ISSUE 8 • Feb/March/April 2014
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Stop the Hormonal Rollercoaster By Julie Foreman, BSc Pharm, PCCA Certified Simple strategies to get your feet back on solid ground
12
Tulum State of Mind By Ric Mazereeuw A Mexican hotspot for wellness tourism
14
Research Links High Blood Sugar with Increased Dementia Risk — Whether or Not You Have Diabetes The findings from two recent studies
16 Acupuncture: A Potential Source of Migraine Relief By Victoria Spaurel Can alternative therapy provide relief where conventional medicine has failed? 17
Juice Your Way to Good Health! By Jen Lancaster Simple ways to incorporate this hot health trend into your daily routine
18
2014: The Year of the Fit By Jordan Monks Secrets to successfully incorporate exercise into your lifestyle
20
Clara Hughes’ Big Ride: The Six-Time Olympic Medalist is Cycling Across the Country to Get Canadians Talking about Mental Health By Christina Newberry Her 12,000 km ride includes stops in 95 communities across Canada
22 Kevin Campbell Update: Kevin Got a Kidney! The Victoria dad found a living donor through intensive social networking 23
Reflexology: An Ancient Healthcare Practice for the Modern Age By Nicole Costello Targeted foot massage offers benefits for the whole body
24 Botox Vs. Dermapen: Which Wrinkle Treatment is Right for You? By Dr Kenneth Smith Everything you need to know about these safe and effective cosmetic treatments
26
Prawn Green Curry with Whole Grain Rice By Chef Marcel Pheiffer
27 Busted! Five Cancer Myths That Could Affect Your Health BC Cancer Agency These surprising facts will leave you feeling empowered 28
Get Out Your Groove Shoes: Kuba Oms is Going to Make You Dance An exclusive interview to mark the launch of the new album ADHD
30
Doctor of Desire: Answers to Your Questions about Sex By Dr Diana Wiley, PhD
31
Eating for Energy By Jen Lancaster Choose the right fuel to fight sluggishness
32
A New Tool For Brain Health: Neurointegrative Biofeedback By Dr Kenneth Smith A high-tech way to train your brain
33
Blepharitis: The Low-down on Scaly, Itchy Eyelids By Dr Trevor Miranda This unsightly condition can be treated with help from an optometrist
34
Ask an RD: Gloria Tsang What should I eat to lower my cholesterol?
36
This is Not Your Husband’s Heart Attack: Women’s Heart Attack Symptoms are Much More Subtle — and Too Often Ignored Learn the steps to reduce your heart disease risk, and when it’s time to call 911
40
Can Meditation Offer Relief from Anxiety and Depression? Research suggests meditation may reduce symptoms
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Dr Bill Andrews: Anti-aging Pioneer By Christina Newberry Running marathons at age 100? This scientist says it’s possible
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Published by True Space Media ™
PUBLISHER
Michael Forbes, BSc Pharm
EDITOR
Christina Newberry
COPY EDITOR Dan Tidsbury
TYPESETTING AND DESIGN
From the Publisher
Michelle Beaudry
L
ooks like it’s time for me to dust off my dancing shoes. I’m one of the local personalities taking part in the Dance With The Stars Victoria contest at the Ageless Living Gala in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association on March 1. Lucky for me, I’m in good hands — I’ve been working on my dance training with my instructor Christina Morrison, who’s competed twice in the World Salsa Championships. Still, I’ll be facing some stiff competition from some of Victoria’s best-known faces, including Mayor Dean Fortin, former Mayor Alan Lowe, Miss Canada Cäsar Jacobson, and CFL star (and Grey Cup Champion) Tim O’Neill. I’m betting contestants and audience alike will have a blast at what’s sure to be one of Victoria’s greatest parties of the year. But, of course, the day has a serious side, too. Before we crank up the tunes in the evening, we’re hosting a day-long health expo featuring some top-notch anti-aging experts, including Dr Bill Andrews. Dr Andrews has spent the last 15 years working to increase the human lifespan and put an end to the negative effects of aging. He’s said his ultimate goal is to run a seven-minute mile at the age of 130. Sound crazy? Maybe. Maybe not. Currently in his sixties, Dr. Andrews regularly runs ultramarathons — which can be more than 100 miles long. He’ll be giving the keynote address at the Ageless Living Health Expo, and I can’t wait to hear what new findings he’ll share. Have you got your ticket yet? The daytime Health Expo will set you back just 12 bucks (10 if you’re a senior or student), which gets you six full hours of access to the latest insights from top health, wellness and anti-aging experts and suppliers. There are a couple of choices for Evening Gala tickets, so check online to find the option that works best for you. Everything you need to know about the event is at agelesslivingexpo.ca. Remember: Mark your calendar for March 1. See you there! Michael Forbes BSc Pharm, PCCA Certified in Hormone Restoration Owner | Pharmacist Forbes Pharmacy www.forbespharmacy.ca 250-882-3784
Contact info@truespacemedia.com with your questions and comments.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Barbara Hartmann-Downie, Christina Newberry, Dr Diana Wiley, Gloria Tsang, Jen Lancaster, Jordan Monks, Julie Foreman, Dr Kamran Forghani, Dr Kenneth Smith, Marcel Pheiffer, Dr Marika Geis, Nicole Costello, Ric Mazereeuw, Dr Trevor Miranda, Victoria Spaurel
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From the Editor
O
ne of the joys of living on the west coast is that we get such an early spring. I know, I know, the calendar says we’re in the depths of winter. But my garden is full of new life already. To me, those new green shoots and tiny spring flowers represent the opportunity for new beginnings — much more so than the simple turning of a calendar page. With that in mind, we’re pleased to present a host of ways to get a fresh start in your own life — so you can embrace your potential and stop feeling guilty about any resolutions already fallen by the wayside. Since February is Heart Month, we share important ways to take care of your heart — from choosing foods to reduce cholesterol to understanding how to recognize and reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Heart disease is the number-one killer of women in Canada, but we still tend to think of it as a man’s disease. Our primer will help you understand the symptoms of a female heart attack (it’s not the chest-clutching scene you’ve seen in the movies) and when it’s time to call 911. You’ll also find simple and realistic ways to incorporate fitness into your day-today life — and have fun doing so — and learn which foods to eat to keep your energy up. And you’ll learn about alternative therapies, from acupuncture to reflexology to the exciting field of neurofeedback that may help make a real difference in the way you feel. And, of course, I’m very excited to share our cover story on one of Canada’s most decorated Olympians, Clara Hughes. In March, Clara’s starting an incredible crossCanada journey to get people talking about mental health. She took some time from her rigorous training schedule to tell us about what she hopes to accomplish — and how the simple act of getting moving is an important tool for staying well. Speaking of getting moving, it’s time to give some attention to that garden I mentioned. It’s almost time to start planting the first of the spring edibles — I can hardly wait. Happy early spring! Christina Newberry, Editor Ageless Living Magazine
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Ageless Living | Issue 8
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Ageless Living
HORMONES
STOP
the Hormonal Rollercoaster By Julie Foreman, BSc Pharm, PCCA Certified By Dr Kamran Forghani
H
ave you ever found yourself at the front of the line for an amusement park attraction and thought, “Wait a minute… Did I sign up for this?” How about diving through the middle of a rollercoaster freefall, screaming, “I definitely didn’t sign up for THIS!” The onset of perimenopause can be slow and innocuous or it can be sudden and in your face. After decades of regular cycles, great moods and abundant energy, you can find yourself on the hormonal rollercoaster with no emergency brakes in sight. What do low energy, abdominal weight gain, menstrual cycle changes, and sudden mood changes including irritability, anxiety and tearfulness have in common? They are all part of the perimenopause transition. It is a common misconception that a woman’s hormones cycle evenly until the day she hits menopause and then her hormones magically disappear into thin air. In fact, changes to hormones such as estrogens, progesterone and DHEA can start as early as the mid-to-late thirties. Is it technically perimenopause if you only have one irregular cycle in a year while the others are normal? What if you have always had PMS symptoms and they just slowly get worse? Perimenopause symptoms can vary each month and may occur only once every few months. Since they don’t always follow a pattern, it is easy to write symptoms off as stress, lack of sleep or PMS. Women who take hormonal birth control often do not have such drastic changes, as they have regulated hormones. What is causing all of this lovely hormone confusion? During perimenopause, you may not ovulate regularly each month. Your body will produce fluctuating amounts of estrogen and progesterone as it tries hard to maintain ovulation. This can result in a virtual rollercoaster of high estrogen and/or low progesterone. Symptoms of estrogen dominance (a ratio of high estrogen to low progesterone) can include some of all of the following: long or heavy periods, water retention, breast tenderness, libido changes, anxiety, irritability, depressed mood, headaches, trouble sleeping and abdominal weight gain. How do you stop the hormone rollercoaster? Hormone testing during perimenopause can be frustrating, as you may end up with fluctuating high or low hormone levels depending on the day that you test. If you have mostly regular cycles, it is best to test your hormones through serum (blood) or saliva on day 19, 20, or 21, with day 1 being the first day of your period. This is the
10 | 10 |
best point in the cycle to detect imbalances. Consult your health practitioner to find out what testing would be appropriate for you. Keep in mind that a lab test is only a window in time for that specific cycle. A knowledgeable health practitioner will also take into account a detailed symptom list and a medical, family and menstrual cycle history. Here are some key measures you can take on your own before consulting with a practitioner for hormone balancing: • Aim for seven to eight hours of restful sleep each night (make it happen!). • Get moving! Exercise 30–60 minutes, five times a week, to help regulate stress and mood hormones and to maintain weight. Excess fat tissue can manufacture extra estrogen in both women and men. • Keep a menstrual cycle diary. Note symptoms like mood changes, headache, hot flashes, and so on, and record how long and how heavy your period is. • Avoid symptom triggers like caffeine and other stimulants, alcohol, and foods with high sugar and sodium content. • Support your mind-body connection. Engage in some simple daily stress relief such as reading, yoga, walking or enjoying nature. • Consume a healthy, balanced diet (e.g., Mediterranean or paleo-inspired). Eat lots of cruciferous veggies (e.g., cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower) to help detox excess estrogens, and 21–38 grams of fibre daily to properly detox hormones. • Drink two to three litres of water daily to avoid dehydration and support metabolic functions. If you have low progesterone or estrogen dominance, your hormonal balance may be restored with a prescription for progesterone. Higher estrogens can also be managed with lifestyle changes and herbs designed to promote proper estrogen elimination. Balancing adrenal and thyroid functions is key to avoiding stress and metabolic imbalance. Talk to a physician or naturopathic physician that specializes in hormone therapy to get off the rollercoaster and rediscover your level ground! Julie Foreman is a compounding pharmacist with Forbes Pharmacies in Victoria. www.forbespharmacy.ca
Ageless 1 Ageless Living Living || Issue Issue 8
Like a fine wine,
shouldn’t you get better with age?
