Vista Magazine Issue 82

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ISSUE 82 March/April 2012

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Homeopathy for seasonal allergy relief

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Interview with Hawaii 5-0 star

Grace

Park Muscle and You:

All or Nothing

Feature: CANADA MUST DO MORE FOR ITS OCEANS 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

Pomegranate juice contains tannins, which lowers blood pressure and stimulates the immune system and anthocyanins, which reduce inflammation and protect blood vessels. The heart health benefits don’t end there as these nutrients may also prevent thickening of the arteries, reduce LDL cholesterol levels, increase blood flow to heart tissue and prevent plaque build up that leads to atherosclerosis.*

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CONTENTS www.vistamagonline.com

CCOONNTTEENNTTSS Issue 82 | March/April 2012

Issue 78 | Sept/Oct 2011

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A Balancing Act: Four Approaches to Healthy Hormones

By Dr. Marita Schauch, BSc, ND

Nothing to Sneeze At: Homeopathy for Seasonal Allergy Relief

By Stephenie Farrell

Treating Acne from the Inside Out

By Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, M.S.

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A variety of factors could be throwing your hormones out of balance.

Avoid over-the-counter remedies this allergy season.

Hormone balance and adult acne.

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The Five Bs for Dealing with a Depressed Loved One

By Carol A. Kivler, MS, CSP

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Keep Moving! Live Better! The Benefits of Hydrolysed Collagen

By Jean-Yves Leroux, PhD Collagen for pain relief, joint mobility, and a more youthful appearance.

Health, Hawaii and Happiness: Interview with Grace Park

By Liberty Craig From science fiction to surfing, Grace Park is making waves.

Recipe for Health: Triple Berry Buckwheat Waffles & Pancakes

By Tracy Kaye Holly, CSNA Master Gluten-free breakfast goodness!

The Key to Your Family’s Health

By Lucie Lafontaine

Vitamin and mineral supplementation are a must.

Immunity and Fatal Disease

By Gloria Li

Cancer prevention and treatment don’t have to be harmful to your health.

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VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 82

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M A G A Z I N E

proudly brought to you by:

Publisher: Trent Nellis Editor: Liberty Craig Marketing Director & Associate Editor: Shelly-Lynn Nellis Art Director:

Michelle Beaudry

Copy Editor: Dan Tidsbury advertising sales:

1-877-905-7771

Cover Credits: Photographer:

Florence Leung www.flotography.ca

Styling: Krista Sung for THEY Representation Make-up Artist: Vanessa Mills www.vanessamills.com Hair & Nails:

Stephanie Park @VMMA Makeup Artistry Studio

Assistant:

Frank Yeh

Contributing Writers: Angus Brody, Carol A. Kivler, Dr. Cory Holly, David Suzuki, Gloria Li, Ian Hanington, Jean-Yves Leroux, Liberty Craig, Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, Dr. Marita Schauch, Marva Ward, Michael Bloch, Stephenie Farrell, Tami Main, 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 ­authors 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

Publisher’s

word O

ne of my favourite words in the world is “Aloha.” As an avid and passionate visitor to Hawaii, I often hear this term as an English greeting, but in Hawaiian culture, it means so much more.

Aloha is a way of living and treating each other with love and respect. Its deep meaning starts by teaching us to love our own beings first and then to spread the love to others. Aloha is sending and receiving positive energy. Aloha is living in harmony. It is thought Trent E. Nellis - Publisher, Vista Magazine that when you live in the Spirit of Aloha, you create positive thoughts and feelings that exist forever. They exist in space, multiply and are spread to others. What a great concept. No wonder everyone in Hawaii seems so happy.

Photo Credit: Erich Saide

This issue of

This issue we bring you the beautiful and talented Grace Park. Grace currently stars in the hit TV series Hawaii 5-0. Any of our readers who are old enough to remember the original series can attest to the unique character and look Grace brings to the screen in her reprised role as detective Kono Kalakaua. (In the original series, Kono was a man.) Besides being a very talented actress, Ms Park is an extremely health conscious individual. She relies on her healthy lifestyle choices of well-balanced nutrition and exercise for the energy and stamina required for the long days of filming Hawaii 5-0. Besides affording her a youthful and vibrant appearance, Ms Park’s lifestyle is one that is fulfilling and readily available to anyone who wants it. If you want to feel and live the true Aloha spirit as Grace Park does, you must be in harmony with yourself as well as the world around you. This means making quality choices when it comes to what we put into our bodies and how we maintain our physical selves. It requires approaching others with the same warmth and kindness we would want to be treated with, and willingly giving of our time and resources to those who may benefit from our good fortune. Living the Aloha spirit is possible even when we are not in Hawaii. It simply means being the best you that you can be and allowing that positive attitude to permeate everyone and everything you come in contact with.

Aloha, and enjoy the issue!

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

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 82

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CONTENTS CONTENTS

Issue 82 | March/April 2012

Articles:

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Report Shows Canada Must Do More for Its Oceans

By David Suzuki with contributions from Ian Hanington A conflict of interest puts our oceans at even greater risk.

Nail Polish and Nature: What’s In Your Nail Polish?

By Michael Bloch

Toxic nail polish can damage your health and your environment.

Organic Mama: Natural Hair Care for Tots

By Tami Main

Tips for treating tiny scalps and hair.

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A safe, natural approach to preventing hair loss.

Muscle & Me: All Or Nothing!

By Dr. Cory Holly

Action and effort are the meat of muscle.

The Superfood of the Sea

By Angus Brody

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Editor Selects

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Have you ever considered adding kelp to your diet?

Probiotics: A Question of Necessity

By Marva Ward, CNP

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New to Market

32

Treating Hair Loss – Naturally

By Rose Macmillan

Good gut flora is fundamental to good health.

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Editor’s Desk Y

Photo Credit: Cindy Hughes

ou may know Grace Park from her days playing two “Cylon” characters on the hit remake of Battlestar Gallactica, which ran from 2004 to 2009. You may admire her as the tough-as-nails, bikini-clad cop in the current remake of Hawaii 5-0; or perhaps you met her through her steamy, well-Googled Maxim photo shoot. But what you likely don’t know about Park is why she belongs in this magazine.

This is one cover story you didn’t expect: Grace Park, sex symbol, dishes on the best ways to nourish your body and do the emotional work required to keep your entire being healthy and happy.

As spring approaches, this is often a good time to take stock of our health.

Are we supplementing properly? After a long, cold winter, have we fallen off our exercise regimens? It can be difficult to keep up the good work of being good to our bodies in the dark days of winter; more difficult still to get loads of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables when they are in short supply at the local market.

Liberty Craig - Editor, Vista Magazine An excellent way to kick-start your health program this spring is to consult an expert. If you feel your exercise routine (or lack thereof) has suffered this winter, hire a personal trainer to get you motivated and moving.

If your daily run is not the problem, perhaps you need to discuss your dietary requirements with a certified nutritionist to ensure your diet plan is well balanced and tailored to your specific age, gender and biological needs.

After all, it isn’t swimsuit season that should motivate us; it’s that invigorating feeling of good health brought on by fresh air, fresh food and plenty of exercise. It’s that glow to your skin and the addictive little burst of endorphins. Not all of us can look like Grace Park in a bikini, but by keeping ourselves healthy, we can add years to our lives, energy to our days, and a positive outlook to our psyches.

Liberty Craig, Editor

Be Closer to Nature!

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A Balancing Act:

Four Approaches to Healthy Hormones

By Dr. Marita Schauch, BSc, ND

simply beyond

H

ormones are powerful chemical messengers that control our mood, energy, stress levels, metabolism, sleep, reproductive function and many other vital bodily functions. In good health, all our hormones work together in a delicate balance. Unfortunately, hormonal imbalances commonly leave many of us feeling stressed, tired and unwell. There are many causes and aspects of hormonal imbalance, but four key themes that I experience regularly with my patients are outlined below.

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1. Estrogen Dominance

It is now well known that excessive estrogen exposure is one of the most prominent causes of PMS symptoms, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breast disease and breast, uterine and ovarian cancer. This is often referred to as “estrogen dominance.” One of the main sources of too much estrogen in the body is xenoestrogens, which are environmental toxins found in plastics, pesticides, beauty products, cleaning products, detergents, birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. Xenoestrogens are structurally similar to estrogen and have the ability to mimic estrogen in the body and cause an excess estrogen state. These “foreign” hormones can also create damaging by-products and metabolites, putting a lot of stress on the liver and disrupting normal hormone pathways. Decreasing estrogen through support of the liver detoxification pathways and supplementing with progesterone-enhancing herbs such as vitex and vitamin B6 can help the situation.

