Let’s Talk About Lyme

Join Dr. Jasmine Wong of the Vancouver Island Naturopathic Clinic Inc. at this event, which will include children’s activities, displays, videos, and a chance to talk to naturopathic physicians as well as other health practitioners.

When: Saturday May 10 Noon – 3:00pm

Where: 1335 Thurlow Road Victoria BC (see poster for details).
Lyme Victoria BC

Has it been a year already?

Another Naturopathic Medicine Week is just around the corner and we will be announcing many exciting events across British Columbia.

In celebration of Naturopathic Medicine Week, the BCNA is hosting three special film screenings of GMO OMG, the cutting edge documentary about genetic modification and the global food supply.

  • Kelowna, May 13, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave, 7 p.m. Buy Tickets
  • Victoria, May 13, Cinecenta, UVIC, 3800 Finnerty Rd., 7 p.m. Buy Tickets
  • Richmond, May 14, Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate, 6:00 p.m. Buy Tickets

For events in other provinces, check out the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors site.


For a full listing of our events, check out our BCNMW 2014 page.

Naturopathic Medicine Week is an annual, national event, which focuses on wellness, disease prevention and patient-focussed primary care. Join us at this unique fund raiser in support of the Family Naturopathic Clinic, a Victoria charity which supports low-income families with complementary medical care and nutritional advice, at no cost.

by Dr. Kristin Schnurr, ND

Many of you may have heard the show, ““Bacteria in your gut affects your mental health.” which aired on the CBC on October 11, 2013. If you missed it, here is the link: CBC.

Listening to this show reinforced for me the importance of ensuring gastrointestinal health for myself, my family and for everyone I work with. We already know that healthy gut flora promotes health by strengthening immunity, improving our digestion and absorption of nutrients, and by promoting healthy metabolism and preventing obesity.

Too much of the wrong bacteria can make us ill and too little of the healthy bacteria can leave us vulnerable to illness. Symptoms of dysbiosis or an imbalance of good bacteria intestinally include: digestive upset, bowel irregularity, fatigue, allergies, skin conditions, headaches, autoimmune conditions, anxiety and depression.

Recently, there has been significant research emerging on the connection between gut flora and mental health. A recent study in the journal Gastroenterology shows that healthy gut bacteria play a major role in mental health and pain sensitivity. Scientists at UCLA showed a direct link between probiotics consumed and elevated amounts of the important mood regulating neurotransmitters: Serotonin and GABA.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. It regulates intestinal movement, mood, appetite, sleep, muscle contraction and cognitive function such as memory. GABA is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It plays a role in regulating neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. People with low serotonin production typically suffer from depression. And, people with low GABA production typically experience anxiety.

This research is important as it points to the importance of addressing gastrointestinal health in the management and treatment of anxiety and depression. As Gregor Reid, PhD, a professor of microbiology, immunology and surgery at the University of Western Ontario stated, “There isn’t a drug on the market that can match probiotic bacteria for its far-reaching implications on health.

How to Cultivate Healthy Gut Flora

  1. Our first microbes are introduced in the vaginal canal after the natural birth process, and are delivered through breast milk. We inherit our gut flora from our mother at birth, where it settles in the baby’s sterile system and becomes the microbiome of the gut. Breastfeeding is another way the mother passes her beneficial flora to her baby. Bottle fed babies acquire completely different gut flora than those that are breastfed.
  2. Healthy digestive microbes come from ingesting uncooked and live culture fruits, vegetables, and dairy products that contain live probiotics. Routinely eating some fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso or kombucha can also assist in replenishing healthy bacteria. It is important to ensure the products are guaranteed to contain live cultures since many brands destroy the essential bacteria with high temperature processing during the manufacturing process. If it’s in the fridge at the store it is more likely to contain live culture, if it’s on the shelf it has been pasteurized. Making your own yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha or kefir assures an active bacteria content.
  3. For some people, the level of depletion of beneficial organisms in the digestive tract requires the consumption of a daily probiotic supplement in order to replenish beneficial bacteria. It is important to consider that infants, children and adults require different combinations of specific bacteria. And, it is important to be cautious with dosing in the treatment of skin and autoimmune conditions. A ND will help you determine the right bacterial strains and optimal dosing for your individual health.

Dr. Kristin Schnurr, ND is at the Sage Clinic in Victoria BC. www.sageclinic.com www.drkristinschnurr.com

 

BC Naturopathic Medicine WeekJoin us and celebrate Naturopathic Medicine Week in British Columbia next week, May 7-13 2012.

Naturopathic clinics are opening their doors all over BC with open houses, free seminars, and complimentary consultations and testing. The Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (New Westminster) is also opening its doors to the public. There are also movie screenings (Richmond and Kelowna), a radio show, and there’s a special event at a community center in Nanaimo.

Some Naturopathic Doctors are even cooking up their favorite recipes; others have teamed up with other local healthy businesses to provide samples. Naturopathic Doctors will even be at your favourite stores for free consultations or seminars.

Event Listings

Today we posted a complete list of events by city. You can also plan your week with our calendar, which lists events by day. Please note, some events are by appoinment only or require pre-registration – call now to reserve your spot!

5 New Events

Here are 5 new events just listed today:


Complimentary Health Checks in Langford

In celebration of Naturopathic Medicine Week, Dr. Hadikin ND is offering complimentary 15 minute health checks by appointment for new patients at West Shore Family Naturopathic.

This includes a blood pressure check or Chinese tongue and pulse check as well as a chance to ask questions about Naturopathic Medicine. By appointment only, visit the event listing for more information.

 


Open House in Gastown in Vancouver

Dr. Angèle Besner, B.Sc. ND is celebrating Naturopathic Medicine Week at her clinic. Join her on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at The Tea Room at Gastown Wellness for an open house, with free body composition analysis, herbal tea tasting, Q&A and 20% off initial consults booked at the event. Please visit the event listing for more information.

 

 


Forks Over Knives Movie in Kelowna

The Core Centre of Health Presents a Movie Screening – Forks Over Knives to celebrate Naturopathic Medicine Week, May 10th.

Forks Over Knives is a film that examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods. There will be a brief Intro on Naturopathic Medicine presented by Dr. Emina Jasarevic, ND, prior to film viewing. Please visit the event listing for more information.


Free EMI Tests in Vancouver

Electro-meridian Imaging examines the meridian system of the body through electronic measurements. According to acupuncture these meridians are invisible channels through which Qi (pronounced “chi”) circulates throughout the body. The EMI machine will assess and give a report how each organ system is functioning.

Dr. Sandeep Sangra invites you to set up your appointment for a Free EMI test, May 10 and 11, 2012, at the Naturally Well Health CentrePlease visit the event listing for more information.

Free EMI Tests at Famous Foods Vancouver

Dr. Sangra will also be at Famous Foods conducting EMI testing on May 13, 2012. Please visit the event listing for more information.


Free Blood Typing in Victoria

Dr. Penny Seth-Smith is offering free blood typing at Ingredients health Food Store and Café on May 13, 2012.

Summary sheets of foods considered beneficial, neutral and harmful for your blood type according to the “Eat Right For Your Blood Type” theory will also be provided. On a drop-in basis, please visit the event listing for more information.