Butter Shortage? or Movement back to traditional food
SAULT STE MARIE, ON ---- December 16, 2011 --- There is a butter shortage in Norway. Currently, a 250 gram 
piece of butter can be purchased on Norway’s top auction site starting at four times its normal price. Why the shortage? Well, a “fat-rich fad diet” has been sweeping across the land, causing sales of butter to soar.
The butter shortage is interesting enough, but are the Norwegians on to something? Can we North Americans learn anything from their trending eating habits? Let’s take a closer look at this “fad diet” …
This “fad diet,” as reported by the media, looks to actually be part of a greater movement back to traditional foods, such as organic butters and creams – a diet higher in natural fats, lower in grain based carbohydrates. 
read more....>
5 Small Steps to Avoid Packing on the Holiday Pounds
SAULT STE MARIE, ON ---- December 10, 2011 --- The gorge-fest starts at Thanksgiving and seems to continue 
on until the New Year – the “impossible to resist” homemade baking, the unending buffets, and festive drinks – all tied up in celebrating the holiday spirit. We tend to write it off because “it only happens once per year,” but does it have long terms effects on our health? Are there ways we can be sensible without spoiling the Christmas cheer?
Research shows that the average person consumes an extra 500 calories per day over the holidays, which equates to an average weight gain of about 5 pounds by New Year’s Day. This may not seem like a lot and it isn’t the amount so much as the fact that once the weight is put on it becomes harder to lose. And as the years go by your weight continues to creep up.
So perhaps it is wise to treat Christmas as any other time of year when you have to go to a dinner party or celebration. If we are mindful of a few small things that are not difficult to do, it creates a shift in mindset and behaviour. And, over time, this all adds up to a trimmer waistline. read more.....>
How to Get Your Teenager to Eat More Vegetables
SAULT STE MARIE, ON --- December 1, 2-11 ---The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that one third of high school 
students do not eat vegetables each day and more than one fourth do not have a serving of fruit each day. Consider youth obesity levels are at an all-time high this may not be so surprising; however it is distressing.
The solution seems simple: get teens to eat more vegetables, but as we know from our own experience that is easier said than done. Teens tend to be influenced by their peers, hang out in environments where processed foods are abundant and, in general, have other things on their mind other than their health.
So what can be done? Fortunately, there are a few relatively easy ways to help people - even teens – eat healthy: read more......>
Are You An Emotional Eater?
Sault Ste. Marie, ON - Nov. 17, 2011 - Emotional eating occurs when we eat – usually large quantities of foods or 
“junk” or “comfort” foods – in response to particular feelings instead of in response to physical hunger. Feelings or states that are common triggers for emotional eating include depression, boredom, loneliness, anger, anxiety, frustration, stress and poor self-esteem. read more...>
Cancer: Are We Approaching the “War” from the Wrong Side?
SAULT STE MARIE, ON -- November 10, 2011 ---- News came out this past week that for the first time cancer is 
now the leading cause of death in every province and territory in Canada. Cancer accounted for 30% of all deaths in 2008, followed by heart disease (21%).
Each year billions of dollars are thrown at “fighting” cancer, but we seem to be losing the “battle.” We continue spending huge sums of money to address this disease, but the incidence of cancer is actually increasing. What is going on?
Conventional cancer treatments – surgery, radiation and chemotherapy – all focus directly and solely on destroying the tumour at all costs. Sometimes this even comes at the cost of the person being treated. Here is a pretty sobering statistic: published results in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in December 2004 indicated that chemotherapy has an average 5-year survival success rate of just over 2% for all cancers. read more....>
What is Acupuncture Good For? An Evidence-Based Look
SAULT STE MARIE ON ----- October 23, 2011 --- Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that 
involves inserting stainless steel needles into certain points on the body to bring about a therapeutic effect. Acupuncture points are places on the skin that have a lower resistance to the passage of electricity than the surrounding skin. Points are found along “meridians” or “channels” that are believed to be the pathways by which energy or “Qi” flows through the body.
