A Naturopathic Doctor's Perspective

Does Eating Kill Us?

2010-07-19T07:41:00.000-07:00

Several studies done on rats have shown that caloric restriction leads to greater longevity. Yet some "health advocates" are recommending that most people (who already over-eat), eat every 2-3 hours. I am not a big proponent of fasting (although there is good research suggesting that may be beneficial) because for most people it's too challenging to do properly while trying to fulfill the demands of work and home life. I do however think that eating properly portioned meals three times a day and letting the gut rest the remainder of the time is helpful and more doable. It also helps regulate the hormones that dictate appetite and fullness better, leptin and grehlin. Eating less frequently also means that people have less attachment to food, which is good and I also find that it balances the blood sugar better and keeps insulin lower than eating every two hours. People who feel the need to eat every 2 hours need to view that as a cue that their blood sugar in unstable, most likely as a result of what they ate prior. To avoid feeling hungry 2 hours after eating lower the carbohydrate content of the preceding meal and increase the fruit and vegetable, healthy fat and protein content. Fruit and vegetables (i.e. fiber), healthy fat and protein are the keys to healthy blood sugar and feeling full and satisfied between meals. Eat your last meal no later than 7 p.m. and eat breakfast no earlier than 7 a.m. so that you are in essence fasting for 12 hours each day. This allows the gut time to rest and repair.

I had some yummy raw lasagna the other day that had zucchini as the noodles, pesto, basil and sliced tomatoes with cashew ricotta - so it was low carb, gluten free, dairy free, raw and delicious! It inspired me to find out how to make my own cashew ricotta, here's the recipe click here.

Also, Forces of Nature has a brand new Registered Massage Therapy specific website that I just completed. Take a peek here - http://www.rmt-toronto.ca

To your health,

Pamela

Copyright 2010 Forces of Nature

References
1. http://www.ForcesofNature.ca/
2. http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca/
3. http://www.rmt-toronto.ca/
4. http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/
5. http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
6. http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
7. http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Suspicions Confirmed: Sunscreen May Contribute to Skin Cancer

2010-06-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

A U.S. senator has called on the FDA to reveal findings on a possible link between a chemical found in most sunscreens and skin cancer.

"With the recent reports suggesting a possible link between skin cancer and a common chemical found in sunscreens, the FDA must act now to protect consumers," Schumer said at a news conference and in a later statement.

The FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) have conducted studies that suggest a possible link between skin cancer and retinyl palmitate, Schumer said in calling for the FDA to provide its evaluation of the data and recommendations immediately.

Retinyl palmitate, a vitamin A derivative, is found in hundreds of the most popular sunscreen products.

One study found that tumors and lesions developed up to 21 percent faster in lab animals coated in retinyl palmitate-laced cream than animals treated with a cream that did not contain RP, Schumer's office said.

Still on the cilantro kick. Here's a new recipe for Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado, Cilantro and Lime Salad click here.

1. http://www.ForcesofNature.ca/
2. http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca/
3. http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/
4. http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
5. http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
6. http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Tidbits on Insulin Resistance, Diabetes, Cholesterol, Massage Therapy, Incontinence

2010-06-07T07:45:00.000-07:00

There were lots of tidbits of information in health care news this week that I wanted to draw your attention to:

Researchers found that healthy people who had just one night of short sleep can show signs of insulin resistance, a condition that often precedes Type diabetes
Having diabetes more than doubles the risk of developing certain types of colorectal cancer among women older than 55
Consuming more nuts appears to be associated with improvements in blood cholesterol levels
New research shows massage therapy reduces burned adolescents' pain, itching, & anxiety levels
Women who consume a lot of calories or favor saturated fat over "good" fats may have an increased risk of urinary incontinence, regardless of their body weight, a new study suggests.

To your health,

Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca/
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca/
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Just 5 Minutes of Green

2010-05-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

Just five minutes of exercise a day in the great outdoors can improve mental health, according to a study released on Saturday.

As little as five minutes of a "green activity" such as walking, gardening, cycling or farming can boost mood and self esteem.

The largest positive effect on self-esteem came from a five-minute dose of "green exercise."

All natural environments were beneficial, including parks in towns or cities, they said, but green areas with water appeared to have a more positive effect.

Healthy Weeds

2010-05-04T07:11:00.000-07:00

It's dandelion season! The entire plant from root to flowers are edible and have a number of medicinal properties. According to the Sloan-Kettering Institute, the reported benefits of dandelion consist of the following:

* Stimulates appetite
* Prevents cancer
* Treats eczema
* Eases digestive disorders
* Stimulates lactation (promotes breastmilk production)
* Promotes bile flow
* Promotes urination

Roasted dandelion root makes an excellent substitute for coffee and the blossoms can even be used in soups or as an edible garnish.

