d Publishe lley in the Va for
Summer IN THE VALLEY 2016
17s
Year
Relief from hip pain Page 4 Screen time balance Page 7 dog walks - Vancouver Isl. Page 12 Nursing foot care Page 16 Firstly, do no harm Page 26
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Table of Contents
Publisher’s Note Well, my last issue. An ending and a new beginning.
Relief from hip pain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 by Dr. Deidre Macdonald
Now I’m looking forward to this new phase of my life and all that it offers, and leave with some sadness as the last 17 years have been a great ride.
Transitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 by Catherine Dextrase, CST Forks over knives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 by Liz White, M.Sc. Screen time balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 by Tina Willard-Stepan, B.Ed., certified personal coach The gorgeous gifts of gratitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 by Shari Dunnet Heartland municipalities need a fair share . . . 10 by James Fletcher and Doug McArthur Laughter loosens our grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 by Joanne McKechnie Best dog walks on Vancouver Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 by Leo Buijs Emotions and Crohn’s disease & GI inflammation 14 by Daniel Disusa
I thank all my writers, advertisers and readers, and those people who have worked with me over the years — and for their faithful support. As you are reading this issue I have a major milestone in my family. On June 8, my parents are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary, living at home in Brantford, Ont. It’s still hard to wrap my head around that one. Mom and dad are looking forward to number 80.
Well, this section I was hoping that I would have Do your feet hurt after a day at work? . . . . . 15 sold the magazine and it would continue on. by Andreas, Airspeed High Ultralight Flight School If you are interested in a part-time or full-time Nursing foot care - active and on your feet . . 16 business, please contact me. by Anne Lai, foot care nurse Coenzyme Q10 - the energizing nutrient . . . . 18 by Debbie Bowman, nutritionist for Edible Island Never too late . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 by Wes Gietz Last article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 by Phyllis Chubb
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So I wish everyone a wonderful summer and year. Thanks for 17 years of amazing moments.
To shave or not to shave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 by Van Isle Veterinary Hospital Diabetes and footcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 by Trevor Pritoula, certified pedorthist Firstly, do no harm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 by Dr. Dawn Armstrong, B.Sc.,D.C Introducing a new canine to the family pack 29 by Dr. Heather Matheson
Front Cover: Swans Landing: photo submitted by Ed Brooks.
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The Comox Valley Health and Recreation Guide is for sale. It has 17 years of proven success. If you are interested in buying this publication, call the publisher Allan Gear at 250-339-0252.
PUBLISHER : Allan Gear PHONE : 250.339.0252 FAX : 250.339.2210 EMAIL : alg1@telus.net EDITOR : Scott Stanfield LAYOUT : Lenore Lowe Comox Valley Health & Recreation Guide is published 4 times a year. All rights are reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for, and does not endorse, the contents of any advertisement herein, and all representations or warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not the publisher. The publisher is not liable to any advertiser for any misprint(s) in or about the advertisement that is not the direct fault of the publisher. And, in such an event, the limit of the liability shall not exceed the amount of the publishers charges for such advertising. Articles published in Comox Valley Health & Recreation Guide are not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.
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Relief from hip pain by Dr. Deidre Macdonald, BA,ND, naturopathic physician Hip pain can be a real pain in the butt! Understanding the cause of your hip pain will help you determine the best treatment for you. There are non-surgical solutions to hip pain, even for degenerative osteoarthritis of the hip. It is important to differentiate true hip joint pain from other types of pain in the hip region. True hip joint pain is usually felt towards the front, in the groin region. It is most commonly caused by osteoarthritis, which is wear and tear in the ball and socket joint. Pain may radiate down the front of the thigh. The most effective non-surgical therapy for hip arthritis is low level laser therapy. It is a painless technique proven to significantly reduce
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So don’t suffer with hip and back pain. When I assess a patient with hip pain, a detailed physical examination and medical history are critical in determining what the root of the problem is. Then, with targeted, effective treatments, relief can often be had without drugs or surgery. Dr. Deidre Macdonald is a naturopathic physician in
250.898.8685
downtown Courtenay. For a complimentary 15 minute
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office at (250) 897-0235 or check www.getwellhere.com.
4285 Island Highway, S. Courtenay
4
the signs and symptoms of arthritis. It helps patients with hip arthritis regain mobility and reduce pain dramatically. Pain felt on the lateral part of the hip (side of the hip) is usually due to greater trochanteric bursitis. It is aggravated by walking, lying down on the affected side, and crossing the leg of the affected side. Patients report pain during sleep and while walking. A combination of massage and laser light therapy can help patients regain mobility and enjoy a good night sleep again. The most common cause of “hip pain” I see is actually sacroiliac (S.I) joint pain. The SI joints are located on either side of the low back just below the waist. Classic symptoms include difficulty turning over in bed, struggling to put on shoes and socks, pain getting your legs in and out of the car, and stiffness when getting up after sitting for long periods. Laser therapy effectively targets the ligaments that are strained in this joint, quickly reducing pain. By strengthening the ligaments that provide the joint structure, laser therapy often creates long-term results. Pain felt in the buttock is often referred pain from the lower back. Degeneration of the spinal vertebrae can result in narrowed channels for the nerves that exit the spine (spinal stenosis). Degenerated or protruding discs can also cause pressure on the nerves that affect the hip area. Laser light therapy has been shown to significantly reduce pain from disc disease in over 90 per cent of patients in a Canadian clinical trial. Spinal stenosis can also respond well to this treatment. It is important to use a high-powered laser machine that can penetrate deeply into the tissues and stimulate cellular processes that help regenerate and heal damaged tissues.
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consultation to see if laser is right for you, contact her
Transitions by Catherine Dextrase, CST
Everything has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Right? So what happens in between one end and the next beginning? Transition. According to the dictionary, transitions are phrases or words that can improve the connections between thoughts. There are many more types of transition to ponder. From middle age to elder age, child to teen, teen to adult — these transitions can be challenging. It is a space between time, where we may want to quit, give up, and put in question everything we have been doing up until that moment. Then the new leaf opens up and we start the next phase. When we don’t want something to end, we can become stuck. We are holding onto something that is already done and not allowing the next phase to begin. Child psychologist Gordon Neufeld would say that perhaps we are defended against vulnerability and that we are stuck. So we need to become unstuck, undefended and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. Does that mean we might need to relinquish control? Sure. That is one answer of thousands. But if it feels unsafe to not be in control, how can we move into that period of graceful surrender or integration of what is happening now and next? One of my favourite Ted Talks is on this subject. Look up Brene Brown on vulnerability to see this classic oldie if you haven’t already seen it.