Calcium-d-glucarate, indole-3-carbinol, DIM and sulforaphane are important substances that support healthy hormone metabolism by promoting liver detoxification and excretion of harmful xenoestrogens. Milk thistle is a well-researched botanical extract that contains potent antioxidants that protect liver cells from free radical damage and support detoxification pathways. Tumeric, lycopene, rosemary and green tea are powerful antioxidants and have anti-carcinogenic properties that protect the body from environmental insult as well as reducing one’s risk of cancer.

2. Stress Glands

Stress can cause hormonal imbalance by increasing production of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, from the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are two small glands that sit on top of the kidneys and are the body’s main stress responders. They help support the body’s ability to cope with, or adapt to, stress. When the adrenal glands constantly have to adapt to stress, progesterone is converted to the adrenal hormone cortisol rather than converting to estrogen and testosterone in the steroid pathway.

This causes progesterone, estrogen, testosterone and even thyroid hormone production to be “sacrificed” in lieu of making more of the stress hormones.

Adaptogens are herbs that help the adrenal glands adapt to stress. Herbs including Siberian ginseng, rhodiola, ashwagandha, suma and schizandra help increase the body’s capacity to cope with stress, thus maintaining hormone balance.

3. Thyroid Levels

In general, hypothyroidism or low thyroid hormone is a common condition in North America that affects between 20 and 25 percent of the female population and about 10 percent of males. In addition, approximately 30 percent of people over the age of 35 may have sub-clinical or mild hypothyroidism, where the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland is within the normal range but they have many symptoms of low thyroid. If you are tired, gaining weight, have cold hands and feet, hair loss, dry hair or skin, cracking in the heels and insomnia, consider low thyroid.

Clinically low thyroid, as confirmed by your doctor, requires prescription medication. However, if your tests come back normal and you are still experiencing symptoms, you can support your thyroid with a natural formulation containing L-tyrosine, ashwagandha, guggul, pantothenic acid, copper, manganese and iodine.

4. A Transitional Time: Menopause

When a woman’s childbearing years come to an end, she will begin to experience the first signs of menopause. During this time, the body is adjusting to fluctuating hormone levels. Various signs of menopause include irregular or absent menstrual periods, hot flashes/flushes or night sweats (80 percent of women experience this), mood swings, insomnia, depression, urinary problems and loss of libido. A woman’s risk of heart disease and osteoporosis are also increased during menopause.

Not to be forgotten during menopause are the adrenal glands. Once a woman reaches menopause, the adrenal glands become the primary source for sex hormone production. The stress of everyday life on top of the transition into menopause no doubt creates much strain on the adrenal glands.

Many women have “stressed” or “fatigued” adrenal glands long before they reach menopause, which makes their menopausal symptoms much harder to cope with. Black cohosh, chasteberry, gamma orzanol, hesperidin and dong quai will help balance fluctuating hormone levels and ease the transition through menopause.

Hormone imbalance is a major contributing factor to a variety of women’s health concerns. We can restore healthy hormone balance with proper estrogen metabolism, lifestyle factors, liver function, and by decreasing stress and supporting adrenal and thyroid function.

Dr. Marita Schauch BSc ND is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Canada’s premier institute for education and research in naturopathic medicine. Dr. Schauch’s health articles educate the public about health and wellness and have been featured in numerous print media. She currently resides and has her clinical practice in Victoria, B.C. www.doctormarita.com

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Nothing to Sneeze At:

Homeopathy for Seasonal Allergy Relief

By Stephenie Farrell

T

he snow is melting, the sun is shining, and the warm weather is on its way. Spring is in the air. How glorious! Well, perhaps not so glorious for some people. If you’re like many of the millions of Canadians who suffer from seasonal allergies, you’re likely dreading those spring flowers. Unfortunately, over-the-counter medications can leave you feeling drowsy, dizzy, and just plain awful. However, there are natural, safe, homeopathic alternatives to those medications. Homeopathy is a gentle way to relieve your allergy symptoms without the common side effects associated with generic antihistamine treatment. Here’s how to prepare your medicine cabinet with natural remedies this allergy season.

• Alium Cepa: When your nose is dripping like a faucet, you may want to consider trying allium cepa. If you need this remedy, you’ll produce excessive amounts of watery discharge from both your eyes and your nose. The nasal discharge may excoriate your nostrils and upper lip. Tearing is excessive, but bland. Your nose may be completely blocked and you’re likely to suffer from violent sneezing fits. With this remedy, your symptoms feel worse in a warm room and better in the open air. If you’re particularly sensitive to flowers, peaches and pollens, give allium cepa a try.

• Euphrasia: If you’re suffering from burning tears and bland nasal discharge (opposite of the above symptoms), euphrasia could be a good choice for you. The common name of euphrasia is Eyebright. As the name suggests, eye symptoms feature quite prominently with this remedy. You may want to try this remedy if your eyes are inflamed, extremely irritated, burning and itching, and if symptoms feel worse in the morning and better at night, upon lying down.

• Pulsatilla is a good remedy when your allergies are seasonal. If your eyes are incredibly itchy, produce lots of tearing, and symptoms are made better with cold applications, you may consider pulsatilla. Common sensitivities are pollens, hay and ragweed. If you need pulsatilla, your symptoms are likely worse when you’re overheated and are better when you’re in an air-conditioned room.

• Natrum Muriaticum: Thin, watery discharge from the nose that resembles a raw egg white may respond well to natrum muriaticum. If you experience tearing from your eyes that is worse when you walk outside in the open air or in the wind, if your lips are chapped and cracked at the corners of your mouth, and if you experience a loss of smell and taste when your allergies begin, give this remedy a try.

• Nux Vomica could be right for you if you suffer from sneezing in the morning on rising from your bed. If you develop dark circles under your eyes and feel a sensation of ‘fullness’ in your ears, or suffer from nasal obstruction at night and runny nose in the morning and throughout the day, nux vomica might be right for

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VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 82

you. If you need this remedy, you’ll feel relief from your stuffiness when you’re in a warm room or when you drink warm drinks.

• Sabadilla is a good remedy to try if you have uncontrollable, debilitating paroxysms of sneezing. With each sneezing fit, your red, burning eyes will tear up. If you need sabadilla, a ‘tingling’ sensation and constant itch will be felt within your nose. Symptoms are usually worse in the open air and better in a warm room. Typical sensitivities are pollens, especially from flowers.

How to Take Your Remedy

It is important to take your homeopathic remedies properly, as with any medication. Follow the steps below to ensure you are taking the treatment correctly.

• Choose a low potency such as a 6C, 12C or 30C; the higher the potency, the more specific you have to be about matching your symptoms.

• Let the pellets dissolve under your tongue, making sure to take them at least 30 minutes before or after eating or drinking.

• Take one dose of the remedy every half-hour or hour for up to three doses.

• Once you feel a 50 percent improvement in your symptoms, stop taking the remedy and let your body do the rest.

• If you’ve taken three consecutive doses of the remedy and there’s been no improvement, stop taking the remedy; it’s probably not the right remedy for you.

If symptoms persist or worsen, seek the advice of your primary health care provider. Consider seeing a certified Homeopath. Constitutional homeopathic treatment is a wonderful way to help improve your overall health.

Additional Tips for Allergy Sufferers

There are a few other natural tactics you can try that are proven to help alleviate allergy symptoms. Consider the following strategies to quell the effects of seasonal allergies.

• Try supplementing with omegas 3, 6 and 9. These oils are known to have anti-inflammatory effects and can help decrease allergy symptoms.

• If you can, limit your intake of dairy. Dairy products increase mucus production and can make seasonal allergies worse.

• Nasal douching with saline solution from a neti pot or squeeze bottle may help reduce symptoms.

Stephenie Farrell is a Classical Homeopathic Practitioner in Hamilton, Ontario.

You can check her out on the web at www.holistichealthnow.ca and contact her at stephenie@holistichealthnow.ca.

Treating Acne

from the Inside Out

By Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, M.S.

G

iselle said, “I am 48 years old, and I have been waiting for my acne to disappear since I was 16, and it never has.” We think of acne as a problem for teenagers, but acne is common in women during the perimenopausal years and beyond. Hormonal acne is a stubborn condition that no end of scrubbing and topical agents can solve. Hormonal acne occurs in women like Giselle due to incompetent ovulation. When a woman with acne ovulates, her body secretes abnormally high amounts of male hormones, including testosterone, DHT and DHEA. This hormone upset occurs because the egg is not released properly. Women with this condition experience acne around mid-cycle; the acne clears just after the period only to reappear shortly thereafter.

Spearmint Tea Reduces Testosterone Research published in Phytotherapy Research in 2007 found that spearmint tea may help treat acne and male facial hair growth in women. The study found that women drinking two cups of spearmint tea for just five days saw significant lowering in blood levels of ‘free’ testosterone – the form of testosterone that is metabolically active in the body. Excessive testosterone is what creates the stubborn hormonal acne that many women suffer from.

