Canada’s Favourite Health Magazine ISSUE 81 February 2012
GETTING TO THE HEART OF HEART HEALTH
ENTER TO
WIN PAG E 4 0
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Interview with acclaimed Interior Designer
The Athletic Heart:
Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes
jillian Harris
Magnesium + Taurine = A Healthy Heart
Feature: Northern Gateway: Profit vs Environment Y O U R
C A N A D I A N
H E A L T H
A N D
W E L L N E S S
C O N N E C T I O N
Beautiful Skin
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CONTENTS www.vistamagonline.com
CCOONNTTEENNTTSS Issue 81 | February 2012
Issue 78 | Sept/Oct 2011
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The Healing Power of a Great Night’s Sleep By Steven Hefferon, CMT PTA
Heal your body with restful sleep.
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Magnesium + Taurine = A Healthy Heart By Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, M.S.
Heart smart minerals show surprising results.
Dietary Fibre By Marva Ward, CNP
Fibre intake is essential to disease control.
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Getting to the Heart of Heart Health: Your Diet By Jolie Root LPN, LNC
The diet and vitamins that protect your ticker!
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Avoid the Risks of Benzocaine – Naturally By Gloria Li Herbal teething remedies avoid the risks associated with over-the-counter numbing gels.
Metabolic Syndrome: The Most Common Disorder You’ve Never Heard Of By Topher Allen Nearly 40 percent of North American adults may have metabolic syndrome.
From Bachelorette to Extreme Makeover: Jillian Harris Designs a New Life By Liberty Craig Bachelorette turned TV design show darling is on top of the world.
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VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 81
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This issue of
M A G A Z I N E
proudly brought to you by:
Publisher’s
word T
he 14th of this month may be devoted to the person that holds the key to your heart, but every day in February is a celebration of heart health. As you may have noticed by our feature articles this issue, February is heart health month. We dedicate this issue to creating awareness for our readers and to propagating the various means of prevention and maintenance for a healthy heart. According to the American Heart Association, the number one killer of women is heart disease.
Publisher: Trent Nellis Marketing Director & Associate Editor: Shelly-Lynn Nellis Art Director:
Michelle Beaudry
Copy Editor: Dan Tidsbury advertising sales:
1-877-905-7771
Contributing Writers: Antoinette Giacobbe, Dr. Cory Holly, David Suzuki, Gloria Li, Ian Hanington, Jolie Root, Liberty Craig, Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, Marva Ward, Michael Bloch, Dr. Ramin Manshadi, Sam Hari, Shelly Lynn Nellis, Steven Hefferon, Topher Allen, Tracy Kaye Holly
vista Magazine publishes bi-monthly issues and is distributed through the health food retailers of Canada. Send all questions, comments, and inquiries to: 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 a uthors and advertisers and do not necessarily 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 2010, 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
Photo Credit: Erich Saide
Editor: Liberty Craig
Trent E. Nellis - Publisher, Vista Magazine
There are several things you can do to prevent heart disease. Start by being mindful of your waist circumference. For women, try to keep the measurement below 90 cm or 35 inches and, for men, stay below 101 cm or 40 inches. Watch your nutritional intake. Eat a diet that consists of mainly whole foods including fruit, vegetables and high fibre grains. Incorporate fish into your diet at least once per week and limit your intake of sodium and saturated fats. A number of heart health supplements are available for your benefit. Ask your local health food retailer which products may be right for you. Have your physician monitor your blood pressure and follow the guidelines or recommendations he or she puts before you. High blood pressure is a contributing factor in many instances of heart attack. Exercise! We need to move our bodies: a minimum of 30 minutes per day of exercise, even of moderate intensity, is key to maintaining good health and will improve your circulation, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If you are a smoker, butt out permanently and you will immediately see and feel the positive results that come with being a non-smoker. Try to eliminate the unnecessary stressors in your daily life. We all have things that cause us stress, but learning to minimalize the small issues that are always there and keeping things in perspective goes a long way towards maintaining an inner calm. Have a healthy heart this February and work towards developing positive life habits that can stay with you and your loved ones throughout the year and for the rest of your lives.
Trent E. Nellis, Publisher To contact Trent Nellis via e‑mail, write to thepub@shaw.ca VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 81
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Beyond mind over matter ... enter the universe of soul over matter with
Dr. and Master Zhi Gang Sha
World-Renowned Soul Healer • Spiritual Teacher • New York Times Bestselling Author
and Master Lynne Nusyna
Dr. Sha is an important teacher and a wonderful healer with a valuable message about the power of the soul to influence and transform all life. – Dr. Masaru Emoto, The Hidden Messages in Water
NEW! Master Sha’s Soul Healing Centre
Soul Healings • Soul Readings • Classes & Workshops “Heal the soul first; then healing of the mind and body will follow.”– Master Sha, The Power of Soul
Meet Master Lynne Nusyna
Worldwide Representative of Master Sha Spiritual Leader, Soul Healing Centre
Free Soul Healing Events with Divine Healing Hands Saturdays, February 11,18, 25 • 10 a.m. -12 p.m. Thursday, February 16 • 7-9 p.m.
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Soul Wisdom & Soul Healing: How to be Karma Free
I have the power to heal myself. You have the power to heal yourself. Together, we have the power to heal the world. – Master Sha, The Power of Soul
Wednesday, February 22 • 7 to 9 p.m. • $11
Soul Masters Film Screening
Monday, February 27 • 7 to 9:30 p.m. • $5
Divine Healing Hands Practitioner Training Program March 30-April 1, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., $625 Live in Toronto and via webcast from India! Master Sha’s Soul Healing Centre 1160 Ellesmere Rd. • Toronto • 416.609.2777 Lynne@DrSha.com • MasterShaSoulHealingCentreTor.com
New York Times Bestsellers!
Bring this ad to any event and receive a free book!
Institute of Soul Healing & Enlightenment™ • 888.3396815 • www.DrSha.com • Facebook.com/ZhiGangSha
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CONTENTS CONTENTS Issue 81 | Febuary 2012
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Articles:
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Make the most of the gifts of life and health.
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Northern Gateway Is about Profits versus Environment By David Suzuki with contributions from Ian Hanington
Who really benefits from the Northern Gateway pipeline project?
Environmentally Friendly Household Items By Shelly Lynn Nellis Turn your home into a green oasis!
Chemical Air Fresheners and Your Home By Michael Bloch
How to avoid the chemical cocktail of commercial air fresheners.
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VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 81
The Athletic Heart: Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes By Ramin Manshadi, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FAHA, FACP How to recognize and treat SCD – before it’s too late.
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Sports Attrition: The Downside of What’s Up By Dr. Cory Holly
Recipe For Health: Coconut Cream Chocolate Mousse By Tracy Kaye Holly, CSNA
38 Ayurveda: Ancient Wisdom for a Happy, Healthy Life
39 42
By Sam Hari
A balance of elements for overall health.
Editor Selects
Damage Control: Regulate Inflammation for Better Health By Antoinette Giacobbe
Wellness depends on a moderated inflammatory response.
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New To Market
Editor’s Desk W
Photo Credit: Cindy Hughes
e’re in the heart of winter now, and while storms rage all across our country, we have to make an extra effort to get out from under those blankets and away from that rich food, and warm ourselves instead with a little physical activity and heart-smart recipes! February is heart month, and this issue of Vista is all about the heart: how to make it healthier, how to keep it from breaking, and how to live a big-hearted life full of love for yourself and your environment. Heart health is a serious issue for men as well as women and, as we dance into the romance of Valentine’s Day, let’s remember what that big, red, happy symbol really means: love, yes, but also life. The pumping of our hearts quickens with love and becomes erratic with poor health; with good health it tick-tocks us gently into ripe old age, distributing nourishing oxygen to every inch of our bodies all the while. Our cover story this issue, Jillian Harris of Bachelorette and Extreme Liberty Craig - Editor, Vista Magazine Makeover: Home Edition fame, knows all too well that matters of the heart are inextricably linked to your overall health. It’s all about balance, says Jillian, and emotional health is a requirement for true equilibrium. Of course, regular exercise and plenty of fresh, whole foods are necessary, too! Harris fills us in on her journey from Canada’s first Bachelorette to her exciting career as a designer both on television and off, and how healthy foods and her fabulous energy keep her young, vibrant and full of life. Have a happy Valentine’s Day and a happy, healthy heart month!
