Surrey Street Medical Centre

03/21/2022

At long last we are ready to announce that this Spring, The Suites at Royal City Park will open at 25 Wellington in downtown Guelph. With 28 residential units on the upper 2 floors, offering weekly housekeeping and regular checks ins by staff, The Suites are designed to give residents and loved ones, a more pleasant ageing experience, with assistance and services included in the rent. Beyond alleviating chores, The Suites offers organized outdoor activities such as park walks at the near by Royal City Park, or indoor activities like movie nights and Oscar parties, as well as fitness classes and a fitness studio so residents can stay moving, when and how they want.
The Suites have been designed as a place where independent seniors can happily and more easily age in place. With all the comforts of their own home, from a fully equipped kitchenette to private bathrooms, and their own living and dining areas for complete independence when residents wish or activities and fun with new friends on any number of weekly scheduled programming residents may choose to enjoy, The Suites has something for everyone and is in walking distance to a grocery store, pharmacy, LCBO and drycleaner conveniently located just meters away.
The Suites are above St Josephs Health Centre and various social services for seniors and just steps away to doctors, pharmacy, after hours clinic and Life Labs at Surrey Street Medical. The Suites offer a new, and we hope better and more comfortable option between a home with maintenance and a facility with nursing and 24-hour care.
Instead, age well in your new home at The Suites at Royal City Park. For more information check out www.wellingtonwellness.ca or email info@montik.ca

03/04/2022

We are excited to announce the arrival of The Suites at Royal City Park, located at 25 Wellington. 28 serviced apartments for active seniors, with daily housekeeping, organized weekly activities, yoga and so much more. Seniors living for the independent senior. Coming to 25 Wellington in downtown Guelph this spring 2022. info@surreystreetmedical.com for information and tours.

04/23/2020

The times we are living in have been difficult for so many of us. Thank you so much to the amazing teams of healthcare practitioners in our community who are giving 110% every day to make sure we are all staying well!

To help those of us who are staying at home and doing our part in stopping the spread of Covid-19, Dr. Frances Turk of Absolute Health Science has been offering free guided meditation sessions twice a week - Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:45pm. You can participate in these sessions by going to Absolute Health Science's page https://www.facebook.com/absolutehealthscience/ or checking in with them on Instagram .

Stay well. We are in this together and we will get through.

Guelph's Naturopathic and IV clinic addressing your health concerns from head-to-toe.

12/19/2018

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Should anyone desire, there's still time to drop off canned and dried goods for our drive to fill the pantry at the Drop-In Centre. Donations will be collected across from the elevator on the first floor until Friday the 21st at 11am. Many thanks to everyone for their generosity and participation this year!

09/04/2018

What is SIBO and Do You Have It?

Posted on August 30, 2018

Despite its name, the small intestine is actually a whopping 20 feet of very important business. Working alongside your stomach and large intestine, the small intestine has the important job of digesting food and absorbing nutrients to keep us in good health. As if that wasn’t significant enough, it’s little inhabitants are also key contributors to a healthy immune system.

The small intestine plays host to specific beneficial microorganisms that help protect our bodies against bad (pathogenic) bacteria and yeast. These good bacteria also produce vitamins and nutrients like vitamin K and folate. They are the keepers of the small intestine, ensuring that it continues to do its thing, muscling waves of food through the gut.

What is SIBO?

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or SIBO occurs when there is an increase of bacteria and/or a change in the type of bacteria present. Most often SIBO is caused by an overgrowth of the wrong types of bacteria that actually belong in the colon (the large intestine).

SIBO is like a bad tenant. It invites all its rowdy friends in for a party and damages the cell lining of the small bowel. This can lead to leaky gut, allowing large protein molecules to move through the intestinal barrier and escape into the bloodstream. As you can imagine, this causes a number of problems, including general inflammation, immune reactions that cause food allergies, and autoimmune diseases.