There's a new recipe for Dandelions with Onions and Garlic on our website, click here.

To your health,

Pamela

Copyright 2010 Forces of Nature

References

1. http://forcesofnature.ca/HealthyRecipes.htm#Dandelion_Greens_with_Onion_and_Garlic
2. http://www.ForcesofNature.ca/
3. http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca/
4. http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/
5. http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
6. http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
7. http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Integrity

2010-04-07T11:50:00.001-07:00

"A life lived with integrity, even if it lacks the trappings of fame & fortune, is a shining star in whose light others may follow in the years to come."

Denis Waitley

The Day Your Life Really Begins

2010-04-06T06:54:00.001-07:00

Just a quick but inspiring quote:

The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.

~ Bob Moawad

Your Brain on Junk Food

2010-04-06T06:33:00.000-07:00

In a newly published study, scientists from The Scripps Research Institute have shown that the same mechanisms that drive people into drug addiction are behind the compulsion to overeat, pushing people into obesity and adding credance to the idea that junk food binging is extremely difficult to stop.

The study demonstrates clearly that in rat models the development of obesity coincides with a progressively deteriorating chemical balance in reward brain circuitries. As these pleasure centers in the brain become less and less responsive, rats quickly develop compulsive overeating habits, consuming larger quantities of high-calorie, high-fat foods until they become obese. The very same changes occur in the brains of rats that overconsume cocaine or heroin, and are thought to play an important role in the development of compulsive drug use.

In the study, the animals completely lost control over their eating behavior, the primary hallmark of addiction. They continued to overeat even when they anticipated receiving electric shocks, highlighting just how motivated they were to consume the palatable food.

The scientists fed the rats a diet modeled after the type that contributes to human obesity -- easy-to-obtain high-calorie, high-fat foods like sausage, bacon, and cheesecake. Soon after the experiments began, the animals began to bulk up dramatically.

The new study was conducted by Scripps Research Associate Professor Paul J. Kenny and graduate student Paul M. Johnson.

"The rats always went for the worst types of food," Kenny said, "and as a result, they took in twice the calories as the control rats. When we removed the junk food and tried to put them on a nutritious diet -- what we called the 'salad bar option' -- they simply refused to eat. The change in their diet preference was so great that they basically starved themselves for two weeks after they were cut off from junk food. It was the animals that showed the "crash" in brain reward circuitries that had the most profound shift in food preference to the unhealthy diet. These same rats were also those that kept on eating even when they anticipated being shocked."

What happens in addiction is lethally simple, Kenny explained. The reward pathways in the brain have been so overstimulated that the system basically turns on itself, adapting to the new reality of addiction, whether its cocaine or cupcakes.

After showing that obese rats had clear addiction-like food seeking behaviors, Johnson and Kenny next investigated the underlying mechanisms that may explain these changes. They focused on the dopamine D2 receptor. The D2 receptor responds to dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is released in the brain by pleasurable experiences like food or sex or drugs like cocaine. In cocaine abuse, for example, the drug alters the flow of dopamine by blocking its retrieval, flooding the brain and overstimulating the receptors, something that eventually leads to physical changes in the way the brain responds to the drug.

The new study shows that the same thing happens in junk food addiction. These data are, as far as we know, the strongest support for the idea that overeating of junk food can become habitual in the same manner and through the same mechanisms as consumption of drugs of abuse.

What all this means is that junk food is highly addictive because it works in the brain in the same manner as cocaine.

Just say no to junk food!
To your health,

Pamela
[1]www.ForcesofNature.ca
[2]www.NaturopathToronto.ca
[3]Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2010 Forces of Nature

Ear Candling Horror Story - Don't Try This at Home Part 2

2010-03-01T19:26:00.000-08:00

This week's email is a day late because I was busy yesterday morning recording a podcast radio show to be aired on Thursday on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). If you would like to tune in or if you miss it on
Thursday, you can always check it out here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/empoweryourself.

The FDA has alerted consumers about the dangers of ear candles. Ear candling has been used to to treat a number of maladies, ranging from sinus infection and sore throats to earwax buildup and hearing loss.

Use of ear candles creates the potential for fire hazards, inner ear and skin burns, wax-plugged ears, bleeding, eardrum puncture, and delay in seeking treatment for serious medical conditions supposedly treated by the
ear coning device, the FDA said.

