Ontario Developing Policy to Support Responsible Alcohol Use

Stay Safe this Holiday Season and Drink Responsibly

NEWS	December 18, 2015

As part of its commitment to supporting the safe and responsible consumption of alcohol, the Government of Ontario is developing a comprehensive, provincewide Alcohol Policy. Input from key stakeholders, including health stakeholders, addictions treatment service providers, industry and law enforcement, will be gathered and will help inform the policy’s development.

Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement today in Toronto at an event with Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada. The draft policy’s four main pillars will focus on promotion and prevention, social responsibility, harm reduction and treatment. Once it is implemented, Ontario will join the ranks of other provinces, such as Alberta and Nova Scotia, that have alcohol policies in place.

This significant step will build on Ontario’s ongoing efforts to encourage healthy, informed choices and raise awareness of the risks associated with alcohol consumption. The province already supports a variety of harm-reduction initiatives, including a free and confidential Drug and Alcohol Helpline, addictions treatment services and programs to prevent impaired driving.

The government maintains a strong commitment to social responsibility and encourages Ontarians to understand the risks associated with drinking and responsible consumption, so everyone can have a safe and happy holiday season.

QUOTES

“This policy will be the next step in our government’s vital work to support the safe sale and responsible consumption of alcohol, and I look forward to hearing from our partners on its design. As we gather with friends and family during this special time of year, I encourage people to drink responsibly so we can all stay safe, enjoy the holidays and have a healthy and happy start to the New Year.” 

— Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario

“I encourage all Ontarians to put safety first by drinking responsibly and making informed decisions about alcohol consumption. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will continue to work with our partners and stakeholders to ensure we keep social responsibility at the forefront of our work to support safe consumption and distribution of alcohol.”

–– Dipika Damerla, Associate Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

“Ontario is committed to the safe and socially responsible sale of beverage alcohol. Strong controls are being implemented in the expansion of beer distribution to grocery stores. We also value LCBO’s engagement in maintaining Ontario's high level of social responsibility and their support to promote responsible consumption across Ontario.”

–– Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance

“Working with our government partners, MADD Canada has made incredible progress changing attitudes in Ontario and stopping drivers from getting behind the wheel after drinking. A comprehensive and provincewide Alcohol Policy is going to help us further coordinate our efforts with the government and other partners so that we can continue to save lives and stop impaired driving altogether. We look forward to actively participating in these consultations and want to thank Premier Wynne for making the safe and responsible sale and consumption of alcohol a priority of her plan to build Ontario up.”   
— Eva Ratnakumar, President, MADD Toronto

“Alcohol is one of the leading risk factors for death and disability in Canada. Reducing alcohol related harm requires careful balancing of consumer access and socially responsible sales and distribution. CAMH welcomes an alcohol strategy that will preserve that balance and promote the health of Ontarians.”

— Dr. Catherine Zahn, President and CEO, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

QUICK FACTS

§  In its 2015 Budget released in April, Ontario committed to continuing to develop initiatives to support the safe and responsible consumption of alcohol.

• Starting this month, the province introduced beer to select grocery stores while ensuring it is sold in a socially responsible way. Retailers will be required to follow strict rules including designated sales areas, restricted hours, limits to package sizes and rigorous training for staff.

LEARN MORE

Learn How Ontario is Supporting Responsible Alcohol Consumption

Understand Safe Drinking Guidelines and the Risks of Alcohol Misuse

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Three Reasons to Choose Chiropractic

Considering the percentage of patients who've either never seen a Doctor of Chiropractic (meaning they likely visit a medical doctor first / exclusively) or have seen a DC, but no longer do (suggesting they currently go to an MD first / exclusively), it's big news when you can compare the two provider types, particularly when it comes to managing musculoskeletal conditions. 

After all, what better way to influence patient perception, payer behavior and health care policy than by proving chiropractic is effective, reduces health care costs and leaves patients at least as, if not more satisfied than medical care? The latest conclusions, courtesy of the authors of a Swiss study published in JMPT:

"The findings of this study support first-contact care provided by DCs as an alternative to first-contact care provided by MDs for a select number of musculoskeletal conditions. Restrictive models of care in which patients are required to contact a medical provider before consulting a chiropractic provider may be counterproductive for patients experiencing the musculoskeletal conditions investigated and possibly others."

