Yoga and Balance

By: Marcia Fayt, Yoga Instructor

This summer my husband and I were in the outback of Algonquin Park, and as I was about to get into our canoe, I realised what a balancing act it actually is. 

What is Personalized Medicine?

Allison Janson Hazell, Genetic Counsellor

Personalized Medicine (PM) is a buzz term right now, and is being hailed as the ‘next big thing’ in medicine. But what does it really mean?

Do You Have Questions About the Colonoscopy Prep?

I’ve mentioned in previous blogs that the prep for a colonoscopy has become somewhat of an urban legend. People have heard horror stories about the prep and its effects on one’s body and in talking with patients most of them will tell me they were more worried about the prep than they were of the actual colonoscopy.

Doc Spot: A Return to Discipline for the Fall

The summer brings a measure of pleasure, freedom and distraction.  During that period we often seek a break from our normal routine.  Cottage life, boating, golf and swimming pools lend themselves to increased social activities often accompanied by alcohol, comfort foods and barbecues.  At the same time we often substitute our fitness routine for less rigorous activities like golfing, boating, or cooling off in the water.  Although this has the remarkable ability of restoring us there is a health price to pay.  Weight gain, overindulgence in alcohol, altered sleep patterns and skin damage are relatively common.

Now that summer is waning we can look at some strategies to return to a more disciplined and health-focused behaviour:

1. Weight Loss – Because we are much more active in the summer, managing our weight in the winter is far more about diet than exercise. New studies suggest that more rapid weight loss with a structured healthy diet leads to a greater likelihood of long-term success
2. Vitamin D – Less sunlight in the winter means less chance of getting enough vitamin D. Vitamin D helps keep your muscles, nerves and immune system working properly and should be added to your daily health program from September to May.
3. Build at least one half hour 3 days a week into your schedule for exercise.  Make at least one of these a ‘high’ intensity workout where you feel spent at the end of your workout.  Remember that exercise should have three important components: aerobic, resistance and stretching.
4. Sleep is an essential element to not only your daily energy level and performance, it is an instrument needed for maintaining overall health.  Ensure that you are achieving 6-8 hours nightly.  Sleep cannot be stored so don’t fool yourself by saying you will ‘catch up’.
5. Alcohol is often enjoyed in larger amounts in the summer.  Beer, coolers, and cocktails are common when entertaining or recreating.  Unrecognized calories are often ignored or underweighted.  Remember that each drink means 1-2 kilometres of running or walking to counter the caloric value.  Prudent drinking is no more than 2 drinks daily for a man and 1 drink daily for a woman.

Are Video Games a Health Scourge or Saviour?

Medcan Medical Director Dr. James Aw examines the popularity of a new trend in video games, “exergames”, the encourage players to be active as part of the gameplay.  Are these fitness-focused games enough to make people healthier?  Find out in the National Post.