Pollen

Coming from sources such as grass, trees and weeds, pollen can trigger hay fever or seasonal allergies. It may cause sneezing, watery and/or itchy eyes, runny nose or stuffy nose and can be treated with over the counter medications, prescriptions or allergy shots in severe cases. To prevent an allergic reaction, stay indoors when there’s lots of pollen in the air, keep the windows closed and the air conditioner running.

Pet Dander

If you’re allergic to your pet, you’ll find that you react negatively to the proteins in their oil glands or saliva. It can take up to two years for allergies to start appearing. However, you don’t have to get rid of your pet. Just make sure there are pet-free zones in your home, you have bare floors instead of carpeting and you bathe them regularly. Regular allergy shots can help as well.

Dust Mites

These tiny bugs can cause a big problem. They’re often found in bedding, mattresses, carpeting, curtains and upholstered furniture, and feed on dead skin cells, pollen, fungi and bacteria. They love high humidity, so to prevent this from affecting you, use hypoallergenic pillows, mattress covers and wash your sheets in hot water.

Insect Stings

Bug bites can cause swelling, redness, fatigue, low fever and/or nausea. Larger stings can potentially cause a life-threatening reaction, throwing you into anaphylactic shock. To prevent severe reactions from occurring, your doctor might recommend taking an allergy shot.

Mould

Mould only needs a bit of moisture to sprout, so damp areas like the basement or bathroom are perfect places for it to grow. Breathing in mould spores can trigger an allergic reaction, so be sure to get rid of any mould growth before it causes serious health problems.

Food

Among the most common allergies to food include nuts, eggs, shellfish, wheat, soy and milk. Eating something you’re allergic to can affect you within minutes, preventing you from breathing properly, producing hives, vomiting, swelling around the mouth or diarrhea. For severe allergic reactions, used prescribed allergy medication or call 911.

Latex

A common material used in disposable gloves, medical devices and condoms, a latex allergy can trigger a variety of reactions, from itchy skin to trouble breathing. Other symptoms may include the development of a rash or hives, a runny or itchy nose, eye irritation, sneezing or wheezing.

Medication

Allergic reactions to penicillin, aspirin and other drugs can include hives, stuffiness, itchy eyes, or swelling in the face, mouth and throat. Talk to your doctor about other medication options if you’ve had an allergic reaction to something prescribed in the past.

If you’re looking for a naturopathic doctor in Vancouver, BC, then look no further than Northshore Naturopathic Clinic. We provide services that include food sensitivity testing, naturopathic ADHD treatment, IV therapy and more. Call us or visit our website to book your next appointment.

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Dandelion

Dandelion helps with both liver and gallbladder function, as the leaves help to promote bile release from the liver. This results in detoxification and allows the liver to metabolize fat more efficiently. Dandelions are also efficient in stimulating the gallbladder when consumed regularly, be it through tea or sprinkled over food.

Peppermint

Peppermint helps move the digestive system along by stimulating the flow of digestive juices. Peppermint also contains terpene, a compound that can dissolve gallstones effectively. It’s also been known to relieve spasms and acute gallbladder pain.

Psyllium

A great source of fibre, psyllium works wonders when it comes to treating gallstones. The fibre binds itself to the cholesterol in the bile, stopping the formation of gallstones. Psyllium also aids in normalizing bowel movements, which helps to reduce the chance of your gallbladder for getting congested.

Epsom Salts

Add one teaspoon of Epsom salts into water that’s sitting at room temperature. Drink this in the evening to allow your gallstones to move more easily through the bile duct.

Quebra Pedra

This herb can be boiled to create tea and consumed to alleviate gallstone symptoms. For the best results, add the Quebra Pedra herb or extract into some water and drink it for two to four weeks.

Wine

Studies have shown that participants that consumed half a glass of wine per day reduced the number of gallstone attacks they experienced by 40%. Nothing noted within the research stated that consuming more than ½ a glass of wine had a greater effect.

Castor Oil

There are many medical and healing properties in castor oil, some of which can help to reduce the overall number of gallstones in your gallbladder. The oil’s anti-inflammatory properties also aid in reducing pain and inflammation.

Apple Cider Vinegar/Juice

Apples in the form of juice or cider vinegar are capable of dissolving gallstones. The malic acid within helps in softening the stones, while the vinegar stops the liver from creating the cholesterol that’s responsible for making the gallstones in the first place. These apple products can prevent the recurring appearance of gallstones while also reducing pain during flare-ups.

Rosemary

This essential herb is effective when it comes to helping treat gallstones. It works to enhance the production of bile while halting the spasms that commonly occur within the bile duct. The consumption of rosemary can also help to break down fat.

At Northshore Naturopathic Clinic, we’re one of Northern Vancouver’s top trauma, anxiety and depression counselling centres. Our staff is dedicated to helping new and existing patients with effective naturopathic treatments to heal your body and mind. Our other services include concussion and brain injury treatment, IV therapy, food sensitivity testing and more. Call us today to book your appointment and visit our website for more information.