The study sample included 403 patients who saw medical doctors and 316 patients who saw doctors of chiropractic as the initial health care providers for their spinal, hip or shoulder pain complaint. Four months following care, all patients completed a questionnaire that evaluated pain on that day and four months earlier (11-point numeric rating scale); satisfaction with care received and the results of that care (5-point Likert scale from "very satisfied" to "very unsatisfied"); and other variables. The researchers evaluated related costs of care by reviewing an insurance claims database.

  

"Patients initially consulting MDs had significantly less reduction in their numerical pain rating score (difference of 0.32) and were significantly less likely to be satisfied with the care received (odds ratio = 1.79) and the outcome of care (odds ratio = 1.52)." Average per-patient costs over the four-month period were significantly lower in patients who initially consulted DCs ($368 difference compared to MD care).

Despite these findings, the authors noted: "Although the differences in pain relief scores between groups were statistically significant, they were likely not of clinical significance." That doesn't invalidate the similar results achieved between provider types, of course.

The study authors also speculated direct access to chiropractic care could help medical doctors and advance collaborative care: "In addition to potentially reducing health care costs, direct access to chiropractic care may ease the workload on MDs, particularly in areas with poor medical coverage and hence enabling them to focus on complex cases. The minority of patients with complex health problems initially consulting a chiropractic provider would be referred to, or comanaged with, a medical provider to provide optimal care."

JMPT Editor-in-Chief  Claire Johnson Dc,MEd, emphasized the importance of the latest findings: "Comparative studies – in other words, research that compares the outcomes between two different providers or modalities – are rare for chiropractic care," she said. "Thus, this study by Houweling, et al., is especially important if payers and policy-makers are to better understand the 'triple aim' as it relates to chiropractic. Specifically, this study helps us better understand what type of care provides better patient satisfaction, is more cost effective, and improves population health."

For more information on health and safety please visit www.toyourhealth.com and the Ontario Chiropractic Association web site atwww.chiropractic.on.ca or call 1877-327-2273. Dr. George I. Traitses of Infinite Health practices traditional chiropractic, advanced nutrition and anti aging therapy and has been serving the Toronto and Markham communities since 1981. You can reach him at 416-499-5656 orwww.infinite-health.com
or the longer version
Doctors of chiropractic are specialists, who provide drug free, hands on treatment that targets the source of pain. Studies show that chiropractic treatment is increasingly recognized as one of the safest and most effective health care solutions. Chiropractic care can be used successfully to treat injuries resulting from automobile accidents and sports injuries. For more prevention and wellness, or to find a doctor of chiropractic near you, go to the Patient Information section of the Ontario Chiropractic Association Website at www.chiropractic.on.ca or call1-877-327-2273. More health information can be found at www.toyourhealth.com.
Dr. George I. Traitses of Infinite Health practices traditional chiropractic, advanced nutrition and anti aging therapy and has been serving the Toronto and Markham communities since 1981. You can reach him at 416-499-5656 or www.infinite-health.com
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De-Stress At Your Desk

 
The phone is ringing nonstop. E-mails are pouring in. The boss just dumped a 50-page report on your desk that needs to be proofed by the end of the day.

You can feel your shoulders starting to tighten and your jaw beginning to clench. You need to de-stress fast, but you've only got a few minutes because that report - and your boss - won't wait. What can you do?

Yoga to the rescue! According to the Yoga Alliance, nearly 6 million Americans practice yoga and 14 million say a doctor or therapist has recommended yoga to improve their health. In May, the National Institutes of Health celebrated its first-ever "Yoga Week" to highlight the science and practice of yoga. 

According to the alliance, yoga helps improve circulation and heart health, along with reducing oxidative stress and providing other anti-aging benefits. And if you're overworked and overstressed, a few minutes of yoga can help loosen those muscles and let you face the rest of your day.

Yoga teacher Denise Dunn suggests frazzled workers try these four poses to take the edge off during a busy day at the office:

Keep Your BP in the Safe Range

High blood pressure is as dangerous as it sounds – when pressure is high and stays high (a condition known as hypertension), your risk of suffering a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, increases dramatically.
Fortunately, there's good news: Research suggests a few easy steps can help keep your blood pressure in the safe range.

Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference are both known to increase hypertension risk, but a recent study goes a step further, not only verifying that both variables do increase risk, but also suggesting which to focus on managing based on gender. According to the study, "BMI played an important role in hypertension risk among males," while waist circumference proved to be the more important risk factor in females.

The take-away message here is straightforward: Guys, watch your BMI. Ladies, watch your waistline. And of course, keep in mind that multiple variables contribute to high blood pressure, so neither gender should ignore one variable over another. Get your spine checked by a doctor of chiropractic regularly to make sure you nervous system is functioning at its optimum level. Your doctor can tell you more about the dangers of high BP and suggest these and other strategies to keep your blood pumping – the way it should.

For more information on health and safety visit the Ontario Chiropractic Association
Web site at www.chiropractic.on.ca or call 1877-327-2273. Dr. George I. Traitses of Infinite Health practices traditional chiropractic, advanced nutrition and anti aging therapy and has been serving the Toronto and Markham communities since 1981. You can reach him at 416-499-5656 or www.infinite-health.comStarBuzzOnline

Five things that will zap your energy

You don’t need us to tell you that living off Pop Tarts and three hours of sleep drains you of energy. But those are not the only factors that can lead to a big dip. If you’re about an hour away from crawling under your office desk to take a nap, keep reading for sneaky, subtle ways you’re sabotaging your energy.

1. Bad posture

Sit up straight! And not just because your mother told you too…according to the American Chiropractic Association, your body actually consumes more energy when you’re slouching. Make sure you’re taking breaks to stretch, recommends wellness expert Dr. George Traitses. “When you stretch, you elongate and elasticize your ligaments and muscles and lubricate the joints. Your joints will glide more, which will require less consumption of energy in the muscle.”

2. Being thirsty

If you’re often only remembering to drink water once you feel thirsty, you’re dehydrated. “Our thirst sensation doesn’t really appear until we are 1 % or 2 % dehydrated. By then dehydration is already setting in and starting to impact how our mind and body perform,” Dr. Traitses explains. Just a 1.5 percent drop in normal water volume in the body has adverse effects on your energy level (along with your mood and ability to think clearly), two University of Connecticut studies found. Women are particularly susceptible to those effects.

3. Your gadgets…even when they‘re off

From street lamps to the light from your charging laptop to the glowing numbers on your alarm clock, even a small amount of artificial light­anything that keeps your bedroom from being completely dark while you sleep­can suppress the production of a sleep-inducing hormone called melatonin. Not only will you have a harder time falling asleep, it’ll be tougher to stay that way. Consider covering up bright lights from laptops and phones, and add blackout curtains in your bedroom if the light is coming from outside.

4. Feeling lonely

Loneliness and isolation can wreak havoc on the body, leading to higher blood pressure, a weakened immune system, and issues with learning and memory. And sleep is less physically and psychologically restorative, with more frequent wake-ups in the middle of the night, often leaving socially isolated people feeling drained in the morning.

5. Your allergies

Think your season allergies are too mild for treatment? They may be draining you of energy­nasal congestion causes mini wake-ups during the night that you may not even be aware are happening. Come morning, you feel like you haven’t slept a wink.

For more information on health and safety visit the Ontario Chiropractic Association
Web site at www.chiropractic.on.ca or call 1877-327-2273.
Dr. George Traitses, 416-499-5656, www.infinite-health.comStarBuzzOnline

Pack it light, wear it right: Back healthy backpack tips

Kids and backpacks just seem to go together. Whether sending them off to summer camp, to a sporting event or for a sleepover with a friend, chances are they will be taking a backpack. Since carrying a heavy load unevenly or improperly can result in poor posture, muscle strain, headaches, neck and arm pain, and even distort the spinal column, it is crucial that the backpack fit properly and not weigh too much.
More than 50 per cent of young people experience at least one episode of low back pain by their teenage years. Dr. George Traitses offers the following tips to ensure your child’s pack doesn’t become a pain in the back:

Pick it right

• Choose a bag made of lightweight material, such as vinyl or canvas.
• Pick a bag that has two wide, adjustable and padded shoulder straps, along with a hip or waist strap, a padded back and plenty of pockets.
• Ensure the bag is proportionate to body size and no larger than needed. The top of the pack should not extend higher than the top of the shoulder, and the bottom should not fall below the top of the hipbone.
• Explore other options such as bags with wheels and a pull handle for easy rolling.

