By Quinn McCutcheon, Hom With the winter months, comes cold weather, and with that comes cold and flu season. Cold and flu viruses thrive with less humidity and in cold weather. When this season is in effect, think Homeopathy. Homeopathy helps assist the body to relieve symptoms and support the immune system to return back to optimal health. […]
By Liane Wansbrough, Holistic Nutritionist Cranberries typically make an appearance at the dinner table during the holidays in the form of sauce. Yet the berries, which come packed with great health benefits, can definitely serve as more than just a side dish. In season from September to December, you can find inexpensive fresh or frozen cranberries at most supermarkets. While the berries have lots of vitamin C and fiber, their high polyphenol content can also dial down inflammatory pathways, making them a great addition to any diet. Roasted cranberries add a bright burst of flavour that lends well to meat, poultry, vegetables and salads. Roasting makes use of the entire berry as opposed to cranberry juice, which doesn’t include skin or flesh. […]
By: Taya Griffin, IBCLC – Taya Griffin is a Toronto Based International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She prepares mothers for their breastfeeding journey in the prenatal period and provides in-home and hospital postpartum blocked duct breastfeeding support. She can be reached at www.tayagriffin.com.The Amazing Breastfeeding BreastThe breastfeeding breast is amazing! Indications of the first changes it will go through begin as early as weeks into pregnancy. Breasts can feel tender and sore, the areola may darken and the Montgomery tubercles around the areola may become more raised. Many mothers also begin to see a crust-like formation on the nipples. This crusting is a minute amount of colostrum which is seeping out ever so slowly and drying on the tip of the nipple.What Causes Milk Production to Begin?Milk production doesn’t truly begin until the placenta is delivered. The progesterone and estrogen levels drop and milk production begins. After the milk has transitioned from colostrum to more mature milk, in and around the seventy-two-hour mark, one of the most common issues with breastfeeding breasts that I see as a Lactation Consultant (after sore nipples and low milk supply of course!) is blocked ducts. What Are Blocked Milk Ducts?When a mother suffers from blocked ducts milk becomes clogged in the straw-like ducts that bring the milk to the nipple. The breasts may feel tender and this uncomfortable sensation is also accompanied by a hardness that one can palpate. Sometimes the block can be small like a marble but it may be much larger.When there is a clog or block in the ducts babies may become more fussy. They want all the straws to flow well so they can get their milk quickly! An indication of a blocked duct may [...]
By: Dr. Angelina Riopel, NDA breast self exam is an important and empowering part of self-care. By becoming familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel, you’ll be better prepared to notice any changes that may be signs of concern. When you regularly perform a breast self exam, you’re taking an active step toward understanding your breast health and helping to detect cancer early—when it’s often easier to treat. While a breast self exam is not a replacement for screening tools like mammograms or clinical breast exams, it can help you stay alert to abnormalities and give you the confidence to speak with a care provider if something feels irregular. For added support, many individuals seek guidance through naturopathic medicine as part of a proactive approach to breast and whole-body health.“Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.”John Hopkins medical centerWhat Does a Lump in the Breast Feel Like“Normal” breast tissue will vary between women and change throughout the month due to the menstrual cycle. Note what your breast tissue feels like during the different stages of your cycle, as breast tissue is sensitive to hormonal fluctuations and can lead to breast tissue changes.Important changes to note and if any of the following are observed, please seek medical evaluation:New lumps. Most breast lumps are not cancerous but should be examined by a medical professional for evaluation.Changes, irritation, or redness in the breast tissue, skin, and nippleDimpling or thickening of the breast skinDischarge from the nippleHow Often Should You Do a Self Breast ExamIt is generally recommended to perform a breast self exam at home once [...]