These havoc-causing bad bacteria are also responsible for poor digestion, diarrhea and malabsorption. Patients with SIBO may suffer from nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron, vitamin B12, and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, as well as unintended weight loss, and even osteoporosis.

How do you know if you have SIBO?

SIBO is considered an underdiagnosed condition as many people do not seek medical care for their symptoms.

Common SIBO symptoms include:
• Bloating and abdominal swelling
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Gas and belching
• Weakness and fatigue

In the most severe cases, patients experience weight loss and vitamin deficiency-related symptoms.

Are you at risk for SIBO?

While the elderly may be the most vulnerable to developing SIBO as its prevalence rises with age, there are multiple other risk factors that can increase your chances, no matter how old you are. These include:
• Medication, especially antibiotics
• Gastric acid suppression or low stomach acid (due to stress, medications, lifestyle factors)
• Fibromyalgia
• Celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Prior bowel surgery
• Diabetes Types I & II
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Organ system dysfunction

Studies also indicate that moderate alcohol consumption — that’s one drink a day for the ladies and two for men — not only promotes the overgrowth of certain types of bacteria, but it can also impair vital functions resulting in small bowel injury and decreased muscle contractions.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above or think you might be at risk, then I encourage you to make an appointment to assess your symptoms and get tested. Specialized testing can be accomplished through a breath test. This breath test measures hydrogen and methane gas levels produced by bacterial metabolism in your gut. This is a very helpful indicator when determining if you are suffering from SIBO.

How can you treat SIBO?

Despite multiple courses of antibiotics being a risk factor, antibiotics are still most often used to treat SIBO. However, studies show that SIBO returns in nearly half of all patients within only a year!

Successful treatment of SIBO must be handled just like any other health condition – not with a temporary Band-aid solution, but by addressing the underlying cause! Intestinal bacteria can be influenced by numerous factors beyond what we eat and how much. Environmental effects, drugs, alcohol, and lifestyle factors such as stress can all be contributing factors to poor gut health. Therefore, the treatment must be unique to the individual.

Once you have identified the cause, treat SIBO symptoms through a healthy diet, nutritional supplements and positive lifestyle changes that help return the body to balance.

Tips for dealing with SIBO
1. Eat three meals a day 4-5 hours apart and avoid snacking. We need to give our body time in between meals to improve our intestinal motility. More often than not, motility becomes an issue with people suffering from SIBO.
2. With guidance from your holistic practitioner, try an elimination diet for two weeks to get your body back on track by reducing inflammation and bacteria overgrowth.
3. Enjoy foods that assist digestive health like fresh pineapple which is rich in bromelain and can also help lower inflammation, and bananas which are an excellent source of potassium and manganese that your stomach lining needs for healing.

Do any of the above symptoms or risk factors sound familiar? Do you think you might be suffering from SIBO? Absolute Health Science can help! Please contact us, and we’ll get to the bottom of what’s going on and create a plan of action to bring your body back to good health.

Call or email us at 519-827-9519 or info@absolutehealthscience.com

To your best health!

Dr. Frances Turk ND

Naturopathic Doctor



References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3099351/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22109896

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2890937/

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), defined as excessive bacteria in the small intestine, remains a poorly understood disease. Initially thought to occur in only a small number of patients, it is now apparent that this disorder is more prevalent ...

07/27/2018

Sitting is the New Smoking
Posted on July 27, 2018

On average, how much time do you spend sitting, uninterrupted? One hour? Two hours? Three…or more?
Our ancient ancestors spent much of their time on the move, hunting and gathering to serve their basic needs. Obviously, the balance between movement and fuel has shifted dramatically over time, most notably since the technological revolution.
Unlike our ancestors, we no longer search for food. Instead, we are now on a quest for time, as hours fly by while we’re hunched over a keyboard. On an average day, many of us are likely sitting more than we are moving and consuming more calories than we are burning. Many of us regularly put in eight-hour workdays seated at a desk – sometimes even more. We then go home and unwind on the couch, binge-watching our favourite shows. The hours begin to add up.
Maybe we make a little time to fit in some exercise each day; however, with more conveniences at our fingertips, we can do a lot more while moving a lot less. The longer we sit, the more our bodies begin to feel tight, tired and sore. It’s clear that too much sitting isn’t good for us. But did you know that it can even lead to earlier mortality?

