While in space, astronauts lose bone mass 10 times faster than patients suffering from severe osteoporosis here on Earth. With an aging population, osteoporosis is one of the major health challenges of our time.

When veteran American astronaut John Glenn went back to space in 1998 at the age of 77, he conducted experiments to study aging. One series used the space environment to study the underlying process of bone loss and evaluate treatments for a condition that affects over 1.4 million Canadians. The Canadian Space Agency supported Millenium Biologix for the design of the OSTEO mini-lab, which tested the growth of cells using a synthetic bone biomaterial. Now, a medical version of this material is being used to heal broken bones in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. (more…)

In recent years, a lot of attention has been brought to body detoxification, also known as cleansing. While some individuals may jump right on the detox bandwagon, you may be looking for more information. For example, what reasons call for a detox diet? Continue reading on to find out.

Reason # 1 – Drug or Alcohol Dependency (more…)

With winter temperatures approaching we’ll soon be spending more time indoors and it’s time to think about indoor air-quality. Indoor air pollutants can be more harmful to our families’ health than the air outside. Poor indoor air-quality can cause or aggravate asthma, headaches, chronic fatigue and insomnia. (more…)

Childhood obesity in america has been described by many, including the U.S. Surgeon General, as an epidemic. Over 15 percent of children are overweight, this is an increase of 9 percent since the 1960′s. But what are the consequences of this national problem? How will it affect the next generation, and how can we stop it? (more…)

Wow, we all wonder when we do decide that we are definitely going to brighten our smile and take that plunge to whiten our teeth!  Today is the day and then —- we have to decide which product to use, right?  We’ve heard of this one and that and so-and-so’s best friend used that one and her teeth ARE bright white, but will it work for the same for me?  Will it cause my teeth to hurt and ache if I use it like he/she did?  What will my dentist think if I don’t go to him? (more…)

By Jasmine Griffith

Every new mom wants the best for her baby and knowing what nutrients your baby needs is an important part of parenthood. Armed with the right information parents can feel confident their baby is getting the right nutrition to support normal growth and development.

New and expectant moms should consider increasing their Omega-fatty acid intake to further contribute to their and their baby’s health. Omega-fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids which are classified as essential nutrients because they cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from food. These fatty acids include DHA and ARA, commonly known as Omega-3 and -6, and are considered essential for optimal development in infants both during pregnancy and after birth. (more…)

This year, instead of throwing your pumpkin seeds away, roast them for a crunchy treat that’s low in fat and full of heart healthy goodness.

Toss 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) of cleaned, unshelled pumpkin seeds with 2 tsp melted Becel with Bertolli olive oil margarine. Add a dash of salt or other seasoning of your choice – such as black pepper, garlic powder or paprika. Bake at 350? F (175? C) on a baking sheet for about 45 minutes. Cool and serve with a bowl for the discarded shells. (more…)

About 30% of Canadians are shift workers and getting enough sleep isn’t their only concern. Factory workers, 24-hour retailers, telemarketers and emergency service staff can find themselves struggling to eat healthy on the job because of their busy schedules.

Eating well can prove to be a real challenge during night shifts when the only food readily available may be from vending machines or fast food restaurants. Vending machine snacks and fast food tend to pack in a lot of fat and sugar. Though these foods provide a quick energy boost, after the initial rush you’re left feeling even more tired and sluggish. (more…)

Don Hefner knows all too well of the importance of regular eye examinations. As an artist living in Saskatoon his vision is an integral part of how he lives his life and an essential part of his artistic passion. Without his optometrist all of this could have been gone in the blink of an eye. Don visited Dr. Chris Strelioff for a routine eye exam back in 2001. During this routine visit, Dr. Strelioff noticed something unusual about Don’s optic nerves. He suspected Don had a brain tumour and immediately referred him where his suspicion was confirmed. (more…)

Baby boomers entering their senior years are the fastest growing demographic in Canada and keeping pace with this steady influx is the matter of the ageing eye.

A recent survey about attitudes towards eye health was commissioned by the Canadian Association of Optometrists and it revealed that a majority of the ageing population does not believe it has any control over vision loss and are only likely to visit an optometrist when already experiencing a vision problem. This October during Eye Health Month, optometrists want to remind Canadians that vision loss is often preventable and early detection is key. (more…)