by | Feb 3, 2017 | Uncategorized
It is February and love is in the air! This month it is time to get educated and aware of how to healthfully detoxify your body, mind and spirit. This is one very important practice for loving the self and taking good care of you. Detoxification has become a popular topic in the media, especially over the past couple of years. We hear about extreme cleanses, particular diets, calorie cutting and usually it doesn’t sound like much fun. The fact is, our bodies are always naturally detoxifying and if we don’t apply some smart principles in supporting or really understanding it, and go on a cleanse, we can make ourselves quite ill and in worse shape than before we started.
This month’s article is packed full of information and will be presented as a two part series, authored by Dr. Michelle Hagel and Lisa Lin, RMT. Dr. Hagel is going to discuss what toxicity is, and how to detoxify in a safe and healthy manner. In the second article, Lisa will talk about using massage and reflexology to support natural detoxification for improved health.
Using Massage and Reflexology for Detoxification
By Lisa Lin, RMT
Massage Therapy supports the natural detoxification of the body to flush out metabolic byproducts from the body. Massage uses techniques such as manual compression, kneading, combined with gentler tissue manipulations performed by a practitioner. This manually stimulates the lymphatic and circulatory systems to release waste products and carry nutrition to the cells.
Reflexology works in a similar manner. This practice is most commonly applied on the hands and feet. In my practice, I use reflexology to complement the massage work and assist in reaching deeper areas of the body for healing. By applying pressure to various points and sections on the skin surface of the hands and feet, this awakens the body through the nervous system network. There is a “map” of the entire body on the hands and feet. Stimulating a point on the bottom of the foot, for example, sends a message via the nervous system to a corresponding organ, such as your liver. This message says to your liver, via your brain, “it is time to activate, allow blood and fluids to flow and optimize function”.
What is Happening in Your Muscles if They Become Toxic?
As Dr. Hagel discussed in her article, if the body becomes sluggish and congested with toxicity to varying degrees this impedes healthy circulation and natural cleansing of the organs, tissues and cells. Inflammation is a common culprit for aches and pains. Tissues swell and lymph becomes congested. We want healthy and well hydrated circulation to return the cells and tissues to good health. We do not want stagnation and chronic inflammation as this leads to further toxicity and dis-ease. In massage, we often see areas of pain and tension. Here, there is a holding pattern in the body, some of the tissues can become ischemic (without oxygen) and it becomes much like having a traffic jam on the freeway. You can feel this as a painful knot or a trigger point in a muscle. Through utilizing healthy detoxification protocols, the traffic jam gets sorted out car by car until the freeway is clear and functioning well once again.
4 Key Points to Remember with Massage
- Have a conversation with your massage therapist beforehand about how much pressure you are comfortable with during a massage, and if you have been ill recently, experienced significant trauma, have specific injuries or sore spots. Too much pressure can aggravate symptoms, disable the trust your body has with a practitioner and leave you feeling hurt, sore and fluish the next day.
- Hydration is really important before and after a massage. Your body uses fluids to flush out waste from your system generally – if you are dehydrated, detoxification will take longer, feel miserable and can aggravate the symptoms you are trying to free yourself from.
- Regular massage if it is a practice you enjoy, is like getting a tune up done for your car. It helps support the body to flush out toxins and bring nutrition into the tissues. The more you take care of yourself through regular exercise, rest, hydration and nutrition, the fewer massage visits you would need to maintain good functionality of your muscle tissues. You will be more prone to soreness after massage if you don’t take care of yourself and you only get massages when you are at a point of significant physical misery.
- After a massage – bathe and soak in Epsom salts for about 15 min (ie. 1/2c salts per bath, mix in the tub water). Keep a water bottle handy to drink to stay hydrated as the Epsom salts are detoxifying in their own right.
Massage Therapy Northwest Calgary
Now you have lots to think about. Let all this information sit with you and explore the suggestions that resonate with you. We have just surpassed January, the days are getting longer, what is one thing you can do today to support your health? Best wishes on your journey. Get Started Today!
If you missed Part 1 of this series from By Dr. Michelle Hagel, ND click the link below to catch up
PART 1 – Understanding Detoxification and It’s Impact
by | Feb 3, 2017 | Uncategorized
Whole Body Detoxification Calgary
It is February and love is in the air! This month it is time to get educated and aware of how to healthfully detoxify your body, mind and spirit. This is one very important practice for loving the self and taking good care of you. Detoxification has become a popular topic in the media, especially over the past couple of years. We hear about extreme cleanses, particular diets, calorie cutting and usually it doesn’t sound like much fun. The fact is, our bodies are always naturally detoxifying and if we don’t apply some smart principles in supporting or really understanding it, and go on a cleanse, we can make ourselves quite ill and in worse shape than before we started.