Liberty Craig, Editor
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The Healing Power
of a Great Night's Sleep By Steven Hefferon, CMT PTA
W
hat’s the most time-consuming thing you do, day in and day out, every day of your life? Eating? I hope not. Sitting in traffic? Ditto. Watching TV? Nope. It’s sleeping. You spend between six and 10 hours a night in bed. That’s one-third of your life. And when it comes to back pain, those are some of the most important hours in your day. Sleep helps your body heal. It’s really the only time your muscles can completely rest and recover. There are a ton of studies linking sleep with healing. They show that, among other things, human growth hormone and melatonin, both of which play a big role in tissue recovery and immunity, are produced during sleep. So if you’re not getting good sleep – whether due to pain, anxiety, fear or whatever – you’re not giving your muscles, especially your back muscles, time to rejuvenate themselves for the next day’s activities. Believe me, I know. In my struggles with all kinds of pain over the years, I’ve come to understand first-hand the importance of restful sleep. In this article, I’d like to share with you what I’ve learned. The Best Mattress for Your ZZZs Is firm better than soft? From a physiological standpoint, a more supportive mattress is better for your body, regardless of what sleep position you prefer. Having said that, the real answer is this: The best mattress is the one that helps you sleep well and wake up without any added pain and stiffness. It’s really about personal preference and what you are used to. Personally, I have tried them all. I tried a memory foam mattress, but it was too soft. (I gave it to my parents, and they love it.) I now use a firm box spring and mattress with a towel under the sheets to give added support to my hips and pelvis. You read that right: I put a towel under my fitted sheet. A small blanket works well, too. Here’s what you do: Fold the towel or blanket in half (and in half
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again if it’s thin). Place it under the fitted sheet – so it doesn’t move around during the night – under the small of your back and spreading down toward your knees. This extra support helps prevent your pelvis from sagging into the mattress. It might make a difference of only a few millimetres, but that is a huge difference when it comes to preventing the added stress that comes with remaining in any sleeping position all night long. The Best Position to Sleep In As with the mattress you chose, the position you sleep in is based on your personal preference or physical limitations based on pain or restrictions because of surgery or other conditions. In general, back sleeping is the most stable position for your spine and the least irritating to your muscles. Side sleeping is the next best. Stomach sleep is the least desirable if your back is not adequately supported. I personally like a modified side-lying position, using a full-length body pillow. I sleep “hugging” the pillow with my arms and legs, which is really comfortable and takes pressure off my lower back. I recommend you try it! Body pillows can be found at most retail bedding stores. They are not expensive and may give you an alternative sleeping position that will make a big difference in your comfort level, thus improving the quality and duration of sleep. Why Am I Sore When I Wake Up? Typically, those with back pain don’t roll over as much as those without pain; you may even find yourself with limited movement. Because the hips are the heaviest part of the body, they sag into the mattress over time. That puts undue pressure on the ligaments, joints and muscles of the lower spine. This is why I recommend the added support under the fitted sheet. Think of it as like stretching the same muscles for six to eight hours
straight. Would that feel good? Of course not; it’s no wonder you wake up sore. Find a way to support your body and you will minimize the irritation. Additional Tips for a Good Night ’s Sleep Try the above tips to see what works for you, and continue to think of your own comfort-enhancing positions and techniques. The following tips will also help ensure you get a restful sleep and wake up refreshed. • Don’t drink any fluids 60 minutes before bedtime. This is so you don’t have to go to the bathroom and then have trouble falling back asleep. • No physical activity for at least 45 minutes before bed. Exercising will rev up your body, making it hard to calm yourself and fall into a restful sleep. • Take 10 deep breaths as you tell yourself you are going to sleep. When you awake you will be feeling great and ready for the new day. • As you lie in bed ready to go to sleep, reflect on your day. Express gratitude and give thanks for all you have. It helps you look forward to waking up with renewed enthusiasm and the belief that tomorrow will bring you one day closer to your goals. • Dress in warm bedclothes if you are cold and cool clothes if you are hot. I have taken this to the extreme and love the results. I wear wool socks, flannel pants, a sweatshirt and a knit hat. It sounds strange, but if you can minimize the stress on the body (in this case, trying to keep warm), your body will be more relaxed. Healing is always better when the body is relaxed. • Do some reading. In my work on back pain, I scour the latest resources and reference guides. Let me recommend and urge you to read the best book ever written on sleep. It’s called Power Sleep: The Revolutionary Program That Prepares Your Mind for Peak Performance by Dr. James B. Mass. It’s available on Amazon.com for about $10. That would be money well spent.
• Burn up to 12x the calories • Reduce cravings • Increase energy • Enhance mental focus • Reduce body fat • No “jitters”
If you enjoyed this article, and would like more information in alternative back pain treatments sign up for our Back Pain Guide and you will join the nearly 1 million people that have received this life changing information. Please visit our new web site at losethebackpain.com for more free informative articles, videos and open forums.
Celebrat
rs ing 10 yea
• 2002-2012
pno.ca
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Mag nesium + Taurine = By Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, M.S.
D
r. Mildred Seelig, a famous magnesium researcher, stated: “The average North American falls short by 200 milligrams per day or more of the optimal amount of magnesium one should consume for good health.� Magnesium affects over 300 reactions in the body, but for the cardiovascular system, magnesium is the key to optimal heart function. Magnesium reduces blood pressure, stops irregular heart beat, reduces angina and mitral valve prolapse, increases the number and sensitivity of insulin receptors, has anti-diabetic properties, prevents toxic build-up of homocysteine, dilates small blood vessels and stops our blood from becoming sticky.
Magnesium: The Heart- Smart mineral
There are a variety of ways in which magnesium is essential to cardiovascular health:
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Magnesium sparks the heart: Magnesium is the primary regulator of the electrical activity within our bodies. It is a long-known fact that our bodies are constantly generating tiny electrical impulses and discharging them. Without magnesium, the spark that generates electricity to regulate our heartbeats would not occur. Magnesium lowers blood pressure: Over 50 percent of those with high blood pressure are magnesium deficient. The British Medical Journal reported that magnesium supplementation lowered blood pressure by 25 to 30 percent (systolic and diastolic pressures) in 19 of 20 subjects. Many studies have shown magnesium to be a better blood pressure lowering agent than the drugs currently used, and magnesium does not cause the side effects seen with blood pressure lowering medications. Magnesium does not cause impotence in men like blood pressure drugs can.
Magnesium regulates heartbeat: Besides being the most effective blood pressure lowering mineral, magnesium is essential to proper heart rhythm. In a study of patients admitted to coronary care units experiencing arrhythmias, every person had complete resolution when administered intravenous magnesium over a five-hour period. In a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported the effects of a magnesium-deficient diet on 22 healthy postmenopausal women, ages 47 to 78. A lack of magnesium provoked rhythmic abnormalities of the heart, as well as more frequent heartbeats. The researchers concluded that the cardiac muscle is more sensitive to magnesium and that a deficiency has the potential to cause dangerous cardiac irregularities that could be simply treated with magnesium supplements.
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A Healthy Heart Magnesium regulates calcium: Too much calcium in the blood is linked to aortic stenosis, or hardening of the cusps of the valves. Magnesium controls the absorption of calcium; therefore, supplementing with at least 500 mg a day could inhibit the hardening of excess calcium.
Magnesium’s Ally in Heart Health
Magnesium’s partner in heart health is taurine. Taurine is a nonessential amino acid concentrated in the liver, heart, retina, skeletal muscles and the central nervous system. It is a component of bile acid, which is needed to metabolize fat and to absorb fat-soluble acids and vitamins. Low taurine concentration can lead to fatty liver with an accumulation of fat in your liver, blood and tissues. Taurine also helps to regulate calcium channels on your cells. Taurine’s major role is the regulation of the electrical charge on cell membranes, a role it accomplishes with magnesium. Taurine aids in heart health in the following ways: Taurine lowers blood pressure: Taurine’s most notable function is controlling your blood pressure. Taurine acts as a diuretic. It regulates the sodium magnesium pump, keeping magnesium and potassium inside the cell and the sodium out, and maintains the water balance of your tissues and blood. At high taurine concentrations, any excess fluid in your blood and tissues surrounding your heart is flushed out, leading to lower blood pressure.
Taurine also inhibits the action of angiotensin II, the hormone that increases blood vessel constriction. Increased taurine concentration allows blood vessels to expand, which further reduces your blood pressure and your risk of strokes and coronary heart disease. Taurine helps normalize cholesterol: Taurine must be present to make bile acid, which enables fat and cholesterol metabolism. Studies have shown that high taurine levels can effectively block cholesterol absorption and transport into your blood stream. Increased taurine consumption can result in lower bad (LDL) plaque-forming cholesterol. Taurine and heart beat: Taurine is abundant in the heart muscle. Taurine helps control the calcium channel which triggers the contraction of heart muscles. Low taurine levels can reduce the strength of heart muscle contraction. Chronic deficiency can increase your risk of cardiomyopathy, where your heart muscle can’t beat properly. Studies have shown that taurine supplements can help reduce the severity of the disease and, in many patients, reverse the disease entirely. Taurine and magnesium are partners in maintaining proper heart rhythm, and both should be used to treat cardiac arrhythmia.
Effective Forms of Magnesium
Look for supplements that contain magnesium glycinate and taurine. Magnesium supplements are available in numerous salt forms
like citrate and carbonate as well as bound to amino acids like glycine. The absorption rate and tolerability may vary greatly between the different forms of magnesium. Magnesium salts can be poorly tolerated at therapeutic doses due to magnesium’s severe laxative effect. Magnesium in its inorganic state (simple salt) is absorbed only to the extent of about five to 10 percent. Inorganic minerals must be altered from their natural state before they can penetrate the intestinal barrier. The most efficient way to achieve this goal is by combining them with amino acids like glycine. Look for magnesium glycinate, as it crosses the blood-brain barrier and does not cause diarrhea. Also, look at labels that state the elemental magnesium content. This means the dosage listed on the label is exactly what you are getting. Many minerals may require 800mg of the powder mineral to get 200mg of actual elemental mineral. It is very important that the label lists elemental in the supplement facts next to the milligrams in the formula.
Lorna Vanderhaeghe, MS has written 11 books including A Smart Woman’s Guide to Heart Health and Your 30 Day Heart Smart Solution (which is FREE on her website under the book button) at www.hormonehelp.com.
I
n the early ‘70s, the association between diagonal earlobe creases and the threat of an eventual heart attack was made. Chronic circulatory problems allow the vascular bed in the earlobe to collapse and the telltale earlobe crease to appear. More than 30 studies have been recorded in medical literature, with one involving 264 patients from a university-based coronary care unit who were followed for 10 years. Researchers concluded that after adjusting for other risk factors, the presence of a unilateral earlobe crease was associated with a 33 percent increase in the risk of a heart attack; the risk increased to 77 percent when the earlobe crease appeared bilaterally. Diagonal earlobe creases, appearing at a 45-degree downward angle toward the shoulder are a better predictor of sudden death from a heart attack than age, smoking, obesity, elevated cholesterol levels, or a sedentary lifestyle, particularly before the age of 80. The predictive value of the diagonal earlobe crease does not apply to Asians, First Nations peoples, or children with Beckwith’s syndrome.
