Health Awareness (Part II)

Nutritional Facts...


I am becoming more conscious about what I eat (no I am not quite junk food free yet but am exercising better decisions in what I pick up at the grocery store).  Seeing that we will be visiting Raw Juices on our walk - focusing on the nutritional benefits of fruits and veggies, it seemed fitting to bring up a nutritional green Moringa Oleifera I recently came across in my health related adventures.


I know my first reaction was 'what', 'ehm who'?


Here are some facts on Moringa Oleifera:
* Moringa leaves have been used as traditional medicine and in the Ayurvedic System of medicine have been said to cure ~ 300 diseases!
* A tropical tree with leaves that are rich in protein, calcium, iron, Vitamin C and Vitamin A
* 1 gram of Moringa (green powder) = 2 x Protein of yogurt
                                                            = 4 x Vitamin A of carrots
                                                            = 3 x Potassium of banana
                                                            = 4 x Calcium of milk
                                                            = 7 x Vitamin C of oranges
https://www.kulikulifoods.com/moringa
http://idealbite.com/do-not-try-moringa-oleifera-until-you-read-the-facts-about-it/
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/11/12/healing-powers-moringa/




There are some side effects linked to Moringa....
* The Moringa fruit, leaves and seeds are thought to be safe to eat - however the Moringa root may contain a toxic substance that can cause miscarriage, paralysis (click on side effects tab on link below)
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1242-moringa.aspx?activeingredientid=1242&activeingredientname=moringa


* Always check if Moringa will interact with any medications you are on before intake
* Like all things - take Moringa in moderation and keep a balanced diet (click on dosing tab on link below)
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1242-moringa.aspx?activeingredientid=1242&activeingredientname=moringa

Health Awareness (Part I)

I attended an amazing event celebrating the International Year of Light** this week hosted by the Impact Centre ...
http://www.impactcentre.ca/event/industry-day-light-based-technologies-for-healthtech


The event showcased companies within the healthcare sector that are striving to make (and are making) a difference.  Topics ranged from...
* Shining a Light on Clinical Diagnostics
* Porphysome Nanotechnology: Road to Clinical Translation
to ...
* The Canary System - A Commercialization Story of an early tooth decay detecting system (earlier than current x-ray machines)
... and more....
http://www.impactcentre.ca/light2015/jul21


What I walked away with from the session...
There are people in our society that have vast knowledge and expertise - take a look at the talent of the speakers that presented at this event.  Are we aware of their products, are we aware of the new technologies that are coming up and the applications and research that needs funding/ collaboration to bring it to the next step, can we work together with groups like Impact Centre or OBIO to take strides forward... just some food for thought...


** What is The International Year of Light about
The International Year of Light is a global initiative which will highlight to the citizens of the world the importance of light and optical technologies in their lives, for their futures, and for the development of society. It is a unique opportunity to inspire, educate, and connect on a global scale.


On 20 December 2013, the UN General Assembly 68th Session proclaimed 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015).  In proclaiming an International Year focusing on the topic of light science and its applications, the UN has recognized the importance of raising global awareness about how light-based technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to global challenges in energy, education, agriculture and health. Light plays a vital role in our daily lives and is an imperative cross-cutting discipline of science in the 21st century. It has revolutionized medicine, opened up international communication via the Internet, and continues to be central to linking cultural, economic and political aspects of the global society.


Source:  http://www.light2015.org/Home.html

INFORMATION ON WALK SITES

Yonge Street Health Walk Sites
Community health services
September 12th 2015

Meeting Place – start of walk:  Yonge Blvd Parkette 3444 Yonge Str

9:30am – 9:40am

•Continuum Wellness:  3402 Yonge Street  (9:45am to 10:05am)

            We are the largest, fully integrated natural health care centre in the neighborhood, staffing 16 Registered Therapists and Licensed Health Care Professionals. The clinic is open 7 days a week with flexible and convenient appointment times for Registered Massage Therapy, Chiropractic Care, Nutrition, Acupuncture, Reflexology and Psychotherapy services

ØCommon injuries and therapies used to treat those injuries – what you need to do to help you heal and maintain good health

•The Raw Juice Company:  3345 Yonge Street  (10:20am – 10:35am)

            Have fresh juice for purchase – nutritional benefit, vitamin/ mineral intake (walkers will be given a free sample to taste)

ØVitamins / minerals found within different juices – figure out which one you may need more

•Lawrence Park Animal Hospital:  3158 Yonge Street (10:50am – 11:05am)

A veterinary hospital serving clients and patients in the Lawrence Park and neighbouring area for over fifty years. In 1992, Dr. Larry Wilder renovated the previous hospital and renamed it “Lawrence Park Animal Hospital”.

We pride ourselves in our friendly and helpful staff members and provide top notch customer service care for you and your pets. Our doctors and staff are always involving themselves in continuing education courses and keeping up-to-date with the newest and latest in veterinary medicine to be able to provide the greatest care.

Our services include boarding, diagnostic imaging, laser therapy, medicine, microchipping, nutrition counselling, surgery and wellness and prevention.  We are also part of the Potcake Rescue Group (we help find homes for Potcake puppies), they travel to us from Turk’s and Caicos, we examine them and provide any care of treatment before finding them a forever home. 

ØExtension of Love and Care – what treatments are available for your pets so that you know where to go and what to ask for

•Locke Library:  3083 Yonge Street  (11:20am – noon)

            At the neighborhood library , our keynote speaker shares his passion for transforming communities from a health perspective.

Dr. James Maskalyk  currently practices emergency medicine  and is an assistant professor at University of Toronto.  He will talk about the profound experiences he had as part of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF/Doctors Without Borders) while in Sudan, experiences shared in his book Six Months in Sudan , and his current work partnering with Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa University to develop a program that will train the country’s emergency physicians.

Over the next few weeks I plan to post general information on health related questions based on interest and what I find in my research... stay tuned!