Reading Labels - a Necessity for Health

By Dr. Iva Lloyd, ND

If you have a sense that it is not as easy to achieve or maintain health today as it was even 10 years ago you are correct. The number of factors affecting health is increasing on a daily basis.

As a naturopathic practitioner I have found one of the most consistent and annoying factors is food. There are just so many variables that come into play - organic versus non-organic, the "hidden" aspect of genetically modified food, the pesticides and herbicides and antibiotics used on  or added to food, food allergies and sensitivities, and the chemicals and additives used in the preparation of food.

Many of the food factors are difficult to deduce unless you are inclined to do a lot of research, which can be a worthwhile and eye-opening exercise, but is not practical while shopping. Reading labels on everything you buy is an easy way to identify and eliminate the chemicals, preservatives, additives and fillers that are added to food. Any food that comes in a box or package is going to include some of these. Getting into the habit of reading the ingredient list of all food is an essential part of achieving and maintaining health.

Food labels include the calories, fat, protein and sugar content as well as key electrolytes such as salt or potassium. This is important information especially if you are managing diabetes, cholesterol, weight or other health issues. What is equally, or even more important, is the ingredient list. The ingredient list is what conveys what has been added to the food. You will be surprised how much of the "food" that is sold on store shelves are actually "chemical cocktails" that contain additives and fillers that negate the health benefits of the "real food". For information on the health impact of food additives and colourings check out the these links:

• http://www.ndhealthfacts.org/wiki/Food_Additives
• http://www.ndhealthfacts.org/wiki/Food_Colourings

Often when people are "doing the right things" like avoiding food sensitivities such as dairy and wheat, they are actually substituting foods that have a lot of chemicals and additives.  There is growing concern that many chronic health complaints are associated more with the additives and fillers than they are with actual food sensitivities. For example, there is a link between food colourings and ADD/ADHD behaviour.  The website for genetically modified food looks at the link between genetically modified foods, such as soy and corn, and the rise in gluten sensitivity. Some individuals with a gluten sensitivity find that by cutting out genetically modified foods they are able to handle wheat and other food sensitivities improve.

I encourage you to adopt a "Label-Free Diet" for awhile and get a sense of how your body responds when it  is fed only "real" food. At a minimum you want to avoid the following:

• soy lecithin
• carrageenan
• xantham gum
• MSG
• nitrates
• sulfites
• all food colourings

For more information on this topic contact our clinic at 905-940-2727 and talk to one of our naturopathic doctors who can guide you to health.

Ayurvedic Skin Care for Summer

by Dr. Leena Athparia, ND, AAWC

Do you have dry skin? Oily skin? Mixed skin or sensitive skin? If you pay attention to your skin, you will notice that it will respond differently based on the season, weather, your activities and your diet.  The more you pay attention, the more you will also know what your skin needs.

Your skin is the largest organ in the body and it breathes. It removes waste from inside the body through sweat as a route of elimination. Your skin also absorbs what you put on it – creams, oils, lotions etc. So what you put on your skin should be clean to the extent you could eat it! Just take a look at your bathroom counter and see if you would eat any of your skin creams.  If not, it may be time to re-evaluate your personal care products.

According to Ayurveda, skin can be qualified by dosha type. The five elements in nature are also at work in your body: space, air, fire, water and earth. For example, if you have excess fire element, your skin may be triggered by hot weather or internal changes like too much spicy or fried food. Inflamed, red or breakout skin can be prevented by taking steps to keep your skin clean and cool.

Ayurvedic Skin Types

Although each person’s skin is unique, most people have a dominant skin type. Read below to see which skin sounds most like yours:

Vata skin:

This skin type tends to be dry, rough, thin, cool and worse with dry, cold, windy weather. Vata skin is most affected in the winter. This skin type does best with nourishing oils such as sesame or almond oil, warm oil massage, thicker creams topically along with frequent hydration, and a diet rich in healthy oils.

Pitta skin:

Pitta skin type tends to be red, inflamed, oily and warm with sensitivity to the sun and hot summer weather. Treatments for pitta skin types include cooling oils or creams such as coconut or olive oil, pitta balancing diet and bitter herbs to clean the skin from the inside out.