Acupuncture is a staple therapy in my practice. I appreciate its versatility and use it to encourage natural healing, improve mood and energy, reduce stress, relieve pain and improve function to affected parts of the body. read more....>
Halloween Fun or Disgustingly Insensitive?
SAULT STE MARIE, ON --- October 17, 2011 -- Meet Anna Rexia. One online Halloween shop’s description 
reads, “If Anna Rexia doesn't want to put it in her mouth there is nothing you can say to change her mind. You can stop trying to sell her on the point that there aren't any carbs and it's all protein because Anna Rexia just doesn't want anything to do with it. Make no bones about it this girl is as disciplined as they can get. Anna Rexia costume is anything but bare bones! Costume includes headband, choker neckband, removable ‘Anna Rexia’ badge and ribbon tie belt. If you're starving for attention, this costume will be sure to put you on top of the world."
The costume comes with a black bodysuit, skeleton bones showing, and accessories, including a measuring tape belt and measuring tape choker.
The manufacturer of the costume, Dreamgirl, discontinued the costume a couple years ago; however it can still be purchased at a few online vendors.
Personally, I find it hard to believe that individuals who are aware of and educated about eating disorders would ever consider purchasing this costume so I’d like to use this controversy as an opportunity to bring about awareness of the illness anorexia nervosa. read more....>
It’s all about the Terrain
SAULT STE MARIE, ON October 3, 2011 --- It’s that time of year again. The Canadian geese have flown south and 
flu season is here. Have you ever wondered why some people seem to get the flu every year and others don’t? A group of researchers recently followed seventeen healthy people, purposely infected with an influenza strain (they were paid for their troubles), over the course of five days to try to answer that question.
Blood samples were taken, genes were examined. Both groups of participants – those that had symptoms and those that didn’t - mounted an initial defence mechanism. Certain genes that sense viruses were activated. However, after that initial point, response patterns in the two groups diverged. The symptomatic group showed a strong inflammatory response, the non-symptomatic group exhibited an “anti-stress response.”
Why the different responses? What was different in the non-symptomatic patients that helped their bodies fight off the virus efficiently? The researchers of the study failed to speculate, but that doesn’t preclude me from doing so … read more.....>
Love, Marriage … Weight Gain?
SAULT STE MARIE, ON ---- September 26, 2011 ---- You know that song that goes, “Love and marriage go 
together like a horse and carriage”? Well, apparently weight gain goes together with marriage, too, especially for women. A recent study out of Ohio State University analyzed the body mass index (BMI) of more than 10 000 people over a two year period after marriage and found that large weight gain is more likely for women after they get married.
Researchers of the study commented, “Married women often have a larger role around the house than men do, and they may have less time to exercise and stay fit than similar unmarried women. On the other hand, studies show that married men get a health benefit from marriage…”
I’m not sure this tells the whole story, although the researchers did control for common factors that affect weight gain, such as pregnancy, poverty, education and socioeconomic status. Some psychologists believe it can be due to a “post-courting rebound effect.” Basically, the theory is that a woman may “let go” and lessen the pressure upon herself physically once she has “caught her man.” (I’m guessing a man probably came up with this theory). read more.....>
The Cost of Chronic Illness
Sault Ste Marie, On --- September 19, 2011 -- This week the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that a plan 
is urgently needed to reduce the growing incidence of non-infectious diseases worldwide. Non-infectious diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, lung disease and diabetes cause 36 million deaths per year and, if not addressed, could cost low and middle income nations $7 trillion dollars between 2011 and 2025.
It is estimated that 100 million people are forced into poverty each year because of paying directly for health care. The majority of these costs are due to the treatment of non-communicable diseases. Chronic illness not only comes with a high price tag, but often results in loss of productivity and physical disability. In certain situations this can mean the loss of family’s household income.