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Supports Cardiovascular Health

It’s said that garlic is one of the best foods to keep your heart healthy. It’s been shown to reduce cholesterol while lowering lipid content within the blood. Studies have shown that garlic has a positive effect on hypertension, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. It seems that the miracle food also has the potential to prevent blood clots from forming.

Helps with Hypertension

In both human and animal studies, garlic has been shown to lower blood pressure when administered orally. So much so that improvements can be seen after a single dose. There are long-term, positive effects to eating garlic, as the acid it produces can relax the muscle cells that make up the pulmonary artery, while allows it to expand more. When combined with a balanced diet, garlic can improve your blood pressure immensely.

Nutritional Support Against Cancer

There’s been a correlation shown in many studies done around the world between the higher consumption of garlic and a decreased risk of cancer. Increasing the amount of garlic taken into the body is related to the reduction of cancer cells in the stomach, pancreas, colon, breast, throat and prostate. Established cancer research institutes are claiming that garlic is the most effective food in the prevention of cancer.

Liver Protection

This is one of the best foods you can consume to help detoxify your liver. Garlic can aid in lowering the effects of liver disease while also preventing liver damage caused by certain toxic factors. According to studies, garlic can protect cells in the liver from nitrates, acetaminophen and gentamicin.

Antimicrobial Properties

Studies have shown that the antibacterial properties in garlic can effectively treat salmonella, Proteus, staph infections and more. The workings of garlic can also be antifungal, antiprotozoal and antiviral in some cases. Through test tube studies, it was found to fight against viral pneumonia, the common cold, influenza, herpes and HIV. When cold sufferers consumed garlic extract, they experienced milder symptoms and shorter illness duration.

A Powerful Antioxidant

Unstable molecules in the body known as free radicals can damage DNA and cause issues with your health. How does garlic come into play? Because it’s packed with strong antioxidants, garlic can fight against the distraction caused by free radicals. When it’s broken down, the garlic’s antioxidants produce acid that both react with and traps these damaging molecules.

At Northshore Naturopathic Clinic, our staff is committed to providing new and existing patients with the most effective naturopathic treatments possible. Our services include IV therapy, anxiety counselling, Bowen therapy, food sensitivity testing, trauma counselling, concussion and brain injury treatment and more. Located in North Vancouver, British Columbia, call to book an appointment with us so we can start the healing process on both your physical and mental health.

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Why is gut health important?

There is a limited amount of space available along your stomach lining for bacteria to reside. You want to make sure the bacteria that does settle there is the right kind.

Your stomach also impacts the way your brain functions and vice versa. That is one of the reasons why it is so important to keep your mental health in check. When you feel anxious or experience stress, your brain can hinder involuntary actions in your body like digestion. Similarly, when your gut does not feel good, it sends signals to your brain that can affect your emotions and mood. In fact, most of the serotonin – a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep and emotions – is made in your gut, not your brain. How you feel and what goes on in your stomach is much more intertwined than scientists had previously realized. That is why you should make taking care of your gut a top priority on your health checklist.

Eat probiotic foods

Fermented foods contain a large number of good bacteria. Kimchi, miso, sauerkraut, coconut kefir, and microalgae are all great plant-based foods rich in probiotics. When selecting these types of foods, avoid pasteurized and vinegar-based varieties since it can kill good bacteria.

Eat regularly, but do not graze

Give your gut the chance to clear out waste including bad bacteria. Every one and a half to two hours your intestines contract to keep the waste in your stomach moving throughout the rest of your digestive system. When you eat, this process comes to a stop. That means snacking constantly can lead to overgrowth of bacteria and slow down digestion. You do not have to go to the extent of fasting, but you should give your body breaks between meals to prevent bloating and constipation.

Drink water

This tip is on pretty much every wellness blog and for a good reason. Your gut needs to be hydrated to keep waste and bad bacteria out of your system. You should drink about half your body weight in ounces of water a day. That means if you weigh 130 lbs, you should drink about 65 oz of water each day. Dehydration can cause the bad bacteria to outnumber the good bacteria and lead to inflammation.

Avoid stress

Easier said than done, right? While a stress-free life is what we all strive for, it can feel impossible to accomplish. Try to cope with your stress in productive ways like through meditation, yoga, therapy, and time outdoors. Letting stress take over cause your brain to slow down digestion, causing bad bacteria to thrive in your gut.

To learn more about which supplements and practices will improve your gut health, consult the professionals at Northshore Naturopathic Clinic. Our clinic is located at NorthVancouver, BC. If you have any queries, feel free to contact us.

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How Naturopathy Works

Naturopathic healing is based on a different principle. It recognizes the body’s ability to heal itself. The causes of the disease may not be only physical but also chemical, structural or emotional. As a result, Naturopaths seek to heal the individual in a holistic way, treating not just the disease but also attempting to find reasons behind the source, relying on the individual’s self-healing abilities instead.