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Dietary Fibre By Marva Ward, CNP
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n 1979, Dr. Denis Birkitt published his international best-selling book, Don’t Forget Your Fibre, which quickly became a household name. His hypothesis was that dietary fibre could prevent certain diseases. While working with colleagues in Africa during the Second World War, it became apparent that many common diseases in North America were simply non-existent in Africa. The primary difference was the high intake of dietary fibre and the low intake of refined carbohydrates. Like many scientists from the past, Dr. Birkitt noted that the onset of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, colon cancer and diverticulitis started to occur in both North America and Europe around the 1890s, following the introduction of a new milling process that removed fibre from whole grain flour to produce white flour. Today, Dr. Birkitt’s 1970s hypothesis is widely accepted, due in part to extensive scientific research and bolstered by
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the successful marketing campaigns of fibre and cereal companies. Fibre Facts Health Canada and the Food and Nutrition Board in the U.S.A. define dietary fibre as “non-digestible carbohydrates and lignins that are intrinsic and intact in plants.” Dietary fibre includes the following plant-source components: non-starch polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose, pectin, gums, hemicellulose, β-glucans, and fibres contained in oat and wheat bran), plant carbohydrates that are not recovered by alcohol precipitation (e.g., inulin, oligosaccharides and fructans), lignin and some resistant starch. In lay terms, these are most often referred to as soluble and insoluble fibre. Soluble fibres include viscose and prebiotic fibre. Soluble fibre absorbs water to become a gelatinous, viscose substance that is fermented in the gut by bacteria in the digestive tract. Supplement and dietary options
include grapefruit and apple pectin, psyllium and glucomannan, inulin, beta glucans that are abundant in oat bran and barley, fruits, vegetables and legumes. Insoluble fibres are metabolically inert substances that move through the colon while absorbing water and increasing stool bulk. Supplement and dietary options include psyllium, bran, whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Some soluble and insoluble fibres have earned the title of functional fibres. These are defined as isolated, non-digestible carbohydrates which have specific, beneficial physiological effects in humans (i.e., inulin, pectin, gum). One key family of functional fibres is chitin and chitosan. Chitin is a nondigestible carbohydrate extracted from the exoskeletons of crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters. Chitosan, made up of chitin, is well known for its “fat binding” ability, thereby limiting dietary fats from being absorbed into the body. It is a popular supplement taken by
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individuals wanting to maintain or lose weight. Although the mechanism of action is not completely understood, there are many clinical studies that support chitosan’s ability to limit the absorption of fats. Psyllium is a viscous mucilage isolated from the husks of psyllium seeds that is popularly promoted as a cholesterol-lowering fibre. Fibre and Your Health Fibre is essential to good health in a variety of important ways. Some of the main benefits of fibre include the following: Fibre lowers cholesterol: Soluble fibre binds to bile acids in the small intestine, ultimately eliminating the cholesterol and toxins via the bowel. The body in turn makes more bile (in part by using cholesterol), ultimately helping to reduce total cholesterol levels. Studies report that only LDL is affected. Psyllium, pectin, guar gum and oat products have reported positive results. Research has
shown that increasing soluble fibre to five to 10 grams a day reduces LDL cholesterol by approximately five percent. Oat bran and oatmeal, as well as psyllium and barley, are rich in beta-glucans, a particularly active soluble fibre. Fibre for diabetes and blood sugar control: The addition of soluble dietary fibre to a carbohydrate-containing meal has been found to significantly improve blood glucose and insulin responses in numerous controlled clinical trials. Soluble fibre slows down the release of carbohydrates into the bloodstream, ultimately controlling the body’s insulin response. Fibre for weight management: The correlation between satiety and fibre intake is undisputed. Studies have indicated that viscose or soluble dietary fibre intake may reduce appetite by as much as 60 percent. This has been attributed to the fact that soluble fibre can hold large quantities of water, increas-
ing the volume in the stomach and triggering signals of fullness to the brain. Another possibility is that fibre delays gastric emptying to prolong the absorption of nutrients and slow digestion. Although the importance of consuming a diet rich in soluble and insoluble fibre is understood by most individuals, the majority of Canadians fall short of their daily requirements. The daily recommended intake is 25 to 35 grams of fibre; supplementing with additional fibre can be helpful in attaining this dietary goal. As mentioned, there are many options to choose from. Visit your local health food store for help in choosing the right fibre for your dietary needs.
Marva Ward, CNP, is a registered nutritionist.
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Getting to the Heart of Heart Health:
Your Diet By Jolie Root LPN, LNC
G
iven that heart disease is still the leading cause of death in North America, we need to put heart health at the top of our list of priorities when deciding which foods to eat and which supplements to take. If you want to live to a ripe old age, your best bet is to follow the Mediterranean diet. This particular diet, rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, fish and olive oil, has consistently been linked to longevity and reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The recently published Northern Manhattan Study found that higher consumption of a Mediterranean-style diet was associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular events including stroke, heart attack and deadly blood clots in the legs. A large Italian study involving 30,000 women found that those who consumed more leafy green vegetables and olive oil were much less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease. One possible reason is the high folate content of the leafy greens. In a recent meta analysis of 14 studies assessing blood folate, those with the highest folate intake had a 31 percent reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Don’t be afraid to go nuts – for walnuts, that is! Walnuts are loaded with the highest amount of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. These compounds are believed to reduce heart disease risk by lowering levels of blood cholesterol, improving blood flow, and cooling the inflammation that’s been linked to heart disease. The leader among heart smart supplements is fish oil omega-3. Scores of studies have looked at the association between intake of omega-3 fats found in fish, EPA and DHA, and the risk of heart disease. This year began with another finding that supports taking fish oils. In a group of 48,627 women, low intake of EPA and DHA was linked to an increased risk of heart disease. In this group of women, those who never ate fish had triple the risk of cardiovascular disease compared with women who ate fish. Even eating fish once a week was protective. Another study found that in young healthy adults, omega-3 supplements reduced cardiovascular reactivity to stress. Participants took 1,400 mg of combined EPA/DHA for three weeks, and when tests were given to induce stress, blood vessel reactivity was significantly reduced. For best results, shoot for 1,000 to 2,000 mg daily of combined EPA and DHA to protect your heart and to keep your blood vessels healthy. Supplementing at that level has the potential to reduce your risk of heart disease up to 90 percent! The sunshine vitamin should be on your list, too, because vitamin D may reduce risk of heart disease. In a new study, researchers evaluated data on 44,592 men who were initially heart disease and cancer -free from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. The researchers determined that men who consumed larger amounts of vitamin D had a decreased risk of heart disease. Also be sure to take your vitamin C. The Japan Collaborative Cohort Study determined that high vitamin C intake was linked to a reduced risk of dying from heart disease. Supplementing with 1,000 to 3,000 mg daily should be the perfect amount to protect your ticker. References available from Vista on request.
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Support Heart Health
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Avoid the Risks of Benzocaine – Naturally By Gloria Li
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s parents, we will do anything in our power to help calm, soothe and comfort our babies. When our babies are in pain, we will stop at almost nothing to help them. But the parental instinct to protect our little ones is strongest of all, and to ensure we are doing our job, we need to be informed. Parents around the world have been using teething gels containing benzocaine for decades; in fact, the first uses of benzocaine as a topical anaesthetic were as early as 1902. But for a number of years, scientists, doctors and some parents have understood the risks of using benzocaine – especially on the sore gums of your vulnerable little ones. We must get the message out to all parents: benzocaine can be downright dangerous for your babies. Here’s why.
Health Risks of Benzocaine
There are three very serious health risks associated with the use of benzocaine – especially in young, teething babies. These three concerns are as follows: • MHb: In 2006, Health Canada issued a warning to all Canadians about the risks associated with using oral anaesthetics containing benzocaine, noting “a link between the local anesthetic benzocaine and a potentially serious blood condition known as methemoglobinemia (MHb).” The warning explains that MHb is a condition that “reduces the ability of red blood cells to deliver oxygen throughout the body, which can lead to bluish discoloration of the skin, nausea and fatigue. It can progress to stupor, coma and death.” • Choking: Numbing agents like benzocaine reduce pain by numbing the afflicted area. This affects the responsiveness of a baby’s gag reflex, and increases the risk of choking on saliva or vomit, or on any number of objects a teething infant will put in his or her mouth to chew on.
Symptoms of teething: • Excessive crying • Drooling • Irritability and crankiness • Sleeplessness or restless sleep • Redness of the gums • Mild fever and/or mild diarrhea • Changes in behaviour • Changes in appetite • Chewing on toys or hands • Pulling ears
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• Allergic reaction: Benzocaine is made from p-aminobenzoic acid, or PABA, which is a known allergen. Signs of a PABA allergy can include diarrhea, fever, liver damage, nausea and vomiting, skin rashes, shortness of breath or slowed breathing, stupor or coma.