Any woman with acne, male facial hair growth or overly greasy skin should drink several cups of spearmint tea per day.

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The Pill as an Acne Treatment Many physicians prescribe the birth control pill to control acne. The pill halts ovulation, which in some women can clear acne – but at what cost? Today, one in six women of child bearing age cannot conceive.

Infertility may have something to do with the fact that we are putting 16-year-old girls on the pill to treat acne, many of whom stay on for over a decade only to discover when they come off the pill that they don’t ovulate properly and can’t get pregnant. Another study found the birth control pill damages the cells that produce testosterone. For many women, their sex drive dies while on the pill but when they come off the pill, it does not return. Plus, no one discusses the increased risk of breast cancer from taking the birth control pill. The pill is not a safe treatment for acne and does not correct the underlying hormonal imbalance.

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Treating Hormone Imbalance It is important to eat the foods that balance hormones including cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage and kale. These vegetables are rich in indoles and sulforaphane. If you want to get adequate amounts of these nutrients to treat stubborn acne, take the supplements Indole-3-carbinol, DIM, d-glucarate, curcumin, rosemary, sulforaphane and green tea extract. These nutrients control excess testosterone by ensuring proper ovulation. By ensuring the estrogen-to-progesterone balance is healthy, normal ovulation will occur and male hormones will not be secreted excessively. Balanced hormones are the key to eliminating hormonal acne long term.

GLA and Acne GLA is a component of healthy skin. GLA helps to maintain the stability and fluidity of the natural water loss barrier in our skin.

Acne occurs in those with a GLA deficiency. GLA is vital for keeping skin cells moist and strong by improving the barrier function of the skin; moreover, GLA has also been found to inhibit male hormones in the skin that cause acne. GLA can be taken internally and applied externally to acne-prone areas with excellent results. GLA is found in abundance in borage oil (24 percent) and to a much lesser extent in evening primrose oil (8 percent), and cannot be obtained in adequate amounts from the food we eat. If you have hormonal acne, you need 1000mg of GLA supplied from borage oil. Fish oil does not contain GLA and therefore does not have the same action on testosterone.

GLA, Menopause and Skin In women who have gone through menopause, the enzyme that converts food into GLA becomes impaired. This is another reason we need to supplement with GLA for beautiful skin. The main reason our skin becomes dull and thick after menopause is due to the inability to make GLA. Without sufficient GLA, the skin becomes dry, rough and wrinkled; with enough GLA, skin is luminescent, dewy and glowing.

Lorna Vanderhaeghe, MS is Canada’s leading women’s health expert. She is the author of eleven books including An A– Z Woman’s Guide to Vibrant Health, which you can read for FREE at www.hormonehelp.com.

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The Five Bs

for Dealing with a Depressed Loved One

By Carol A. Kivler, MS, CSP

H

ave you ever walked a tight rope? That’s how it feels when you live with, love or care for someone who is in the midst of a severe depression. And considering the fact that one out of four North Americans will face a depressive episode in his or her lifetime, it’s likely you’ll witness someone close to you challenged by depression.

As your relationship with the depressed individual (the consumer) changes due to the illness, you may find yourself feeling sad, misled, resentful, guilty, exhausted, worried and a whole lot of other emotions. That’s a lot of “weight” to manage, especially if you have a rather heavy load in life already. How do you strike a balance that honours the consumer, while protecting your own well-being? The experiences of the consumer’s loved ones (meaning you) are challenging and often overlooked, yet friends and family are a key part of recovery for the consumer; the healthier you remain, the greater support they receive in return.

Having been diagnosed with clinical depression, I walk the road of the consumer and have observed the state of discomfort from both my family and friends, who didn’t know what to do or say to support me during my hospitalizations or the months of recovery from my episodes. There were many ways they could help me, but they didn’t know how, and in a severe state of depression, I didn’t have the strength to show them. Through my own experience as well as the experiences of the audience members with whom I now speak, I offer tips to enrich and enhance the lives of the consumers, their loved ones and health care providers. Following are the “Five Bs” for effectively dealing with the consumer.

takes effect, or when one medication after another fails. Overall, your ability to remain patient will increase their ability to remain hopeful for recovery.

1. Be a Good Listener

Depression is as real as any physical illness and can be even more debilitating. When you acknowledge, understand and accept that individuals struggling with depression need the same loving concern and care as those with physical illnesses, you increase their chance of recovery. Be a role model of strength, positivity and compassion.

Share your concern for the individual and offer your observations.

Then follow up with some open-ended questions, which will allow the individual an opportunity to talk. “What are you feeling?” or “What three things can I do to make you feel supported?” Assure the individual you are not there to judge, but rather to provide a listening ear.

Depression is a topic that is hard to talk about and sometimes harder to listen to. But since many depressed individuals are consumed by anxiety and ruminating thought patterns, having someone to share them with makes a difference.

2. Be Patient

People who are depressed can take a long time to accept their own illness. Your patience can enhance their ability to accept their illness, and thereby reduce the amount of time it takes them to agree to treatment.

Your patience translates as acceptance in the consumer’s mind and it will help them through the waiting period before their medication

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VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 82

3. Be Encouraging

Encouragement is like a crutch to a depressed individual. Depression steals self-motivation, and that’s why encouragement from a loved one is so important. Encourage them to seek the services of a professional without shame or embarrassment. Reassure them that depression is very common and very treatable, and that recovery is more than a possibility; it’s a probability. Encourage them to take one day at a time and tackle one task at a time – to focus on the fact that things don’t have to be perfect. Help them to avoid setting unrealistic goals that can further the depression. Unattainable goals just set the consumer up for failure; while setting very small, achievable goals is empowering and increase the chances of recovery.

4. Be Available

Depression causes one to withdraw from life. Keeping in touch with your friend or loved one through visits, phone calls, emails and note cards helps them to stay involved and interactive, as well as feel valuable and loved. It also reminds them that they are not alone. While visiting, suggest a short walk. The walk will provide a diversion but more importantly give the person a little exercise. Most important, just let them vent!

5. Be Objective

Separate yourself from the illness! You can’t help the depressed individual if you begin to own the depression. You can’t fix them, you can only offer love and support, and your top priority must be you! Keep yourself healthy and happy, and know your limitations. Have people you can turn to when you need to lighten the load and bring laughter into your life. Also, remember that there is no straight line to recovery.

Depression can seem like a thief in the night that comes and goes without warning. Awareness of this fact will stop your life from going into a tail spin when your loved one has a setback.

Carol Kivler is a passionate consumer advocate, speaker, author and the founder of Courageous Recovery. She speaks to consumers, their loved ones and healthcare professionals to raise awareness, instil hope and combat stigmas surrounding mental health diagnoses and treatments. Carol shares her journey of recovery from four bouts of medication-resistant depression and her positive experience with the life-saving treatment ECT through keynotes, breakouts and Grand Rounds. In addition to her most recent book, The ABCs of Recovery from Mental Illness, Carol is the author of Will I Ever Be the Same Again?

Transforming the Face of ECT (Shock Therapy) and Blessings: My Journal of Gratitude. For more information, please visit www.CourageousRecovery.com and www.CarolKivler.com.

Keep Moving! Live Better!

The Benefits of Hydrolysed Collagen

By Jean-Yves Leroux, PhD

C

ollagen is a protein that exists only in the animal kingdom and is found in all animals, from the least evolved invertebrate to the most complex mammal, humans. Of course, the closer the species comes to the genetic makeup of man, the more the collagen is genetically similar to ours. Nowadays, as a supplement, hydrolysed collagen from hide of beef is the closest to human collagen.

Collagen becomes altered by the accumulation of defects caused by free radicals and toxins that continually attack the body. It must be replaced by new molecules of collagen manufactured by our own cells. But with age, our cells become less and less efficient in this work, which results in the loss of tone and elasticity in the skin, wrinkles, and weakening of connective tissues such as tendons, ligaments, bones and cartilage. Collagen is the molecule that is destroyed first during aging; consequently, cartilage destruction is partly responsible for the development of conditions such as arthritis. In North America, one in three people suffer from cartilage-related conditions.

Collagen is literally “the glue of life.”

Studies confirm that hydrolysed collagen (a pre-digested form of collagen) used as a food supplement is an excellent source of spe-

cific amino acids for the body and also has a positive impact on degeneration of cartilage, tendons and ligaments. Not only is the hydrolysed collagen absorbed completely, it can be used by all tissues including cartilage.

It has been demonstrated that this same collagen is capable of stimulating the specialized cells of cartilage to manufacture new whole, functional collagen molecules to replace altered molecules. A number of clinical studies have also demonstrated that taking collagen as a supplement could improve joint pain and mobility without having secondary or toxic effects, even if taken for a long period in doses of up to 3,000 to 10,000 milligrams per day. In fact, to have a significant result, daily dose must usually be over 3000 mg.