Kapha skin:

Individuals with kapha skin tend to have naturally moist skin that can get cold, clammy or oily easily. This skin type is worse with humid weather. Treatments for kapha skin involve oils or creams that are very light and warming such as mustard or almond oil, herbal scrubs, dry skin brushing and toners that are astringent.

Treatments for Summer Skin Health

In the summer, heat and humidity can easily push your skin out of balance leading to common concerns such as: acne, hives, rashes, rosacea, sun spots, redness and sun-sensitive skin. In addition, a diet rich in spicy, oily food and acidic foods (such as excess red meat, alcohol, caffeine and sugar) can cause pitta imbalance in the digestive system to ‘overflow’ into your circulatory system and out through the skin as the body attempts to detox excess waste. Spending too much time in the sun or overdoing your work can add to skin breakouts. You can read more about pitta imbalance and ways to keep cool in the summer here. Below are some tips on a few natural compounds in skin products for pitta skin:

Neem

Neem is a tropical plant with so many uses. For skin, it is found in soaps, creams and shampoos. It has cooling qualities so assists the body in removing excess heat. It is very anti-microbial so good for conditions such as fungal skin infections. It is available as an oil but has a strong odour so is more manageable mixed with other ingredients. It can be also taken as a capsule internally to clean the skin inside out. Speak with your naturopathic doctor on how to take neem based on your health concern.

Aloe

Aloe is a well-known plant that grows in the desert, but very versatile to keep at home to heal burns or inflamed skin. It is very soothing for sensitive skin and makes a great base for skin gels and creams. Try taking a small piece of aloe gel from your plant and apply it to your skin – observe how it feels. Great for pitta and vata types in the summer.

Rose

Rose is known for its aromatic scent associated with love, romance and feminine qualities. As an herb, it is cooling and rose water or hydrosol is extremely refreshing. Rose oil or creams work well with pitta skin types to help calm and cool the skin and refresh the mind. Rose mist can be kept handy in the car or at work to spray at the hot times of the day to refresh you, or used as a toner as part of your skin care routine. Rose hip oil, from the fruit of the rose, has a slightly different quality but is also very beneficial for healing burns and scars.

Clay

Clay comes from the earth and is rich in minerals. There are many different types of clays that will have different qualities but essentially clay works well in soaps or cleansers due to its exfoliating nature. Clay is drying and tightens the skin due to its astringent qualities. It is excellent to detoxify the skin by pulling out toxins. It is great to use as a cleansing mask in the summer. Great for all skin types but vata skin types may need a moisturizer after using clay as it can dry out the skin.

Calendula

Calendula is a flower which has been used traditionally in healing burns and rashes. It is commonly found in diaper rash creams, salves for burns, or as an oil infusion to apply on the skin. It is excellent in pitta skin conditions especially where there is irritated or red skin as it is an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. It can be used as a cream, oil, ointment or infusion.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is cooling for the skin and is great for pitta skin issues. It has been used for centuries to strengthen skin and promote healthy hair growth. It grows in tropical climates so it often suits hot climates – best to avoid using in the winter or those with very vata skin since it cools the body down but great in the summer.

These are just a few of the herbs that are used in naturopathic & Ayurvedic treatments to heal skin. These systems treat not only by condition, but by the underlying constitution of the person. Different care is needed for each skin type. If you have chronic skin concerns, topical skin care may not be enough – you may need internal approach to cleaning skin from the inside out. Triphala, burdock, neems are just some of the cleansing herbs used for skin conditions. Use these tips for healthy, glowing summer skin or speak to your ND if you have chronic skin issues that you would like to address. And don’t forget – hydration is the foundation to healthy summer skin!

Dr. Leena Athparia is a Naturopathic doctor & Ayurvedic practitioner at Naturopathic Foundations with a focus on joint health, pain and chronic disease. If you are healthy and looking into preventing disease or learning more about your constitution, Dr. Athparia can help you. Please call the clinic at 905-940-2727 to book an appointment.