Natural Solutions for Baby ’ s Gums
A variety of homeopathic remedies can be used for pain relief when your baby is dealing with the pain and discomfort of teething. These treatments are safe, natural and effective. Most health food stores carry products that contain a combination of the following efficacious ingredients: • Calcarea Phosphorica 6X: This tissue salt is one of the most abundant mineral salts in the human body and is of great importance in supporting your baby’s growth and development. It’s a perfect remedy for teething babies because it plays an important role in building strong bones and teeth. • Chamomilla: This homeopathic remedy is useful if your infant is excessively irritable and wishes to be carried. Often one cheek will be hot and red while the other cheek appears pale. • Coffea Cruda: Coffea is useful if your baby seems super sensitive to the pain of teething and suffers with restlessness and sleeplessness. • Belladonna: Belladonna helps to relieve the inflammation associated with teething. If your baby needs Belladonna, she’ll appear flushed and hot with wide, staring pupils. Avoid the risks associated with most drugstore variety teething gels by opting instead for an all-natural, homeopathic remedy for your precious baby’s sore gums.
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Hyland’s Baby Teething Tablets Natural Easy to Use Calms Teething Pain & Irritability Soft Tablets Dissolve Quickly No Artificial Flavours, Dyes or Parabens Scan this QR code to find out why other moms love Hyland’s Baby Teething Tablets
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Metabolic Syndrome:
The Most Com mon Disorder You’ve Never Heard Of By Topher Allen
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hen I first entered clinical practice, many clients would ask for advice on how to lose weight. This usually happened when their favourite jeans suddenly seemed to shrink a few sizes. Without question, most of us are motivated by the aesthetic appeal of weight loss; however, the medical consequences of being overweight can be deadly, especially if you are diagnosed with diabetes or metabolic syndrome. It was during a flight from Miami to Phoenix this past May that I witnessed the devastation of diabetes first-hand. My friend from Phoenix, who is a US citizen, joined me on a week-long cruise. Midflight, he suffered the consequences of advanced diabetic ketoacidosis, slipping into a semi-comatose state. Simply stated, his metabolism was shutting down as a result of extremely high blood sugar. While in nursing school, I’d studied diabetic symptoms and side effects, but this was the first time I’d witnessed the devastating effects in such an up-close and personal way. The most interesting part of this story is that neither my friend nor I knew he was diabetic. A total collapse of the body’s ability to metabolize or use sugar is the first symptom that many newly diagnosed diabetics experience, which, for some people, results in sudden death. After a three-week hospital stay, none of which he remembers, my travel companion is back on his feet. As
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a newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic (insulin dependent), he must now endure constant blood sugar testing with four daily injections of insulin to stay alive. Do You Have Metabolic Syndrome? My area of study and career focus has fundamentally shifted as a result of this experience. A few hours of research revealed a startling truth: many of us are suffering from potentially devastating illnesses that may become evident only in a sudden and life-threatening manner. One of the most striking examples of this is the shocking prevalence of metabolic syndrome. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 39 percent of North American adults fit the diagnosis for metabolic syndrome, and most of us have no idea what it is or how great our risk for devastating consequences is. Although medical definitions vary slightly, the IDF guidelines for diagnosis of metabolic syndrome require a person to have abdominal obesity defined by waist circumference larger than 36 inches for men and 32 inches for women and two or more of the following four symptoms: elevated triglycerides, reduced concentrations of HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure and dysglycemia, which is generally defined as the inability of your body to maintain healthy blood sugar
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levels. The combination of these symptoms dramatically increases the likelihood of a person suffering a heart attack, stroke, dying from a heart attack or stroke, and/or being diagnosed with diabetes. The Costs of Poor Health The financial and personal costs of metabolic syndrome are difficult, if not impossible, to calculate; however, we do have an idea of what diabetes costs individuals and businesses in North America. Although well insured as a US citizen, my friend did not benefit from the publicly funded healthcare system we enjoy in Canada. In spite of “good” coverage, his out-of-pocket and ongoing costs are in the tens of thousands of dollars. From 1999 to 2009, the total number of US citizens diagnosed with diabetes rose from 11.1 million to 19.7 million. According to the National Diabetes Surveillance System (NDSS), an agency of Health Canada, rates of diabetes have doubled over the past decade to 2.7 million Canadians or 7.6 percent of the population being diagnosed in 2010. The cost to the Canadian healthcare system and economy was predicted at $11.7 billion in 2010, expected to rise to $16 billion by 2020. However, striking as these numbers and projections are, the personal cost to families and loved ones is incalculable.
How Fat Are We? A recent Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) reported that 62 percent of Canadians are either overweight or obese. Combine this with the staggering rise in diabetes, and many of us are well on the way to a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome – and don’t even know it. The CHMS report uncovered another disturbing fact: we dramatically underestimate how fat we really are. When asked to assess their body size, test subjects routinely low-balled how overweight they were by 20 percent. To prevent metabolic syndrome, measure your waist at the highest point of the hip-bones; if it’s greater than 36 inches for men and 32 inches for women, do everything you can to get that number down. In future articles, I will discuss specific ways you can reduce body fat, decrease abdominal obesity, and decrease your risk factors for diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Topher Allen is an advanced clinical educator for MetaPOWER3. He can be reached at topher@metapower3.com. You can download and listen to his regular health and nutrition podcasts by visiting www.MetaPOWER3.com.
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From Bachelorette to Extreme Makeover:
Jillian Harris Designs a New Life By Liberty Craig
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e first met the grounded yet bubbly personality that is Jillian Harris as the third runner-up on season 13 of The Bachelor, where she was rejected by Jason Mesnick only to return as the first Canadian Bachelorette in the fifth season of the show. The final episode landed Jillian both a ring and a man, and she and Ed Swiderski went on their merry way. What awaited them, however, was not wedded bliss but tabloid hell. Stalked by the media, with every piece of their private lives on very public display, Jillian and Ed persevered as long as they could, but eventually their relationship failed – for many reasons. While the experience was difficult, it helped launch a public profile for Jillian, who has spun the successful design business she had before the show into a television career that includes Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and hosting Canada’s Handyman Challenge. Jillian spoke with Vista Magazine about designing a healthy new life and a career for herself, making sure all the while to “design with personality.”
a show, although I’d been in front of the camera a lot. It was a little stressful, memorizing a script and being a host. But it was so much fun working with Mike Holmes, Bryan Baeumler and Scott McGillivray – they took me under their wings like a little sister. Being able to do something so fabulous and thinking, ‘this is my job!’ was pretty cool.”
“I always refer to myself as a designer, but in the last couple years, through The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, my career has evolved into something that is really hard to define. I’m lucky that I don’t really have to define it and I am my own boss, and I just put out there what I feel passionate about. I love fashion, food, and design with personality. It’s about everything to do with the home, the arts and lifestyle, but doing it in a way that is fun and approachable; something that people in all demographics can afford and relate to. I didn’t really expect it to turn into a career – I just wanted to communicate with my fans and talk to them about the things I love, and those passions became part of my career. My website helps me dictate where I’m going next.”
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I love fashion, food, and design with personality.
“Fortunately for me, I’ve always been a really public person and I’ve always been that person who says too much about my life. For me, the fact that everybody knew about my relationship didn’t bother me. What was really difficult was that, although I wasn’t sure it would happen on the show, I actually fell in love. I will never know if I was legitimately in love or if it was the Stockholm Syndrome effect of being on the show – where you’re so focussed on one thing, with no access to the outside world, and you get kind of brainwashed. When the cameras were off, and when I moved to Chicago to be with Ed, I felt like every morning was Christmas morning. It was the very first time that I thought I could spend the rest of my life with any one person.”
I will never know if I was legitimately in love or if it was the ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ effect of being on the show.
And then what happened?
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Your website is lively, personal and multifaceted. How does it define you personally and professionally?
What was it like to have so much publicity surrounding your relationship with Ed Swiderski following The Bachelorette?
“As time went on, well, things weren’t working, and it was really difficult for me because I was away from my family and I felt like I needed a support system, and he was all I had. I felt like the more I leaned on him, the more he pushed me away. It made me desperate to make the relationship work; fix him, fix me. Of course it was impossible. I eventually felt like I just wasn’t happy, and I packed my bags and left. It was the biggest heartbreak of my life.”
Your philanthropic work during the final two seasons of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Are you dating now? “Honestly, I’ve started questioning the whole purpose of marriage. must be extremely rewarding... “My favourite part is the communities. We jump in and take over the entire town, and they welcome us with open arms. The entire community gets together, and they are the ones that build these houses for the families in need. What we do is document an incredible experience of a community coming together and volunteering their time on an enormous project for a family that deserves it. This Friday is our last episode until our special episode next year, and I have to say I’m really disappointed. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is the best of the best – it is pure, unconditional love and support of a community and a family, and I think it’s what the world needs right now. All I can do is hope that the thousands of people who have volunteered on the show and all the millions of people who have watched and been affected by it will continue to pay it forward after the show is over.”
Tell us about your experience on Canada’s Handyman Challenge...
“We filmed the series last summer. It was difficult for me – I’d never hosted before and had no training in how to do a voiceover or carry
Our society says you have to ‘find somebody’ to be happy – but I am happy! I travel the world and have an amazing job and amazing people around me, and I’m never lonely. I’m certainly not against marriage, and if I met ‘the one’ I wouldn’t fight it, but I’m not going to just grab someone and get married by the time I’m 33 because, oh my gosh, my clock is ticking. I would rather have 10 great loves in my life than one that makes me not feel my best. I might have kids before I find a man. I might find a man who’s divorced and has kids. I might adopt or get artificial insemination. I don’t really know what I’ll do; the show taught me that I am never going to commit myself for the rest of my life to somebody, because I don’t have to. “But I am dating! I am worried about getting hurt and I’m worried about really falling in love again. That was two years of my life where I was unhealthy, miserable and depressed, and I just wonder why I would ever put myself through that again, especially when I’m on top of the world like I am now! I’m definitely nervous about relationships and I’m in no hurry, and I really frankly don’t care.”
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I’m definitely nervous about relationships and I’m in no hurry.