This month’s article is packed full of information and will be presented as a two part series, authored by Dr. Michelle Hagel and Lisa Lin, RMT. Dr. Hagel is going to discuss what toxicity is, and how to detoxify in a safe and healthy manner. In the second article, Lisa will talk about using massage and reflexology to support natural detoxification for improved health.
PART 1 – Understanding Detoxification and It’s Impact
By Dr. Michelle Hagel, ND
We live in a toxic world in fact we are born toxic, as chemicals can cross through the placenta and umbilical cord from mother to child. We are then exposed to unavoidable toxins daily, toxins from environmental pollution, food sources exposed to pesticides, even toxic thoughts that we have about ourselves. Toxin build up can cause symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, headaches, joint pain, skin and digestive issues. Toxins contribute to many diseases such as dementia, Parkinson’s, chronic fatigue, infertility and other mental disorders. Children with increased toxic burden showed changes in mood, aggressive behavior, problems with attention and focus, sleep problems and reduced intellectual performance. Toxins change our health dramatically, increasing our risk of disease, impact our hormones and altering our appetite signals leading to weight gain.
What is detoxification and how does it work?
When we get down to the physiology it all starts with the mitochondria, these are cell components that provide energy for the body by converting from our food stores. Mitochondria are the metabolism engines of the body. Toxins can damage these components, resulting in buildup of fat and poor energy or exhaustion. When we detoxify we eliminate the toxins and wastes from our body so we can promote the mitochondrial function. This helps reduce the burden on the body specifically through 5 elimination pathways. The number one organ of elimination is the liver, the liver deactivates toxins and then eliminates the toxins. Second are our kidneys which filter and eliminate toxins through urination. We can eliminate through our skin through sweat. Lastly our lungs and circulatory system including blood and lymphatics will flush toxins out of the body. Supporting all these systems we can increase the body’s healing ability, improve immune system and live to our true ability.
Overweight = Toxic
Signs of toxic overload according to environmental medicine expert Dr. Walter Cinnion include: if you are more than 25lbs overweight and suffer from: allergies, asthma, autoimmune disease, bone marrow cancer, chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue, chronic infection, diabetes, fibromyalgia, infertility, or Parkinson’s. Toxic burden will make us tired, make us sick and make us fat. Studies have shown a strong correlation between toxic burden, elevated body weight and increase risk of diabetes. It is more difficult to lose weight than it was 100 years ago, as our toxic burden has increased. We accumulate fat because fat acts to protect us from fat soluble toxins, it stores the toxin in fat cells. By detoxifying you allow your body to release the fat it has been holding on to protect itself from the toxins. Detoxification is vitally important for weight loss, as fat-stored toxins are factors in becoming overweight. When you break the fat down (lipolysis) you allow the toxins to be released into the blood stream, which can cause headache, low energy or flulike symptoms. Individuals that lost 46% body weight loss showed an increase in pesticide level of 388%, because these toxins are no longer held in protection by our fat cells. It is important to lower toxic burden to avoid these symptoms and once you eliminate the toxins you can watch the fat melt away. Detoxing will help your body burn fat and reduce inflammation. Detoxing will also align the good bacteria in the gut, and these healthy bacteria will contribute to a healthy weight and appetite. Unfriendly bacteria or dysbiotic flora will cause sugar cravings and weight gain.
How to safely and effectively detoxify?
The goals of detoxification are to stop new toxins from accumulating in our bodies and get the current toxins out. Clean up home environment, diet and improve elimination. We can do this by:
- Supporting the liver by reducing/eliminating alcohol, smoking, and refined sugar.
- Pee your way to good health by increasing filtered water consumption and urinating every hour.
- Ensure adequate fiber and filtered water intake to ensure regular bowel movements.
- Exercise will increase circulation, lymphatics and lung function as well the toxins can be eliminated through the skin by sweating. It is important to wipe the sweat away within 15 minutes of workout to ensure those toxins do not get reabsorbed into the skin.
- One of the easiest techniques for detoxification is breathing, all too often we breath shallowly especially in a stressful state, so take a deep breath in and exhale out those toxins.
- Avoid exposure in the diet by eating clean (organic- especially dirty dozen), filtered water, using organic personal care products and cleaning supplies. Do not use anything topically that you wouldn’t consider consuming internally, consider that these ingredients are absorbed through the skin.
- Incorporate phytonutrient rich foods especially flavonoids- broccoli/cabbage, parsley, strawberries, blueberries, kale, and onions.
- Reduce stress, as stress is held in the gut, inhibiting our ability to properly digest our food which can increase toxic burden.
- Ensure healthy gut bacteria, with probiotics or fermented foods.
