A study reports that pregnant women are at risk for high blood pressure and low birth weight babies if taking standard ferrous sulphate iron tablets daily. Clinical trials show that a naturally occurring iron supplement is a bio-available, low dosage source for iron. It may hold the answer to iron deficiency in expecting mothers. (more…)

It is now common for over 70% of women in western societies to experience more than 21 difficult and uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. These unpleasant symptoms can be due to many complicated factors including busy lifestyles, stress, poor diets and individual genetics.

Women don’t however need to suffer through what should be a natural and gradual process. Along with diet and lifestyle support, there are a number of western and eastern herbs that help to balance hormones and relieve the many symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, abdominal bloating, weight gain, mood swings, anxiety, vaginal dryness, fatigue, loss of libido, joint aches and pains, mental confusion and more. (more…)

Iron is a trace mineral that is essential to our health. It has several vital functions, including carrying oxygen to the tissues in the form of hemoglobin, participating in enzyme reactions in various tissues, and supporting proper immune function. Surprisingly, iron deficiency is the most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the world. (more…)

Do you find that you aren’t getting as much out of your gym sessions as you’d like? Maybe you started the New Year by joining a gym but find you have already fallen behind with your fitness regime. If you are combining exercise with dieting, you could be missing out on essential nutrients. Low iron levels, for example, mean that the red blood cells are not delivering enough oxygen to the tissues and muscles, which results in low energy. A combination of an inadequate diet, iron lost through sweat and poor absorption means that females are likely to end their session needing even more. (more…)

Have you ever wondered if back and leg pain are somehow connected?  It’s not an unusual concern since many people who have Back Suffering notice that their legs are typically also aching and stiff, and those with leg problems find that their back is often in pain as well.As you know, its normal for back pain and leg pain to happenen seperate from one another but they could be connected.  Why is this, and what can you do about it? (more…)

Iron deficiency and intolerance to iron tablets are common amongst pregnant women. Earlier studies report 35% of women as being iron deficient (serum ferritin below 12 (g/L) during the 1st trimester of pregnancy, rising to 86% in the 3rd trimester. Iron stores can be depleted even further following childbirth when over 500ml of blood can be lost during an uncomplicated normal vaginal delivery, rising to 1000mls during delivery of twins or by caesarean section. Low maternal iron stores can also lead to iron deficiency in newborn babies and can adversely affect the baby’s birth weight. The availability of effective and well-tolerated iron supplements is therefore important. (more…)

Millions of Canadians are affected by cough, cold and flu symptoms every year. These symptoms are easy to recognize, and often include congestion, sneezing, sore throat, fever and a general feeling of discomfort.

Cold and flu viruses spread easily, especially amongst children and, unfortunately, their family members! Even if we can’t cure the cold or flu, we can follow some basic guidelines to keep up with our daily activities: (more…)

Fibre is a vital part of a healthy diet, but most of us are getting less than half the recommended amount. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, a healthy adult needs 21 to 38 grams a day, but surveys show that the average daily Canadian intake is about 14 grams.

“While most people are aware fibre helps to promote regularity, this powerful dietary component has other benefits. Soluble fibre, for example, can actually help lower LDL cholesterol or ‘bad’ cholesterol in the blood stream – another great reason to make sure you are getting enough of it,” says Gurjinder Gill, MHSc., RD, with external relation for Proctor and Gamble, Canada. “Even small changes, like building meals around whole grains, can make a big difference in reaching the recommended level of fibre intake.” (more…)

With the number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease on the rise, there is an urgent need to identify what causes this neurodegenerative illness. Your genes and your social and physical environment all play a role in determining how your brain will age, but which genes and which environmental factors are key? (more…)

Canadian actress and Gemini award-nominee Lauren Collins has tackled some tough topics playing her Degrassi: The Next Generation character Paige Michalchuk, but her most challenging real-life role is that of a young Canadian living with a severe, life-threatening allergy. Collins recently visited students in Toronto to discuss how important it is for kids with severe allergies to talk about their condition, for others to be aware and sensitive to their friends with allergies, and for children with anaphylaxis to always carry an epinephrine auto-injector. (more…)