Sitting and Premature Death

That’s right…too much sitting can kill you! In fact, some are saying that “sitting is the new smoking” because its impact is so significant. According to recent research from the Journal of the American Heart Association, prolonged sitting presents similar health risks as smoking, such as heart disease, lung cancer, and diabetes. It also increases premature death by about 50 percent! Even more surprising, too much sitting increases your risk for an early death regardless of your fitness level or other lifestyle habits.
But sitting isn’t just bad for your heart or metabolism; it is also bad for your brain! Researchers at the University of California have discovered a connection between sedentary behaviour and thinning regions in the brain that is critical to new memory formation.
So, what if your job requires you to be at a desk, all day, every day? Are you supposed to quit? Well, of course, that’s not practical. However, there are a few simple things you can do to ensure that you keep your body regularly moving for a longer, healthier life.

Tips to Sit Less & Live Longer


1. Fit in Exercise Whenever Possible

Bottom line, the more frequently you work out, the more you reduce your risk of premature death. Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. While exercising 10 minutes or more at a time is ideal, shorter but frequent bursts of exercise, like taking the stairs, can also be an excellent way to keep active.
2. Move Every 30 Minutes
Research shows that people who sit for less than 30 minutes at a time have the lowest risk of early death. Meetings and deadlines don’t always offer the freedom to move, but ideally, you don’t want to be sitting for any longer than three hours at a time. Setting a timer on your phone can be a helpful reminder to take regular moments for movement.
3. Use a Fitness Tracker
Fitness trackers are an effective way to ensure you’re getting enough activity in your day. As health and fitness wearables grow in popularity, there is an increasing number of options available for every budget and lifestyle. There are also a wide variety of exercise apps out there to track your progress and monitor your success with motivational milestones to keep you moving.
4. Try a Standing Desk
As awareness grows about the health concerns associated with chronic and prolonged sitting, more companies have already begun re-examining ways they can improve employee wellness. In some environments, adjustable desks are offered to provide workers with opportunities to stand instead of sitting if they so choose. If a standing desk is not an option for you, try moving your laptop to a tall counter or table as a means to squeeze in more standing.
5. Opt for Less Convenience

We live in a world of many technological conveniences, and yet, we take so many of them for granted — and in some cases to our detriment. Turn back time and reverse the mortal clock by opting for “less convenient” choices in your day. Walk over and have a conversation with your colleague instead of sending an email. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Bike to work instead of drive. Small activities can make a significant impact!

Do you spend excessive amounts of time sitting? Do you experience any health problems that you think could be related to a sedentary lifestyle? Let’s chat and get to the root of your health issues. Book an appointment with us/me/our clinic, and together we will find ways to improve your overall health and well-being so that you can live your life to its fullest.
Call or email us at 519-827-9519 or info@absolutehealthscience.com
To your best health!

Dr. Turk, at, Absolute Health Science


References
http://jaha.ahajournals.org/content/7/6/e007678
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180412141014.htm
http://annals.org/aim/article-abstract/2653704/patterns-sedentary-behavior-mortality-u-s-middle-aged-older-adults

07/13/2018

Dealing with Depression
Posted on July 12, 2018

Have you ever suffered from depression? If so, you’re not alone. The World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people suffer from depression worldwide and that it is a leading cause of disability. Fifteen percent of adults will experience depression at least once in their lifetime.
Depression knows no bounds. It can impact anyone at any point in their life, regardless of age, gender, medical history, or socioeconomic status. While depression may seem like an invisible condition, there are warning signs to look for.

