Annex Naturopathic

The change from hot to cold weather has me searching for comfort foods that will provide the feeling of warmth and energy.

As a N.D I'm regularly informing patients about healthy recipes and encouraging them to create a diet around the changing seasons.

One of my favourite spice palettes during the winter season is the warm, aromatic flavours of Indian cuisine - likely because it’s full of warming, sweet spices designed by nature to boost our metabolism, increase circulation and strengthen digestion, all properties that we need to warm our bodies during the colder seasons.

Any warm recipe containing these spices will be a good choice for the upcoming winter.

Dahl is essentially made up of lentils, which are packed with protein, B vitamins, fibre and iron, making this legume a super food, especially for vegetarians/vegans.

Lentils are an amazing source of protein because it contains all but two of the amino acids (the building blocks of protein).

Lentils are high in one particular amino acid, lysine, a great remedy for viral infections, handy during cold and flu season.

Top this on a small bed of basmati rice, or enjoy with a few whole grain (non-GMO) crackers.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons coconut oil (or whatever you have)

1 medium yellow onion

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups of spinach or chopped kale

1 teaspoon of fine seasalt

1 cup dried red lentils

2 tablespoon tomato paste

4-5 cups water or veg broth

5 plum tomatoes, chopped

juice of 1 lime

1 cup lightly packed chopped fresh cilantro

Spice blend

2 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

1 teaspoon coriander seeds

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

6 whole cloves

4 cardamom pods

2 dried red chilies (seeds removed)

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic

Cold and flu season is here and one of the worst parts of getting sick is the stuffy nose and stubborn mucus that just wants to keep you from getting a good night’s sleep.

As a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, many patients ask if there are natural, non-drug ways to manage congestion and allow for a good night's sleep.

Congestion in the sinuses prevents one from breathing through the nose while sleeping, forcing us to breathe through our mouths that can lead to throat dryness, irritation.

This could leave to coughing or chronic lung congestion can may cause incessant coughing, preventing one from sleeping throughout the night.

Sleep is extremely important for recovery when you’re sick.

Warming socks technique for a good night's sleep

The warming sock technique is done at night in order to battle these symptoms.

It can also help reduce temperature if there is also a fever present.

What you will need for this technique:

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic

I call this recipe, “reverse engineering at its finest".

I kept taking a detour on my morning walks with my pup, Maeve, to grab one of these cookies from a local cafe- so I decided to make them myself!

This cookie is great on its own for breakfast, and also makes a great snack when you are on the go.

Not to mention, it’s absolutely refined sugar-free, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free and nut-free making this an extremely “hypo-allergenic” cookie.

A great option for school lunches. And the best part- these cookies taste great!

They fit almost every “health nut” parameter, being both vegan and raw.

Watch this video to see how it’s done

[embed] https://youtu.be/bZLFTP4lBrI[/embed]

Ingredients:

2 cup gluten-free rolled oats

1 banana (ripe)

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut flakes

8 dates

6 tbsp water

1/2 bar 70-85% dark chocolate

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp sea salt

Makes 12 cookies.

Step 1:

Blend water & dates.

You can use a food processor, a magic bullet, or blender.

Once thoroughly mixed, add banana and blend until a paste is formed.

Step 2:

Mix together the dry ingredients: the rolled oats, coconut, sea salt, and cinnamon.

Step 3:

Combine the banana-date mixture with the dry ingredients.

Step 4:

Chop the chocolate and mix it in with step 3.

Step 5:

Using mason jar lids, form your cookies by firmly pressing the mixture into the lids.

Place in plastic ziploc bag or container and place in freezer for 1 hour to harden.

Remove from freezer and enjoy.

Store cookies in fridge or freezer.

If storing the cookies together, separate them by squares of parchment paper.

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic

’Tis the season for sore throats!

The fluctuating temperatures of the change of seasons renders our immune system weak, making our bodies susceptible to these floating viruses waiting to find a host.

Or that person standing right near you is just waiting to pass on their strept infection (they may not even know they have it yet).

One of the most common symptoms people experience when catching a cold (or a more severe viral or bacterial infection) is a sore throat.

Being a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, regularly around this time of year I receive many inquiries on how to treat cold symptoms.

There are a number of ways to remedy a sore throat, but one of the most effective (and tasty!) ways is to take a spoonful of raw, unpasteurized HONEY, infused with garlic in order to soothe and heal this delicate mucus membrane.

Medical properties of Honey

Honey has been long used as medicine - with its use dating back to 5500BC until now, the properties of honey have been found to be efiective for infections (internal and external), wound healing, lowering cholesterol and cardiovascular risk.

Honey has potent anti-microbial properties, where studies have shown antimicrobial activity against a number of gram positive and gram negative bacteria, such as Haemophilus influenzae, the Streptococcus family, and the antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA.¹

Anti-viral properties of honey have been studies, one finding that honey given to children with upper respiratory tract infections can reduce cough at night time.²

There are many mechanisms involved with the anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties of honey, but one of the most simplest ones comes from the fact that honey blocks the attachment of "bugs" to the tissues they’re trying to infect.

This is important when you’re exposed to someone with strept throat, or sore throat in general - by taking honey after exposure, you may be able to prevent the actual attachment and incubation of this bacteria, steering clear of infection.

On top of it’s anti-viral and anti-microbial properties, honey is also very soothing to the throat; it’s strong wound-healing properties stimulates the repair of damaged tissues and protection of mucus membranes from inflammation.

Add garlic to increase the anti-microbial, anti-viral effect

The anti-viral and anti-microbial and immune boosting properties of garlic have been long known in the medical community,^3,4 so it’s a no brainer that combining these two natural foods would be a great way to battle sore throats and fight infection.

Along with it’s ability to fight infection, garlic is full of antioxidants (vitamin C, selenium, B-vitamins etc.), which can help keep the immune system strong during an infection.

By adding honey to the garlic, the slow-moving viscous honey can coat the throat, allowing the anti-viral, antimicrobial properties of both honey and garlic act longer on the affected tissues.

Recipe

This is a very easy recipe - there are many on the web, but this is how I like to make this amazing remedy.

Ingredients

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic

At our naturopathic clinic, one of our main areas of focus is naturopathy for women's health.

We often see women or hear stories about others who have been affected by cancer in their live's.

Today's article's goal is to provide further understanding around breast cancer, specifically risk factors and prevention, for both women and men.

Women and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis in women over the age of 20.

Research from the Canadian Cancer Society estimates that 1 in 8 Canadian Women will have breast cancer in her lifetime, and 1 in 31 will die from it.

Reducing risk and early detection are important factors in decreasing the amount of people affected by breast cancer.