Wireless Technology - 5 Safety Tips

by Dr. Iva Lloyd, ND

 Copyright: https://ehtrust.org/

Are you concerned about the impact of wireless technology on your health?  The research is strongly indicating that we need to be more aware and take precautions in order to protect our health.  Wireless technology is ubiquitous.  It is almost impossible to find a spot that is not connected to the wireless world.  Even most of the provincial parks now have wireless technology. The problem with something that is all around us is that it's impact on health is often ignored.

Symptoms associated with wireless technology are diverse and include:

• Neurological: headaches, migraines, dizziness, nausea, difficulty concentrating, decrease in memory, irritability, anxiety, fatigue
• Cardiac: pain or pressure in the chest, low or high blood pressure
• Respiratory: sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma
• Metabolic: digestive problems, thyroid issues, decreased sexual function and/or infertility, adrenal fatigue, problems regulating blood sugar
• Other symptoms: skin rashes, burning in the eyes, deteriorating vision, nosebleeds, ringing in the ears, sleep disturbances, numbness, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, bulging veins in the hands
• Other conditions: multiple chemical sensitivity, increased risk of cancer and/or autoimmune disease, rapid aging syndrome.

Some people don't feel the impact of wireless technology, others can end up with very debilitating symptoms which can significantly decrease their quality of life.  Whether you think you are impacted or not; the following tips will help to protect you:

1. Avoid Wireless in the Bedroom

• It is important to keep ALL wireless devices out of the bedroom.  Wireless technology can disrupt sleeping and the body's ability to heal.
• It is important to not have your cellphone or wireless tablet near you when you sleep.  If you must have it in your bedroom - for example when you are travelling - put it on airplane mode or turn it off completely.
• If you need an alarm clock, choose one that is wired.

2. Keep Wireless Away from Children and Pregnant Mothers

• Children are very susceptible to the harmful impact of wireless technology. Their skulls are thinner than adults and their brains are still developing which can result in the radiation penetrating deeper into their developing brains. There is growing concern that wireless technology is contributing to ADD, ADHD, anxiety and proper development of children.
• Keep cell phones and tablets away from small children other than in an emergency.  
• If you are pregnant, avoid wireless devices.  Don't put tablets or any other wireless device on the belly.
• Replace wireless baby monitors and other wireless devices with wired devices.

3. Keep All Wireless Devices Off The Body

Copyright www.ehtrust.org 

• When it comes to wireless technology it is helpful to remember the simple rule, "Distance is your friend".  Do NOT carry any wireless device, such as a cell phone or iPhone, on any part of your body. That is, don't carry your cell phone in pocket, in your bra or waist band.  If you have to carry them on your body, it is important to power them 100% off even if you don't intend to use your phone.
• When speaking on your phone use the speakerphone mode positioned as far away from you as possible.  The electromagnetic field (radiation impact) is one-fourth the strength at a distance of two inches and fifty times lower at three feet.  Text messaging is a better option than a phone call.
• Avoid personal "wearable" wireless device, such as wireless earpieces, smart watches and Bluetooth devices.

4.  Limit Your Exposure In Your Home

• One of the biggest exposures to wireless technology in the home is cordless phones. Replace cordless phones with wired ones and use your wired phone as much as possible. Consider forwarding your cell phone to your wired home phone when you are at home.  Corded landlines have no radiation emissions and are the best choice.
• Replace wireless home Wi-Fi with wired options.  Consider turning off the wireless technology in your home at night. Ensure the router for your home Wi-Fi is away from high-use and sleeping areas.
• Limit your exposure to wireless devices such as e-readers, wireless games, wireless keyboards, speakers, microphones etc.
• Opt out of smart meters.  If possible, keep your analog utility meter or request its return. Avoid using 

5. Avoid Using Your Cell Phone When the Signal is Weak

• When the signal is weak the amount of electromagnetic radiation is significantly higher as the phone or device repeatedly attempts to connect to the nearest network antenna.
• Signals are weakest when you are in a remote area or when moving at high speed, such as in vehicles (car, bus, train or airplane) and elevators.  In metal enclosures, such as cars or trains, the metal reflects the electromagnetic waves increasing your exposure.  Avoid using your cell phone or wireless devices in these environments.