Signs of Depression
So, how can you tell if you or someone you know might be experiencing a major depressive episode?
A major depressive episode is defined as a depressed mood lasting at least two weeks or more. Life seems filled with darkness or heaviness, and there is a loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities. Depression also comes with the baggage of other symptoms that can interfere with your work, school or social life. These symptoms include:
Sleep issues — either sleeping too much or having difficulty falling asleep
Low energy or feeling fatigued almost every day for no reason
Inability to focus, make decisions or think clearly
Moving slower than usual or making unintentional motions to a degree that is noticeable by others
Changes in weight and appetite, with an increase or decrease of more than five percent in body weight a month
Recurring thoughts about death or su***de, a su***de attempt, or a specific plan in place for su***de
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to start a conversation right away, get professional help to identify the cause, and find the appropriate solutions.

What Causes Depression?
What makes depression so elusive is that there is no one single cause. Hormones, brain chemistry, family genetics, life experiences and physical health are all possible factors that can trigger a depressive episode. While some types of depression can be attributed to conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or postpartum depression, for many the source might not be immediately apparent.
Unfortunately, in many situations, doctors prefer to medicate rather than investigate, prescribing antidepressants instead of exploring the cause of the condition. Antidepressants may have their time and place, but with a myriad of possible side-effects, they are not always an option for everyone. Also, a lifetime prescription to antidepressants is only a band-aid solution that never really addresses the underlying problem.
Research shows that high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammatory disease, have been documented in subjects with depression. In fact, results from a national health and nutrition examination survey showed that subjects with depressive symptoms had CRP levels that were 46 percent higher than those of non-depressed subjects. Studies also suggest that subjects with a depressed mood have low levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), which is an indication of airway inflammation.
Over time, depression can also lead to significantly more inflammation in the brain. Inflammation is our body’s response to injury or illness, and when left untreated, it can cause chronic illnesses like heart disease and potentially even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. So not only is identifying the cause of depression early on important for your mental health; it’s also important for your long-term physical health!
This is why visiting a naturopathic doctor (like me!)can be so crucial. Not only is depression a serious condition not to be taken lightly, but there are so many possible influences, making a 360-degree assessment vital to determining the possible cause. The first thing you need to ask yourself is “Why am I feeling depressed?” and take it from there.

Ways to Treat Depression
For those with mild to moderate depression, there are a variety of natural options that can help fight the blues effectively, without pharmaceuticals.
1. Sunshine & Exercise

It may sound trite to suggest a little fresh air and exercise; however, you can never underestimate the value of a brisk walk in the sunshine. Activity pumps up serotonin, dopamine and endorphins, which are our feel-good happy chemicals. Go for a run to experience a true natural high.
And don’t forget, the sun doesn’t just light up the sky. It can also lighten up your mood with feel-good rays of vitamin D. Invest in a therapeutic light box for those cloudy days and winter months.

2. Create a Regular Bedtime Routine

Depression and sleep issues are intimately connected. For those who have trouble falling asleep, a nighttime routine can help ease you into a more restful slumber.
Set a regular bedtime and unplug from all devices at least two hours beforehand. Use that digital downtime time to take a bath, read a book, listen to music, meditate or unwind in any other low key way. By eliminating sources of constant stimulation and slowing down your evening habits, you will foster a better mental environment for sleep. If you’ve been dealing with insomnia for a while, melatonin is also a helpful natural supplement to reset your internal clock.
Keep yourself on a consistent schedule by setting your alarm to go off after 8 hours. If you need a nap later in the day, then, by all means, take one, but try to resist the urge to sleep your life away.

3. Natural Supplements

Serotonin is a vital chemical and neurotransmitter. It regulates our moods, behaviour, libido, sleep, and memory. Keep your serotonin levels elevated by getting your fill of healthy omega-3 fatty acids ─ the kind you find in fish, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and more.
Cut down on coffee, which can reduce serotonin levels. Instead, try green tea which has L-theanine, an amino acid that has a relaxing effect. L-Theanine boosts neurotransmitters and helps to alleviate stress and anxiety.
Rhodiola rosea and St. John’s wort are other natural supplements that many individuals have had success with for treating depression. That said, St. John’s wort may interfere with birth control or other medications. This is why it is always important to get professional guidance on which supplements and what dose might work best for you.

