Wellness Blog

Women's Health Tips #2

Wed, 09 May 2012 05:04:00 GMT

Vicky Rizothanassis Naturopathic Doctor

Sugar, stimulants, and processed food should be avoided as they lack essential vitamins and minerals. Avoid sugar, chocolate, caffeine and high glycemic carbohydrates that cause a spike and then drop in blood sugar. Enjoy nuts and seeds and delicious juices and smoothies instead!

Gemma Waldron, Naturopathic Doctor

Infertility

Eliminating sugar from the diet will decrease the impact on the endocrine system. Removing simple sugars from our diet will reduce the stress on the adrenal glands. Choose a diet rich in protein, fruits and vegetables, and always choose complex carbohydrates.

Margaret Varga, Chiropractor

Shoe sense for women

Sage supplements have been shown to reduce hot flashes and night sweats.

Susan Greenspan, Naturopath & Energetic Therapist

Feminine hair loss

Iodine supplements can assist the immune system, adrenals and thyroid function aiding in reduction of stress-related symptoms including hair loss.

Learn more about Healthtree's P

Women's Health Tips #1

Wed, 09 May 2012 04:58:00 GMT

Vicky Rizothanassis Naturopathic Doctor

Adrenal fatigue - Do you have it?

B Vitamins support the function of the adrenal gland. Vitamin B5 is especially useful and can be found in foods such as brewers yeast, legumes, organ meats, salmon, wheat germ, whole grains, mushrooms, raw elderberries, and fresh orange juice.

Gemma Waldron, Naturopathic Doctor

Infertility

A good vitamin B-complex can help to support the proper balance of the endocrine system.

Margaret Varga, Chiropractor

Shoe sense for women

Taking a magnesium supplement may help to reduce muscle tightness and tension.

Susan Greenspan, Naturopath & Energetic Therapist

Feminine hair loss

Vitamin and minerals made from organic food sources are well absorbed and utilized by the body, leaving no toxic residue. Vitamin E encourages movement of blood to the scalp, allowing full nourishment to fill and restore hair.

Learn more about Healthtree's Professionals.

Healthtree News May 2012

Thu, 10 May 2012 13:55:00 GMT

Happy Mother's Day

It's here!

Website benefits

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:40:00 GMT

Healthtree.ca is your first stop for news. Here’s a quick review of where to look on our website and how to get the best out of Healthtree.

Find upcoming events on our Events Calendar, on our home page Highlights slider, and in the upper right hand column of our home page.
Sign up for events on the Event page, without even leaving home. A confirmation will be sent to you by email as well as 2 reminders, 1 week before and again 2 days before the event.
Our Facebook page (click on the Facebook symbol to get there) announces all the upcoming events and news, like when our new flyer is online.
Find Healthtree’s monthly flyer on our Specials page.
Look for posters in store announcing events as well as notices on our Announcement Board, located to the right of the door coming into the store.

Healthtree will be holding a small talk for 10-15 people every month in the store. Larger events, such as the Vitamin K2 Lecture in February and the Gluten Free Evening in April, will take place about 4 times a year. Capacity for the larger events are 160 people with the lecture held next door at Olympia and the evening finishes at Healthtree with demos, shopping and an opportunity to talk to the guest lecturer.

We hope to see you at our next event!

Happy Mother's Day

Wed, 09 May 2012 15:46:00 GMT

Mothers are the world’s greatest life support system. They feed you, keep you clean, get you to where you want to go, nurture you, give you a shoulder to cry on, and they are the definition of multi-tasking! But putting family first often means Moms come last, which isn’t a good long-term strategy. Just like Mother Earth needs to be kept healthy so all life on it can thrive, Moms need to be healthy so everyone around them can flourish.

Healthtree supports Moms in many ways with:

Healthier natural and organic food.
Natural health supplements to replenish the precious vitamins and minerals you may be missing.
Healthy prepared meals from the Healthtree Gourmet kitchen, catering to various diets such as vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free.
Natural and organic products for all your health and beauty needs, from fluoride-free toothpaste to rich and natural soaps, creams and make-up.
Information and lots of it! Healthtree’s website is full of articles about living in wellness and resolving health issues with diet, exercise and stress reduction. Our Wellness Blog is growing every month with articles written by our Professionals: Naturopathic Doctors Gemma Waldron and Vicky Rizothanassis, Chiropractor Margaret Varga and Naturopath & Energetic Therapist Susan Greenspan. There is a little something for everyone.
Answers to your questions! Healthtree staff will always take the time to answer your questions about the health benefits of any product in our store and ensure that you leave Healthtree with the wellness products that are right for you.
Donations to charities such as the West Island Women’s Shelter and other community projects that support women and families in need.