some transitions that are inevitable and so all we can do is shift our reactions to what is happening around us. A few tips: Supporting transitions: take time to breathe slow and full, find joy, organize exercise, seek out friends and meaningful relationships, and nourish your body (eat yer greens and oranges and reds and yellows and...!) While those small tips may seem overly simple, we often over-think and over-complicate life. Humans are adaptable by nature. We often deny our instinctual rhythms and biological clocks to the detriment of our health. That is more an issue in the fall when we are moving from light to dark and we try to keep pace with our societal commitments. This time of year, from spring to summer, is one of the more delightful transitions for most of us. From darkness to sunshine, we unfurl as do our gardens and flowers. More time breathing in that beautiful fresh Valley air and shedding the grey doldrums of winter and early spring rain. Summer is the time to recover, maintain and enjoy. Looking forward to surrendering into another transition into a beautiful summer in the Valley... Catherine Dextrase can be reached at 250-702-2080 or visit her website: www.catherinedextrase.com
Sometimes we are not graceful. Sometimes we throw tantrums. Or resist. We may hopefully come to the conclusion that we must eventually let go, surrender and release what we are holding onto so that we can welcome in the next new beginning. This can be a sticky process for some. There are
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Forks over knives By Liz White, M.Sc.
The documentary, Forks over Knives, available on Netflix, offers compelling evidence for the root cause of our health care woes. Obesity, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis are continuing to rise in incidence while our health care costs spiral out of control. Clearly we need to find the cause of these problems because spending more money on pharmaceutical and surgical interventions isn’t curing disease. The movie illustrates that a simple solution may be at hand. The answer isn’t another pill – it’s spinach! After all, the Greek philosopher, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, said, “Let food be thy medicine.”
The documentary describes the life work of two men who independently arrive at the same conclusion, only meeting and validating each other’s work in their later years. Dr. Colin Campbell was a researcher at Cornell University and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn was a surgeon who specialized in heart surgery.
Campbell grew up on a farm in Kentucky, raising beef and dairy cattle. He fully subscribed to the prevailing belief that we need meat to survive and his first research focused on the role of beef in our diet. He stumbled across an article in an East Indian Journal, The Effect of Dietary Protein on the
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Carcinogenesis of Aflotoxin. In the study, rats were exposed to the carcinogen Aflotoxin. They were then divided into two groups. One was kept on a diet of 20 per cent casein protein (the protein in milk), while the other received five per cent casein. The rats in the 20 per cent group developed liver cancer, while the ones in the five per cent group did not. The researchers concluded that animal protein at higher levels turned on the cancer, while those in the low protein group were protected from cancer. Campbell replicated the original study and then designed his own. In his study, all the rats were given five per cent casein for six weeks, then 20 per cent for six weeks, followed by five per cent for six weeks, and so on. When the rats received the 20 per cent casein, they developed cancer, but when they received the five per cent, the rate of cancer went down. The low protein diet actually reversed the cancer. He concluded that, while cancer starts in the genes (and these “cancer” genes can either be acquired through heredity or by a mutation from exposure to toxins), cancer cells are either promoted or suppressed by diet. In the following years, Campbell formed an alliance with a Chinese researcher, Dr. Jenski Chi. This was fortuitous as the most comprehensive cancer study ever completed had been initiated in China in 1974. At that time, premier Zhou Enlai was diagnosed with colon cancer. He subsequently commissioned a study to calculate the incidence of tecancer in China. Although the president did not live to see the results, they were striking. Different types of Continued on page 21...
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Screen time balance by Tina Willard-Stepan, B.Ed., certified personal and parent/teen coach Technology and Teens – Maintaining a healthy balance in the home
If you are anything like me, you spend a great deal of time thinking about how to manage technology in your household and wondering how much screen time is healthy. If you have a teen in your home, you are living with a ‘digital citizen’ – someone who has grown up in the online and smartphone world. This can be overwhelming and many parents have the inclination to either try Stock photo from Metro to control it too tightly (causing major friction), or checking out completely because of overwhelm. things, connecting with people and creating stuff Here are some tips that I have used in my own home (producing)? Once I got my head around the fact and in my coaching practice with other parents of that the bulk of my son’s time on technology was teens. actually spent creating and producing, I felt less of Be open to their perspective a need to limit his time, and less afraid of it. Kids Because we are not digital citizens, but rather are making movies, writing programs and creating visitors, or immigrants to this world at best (you art. When my son is consuming, I make sure he is belong to the last generation of people who had a able to tell me the transferrable skills he is learning childhood that was Internet-free), we do not fully that he can take into the off-line world. They are understand how important their devices are to doing countless creative things that contribute to them. These represent their connections to their a better, more forward-thinking world, and we peers, their projects and unlimited information. cannot dismiss these things and throw the baby out They do not think of them the same way that we with the bath water by calling it all ‘screen time’. do. Sit and talk with your child and try your best Be involved and up-to-date to listen to their point of view about it. You may Continued on page 9... be surprised at how well they can articulate the importance of technology to them. This may help you have more patience with it. Differentiate ‘producing’
between
‘consuming’
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The gorgeous gifts of gratitude by Shari Dunnet You may have come across the word “gratitude” recently. It seems to be trending right now. And for good reason. A little gratitude goes a long way. Why “gorgeous” gratitude? Well, I’ve noticed many things in my practice of gratitude and one of them is that people tend to look their best when they are feeling grateful. They tend to shine. Call it an “inner glow” – however you want to describe it in words, it’s truly beautiful. Regardless of age or gender, it’s gorgeous. Beauty from the inside out. Connecting with gratitude can be one of the simplest, most effective and quickest ways to change your mood and energy for the better. It just takes a little practice and a willingness to momentarily suspend whatever track your mind is currently running on. Whatever frustrations you may be experiencing, whatever item on your “to-do” list needs tackling next, whatever didn’t go quite as planned… just take a moment to simply stop and reflect. Now, think of something for which you are grateful and really get into the feeling of the gratitude.
body * mind * spirit
When you’re feeling heavy, overwhelmed with difficulties or frustrated with what you don’t have, one of the fastest and easiest ways to change this is to focus on what you DO have. It’s understandable that we tend to focus on what we perceive as missing and perhaps feel sad or frustrated that we don’t have more… money, time, the kind of relationship we’re looking for… fill in the blank! However, if we take a few moments to reflect on what we’re grateful for we will generally notice our mood changing for the better. Just give it a try. Take a moment to reflect on what you feel grateful for right now… these can be small things – doesn’t need to be epic. Try it and see what you notice. Often we feel lighter and freer. We can feel a warm sensation bubbling up, our mind easing, breathing more relaxed, maybe even a smile. What we focus on expands, so the more we focus on what lights us up and makes us happy to be here, the better. Gratitude is one of the keys in life to attracting more of what we want. Here’s an exercise to try: at the end of each day write down three things that happened during the day for which you are grateful. It doesn’t have to be anything big or earth-shattering, just something that you’re glad you got to experience, or to witness, something that made you smile. Do this for 21 days. See how this feels and see what happens. To your health and wellbeing - and a fabulous summer.. To your health and well-being this spring.