Pack it light

• The total weight of the pack should not exceed 15 per cent of the wearer’s body weight.
• Make sure the backpack contains only what is needed for the day or activity.
• Spread the weight throughout the pack using the pockets.
• Pack the heaviest items close to the body.

Wear it right

• Both shoulder straps should always be used and adjusted so the pack fits snugly against the body.
• The pack should sit two inches above the waist.
• Never allow your child to carry their backpack slung over one shoulder.
• Using the waist strap reduces the strain on the back and transfers some of the load to the hips.

To ensure your child’s back is healthy and strong, consult your chiropractor. They can teach you and your child how to pack, lift and carry a backpack properly to prevent injury.

For more information on health and safety visit the Ontario Chiropractic Association
Web site at www.chiropractic.on.ca or call 1877-327-2273.
Dr. George Traitses, 416-499-5656, www.infinite-health.com
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Simple Strength Test May Predict Heart Attack, Stroke

Large-scale study reports that weak grip strength is linked with shorter survival and a greater risk of cardiovascular incidents.




Previous studies have suggested that reduced muscular strength, as can be measured by hand-grip strength, maybe linked to early death, disability, and illness.  In a recent study, investigators analyzed data collected on 139,691 adults, ages 35 to 70 years, residing in 17 countries, and followed them for an average of four years –  measuring hand-grip strength regularly through the study period. Data analysis revealed that every 5 kg declining grip strength associated with a 16% increase in risk of death from any cause, a 17% greater risk of cardiovascular death, and a 17% higher risk of non-cardiovascular mortality. Notably, heart attack risk rose by 7%, and stroke risk by 9%. In particular, a low grip strength was linked with higher death rates in people who develop cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that muscle strength may predict the risk of death the people who develop a major illness. The study authors report that: "This study suggests that measurement of grip strength is a simple, inexpensive risk-stratifying method for all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and cardiovascular disease."
For more information on health and safety visit the Ontario Chiropractic Association
Web site at www.chiropractic.on.ca or call 1877-327-2273.
Dr. George Traitses, 416-499-5656, www.infinite-health.com
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A 2-Minute Anti-Aging Activity

Amassing published studies show that sitting for extended periods of time each day leads to increased risk for early death, as well as heart disease, diabetes and other health conditions. Emerging data suggests that it is not sufficient to simply replace sitting with standing. Srinivasan Beddhu, from the University of Utah (Utah, USA), and colleagues analyzed data collected in 3,626 men and women enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey , 2003-2004.  The team found that by replacing sitting for 2 minutes each hour with walking for 2 minutes hourly, lowered the risk of dying by 33%.  The study authors submit that: “Interventions that replace sedentary duration with an increase in light activity duration might confer a survival benefit.”
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Antibiotics: Not As Safe As You Think

Antibiotics have been credited with saving thousands of lives, these days antibiotics are also in the news for not being as effective. According to the Centers for Disease Control, up to two million Americans fall ill from antibiotic-resistant bacteria every year and that at least 23,000 die from those infections. 

Why is this so significant? It happens to be the first time that federal authorities have quantified the effects of organisms that many antibiotics are powerless to fight.

This is something serious to think about. 

In 2007, the C.D.C. estimated that about 100,000 people died every year of infections they developed while in hospitals. Most of those infections were believed to be resistant to some antibiotics, but not necessarily the most widely used ones. And it was unclear how many of the deaths were caused by the drug-resistant infections until now. The report also said that about half of antibiotic use in people is inappropriate.

So what can you do to protect yourself?

Make sure to talk to your doctor about the risks involved in taking an antibiotic and make sure to be aware of natural ways to fight off certain infections. Many things such as the common cold can be fought off without antibiotics. Be aware of what you are putting in your body. 