Understanding the risk factors

There are 2 types of risk factors.

These factors are classified as those that are non-modifiable, such as age, family history, and genetics, and those that can be modified, such as physical activity or smoking.

Non-modifiable risk factors

Gender:

Breast cancer is significantly more common in Females.

Men with breast cancer make up fewer than 1% of all cases.

Age:

78% of new breast cancer diagnosis occur in women older than 501.

About half of all new cases of breast cancer occur in this age group.

Genetics:

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes - they play a role in the body’s ability to stop cancer from happening.

5-10% of all breast cancers are linked to mutations in these genes.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 occur in less than 1% of the populations, however, women with these gene mutations have up to an 80% risk of developing breast cancer by age 802.

Personal or family history of breast cancer:

A woman with cancer in one breast has a 3- to 4-fold increased risk of developing a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast3.

Women who has first-degree relatives with a history of breast cancer has has an increased risk.

Someone with one first-degree relative with breast cancer approximately doubles a woman’s risk.

The more first-degree relatives (sister, mother, daughter) with breast cancer, the greater the risk.1

Menstrual History:

Women whose first period was at age 11 or younger and/or women who experience menopause after age 55 have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Those who have more menstrual cycles throughout her lifetime, have greater exposure to estrogen and its metabolites.

Similarly, women who have had one or more pregnancies, have a greater protection against breast cancer.

Pregnancy limits the exposure of breast cells to estrogen and lowers the total number of menstrual cycles a woman has in her lifetime.4

Breast Density:

Breast contain fatty tissue as well as dense tissue such as connective, gland and milk duct tissues.

Women with dense breast tissue in 75% or more of their breasts have a 4-5 fold greater risk of breast cancer.5

Modifiable Risk Factors

Body weight and physical activity:

Women who are overweight have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast cancer may be influenced by the amount of estrogen tissue in the breast is exposed to over time.

In addition to the ovaries, estrogen is also produced in fat tissue.

Therefore, higher body-weight due to excess fat tissue can increase estrogen levels.

Those who do not exercise also have an increased risk.

Alcohol and smoking:

Smoking increases overall cancer risk, including breast cancer.

Alcohol consumption increases a woman’s risk for breast cancer.

Even low levels of alcohol consumption (just over 1 drink per day) can increase a woman’s risk.

The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.

New Research Surrounding Possible Risk Factors

Lack of exposure to sunlight and low vitamin D levels:

There are multiple recent studies that demonstrate that vitamin D deficiency significantly increases breast cancer risk.

While at the same time, another study showed that women with elevated risk, who had high serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels because of regular vitamin D supplementation were associated with lower rates of incident, especially in the postmenopausal population.6,7

Diet and Nutritional Status:

There is some evidence to show that high intakes of saturated fats and and high glycemic load (simple sugars and refined carbohydrates) increases risk.8

Exposure to "Xeno-estrogens":

Xenoestrogens are man-made compounds that mimic estrogen’s effects.

Postmenopausal women with high serum levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) and mono-ethyl phthalatehad elevated breast density. Elevated breast density is associated with increased risk.k.9

Prevention and Early Detection

Although people can’t change their genetics, age or whether or not they are born with ovaries- they can modify their lifestyle to reduce their breast cancer risk in other ways.

Leading a healthy lifestyle with appropriate diet and lifestyle, correcting for nutritional deficiencies (like vitamin D) and optimizing overall health will reduce the risk for breast cancer.

While at the same time, following Canada’s breast cancer screening guidelines and seeking medical attention if you notice any changes to your breasts can facilitate early detection and treatment.

Naturopathic doctors excel at helping their patients optimize their health and make the changes that reduce modifiable risk factors.

Through evidence-informed knowledge, and taking a preventative approach to healthcare we can help reduce the amount of women affected by breast cancer.

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic

At our naturopathic clinic in the Annex we always get asked around cold and flu season what someone should take to ward these off.

I think it’s an appropriate time to write about a herb that is useful for the prevention and treatment viral infections.

We all know about echinacea and the fantastic benefits in the prevention of cold and flu, but one of the most underrated herbs that can also be used grows right in our forests and marshes.

Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset) is a beautiful three-branched, white flowered plant that grows along creeks and marshes and can grow up to 5 feet tall.

This plant is native to North America and flowers and matures from the mid-summer to fall.

It is one of the most coveted cold and flu remedy by Native medicine has been used extensively throughout Europe for these properties.

Parts Used: Aerial parts, tops and flowers. Best to harvest when it first blooms.

Uses for Boneset

Edibility:

Boneset is very bitter (due to the constituents, sesquiterpene lactones), and has a strong profile of medicinal constituents so is not typically eaten as food.

Colds, Flus and Fevers:

Boneset is considered a panacea for treating acute and viral infections by traditional native medicine.

It was historically used to treat “bone-break” fevers, fevers caused by Dengue fever so intense that it was described like pain as if your bones are breaking, hence the common name.

Since then it has been traditionally used to treat any fever-inducing infection - this property is called a “diaphoretic”, in which it makes a person sweat during a fever, allowing the fever to break.

This is a great remedy for those with “intermittent fevers” where the fever produced is never strong enough to actually kill off the infection and “break”, causing the a person to stay ill for longer periods of time.

Boneset is thought to induce a fever by activating the immune system through stimulating white blood cells to fight off the infection. This herb also exhibits anti-microbial and anti-malarial properties, but more research is needed to confirm these effects.

Despite the presence of only preliminary evidence, Boneset is considered one of the best treatments for cold and flu by traditional herbalists, with many case reports revealing the powerful activity of this herb against cold and flus.

This warrants better and more detailed investigation of this herb by researchers interested in herbal remedies in infections.

Boneset is a good alternative to the herb Echinacea as Echinacea only tends to be strongly effective when taken at the beginning stages of the flu, while Boneset works well for beginning stages as well as during the active, mid-flu stages.

Boneset has also been traditionally used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

A number of constituents present in Eupatorium perfoliatum have been found to exhibit strong anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the formation of a inflammatory factor, NF-Kappa-ß.

Boneset is taken in both tincture and tea/infusion forms.

Traditionally, hot infusions are taken for acute conditions when the patient needs to increase their body temperature for the fever to break and kill off the infection.

Then a cold infusion is taken as a tonic when the body needs to heal after the fever has broken.

The cold infusion in general is taken when the body is weak, making it a more suitable form for those feeling fatigued and pained.

As mentioned the book Medical Herbalism: Materia Medica and Pharmacy, this very dichotomy ofadministration represents the signature what the herb is meant to treat - dual symptoms (ie fevers and chills from infection).

The tincture is administered by drops as this herb is considered very strong and does not need to be given in high doses.