It is often said that a woman, like fine wine, gets better with age. This saying has never been truer than it is today. No longer are the days where you, as a woman, are treated simply with a “one size fits all” estrogen therapy. You want relief from more than simply hot flashes. You want treatment and solutions for low sex drive, vaginal dryness and discomfort, weight fluctuations, memory loss, sleep disturbances, menstrual irregularities, loss of energy and mood swings, to name a few. No two individuals are alike, so why should you be treated like you are all the same? This is your time to shine and menopause does not have to slow you down. Finding the proper treatment is vital to allow your true inner self to be shown, on the inside and out! Not everyone is a candidate for commercially available treatments, by speaking with your physician or pharmacist you can work together to customize therapy that works for you and only you. With prescription compounding, your medication can be custom tailored to fit and treat your specific needs, address your concerns, and be made especially and only for you. Your customization does not end at what type of medication is needed for you; your physician and/or pharmacist can help you choose what base your medication is in as well as how it is packaged. MEDISCA’s VersaPro™ is available in a cream, containing vitamin E and aloe vera, which serves as an all-day moisturizer or in a non-sticky gel, both free of parabens that rub elegantly into the skin. Who wants to draw attention to bulky traditional medicine containers that are difficult and messy to use? Airless Dispensers is a new line of cosmetically appealing containers with the medical MEDISCA’s performance of superior accuracy. They not only allow for convenient, easy and smooth medication dispensing, but are also so elegantly designed. The diversity of the Dispensers’ availability in a jar, pump, pen or syringe gives you options to choose from and they all contain a view window allowing you and your pharmacist to see when you are running low and need a refill — not waiting until the container is completely empty. Any of the containers can be carried in your purse with ease and your medication discreetly applied; no one would be the wiser. Available as of March, 2014
You need an elegant base, in an elegant dispenser, for the elegant woman that you are. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT A COMPOUNDING PHARMACIST NEAR YOU.
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TRAVEL NUTRITION
Tulum State of Mind By Ric Mazereeuw
Photography by Christina Newberry
T
he last thing I expected to do on the first morning of my Mexican vacation was wake up to an alarm clock. But the 8 a.m. beachside yoga class at Dos Ceibas — an eco-resort along the beach in Tulum — was calling my name. I’m a fairweather yogi at best, but my goal for this trip was to explore wellness in all its forms in this delightful stretch of the Riviera Maya that’s often overshadowed by its big brother, Cancun, 90 minutes to the north. So I rose in time for the yoga session, set on a platform just above the beach and shaded by palm trees. Somehow, feeling connected — to yourself, to others, to the earth — is easier when you are metres away from the stunning Caribbean Sea. Like yoga itself, Tulum has a way of forcing you to slow down, be present in the moment and become aware of your breathing. You could call it a Tulum state of mind. The Tulum beach experience includes a wide array of wellness
12 |
options, accommodating a range of experiences, abilities and approaches. Several spas, for example, offer clay purification treatments using natural indigenous clays or incorporate ingredients, like chaya and honey, sacred to the Maya people. Most resorts provide at least daily yoga classes; some make yoga their prime focus. It’s no wonder that many Canadian yoga studios, including Vancouver’s Semperviva Yoga, hold retreats in Tulum. For the truly committed, Amansala Resort offers a six-day raw-food detox program and “Bikini Boot Camp” — a combination weight-loss program and yoga retreat. But I wasn’t looking for anything quite that serious. Instead, I settled in to relax on Tulum’s spectacular white sand beach and swim in the strangely unreal turquoise of the reef-edged sea. The beach is certainly one of the main draws for the region, but there is more to Tulum than sun and sand. Just a 30-minute drive from the Tulum hotel zone is the natural biosphere reserve area of
Ageless Living | Issue 8
Sian Ka’an (Mayan for “where the sky is born”). A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, the half-million hectare reserve provides a sanctuary for animals as diverse as jaguars and dolphins, plus more than 1,000 species of plants. Its landscape ranges from jungle and savannahs to mangroves and freshwater lagoons. Community Tours Sian Ka’an specializes in small group tours and a mixed environmental and cultural approach. The Mayaowned and -run eco-tourism cooperative generates employment for the people who live in the nearby Maya communities of Punta Allen, Muyil and Chumpon. I joined guide Alberto Cen Caamal to explore the reserve by boat along series of natural fresh-water lagoons connected by a manmade channel that cuts through the mangroves. The Maya built that channel more than a thousand years ago as part of a transportation route to trade with villages up and down the coast. The Tulum area is also known for its stunning Maya ruins, especially the large sites at Tulum and Cobá. The Sian Ka’an reserve alone includes more than 20 Maya archaeological sites, including Muyil, a haunting site that was once a a flourishing port for trade. Muyil is smaller than the famed seaside Tulum ruins, but also much less busy: It sees fewer than 6,000 visitors per year compared to the Tulum site’s 1.2 million. While the Tulum ruins dazzle with their sheer proximity to the turquoise water, Muyil’s dense jungle setting creates an eerie feeling of connection to the past, enhanced by the lack of tourist crowds. The Maya influence — on food, architecture, culture, wellness — is clearly woven throughout the Tulum area. The region’s Maya communities offer visitors the chance to experience an authentic ancient temazcal ritual, a traditional Maya sweat lodge ceremony held in a small, igloo-shaped clay dome. Led by a shaman, the ceremony is intended to heal the mind, body and spirit. Area resorts offer adapted versions that retain the physical and mental challenges — and rewards — as I discovered at Azulik eco-resort’s Maya Spa. Comparing the temazcal to a sauna feels like equating a marathon with a leisurely jog. The intense heat, produced by pouring a tea of local herbs over a pit of red-hot volcanic stones, seems amplified by the darkness and closeness of the space. The ceremony typically includes four “doors” (or cycles), one for each direction on the compass. With each new cycle, more hot rocks are added to the pit, increasing the temperature — and the temptation to call out, “No mas!” By the end of the final cycle I was grateful for the relative coolness outside, and astonished but very pleased that I had made it through to the ceremony’s conclusion. That night, I fell hard into a restorative sleep. In the morning, I sought out a much less challenging wellness treatment: a massage in a cabana by the sea. Tulum embraces the rustic-chic concept, and the vibe at the hotels and resorts along the beach hotel zone is decidedly relaxed. Quite literally off the grid, some resorts have solar or wind energy, but others rely on generators to provide power. Many have no electricity at all after dark. Thanks to that lack of electricity — and a local building code that confines buildings to a maximum two stories — the star-gazing is without compare. Of course, being close to nature means nature is close to you: If you feel panic at the idea of bugs or geckos in your cabana — or 13 |
the odd iguana skittering across your deck — then Tulum may not be the most relaxing place for you. But if you can embrace that closeness to nature, you’ll be rewarded with memories that stay with you a long time. So clearly disconnected from the electronic pings and busyness of modern day-to-day life, Tulum offers the chance to simply be still. In the jungle, the ocean or even just on your deck, pausing for a moment makes the simple spectacular: the sights and the colours, the butterflies and the birds, the stars and the silence. Despite its long Maya history, Tulum beach is a land of outsiders, from other parts of Mexico and from abroad. Talking to the people who own and work in the hotels, the shops and the charming roadside restaurants, I heard the same story again and again. They came for a holiday, they fell in love — with the place, its people and their fellow travellers — and they decided to stay. Whether you visit Tulum for a rigorous regimen of yoga and cleansing or a laid-back but healthy exploration of the area’s gentler pleasures, you just might start fantasizing about following their lead and trading in your old life for a brand new one in Tulum, too. Ric Mazereeuw is a Vancouver-based freelance writer who loves to travel. www.ricmazereeuw.com
Ageless Living | Issue 8
Ageless Living
HEALTH
RESEARCH LINKS HIGH BLOOD SUGAR WITH INCREASED DEMENTIA RISK — Whether or Not You Have Diabetes
T
wo recent studies have found that high blood sugar levels are associated with higher risk of dementia and memory loss, even in patients who do not have ongoing blood sugar issues related to diabetes. Here, we take a look at what these two studies found — and what you need to know about the potential impact on your dementia risk.
Glucose Levels and Risk of Dementia: The New England Journal of Medicine
A joint Group Health–University of Washington (UW) study found that higher blood sugar levels are associated with higher dementia risk, even among people who do not have diabetes.
