties), menstrual cups, panties with built-in pads and more. The products are more comfortable and easy to use than ever before. Lunapads also runs a wonderful charity called Pads4Girls that provides girls and women in developing nations with access to menstrual products so that they no longer have to miss school and work. Even if we simply switch to reusable products for our light days or for overnight, at least to begin with, we can make a significant difference to our individual environmental impact on the planet. It’s a matter of waking up to the damage we are doing, and shifting our mindset away from the outdated, harmful practices of the past.

Choose to Protect Your World

Shelly Lynn Nellis has been actively involved in the health and beauty industry for over 20 years, and is one of the co-founders and partners of VISTA Magazine.

We are taught that our periods are gross, messy, and unwanted. The

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

By Shelly Lynn Nellis

Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow

Organic planet

Protecting Trees:

Sustainable Development

By Terry Thrale

ack in the old days, folks didn’t worry about the urban forest. Trees were more of an impediment to progress than anything else. Their value was measured in the price of a board foot of lumber. Nobody cared about the benefits of urban trees. Those days are long gone. Now, people realize that trees matter a whole lot. As the worn out homes of the 1970s get demolished and replaced, it is clear that trees can last longer than cheap houses do. Builders and developers take notice.

The Importance of Urban Trees

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

Urban trees are more important than most people realize. They play a role in just about every major environmental issue that cities face, including air and water quality, soil erosion, land degradation and wildlife habitat. Add to that list the stark reality of climate change, and their importance increases. Trees contribute to “sense of place,” they connect us with nature and they motivate us to get off the couch, to go outside and play with our friends. All urban trees give at least some benefits, and mature trees provide the most. In every city across the country, urban forests are declining. There are a number of reasons for this, but one of the most glaring is the rapid pace of development, especially in areas with property supply pressures and value increases,

leading to homes being built closer and closer together. This is an issue that needs to be brought to light.

The Consulting Arborist

Enter the consulting arborist. These specialists are not the same folks you hire to trim branches and run them through that noisy wood chipper. These arborists are professionals. They are experienced urban forestry experts who understand the needs of trees, builders and developers. Their role is to determine the most tree-friendly plan, then to make sure that the plan is carried out. The consulting arborist’s job is to ensure that the development satisfies the local government’s tree protection rules. They also have to balance their client’s desires and make sure things are workable on the ground.

Tree Protection In Action

There are three important steps in tree protection, each of which your arborist will evaluate carefully. Step 1 – Planning: At the planning and design stage, the arborist will inventory and assess all trees that could be affected. They will identify which trees can be saved and which cannot. They will work with the designer to come up with plans that best protect the trees.

Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow

Challenges of Tree Protection

The job of tree protection is not easy. Many trades people are used to the old ways. It is easier to build on a lot without trees, and it takes commitment from all parties to make tree protection happen. This includes the municipalities. They hold the most say over land development regulations. Economic and demographic trends are a major consideration. As cities become more populated, land becomes more valuable. Houses get torn down and replaced with larger houses. Properties get subdivided into smaller lot sizes that leave less space

for trees. The importance of tree protection increases as development increases. The job gets harder. Neighbourhood politics and environmental realities often collide. Property owners have the right to develop their land within the rules. Emotions are stirred when history is lost. The old widow in the tiny bungalow passes on. Her house along with her well kept garden are razed for the installation of a mega-home complete with tennis court and a four-car garage. Keeping pieces of the past becomes very important to the area residents. Mature trees, when healthy, remind us of the way things used to be. Trees are more important than most people realize. Hire a consulting arborist and get them involved in the planning process. Implement a tree protection plan. Develop your land sustainably, and be a good neighbour.

Terry Thrale is an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist. He is employed as an Urban Forester in the Planning and Development Department with The City of Surrey, British Columbia. He is also author of TreeReality. blogspot.ca.

