Foundational Nutrition

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of risk factors that include abdominal fat, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Many studies have looked at combinations of food supplements for the benefit of multiple components associated with metabolic disease. One example of this is olive oil: polyphenols from olive extracts have enough antioxidant action to protect LDL particles from oxidative damage. Why is this so important? Oxidation of LDL cholesterol particles is a driving factor in atherosclerosis and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In fact, most CVD-related deaths are the result of a narrowing of

Macro what?  I was reintroduced to the world of macronutrients last summer when I went to a socially distanced “covid birthday” at the park.  As I was walking to meet my group of friends, there was one person I didn’t recognize.  When I got closer, I realized that it was indeed a friend I knew, but a much leaner, more defined version of her.  I’m not typically the type of person that would comment on body changes, but this was quite drastic, and I needed to know what she was doing.  She told me that she had started working with

According to the World Health Organization, depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. Globally, more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression.[i] The standard treatment for depression is antidepressants but 40 to 70% of patients are not alleviated by existing treatments.[ii] What if our diet could alleviate our moods? Most of us have noticed that certain foods make us feel better while others leave us feeling tired, or simply do not seem to agree with our system. This connection between what we eat and how

Oral Health and Overall Health The oral cavity is the starting point of our digestive tract, masticating and breaking down our food so we can begin to get nutrients. Beyond that, it is the first point of exposure to many pathogens; this vulnerability means we have developed the physiology and structure to keep us protected. We are going to review why oral health contributes to overall health and what you can do to fortify your first line of defense. Risky Business Our mouths and throat are designed to optimise function, meaning improve digestion and prevent infection. Most people associate our

It is not uncommon to hear a friend or family member say that they are trying to lose weight. In fact, the vast majority of us spend our entire lives struggling to maintain a weight that is healthy or desirable. There are certainly many people that are over-eating or under-exercising for their caloric requirements. But what about the rest of us? For some individuals, it doesn’t matter how little we eat because the weigh scale doesn’t seem to budge! Weight loss can be quite complex with many contributing factors and the simple reality is that cutting calories is not a

The role that vitamin B plays, from the time we are in the womb right through the ageing process, cannot be underestimated. Let’s explore the importance of this family of vitamins throughout our life cycle. The Importance of Vitamin B during Pregnancy Nutritional deficiencies can lead to adverse outcomes in reproduction such as infertility and miscarriage. In pregnancy, a B12 deficiency can lead to complications in neonatal development, increasing the risk of preterm birth and lower birth weight.1 Low levels of maternal red blood cell folate and high homocysteine values mid-pregnancy have also been found to be associated with reduced

Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It makes sense that what you put into your body shows itself in your skin. Nature gives us everything we need to nourish and support our bodies. Of course, it’s up to you to ensure that you eat a well-balanced diet that contains all the nutrients your body and skin need to be healthy. Here are the ingredients your food must-have for optimal skin health. Phytoceramides Phytoceramides are molecular substances that exist in natural plants, such as wheat and rice. These are so potent for skin rejuvenation that many premium skin

New Year, New Diet January is a time to reflect on why we developed bad habits and what we can do to move towards some type of discipline. We are presented with an opportunity to set our intention for how we want the upcoming year to progress. Resolving to finally finish a project, make a lifestyle change, or reach our fitness goals. We here at AOR, we want to help you achieve those goals! So we are going to start by investigating the pros and cons of a number of popular diets, starting with intermittent fasting. By now, the term “intermittent

Eight Dietary Strategies To Promote Healthy Breast Tissue And Reduce Breast Cancer Risks October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a leading cause of death in women, breast cancer directly or indirectly touches the lives of millions of Canadians. Along with a balanced lifestyle, adequate sleep and exercise, dietary choices can either promote healthy breast tissue and/or reduce the risk for abnormal cell growth. This article highlights eight evidence-based dietary strategies to keep your breasts healthy, check them out below: Note: This article should not be used in place of medical advice and has not been reviewed by Health Canada.

Cooking clean and healthy meals can be confusing. Not only is the quality of ingredients important but how we prepare them can significantly alter their nutritional content. We all know that a piece of broccoli is nutritionally rich and may protect against some cancers, however; that same piece of broccoli smothered in batter and deep fried as tempura suddenly becomes toxic. Most cooking methods for broccoli, other than steaming, can significantly modify the chlorophyll, soluble protein, vitamin C, and glucosinates in broccoli. Similarly, a study published in April of this year found that the phytochemical and antioxidant capacity of purple

Ensuring that you are taking the best form of calcium for your body will not only benefit your bones, but will also save you from spending money on a type of calcium supplement that is not going to work well for you or which may provide little value to your body. With so many forms of calcium on the market, choosing one can be complicated indeed. Certain types of calcium supplements may be better for some types of people than others. Some of the most common forms of calcium supplements that are available include: calcium carbonate, oyster shell calcium, calcium

We men are notorious for ignoring our health until problems becomes so serious or bothersome they eventually force us to seek help. There is an idea that going to a doctor for an annual health check and physical is a sign of weakness. However, with initiatives like Movember and a shift in the culture of our society, more men are starting to pay attention to their health and are adopting preventative health practices. There are some key motivators for men when it comes to getting a health assessment. Traditionally, it has been when symptoms become very serious that medical help