It is important for everyone to become more informed about the impact of wireless technology and its impact on health. To learn more check out the following resources:

• Canadians For Safe Technology: www.C4ST.org
• Environmental Health Trust: https://ehtrust.org/
• Electromagnetic Pollution Illnesses Canada Foundation: www.iexistworld.org
• The International EMF Scientist Appeal: www.EMFscientist.org
• Physicians for Safe Technology: www.mdsafetech.org
• The BioInitiative Report and Updates: www.BioInitiative.org

Talk to your naturopathic doctor to learn more about what you can do to support your health and decrease the impact of wireless technology on you and your families health.

To book an appointment at Naturopathic Foundations Health Clinic please contact us at 905-940-2727.

Homemade Sunscreen Recipe

by Catalina Rahaianu

Avoid full body sun exposure between 11 a.m. and at least till 3 p.m. Make sure you apply the oil every 30-60 min as needed. Always have with you a spray bottle containing aloe vera gel (you can add rose water to it) to cool off the skin after sun exposure. 

Ingredients

• ½ cup almond oil
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup avocado oil
• 1 tsp red raspberry seed oil* 
• essential oils  - use 30 drops of each lavender, geranium and frankincense (if allergic use either/or, or none). 

Never use citrus base essential oil

• 2 TBSP non-nano zinc oxide (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine the oils (not the essential oils) except zinc oxide in a pint-sized or larger glass jar.
2. Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of hot water and place the jar in it.
3. Stir in the zinc oxide (optional).
4. Leave for 5 min.
5. Add the essential oils.
6. Shake or stir the jar to mix the ingredients. Place liquid in a spray bottle.
7. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator to increase shelf life.

Notes

• This sunscreen is not waterproof and will need to be reapplied after sweating or swimming.
• Make sure not to inhale the zinc oxide. Use a mask if necessary!
• Remove the non-nano zinc oxide and this makes an excellent lotion recipe!

*Raspberry seed oil offers UVA + UVB protection like titanium dioxide with an approximate  
28-50 SPF protection factor against UVB rays and 8 SPF against UVA rays. It is not suggested to use red raspberry seed oil by itself as your sun protection for a full day in the sun due to its low UVA coverage.
*Red raspberry seed oil may be all you need to protect your skin from everyday, minimal sun exposure. But for extended sun exposure a natural mineral sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient is recommended.

As always, check with your health professional or dermatologist before using any new products.

Catalina is an Advance Ayurvedic Wellness Practitioner, specializing in Ayurvedic massage, Marma therapy and Body Energetic treatments. If you haven’t tried an Ayurvedic massage yet, now is the perfect time to reset your system and treat yourself.  To learn more, contact Catalina at 905-940-2727 or send her an e-mail at catalina@naturopathicfoundations.ca  

To book your appointment, please call the clinic at 905-940-2727.

Stay Cool and Balanced this Summer

by Catalina Rahaianu

Summer - Pitta Dosha tips

Summer is here! It’s the Pitta dosha season. Pitta is associated with heat and its effects are especially felt during the hot Pitta season from July to October.

In the summer we have the advantage of the healing and nurturing natural elements being at their peak. It is truly the most favorable season to get strong and prepare the body for the fall and winter seasons to come.

Along with all the benefits of the summer we also have the disadvantage of the extreme high temperatures, high humidity, possible sun strokes and dehydration. The key is to plan how to draw all the healing capacity of the summer.

What is Pitta?

Pitta is one of the three doshas or basic factors that govern all activities of the mind and body. It rules metabolism, particularly digestion, and oversees all processes of transformation in the body.

• When the first heat waves of summer roll around, most of us start to experience the effects of excess Pitta.
• Signs of excess Pitta include heartburn, excessive body heat and sweating, skin rashes, acne, excess stomach acidity, peptic ulcers, irritability and/or anger. As you can see, these are very different complaints, but they are all related to the same factor — Pitta.
• There are three powerful approaches for balancing Pitta: diet, daily routines and herbal formulas.
• Follow some of these simple health tips and you'll be well on your way to enjoying a wonderful, cool summer.