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You seem to have a healthy, balanced attitude toward health!
“When it comes to health and wellness, I see two extremes. There’s one extreme where people don’t have a good relationship with food; they’re overweight and it’s hard for them to get moving. What I’ve realized is that you just need to get up and get moving. Eat often, eat good food, drink lots of water, and just get up, get your blood flowing. It makes you physically and mentally more fit. But I’ve also seen the opposite extreme, especially when I’ve been working in Hollywood, where people eat everything fat-free and are so strict with themselves. I feel like our hearts and souls need to have a bit of fun! I think life in general shouldn’t be taken too seriously. I don’t mean to sound morbid, but we’re all gonna die! You might as well have a little fun, and if you have an extra tiny bit of fat on your hip or your thigh, it’s okay.”
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I think life in general shouldn’t be taken too seriously!
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“You know, when I was with Ed, I worked so hard to make sure my skin was perfect and my makeup and clothes were perfect, and I always worked out. Now, I think creating all that pressure to be perfect makes guys feel insecure. I am too vain to allow myself to get fat, but you just have to be happy with yourself, respect yourself and not be too hard on yourself. If we eat perfectly and go to the gym and do everything right, yet we’re miserable with ourselves, we’re never going to attract the life we want.”
What’s the secret behind your tiny physique? Are you on any special kind of diet?
“My mother has struggled with her weight for years, and I probably have my dad’s genes, since I have been 103 lbs since I can remember. The only thing that’s changed in my body as I get a little older is that my butt’s getting a little lower and my arms are getting a little bit flabbier. But for me, it’s all about balance. I’m conscious of what I eat but I don’t deprive myself. If I’ve been craving croque monsieur with butter and ham and cheese, I’ll have it. But I crave superfoods. I love berries, tomatoes, broccoli, kale and spinach –I’m really lucky that I naturally gravitate toward things that are high in antioxidants. I love to snack constantly on pickles and crackers and cheese. I’m never one of those people who would choose fat-free quinoa with poached chicken and carrots. I certainly appreciate healthy food, but if it doesn’t taste good, I won’t eat it. Life is too short – and I think my weight has to do with my energy and my attitude.”
We’ve all seen you looking great in a bikini... so tell us, what’s your exercise program?
“It feels so good to exercise – afterwards, it feels amazing. I’ve been talking about balance, but lately I’ve been getting 3 or 4 hours of sleep each night because I’m so busy. But it’s not like I’m dragging myself around totally exhausted; I really am on fire! I’ve got so much energy and so many opportunities, and I want to take them all. I know that my life requires more balance and I know I need to exercise more, but I definitely am burning calories! I’m just doing it in an unconventional way, and it’s impossible for me to have a schedule right now. When I do exercise it’s walking or jogging outside; treadmill or circuit training at the gym. But these days my physical activity is more about being outdoors and lugging my bags around the country!” VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 81
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Sports Attrition: By Dr. Cory Holly
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ports nutrition! What a great enterprise and fabulous model for achieving and sustaining optimal health and wellness. It’s the only category in the natural health food industry that successfully bridges the gap between fitness and nutrition. Sports nutrition encompasses a wide range of athletes: weekend warriors, gym rats, fitness buffs, diehard aerobic queens and sport fanatics. It’s a special kind of nutrition for a shrinking and misunderstood percentage of the population. To qualify, you have to move with intention, intensity and passion. Sports nutrition is ideal for those of us who choose to engage in any form of physical activity or exercise. In fact, if you train for any sport or for health, life or rehabilitation, or even just for “vanity,” you’re a member of the club. If you exercise and eat food, you’re engaged in sports nutrition – and membership has its privileges. Sports Nutrition vs. Attrition So what is sports attrition? Since its original inception, organized sport has provided a physical means of enjoyment to help people cope with the burden of living. Sport is fun and entertaining; in fact, just watching it has become a national pastime for billions of people. Unfortunately, sport has also evolved into a massive business that involves
governments and some of the world’s largest corporations. This is why the true ideal and fundamental ethics of sport have eroded into a literal display of cheating, violence and winning at any cost. The business of sport for sheer profit completely disregards the significance of good sportsmanship. So what about attrition? What’s that got to do with sport? Attrition is what happens when any external force wears something down by friction or abrasion. It’s the constant wearing down of virtually anything, and if that force is left unattended or ignored, it ultimately wipes out its target. Why do hockey players lift weights? Why do athletes supplement their sport with additional fitness activity and weight training? Why don’t they just practice and play their game? It is because they can gain an extra edge by developing more strength, more flexibility and more aerobic power. And so can we. Weight training also prevents injuries and sports injury is a good example of attrition. During convalescence we weaken, shrink and lose mass. Sometimes an injury is good because it forces the athlete to stop and set new priorities, but it’s always best to prevent injuries or at least treat them with natural remedies. A great read on this topic is Dr. Michael Colgan’s latest book, The Anti-Inflammatory Athlete.
Cory Holly Institute Online Original—Holistic—Integrative—Functional—Intellectual
Sports Nutrition Certification CoryHolly.com
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The Downside of What’s Up But there’s another reason why athletes train with weights, and it’s seldom told, understood or even considered by the masses. It’s tied in with the same reason why some athletes take steroids or inject hGH. Weight training acts as a reliable deterrent against sports attrition. Resistance training is anabolic. It creates an anabolic flux inside the body called “negative entropy” that pushes out against entropy itself. It’s like a biological force field. Entropy has to do with energy and information. Lightly translated, entropy is the measure of disorder or randomness of a system, and everything that exists over time tends to move from order to disorder, including you and me. After our growth cycle is complete after birth, we literally begin to disintegrate molecule by molecule. Playing the game of life by simply living doesn’t build muscle, improve flexibility or enhance aerobic capacity to the same degree that controlled, strenuous training performed in addition to the game can accomplish. In fact, with advancing age coupled with sleep deprivation, dehydration, travel, wear and tear, oxidative damage, pressure to win and playing the game itself, athletes often lose significant size and strength by the end of each season and then desperately try to recoup their losses during the off-season. Professional sport is incredibly stressful and stress, for the most part, is highly catabolic. Catabolic is the opposite of anabolic. It’s attrition’s big brother and both equate to net loss. Catabolism cuts through functional tissue and muscle like a knife. By progressively lifting and adding weight incrementally in the gym, you force muscle fibres, motor units and neurons to fire at near maximum capacity. This slows entropy down and helps prevent sarcopenia, the medical term for age-related loss of form and function. Progressive resistance training (PRT) creates an anabolic response that acts like a defensive shield against the catabolic and corrosive effects of light, oxygen, radiation, gravity, cortisol and time. In fact, it’s this simple action performed consistently over time that elevates blood testosterone and improves insulin stability, growth hormone release and the formation of IGF-1. When performed correctly, exercise develops muscle strength, muscle endurance, aerobic capacity and flexibility and, if combined with excellent nutrition and natural health products (NHPs), this proven strategy creates ideal body composition, greater tolerance to stress and improved resistance to disease and infection.
Nutrition vs. Exercise Without whole food, this procedure will eventually fail. So, what is more important for health, wellness, power and strength: exercise or nutrition? The answer is neither. Both are critical and essential to understand and apply. Like math and physics, sports nutrition is a legitimate science. As a component of environment, nutrition influences gene expression, nucleotide sequence formation and protein synthesis. Food plays a vital biochemical role in energy, recovery and growth. It’s a biological link in evolution that even Darwin didn’t appreciate. The best food is real, fresh, organic, whole and natural. Why? Because whole food is the only kind of food that is compatible with our genome. Sports nutrition is about eating the right food, in the right form, at the right time in the right amount. Sports nutrition is also about taking supplements. To help modify the effects of oxidation, stress and elevated cortisol, consider whey protein isolate, calcium and magnesium, niacin, B-complex, inositol, melatonin, GABA, glycine, 5-HTP, tryptophan, acetyl-L-carnitine, HMB, BCAAs, CLA, vitamin C, gingko biloba and phosphatidylserine. Food is something we all have control over, in spite of invalid claims to the contrary. Humans have the power of choice, which is why we’re accountable for everything we do and say. Food serves our species as a biological means to a biological end: life for life. Addiction to factory food is actually a form of self-imposed emotional slavery driven not by the food itself, but by the mental and emotional state of the person who consumes it. To change the effect we must change, modify or annihilate the cause. No matter how you slice it, it’s irrational to allow yourself to be controlled by any substance or person, good, bad or indifferent. We are free thinking individuals entitled to our own individual lives. The odds of us being here right now in the flesh are staggering when calculated mathematically. Don’t waste the gifts of life and health. Be your own guru. Recognize who and what you are, and rise to your own occasion!
The Cory Holly Institute (Chi) continues to educate thousands of students worldwide in holistic, integrative and functional sports nutrition. Visit CoryHolly. com for more info.
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The Athletic Heart: Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes By Ramin Manshadi, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FAHA, FACP
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udden Cardiac Death (SCD) is a nontraumatic, nonviolent, unexpected death due to cardiac causes within one hour of the onset of symptoms. Though there is no official registry, research suggests between 200 and 300 high school athletes in the United States die of SCD each year. Simply put, these athletes die of arrhythmias.
What Happens During Sudden Cardiac Death?