Caution:

This herb is to be taken in small amounts - it has a powerful “emetic” effect, which makes a person vomit and does have laxative effect.

These effects were actually used medicinally by traditional herbalists to help a sick person detoxify, but is considered undesirable effect in modern medicine.

For this reason, never take this herb unless you’re being monitored and treated by a healthcare professional who is familiar with the specific dosing of this herb.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to use this effective herb during the upcoming cold and flu season, feel free to book an appointment.

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic

Should everyone be taking health supplements?

This is something that we, as naturopathic doctors here in Toronto, get asked a lot about from our patients

Walking into the supplement section of any grocery, health food or drug store can be overwhelming to say the least.

The options are endless and the prices are ever increasing.

It’s hard to keep track of what Dr. Oz or Dr. Google recommended.

Internet searches often give us expansive lists of contradictory information.

The Nutraceutical industry is rapidly growing and just as profit driven as pharmaceutical industry.

The following article will shed some light on how to approach supplementation in a critical and informed manner.

What are supplements?

In the true sense of the word, supplements are an addition of a macronutrient (protein, fat, carbohydrate) or micronutrient (vitamin or mineral) normally found in the diet.

Supplements can also be pharmaceutically synthesized molecules that are naturally occurring or built in the body (like GABA- a neurotransmitter or melatonin- a molecule involved in sleep).

Unlike drugs, whose components are synthesized and not found in the diet or naturally occurring within the body, supplements contain molecules which the body inherently knows how to absorb, metabolize and incorporate into physiological processes.

Drugs often change or inhibit a naturally occurring process, whereas supplementation corrects for deficiencies and optimizes inherent function.

What supplements should I actually be taking?

It depends. Each person has unique requirements based on individual factors and intended effect.

Most commonly, supplementation is indicated in cases of deficiency (common deficiencies include: iron, B12, vitamin D).

Symptoms vary depending on which nutrients are deficient. Deficiency can be caused by inadequate dietary sources or decreased absorption due to digestive dysfunction.

Many medications also deplete certain nutrients (the birth control pill for example, depletes vitamin B6). Many vitamins act as cofactors: molecules that make reactions happen- analogous to a catalyst in an engine.

As such, supplementation can also be used to up-regulate processes in the body.

For example, vitamin B6 is required for the synthesis of serotonin from the amino acid tryptophan.

Continuing with the car analogy, if we supplement with tryptophan, the gas, and B6, the catalyst, theoretically we should have increased serotonin- or a smoothly running car.

On the other (pharmaceutical) hand, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs/antidepressants) work by altering receptors so that more serotonin remains available.

How do I know how much to take?

Like pharmaceuticals, you need to take specific dosages of supplements in order for them to have their intended therapeutic effect.

Furthermore, many supplements have misleading dosing information on their labels.

For example, the therapeutic value fish oil lies in its omega-3 content (EPA and DHA). A 1000 mg Jameson fish oil has 180 mg EPA and 120 DHA mg in one capsule where as a professional line has 600 mg and 400 mg respectively.

You would need to take at least 3 capsules of Jameson brand fish oil to equal 1 capsule of the professional line.

Are all supplements safe and free of side effects?

No. High doses of certain supplements can be toxic and dangerous.

For example, high doses of supplemental vitamin D can cause kidney damage, niacin (vitamin B3) even at low doses can cause significant vasodilation (flushing), magnesium and vitamin C can cause diarrhoea, iron often causes constipation and zinc can induce nausea and vomiting.

Can I get everything I need from a healthy diet?

It depends.

Assuming that a healthy diet is rich in fruits and vegetable, healthy fats (nuts and fish), and proteins (grains, legumes and meats) you may still fall short of certain nutrients due to inherent nutrient depletion in soil and decreased availability of certain foods.

Additionally, when supplements are prescribed at high dosages to enhance a specific function, it would be near impossible to achieve equal intake of that constituent through food alone.

For example, a dose of 4000 mg of vitamin C would require consumption of 80 oranges.

Does Vitamin D comes from the Sun?

Vitamin D doesn’t actually come from the sun.

However, exposure to the sun (specifically UVB light radiation) converts a precursor molecule to the active form of vitamin D.

This conversion happens subcutaneously (just underneath the skin) and requires sunlight.

The amount of skin exposed to the sun is proportional to how much vitamin D our skin makes. How much skin do Canadians expose to the sun in the winter?

Bottom line

Most supplementation should be individualized and supervised to have true therapeutic value.

Self prescribing can be ineffective and dangerous.

All supplements are not created equal.

When comparing brands, look at the amount of content in milligrams in each capsule.

For Canadians, supplementing vitamin D in the winter is appropriate in almost all circumstances

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic

Hello, and Happy September!

As a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, seasonal shifts are factors that I take into account when helping patients develop healthy routines.

Theses seasonal shifts can't be ignored as they have a real effect on the body and the health of each individual.

As we say goodbye to summer, it’s time to welcome the structure and seasonal shifts September brings.

At this time of year it can be difficult to:

1. Sleep

Prioritize restful sleep.

That means going to bed a little earlier, and saying no to that last episode on Netflix.

Waking up refreshed sets the stage for a great day.

Check out our top 5 tips for improving sleep quality to help you make the most of your time in bed.

2. Hydrate

Start off your day with a BIG glass of water. Aim for 2 litres throughout the day.

Not a big fan of water? Try putting lemon or cucumber slices in it for a little bit of flavour.

Remember - coffee and alcoholic beverages are dehydrating. Switch out that second cup of coffee for a big glass of water!

3. Meal Prep

Planning your meals ahead of time is definitely easier in theory than practice.

A good start to making is easy to meal plan for the week is thinking of your 3 favourite “go-to” meals, and making sure you have all the ingredients on hand.

Freeze leftovers in singles servings to be warmed up on days when you don’t have time to cook.

4. Exercise

Start with short and sweet when it comes to exercise.

A half hour at the gym or walking briskly is enough when you’re getting back into the groove.

Schedule in your exercise at the beginning of the week and have your gym clothes ready the night before.

5. Set healthy boundaries with technology

Turn that gosh-darn phone off!Smartphones are very stimulating to the brain and can dysregulate the body’s stress response.

Give your brain a break from your phone daily.

You’ll have more time to tackle the other 4 items on this list!

Seek out professional help

For any reason you need some help, come see one of the Naturopathic Doctor’s at Annex Naturopathic Clinic - they will help you figure out a gameplan together!

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic

Women often have many concerns surrounding their menstrual cycle.

Many women seek interventions and guidance to avoid pregnancy.

Other women may need support conceiving.

Some women struggle with painful, long periods, while other women go months to years without a period at all.