Shari Dunnet is a bio-energy healing practitioner and intuitive therapist offering services in the Comox Valley at the Rasa Centre for the Healing Arts and on Denman Island. Contact: 250-897-2707 www.lightbodyhealingworks.com
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Tina Willard-Stepan’s article continued from page 7... Have them tell you what they are learning and orient you to the apps that are their favourites. I’ve even met parents who pay their kids for every new app that they show them. Be their digital mentors when it comes to communication. Know the language and the tools so that you have an awareness of what is going on and can be their best support if anything goes wrong. You can articulate your family values in relation to technology and teach them to use it meaningfully and responsibly. If you also have family values about balancing time on technology with other social time and activities, don’t be afraid to also articulate (and enforce) your values around this too. Become informed of the risks There are many resources for you to use to better
Continued on page 20...
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Heartland municipalities need a fair share by James Fletcher and Doug McArthur Small towns and cities throughout B.C. are in trouble. The present model of local government financing simply doesn’t work, and indeed, it can’t work. Over the past 32 years, successive provincial governments have chipped away at transfer payments, leaving local governments with little choice but to cut services and increase taxes. It also ended the provincial role of ensuring less well off communities can provide services comparable to the rest. Compounding the problem is the massive economic transition underway in our province – one marked by the decline of high-value industries such as forestry. For many towns the result has
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been a shrinking tax base as businesses close and workers leave. Small, resource-based towns are hit especially hard. The results have been predictable – large corporations and small businesses alike are demanding tax breaks, well aware that their competitors benefit from more favourable tax regimes elsewhere. Residents in Port Alberni saw their tax bills jump by 23.6 per cent when Catalyst Paper refused to pay its taxes. Shifting the tax burden from business to residents and driving up user charges increases the burden on residential property owners, takes money out of consumers’ pockets, and ultimately, does not solve the real problem. The need for a new model of local government financing is becoming more urgent with each passing year. We have studied this issue, and have released a paper: Local Prosperity: Options for Municipal Revenue Growth in British Columbia. We argue that local governments in B.C. are far too dependent on property taxes and property-related user charges. In the past 10 years, municipalities have imposed a more rapidly-growing burden of taxes and goods and service charges on local taxpayers than the provincial government placed on provincial taxpayers – a burden that is 52 per cent higher. The solution? B.C.’s municipalities need access to a much broader range of revenue sources. In our report, we propose dozens of new revenue generating ideas and promising economic development concepts. Revelstoke provides a great example of how waste wood from the local mill can be used to fuel a district heating system and generate revenue for the city. In another example, Dawson Creek played Continued on page 20...
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Laughter loosens our grip by Joanne McKechnie Would you come to a Laughter Wellness class if you knew it was about improv acting? Since I have been facilitating Laughter Wellness classes, I have been looking for ways to get the word out about laughter and its wellness benefits. Some people come with mats, thinking we’ll be doing yoga stretches. Other people don’t even come as they are turned away by the word ‘laughter,’ thinking it must be hard to have to laugh for an extended time together in a group (sounds more like work to me than fun). Well, none of the above is true. A participant in one of my classes helped to sum up the experience of a Laughter Wellness class: it’s like improv, where you get to become other characters, to laugh and forget about yourself, no acting experience required. To boot, we end with a peaceful meditation to savour the ‘ahhh’ feeling in the body, thanks to the endorphins that have kicked in. Whether or not you’re drawn to improv opportunities, Laughter Wellness has something for Every Body. We explore stressful, challenging and all types of real life scenarios through improv exercises. And guess what? We get to laugh about them. As psychotherapist Martine Byer writes: Laughter is the quickest trigger shifter of all.
Another benefit of gathering together to laugh is the opportunity for community. When a few or more willing people come together on a regular basis to connect through laughter, there is a bond, or a communion that forms. We don’t go into depth sharing about problems, but mention of them might come up and we turn them into light-hearted
Stock photo from Metro
scenarios about which we can laugh. It’s cheap and cheerful, as well as meaningful for people who are searching for community.
At present, I offer Laughter Wellness once a month at Courtenay Recreation Centre on a Saturday. From time to time, I also offer a series of weekday classes through the same recreation centre, such as one coming up at the end of May. Ideally, I am looking for a bright and happy space, next-to-free of charge to use, so that I can offer classes by donation for Continued on page 31...
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Best dog walks on Vancouver Island by Leo Buijs
You never know when spring really arrives in the Comox Valley, but when it does, we are blessed with a myriad of walking and hiking options to take pooch for a run. However, some areas will be too soggy due to snow-melt or the rain we received over the winter. Still there is a good choice from lowenergy walks and intermediate to higher endurance hiking that can be found within the radius of our versatile and beautiful valley. I hope that a sample of some popular areas will get you out there this spring. And maybe you will enjoy it so much that you will take up walking or hiking on a regular basis. It is good for the dog and even better for yourself because it will result in cardiovascular exercise that can improve your cholesterol and triglyceride levels, blood pressure and overall bodily condition. To get some beneficial effects from this effort, one should try to do this at least twice a week for a minimum of 20 minutes to half an hour, non-stop. As for most popular walk, the Courtenay Riverway Park now called Ron Webber Walkway, is just that because it is easy to get to and offers spectacular views most days. Perhaps you know the area better as the Airpark, which is part of the larger Riverway Park. Many groups and individuals use the Airpark walkway because the surface is mostly blacktop and in relatively good shape. During the winter some sections were inaccessible due to a construction detour and flooding, but hopefully by spring the paths will be back in shape again. The best start point with plenty of parking can be found just off Cliffe Avenue, opposite Driftwood Mall, on Mansfield Drive and all the way to the Whistle Stop
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For a more strenuous hike, Seal Bay Regional Park northeast of Courtenay has a maze of interesting and a few steep trails to test your stamina. There are several ways down to the beach. My favourite is from the parking lot, to go over the creek, direct left along a metal fence and follow the curve that veers to the right. When a trail on the left comes up, take it. That is the one down to the beach. Follow the shore in a northerly direction for a short distance before going up at the other end. This is a good cardiovascular exercise because the area is steep but beautiful. If you want to avoid any climbing, but keeping your hike level up, go to the larger section of the park across the road from the parking lot. Pick up a map from the main parking area so you can find Horseshoe Swamp. This is a mystic spot to watch the fog burn off when the sun comes out. You feel like you’re in
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Talking about spectacular views, there is nothing that can beat a walk along Goose Spit in Comox. However, spring is not such a good time to bring the dog. From mid-March to the end of April, dogs have to be kept on-leash because of the many resting Brant geese visiting around that time.
