Image by AselvadaAna @Pixabay Widely regarded as a superfood, pomegranate is a vibrant red fruit linked to health and wellness. But can pomegranates help fight disease?1,2 The benefits of pomegranates are attributed to their high levels of antioxidants, even beating out green tea and orange juice for antioxidant content.1,2 Increasing antioxidant intake may help prevent […]
Diet
The Lesser Known Heart Problem: Mitral Valve Prolapse
Image by Robina Weermeijer @Unsplash Most people assume the main issues of heart disease are high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other mainstream contributors. While these are common factors, it’s important to know that heart problems also stem from functional problems with the organ itself. One of these functional problems is mitral valve prolapse disease […]
Taking Multi-Nutrient Supplements
Photo by Ivabak @Pixabay The COVID-19 pandemic increased demand for nutritional supplements by 17%-45%, with the majority (52%) of consumers looking to boost their immunity.1 These types of supplements can be single or multi-nutrient and are commonly used to add missing components to a diet.2,3 The nutritional products most purchased ranged from single to multi-nutrient […]
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Symptoms of Heart Failure
Image by Gerd Altmann @Pixabay Globally, approximately 64.3 million people living with heart failure which is why understanding the symptoms of heart failure and their relationship with mitochondrial dysfunction are crucial.1 The most significant number of people (2% of adults) with heart failure are in developed countries like North America and the UK.1 An important […]
Total Cholesterol Levels Matter Most
Image by Mohamed Hassan @Pixabay Cholesterol levels are used to determine certain disease risks during a check-up. Typically, only certain lipids in a lower cholesterol range indicate a healthier patient. But it’s the total cholesterol levels that matter most, especially for people of colour. What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a steroid hormone made up of […]
Genetic Wellness Testing: Hype or Hope?
Photo Credit: Jacob Colvin. Genetics is the code of life. Genetics can reveal a myriad of information about our bodies. Genetic wellness testing is a powerful tool with medical and non-medical applications. Genetic testing can tell us whether we’ve inherited specific genes from our parents. Some of these genes make us more susceptible to developing […]
A Link Between Exercise and Skin Health
Photo credit: Mikhail Nilov Exercise helps to nourish skin cells by increasing blood flow that carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Besides the conventional benefits, studies have revealed a link between skin health and exercise. Deep skin benefits of exercise At a molecular level, skin cells contain mitochondria. Mitochondria are organelles that produce the […]
New Canadian Alcohol Consumption Guidelines
Be careful what you drink New recommendations on alcohol consumption were published in August of 2022. It is now recommended to drink no more than two drinks weekly to minimize alcohol-related injuries.1 This recommendation is significantly lower than past guidelines. For comparison, a 2011-updated report from Health Canada recommended that men consume three or fewer […]
Is resistance training good for weight loss?
What is resistance training? Resistance training is a type of anaerobic physical activity that consists in performing repeated sets of exercises against a resistance. The resistance is commonly represented by the oppositional force of equipment or the body itself. It is beneficial in increasing strength and muscle size. Examples of resistance training include high intensity […]
Cardiovascular risk the same for those who use e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes, versus combustible only, study reports
A recent study has reported insignificant impact of e-cigarette use on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.1 The study was published in the American Heart & Stroke Foundation’s journal, Circulation. Specifically, for those who have supplemented some of their conventional (or combustible) cigarette use with e-cigarette use, and now “dual use”, their risk for developing CVD […]
How to improve heart health with exercise
Regular exercise can be helpful in preventing cardiovascular risk factors, maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system, and promoting rehabilitation after a cardiac event. Even just a single 30-minute exercise session can produce immediate benefits and exert a protective short-lasting effect on hearth health through a process called ischemic preconditioning.1 Ischemic preconditioning describes how exercise can train the […]
What’s the link between heart health and teeth?
Adequate dental care is an important part of a healthy life. Brushing twice a day and flossing are well-known parts of most peoples’ daily routines. Did you know, however, that keeping a healthy set of teeth and gums may also help to keep a healthy heart? Considering that periodontal disease, or disease of the gums, […]
Five tips on how to lower cholesterol
Keeping cholesterol levels in check is necessary for the maintenance of heart health.1 According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2.6 million deaths a year are attributed to high cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease.2–4 Although cholesterol can be lowered using drug therapy, improved lifestyle changes may also help […]
Can cocoa supplements reduce the risk of cardiovascular events?
A new study was performed to assess whether cocoa supplements can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events. Although they are mostly known as an ingredient in chocolate, recent research suggests that the cocoa plant could be a source of many valuable chemicals called phenols.1 Three notable types of plant phenols identified […]
How to Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, is a common medical condition. In North America, as many as 1 in 3 individuals are silently living with this disorder. Genetics, being overweight or obese, advancing age, and being African-American all predispose individuals to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure causes no symptoms early on […]