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We all know that calcium is an essential mineral that is used by the body to build and maintain healthy bones and teeth.  But did you know that calcium is also used for blood clotting, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, regulation of enzymes and cell membrane function?  That is one useful mineral! Figs are a vegan source of calcium If we aren’t consuming enough calcium in our diet, our body will take the calcium it needs from our bones �...

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or “multiple ovarian cysts” affect many teenage girls and adult women.   PCOS often begins shortly after puberty and can persist for years.  It can be a frustrating, and sometimes painful condition.  It can also make becoming pregnant difficult.  However, there are natural treatment options available that are safe and effective even for teenaged girls. What are ovarian cysts? Ovarian cysts are formed w...

There are many causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency – autoimmune conditions, inadequate dietary intake (common in vegans and vegetarians) and inability to absorb B12 from food sources.  B12 deficiency is one of the most common causes of anemia (a lack of healthy red blood cells). Vitamin B12 deficiency is easily treated with Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin or hydroxycobalamin) injections or vitamin supplements.  Diagnosing Vitamin B12 deficiency is ...

When I became a vegetarian at 10 years old, my mother (and everyone I talked to) was concerned how I would get enough protein.  Everyone associates meat with protein, but the reality is that there are an abundance of protein-rich foods to meet the daily requirements of protein for vegans and vegetarians. So how much protein do I need? Rice and other whole grains are a source of vegetarian protein Daily protein needs are the same for vegan, vege...

The majority of ‘adult’ mental health disorders start during the teen years. This is not surprising given the substantial development occurring in the brain during the teen years. Problems with this development has been linked to mild mood disturbances and major illnesses, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Anxiety Most anxiety disorders begin in childhood, adolescence and into early adulthood. Children tend to experience sepa...

There is no question that teens need their sleep.  Often parents recognize when their teens are sleeping too late – waking at noon or later, but insomnia in teens often goes unnoticed. An article in the journal Sleep suggests that 12.5% of teens experience insomnia and that in almost half of those teens the insomnia is chronic.  This means that insomnia is just as common in teens as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.  So why are t...

Routine can improve sleep quality 1.      Get up and go to bed at the same time every day, even on weekends Sleep is a habit.  By consistently going to bed and getting up at the same time every day we condition our body to follow a regular pattern of sleep.  This allows our body’s internal clock, our “circadian rhythm”, to remain balanced and effectively initiate and maintain sleep. 2.      Make your bedroom quiet, dark and cool...

3pm.  You hear a sweet voice in your head, calling you towards the snack machine or the fridge, urging you to indulge in a sugary treat.  Sound familiar?  You aren’t alone. Sugar addiction is on the rise in North America and the impact it has on our health is anything but sweet. The Bitter Truth about Sugar and Health Sugar is an important biochemical that is involved in numerous processes in our bodies.  We need some sugar for survival (g...

No one will dispute the fact that the teen years can be a challenging time.  School work, part-time jobs, sports, friends, chores, preparing for college – all of these things and many others make the teen years a very busy and demanding time.  So how do teens cope when a health concern adds additional strain to an already overwhelming time? Health Concerns Affecting Teenagers Teenagers don’t have it easy when it comes to health!  For so...

91% of Canadians have detectable levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in their urine according to recent data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). This study represents the first time BPA levels were measured at a national level in Canada.  Urine samples from 5,600 Canadians aged 6 to 79 years were collected between March 2007 and February 2009 at 15 sites across Canada. Canadian Teens Have Highest BPA Levels The average Canadian has a mean...