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

Step 2 – Implementation: Protecting a tree on a work site is really about protecting roots. Each tree has an area of root mass that must remain untouched. This is called the “Critical Root Zone” or the “Tree Protection Zone.” The larger the tree, the larger the zone. Step 3 – Special Considerations: During construction, there may be times when the “Tree Protection Zone” needs to be worked on. This is the domain of the arborist. Details such as water lines, sewerage, gas and electrical need to be installed without causing root damage. Also driveways, retaining walls and landscaping require special planning, techniques and materials. Arborists work to find solutions to problems that in the past would have required tree removals.

Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow

Organic planet

An Earth-Friendly Alternative

to Ice-melting Salts By Laura Terlizzi

o you remember playing word association games as a child? For example, what is the first thing to pop into your mind when someone says the word “salt”? Pepper? Sea? When someone says “environment,” then “salt,” does it prompt such words as toxic, destructive, expensive or life-threatening? Perhaps it should.

Death by Salt

In 2004, Mark Watson’s cocker spaniel Grover died suddenly from lymphoma. Shortly after Grover’s unexpected death, two other dogs that lived on the same street in Ottawa, Ontario, also suddenly succumbed to cancer. Mr. Watson discussed the deaths with a veterinarian oncologist who claimed that such diagnoses were on the increase and further suggested the lymphoma may be linked to the toxins found in the ice-melting products – the road salt – used by municipalities and homeowners. It was reasoned that animals would lick the salt off their paws and ingest the toxic chemicals. After extensive research, Mr. Watson discovered that not only does the unpurified rock salt in ice-melting products contain traces of heavy metals such as mercury and lead; it is also frequently mixed with an anti-caking agent called ferro cyanide. In addition, the salt can contain potassium chloride, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, none of which can be removed through conventional water treatments. This, according to Mark Watson’s research, is supported by a variety of reports and studies. Therefore, these same dangerously toxic and harmful chemicals can and do end up in places such as our soil and water supplies.

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

Safer Solutions

Mr. Watson became dedicated to his personal quest to find an effective, natural alternative to the traditional methods used to melt ice. His mission to replace salt led him to the discovery of a product that is safer for humans, animals, municipal infrastructure, properties and our overall environment. Further, it is also extremely cost efficient when one considers the astronomical financial burden incurred in repairs of the damaging ramifications of road salt. After due diligence in searching for a solution, Mark Watson discovered that in Scandinavia, the use of salt as a de-icer has been

avoided for quite some time. This information led to deeper investigation through which an all-natural volcanic mineral was uncovered. The extremely porous, negatively-charged, high surface area mineral formed with unique characteristics was found to be able to absorb the thin layer of water on the surface of ice while embedding itself to create a sandpaper effect, which becomes a safe and very effective traction agent that actually has environmental benefits. The discovery of this all-natural product was the solution to Mr. Watson’s quest for a safer and eco-friendly alternative to road salt. Ecotraction is said to be the safest, most environmentally beneficial, cost-effective ice management solution on the mar-

ket. It offers superior, instant traction and an impressive host of additional advantages to the consumer and the Earth. Containing no toxins or chemicals, the product is free of the harmful list of safety concerns to humans and animals. The natural benefits to our environment include the release of nutrients and minerals back to the soil and plants. It aerates soil through its porous, honeycomb structure, and helps reduce watering requirements. Lawn damage from dog urine can also be reduced as Ecotraction neutralizes ammonia before it burns the grass. It absorbs and removes heavy metals from lakes, rivers and sewage. Also absorbed is the residual white sodium staining caused by salt and other ice-melting products. Also discovered was this unique product’s ability to absorb odours and filter air.

Laura Terlizzi is an independent writer, fine artist and educator. Having been born and raised on the West Coast, much of Laura’s work is inspired by nature and the beautiful environment in which she lives. Ecotraction is produced and distributed by Earth Innovations. Resources, benefits and contact information can be found at www.ecotraction.com.