So if you haven’t already, make Mother’s Day your launching pad for building a regimen of self-care into your life and make Healthtree your partner in wellness. Gift certificates are available for your support network, just in case they need a hint for a little something for Mom.

Your Healthtree family wishes you a very Happy Mother’s Day. ♡

Women's Health Blogs May 2012

Wed, 09 May 2012 05:38:00 GMT

Vicky Rizothanassis Naturopathic Doctor

Adrenal fatigue - Do you have it?

Women's Health Tip #1 - to come
Women's Health Tip #2 - to come
Women's Health Tip #3 - to come

Gemma Waldron, Naturopathic Doctor

Infertility

Women's Health Tip #1 - to come
Women's Health Tip #2 - to come
Women's Health Tip #3 - to come

Margaret Varga, Chiropractor

Shoe sense for women

Women's Health Tip #1 - to come
Women's Health Tip #2 - to come
Women's Health Tip #3 - to come

Susan Greenspan, Naturopath & Energetic Therapist

Feminine hair loss

Women's Health Tip #1 - to come
Women's Health Tip #2 - to come
Women's Health Tip #3 - to come

Learn more about Healthtree's Professionals.

Feminine Hair Loss

Wed, 09 May 2012 05:36:00 GMT

Susan Greenspan, Naturopath & Energetic Therapist

Hair is a symbol of femininity and beauty to many women; it is also a reflection and indicator of our health and wellness. Female balding or excessive hair loss can be emotionally devastating. Over 33 million women aged 18 and up are reported suffering from hair loss or balding in the U.S. and Canada alone.1

Causes of hair loss are varied:

Poor nutrition will often result in dry and brittle hair and follicles, leading to excessive hair loss.
Hormone imbalances due to stress, pregnancy, child birthing and menopause can be contributors to hair loss. Balancing hormones after child birthing often restores normal hair patterns.
Menopausal symptoms and symptoms of acute stress can often be adjusted with diet, meditation, yoga, and other stress-relieving and hormone balancing remedies.
Illness and side effects due to medical procedures and medications can result in hair loss. Detoxifying the chemicals from the body is essential to restore the best of health, resulting in radiant natural beauty once again.
Cosmetic damage is also a factor of hair loss. Using harsh, chemical cosmetics such as shampoos, hair dyes, perms, etc. along with aggressive pulling due to blow drying can weaken and loosen hair follicles.

All can be remedied with diet, supplements, exercise, meditation and clean, hygienic products.
Wellness and health is indicated and radiates from inside to out.

References
1. HairLossNet website, A guide to stop hair loss and re-grow hair. http://www.hairlossnet.com

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For a consultation, please contact Susan Greenspan at www.blessedpath.ca. She will help you make the lifestyle changes needed to be a healthier you. For all your organic nutrition and supplements needs, please visit Healthtree at 3827 Saint Jean Blvd. in Dollard-des-Ormeaux or online at www.healthtree.ca.

To learn more, visit our page Healthtree Professionals.

Shoe sense for women

Wed, 09 May 2012 05:36:00 GMT

Dr. Margaret Varga, Chiropractor

Many women love shoes… the best type of shoe is one that is relatively flat and provides adequate support for your feet (though not the preferred type of many shoe lovers!). Poor footwear choices can cause pain – not only in the feet, but also knees, hips, low back, and even all the way up the spine, which can lead to headaches.

Here are some tips for those times when higher heeled shoes will be worn:

Shop for shoes late in the day, as feet can accumulate fluid & swell throughout the day.
Make sure you select the correct shoe size (the same shoe size can have different fits, depending on the manufacturer).
Try the shoes on & walk around to see how your feet feel.
Avoid shoes with many thin straps – as they can dig into your skin, causing pain and swelling.
Don’t choose shoes you cannot walk in!

Some more tips:

A cushioning pad in the front of the shoe to pad the balls of your feet can help to prevent your toes from getting wedged in the front of the shoe.
Whenever you can, slip off heels to stretch some of the tensed muscles & make circles with your toes and ankles to improve circulation.
Try not to stand or walk for long periods of time. If wearing heels at work – put them on when you get there (wear comfortable shoes on the way there and back again).
Maintain good posture. Keep your head, shoulders, hips and ankles aligned when standing.
After a rough night in heels, give them a rest the next day. Wear comfortable flats, soak them in warm water and give them a massage.

Remember – extra weight adds extra stress to your feet, knees, and back. Getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight helps to minimize this extra stress.

