WHEN CONSIDERING FERTILITY, one must consider toxicity. It is everywhere.It’s in the food we eat, the air we breathe, the products we use and even in bottled water. The key is being aware of these toxins and limiting the use of them in our daily lives. As our environment has become more toxic, infertility rates have skyrocketed. With the soaring popularity of alternative medicine, it’s no surprise that many couples are seeking alternatives to compliment traditional fertility treatments. One such option is a body detoxification or a ‘detox diet’ – a natural fertility enhancer designed to help your body achieve inner balance.

Everyday exposure to a variety of chemicals can build up in our bodies over time and can lead to serious health problems. One of the biggest concerns with fertility is “endocrine disruptors.” These synthetic compounds can be found in everything from plastic containers to processed foods to body lotion. In fact, they are virtually inescapable.

The problem with endocrine disruptors is that they mimic natural hormones produced by our bodies – including female reproductive hormones such as progesterone and estrogen, disrupting the natural cycles of the body. Removing these harmful substances can be a daily challenge. Luckily, our bodies provided us with the systems to aid the process of elimination, such as our blood, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs and skin.

Although with so many new types of chemicals being introduced to our bodies each day, these systems can become overwhelmed and therefore unable to do their job and can be a real cause of infertility in both men and women.

A full body detox is one way to reduce the effects of these chemicals and help your body in a number of ways, including improving your odds of getting pregnant.

Author:  Kim Sjoblad, CNP, is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner
& Fertility Coach. As well as working for Nature’s Source,
she works in a Fertility clinic with medical professionals.
She can be contacted at Kim@natures-source.com

A new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition has found that walnuts lower LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol, prevent bone loss, and even fight cancer.

Researchers from the University of California, Davis fed mice with prostate tumors the human equivalent of three ounces of walnuts a day. At the conclusion of the study, the mice’s tumors shrunk by 50 percent, and tumor growth slowed by 30 percent compared to control mice.

“These results make me very hopeful that walnuts may be beneficial both in terms of avoiding cancer and slowing cancer growth and therefore should be included in a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables,” said Dr. Paul Davis, lead researcher of the study. “If additional research determines that walnuts have the same effect in men as they do in mice, adhering to a diet that excludes walnuts to lower fat would mean that prostate cancer patients could miss out on the beneficial effects of walnuts.

Author: Robert McMaster stays abreast of
current Natural Health Issues and writes
for Nature’s Source.

MANY BELIEVE THAT EMOTIONS are at the root of all physical disease. This was certainly the case with Dr. Edward Bach, a well-respected British physician who abandoned his successful practice in the 1920’s to immerse himself in researching this very conviction. Dissatis_ ed with modern medicine’s focus on the treatment of disease, rather than its prevention, Dr. Bach turned to Nature for the answers. Years later, his dedicated work resulted in the identi_ cation of 38 flower essences, each of which is connected with a particular emotional state. Today, the Bach Flower Remedies are recognized and respected around the world as a gentle, yet effective way of returning the body to a state of emotional balance.

The Bach remedies can help us to abandon negative attitudes and shift out of any thought patterns in which we may be stuck. They can increase vitality and energy, encourage a positive state of mind, and even improve sleep.

As women, we are faced with numerous emotional stressors, some driven by hormonal changes, others by day-to-day responsibilities and challenges. Listed below is a brief summary of how Bach Flower Remedies can guide us through these emotional times.

Choose the remedy that is best with your current emotional state. If you identify with more than one remedy description, then up to six remedies can be selected and used concurrently. The usual dose is two drops of each remedy, directly on the tongue or in a beverage, four times a day. Bach Flower Remedies are safe for short or long term use. Monitor your emotions for subtle shifts, and decide for yourself when you feel that the remedies have produced the desired positive emotional shift.

Author: Anne Pichora, B.Sc., is a Health Consultant
at Nature’s Source and Student Practitioner at
the Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine.

Conventional physicians routinely recommend patients take regular low dose aspirin for its alleged cardiovascular benefits. However, a recent series of published studies have focused on a number of serious dangers to this therapy.

In the journal “Opthamology” (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2011.06.025) Dutch researchers found that seniors who regularly took low dose aspirin had double the risk of developing age related macular degeneration than those who took no aspirin. The frequency amounted to one in twenty five aspirin users.