Needless to say, there are many physiological, anatomical and biochemical factors that contribute to a healthy menstrual cycle.

Too add to the complexity, there is variability in what is considered “normal” amongst women’s menstrual cycles.

Therefore, an individualized approach to care is essential in determining what factors may be problematic- and- what type of support will create the conditions for optimal women’s health.

The naturopathic doctors at Annex Naturopathic excel in helping women understand and regulate their cycles naturally.

This is especially helpful given that with conventional medicine, options may be limited to synthetic hormonal contraceptives.

The birth control pill is an effective form of contraception, however, it may not always be in line with patient preference or address the root cause of a women’s menstrual concerns.

Common menstrual cycle concerns and why they may be happening

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic

As one of the top naturopathic clinic in Toronto, we have a special focus in treating women's health issues.

We often discover that a significant amount of women today find themselves having irregular periods.

The cause can be for many reasons.

Although today we are going to discuss one important cause that women should be aware of - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

PCOS is a “syndrome” which is different than a disease. A disease is a pathological process that is well defined by what is causing it and the symptoms it causes.

On the other hand, a “syndrome” is a collection of symptoms we see together that are not necessarily caused by the same problem.

PCOS has symptoms relating to hormonal imbalances and problems with metabolism (how our body uses it’s fuel).

PCOS is very common in women of child bearing years. As many as 1 in 10 women fit the criteria for diagnosis.

Women with PCOS will have a varying degree of symptoms.

Symptoms of PCOS

1. Irregular periods. Few or no menstrual periods over a the span of a year.

2. Changes in hair growth. Excess hair on the face, chest, back, stomach. Thinning head hair.

3. Breakouts that become inflamed.

4. Women who have PCOS may have difficulty getting pregnant.

5. Weight gain. Difficulty achieving ideal weight, even with diet and exercise.

Why does PCOS happen?

These are a few of the factors that influence the development of PCOS.

1. There is several genes associated with PCOS. If a pregnant mother had PCOS, her daughters have a significantly higher risk of developing PCOS.

2. Insulin resistance and obesity. When blood sugar is high, insulin (the hormone responsible for helping the body use and store sugar) doesn’t work well.

The ovaries are very sensitive to insulin resistance and in response they don’t produce the appropriate amount of hormones necessary for ovulation and the body has too much testosterone circulating.

3. Exposure to “Endocrine-disrupting” chemicals. Chemicals like BPA found in plastics alter the activity of sex hormones.

BPA is know to interact with estrogen receptors which will decrease the bodies ability to ovulate.

Treatment of PCOS

Conventional Approaches include regulating the cycle through use of oral contraceptives, regulating blood sugar with medications like metformin and fertility treatment if the individual is having difficulty conceiving.

How Annex Naturopathic Clinic approach PCOS

Naturopathic doctors look at addressing the root causes of PCOS and treatment is revolved around naturally restoring hormonal balance through:

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic

As a naturopathic clinic and dispensary, we like to educate our patients on how to take in local herbs and foods as part of their lifestyles for long term health.

Each month we've been highlighting a local, seasonal, Ontario herb in order to help you understand and familiarize yourself with useful medical herbs and foods that grow in our backyards.

Last month we looked at Red Clover

This month we take a look at St. John's Wort.

What is St. John's Wort?

St. John’s Wort is a common plant that has been naturalized in North America, and can be found in Ontario (easier to find in North of Toronto).

Hypericum perforatum displays beautiful yellow flowers from June to August. It grows up to 1 meter high and has small, oval leaves which may have small black dots.

The flowers contain glands that when the fresh flowers crushed, will stain a dark vibrant red-purple colour, representing one of the key chemical ingredients of the plant, hypericin.

This colour is greatly represented in tincture and oil extracts of St. John’s WortI saw an abundance of this gorgeous plant on a relaxing camping trip in the Lake Superior region, and is one of the most common herbal remedies I use in practice.

Parts Used: Aerial parts, bud and flowers (dried and fresh)

Uses of St. John's Wort

St. John’s Wort is not typically eaten but is used for medicine. It has a number of different medicinal uses and has a strong affinity to the nervous system.

Traditionally, when taking internally, St. John’s Wort has been used as a sedative to treat nervous anxiety, and also is used to treat neuralgic pain.

Externally it’s used as an anti-inflammatory to treat sunburns, promote wound healing, treat bruises, and viral skin eruptions (ie Shingles).

Hypercum perforatum has been traditionally used to “clear liver heat” making it a useful remedy for liver inflammation (hepatitis).

Depression

There has been extensive research on the anti-depressant properties of St. John’s Wort, with many clinical trails exhibiting the benefit of this herb in the treatment for depression.

This plant has been found to provide anti-depressant actions, and though hypericin, pseudohypericin, and hyperformin are the most-studied chemical constituents of St. John’s Wort, many other constituents in this herb have also been found to have this property.

Isolating and administrating one constituent alone does not seem to provide the same anti-depressant effect as using the whole plant. It is possible the combined (synergistic) action of many chemical constituents in this plant is what is responsible for the strong influence on the neurological system.

Flavonols and xanthines are other constituents found to have anti-depressant activity. This is a beautiful representation of the importance of wholism where the entire plant is the of value, not only one microscopic ingredient of the plant.

St. John’s wort has been found to affect neurotransmitter activity by inhibiting reuptake of serotonin, GABA, noradrenaline, dopamine and L-glutamate. Hypericum perforatum also inhibits binding of these neurotransmitters to their receptors.

This is a similar mechanism to how prescription anti-depressants work - inhibiting reuptake and binding. Hypericum perforatum also appears to inhibit the activity of enzymes important in mood, such as monoamine oxidase (MAO-A and MAO-B), and catechol-O- methyltransferase (COMT), both involved in neurotransmitter processing and elimination.

St John’s Wort also is considered an anti-inflammatory - increased levels inflammation have been strongly associated with depression, and the anti-inflammatory action of St. John’s Wort presents another reason for the strong anti-depressant property of this herb.

Infections

Hypericum perforatum has been found to be active against a number of bacterial microorganisms, but it’s most powerful effect appears to be against viruses.

The anti-viral action is specific to enveloped viruses, possibly through preventing the fusing of the viral envelope to the host cell.

Enveloped viruses include herpes viruses, varicella zoster (chicken pox and shinges) virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-bar (mononucleosis, “kissing”) virus, hepatitis virus, HIV and many other viruses.

Ways to take St. John's Wort

Hypericum perforatum is commercially available to take in a standardize capsule containing an alcohol extract of the herb, typically with a specific dose of the constituent hypericin.