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Pub. The Airpark circle can be done under 25 minutes, just about enough to reach that healthy aerobic stage. Extensions from this walk are possible to the north, right up to Sixth Street, and south, past 31st Street into Millard Estuary and Millard Road, where you find a pretty rest spot right on the ocean. The total length both ways make nearly an eight kilometre walk. Dogs should be kept on leash and please use the ample supplied doggy-bags. It is a great walk for fresh air and spectacular views.
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the middle of nowhere; great for a rest if you need one and listen to the birds and frogs. This larger section of the park is also mostly an off-leash area, so your dog will be especially thankful for going there. Why are dog-owners healthier than the average person of the same age?
The answer is simple. Because they walk more. Having a dog requires a daily walking commitment. If pooch is young, it needs serious attention from the owner like behaviour training and several walks per day. Our mid-size dog gets three walks a day. My wife and I split the responsibility by each taking a one-hour walk and a shorter one in the evening resulting in healthy benefits for both of us. University studies in the States have proven that the health of dog owners is generally better than that of non-dog owners. Besides the difference in lower blood pressure, triglyceride and cholesterol levels are also lower. This might relate to a reduced rate of heart attacks and general need of medical care. So here it is: with or without a dog, find some time in your weekly schedule and fit some walks or hikes in. You will stay healthier, fitter and most likely, happier. Chris Leo Buijs is author of Best Dog Walks
on Vancouver Island. A new revised and updated edition has come off the press. This handsome
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Emotional factors that aggravate Crohn’s disease and GI inflammation by Daniel Disusa Digestive disorders are not easy to deal with and Crohn’s disease is no different. The symptoms that Crohn’s disease have to deal with include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, cramps, ulcers, loss of appetite and weight loss. These debilitating signs not only drain the physical energy of patients, but take a toll on the mental and emotional make-up of each one of them. Grappling with these symptoms and complications can be a daily battle, which causes stress, depression and unfathomable angst. Crohn’s disease-related depression can arise due to several reasons. However, timely detection of the condition can be made possible with comprehensive understanding about the connection between health woes. Crohn’s disease patients who suffer from chronic disease conditions will also have to battle with the impacts of the disease of their work, social, academic and family relations as well. The main reason that leads to distraught day-to-day activities is the innate thought that IBDs (inflammatory bowel disease) cannot be cured completely. This reality infuses a fear of heavy magnitude, in turn resulting in pessimistic thoughts that eventually cause depression, stress and anxiety. Crohn’s disease patients who suffer from long-term flareups experience prolonged hopelessness and helplessness. Apart from battling with physical and emotional health woes, Crohn’s disease patients have to make significant lifestyle changes that help avoid flare-ups and complications. That said, one needn’t alter the entire day-to-day practices to stay
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Stock photo from Metro
away from flare-ups. Instead, the needed steps are related to the strong observation of what’s right and what’s wrong for the body and mind. Moreover one needn’t fear about limited choices, as we have a huge array of medical helps to devise the most appropriate lifestyle plans to combat debilitating conditions of Crohn’s disease. More information can be found at www. gutpeople.net. Daniel Disusa is pursuing a career
in medical research, keyed up in researches conducted to aid and support the development body of knowledge in the field of medicine.
Becoming a recreational pilot by Andreas at Airspeed High Ultralight Flight School
Many of us have had dreams of flying and getting that wonderful feeling of ultimate freedom. Well, that doesn’t have to be just a dream. Learning to fly is more accessible and affordable than ever. Aircraft in the ultralight category offers an economical, safe and exciting way to realize your lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. With technology advances allowing materials to get stronger and lighter, ultralights nowadays are sophisticated and capable aircraft that can fly long distances in comfort and safety. Ultralights are no longer the flying lawn chairs of 30 years ago. Imagine taking off from the Courtenay Airpark, cruising over the glacier, checking out Mount Washington and then heading over to Powell River for lunch. Or maybe taking your float-equipped ultralight to a pristine lake in the back country and just hanging out for the day. Or perhaps a flight across Canada to see the country like never before. This is what recreational flying is all about. The Comox Valley has the unique advantage of having a little gem of an airpark situated so close to town. The Courtenay Airpark has an active community of pilots who love to share their knowledge, experiences and encouragement with budding pilots. “Sounds great, but it must cost a fortune and take years to get my licence?” Well actually, the typical student will complete the training course in three to six months for around $4,500. “OK, but I am probably too old?” If you are in good physical and mental health,
there is no age limit. The Transport Canada medical requirements for ultralight pilots are a little more relaxed. For younger students looking to become career pilots, ultralights offer a great economical way to get your fundamental flying skills before moving on to more expensive commercial flight Continued on page 25...
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Matters of Aging Nursing foot care keeps you active and on your feet by Anne Lai, foot care nurse Originally feet were designed to last 25-30 years before their owners succumbed to a sabretooth tiger or some other affliction. Nowadays, people are living well into their 90’s after spending most of their lives walking on hard surfaces with shoes that are more fashion than function. Why is foot care important?
Although most people are born with healthy feet, as we grow older, three out of four Canadians will develop a foot problem that requires medical attention.
• Regular foot care plays an important role in keeping you healthy and remaining active. • Feet that are healthy and pain-free help keep your balance which may prevent falls. • Foot-related problems may result in a loss of independence and well-being.
A foot care nurse:
• has a complete understanding of the structure and function of the foot. • is knowledgeable and understands diseases such as diabetes and poor circulation and how they affect the foot. • follows strict infection-control standards for cleaning and sterilizing instruments, or uses ‘single-use instruments.’ • is aware of health and safety while providing foot care. • works closely with other health care professionals and makes appropriate referrals. • participates in educational opportunities to maintain and enhance competencies and keeps up to date on nursings’ best practice. • is responsible and accountable for their actions.
Foot care may be provided in the comfort and privacy of your home, in residential care, at a clinic or in hospital. A percentage of nursing foot care services may be covered by some health insurance plans such as Great West Life, Sun-Life or Veteran’s Affairs. Receipts are issued and may possibly be applied to the medical deduction portion of your personal income tax. The role of the foot care nurse
Prevention
• Promote the maintenance of healthy feet. • Advocacy
• Promote foot health and mobility.
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• Promote community resources. • Promote family involvement. • Treatment
• Nursing foot care includes:
• A nursing health assessment including an assessment of the foot and lower extremities.
• Nail cutting and filing.
• Management and care of corns, calluses and ingrown toenails. • Working with clients to put together a plan that focuses on preventative measures with promoting selfcare. • On-going nursing assessment and evaluation.
