We all know that calcium is an essential mineral that is used by the body to build and maintain healthy bones and teeth. But did you know that calcium is also used for blood clotting, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, regulation of enzymes and cell membrane function? That is one useful mineral! Figs are a vegan source of calcium If we aren’t consuming enough calcium in our diet, our body will take the calcium it needs from our bones â...
Posts Under Nutrition Category
Eggs are a common food allergy Food allergy testing is one of the tools Naturopathic Doctors use to assess health in our patients.  In Naturopathic Medicine our goal is to find the cause of symptoms of illness and disease.  In some people the cause is the food we eat, and a sensitivity or allergy to those foods.  In this article I will answer some of the most common questions people have regarding food allergy testing. I would know if I had ...
Essential fatty acids are just that – essential. Our body can produce most of the fats it needs (such as cholesterol, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids), however it can not produce omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids. This makes them essential to consume in our diet. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in the oils of seeds and grains, such as sunflower, safflower, soy and corn oils.  The average North American tends to consume adequate amounts...
Obviously my favourite use for tea is as a delicious health-promoting beverage, but I love finding new ways to incorporate tea into my life. I scoured the internet to find other uses for tea – either loose tea leaves, new or used tea bags. I was amazed at the versatility of tea – just another reason to love it! Around the house 1. Deodorize fridges: Place loose black tea leaves or used tea bags in the fridge to absorb odours. 2. Spice up...
Including more whole grains in your diet has numerous health benefits including: Spelt is a member of the wheat family lowered LDL (“bad”) cholesterol decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease – including heart disease and stroke decreased risk of Type II diabetes improved weight maintenance and decreased risk of obesity reduced inflammation healthier blood pressure levels reduced risk of asthma decreased risk of col...
A common (and very frustrating) occurrence in weight loss is when all progress stops despite continued efforts. A plateau is usually defined as two consecutive weeks without weight loss. Weight loss plateaus are predictable and can be easily explained – and overcome. Why does a weight loss plateau occur? The basal metabolic rate (BMR) – the energy required by the body at rest (to maintain vital bodily functions) accounts for 60 to 70% of t...
There are many causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency – autoimmune conditions, inadequate dietary intake (common in vegans and vegetarians) and inability to absorb B12 from food sources. B12 deficiency is one of the most common causes of anemia (a lack of healthy red blood cells). Vitamin B12 deficiency is easily treated with Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin or hydroxycobalamin) injections or vitamin supplements.  Diagnosing Vitamin B12 deficiency is ...
Tea (Camellia sinensis) is one of the most commonly consumed drinks on the planet and is highly respected for its many health promoting properties. To name a few, tea is: antioxidant anti-inflammatory probiotic (promotes healthy intestinal bacteria) antimicrobial – antiviral, antibacterial and anti-protozoal anti-mutagenic anti-carcinogenic However, tea can have a significant negative impact on our health as well.  Green tea, bla...
Join Dr. Lisa Watson, ND at Steeped and Infused for a series of workshops on the use of tea for various stages of health and wellness! Tea for Bellies and Babies – Using tea in pregnancy and infancy Sunday February 27th, 2:30pm @ Steeped and Infused, 1258 Queen Street East, Toronto. Cost: $20.  Infants are welcome to attend. Pregnancy and infancy are times of wonderful growth and change. Tea can be used to support both mother and baby safel...
Gluten-Free Flour Substitutes As more and more people are decreasing their gluten intake, due to sensitivities, Celiac disease, or just for healthy nutrition the availability of gluten-free foods continues to increase. Baking with gluten-free flours at home doesn’t need to be intimidating. Below are some general guidelines for using gluten-free flours in baking and as thickening agents. For more information read “360 Gluten Free Livi...
Recent Comments