Vitamin D ensures our body absorbs sufficient calcium. Calcium is required for metabolism, heart and muscle function, and, along with phosphorous, is a key component of bone structure. If your body does not get enough Vitamin D, you are at risk for developing bone abnormalities such as soft bones (osteomalacia) or fragile bones (osteoporosis). Although it has not been proven, Vitamin D may help to prevent falls, boost weight loss, fight infections (colds and flus) and reduce your risk for diseases such as multiple sclerosis. To obtain these potential benefits, most adults need to take 1000 I.U per day. You should never exceed more than 4000 I.U per day unless you are severely deficient, as diagnosed by your doctor. Your body also limits the amount of Vitamin D it gets from the sun, so it is safe to continue with supplementation well into the summer months.
Care At Home Pharmacy, careathomepharmacy.ca
Community News
YOUR WINNIPEG COMMUNITY EVENTS
September 14
6:15 pm
Free Community Dinner
Learn how to achieve real health to last a lifetime.
Limited seating available, call 204-985-6750 to register.
Academy Chiropractic. www.academyhealthsite.com
Anger Free Sessions for Adults, Anxiety/Stress Management Sessions, and Pranic Healing.
Renaissance Centre
Call Colette for more info. 204-256-6750 (ext. 23)
www.renaissancecentre.ca
September: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR)
Renaissance Centre
204-803-2002 or at www.laviemindful.com
September: Yoga Sessions (French & English)
Renaissance Centre
204-803-2002 or at www.laviemindful.com
October: The Five Love Languages: Secret to love that lasts (Couple’s Group and Teen Group).
Book your spot today!
Renaissance Centre
www.renaissancecentre.ca
October 15
9:30 am
Cancer Killers Make Over.
Learn what cancer, heart disease, diabetes and headaches all have in common.
Receive practical protocols to get yourself healthy BEFORE disease sets in.
Tickets $10
Call 204-985-6750 to pick up your tickets
Academy Chiropractic. www.academyhealthsite.com
Coffee Can Make You FAT..
..And NOT Because of Sweeteners! How is that possible? The caffeine in coffee stimulates the production of adrenaline. Sounds good, right? More energy for projects at work! Well, when adrenaline is released, your blood pressure, pulse rate, and blood sugar levels are all elevated to give you more energy and get you ready for action. When your body doesn’t use that blood sugar (because you’re sitting in your car or at your desk), your blood can’t sustain it for long. Your pancreas is activated to release insulin (the fat storage hormone); this insulin will convert the unused glucose into glycogen, store some of it in your muscles, and convert the rest into body fat. Thus, all that sugar that could be giving you energy instead moves directly into the fat cells around your waist line. Be healthy! Get smart about your eating habits.
Ginseng for Weight Loss
Ginseng does many things to help human health, but many people do not realize that ginseng is good for weight loss. It gives an energy boost and can help fight fatigue. Because of this, it allows for you to be more active. One of the big things that it does in the weight loss battle is by regulating blood sugar. It does this by reducing the amount of carbohydrate that is converted into fat. Also, it is important to point out that ginseng alone will not help lose weight if you engage in poor dietary choices. It is vital that a well-balanced diet is followed and that you are active. Otherwise, like the old English proverb says, “Don’t dig your grave with your own knife and fork.” One of the active ingredients in SlimROAST weight loss coffee from Valentus – The Healthiest Coffee on the Planet!
7 Tips to Keep Holiday Spending in Check
The holiday season shouldn’t be stressful – but the reality is, whether you need to prepare for a visit with the in-laws, host a large family dinner or check a number of items off of a wish list, the time and financial crunches can take their toll.
These tips can help you keep your holiday spending in check – as well as your stress levels.
Make a list and check it twice
Plan a budget ahead of time – and stick to it.
- There are plenty of online budget calculators to lend you a hand if you aren’t sure where to start.
- Although it may look good on paper to have a small budget, if your budget is unrealistic you are more likely to go over it.
- Try to anticipate all the costs, including the little things.
Don’t forget to track your spending and keep it in check with your budget. If you go over in one budget line, try to make up for it by under-spending elsewhere.
Be a savvy shopper
Planning in advance and sticking to a shopping list can make all the difference during the holiday season.