Blood sugar levels averaged over a fiveyear period were associated with rising risks for developing dementia in the report on about more than 2,000 Group Health patients aged 65 and older in the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study. For example, in people without diabetes, risk for dementia was 18 per cent higher for people with an average glucose level of 115 milligrams per deciliter (mg/ dl) compared to those with an average glucose level of 100 mg/dl. And in people with diabetes, whose blood sugar levels are generally higher, dementia risk was 40 per cent higher for people with an average glucose level of 190 mg/dl compared to those with an average glucose level of 160 mg/dl. “The most interesting finding was that every incrementally higher glucose 14 | Ageless Living | Issue 1 14 | Ageless Living | Issue 8
level was associated with a higher risk of dementia in people who did not have diabetes,” said first author Dr Paul K. Crane, MD, MPH, an associate professor of medicine at the UW School of Medicine. “There was no threshold value for lower glucose values where risk leveled off.” “One major strength of this research is that it is based on the ACT study, a longitudinal cohort study, where we follow people for many years as they lead their lives,” said senior author Dr Eric B. Larson, MD, MPH, a senior investigator at Group Health Research Institute. The measurements included blood glucose (some fasting, some not) and glycated hemoglobin (also known as HbA1c). Blood sugar levels rise and fall in peaks and valleys throughout each day, but glycated
hemoglobin doesn’t vary as much over short intervals. “Your body turns your food into glucose, so your blood sugar levels depend not only on what you eat but also on your individual metabolism: how your body handles your food,” Dr Crane said. He suggests that taking walks couldn’t hurt: The ACT study has previously linked physical activity to later onset and reduced risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. More research is planned to delve into various possible mechanisms for the relationship between blood sugar and dementia. “This work is increasingly relevant,” Dr Crane said, “because of the worldwide epidemics of dementia, obesity and diabetes.”
Lower Blood Sugars May Be Good for the Brain: Neurology
A study published online in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, also found that people with higher blood sugar levels are more likely to have memory problems, even if they don’t have diabetes. The study involved 141 people with an average age of 63 who did not have diabetes or pre-diabetes, which is also called impaired glucose tolerance. People who were overweight or drank more than three-and-a-half servings of alcohol per day, and those who had memory and thinking impairment were not included in the study. The participants’ memory skills were tested, along with their blood glucose (sugar) levels. Participants also had brain scans to measure the size of the hippocampus area of the brain, which plays an important role in memory. People with lower blood sugar levels were more likely to have better scores on the memory tests. On a test where participants needed to recall a list of 15 words 30 minutes after hearing them, recalling fewer words was associated with higher blood sugar levels. For example, an increase of about 7 mmol/mol of a long-term marker of glucose control called HbA1c went along with recalling two fewer words. People with higher blood sugar levels also had smaller vol-
umes in the hippocampus. “These results suggest that even for people within the normal range of blood sugar, lowering their blood sugar levels could be a promising strategy for preventing memory problems and cognitive decline as they age,” said study author Dr Ag-
nes Flöel, MD, of Charité University Medicine in Berlin, Germany. “Strategies such as lowering calorie intake and increasing physical activity should be tested.” Materials for this story provided by Group Health Research Institute (www.grouphealthresearch.org) and the American Academy of Neurology (aan.com).
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Ageless Living | Issue 8
Ageless Living
HEALTH
W
ACUPUNCTURE:
A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF MIGRAINE RELIEF By Victoria Spaurel
ho doesn’t know someone who suffers from migraines? Maybe you get them yourself. They range in severity and frequency for each sufferer. Conventional medicine offers very few treatment options, and those that are available are not always effective at treating or preventing migraines and their symptoms. As always, preventative measures in terms of lifestyle choices — including avoiding trigger foods and smells — are preferable to trying to treat an attack, but sometimes migraines just come regardless of how “good” you were this week. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture is indicated in the treatment and prevention of headaches and migraines and works in three ways. Migraines can be set off by muscle tension and pain, hormonal fluctuation and subsequent imbalance, or neurological dysfunction. Acupuncture addresses all three of these aspects to provide relief. Different acupoints are chosen in different locations over the
body depending on the specific symptoms presenting in each individual migraine patient. Some points have an analgesic effect and are used to relieve muscle tension and pain. Others are chosen to address potential constitutional influences that may be contributing to the migraine complex, such as nausea or extreme sensitivity to light. Another very important function of acupuncture is freeing the circulation in the area of the head and neck. Simply put, the nervous system may be “reset,” and with repeated treatment, the cycle of pain is broken by regulating the distribution of neurochemicals that become imbalanced in cases of frequent migraines. As with all discussions regarding treatment using acupuncture therapy, the way in which research studies are conducted leaves more questions than answers. Even though I’ve had almost 100% success treating migraines, science-based research methods have been unable to either prove or disprove the effectiveness of treating migraine headaches with acupuncture. This is because acupuncture is a philosophy, not
a science, and therefore can’t be quantified using a scientific method of research. The body is a work of art. Each one of us expresses illness with different symptoms: physical, emotional and spiritual. No two people with migraine headaches will present in exactly the same manner. Migraines vary in severity, duration and pain level. Every variation in the symptom complex is an opportunity to tailor the treatment plan to benefit the individual. Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and other oriental methods all offer unique approaches and can be equally effective. I urge migraine sufferers to educate and empower themselves to find new ways of addressing their health issues by contacting a local integrated health clinic or visiting an acupuncturist for a consultation. Victoria Spaurel is a registered acupuncturist who graduated from the Canadian College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Victoria, BC in 2005. Her passion for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) philosophy and diagnostic theory is deeply rooted in long-developed holistic beliefs in true health and wellness. www.diversifiedhealth.ca
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Ageless Living
RECIPES
Juice Your Way to Good Health! By Jen Lancaster
G
ood health is built on a healthy digestive system. The digestive system nourishes and feeds the millions of cells in our bodies. If those cells are not getting what they need, they break down, go rogue or just quit — and we experience the symptoms of aging and illness. A healthy digestive system has two main functions: to absorb nutrients and to eliminate waste. You can eat the best food, but if your digestive system is clogged up or damaged, your body won’t be able to absorb the valuable nutrients from the food. Conversely, if you are not able to eliminate waste properly, your body can become quite toxic. That brings me to the point of this article: juicing. Juices are powerfully nourishing, healing and detoxifying for the body. The body is a self-healing, self-regulating organism, meaning it naturally seeks balance. If you give it the nutrients it needs, the body will do its very best to work well for you! Juicing is a fabulous way to get all the antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and living enzymes from fruits and vegetables into your body in a very digestible way. The juicer does all the hard work of breaking down the cellulose and removing the fiber so the nutrients can be quickly and easily absorbed, even by a poorly functioning digestive system. It is possible to juice almost any fruit or vegetable in any combination. Many people start their juicing experience with fruits because they are sweeter and more
palatable for most. This is fine, but you must remember only to juice what you would eat. By this I mean that if you wouldn’t sit down and eat everything that’s going into your juice in one sitting, you shouldn’t plan on drinking it either! (So, for example, probably not three apples, two oranges and half a pineapple!) If we drink too much fruit juice, we knock our blood sugars out of balance. Vegetables make lovely juices as well, and they don’t have the higher sugar content of fruit so they’re easier on your system. Many vegetable juices have a very nourishing and alkalizing affect on the body. So give it a go! Your digestive system will thank you. Here are some helpful tips and guidelines: • Over the long term, combine a ratio of one fruit to two vegetables. • Wash all produce thoroughly and leave skins on while juicing unless the item has a rind (like oranges or pineapple). • Fresh is best. • You don’t need to buy a fancy, expensive juicer. The Breville Juice Fountain is a great juicer priced around $150– $200. If you are patient, these juicers can often be found on sale for an even better price.
Jen Lancaster is an intuitive therapist and healer with a diploma in natural medicine. She is part of the team at Ageless Me (ageless-me.com) and Ideal Me (idealme. ca), and is passionately committed to helping people live a more balanced and empowered life. 17 |
Ageless Living | Issue 8
Two Simple Juice Recipes to Get You Started The Classic serves 2+ 1 large handful of spinach (about 2 cups) 1 large cucumber 2 large carrots 1 small handful of mint (about ½ cup) 1 lemon Juice in the order listed. Sweet and Warming serves 2+ A good sized knob of ginger ½ pineapple, peeled 2 oranges, peeled 2–3 apples Juice in the order listed.
Ageless Living
FITNESS
2014:
The Year of the Fit By Jordan Monks MPT, BHK, CSCS, CAFCI
H
ow many times have you resolved to start exercising or living a healthier lifestyle, only for your motivation to evaporate a month or two later? Maybe you made great New Year’s resolutions this year that are already starting to fade. If this sounds familiar, you are definitely not alone. Every year, many people have the best of intentions to become healthier. Unfortunately, many of them revert back to their old habits. Enough is enough! It is time to make a plan to help you feel the best you have felt in years. If you are ready to make a change, use the information below to boost your success when incorporating exercise into your lifestyle.
living part your life. It is important to write these ideas down and keep them where you will see them frequently, such as on your fridge, computer desktop or smartphone home screen, as this will provide you with ongoing motivation and keep you on track for success. It is a good idea to share your goals with friends and family members you trust so they can support you in staying focused and accountable and achieving success. Once you have written down a couple of goals, assess each one to see how “SMART” it is. SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. This simple style of goal setting is effective and easy to use.
Have a Vision
Get Screened
It has long been known that those who set goals are much more If it has been a while since you have exercised or you have had a likely to achieve success than those who do not. Whether is it in- recent change in your health status, seeking the advice of a medical creasing your annual salary, saving for your dream home or losing professional such as your family physician or physiotherapist prior weight, having a plan helps your goal become a reality. It would to beginning a new exercise regimen is crucial to avoid any adverse seem silly to travel to a foreign country without any form of direc- effects. For example, you should be checked for any muscle asymtions or map. Lifestyle changes like doing more exercise should be metries or imbalances, which could become problematic and keep you from reaching your goals. If you were going on a road trip approached in a similar fashion. So, where to start? The first step towards change is to sit down across Canada, you would likely want to have your car serviced and brainstorm realistic strategies to make exercise and healthy to see if there were any potential issues that could arise while you 18 | Ageless Living | Issue 1 18 | Ageless Living | Issue 8
were away. The same goes for your body: Exercise is very safe for the majority of individuals, but being screened is still a great idea.
Everything in Moderation
We all know that regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is a key component of any healthy diet. This does not mean that eating 10 oranges is better for you than eating one; there comes a point where overindulging can be detrimental to your health. Exercise can be viewed in a similar way. Health Canada recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more. But too much exercise too quickly is not the answer. I recommend you set a goal to gradually increase your exercise tolerance over the course of six to eight weeks to allow for safe tissue adaptation time, preventing excessive muscle soreness or other exercise-induced injuries. Regardless of the form of exercise you choose to pursue, please remember to start and progress slowly to allow for the best results.