Testing done by Health Canada found there was little to no efficacy to support the product's therapeutic value.

In my own not so scientific study, I used my otoscope to inspect someone's ears before ear candling, and repeated the inspection after ear candling and found no difference whatsoever in the amount of ear wax. The "wax" inside the remaining piece of candle was merely burnt down ear candle. My naturopathic colleagues have conducted similar experiments with identical conclusions.

One person ended up in ER with severe double ear infections and needed IV steroids and antibiotics since both ear canals were sealed shut and they couldn't get any antibiotic ear drops in. Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists report seeing many urgent ear cases coming in from candling.

Excessive ear wax in my experience is almost always associated with allergies, often food allergies and often a dairy allergy - always best to get at the root cause of the problem than just address the symptom.

Add this to internal use of epsom salts in the "don't try this at home" category.

There's a new recipe for Salmon en Papillote on our website, http://forcesofnature.ca/HealthyRecipes.htm#Salmon_en_Papillote click to check it out.

To your health,

Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2010 Forces of Nature

Don't Try This at Home

2010-03-01T19:21:00.000-08:00

I was just doing some reading on the use of Epsom (magnesium) salts baths. They are wonderful for reducing muscle tension and I swear by them after a triathlon, however it seems some folks like to do things other than bathe in them. There are two case reports of people dying from alternative methods of using epsom salts, please do not try this at home:

1. Do not use them for enemas

2. Do not use them as a gargle

Magnesium is generally a good thing, but as with anything too much of a good thing can be harmful and even deadly. Epsom salts are not to be taken internally!

To your health,

Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca

http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca

http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/

http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd
Copyright 2009 Forces of Nature

Ahhh, Now That's Better

2010-02-01T20:13:00.000-08:00

So my 46 year old body still wants to work out like it's 25 and most days will do so quite well. But last Saturday morning after my usual kickboxing class, things were not feeling quite right in the old back. As the day progressed it became ever more painful to walk with a very sharp, pinching, nerve-like pain. I hoped a good night's rest would sort everything out and I would be able to go for my Sunday morning run. Well on Sunday morning after two steps on it clearly it was not ok and getting worse and I had to scrap the run. Monday morning didn't show any improvement and so I booked an appointment with our chiropractor Dr. Kim Macanuel. I could feel that a nerve was being pinched and things just weren't moving as they should and Kim quickly identified that my left SI joint was locked and my right side was moving too much and pressing on a nerve. Four quick adjustments later and my back was immediately about 80% better so much so that I could do 40 minutes on the stationary bike at the gym a short while later with no discomfort. What did people ever do in that situation before there was chiropractic?

There's a new recipe for Edamame Basil Salad on our website http://forcesofnature.ca/HealthyRecipes.htm#Edamame_Basil_Salad

To your health,

Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd
Copyright 2009 Forces of Nature

Do As the Romans Do

2010-01-25T18:57:00.000-08:00

Eating the Mediterranean way can help reduce your risk of stomach cancer, a large study from Europe shows. The traditional diets of Greece, Italy and other Mediterranean countries have many health benefits including protection against cancer and heart disease. Gastric (stomach) cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death worldwide.

Study participants were given a score on an 18-point scale based on how closely their diet adhered to the Mediterranean ideal of being rich in fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish, cereals and olive oil, with a relatively low intake of red meat and dairy products.

People with the highest relative Mediterranean diet scores were 33 percent less likely to develop stomach cancer than people whose eating patterns were furthest from the Mediterranean ideal.

Just 23 percent of people diagnosed with gastric cancer will survive for five years, the researchers note. "Therefore, identifying dietary recommendations that can help reduce incidence is important for the effective management of this cancer," they conclude.

There's a new recipe for Grilled Tofu with Mediterranean Chopped Salad on our website
http://forcesofnature.ca/HealthyRecipes.htm#Grilled_Tofu_with_Mediterranean_Chopped_Salad

In health,
Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2009 Forces of Nature

There are How Many Calories in That Take Out???

2010-01-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

I was glancing through the North Toronto Post this week and found an interesting article on the nutritional value (dubious use of that term) in a variety of take out food. What I found most surprising was that out of
all the foods including burgers, fish and chips, pizza etc. what scored the absolute worst all around in my books was the Pad Thai. One serving contained a whopping 1460 kcal, 55 grams of fat and 197.6 grams of
carbohydrate. According to this analysis you're much better off to eat a Pastrami sandwich! So as everyone starts off the New Year with a plan to lose weight and eat healthier, it might be best to analyze what exactly we are eating, especially if the source is take out food, preparing food yourself at home is infinitely better. Go here to check out the article, http://www.postcity.com/Post-City-Magazines/January-2010/What-039s-Toronto-Really-Eating/.