Body and Mind Care

Maintenance is the secret.

• The ayurvedic massage, abhyanga, if done regularly, intensively removes excess heat through sweat, urine and bowel movements from the body, corrects impaired doshas, and leaves you feeling fresh, full of energy and sharp through the day.
• This hair oiling helps release excess heat accumulated during the day, as it works in calming down the mind. This hair oiling also nourishes the scalp and promotes healthy hair growth.
• Abhyanga works as a temperature regulator for the body. In the summer it cools the body off, in the winter will reignite its internal heat. It serves as a balancing medium for all 4 seasons.
• The base oils, essential oils and herbs used in the summer will differ from the ones used in other seasons and will be adapted to each individual state of mind and body.
• The massage can be done everyday at home or in clinic by a professional. To ensure the proper self care protocol, make sure you check in with an ayurvedic massage specialist before starting the self treatments.

The Cooling Lifestyle

Emphasize activities that have a cooling influence, both emotionally and environmentally. Try to take the time to enjoy the outdoors. Leisure activities also reduce Pitta by mellowing intense, fiery emotions and increasing our happiness and contentment.

• A walk in the moonlight is especially soothing to a Pitta-aggravated mind and to the emotions.
• Avoid overexposure to the sun, especially during the hottest part of the day from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Being by the water, swimming, dipping your feet in the rivers, those are activities that are very effective at soothing Pitta dosha. Whether you are a Pitta type or not, really pay attention to excess heat during this time.
• When working, give yourself plenty of time to meet your deadlines, and avoid over-scheduling and working long hours as much as possible.
• Keep your bedroom well ventilated and cool to improve sleep quality.

The Cooling Diet

What is the first thing we reach for on a hot summer day — a cold drink? We instinctively know that cool drinks and cool foods help reduce heat or Pitta. However, if a drink is too cold, it will extinguish the digestive fire (agni) and spoil digestion, so avoid iced beverages especially during meals.

• Many foods have excellent cooling properties: sweet fruits like melons, cherries, or grapes; vegetables like asparagus, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower or zucchini; coconut milk, ghee, and natural sweeteners like maple syrup. Avoid honey and molasses (those are heating).
• Cooled buttermilk (fresh, homemade preferably) with mint, cilantro, salt and a little ground roasted cumin. Avoid spicy hot foods. Take more sweet, astringent and bitter foods
• The main principle is that you should favor foods that taste predominantly sweet, bitter and astringent.
• Minimize your intake of hot and spicy foods, and foods with salty or sour tastes, such as yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, sour oranges, grapefruit or pineapple. You also want to minimize the intake of vegetables with heating properties such as tomatoes, hot peppers, radishes, beets, onions, garlic and spinach.
• Be mindful of alcohol consumption as it will aggravate Pitta dosha.
• Water is your best friend. Keep hydrated. Add cucumber and mint to your water for a yummy and refreshing taste.

Catalina is an Advance Ayurvedic Wellness Practitioner, specializing in Ayurvedic massage, Marma therapy and Body Energetic treatments. If you haven’t tried an Ayurvedic massage yet, now is the perfect time to reset your system and treat yourself.  To learn more, contact Catalina at 905-940-2727 or send her an e-mail at catalina@naturopathicfoundations.ca  

To book your appointment, please call the clinic at 905-940-2727

An Ayurvedic Approach to Detox - Part 2

by Dr. Leena Athparia, ND

In part 1 of 'An Ayurvedic Approach to Detox', we explored the routes of toxin elimination, the concept of agni and ama and the three types of Ayurvedic detoxification. In part 2, we will explore the deeper aspects of Ayurvedic detoxification known as panchakarma.

To Detox or Not?

Everyone has heard about detoxification and most people are keen to do it. We all want to get rid of waste in the body, right? Before you jump into a cleanse, you need to ask yourself a few questions to ensure that it is appropriate for you.