• Identifying the need for more specialized treatments and referring to the appropriate resources (i.e. podiatrist, orthotist, etc). • Education
• Providing clients and caregivers with information specific to foot care, changes to the foot, footwear, the importance of exercise and proper nutrition. • Providing appropriate handouts.
A foot care nurse is a regulated professional who has received additional education specific to the foot and lower limbs, and practises according to their scope of practice.
A foot care nurse also holds a current registration with their professional regulatory body. In B.C., this is the College of LPNs, the College of RNs and the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses. On their receipt, beside their name will be a number which proves they are a nurse. Some do’s and don’ts to promote healthy feet:
walk. It is a great way to help increase circulation, help prevent blood clots, and help keep your bones and muscles healthy. DO buy shoes later in the afternoon as feet may swell a bit over the day. DO wash and dry your feet well every day, especially between the toes. DO check your feet daily for cuts, bruises and blisters. DON’T soak your feet in standing water if you are diabetic, have poor circulation, have dry skin or are an older adult. DON’T wear tight socks, elastic or knee-high stockings that restrict circulation. DON’T cross your legs when sitting. DON’T smoke as smoking decreases circulation and healing, and increases the risk of amputations. DON’T ignore any foot pains. DON’T use over-the-counter preparations to treat corns, calluses and warts. DON’T treat your own ingrown toenails, calluses or corns with scissors or a razor — see a foot care nurse instead. Anne Lai LPN is a foot care nurse who has practised in the Comox Valley since 2002. She is also a member of the Canadian Association of Foot Care Nurses.
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Matters of Aging Cont...
Coenzyme Q10 - the energizing nutrient by Debbie Bowman, on-staff nutritionist for Edible Island Whole Foods Market Wouldn’t it be nice if there was one supplement that could neutralize free radicals, fend off disease, protect our vital organs and energize us from head to toe? Actually, there is - and it’s already inside of us. It’s called coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) - a naturally-occurring, vitamin-like substance that our bodies produce. Unfortunately, sometimes our bodies don’t produce enough of it, particularly as we get older. Our very existence depends on this miracle nutrient. In fact, every cell of our body uses CoQ10 every second of every day. Via our mitochondria - the energy production portion of our cells CoQ10 generates energy for every cell, tissue and organ in the body. Specifically, the conversion of energy from carbohydrates and fats to the form of energy used by our cells requires the presence of CoQ10. That’s why when we are deficient in this
Stock photo from ThinkStock
important nutrient, we feel like we are running on weak batteries - because essentially, we are. CoQ10 is available in two supplemental forms - ubiquinone and ubiquinol. Both names signify their ubiquitous (widespread) distribution in the human body. Ubiquinol is the fully-reduced, electron-rich form, and ubiquinone is the less expensive, oxidized form. Though both forms are used in the body, 95 per cent of the CoQ10 your body uses is the reduced form, or ubiquinol. Additionally, when you supplement with the less Continued on Page 30...
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Never too late by Wes Gietz I started playing the guitar when I received one for my birthday. My 60th birthday. I was motivated to pick up the guitar – finally! – by a number of things. One was a young friend who just did it. One day he just went out and got himself a guitar and started playing. No big deal.
Another motivation was the desire, and the hope, to be able to bring music to other people. I had had several amazing experiences of the power of music to bring people together in a good way, and I wanted to be able to do that if there was no one else. I had no expectation of ever being an expert, butTHIS I knew that even a beginning player EFULLY CHECK OVER can touch and inspire a group.
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Last article
Tina Willard-Stepan’s article from page 9...
by Phyllis Chubb Everything functions within designated cycles and this magazine has had its own cycle. For the past 17 years this magazine has kept people within the Comox Valley up to date on various health and recreational activities. News of different techniques for self-care, for dieting, for exercise plans and general living have been the topics between its pages.
Articles published within the covers of this magazine have offered diverse information to readers: new concepts from science, new ways of seeing the world, and the importance of conscious decision-making are a few examples. Brave souls who wanted to throw themselves off mountaintops into fresh powder were able to learn when and where to go. Biking and hiking trails were made known for racers and slow walkers alike. Activities centred around having a good time while supporting good health were shared.
The magazine will be missed by many people. However, the owner, Alan Gear, must pay attention to the cycles operating within his life, and now is a time for a little more leisure, a little less strain. In short, Alan will be retiring and with that decision, this magazine will close. The Health and Recreation in the Comox Valley magazine has been a major part of Alan’s life over the last 17 years. On one hand he is ready to retire and stop publishing the magazine. On the other hand, if there is someone who has a vision for the magazine he would happily talk with them. Best wishes for a healthy and active future for all. Celebrating 21 15 years of the simple things
understand the potential risks to your child. Read them, go to presentations, and talk to other parents. Ask your local Parent Advisory Committee or school to bring in experts. Some of the risks are real – sexting, pornography, predators and cyberbullying. The more information you have about them, the better equipped you are to talk to your teens about them. Tina Willard-Stepan is a Parent and Teen Coach. She can be reached at 250-703-1201.
Fletcher and McArthur’s article from page10... an important role in helping to establish the Peace Energy Cooperative. This producer co-op helps smallscale electricity producers sell their power to larger distributors. Local procurement policies and import substitution strategies can help to create markets for locally-produced goods and services, and reduce the need for more expensive imports. But in order to take advantage of opportunities for economic diversification, small towns need a fair share of the tax revenues generated in their communities. This will require the Provincial Government Act to increase transfers, as well as broaden the revenue tools available to local governments. Change is needed if small towns in B.C. are to continue to offer a high quality of life and economic opportunities for the next generation. To read our discussion paper visit: www.
thinkcity.ca/localprosperity James Fletcher is a
researcher with Think City. Doug McArthur is a professor with the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University.
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Liz White’s article continued from page 6... cancer were concentrated in certain areas.
Campbell and Chi designed an ambitious study, The China Study, analyzing the statistics compiled from 1974, using 367 diet and lifestyle variables. It took years. Finally, in 1990, they published the book, The China Study. They had found 45 correlations between cancer and diet and concluded that whole, plant-based foods are beneficial to health while animal foods are not.
Meanwhile, Esselstyn’s work had taken him to the Philippines. He observed a greater incidence of liver cancer among his patients that ate meat. In fact, as the fast food revolution reached the Philippines, cancer increased. He suspected that meat was the culprit. Esselstyn pursued more epidemiological (population-based) studies and found interesting results. Kenya had 82 per cent less breast cancer than the U.S. In 1958, there were 18 prostate cancer deaths in Japan. In the same year, in the U.S., with a much lower population, there were 14,000 deaths by prostate cancer. In the 1970s, the rate of heart disease in rural China was 12 times lower than the U.S. In all these countries, the western diet was non-existent. He saw a strong link between animal protein and the world’s most damaging diseases. To him it was obvious that crippling conditions can be eased by eating a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts, and by eliminating animal protein. Esselstyn started prescribing a plant-based diet to his patients. Eventually he even took on 18 patients whom doctors had given up on, patients who had had more than one heart attack, putting them on his diet. Today, 14 of these patients are still alive and thriving. He has treated over 200 people by diet alone and firmly believes that heart disease can be eliminated.
