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
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
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!
by | Dec 29, 2016 | Uncategorized
Make 2017 the Best Year Ever! Make it intentional. Create space for and make time for those things that matter most, that fulfill you, that bring you joy.
Reflect on 2016. What did you love about the past year? What did you learn? What do you want to celebrate? What didn’t serve you? Where do you want to see change happen in your life?
Look forward and envision what you want 2017 to look and feel like. What brings you joy? What do you value? What do you long for in your life? What do you want more of in your life? Less of?
We can get really good at passing over accomplishments. Stop. Celebrate your accomplishments and your wins from the past year. We can also get really good and running away from those things that don’t make us feel “good”, hoping things will be different. Stop. Breathe. Let yourself feel what you are feeling about it. And get intentional about creating space for change if something is not serving you.
Now that you have reflected on the year past, and looked to the year ahead, what do you want to create space for in your life – what do you want to get intentional about in 2017? Setting an intention for the year can mean more:
Clarity – Setting an intention will help you gain clarity on what you value most, and those people, relationships, activities, etc. you want to make a priority in your life. As you begin and continue to make decisions and choices from a place of intention, you will find yourself becoming more and more self-aware.
Courage – Setting an intention will help you get better at saying yes and no. Saying no to those things that don’t fulfill you creates space for those things that do. If you find yourself not wanting to do something but a voice is saying you “should” it might be time to call upon courage to say no. If book club is no longer fulfilling you and is something you would rather not do, step back from book club. It will create space for something more fulfilling in your life. The more you do it, the easier it gets.
Fulfillment and Joy – When we set an intention we are making a declaration that something is important and meaningful to us, and we are making a commitment to self. Following through on that commitment, and making decisions based on what is important to us and in line with our values brings fulfillment and joy.
Now that you’re ready to set an intention for the year, think about who in your life you can call on for support and get a support system in place – you don’t need to go it alone. Who in your life will champion you? Ask for help and assemble your crew. A coach will support you in getting intentional in your life and can be a wonderful addition to your crew!
Life Coach Calgary
Set your intention for 2017!! Don’t just hope 2017 will be different, be intentional and make it different.
Make 2017 an amazing year! WINTER/NEW YEAR PROMOTION – sign up for three months and receive 10% off! Sign up for six months and receive 25% off! BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY SAMPLE SESSION TODAY! Call 403.452.6262
Not sure what to expect, or want to try out coaching before you commit? Book your complimentary coaching sample session TODAY! Call 403.452.6262
Amanda is a self-awareness and fulfillment coach. Amanda coaches and supports people in living healthy, balanced and fulfilled lives. She coaches and honours the whole person – mind, body and spirit. Her clients experience fulfillment in all parts of their lives – health, family, relationships, career, etc. – and they value and appreciate that all parts of their lives are connected, and that we all have responsibility in and for the world around us. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with her loving husband and three inspiring children.
by | Dec 29, 2016 | Uncategorized
Inspiration is a driving force behind a happy and fulfilled life. When we feel inspired we are energized, we let go of that which no longer serves us, we heal and ultimately open our hearts to our true self. There is divine potential in all of us. Each and every one of us has amazing, unique abilities to contribute to the world and share with others. Sometimes as adults we can forget this over the years, therefore this article is a little reminder to face the new year with a fresh look if need be and get in touch with your inner sparkle.
Let’s take a closer look at what inspiration is and where you might find it:
What is Inspiration?
Inspiration, comes from the word “inspire”. In the physical sense, it means drawing in breath, or inhalation. Breath is life force energy as it introduces oxygen with inhalation and then exhalation releases carbon dioxide from your system. When you inspire you draw in life force energy to build and empower your well-being.
Inspiration is more commonly known for it’s influence with the mind. With every thought, we have a physical experience, subtle or grand. Our bodies, our health, are affected by the thoughts we think and how we process life experiences. That is powerful stuff! Imagine if you build a whole lot of inspiration into your life. You could change your health, your habits, your relationships, your beliefs, and how you feel, all for the better.
Health Inspiration Calgary
5 Ways to Become Inspired:
- Look at the world through the eyes of a child. Kids get so full-body excited about the smallest of things like a bug on the ground, zipping their own zipper, showing off their art projects or rolling around in a cold snowbank.
- Role models – who are yours – a public figure, a friend, a relative – what is it in them that you admire?
- Creativity and play– create something for fun, such as music, art, dance. What is your favorite – painting, playing the guitar, watching an opera, having a dance party in the living room to Shakira’s “Try Everything” song?
- Overcoming obstacles, realizing you are a tough cookie and you’ve so got this!
- Contemplating life with gratitude. Feeling, not just seeing all the blessings you have at any given moment. Go looking for them if need be. They are there always.
In this New Year of 2017,
Stand outside when snow is falling from the sky. Close your eyes, feel the delicate, chilly snowflakes land on your face, and melt. Take a deep, full breath (inspire) and believe, in the magic of you.
Be inspired and achieve your goals. Do it now!