A correctly functioning heart has electrical activity going from the top of the heart to the bottom, making the heart squeeze and pump correctly. An arrhythmia is when the entire electrical portion of the heart is firing all at once. The muscle cannot function. The pumping fails. You pass out, since you’re not getting enough oxygen to the brain and, in time, you die. The most obvious sign of an arrhythmia is blacking out due to lack of blood pressure. CPR doesn’t really revive you. That can happen, but CPR really just keeps your heart pumping blood through your body by pressing down on the chest. This keeps you alive until paramedics or someone arrives to perform more intensive intervention (like with a defibrillator) to restore heart func-
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tion. In fact, you should be aware that CPR isn’t always successful. It really needs to be performed perfectly to keep a patient alive. That’s why staying practiced and updated on its ever-improving protocols is so vital. If you ever have the opportunity to learn or review your CPR skills, take it. Fortunately, young athletes are generally very healthy. As soon as they’re down, if you shock them with a defibrillator, their heart rhythm can be restored. They come back very fast and are just like they were before. It’s pretty astonishing.
Prevention as Solution
If we have a policy in place in which a competent physician evaluates all athletes before they start rigorous exercise activity, we can prevent many young athletes from abruptly collapsing and dying. Others have already begun doing this. In northeastern Italy, a simple EKG test has been added to the examination of all athletes. An EKG is a simple exam costing only around $30. With this basic testing, they were able to cut down the risk of sudden cardiac death in their athletes by 85 percent! We need to adopt the use of such a test in North America as well. While there are more expensive tests one can do (like an echocar-
diogram), an EKG should be able to detect over 95 percent of cases with the underlying conditions that could lead to sudden cardiac death. Athletes should be aware of the possible warning signs of SCD, which include: • Chest pain • Palpations • Dizziness • Feelings of passing out • Shortness of breath outside of the norm one would expect with exercise If an athlete is experiencing these symptoms, a cardiologist knowledgeable about SCD in athletes should evaluate the person.
The Solution on the Field
While prevention is key, there is another option if an arrhythmia causes an athlete to collapse. A terrific device called a defibrillator sends a therapeutic dose of electrical current into a person’s body to normalize heart function in various life-threatening situations. It’s what you’ve seen on TV and in movies, where paramedics place paddles on the patient’s chest in a hospital or ambulance, and the heart is “shocked” back into beating correctly. In real life, if someone collapses and you get to him or her within five minutes and
shock him or her out of arrhythmia, they will likely survive. But if it takes longer than five minutes to shock them in this manner, the likelihood of survival is almost zero. That’s why these devices need to be at athletic fields everywhere. The time it takes for someone to phone for help, for paramedics to arrive and get to the student, break out the equipment and use it – will very likely exceed those precious five minutes.
Portable Automatic Defibrillators
Fortunately, there are also portable “automatic” defibrillators. Even a person with little training can use one. You simply attach the leads to the chest, press the button, and it performs its own diagnosis and shock. So if someone collapses, you grab it and use it right away before paramedics even get there. If a portable automatic defibrillator is applied within the first minute, the survival rate is 90 percent. But if no such defibrillator is present, then survival drops to five percent, even with CPR. These defibrillators cost about $2,000 USD each, but if one of these can save someone’s life, they’re worth many times that. It is imperative that high schools and universities possess these life-saving tools. Most recently, The Sacramento Kings basketball organization realized the importance of schools having portable “automatic” defibrillators, and has been working to create a PSA (public service announcement) to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death in athletes. In fact, once the owners, Gavin and Joe Maloof, became aware of this project, they immediately got personally involved. Geoff Petrie, the General Manager, similarly offered to support the cause without hesitation. In addition, their media team has shown a genuine caring attitude in their assistance within the PSA community.
Athletics Offers Terrific Benefits
Athletics has benefits far beyond the exercise and fitness. It has the positive effect of socialization, competitiveness and teamwork, plus
the sense of achieving a goal. Every student athlete should be involved in some sport – not necessarily to become a pro and earn money, but to develop these values that will help in their future and daily work lives. Being competitive, while also being a gentleman or gentlewoman as an athlete, is an example of what can help you to be successful in life. It is important to relate this because, while there are risks in everything, there are distinct benefits as well. It wouldn’t be beneficial for parents or students to shy away from participating in athletics because of anything that has been presented here. It is important to relay health information like what has been described above, even if it makes some people uncomfortable. Perhaps that discomfort will motivate others to champion their own quest to enhance protection for young athletes.
Knowledge Is Powerful
The bottom line is that athletes simply must be informed about their own bodies and how they function, not just for their own sake, but for the sake of their teams. If you see a teammate experiencing a medical “event,” everyone else might stand around not knowing what happened (possibly thinking the fallen individual only had the wind knocked out of him). But you, with the knowledge presented here, may jump into action. Start CPR while yelling for someone to call 911, or summon the proper equipment to resuscitate the individual. Perhaps an athlete’s life will be saved – simply because you took the time to read this article.
Dr. Ramin Manshadi is a Board-Certified physician with the American Board of Interventional Cardiology, American Board of Cardiology, American Board of Internal Medicine and is Board-Eligible with the American Board of Nuclear Cardiology. He is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Cardiology at UC Davis Medical Center. Dr. Manshadi was named a “2011 Top Cardiologist” by U.S. News & World Report. He is the author of The Wisdom of Heart Health: Attaining a Healthy and Robust Heart in Today’s Modern World. For more information, please visit, www.DrManshadi.com.
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Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow
Feature
Northern Gateway Is about Profits versus Environment By David Suzuki with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Editorial and Communications Specialist Ian Hanington
Environmentally Friendly Household Items by Shelly Lynn Nellis
Chemical Air Fresheners and Your Home
by Michael Bloch
Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow
Northern Gateway Is about Profits versus Environment By David Suzuki with contributions from Ian Hanington
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hen we build infrastructure such as pipelines to support the fossil fuel industry, we increase the incentive to use fossil fuels for a longer time and decrease the incentives to invest in cleaner energy. The battle lines are drawn, and Northern BC’s pristine wilderness is the latest front. With hearings underway into the proposed $5.5 billion, dual 1,172-kilometre Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project to transport bitumen from the Alberta tar sands to Kitimat and imported condensate to dilute it from the coast back to Alberta, the fossil fuel industry and its supporters have stepped up the rhetoric. Environmentalists and people in towns, rural areas and First Nations communities in BC have lined up in opposition. It’s not just about potential damage from an oil spill along the pipeline route or from a supertanker plying the precarious fiords and waterways along our northern coast — as critical as those concerns are. The larger issues are about our continued reliance on polluting fossil fuels and the economic impact of rapidly exploiting and selling our resources and resource industries. It’s about Canada’s national interest. With lax royalty structures and massive subsidies to the fossil fuel industry, not to mention foreign ownership of tar sands operations and lobbying by foreign companies, Canadians are not enjoying the real benefits of our oil industry. In fact, increasing reliance on the tar sands is hurting other sectors of the economy – manufacturing in particular. Thanks to the government’s support of the fossil fuel industry, ours is a petro dollar that rises and falls with the price of oil. The high price of oil has increased our dollar’s value, and that has hurt the more labour-intensive manufacturing sector, which relies on exports. Not only have hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs been lost over the past few years; Canada has also been missing out on opportunities to join the boom in production of renewable energy technology. And when we build infrastructure such as pipelines to support the fossil fuel industry, we increase the incentive to use fossil fuels for a longer time and decrease the incentives to invest in cleaner energy. Industry adherents have come up with many arguments supporting the Northern Gateway project. Some have more holes than an oilfield. Take the jobs argument. Even Enbridge admits that most would be in short-term construction work. Only about 35 to 40 long-term jobs would be created at the Kitimat marine terminal, with some additional jobs in pipeline maintenance. It hardly seems worth risking
tens of thousands of jobs in tourism and the fishing industry, among others, for a few short-term and even fewer long-term positions. Most economic benefits from increased tar sands production would go to the companies and their shareholders, including firms from the U.S., Korea and China. In fact, state-owned PetroChina, which already operates in the tar sands, has just bought 100 per cent of the MacKay River project. The “ethical oil” argument is so absurd as to be hardly worth mentioning, but it’s one the government has latched onto. Oil can’t be ethical or unethical. People, and by extension the companies they own and operate or the governments they represent, can behave in ethical or unethical ways, but a product cannot. The Northern Gateway project, and much of the recent and pending tar sands expansion, will help companies owned by the government of China dig up bitumen and send it there for refining and use. The ethical oil folks admit that China is a police state, so why do they support selling them our industry and resources? Canadian tar sands companies also do business in the countries tagged by the ethical oil folks as being unethical — often in partnership with state-owned companies. The anti-American conspiracy theories are even more absurd. Saying that opposition to the Northern Gateway is a plot by U.S. funding agencies to protect America’s access to Canadian oil is just idiotic in light of the fact that many of the same groups and funders also oppose the Keystone XL pipeline project that would carry oil from the tar sands to Texas. It’s odd to see such anti-Americanism coming from conservatives who apparently support Communist China! The only real argument for Northern Gateway is that it will increase profits for the oil industry, and hand over more of our resources and the associated profits and jobs to China. The arguments against it are so numerous we’ve barely touched on them here.