There's a new recipe for Coconut Chicken Curry Stew on our website
http://forcesofnature.ca/HealthyRecipes.htm#Coconut_Chicken_Curry_Stew here.

Healthy New Year!

Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2010 Forces of Nature

Work Stress, Insulin, Hormone Balance and Diabetes

2010-01-11T08:02:00.000-08:00

White, middle-aged women reporting high levels of job strain and little work-related social support appear to be at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

Among the women, about 10 percent of all type 2 diabetes cases could have been prevented had the job-related stressors of little control, high demands, and little social support been eliminated.

People need to recognize the importance stress plays in their overall physical health by looking at stress exposures as another unhealthy factor similar to obesity, low physical activity, and poor diet.

I would add that it's particularly important for women with any reproductive health issue to be cognisant of stress since stress obviously has a major influence on blood sugar and insulin levels which ultimately creates hormonal imbalances.

There's a new recipe for Chicken Cacciatore on our website
http://forcesofnature.ca/HealthyRecipes.htm#Chicken_Cacciatore

Happy New Year!

Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2009 Forces of Nature

Resolution Tips and a New Year's Wish

2010-01-04T07:39:00.000-08:00

New Year's resolutions date back to ancient Rome and the mythical King Janus, from whose name January derives. Janus became a symbol for resolutions because he had two faces and could look simultaneously back on the past and look forward to the future.

Here are some pointers to help attain your fitness resolution goals:

Set attainable goals and have realistic expectations.
Find just the right balance between too much exercise and too little, i.e. where you get the benefits of exercise without overdoing or burning yourself out.
Make a resolution along with a friend or spouse. Research shows that having someone you're accountable to can almost triple your effectiveness.
One study showed that motivation to be physically active was higher when sports - instead of just exercise - were involved.
Having a goal in mind also helps - eg. register for a 5 km run then train to achieve it.
Get the resources you need whether it's a day planner, group classes, online fitness tracker or a personal trainer to keep you in line.
Establish a routine that you enjoy and stick to it.

Here's a link to a beautiful New Year's Wish, enjoy!

There's a new recipe for Roasted Salmon with Potatoes, Peas and Parsnips on our website here.

Happy New Year!

Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2009 Forces of Nature

Phytoestrogens and Cancer Risk

2009-12-28T17:41:00.000-08:00

Dietary "phytoestrogens" -- plant substances that have weak estrogen-like activity -- have little impact on the risks of developing hormone-sensitive cancers like breast and prostate cancer or colorectal cancers, new research suggests.

In a large study of some 25,000 British adults, researchers failed to find any "significant" differences in cancer risk related to dietary intake of these compounds.

Phytoestrogens are found in a wide range of foods including dairy products, soy foods, cereals, fruits, vegetables, nuts, flax and other seeds, coffee and tea.

In the current study, researchers assigned phytoestrogen values to nearly 11,000 foods following chemical analyses. For the first time, phytoestrogen values were assigned to animal products.

Phytoestrogen consumption was estimated for cancer-free adult participants in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition - Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk). EPIC-Norfolk participants, recruited between 1993 and 1997, filled out a diet diary for a week and provided information about age, height, weight, smoking, aspirin use, menopausal status, and family history of cancer among other things.

Cancers that developed within 12 months of study recruitment were identified from a cancer registry totaling 244 breast cancers, 221 colorectal cancers, and 204 prostate cancers. The diets and other relevant information from those who developed cancer were compared to information from other participants (controls) who did not develop cancer.

While acknowledging more study is needed, the authors concluded that there is "little evidence" that phytoestrogen intake is "associated with subsequent risk of breast or prostate cancer."

However, phytoestrogens found in eggs and dairy products "may influence the risk of prostate cancer in men and colon cancer in women," they report.

The associations are weak and without further study do not warrant changes in diet, said lead investigator Heather Ward.

It is worth noting that phytoestrogen intake within an Asian-style diet is more than ten-fold greater than in Western diets, without evidence of an increase in cancer risk.

SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 2009.

There's a new recipe for Christmas Morning Gluten Free Apple-Cranberry Cake on our website.

Yours in health,

Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/
Twitter: [http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2009 Forces of Nature

Protecting the Liver

2009-12-21T13:52:00.000-08:00

A study published Monday suggests that Milk Thistle may help reduce the liver damage caused by some cancer drugs. In a study of 50 children undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), researchers found that milk thistle appeared to reduce drug-related liver inflammation.