By: Dr. Kathleen Regan, ND It is not a stretch to say that health begins with what you eat. This is true of breast health and hormonal health in general. Changes in breast tissue from benign cysts to breast cancer have been linked to estrogen balance within the body or “estrogen dominance”. “Estrogen dominance” is a term used to describe a high ratio of estrogen to progesterone or just globally high estradiol (one of the three types of possible estrogen). Estrogen dominance has been linked to many different types of women’s health issues besides breast health including PMS symptoms, menopausal symptoms, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, allergies, decreased libido, fatigue, fibrocystic breasts, headaches, infertility, irritability, and fat gain around the abdomen and on the top of the thighs. In addition, studies have shown a well-established link between excess estrogen and breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer and cervical dysplasia. The good news is that hormones are affected by nutrition. Modifying specific dietary and lifestyle habits can help to keep hormones balanced! The following list includes nutrition habits that negatively impact healthy estrogen balance and healthy breasts. […]
MORA Nova – Bioresonance TherapyWhat is bioresonance therapy? It is a non-invasive therapy that aims to support the body’s natural ability to regulate and repair itself by identifying and addressing imbalances. These imbalances may be linked to irritants, toxins, allergens, or environmental pollutants. Often considered a type of complementary medicine, bioresonance therapy uses electromagnetic signals to interact with the body’s energy field. Though more research is needed, many people seek this alternative therapy for its potential role in helping to diagnose and treat certain medical conditions such as allergies, arthritis, and chronic fatigue. This bioresonance treatment is typically well-tolerated and valued for its gentle, vibrational approach. Book A Consultation Today Conceived of and developed in Germany, the Mora NovaTM is one of the world’s leading devices in providing bioresonance treatments. Initially, the Mora NovaTM is used to evaluate an individual’s frequency patterns in the form of oscillations (electromagnetic waves). Those patterns are then compared with the harmonious patterns stored within the Mora’s database. When frequency patterns within the body are determined to be stressed or unhealthy (typically by causing allergies, food intolerances, and other imbalances), the Mora Nova delivers individualized therapies to treat and invert the harmful frequencies until healthy patterns are restored.The therapy can reduce imbalances and help the body to recover. It can also be used to help identify and prevent problems proactively, before imbalances occur or advance. […]
By Dr. Kathleen Regan, ND The March Break is almost upon us. It is family travel time! Traveling with family members big and small can be challenging. I remember an old teacher once saying “If you think you are enlightened – spend a week travelling with your family!” Certainly, these times can test our patience but they are also the best of times for creating memories, strengthening bonds and reconnecting to the the important people in our life. If you are worried about how you will make it through, try these suggestions for mindful travel with family. […]
By: Quinn McCutcheon, Student practitioner at the Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine in Toronto. Homeopathic remedies are natural, safe and effective for the whole family. As we are all unique, it is important to understand how to select which remedy is best for each individual. The chart below is a quick and helpful tool to reference symptoms to the remedy. This will help to better ensure fast and effective results. If there is improvement after two to three doses of a remedy, do not re-dose unless there is reoccurrence of symptoms. However, if there is no improvement after two doses, reassess the symptoms and try a different remedy. […]
By Dr. Kathleen Regan, ND 1. Choose a weight loss goal that is realistic for you. Bring into mind your ideal weight. Or, use a Body Mass Index calculator to determine your healthy weight. Remember that lasting weight loss occurs at about 1 pound per week. If this seems like it will take too long, plan your weight loss goals in steps. If your healthy weight is 150 and you are currently 200lbs – this could take 50 weeks. So set your first goal at 190 for 10 weeks and when you reach this goal – celebrate! Our best achievements in life do not happen all at once. They are the accumulation of many small victories. 2. Identify the habits that are holding you back BEFORE you choose a weight loss plan. Bad habits are one of the biggest barriers to weight loss. They say it takes 21 days to change a habit. Pick a habit that needs to change and work at it until you can maintain the routine for a month. Yes, this may delay your weight loss plan but it will make you more successful in the long run. ‘Slow and steady wins the race.’ What kind of habits are we talking about? TIME MANAGEMENT. Eating well means planning well so that you can prepare meals at home or at least plan for healthier options. Taking some time on Saturday or Sunday to grocery shop & cook can set you up for the week. Or in today’s world, we have services like Grocery Gateway that bring the groceries right to you, or Blue Apron that bring you the prepped food for healthy meals. There are also healthy meal delivery services that provide you [...]
Tea is a subtle way of receiving nature’s best medicine. Herbal infusions extract medicinal ingredients through the heat of water. Just the warmth of botanically inspired water helps to melt stress, while sitting to enjoy a cup of tea promotes mindfulness. This holiday season, consider taking some time once or twice per day to enjoy this mood & digestion balancing blend. Ingredients You can find most of these ingredients through your local herbal shop. If you live in Toronto, Herbies Herbs is one of the best locations for bulk herbal medicines. 2 Parts Lemon Balm (1 Cup) 2 Parts Chamomile (1 Cup) 1 Part Oat Tops (1/2 Cup) 1 Part Rose Petals (1/2 Cup) 1 Part Lavender (1/2 Cup) Optional: Cinnamon Sticks […]
