Ensure Breast Health

by | Sep 18, 2018 | Uncategorized

See Below for our Upcoming Breast Thermography Clinic

Breast cancer has received a lot of attention in the media lately, and rightfully so. 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime; an estimated 19,200 women in Canada.  The same risk as a heavy smoker developing lung cancer. In North America, breast cancer is the 2^nd leading cancer killer among women, with an alarmingly increased rate of young women being diagnosed.

Screening for breast cancer involves a low-dose x-ray of the breast or mammography every 2 years. Current screening recommendations for women in Canada occur between the ages of 50 and 69, this is due to half of new breast cancer cases being diagnosed during this period. It was also found that this age group had larger benefits from screening than the risks associated with screening. Screening of those aged 60-69 has a 32% reduction in mortality, while other age groups had significantly less reduction. Risks associated with mammography include radiation exposure and false positive results, meaning the test indicate they have cancer when they do not. False positives can cause a lot of anxiety, and lead to further unnecessary testing. These recommendations vary if an individual has signs/symptoms of breast cancer or is at increased risk.

Factors that increase the risk of breast cancer include extended exogenous estrogen exposure (sources like hormone replacement or birth control pill), family history, radiation exposure, uterine or contralateral breast cancer, a diet high in processed foods, obesity and sedentary lifestyle, smoking or exposure to other toxins such as plastics.

So what can every woman do to ensure their breasts are healthy?

Increase fruit and vegetable intake, they are high in antioxidants, fiber and other important cancer-fighting nutrients. Increase fiber to ensure normal bowel habits, this will help decrease the extra circulating estrogen and other toxins by flushing them out of our system. Exercise regularly, 20-40mins/day will increase our lymphatic circulation and contribute to estrogen metabolism. Specifically arm movement, because most of our lymph nodes associated with the breasts are located under the armpit, so motion in this area will help with circulation locally. Lastly, avoid risk factors to the best of your ability.

Get to know your breasts. Understanding what is normal for your breasts and notice changes in the look or feel. Look for lumps in the breast and armpit, that do not fluctuate based on your cycle, changes in breast shape/size or changes to the skin or nipple.

Thermography is another assessment tool; we are now offering at the clinic. It works by assessing the temperature variations of the breast tissue and surrounding areas. This is able to detect tumours, as they require an increased blood supply and therefore will show an elevated temperature in the area. There is no radiation exposure to the individual.

Docere is excited to bring you this ONCE A YEAR opportunity hosted at our clinic!

Can detect changes in breast tissue function before mammograms detect structural changes or lumps. No touching, squeezing, radiation or pain!

• Cost: $250
• Date: Sunday September 30th 9AM-5Pm
• Call: 1-866-242-5554 to book an appointmentBreast Thermography is applicable to all women, especially the group between 40 and 50, and for those who have dense, fibrocystic breasts or implants. It is a completely safe, non-invasive screening method that has been proven to be effective. An abnormal infrared image is the single-most important marker of high risk for developing breast disease.

What if…it wasn’t about the weight?

by | Sep 10, 2018 | Uncategorized

While we totally appreciate that carrying extra pounds can be unhealthy, we often find ourselves being curious with clients, and asking, what if it wasn’t about the weight? What if your focus wasn’t just about the number on the scale? What if it wasn’t about cursing yourself about that cookie you just ate? What if, it wasn’t about looking in the mirror and being unhappy with how you look? What if we didn’t beat ourselves up for simply honouring one of our most basic and fundamental needs: eating.

What if we shifted our focus from losing weight to making intentional and consistent choices that support our overall health – mind, body, and soul?

Mind – Decrease stress and increase fulfillment.

What if we treated ourselves in a loving and accepting manner, channeling our energy away from frustration about the number on the scale towards healthy curiosity? In this moment, what do you want less of? What things are draining you? Ask yourself, am I making this choice because I think I should/could/__wants me to? Or am I making this choice because I want to? Stress shows up in so many ways, and takes up so much space in our minds. What if you shifted your energy from those things that drain you, to those things that fill you up? If losing weight is just one more thing on your “to-do” list, it likely feels draining. What happens if you shift the focus?

Body – Fuel your body with good nutrition and supplements, and move your body.

What we eat and how much we exercise are only small pieces of the larger puzzle which, quite literally, shape us. Our weight and body type have so much more at play than simply calories in and calories out. Understanding a little bit more about the basic science of how our bodies work, and how they work for us, can take us leaps and bounds further.

• Hormones (namely insulin and cortisol)
  • Insulin gets released when sugar is increased, or when food gets broken down into simple sugars such as glucose. This is a normal
  • Cortisol gets released from the adrenal glands during times of stress. This is also normal.
  • The key is to support your body in not producing too much of these hormones.