According to a new study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, (http://www.gastro.org/ the use of low-dose aspirin increases the risk for GI bleeding. This has been a well-documented adverse reaction to aspirin use and this study confirmed that the effect where the daily intake was as low as 75 mg.

What’s the latest about the heart health benefits of aspirin? Researchers studied 3,350 men and women at high risk of heart disease. One group was given 100 mg of aspirin per day, and the rest were given a placebo.

Over an average of more than eight years, there was no difference in heart attacks (fatal and non-fatal), stroke or even revascularization surgery in the two groups. There was also no difference in angina or a form of leg pain linked to peripheral artery disease called claudication.

In short, the study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2010) found no benefits from aspirin whatsoever.

Other recently published studies cite aspirin’s association with birth defects and hearing loss.

DESPITE YOUR BEST EFFORTS, you still got hit with the nasty cold or flu bug that’s making the rounds. Don’t despair. Listen to your body: schedule time for some rest, and ensure that your body has the tools that it needs to heal you as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Homeopathy is a gentle, yet effective, system of natural medicine that helps the body to heal itself. Every patient is regarded as unique, as is every illness. Even within each patient, one cold might present differently to the next. This means that there is no “one remedy” solution for all colds, in all people.

As soon as you start to develop symptoms, take note of them: the obvious physical symptoms (nasal discharge, temperature, appetite/thirst, etc.), but also the more subtle changes in personality or behaviour. Then compare your symptoms to those listed on the left for the most common homeopathic cold and flu remedies.

If your analysis stops at 2 or 3 remedies and you can’t narrow the search further, then try a combination remedy that contains these short-listed remedies. Coryzalia (by Boiron) is a good choice for colds, and Gripp-Heel (by Heel) covers the major flu remedies.

Dr. Reckeweg’s R6, and Unda’s Febriplex both contain remedies that are common to both colds and flus. Combination remedies can also be the simplest approach to treating young children, who are not always able to communicate the more subtle symptoms which might differentiate between two similar remedies.

Once you’ve chosen the best remedy (single or combination), take it approximately three times a day, for as long as your symptoms persist. If you do not experience symptom relief after a few doses, then you may not have selected the best remedy. Take another look to see if there is a better match, or consult a Homeopath.

Homeopathic medicine can be used as a stand-alone therapy, but can also safely complement any other treatment protocol. Consult a trained Homeopath regarding potency and dosing directions, or for more individualized care.

Anne Pichora, B.Sc., is a Health Consultant at Nature’s Source and Student Practitioner at the Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine.

A little known, but potentially life-saving fact is that common medications deplete your body of a host of vital nutrients essential to your health. In this practical guide I’ll show you how to avoid drug-induced nutrient depletion and discuss options for replacing nutrient-robbing medications with natural supplements.

America has been called a pill-popping society, and the statistics bear this out. Nearly 50 percent of all American adults regularly take at least one prescription drug, and 20 percent take three or more.(1) Our increasing reliance on prescription medications has contributed to the growing problem with nutrient depletion. The truth is that every medication, including over-the-counter drugs, depletes your body of specific, vital nutrients. This is especially concerning when you consider that most Americans are already suffering from nutrient depletion. Additionally, many of the conditions physicians see in their everyday practice may actually be related to nutrient depletion. The good news is that, armed with information and the right supplements, you can avoid the side effects of nutrient depletion, and even better, you may be able to control and prevent chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.

Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion is Widespread

Physicians often tell their patients that symptoms arising from nutrient depletion are simply “part of the illness” or just signs that they’re “getting older.” To make matters worse, physicians frequently try to address the symptoms arising from drug-induced nutrient depletion by prescribing even more drugs, further compounding the problem.

To understand the role various medications play in causing nutrient depletion, we must first look at the variety of nutrient-depleting mechanisms in pharmacy.

Many drugs, such as the stimulants Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Adderall, are prescribed for attention deficit disorder. These can reduce appetite. This, in turn, decreases the intake of beneficial nutrients. Some antidepressants also tend to have this appetite-reducing effect.

On the flip side, some drugs can deplete nutritional status by increasing the desire for unhealthy foods, such as refined carbohydrates. Many of the neuroleptics (anti-psychotic drugs) and some antidepressants cause insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome, with results in blood sugar swings. Patients then crave simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, bread and pasta. Steroid drugs, including those given by an inhaler, can create similar issues as well.