WHO placed heart disease, cancer, lung disease and diabetes at the top of the list because these account for 80% of the deaths from chronic disease and they share common risk factors, including smoking, alcohol overuse, lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet. Sound familiar?
read more......>
5 Key Steps to Diabetes Prevention
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - Sept. 13, 2011 - A new study suggests that making several healthy changes in one’s life 
can be more beneficial at reducing diabetes than making just one change. The higher the number of healthy habits the lower the risk.
This isn’t so surprising. We already know the opposite: a poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and drinking too much all add up to greater risk of chronic disease, including heart disease and diabetes. The main difference with this study is that it is the largest study to date that examines the role of combined healthy habits specifically on diabetes prevention.
Participants were tracked for nearly a decade. Those found to have the lowest risk of diabetes shared five common health habits:
Little or no drinking - For women this meant one drink or less per day and for men this meant two drinks or less per day.
Non-smoking - Either they were smoke free for at least 10 years or had never smoked. read more...>
Cutting Cholesterol Using Diet Alone
Sault Ste. Marie, ON ---- August 30, 2011 --- Dr. David Jenkins and his team of researchers recently 
showed that a specific cholesterol lowering diet works well in “real world” settings where participants received two nutritional counselling sessions over six months, along with an illustrated instruction booklet.
Total cholesterol dropped from 256 to 230 and LDL (“bad” cholesterol) dropped from 173 to 148, even though compliance was “only about 40%.” All participants suffered from high cholesterol and none in the group were taking any cholesterol lowering medications. Let me repeat that just to be clear: Diet alone was demonstrated to be just as effective as statin medications in lowering cholesterol. 
read more....>
This Simple Switch at the Kitchen Table to Decrease Your Cancer Risk
SAULT STE MARIE, ON ---- August 23, 2011 --- A recent paper in the journal of Current 
Pharmaceutical Design reviewed 25 studies on olive oil consumption and cancer. The researchers calculated a 5-fold difference in risk between subjects consuming mainly olive oil compared to those consuming mainly butter. A 40% decreased risk of breast cancer was seen in those consuming the greatest amounts of olive oil compared to those consuming the lowest amounts.
The findings were not only positive for breast cancer, but also upper digestive tract (stomach, esophageal), respiratory tract (lung) cancers, and “possibly colorectal and other cancer sites.”
When we add this information to the fact that olive oil has already been shown to have many heart health benefits, it makes its use a no-brainer.
Olive oil has been shown to decrease the damage that can be done by LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, thereby reducing inflammation in the body and the risk of cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis. Olive oil has been shown to help decrease total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and improve the LDL:HDL (“bad” cholesterol to “good” cholesterol) ratio. read more.....>
What’s the Best Exercise?
SAULT STE MARIE, ON ----- August 15, 2011 ---- It's relative. I know you are probably looking for a 
clear cut answer, like do ________ exercise, but like most areas of health, exercise is best when individualized to your unique needs.
If I'm working with someone who has a sedentary lifestyle then I often will recommend any activity that the patient enjoys. The most important thing is to just start - to get moving, to become more active. Obviously, my recommendations for someone training for a triathlon will be different from my recommendations for an elderly person who recently had a stroke. Lifting a kleenex box five times per day, for example, may be an optimal exercise prescription to start with under certain circumstances. And that is exercise. read more.....>
How to Create a Natural First Aid Kit for the Summer
THUNDER BAY, ON --- With summer comes fun, but sometimes along with that fun comes insect 
bites, cuts and scrapes, sunburns and bruises. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have a first aid kit ready for those summertime wounds. The following are some natural treatments that can be added to any first aid kit:
Insect Bites
Bug bites usually don’t progress beyond an annoyance, but there are certain remedies that can help lessen their irritation. Consider taking a bath or shower with citronella soap and avoid using any scented perfumes, colognes, shampoos, hairsprays or deodorants that will attract insects. Jewelweed infused in apple cider vinegar can be effective as a repellent. Rescue remedy cream or Solvarome can be applied topically to decrease itchiness and inflammation. Lavender oil can also be soothing when applied. Homeopathic Apis can be excellent to reduce itchiness, especially when there is any swelling. Ledum 6C can be used for puncture-like wounds, such as from the sting of mosquito or bite of a black fly. read more....>
Accessing the Power of Gratitude
Sault Ste Marie, ON - July 18, 2011 - The practice of gratitude as a tool for happiness has been in the mainstream for years. Long-term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positive, appreciative attitude contributes to greater success in work, greater health, peak performance in sports and business, a higher sense of well-being, and a faster rate of recovery from surgery. read more...>
The Importance of Prenatal Nutrition
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON ---- July 12, 2011 ---- We aren’t just what we eat. We are what our parents 
ate, too. A parent’s diet prior to pregnancy affects the health of his/her future offspring.