- Look for sales, use coupons and take advantage of free shipping for online purchases – planning ahead can help you to avoid last-minute purchases that are outside of your budget. You can cut down on express shipping charges if you don’t leave that last-minute online purchase until too late.
- When watching for sales, be wary of signage that is put out to draw you in – just because it’s marked as a sale doesn’t mean it’s a good deal!
- Plan your shopping trips and avoid the extras. It’s nice to treat yourself once in a while, but if you’re getting coffee or food at the mall each time you go, those costs can add up. Eat before you go out on your shopping excursion and take snacks with you for when you’re feeling a little peckish.
Reconsider your gift giving
Consider changing your gift giving habits – cut back on your list if you can, introduce the idea of a Secret Santa for your family instead of buying gifts for everyone or suggest a group gift to charity.
If you’re sticking to a list, check off everything you buy and then stop shopping. Going off-list can have a significant impact on your budget.
You could also consider homemade versus store-bought gifts. If you’ve got time and creative skills, giving homemade gifts can help to cut down on your budget. Plus, it’s very personal and comes from the heart!
Practice smart party planning
A potluck dinner is a great way to cut down on the stress and costs of hosting a family dinner or party. If you’re hosting, plan to make the main dishes and ask others to contribute sides, salads, desserts, etc.
If you don’t have the option to share the work and the spread out the financial contribution, keep track of all that you spend so that you can budget effectively for your next party.
Remember that decorations may add ambiance, but they are optional. Cutting back on decorations for your holiday party can translate into significant savings.
Travel wisely
Many people go home for the holidays – and travel companies are well aware of that.
- Plan travel as far in advance as possible or look for seat sales and use discount fare-finding sites.
- If you’re going by car and not going far, try carpooling.
- Budget for spending money during the trip as well – buying food and drinks at convenience stores in airports and gas stations on the road can add up quickly, so consider buying less expensive (and healthier) snacks for the journey.
- Ask if the hotel you’re staying at offers discounts, for example for CAA members. Book in advance or use cost-saving sites to find your accommodations for less. Or stay with family (if you can handle it)!
When possible, purchase a little bit at each paycheque to avoid a large payment all at once. This will also help to prevent the “holiday hangover” of seasonal debt.
More Than Just Words
There’s a lot of talk out there about positive affirmations, but do they really do anything? Research has revealed that negative words and thoughts have a damaging neurochemical effect. The brain interprets negative words and thoughts as a threat and it goes into survival “fight, flight, or freeze” mode, which in turn releases stress hormones and interrupts rational thinking and decision making. The good news is that positive words and thoughts can counteract the negativity. The bad news is that positivity isn’t perceived as a threat and, thus, the brain does not respond as swiftly or dramatically to positive words as it does to negative ones. Researchers say that we must repeat positive thoughts or words a minimum of three times for every negative one. This engages the motivational center of the brain and reduces stress. So yes, science tells us we should keep saying those daily affirmations.
Timing of Medications
It is important to understand clearly when to take medications and how to take them. Some prescription drugs have to be taken on an empty stomach while others are taken with food – check with your pharmacist to ensure you know what that means – (how long before or after a meal do you wait)? This helps with the appropriate absorption of the drug. Some medications should not be taken with other drugs as this can lead to reduced effectiveness. The timing of medications is also important regarding when to take them – morning vs. evening – to alleviate side effects. As well, it is key to follow the instructions on the number of times per day to take the medication. When you are prescribed new medications, ask your pharmacist to fully explain these medications so you have a good understanding of them. A full medication review of all your prescription drugs and over the counter products can further help you to see how they work together.
Urgent Need for Plasma Protein Therapies
Urgent and Ongoing need for Plasma Protein Therapies
Did you know that a large number of patients depend on protein therapies derived from human plasma and blood donors in Canada? Donors are required because large volumes of plasma, the liquid portion of blood are required to treat a wide variety of diseases.
For example:
- 1200 plasma donations are required to treat one patient with hemophilia, a bleeding disorder.
- 130 donations to treat one patient with primary immunodeficiency, condition where people can not make functional antibodies to fight infections.
- 900 donations are required to treat one alpha-1 patient, a disorder that affects the lungs.
These therapies replace missing or defective proteins in patients with rare disorders so they can lead healthier and otherwise normal lives. They typically require on-going infusions throughout their lives as they are chronic diseases so plasma is always required.
