Health and Wellness Blog

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

June is Brain Injury Awareness Month in Canada!

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is one among many common neurological conditions.  ALS attacks the nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.  These motor neurons degenerate and die, eventually leading to a loss of the ability to start and control any voluntary movements including swallowing.  There is no known cure or cause for ALS; however the disease has been linked to a genetic defect in 1 out of 10 cases. 

Symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Head drop due to weakness of the neck muscles
• Muscle cramps
• Muscle contractions called fasciculations
• Muscle weakness that slowly gets worse
• Paralysis
• Speech problems, such as a slow or abnormal speech pattern (slurring of words)
• Voice changes, hoarseness
• Weight loss

Famous people with ALS: Lou Gehrig, Stephen Hawking, David Niven, Mao Zedong

For more information on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis check out the following titles available at the Toronto Public Library:

           

Do you know the five signs of stroke?

Each year 50,000 strokes occur in Canada... that is one stroke every 10 minutes. While stroke can be fatal, most people survive, however many are left with a range of disabilities. A lot depends on how soon treatment is commenced. According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, treatment within the first 3 1/2 hours can make all the difference. So don't delay, learn to recognize the five warning signs of stroke and call immediately  9-1-1 or your local emergency number. It can significantly improve survival and recovery.

What are the five signs of stroke?

If any of these signs occur, call 9-1-1 immediately. There is life after stroke... but you have to act fast! 

For more information on stroke and stroke prevention check out one of these titles from your local Toronto Public Library branch:

 

                    

                     

 

Beat Allergies the Natural Way!

The much anticipated season of spring means warmer weather and for some of us the discomfort of allergies. Now that we are well into spring, some of you may still be suffering. The following is some research about how allergies can be dealt with in a more gentle way for yourself or your loved ones. But remember, always consult your doctor first.

 The Toronto Star had an article recently with a couple of ways to naturally deal with your spring allergies:

 

•  try to keep as much pollen out of your home, hair, clothes as possible, by keeping your house shut tight, washing your clothes, hair when you come home, etc.
• sleep with nose strips to help with congestion
• control histamines- eat apples, onions, etc.
• try a detox to improve the function of your vital organs
• soothe your eyes with a green tea eye mask, and try wearing sunglasses outside

WebMD has also has an article: Relieve Allergies the Natural Way, from which I have learned:

• certain nutrients may help provide relief (but check with your doctor first as always, before taking any nutrients or supplements) such as grape seed extract, vitamin C
• cook hot, spicy foods to help clear your nose
• cut out any foods that give you reactions or stomach upset, to keep your immune system fully functioning
• consult an allergist, and do not mix traditional with alternative medicine without asking your doctor first

 Also try the following sites for more information:

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/allergy-relief/

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/natural-allergy-relief

 

And check the Toronto Public Library website to borrow or place holds on the following books:

 

 

Cheap and healthy - is it possible?!

In What Determines Health on Public Health Agency of Canada's website, income is listed as the top determinant. I am not arguing this is not true, my point is that you can afford to eat healthily even on a budget. If you eat healthily and exercise regularly, you are doing your best to support your health.

Since most of us live on a budget (if you don't, good for you), it's best to start with cutting out junk food (cookies, crackers, chips, processed food, sugary drinks, etc). Next is eating out less. By doing these two steps, you will have more money available for healthy food while your budget remains the same.

The rest is to shop and cook wisely:

• Shopping             
  • Become a coupon clipper
  • Make a grocery list before you go shopping and stick to it: it can prevent impulsive purchases
  • Buy fresh whole foods locally and seasonally, or grow your own food if you can - which is even better
  • Buy generic/store brands, they are generally cheaper than the name brands
  • Buy in bulk
  • Shop at discount stores or at farrmers' markets
• Cooking
  • Cook what you have already at home instead of buying more
  • Cook in bulk
  • Cook with a slow cooker: it makes tougher and cheaper cuts of meat tender, and saves time and electricity too
  • Cook with herbs and spices: most of them are rich in disease-fighting antioxidants, vitamin B's and minerals. They can improve taste and help reduce salt, fat, and sugar added in your recipes
  • Create new meals from your leftovers

