Nurturing Health nutrition that works
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C A N A DA
November – December D b 20 2023 23 • Volume 13 Edition 6
Switch on Your Immune System During the festive season, indulgent meals can lead to weight gain and a decline in overall health. However, it is possible to enjoy the feast while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Mindful choices, portion control, and physical activity can help maintain a balanced diet and healthy habits. Prioritizing nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins while limiting sugary and high-calorie treats is crucial. Staying hydrated and getting enough sleep is also essential for supporting the immune system and maintaining energy levels during the festive season. A strong immune system is essential for maintaining good health and preventing diseases. It acts as a defense mechanism against harmful pathogens, reducing symptoms and aiding in faster recovery from illnesses. Nutrition plays a vital role in supporting the immune system by providing a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D have immune-boosting properties. Maintaining a healthy weight through proper nutrition can also contribute to a stronger immune system. Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, are high in vitamin C, which enhances the production of white blood cells. Shellfish, rich in zinc, can boost immune function. Fatty fish, rich in vitamin D, are beneficial for heart health and immune system regulation. Spinach, rich in vitamin C, beta carotene, and other antioxidants, is a superfood. Leafy greens, rich in vitamins A, C, and E, protect the body against harmful free radicals and strengthen the immune response. Berries, including blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, are packed with antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that enhance immune function and reduce inflammation. Incorporate probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt or sauerkraut, as the alternatives for snacks or low-carb side dishes. Using garlic, ginger, and spices like turmeric in cooking, experimenting different immuneboosting foods with different recipes can significantly impact overall immune health.
AIM to Switch on Your Immune System and Boost Overall Good Health Proancynol 2000 • Delivers a powerful source of antioxidants • Supports the immune system • Reduces free radical damage BarleyLife • Contains nutrients from concentrated juice powder of young barley leaves for whole-body health • Helps alkalize the body naturally • Contains the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), and two powerful antioxidants – lutonarin and saponarin FloraFood • Provides three different strains of good bacteria (Lactobacillus gasseri, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum) that help to replenish friendly gut flora, optimize digestion and enhance the functions of the microbiota • Ability to withstand stomach acid • Distributes throughout the digestive tract PrepZymes • Boosts your digestive system and overall health with nine cultured enzymes, papaya fruit and garlic leaf powder • Allows for a more thorough digestion of food • Improves assimilation and utilization of food
? (Excerpt from What You Lose by Losing Sleep. www.thebarleylifeblog.com. March 3, 2023) It is a sleep-deprived shame that so many people do not get enough slumber. Statistics show that an average of 1 in 3 Canadian adults aged 35-64 and 1 in 4 seniors aged 65-79 are not sleeping enough. Not getting the recommended hours of rest has an enormous effect on a person’s health, memory and mood. Some of the detrimental effects include the increased risk of: • irritability • depression • forgetfulness • heart disease • type 2 diabetes • high blood pressure
Sleep-Deprived Damage Sleeping well is one of the most natural ways to ensure your immunity is in a healthy state. A study published in 2009 involved giving participants nasal drops that contained a coldcausing rhinovirus to monitor their susceptibility to catching a cold, depending on the amount of sleep they were getting. Those with a lower resistance to getting sick were the ones who had interrupted sleeping patterns and shorter durations of rest. On the other hand, the participants who were sleeping well were three to five times more likely to beat the virus. Not getting enough sleep can put you in a weight-gaining mode. Dr. Michael Greger, founder of NutritionFacts.org, a science-based non-profit organization, delivered substantial
information regarding the studies on sleep. The video clip “Does Lack of Sleep Cause You to Gain Weight?” mentions in a study, the overweight participants who controlled their caloric intake but were sleep-deprived lost lean body mass not fat. Whereas, those who were not sleep-deprived lost the desired kind of weight: fat. Sleep disorders can be exacerbated by technology. Dr. Greger also examines the use of mobile phones on sleep. The use of devices to access endless streams of media all day long, especially before bedtime, can have an effect on how well or poorly people sleep. This applies to all age groups who use computers, phones, tablets, etc. Along with contributing to a stimulated mind, there is blue-light emission that disrupts circadian rhythm. Being awakened by the sound or light from an active device does not help either, so turning off electronics before going to sleep is a healthy move. Sleep is healing recovery time for the body, so it is vital to not miss out on this most natural form of health care. References: • https://thebarleylifeblog.com/2023/03/15/what-you-lose-by-losing-sleep/ • https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/ canadian-adults-getting-enough-sleep-infographic.html • Cohen S, Doyle WJ, Alper CM, et. al. Sleep Habits and Susceptibility to the Common Cold. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(1):62–67. • https://nutritionfacts.org/video/does-lack-of-sleep-cause-you-to-gain-weight • https://nutritionfacts.org/video/friday-favorites-do-mobile-phones-affect-sleep
AIM for Sleep Along with a high-quality selection of supplemental nutrition, AIM offers some natural help for getting to sleep and sufficiently staying there until it is time to awaken. For those whose device use or stress levels may keep them awake at night, GinkgoSense contains plant-based ingredients such as ashwagandha, lutein and zeaxanthin that can help alleviate the effects of stress and blue-light exposure on sleep. Taking a bath with Mag-nificence CWR added to the water introduces the relaxing effects that magnesium has on the body, promoting a good night’s sleep. There is the herbal calm provided by Composure to increase relaxation and quiet overactive minds at bedtime. 2
