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YOU CAN LIVE WITH DIABETES. IT'S NOT THE WORST THING TO HAVE, BUT YOU HAVE TO MANAGE YOURSELF AND HAVE SOME SELF CONTROL. — TONY ROCK
Taking the Sneeze Out of Allergies
BY DR. KRISTEN BOVEE, NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN AT HYDRATE
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very year, patients visit me with the unfortunate plight of spring — sneezing, itchy eyes and sinus congestion due to environmental allergies. Statistics show that one in six people in Canada suffer from hay fever or seasonal allergies. The cause of these annoying symptoms is an inappropriate immunological response to particles in the air. Mast cells, a type of immune cell,
release histamine and causes swelling, mucous, itching and redness. Conventional treatments include the use of antihistamines to mask symptoms, which many people become reliant upon. The other treatment is allergy injections, which can be painful and inconvenient. Below are effective natural approaches to treating seasonal allergies you may want to consider: • Quercetin is a bioflavonoid found
in high amounts in apples and onions, and is an effective natural antihistamine. It slows the release of histamine from our mast cells and acts as potent anti-inflammatory. Quercetin is also found in pill and capsules for concentrated therapeutic doses. • Vitamin C is a bioflavonoid that, when used in combination with quercetin, gives the best antihistamine effect. The best food sources of vitamin C come from cruciferous vegetables and fruits like strawberries and kiwis.
• Nettles are plants found growing extensively in our region. As a weed, nettles can cause dermal irritation, but in tea form, they have a beneficial effect on sinuses and the chest. Nettles are an anti-inflammatory and have antihistamine properties, so they can lessen allergic reactions.
Other supports for allergy prevention include using an indoor air filtre, showering after being outside, keeping your windows closed and using a netti pot. Taking an integrated approach
to the management of allergy symptoms is the most effective way to deal with allergies. With good nutrition and therapeutic doses of nutritional support that’s recommended by your naturopathic physician, you can make the season much more manageable and enjoyable. Dr. Kristen Bovee is a Naturopathic Physician who practices at Hydrate IV Wellness Centre in Victoria. Phone: 250-590-1482. For more info, visit: hydrateiv.ca
Health Care vs Disease Care BY LOUIS HOOLAEFF, HRHCACS
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ur healthcare resources are being pushed to the limit. Rising disease rates continue to result in increasing costs and rising doctor waiting lists. Looking at this logically, what is missing most in our “health care system” is health. If you are interested in participating in
Contact: Margaret Long Phone: 250-380-5246 Email: MLong@timescolonist.com
Obesity, diabetes, cancer and other diseases are increasing at unprecedented rates. High calorie devitalized products drive compulsive overeating behaviour and are destroying the health of an entire generation — especially our children. We are eating more calories than ever before, but the foods we are eating are seriously deficient in vital micro nutrients. High micro nutrient-rich whole-foods are a great way to get essential nutrients while giving us the satiation and ‘full’ feeling our body craves. In the China Study — a book by T. Colin Campbell, Jacob Gould Schurman, Professor Emeritus of
Nutritional Biochemistry at Cornell University, and Thomas M. Campbell II, a physician — examines the link between consumption of animal products (including dairy) and chronic illnesses such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancers, etc. The authors conclude that people who eat a predominantly whole-food, plant-based diet, avoiding animal products as a main source of nutrition, including beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese and milk — who reduce their intake of processed foods and refined carbohydrates — will escape, reduce, or reverse the development of numerous diseases. With the influx of imported nonnutritional foods which are picked
unripened and lacking essential enzymes, cooking which destroys enzymes, irradiated - destroying vital nutrients, pesticides as toxins, genetically modified, etc., we need vital whole food supplements that will feed our whole body. The world’s leading researchers stress the importance of maintaining a healthy environment for our cells, as the health of our body is mostly tied to the health of our cells. Evidently, ‘Supplementing With Success’ is more than just popping pills, but rather choosing nutritional supplements that are synergistically compatible, highly bio available and effectively absorbed and utilized by our body. Most important are plant based enzymes. Many people who have
gone the plant-based lifestyle, and who supplement with powerful whole-food supplements were able to eliminate their health challenges. Even some so-called incurable illnesses were eliminated. Enzymes must be in the body first before protein can be effective, and before minerals can be utilized we need protein, and before vitamins can be absorbed, we need minerals. This is the order of nutrients in the body. In fact, if the supplements we consume are not designed according to “The Laws of Nature”, our best intentions and hard-earned dollars are being flushed away — literally. Request an educational health package: 250-220-1262. Visit: LeadingEdgeHealth.org
Managing Diabetes BY JOHANNA BOOY, CPCA, MES
0011668370 HYDRATE IV WELLNESS CENTRE Healthy Living 3 x 60 CMYK, ,
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oday, more than 1.4 million British Columbians, or 29 per cent of the provincial population, are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, according to Diabetes Charter for Canada. Diabetes, also called diabetes mellitus, is a chronic ongoing condition characterised by high blood sugar levels due to the body’s inability to produce or respond to insulin. Diabetes puts people at higher risk of serious and costly complications including heart attack, stroke, vision loss, kidney disease and amputation. Once you have been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor will choose the best treatment based on the type of diabetes you have, your everyday routine and any other health concerns. Many people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood glucose levels with diet and exercise alone, while others need diabetic medication or insulin injections. There are many factors to consider when exercising to manage diabetes. Senior
Care Victoria’s Aging in Place experts say you can control your diabetes by: 1. Tracking your glucose levels. High glucose levels (hyperglycemia) or low glucose levels (hypoglycemia) can be risky to your health. It is important for seniors to talk to their doctor about how to check glucose levels at home. 2. Making healthy food choices. Learn how different foods affect glucose levels. For weight loss, check out which foods are low in fat and sugar. Let your doctor know if you want help with meal planning. 3. Getting exercise. Daily exercise can improve glucose levels in older people with diabetes, but do not exercise during peak insulin activity periods. Blood glucose level should be between 5.5 and 7.7 mm/dl. Perform exercise at low intensity for a longer duration. Keep a form of fastacting carbohydrates with you to treat low blood glucose. Ask a certified medical exercise specialist to help you plan an exercise program at home or in the gym. 4. Taking your diabetic medication. Tell your doctor if you have any side effects or cannot maintain your medication. Your
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doctor may want you to see other healthcare providers who can help manage some of the other conditions associated with your diabetes. Talk to your doctor about how to stay healthy.
Over time, people with diabetes may need both lifestyle and medication changes. At first, learning all you need to know about diabetes may seem daunting, perhaps even a little frightening. Fortunately, many services are available to help you learn more about diabetes and what you can do to help manage the condition. Learn as much as you can about diabetes. The more you learn, the better equipped you will be to make the lifestyle adjustments that come with good diabetes management. Senior Care Victoria Aging in Place experts from Care & Company Oak Bay are available on an as-needed basis, giving your family peace of mind that your aging adult will remain safe and comfortable. To learn about their premier in-home care and exercise options, call: 250- 382-2328.