Certain medications reduce the absorption of specific nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract by binding to them before they’re absorbed into the bloodstream. The antibiotic, tetracycline, for example, can block absorption by binding with minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc in the GI tract. (2)

Weight loss drugs and cholesterol-lowering medicines similarly bind to fats, preventing them from being absorbed. Drugs that treat acid reflux or heartburn raise the pH environment of the upper GI tract, which reduces absorption of needed vitamins and minerals. This is especially problematic among the elderly, who often are already low in stomach acid.

Nutrients are essential to the metabolic activities of every cell in the body. They’re used up in the process and need to be replaced by new nutrients in food or supplements. Some drugs deplete nutrients by speeding up this metabolic rate. These drugs include antibiotics (including penicillin and gentamicin) and steroids, such as prednisone, and the gout medication, colchicine.

Other drugs block the nutrient’s effects or production at the cellular level. In addition to the intended effect on enzymes or receptors, medications can influence enzymes or receptors that help process essential nutrients. For example, widely prescribed statin drugs block the activity of HMG-CoA, an enzyme that’s required to manufacture cholesterol in the body. This action also depletes the body of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which requires HMG-CoA for its production. This has a serious negative impact on muscle and heart health.

Drugs also can increase the loss of nutrients through the urinary system. Any drug that does this can drain the body’s levels of water-soluble nutrients, including B vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium and potassium. The major offenders are medications to treat hypertension, particularly the diuretics that reduce blood pressure by increasing the volume of water flushed out of the body.

Common Nutrient Robbers

The bottom line here is, we need to be aware of drugs that are nutrient robbers. The following provides some of the major drug categories:

Anti-Hypertensives

The ALLHAT (Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial) (2) concluded that thiazide-type diuretics are better than ACE inhibitors and calcium-channel blockers at preventing heart attacks in high-risk people. Physicians often prescribe potassium to offset the well-known potassium depletion associated with this prescription.

However, these diuretics are also known to deplete other minerals, such as magnesium, sodium, potassium and zinc, which are seldom specifically supplemented. One study found hypokalemia (low potassium) in 8.5 percent of people treated with thiazide diuretics and hyponatremia (low sodium) in 13.7 percent in the same patient population. (2,3) This indicates the importance of testing levels, and not simply restricting sodium. (2,3)
Thiazide diuretics also decrease magnesium in approximately 20 percent of patients (4) and can significantly decrease serum zinc. (5) Loop diuretics deplete potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, pyridoxine, thiamine and ascorbic acid.

One study showed that thiamine deficiency was found in 98 percent of patients with congestive heart failure who took 80 mg of furosemide daily, and in 57 percent of patients who took just 40 mg daily. This shows a dose relationship. Furosemide also increases excretion of ascorbic acid and pyridoxine. (6)

For these patients, consider the following daily supplements: calcium (1,000 mg), magnesium (250 mg to 500 mg), potassium (100 mg), vitamins C (1,000 mg), B1 (320 mg), B6 (10 mg to 25 mg) and zinc (25 mg).

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers are among the oldest classes of antihypertensive drugs. They lower blood pressure by reducing the effects of catecholamines, thereby reducing the force and speed of the heartbeat. Beta-adrenergic blockers deplete CoQ10 by interfering with the production of this essential enzyme for energy production. (7) This lack of CoQ10 is particularly dangerous, considering that the target condition is cardiovascular disease. Since the heart is particularly rich in CoQ10-hungry mitochondria, the energy factory of the cell, the end result can be heart failure. To offset this negative side effect you can take CoQ10, 100 mg to 300 mg daily with fat-containing food for best absorption.

These drugs also reduce production of melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine). Produced from serotonin at night in the pineal gland by stimulating adrenergic beta1- and alpha1-receptors, this neuro-hormone regulates circadian rhythm and promotes sound sleep. By blocking beta receptors, these drugs may inhibit the release of the enzyme serotonin-N-acetyltransferase, which is necessary for the synthesis of melatonin, resulting in sleep disturbance. (8) Take melatonin (3 mg) at bedtime to counter this effect.