This is the form that has been used in many clinical trials that have shown great benefit of this herb in the treatment of depression.

It is also efficacious in tincture form. This is my preferred method, as less processing of the herb, preserves the essence and energy of the plant.

An oil can be made fresh flowers and leaves and to be used topically as an anti-inflammatory and anti-viral.

Teas and decoctions are also made from this plant and may be best used for its anti-inflammatory, astringent and pain-relieving effects.

Clinical trails have shown alcoholic extracts of St. John’s Wort being most efficacious for treating depression, so the tea may not be the best choice if being used for this condition.

Caution

Do not use St. John’s Wort without consulting a physician who is familiar with herbal medicine.

Never combine St. John’s Wort with anti-depressant medication as this can potentiate the effect of the medication, potentially leading to overdose symptoms.

This plant increases the activity of a liver enzyme called CYP3A4, involved with phase 1 liver detoxication so should not be taken if on medication that is metabolized by this enzymes as it can reduce the efficacy of the medication.

Hypericum perforatum can potentially (though rarely) cause photosensitivity in susceptible individuals, causing skin redness, so be cautious of this effect and discontinue if it occurs.

If you’re curious about whether this herb might be suitable for you, feel free to contact us for an appointment.

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic

I can’t count how many times a patient has come in to our naturopathic doctor clinic with one complaint, and only when asked, they non-chalantly mention they suffer headaches on a daily basis: "but I just take Tylenol and it goes away", or "it’s normal for me", or "I’ve had them all my life".

Let me just set something straight: Headaches are not normal, and the source should be treated.

What are headaches?

A number of medicine-based websites define "headache" as any pain of the neck and head area.

Simple definitions equals simple treatments right? Pain=painkiller?

If I were to rewrite that definition, I would probably add that "headaches are a symptom of a underlying cause."

Even reputable medical resources don’t recognize the cause for common headaches, only really delving in to what drugs may suppress the pain.

Finding the cause of any symptom is the essence and root of treatment, and finding and treating cause may enable one to be rid of all these nasty symptoms.

What are the causes of headaches?

We want to make sure that the causes are not life-threatening or serious.

Your healthcare provider will determine this through a thorough intake of the history and character of the headaches, as well as a physical examination of your neurological system.

If there are any warning signs, you will be referred for blood tests and possibly CT or MRI scans of the head.

If everything is clear, your healthcare practitioner will categorize your headache based on its characteristics. These include:

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Annex Naturopathic

Estrogen dominance is a sinister hormone imbalance that typically isn’t caused by one single factor.

Our previous two articles - What Are The Causes of Estrogen Dominance?, and Estrogen Dominance: The Hormone Imbalance You’re Told You Don’t Have - outlined the main reasons why someone may have estrogen dominance and the health conditions associated with having poor estrogen metabolism.

Understanding that liver health, diet, inflammation and environmental exposures all play a crucial role in your estrogen health, here are a few simple changes you can make in order to optimize your estrogen status

1. Support liver health

We have a whole article on why liver health is important, and now we know that liver health is also important in preventing estrogen dominance.

Improve your liver health by eating clean, emphasizing consumption of bitter leafy greens, drink a good amount of water and reduce your toxin load by reducing preservative-laden foods.

2. Eat Brassicae family (Cabbage) vegetables

This food group is particularly important in estrogen dominance.

Brassicae family vegetables contains a compound called Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which has been found to favour healthy phase 1 conversion of estrogen to 2-OH-estrogens in women, which we know is protective against estrogen dominant conditions, while decreasing other metabolites (16-OH-estrogens), known to exacerbate estrogen dominant conditions (1-3).

This group of veggies are a great source of fibre, which is also great for binding and clearing estrogens, contain tonnes of antioxidants that help protect the liver against oxidative damage.

Members of this family include:

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Our last article outlined what estrogen dominance is, and how liver health plays a role in estrogen metabolism and estrogen dominance. There are a number of other causes for estrogen dominance - many of which are influenced by your day to day lifestyle. It may be surprising to you to find out that many daily exposures can increase your chance of developing estrogen dominance.

Inflammation

Inflammation is the worst.

This chronic condition has been tied to basically all disease - heart disease, cancer, mental health conditions, to name a few. Inflammation plays a crucial role in the development of estrogen dominance.

As we know from the previous article, proper liver health is crucial for proper estrogen metabolism, and one way inflammation can impact estrogen dominance is burdening liver function.

However, there’s another way inflammation can directly affect estrogen dominance - through activation of an enzyme called aromatase, a cytochrome P450 enzyme active in the liver, skin, bones, ovaries, adipose tissue, adrenal glands, brain and breasts - everywhere where estrogen has an effect on the tissue.

Aromatase is an enzyme that is key for estrogen synthesis in a healthy biological female and works in regulation with the body to keep estrogen conversion from androgens healthy and limited.

Estrogen dominant conditions, such as endometriosis, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, are associated with increased and dysregulated aromatase activity(1). There has been direct relationship between inflammation and aromatase activity, with much of the research looking in to how obesity, a disease of chronic inflammation, activates aromatase.

The link between inflammation and increased aromatase is a vicious cycle - increased adipose tissue is riddled with inflammatory structures (crown-like structures) which secrete pro-inflammatory signals.

These inflammatory signals increase aromatase activity in the adipose tissues, which in turn increases estrogen production. Excessive estrogen can cause problems with blood sugar (insulin resistance) and can mess with your hormone leptin, the hormone that makes you feel full - therefore promotes obesity.

These inflammatory crown-like-structures were not only found in adipose tissue but in breast tissue in overweight-obese women undergoing surgery for breast cancer.(2).

But it’s not just related to weight - both obese and non-obese women with marked inflammation (detected on bloodwork), and conditions of inflammation such as insulin resistance (high blood sugar) are at higher risk of developing breast cancer through increased aromatase activity (3,4).

Pain occurs typically in response to inflammation, so it makes sense that if estrogen dominance is an inflammatory condition, why symptoms are centred around pain (painful periods, painful breasts).

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

There are a number of environmental causes for increases of aromatase activity. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical commonly found in plastic that has been found to increase both aromatase and inflammation.

BPA has been deemed an ovarian, uterine and reproductive toxicant - therefore do not consume! (5) Other causes such as alcohol, chemical home care products, the birth control pill, smoking and pesticides (glyphosates) all increase aromatase activity (1).

BPA has also been found to increase the production of the "bad" estrogen metabolite, 4-OH-estrogen, compared to 2-OH pathway, which we know increases risk of estogen-dominant conditions (remember the last article?)

Not only do these chemicals increase aromatase activity, they can directly bind to estrogen receptors, stronger than actual estrogen, causing excessive estrogen-like effects on the tissue.

