You can help prevent prescription mistakes and avoid suffering their serious side effects. Learn about the prescribed medication, how you take it (with food or on an empty stomach), at what time of day, for how long, its possible side effects, and which are most likely for you. Is this drug compatible with your other medications? Are their any foods or herbs that should be avoided? Is there any written information available to you about this drug? Ask your doctor or your pharmacist.

NEVER take medicine prescribed for someone else. If you or a loved one has trouble remembering whether the proper dose of a drug has been taken, inexpensive plastic containers are available that are designed to contain pills counted out in advance for each day of the week. Ask your pharmacist. If you are taking pain relievers for a time period that seems excessive more than one day for a headache, three days for a toothache, a week for a muscle sprain – consult your doctor. Don’t become a drug statistic.

Many common medications may deplete our cells of necessary vitamins. Ross Pelton, R.PH., wrote the Drug Induced, Nutrient Depletion Handbook, which provides amazing information about drugs that we thought were safe. For instance, artificial estrogens (birth control pills) deplete riboflavin, pyridoxine, folic acid, vitamin B12, Vitamin C, and zinc. Further more, oral contraceptive use can result in increased vitamin K, iron and copper. Vitamin K can increase bleeding and iron and copper are both prooxidants (you know what oxidization does to metal, yes rust…)

Drugs such as the statin family of drugs, which reduce cholesterol, also decrease the production of CoQ10, and possibly glutathione in the liver…which are necessary to keep optimal health.

One of Hippocrates’ most important rules for physicians was ‘First do no harm’ (‘Nil nocere’ in Latin). You can take an active part in helping your physician or natural health care practionner to do no harm by educating yourself about the drugs or supplements you need to take.

Although they occur less frequent than drug-drug interaction, dangerous interactions between drugs and foods can also occur. Many foods and herbs have active chemicals in them, but they are usually balanced by the fact that the whole food contains a combination of phytochemicals. You the patient/client, must be watchful and wise at all times. It is your body, your life.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and is not meant to diagnose or treat illness. The author, publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage suffered by individuals as a result of following advice in this article.

For more information on nutritional planning or complete nutritional assessments contact:

CJM LeBlanc HealthWorks, Centreville Mall, 121-342 Main Street, Shediac, N.B. E4P 2E7, tel: (506)533-8885, fax: 532-8644,e-mail: charlotteleb@rogers.com, web site: www.wellness-healthworks.com

For information on health benefits of 'Soy' click here

Vegetarian and non-vegetarians alike will benefit from including soy-based products in their daily meal planning. Some of the soy products available in grocery stores today include: soy cheese, soymilk, soy burgers, tofu ice cream, tofu breakfast sausage, ground 'meat', soy cold cuts and tofu hot dogs.

Soybeans are an important source of phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant-based substances that are closely related to the hormones produced by mammals. One type of phytoestrogen, isoflavones, has been credited with many health-promoting benefits. Including soy products in your diet may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and some of the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Studies have shown that the daily use of soy products may also lower cholesterol levels and protect against certain types of cancer. Soybeans are rich in protein, iron, B vitamins, and zinc. Soy products also provide a good source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Regular use of soy products is recommended in a well-balanced diet

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes. The author and publihsers cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage suffered by individuals as a result of following advice in this article.

For more information on nutritional planning or complete nutritional assessments contact:
CJM LeBlanc HealthWorks, Centreville Mall, 342 Main St., Shediac, N.B. E4P 5J6 Tel: 506 533-8885, e-mail; charlotteleb@rogers.com, web site: www.wellness-healthworks.com


For information on 'Staying Strong and Healthy' click here

Research done by Miriam E. Nelson, Ph.D., Tufts University professor points out that inactivity causes both men and women to lose muscle and bone mass by the age of 55. If this situation is not corrected, it can lead to depression, balance loss (which can lead to falls), frailty and increased risk for chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.

Dr. Nelson recommends twenty minutes of aerobic exercise daily accompanied by strength-training techniques using weigh or strength-training equipment, or even just hand-held weights. Her research examined women between the ages of 50 and 79, comparing those who were sedentary with those who followed her exercise regimen. One year later, the women who hadn't exercised had lost muscle and bone density, gained body fat and were less active overall. Those who exercised not only replaced fat with muscle, but gained small amounts of bone density, strength, and balance. Balance is harmony, and harmony promotes health.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and is not meant to diagnose or treat illness. The author, publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage suffered by individuals as a result of following advice in this article.

For more information on nutritional planning or complete nutritional assessments contact:

CJM LeBlanc HealthWorks, Centreville Mall, 121-342 Main Street, Shediac, N.B. E4P 2E7, tel: (506)533-8885, fax: 532-8644, e-mail: charlotteleb@rogers.com, web site: www.wellness-healthworks
.com

To read an article on the 'Environmental Contaminents' click here

Be aware that household products and appliances can make you sick. Forget the microscopic spores that lurk everywhere – most of us can cope with these. Take care of the containers in the basement that could contain antifreeze, which is poisonous to breathe as well as to drink. Formaldehyde (found in thousands of buildings and consumer products) and benzene are toxic to the nervous system when breathed or absorbed through the skin. It can also cause asthma, respiratory allergies and skin disease. Benzene, a cause of leukemia, is found in tires, gasoline, paint strippers, and varnishes.

Many household products – including paint, building materials like particle board, carpets, and chemicals applied to them contain volatile organic compounds (like formaldehyde, benzene and toluene, abbreviated as VOCs). Poor ventilation does not allow VOCs or other toxins to be expelled. It’s no coincidence that sick-building syndrome – a condition characterized by fatigue, confusion and respiratory problems – arose at the same time as the architectural fad of sealed buildings that allow no outdoor ventilation. VOCs can be generated in the workplace by heaters, laser printers, photocopying machines, tile, linoleum, carpeting and video display terminals on computers.

Both at work and at home, additional VOCs can include air fresheners, deodorizers, disinfectants, moth repellents, pesticides, dust mites, mildew and mold. Instead of using a chemical air freshener, try placing an open box or jar of baking soda in an enclosed space (like under the sink). To rid your home or workplace of mold and mildew, use a dehumidifier and dispose of pieces of furniture, carpeting or bedding that is harboring mites or mold.

Instead of chemicals, use nature’s own air purifiers, plants. According to retired NASA scientist William Wolverton, Ph.D. many ordinary houseplants remove air pollutants, including:

Aloe vera, Arrowhead plant, Bamboo palm, Banana, Boston fern, Chinese evergreen, Corn Plant, Devil’s ivy, English ivy, Philodendron, Janet Craig, Madagascar dragon tree, Mum, Peace lily, Snake Plant, Spider plant, Umbrella plant, Split-lead philodendron.

These plants are able to remove chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde because they resemble chemicals naturally found in plant leaves and microbes around plants.

Plant species as well as animals (that includes ourselves) will be endangered if we don’t protect the environment. Short-term economic gain for some may cause long-term health loss for all of us.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes. The author, publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage suffered by individuals as a result of following advice in this article.

CJM LeBlanc HealthWorks, Centreville Mall, 121-342 Main Street, Shediac, N.B. E4P 2E7, tel: (506)533-8885, fax: 532-8644, e-mail: charlotteleb@rogers.com, web site: www.wellness-healthworks.com

For information on 'Migraines' click here