4. Get Your Hormones Balanced

Our hormones have an impact on our entire bodies. They can be the reason behind depression, chronic fatigue, weight gain, and more. Think of your adrenal, s*x and thyroid hormones as Jenga blocks. When certain blocks become imbalanced, it can send our whole life tumbling out of control. The longer you take to correct the imbalance, the more difficult it will be to heal. Getting your hormones tested is an easy and effective way to assess the issues so that you can effectively identify what your options are to get back into balance.

5. Talk to someone
While you may feel vulnerable or uncomfortable at first, opening up to friends and family may be the relief you need to get through dark times without feeling so alone. If you don’t
feel comfortable sharing your burdens with the people you know, then seek professional counselling, whether a therapist, life coach or trusted doctor. They are there to help and can offer you a new perspective on things.
If you think you are dealing with depression or can’t shake the blues, I invite you to reach out to me and/or Absolute Health Science. Please feel free to book an appointment with us by calling 519-827-9519 or emailing drturk@absolutehealthscience.com . You don’t have to battle depression alone. We can help you get your life back!
Dr. Frances Turk at Absolute Health Science

References:
https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lanpsy/PIIS2215-0366(18)30087-7.pdf
http://www.psychiatrist.com/JCP/article/Pages/2016/v77n12/v77n1221.aspx
http://ndnr.com/mindbody/case-study-herbal-treatment-of-depression/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005791617300629

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06/04/2018

6 Ways to Rev Up Your Energy!
Posted on May 25, 2018

One of the best indicators that you’re having a great day is the feeling that your energy is high, steady, and that overall you feel good and can enjoy accomplishing the tasks at hand.
Maybe it’s that you bounced out of bed that morning or sang in the shower. Incidentally, have you tried contrast showers or dry skin brushing? That will DEFINITELY get you revved up…but I am getting ahead of myself here.😊 It could be that you didn’t need that extra cup of coffee at 3pm, or that you were able to sustain a solid conversation or play games with the kids after dinner.
Now then, the million dollar question is: how often do you have that feeling? Or more importantly, do you remember the last time you felt that way? It’s normal to have periods of time where life gets so busy that our energy has to be directed to specific tasks, or that we might be overtaxed and tired as a result. But if you’ve been feeling lackluster, or low energy for a long period of time and can’t seem to get out of that funk, it could be time to address your energy levels more proactively. Try exploring these tried and true methods of protecting and bolstering your energy levels.

Breathe for Energy
While it is a common reaction to stress, shallow breathing prevents the body from receiving enough oxygen and, in a short period of time, depletes the body of energy. This is called hyperventilation. Often, we don’t even notice that our breathing has become quick or shallow until we’re already anxious and exhausted. The trick is to be proactive and mindful of your breathing every day so that you can recognize and respond appropriately when you need to.
One powerful and simple breathing technique I recommend is:
Sit down with both feet on the floor. Close your eyes and press the tip of your tongue against the ridge behind your upper teeth. Exhale completely through your mouth, making a soft sighing sound. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose for a count of four. Hold your breath for a count of seven, and then exhale through your mouth for a count of eight.
Repeat for a total of four breaths.

Short High-Intensity Exercise

Ideally, about a half hour of exercise, three times a week can help you increase your energy and motivation. And some of the best kinds of activity for revving up your energy come in short bursts of high-intensity movement. Whether you choose to take a HIIT class that focuses on interspersing bursts of cardio and strength training, or you decide to get outside on your lunch break for a brisk walk, swinging your arms and moving vigorously, those bursts of exertion will help you rev up your engine and keep you going for the rest of the day. Extra points if these activities happen outside, where you get the additional energy boosting effects of being in nature and getting healthy doses of sunshine!
We have a facebook group called AHSExercise program, we will be doing these types of exercises in Royal City park in Guelph on Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm starting the third week of May. See our page or contact the clinic for more information on how to join the group.