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

Statin drugs are the most widely prescribed medicines for lowering cholesterol. In fact, Lipitor (atorvastatin) is the best-selling drug on the planet. However, physicians need to address a serious risk. Statins deplete the body of CoQ10 with the following potential side effects: heart failure, muscle pain and weakness, irritability, mood swings, depression and impotence. (9-11) The last few side effects may also be due to lack of cholesterol, which is needed for brain cell and hormone production.
Therefore, people on statins should take 100 mg to 200 mg of CoQ10 daily to counter this potentially fatal depletion.

While no specific recommendations from the pharmaceutical industry exist, one pharmaceutical statin manufacturer observed the depletion effect in early research. This manufacturer holds a patent on a combination statin and CoQ10. Sadly, the patents have never been activated, nor have any warnings been provided by the U.S. pharmaceutical industry.

Health Canada, on the other hand, which is the federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health, requires that manufacturers of statin drugs include warnings on patient safety information sheets about the potential for myopathies and impaired cardiac function.

Acid Blockers

Antacids, histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2 blockers) and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed for treating heartburn, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcers. Numerous studies indicate that these drugs cause several nutrient deficiencies.

For example, aluminum antacids (Maalox, Mylanta and Gaviscon) and calcium carbonate (Caltrate, Dicarbosil, Rolaids, Titralac and Tums) act by buffering or neutralizing the acid pH of the stomach. Unfortunately, this reduction of stomach acid impairs the breakdown of the ingested food into its component nutrients.

Both PPI and H2 blockers significantly increase the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency in elderly patients. B12 requires adequate gastric acid for absorption. This population is already prone to deficiency in intrinsic factor, necessary for B12 absorption. (12) This lack of stomach acid also decreases the absorption of folic acid, iron and zinc. (13,14) H2 blockers (Tagamet, Pepcid, Axid and Zantac) decrease acid secretion by blocking histamine.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs, Prilosec, HK-20), the most potent of acid-reducing medications, are increasingly popular. They reduce stomach acid production by up to 99 percent by decreasing the action of proton pumps, which are part of the stomach lining’s acid-making machinery. This, however, can strongly interfere with nutrient absorption.

One study showed that high doses of PPIs, used for a year or more, could make people 2.5 more times susceptible to hip fracture than control subjects. Lower doses decreased the risk factor to 1.5 times that of nonusers. The longer these drugs are used, the higher the fracture risk. This heightened risk of osteoporosis is probably due to the drastic drop in calcium and vitamin D absorption that occurs with these drugs. Some experts believe the drugs themselves may hamper the body’s ability to build new bone. (15)
For anyone taking acid-reducing medication, I recommend daily intake of vitamin D3 (2,000 IU or more based on lab testing), B12 (200 mcg), folic acid (800 mcg), calcium (1,000 mg), chromium (500 mcg), iron (15 mg), zinc (25 mg to 50 mg) and phosphorus (700 mg).

Oral Hypoglycemics

Metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR and Glucovance) enhances the action of insulin in cases of insulin resistance, allowing glucose to enter the cells. This reduces elevated blood sugar. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that diabetics on metformin had B12 levels that were less than half those of control subjects. The longer the drug had been used and the higher the dose, the greater the drop in B12. (16)

In people with Type 2 diabetes who take metformin therapy, serum folic acid levels decrease 7 percent and vitamin B12 levels decrease by 14 percent. (17) B12 and folic acid depletion also increases homocysteine levels. In addition, metformin may deplete CoQ10, thereby increasing heart disease risk. To reduce these effects, patients should take vitamin B12 (800 mcg), folic acid (400 mcg) and CoQ10 (100 mg daily).

Psychotropic Medications

For antidepressants to work optimally, an ongoing supply of the B vitamins must be available as co-factors to help manufacture the needed neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. (18,19) So, while these drugs may not directly deplete B vitamins, patients on these medications should ensure they get enough of these vitamins. In addition, be aware that lithium carbonate, used for treating bipolar illness, depletes folic acid (take 800 mcg) and inositol (take 500 mg bid).

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Many baby boomers are on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can deplete vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid and magnesium. These nutrients are critical for heart health, as well as for mood. Rather than an antidepressant prescription, these women should be given the appropriate supplements to restore balance. I have seen many women do well once these nutrient depletions were addressed. This applies to younger women on oral contraceptives as well.

