#enjoythemoments #lovethemess #lovelife #lovepeople #hugoften

You have probably heard something in the news by now about measles in BC. And while it can sound like we need to beware of something equivalent to the bubonic plague, it need not be so worrisome.

Here's what you need to know:

• It is caused by a virus.
• It is very contagious, primarily spread through coughing and sneezing.
• It’s incubation period is between 1-3 weeks.
• It causes fever, congestion, cough, pinkeye, and a raised rash that usually starts on the face and spreads. Symptoms usually last about 1 week.
• Complications are rare and more likely in very young children or those with compromised immune systems. Some of the complications, such as pneumonia and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, can also happen following the vaccine.
• It has no life-long ill effects. Those infected will develop life-long immunity and may also have a reduced risk of developing allergies.
• Most of out parents and grandparents had it as children and may not have even gone to the doctor for it.
• The MMR vaccine is recommended at 12 months as well as a booster at 4-6yrs old. (However, if you get your child’s titers checked (the measles antibody level in their blood) and they have immunity they will not require the 4-6yr old booster shot.) [Note: Between 12-36months is when most regressive autism cases occur for unknown reasons. Some moms choose to wait until 3yo to get the MMR vaccine in the case that there could be some association here.]

What can you do? 
Keep your child’s immune system robust.
How? 
Let them play in the dirt and the sun. Invest in their health with good nutrition and teach them good hygiene. Increase immune boosting foods such as adding in some medicinal mushrooms or dried sliced astragalus into soups. Don’t forget about fermented foods and fish – or supplement with appropriate probiotics and fish oils. Supplement Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin C and Zinc. Get specific individualized health care advice for you and your family from your Naturopathic Doctor. If your child does come down with a viral infection such as measles, know that there are plenty of anti-viral and soothing and supportive therapies that your ND can help you with.

Do your kids bowel movements slow down around the start of school?
Here's a tasty way to keep them regular! Just try not to eat too many and keep the water intake high!
It's plum season and plums are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. So take advantage of your neighbour's plum tree - fall is just around the corner!
Recipe here: amandascookin.com/easy-homemade-fruit-roll-ups/
#backtoschoolsnacks #schoollunchideas #healthykids #backtoschool#homemadefood
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​Does eating a lot of cholesterol cause heart disease?
Some research points to association with cholesterol and heart disease but other research points away from it. Heart disease is not as simple as regulating cholesterol levels, otherwise 50% of people who have had a severe cardiac event wouldn’t have normal cholesterol levels, right? Some studies have even shown that reducing cholesterol can actually increase the risk of heart disease. On top of that, recent research has actually found that eating more eggs can reduce the risk of heart disease! So what is going on? The most updated research seems to point to inflammation as the root of cardiac disease. When lipids (for example LDL) get oxidized from inflammation in the blood stream – that is when they become dangerous. And inflammation in the blood is what ends up recruiting cholesterol to help heal up the areas of damage.

What is cholesterol and what do we need it for?
It’s a small sterol molecule that is found in every cell membrane in your body. It is used to manufacture hormones, Vitamin D, and bile so you can digest fats properly and has an important role to play in the brain and nervous system as well. It is something we need to get from our diet and is found from animal sources- some sources being better than others.

What are worse things for heart disease than cholesterol?
Sugar, refined grain, lack of exercise, smoking, eating overcooked, burnt, rancid or foods cooked at high temperatures, lack of fruit and veggies, and overall and unhealthy lifestyle.
​
Thankfully there’s a new test available that goes beyond cholesterol testing to check for cardiac risk. You can learn more about this test here: pulstest.com
And don’t take for granted the value of eating and living well. Not when it increases stress but when it promotes well-being and contentment.
#naturopathicmedicine #thisiswhatwedo #healthyliving #hearthealthy#cholesterol 

We have enough pollution that our lungs need to deal with on a daily basis without adding the extra particulates currently in the air. Some are feeling it more than others and some are exposed to it more than others. But we are all going to need our lungs cleaned out by the end of this season. Here are a few ways we can do that: 
1. Taking lung tonic and relaxing expectorant herbs such as inula helenium, tussilago farfara, verbascum thapsus, grindelia camporum, asclepias tuberosa, plantago spp etc.
2. Make a steam inhalation from fresh herbs of thyme, rosemary, oregano, black pepper - 1tbsp herbs per 1/2 liter boiling water. Drape towel over head and inhale vapors for 5-10mins.
3. Do the same thing but use essential oils of bergamot, lavender, chamomile, peppermint, or eucalyptus - 3-5 drops per bowl boiling water, keep eyes closed. Or massage oil into chest, neck, or back with a carrier oil and cover with a clean dry cloth to ensure absorption.
4. Drink fresh pineapple, ginger, turmeric juice to break up and help expel mucous and decrease inflammation.
5. Eat whole anti-inflammatory foods and plenty of antioxidant rich spices.
6. Exercise to get things moving and clearing from your lungs.
All of these ideas will help strengthen lung tissue, decrease inflammatory damage and clear out debrie.
As always, ask your Naturopathic Doctor for a prescription that is right for you.
#thankyoufirefighters #smokey #smog #smokeyseason #forestfire#wildfire #lungcleanser #lungdetox #lungsupport #cough #asthma#troublebreathing #deepbreath #britishcolumbia
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​What does the Mediterranean have to do with depression? 
​Well, not much you would think!
A study from 2017 looked at individuals with moderate to severe depression who were for the most part on meds and/or in psychotherapy. One group stayed on a typical diet and the other went on a modified Mediterranean Diet. Of the first group only 8% went into remission (got better) but in the second group 32% went into remission!
Diet can have a huge impact on mental health all by itself.
What does a Mood Healthy Diet look like?
-protein at every meal
-a couple pieces servings of fish per week 
-colourful meals
-lots of nuts and seeds
- don't forget those fermented foods
- green tea
- no junk! (Sugars, processed food, pesticides, etc.)
Eating like this gives your body the nutrients it needs to be happy (i.e. tryptophan which gets converted into serotonin; tyrosine which is needed to make dopamine; glutamine which turns into the calming GABA neurotransmitter and all the other important vitamins and minerals that are needed for these conversions to happen as well as multiple other biochemical reactions!)
#feedyourbody 
#feedyoursoul
#feelyourbest
#naturalmedicine
#tuesdaytidbits 

Did you know that almost every fluid except for water (caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, juices, some herbal teas) actually rob your body of water and electrolytes? Water is the single most important nutrient that our bodies need to function.
On an average day, the body can lose 2 1/2 liters of water just from breathing, digesting food, and using our heart and other organs to live! 
So if you're a coffee drinker in the morning, soda drinker in the afternoon, and alcohol/juice/tea drinker in the evening... switch a few of those around for water! Your body will thank you and... BONUS side effect... your skin will look more youthful as well!!
#tuesdaytidbit #hydrate #water #drinkup #dehydration #skintips#infusedwater 

​What is the secret ingredient for healthy looking skin?

It is needed to regenerate collagen. This process requires something that is so easy to come by yet so many people aren’t getting enough of it - especially if there has been a lot of sun exposure, a history of smoking, or a high amount of oxidative stress in their life.

The secret ingredient?

Good old Vitamin C!

Both orally and topically, it helps to regenerate the skin, reduce wrinkles and decrease sun damage! Especially when combined with Vitamin E and zinc.

So don’t forget about this one in your skin care regime’s!

And as always, remember that an internal glow will shine through to the outside! Take care of yourself – it’s always worth it.

​Sincerely,
Dr. Masters, ND
#skincareroutine #skinhealth #wrinkles #sundamage #glowingskin#natural