Choose Wisely
It is important to consider the degree of accessibility and the financial commitment of exercise before you begin. You may like the idea of a particular exercise class — but if it’s across the city in the middle of rush hour, what are the odds that you are going to attend regularly? What if you find a program that is outside your monthly budget? How long will it last before you start to worry about the your financial situation? Many forms of exercise come with a price
tag — but not all! There are many ways to stay active that are reasonably priced or — even better — free. My recommendation is to find something you enjoy that is easily accessible and that falls within your monthly budget.
Make it Fun
The last, and arguably most important, principle is make sure that whatever activity or exercise medium you choose is fun. No one wants to do something that’s not enjoyable; in order to sustain regular exercise, you must find something you like. Whether it’s walking the dog, hiking with friends, swimming at the local rec centre or joining a circuit training weight room workout, find something that you are going to enjoy. Another strategy is to find a colleague, friend or loved one to do your exercise with. Your new teammate will act as a motivator and keep you accountable in your quest for healthy living. This article contains a few suggestions for incorporating daily exercise into your life; however, it is certainly not an exhaustive list. My intent is not to make it sound like exercise is easy or that everyone should drop what they are doing and just start being active. Instead, my goal is to provide those needing a little extra motivation to start with some resources to facilitate a change towards living a healthier lifestyle. Jordan Monks is a registered physiotherapist at Parkway Physiotherapy + Performance Centre in Langford. www.parkwayphysiotherapy.ca
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Ageless Living
INTERVIEW
CLARA HUGHES’ BIG RIDE: This Six-Time Olympic Medalist is Cycling Across the Country to Get Canadians Talking about Mental Health By Christina Newberry
Photo courtesy of Bell Canada
C
lara Hughes is a fighter. As the only athlete ever to win multiple medals in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, she’s shown that she can tackle any physical challenge she puts her mind to. And as a mental health spokesperson and advocate in Canada, she’s used her own experience fighting the challenges and stigma of depression to help inspire others and bring mental illness out of the shadows. Starting on March 14, Clara will combine her physical and mental toughness as she kicks off Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk. She’ll ride 12,000 kilometres across Canada, stopping in 95 communities over 110 days to take the conversation about mental illness across the country. Along the way, she’ll share her story with students at more than 100 schools and participate in community events meant to create awareness and raise funds for mental health organizations. Clara has been working with the Bell Let’s Talk Campaign, which aims to end the stigma of mental illness, since its inception in 2010.
“Quite honestly, my most important work began [then],” Clara told reporters when she announced the Big Ride. “I had this opportunity to share an experience in a time in my athletic life that I thought no one would want to hear about. I had the chance through Let’s Talk to share my experience of having gone through depression as a young athlete… Sharing that story allowed me to share the struggle. It allowed me to share that as well as all of the years and moments of joy I had the chance to share through my athletic endeavours.” Since its inception, the campaign’s main event has been Let’s Talk Day, a day on which Canadians are encouraged to talk about mental health using social media. So far, Bell has committed $62.5 million to mental health initiatives in Canada through Let’s Talk, but the campaign’s more important contribution may be that it gets people to engage in a supportive dialogue about what can often be a very isolating experience. “We all have family members, friends or colleagues who will
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experience mental illness or we may struggle ourselves, as I have — yet most people impacted still won’t seek support because they fear admitting they need help,” Clara said. “By talking openly and supportively about mental illness, we can all help break the stigma and improve Canadian mental health.” The idea to take the campaign out of the virtual world and onto the roads of Canada with a cross-country ride came to Clara while hiking in the mountains with her husband, Peter Guzman. “I felt a sense of clarity and feeling that beautiful movement that allowed me to transcend confusion,” Clara said. “I just felt like I wished I could share this with other Canadians — share this idea that I always say, that movement is indeed my medicine.” And an effective medicine it’s been. As a young teenager, Clara was headed down a dangerous road. She was using drugs and alcohol by the age of 12. She was much more interested in partying than completing high school, so she dropped out. That all changed when a night of channel flipping as a bored 16-year-old led her to catch television coverage of speed skater Gaetan Boucher racing in the 1988 Calgary Olympics. She’s described that first glimpse of speed skating as love at first sight — a love that changed her entire life story. Here’s the interesting thing about that moment: Boucher didn’t win that race. He didn’t even medal. He was struck by severe leg cramps and finished in ninth place. What inspired Clara was that he finished the race at all, given his obvious pain. Between that determination and the way the skaters seemed to fly on the ice, she was hooked. She got herself back in school and did everything she could to put herself on the path to the Olympics. It was a path that would see her become one of the most decorated athletes in Canadian Olympic history. (She’s tied at six medals with fellow speed skater Cindy Klassen.) She competed in three Summer and three Winter Olympic Games, winning four
medals in speed skating and two in cycling, and was the Canadian flag bearer at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. But there were some bumps along the way. Near the start of her Olympic career, Clara was diagnosed with clinical depression. It was startling for a young athlete who thought she could push herself through anything to admit she needed help, but diagnosis and advice from a national team doctor led her to pursue therapy. Her personal connection to mental illness — which affects one in five Canadians at some point in their lives — and her firsthand knowledge of the power of sport have led her to pursue humanitarian projects close to her heart. She’s used the high profile gained from her years in the public eye to bring attention to the importance of sport and play through her work with Right to Play and other organizations supporting youth sport. And she’s put her money where her mouth is, donating $10,000 of her personal savings to Right to Play and her $10,000 bronze medal bonus from the 2010 Olympics to Take a Hike, a Vancouver-based organization that works with troubled youth. In recognition of her humanitarian work she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2010. When Clara’s Big Ride ends July 1 in Ottawa, she’ll have completed a very long journey to achieve both highly public and deeply personal goals. It’s a season of very hard work that she’s not taking lightly. “This is actually the most important work I will do in my life,” Clara said. “I am so grateful to have the chance to give the voice to Canadians from coast to coast to coast to shout it out loud and clear that this is an issue that affects every single one of us.” For more information about Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk, visit Bell.ca/ ClarasBigRide.
Clara Hughes took some time out from her busy training schedule to share her thoughts on movement, mental health and the challenge of Clara’s Big Ride with Ageless Living. Here’s what she had to say. What has surprised you most in your work with the Bell Let’s Talk Campaign?
How can non-athletes incorporate this principle in their lives?
Clara Hughes: I never imagined that my personal mental health story would have such an impact with Canadians. This is one of the reasons why Clara’s Big Ride is so important to me — because I’ll have the opportunity to speak with Canadians across the country and help spread the mental health conversation, encouraging Canadians to share their own stories.
CH: I’m hoping that as part of Clara’s Big Ride, I will be able to inspire Canadians to move in their own way. It’s not about being a competitive athlete and doing a hard ride each day, it’s just about finding that time for yourself to move your body and clear your head.
How did you discover that being active was important for your mental health? CH: I’ve known for a long time that movement is the medicine I need. As an athlete suffering from depression, I learned how important it was to just get out and move. Movement helps me clear my head and gives me the energy I need to encounter what the day ahead holds.
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What’s the most important advice you could share with our readers? CH: It can be hard to find time to move in your daily life, especially for women. Finding time for yourself to move will help you rebalance and find those simple joys. I hope you’ll take that time for yourself, and I also hope you’ll join the conversation as I cycle across Canada to help end the stigma of mental illness.
Ageless Living | Issue 8
Ageless Living
UPDATE
KEVIN CAMPBELL UPDATE: KEVIN GOT A KIDNEY!
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Kevin Campbell (left) with his kidney donor, Darin Grundberg of Edmonton
his past summer, we told you about Ageless Me patient Kevin Campbell, the first person ever to complete the Tough Mudder while on dialysis. He was facing a 10- to 12-year wait for a kidney from a deceased donor, going through five-hour dialysis sessions three times a week, and facing long-term separation from his daughter, who lives in Ibiza, Spain. We’re pleased to report that Kevin managed to find a living donor through intensive social networking and underwent transplant surgery at Vancouver’s St. Paul Hospital in November. He faced some challenges that required him to stay in the hospital for 35 days rather than the usual five to seven, but once
again, his impressive fitness level saved his life. Kevin’s doctors were able to use a potent combination of drugs to combat the unusual antibody that attacked his new kidney — something they would not have tried on someone less physically fit. As Kevin told us this summer, “Everyone is going to get hit with something — you don’t know when or what. You’ve got to engage in a preventative anti-aging and fitness process so you’re ready when it hits you.” Kevin still has a long recovery ahead of him, but he’s back home in Victoria and back at work as a personal trainer. He’s planning to tackle the Tough Mudder again, he’s training for a triathlon, and he’s been asked to represent Canada in the
World Transplant Games. Best of all, he’s been cleared to start visiting his family in Ibiza in June. He’s ready for whatever happens next. Follow Kevin’s post-transplant journey at Facebook. com/KevinNeedsaKidney.
Kevin’s social media efforts paid off, but not everyone is so lucky — he’s only the second person in BC to find a donor this way. Kevin continues to work with the Because I Can Project to try to change organ donation policy in Canada to reduce wait times. Learn more at BeauseICanProject.com.
www.ageless-me.com / info@ageless-me.com
I AM STILL IT JUST COMES IN FLASHES NOW!