For more information on health and safety visit the Ontario Chiropractic Association 
Web site at www.chiropractic.on.ca or call 1877-327-2273. 
Dr. George Traitses, 416-499-5656, www.infinite-health.com 

Dr. George I. Traitses
D.C., B.Sc.(Hon.), M.Sc., C.H.N., C.N.M., A.C.R.B. 3, C.R.A.
2914 Sheppard Ave. E., Suite 206, Scarborough, Ont., Canada, M1T 3J4
+1 (416) 499-5656 Fax: +1 (416) 499-5797 http://www.infinite-health.com 

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Menopause

Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her ovaries stop producing key steroid hormones in beneficial amounts. This can happen anytime but, on average, it occurs around the age of 51. Estrogen (specifically estradiol) and progesterone are no longer produced. At the same time, the ovaries continue to secrete only very small amounts of testosterone. Important receptors for all three of these steroid substances are abundant throughout the body.   When they’re missing or deficient, it creates a disruptive state of internal imbalance that impacts both health and well-being. It sets the stage for many aging-related illnesses. Fortunately, hormone deficiency can be successfully corrected with proper hormone stimulant (not necessarily replacement) therapy.

Perimenopause

It is of note that what women often refer to as “going through menopause” is actually perimenopause. Perimenopause is the transitional stage that begins 2-8 years prior to menopause.  It lasts through the first 12 months after the final menstrual period and most often occurs in the late thirties to mid-forties. This is a stage when estradiol production can vary wildly, creating “the roller coaster effect” and a cascade of uncomfortable symptoms.

Symptoms of perimenopause may include:

• wild fluctuations in estrogen levels
• irregular periods
• unusually heavy periods
• diminished libido
• mood swings
• hot flashes
• night sweats
• depression
• fuzzy or impaired thinking
• headaches
• weight gain
• and other unpleasant symptoms

This phase in a woman’s life is often unsettling, disruptive and stressful, to say the least. Relationships become strained; marriages broken; health diminished. Though hormones continue to be manufactured in other ways­in the adrenals and fat cells­they never again reach beneficial levels.  Most women find their quality of life plummeting dramatically.  Many lose hope of ever feeling normal again. 

Two day Healthcare Summit to Build Bridges between Canada and India Staff Reporter, Toronto

 

 

A two-day Healthcare Summit organized by the Canada India Foundation (CIF) is being organized to build bridges between Canada and India.  This is the fifth theme based Summit organized by CIF as part of the organization’s ongoing effort to keep this dialog alive, and increase relations between the two countries.

 

It is important to keep the dialogue going says Dr V I Lakshmanan, Chairman CIF  and co-chair, Healthcare Summit.  At the end of the day it is people to people contact that makes things happen, he states.  

 

“Through the Summit, we aim to connect senior people and decision makers in the field of Healthcare from both countries. We will also be arranging one on one meetings with key delegates such as Dr. Rahul Reddy, Senior Vice President, Apollo Hospitals and Dr P Namperumalsamy, Chairman of Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai.”

 

Founded eight years ago, CIF’s mandate is to work on public policy and advocacy and enhance relationship between Canada and India.

 

The two-day summit to be held on May 19 and 20 at the OMNI King Edward Hotel in downtown Toronto will have over 70 speakers who will address diverse health issues pertaining to South Asians, wellness and alternative care, rehabilitation, generic drugs and research collaboration.

 

“Generic drugs is a major topic at the Summit this year. We wanted to shed some focus on it as it a topic relevant to both Governments.

 

“Canada has universal care but the population is only 35 million. On the other hand, there is India with a population of 1.2 billion and a thriving middle class.  Digital health is becoming a major issue and e-health is an opportunity for Indian companies to come and work with Canadian companies and the Canadian government.

 

According to Dr. Lakshmanan, the Summit will help to achieve quality and efficiency.

 

“Today the world is a global village, and it is all about what the civil society can do to bring people together, understand the challenges and see if there is synergy. As CIF, we will be putting together a report with a summary of all the discussions and deliberations that took place during the Summit and will be presenting the report to Governments of both countries.

 

“In terms of what the delegates themselves have – this is an opportunity for them to talk and network with senior people in the industry in both India and Canada and discuss opportunities in a wide range of areas that are primarily healthcare related.”

