EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS
What to do everyday for a healthier life
Make A Prevention Plan
The tenet "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" was never more pertinent than today.
According to a report jointly prepared by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Health Canada and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, 8 in 10 Canadians have at least 1 risk factor for cardiovascular disease-the leading cause of death in both men and women. One in 2.4 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer (Canadian Cancer Society). And more than 6 out of 10 experience a great deal of stress on the job-a significant contributing factor in most ailments (The Centre for High Performance).
While certain risk factors are not in your control, like gender, ethnicity and family history, many are. First and foremost are a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Pair this with a targeted supplement program and your odds for healthy longevity increase dramatically-it's like 5 ounces of prevention!
Multivitamin
If you eat a relatively healthy diet, a multivitamin may seem unnecessary. Think again. An analysis conducted for The Globe and Mail and CTV News found that fruits and vegetables sold in Canadian supermarkets today contain far fewer nutrients than they did 50 years ago. A high quality multivitamin can make up for some of this loss, acting as nutritional "insurance" for your diet.
What to look for: The Dietary Supplement Information Bureau advises choosing a multivitamin that contains minerals as well as vitamins; comes as close to the minimum daily requirement of each as possible; has an expiration date; is compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices; and contains natural-source ingredients and few fillers, additives and excipients.
Omega Oils
In the late 1970s scientists revealed that Greenland Inuits had significantly lower mortality rates from cardiovascular disease compared to Western populations despite a high total fat intake. The reason: a diet consisting largely of omega-rich, coldwater fish.
Omega-3 fatty acids-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)-are key building blocks of our cell membranes. In addition to their heart health benefits, these healthy fats help improve memory, alleviate certain skin ailments, relieve symptoms of PMS, and arthritis. In infants and children, omega oils play key roles in brain and organ and tissue development.
What to look for: Although both flaxseed and fish oil are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, only fish oils contain EPA and DHA. The best omega-3 supplements are derived from wild fish to reduce risk of environmental contaminants and heavy metals.
CoQ10
Also known as ubiquinone, Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that plays a crucial role in the production of cellular energy. Virtually every cell of the human body contains CoQ10, but it is found in greatest amounts in the heart and liver.
Starting at age 20, CoQ10 stores are rapidly depleted in the heart; by the age of 40, you will have lost approximately 32%! This deficiency can affect heart function and has been related to heart problems. CoQ10 supplements are clinically proven to help restore CoQ10 levels and have the added benefit of reducing fine wrinkles and preventing sun damage.
What to look for: CoQ10 is difficult to absorb. Look for a brand that has proven absorption properties.
Ginkgo Biloba
Dating back over 200 million years, the ginkgo is the oldest living tree species on the planet and also one of the longest used medicinal agents. Most significantly, it is known for its memory and mood boosting effects. Ginkgo enhances short and long term memory, counteracts mental fatigue and relieves tension and anxiety by increasing blood flow to the brain and throughout the body. Ginkgo is also a powerful antioxidant, helping to prevent premature aging and chronic degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's.
What to look for: Products that is guaranteed to contain less than 5 ppm of gingkolic acid, a naturally occurring compound in ginkgo that is hepatotoxic.
Green Tea
A rich source of catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatchin gallate (EGCG), green tea is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to lower total cholesterol levels, improve the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol. It also helps boost the metabolism.
What to look for: Products that have been standardized to more than 80% polyphenols.
Information for educational purposes only. A health practitioner should be consulted prior to use.
EVERYDAY ESSENTIALSWhat to do everyday for a healthier lifeMake A Prevention PlanThe tenet "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" was never more pertinent than today. While certain risk factors are not in your control, like gender, ethnicity and family history, many are. First and foremost are a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Pair this with a targeted supplement program and your odds for healthy longevity increase dramatically-it's like 5 ounces of prevention! MultivitaminIf you eat a relatively healthy diet, a multivitamin may seem unnecessary. Think again. An analysis conducted for The Globe and Mail and CTV News found that fruits and vegetables sold in Canadian supermarkets today contain far fewer nutrients than they did 50 years ago. A high quality multivitamin can make up for some of this loss, acting as nutritional "insurance" for your diet. What to look for: The Dietary Supplement Information Bureau advises choosing a multivitamin that contains minerals as well as vitamins; comes as close to the minimum daily requirement of each as possible; has an expiration date; is compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices; and contains natural-source ingredients and few fillers, additives and excipients. Omega OilsIn the late 1970s scientists revealed that Greenland Inuits had significantly lower mortality rates from cardiovascular disease compared to Western populations despite a high total fat intake. The reason: a diet consisting largely of omega-rich, coldwater fish. Omega-3 fatty acids-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)-are key building blocks of our cell membranes. In addition to their heart health benefits, these healthy fats help improve memory, alleviate certain skin ailments, relieve symptoms of PMS, and arthritis. In infants and children, omega oils play key roles in brain and organ and tissue development. What to look for: Although both flaxseed and fish oil are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, only fish oils contain EPA and DHA. The best omega-3 supplements are derived from wild fish to reduce risk of environmental contaminants and heavy metals. CoQ10Also known as ubiquinone, Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that plays a crucial role in the production of cellular energy. Virtually every cell of the human body contains CoQ10, but it is found in greatest amounts in the heart and liver. Starting at age 20, CoQ10 stores are rapidly depleted in the heart; by the age of 40, you will have lost approximately 32%! This deficiency can affect heart function and has been related to heart problems. CoQ10 supplements are clinically proven to help restore CoQ10 levels and have the added benefit of reducing fine wrinkles and preventing sun damage. What to look for: CoQ10 is difficult to absorb. Look for a brand that has proven absorption properties. Ginkgo BilobaDating back over 200 million years, the ginkgo is the oldest living tree species on the planet and also one of the longest used medicinal agents. Most significantly, it is known for its memory and mood boosting effects. Ginkgo enhances short and long term memory, counteracts mental fatigue and relieves tension and anxiety by increasing blood flow to the brain and throughout the body. Ginkgo is also a powerful antioxidant, helping to prevent premature aging and chronic degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. What to look for: Products that is guaranteed to contain less than 5 ppm of gingkolic acid, a naturally occurring compound in ginkgo that is hepatotoxic. Green TeaA rich source of catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatchin gallate (EGCG), green tea is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to lower total cholesterol levels, improve the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol. It also helps boost the metabolism. What to look for: Products that have been standardized to more than 80% polyphenols.
Information for educational purposes only. A health practitioner should be consulted prior to use. |
|