250-590-5787 22 | 22 |
Ageless 1 Ageless Living Living || Issue Issue 8
Ageless Living
Reflexology:
HEALTH
An Ancient Healthcare Practice for the Modern Age By Nicole Costello
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eflexology originated in ancient Egypt and has been used as a preventative therapy for more than 4,000 years. The longevity of the practice proves it is not just a passing trend. Given that a mildly to moderately active person walks approximately 4,000 steps daily, it’s worth asking how we are caring for our feet. If you’re among the 75% of people who have developed foot issues by the age of 55, or the more than 20% of Canadians with diabetes, reflexology can be an integral part of your healthcare. How does reflexology work? Reflexology is a very particular type of massage based on applying pressure to specific areas of the feet which refer back to all other areas of the body, engaging all its systems. There are more than 7,000 nerve endings in the feet. Stimulation of these nerve pathways causes the body to check in with itself and reallocate its resources. Reflexology releases endorphins, easing the body’s pain and discomfort, and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, deepening the experience with calming and restorative effects. An increase in blood flow brings vital minerals and nutrients to the body, increases oxygen and insulin uptake and replenishes the body with new cells. Who can benefit from reflexology? The pleasure of relaxing and easing discomfort can be enjoyed by everyone. Beyond relaxation, the practice of reflexology is “very complementary to conventional medical treatment,” according to Julie Foreman, a pharmacist with Forbes Pharmacies in Victoria. “I wish more of my patients could have access to treatments for injury prevention and healing, diabetes foot care and circulation improvement instead of relying solely on medications,” she said. Anyone experiencing periphery circulation problems due to diabetes, people with mobility challenges, those who have recently had surgery and people with plantar fasciitis can all benefit from the practice of reflexology. According to family physician Dr Rick Hudson, “Foot care for a diabetic is a cornerstone of continued independence. After acute problems such as ulcers and circulation problems have been identified and resolved, continuing attention to the foot from a person with knowledge of the foot could be invaluable — and that would include complementary modalities like reflexology.” The fact that more people are taking preventative measures rather than waiting until something hurts is very heartening. Reflexology can help us achieve what we all deserve — our mobility, health and well-being. 23 |
The practice of reflexology has had a foothold in healthcare for a long time. Its merits speak for themselves. If you haven’t given it a try, I encourage you to do so. Experience for yourself how rejuvenated you can feel — from the toes up! Nicole Costello, a certified reflexologist, is the owner and operator of Centerline Reflexology. She can be reached at centerline.reflexology@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/Centerline.Reflexology.
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Ageless Living | Issue 8
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Ageless Living
BEAUTY
BOTOX VS. DERMAPEN:
WHICH WRINKLE TREATMENT IS RIGHT FOR YOU? By Dr Kenneth Smith
B
otox is a very safe, effective way to decrease and prevent wrinkles. By relaxing the facial muscles, Botox decreases dynamic wrinkles and, over time, will prevent static, permanent, deeper wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are the wrinkles that occur when you move the muscles of expression in the face. Botox can relax your frown area, opening up the centre of the face and making you look and feel more relaxed. The effects of Botox last between three and six months (longer for those using it regularly) — this is both a strength and a weakness. It is considered very safe because the effect of relaxing the muscles is temporary, but, conversely, recurrent treatments are needed for ongoing effects. Botox is not efficient for removing the smaller fine wrinkles under your eyes or the vertical lines around your mouth. The Dermapen is an exciting new procedure that offers a longer-lasting effect. It is a natural way to rejuvenate the entire area of skin treated. In addition to wrinkles, it also treats those fine lines around the lower eye and lips and decreases scars and stretch
marks. It also works on the deeper facial lines or creases and can decrease and possibly eliminate the need for fillers. Dermapen uses a technique that causes micro-trauma to the tissues, which induces your own natural inherent repair mechanisms. The treatment stimulates local production of growth hormone and repair factors that, in turn, induce collagen regeneration. It is simple and painless, and the recovery period is very brief. Treatments utilizing the body’s own repair and regenerative mechanisms are rapidly gaining popularity throughout the United States and now Canada. The costs of these two treatments are comparable.
Dr Kenneth Smith has an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Victoria. He graduated from the University of British Columbia Medical School in 1992 and became a board-certified member of the American Board of Family Medicine after completing his residency at Boston University. He has worked in emergency medicine, family practice and hospital-based medicine and believes strongly in proactive health management to ensure healthy living. ageless-me.com
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Ageless Living
RECIPE
PRAWN GREEN CURRY
WITH WHOLE GRAIN RICE By Chef Marcel Pheiffer / Design by Desire Food Service www.designbydesirecatering.com
Prep time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Servings: 4
Ingredients: 12 fl oz 15ml 8 fl oz 40 ml 460 g 10 ml 270 ml 200 g 225 g 2 bunches
whole grain rice (wild and long-grain brown rice) coconut oil basil leaves, fresh green curry paste raw peeled prawns fish sauce coconut cream green beans, ends trimmed and halved bamboo shoots, drained and shredded bok choy, washed and cut into short lengths
Method:
1. Cook the whole grain rice according to the instructions on the packet. 2. Meanwhile, heat the coconut oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add the basil leaves and cook, turning often, until they are almost black. 3. Stir in the curry paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the prawns and fish sauce and stir-fry for 2 minutes. 4. Add the coconut cream, beans and bamboo shoots and stir to combine. Slowly bring to the boil, and then reduce the heat to hold at a gentle simmer. 5. Toss through the bok choy and cook until just wilted. Spoon the curry over the rice and serve immediately.
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Ageless Living
HEALTH
Busted!
FIVE CANCER MYTHS THAT COULD AFFECT YOUR HEALTH BC Cancer Agency
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he BC Cancer Agency is working to dispel some common misconceptions about cancer. Here are five key cancer myths that may affect your health and outlook.
Myth #1: There is nothing you can do about getting cancer Truth: More than 50 per cent of cancers are preventable! Take
charge of your health and follow these key lifestyle tips: Be tobacco-free; eat food that is good for you; keep your weight within your recommended body mass index (BMI) level; get moving every day; and stay sun safe.
Myth #2: Cancer is a death sentence Truth: Better detection and treatment have resulted in more peo-
ple living after cancer today than 30 years ago. Between 2000 and 2004, of those diagnosed with cancer, 83 per cent of children and 63 per cent of adults were alive five years later. That compares to only 48 per cent of children and 46 per cent of adults diagnosed between 1970 and 1974. Myth #3: Cancer is a lot more common now than in the past Truth: The likelihood of getting cancer has risen by approximately
six per cent over the last 30 years. In British Columbia, for example, the likelihood of getting cancer before age 75 rose from 27 per cent to 33 per cent between 1974 and 2004. So although the actual number of people now diagnosed may seem much higher than a 27 |
few decades ago, the increase in cancer cases is primarily due to population growth. Myth #4: Most cancers are hereditary Truth: Most cancers are actually not due to a hereditary risk. Only
five to 10 per cent of cancers are related to an inherited gene mutation. Age is the biggest risk factor for cancer; other common risks include smoking and diet.
Myth #5: In spite of large investments in cancer research, we are not making progress
Over the past 30 years, considerable progress has been made in many childhood cancers, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cervical, testicular and stomach cancers. The likelihood of dying from these diseases has fallen by 50 per cent! There have been improvements in many other areas of cancer detection and treatment as well, but there is no single solution to curing cancer. The future of cancer care and research will focus on how to best individualize treatment for each patient, using both their genetics and genomic changes within cancer cell DNA to determine the best treatment. The BC Cancer Agency is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). PHSA encourages participation in screening programs for the early detection of disease to ensure the best health outcome possible. www.bccancer.bc.ca
Ageless Living | Issue 8
Ageless Living
INTERVIEW
Get Out Your Groove Shoes:
Kuba Oms is Going to Make You Dance
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orn and raised in Victoria, Kuba Oms is a fixture of the Canadian music scene whose music crosses genre boundaries to create a style that’s all his own — and that’s sure to make any audience get up and dance. With his new album, ADHD, landing in stores (both online and off) in March and a feature performance scheduled for the Ageless Living Gala in Victoria on March 1, Kuba sat down with Ageless Living to talk about how his music has evolved, how he stays grounded while living the rock and roll life, and the best piece of advice he ever got from his dad. It’s All About Making People Dance “ADHD is an up-tempo electro-pop album along the lines of [hit single] ‘Electrolove.’ We had really good success on the radio with ‘Electrolove,’ and people really enjoyed that song, so I wanted to do a whole album in that general direction. “Guests at the Ageless Living Gala will hear songs from the new album as well as old hits — it will be a real party vibe. People should definitely bring their groove shoes because there will be lots of dancing!” Growing Up, Going (a Little) Grey, and Getting Deep “I don’t like to sing a song that’s about nothing. I think it’s got to say something. It doesn’t have to be a political statement — it can be a love song — but it has to be something that’s really from the heart, that really resonates with people. That’s really changed as I’ve gotten older. I’ve always been keen on strong melodies, but now I have some pretty interesting content in terms of the lyrics. “You grow up as you get older. I’ve got some grey hairs starting to slowly come in — and that’s cool with me.”
going. But generally it’s a matter of just having a decent stretch in the morning, and making sure I don’t eat too many French fries!” The Book That Changed Everything “Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now changed my life. I’ve bought 30 or 40 copies of that book for people. It’s not an easy read — it’s kind of intense stuff — but it’s really, really powerful. “All the ancient philosophies pretty much say the same thing: not to live in the past or the future but to live in the present moment. Bring it back to your breath and try to clear the clutter that goes on in your mind, all the noise. Live in the present moment, try to live in the now. That’s the most important thing by far.” A Final Word of Wisdom “A laugh a day will keep the doctor away — I learned that from my dad. And have fun — smiling is huge. When I see smile lines, I find that really attractive.” Kuba Oms’ new album ADHD will be available on iTunes and in record stores nationwide on March 4, with a preview available at www.KubaOms.com. Prerelease copies will be available at Kuba’s performance at the Ageless Living Gala in Victoria on March 1. For more information about the Gala, or to buy tickets, visit agelesslivingexpo.ca.