Music: A Positive Way to Impact Learning and Social Behavior in Children

Children love music; just do a keyword search of children and dancing on YouTube and you'll find a lot of smiling faces. But beyond enjoyment, music also positively impacts learning and social behavior in children, according to the International Journal of Music Education. 
The recent study indicates that language development, literacy, numeracy, creativity, fine motor coordination, concentration, self-confidence, emotional sensitivity, social skills, teamwork, self-discipline, and relaxation are all tied to playing and listening to music.

Music Training = Brain Training 

According to a study performed at the Boston Children's Hospital, early musical training enhances the areas of the brain responsible for executive functioning, which enables information processing and retention, regulates behavior, and is responsible for problem solving and planning, as well as other cognitive processes.

The study took musically trained children, ages nine to 12, who received at least two years of private lessons, and compared them with children in the same age range that had no musical training, concluding that children with musical training had enhanced activity levels in the prefrontal cortex. Long-term results include heightened IQs, stronger SAT scores and an overall better academic performance.

Music Therapy and Behavior

Today’s Fashion Can Be Tomorrow’s Pain

Looking your best might not always be the best thing for you. Today’s society is extremely fashion and style conscious. Unfortunately, clothing designers and stylists aim to please by creating unique looks that might not always be practical or even comfortable. The look of the season shows runway models in high platform heels and tight skirts or pants. Models have perfected the runway “walk,” but the popular looks and accessories are frequently impractical and could create leg, back, and spine or neck problems. “Sometimes I see a woman walking down the street with high heels and a two-ton bag, and I want to stop her and make her aware of what she is doing to her body,” said Dr. George Traitses. Women generally wear high heels to complement an outfit, not for comfort, but some might not realize that these shoes can cause serious discomfort in the feet and can also exacerbate back pain. 

How to Select Athletic Shoes

Too many people choose fashion over function when purchasing athletic shoes, not realizing that poor-fitting shoes can lead to pain throughout the body. Because footwear plays such an important role in the function of bones and joints­especially for runners and other athletes­choosing the right shoe can help prevent pain in your back, hips, knees, and feet.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the very best athletic shoe­every pair of feet is different, every shoe has different features, and overall comfort is a very personal decision. For this reason, it is recommended that you first determine your foot type: normal, flat, or high-arched.

The Normal Foot
Normal feet have a normal-sized arch and will leave a wet footprint that has a flare, but shows the forefoot and heel connected by a broad band. A normal foot lands on the outside of the heel and rolls slightly inward to absorb shock.

Best shoes: Stability shoes with a slightly curved shape.

The Flat Foot
This type of foot has a low arch and leaves a print that looks like the whole sole of the foot. It usually indicates an over-pronated foot­one that strikes on the outside of the heel and rolls excessively inward (pronates). Over time, this can cause overuse injuries.
Best shoes: Motion-control shoes or high-stability shoes with firm midsoles. These shoes should be fairly resistant to twisting or bending. Stay away from highly cushioned, highly curved shoes, which lack stability features.

Stroke: Know What to Do

What Is Stroke?

Stroke is caused by a lack of blood supply to a portion of the brain, which causes that portion to die within just a few minutes. This lack of blood supply, also known as ischemia, results in long-term neurological effects because the cells in the brain do not regenerate.
The outcome of stroke depends on the person’s age, general health, the region of the brain affected by the stroke, the type of stroke, and the extent of the brain damage. Common long-term effects include difficulty speaking, poor memory, altered emotions, poor recognition of previously familiar objects and people, amnesia, deformities of the extremities, and difficulty with movement, including weakness and paralysis. The weakness and paralysis often affect one side of the body ­usually opposite the stroke location. Some of the effects can be permanent, while others may resolve with time and treatment.

It’s time to Straighten Up Canada and improve your spinal health!

Are you hunching your shoulders, scrunching your neck and holding your arms tightly as you brace against the cold? Encourage yourself to use the Straighten Up Canada app to ease that shoulder and neck tension. How many hours a day do you spend sitting? Reading, using computers, driving, watching TV ­all that sitting adds up, especially if you have poor posture. Did you know that lower back pain and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions account for one third of missed work in Canada?

It’s time to Straighten Up Canada and improve your spinal health!