The healer in Naturopathy is more than a doctor. The individual is a teacher as well, educating the need for the patient to look at poor lifestyle choices that lead to acidity, toxins nutritional deficiencies or musculoskeletal disturbances to name a few, and integrate necessary changes for a healthy future. Treatments take genetics, habits, attitudes and the environment into account. The focus is not just on a cure but also prevention and reducing the risk of future illnesses through nutritional or herbal supplements, improved diet, risk-free treatments and exercise. These practices free up the body’s inherent healing abilities, activating regeneration of healthy cells for a stronger, healthier future.

Types of Naturopathy Treatments

Naturopathy includes several kinds of treatments, each of which has its own benefits and carries little to no risk:

• Homeopathy
• Osteopathy
• Kinesiology
• Reflexology
• Massage Therapy
• Dietary Advice
• Herbal Medicine

It is recognized as an all-natural alternative medicinal process, involving cleansing the body of accumulated toxins to safely cure a wide range of ailments from digestive disorders to heart disease, obesity, mental disorder, stress, tension, joint pain and more.

Naturopathy Physicians

Naturopathy physicians in Canada are certified healthcare practitioners from accredited schools who treat patients suffering from both acute or chronic health conditions. Just like medical doctors, they are intensively trained in biomedical and diagnostic sciences. However, first consultations can take even an hour as the doctors attempt to learn deeper aspects about you to assess your mental, emotional and physical state of being to offer a holistic, customized cure.

Treatment plans include dietary changes, nutritional supplements, exercise and stress reduction therapies. The focus is on an individualized treatment plan that help facilitate the body’s natural healing abilities to restore and sustain optimal health.

Northshore Naturopathic Clinic: Discover the Body’s Healing Abilities

At Toronto’s Naturopathic Clinic, our doctors view each individual as an integral whole encouraging patients to collaborate in the healing process.

Our clinics create specialized formulas to treat health conditions through methods such as IV therapy to deliver nutrients directly into the bloodstream and intravenous infusions to generate quick results:

• Bioidentical Hormones Replacement Therapy (BHRT) to correct hormonal imbalances
• Weight loss programs for lasting results
• Chelation Therapy to remove a variety of harmful ions from the body to help patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes as well as high blood pressure
• Anti-ageing treatments to reverse cellular damage and more.

Call us to experience our personalized approach firsthand.

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Contrary to the popular belief, baby blues and postpartum depression are psychologically and
physiologically distinct. Baby blues symptoms include anxiety, crying, sleeplessness, and mood
swings that can last for a couple of weeks. On the other hand, postpartum depression is
characterized by symptoms that are more severe and longer lasting.

Mothers who suffer from postpartum depression may experience the following:

● Frequent panic attacks and anxiety
● Constant fatigue and sleeplessness
● Isolation from friends and family members
● Deterioration in good eating and sleeping habits
● Resentment towards the baby
● Emotions of guilt, irritability, and worthlessness

To make matters worse, doctors usually take the route of prescribing antidepressants to
suffering mothers, but instead of having lasting positive effects on patients, antidepressants
pack many side effects. Similar to numerous other physiological and psychological problems,
the holistic treatment of postpartum depression has also begun to gear towards natural
solutions.

Northshore Naturopathic Clinic in North Vancouver, for instance, offers pre and post delivery
treatments that naturally alleviate all negative effects of childbearing and labour. The specialists
at the clinic handle each case with care while acknowledging the mother’s lifestyle,
responsibility, dietary practices, and hormone levels. The information is used to administer
treatments tailored to the specific needs of the mother.

Listed below are a few important daily functions that should be undertaken in order to ensure a
speedy recovery.

Receive help from other People

All mothers understand the difficulty of getting through the first couple months after having a
baby. You barely get any time to sleep, take a shower, clean the house or exercise. It is
important to not hesitate or feel inadequate in receiving help from family members and friends in
taking care of your baby for a few hours while you enjoy some time to yourself and better yet,
step outside.

Get Ample Exercise and Nutrition

New mothers are allowed to exercise after a six-week postpartum recovery period. Moreover,
working out in the presence of your baby has been made easier with workout DVDs, jogging
strollers, and mommy and me yoga regimes. All you have to do is allocated an hour of your day
and release gleeful endorphins.

You must also make it a point to eat healthily as well. A regular intake of protein throughout the
day will help you maintain stabilized sugar levels and mood. Along with appropriate amounts of
protein, make sure to eat whole grains, beans and nuts.

Contact Northshore Naturopathic Clinic

If you are suffering from postpartum depression, we are here to help you! Our facility is
conveniently situated in North Vancouver and you can visit us online at
www.northshorenaturopathicclinic.ca. You can also call to discuss your inquiries with us at 604-
986-7774.

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