Finding Balance: It’s Not Rocket Science “The key to really being happy with your life is balance. Eating well is a really important part of that. I make smoothies with all sorts of stuff like hemp seed hearts and flax seeds, and I eat lots of vegetables and fruits. Certain foods, I can just tell if they resonate with me or if they don’t. “Yoga is also huge. It makes me much more sane in terms of going out and partying and abusing my body, and it makes me want to eat well. I find that the mind-body-spirit aspect of yoga really keeps me balanced. “It’s not rocket science — you’ve been hearing it since you were a kid: You are what you eat, and you should exercise. It really makes a difference. I’m a culprit for not doing it sometimes, and that’s when I really get in a funk.” Staying Fit at Home and On the Road “Tennis is something I really enjoy, and I’m pretty good at it. I play with really good players when I play, so I get a pretty good workout. “I also think sex is a really good way to stay balanced and fit and happy. It’s so often considered something that’s taboo or uncomfortable to talk about, but I think it’s natural — it’s the thing that creates all life, and that energy is in all of us. I think when you feel sexy and sexual your self-esteem is higher, and you feel fitter and more balanced. “On the road, I might run into the gym and lift weights for 20 minutes and have a steam — that’s always a nice way to get the day 29 |
Ageless Living | Issue 8
Ageless Living RELATIONSHIPS
DOCTOR OF DESIRE:
ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT SEX By Dr Diana Wiley, PhD
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t’s 2014, and with a new year comes a new start. Yes, let’s jumpstart your sex life with more romance, more kissing and more laughing! It’s very healthy because sex is your best Rx.
How can I keep romance in my relationship? The feeling of elation we call romantic love is deeply embedded in our brains. Dr Helen Fisher scanned the brains of people in their 50s who had been married an average of 21 years and said they were still wild about their longtime spouses. The results were amazing! The brain regions associated with anxiety were no longer active; instead, there was activity in the areas associated with calmness. It seems that the one personality trait that leads to ongoing romance is the ability to sustain positive illusions. These mates continue to see their partners as attractive, funny and kind. Is it “love blindness”? Is it a form of self-deception that enables us to overcome rough spots and changes in our relationships? What makes a person a really great kisser? Great lovers really pay attention to the breathing and other signals from the partner — mastering those lingering, luxuriant kisses. They often have a true appreciation for kissing in and of itself. Indeed, kissing has a lot of power. A clean, fresh mouth is a great beginning! Then start off easy, kissing lightly with soft lips around the mouth, on the cheeks or on the neck. Kissing often telegraphs commitment. It should not just be a means of advancing sexual relations. Be affectionate — don’t let kissing be minor in your relationship! What if you’d like your partner to kiss you differently? Kiss him the way you want to be kissed. Perhaps Chico Marx had the right technique: “I wasn’t kissing her,” he once said, “I was whispering in her mouth.” Can I really laugh my way to orgasm? Having a giggle attack midsession may not seem romantic, but 30 |
when you laugh, your body releases endorphins — so you feel more euphoric, which increases your overall pleasure. A study from Penn State University found that playfulness is one of the top personality traits men look for in a partner. Yes, playing around and laughing can make it easier for a woman to orgasm. Make 2014 your year of better sex. Couples need to sleep in the same bed with no kids and no pets. Spontaneity is great, but 80% of married couples schedule time for sex to ensure they have time when they’re not dead tired. Show more physical affection. Many couples don’t have any touch if they aren’t going to have intercourse. But touch has value in and of itself and can be a bridge for desire. Here’s to erotic playfulness — and a year filled with romance, kissing and laughter! Dr Diana Wiley, PhD, has been in practice 30 years as a board-certified sex therapist, marriage and family therapist and gerontologist. She hosts a show called “Love, Lust and Laughter” on Progressive Radio Network and has published two studies on aging and sexuality in medical journals. Dr Wiley was appointed as a Clinton Presidential Delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Aging, where she was the only delegate to speak about love and sexuality. Meet Dr Wiley in person at the Ageless Living Expo in Victoria on March 1. www.DrDianaWiley.com
Send your questions for Dr Diana Wiley, PhD, Ageless Living’s resident Doctor of Desire, to info@truespacemedia.com. Your question may be answered in a future issue!
Ageless Living | Issue 8
EATING FOR
ENERGY By Jen Lancaster
with Jim Beatty
WEEKNIGHTS 5 and 6:30pm
W
hy do we eat? It seems like a simple question, but the truth is that many of us take what we eat and why we eat for granted. We know that if we don’t eat we run out of energy and get tired. Our bodies run out of fuel. But have you ever noticed you can eat plenty of food and still feel tired and lacking in energy? It could be you are eating the wrong foods to fuel your body and provide it with the essential nutrients to function optimally. Did you know that each vitamin has a specific role to fulfill in your body, and the body is unable to manufacture most vitamins itself? An example of this is the process of turning food into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a fuel the body can use. The B vitamins are among the most important essential vitamins for this energy conversion, specifically thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2) and niacin (B3). These three Bs are critical for turning food into ATP. Without them, conversion is slow and we feel tired and sluggish. The B vitamins are water soluble (except B12), meaning they dissolve in water and whatever isn’t used is excreted daily. In practical terms, this means we need to eat foods that contain vitamins B1, B2 and B3 daily. Eating foods like beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, quinoa and tuna ensures we get a daily source of thiamine (B1). Riboflavin (B2) is found in foods such as leafy green vegetables, oily fish, almonds and eggs. Niacin (B3) can be found in beef, chicken, fish and mushrooms. Grains are also a good source of these B vitamins. Some people are grain intolerant, but if you are able to eat grains, try rye, spelt and oats. Lastly, while you can take B vitamins in tablet form, eating them in your food ensures you get the co-nutrients needed to help your body absorb the B vitamins more efficiently. Try eating foods rich in B vitamins with each meal to keep your ATP levels up and your energy high through out the day! Jen Lancaster, Dip NM, is part of the team at Ideal Me (idealme.ca) and Ageless Me (ageless-me.com).
Ageless Living
HEALTH
A NEW TOOL FOR BRAIN HEALTH: NEUROINTEGRATIVE BIOFEEDBACK By Dr Kenneth Smith
N
ot thinking clearly? Feeling anxious or depressed? In our toobusy and chaotic lives, many of us are chronically sleep deprived, run down and have anxiety or mild depression-like symptoms. These are often signs of an imbalanced brain not functioning at its best.
We all know about proper nutrition, consistent exercise and stress/relaxation therapy (meditation, yoga or prayer), but a new modality of treatment has been showing great success addressing these problems in the form of neurofeedback. We have known about brainwaves and measured them for many years using electroencephalograms (EEG). Over the past few years, with improved technology and understanding, it has become possible to use these brainwaves and feedback to dramatically change how the brain functions and treat many symptoms and conditions. This is a fascinating field of medicine. Using sophisticated equipment and software, we can map the brain and see how the different areas are functioning. These different areas of the brain can relate to different functions, such as memory, emotions, brain processing and flexibility, brain body interface and feedback. Using real-time quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) monitoring, doctors can treat a patient’s brain with neurofeedback. Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that uses a non-invasive technique for monitoring brain activity (qEEG) to provide a signal that can give the patient feedback about his or her brain activity. The qEEG signal is first fed into computer software. Then the feedback — usually video, audio or photic (light pulse) stimulation — is returned to the patient being trained. The software compares the incoming brainwaves to optimal brainwave patterns in the targeted area of the brain. These optimal brainwave patterns are individualized based on a patient’s symptoms or condition. The brain automatically detects changes in the feedback, and this teaches the brain to refocus itself back into the proper range. This feedback loop can produce changes in brainwave activity and can even change the brain structure. Neurofeedback helps to improve functions such as concentration, short-term memory, speech, motor skills, sleep, energy level and emotional balance. It can improve alertness, attention, emotional regulation, behaviour, cognitive function and mental flexibility. The brain eventually learns to stay in the normal ranges on its own — without the computer. With the brain functioning normally on its own, symptoms of irregular brain activity decline. Neurofeedback can be very effective in treating many disorders, including depression, anxiety, concussion, stroke, memory issues and attention deficit. It can also be a tremendous tool for professionals, athletes or those in high-stress jobs or lives wanting to keep their brain function optimized, as they often have critical decisions to make and a lot of heavy demand on their brains. Neurofeedback’s purpose is to change the timing and activation patterns in the brain. This improves brain regulation, which
can significantly impact a variety of symptoms. Different symptoms require triggering of different areas of the brain. When the brain moves back into normal ranges, users often see a reduction in symptoms. The changes to the brainwaves and function can be monitored as a patient progresses through therapy. The best part of neurofeedback is that results are often permanent. The more we learn about this field, the more impressed I become with its ability to help patients and offer an additional treatment option either alone or in combination with more traditional pharmacologic treatments. Dr Kenneth Smith has an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Victoria. He graduated from the University of British Columbia Medical School in 1992 and became a board-certified member of the American Board of Family Medicine after completing his residency at Boston University. He has worked in emergency medicine, family practice and hospital-based medicine. ageless-me.com
250-590-5787
Feeling anxious or depressed? Not thinking clearly? Concussion? Neurofeeback is now available at Ageless Me!
Call 250-590-5787 for more details
32 | Ageless Living || Issue Issue 81 32 |
www.ageless-me.com
Ageless Living
Blepharitis:
HEALTH
THE LOW-DOWN ON SCALY, ITCHY EYELIDS By Dr Trevor Miranda
D
o you ever wake up in the morning with crusty, scaly eyelids? Combined with your bed-head and morning breath, it’s not a pretty picture. Fortunately, your optometrist may be able to help you treat that “sleep” in your eyes. You may have a very common condition called blepharitis. Other symptoms include flakes and a general redness, puffiness or scaliness along the baseline of your lashes. You may feel like there is sand in your eyes or have a general burning or itchy sensation throughout the day. Blepharitis is also associated with an oily or sticky sensation on your eyes, caused by discharge from the eyelid glands. Left untreated, these glands can become plugged and infected, which can cause recurrent styes or dry eye syndrome — not to mention crusted scales and debris on your eyelids. I know what you’re thinking: Gross, right? Not to worry — although blepharitis is a chronic condition with no known cure, there are solutions. There are different kinds of blepharitis and different causes for the condition. It’s usually bacterial, but can also be caused by seborrhea (dandruff), rosacea, allergies, toxins or viral infections. Parasitic mites called demodex can also be the cause of this condition and the associated symptoms. Often these little critters need to be treated with tea tree oil washes. 33 |
Early diagnosis and proper treatment are the trick for getting this condition under control. Just as your dentist recommends that you floss and see the hygienist to prevent gum disease, your optometrist should perform regular maintenance on your eyelids. He or she may ask you to use hot compresses and special lid washes or wipes at home. If your condition is particularly severe, your optometrist may ask you to undergo more extensive blepharitis treatment. BlephEx is an in-office instrument that spins a medical grade micro-sponge along the edge of your eyelids and lashes, removing debris and exfoliating your eyelids. The procedure takes less than 15 minutes and doesn’t hurt a bit. Most patients simply report a tickling sensation. The effects are long lasting, but not permanent, and you will probably see your optometrist for repeat treatment every six months or so in conjunction with the regular lid wash maintenance you can do at home. If you’re suffering from crusty, dry, scratchy, red or irritated eyes, make an appointment with your optometrist to start a treatment plan that’s right for you. Dr Trevor Miranda is an optometrist in the Cowichan Valley. Follow him on Twitter at @DrTrevorMiranda or visit his website at www.myeyecare.ca.