Stay Hydrated

Think of it this way: your body is about 60% water so if you’re dehydrated your body won’t be able to function as well as it should – and it will tell you so. Headaches, lethargy, dry mouth, irritability, these are all signs that you need to hydrate. When your body is hydrated, your blood can more easily carry oxygen and nutrients to where they need to be and that results in a lift of energy!

Increase Your B12

B-vitamins are also known as the ‘happy vitamins’ for their ability to convert dietary nutrients into chemicals that the body can use for energy. While the body needs a few different varieties of B vitamins, one that is especially tied to good energy is vitamin B12. Exhaustion, pallor, feeling low and tired can all indicate low levels of vitamin B12 in the body. B12 is primarily found in animal-based foods like meat, dairy, and eggs, but is also available in much smaller amounts in plant foods like dark leafy greens, whole grains, legumes, and mushrooms, so be sure that you’re eating a diet rich in this wide variety of fresh foods! For those with severe B12 deficiency, vitamin B12 injections could be helpful because they deliver the vitamin into the muscle tissue and bypass the digestive system which, if compromised, may not absorb the nutrient effectively.
Before supplementing, it is a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider so that you are not taking a supplement that is either unnecessary for you or that may interfere with other supplements or medications. It’s always safer to make sure you are on the right path if you have a trusted healthcare provider such as myself! 😊

Increase Blood Oxygen

Bet you didn’t realize that all of the previous four suggestions have one thing in common! They all positively affect your energy by pumping more oxygen into your bloodstream. Well-oxygenated blood is better able to carry nutrients, can eliminate toxins efficiently, help us think more clearly, and can greatly diminish fatigue and exhaustion. Want another way to help your body get the oxygen it needs? Add fresh greenery to your home and office. Plants feed off of the carbon dioxide we exhale and replace it with fresh oxygen in the air. So, while you’re taking time to smell the flowers, take some time to sniff the plants as well. You just might find you’re breathing easier and feeling more lively too!

Intravenous Therapy

Intravenous therapy is a great way to boost your energy levels by supplying nutrients directly into the cells, bypassing the gastrointestinal system. For those who have had absorption concerns or have other concerns that are limiting the amounts of nutrients that they can get into the cells, this is an option. The “Meyer’s cocktail” is an intravenous infusion designed by a physician in Baltimore named John Meyer. He had placed a number of nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, B vitamins, selenium, and zinc together in an iv solution. IV therapy is used for many different health concerns. It also helps to accelerate healing or at the very least, feeling better in order to go after the root cause. Many patients feel a great burst of energy after having a Meyer’s cocktail. No fancy umbrellas needed in this liquid gold!

Maintaining healthy energy levels can be challenging when faced with the stresses of everyday life, but these tips can help you rev up your engine and keep you humming a happy tune all day long. If you still find that your energy levels seem lower than usual, or you are having difficulty sustaining your energy levels over time, you may need a closer look at what is going on and we want to be there to help. Book an appointment to visit Absolute Health Science and let us help you get back to your energetic self. Call us at 519-827-9519 or email us at info@absolutehealthscience.com

Dr. Frances Turk, ND, at Absolute Health Science

05/27/2018

Fatigue, Depression, Weight gain, Hair loss, Muscle pain, Allergies, Anxiety, Stomach aches, headaches and more…OH MY!