Collagen is essential for the health of the body’s connective tissues, allowing it to keep its integrity and accomplish its biological functions. It is literally “the glue of life.” Hydrolysed collagen helps to maintain healthy cartilage, bones, skin and tissues made of endogenous collagen. People affected by arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, tendinitis, bursitis or sport injuries can use hydrolysed collagen to effectively relieve pain. Hydrolysed collagen also has an action on skin texture and elasticity (wrinkles), hair and nails. Collagen is an important element of the body for maintaining good health.

Jean-Yves Leroux, PhD, is an immunologist biochemist specializing in the mechanisms of cartilage deterioration with aging. He was part of an international research team on joint diseases at McGill University. He also works as a consultant in the natural health industry.

Health, Hawaii and Happiness: Interview with

Grace Park

By Liberty Craig

22

Photos courtesy of CBS

www.vistamagonline.com

S

he plays a tough chick in most of her roles; a sexy woman in almost all. Many of us first met Grace Park as the boyish but secretly sultry Cylon in Battlestar Galactica. In her latest gig, she’s the bikini-clad pro surfer turned detective with attitude on the CBS remake of Hawaii 5-0, who is prone to punching out the guy who steals her wave. Number 59 on the Maxim Online Hot 100 List and subject of a steamy, oft-googled Maxim photo shoot, Park is a firmly established sex symbol.

Behind the scenes, however, Park is funny and grounded, and refers to herself as a “softie.” She also takes her health very seriously. Like most of us, she’s not perfect; she doesn’t always make it to the gym, for example. But Park strongly believes that her health supplement regimen and her “emotional work” have made her the healthy, vibrant 37-year-old that she is today. (Need we mention that she doesn’t look a day over 25?) Park spoke with Vista about the secrets of youth and health, and splitting her time between her hometown of Vancouver and the beaches of Hawaii.

A Not-so-Leisurely Life in Hawaii

powder or goji berry powder or phytoplankton – the lists I have are exhaustive. The stuff I got lately, Shilajit, seeps out of the Himalayan mountain ranges in India, and is one of the highest Ayurvedic remedies. Another one that is really high in L-DOPA, which helps make dopamine, is called Mucuma Pruriens. I just get the most potent, most nutritional superfoods that you can get. All health food stores and the better grocery stores carry these complex pre-made, potent, plantbased mixes. They’re readily available and accessible for everybody.

“I used to eat a lot of sweets, and I knew it wasn’t healthy. I know it was emotional. I found that it had to do with my ‘base state’ – your default state where you’re at emotionally or mentally. I think it used to be so low that sweets would be my escape from it. And then one year, I finally stopped doing that. There’s a point at which your base state is high enough that you don’t want to have two bottles of wine or eat a whole cake, or whatever it is for you – pharmaceutical drugs, gambling and so on. As an adult, there are layers and layers of incidents where you’ve felt criticized or laughed at or isolated, and all those incidents add up until there’s a giant elephant in the room, and you just want to know why you’re eating the whole bag of chips!

“A lot of people think that a little sunshine makes your entire life better, but it’s not as easy as people might think – the entire industry is about creating an illusion. It’s story telling. There are long hours and it’s a tough job. However, there are a lot of things that I feel very fortunate for; it’s a great job and you meet a lot of amazing people. There is a different culture here that I really appreciate. A lot of people here aren’t originally from Hawaii, so there’s a feeling of expanded family. People are really kind – in Vancouver we’re very polite, but in Hawaii people are warm. It’s a very different default and I’m still getting used to it. I’m sure people wonder what’s up with that Canadian girl!

“Having the show set in Hawaii definitely gives it its own flavour.

We have a Hawaiian cultural advisor who gives us pronunciation advice for every episode. The chemistry between the actors is amazing.

The action is incredible and the special effects are spectacular – we take our cues from action films. In the pilot, we had exploding helicopters and army trucks, and it wasn’t CGI – we were really blowing them up! The amount of talent that goes into car chases blows my mind. The margin for error is tiny, and they go so fast.”

A Star of Maxim Proportions

“The thing with the ‘Hot 100’ list is that, while of course it has something to do with looks, you have to be known. I know way hotter people than some of the people on those lists! For all the people who like you, there’s definitely a massive contingent who don’t. Everyone’s going to have their opinion. When I first was asked to do the Maxim photo shoot, I wasn’t thinking about it as a career move, though I do think it helped me get my foot in the door for auditions. I had done a little bit of modelling, so I was used to photo shoots – it was just different clothes. There’s an element of trust, too, that they’re going to airbrush you and make you look good.”

Tough on TV; Soft in Real Life

“I would definitely say I’m a softie, and more sensitive than tough – emotionally and physically. For the show, trust me, I’m not doing all my stunts! For Hawaii 5-0, we have some very talented people who fly in to help everybody look better. There was one scene where we had to run out of an exploding building, and all six of us had to leap onto a giant cushion. But it wasn’t a nice soft cushion – it was hard! We had to jump up high and then come flat down because of the camera angle.

We did it two or three times, and I jammed my shoulder for months!”

A Green Routine for Excellent Health

“I am completely dependent on my green powder drinks. I’m up to two massive tablespoons in my daily drink, and I add broccoli-cale VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 82

23

“

If you supplement your diet with nutrients that are really good for you, you’re not going to be fighting all day long with your cravings or your weight. Who needs to hate themselves? Let’s do away with that.

“

“I think most people don’t realize that your cravings come from your body trying to get you the nutrients and minerals that you need to function better. It comes from eating the exact same things every day – cooked, dead food like white bread or pasta. If you supplement your diet with nutrients that are really good for you, you’re not going to be fighting all day long with your cravings or your weight. With my green drinks, I feel better all the time and it automatically changes how I eat. Who needs to hate themselves? Let’s do away with that – this is very practical, doable, easy.”

The Emotional Work of Good Health

“The other important thing is to do personal work on yourself. People love to do Botox, and yes, it works, but why not try to figure out why you’re using those muscles so much in the first place. Whether it’s furrowing your brow or the way you hold your body, it’s because of your emotional state. If you’ve missed the spiritual cues and you’ve missed the mental and emotional cues, it will finally manifest itself as physical. I’m always about getting to the source. Get yourself good nutrition, and do the emotional work on yourself and emotional healing, because that will ‘youth’ you like nothing else.

“I attend workshops for emotional health in which there’s a day

I call ‘the face changing day.’ It’s an intensive workshop and by the time you’ve reached day seven or eight, you’ve worked through your fears and your angers and all the stuff that is just sitting there, that you didn’t know was there. On a certain day, everyone becomes ten times better looking. If you want to be more joyful, feel better, and as a bonus look better, you have to do the emotional work to get there.”

The Physical Work of Good Health

“If I have to do a photo shoot or especially a bikini scene – where I can’t just pose in a flattering angle – then I’ll go work out. I think about going to hot yoga in Vancouver more than I actually do anything. Over Christmas, I went once, but I got there too late and they didn’t let me in! When I feel like I need a workout, I call my crossfit guy – I need to meet somebody to make sure I show up.

“I have a fast metabolism and I have really broad shoulders. When I was in university I went to the gym quite a bit, and there’s definitely some muscle memory. In my early twenties, I was snowboarding and mountain biking regularly, but I’m like a grandma now. I hit Whistler over the holidays and it was gorgeous up there. I was loving it, but then I fell on a big sheet of ice and hit my tailbone so badly, I couldn’t even move. It was so sad!”

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Recipe for Health:

Triple Berry Buckwheat

Waffles & Pancakes

By Tracy Kaye Holly, CSNA Master

A

fter a grueling workout, hike or bike ride, a buckwheat waffle breakfast is tasty and satisfying. You can add any berry you like, and always make extra for freezing. Buckwheat, the fruit seed of a plant called fagopyrum esculentum, has a distinctive, robust taste. Despite the confusing name and the grain-like use of the crop, buckwheat is not a cereal or grass; it is related to sorrels and rhubarb, not wheat, barley or rye. It is known as a “pseudocereal” and is glutenfree. People who cannot eat wheat and grains can eat buckwheat as an alternative and enjoy the benefits of this delicious recipe.

Buckwheat contains all eight essential amino acids and is a good source of magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, phosphorus and many B vitamins. One cup of buckwheat contains 17 grams of soluble fibre and 19 grams of protein. Buckwheat is high in antioxidant flavonoids that help protect the body against free radicals. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids and, due to its moderate glycemic index (45), consuming buckwheat can lower or modify blood glucose levels, reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol.

