A site to house links to external sites providing information on health and well being.
This time of year may be a time for celebration, but it can also be incredibly stressful - for everyone. Work load, parties, and family/friend obligations not to mention shopping lists can sometimes tip us over the edge.
Most employees report being happier during the holiday season; however, some report that they are more stressed this time of year. Balancing work responsibilities with holiday events appears to be the biggest stressor.
May 17 is World Hypertension Day. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) is a common condition affecting 17.7% of Canadians aged 12 and older. A blood pressure value of 140/90 mmHg is considered high. If untreated, hypertension can cause death or serious health consequences such as heart attack, stroke, dementia, kidney failure, and vision loss.
Today is my final Nutrition Month 2018 column. Thank you to those who have taken an interest and also to readers who took the time to email me. I hope you learned an interesting nutrition or food fact or that you may stop to question the source of something you hear or read about in the future.
Truth: We all have good intentions at the grocery store - nobody likes to throw away food that didn't get used in time. Yet almost half of all food waste generated in Canada originates from individual households. This mainly comes from food items we purchase with every intention of using but never do. Food waste costs the average Canadian household $1456 per year or $364 per person.
Truth: This trendy gourmet salt derived from ancient sea beds is everywhere. And so is the hype about its benefits, including that it is rich in health-promoting trace minerals and "vibrational energy." Despite its inviting signature pale pink-coral colour that is the result of a smidgeon of trace minerals (and possible contaminants), there is no truth to any of the pseudoscience claiming it is a healthier seasoning option.
Truth: This is one of the many myths about eating disorders. While some people may be at higher risk, these serious and complex illnesses can affect anyone - they occur across genders, all ages, cultures and socioeconomic groups. Eating disorders are life threatening and have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. They are treatable and full recovery is possible, but getting help is extremely important.
Truth: Eating in the evening can lead to weight gain, but it's not due to the time on the clock. Large evening meals or late night snacking can add more calories than your body needs in a day, especially if you're mindlessly munching on sugary, salty or high fat treats or drink sweetened beverages. Eating too much at night can also disrupt sleep or give you heartburn. Before you automatically head to the kitchen for a snack when you're relaxing, watching a show or studying, stop to consider if you are truly hungry or, instead, are bored, tired or stressed.
Fact: Cow's milk contains 16 essential nutrients including calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B 12, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and protein.
Fact: Proanthocyanidins are thought to be the active ingredient in cranberries that helps prevent UTI-causing bacteria from adhering to the cells that line the urinary tract. A 2012 systematic review of 24 studies concluded that cranberry's preventative role is less effective than previously found in a 2008 review, although some small studies demonstrated a limited benefit for women with recurrent UTIs.
Fact: While it might seem like a good idea, rinsing raw meat, fish or poultry before cooking won't remove bacteria that have the potential to make you sick. In fact, it can actually do the opposite, so save yourself this messy step! Rinsing these raw foods can cause cross-contamination by spreading bacteria as juices splash onto your sink, counters and anything else nearby like clean dishes or raw veggies.
Fact: This trendy, effervescent, fermented drink is made with black tea, sugar, yeast and bacteria. Kombucha tea enthusiasts claim that it has a wide range of health benefits such as aiding digestion, improving energy, strengthening immunity, preventing cancer and improving liver function. It is available commercially or can be brewed at home using a kombucha culture which is added to tea and allowed to ferment.
Truth: A recent study commissioned by Heart and Stroke Canada found that Canadians consume more ultra-processed foods and drinks than any other country in the world except for the United States. In fact, nearly half of the average Canadian's daily calories come from foods and beverages that contain very little intact, wholesome food.
February 11 to 17 is Random Act of Kindness (RAK) week. It is all too easy to be caught up in your daily routine, especially in the workplace where stress can take a toll on your wellbeing. This week, do something kind for your co-worker, your family, your friend, or a stranger! It can be as simple as sending someone an encouraging email, or texting to tell them that you appreciate them. On February 14, send a Treat-a-Gram to a co-worker to show them that you appreciate them! All proceeds support student wellness initiatives.
At least 8.8 million people die from cancer each year around the world. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, accounting for 30% of all deaths. Sunday February 4th 2018 is World Cancer Day which aims to get as many people around the world as possible talking about cancer. World Cancer Day aims to save millions of preventable deaths yearly by raising awareness about the disease, and leveraging governments and individuals across the world into action.
One in five Canadians suffers from mental illness in their lifetime. People with mental illness, just like any physical illness, require help. However, because of stigma associated with mental health, nearly two-thirds of those with a mental illness cannot seek the help they need.
Influenza
The influenza virus (the flu) affects most Canadians between November and April. Here’s how to recognize, prevent, and recover from the flu this season.
Flu symptoms typically include the sudden appearance of a high fever (39°C and above), cough, muscle aches, and a headache.
The flu causes more severe symptoms than the common cold, and can lead to serious health problems like pneumonia. Fever and aches are typically characteristic of the flu and not the cold.
