Archive: Anti-aging

Anti-aging, Detox, Energy, Immunity, Mood, Pain, Skin Health

Take the Plunge: Benefits of Hydrotherapy

Whenever I tell a patient what I do in the shower daily, they shoot a disturbed look my way and cringe: “How could you do that?” they ask, followed by: “I couldn’t imagine willingly putting myself through that torture every single day!” hydrotherapy

You might be wondering what I am talking about. You may be surprised by the answer: Cold Water Immersion, a form of Hydrotherapy that dates back to ancient times.

In its simplest form, ending your shower with 30-60 seconds of a cold water spray stimulates immunity, energizes and revitalizes the body and mind, improves: circulation and detoxification, skin and hair vibrancy and overall wellbeing.

On days that I have a little more time, I alternate hot and cold sprays in the shower using 3 minutes of hot water, followed by 1 minute of cold water and I repeat that for a total of 3 cycles.

Cold water immersion is now all the rage, with top-levels athletes, executives and even Tony Robbins on board.

Is there proof that it works? Yes. I swear by it for myself and my patients to ward off colds and the flu and to jump-start each day.

Immunity and the Common Cold

According to the Natural Standards Database, preliminary clinical evidence shows that taking alternating hot and cold showers, at least five times per week, decreased the frequency of the common cold. It works by increasing not only the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid, but also by increasing the number of white blood cells to fight off infection.

By increasing the flow of lymphatic fluid and white blood cells, alternating hot and cold showers support detoxification, reduce joint pain and boost immune function.

Muscle soreness and inflammation

Cold water soothes sore and achy muscles post-workout. It reduces inflammation and can decrease the need to take pain-killers.

Happiness Levels, Energy and Mental Alertness

Those that took cold showers for at least 2-3 minutes daily for several weeks reported an improvement in mood and a reduction in pain. Cold water activates cold receptors in the skin, which in turn activates our sympathetic nervous system, increasing the release of our natural endorphins and brain-boosting neurotransmitters.

Try it – you just may be surprised at how invigorating it is. And, for the morning-afters when you polished off most of the wine, it can be a life-saver.

Note: Those with heart conditions, diabetic neuropathy, nerve or sensation loss or other serious medical conditions should always consult with a licensed healthcare practitioner before starting cold water therapy.

Anti-aging, Skin Health

To Sunscreen or Not to Sunscreen

It felt like it would never come, but it is finally that time of year again! The sun is shining, the days are long, and your skin colour is starting to turn a fire-engine red…

Wait! That isn’t supposed to happen!

If you want to avoid looking like a lobster, prevent skin damage and wrinkles, and decrease your risk of skin cancer, it is time to start practising safe sun.

We do need some sun exposure for our body to produce vitamin D. About 10 minutes in the summer sun is usually enough for fair-skinned individuals to produce sufficient levels from UV-B rays (see below). Better yet, taking a vitamin D supplement throughout the year – especially during the wintertime – has been shown to help prevent osteoporosis, seasonal-affective disorder, respiratory tract infections, multiple sclerosis, and breast and colon cancer.

But too much sun can be harmful and increase your risk of cancer.

There are three types of UV rays.

  1. UV-A rays contribute toA  These do not cause burns, but are present even on cloudy days. Almost 99% of the UV rays that reach the earth are UV-A. They increase the production of harmful substances that damage our DNA and lead to skin cancer.
  2. UV-B rays contribute toB These rays directly damage DNA, leading to skin cancer. These rays also increase the production of melanin in our skin, which gives us a tanned or burnt look (which is a bad sign).
  3. UV-C rays lead toCancer and are the most harmful. Fortunately, the ozone layer prevents these rays from reaching us.

Follow these practical tips to protect yourself from the sun:

  • Cover up: Wear a hat and sunglasses (that protect against UV-A and UV-B rays), and use a sun umbrella on the beach and in your backyard.
  • Avoid the mid-day sun as much as possible from 11am–4pm when the rays are the strongest.
  • Check the UV index daily at www.theweathernetwork.com/uvreport/interpretation/caon0696. Plan outdoor activities on low-risk days and exercise extra caution on high-risk days.
  • Increase your consumption of antioxidant-rich foods. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2001 showed that daily intake of lycopene from tomato paste (1/3 can per day), along with olive oil (2tsp per day) for 10 weeks reduced the degree of sunburn by 40% as compared to placebo. Lycopene is an antioxidant found in high amounts in tomato paste, sauce and juice. It is the primary antioxidant for the skin. Also consider increasing your consumption of these antioxidant-rich foods:green tea, turmeric, blueberries, cherries, blackberries, pomegranates, artichokes, broccoli, red cabbage, walnuts, rosemary, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, oregano, cocoa, pecans, raw ginger, elderberry, acai and rosehips.
  • Use an appropriate sunscreen:
    • Avoid ingredients such as octybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate and octocrylene. These all can increase cellular damage. Octybenzone and octinoxate are the most harmful, as they may act as hormonal/endocrine disruptors, have reproductive and developmental toxicity, and have a high risk of allergy and phototoxicity.
    • Choose sunscreens with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.
    • Avoid sunscreens in spray or powder form to prevent inhalation of harmful substances.
    • Avoid purchasing products that have sunscreen and bug spray combined because the harmful substances will have increased absorption.
    • Check out the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website at www.ewg.org.  It is constantly updated with the newest safety information on sunscreens, moisturizers, cosmetics, etc.
    • The EWG lists the following sunscreens as the safest options: Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Unscented Sensitive Skin/Children Sunscreen SPF 30+, Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Mineral Block Face Stick SPF 50, Badger Baby Sunscreen SPF 30+, Green Beaver Company Certified Organic Kids Non-whitening Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30.