Liver inflammation is common among children undergoing chemotherapy for ALL -- with about two-thirds developing liver toxicity at some point during treatment. That meant that doctors have had to lower patients' chemotherapy doses -- which, in turn, can lower the chances of seeing a complete remission.

That is where milk thistle comes in. The plant's flowers and seeds have been used for more than 2,000 years to treat disorders of the liver and gallbladder. In recent years, lab research has found that the active substance in milk thistle (an antioxidant called silybin) might help prevent body tissue damage by blocking toxins from breaching cell walls.

The herb should also be considered for preventing liver damage from other chemotherapy regimens for other cancers and is used to treat hepatitis, cirrhosis, and to aid in liver detoxification. Along the lines of last week's email about eating asparagus to help with hangovers, milk thistle can help protect the liver from the season's over indulgences as well.

SOURCE: Cancer, online December 14, 2009.

There's a new recipe for Super Gluten Free, Egg Free Shortbread Cookies on
our website http://forcesofnature.ca/HealthyRecipes.htm#Super_Gluten_Free,_Egg_Free_Shortbread_Cookies

Yours in health,

Pamela

http://www.ForcesofNature.ca Forces of Nature Wellness Clinic
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca Naturopathic Doctor Pamela Frank
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/ Detox Blog
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/ H1N1 Blog
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/ Weekly Emails Blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd
Copyright 2009 Forces of Nature

What's the Best Hangover Food?

2009-12-14T07:50:00.000-08:00

A recent study found that asparagus is a great food for helping to cope with hangovers. We don't generally think of vegetables as herbs, but Asparagus officinalis is an herb that is used in the treatment of several conditions. We usually consume the young shoots, but the leaves can be eaten as well and are much higher in amino acids and inorganic minerals. The two key enzymes that upregulate the metabolism of alcohol are more than doubled after ingestion of an extract of asparagus shoots and leaves. That means that asparagus can be a safe, effective means of treating alcohol hangover and protecting the liver from other toxic insults.

Post party you also need to rehydrate and get blood sugar stabilized with veggies and good protein and fats.

There's a new recipe for Warm Winter Salad on our website here.

Yours in health,

Pamela

www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/ Detox Blog
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/ H1N1 Blog
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/ Weekly Emails Blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd

The Perks of Eating Fermented Foods

2009-12-06T17:25:00.000-08:00

Almost every culture cultures food - kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, sourdough bread, kimchi, kvass, cheese and even wine. Why? Practically speaking it was a way of preserving food, but it turns out that fermenting foods makes nutrients in the foods more accessible and has positive effects on our digestive tracts due to their probiotic properties.

Kefir consistently shows increased levels of folic acid, B vitamins and biotin depending on the strains of bacteria used.

Vegetables, fruits, legumes and grains subjected to fermentation also see increases in their nutrient profiles. For example the bioavailability of amino acids like lysine and methionine increases with fermentation.

For grains, sprouting prior to souring can also increase the availability of protein. Fermented vegetables as in the case of sauerkraut and kimchi, often see an increase in the activity of vitamin C and vitamin A. Sauerkraut is considered particularly healing to the gut due to the presence of l-glutamine and the probiotics used in the fermentation process.

Fermentation decreases the activity of phytates (or phytic acid) naturally present in grains. Phytates are anti-nutrients that bind to minerals preventing their proper absorption in the gut. People suffering from iron deficiency often do better if they decrease their intake of grains and therefore phytates. Since souring grains reduces the phytic acid content, fermentation enables your body to absorb more minerals than you would be able to otherwise. Research has also shown that fermentation reduces the gluten content of grains like wheat and the people with a gluten intolerance can sometimes tolerate sourdough bread.

There's a new recipe for Sweet Potato Squash Delight on our website
http://forcesofnature.ca/HealthyRecipes.htm#Sweet_Potato_Squash_Delight here.

Yours in health,

Pamela

www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/ Detox Blog
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/ H1N1 Blog
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/ Weekly Emails Blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2009 Forces of Nature

A Refresher on Probiotics

2009-11-25T19:14:00.000-08:00

The World Health Organization defines a probiotic as:

"Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host"

So there are 3 key components to this definition:

Live
Adequate amounts
Of the type that confer a health benefit

The probiotics we recommend (Genestra, Metagenics, Innate Response) generally fall into the category of some of the priciest probiotics going. But, they are worth the extra cost because you can be assured that you are getting live, viable probiotics whereas some of the other products will contain only dead bacteria. Another trick to watch out for: probiotic labels that say "x billion viable bacteria at time of manufacture." What they contained at time of manufacture is completely irrelevant, it's what they contain when you consume them that matters. What this is really saying is "we're not sure how much will survive until you take them." The better manufacturers will usually test their products for at least 6 months beyond the expiry date to ensure that you are still getting living bacteria in the amount on the label.

