Healthy Living Tips

Optimizing One's Health

Boost Your Immune System

The best protection from infectious diseases is a robust immune system and daily healthy habits. Dr. Persaud, ND will help identify the daily healthy regime or any additional supplement that is best for your health; address health concerns, supporting the healing power of the body, as they arise; regular health care visits will assist you in identifying any underlying health concerns and regular lab assessments will indicate the health of your immune system. Some general recommendations for maintaining a strong immune system include:

• Optimize the strength of your immune system by addressing outstanding health concerns.
• Maintain optimal nutrient intake and a strong digestive function by: Eating 5 - 10 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables daily; include garlic, onions, thyme and oregano in your cooking to boost the immune system and fight off virus. Avoid sugar, caffeine and alcohol; substances that reduce immune system function.
• Keep hydrated by drinking at least 6 - 8 glasses of water per day. Because, people drink less in the winter,additional metabolic stress is placed on the liver, kidneys and the colon.
• Avoid overeating, because it takes more energy to digest the food and can negatively impact the functioning of other body systems.

Detoxification

The ability to detoxify is a major determinant of a person's level of health. We are bombarded by toxins in the body and there are natural ways to support the detoxification and elimination of harmful compounds. When the detoxification system becomes overloaded, the toxic metabolites accumulate and we become more sensitive to our environment and chemicals around us. Toxins can include heavy metals, chemicals, microbial compounds and protein metabolites.

Diagnosis of toxins includes hair, urinary and/or blood analysis and medical history. One's symptoms such as weight issues, sugar imbalances, skin conditions and digestive concerns are some determinants of toxic concerns.

The body eliminates toxins either by directly neutralizing them or by excreting them in the urine, feces, lungs and skin. Toxins that the body is unable to eliminate build up in the tissues, typically in our fat stores. The liver, intestines and kidneys are the primary organs of detoxification; however, the liver plays a key role in the detoxification process.

The approach to aiding in the detoxification process involves:

• Eating a diet that focuses on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.
• Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including avoidance of alcohol and exercising regularly.
• Taking a high-potency multiple vitamin and mineral supplement.
• Using special nutritional and herbal supplements to protect the liver and enhance liver function.
• Finding mental and spiritual balance to help cleanse the system.
• Going on a special elimination or fasting type diet at certain times of the year-best if supervised.
• Rest when you need it.

The detoxification process is specific to each individual. Some people need more intense protocols while others may require simple maintenance ideas. Please consult with Dr. Reina Persaud, ND and find out approach is best for you!

Digestive Health

Many people experience various vague or troublesome digestive disturbances ranging from fatigue or sluggishness after a meal to more uncomfortable symptoms including pain, cramping, gas, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea. It's amazing how often we ignore these subtle, or not so subtle, messages from our bodies that there is a problem we need to address. In fact, it's remarkable how much abuse our digestive systems take - we regularly consume processed foods, saturated fats, refined sugars, drugs and chemicals with little thought about how our body will utilize them. We expect our systems to somehow magically grind it all up, sort it out, use the good and eliminate the bad without complaint, and still leave us with lots of energy.

It's no surprise that Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most frequently seen disorders in medical settings. What is most unfortunate is that conventional treatments offer only limited relief of pain and spasm, but don't get to the underlying root of the problem.

We need to transform our approach to treating digestive disturbances by focusing on prevention and natural alternatives: it's time to take a more common sense, functional approach to healing. Naturopathic medicine offers us an opportunity to actually have a "healing" occur - to address the underlying cause of illness while we alleviate symptoms.

Dr. Reina Persaud, ND looks at the connections between the intestinal tract and other systems in the body when evaluating a person experiencing IBS. Each person is given an individualized treatment plan based on his or her symptoms, health history and own biochemical uniqueness. For example, if a person has a history of asthma, allergies or eczema, they may have an immune or inflammatory imbalance and would be best treated with bioflavonoids and eliminating food sensitivities. If a person has a history of tobacco, antibiotic or pain medication use combined with a diet high in processed foods, they probably have intestinal dysfunction such as altered gut motility, intestinal permeability or bacterial imbalance as causal factors. Treatments would include identification and removal of unfriendly gut bacteria or parasites and support and repair of irritated gut tissue. If fatigue, muscle pain or hypersensitivity to smells accompanies a person's symptoms, the underlying cause may be impaired detoxification or oxidative stress and a cleansing regime would be advised.

By removing obstacles to cure and restoring the delicate balance of essential nutrients, we allow our natural homeostatic mechanisms to bring our body back to health. The body's natural instinct is to be well and it strives to reach optimal health. This is its own innate survival mechanism.

Even if your symptoms of digestive disturbance are only mild or vague, it is important to listen to these important messages from your body. Our normal absorption of nutrients if the key to our vitality - we get all of the building blocks for our metabolism from our digestive system. Your good health depends on it.

Flu Vaccine

The Canadian Naturopathic Association believes it is in your best interest to become informed about your health and treatment options before making any decisions about your health. Review the following information to become better prepared to determine if the flu vaccination is the best option for you or family members.

Information on the Influenza Virus

• Millions of individuals develop the flu each year and only experience mild symptoms.
• There is a two day incubation period before symptoms of fever, cough, chills, sore throat, body aches, fatigue or headaches appear.
• Influenza virus spreads through coughing and sneezing, direct contact with contaminated surfaces and objects or unwashed hands.
• Flu symptoms usually subside after two to three days and disappear within a week.
• Once an individual has had the flu, their body will have produced antibodies that protect them from the same strain of virus for a prolonged period of time.
• Complications from influenza infection are very rare and may occur in individuals with an underlying medical condition, those greater than 65 years of age, and young children that have a predisposition to respiratory infections. Pneumonia is the primary complication of influenza and can result in hospitalization or death in those that are at extremely high risk for complications.

General Healthy Guidelines

• Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water regularly and avoid close contact with anyone who is not well. If you have flu like symptoms, spend more time at home to rest and limit exposure to others.
• Wear adequate clothing. Limit the amount of exposed skin when outside temperatures are low and during the change of season, err on the side of being well dressed versus chilled.
• Obtain adequate rest and sleep.
• Exercise on a daily basis. Stretching, walking, swimming, working out at a health club, yoga or even dancing on a regular basis will assist in maintaining a healthy body.
• Spend five to ten minutes a day focusing on your breathing, spend twice as long on the exhalation as the inhalation.
• Practice stress reduction exercises like meditation, massage, or acupuncture as stress depresses the immune system.
• If you develop flu-like symptoms, stay home, limit exposure to others and allow your body time to recover; also consult Dr. Persaud, ND for specific supplementation required.

Lead Poisoning

Women with high rates of bone loss are more likely to become 'toxic' from metal contaminants like LEAD and URANIUM. Over time, these elements accumulate in bone tissue and AS BONE BREAKS DOWN, THE CONTAMINANTS LEAK OUT.

Signs of Lead Poisoning

• In adults - loss of memory, muscle weakness, paralysis of the extremities, anemia, gastrointestinal colic, reproductive disorders, impotence in men.
• In children - premature births, reduced growth, learning difficulties, slower reflexes, behavioural problems. Lead is one of the most toxic metal contaminants. It is a cumulative poison that is retained in the central nervous system, bones, brain, glands and hair.

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