Studies have shown that a poor maternal diet before conception can result in offspring with low birth weights, and offspring who have an increased risk of developing type II diabetes and obesity. Female mice fed a low protein diet prior to conception, but had a normal diet during pregnancy, gave birth to children with lower weights and increased insulin sensitivity, which is known to lead to insulin resistance and type II diabetes later in life.
Male mice fed a low protein diet have offspring with altered lipid metabolism, which relates to how the children control cholesterol and store fat. There was a tendency in these offspring to hoard calories, and therefore, an increased risk of obesity. Human epidemiological studies have shown that when the paternal grandfather goes hungry offspring are at increased risk of developing obesity and cardiovascular disease. read more.....>
Do You Know What You’re Taking?
SAULT STE MARIE, ON ----- June 27, 2011 ---Most people wouldn’t treat themselves with drugs. They seek the help of a professional – a medical doctor. I often wonder why the same doesn’t apply to nutrition and nutritional supplements. Sure, taking nutrients without the advice of a professional may be safer than self-medicating with drugs, but if you want good, safe results I recommend seeking professional advice.
Biochemistry and nutrition are complicated. I see so many new patients come in with bags of herbs and nutrients without knowing or understanding what they are taking or how these ingredients interact.
It’s true, for example, that someone fighting a cold may benefit from vitamin C, or that someone under stress may benefit from B vitamins. However, nutritional therapy is not like drug therapy. There is an inter-relationship between nutrients and balance is even more important than absolute amounts. In fact, taking too much of the wrong vitamin may worsen a condition. read more......>
A Key Factor in Health That May Be Right Under Our Feet
SAULT STE MARIA, ON --- June 20, 2011 ---- Have you ever walked barefoot on a sandy beach or 
a dewy field at dawn? Perhaps you felt some tingling or warmth in your feet? Perhaps a sense of well-being or calm? That sensation results from the skin of your conductive body making contact with the “skin” of the conductive Earth, the sensation of the electric energy from the ground rising up.
Doctors Pawel and Karol Sokal believe that the common denominator linking many of society’s chronic diseases is the interaction of the human body with the electrical charge of the earth. Through their research, the Sokals have concluded that a connection to the earth – often referred to as earthing or grounding – is essential for health.
Think about it: our modern lifestyle increasingly separates us from this connection. We wear insulated rubber or plastic soled shoes all the time that block the electrical flow. We no longer sleep on the ground as we once did in the past. When was the last time you walked barefoot on a natural surface like grass, sand or pebbles and how often do you do that?
Through well controlled double-blinded studies, the Sokals have discovered that earthing at night or while sleeping reduces the processes that take place that lead to osteoporosis, regulates blood glucose (diabetes reduction), regulates thyroid function and metabolism and increases our immune response. read more......>
Valuing Prevention: The Future of Health Care
SAULT STE MARIE, ON --- June 13, 2011 -----For my post this week I ask that you permit me to take a 
bit more of a political stance than I typically do. You see, with the provincial elections approaching and Ontarians voicing their opinion that health care is a top priority, I believe it’s an especially important time to discuss the following issue.