Now get out there and enjoy the nice weather, but be careful!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not meant to replace treatment with a licensed healthcare practitioner. It is for informational purposes only. Consult with a Naturopathic Doctor or other licensed healthcare professional to determine which treatments are safe for you.

Anti-aging, Healthy Living, Libido, Stress

Not “In the Mood”? How to Boost Libido Naturally

You have just gotten home from a long day at work, you still have to make dinner, clean up and do a couple of loads of laundry before you can even think about relaxing. Your partner gives you that look and motions towards the bedroom. You remember the days when you would put all responsibilities aside to frolic in bed with the one you love. But now you are way too tired and would rather just lay on the couch, catching up on Grey’s Anatomy.

Where Have Those Days of Frolicking Gone?

Low libido, low sex drive or hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD, as it is known in the medical world) is one of the most common sexual problems in women. A survey conducted in 2009 at the University of Chicago found that 33.4% of respondents suffered from low libido. Another study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that 43% of women experienced difficulty with sexual desire.

What is Happening?

Low libido is a very complex condition. Fatigue, hormonal imbalances and psychological factors can all play a role in HSDD. Anxiety and depression contribute to the problem and, ironically, so do many pharmaceutical drugs that are used to treat these conditions. Antidepressant medications, the birth control pill and tranquilizers are just some of the drugs that can lower sex drive in women.

What Can You Do?

Get assessed for hormone levels. Your Naturopathic Doctor can order a salivary hormone test to determine your levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), DHEA (the anti-stress/anti-aging hormone), estrogen, progesterone and testosterone (yes, women do produce testosterone).  Pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women can suffer from imbalances. There are many natural herbs, vitamins and homeopathic remedies that can be used to bring your hormones back into balance. Typically, women suffering from low libido have low levels of progesterone, testosterone and DHEA. Their estrogen and cortisol levels are most likely out of balance as well.

Get assessed for thyroid function. A low-functioning thyroid zaps your energy, lowers your mood and reduces sexual desire.

Get your iron levels and vitamin B12 levels checked. These are commonly low in females, and deficiencies result in fatigue and low motivation.

Talk to your doctor about any possible side effects your medication(s) may be having. Anti-depressants and the birth control pill are common culprits. Ask your doctor about changing to other kind of medications with fewer side effects. Never stop taking medication without consulting with your doctor first.

Get help from your healthcare practitioner if you are suffering from stress, anxiety or depression. Don’t go it alone.

Spice it up. Try a new position in bed, focus on foreplay, be spontaneous, pick up some new toys, watch a video and/or give each other a massage. This will add to the excitement and get you in the mood. Physical touch can increase the release of oxytocin, the bonding hormone, which can bump up sexual desire.

Natural Ways to Increase Libido

Since HSDD is such a complex condition with many causes, make sure you are assessed to determine which treatment is suitable for you to boost libido. Here is a list of commonly used herbs to help bring your mojo back. Be sure to consult with your licensed healthcare practitioner before taking them.

Ashwaganda, Relora, Rhodiola, Licorice, Siberian Ginseng and other adaptogenic herbs help to increase energy, reduce stress and put that spring back into your step!

Damiana acts as a natural aphrodisiac and sexual stimulant. Ginseng may also increase sexual desire.

Maca is a wonderful herb to reduce stress, increase energy, bring your hormones back into balance, and support a healthy libido. It is a root from South America and can be found in capsule or powder form.

Ginkgo increases blood flow to the female genitalia, heightening arousal and orgasm.

Exercise also gets the blood flowing, reduces stress, and boosts mood and energy. It increases the release of natural feel-good endorphins, and improves self-esteem and body image. A study done at the University of Texas showed that women who had just completed one 20-minute session of cardio exercise were more aroused (as measured and self-reported) from an erotic film than those who didn’t exercise.

Eat Your Way to Desire

Garlic, cayenne and ginger all increase blood flow in the body and to the genitalia. Eat these regularly to increase arousal. Just make sure you share that garlicky meal with your partner!

Nuts and seeds contain L-arginine, which helps to relax blood vessels and increase blood flow to the sexual organs. Make sure to eat them unsalted and raw to get the most benefits. Choose pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts and sunflower seeds.

Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which boosts levels of endorphins, reduces depression and anxiety, and is one of the brain hormones that is released when we are in love. Go for dark chocolate to get those extra antioxidants. PEA may be increased by exercise, yet another reason to put on those running shoes!

Don’t worry. With some help, frolicking in bed can become a reality once again!

 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not meant to replace treatment with a licensed healthcare practitioner. It is for informational purposes only. Consult with a Naturopathic Doctor or other licensed healthcare professional to determine which treatments are safe for you.