There are many misconceptions about the ‘right’ way to invest into retirement. Everyone has different ideas, needs and investing temperament. You may become very conservative when employment income ends, but you may not. Investing for growth (at least to some degree) is crucially important for most of us, as we will need growth to provide income and not erode purchasing power as we age. Many of us will also have 20-30 years (or more) dependent upon our own investments to meet our lifestyle needs. Seek out a Certified Financial Planner for an analysis and review of your accounts to see if your portfolio is optimal for your situation.

Sunny, summer days are in full swing! Hurrah! Have you stocked up on your sunscreen? Around 90% of cases of skin cancer are associated with exposure to solar and artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Using a quality sunscreen can reduce your exposure to damaging UV radiation. You should choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects you against UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are responsible for the phototoxic reaction thought to be associated with squamous cell cancers and melanomas. UVB rays are responsible for sunburns. Look for products that provide you with adequate protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

How are you staying fresh and hydrated this summer? As the days continue to be warm and long it’s important to get enough water, fruit, and vegetables to keep your body refreshed. You may notice feelings of tiredness, headaches, and dry mouth which are all signs of dehydration. You may try flavouring your water (blackberries and mint, raspberries and cucumber, strawberries and fresh basil). Keep tabs on the colour of your urine: Light-yellow colour is a good indicator that you are hydrated, dark urine is the opposite. You can also combat dehydration with higher water content fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, stone fruits, watermelons, or smoothies.

Q; I do a lot of driving. Is it worth getting Transitions lenses? I’ve heard they don’t get very dark in a vehicle.

A: You’re correct, typical Transitions lenses need UV light to darken, and most vehicle windows and windshields block much of that wavelength of light. The lenses might still be worth it for all the other times you might enjoy some relief from the sunlight. If you really want them specifically for driving, it’s possible to obtain lenses which are not as dependent on UV light to darken, but these remain a little darker in all light conditions.

Why is it that some injuries never heal, and go on to become areas of chronic pain and dysfunction? These localized areas fail to heal because of a localized decrease in oxygen utilization. And why do people heal so much more reliably when they are young than when they become older? The answer in both cases has to do with decreased oxygen utilization which serves as a foundation for chronic pain and degeneration. Break that cycle by the application of ozone therapy or Prolozone injections which maximizes oxygen absorption, and the cells and tissues can begin to do what they usually do so well – heal themselves.

There are many approaches to investing. The more popular stories in the media revolve around the next big thing company going public, or making big money fast in pot stocks. And sometimes it works well, you may even know of people who boasted their big pot stock wins. What you rarely hear about is how often a concentrated bet doesn’t work out, people don’t like to mention that. With a number of high profile IPO’s (initial public offering) happening this year, don’t believe the hype. There will be more losers than winners. When it comes to long term financial health and wealth, the Tortoise always wins.

Game theory is the mathematical study of games that goes beyond the theory of probability to include the behaviour of other players. But most of the time, gamblers do not pay strict attention to probability let alone other more complex mathematical considerations. Despite knowing that the odds are stacked against us, and our money likely lost, we continue to gamble for our own individual reasons. Michael Jordan once said, “I want people to understand, gambling is not a bad thing if you do it within the framework of what it’s meant to be, which is fun and entertaining.”

To eliminate the pain of frozen shoulder or rotator cuff injuries and to regenerate the joint, especially with osteo-arthritic elements; acupuncture and Prolozone injection therapy are my treatment protocols. Hypoxia or the inadequacy of cellular oxygen reaching the body’s tissues causes degeneration in the ligaments. Prolozone is excellent for all forms of musculo-skeletal and joint pain including chronic neck & back pain, rotator cuff injuries, degenerative & arthritic hips & knees, degenerated discs, & shoulder & elbow pain. Because in many cases Prolozone actually corrects the pathology of the disorder, there is a 75% chance for the chronic pain sufferer to becoming permanently pain free.

Acupuncture treatments are a safe, drug-free way to enhance the good development of your pregnancy. Acupuncture can help supplement, regulate and harmonize the processes that are taking place in the body, and supports recovery once baby arrives. Labour preparation acupuncture from week 36 on supports ripening of the cervix and the relaxing and softening of the pelvic ligaments and tendons so that the baby gate will open easily. It also strengthens the mother’s stamina to labour and ensures that internal conditions are optimal for baby to stay in good position to spin and descend.

Did you know that your unique genetic profile can determine how your body processes certain medications? For some people, they may metabolise drugs too quickly and as a result, get little or no benefit from a particular medication. For other people, they may metabolise medications too slowly and as a result, have an increased risk of side effects. Genetic testing can help to personalise your treatment by using genetic information to customise drug therapy and the doses that work best for you. As your DNA does not change, the testing only needs to be performed one time.