Want to get more ideas on how to eat healthily on a budget? Follow the links below and check out some books from the Toronto Public Library:

Free Internet Resources:

• BBC Good Food: Cheap and healthy recipes
• Chatelaine Magazine: Healthy Recipes
• Dietitians of Canada: Cook Healthy
• Food Network: Healthy Recipes and Meal Ideas
• HELPGUIDE.ORG: Eating well on the cheap: saving money on healthy food
• Heart & Stroke Foundation: Recipes
• TheHufftingtonPost.com: Cheapest Healthy Food: 10 Inexpensive Ways To Eat Well
• MayoClinic: Healthy Recipes
• WebMD: 15 Healthy Foods for about $2

Healthy treats for Mother's Day!

Looking for last minute ideas on how to pamper Mom the healthy way?

While flowers and cards are always welcome, there is so much more you can do for your Mom, or the Mother of your children or another special woman in your life. And it doesn't have to cost a fortune!

The best present of all is the gift of time and support. Consider concocting a nice Mother's Day Brunch. It doesn't have to be fancy, just a few nutritious ingredients that you prepare yourself (and don't forget to clean up after!!) What's important is not to rush things. Follow it up with a leisurely walk in your neighbourhood.

If hosting that brunch at home is not practical, choose a restaurant with healthy menu choices. Stay away from all you can eat buffets!

If you want to give a tangible present, how about a subscription to a healthy cooking magazine or a book of heart healthy recipes?  And if that significant Mom is into healthy lifestyle, she may appreciate a Yoga DVD, a gift certificate for a massage, a pedometer or a membership to a healthclub.  Even better, a joint membership that benefits both of you!

Whatever you give, let it be healthy and come from your heart. For healthy recipes, cookbook suggestions and other nifty ideas check out the following titles:

       


       

 

       

          

 

 

Natural Cures for Monthly Female Discomfort!

This one is for the ladies. Or the men who are in desperate need to help their ladies feel better during her most uncomfortable time of the month. We have all been there, haven't we ladies? Trying to ease the discomfort of our monthly cycles, pre, during and post event. While the easy and quick fix may be to reach for some pain-killers and other drugs, I would like to suggest some more natural remedies (using herbs and such) I have come across as a healthier alternative to help support my attempted healthier lifestyle this year.

naturalhealthmag.com  has the natural answers to help us discover "The Nine Best Herbs for Women," "The Super Simple Guide to Healing Herbs--Part Two," "Herbs that Heal," and "Herbs for Hormones" to help ease female discomfort at any age.

Some Quick Tips:

• CHASTE TREE BERRY capsules- for PMS
• BLACK COHOSH root or pill- for hot flashes, night sweats (menopause)
• CRANBERRY- prevention for UTIs (juice or pill form)
• FLAX SEED- heart health- add to ceral, yogurt, shakes, etc.
• FEVERFEW- migraines- fried or fresh leaves
• TURMERIC- cancer prevention- use the spice in food, or take in capsule form
• GREEN TEA- cancer prevention- 6-10 cups of organic green tea/per day
• GINGER- for nausea- dried form, cook with it

Of course you always want to check for allergies or other complications by speaking with your doctor before taking any of these, as you would with any drug, vitamin, or supplement.

Also check out books from the library you can borrow:

 

Improving your memory

No matter whether you are young or old, most of us have experienced a moment like this: somebody was introduced to you at a party, but just as turned your head, you forgot this fellow's name. If you are a senior, you probably excused yourself: Oh well, I'm old, it is natural that my memory is declining.

Scientists however have discovered that the human brain has the ability (neuroplasticity) to adapt and change, even into old age. It means, with the right stimulation, our brain can form new neural pathways, alter existing connections, and adapt and react in ever-changing ways.

