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Did You Know?
 
50% of Heart Attack victims have normal cholesterol.
 
That’s because multiple factors in addition to cholesterol are required to determine the underlying cause of Heart Attack.
 
The PULS (Protein Unstable Lesion Signature) Test measures the most clinically significant protein biomarkers that measure the body's immune system response to arterial injury.
 
These injuries lead to the formation and progression of cardiac lesions, which may become unstable and rupture, leading to a cardiac event such as heart attack.
 
PULS test results can help prevent a heart attack - starting now.
 
The PULS Test can provide your physician with valuable information that can be used to determine the most appropriate course of action according to clinical guidelines.
 
Who Should Get Tested?
 
If you are over the age of 40 and have no previous history of heart attacks, you should speak to your healthcare provider to determine if the PULS test is right for you.
 
A PULS test may also be recommended if you have one or more of the following risks factors:

• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Alcohol abuse
• Substance abuse
• Stress
• High cholesterol
• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise

 
Up to 80% of all heart attacks are preventable.
 
The early detection of unstable cardiac lesions, combine with the management of risk factors, can help reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attacks.

​The New Year is a great time to reflect on the past and set goals for the future. Here are four daily habits to help keep your health on track in 2019!

Artificial blue light exposure has become ubiquitous over the last decade and can significantly impact our sleep and overall health. Natural light contains the full spectrum of colours, including blue. Blue light is very stimulating on it’s own and signals ‘daytime’ to the brain. Most electronic screens emit very strong blue light waves and can trick the brain into thinking its daytime so that melatonin production is suppressed.
 
The most common sources of blue light include smart phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs, as well as florescent and LED lights.

​Many people use the New Year to kick-start a detox or new diet, and while this can be helpful for some, it is often difficult to stick with in the long term. Rather than radically changing your diet, a simple approach can have a profound benefit – mindful eating.
 
Simply stated, mindful eating really just means becoming more aware around eating. The benefits of mindful eating include stress reduction, improved digestion and bowel movements, better blood sugar control, and weight loss. 

​Tips for mindful eating:
 

• Avoid eating on the run, or doing other activities while eating such as working, watching TV, checking emails, etc
• Before you start eating, smell and look at the food, and give gratitude to where it came from (i.e. the suns rays, the earth, the farmers, the workers, the animals, your loved one who bought and cooked, etc. The more gratitude the better!)
• Slow down, take smaller bites, and chew each bite at least 20 times. Put your utensils down in between bites
• Before you even reach for the fridge, take a second to check in and ask yourself are you really hungry?

​Like dieting, most New Years resolutions involve getting back in the gym. While this is a worthy goal, if you don’t like going to the gym, chances are you won’t stick with it. So instead of forcing yourself to do something you don't like, try doing something you love! The options are endless – cycling, hiking, skiing, swimming, dancing, yoga, jogging, 7-minute workout apps, sports, climbing, rowing…just find something you enjoy, and make it a habit!

Another useful tip is to incorporate more movement and activity in your day-to-day life. For example, taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator, or walking to the grocery store instead of driving (maybe even do a few bicep curls with your grocery bags!). These small daily changes will add up over time. ​

Meditation tops many New Years resolutions lists, and for good reason! There are myriad health benefits to meditation, and in this fast-paced world we live in, most of us could benefit from taking a bit of time to slow down.
​
While many people think they can’t “do” meditation, it really is for anyone. Plus it’s now easier than ever to get started, as there are numerous apps to help.
 
Top apps for guided meditation:

• Headspace 
• Calm 
• Waking Up with Sam Harris 

It is commonly thought that drinking coffee makes you more dehydrated, but does the evidence support this claim?

Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed substances in the world, and is found in coffee, tea, and chocolate. Many people, including both health care practitioners and the public, believe that caffeine increased urine output leading to dehydration. 

However, a number of studies have looked at the question in close detail. In one study from 2014, researchers looked at 50 male coffee drinkers habitually consuming 3–6 cups per day. The participants consumed either four 200mL cups of coffee containing 4mg/kg caffeine or the equivalent amount of water for three days. The results showed no change in total body water, 24-hour urine output, or blood markers of hydration between the coffee and water drinkers. ​

Other studies tell a different story. In a study from 1997, twelve regular coffee drinkers abstained from coffee consumption for 5 days, and then drank 6 cups of coffee. This led to an increase in 24-hour urinary output and a decrease in total body water, as well as increased excretion of sodium and potassium. 
Another study found that coffee with high caffeine content (6mg/kg) caused an acute diuretic effect, but low caffeine coffee (3mg/kg) did not. 

The available evidence suggests that high caffeine consumption (3-6 cups of coffee) causes an acute increase in urinary output, but the effect is diminished in habitual coffee drinkers. 
​
Bottom Line: If you drink coffee regularly, it is not likely to cause dehydration. 

Here are some highlights from recently published papers. 

A study published in PeerJ looked at the mind-body connection in chronic pain. Participants with knee osteoarthritis were subjected to a visual illusion in which their knee joint and lower leg appeared elongated. This visual effect combined with touch provided a 40% reduction in pain, and the effect was optimal when the illusion was repeated multiple times. 

A study published in Scientific Reports suggests that dietary non-fermentable fiber in early adult life may help prevent autoimmune disease. 

The researchers used a spontaneous autoimmune encephalomyelitis (i.e. multiple sclerosis) mouse model, and fed them a non-fermentable fiber supplement, similar to what would be found in a vegetarian diet. 

The dietary fiber altered the gut microbiota and metabolism of the mice, with an increase in the abundance of long-chain fatty acids, which promoted autoimmune suppressive Th2 immune responses. 

Intermittent fasting has previously been shown to be beneficial for increasing lifespan, however the precise mechanism was not known. In a study from Cell Metabolism, researchers have uncovered a potential mechanism. 

The researchers studied nematode worms and found that dietary restriction maintained the mitochondria in a fused state, which is associated with increased longevity. Furthermore, dietary restriction helped coordinate mitochondria with peroxisomes to promote fatty acid oxidation.

I had the pleasure of attending the 2018 SIBO Symposium at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon this past week. Here are some of the highlights from Dr. Mark Pimental's two lectures.

Did you know Naturopathic Medicine is based on 6 underlying principles? Find out what they are in this video!

A new study from Harvard has shown how fasting can help increase lifespan and promote healthy aging.

Read the full article HERE.

We know the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil have a number of health benefits. Is it necessary to supplement with a fish oil as part of a healthy aging regime?

Read Dr. Tomah's article published in Lifetime Daily to find out!

https://www.lifetimedaily.com/fish-oil-for-joints/