Health Archives - Page 6 of 15 - Plattsville Natural Health Clinic

Why a lot of quick – fix weight loss programs and supplements DO NOT work

September 16, 2015 by elisha

Billions of dollars are made in the weight loss industry. Many people strive to gain the perfect physique and pay much in order to reap the gains. Unfortunately, amongst many programs that do work to help people lose weight and keep it off, there are many programs that do not work in the long run. As a result, I hope to help debunk some of the mythical ideologies that some of these programs purport to work.

The Myths:

You can lose weight without diet changes and exercise.

In order to maintain weight loss goals, you need to change your diet and increase exercise to a level that balances energy in and energy out. This differs between everyone, and so, you may require more or less calories, and more or less exercise than another individual.

You can lose a lot of weight all at once and keep it off.

Unfortunately, this myth is the worst one of them all. In order to achieve weight loss that will last, an individual should not exceed losing 1-2 pounds per week. That being said, when an individual initially undertakes changing their diet and exercise patterns, they may undergo more than 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week, which is normal. Anything beyond the 1-2 pound weight loss puts an individual’s body into what I call “starvation mode”. As a result of this state, the body is more likely to accumulate weight because of fear of when it will get its “next meal”. In addition, if the individual “falls off the tracks” in regards to their weight loss program and gains back the weight they lost, they will most likely gain back more than what they initially lost, because once again, the body fears that it will not survive if put into another “starvation mode” and so uses the increased weight to protect itself.

You can go back to the way you were eating after discontinuing the program.

As was mentioned above, without appropriate diet and lifestyle changes, one cannot maintain weight loss. Therefore if you are eating more restricted and suddenly go back to the way you were eating before, you are more likely to gain weight. That being said, that does not mean you can never have a treat or have a cheat day. As I tell many patients, everything in moderation, including exercising and diet. You have to adopt a diet and lifestyle that will ultimately be realistic for you.

You can severely restrict calories for some time and still be healthy.

Once again, this myth is debunked by the explanation behind the debunking of the second myth. You will put your body into a starvation mode with severely restricted calories, resulting in an overall weight gain.

You can take a pill and it will help you to lose weight and keep it off.

Anything that causes you to lose more than 1-2 pounds per week is not sustainable. This includes various weight loss supplements. In addition, many of the weight loss supplements that do have profound effects have ingredients in them that can be harmful when taken long term. A naturopathic doctor may choose to put you on a supplement to help you through a plateau season, but beyond that, supplements will not help you maintain weight loss in a realistic manner.

Bottom Line: Aside from changing your diet, exercise and lifestyle, you cannot be guaranteed to maintain the weight loss that you gain. In order to keep it off, you need to maintain a lifestyle that consists of healthy dietary habits; adequate exercise; and appropriate lifestyle measures including adequate sleep, stress management, and everything in moderation. If you are interested in achieving weight loss that will work for you, consider contacting myself, and let me help you develop a weight loss strategy that will help you maintain the weight loss that you acquire.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Elisha Cook via the contact portion of this website.

Helping your child to perform optimally at school

September 8, 2015 by elisha

The school year is well under way, and many parents can become concerned about their child’s performance in school. Some children may benefit significantly from small changes to their lifestyle and diet. The following tips may help your child to perform optimally in school:

Sleep – this tip may seem very straight forward, but many children do not get enough sleep. Sleep is so important for children because this is when we process information, grow, and re-energize for the day ahead. If a child does not get enough sleep, they may become quite agitated in the classroom and potentially cause disruption. They may also be unable to concentrate because of the fatigue. Provided to the right is a chart that gives you an idea of how much sleep your child needs according to their age group, as recommended by the sleep foundation (Source: http://sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need) . To further drive home the point, research has been done in regards to sleep and school performance. The research has shown that shortened sleep, disrupted sleep schedules, late bed and rise times, and poor sleep quality all negatively impact academic performance.
Exercise – Exercise is very important for your child. Exercise provides a way to boost mood, boost energy, re-focus, and give a sense of accomplishment depending on the form. By encouraging regular exercise, it allows your child to get the energy release they need and gives them an opportunity to “collect” themselves before re-focusing on school tasks. Research has shown that exercise and physical activity in school aged children can actually increase Grade Point Averages (GPA).
Fruits and Vegetables – no discussion would be complete without discussing the benefits of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables can provide significant amounts of B vitamins, which are beneficial for brain functioning, mood, energy, stress, and concentration.
Reduce Screen Time – screen time (i.e. televisions, cell phones, I pads, computers, etc.) could have a negative impact on your child’s future educational achievement. Some research has suggested that the more a child spends in front of a television, the less that they will achieve in the future in regards to degrees and educational achievement. I want to point out that some individuals do benefit from the use of different software to help engage with learning, and so, this recommendation needs to be adapted to your child’s specific needs.
Parenting Style – interestingly enough, the way a child is parented can impact their achievement in school. Research has identified five “processes” that contribute to school achievement. They are: “verbal interactions between mother and children, expectation of parents for achievement, positive affective relationships between parents and children, parental beliefs and attributions about the child, and discipline and control strategies.” Of these processes, discipline and control strategies were the most strongly associated with school achievement.