These are called xenoestrogens, can play a large role in the development in estrogen-related cancers such as breast cancers, uterine and ovarian cancer (7).

Xenoestrogens are a group of chemicals found in environmental pollutants (pesticides), chemical products (BPA in plastic) cosmetic products [parabens, metalloestrogens (cadium, aluminum), phathlates, musk etc].

Progesterone Imbalance

This hormone is an important factor in estrogen dominance.

Progesterone is responsible for "balancing" estrogen, so appropriate levels of progesterone are important for preventing estrogen-dominant conditions.

Just like estrogen, progesterone is affected by inflammation - an inflammatory molecule called prostaglandin-E2 (PGE-2), not only stimulates aromatase, but also blocks progesterone receptor expression, therefore reducing the progesterone effect.

Progesterone can also be reduced in the face of high stress - this is because progesterone and the stress hormone cortisol, are made from the same ingredient, pregnenolone. When you’re stressed, your body needs to make more cortisol, so progesterone production suffers.

High cortisol also encourages inflammation, as we know further encourages estrogen dominance by increasing aromatase, and blocking progesterone.

So now that we know environmental factors, stress and inflammation can also contribute to estrogen dominance, the next article will centre around how we can improve estrogen, progesterone balance and reduce inflammation through diet and lifestyle methods.

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

As a female naturopathic doctor, I have a a great deal of experience in women's health issues. Much of it treating conditions like hormone imbalances and their effects on our quality of life.

Hormone imbalances are a complicated thing though.

Often times women will feel that their hormones are off, but after blood work and basic analysis, it’s likely that everything will come back "normal".

So how is it that hormones are normal, yet one day your body feels completely off, or that you one day find that you have fibroids? or endometriosis? or fertility issues?

What are some of the signs and symptoms that could lead you to potentially prevent and actually treat these conditions, instead of coming up with band-aid solutions to cover up the symptoms?

What is Estrogen Dominance?

Estrogen dominance is a hormonal condition that is often never detected in conventional medicine - the term dominance may indicate that a high level of estrogen would be detected on routine blood work, but this is not often the case.

In fact, estrogen typically comes back "within normal range" in women who have estrogen dominance - how is this so?

This is because estrogen dominance is a functional hormonal imbalance and is not a "excess" condition.

A functional hormonal imbalance indicates that while the body is clearly performing daily as it should, there are signs and symptoms that one experiences, whether it be mild or debilitating, indicate that the overall system is compromised.

This may not be a big deal, but if undetected and left untreated, can lead to chronic disease.

Signs and Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance

The interesting thing about estrogen dominance is that it’s highly common in our society - many women experience symptoms of estrogen dominance monthly, some more severely than others.

The typical symptoms of estrogen dominance include:

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Tanya Lee, N.D

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

As a Toronto naturopath, I like to educate my patients on how to incorporate local herbs and foods into their lifestyles for long term health.

Each month I’ll be highlighting a local, seasonal, Ontario herb in order to help you understand and familiarize yourself with useful medical herbs and food that grow right outside your door.

You will be able to recognize these otherwise known “weeds” as powerful medicine that grow in harmony with your everyday surroundings.

We’re seeing Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) everywhere!

My friend and I spotted these flowers earlier this July on one of our hikes and since then I’ve been seeing them on neighbour’s lawns, parks, along the west Toronto railpath, even in one coming up through a sidewalk crack.

This is one of my favourite herbs to use in practice.

Red Clover is a perennial plant originating from Europe, Africa and West Asia, but has been naturalized all over the world.

It’s characterized by its dark pink-purple flowering head, and trifoliate leaves, and grows to be about 20-80cm tall.

This plant is actually considered a legume/bean plant, being part of the Fabaceae/Papilionaceae family, which is home to many commonly known legumes such as peas, chickpeas, lentils and many beans.

Parts Used: Flowers heads

Uses for Red Clover

Edibility

Trifolium pratense flowers can be pulled off and eaten. The flower parts stimulate the salivary glands, making it great for chewing on when you’re thirsty, or parched and don’t have immediate access to water.

It can also be enjoyed as a sweet tea.

Medicine

Red clover exerts its actions best in females and children.

Detoxification and lymphatic drainage

Traditionally, red clover has been considered a “blood purifier” or “alterative” meaning that it cleans out and regulates the body.

This action refers to the specific ability of red clover to remove unwanted toxins (dead tissue, inflammatory molecules) from the blood through lymphatic stimulation, and breaks up thick blood through anti-coagulant actions.

Basically, it helps fluids to move efficiently throughout the body. This action makes Red Clover particularly useful in the treatment of chronic skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis and acne, particularly in children.

Red clover is also known to be used in coughs and bronchitis, particularly helpful in suppressing uncontrollable coughs, and in aiding the lungs to expectorate stubborn and accumulated mucus (Another pediatric application - is useful in children who catch the dreadfully persistent whooping cough).

It action on the glands of the neck and sinuses also help clear post-nasal drip (stubborn mucus dripping down the throat from the sinuses).

As mentioned above, red clover gently stimulates the salivary glands, making a great remedy for side effects of radiation or any condition where saliva production is compromised.

It’s also great for single swollen lymph nodes

Women’s health

Red clover is useful in the treatment in women’s health conditions with either estrogen deficiency and estrogen excess.

Red clover contains chemical called “phytoestrogens” (isoflavinoids) that actually binds and activates the estrogen receptor. This make Trifolium pratense useful in mitigating menopausal symptoms, a life-stage for females characterized by declining estrogen.

Symptoms such as hot flashes, sleeplessness, weight gain, vaginal dryness and anxiety, can be directly linked to estrogen deficiency. However, the small amount of research studies on the effect of Red Clover on menopausal symptoms show mixed results in efficacy.

Maybe it’s because the shape of phytoestrogens in red clover do not exactly fit the receptors in the vasomotor system (system responsible for many symptoms in menopause). What if it fit perfectly in the other systems of the body with all different types of estrogen receptors? There is almost zero research on this effect of red Clover, but it's a possibility.

Estrogen plays a protective role in many aspects of female health, so when females go through menopause, they are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis.

Not only can the phytoestrogenic effect potentially prevent these conditions, but the added antioxidant (flavinoids), and blood-thinning properties (coumarins and salicylates) also help.

Here’s the controversy - if red clover contains phytoestrogens, wouldn’t that increase your risk for estrogen-dependent cancers?

This is the question asked all the time when it comes to plants with phytoestrogen compounds, such as red clover and soy. The answer isn’t simple, but if you want a simple answer, it’s probably not.

Phytoestrogens do bind to estrogen-receptors, but they’re actually considered protective against estrogen-dependent cancer, such as breast and uterine. This effective has been found in soy, another phytoestrogenic plant.