Ageless Living | Issue 8
Ageless Living
HEALTH
ASK AN RD:
Gloria Tsang What should I eat to lower my cholesterol?
P
eople tend to get most excited about the potential heart health benefits of chocolate and red wine, but these may not be the most practical foods to incorporate into the diet in large amounts on a regular basis. The most practical heart-healthy foods are not as glamorous, but they offer real benefits for your heart and can easily become a part of your day-to-day eating habits. Here are my top 5 superfood recommendations to reduce cholesterol and protect your heart: 1. Whole grains (especially oats and barley): Betaglucan soluble fibre lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol, and both these whole grains are rich sources. Health Canada has authorized heart health claims for oats and barley. 2. Fish: The omega-3 fatty acids in fish lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada recommends eating at least two servings of fish per week. 3. Walnuts: More than a decade of scientific evidence shows that incorporating walnuts into a healthy diet reduces the risk of heart disease by improving blood vessel elasticity and plaque accumulation. Walnuts
have also been shown to aid in lowering LDL cholesterol and C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP was recently recognized as an independent marker and predictor of heart disease. 4. Psyllium: Psyllium husk comes from the crushed seeds of the plantago ovate plant, a herb native to parts of Asia, the Mediterranean, and North Africa. Rich in soluble fibre, psyllium is effective for lowering total and LDL cholesterol. Psyllium is usually found in breakfast cereals and fibre supplements. 5. Berries: Berries are full of fibre, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. Researchers from Harvard Medical School found that strawberries may offer heart disease protection by lowering inflammation in the blood vessels. A sensible heart-smart diet also includes at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, as well as leaner meats and low-fat dairy, and avoids both saturated fats and trans fat.
Gloria Tsang, RD is the founder of HealthCastle.com, the largest online nutrition community run by registered dietitians. She is also the author of Go UnDiet: 50 Small Actions for Lasting Weight Loss.
34 | 34 | Ageless Ageless Living Living || Issue Issue 18
Ageless Living Expo VICTORIA’S PREMIERE HEALTHY LIVING EVENT MARCH 1, 2014 AT THE CRYSTAL GARDEN
SPONSORED BY
Net proceeds from the Ageless Living Expo benefit the Canadian Diabetes Association
FOR INFORMATION AND TICKETS, VISIT AGELESSLIVINGEXPO.CA
Ageless Living
HEALTH This is Not Your Husband’s Heart Attack: Women’s Heart Attack Symptoms are Much More Subtle — and Too Often Ignored
Y
ou probably think you know what a heart attack looks like — after all, you’ve seen plenty of them on TV and in the movies. But those symptoms we all know so well — sudden, dramatic chest pain and tingling or pain in the left arm — are not the only things to watch out for when it comes to heart attacks in women. We almost never see women suffer heart attacks on the big or small screen — which may be because women’s heart attacks can be much less dramatic. According to Katherine Gallagher, MD, of the Society for Vascular Surgery, “Women’s symptoms can be much more subtle, and they may not feel the excessive chest pressure that many men experience. Women display other, more common symptoms like shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.” That means women may put off taking action to address heart attack symptoms, brushing them off as simple aches and pains, the flu, or even heartburn. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s The Heart Truth Campaign, “Women have reported experiencing unusual tiredness, trouble sleeping, problems breathing, indigestion, and anxiety up to a month or so before the heart attack.” After all, heart disease is not top of mind for many women, even for those who keep a keen eye out for any sign of heart trouble in their husbands. We still tend to think of heart disease as a man’s disease. But according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, one in three women die of heart disease and stroke, making it the leading cause of death for women in Canada. In fact, more women than men die of heart disease and stroke, and 90 per cent of women have at least one significant risk factor for heart disease. Post-menopausal women are at the greatest risk because of their reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone. Fortunately, lifestyle changes can reduce women’s risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 80 per cent. The Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends these six ways to improve your heart health: • Quit smoking (or don’t start) • Exercise 30 minutes each day 36 |
• Eat seven to eight servings of vegetables and fruit each day • Limit consumption of saturated and trans fats and salt • Reduce stress by taking the time to relax and unwind • Know, control and talk to your doctor about your blood pressure and cholesterol levels Don’t be fooled into thinking heart disease is a man’s problem. By implementing these simple strategies, you can start improving your heart health — and reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke — right away.
Call 911 immediately if you experience one of more of the warning signs of heart attack or stroke. Signs of a heart attack: • Chest discomfort (uncomfortable chest pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain, burning or heaviness) • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body (neck, jaw, shoulder, arms, back) • Shortness of breath • Sweating, nausea, or light-headedness Signs of a stroke: • Sudden weakness, numbness or loss of muscle strength in face, arm or leg • Sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech • Sudden vision problems, severe headache or dizziness Source: The Heart and Stroke Foundation
Ageless Living | Issue 8
Special advertising section
Meet the Stars Dancing to Support the Canadian Diabetes Association
On March 1, local celebrities will compete in the Dance With The Stars Victoria show at the Ageless Living Gala in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association. Here, we’re pleased to introduce your celebrity dancers and their instructors. For details and tickets, visit agelesslivingexpo.ca. Darcy Dommett, Opening Performer Darcy Dommett has been voted best personal trainer in Victoria for the past five years. He is the owner and operator of award-winning fitness studio Studio 4 Athletics. Darcy has a diverse background of martial arts, dance, fitness, acting and modeling. He is currently on the faculty of the Pacific Film and New Media Institute teaching combat and movement to acting students. Darcy is delighted to be participating in the Ageless Living Gala in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association by performing an exciting opening dance before the competition begins!
Carole Mason, Dance Instructor Carole’s teaching career began in 1989 as the main instructor for the Peace Country Dance Club in Northern Alberta. The highlight of her experience was earning a first place and two second place finishes at the Calgary Dance Stampede in 1993. She currently teaches teaching line dance, couples’ two-step and swing dancing at recreation centers in the Greater Victoria area.
Alan Lowe, Former Mayor of Victoria Alan became the 50th mayor of the City of Victoria in 1999. He served three consecutive terms until retiring from politics in 2008. Alan is now the principal of Alan Lowe Architect Inc. Growing up in the ‘70s, Alan enjoyed disco dancing, but he now prefers the jive. Alan is pleased to dance at the Ageless Living Gala to support the Canadian Diabetes Association, support healthy lifestyles and hopefully have some fun.
Jolene Trigg, Dance Instructor Jolene started figure skating at age two, and wanted to qualify for the Olympics. When a broken ankle at 13 derailed that dream, Jolene dedicated her time to dance and choreography. Jolene moved to the big city, and soon became a sought-after dancer. She was the lead choreographer for Weird Al Yankovic’s “Smells Like Nirvana Tour” and participated in the 2010 Olympic ceremonies in Vancouver.
Cäsar Jacobson, Miss Canada 2013 Cäsar has won numerous pageant titles, including the prestigious Miss Canada 2013. She has also worked with Canada’s Got Talent next to Martin Short, Dina Pugliese, Stephan Moccio, and Measha Brueggergosman, and has contributed her time to many charitable organizations including charity events for SOS Children’s Villages and the Canadian Cancer Society. Cäsar enjoys modeling and has been in multiple magazines, but she prefers captivating an audience with her sense of humor.
37 |
Ageless Living | Issue 8
Special advertising section
Meet the Stars
Dancing to Support the Canadian Diabetes Association agelesslivingexpo.ca Jeannie Kam, Dance Instructor Jeannie Kam has been dancing for more than 10 years and is currently a gold-level ballroom dancer. Jeannie enjoys many types of dancing, including salsa and west coast swing, but she specializes in and is most passionate about the Argentine tango. “It is what the dance makes me feel,” she says, “that makes me enjoy Argentine tango so much.”
Dean Fortin, Mayor of Victoria Dean Fortin was elected the 51st mayor of the City of Victoria in 2008. His top priorities include addressing the severe shortage of affordable housing in the city, homelessness, sustainable growth, supporting a vibrant downtown and advancing a transportation strategy that meets the needs of the growing region. Mayor Fortin serves as co-chair of the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness and serves on the Victoria Regional Transit Commission.
Warren Scott, Dance Instructor Warren has performed and competed in Latin ballroom at the international level, placing first in the Florida Intercollegiate Latin Formation Team competition and the swing dance category at the Snowball Classic, and representing Canada at the IDSF Latin Formation Team World Championships in Austria. He has performed and competed in salsa dancing across North America.
Diane Pancel, Singer-Songwriter Diane is a dynamic vocalist who has shared the stage with such artists as David Foster and Nelly Furtado. Her voice was featured on two episodes of the TV show Vegas, and she has traveled across the United States singing at games featuring the L.A. Kings, L.A. Galaxy, Orlando Magic, Grand Rapid Griffins and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team. Diane has a dance background and is honoured to support of the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Amanda Wild, Dance Instructor Amanda has worked as a choreographer and dancer for Oak Bay’s Dance Program and has also been a faculty member, dancer and choreographer at VibeStreet Dance. Amanda has won various awards for her knowledge of dance education and movement abilities. Amanda actively volunteers within the community, and is excited to be taking part in the Ageless Living Gala to raise funds and awareness for the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Michael Forbes, Morning Show Host, Ocean 98.5 Michael Forbes co-hosts the morning show at Ocean 985 with his wife Lisa Marshall. They have helped raise more than $1.7 million for BC Children’s Hospital through Ocean 98.5’s Radio-Thon for Kids, and Michael was recently named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club in appreciation of his community service. Michael writes for Seaside Magazine, acts, coaches soccer and is a proud board member of Kaleidoscope Theatre.
