Vitamin D has been well researched over the years in its’ role in calcium absorption and metabolism of bone health. But recent research is suggesting that vitamin D may have an important role in many diseases thus playing some impact on our immune system.

One wonder about vitamin D is its association with flus. Why don’t we have many  flu  cases during the summer months? Is it possible that flu cases are associated with Vitamin D levels? The sun gives our bodies enough vitamin D ( when we are not slathering on copious amounts of sunscreen) during the sunny summer months, so maybe that is our answer to prevention of colds and flus during the winter months.

Something to ponder about about.

Doctor Greg and Greg fromt he Natures Cure Clinic are podcasting about Vitamin D and giving some important facts ( and myths!).

They talk about…

sunscreen - UVA and B rays

• We take in most of our needed vitamin D by the sun ( but there are some food sources - see below)
• UVB rays are needed to activate vitamin D but this is what we normally block when wearing sunscreen
• UVA rays are associated with cancer ( find a sun block that blocks these rays!)

food sources

• D3 is the active form and is mostly  found in animal sources, for example; fish ( yummy cod liver oil), halibut, sardines, salmon
  

• D2 is found in almost all plant sources but it needs to be converted to D3 in the body ( which is more work for the body)

optimal and reference ranges (interesting)

• D2 is mostly given as a prescription ( and at a high dose) although it is much more desirable to take the more usable and potent form D3
• Reference range: 30 to 100 ( based on disease)
• Optimal range ( naturopathic range: indicates health): get a baseline to see where you are, then supplement
• Toxicity risk? Minimal unless you are taking mega huge dosages ( less is usually more!)

dosages ( remember to work with a physician and get a baseline first)

• RDA 200 IU a day
• Optimal dosage: 1100 IU a day

and so much more

• so go ahead and listen to them!
  

I really enjoys listening to what they have to say and want to pass it on to you. Take the time to listen as they are witty, charming and extremely knowledgeable.

Happy listening!

PS If you are like us and do put on daily sunscreen, maybe some Liquid Sunshine - Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 liquid would be helpful for you. You can purchase through Emerson Ecologics on my shopping supplements page.

Homeopathic nux vomica 30c could be your best friend during the holiday season. The most prominent indication to taking the remedy is overdoing it with food and alcohol. I am not giving permission for people to over eat and drink during the holiday season but if by chance you do, I suggest taking 3 pellets under the tongue before you go to bed and immediately when you get up.

Happy Holidays!

Last weekend I spent spent a lovely few hours with some colleagues. We talked about many things but one thing in particular…how we are going to strengthen our immunity for the upcoming cold/flu season?

I thought I would share with all my followers what I plan to do for myself and my family. I am keeping  my medicine cabinet fully stocked throughout the winter months and I have told the family that we will be upping our supplements intake for the next few months. Although they probably will not even notice since I usually throw everything into a blender ( I put in a whey/rice base or soy based protein powders - ProBasics or IsoProtein)!

Everything that I am suggesting can be purchased on my Emerson Ecologics custom form. You will need the access code which is 96743 and if you have yet to set up an account you will need to do that.

Cold/Flu Prevention Protocol

First of all, the most important things to do are…

1. wash your hands all the time with soap and water!

2. sleep well and for at least 7 to 8 hours ( more for kids)

3. eat a whole colourful foods - well balanced diet

4. keep the stress levels down and find ways to relief stress

Daily supplement guidance

1. probiotic (Seroyal/Genestra HMF)

2. cod liver oil - capsule or liquid ( Nordic Naturals)

3. a little bit of “Berry Well Immune Support” powder by Vital Nutrients for the kids

4. mushroom complex: Innate MaikeGold 404

5. liquid vitamin d3 ( pure encapsulations - Vitamin d3 is the active form of vitamin d)

• recommended dose: 1000IUs per 25 pounds

• for a preventative measure, I would do 1 drop for kids up to 75 pounds and over 75 pounds 2 to 3 drops

6. vitamin c: Carlson’s chewables or alacer corp emergency c or pure encapsulations

If you or someone gets sick…

1. Homeopathics

• Boiron Oscillococcinum - for children or adults
• or Heel Flu Plus
• Nux Vomica 30c

2. Wise Woman Herbal (WWH)

• Elderberry tincture: I make a “grape juice” for the kids when they are sick and they sip on it throughout the day
• Children’s glycerite: for kids
• Phytobiotic capsules: for adults
• * if your kids prefer chewables. then Integrative Therapeutics Echinacea vitamin C with Elderberry maybe the best*

3. Vitamin C

• up to bowel tolerance ( 5 to 10 grams a day)

Doasges and protocol: Take medicines as directed. I like to suggest to people to take something every 2 hours. For example:

• take one of the WWH
• vitamin c
• homeopathic
• and then start all over again

Do this for at least 5 days and at least 2 days after you feel better ( but you can cut back on the timing and/or dosages).

And of course some hydrotherapy (magic socks) during the day and night will be key.

Please email me with any questions!