I know that the symptoms in my title cover a lot of stuff, but may I propose to you a very interesting and mind-blowing possibility? What if they are all related? Could that possibly be? Why of course, the answer is yes, otherwise I’d be trying to write a short article on a multitude of very common health concerns! That’s too much work and way too long of a read, so I will condense it a bit here today.
Back to the question of how on earth can these symptoms be related? Is there a link between fatigue and allergies? What about hair loss and muscle pain? Stomach aches and depression? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding YES. In this day and age, we have seen so many changes to our lifestyles that it is not unusual to start to see common trends regarding the symptoms we see quite often in our health journey. These changes include factors such as diet, environmental, stress, aging, and pollution.
What is it that is happening, and what’s the common link? The quick answer is toxic burden. Is that the answer for everyone? This is a very tricky question to answer in a politically correct world. Toxicity comes in many forms. As mentioned above, our exposure can be from something as simple as our diet, but it can also be an unavoidable exposure from environmental pollutants in the air that we breathe. Stress is also very toxic to the body and it impacts cellular health significantly. I want to highlight an important point before going further in this article. There are different levels of toxic burden that we are dealing with from one person to the next, thus when I say that there is definitely a link, sometimes, of course, there are more clear indices that point to another route that needs to be addressed in a more clinical environment. That said, please make sure you receive proper clinical care if you have a health concern.
Toxins are everywhere. They are in your house, in your car, in your clothes, in your food. They are in your shower curtain, in your daily hygiene products and in your water. This sounds so incredibly frightening, doesn’t it? There are so many really good books out there that talk about this at length, and some of this literature can be downright depressing. A couple of books worth mentioning include “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson, which is a book on the effects of pesticides that was written in 1962. That book was quite an eye-opener and has received more credibility within the last two decades. A lighter read that takes the depressing facts and places a bit of humor in it to make it less painful of a read is “Slow Death by Rubber Duck” by Rick Smith. Rick Smith, a biologist, and his buddy Bruce Lourie, an environmental advocate dare each other to do some outrageous things (eg. Drinking coffee out of a plastic baby bottle, eating meals cooked on nonstick cookware, sleeping in a freshly carpeted room, etc) over a two year period, where they ended up testing their blood levels of different toxins. One of the excerpts in R. Smith’s book incorporates the number of chemicals an average woman puts on themselves before their first coffee in the morning. That number, by the way, is 126 different chemicals in 12 different products!
Are you depressed yet? I sort of was when I re-read what I’d written so far. This blog can’t just be about doom and gloom! I will give you some bad news and good news on the topic. Bad news first: as we go forward into the future, the amount of toxin exposure we will face on a daily basis will exponentially grow higher and higher. The good news, if we can call it good news, is our body is able to handle and process a great portion of these toxins. What we need to do is ensure that our bodies are in top working form in order to process these toxins and eliminate them efficiently.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms noted in the title of my blog, or the others I’m about to list below, chances are that your body is having a bit of trouble dealing with toxic burden at the moment and it needs some assistance.

Here is a list of common symptoms leading to a toxic burden on the body:

Fatigue
Muscle aches
Joint pain
Sinus congestion
Postnasal drip
Excessive sinus problems
Headaches
Bloating
Gas
Constipation
Diarrhea
Foul-smelling stools
Heartburn
Sleep problems
Difficulty concentrating
Food cravings
Water retention
Trouble losing weight
Rashes
Skin problems
Eczema
Psoriasis
Canker sores
Acne
Puffy, dark circles under the eyes
Premenstrual syndrome
Other menstrual disorders
Bad breath

What a crazy long list! If you have any of the above symptoms, it is a good idea to start thinking about ways that you can help strengthen your ability to remove toxins from the body.