Triple Berry Buckwheat Waffles and Pancakes Ingredients

500 ml fresh ground buckwheat flour (from groats) or packaged 100% whole grain buckwheat flour

25-50 grams vanilla or plain whey protein isolate or hemp protein 250 ml filtered water 4 whole eggs (or ½ cup organic coconut oil) 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 250 ml fresh or frozen mixed berries (blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry) 1 medium banana

Directions

In a blender, add water, protein powder, eggs, vanilla, berries and banana and blend till smooth. Add flour to a large mixing bowl, stir in wet ingredients and blend.

For waffles: Preheat waffle iron and grease with natural cooking spray.

Scoop mixture onto grill, close lid. Waffles are ready when the lid releases easily. Re-grease grill after each waffle is made. Top with ghee and organic maple syrup or unpasteurized honey.

For pancakes: Use a large, greased fry pan; add large scoop of mixture; turn over when small bubbles start to appear. Re-grease pan after each pancake is made. Top with ghee and organic maple syrup or unpasteurized honey.

Makes approximately 8 large waffles or pancakes. Serve with fresh fruit medley and/or scrambled egg. Bon appetite!

www.vistamagonline.com

The Key

to Your Family’s Health P

By Lucie Lafontaine

current scientific data (and not influenced by the powerful lobbying of business interests). In addition to dietary recommendations, Dr. Willett advises taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement as a “nutritional insurance policy,” both valuable and validated by several studies. It is erroneous to believe that all vitamins are similar. As with our food choices, there are criteria to consider when selecting a multivitamin and mineral supplement of quality: • Use vitamins from natural sources, derived from raw material such as whole foods or plants. This lends the product a higher biocompatibility to the body due to the very nature of its molecules.

• Use minerals designed to be more easily absorbed by the body. For example, prechelated minerals, built into an amino acids complex (“aminoate complex”), Food Limitations greatly promote bioavailability and faciliExcess consumption of industrialized foods like tate assimilation. packaged meals, French fries, artificially coloured juices, pops, potato chips and fried foods has created an undernutrition phenomenon.

These “foods” are high in calories, but offer poor nutritional value and are bad for growing kids.

It can be difficult to establish a direct cause-andeffect correlation, as a cascade of symptoms often begins insidiously, only to worsen over time.

Additionally, if your child suffers from many food whims and consumes few fruits and vegetables, he or she is likely to suffer from nutritional deficiencies. art of the word vitamin is derived from “vital.” Vitamins are vital in that they are essential and indispensable to the proper functioning of the body. They operate in synergy with other factors including minerals, and also serve as coenzymes to activate several metabolic reactions. Vitamins play many roles, including that of promoting normal growth in children and repair of body tissues. A deficiency of one or more vitamins or minerals will have consequences such as fatigue, anxiety, irritability, memory loss, sleep disorder, recurring infection, and more. Although these symptoms can also be linked to a number of disorders, basic vitamins and minerals play a frontline role as they are directly involved in physiological functioning.

Depletion of Agricultural Lands

Everyone agrees that food is the foundation of vitality and good health. However, since the beginning of industrialization, farming methods have changed considerably. The soil must now produce a greater yield. As a result, land impoverished in nutrients cannot transfer vital elements to fruit and vegetables. Dr. David Thomas, a British medical doctor, compared the nutritional content of food in Britain between 1940 and 1991, revising his figures until 2002. He concluded that fruits and vegetables no longer contained the level of nutrients they had 50 years ago. Certain foods had lost up to 75 percent of their nutritional content. Depleted food combined with difficulty meeting dietary recommendations: an infallible recipe leading to nutritional deficiencies.

• Whole food powders from fruits, vegetables or whole grains provide the body with the synergy of molecules naturally occurring in food, such as phytonutrients (like flavonoids).

• Use a supplement free from common allergens such as wheat, yeast, soy and dairy products.

• Choose a manufacturer that guarantees the exact content and freshness of the finished product, and that discloses assessments of an independent laboratory.

Sad but true, diet alone is no longer enough.

The addition of a multivitamin and mineral supplement to one’s lifestyle is a must. It is also a very safe thing to do, and will cost much less than potential health problems down the road, not to mention the worries that come with them! This is an easy first step to integrate into your personal and family lifestyle.

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Supplementation Is a Must!

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Be ACNE Free

Topical acne treatments are not designed to treat acne caused by hormone imbalances. In women hormonal acne occurs mid cycle and clears for a few days only to reappear again just after the period. Women with hormonal acne secrete DHEA and male hormones including testosterone in excessively high amounts during ovulation causing acne on the face, hair line, chin, chest and the back. No end of scrubbing and harsh topical treatments will alleviate this type of acne. Hormonal acne is not just a teenage problem. Hormonal acne is very common during the perimenopause years when incompetent ovulation occurs as you head towards menopause. Estrosmart solves hormonal acne by balancing hormones naturally.

Estrosmart normalizes testosterone levels by encouraging the ovaries to function.

Estrosmart will eliminate hormonal acne within 2 full menstrual cycles. Doctors recommend the birth control pill to stop ovulation and therefore control acne but the Pill does not solve the underlying hormone imbalance. Estrosmart not only clears acne but makes periods effortless, controls endometriosis, PCOS, ovarian and breast cysts and so much more.

Estrosmart is a girl’s best friend .

Read An A – Z Woman’s Guide to Vibrant Health at

w w w.hormonehelp.com

Immunity and Fatal Disease

By Gloria Li

U

ltimately, cancer and other serious diseases are caused by a devastating failure of the immune system. Weakened by the onslaught of harmful pesticides, preservatives, chemical fragrances and colours, plastics and a slew of environmental toxins, our immune systems are fighting harder than ever to keep us healthy, and cancer rates are on the rise.

Cancer research has made great progress in the past two decades, yet the disease runs rampant among us. Treatments are reactive rather than preventative, and often the cure is truly worse than the sickness – and the incidence of recurrence is simply too high. As we become increasingly aware of our own responsibilities when it comes to our health, we are becoming more health conscious, learning to avoid known carcinogens and focusing on antioxidant-rich, whole food diets, adequate exercise and stress relief, and proper supplementation.

Yet the fight is still being valiantly fought.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the developed world. What can we do to protect ourselves against the ravages of this terrible disease? Evidence shows that natural approaches to support the immune system can significantly decrease the risk of cancer recurrence and can increase survival. Many researchers now believe cancer is not only preventable but, in many cases, curable. By taking precautions to boost and balance the immune system, we may be able to ward off all kinds of deadly disease, up to and including cancer.

The body’s immune system is designed to kill abnormal cancer cells, which become harmful when they mutate and spread through healthy tissues. Established cancers, however, develop mechanisms to make them resistant to immune attack. A weak or compromised immune system is a recognized contributor to cancer and other chronic disease. Responsible for the health and function of the entire body, the importance of the immune system in cancer treatment and prevention cannot be overlooked.

An herbal compound known as MGN-3 has been clinically proven to increase the num-

ber of critical disease-fighting white blood cells in the body – NK-cells, T-cells, and B-cells – thereby activating the immune system. The healthy production of these cells is often compromised in cancer patients. Clinical studies conducted in Los Angeles, Japan and Europe showed that MGN-3 increased NK-cell activity by as much as 300 percent in as little as two weeks. T-cell activity was shown to increase by 200 percent, and B-cell activity increased by 150 percent. MGN-3 was also shown to significantly boost natural antibody production as well as other parameters of the immune system. An MGN-3 supplement is easily absorbed into the body, non-toxic even in extremely high doses, and it begins to work within days. It is completely free of synthetic chemicals, drugs and genetically modified organisms, and has no contraindications unless taken in conjunction with immune-suppressants.

MGN-3 was first developed in 1990 by the Daiwa Pharmaceutical Company of Japan. It is made of an extract of arabinoxylan from rice bran that has been enzymatically modified using shitake mushroom to increase its effect on the immune system. Since 1990, many thousands of people around the world have taken MGN-3 to boost their immune systems. It is considered by many to be the most effective immune system supplement available today.

MGN-3 is a unique approach to cancer prevention and treatment since it works with your body to fight invading disease, rather than fighting the disease at great cost to the health of your body, such as with traditional treatments like surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. These common medical treatments are not only difficult to endure; they also damage healthy tissues while treating malignant ones, and run the body down to where it can barely survive, let alone fight off illness on its own. Why not promote and support the body’s own natural defence mechanisms and address the systemic issues that can lead to cancer formation? With a robust immune system, the body is better able to protect you from serious, potentially fatal disease.

.