Preventing disease and restoring the health of Ontarians is the primary focus of Naturopathic Doctors. The Ontario government also considers prevention as part of the solution to alleviate our overburdened health care system. It is clear that the future of sustainable health care in Ontario lies in the prevention of chronic illness. read more......>
The Most Important Factor for Health
THUNDER BAY, ON - June 7, 2011 - It’s more important than cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar or any other physical risk factor. If it’s missing in your life it can cause or worsen 95% of all diseases. It doesn’t come in a pill. It’s not available at your doctor’s office. read more...>
7 Tips for Improved Heart Health
Sault Ste Marie, On --- May 31, 2011 --- Last week we looked at the best laboratory tests to determine 
your heart disease risk. This week let’s look at what you can actually do to lower your risk.
We’ve already learned that lowering your risk has little to do with lowering your cholesterol with statin medication. And we know that high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar are implicated in heart disease. But, what causes the high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar in the first place?
You may be thinking that it comes down to your genes. It’s actually all about how your environment affects your genes. In other words, what you eat, how much you exercise, how you deal with stress and how your body deals with the environmental toxins it is exposed to are the factors that determine your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Research clearly shows that lifestyle changes are much more effective than any medication for preventing heart disease. read more.....>
Testing for Cardiovascular Disease Risk
SAULT STE MARIE, ON ----- May 24, 2011 --- In my last article I discussed the importance of using 
waist circumference as a marker for heart disease risk. In this article I want to look at laboratory tests that are important to assess your overall risk.
High cholesterol is not the only risk factor that we need to consider. In fact, it is not even the most important factor. Insulin and blood sugar imbalances, along with inflammation are even more accurate predictors of heart disease.
Here are the tests I recommend asking your doctor about when it comes to accurately assessing your cardiovascular disease risk: read more....>
Have You Checked Your Waist Size Recently?
Sault Ste Marie, ON - May 16, 2011 - We know that obesity increases heart disease risk. However, it is not necessarily as simple as the more weight you carry, the greater your risk. Where the fat is located on your body may play a more important role.
BMI or Body Mass Index was the marker for cardiovascular risk most commonly used in the past. It reflects a ratio of your height to weight. Some studies began finding, however, that a high BMI was associated with a lower risk of dying from heart disease. Researchers termed this the “obesity paradox” since it would seem logical that the contrary would be true. read more...>
Naturopathic Medicine Week 2011
THUNDER BAY, ON - May 9, 2011 - Today marks the first day of Naturopathic Medicine Week, which occurs during the second week of May each year. During this week naturopathic doctors across Canada hold free events to talk about their unique, more natural approach to health. The goal is to teach members of their community about natural medicine, health promotion and disease prevention.read more...>
Review of the Dukan Diet
THUNDER BAY, ON - May 2, 2011 - The Dukan Diet has been in the news as of late since it was rumoured that Catherine Middleton may have used it to lose weight before her royal wedding. There have also been rumours that Jennifer Lopez and model, Gisele Bündchen, have used the diet to shed post-pregnancy pounds. It may be the latest fad diet, but is the Dukan Diet effective, and more importantly, does it promote safe, healthy weight loss? read more...>
The Importance of Water for Health
Sault Ste Marie, ON ----- April 18, 2011 ----- Did you know that an adult human body is about 56% fluid 
and our individual cells actually contain 70 to 85% water? Water is vital for elimination of wastes and healthy lymphatic flow.
You may think that our bodies produce urine in order to get rid of excess water; however we actually produce urine to get rid of small amounts of solid waste. Water is vital to get rid of these wastes.
When patients are told to drink eight, eight-ounce glasses of water each day, they usually say, “If I drank that much water, I’d live in the bathroom.” If this is you, it means that you really need the water. Your body is holding onto waste products and needs the water so it can get rid of the wastes. read more......>
Does Coffee Contribute to Diabetes?