For women on standard HRT (estrogen and progesterone, orally, including as an oral contraceptive, or as a transdermal skin cream) I may also recommend calcium (1,000 mg to 1,200 mg daily), folic acid (400 mcg to 800 mcg), magnesium (500 mg), vitamin B2 (25 mg), vitamin B6 (50 mg), vitamin B12 (500 mcg to 1,000 mcg), vitamin C (500 mg to 1000 mg) and zinc (25 mg to 50 mg).

Antibiotics

Antibiotics deplete biotin, inositol, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12 and vitamin K. Additionally, fluoroquinolones and all floxacins (including ciprofloxacin or “Cipro”) deplete calcium and iron. Tetracyclines (suffix, -cycline) deplete calcium and magnesium. Trimethoprim-containing antibiotics (brand names Trimpex, Proloprim or Primsol) deplete folic acid. Penicillins (suffix, -cillin) deplete potassium. Aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin, cause imbalances of magnesium, calcium and potassium. (20) In fact, one study showed that gentamicin causes increased excretion of calcium by 5 percent and magnesium by 8.4 percent. (21)

When you take antibiotics, consider a B vitamin complex along with it. Or take a multivitamin that contains 25 mg of B1 (thiamine), 25 mg of B2 (riboflavin), 50 mg of B3 (niacin), 50 mg of B6 (pyridoxine), 400 mcg to 800 mcg of folic acid, 10 mcg of B12, and 50 mg each of biotin and B5 (pantothenic acid).

Inositol is part of the B vitamin complex, and is likely to be included in a B vitamin or multivitamin formulation. Otherwise, take 500 mg of inositol. (The RDA is 100 mg per day.) In addition, either take a multivitamin that includes magnesium (500 mg), calcium (1,000 mg) and potassium (100 mg), or take them separately.

Antibiotics can disrupt the natural bacteria flora in the digestive system, killing “good” bacteria, including Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) and Bifidobacterium bifidum (B. bifidum). These are probiotics or bacteria that normally live in and on the human body, concentrated mostly in the digestive and genital/urinary systems. Choose a supplement that contains at least 1 billion live organisms per daily dose.

You also may consider 50 mcg daily of vitamin K, which is normally made by friendly intestinal bacteria. Vitamin K is required for proper blood clotting. Deficiency is rare, but when it occurs, life-threatening bleeding can occur from the smallest injury. Vitamin K also plays a part in osteoporosis prevention.

Conclusion

Drug-induced nutrient depletion is far more common than has been acknowledged. In evaluating patients’ symptoms, doctors must assess whether symptoms are due to the illness, to the side effects of the drugs, or to drug-induced nutrient depletion. Considering the inadequate nutritional status of the majority of the population, we must remember that the illness itself may be due, in part, to nutrient deficiency. For insurance, it is easiest to provide baseline coverage: a daily high potency multivitamin mineral formula, CoQ10 (200 mg), omega-3 fatty acids (2 grams) and additional vitamin D and probiotics.

The bottom line: Physicians must look more deeply and determine underlying causes to determine whether drugs are harming patients – and what we can do to reverse these effects. As a consumer, be aware of these drug-nutrient depletions, and do what you can to avoid taking medications whenever you can, using natural products instead.

For more information, see my book, Supplement Your Prescription: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know About Nutrition www.cassmd.com/SuppYourPrescrpBk/SupYourPrescp_bk.html available at my website, www.cassmd.com.

EpiCor is a potent antioxidant that is rich in catechins, resveratrol as well as squalene which is normally found in sharks. In fact, the antioxidant activity of EpiCor is greater than that of blueberries. But before I get into the benefits of taking EpiCor, I would like discuss how it was discovered.

The history of EpiCor

The discovery of this yeast-derived product occurred in 2004, when insurance adjusters noticed that employees of an animal nutrition products manufacturer had unusually low sick leave rates and filed fewer claims. The owners thought it was the yeast culture – designed to keep animals healthy – that was also enhancing the employees immune system.

They commissioned a study which found that individuals who worked directly with the yeast culture experienced increased natural killer cell activity, higher antioxidant levels, an improved ratio of CD4 (t-helper) to CD8 (t-suppressor) and lower levels of immune complexes. This tells us that EpiCor modulates the immune system, has antioxidant properties and provides protection against certain microorganisms.

How does EpiCor work?