How does one reduce toxicity in the body? I would strongly recommend seeing a naturopathic doctor (Such as…ahem…myself) or a trusted health care practitioner so they can go through an individualized process to see what would be the most beneficial method for YOU as an individual. Be careful! If you do a detox without properly informing yourself on the repercussions of going too hard and too fast, you may end up being iller than you started off with. An example of this would be a condition called the Herxheimer reaction, or die-off reaction. The Herxheimer reaction occurs when the cells release toxins into circulation but the elimination organs (skin, lungs, liver, kidneys, bladder & GI tract) are not able to eliminate them quickly enough. The symptoms of this reaction include the following:

Nausea
Headache, fatigue, dizziness
Swollen glands
Bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhea
Increased joint or muscle pain
Elevated heart rate
Chills, cold feeling in your extremities
Body itchiness, hives or rashes
Sweating
Fever
Skin breakouts
Recurring vaginal, prostate and sinus infections
Notice how similar the reaction is to an actual toxic burden symptom?
Cellular health is a very complex topic to explain in great detail, however, suffice it to say that cells are the foundation to health. Your body is built on cells (37.2 trillion cells to be exact) and they are needed for a wide variety of functions. Not giving your cells the proper time and attention to healthy habits can destroy its foundation, leaving you vulnerable to a wide variety of health problems, like the ones listed earlier.

Here is a list of the top 5 things you can do to maintain cellular health.

1. Diet

Eat clean, eat green. The more options you can choose organically, the less your body has to work at eliminating the toxic burden of excess pollutants, pesticides and other unwanted chemicals. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts are amazing cell supporters. Cruciferous veggies have a component in them called brassinin, which helps support healthy cellular growth. Another key compound, called diindolylmethane (DIM) is contained within the brassicas and DIM is widely used to help support hormonal balance in men and women by eliminating bad estrogenic compounds called xenoestrogens by promoting the excretion of them. DIM is used a lot as a cancer preventative supplement.

2. Hydration

Water. Water. Water. It is essential to life. Without water, we would die. As the total amount of fluid intake is a very personal value, it is extremely important to monitor your fluid intake and ensure you are keeping hydrated. Muscle cells are 75 percent water, red blood cells contain 82 percent water, the brain is 76 percent water and even bone is 26 percent water! If you are dehydrated, think about what a dried up bone would look like, your susceptibility to injury would increase, less fluidity means more tension. Water also helps to move toxins out to the third phase of detoxification – elimination. Drinking water helps transport toxins out of the body that are excreted by the liver and kidneys.

3. Exercise

Exercise helps to promote circulation and increase lymphatic drainage in the body. This ultimately improves the immune system as well as promoting elimination through the primary detoxification organs; liver, lungs, kidneys, skin and gastrointestinal tract. Depending on the level of activity you are able to do, it can be as easy as going for a leisurely walk, or as intense as a CrossFit workout. At our clinic, we have a machine called the Power Plate, which is a whole body vibrating machine that helps to achieve a more intense workout with less effort! If you are interested in learning more about the power plate, feel free to book a free 15-minute appointment where we can show you what the power plate can do. It is beneficial for most people.

4. Mental Health

This is a huge one for detox. I have had to really work on this myself as the mind is a very powerful tool. It can help, but if there is toxicity, it can be hindered and can create a whole downward spiral of negative emotions. Ensure that you take
time to meditate, breathe and continue to think positive thoughts. No matter what type of toxic or negative energy is around you, you must always remember that you may not be able to change the energy or person that is toxic, but what you can change is your reaction to it. There is always a choice. There are many great apps for your phone for mindful meditation. You can also see a mental health counselor for cognitive behavioral therapy, or at our clinic, we even have a clinical hypnotherapist who can help to reframe the mindset and halt negative self-talk.

5. Sleep

There is nothing more satisfying than a good night’s rest. I like to call it the duvet diet. Sleep is essential for the body to have adequate rest in order to repair and regenerate tissues and cells as necessary. The average person should be getting around 7-9 hours of sleep a night. If this is not occurring, this needs to be addressed. The less sleep you have, the less likely you are able to handle cognitive function. Sleep is vital to optimal health and optimal internal cleansing success.
Please note that the information cited above are just suggestions on how to get started. For more information on how to safely cleanse YOUR body, please consider booking a free 15-minute consultation to see if this clinic is the right fit for you.

Dr. Frances Turk, ND, at Absolute Health Science