This is because phytoestrogens can competitively bind to estrogen receptor, blocking cancer-causing Xenoestrogens (found in plastics, pollution, chemical cleaners, hormone-laden meats) from binding and overstimulating the receptor.

When phytoestrogens bind to the estrogen receptors, the signal is less intense, more regulating (just like our own endogenous estrogens), and some phytoestrogens can actually block the signal, exerting an antagonistic estrogen effect.

There hasn’t been enough research to confirm this clinically, however preliminary research studies has found taking red clover for a year does not seem to increase endometrial growth (leading to uterine cancer).

However, due to the lack of strong evidence, it’s suggested that women with a history of estrogen-positive breast cancer, or uterine cancer, should avoid the use of Red Clover.

Forms

You can get red clover as a standardized capsule in powder form, basically taking it as a pharmaceutical drug.

There are many products on the market that will sell Red Clover in this form for the use of mitigating menopausal symptoms.

Because of the lack of consistent in the evidence of whether red clover helps menopause, the abundance of other herbs that treat these symptoms really well, and the lack evidence on the safety of this herb in estrogen-positive cancers, I don’t generally tend to rely on Red clover to treat these conditions, especially at these higher doses.

I like using Red Clover as a tea or as a low-dose tincture. With the alterative “regulating” nature of the herb, and the consistent traditional use of Red Clover as a lymphatic stimulator, blood thinner and affinity to the neck and head glands , I generally tend to use Red Clover for these conditions.

In children, teas and low dose tincture have a strong effect but tend to be gentle enough to prevent any unwanted effects.

I do recommend red clover tea to menopausal women as a daily drink/food item, and although there is no strong evidence to support the strong phytoestrogenic, immediate effect on menopausal symptoms, the phytoestrogenic compounds in the herb may still be beneficial as a nutritional food to keep the system healthy and strong post-menopause and prevent long term health problems associated with estrogen-deficiency.

Caution

Do not use Red clover if you have history of estrogen-positive breast cancer or uterine cancer, if you’re on blood thinners, or have a clotting disorder.

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Tanya Lee, N.D

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

To discover more ideas on health, wellness, and alternative medicine, please visit us here: toronto naturopaths

At our naturopathic clinic in Toronto, in recent years especially, our naturopathic doctors are being asked about gluten more regularly.

"Is it good for me?"

"Is it bad for me?"

The infamous protein explained.

Gluten-free is definitely fashionable- but is it functional? Many people are opting to eliminate gluten from their diets- often with no diagnosis of celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Unfortunately, “gluten-free” is not synonymous with “healthy”.

Many gluten-free products are high in sugar, preservatives and unlike wheat flour, they are not fortified with vitamins and minerals.

Nonetheless, many people feel better when they take gluten out of their diet.

What is gluten?

Gluten is substance found in the endosperm of wheat, rye and barley grains. It is comprised of the proteins “Gliadin” and “Glutenin”.

Grains, and how we consume them, differs from that of our ancestral history.

Today grains make up a major part of our diet- remember the food group pyramid you learned in school- where the foundation was grains?

Well, that food pyramid is not something we share in common with our early human ancestors who ate almost no grains at all. The domestication of wheat happened about 10,000 years ago.

In more recent history, composition of wheat has changed due to hybridization of strains which has increased wheat’s gluten content dramatically.

What is it about gluten containing grains that irritates our gut?

Gluten can increase “zonulin”, a protein in the gastrointestinal tract that can cause leaky gut. Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, occurs when the tight junctions (the connection) between intestinal cells open up, allowing larger molecules that shouldn’t cross the intestinal barrier, to go into the blood stream causing inflammation.

It may not be the gluten alone, but the herbicides used in conventional farming are likely contributing to intestinal imbalances.

Glyphosate is a commonly used herbicide used in grain farming. If a substance can kills weeds and bugs- think about what it could do to the microflora in our gut (our healthy bacteria).

Glyphosate is known to kill beneficial bacteria and decrease the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals.

We do not definitively know the reason for the rising prevalence of gluten sensitivity.

It may be that a combination of increased wheat consumption, increased gluten content of wheat, and rising glyphosate residues in conventional grain products are contributing to dysbiosis, intestinal inflammation, and ultimately gluten intolerance.

What should you do?

Recommendations, in terms of complete gluten elimination, need to be made on an individual basis via comprehensive assessment by a qualified healthcare provider.

However, here are some recommendations that will benefit most individuals:

To eat, or not to eat wheat? That is the question.

The avoidance of gluten continues to be a hot topic in the media.

More and more people are opting for a gluten-free diet. For some people, eliminating gluten from their diet may be essential to not only maintaining the integrity of their gastrointestinal tract, but optimizing their overall health.

Digestion is the cornerstone of good health. If a person’s digestive capacity is impaired, many other areas of a person’s health can be adversely affected.

Not everyone who has a bad reaction to gluten has celiac disease. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) also negatively affects on the body, but does not produce the same disease process or complications that celiac disease does.

The naturopathic doctors at Annex Naturopathic Clinic are able to assess, diagnose and treat celiac disease and NCGS.

Dr. Luck and Dr. Lee can help determine whether or not you can include gluten in your diet and what treatment needs to be in place to heal the gut.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat and some other grains including rye and barley.

What is celiac disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition.

Gluten causes the immune system to destroy intestinal cells. When intestinal cells are destroyed they lose their capacity to absorb nutrients causing chronic diarrhea, nutrient deficiencies and weight loss.

Celiac disease is associated with a much more serious risk profile than NCGS including neurologic dysfunction, osteoporosis, infertility, and other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Why does celiac disease happen?

Genetics plays a strong role in whether or not someone will have celiac disease.

How is celiac disease diagnosed?

Serology (blood) testing for the antibodies against the intestinal tissues (endomysial antibodies (IgA EMA) and tissue transglutaminase antibodies (IgA tTG)).

If the antibodies are more than twice the normal limit, the patient likely has celiac disease.

Duodenal biopsy, tissue samples taken from the small intestine (which can only be ordered by a gastroenterologist), can confirm the serology testing.

These tests will only be accurate if the patient has ingested gluten consistently over the past 6 weeks.

What is non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS)?

NCGS is a reaction to gluten that does not involve the immune system and does not cause intestinal cell destruction. Gastrointestinal symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. NCGS can also contribute to joint and muscle pain, skin rash, anemia and depression.

Why does NCGS happen?

The working theory as to the increased prevalence of NCGS is a combination of increased wheat consumption and the hybridized gluten content of wheat- today’s wheat contains far more gluten than it’s ancient ancestor.