OR G A N I C

P L A NE T

Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow

Feature

CANADA MUST DO MORE FOR ITS OCEANS

By David Suzuki with contributions from Ian Hanington

Nail Polish and Nature

By Michael Bloch Organic mama: Natural Haircare for Tots

By Tami Main

Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow

Report Shows Canada Must Do More for Its Oceans

By David Suzuki with contributions from Ian Hanington

I

t’s been 20 years since Canada’s East Coast cod fishery collapsed, and we still have no recovery target or timeline for rebuilding populations. That’s just one finding in a damning report from a panel of eminent Royal Society of Canada marine scientists. Sustaining Canada’s Marine Biodiversity notes that Canada has “failed to meet most of our national and international commitments to protect marine biodiversity” and “lags behind other modernized nations in almost every aspect of fisheries management.”

For a country surrounded on three sides by oceans, with the longest coastline in the world, that’s shameful. Beyond the jobs, recreational opportunities, food, medicines, and habitat that our oceans provide, they also give us life. Half the world’s oxygen is produced in the oceans by phytoplankton, which are threatened by rising ocean temperatures and acidification because of global warming. Successive federal governments have failed to recognize our oceans as much more than reservoirs of resources to exploit for short-term gain. You’d think the decline of the northern cod fishery, largely caused by mismanagement, would have taught us something. Now, with some West Coast salmon fisheries on the verge of collapse and little real effort to protect our oceans, it appears we can expect more of the same — unless we start demanding more from our government.

The Royal Society panel focused on climate change, fisheries, and aquaculture, “because of their potential for impact on Canada’s marine biodiversity.” The problem, it found, was not an absence of knowledge, science, or policy, but rather “a consistent, disheartening lack of action on well-established knowledge and best-practice and policies, some of which have been around for years.” Canada’s Fisheries Act, which dates back to 1868, doesn’t mention conservation. Our 1997 Oceans Act has yet to be effectively implemented. And the Species at Risk Act has been largely inadequate. Although Canada has made an international commitment to establish a protected network covering 10 per cent of our ocean territory, it has protected less than one per cent.

In fact, the federal government recently rejected millions of dollars in funding for a collaborative effort to establish a marine spatial plan and network of protected areas in Canada’s Pacific North Coast

waters. First Nations, industry, the provincial and federal governments, and environmental organizations, including the David Suzuki Foundation, had been making progress on the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) for years, but the federal government stymied the process by failing to invest adequate funding and by rejecting support from a philanthropic organization.

Its reason? The government was worried that marine protected areas and marine use plans based on ecosystem science might restrict oil tanker traffic. The loss of more than $8 million dollars from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation was a blow to the process, and the government has not stepped in to make up for the shortfall. Rather than protect the Pacific’s valuable resources, opportunities, and habitat on which 40 percent of the world’s marine mammal species and countless other plants and animals depend, it appears the government would rather risk it all by pushing the Northern Gateway pipeline project to ship crude bitumen from the tar sands through precarious Pacific Coast waterways to China and California.

The report also notes that climate change could drive some salmon species to extinction, that increasing acid levels could harm “everything from corals to mussels to lobsters,” and that fish farming can harm wild stocks through spread of parasites, diseases and interbreeding. Besides an apparent lack of interest on the part of government regarding the health of Canada’s oceans, the report identifies a major problem that puts us behind most developed nations: a “major conflict of interest at Fisheries and Oceans Canada between its mandate to promote industrial and economic activity and its responsibility for conserving marine life and ocean health.” The panel offered a number of sensible recommendations, which include addressing the conflict of interest and living up to our national and international commitments to marine biodiversity.

Our government is gaining a reputation for ignoring or discounting the advice of scientists. Let’s tell our leaders that our future depends on the future of the oceans, and that this advice must be heeded.

The science is clear: it’s time to do more.

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 82

31

Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow

Nail Polish and Nature:

What's In Your Nail Polish?

By Michael Bloch

I

’m not really known to wear nail polish, but as a result of a question from a reader, I thought I would take a look at the ingredients used in nail polish, the environmental impact of these substances, and green nail polish alternatives.

Nail polish isn’t a modern invention by any means. According to Wikipedia, the Egyptians were using a nail polish thousands of years ago based on henna extracts, and the Chinese used a mixture of natural components such as Arabic gum, gelatin and beeswax. These days, nail polishes tend to be synthetic chemical cocktails, often petrochemical based (crude oil). Components may include: - butyl acetate or ethyl acetate - tosylamide-formaldehyde resin - dibutyl phthalate - stearalkonium hectorite - benozophenone-1 - toluene - nitrocellulose - FD&C colourants Some nail polish manufacturers are said to use industrial grade nitrocellulose in order to save money. Industrial grade nitrocellulose is mostly used for furniture finishes and car paints. Of particular concern are formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate – known as the “toxic trio” for their potential impact on human health. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, while toluene is a volatile organic compound (VOC) and is toxic and polluting. Dibutyl phthalate is also a carcinogen as well as a suspected “gender bender,” meaning that it has the potential to cause hormone imbalance in males and females. Research links phthalates to the rise of hormone-related medical concerns like polycystic ovarian syndrome, breast cancer and infertility.

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Ethyl aceate and butle acetate are also of health and environmental concerns as they generate chemical fumes and penetrate into our bodies and create health problems.

Beyond our own health, the wider environment needs to be considered; after all, what poisons us is often toxic to a whole range of other creatures. Given that over 50 percent of women (and some men) use nail polish, I hate to think how much of the stuff is produced each year – and it all has to end up somewhere

once removed from finger nails. Additionally, there is the issue of all those little jars that it comes in. Even if the jars are glass, they should not be recycled as the remaining contents are considered hazardous waste – yet another item in our home toxic waste dumps.

On a positive note, nail polish manufacturers have been responding to the “toxic trio” issue. A survey by the National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance last year found the majority of

the manufacturers questioned no longer use these chemicals. However, as to what these companies replaced the toxic trio with, I’m not sure. The Alliance points out that further work needs to be done to ensure that alternative chemicals are safe for our bodies and our environment.

There are many nail polish brands and some come from countries with less than stellar records when it comes to toxins. If you have a favourite nail polish, contact the company and ask them what’s in it. Ingredients may not vary only from brand to brand, but product line to product line. The individual components can then be quite easily researched. You can also start looking into “green” nail polish.

Aside from being free of the toxic trio, these “Earth friendly” products are water-based and contain much less petroleum; some of them are entirely VOC free. They may use less packaging or use bottles made from recycled glass.

However, they may not be totally free of toxins, so check ingredients even when choosing natural nail polish. Generally speaking, waterbased nail polish is the preferred alternative to chemical polishes.

I personally think natural, manicured nails without the goop look nice, too – and fingernails don’t have to be long, do they?

Health and environmental issues aside, think of the money you could save. Ditching the nail polish altogether may be an easy greening step for some people and, as we’ve discovered, little green actions can make a difference!

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

Educating Today... For a Better Tomorrow

Organic Mama: Natural Hair Care for Tots

By Tami Main

C

aring for your child’s hair can be a bit tricky when your little one is not willing to cooperate with a hair care regimen. Many babies and small children dislike having their hair washed or even touched. By making bath time a pleasant experience, your child will be more likely to practice proper hair care that will last a lifetime. Children are also more likely to wash their hair with fun hair care products, especially if it is a tear-free formula. Try to purchase a soft-tipped, natural brush specifically designed for kids, as this will help make brushing their hair a positive experience. Always use a comb on wet hair rather than a brush, as brushing wet hair can lead to breakage.

Babies and children don’t need daily shampoos. Wash on an as-needed basis or every couple of days, as over-washing can dry out their hair and skin. Children’s scalps are more tender and delicate and they often have super fine, easily tangled tresses. It is important to take extra care and use natu-

ral and organic products that will not irritate your child’s delicate eyes and skin. Be aware of heavily perfumed products that may contain phthalates, which are common in many baby shampoos and lotions. Phthalates are used to stabilize fragrances and to make plastic containers more flexible.

Many new parents overlook a good hair conditioner for children. A great natural hair conditioner is very useful if your child’s hair tangles easily; it will keep your child’s hair looking soft and shiny. Traditional natural conditioners as well as spray-in conditioners that are specifically designed for children are available. Avoid heavier hair conditioners as they will weigh the hair down and make it appear dirty and greasy.

If your baby has a flaky, red scalp, it is usually a condition called cradle cap – a harmless skin condition. Regular washing with a mild shampoo combined with natural remedies such as tea tree oil can be helpful in treating this condition. Always consult your physi-

cian if your child suffers from skin sensitivities before using any new products. I would also recommend the “Baby Shower,” which is a showerhead that filters chlorine and dirt from your child’s bath water. The Baby Shower helps with any skin sensitivities as well as dryness of the skin and hair.

Healthy hair is also dependent on developing good eating habits with high-quality carbohydrates and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Encourage good eating habits to help promote shine and condition of the hair for children and adults throughout their lifetime.