Christina Morrison, Dance Instructor Christina has been the director and choreographer of the internationally touring dance company Salsa Caliente for 14 years. She has competed twice for Canada in the World Salsa Open Championships and is now a certified judge. Christina has choreographed for Salsa Team Canada and for numerous music videos, and has danced on tour with top bands, including Juno-nominated The Puentes Brothers and Grammy Award winners Spanish Harlem Orchestra.
Michael Forbes, Founder, Ageless Living, Ageless Me, Ideal Me Mike’s four pharmacy locations in the Greater Victoria area (with a planned Western Canada expansion for 2013–14) are a trusted community resource. But one business wasn’t enough, so Mike started one of Canada’s largest digital sign companies, True Space Media, and the premier regional anti-aging magazine, Ageless Living. By partnering with the Canadian Diabetes Association to put on the Ageless Living Expo, Mike hopes to help raise funds and awareness for those struggling to cope with diabetes.
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Ageless Living | Issue 8
Meet the Stars
Dancing to Support the Canadian Diabetes Association agelesslivingexpo.ca Kevin Savage, Dance Instructor Swing dancing is fundamentally about unadulterated joy. Kevin’s strongest desire is to make the world a healthier and happier place, and there’s no better way to accomplish that than teaching a dance as active and enjoyable as swing. Red Hot Swing was founded in 2004 to introduce this easily accessible social dance to Victoria.
Sybil Verch, Senior VP – Raymond James Ltd. Sybil is one of four mentors on The Hard Way, a reality TV series focused on helping struggling businesses succeed. She was recognized as one of Vancouver Island’s Top 40 Under 40 for her success in the financial services industry and her passion for helping others, and she recently won the Raymond James Ltd. Woman of Distinction Award. Sybil chairs the Victoria YM/YWCA board of directors and volunteers in support of the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business.
Roman Yue, Dance Instructor Roman has taught ballroom dancing professionally for 15 years. His teaching experience ranges from elementary and secondary schools to college and university dance programs. He also has also taught at the Victoria Ballroom Dance Society for the past 12 years. “Teaching, dancing and music are my passion,” Roman says. “My wife and I love community work. We believe giving back to our community is the best way to say thank you.”
Tara Hearn, Realtor, Century 21 Queenswood Realty Ltd. Tara offers local home buyers and sellers exceptional personalized service. Tara is an active volunteer event planner and fundraiser for various causes, most recently serving as event chair for Pamper with Purpose to raise funds for the Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation. Tara is participating in the Ageless Living Expo and Gala because she believes the choices we make today will make a difference in how gracefully we age and to support the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Karyn O’Hara, Dance Instructor Karyn is a dance instructor at Vibestreet Dance Studios, Victoria’s only all–Hip Hop dance studio. Not surprisingly, her favourite type of dance is hip hop! Karyn is excited to be part of the Ageless Living Gala because it provides a great opportunity to showcase what she loves to do. She is excited to be able to teach dance for a good cause.
Tim O’Neill, Grey Cup Champion Tim was born and raised in Metchosin and is now entering his eighth season in the CFL. A 2008 Grey Cup champion, Tim is as tough as they come. Despite his rough exterior, Tim thought it would be fun to learn to dance and improve his footwork, all for a good cause. Look for Tim in his upcoming season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats!
Javier Monsalve, Dance Instructor Javier is the founder and director of Sabor Asi, one of Vancouver Island’s most popular Latin dance companies. He is also the artistic director, choreographer, lead dancer and trainer for the various performance groups the company runs. Javier was born in Santiago, Chile and has been teaching Latin dance since 2006. He is known for his smooth, imaginative moves and natural funky body movement. Javier has trained, danced and competed internationally with some of the world’s top talent.
Sucheta Singh, Reporter, Shaw TV Sucheta has been with Victoria’s Shaw TV as a reporter, editor and producer for five years. Sucheta is a graduate of BCIT’s Broadcast Journalism program and the Journalism program at Langara College. She has worked with various radio and television stations and recently hosted the Global Television segment BC People, for which she travelled the province reporting on businesses and communities. Although she has no dance experience, Sucheta does like to bust a move once in a while!
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Ageless Living | Issue 8
Ageless Living
HEALTH
S
CAN MEDITATION OFFER RELIEF FROM ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION?
ome 30 minutes of meditation daily may improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, a new Johns Hopkins analysis of previously published research suggests. “A lot of people use meditation, but it’s not a practice considered part of mainstream medical therapy for anything,” said Dr Madhav Goyal, MD, MPH, an assistant professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and leader of a study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Internal Medicine. “But in our study, meditation appeared to provide as much relief from some anxiety and depression symptoms as what other studies have found from antidepressants.” These patients did not typically have full-blown anxiety or depression. The researchers evaluated the degree to which those symptoms changed in people who had a variety of medical conditions, such as insomnia or fibromyalgia, although only a minority had been diagnosed with a mental illness. Goyal and his colleagues found that so-called “mindfulness meditation” — a form of Buddhist self-awareness designed to focus precise, nonjudgmental attention to the moment at hand — also showed promise in alleviating some pain symptoms as well as stress. The findings held even as the researchers controlled for the possibility of the placebo effect, in which subjects in a study feel better even if they receive no active treatment because they perceive they are getting help for what ails them. To conduct their review, the investigators focused on clinical trials that involved meditation and various mental and physical 40 |
health issues. They found moderate evidence of improvement in symptoms of anxiety, depression and pain after participants underwent what was typically an eight-week training program in mindfulness meditation. In the studies that followed participants for six months, the improvements typically continued. Meditation, Goyal notes, has a long history in Eastern traditions, and it has been growing in popularity over the last 30 years in Western culture. “A lot of people have this idea that meditation means sitting down and doing nothing,” Goyal said. “But that’s not true. Meditation is an active training of the mind to increase awareness, and different meditation programs approach this in different ways.” Mindfulness meditation, the type that showed the most promise, is typically practiced for 30 to 40 minutes a day. It emphasizes acceptance of feelings and thoughts without judgment and relaxation of body and mind. Goyal cautions that the literature reviewed in the study contained potential weaknesses. Further studies are needed to clarify which outcomes are most affected by these meditation programs, as well as whether more meditation practice would have greater effects.
Materials for this story provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine. www.hopkinsmedicine.org
Ageless Living | Issue 8
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PROFILE
DR BILL ANDREWS:
Anti-aging Pioneer By Christina Newberry
photo credit: Sierra Sciences
D
r Bill Andrews has had one mission since he was a child: find a cure for aging. It seems an outrageous idea, but the seed was planted early, and planted deep. Back when Dr Andrews was just a 10-year-old, science-obsessed kid, his father suggested he grow up to be a doctor and find such a cure. This simple suggestion gave Dr Andrews a unique way Dr Bill Andrews of thinking about aging. Quite simply, he’s always viewed it as a disease — a disease for which there must surely be a cure. “I never thought aging was inevitable,” Dr Andrews told Popular Science Magazine, “I just thought nobody had figured it out yet.” It’s a cure he’s pursued professionally for more than 30 years. He began his career in biotechnology after earning a PhD in molecular and population genetics in 1981. He always believed that while environmental factors play a role in aging, there must be some common “ticking clock” inside all humans limiting our maximum lifespan. In 1993, he attended an anti-aging conference and heard Calvin Harley, the chief scientific officer of Geron Corporation, speak about work his company had been doing with telomeres. Telomeres are complicated to explain. In short, they protect our chromosomes — like the caps at the ends of a shoelace — and they get shorter as we age, limiting the number of times any cell can divide. Dr Andrews knew this was his ticking clock. “Telomere shortening, in my opinion, appears to be the clock of aging,” Dr Andrews said at a Life Enhancement Symposium in March of last year. “There’s a theoretical maximum … that we can only live to be 125 years. Nobody’s ever known why, but this telomere-shortening clock explains the theoretical 125-year maximum very well.” 46 | 46 |
Two weeks after hearing Harley’s presentation, Dr Anderson joined the team at Geron Corporation as director of molecular biology. His work at Geron would see Dr Andrews and his team make impressive progress in their work with telomeres. They began to clone components of telomerase, an enzyme that can help telomeres grow, a strategy Dr Anderson believes to be the key to lengthening human life indefinitely. That work came in second place for the National Inventor of the Year award in 1997, and Dr Anderson is now a named inventor on 25 telomerase patents. In 1999, as Geron switched its focus to cancer research, Dr Andrews started his own company, Sierra Sciences, to continue his pursuit of a cure for aging. The company’s motto is “Cure aging or die trying.” Dr Anderson is doing all this not just to extend life, but also to improve quality of life. Currently in his sixties, he’s an ultramarathoner who regularly completes races more than 100 miles long. On his runner’s bio at run100s.com, he says his ultimate goal is to complete the 100-mile Western States Ultramarathon when he’s 100 years old, and to have his father (who would then be 125) on his crew. He’s said he will know he’s a success when he runs a seven-minute mile at age 130. Until then, Dr Andrews recommends we use healthy lifestyle strategies to help keep ourselves young. While we can’t slow down telomere shortening, we can accelerate it with unhealthy choices. “Smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, psychological stress, all these things cause a generation of free radicals that will clip your DNA and cause accelerated telomere shortening,” Dr Andrews said at the Life Enhancement Symposium. “So you don’t want to do those things. You want to lose weight, you want to quit smoking, because this is an active process.”
Dr Bill Andrews is the keynote speaker at the Ageless Living Expo in Victoria on March 1. agelesslivingexpo.ca
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