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Intestinal Permeability:

The Problem and the Solution By Marva Ward, CNP

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 88

igestion is a complex process that transforms food into the nutrients our bodies rely on for health and vitality. But despite its profound importance, poor digestion is an epidemic problem and there is strong evidence to suggest that it is the catalyst for all disease. Conditions connected to the digestive process may be a current hot topic, but this school of thought is nothing new. Hippocrates declared that “all disease begins in the gut” well over 2,000 years ago. The health of our digestive system is imperative to our overall well-being. Beginning with the first bite and moving through the full length of the torso, the digestive process involves four important steps: mastication (chewing), absorption, detoxification and elimination. The success of this process depends on a complicated, interdependent progression of events: • Production and facilitation of hydrochloric acid (HCL) in the stomach • Release of bile from the gall bladder and digestive enzymes in the small intestine • Successful utilization and conversion of nutrients in the liver • Effective detoxification process of the liver and kidneys • Continuous repopulation of good bacteria in the intestine and bowel • Daily elimination of waste through the bowel Digestive malfunction often starts at the beginning, in the mouth. When we do not chew our food properly, large food particles are allowed to enter the stomach. This is particularly problematic if there is a deficit in the production of HCL. Unfortunately, HCL deficit is common due to the rampant use of pharmaceutical proton pump inhibitors and over-the-counter heartburn relief tablets. At this point, the undigested food particles (comprised of carbohydrates, protein and fat), enter the duodenum and into the small intestine. The small intestine is where the destruction of the digestive process is said to truly manifest itself, often in the form of intestinal permeability, or “Leaky Gut Syndrome.” This is a condition where the mucus membrane of the small intestine becomes porous and permeable, allowing undigested macronutrients and toxins to penetrate the mucus barrier and enter the bloodstream. A cascade of health problems results, from allergies, acne and asthma to inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerated colitis and inflammatory arthritic disease. Over 40 clinical conditions are said to be associated with intestinal permeability.

According to scientist and nutritionist Elizabeth Lipski, Ph.D, leaky gut syndrome has multiple causes: • Pain medication (primarily NSAIDS or aspirin containing medications): The gut lining becomes weak, inflamed and permeable with use. • Dysbiosis: A proliferation of unhealthy bacteria in the intestinal tract. • Antibiotics: Altering the balance of microbes by destroying all bacteria results in the overgrowth of harmful bacteria and fungus. Candida flourishes in this environment. • Steroid medications (such as cortisone and prednisone): Depression of the immune system and encouragement of fungal infections in the gut and throughout the body. • Cancer therapies: Radiation and its effect on bacterial translocation (i.e., movement of bacteria across the intestinal membrane to emerge either in the lymphatic or the visceral circulation). Radiation treatment and mid-body radiation significantly affects the intestinal lining. • Toxic overload and environmental contaminants: Daily exposure and the inability to detoxify depletes nutrients and trace minerals, causing acidosis. Cells and tissue in the gut swell, leading to permeability. • Poor food choices: Incorrect food combination, processed foods and low-fibre choices result in an imbalance of gut flora, altered PH levels and inflammation in the gut. • Food sensitivities: In some cases, intestinal damage creates the allergy or sensitivity; however, sensitivity to certain foods can also cause leaky gut. Perfect examples are gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Both are said to cause permeability due to gluten’s destruction of the intestinal microvilli. Luckily, there is a basic protocol that offers a promising starting point in helping to repair intestinal damage and permeability no matter what the cause. Originally created by Jeffrey Bland, Ph. D, this approach is called “The Four Rs.” • Remove: Cut out nutrient-deprived foods, processed foods, poor-quality fats and oils, and antagonistic foods from your diet. • Reinoculate: Repopulate gut flora with high potency prebiotic or probiotic formulas such as multi strain 25 or 50 billion potency. Periodically include saccharomyces boulardi (probiotic yeast) to support probiotic proliferation. • Restore and replenish: Consume whole foods with the help of digestive enzymes that include hydrochloric acid, full spectrum plant and pancreatic enzymes, as well as bile salts. Include fibre supplements such as glucomannan or psyllium fibre to help with elimination. • Repair: Direct nutritional support involves the use of supplements critical in repairing the intestinal wall. These include vitamins A, C and E, as well as zinc, manganese and L-glutamine. Finding the underlying mechanism for each individual’s digestive problem such as intestinal permeability is an intensive, unique journey and there are no cookie cutter solutions. However, “The Four Rs” protocol will help empower you to take the first steps on the path to digestive health. Marva Ward, CNP, is a registered nutritionist.

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