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For a consultation, please contact Dr. Margaret Varga BSc DC, at the West-Island Integrative Health Centre, www.integrativehealthcentre.ca. One of our licensed health professionals will help you make the lifestyle changes needed to be a healthier you. For all your organic nutrition and supplements needs, please visit Healthtree at 3827 Saint Jean Blvd. in Dollard-des-Ormeaux or online at www.healthtree.ca.

To learn more, visit our webpage Healthtree Professionals.

Infertility

Wed, 09 May 2012 05:37:00 GMT

Gemma Waldron, Naturopathic Doctor

If you are experiencing infertility, you are not alone. 10-16% of heterosexual couples in Canada, where the woman is between the ages of 18 and 44, are diagnosed with infertility. Infertility is defined as “a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.”

Multiple tests can be done to identify why a couple can’t conceive and in some the root cause of the infertility will be discovered, however in 10% of the cases, it remains unknown. Some of the known causes of infertility include disorders of the uterus and fallopian tubes, disorders of ovulation as well as, on the men’s side, disorders of the production of sperm.

After all the tests are done and there appears to be no physiological reason the individual cannot conceive, the women will be diagnosed with idiopathic infertility. If these individual cases are examined further, it is often discovered that a slight imbalance in the delicate endocrine system is making it difficult for these women to conceive. Imbalances with the thyroid, adrenal glands and reproductive hormones are often the cause of the problem. These imbalances may not always show up on blood work, but can be identified by symptoms the individual is experiencing. If the thyroid is not functioning optimally, the individual will often experience dry skin, cold hands and feet, generally cold body temperature, weight gain, low blood pressure, constipation and possible increase in hair loss.

Excess amount of stress can create adrenal insufficiency. In this case they may experience disrupted sleep patterns, fatigue, as well as dizziness that occurs while standing up. The reproductive hormones can be imbalanced if we discover prior to or during the menstruation cycle there is excess bleeding, discomfort, breast tenderness, bloating, or an irregular cycle.

The naturopathic community will support infertility by addressing the subclinical endocrine abnormalities. We identify the pattern of imbalance the individual is experiencing and use a wholesome organic diet, supplements and herbs to bring the individual back to hormonal balance.

References:
1-Assisted Human Reproduction Canada
2-International committee monitoring assisted reproductive technologies-ICMART, 2009
3-Collin P, et al: Infertility and coeliac disease. Gut, 1996;39(3):382-284.

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For a consultation, please contact Gemma Waldron BSc ND, at the West-Island Integrative Health Centre, www.integrativehealthcentre.ca. One of our licensed health professionals will help you make the lifestyle changes needed to be a healthier you. For all your organic nutrition and supplements needs, please visit Healthtree at 3827 Saint Jean Blvd. in Dollard-des-Ormeaux or online at www.healthtree.ca.

To learn more, visit our webpage Healthtree Professionals.

Adrenal fatigue - Do you have it?

Wed, 09 May 2012 05:37:00 GMT

Vicky Rizothanassis, Naturopathic Doctor

In today’s society, it is hard for most of us to keep a balanced life with all the demands that come our way. Especially as women, we try to do it all and we usually put ourselves last. Our bodies have an amazing capacity to deal with stress but after a while it is inevitable that we will run out of steam and start to burn out.

Our stress response is largely controlled by our adrenal glands and the hormones they produce: cortisol, DHEA and adrenaline. In the short-term, cortisol helps us successfully manage stressors, however, after a while our bodies start to get tired of dealing with chronic stress and we have a harder time keeping up with all the demands. At some point we have all experienced the exhaustion that ensues. This happens when our adrenals are no longer able to keep up with the increasing demands of cortisol production. The result is stress maladaptation, or something more commonly known as adrenal fatigue.

What are some of the signs and symptoms that could be associated with adrenal fatigue?

An inability to lose weight (especially in the mid-section) despite our many efforts
Excessive feelings of tiredness and an inability to cope
Need coffee or stimulants to get going in the morning
Poor memory/focus/concentration
Reduced libido
Frequent colds and flu’s and a poor immune system
Sleep disturbances
Poor thyroid function
Anxiety and/or depression
Feeling light-headed or dizzy
Muscle and joint pain

How can we test for this?

In order to accurately study how hormones clinically affect a patient, it is necessary to look at hormone levels dynamically by measuring the levels of free cortisol and DHEA throughout the day. Saliva testing has an accuracy rate of 92-96%.1 According to research, saliva testing is more reliable than serum (blood) testing in evaluating your adrenal health.2 I have found saliva testing to be very effective as well as convenient for patients as samples can be collected throughout the day.