Sault Ste Marie, On --- April 14, 2011 ---- In the inaugural issue of the Journal of Caffeine Research, a 
new review study looked at data from 17 double-blind, placebo controlled studies that have been published over the last 40 years. The author of the review concludes, “Given the magnitude of caffeine effects observed in these studies, removal of the adverse effects of caffeine may be beneficial to diabetes prevention and management.”
Exactly how caffeine affects blood sugar levels hasn't been determined yet, but researchers hypothesize that it may result from the fact that caffeine triggers the release of stress hormones. These stress hormones, cortisol and epinephrine, stimulate glucose production from the liver and inhibit insulin, which is required to lower blood sugar levels. read more.....>
Early Menopause Associated With Certain Household Chemicals
SAULT STE MARIE, ON ---- April 3, 2011 ----- A new study out of West Virginia University 
School of 
Medicine suggests a link between early menopause and environmental chemicals commonly found in our households. Although researchers are unclear about how these chemicals actually cause early menopause they did find a significant association between high levels of perfluorocarbons (PFCs) in the body and lower concentrations of estrogen in the over 25 000 women who took part in the study.
PFCs are man-made chemicals found in many household products, including food containers, stain-resistant clothing, furniture, carpets, paints and non-stick pans. In animal studies, PFCs have been linked to cancer and thyroid disease. In some cases, the PFCs in non-stick frying pans on high heat have been shown to cause flu-like symptoms in humans and even kill birds.
Some of the women in the study shown to have early-onset menopause were as young as 42 years old. Monthly menstruation helps to eliminate some amount of PFCs from the body so it is possible that early menopause may result in high PFC levels; however even though it is unclear if the PFCs are directly causing early menopause, they shouldn't be in our bodies regardless. Early menopause puts women at higher risk for heart disease. read more.....>
Big Mac, Zantac, Prozac: The Progression of Disease
SAULT STE MARIE, ON ---- March 21, 2011 --- Dr. Alan Gaby, MD has an interesting take on the 
progression of illness. He says that the path to poor health goes, “Big Mac, Zantac, Prozac.” What I believe he's getting at is that we start by eating poorly, then our digestion system is affected to the point where we are prescribed a drug like Zantac (often prescribed for acid reflux) that further does damage to our digestion and inhibits nutrient absorption, which leads to other issues like depression for which we are prescribed a drug like Prozac. Disease originates from poor habits consistently carried out over time.
Chronic disease happens over time, not all of a sudden. Have you ever heard someone say, “Yesterday, I came down with cancer”? The departure from ideal health begins much, much earlier than when we first begin to notice symptoms. read more......>
Healthcare Sickness?
THUNDER BAY, ON - March 14, 2011 - When I meet with a patient for the first time I show them a picture of a room lit only by an open window that allows the sunlight to shine through. I ask, “If this window were shut and the room became completely dark, how could you light up this room again?” I get responses like “I would open another window,” “I would break open the window,” “I would light a candle.” The one commonality with all the answers I get is that they all offer a way to bring light into the room. Not one person has ever told me to take the dark out. read more...>
How to Balance Estrogen Levels with Natural Supplements
THUNDER BAY, ON - March 8, 2011 - In the previous article we examined how foods, such as alfalfa sprouts, apples and barley can be used to balance estrogen levels, in order to prevent and treat estrogen-dominant conditions like uterine fibroids, PMS and breast cancer.
In today's article I want to examine specific supplements and therapies that can be added to an effective treatment plan for balancing estrogen levels. Please note that as each person is individual and has unique health care needs, I recommend you speak with a licensed naturopathic doctor prior to beginning any of the following therapies. Your naturopathic doctor can ensure you incorporate these remedies in a way that is best for you, at the optimal doses. read more...>
How to Use Food to Balance Estrogen Levels
THUNDER BAY, ON - March 1, 2011 - In last week’s article, Are Bioidentical Hormones Safe, I looked at one of the biggest factors contributing to hormonal imbalances (in particular excess estrogens) – xenoestrogens. I provided general tips to help reduce your exposure to these chemicals.