Canada’s chiropractors have developed an app for that. Straighten Up Canada is aFREE, easy-to-perform posture program that you can use in just three minutes a day. It’s the only free Canadian app specifically designed and completely dedicated to improving posture and spinal health.The Straighten Up Canada program can be practised almost anywhere and is a great warm up, cool down, stand-alone routine or ergonomic break.

Break Bad Eating Habits by Retraining Your Brain

Just as junk food can become an addiction, researchers at Tufts University and at Massachusetts General Hospital showed that the brain can be retrained to prefer the. People aren't born loving cheeseburgers and creamy pasta dishes; they're conditioned over time by repeatedly eating such foods, creating addiction circuits in the brain. The study followed 13 overweight or obese men and women over six months using MRI imaging of their brains. "The brain scans showed changes in areas of the brain reward center which are associated with learning and addiction," writes Harold Mandel for the Syracuse Natural Health Examiner. "At the end of six months this area of the brain had increased sensitivity to healthy, lower-calorie foods. This served as an indication of increased reward and enjoyment of healthier food cues. There was also decreased sensitivity to the unhealthy foods."  This is great news for those trying to lose weight or break even lifetime-long habits of unhealthy eating. You can read the full study, published September 1 in The Journal of Nutrition and Diabetes.

For more information on health and safety visit the Ontario Chiropractic Association 
Web site at www.chiropractic.on.ca or call 1877-327-2273. 
Dr. George Traitses, 416-499-5656, www.infinite-health.com 

Source: "Your Brain Can be Trained to Prefer Healthy Foods" by Harold Mandel, Examiner.com, September 2, 2014. 

Five things that will zap your energy

You don’t need us to tell you that living off Pop Tarts and three hours of sleep drains you of energy. But those are not the only factors that can lead to a big dip. If you’re about an hour away from crawling under your office desk to take a nap, keep reading for sneaky, subtle ways you’re sabotaging your energy.

Did you know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer?

Health Canada would appreciate your help in encouraging Canadians to become aware of this potential health risk and to take steps (if necessary) to mitigate it. Please consider using one of the attached articles in your publication, or refer to our website to find out more, including reference guides, videos, links, and frequently asked questions. 

Quick facts:

• Radon is a radioactive gas that is found naturally in the environment and is undetectable by smell, sight, or taste.
• It can seep into a home through cracks in the foundation, pipe openings, and other places where a house is open to the ground.
• The only way to know if it is there is through a simple and inexpensive test. You may purchase a "do it yourself" kit, or hire a professional (consult the National Radon Proficiency Program to find out more).
• Health Canada recommends that homes be tested for a minimum of three months, ideally between September and April when windows and doors are kept closed.
• If your home tests above the Canadian Radon Guideline of 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq/m³ ), it is recommended that you take action to reduce your exposure.
• The risk from radon is long-term (over decades). The higher the level and the longer a person is exposed, the higher the risk of lung cancer, especially if they smoke.  

Thank you for helping us in making Canadian homes safe and healthy.   
Health Canada, Ontario Region 
www.healthcanada.gc.ca 

Break Bad Eating Habits by Retraining Your Brain

Just as junk food can become an addiction, researchers at Tufts University and at Massachusetts General Hospital showed that the brain can be retrained to prefer that. People aren't born loving cheeseburgers and creamy pasta dishes; they're conditioned over time by repeatedly eating such foods, creating addiction circuits in the brain. The study followed 13 overweight or obese men and women over six months using MRI imaging of their brains. "The brain scans showed changes in areas of the brain reward center which are associated with learning and addiction," writes Harold Mandel for the Syracuse Natural Health Examiner. "At the end of six months this area of the brain had increased sensitivity to healthy, lower-calorie foods. This served as an indication of increased reward and enjoyment of healthier food cues. There was also decreased sensitivity to the unhealthy foods."  This is great news for those trying to lose weight or break even lifetime-long habits of unhealthy eating. Click here to read the full study, published September 1 in The Journal of Nutrition and Diabetes.

Source: "Your Brain Can be Trained to Prefer Healthy Foods" by Harold Mandel, Examiner.com, September 2, 2014. 

For more information on health and safety visit the Ontario Chiropractic Association 
Web site at www.chiropractic.on.ca or call 1877-327-2273. 
Dr. George Traitses, 416-499-5656, www.infinite-health.com 
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