First, EpiCor modulates the immune system by increasing t-helper cells, so one has a better immune response. Then it enhances Natural Killer cell activity. It does not increase the number, but makes NK cells more efficient at killing unwanted microorganisms.

How does EpiCor reduce the chances of cold or flu?

EpiCor increases levels of secretory IgA which protects the nasal passages, mucous membranes and the eyes. These are all areas where one can get infected with a virus or bacteria – reducing one’s chances of getting a flu or cold. Employees who were exposed to the fermented yeast rarely got a cold or flu. In microbial studies, EpiCor reduced the growth rate of coliforms (E.Coli) and Candida tropicalis.

Are there side effects?

EpiCor is extremely safe with no side effects. Studies were done to see if there were possible drug interactions. Researchers found that it’s not toxic and does not enhance drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Nadeem Aslam, B.Sc. researches and recommends new products for Nature’s Source.

Yes, we can reach for our favourite over-the-counter remedies and deal with the symptoms and yes there are many dietary modifications one can make to alleviate suffering. But in order to have any success with the long-term management of allergies or ideally resolving the issue one must understand what is going on in the body and the environment we have chosen to immerse ourselves in.

Simply put, allergic symptoms are a hyper-sensitization to the environment by our immune system. This is not new. What is different today is that never in human history has the human species been forced to deal with so many chemicals and/or man made substances in his/her environment.

These include thousands of chemicals, (many of which have had little or no study into their long-term health effects), genetically modified foods, xenoestrogens, pharmaceutical drugs, new diseases, and many other things our immune systems never had to deal with.

Put another way, if an army is put on red alert with launch on warning orders due to a heightened threat, chances are a lot of innocent bystanders are going to get hurt! Now besides moving to Antarctica (sorry folks, but Alaska is not as ecologically clean as it once was) what can one do?

Avoiding Red Alert

Before any allergen can provoke an inflammatory response it must first come in contact with our immune system. For the purpose of this discussion we need to be concerned with what we eat, breath and touch. The mechanisms are well understood and generally what occurs is as follows; first an allergen comes into contact with mast cells.

Mast cells are found throughout the body, most reside in connective tissues such as those of the skin, tongue, the lining of the nose and intestinal tract, the lungs, and upper airways. Coating these mast cells is IgE, an allergic antibody, a type of protein made by the immune system to recognize and fight specific body “invaders.”

Whenever an allergy-prone person is exposed to an allergen (such as pollen or peanuts), large amounts of the corresponding IgE antibodies (for example, pollen IgE antibodies) are produced followed by the accompanying symptoms. Some symptoms are minor irritations like itches while the most extreme can result in an anaphylaxis and death.

Reduce the misery of allergies

With this in mind, alleviating the constant attack to our overworked immune system will go a long way towards reducing the misery of allergies. The following are just a few suggestions:

-Get an air purifier for your home
-Get a water purifier for both your kitchen faucet (drinking water) and shower
-Don’t microwave your food
-Avoid food in plastic containers or wrappings
-Don’t use high heat under Teflon cookware
-Eat organic foods and avoid genetically modified and irradiated foods as much as possible
-Buy natural fabrics
-Use a non-synthetic mattress with 100 percent cotton sheet
-Use natural personal care products (pure soaps, non-fluoride toothpaste, natural sanitary products) and cosmetics (lipsticks, foundations, etc.)
-For infants, use cotton diapers
-Use only natural cleaning products
-Use natural pesticide control
-If you’re considering vaccinations, look into the pros and cons before making a decision
-Drink more water. You’ll urinate more and be able to eliminate more toxins, and it will help to soften your bowel movements so this waste is also eliminated more easily
-Use a wet or dry sauna (or better yet an infrared one) to perspire and remove toxins
-Make sure your house is environmentally safe.
-Use only natural disinfectants, deodorizers, furniture, etc.
-Consider removal of the mercury fillings in your teeth
-Build up your immune system with nutrients, minerals and essential fatty acids

Do not be discouraged if you can’t do everything. Awareness must always precede action.

Mario Alonzi, B.Sc., Manager of the Nature’s Source store in Mississauga

Starting November 16, 2006, labels must now conform to the International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI.) INCI was developed over a period of more than 30 years and is the basis of the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook.

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The INCI system is based on Latin and is both multinational and multilingual. INCI is the mandatory classification in the European Union and the United States, and now in Canada as well.