So what stimulation or things are good for your brain/memory? Here are some tips from HelpGuide.org:

• Physical Exercise can not just help you maintain a healthy weight, delay and prevent diabetes, some cancers and heart problems, but even more - it can increase oxygen flow to your brain and reduce the risk of disorders that lead to memory loss
• Healthy Relationships: research shows that having meaningful relationships and a strong support system are vital not only to emotional health, but also to brain health. In one recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health, for example, researchers found that people with the most active social lives had the slowest rate of memory decline
• Stress Management: one of the brain’s worst enemies is stress. Chronic stress destroys brain cells and damages the hippocampus, the region of the brain involved in the formation of new memories and the retrieval of old ones
• Nutrition: a diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and “healthy” fats can not only provide lots of health benefits, but also improve memory. The following are helpful for your brain,
  
  • Get your Omega-3s
  • Limit calories and saturated fat
  • Eat more fruit and vegetables
  • Drink green tea
  • Drink wine/grape juice in moderation
• Brain Training: anything new, challenging and fun that can give your brain a workout will do the trick

Need more information to empower yourself? Check out some books from the Toronto Public Library by following the links below:

Free online resources:

• HelpGuide.org: How to Improve Your Memory
• HowStuffWorks: How Your Brain Works
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Brain Basics
• WebMD: Improve Your Memory

Curious about Supplements?

Are you interested or thinking about taking vitamins or supplements, but feel overwhelmed with all the options available and endless amounts of information online?

You are not alone. Supplements have become very popular in today's world. Average folks and celebrities alike who are trying to achieve "optimum health" and staying young forever are taking tons and tons of supplements a day!

I think with some common sense we all would know that for optimum health, we should be getting everything we need from our foods. But of course we do not these days in the world of processed and fast foods, and carb overloads. We also know that chemicals deplete our foods from some of their natural nutrients, because of how we farm them, preserve them, and store them. This makes things more tricky. A healthcare practitioner, whether conventional or alternative need be consulted at least, before one goes out and buys all sorts of unneccessary, costly, and potentially even dangerous supplements. Just because your friend or family member has done all kinds of reading on the latest natural, antioxidant-full, immune boosting supplement, it may be harmful to your own unique system and potentially interact badly with other medication(s) you are on, or cause an overdose in your own system.

Celebrity nutritionist, Kimberly Snyder, C.N. does advocate taking a few supplements, such as probiotics or a multivitamin with B and D3. Read her great blog post on "The Scary Risks of Taking too Many Vitamins and Supplements," along with "Do You Really Need All Those Vitamins?." She discusses how synthetic vitamins are chemicals, which may be toxic for our systems.

As this is an immense and serious topic, I thought I would suggest a few other websites to check out and do some additional reading:

• Consumer Reports.org's take on vitamins and supplements
• Dr. OZ has his take of course on "Ten Myths About Vitamin Supplements"
• naturalhealthmag.com has an artilce: "The Vitamins You Need Now," which is an interesting one, because it breaks them down into different lifestyle categories. 
• the trusted site, Mayo Clinic has some great advice on whether we need supplements or not and who needs them most.

 

The following materials are available from the library website. Click on the covers to be taken to the item records, where you can place holds, or explore similar subjects.

 

Food Allergies - Free Health Information @ the Runnymede Library Branch

Toronto Public Library in partnership with the Toronto Anaphylaxis Education Group present   

 

Free Information on Food Allergies

Find out how the Toronto Public Library can support your reference needs

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Runnymede Program Room

 

Drop in... NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

 

For more information check out our Health & Wellness blog on

Food Allergies and Food Intolerances

Relieve Anxiety and Depression Naturally... Free Health Talk at TRL

 

Join Paul Demeda for a free lecture to learn how to improve your mental health without medication. Paul, a registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner, will discuss the complex relationship between mental health, nutrition, stress and the environment and will show you what steps you can take to modify these conditions.

                               

     

              Where: Toronto Reference Library, Beeton Auditorium, Toronto

 When: Tuesday, April 02, 2013  2:30 to 4 pm

    What:  Free lecture. All welcome! Wheelchair accessible

                       For more information call Answerline at 416-393-7131