In this week’s article I want to explore specific foods that will help your body deal with xenoestrogens.
But first, because I believe this is so important, let’s again review some common sources of xenohormones: read more...>
Are Bioidentical Hormones Safe?
SAULT STE MARIE ON ----- February 16, 2011 ------- A recent article I came across discusses some 
physicians' views that patients should be warned about the possible risks of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Although I believe that “natural” hormone replacement therapy is a better alternative than synthetic hormone replacement therapy, based on the research we have to date, there definitely is a need for further research into bioidentical hormones and their safety.
As a naturopathic doctor practising in the province of Ontario my scope of practice does not include the use of bioidentical hormones, so I do not have any direct experience prescribing this therapy. I apologize if the title of this article is misleading, however the point I want to make is that I believe there is an array of natural therapeutic options available before a woman needs to resort to any hormone replacement therapy – bioidentical or synthethic – and I view bioidentical hormone replacement therapy as more of a last resort if those options do not offer significant benefit. I believe the vast majority of women with hormonal imbalances can be treated effectively without the use of hormone replacement therapy. read more....>
SAULT STE MARIE, ON ----- February 7, 2011 ----- A recent study showed that including almonds as 
part of breakfast may help to better control blood sugar levels throughout the day compared to eating a breakfast that does not include almonds. Volunteers in the study ate about 33 almonds at breakfast. All forms of almonds (almond oil, almond butter, etc) had benefit, although those who ate whole almonds seemed to benefit most significantly.
I often get asked, “How can I lower my blood sugar levels naturally?” Using healthy foods in a therapeutic way is a great place to start. Almonds are one example of such a therapeutic food. Here is a list of what I believe are the top ten foods that are beneficial for balancing blood sugar levels: read more....>
SAULT STE MARIE, ON ------ January 31, 2010 ---- The first thing to consider when reading the 
ingredient list is that ingredients are listed in descending order according to weight. Therefore, because the first five ingredients listed make up the greatest amount of the food product these matter most.
In last week's article we looked at what nutrition claims really mean. This week I want to focus on what I consider the most important part of a nutrition label: the ingredient list. For the most part, the ingredient list tells you exactly what is in a food product.
Have you ever come across an ingredient you could not pronounce? Here are five steps you can take to simplify the ingredient list: read more......>
What Do Nutrient Claim Really Mean?
5 Steps to Get What You Need to Know About Your Food
SAULT STE MARIE, ON ----- January 16, 2011 ---- In last week’s article we looked at the controversy surrounding Health Canada’s latest campaign to simplify how we read food labels. This week I want to look at nutrition labels themselves and walk you through 5 easy steps you can take to get the exact information you need in order to make a wise food choice.
Decoding Nutrition Labels Part One: The Controversy
Sault Ste. Marie On ----- January 8, 2010 ------ Have you seen commercials for the latest campaign from Health Canada, in partnership with the Food and Consumer Products of Canada? Numbers, percentages and measurements leap off a nutrition label and swirl around a consumer's head as she looks confused, comparing two food products, one in each hand. A voice off-screen suggests to simply look at the Percent Daily Value to determine which is best. read more......>
Let’s break down the steps, looking at the top of the label first, and working our way to the bottom … Here’s an example of what a typical nutrition label looks like read more.......>
SAULT STE MARIE, ON --- January 24, 2010 -- As we've touched upon in Parts One and Two, food labels can be quite confusing. You've likely seen claims like “all natural,” “low sodium” or “fat free” on packages, but what do these vague claims really mean? Let's look at some of the most common label claims and if you should actually believe them ...
First of all, be aware that the words “right,” “smart,” and “natural” are not regulated. Therefore, they offer no guarantee and can mean just about anything. read more.......>