Imagine the connection these two men felt when they finally met? Esselstyn provided the clinical evidence that Campbell needed to support the conclusions that he had arrived at, and Campbell’s work provided empirical evidence of the benefits of the diet that Esselstyn was promoting.
Campbell believes that health care costs could be cut by 70-80 per cent if everyone adopted a plant-based diet. Basically, we can eat ourselves to poor health and an early death or we can eat ourselves to health. Most importantly, when we take care of ourselves and do something that prevents disease, we feel more control over our lives. We might start caring for our bodies and stop fearing those unknown demons in our genes that might attack us. We can ease the fear of the toxins in our environment, knowing that our diet can help protect us. We will start to feel that we are part of the solution, not part of the problem. We can be active participants in this process, not victims. It is also important to note that in Campbell’s research, casein was not eliminated from the diet, only reduced to five per cent. As always, moderation is the key, but awareness is the first step.
Once again, the 80/20 comes into play, as it allows for the occasional slice of cake or glass of champagne. Setting aside days where you can indulge helps to keep you and your goals on track. Bods. Fill that shopping cart with fresh ut they no longer have a hold on us. This philosophy is different from the many restrictive diets that are popular these days. This is a positive lifestyle change that can be maintained and enjoyed for a lifetime — and it’s one that set’s you up for success.
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The documentary is full of anecdotes and stories of people whose lives have been changed by adopting a plant-based diet. They lost weight, reversed Type 2 diabetes, lowered blood pressure, lowered HDL levels, and simply started feeling alive and well, whereas before they had felt sluggish and ill. CV Health & Recreation Guide
21
To shave or not to shave by Van Isle Veterinary Hospital Many breeds of dogs, such as poodles, need to be shaved and groomed year-round due to the nature of their coats. But what about our long-haired pets, or even pets with shorter hair that tend to get matted easily?
Summer is just around the corner, and as the weather warms up and we start switching to shorts and sandals we also have to think about how best to keep our pets comfortable, aside from putting their adorable winter jackets back in the closet. With the multitude of different breeds, shapes, and sizes of dogs and cats out there, the question is: Should I shave my pets to keep them cool in the summer?
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In general, an animal’s coat is designed by nature to protect it from all the elements. They are designed not only as a barrier to prevent sunburn, but also to help keep them warm in the cooler months, as well as to keep them cool in the warmer months. The fur coat acts as an insulator for all types of weather but it must be kept healthy in order to properly insulate. Matted fur, or fur with a lot of undercoat that has not been brushed out, will not insulate properly as the air cannot circulate through the hair. If a coat is kept healthy with regular grooming, most pets should be able to regulate their temperature whether they have a short or long coat. Certain breeds of dogs and cats are built for naturally cooler climates and have much heavier, denser coats, or coats that mat easily. This makes it more difficult for them to cool down naturally with a full coat. Other breeds have a naturally stockier body build which will also make it more difficult to cool off even with a short coat. Every pet will tolerate warm weather differently, so the best way to decide whether to shave your pet is to pay attention to how they handle
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the heat. Many sources suggest that if you plan on shaving your pet, try to leave at least an inch of hair to protect from sunburn, as well as chilly nights. Other ways to help keep your pets cool in the summer are: Brush your pets – this will help prevent/remove any thick undercoat or mats, which will allow the air to circulate, helping your pet to regulate their temperature naturally.
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Diabetes and footcare by Trevor Pritoula, certified pedorthist
CVHRG
There are approximately two million Canadians living with diabetes. It is estimated that foot problems associated with their diabetic condition will affect as many as 10 per cent of this population. Diabetes (or more correctly, diabetes mellitus) is a chronic disease where there is an elevated blood glucose within the body. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body deal with sugar (glucose) in the diet. When diabetes is present, either the body produces less or no insulin [Type 1: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or the body tissues cannot effectively utilize the insulin that is produced; Type 2: noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)]. This results in higher levels of glucose in the blood, which can damage a whole range of body tissues and organs. I have had many clients with NIDDM refer to their diabetic condition as “only Type 2”, however it must be stated that both types of this condition are vulnerable to developing an array of side-effects if blood sugar levels are not kept in a normal range. The foot/lower extremity is especially affected by diabetes because: •Elevated blood glucose damages the nerves (damage can occur to the foot and not be detected). www. epodiatry.com/neuropathy.htm •Elevated glucose within the bloodstream damages the inside of arteries, affecting the circulation. •Vascular disease causes a decreased circulation in the feet and lower limbs, diminishing the health of the tissues and can impact the ability of the body to heal when damage occurs. Those with diabetes are more prone to infection - the body’s processes that normally fight infection respond slower and
often have trouble getting to infections due to poor circulation. Diabetes is also believed to affect joints, making them stiff and painful. Other complications of diabetes that can indirectly affect the foot are kidney disease (affects proteins that are involved in wound healing) and eye disease (example, retinopathy) whereby a person may be unable to see feet in order to check for damage. As a consequence of these factors a number of things can occur: •Areas of the foot may incur injury you do not know about; for example, your shoe rubs a sore onto a toe that gets infected. You cannot feel it because of the peripheral neuropathy. You cannot heal well due to the infection and poor circulation. •Charcot’s joints/foot (Neuropathic Osteoarthropathy) is a progressive degeneration of weight-bearing bones/joints, marked by bony destruction, bone resorption and eventually deformity. The lack of sensation in the feet make individuals unaware of the fractures, and they continue to walk on essentially broken bones. •Foot ulcerations/wounds: infections can become more wide-spread. The ultimate outcome of this process is an amputation. Diabetes is the main cause of amputations. •Too much pressure on an area causes the majority of foot complications, and the skin just ‘breaks down.’ They can occur alone or under corns/calluses (thickened skin, which usually develops in areas of pressure/stress on the skin). A study conducted by the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research confirms that custom orthoses are a superior means in reducing plantar pressures on the foot by redistributing excessive forces/pressure and better attenuating damaging stress on the foot anatomy. Preventative Continued on Page 28...
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Airspeed High’s article continued from page 15... training.
Airspeed High Ultralights is a Transport Canada-approved flight school operating at the Courtenay Airpark (CAH3). We offer professional flight instruction, a comprehensive 30-hour ground school, student pilot supplies, aircraft rentals and scenic introductory flights. It’s also a great place to sit on the deck and enjoy the sights and sounds of the airpark between flights. We pride ourselves in providing flight training that is professional, safe and most importantly enjoyable. We use the Challenger II advanced ultralight as our training aircraft. The Challenger is by far the most popular ultralight in Canada and has a proven record of being a safe and reliable airplane. It can also be equipped with amphibious floats that open up a whole new world of where you can go.