If your child still experiences difficulty with concentration and focus in school, it is important for you to seek the help of a naturopathic doctor, pediatrician, or other health care provider. Some of the causes can be as simple as a nutritional deficiency, and some may require further evaluation.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Source: http://sleepfoundation.org/sites/default/files/STREPchanges_1.png

http://www.smrv-journal.com/article/S1087-0792(03)90003-7/abstract

http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/5/1/10/

West Nile Virus – What You Need to Know

July 22, 2015 by elisha

Unfortunately, West Nile Virus is a concern in Ontario, and, as such, you should be aware of what you are up against.

Background Information

West Nile Virus is transmitted by Mosquitos. Not all mosquitos carry West Nile Virus, but they are the vector by which this condition is transmitted to humans. As a result, the Public Health Agency keeps weekly reports on how many cases of human disease exist for the week during the current summer. As of July 11, 2015, there have been no reported diseases in humans in Ontario for the summer. I would hope that this information would bring some relief to most.

Signs and Symptoms

Majority of people infected by West Nile Virus, 80%, do not develop any symptoms. The problem arises in the other 20% of people who do have some symptoms. These symptoms tend to be quite mild and mimic that of influenza. The symptoms include headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. However, the individual normally recovers completely, but may experience fatigue and weakness for weeks or months after. Unfortunately, some individuals, under 1%, are not so fortunate and may develop more serious symptoms, which include inflammation of the brain. This inflammation in the brain (also known as meningitis or encephalitis) can cause tremors, seizures, paralysis, and disorientation. Most of the individuals who are impacted by the more serious complications will recover within weeks to months. However, 10% of those impacted with serious symptoms (the under 1% who contract West Nile Virus), may die from the complications. Individuals who are more susceptible to these more serious consequences include those over 60 years old; and persons with cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and organ transplants. Many of these conditions are conditions where one’s immune system are compromised.

What can you do to minimize risk?

In order to minimize risk, it is important to first diminish risk. In order to decrease the risk of being bit by a mosquito carrying West Nile Virus, one should use mosquito repellent (whatever form that may take) and keep covered in light coloured clothing. In addition, in order to diminish risk, it is important to improve the immune system health and maintain good health overall. In addition, if there are any stagnant pools of water on your property, it would be beneficial to empty them. For more information on how to boost your immune system to prevent illness, please consult your Naturopathic Doctor for more information.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Source: CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Public Health Ontario

The Importance of Consulting Your Naturopathic Doctor for Supplement Advice

July 14, 2015 by elisha

As most of you may know, I have been studying in order to obtain my license to practice as a Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario. As a result, I have had the opportunity to become more familiar with the side effects of many of the conventional and natural therapies. Yes, I did say side effects of natural therapies. It may come as a surprise to many, but natural therapies that are available may have some side effects that need to be known. Many individuals treat supplementing with nutraceuticals as if there are no potential ill effects from doing so. Unbeknownst to them, this is much like hearing a clunk in your car, and looking online for the solution, then fixing it yourself. Many steps are missed when this type of approach is made. For example: what is the quality of the part you are putting into the car, what if you put the part in wrong, are there extra parts that need to be changed or altered in order for the new part to function at its best, is the source a credible one for you to receive your information, and the list goes on. That being said, one should not simply look up their symptoms on – line, and supplement accordingly. Much like you would consult a mechanic for repairs to your vehicle, you should do the same in regards to “repairs to your body”. Whether it is a naturopathic doctor or another health care provider, their advice should be sought when it comes to taking supplements or changing doses in general. In addition, when discussing medications or supplements, it is important to be transparent and honest with your various health care providers about all forms of treatment that you are receiving. This mindset when dealing with health care providers ensure medications and supplements do not interact and cause you harm, and also ensures that you receive the most appropriate guidance in regards to your health.

In order to bring some context to the discussion, we will take a look at Aloe Vera Gel. The internet has been useful in discussing the beneficial effect of aloe vera gel on the digestive system and how it can aid in the digestive process, gastritis, irritable bowel disease, etc. However, individuals may not realize that this impact on digestion could also cause other medications to have decreased absorption if taken around the same time. As a result, it is best to seek the advice of health care providers such as a Naturopathic Doctor in order to guarantee that supplements are taken correctly. In addition, many do not realize that aloe vera gel can have an additive effect with medications for diabetes or increased blood sugars. So, if someone was taking diabetic medication and aloe vera gel, they could become quite dizzy or worse, unconsciousness, and lead to a medical emergency. As one can see, it is important to discuss all supplements with your Naturopathic Doctor or health care provider. A Naturopathic Doctor has had at least 8 years of training, which can provide a great deal of information, much beyond that of a google search.

Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.