Tami Main is the director of a skincare company based in Langley B.C. She specializes in producing natural and organic skincare products for babies and children. Special importance is placed on environmentally friendly packaging solutions.

Contact her directly with any queries, questions or comments .She would love to hear from you and welcomes your feedback taslieskincare@gmail.com or www.taslie.com.

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 82

33

Treating Hair Loss – Naturally

By Rose Macmillan

S

ure, it’s an everyday occurrence... but hair loss can be difficult for men and downright devastating for women.

Male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is responsible for more than 95 percent of hair thinning in men. Though it is extremely common, its prevalence varies among populations depending on genetic background, but always increases with age. A large Australian study showed that by age 80, a full 73.5 percent of men and 57 percent of women experience mid-frontal hair loss. The same term, androgenetic alopecia, is also applied to female pattern baldness, though the condition is different in women and tends to involve a thinning of hair along the part or crown rather than the male “bald spot” or “receding hairline.”

The cause of this kind of hair loss is our genes. More specifically, hair loss is the result of degradation of the hair follicles due to hormonal changes in the body, leading to thinning of the hair and eventual hair loss.

If baldness is in your family, you may expect to experience it at some point in your life. At least four in every seven men carries the gene for male pattern baldness. But does our genetic predisposition mean that we must simply accept our fate, or are there scientifically proven remedies we can use to slow hair loss – and even grow it back?

Treating Hair Loss in Men

When men begin to lose their hair, it is due to a process that occurs deep within the hair follicle in an area called the dermal papilla that is highly sensitive to hormonal change.

An enzyme in the dermal papilla called 5-alpha-reductase (5AR) breaks down testoster-

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one into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When too much DHT exists, the active growth cycle of the hair follicle is shortened, and hair becomes thinner and eventually stops growing.

Hair loss in men can be treated using specific compounds that inhibit the 5AR enzyme, thereby reducing DHT and slowing or even preventing hair loss. Prescription drugs can accomplish this part of the process, but there are also herbal extracts that have the additional benefits of reducing excess cholesterol (which is the building block of testosterone) so that less DHT is produced. An effective hair-loss formula should also include vitamins to increase blood flow to the tiny capillaries that nourish the sensitive hair follicles and remove waste.

A scientifically proven herbal formula to prevent hair loss and promote new hair growth provides a natural, safer alternative for men and women to expensive drugs or costly and painful transplant procedures. Results may be noticed in as little as two months, with new growth evident within four months.

Treating Hair Loss in Women

Female pattern hair loss is caused by the same physiological process as in men, wherein an abundance of DHT affects the health and longevity of the hair follicle. In women, however, the result is typically a more general thinning of the hair, without the typical “bald” appearance seen in men. Many women also experience dramatic hair loss after childbirth due to falling estrogen levels. However, as hormones stabilize, most women find that the problem clears up on its own within a few months.

Treating female pattern hair loss requires a similar approach as with men.

However, an effective women-specific formula should include additional ingredients, including silicon, which has been shown to contribute to hair shaft strength. The formula should also contain iron, since numerous studies have shown a link between sub-clinical iron deficiency in women and hair loss.

Additional Benefits of Herbal Hair-Loss Remedies

The herbal extracts included in effective non-prescription hair loss treatments, including saw palmetto, fenugreek and flax lignin, have additional benefits that may be a welcome relief to those taking the supplements. In men, herbal hair-loss treatments help relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the symptoms of which include weak urine flow, incomplete voiding when urinating, or frequent urination day and night. For both men and women, these herbal medicines can help reduce elevated blood lipid levels or hyperlipidemia, and help red blood cells form and promote functionality. The herbal remedies can also help the body metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins more efficiently. A women’s formula that contains iron can help prevent iron deficiency, as well.

There is no one remedy that is right for every person who experiences hair loss.

However, a safe, all-natural herbal remedy is the perfect place to start when searching for the hair-loss solution that is right for you.

Muscle & Me:

All Or Nothing!

By Dr. Cory Holly

M

uscle is my health engine. I love how it looks and I love how it feels. I like the sensation of muscular power and strength, and I especially like what muscle gives me: confidence and personal pride. Muscle allows us to perform a great range of physical activity; without muscle, none of us could even move.

Muscle serves the body in many ways, including the generation of heat (thermogenesis), the utilization of stored body fat and glycogen as fuel, the stability of body position and posture, the regulation of organ function, the elimination of waste through peristalsis, the circulation of blood and the endogenous (internal)

production of amino acids required for immune cell replication. The human body is comprised of three types of muscle tissue that function in different ways: skeletal, cardiac and smooth. Skeletal muscle constitutes the majority of the body’s total muscle pool (50 percent) and is the type that typically gets most of the attention. A staggering 640 individual skeletal muscles are attached by tendons to 206 bones. Skeletal (and cardiac) muscle is also called striated muscle because of the presence of alternating dark and light bands.

Muscle Composition

Muscle is comprised of 72 percent water, 22 percent protein and 4 percent fat. What remains is

2 percent inorganic material. Fat is 15 percent water, 12 percent protein, 70 percent fat and 3 percent inorganic material. The structure and function of muscle and fat are not the same.

They operate and act independently of each other. A muscle cell is called a myocyte. A fat cell is called an adipocyte. They’re two different types of cells. One cannot turn into the other.

You can certainly gain or lose both, but a fat cell cannot transform into a muscle cell and muscle absolutely does not turn into fat.

Skeletal muscle is also defined based on characteristics of function. These include excitability, contractility, extensibility and elasticity.

Excitability describes how a muscle can receive

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and respond to stimulus from the nervous system. Contractility refers to the fibres’ ability to contract or shorten, such as when you make a muscle by squeezing your biceps. Extensibility is defined by muscle stretch and its ability to extend through a range of motion. Elasticity relates to muscle recoil; how efficiently muscle can return to its original shape after contraction or extension.

Individual muscle fibres are separated, surrounded and protected by bands and layers of connective tissue. A special sheath called fascia surrounds each fibre, and deep fascia connective tissue holds muscle together and separates muscles into functional groups and bundles. Individual muscle fibres have an outer membrane called the sarcolemma.

Think of a major muscle group like your chest or back. Large muscles consist of hundreds and even thousands of independent muscle fibres called vasiculi, which are nicely bundled and wrapped up like a newborn baby in a blanket. Each fibre is internally packed with additional bundles of finer myofibrils, which are the contractile elements of skeletal muscle. Electron micrographs of myofibrils reveal even finer column-like structures called myofilaments.

Myofilaments consist of thousands of functional units strung together in long chains. Each unit is highly functional and is arranged in compartments called sarcomeres. There are two types of myofilaments, thick and thin. Thick myofilaments consist mainly of the protein myosin.

Thin myofilaments consist mainly of the protein actin. Special bands, zones and lines, identified by letters like A, I, H, Z and M, describe regions specific to the myofilaments myosin and actin, where they overlap and how they interact and interconnect at different points.

Nerve cells that stimulate muscle fibres are called motor neurons, and a single motor neuron, including all the muscle fibres it stimulates, is called a motor unit. The process of muscle contraction involves the recruitment of at least one or more motor units. The ability to recruit motor units depends on the health and condition of our neuromuscular systems, and is a primary determinant of muscle contraction, muscle force and complete muscular development.

tion occurs as thin filaments slide or pass over thick ones. The filaments themselves do not shorten in length, but simply slide past one another, causing whole muscle bundles to shorten, change shape and become thicker.

Roll up one of your shirtsleeves. Extend your bare arm straight out in front of you. Bend your elbow and bring your fist towards your face. Now contract your bicep with force. Notice how your bicep gets thicker and larger (you hope). As the filaments slide past each other, it causes the muscle to change shape and rise up into a ball. Myosin cross-bridges attach to and pull on actin filaments, causing them to slide inward. As the filaments slide and sarcomeres shorten, the entire muscle eventually shortens or contracts – all because we willed it to.

All or Nothing

Skeletal muscle fibres contract according to an all-or-nothing principle initiated by thought.

An electrical impulse strong enough to elicit a contraction response produces maximal contraction of an entire motor unit, or none at all.

All or nothing!

This principle relates beautifully to human achievement. Throw yourself into whatever you’re doing and don’t hold back. Dive in! Go for it! Don’t look back. Make the decision to do it. All or nothing! If you put yourself and everything you are into any project, big or small, you can do anything. We are limited only by ourselves. If we want to be well, we have to know what wellness is. Next, we must understand how to achieve wellness; and finally, we have to apply the work that leads to wellness as an outcome.

It’s all about action. You can’t build health (or muscle) without action and effort.

The concept of “all or nothing” is inherent in the discipline of sport and elite exercise training. You have to know what you want and go after it, like a hungry animal. The entire mechanism is driven by your own desire, energy and effort, and you get back whatever you put in.