1 or 2 billion bacteria per serving just doesn't cut it, when it comes to good bacteria the higher the amount per serving the better. Over 100 trillion bacteria of 500 different species live in the human gut, if you want to have an impact, you need to add more than a drop in the bucket. There are a few manufacturers promoting something called "soil based organisms" that are supposed to be what we naturally would have inhabiting our guts if we were eating fresh from the ground. There has been very little research supporting their use and a few case studies of people who were severely immune compromised and suffered life threatening infections after consuming these products. There is tons of research showing the health benefits of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacteria infantis and Bifidobacterium lactis.

Here are the benefits of healthy good bacteria in our digestive tract:

Diarrhea prevention, especially when taking antibiotics or travelling
Colorectal cancer prevention
Immune system regulation and enhancement
Asthma and allergy prevention
Prevention of infection in the gut by Salmonella, Shigella, H pylori, yeast etc
Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's and Ulcerative colitis) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Provide the host with vitamin B12 and K
Moderation of immune system function to prevent severe complications from H1N1

Oh and by the way, a class action lawsuit was filed and won against Dannon/Danone in January 2008 in which the company stood accused of spending $100 million promoting clinical benefits of Activia and DanActive that its own tests had disproved. To add to that, Bifidus Regularis is a made up name by Danone for Bifidobacterium animalis. Commercial yogurt is not an adequate means to obtain good bacteria.

There's a new recipe for Immune Boosting Soup on our website to view it click here.

Yours in health,

Pamela
http://www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com
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What's So Special About Rooibos?

2009-11-16T07:50:00.000-08:00

While doing my current detox I have had to forgo my usual soy chai lattés - soy, caffeine and sweeteners are all strictly out. In my search for an herbal tea alternative most were not very satisfying until I tried David's Teas Caramel Rooibos. It was heavenly! Rooibos tea is naturally somewhat sweet (without any sugar or other sweetener added) and slightly nutty. The caramel flavouring blends well with the natural flavour of the rooibos and it's healthy too!

Rooibos is becoming more among health-conscious consumers, due to its high level of antioxidants such as aspalathin and nothofagin, its lack of caffeine, and its low tannin levels compared to fully oxidized black tea or unoxidized green tea leaves. Rooibos also contains a number of phenolic compounds, including flavanols, flavones, flavanones, and dihydrochalcones which give it potent antioxidant, immune-modulating and cancer preventive effects with zero adverse effects. Rooibos is purported to assist with nervous tension, allergies and digestive problems. Traditional medicinal uses of rooibos in South Africa include alleviating infantile colic, allergies, asthma and skin problems.

The next few weeks of weekly recipes will be devoted to Immune Enhancing recipes to keep us all healthy over the winter. On that note, there's a new recipe for Immune Boosting Salsa on our website to view it
click here.

Yours in health,

Pamela

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Green Tea Prevents Pneumonia

2009-10-26T18:15:00.000-07:00

Quick Note on Green Tea:

Pneumonia risk seems to be reduced even by drinking small amounts of green tea. Drinking as little as one cup or less of green tea per day was associated with 41 percent less risk of dying from pneumonia among Japanese women, investigators have found.

There's a new recipe for Green Tea Chicken Stock on our website to view it click here.

Ear Acupuncture for Back Pain

2009-10-26T18:11:00.000-07:00

In a recent study, women who had tiny acupuncture needles held in place with tape at three acupuncture points in their ears for one week, were more likely to experience significant reductions in lower back and pelvic pain than those who had the needles placed at three "sham" points or women in a control group who didn't get either real or fake acupuncture. A 30 percent or greater reduction in pain was reported by 81 percent of women in the acupuncture group, 47-59 percent of the two other groups.

Thirty-seven percent of women in the acupuncture group were pain-free after a week of acupuncture. Improvements in function were significantly greater among women who had real acupuncture compared to those who got the fake version or received no treatment. The only side effect was temporary tenderness in the ear area, reported by only 4 out of the 159 women in the study. The treatment is inexpensive and takes about three minutes for the needles to be put in place.