- Add some air purifying plants in your home: Spider Plant, Lucky Bamboo, Aloe Vera, Peace Lily, Rosemary to name a few.
- Speak with a naturopathic doctor about supplementation to aid in detox process, avoid low quality vitamins.
To Read PART 2 By Lisa Lin, RMT click the link below:
Using Massage and Reflexology for Detoxification
Detoxify your body, mind and spirit. Get started today!
by | Jan 25, 2017 | Uncategorized
Prolotherapy NW Calgary
Prolotherapy is increasingly popular in the United States and internationally. The current number of practitioners of prolotherapy in the United States is estimated as several thousand based on conference attendance and physician listings on relevant Web sites, including both independent physicians and members of multi specialty groups. Currently, Prolotherapy Regenerative Medicine is one of the 23 specialty colleges of the American Osteopathic Association (http://www.prolotherapycollege.org). Training of doctors of medicine and doctors of osteopathy is primarily outside medical schools, for example, through postgraduate-level conferences and service learning projects through universities, professional organizations, and foundations (www.fammed.wisc.edu/prolotherapy, www.aaomed.org, and www.hacketthemwallpatterson.org).
Hypertonic dextrose is the most commonly used prolotherapy solution, with favorable outcomes shown in multiple clinical trials.3 It is inexpensive, readily available, and reported to be safe. This review focuses on the basic science and clinical evidence of prolotherapy using hypertonic dextrose solutions. The term dextrose is interchangeable with glucose because dextrose is the dexter (right-handed) form of glucose found in animals and humans. For this discussion, the term dextrose is preferred.
Athletes and active individuals who endure chronic pain from tendon injuries or osteoarthritis may finally get relief from a safe, non-surgical procedure. It’s called Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, and it utilizes platelets from the athletes’ own blood to rebuild a damaged tendon or cartilage.
Docere Wellness Centre is excited to offer Prolotherapy here in Calgary and surrounding area at an introductory price until February 28th. Contact our clinic to book and find relief!
by | Jan 25, 2017 | Uncategorized
By Dr. Michelle Hagel, ND
Yesterday was supposedly ‘Blue Monday’, however I think along with many other Calgarians I felt better than I had in weeks! The sun was shinning, the temperatures were warm, and everyone began emerging from their winter fortresses. On this topic, Saturday I had spoke at the first Ranchlands Wellness Workshop (running every Saturday 2-4 at Ranchlands Community Centre) on Beating the winter blues with your diet.
In January we will average 3 hours and 15 mins of sunlight/day, so here are some tips and explanations as to why the sunlight can have such a huge impact our mood.
What are the symptoms of winter blues? Low mood and motivation, changes in sleeping patters and appetite, lack of energy, irritability and inability to concentrate to name a few…
Vitamin D is produced by our very own bodies when exposed to UV-B rays it will convert into active Vitamin D through several metabolic processes. UV rays cannot penetrate through glass, clothing or sunscreen. A fair skinned individual in the summer months wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt can create 10,000IU of Vitamin D after spending 10 mins in the sun. The UV-B rays in the winter months however do not have the same impact in Canada, little if any vitamin D is able to be produced. Vitamin D has numerous health benefits including protecting against depression, osteoporosis, heart disease, several cancers, insomnia and autoimmune diseases. In the winter supplementation is your best bet for ensuring you are getting enough of this important vitamin.
Vitamin B specifically B6, folic acid and B12 are protective factors to balance mood, decrease stress and improve energy. Food sources: fish, shellfish, green leafy vegetables, legumes, bananas, poultry, eggs, nuts and potatoes.
Omega-3 fatty acids: the highest concentration of Omega-3’s come from fish. The brain is made of 60% omega 3’s, so they are utilized directly by the brain. It is so beneficial in combating the winter blues, as well as many other conditions. Many studies have shown the benefit in mild-moderate depression often surpassing anti-depressant medications. Food sources: herring, haddock, mackerel, sardines, wild salmon, halibut, flounder, sea weed, flax and chia seed.
Serotonin, our happy neurotransmitter that will maintain healthy sleep and stable moods. When we visually perceive sunlight, the receptors in our eyes will trigger our brains to start producing serotonin! The more time we spend indoors the more serotonin will decline. Majority of serotonin and dopamine are produced in the gut so ensuring that the digestive system is optimal will ensure neurotransmitter production. Food sources: nuts, seeds (pumpkin and squash), tofu, cheese, red meat, chicken, turkey (most people think of tryptophan from turkey making us sleepy but the other chemical pathway creates serotonin), fish, dark, leafy green vegetables, oats, beans, lentils and eggs.
