When we think of boosting our immune system, what often comes to mind is eating extra oranges to boost our vitamin C, taking drops of Echinacea or holding oregano oil under your tongue.
While these are great immune boosters, how can we really build the immune system?
It’s that time again! Back to school. Summer definitely went quickly in Vancouver. I hope it was a wonderful summer and now you are ready to get back to routine with the start of the fall season.
After summer vacation some of you may find it difficult to get back to a routine. I have some great suggestions for nutrients that can help increase your energy and give you the boost you need to get back on track for back to school.
What is Progesterone ?
Progesterone is a female sex hormone produced mainly in the ovaries following ovulation each month. It is crucial part of the menstrual cycle.
Progesterone helps to regulate your cycle, but its main job is to get your uterus ready for pregnancy. After you ovulate each month, progesterone helps thicken the lining of the uterus in preparation for a fertilized egg. If there is no fertilized egg, progesterone levels drop again and menstruation begins. If a fertilized egg does not implant in the uterine wall, progesterone helps to maintain the uterine lining throughout pregnancy.
Skin Cancer is now the most common form of cancer in both Canada and the US with rates on the rise. Skin Cancer does not seem to be as scary as other types of cancers, but many people do not realize how disfiguring Basal Cell carcinoma can be, and Melanoma can certainly be fatal. We know that Skin Cancer is associated with UV exposure, and frequency of sunburn raises the risk of developing Melanoma. The public is now very aware that avoiding tanning beds and using sunscreen are protective measures, but there is more to it.
Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer among humans and solar UV radiation, particularly its UVB component (290-320 nm), is its major cause. One way to reduce the occurrence of the cancer is via the use of substances (often antioxidants) termed “photochemopreventive agents”. ‘Photochemoprotection’, which we define as ‘the use of agents capable of ameliorating the adverse effects of UVB on the skin’. Among many photochemoprotective agents, botanical antioxidants are showing promise. Because UV radiation is known to cause excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) thereby resulting in an oxidative stress condition. Approaches aimed at counteracting ROS production may be useful for the prevention of skin cancer. One approach to reduce its occurrence is through the eating of foods that have resveratrol in them. Resveratrol (trans-3,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene), a phytoalexin found in grapes, nuts, fruits, and red wine, is a potent antioxidant with strong anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties.
A recent study conducted at the University Of California San Diego School Of Medicine has found higher levels of Vitamin D, specifically blood levels of 25 – Hydroxyvitamin D, are associated with a lowered risk of cancer.
I commonly hear many of my patients mentioning they are having a difficult time losing fat or gaining muscle even though they are working out very hard, lifting weights and eating very clean. The problem may be due to the amount of stress they are under. Specifically I am referring to Cortisol levels.
A limiting factor to staying active and maintaining a healthy weight is pain.
When you first start an exercise regime, you will encounter sore achy muscles that can make exercise feel difficult. Starting slow and building up is a great way to ensure that you don’t end up with too much discomfort that will stop you from achieving your goals.
For some people, it doesn’t appear to make sense why they can’t lose weight. They exercise 4 times per week or more with intense cardio and interval strength training. They eat a clean, low carb diet and have cut out most sugar and alcohol.
By
Dr. Quinn Rivet B.Sc., ND
For many years doctors have been treating kidney disease, high blood pressure and heart disease with drugs that block something known as angiotensin II (anne-gee-o-ten-sin-two) or short form Ang II. Ang II can cause constriction of the blood vessels and salt retention so blocking it can help relax the vessels and put less stress on the vessels and thus the kidneys and heart.