And while it sounds like having a universal system of ingredient listings will simplify your life, try and remember your last Latin lesson. In the natural health industry, manufacturers have voluntarily listed ingredients even though it was never a legal requirement. Mainstream brands like Herbal Essence, Avon and Elizabeth Arden have never listed ingredients nor would they readily give them to you if you requested them.

For the first time any product “manufactured, sold or represented for use in cleansing, improving or altering the complexion, skin, hair or teeth,” including deodorants and perfume must include ingredients according to the INCI format.

You’re going to see a lot of complex words on packaging for the first time—both in this store and elsewhere. As a result, you are likely to find some ingredients rather daunting and perhaps even question how “natural” a product is.

For example, a body scrub including salt will now be labeled as containing sodium chloride. That sounds unpleasant! Grain alcohol will now be listed as the rather unnatural sounding SD Alcohol 40-B. Should you even put that on your body?

What else should you know about INCI?

Ingredients must be listed in descending order of their concentration by weight. Ingredients at a concentration of 1% or less can be put in a random order on the label. Fragrances must be listed under the category “parfum” or each fragrance ingredient can be listed individually.

Flavour ingredients may either be listed individually, or they may be listed under the term “aroma.” It’s important to notice here that many questionable ingredients like phthalates can still be disguised under INCI legislation.

How to prepare for INCI

You can prepare yourself by learning the INCI terms for some of the most common ingredients. Also you may be sensitive to a particular ingredient and you should become familiar with that ingredient’s INCI name.

Purchasing 11th Edition of The International Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook will cost $710 dollars for members of the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association and $1,140 for non-members.

Here are some examples:

Lavender = Lavandula Angustifolia
Rosemary = Oleoresin Rosmarinus Officinalis
Tea Tree = Melaleuca Alternifolia
Vitamin E = Tocopherol
Cocoa Butter = Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter
Shea Butter = Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit
Bentonite clay = Aluminum Silicate
Oat Flour = Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour
Sweet Almond Oil = Prunus amygdalus dulcis
Grapeseed Oil = Vitis vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
Olive Oil = Olea europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil

Before INCI

Aloe vera gel, quarternary ammonium compounds (coconut oil), quarnernuium 57 (grapefruit seeds), cellulose gum (inner bark resin), coconut oil hydroxyl, hydrolyzed wheat protein, glycerine (byproduct of vegetable soap), organic hemp oil, avocado oil, lemon extract, wheat germ oil, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate (sugar beets).

The INCI Version

Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Stearalkonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Polyquaternium 47, Cellulose Gum, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Glycerin, Canabis Sativa (Hemp) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Citris Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Wheat Germ Oil, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate.

Kathleen Dills, Director of Marketing, Purity Life Products.

If you’re having problems going, it could be the usual suspects such as a diet low in fibre, a lack of exercise, ignoring the urge to go, plus the many medications that are notorious for causing constipation.

Here are some ways to feel better:

Exercise -First of all, muscles need exercise. Bowel motility is influenced by smooth muscles under the control of the autonomic nervous systems. Without proper bulking agents in your diet, the muscles lining the colon don’t activate.

Psyllium -Psyllium is a strong bulking agent with its ability to absorb many times its weight in water and expand in size. But make sure you’re drinking enough water otherwise your colon won’t be properly hydrated and it could actually cause constipation.

Flax -Flax is also a strong bulking agent and is less dehydrating. Using essential fatty acids like flax oil can lubricate the colon, allowing for easier elimination.

Magnesium – Particularly the oxide and citrate forms of magnesium are effective because of their relatively lower rates of absorption. Magnesium works as a hyper-osmotic, pulling water into the colon thereby re-hydrating it and causing the colon to reflexively expel its contents.

Herbal laxatives needs -The two most common herbal laxatives are cascara and senna. Both herbs are extremely effective as they irritate the lining of the colon and stimulate a bowel movement. However, you should only use these herbs short-term (three months) as they do cause dependency. Try triphala (an Ayurvedic combination of three herbal fruit bodies), which has more of a toning effect on the colon.

Your next stepsThese remedies will help to strengthen and tone the smooth muscles surrounding the colon. Following just a few simple steps can go a long way towards minimizing common health concerns.

Mario Alonzi, B.Sc., Manager of the Nature’s Source store in Mississauga