• Are you able to take time off - from work or activities? You need to focus your energy on internal healing. Overtaxing yourself will distract you from the real detoxing activities.
• Is your body strong enough? Cleansing means hard work for your body and when toxins move, it can temporarily increase the burden on your body. If you have chronic conditions, fatigue or chronic stress your body may be in survival mode which won't allow deep healing to happen.
• Do you have emotional support? Cleansing can make your more tired, irritable or overwhelmed as your body eliminates. Ensure you have support to keep you motivated and on track.

Ama - Toxic Load

If you are cleared for a detox, based on the amount of toxic burden in your body, a cleansing program can be outlined by your Ayurvedic practitioner. There are many questionnaires that can help you assess such as the Ama Detox Questionnaire.

When the vata, pitta and kapha go out of balance in your system, and your digestive fire is dampened, toxic waste known in Ayurveda as ama, builds up in the GI tract. When it overflows, it enters the bloodstream, clogs the channels and deposits in the joints, muscles, organs and settles deeper in the tissues etc. It can manifest as symptoms of brain fog, fatigue, body odour, constipation, lack of clarity or mood imbalances. An easy way to check if you have high levels of ama in your body is by checking your tongue when you wake up for a thick white/grey/yellow coating. If you have this coating, it indicates that there are toxins in your digestive tract. This is common in people with candida infections, chronic antibiotic use or diabetes.

Once ama accumulation becomes chronic, a more thorough detox is needed to dislodge toxins from the tissues and move them out through the channels of elimination (bowels, skin, kidneys, etc.). This is the basis of panchakarma or Ayurvedic detox, a thorough Ayurvedic detox program.

What is Panchakarma?

Traditional panchakarma treatment is an intensive detox which generally lasts 3 weeks in a residential setting where you experience a variety of treatments such as abhyanga, herbal regimens tailored to your body type, and specific diet or fasting under supervision of Ayurvedic doctors. In this process, doshas are provoked to expel toxins which can initially amplify symptoms before they subside. For example if you have sinus congestion, you may temporarily experience increased mucus, or if you have digestive issues, you may experience diarrhea. This is your body's way of speeding up elimination of toxins but must be done under supervision to ensure your body is working in the right direction.

Traditional panchakarma requires specific facilities in a residential setting, very strict diet and lifestyle guidelines and commitment to travel to a centre in India or abroad for several weeks. You are in full-time treatment with a specific routine of waking up and sleeping, timed medicine throughout the day, customized plant-based meals, bodywork therapies and supervision with Ayurvedic doctors to tailor your program each day. There is often a preparation phase a few weeks before and a long term plan for several months after panchakarma. While this is very therapeutic to help reverse chronic diseases and remove deep seated toxins, it becomes challenging for most people in the modern lifestyle to commit to this kind of detox. (You can read more about my personal detox experience in an Ayurvedic centre in India here.)

Many of the systematic panchakarma therapies can be incorporated into simplified detox programs of 1 week or 1 month, tailored to your constitution and health concerns. These therapies include diet and herbs or supplements individualized to your condition and constitution by your Ayurvedic practitioner, along with Ayurvedic therapies such as:

• Gharshana: exfoliating cleansing massage
• Abhyanga: therapeutic oil massage
• Swedana: steam bath or sauna treatment to expel toxins
• Nasya: nasal oil application and face massage
• Basti: medicinal cleansing enemas
• Fasting or mono diet

These treatments are most effective when several therapies are done in close succession (once a day for 3, 5, 7 days or once a week during detox) along with a specific diet and an environment at home to support healing. These treatments are offered in the clinic or as self-care therapies under guidance by your Ayurvedic practitioner. Spring and fall are generally the best seasons for panchakarma. If you are interested in an Ayurvedic detox, speak to Dr. Leena Athparia, ND on what treatment plans can be customized for you with panchakarma therapies.


Dr. Leena Athparia is a Naturopathic doctor & Ayurvedic practitioner at Naturopathic Foundations with a focus on joint health, pain and chronic disease. If you are healthy and looking into preventing disease or learning more about your constitution, Dr. Athparia can help you. Please call the clinic at 905-940-2727 to book an appointment.