Olive Baby reviewed in Mompreneur Magazine!

I'm very excited that Olive Baby products were reviewed by the editor of Mompreneur Magazine in their Holiday edition (December). Mompreneur Magazine can be found in Indigo and Chapters Bookstores across Canada, so hopefully it increases awareness to parents who have children (or other family members) with skin sensitivities! This is the first time Olive Baby has received any kind of media attention, so i'm very excited about it!
You can check it out in their online version, page 47 of the 'current issue'
http://www.themompreneur.com/

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor & Clinic Director
Vitality for Life Health Center
www.vitalityforlife.ca

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Director
info@vitalityforlife.ca
www.vitalityforlife.ca
Twitter: @NaturoDoctor
We're On Facebook!

What a weekend! Where do I begin...

This past weekend I attended the annual OAND convention, where David Suzuki and many other wonderful speakers shared with us the huge impacts that the environment is having on our health (or ill-health). I have always known that as a Naturopath it was my role to teach respect for the environment, but now more than ever I realize that Naturopaths need to be ambassadors for environmental health issues. There was so much grim information given, but I think it'll take me a few weeks to sort through all my thoughts and figure out a 'user-friendly' way to share it with my patients and the public.
One surprising finding was to hear that high fructose corn syrup is a huge source of mercury! Who knew! Apparently many of the major players like Coca-cola, Heinz, Kraft and Quaker are still using it in their food products for lack of a better source of cheap sugar. The Obama government is pushing to have these companies find alternatives by 2012 (don't hold your breath)!
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/136879.php

Another eye-opener was to hear how dangerous cell phone use was to the brain - I mean, i've always known it, but to see Brain images of cell phone users made it real, and to hear how particularly devastating it is for children was a shocker. After hearing their research, i'm keeping my kids far away from any cell phones (including mine) until they are MUCH older. In many countries they're banning cell phone use to kids under 12 (some 18), so it seems in north America we're a little behind!
http://www.livescience.com/technology/091112-cell-phone-brain.html

Luckily, I also learned that there's things we CAN do to protect ourselves, and that's something I'll have to write a few patient hand-outs about.

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor & Clinic Director
Vitality for Life Health Center
www.vitalityforlife.ca

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Director
info@vitalityforlife.ca
www.vitalityforlife.ca
Twitter: @NaturoDoctor
We're On Facebook!

Vitamin D and Cancer - Globe & Mail

This is a very interesting article on the benefits of vitamin D for various cancers, including Breast Cancer. Interestingly, 80% of women diagnosed with Breast Cancer have vitamin D deficiency - another reason to take a supplement, especially in our climate.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/doctors-start-to-include-vitamin-d-in-fight-against-cancer/article1352956/

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor & Clinic Director
Vitality for Life Health Center
www.vitalityforlife.ca

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Director
info@vitalityforlife.ca
www.vitalityforlife.ca
Twitter: @NaturoDoctor
We're On Facebook!

The Dreaded Fever!

This week i've been seeing an increased number of sick kids coming to the clinic. With many childhood illnesses, one of the most common symptoms is fever. I know this is a huge concern for parents, but fevers are one of the most feared and misunderstood mechanisms in the body. I encourage parents to think of fevers as a good thing. They are your child’s tool at fighting infection! It raises their internal temperature to help kill the virus or bacteria, and usually only last a day or two. It is a natural and protective mechanism, and is more frightening than harmful. Parents oftern run for the tylenol prematurely, feeling like suppressing the fever is 'treating' the illness. This is not the case. We WANT the child to have a fever, and we want to manage it within a ‘comfort zone’ that is age appropriate. We don’t want to suppress a fever, but rather keep the child comfortable by offering lots of fluids, a cool cloth, a luke-warm bath or the appropriate supplements to support them. Contact your Naturopath when your child has a fever, as they will provide you with the guidance and support you may feel you need while managing the fever!
Kids may lose their appetite during a fever. Don’t push solids, just ensure plenty of liquids. Helpful herbal teas for fever include chamomile, red clover, rosemary and peppermint. We lose heat through the skin, so dress your child appropriately to their temperature. Call your doctor if your child’s fever lasts more than 3 days or has concerning symptoms of lethargy, changes in behavior, stiff neck, difficulty breathing, constant vomiting/diarrhea, has developed a rash, is inconsolable or has a fever above:

Infants under 3 months: fever over 38.5 C (101.4 F)

3 months – 2 years old: fever over 39 C (103 F)

Over 2 years old: fever over 40 C (104 F)

Note: Teething rarely causes a fever above 38.5 C (101.4 F).


Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor & Clinic Director
Vitality for Life Health Center
www.vitalityforlife.ca

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Director
info@vitalityforlife.ca
www.vitalityforlife.ca
Twitter: @NaturoDoctor
We're On Facebook!