There is nothing in the world that compares to being up there amongst the clouds, the high-flying birds and the endless space. It is a powerful tonic that only few get to taste, and it is worth all the effort that goes into becoming a pilot.. Article supplied by Airspeed High Ultralight Flight School. Contact us today to start your adventure of becoming a pilot, or give the gift of flying with our one-hour scenic introductory flights. Airspeedhigh.com (250) 218-7343
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Firstly, do no harm by Dr. Dawn Armstrong, B.Sc.,D.C
As Canadians, we watch our neighbours to the south struggle to provide health care for all of its citizens. We have our precious Canada Health Act and the federal government transfers millions of dollars to the provinces each year to provide us with the health care services we need. The B.C. government has the monumental task of fulfilling the requirements of the Act (to provide a publicly-administered system that is accessible to all) and balance the budget, all the while protecting the safety of the public. But, costs are rising faster than anyone expected and many unintended consequences are emerging. We don’t need yet another expensive Royal Inquiry
or commission to tell us what the problems are — we need new thinking if we are to save one of our country’s most cherished institutions. Consider the real-life story of J.P. – a single woman, working two part-time cleaning jobs and struggling to make ends meet. It was Christmas time, three years ago. Her daughter and newborn grandson were visiting. For two nights, J.P. slept on an old couch and somehow hurt her back. The muscle spasms settled in up and down her spine and wouldn’t let go. Her first thought was to see her old chiropractor. He’d been helpful in the past with other problems. But J.P. was on B.C.’s MSP premium assistance and her allotment of 10 subsidized visits to licensed (but non-medical) health care providers had been used up at the massage therapist’s office over the summer, dealing with a bad case of tennis elbow. The treatments had worked like a charm and she managed to stay within her budget. Without the subsidy, a visit to her chiropractor would cost $45 – straight out of her pocket. It was Christmas. Her pockets were empty and her choices few. Her doctor ordered X-rays, which showed nothing out of the ordinary, so she was prescribed a strong muscle relaxant (Flexural) and an antiinflammatory (Ibuprofen). She was told that a chiropractor wouldn’t be able to help and was advised to take a few weeks off work to rest. During that time she developed a wicked case of heartburn – a reaction to the Ibuprofen – so
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she was also given an acid reducing drug (Zantac) for her stomach. Now it seemed her back was hurting even more and at some point she lost both jobs, forcing her onto social assistance. Her reactive depression required Paxil, she is waiting on an appointment with a rheumatologist for what might be fibromyalgia. In the meanwhile, she developed a serious dependency on the OxyContin which was prescribed to help her cope with her (now chronic) pain. Three years on from her back injury, J.P. has been unable to exercise so she is now 40 pounds overweight and her blood pressure is rising, as are her blood sugars. A water pill and a diabetes drug have recently been added to the list.
policies which favour a pharmaceutical solution to patients’ suffering. Recent news reports tell us that ‘chemicals of emerging concern’ such as Ibuprofen, Paxil, Zantac and OxyContin are showing up in the bodies of young salmon off our coast.
In order to save a couple of hundred dollars on the chiropractic care she needed three years ago – and would have chosen if she could – the government of B.C. has now spent tens of thousands of dollars on her care. And that’s just until now, because there will be more costs. With her ongoing heartburn, she recently started on a stronger medication (a proton pump inhibitor), which is linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis, chronic kidney disease and dementia. Yikes!
In their book, Squandering Billions, Dr. Don Nixdorf and Garry Bannerman provide intriguing and practical solutions for reforming our health care system, with the goal of empowering patients to choose the care that they need. It is not the government’s place to say ‘no’ to approaches that are proven, safe and affordable.
J.P. is 53 years old. Our health care system is not making her healthier. The unintended consequences of short-term, narrowly focused thinking can be huge. When B.C.’s government chose to de-list nonmedical health care services in order to save money, they chose to discourage the use of approaches that can be cheaper, safer and more effective. These days there’s much finger-wagging about opiate abuse and health care costs that are spiralling out of control, but we should be equally concerned about the environmental impact of government
And J.P.’s back still hurts. Do we need yet another expensive government inquiry to find workable solutions? No. We just need to change the fact that our system has become one where the merchant medical doctor faces no competition and the consumer patient has a blank cheque for unlimited shopping (at just the one store of course).
Abandoning the ‘fee-for-service’ model and establishing community health clinics where the services of all licensed health care providers are available would be two simple steps in the right direction. There is considerable evidence that for someone like J.P., chiropractic care provides a better outcome for much less money – and it’s drug-free, so it’s safer for patients and it’s better for our environment. A medical monopoly is not good for patients, it’s not good for taxpayers and it’s not good for the fish, Article submitted by. Article submitted by Dr. Dawn Armstrong. She can be reached at (250) 465-8482.
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Trevor Pritoula’s article continued from pg 24... foot care: There are several daily steps that one can take to decrease the likelihood of suffering from foot complications associated with diabetes including: •Daily foot inspection, looking on foot and between toes for redness, swelling, broken skin/sores or bleeding. One should see a doctor immediately if any of these problems are present. •Wear appropriate footwear inside and outdoors. Avoid bare feet. •Wash feet daily with warm (not hot), soapy water. •Avoid soaking feet as this can dry skin. Dry well, cleaning between toes. •Apply sparse amount of lotion to sole/top of feet. Do not apply lotion between toes. •Feet may feel cold but avoid heat pads/hot water bottles (if lack of sensation, may be too hot and cause a burn). Instead, wear warmer socks/thermal underwear to keep extremities warm. •Avoid socks with heavy seams or that are too constrictive. •Cut nails straight across. If vision is compromised, neuropathy/vascular problem present or difficulty reaching feet, see a foot care nurse or podiatrist on a regular basis. •Good general health habits (diet/exercise to maintain good blood sugar levels, avoid smoking). Shoe selection is also vital to
Stock photo from ThinkStock
those living with diabetes. Canadian-certified pedorthists are trained to troubleshoot foot/ shoe fit issues in order to help reduce the risk of developing a foot complication. Additionally, through assessment of the structural features of an individual’s foot and appropriate use of foot orthotics and footwear/footwear modifications, pedorthists are able to alleviate the effects of lower limb and foot abnormalities to help prevent foot problems before they begin. Trevor Pritoula is the owner of SOS Orthotics and can
be reached at (250) 339-5892.