How is NCGS diagnosed?

NCGS is a diagnosis of exclusion.

When celiac disease has been ruled out, there are no signs of malabsorption and the individual has improves on a gluten-free diet, a diagnosis of NCGS can be assumed.

If you are experiencing adverse reactions to gluten it is important to have a thorough work-up.

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,Dr. Marnie Luck, N.D

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

To discover additional info on health, wellness, and alternative medicine, please visit us here: nature doctors

July and August are much anticipated months in Toronto. The summer season is short- optimizing your health can help you make the most our our short but ever so sweet summer.

Here are the top 5 tips from naturopathic doctors in Toronto to help you stay on your A-game.

1. Continue to supplement with vitamin D

You are probably thinking that because the sun is out longer, you are getting more vitamin D.

However, how much vitamin D your body synthesizes from the sun depends on a few factors: how much time is spent out side and at what time of day, the amount of skin exposed to the sun and the colour of your skin.

In order to get a good dose of vitamin D from the sun you need to be outside, in minimal clothing (bathing suit), when the sun is high in the sky.

You are synthesizing vitamin D in your skin if your shadow cast by the sun is shorter than your height.

If you have darker skin, you require more time in the sun to get the same amount of vitamin D as someone with lighter skin.

2. Get lot’s of vitamin “N”

You’ve never heard of vitamin N? It’s vitamin “nature”! Summer is a great time to get outside.

Time spent in natural settings:

If you’re curious to learn more about this subject or would like to consult with one of our NDs feel free to book a visit or contact us.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Marnie Luck, N.D

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

- https://goo.gl/maps/uVRBvcyoUa62

Naturopathic doctors recognize that one of the most important organs of the body, but likely least known by their patients for its function, is the super organ - the LIVER.

The liver has so many functions, many of which are not obvious to us physically, unlike other major organs (lung= breathing, or stomach = feeling full/hungry).

When one thinks of the liver, one should think of the term DETOXIFICATION.

What Does The Liver Do?

The liver is a super organ that pretty much cleans out our entire body. The liver is the largest reservoir (storing blood and iron) and filtering system for blood, ridding the blood of impurities, before it is pumped back in to the bloodstream.

It is a major secretory organ, producing and releasing bile, which is necessary for proper digestion and absorption of fat-soluble nutrients, as well as the excretion of waste products. As a metabolic organ, the liver metabolizes and stores our everyday basic macronutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

The liver also activates/deactivates medication, hormones (such as estrogen), and toxic environmental chemicals (such as pesticides, BPA, food additives), through three stages of detoxification.

The liver is essential for the production of antioxidants, molecules that protect the body from oxidative damage from the toxins listed above.

Many health conditions, such as mood disorders, cardiovascular disease, hormonal disorders, cancer, and inflammatory disorders are started by oxidation, highlighting the importance of liver function to our long term health.

How Does An Unhealthy Liver Impact Me?

There are a number of daily habits that can slow down liver function. The consumption of large amount of saturated and trans fats, excessive caffeine, sugar, and alcohol use, and foods high in preservatives can overwork the liver, draining the liver of its resources to function.

Also, these types of toxins do not provide anything useful to regenerate and rejuvenate the liver. Our daily exposure to environmental pollutants will do the same thing. Once the liver function is compromised, many people can experience a number of symptoms such as fatigue, skin eruptions, poor digestion, and headaches.

For example, a congested/sluggish liver can also be related to digestive problems due to the poor production and secretion of bile necessary for digestion and breaking down fat soluble substances; after many years of sluggish bile, that stagnant bile can form in to stones.

The skin is also an organ of elimination and when the liver is unable to process toxins, and metabolic by-products, they will find other routes to be excreted, such as through the skin, manifesting as conditions like eczema and acne.

Poor liver function can also increase cholesterol levels, as regulatory mechanisms to stop endogenous production become compromised.

What Can I Do To Improve My Liver’s Function?

As our exposure to toxic environmental chemicals increases, we will be relying on the strength and health of our liver to keep us healthy and energetic. Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) we get through our diet are ESSENTIAL for our livers to function optimally.

If we continue to feed our bodies foods that do not possess any use for our bodies other than quick sugars and sustenance, and turn away foods that offer a melange of vitamins, minerals, our livers will not be able to keep up with toxic burden and our health will decline.

Along with a healthy, vegetable-rich diet, here are 6 ways to make sure you liver is functioning at its best.

Lemon water

It enhances liver enzyme function, encourages bile production, and is a good source of the antioxidant, vitamin C. Antioxidants protect oxidative damage of the liver by the very toxins the liver is required to process.

B vitamins

They serve as cofactors for enzymatic/metabolic processes in the liver, allowing the liver to function optimally. Food high in B vitamins include whole grains, legumes and of course veggies.

Dark Leafy Greens

Kale, dandelion greens, rapini, collard greens, swisschard, broccoli, are the superfoods for the liver. These vegetables exhibit a number properties that make them essential for optimal liver function.

They tend to be bitter, a taste that stimulates the secretion of gastric/digestive juices. The general rule of thumb is the more BITTER the veggie is, the BETTER for your liver.

They are rich in folate, vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, calcium and potassium, micronutrients important for liver function. Lastly, leafy greens contain a rich amount of fibre, which takes some of the toxic burden off the liver’s back.

Castor oil packs

Applying castor oil over the liver with heat (instructions here) allows the oil to be absorbed through skin, and positively stimulates the liver function.

It also enhances immune function, and promotes lymphatic drainage, both important in detoxification.

Herbal medicine

Sometimes, the toxic burden on the liver may be larger than what you can handle from just a healthy diet. That’s when herbs come in to play.

Hepatic herbs such as Milk Thistle, Dandelion root, Artichoke, Schisandra, Chelidonium, and Goldenseal, all have properties to protect the liver from environmental damage, repair damaged liver cells, as well as optimize liver function by directly enhancing metabolic processes of Phase I and II detoxification.

It is important to consult with your healthcare practitioner before using these herbs.

Eat and Be Clean

At the very least, makes sure to check out the Dirty Dozen, a list of vegetables and fruits recommended to be consumed organic due to the heavy pesticide use in their non-organic farming practices.

Also, make an attempt to eat hormone and antibiotic-free meats, and reduce your saturated and trans-fat intake by cutting out deep fried and processed foods.

Try to avoid plastic use, heavy-chemical household cleaners and body products - there are a number of natural, organic and plant-based cleansers on the market these days that a fantastic job.

This will reduced the daily toxic burdens on your liver, reserving it’s energy for chemical compounds you can’t avoid.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Tanya Lee, N.D

Annex Naturopathic Clinic

572 Bloor St W #201, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1

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