• High carbohydrate and sugar intake

Insulin tells your body to store excess sugar as fat. When our bodies are introduced with excess sugars, or carbohydrates in the form of complex sugars, it will eventually be stored in the form of fat.

• Diet, Exercise and Lifestyle

Inactivity and unhealthy eating habits will not support you in weight loss. Beating yourself up , over the one cookie you ate yesterday or not making it to the gym seven days a week is not so beneficial either. Healthy balance is essential in all aspects of life, and the 80-20 rule can help maintain an ideal, and very achievable ratio (Refer to Andrea Thatcher, Never Diet Again Program: http://www.andreathatcher.com).

• Relaxation

There is nothing better for your mind, body, soul and adrenals than some relaxation techniques. Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi, tea with a friend, taking a walk out in nature – these are wonderful methods to lower our stress, feel grounded, and help our cortisol regulate to less erratic ups and downs.

Head over to Part 2 of this article, where we will dive a little deeper into the science of hormones, diet, and lifestyle.

Soul – Honour your heart, your inner knowing, your values and your purpose.

Dig a bit deeper. What do you value? What is most important for you? What is your bigger picture? Taking time to get clear on these questions can support that part of you, your inner leader, that knows your life is as it should be in the moment, and at the same time can want more for you. Wisdom, compassion, courage and clarity…This is the part of you that can let go of going after a quick fix and instead make intentional and consistent choices that will bring you more joy and fulfillment. If you have clarity that dropping weight is in line with what you value, go after losing that 20 pounds and give yourself permission to enjoy your life in this moment and all the moments leading up to. Decisions can seem easier to make as we make choices from a place of who we are, not who we would like to be or think we should be.

In addition to all of the benefits listed above, as we tune in and pay more attention to all parts of us – mind, body and soul – we can’t help but experience a decrease in stress and our bodies reaching a healthy weight.

Please visit www.docerewellness.ca to learn more about us, our coaching and naturopathic services, along with information about all of our wellness services and practitioners.

Call 403-452-6262 to book in for your complimentary one-hour coaching session with Amanda Delamer, and visit the Docere Wellness Centre website or Facebook group to check out our seasonal promotions with our Naturopathic doctor Dr. Rabia Meghji.

How to Protect Yourself against Smoke from the Negative Health effects of Forest Fires

by | Aug 16, 2018 | Uncategorized

What is so bad about forest fire smoke?

When anything is burned it is going to release gases and particulates into the air. The common chemical components released from a forest fire include Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen oxide, Hydrogen Chloride, Chlorine, Hydrogen cyanide, phosphorus oxides, and particulates. These chemicals will cause oxidative stress, shut down oxidative systems and create inflammation in the body.

Symptoms of breathing in the irritants?

Whether you are sensitive to the smoke or not, it is best to protect yourself from the harmful effects. Burning eyes and throat, sinus irritation, low-grade headache, irritating respiratory conditions and heart conditions. Studies have shown individuals exposed to frequent smoke have a higher rate of testicular, brain, colon, bladder and breast cancers.

How to protect yourself and your family from the Smoke?

1. Stay inside and close all windows, doors and fireplace damper
2. Leave shoes outside
3. Run Air conditioner, this will cause the particulates to cool and drop to the floor. Clean furnace filter frequently
4. Vacuum one room at a time and close it off to the rest of the house. Vacuuming will kick up dust and spread it around the home so by doing it one room at a time while wearing protective gear you will prevent it from spreading around the house. HEPA filters are recommended
5. Gas mask respirator with carbon filter will filter out gases if required to go outside

What are some natural options to support your body after exposure?

1. Vitamin C, prevents DNA damage
2. Green tea, reduces inflammation and DNA damage to the lungs
3. Resveratrol, lowers inflammation and supports enzyme systems to detoxify
4. Pomegranate juice, anti-oxidant
5. Berries, anti-oxidant
6. Amino acids, Taurine, Glycine and NAC
7. Brassica vegetables and Rosemary cleans and purifies the air as well as support antioxidant systems in the body
8. Curcumin, anti-inflammatory and detox system support
9. Glutathione!! The body is robbed of glutathione when exposed to smoke specifically in the respiratory system. Glutathione is a potent anti-oxidant referred to as the mother of all antioxidants, important in our immune function and an amazing detoxifier. When we are low in glutathione we experience cell damage, oxidative stress, inflammation and increase risk of infections and cancer.

We are offering Glutathione injections or IV pushes at Docere Wellness! Contact us at 403-452-6262 and speak with one of our ND’s for more information about how you can avoid the effects of the smoke.