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Uniquely Canadian— Product and Business Forum Canadian Natural Health Product Regulation—What You Need to Know Natural health product (NHP) is the Canadian term to refer to a range of health products including: • Vitamin, minerals, herbal and plant-based supplements • Omega essential fatty acids and probiotics • Homeopathic medicines • Traditional medicines, such as Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines • Consumer products that contain medicinal ingredients, such as toothpaste, antiperspirants, facial products, etc. To sell a NHP legally in Canada, a company must submit a Product Licence application with detailed product information on the ingredients, dose, potency and supporting evidence about the recommended uses (claims). And the Company’s Canadian facilities, whether for manufacturing, packaging, labelling and/or importing the NHPs, must apply for a Site Licence with required supporting documentation demonstrating that the sites follow appropriate good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards. Here are the details of the process for product and site licencing:
Product Licencing
Site Licencing
Company applies for a product licence
Company wants to legally produce or distribute a NHP for sales in Canada must apply for a site licence
Company provides evidence to demonstrate that the product contains accepted substances and to show its safety and efficacy
Company provides information demonstrating that the facility will meet good manufacturing practices, such as product testing, and that it can comply with requirements
Health Canada reviews the application and determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks
Health Canada reviews the application and attestation
Health Canada refuses a product licence
Health Canada grants a product licence and issues a NPN
Health Canada requires more information
Health Canada refuses a site licence
Health Canada issues a site licence to the company
Health Canada requires more information
Company must find a site-licence holder to make the NPN product
Company is now eligible to manufacture or import the licenced natural health product
The product is now eligible to be sold in Canada
Manufacturer periodically reapplies to renew the site licence
All of AIM Canada’s natural health products have received Natural Product Numbers (NPNs), indicating that each NHP has been reviewed and approved by Health Canada as being safe, effective and of high quality. In addition, the AIM Canada Distribution Centre is a site-licensed facility. Reference: https://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_cesd_202104_02_e_43806.html
Nurturing Health • November - December 2023
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did you know . . . ?
Prebiotics may Help Weight Loss by Affecting Our Decisions about Food High-fat, high-sugar foods have been shown to stimulate our brains to desire such foods, all of which promote overeating. A recent study by a group of German researchers found the intake of high doses prebiotic fibre may lead to reduced brain responses to calorie-rich food, suggesting a potential pathway for weight management. Fifty-nine overweight young adults, between age 19 to 42, were given 30 grams of inulin, a prebiotic fibre found in chicory root, every day for two weeks, followed by a placebo phase, which participants took the same calorie-content supplement but without any prebiotics. Researchers conducted functional task MRI scans before and after both prebiotic and placebo phases respectively. Researchers showed participants the images of food and asked their desire to eat those dishes during the MRI scans. After the scan, participants were given the dish they desired the most and asked them to eat it. Researchers also took readings of the short chain fatty acids (SCFA), gastrointestinal hormones, glucose/lipid and inflammatory markers from participants’ blood sample as well as measured their gut microbiota and SCFA in stool. Compared with placebo, participants showed decreased brain activation towards high-caloric-wanted-food stimuli in the ventral tegmental area and right orbitofrontal cortex (i.e. the brain’s reward centre) after they had consumed the prebiotic fibre. The change in brain response correlated with a shift in the types of bacteria present in the gut. These results indicated that changes in gut microbes may be responsible for the differences in how the brain reacts to highcalorie food. Researchers emphasized that further study is necessary to explore whether therapies targeting the microbiome could offer less invasive methods for preventing or treating obesity. Prebiotics are specific indigestible fibres or compounds that nourish and stimulate the growth of probiotics – the good bacteria living in our guts. Understanding the interaction between the microbiome, gut and brain will likely result in new approaches for promoting healthier eating behaviour.
Season’s Greetings AIM Canada wishes you a wonderful holiday season and a New Year filled with good health and happiness.
Notice of Relocation Dear valued AIM Canada Members and Customers, To help streamline our operations, the AIM Canada Administrative Office will soon be moving to the same location as our AIM Canada Distribution Centre. Effective January 15, 2024, please use the following address and contact details for all AIM Canada correspondence and communication: AIM Canada 158-5255 McCall Way N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 7J5 Tel: 1-888-343-9977 (office) 403-250-2230 (warehouse) Email: aimcanada@aimintl.com URL: www.theaimcompanies.com We would like to express our gratitude and sincere thanks for your support and cooperation during this transition. We look forward to serving you at our Calgary, Alberta location in 2024. Very best regards, AIM Canada team
Reference: Medawar E, Beyer F, Thieleking R, et al. Prebiotic diet changes neural correlates of food decision-making in overweight adults: a randomised controlled within-subject cross-over trial. Gut. Published Online First: 04 October 2023.
Holiday Closures AIM Canada Vancouver office and Calgary warehouse will be closed on the following holidays:
• Monday & Tuesday, December 25-26, Christmas Day and Boxing Day • Monday, January 1, 2024, New Year’s Day 4
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