David Suzuki is the Chair of the David Suzuki Foundation, and is an awardwinning scientist and broadcaster. Dr. Suzuki has received a UNESCO prize for science, a United Nations Environment Program medal and the Order of Canada. Ian Hanington is the David Suzuki Foundation’s Editorial and Communications Specialist VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 81
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Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow
Environmentally Friendly
Household Items By Shelly Lynn Nellis
T
he Earth is a planet we’re all a part of, and all equally responsible for. Often, huge recycling projects require lots of money and even more time. Luckily, you can start at home and turn your entire house into a green wonderland, because everything you do or use will be environmentally friendly. You’ll save a lot of money while helping the planet by reusing and recycling! Here are some places to start. 1. Common Household Items Paper towels are the most commonly used items to clean your entire house. The towels are often used for only one thing, then thrown away. Remember, especially with brands like Bounty, that they can be used for multiple surfaces. The easiest way to conserve on paper towel is through folding it in half, using the towel, then in half again, using that side, and so on. That way, you’ll get a lot more accomplished without having to go back for more towels, and you’ll be saving a good amount of resources that are used for making paper towels. Another great way to conserve resources is by reusing plastic grocery bags. Don’t just throw these away! They’re useful for all sorts of things; if you’re a parent, bag your lunches and your kids’ lunches with these. Use them to store things around the house, or take them out on family picnics. There are a billion uses for plastic bags – you can even use them for kids’ arts and crafts projects. 2. Separate the Trash Waste starts through your trash, so start separating! Garbage may seem like garbage, but
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once a lot of it is processed and recycled, the materials might be used for the next set of paper napkins that you have in your house. Have separate bins for glass bottles, cans, plastic bottles, paper (loose-leaf, printer paper, etc.), and general trash (usually wet trash). That way, the garbage companies can take the right recycled items to the right places, and the garbage will go to the landfills. Also, when you buy new napkins, towels, and other paper products, make sure they are made of recyclable material. Use paper towels without the rolls, now sold by some companies. 3. Reduce Waste By separating your trash, you also have one more advantage: keeping track of your waste. You’ll be able to see how many cans and bottles, and how much paper waste you have. You will realize just how much waste you are producing, which may prompt you to consider other options, such as a Brita Filter water bottle, which is a great way to eliminate all the plastic water bottles in your house and still deliver perfectly clean water. Or, consider putting a Poland spring cooler in your house and fill a reusable water bottle every day with the water. You can also purchase large juice bottles or soda bottles instead of individual cans, or invest in a soda, beer, or juice machine and get fresh drinks every day without the waste. There are plenty of ways not only to save money, but stop wasting as well. 4. Minimize Water Waste It may seem like there’s plenty of water in the world, but water, too, could easily become a non-renewable resource. Remember to turn
off taps and faucets, and make sure the shower knob is turned all the way off so no dripping occurs. Be aware of dripping noises around the house, and fix them. There are environmentally friendly faucet heads and shower heads available that have leak guards. A toilet with a water conserving flush is a great investment – used in a lot of colleges and universities to conserve as much water as possible. These methods will help conserve water with no extra effort from you or your family. 5. “Green” Artwork and Design That’s right! Even the art displayed in your home can be made of environmentally friendly materials. Look up environmental charities to purchase things from, and consider them donations to causes. One of the best things to do, however, is create your own home artwork from materials around the house. A great project to start is using the cardboard paper towel rolls and branches. Use the design of the branches to cut out of the paper towel roll, and string the towel rolls and the branches around the house – it’ll be a real eye-catcher for anyone that visits your residence. These are just a few tips to get started on becoming more “green.” You’ll have a great time and feel good about yourself while doing our shared planet some good. Good luck and have fun!
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.
Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow
VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 81
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Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow
Chemical Air Fresheners a nd
Your Home By Michael Bloch
I
admit it: I was an air freshener abuser – big time. My cleaning cupboard had more air freshener varieties than you can poke a stick at. But in fooling my nose, I was also poisoning myself and the wider environment. Thankfully, there are much greener ways to keep nasty smells at bay. The majority of air fresheners you buy in the supermarket do not destroy odours, but simply mask them. They create a coating on your nasal membranes that fools your brain into thinking that the smell has gone. As for those air fresheners that claim to kill bacteria, our bacteria paranoia is leading us to kill good bacteria while creating strains of drugresistant bad bacteria. While anti-bacterial air fresheners have their place, they should really be limited to hospital environments in most cases.
Air Fresheners = Chemical Cocktails
Many commercially available air fresheners contain a cocktail of toxic chemicals that aren’t healthy for us or the environment. Up to 3,000 synthetic chemical ingredients are used by the air freshener industry. Some of these chemicals include: • Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen • Phenol, a skin and nervous system irritant • Petroleum distillates such as butane and propane • Methylformamide, linked to organ system toxicity, cancer and developmental or reproductive toxicity • Butanoic acid, linked to neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption and organ system toxicity
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• Nitro- and polycyclic musks, linked to cancer and hormone disruption ... and the list goes on. The entire commercial air freshener product life-cycle is an environmental nightmare. One of the problems is that toxic chemicals accumulate in carpet over time, which is of particular concern to parents with young children who crawl, sit and play on the floor. The sticky chemicals also wind up on our shoes and feet to be taken into the outside environment, where they wind up in soil. Added to all that, there’s the non-recyclable, non-reusable packaging of these products. Millions of spray cans and plastic bottles wind up in our landfills each year; the production of the chemical ingredients and packaging is another environmental concern. A recent trend in air fresheners are the 24/7 products that spray automatically every few minutes – whether it’s needed or not. Based on the chemical cocktail described above, these harmful products should be pulled from the market. Something else to be aware of is that we tend to build up a tolerance to air fresheners over time. We get used to the smell, and start using more to get that same olfactory “kick.” If you really feel the need to use these products, regularly rotate the fragrances you use to avoid developing a tolerance to a particular scent.
of these products. A common trick companies play is to claim, for example, that a product “contains natural pine scent,” which it may well do – but what about the other ingredients? Check the labels and if the label is unclear, contact the company for a complete ingredient list. Alternatively, you can try searching for the product’s MSDS online. An MSDS is a Materials Safety Data Sheet. These usually contain more information than what you’ll find listed on a product’s packaging, and may also include toxicological and environmental data. Type the product name plus “MSDS” into Google. Armed with that information, you can then use online databases such as Skin Deep to find out the potential effects of the chemicals.
Green Com mercial Air Fresheners
Green Home-Brewed Alternatives
Thankfully, some manufacturers are responding to consumer concerns regarding the health and environmental issues associated with these products, and commercial “green” air fresheners can be purchased. Still, be wary
Here are a few tips for greener ways to help keep your home smelling fresh. Of course, be cautious of how you use some of these ideas if you have young children or pets scurrying around the house.
Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow
• Open your windows! It’s a simple solution, but improving air circulation outside to inside will do wonders. Open windows whenever you can. • Orange and salt: A tablespoon of salt in a half an orange with the flesh scooped out. I’m told this is a good one for the toilet. • Vanilla extract: One to two teaspoons of natural vanilla extract placed in small containers around your home acts as a natural deodorizer. • Flower fresh: Make potpourri from lavender, roses or whatever scented plants and flowers you may have in your garden. • Baking soda: Use baking soda to soak up acidic odours; also great for ash trays. Baking soda can also be used as a spray: dissolve one teaspoon baking
•
•
•
•
soda in cup of water, then spray as a fine mist. Vinegar: Use vinegar to neutralize alkaline odours. Yes, vinegar is a little smelly itself to start off with, but the initial pong quickly fades. Essential oils: Put a couple drops of essential oil in an atomizer or mister full of water (bear in mind this only masks the smell rather than neutralizing it). Or, try using a couple drops of essential oil on a cotton ball in inconspicuous places around a room Citrus and cinnamon: Place citrus fruit or cinnamon in a pot with water and simmer gently (use sparingly as this method is energy resource intensive). Clean your fans: If you have extraction fans in the kitchen or toilet, ensure the screens are kept clean. If you haven’t
cleaned yours for a while, try it out and I guarantee the difference will amaze you. • Prevent odours from occurring: Treating the cause rather than the symptom is always a preferred strategy. For example, pet bedding can create an awful stink and while it may not be viable to wash it every week, simply putting it out in the sun regularly and giving it a good shake will help.
Michael Bloch publishes Green Living Tips, an online resource powered by renewable energy offering a wide variety of Earth-friendly tips and environment-related news to help consumers reduce costs, consumption and environmental impact. www.greenlivingtips.com
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Recipe for Health:
Coconut Cream Chocolate Mousse By Liberty Craig
By Tracy Kaye Holly CSNA
S
poonfuls of fluffy whipped cream layered with berries or dark chocolate might not sound like anything new until we tell you that the whipped cream is made entirely from coconut milk – with no added sugar and no dairy. Using an electric mixer works best, as it whips the most air into the thick coconut cream that separates from the liquid in the can. The result is a silky-smooth whipped cream that is not quite as thick as conventional whipped cream made from whole milk cream, but just as delicious. Adding four ounces of melted dark chocolate to a can of coconut milk creates a delicious mousse. Gently stirred together and chilled, melted dark chocolate and coconut milk whipped cream creates a dish you won’t soon forget. The chocolate (the darker the better) masks much of the coconut flavour, so if you’re not crazy about coconut, we think you’ll still be crazy about coconut cream chocolate mousse. Coconuts are seen by some as a miracle food, helping protect and cure the body of internal and external ailments. Coconut milk has many nutritional benefits, most of which build up the immune system and the body’s defenses. You can find coconut milk in the ethnic foods section of a local grocery store or make it at home. Not all brands of canned coconut milk are ideal. Try a number of different brands to find the one most to your liking. Good coconut milk has a clean, white colour and tastes rich, creamy and mildly sweet with the essence of coconut. It should also have a complexity and depth of flavour that keeps you intrigued, and should not leave an unpleasant aftertaste. Good brands of coconut milk will have the thicker cream floating on top of the can while the milk on the bottom will appear similar to the consistency of water. The cream usually separates to the top more readily in cool weather, or when refrigerated. For recipes requiring coconut cream, do not shake the can before opening; spoon out the thick cream on top. On hot days, refrigerate the can so the cream will harden and can be easily separated from the lighter milk. Coconut milk contains many vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, including potassium, calcium and chloride. The saturated fat in coconut is made up of short-chain and medium-chain fatty acids the body quickly turns into energy instead of storing as fat. Therefore, even
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though it’s high in saturated fat, coconut can aid in weight loss. Half the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut milk are composed of lauric acid, which is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-fungal. Coconut milk can help boost the immune system. Coconut milk is a dairy-free alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to animal milk. This vegan drink is also soy-free, gluten-free and nut-free.