SOURCE: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, September 2009.

Yours in health,
Pamela

Which Nut Decreases Your Risk of Breast Cancer?

2009-10-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

With the Run for the Cure for Breast Cancer still fresh in my mind, this seemed like a timely topic.

There was a study done at the Marshall University School of Medicine that showed that when mice were fed the equivalent of 2 ounces of walnuts per day in a human the mice had a significantly lower incidence of breast tumors.

To get more walnuts in your diet, there's a recipe for Garlicky Pumpkin Seed and Walnut Snack Mix on our website, to view it click here.

In health,
Pamela

When You Eat Matters

2009-09-30T07:23:00.000-07:00

It’s not all what you eat, but when you eat it that might lead to weight gain, according to a new laboratory study. In the study, the Northwestern University researchers fed two groups of mice a high fat-diet: one group ate only during the day and the other only at night. Mice are normally nocturnal and consume less during the day and more at night.

After six weeks, the daytime eaters gained significantly more weight than the nighttime eaters, that is the mice eating at odds with their normal sleep/wake cycle gained more. The daytime eating mice were slightly less active and ate slightly more than the nighttime eaters, note the authors, which may have led to a cumulative effect. The results show that simply modifying eating times may affect body weight and suggests that the body’s natural 24-hour circadian rhythm may play a role in metabolic processes.

And on the topic of what you eat, the National Cancer Institute recently estimated that Americans consume 22 teaspoons of sugar per day (355 calories), on average. Imagine the health improvement, weight reduction and reduced cost on the health care system if everyone reduced that number by half!

There's a new recipe for Squash Supreme on our website, to view it click here.

Yours in health,

Pamela

Swine Flu and Naturopathic Medicine

2009-09-22T07:53:00.000-07:00

As we all know, prevention is always the best medicine. As much as I'm not buying into all the hype around the swine flu (just as I didn't around the avian flu or West Nile virus), it never hurts to do a little preventative maintenance just to be safe.

There was a 2007 study comparing the flu vaccine with 1 capsule of colostrum daily. The study had 2 parts. The first part looked at healthy adults and the second looked at patients with advanced cardiovascular disease.

Groups in the first part were vaccine alone, colostrum alone, vaccine + colostrum, and no treatment.

Colostrum was 4 times more effective than the flu vaccine. Colostrum was 3 times more effective than no treatment. The flu vaccine was actually worse than doing nothing at all. The vaccine + colostrum group did equally well as colostrum alone.

The highest incidence of flu (57 cases) were in the flu vaccine only group, not the "no treatment" group which had 41 cases of flu.

In the second part of the study colostrum was twice as effective as the flu vaccine (3 on colostrum vs 6 with the vaccine) and 1 patient died from complications of the flu in the vaccine group.

Other prevention measures - Allimax garlic, Gastrointestinal (GI) cleanse, probiotics, vitamin C and/or MediHerb Echinacea Premium (alternating 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off).

There's a new recipe for Newfoundland Cod Cakes on our website, to view it click here.

2009-08-10T09:24:00.000-07:00

A Healthy Additive?
Sounds like an oxymoron

Lecithin is now widely used as a food additive. Its mechanism of action is based mainly on its similarity to phospholipids in cell membranes and blood lipoproteins. This similarity allows the
inclusion of plant phospholipids like lecithin into these structures promoting healthy cell membranes and lipids and preventing a number of disease processes. Lecithin is a source of easily accessible linoleic acid, choline and inositol. Lecithin acts as a synergist for antioxidants also. The proven health benefits which can be achieved by taking lecithin include:

- Lipid-lowering
- Control of blood levels of cholesterol and triglyceride
- Stabilization of cell membranes, and
- Supporting liver function.

Lecithin is found at high concentrations in egg whites. It also is in
soybeans, grains, fish, legumes, yeast and peanuts. Most commercially used
lecithin comes from soybeans. Lecithin can alter food taste and texture and
also can be mixed with water to disperse fats, making it a common additive
in margarine, mayonnaise, chocolate and baked goods.