Dopamine is our feel-good neurotransmitter, brings feelings of well-being and pleasure even euphoria. Sunlight also boosts dopamine production which helps us fight low mood and improves energy. Food sources: fish (omega 3’s) and animal products, spirulina, almonds, red beets, avocado, bananas, and chocolate!
Overall a whole foods, well balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables to provide antioxidants, minerals and vitamins will help balance your mood and avoid the winter blues.
Exercise prescription Calgary
Exercise, I know this isn’t diet related but still had to include it. Exercise will have immediate mood changes because it releases serotonin, dopamine and endorphins. This will boost mood, relieves stress, builds energy and increase circulation to the brain.
Every day is getting longer and spring is close, so be good to your body through the winter months and beat the winter blues! Call us now so we can help!
by | Jan 25, 2017 | Uncategorized
By Dr. Michelle Hagel, ND
Sugar is everywhere it’s in our ‘healthy’ fruit juice, yogurt, salad dressing, BBQ sauces… There are in fact 2 items on the MacDonald’s menu that do not contain sugar! Sugar now exists in 74% of packaged products. Most people don’t realize how common it is because there are 61 different names for sugar. Some of the less recognizable names found on packages include: barley malt, dextrose, maltose, rice syrup, beet sugar, cane juice, carob syrup, evaporated sugar cane. Ultimately, they are all just sugar, and all cause detrimental health effects. When we ponder sugar from vegetables or fruit consider that they are surrounded in fiber. The fiber will help slow the absorption of the sugar and therefore less aggressive impact on the body. A good source of protein is another factor that can help lower the absorption of sugar.
In the 13th century one pound of sugar would have cost the equivalent of 360 eggs today it is the cost of two eggs. The influx of added sugar also came when the low-fat revolution began, fat was removed from foods, sugar was then added to make it taste palatable. Without fat and sugar the processed foods tasted terrible. When breakfast cereals became known as healthy breakfast alternatives to eggs and bacon. Little did everyone know the ‘healthy’ low fat/no fat version was worse for them, containing up to 6x the amount of sugar as their full fat counterpart. Yogurt is one of the health foods that I like to challenge, a leading brand of yogurt contains 7tsp (29 grams of sugar) per servings this exceeds the recommended daily amount. Daily sugar intake recommendations by the American Heart Association are no more than 100 calories (6tsp- 25grams of sugar), and complete avoidance until 2 years old.
As a result of the abundant amount of sugar in our diets, sometimes unknowingly, we have developed sugar addiction. This isn’t completely our fault, not only is it a secret additive in so many foods but we physically can’t control ourselves. Take it from these rats, a study conducted in Bourdeaux France demonstrated rats given the choice between sugar and cocaine would choose sugar 94% of the time!! Our gut health is another important consideration when it comes to sugar addiction. Yeast are an opportunistic organism that can flourish on high sugar diet among other reasons. When there is too many existing in the gut, sugar addiction becomes even greater. With that being said, we have to understand the impact sugar is having on us.
Here are 6 reasons to lower sugar intake or just kick it:
- Disease: There have been countless studies showing increased sugar consumption linked to obesity, diabetes, tooth decay and heart disease. Sugar increases triglycerides levels in the blood, hardening arteries and increasing risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease.
- Skin: Sugar binds to protein and fat during digestion creating advanced glycosylation end products (AGES), these are free radicals that can cause blemishes, reduce collagen and elastin in the skin causing wrinkles and loss of elasticity.
- Immunity: Sugar has a depressive action on the immune system by decreasing the activity of immune cells then also feeds bad bacteria and viruses.
- Nutrient depletion: Sugar inhibits mineral absorption, throwing the mineral balance of the body off. While also decreasing B vitamins because they are required to metabolize sugar and carbohydrates.
- Blood sugar regulation: Sugar causes spikes in blood sugar then drops shortly after causing us to be hungry and mood changes. This also causes inflammation throughout the body and brain.
- Fatty Liver: Fructose one of the most common forms of sugar, can only be metabolized by the liver. If there is too much in the body it will build up and be stored as fat leading to non-alcoholic fatty liver.
Holistic Nutrition NW Calgary
There are many ways to fight sugar cravings and limit consumption, some individuals benefit from gradual decreases, others need to go cold turkey. Find your method or contact me and I am happy to discuss ideas!
Here is a fun story I’d like to share that inspired this article. Back on November 1st, I paired with Evan’s Dental Clinic for their Candy Buy Back event. At this event children brought their pounds and pounds of Halloween candy to trade in for money. They also got to try local, organic fruits and vegetables and enter for draw prizes, it was a blast. The most common question I am asked, when telling everyone about the event is what happens to the Candy, please follow the link to find out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21o-QiTfZtI&feature=youtu.be
Lower you sugar intake and fight your addiction to it. Start a healthy lifestyle now!