Ingredients:
One 12-ounce can full-fat coconut milk 4 ounces cooled, melted dark chocolate (makes enough for two servings)
Instructions:
Put the can of coconut milk in the coldest part of the refrigerator for several hours, preferably overnight. Do not shake the can. When you open the can after it is chilled, spoon out the solid top layer of creamy coconut, being careful not to include any of the watery liquid on the bottom of the can. Don’t waste the coconut water: drink it or add it to smoothies or baking products or soups. It is a great source of potassium! Whip the coconut cream with the electric mixer until it has the airy texture of whipped cream, approximately five minutes. Gently fold the melted chocolate into the whipped cream until well blended. Scoop into small serving bowls, top with fresh raspberries or favourite fruit and shaved dark chocolate, cover and refrigerate. Take out of refrigerator one hour prior to serving.
Serving Suggestions:
There are plenty of different delicious combinations that can make this simple dish very extravagant and complement any dinner theme. Try folding chopped fruit into the whipped cream; adding a few drops of pure vanilla extract with ½ teaspoon cinnamon; adding melted white chocolate with chopped almond or macadamia nuts; or adding rum flavour, maple syrup and ½ cup raisins. Whichever combination you choose, sprinkle with chocolate or nuts or fresh fruit before serving. Enjoy!
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Ayurvedic Corner:
Ayurveda:
Ancient Wisdom for a Happy, Healthy Life By Sam Hari
A
yurveda is an ancient system of healing that dates back thousands of years. Literally translated from Sanskrit, it is known as “the knowledge of life.” The first records of Ayurveda show up in the Indian Vedas, commonly known as one of the oldest pieces of literature in the world, said to date back more than 5,000 years. One of the unique aspects of Ayurveda is that it looks at a person on much more than a physical level. It incorporates the mind, body and soul. As all three are linked to one another, all must be considered when looking at a person’s state of well-being. It is believed that we all have three Doshas (elemental based energies), which reside in our bodies in varying degrees. When a person is in a healthy state, these Doshas are balanced in a harmony that our body is naturally in tune with. The five elements we speak of in accordance to the principles of Ayurveda are Akash (Ether/Space), Vayu (wind), Tejas (Fire), Jal (water) and Prithvi (earth). The entire universe is comprised of these elements in varying degrees.
The Three Doshas 1.
2.
3.
Vata: Predominantly air and ether based, Vata is the energy of movement. Similar to wind in nature, it is constantly in motion. In the body it manifests as movement transportation and action. It is also known as the king of the Doshas, as the other two Doshas tend to follow Vata’s lead. Pitta: Predominantly fire and water based, Pitta is the energy of conversion. In nature, Pitta is most comparable to the energy of the sun. Manifested in the physical body, it governs metabolism, conversion and transformation. Kapha: Predominantly water and earth based, Kapha is the energy of building or cohesion. It’s very important as it builds muscles and tissues and lubricates our joints, allowing for mobility. In nature it is most similar to water as it nourishes life.
An Individual Approach to Health
Depending on an individual’s natural healthy state of being, Ayurveda looks at each person differently and as a result, ailments are treated differently rather than using a blanket approach. Many things affect our state of well-being: diet, lifestyle, sleep, the company we keep, as
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well as the routine of our daily lives. Knowing how these things affect us is paramount in understanding and preventing disease. Ayurveda places great emphasis on preventative measures that will enable one to maintain and improve health. Of course, Ayurveda defines health a little differently than what most of us are accustomed to. According to the principles of Ayurveda, Swastha (a healthy person) is defined as a person who: • has maintained their Prakriti (body’s natural state of being), • has their three Doshas functioning properly, • has proper Agni (digestive power), • has proper functioning of Dhatus (the seven tissues in accordance to the principles of Ayurveda), • eliminates wastes and toxins accumulated in the body properly and in a timely manner, • has sharp senses of touch, taste, smell and vision, and • has a clear, calm, stable and peaceful state of mind. Of course it’s important to remember that we also live in a society and, as a result, it is important to surround ourselves with good people. One unhappy person can sometimes affect a whole group. Since happiness is such an important part of overall health, it is very important to establish and maintain healthy and happy connections with the people in our lives. Don’t worry if you don’t have all of these things going on in your life at the moment. Ayurveda gives us many tips and routines to achieve the balance in life that is perfect health. It allows us to connect with nature and our surroundings and gives us great insight into ourselves both physically and mentally.
Sam Hari is an Ayurvedic practitioner at West Coast Ayurveda. They specialize in Ayurvedic consultations, along with diet and lifestyle recommendations to help maintain a happy and healthy life. Assistance using traditional Ayurvedic methods to manage many ailments is also available. To find out how this ancient wisdom can help you achieve and maintain optimal health or help manage chronic conditions, visit us online at www.ayurvedichealing.com or call 604.569.3596.
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Damage Control:
Regulate Inflammation for Better Health By Antoinette Giacobbe
T
he most effective way to maintain health is to eat a balanced diet, do regular exercise and learn how to manage your stress. But if you are like most people, you may have a lot of good intentions and a whole lot of bad influences. Living in the real world makes it next to impossible to escape the daily multitudes of environmental, chemical, electronic and dietary toxins. Our hectic lifestyles By Tracy Kayeon Holly have an impact ourCSNA health, all adding to the collateral damage of the inevitable part of 21st century living. Since there is a lot of potential to create damage in our bodies, what we are looking for is balance. Balance equals health. No matter how well we eat, exercise or maintain a positive attitude in life, we need to seek added protection to shield our bodies from the damage and assault they absorb on a daily basis from things that are beyond our control. We are lucky to have a built-in defence system that protects us. In response to injury, irritation or infection, the body activates the inflammation process.
Three Major Sources of Inflammation
There are three major sources of inflammation: 1. Dietary: A modern diet high in fats and sugar along with a sedentary lifestyle increases inflammation in the body. 2. Macro trauma: Macro trauma refers to any specific, sudden injury to the body, tissues, bones or joints, such as falls or accidents which may cause acute pain.
3. Micro trauma: Micro trauma is caused by the normal activities of everyday living as a result of overuse; any abnormal stress placed on bodily tissue from repeated action over an extended period of time. A cumulative effect of micro trauma is that it may cause major injury.
Out of Control
Initially, inflammation starts off as a healthy response to help repair our bodies’ damaged cells, muscles and tissues. Inflammation should promote healing; however, when left uncontrolled, it slowly leads to chronic pain and disease. Diseases ending in “itis” usually indicate an inflammation in a particular area of the body, but other conditions associated with inflammation include cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders and Alzheimer’s disease. Modern research points to chronic inflammation as a cause of premature aging.
In Control
For best overall coverage, we need to give continuous support to our bodies’ systems. To stay ahead of the damage, taking supplements can help reverse and prevent further damage by allowing the body to continue its repair work and to encourage new tissue growth. Without balance and inflammation-regulating activity, the disease process is accelerated. When looking for a solution for pain and inflammation, here of some of the factors to take into consideration when choosing
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a supplement that will help fight the fire and defend your body at the cellular level. Medicinal Mushrooms: The immune system works really hard every day to provide us with maximum protection. We can keep our immune systems strong by going on the defence with the help of mushrooms, which provide added protection and assist the body in doing its repair work. Mushrooms prime the immune system by providing the elements necessary to prevent and arrest disease. By modulating your immune system, mushrooms naturally balance your health as needed. An optimal mushroom formula is high in polysaccharides – this is the most important immune support component. The mushrooms should be grown to full maturity, which, according to scientific analysis, ensures mushrooms contain the full spectrum of fat soluble and water soluble constituents, making them most effective. For best potency, mushrooms should be grown in controlled, pure growing conditions, with no irradiation, on organic plant materials and trace mineral mixes. The mushrooms should then be micronized to ensure ready availability of the difficult-to-absorb polysaccharides and water soluble, fat soluble or blended components. Antioxidants: Antioxidants also stop the process of adding fuel to the fire that, if left unchecked, will continue to rage and destroy everything in its path. The antioxidant blend of specific green tea and grape polyphenols are two excellent sources that repair the cell matrix and membrane, thereby improving healing and nutrient receptivity.
They also enhance cell and tissue repairs by strengthening the integrity of the tissues and supporting a more speedy recovery. Antioxidants are important for rebuilding tissue, and are useful for both recovery and prevention as well as for rejuvenation. Glucosamine and MSM: Along with antioxidants, glucosamine and MSM help protect the integrity and health of your cartilage and joints. Glucosamine and MSM increase flexibility and decrease pain. Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant agent that helps promote healthy cell growth and rebuild tissues. It is required by the body to build and maintain healthy collagen. Magnesium: Magnesium, the underrated and commonly deficient mineral, is necessary for optimal stress response, acts as a muscle relaxant and plays a major role in cardiovascular health as well as in modulating cellular activities involved with inflammation. It is more important than calcium in building strong bones and preventing bone loss. Magnesium deficiencies feed the fire of inflammation and pain. How you protect your body will determine how your body protects you. Go from wear and tear to wear and care! Keep it under control to live longer and feel better! Antoinette Giacobbe, MA, has over 30 years experience in holistic counselling and teaching. She has trained at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health as a Yoga instructor and has studied with Bernard Jensen, Michael Tierra, Dr. John Christopher and Michio Kushi. Her passion lies in the natural health business and the bodymind connection.
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