Yours in health,
Pamela

Eatertainment - July 27, 2009

2009-07-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

Patients often tell me that they eat when they are either bored or lonely.
This emotional eating is usually their dietary undoing. There is an
excellent book review on eating as entertainment in the New Yorker this
week, I've borrowed this excerpt from it because I couldn't have written it
better:

David A. Kessler, a former commissioner of the Food and Drug
Administration, says that it’s not that sweet and oily foods have become
less expensive; it’s that they’ve been re-engineered while we weren’t
looking. Kessler spends a lot of time meeting with (often anonymous)
consultants who describe how they are trying to fashion products that offer
what has become known in the food industry as “eatertainment.” Fat,
sugar, and salt turn out to be the crucial elements in this quest:
different“eatertaining” items mix these ingredients in different but
invariably highly caloric combinations. A food scientist for Frito-Lay
relates how the company is seeking to create “a lot of fun in your
mouth” with products like Nacho Cheese Doritos, which meld “three
different cheese notes” with lots of salt and oil. Another
product-development expert talks about how she is trying to “unlock the
code of craveability,” and a third about the effort to “cram as much
hedonism as you can in one dish.”

Kessler invents his own term—“conditioned hypereating”—to
describe how people respond to these laboratory-designed concoctions. Foods
like Cinnabons and Starbucks’ Strawberries & Crème Frappuccinos are, he
maintains, like drugs: “Conditioned hypereating works the same way as
other ‘stimulus response’ disorders in which reward is involved, such
as compulsive gambling and substance abuse.” For Kessler, the analogy is
not merely rhetorical: research on rats, he maintains, proves that the
animals’ brains react to sweet, fatty foods the same way that addicts’
respond to cocaine.

If you would like to read the whole article, which is excellent, here's the
link:

New Yorker Article

Yours in health,
Pamela

But Why?

2009-07-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

This blog topic comes to us courtesy of my 3 year old son,
Brandon.  Brandon's favourite phrase these days is "but why?"
which has me convinced he'll make an excellent naturopathic
doctor.  You see its an inherent part of the job that you must
always be asking yourself the question "but why?" in order to
get to the root cause of the problem.  You can insert your
own health condition here but as an example I'll use
asthma.

Patient A has asthma
But why?
Because her bronchi restrict in response to certain stimuli
But why?
Because they have developed a hypersensitivity
But why?
Because she had excessive stress, was depleted in vitamin C,
B6, essential fatty acids and her liver wasn't clearing toxins
effectively
But why?
Improper diet, poor absorption of vitamins/minerals,
stress-related depletion of the nutrients she did have and her
liver didn't have what it needed to do its job
But why?

You get the idea, at some point we are satisfied with the answer
and you've reached what I call the end point of explanations and
there's where you need to start to treat the problem.  In a
simplistic world we could give herbs to open up the bronchi, but
that's nowhere near the root cause of the problem.  Without
asking "but why?" we would only be masking the underlying
deficiencies rather than treating the actual cause.
The "but why?" philosophy can be applied to any life situation,
not just health problems.  It's important to keep asking the
question to eventually get a satisfactory answer and a place to
start finding solutions.

Yours in Health,
Pamela

 

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A@#$%tame is a Dirty Word

2008-04-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

On the subject of food additives, here's the low-down on one artificial sweetener that starts with "A" ends with "tame", you fill in the blanks. It UNEQUIVOCALLY worsens: Hypertension Migraine Epilepsy and Obesity

I had one patient who after consuming only a little of it, would wake in the middle of the night with her heart pounding, drenched in sweat, losing bladder control, losing bowel control and feeling as if she were going to die. The only change we made was to eliminate aspartame and this all immmediately went away.

Still thinking of having that Diet Pop?

Weekly Post #2 - MSG and Weight Gain

2008-03-23T13:24:00.000-07:00

There are at least 1500 scientific articles on MSG. In rats, there is overwhelming evidence of brain damage, retinal damage, hypothalamus damage, induced obesity and diabetes. Just two doses of MSG during the second half of pregnancy damage the developmental process, appetite control and various hormones in the offspring of rats. MSG consumption is used to induce obesity in animals! Incidentally, monkeys are at least as sensitive to MSG damage as are rats. Personally, I love good Chinese food (not the greasy, MSG crap). If it's well prepared I think it's healthy - lots of dark green leafy vegetables and protein. Stay clear of the MSG and if you having rice make it only a very small serving and enjoy!

Yours in health, Pamela

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Bowels and Blueberries - Weekly Post #1

2008-03-04T06:53:00.000-08:00

Information was released today showing that blueberries contain a substance that seems to be protective against colon cancer. Blueberries are nutritional powerhouses full of antioxidants that help protect eyesight and the heart, prevent aging and now are shown to help prevent cancer. I try to incorporate them into breakfast at least 3-4 times per week. Frozen blueberries may be better for you than fresh because they are often wild (meaning organic) and the freezing process actually breaks down the cell wall making it easier to obtain the nutrients from the inside. All my life I've loved blueberries - now I know why!

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