Bill Bees, Vice- President, Plasma Technology
www.plasma.prometic.com
Examples of diseases and their products are outlined in the table below:
| Disease | Product | Description of Condition |
| Hemophilia A | Factor VIII | Bleeding Disorder caused by a lack of Factor VIII clotting factor. Affects 1 in 10,000 people. |
| Hemophilia B | Factor IX | Bleeding Disorder caused by a lack of Factor IX clotting factor. Affects 1 in 25,000 people. |
| Von Willebrand Disease | Von Willebrand Factor VIII | Bleeding disorder due to a defective Factor VIII gene. Affects 1.2 million people worldwide. |
| Antithrombin Deficiency | Antithrombin III | Bleeding disorder due to a defective ATIII gene. |
| Primary Immunodeficiency (PID) | Immune Globulin Intravenous or subcutaneous | Genetic disorder where insufficient or defect immune globulin is produced, leading to susceptibility to infections. |
| Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) | Immune Globulin Intravenous | Autoimmune disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system of both children and adults. Can lead to muscle weakness and paralysis. |
| Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) | Immune Globulin Intravenous | Autoimmune disorder that affects blood platelet levels leading to bleeding disorders. |
| Kawasaki | Immune Globulin Intravenous | Primarily affects children under 5-years of age leading to heart disease. |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) | Alpha-1 Protease Inhibitor | Also called genetic emphysema that affects lung function. |
| Burns, Shock, Trauma, Major Surgery | Albumin | The major plasma protein is used for fluid replacement for a variety of disease conditions. |
| Infectious diseases like:
Rabies Tetanus Varicella Zoster Hepatitis B |
Hyperimmune globulin directed against a specific virus or bacteria | Used for treating ore preventing a variety of infectious diseases. |
| Hereditary angioedema | C1-esterdase inhibitor | A rare and potentially life threating condition characterized by acute attacks of swelling of face, airway, stomach and extremities. |
Clean Eating – Turkey and Sweet Potato Curry
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp finely chopped ginger;
2 Tbsp finely chopped garlic;
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes;
2 Tbsp curry powder;
2 tsp garam masala;
1 cup plain greek yogurt;
1 lb cooked turkey breast, chopped;
1 Tbsp cooking oil;
1 yellow onion, chopped;
2 tomatoes, chopped;
1 lb sweet potatoes, chopped;
1 cup chickpeas;
1 Tbsp brown sugar.
Directions: Put ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, curry powder, garam masala and yogurt into medium bowl and stir to combine. Set aside. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent. Reduce heat; slowly add curry sauce being careful not to boil. Stir in turkey, tomato, sweet potato, chickpeas and sugar; cook until heated through. Serve with basmati rice or toasted pita bread. Delish!
Book Club – Always Hungry?
Conquer Cravings, Retrain Your Fat Cells, And Lose Weight Permanently by Dr. David Ludwig. Renowned endocrinologist, Dr. David Ludwig, explains why traditional diets don’t work and presents a new plan to help you lose weight without hunger. “Always Hungry?” turns dieting on its head with a three-phase program that ignores calories and targets fat cells directly. The recipes and meal plan include delicious high-fat foods (like nuts and nut butter, full-fat dairy, avocados, and dark chocolate), healthy proteins, and natural carbohydrates. The result? Fat cells release their excess calories, and you lose weight and inches without battling cravings and constant hunger. This is dieting without deprivation. This helpful book reveals a liberating new way to tame hunger and lose weight for good. Available at your local bookstore.
Exercise for Mental Health
After a long day of work, or chasing children, or just trying to fit life into your schedule, the last thing you might think about is being active. However, staying active is part of a healthy lifestyle, and it has the added benefit of helping us feel happy. When we are active, our brain releases a chemical called serotonin. This chemical helps us feel happier. Feeling down? Start with a low-intensity activity such as walking. Bring the dog or your family along to share the experience. Other great activities include biking, doing yard work, swimming, and throwing a ball around. Still having a hard time fitting in being active? Try to add a little bit of activity to your work routine, especially if you have an office job. Stand at your desk instead of sitting. Take time during the day to stretch. Remember, small changes over time can make a big difference!
