Lifestyle

When you pause and think about how many hands have had to handle asparagus coming from a continent away – it can get your head spinning. Between the farm it was raised on, who or what harvested it, who cleaned it, who or what (possibly) added preservatives to coat it, so it could make the long journey north to again be handled in a distribution centre. Then, someone to move it onto the Costco floor – well, you can see that it’s come a long way from its humble beginnings as a seed in some distant place.  Eating locally grown

What is incontinence? Urinary Incontinence (UI) is the unintentional passing of urine. Loss of bladder control is a common condition among women in midlife with reported prevalence ranging from 28% to 47%. Severity ranges from an occasional leak with a cough, laugh or sneeze, to an urgent need to pee that is so sudden (where the person needs a trip to a toilet ASAP). The risk of incontinence increases incrementally from the age of 40 to 60, with prevalence nearly doubled by age 55. Men also experience incontinence, though reported rates (3% to 11%) are much lower than that of

You often hear the phrase you are what you eat; but, have you ever thought that you are what you breathe? Let’s discuss more about the air. Firstly, Particulate Matter (PM) from an array of sources makes up the air composition we breath. These particles can include dust, dirt, soot and smoke generated from wood stoves or forest fires. Also, these particles can come from gases emitted by power plants, factories, construction sites and everyday traffic. In addition, particles can travel hundreds to thousands of miles downwind, affecting people far from the source. Breathing in this environmental toxins can pose

Staying active as we age is already challenging but during a pandemic, it comes with extra hurdles. Many people have experienced a decrease in physical activity and an increase in sedentary behavior, which can profoundly impact an individual’s health, well-being, and quality of life.i Evidence has shown that physical activity is associated with significantly lower risks of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, various cancers, and all-cause mortality.ii Physical activity and exercise can also prevent common mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorders, and have multiple beneficial effects on the physical and mental health of people with a wide range

As a woman in my early 40s, I can say I still feel very “fetch.” I will, however, make a confession that before writing this I had to ask a younger colleague what “fetch” meant. Aside from being linguistically in my 40s, I still feel and apparently look (according to those who asked me for ID this past year…ps. I love you), young for my age. When I was in my 20s, I thought 40 was ancient. Now that I am here, 40 doesn’t feel that different. Mentally and experientially, I feel older and wiser. The ‘ancient’ I imagined to

It’s not surprising that our health focus changes as we age. Cellular aging (ongoing cell division) combined with environmental exposures, genetics and diet and lifestyle choices, all play a role in health outcomes, how we feel and even our appearance. You might notice physical changes after having children or just with time. Your body might look and work great at 30 but at 35+ it’s not uncommon to notice that smile and laugh lines are more prominent. Skin texture can change, hair can become thinner. Our joints might start making more creaking and cracking sounds as we move. And our

Our 20s are often a time for self-exploration, growth, career and social development. Often considered our physiologic peak, our 20s are often overlooked as a time to actively engage in self-care and develop healthy practices, not only to help us thrive during this time but also in the future. In fact, major predictors of health in your 60s and 70s are initiated decades earlier. These decades-long observational studies can help guide young adults by establishing the clear correlations between health behaviours and future outcomes. Some of these common correlations include low calcium intake and risk of osteoporosis, toxin exposure and

The idea that our bodies are inhabited by trillions of bacteria is no longer a farfetched Sci Fi scheme. We now know that our colon is home to critters of all kinds – friendly and not so friendly microorganisms doing their part to stay alive. Moreover, they help us survive, aiding everything from our digestion to immunity. Studies have linked our gut microbes to mood regulation, tendency towards obesity1, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular health2, colon cancer3, Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome4. On a daily basis, these microbes help us metabolize foods and ascertain key nutrients, producing their very own

As the new year approaches it is a good time to take stock of where you are at on the burnout scale.  We are constantly bombarded by societal images of what success looks like and the pressure to attain it.  In our capitalist society, the view of the masses is that the more money you have, the more successful you are.  Though not all individuals share this perspective, that is still the bar of success and even happiness in the minds of many.  While trying to attain this “success,” people find themselves caught up in the rat race to get

Metabolic syndrome refers to the “perfect storm” of hypertension, dyslipidemia, poor blood glucose regulation, and the presence of intra-abdominal adipose accumulation. Having metabolic syndrome increases the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD), in addition to Type 2 diabetes.   Prevention and treatment of each of these disorders includes dietary and lifestyle changes, including decreasing intake of sugar and simple carbohydrates, and regular physical activity. However, many individuals find these changes too difficult, or may need additional support if areas such as blood pressure, glucose, insulin or cholesterol aren’t coming into normal range within a reasonable amount of time.   Conventional treatments often cause side effects that dissuade patients from

What is Arthritis? Arthritis is a term that refers to an inflammation of the joint spaces. The type and cause of arthritis will determine which joints are affected, how they are affected and how the symptoms are likely to progress. You likely have heard of the most common types of arthritis: osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.  Osteoarthritis is one of the most common degenerative joint disorders and arises from trauma to the joint space from over/misuse, injury or even infection. It is a chronic condition characterized by joint pain of specific affected joints, reduced functionality of the joint, reduced mobility and

“Sitting is the new smoking” is a statement that is increasingly heard as our society continues to move towards one that does not need to leave home for anything.  Technology has provided us with a world of convenience where daily activity is generally no longer required for one’s survival.  Our distant ancestors did not have cars or public transportation to get from point A to point B.  They did not have uber eats or other delivery services that would allow them to have a fresh meal delivered directly to their home without the need to move more than a few