Call it karma, give and take, divine recycling, reaping and sowing or cause and effect. I call it courage, honor and integrity (Chi).

PATENT-PENDING

Sliding Fila ment Theory

The mechanism of muscle contraction is understood according to a sliding filament theory originally proposed by Hansen and Huxley in 1954. According to this model, muscle contrac-

The Cory Holly Institute (Chi) has certified thousands of students worldwide in holistic, integrative and functional sports nutrition. Visit CoryHolly.com for more info.

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Mother Nature’s Gift from the Sea

The Superfood

of the Sea

By Angus Brody

T

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he ocean is brimming with a wide variety of foods that are some of the healthiest choices available to us today. We hear a great deal these days about the essential fatty acids found in certain types of fish, and your supplement powders may pack the nutritional punch of blue-green algae or phytoplankton.

But have you ever considered adding kelp to your diet?

Kelp, and seaweed in general, is a natural detoxifier, protecting the liver and aiding the body’s innate detoxification systems. The kelp species lamineria digitata is an arterial cleansing agent, and has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to create healthy blood vessels and reduce deposits in the arteries while restoring their elasticity. It also strengthens the circulatory system and helps to lower cholesterol. Kelp has also proven effective for weight loss by helping to eliminate excess stores of fat and fluids, while boosting energy, stamina and the immune system.

Kelp and other sea vegetables contain up to twenty times the essential nutrients of their land-grown counterparts. Not all seaweeds are fit for consumption, but sea vegetables like nori, dulse, hijiki and sea lettuce are commonly used in dishes throughout Asia and North America, and contain very high levels of vitamins A, B6 and B12, C, E, and K, as well as natural iodine, calcium, magnesium, protein and dietary fibre.

Kelp is one of the richest of these, with the highest levels of organic iodine and over 50 minerals and trace elements, 22 amino acids and several

other organic vitamins and digestive enzymes.

Probably the most efficient method of utilizing kelp for its cleansing benefits is to supplement with kelp in a readily digested liquid form. Simply add it to your morning smoothie, or drink it down with a glass of fresh-pressed juice! The health benefits of supplemental kelp are staggering, and can help you achieve all of the following: • Prevent serious disease: Seaweed contains a unique dietary fibre that has been linked to both cancer prevention and the reduction of blood clots.

• Boost metabolism: Seaweed contains natural digestive enzymes that support metabolism and digestion to help eradicate bloating and constipation.

• Fight age-related illness: Seaweed contains powerful antioxidants that scavenge free radicals to help fight disease and slow the aging process.

• Improve thyroid function: Seaweed (especially kelp) is very high in iodine, which promotes healthy thyroid function.

• Fight obesity: The organic iodine found in kelp also helps fight against obesity and lymphatic congestion, while purifying the blood.

Yes, fish oils are extremely beneficial to your health; but it is kelp that just may be the littleknown superfood of the sea.

Angus Brody is a health and wellness writer and a regular contributor to Vista Magazine.

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SKN Spin roller system is the ultimate skin rejuvenation tool with 3 key benefits. It dramatically increases the effectiveness of your skincare products by increasing their penetration by up to 100%.

It is a powerful exfoliation tool that removes the dead outer layer of skin revealing a fresh, radiant new complexion. Lastly, regular use of the skin spin rejuvenates the overall appearance of your skin, improving density, tone and texture. Visit SKNSpin.com for more information.

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Probiotics:

A Question of Necessity

By Marva Ward, CNP

T

he World Health Organization defines probiotics as “live microorganisms, that when administered to a host in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” The word probiotics literally means “for life.”

Beneficial bacteria play a critical role in our health and have done so from the very beginning. Not only are we biologically wired to continually populate the gut with good bacteria through our food choices, our very life depends on it. Nature provides us with timely inoculations to help ensure survival. We experience our first introduction to probiotics as we travel through the birth canal. During this journey, we are washed from head to toe with good bacteria, primarily the bifidus infantis strain.

Breastfeeding is the second line of defence. Mother’s milk, or colostrum, is said to contain up to 40 percent probiotic content. Breast milk is also rich in lactose, which creates a sticky mucus-like coating on the intestinal lining and helps bacteria colonize and multiply (prebiotic). An infant’s digestive system is sterile when born, and it takes a minimum of three months to colonize healthy gut flora. Once beneficial bacteria flourishes, it represents over 80 percent of the body’s immune system. As we grow and develop, beneficial healthy flora in the gut and throughout the body is cultivated and sustained through our choice of fermented foods.

Equating healthy gut bacteria to overall health is easy to put into perspective when you consider the role that probiotics play in sustaining life. According to Casey Adams, PhD and Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, in his book entitled Probiotics – Protection Against Infection, healthy gut flora helps to: • Protect the integrity of the intestinal lining • Maintain immunity (since the majority of the body’s immune cells are in the gut) • Manufacture B vitamins • Extract calcium from dairy products • Aid in the production and absorption of other vitamins (A, K) and minerals • Support the production of enzymes to help break down food • Produce butyric acid required for building colon cells • Produce anti-tumour, anti-viral and anti-fungal substances • Prevent Candida overgrowth • Destroy E coli, Shigella and Salmonella by making the intestinal tract more acidic and by releasing lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide and natural antibiotics designed to reduce the popu-

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VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 82

lation of pathogenic bacteria • Neutralize endotoxins produced in the body • Neutralize potentially carcinogenic nitrates in the digestive tract • Aid peristalsis to prevent constipation • Eliminate excess cholesterol by breaking down bile • Regulate cytokines, reducing inflammation • Help to utilize anti-cancer isothiocyanates such as sulfurophane and indole-3 carbinol (found in cruciferous vegetables and fermented foods) • Stimulate the production of T-cells, B-cells and microphages • Decrease side effects of pharmaceutical antibiotic therapy As the 80/20 rule applies to so many things in life, it may come as no surprise that it also applies to the “ideal” population of good versus bad bacteria in the gut. The North American diet coupled with overuse of medication has reversed these numbers. This has been a contributing factor in the breakdown of health and vitality for so many individuals. Hippocrates’ famous quote, “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food” has been replaced by advertising slogans promising “meals in minutes,” “finger lickin’ good” and “hot eats, cool treats.” Unfortunately, the resulting overgrowth of bad bacteria has lead to a very unhealthy nation.

Re-inoculating the body is a process that may lie in supplementation, because aggressive colonization of good bacteria is unlikely to be achieved solely from food. In order to repopulate the body with good bacteria, it is necessary to saturate the system with large amounts of Acidophilus and Bifidus strains on a daily basis over several months.

As the demand for supplemental forms of Acidophilus and Bifidus have increased over the years, manufacturers have responded by offering extensive selections for every possible need. The dose and frequency depends on the individual’s personal history; however, if the goal is to repopulate good gut flora in a relatively short time frame, then seeking out strengths of 25 billion or 50 billion organisms per capsule is a good start. In many cases, the probiotic formulas are sourced from dairy; however, vegan, human strain, non-soy-based formulas are available in the 25 billion and 50 billion strengths. A visit to your local health food store will set you on the right track to a healthy gut and optimal health overall.

Marva Ward, CNP, is a registered nutritionist.

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Outdoor Fitness Frenzy Hormones and Your Health Natural Remedies for Depression Your Best Beach Body: A Realistic Nutrition Guide

VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 82

new to the market

new to the market Turn back the CLOCK in Your Aging Cells TA 65 MD is a patented double-blind-studied extract of Astragalus that is shown to increase the length of telomeres in the cells. It’s proven to activate the enzyme telomerase, restore your immune system, increase bone density, give increased energy and endurance, improve vision, and improve skin elasticity. TA 65, a nutraceutical, is the only proven and approved extract of Astragalus to actually activate the telomerase enzyme which in turn regrows telomers. TA 65 is extremely safe and the contra-indications are the same for Astragalus herb. Available from doctors, clinics and select natural health stores throughout Canada. www.corenatural@yahoo.ca Phone: 289-217-3004

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MEMBRELL JOINThealth Plus Antioxidants provides the power of natural eggshell membrane (NEM) which contains a range of building blocks for cartilage and connective tissue, plus proprietary antioxidant botanicals that support a healthy immune response and antiinflammatory benefits. Nearly 5 times more clinically effective than glucosamine and chondroitin, Membrell JOINThealth Plus is clinically proven to reduce pain due to inflammation and promote faster recovery from injury & exercise in 7-10 days. Call 877.379.3135 or visit www.membrell.ca

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With a 1:1 replacement ratio to cane sugar, simply substitute it with this environmentally responsible, delicious natural sweetener and include the foods you love in your healthy lifestyle.

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VISTA MAGAZINE ISSUE 82

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