Be well,

On October 1st, my little Pearl begged me to take out all the Halloween stuff. This is her absolute favourite holiday. She was due on Halloween but didn’t come that day but she still stakes claims on it.

I grabbed the neighbours 6 foot ladder ( yes I am married to a general contractor but we have no ladder…?) and off to the attic I go. When I am poking my head into the dark space , I noticed a brown box and remember that is one of the Halloween decoration boxes. I go to grab it not noticing ( or really seeing ) the iron metal spider web wreath for our door, on top of it. The minute I grab the box the wreath comes full force towards me. It was a short distance and I had absolutely no time - it hit me just above my cheek bone. And it hurt and Pearl gasped.

Down the ladder I came as my husband walked in and saw my bloody face. He wondered about stitches but I was more worried about a black eye ( but happily relieved it didn’t hit my eye!).  I went straight to my medicine cabinet, grabbed homeopathic arnica ( 200c) and arnica cream. For the next 2 hrs, I took the arnica pellets and gently rubbed the cream into my very tender cheek. I was absolutely astonished ( as I always am when I truly put homeopathy to the test) that after 2 hours, I had no bruising or swelling. It is still sore but I am so relieved not to have a blue and black cheek and eye.

Everyone needs arnica in their medicine cabinet. I see arnica, over and over again, work these amazing miracles with kids ( and now me!).

Off to the store you must go or to Emerson Ecologics on my site!

Be well,

This is my all time favourite herb! It has many medicinal properties ~ it is anti-microbial, anti-viral, soothing to the mucous membranes and I think tastes amazing!

The kids have been in school for the last few weeks and their classmates have been sick and the girls’ immunes have been challenged. I have been adding “Berry Well’ in their smoothies as well as cod liver oil and probiotics, but this morning Pearl came down and said she didn’t feel well. So I gave her a dropperful of glycyrrhiza tincture with some warm water and she guzzled it down ..super fast!

You can pick up a tincture bottle at any healthfood store or purchase through Emerson on my site. It is nice to have handy!

Be well,

This is a bit of a hot topic right now, and I think it should be!

At this moment there is really no regulation from the FDA on supplements until they are on the shelf. The Council of Responsible Nutrition says that by-law a supplement company must put what is in the bottle on the label. This is a great start, however, some mis labeling can occur. For example, with Echinacea, it is the root that is highly medicinal. To keep costs down a supplement company may want to only use 5% of the root and 95% of the rest of the flower. With no real regulation, this type of business may occur.

I highly suggest that people visit their doctors - naturopathic, medical or chiropractic - and purchase their supplements through them. There are great supplement companies at the local stores but I would do some research on the companies first or even ask your doctor for a company he recommends. It will save you some money and most importantly, keep you healthy on the best supplement.

Be well,

I begin each morning with liquid chlorophyll – the mint flavour. I squirt some in some water and drink it. I love it! Actually when the kids were little, I would give it to them instead of juice (they called it their “green juice”).

This is why I love it:
1.    refreshing and energizing
2.    very cleansing to the body – some studies say that it detoxifies and cleans the liver
3.    amazing for the clarity of the skin (calling all those preteen out there! – this is super to help prevent breakouts)
4.    It is rich in calcium, magnesium and potassium
5.    chlorophyll is considered the green “blood” of plants and has the same effect as our body’s iron therefore may help build our blood

What is it? Basically, it is what makes plants green (their blood) and is accomplished through photosynthesis (ask you kids if you need a refresher on this process!).

You can purchase liquid chlorophyll from any health food store and also from my supplement section with Emerson – Chlorofresh Liquid Mint.

Be well,

We just returned from a short trip to the mainland and I realized it would be a good idea to share some of my thoughts on keeping healthy before and during a trip.

When we travel, I always bring some Children’s Glycerite or NF’s Echinacea/strawberry chewable tablet and the Probiotic Pearls. Sometimes I will even have the kids take one dropperful of the glycerite or one chewable a day just to keep them strong.

I also pack a few homeopathics like arnica (for bruises and bumps), belladonna (for a fever), and ipecac (for throwing up). And of course some Wise Woman Herbal all purpose salve.

I figure if I am missing anything thing I can go to the local drug store.

These can all be purchased through Emerson Ecologics in my Shopping Supplements page. The access code for Emerson is 96743.

Be well,

www.drheathernd.com

We have one almost every morning. I let the kids pick what fruits to put in but lately this has been our favourite combination - bananas, mangos and raspberries ( sometimes strawberries).

I also put in a few hidden health treasures! Nordic Natural cod liver oil, and I alternate between a soy based (IsoProtein) and whey and rice based (ProBalance) protein powder from Pure Encapsulations. Periodically I will add some Innate Probiotics and if I am a little concerned about someone getting sick I will add the Berry Well.

You can purchase these through Emerson in my shopping supplement. The access code is 96743. If you have not set up an account with Emerson they will ask you to do so.
Having this smoothie along with a yummy breakfast/granola cookie is a great way to start the day!

Be well,

www.drheathernd.com