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Introducing a new canine to the existing family pack by Dr. Heather Matheson
The Dogs, and yes even cats, are more adaptable than you think. Our family pack includes three canines, five felines, two horses, nine chickens, four humans and a partridge in a pear tree (just kidding, we have no partridge). We get the comment time and time again, “Does everybody get along?” The answer is yes, everyone coexists just fine, each one has their favourites but we follow a few house rules. Meet on neutral ground: Dogs are pack animals; it is in their genetic makeup. We can use this to our advantage. When bringing a new canine into the house arrange to meet on a walk. Start with side-by-side walking in the same direction, not face-to-face as this is confrontational. Walk a good distance at a good pace. Anytime dogs are walking together this means “he is in my pack/he is my friend”. Once the pack has been established on the walk then head home. That way the walk finishes with your family canine inviting his new pack buddy home. Be the boss: Every pack needs a pack leader. This must be the humans in the household. Do not leave this task up to your canine. Leadership can be achieved quite subtly through easy exercises, training and body language. For instance, all canines should sit prior to any praise, food, treat, even a pat on the head. By doing this you are establishing leadership. Be consistent at least in the beginning. Always go through doors before your pooch. Again, the boss goes first. Practice the “off” command by getting your dog to drop a toy or treat when told to. Again, this means you are the boss. The most common causes of dog fights are over leadership, food, toys and human affection. Therefore, it makes sense to have neutral areas, designated areas (crates), no toys available unless supervised and BE THE BOSS. Exercise and space are critical as well. Dogs that are well exercised and content are less confrontational (just like us humans), and allow enough space so the canines do not have to get into each other’s bubble. Again, just like us, tempers flare in crowds and on busy streets. Tools to help the transition: There are a few helpful products that may ease
Stock photo from ThinkStock
the introduction. Adaptil is a premise spray that contains “happy dog pheromones.” By spraying Adaptil around the house or on bandanas that both canines wear you are setting them up to be relaxed and in friend mode. Rescue Remedy is a homeopathic used for anxiety. Mellows are a product that contains valerian root, colostrum and L-Theanine, all to decrease anxiety. These products, and others, may be quite helpful but ideally should not be needed long-term, and do not replace training and leadership.. For more information call 250-871- 4355 or visit www.balancedpawsvet.com Western Medicine • Acupuncture Chinese Herbs • Homeopathy Chiropractic Medicine Dr. Heather Matheson “Caring for your furry-family is a privilege! Thank You”
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2785C Mansfield Drive, Courtenay
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CV Health & Recreation Guide
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Debbie Bowman’s article continued from pg 1 8...
• Slows dementia progression
expensive ubiquinone your body has to convert most of it to the ubiquinol form. What this means is you can take much less ubiquinol than ubiquinone for the same measured benefit. Furthermore, our body’s ability to convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol diminishes with age.
• Increases sperm count and motility
CoQ10 is primarily found in wild fish, meat, eggs, uncooked spinach, broccoli, raw peanuts, wheat germ and unprocessed whole grains. Although our bodies are able to produce some of the CoQ10 that we need, the rest of the CoQ10 our bodies use is synthesized from the foods we eat. Since the above list is short, it’s easy to see that we depend on our body’s ability to create CoQ10. Unfortunately, as we age, our body becomes less efficient at creating CoQ10. As a result, our need to supplement CoQ10 increases with each additional candle on our birthday cake. Here is a list of ways that supplemental ubiquinol can improve our health:
• Helps treat high blood pressure and heart disease • Acts as a power free-radical throughout the body
scavenger
• Enhances immune system function • Provides an energy boost for people dealing with fatigue • Reduces high cholesterol levels in the blood • Stabilizes blood sugar levels of people with diabetes • Assists in the treatment of cancer and protects organs from toxic chemotherapy drugs • Treats gum disease
• Prevents or treats migraine headaches It is especially important for those taking a statin drug to supplement with CoQ10 - as statin drugs deplete the body’s natural levels of CoQ10 by compromising its production in the body. Symptoms of CoQ10 deficiency from statin drug use are fatigue, muscle pain, muscle weakness and tenderness, nocturnal cramps and tendon pain. There are no known side- effects to taking either form of CoQ10. Dosages vary from person to person. For relatively healthy individuals between 40 and 60 it is prudent to take 50-100 mg each day. If you are over 60 or on statin drugs you should take 100-200 mg daily. If you’ve recently had heart surgery or a heart attack, or suffer from congestive heart failure, you should supplement 200-300 mg daily. For those new to taking CoQ10 it’s best to take a double dose for the first two weeks. This increases blood plasma measurements of CoQ10 to an optimal level. After two weeks go down to the normal recommended dose. Your body will only use what it needs and will eliminate the excess, so taking too much is not a problem. Since CoQ10 is fat soluble, it’s best to take this supplement in divided doses with meals to ensure maximum bioavailability and absorption. Supplemental CoQ10 may decrease the anticoagulant efficacy of warfarin (brand name Coumadin), so consult with your physician or pharmacist before taking CoQ10 if you are taking a pharmaceutical anticoagulant.
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30 CV Health & Recreation Guide
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Joanne McKechnie’s article continued from pg 11... anyone who would like to come. Please let me know if you have any leads.
Laughter Wellness is also a great workshop experience in the workplace and in classroom settings. Wherever people rub shoulders together, there is opportunity for stress, or for laughter: you choose. I have had the joy and pleasure of recently facilitating a couple of classes for students at North Island College in Courtenay. In the fall, I will also be offering a workshop for Elder College. These are one-time opportunities that give people a taste of how delightful the practice of laughter can be.
Don McRae, M.L.A. (Comox Valley)
437 Fifth Street Courtenay, B.C. V9N 1J7
Phone: 250-703-2422 Fax: 250-703-2425
Meet with Don McRae at his Courtenay Office! Call or email for an appointment.
don.mcrae.mla@leg.bc.ca • www.donmcraemla.bc.ca
Here again I quote Martine Byer: Something funny can change everything: in an instant, laughter loosens our grip. It’s the best, painless and most delicious medicine. Plus, it doesn’t require a spoonful of sugar to make it go down because laughter is sweet enough on its own..
546 Duncan Ave. Downtown Courtenay 546 Duncan Ave, 250-338-1144 For more information on Laughter Wellness, visit Downtown www.invokelaughter.com or contact Joanne at Courtenay (250) 465-1201.
as SECOND PAGE USED BOOKS
Your Comox Valley MPs wish you a safe and fantastic summer Gord Johns
Rachel Blaney
Member of Parliament // Courtenay—Alberni 1-844-620-9924 // Gord.Johns@parl.gc.ca
Member of Parliament // North Island—Powell River 1-800-667-8404 // Rachel.Blaney@parl.gc.ca
GordJohns.ca
RachelBlaney.ca CV Health & Recreation Guide
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