It is important to note that a feeling of fatigue is associated with many different medical conditions so it is important to rule out any other causes of your symptoms before coming to any conclusions.

What can we do to help support our adrenals?
Stay tuned in the following weeks for tips on how to support your stress response!

References
1. Adrenal Stress Index: Patient Overview. DiagnosTechs. Retrieved April 9, 2012. http://www.diagnostechs.com/Pages/ASIPatientOverview.aspx
2. Aardal-Eriksson E, Karlberg BE, Holm AC. Salivary cortisol--an alternative to serum cortisol determinations in dynamic function tests. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. 1998 Apr;36(4):215-22.

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For a consultation, please contact Vicky Rizothanassis BSc ND, at the West-Island Integrative Health Centre, www.integrativehealthcentre.ca. One of our licensed health professionals will help you make the lifestyle changes needed to be a healthier you. For all your organic nutrition and supplements needs, please visit Healthtree at 3827 Saint Jean Blvd. in Dollard-des-Ormeaux or online at www.healthtree.ca.

To learn more, visit our webpage Healthtree Professionals.

Detox Tip #3

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:27:00 GMT

Vicky Rizothanassis Naturopathic Doctor

Detoxification for optimal health

Load up on fibre. It is important to ensure that our bowels are moving adequately before we detox as well as during the detox. Fibre will help this process. It will also help remove fat soluble toxins excreted with bile into the small intestine. Aim for 1-2 Tbsp of psyllium, ground flax or chia seeds every day.

Gemma Waldron, Naturopathic Doctor

Detoxifying with water

The following factors will increase the water you need to consume: exercise, pregnancy or breastfeeding, diarrhea or fever, and drinking coffee, alcohol, pop, and tea.

Margaret Varga, Chiropractor

Detox basics

Chlorophyll (the green pigment found in plants) is a good detoxifier, which improves digestion, and can help to reduce body odor – even in pets!

Susan Greenspan, Naturopath & Energetic Therapist

Precious dandelions

Cardiovascular exercises, along with drinking fresh water, open all channels of body functions to assist in flushing out toxins. Outdoor activities invite a feeling of spaciousness to let all stagnation go.

Learn more about Healthtree's Professionals.

Naturopathic Medicine Week May 7-13, 2012

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:39:00 GMT

Free Events in and around Montreal

Download the poster

Detox tip #2

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:18:00 GMT

Vicky Rizothanassis Naturopathic Doctor

Detoxification for optimal health

Avoid processed foods. Read food labels. If the ingredients don’t sound like food, they’re simply not food. My suggestion is to avoid eating it altogether.

Gemma Waldron, Naturopathic Doctor

Detoxifying with water

Drinking water is essential for the elimination of toxins from the body. As a general rule, you can calculate your required water intake by taking your body weight in pounds and dividing it by two; this is how much water you should drink in ounces (example if you weigh 140lbs you should consume 140/2 = 70ounces or 8.75 cups of water per day).

Margaret Varga, Chiropractor

Detox basics

When taking cleansing herbs, it is also important to consume adequate fiber and water – to ensure proper elimination of the released toxins.

Susan Greenspan, Naturopath & Energetic Therapist

Precious dandelions

Advance detox programs such as Gerson therapies are recommended for persons with extreme illnesses or for those that are reaching advanced levels of wellness. For more information please contact me at blessedpath@gmail.com.

Learn more about Healthtree's Professionals.

Ask Healthtree Detox 120423

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 03:05:00 GMT

This week's question

Q: Which vegetable is known to help reduce toxins from your body?

1. Carrots
2. Broccoli
3. Squash

A: Broccoli!

Detox Tip #1

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:19:00 GMT

Vicky Rizothanassis Naturopathic Doctor

Detoxification for optimal health

Consume foods to help reduce toxins from your body. Consume broccoli and the other members of the brassica family daily (cabbage, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts). Broccoli has the highest amount of compounds in it that enhance your ability to clear toxins from your blood stream. It also has compounds that prevent cancer and can balance estrogen metabolism. Raw or juiced has the highest activity.

Gemma Waldron, Naturopathic Doctor

Detoxifying with water

When using water to increase perspiration, it is essential to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.

Margaret Varga, Chiropractor

Detox basics

During the first couple days of starting a cleanse, it is normal to feel a little off (achy, mild headaches). It is simply an indication that your body is eliminating toxins.

Susan Greenspan, Naturopath & Energetic Therapist

Precious dandelions

Juicing fresh organic fruits and vegetables with added proteins and fibers will satisfy much of the body’s nutritional needs while allowing more energy for the detoxifying process.

Learn more about Healthtree's Professionals.