News

September 17, 2014 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Uncategorized By Vancouver Health Coach

Why Cycling In The City Is A Great Idea

You love the city. You love the energy that the city gives you – the people, the sites, the smells, the sounds – there truly is nothing like being in the action of an urban area. And when you’re on your bicycle, there is nothing more exhilarating than exploring the streets of it. You’re not confined to a car – you’re out in the open air, feeling the roads and sidewalks beat with life. So whatever cycling gear you have – BMX, mountain bike, a street bike, road racing bikes, or hybrid bike – traveling a city by bike gives you the chance to...

September 16, 2014 In Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Is Candida Affecting Your Health?

Candida albicans is a yeast that is normally found colonizing the digestive tract and other mucous membranes of the body.  After antibiotic use or periods of immune suppression, this yeast can proliferate, causing a yeast infection in the digestive tract, on the tongue (“thrush”), in the nasal sinuses, vagina, urinary tract and in the folds of the skin.  In addition to causing symptoms ranging from nagging to severe, chronic Candida infection can derange your immune system leading to allergies, frequent infections, and autoimmune conditions. Symptoms of Candida Infection: Bloating, gas, difficulty digesting many foods, heartburn, chronic indigestion, irregular bowel movements Sugar cravings, alcohol...

September 15, 2014 In Emotional Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Letting Go of Control for Emotional Wellness

Summer is a perfect time to practice chilling out. The world collectively shares this mindset as we see people all around us slowing down, putting their feet up and taking plenty of rest. Even social constructs tend to be more lax, such as the amount of clothing appropriate to wear in public. But by practicing 'chilling out' I'm not referring to sipping a cold one by the pool and turning off the phone...

September 15, 2014 In Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Rich Ralph

The Superfood Dilemma: Mangosteen

Pomegranate, Noni fruit, Acai Berry, and now the Mangosteen. Some days it feels like the latest superfruit trends change faster than iPhone upgrades! What is it about tropical fruit that makes us believe we can’t be truly healthy without it? I write on a regular basis about the value of the incredible local fruit and vegetables we have around us and their exceptional health benefits. I decided it was time to put one of the latest exotic food fads up against a typical local food so we can make an educated comparison for ourselves on the nutritional values. On one hand we...

September 14, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Supplements, Uncategorized By Vancouver Health Coach

Metabolic Syndrome: Are You at Risk?

Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X is a condition that was first reported in 1978 by Dr. Gerald B. Phillips. This syndrome is considered to be a powerful independent risk factor for mortality and morbidity associated with cardiovascular disease. A very frightening statistic puts 1 in every 4 persons in North America at risk for developing Metabolic Syndrome. The syndrome involves a cluster of symptoms that are often associated with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. The cluster may include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, increased waist to hip ratio and/or obesity, as well as a reduced sensitivity of our cells to insulin with...

September 14, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Crystal Di Domizio

Is Gluten Sabotaging Your Health?

According to new research from the Mayo Clinic, Celiac Disease affects approximately 1 in 100 people. When individuals with Celiac Disease consume gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, the absorptive surface of the small intestine is damaged. This greatly decreases the body’s ability to absorb nutrients causing vitamin and mineral deficiencies that deprive the brain, nervous system, bones and other organs of essential nourishment. Continued exposure to gluten creates an increased risk for developing secondary diseases and disorders including certain types of cancer. The development of Celiac Disease involves a combination of genetic, environmental and...

September 13, 2014 In News, Spotlight, Workouts By Vancouver Health Coach

How to build muscle without supplements: Part Two

Previously I talked about the science and concepts behind building muscle without the aid of supplements. It is a process that can be done but keep in mind that it will take some time. Before a few sample testosterone inducing workouts are broken down, here is a recap of what was previously talked about. 1). Testosterone will have many effects on the body, both directly and indirectly.  It will all have some effect on the growth of a muscle in some shape or form. 2). When it comes to program design, you want to follow the following guidelines: - Multi-joint exercises...

September 13, 2014 In Fitness, News, Spotlight, Workouts By Vancouver Health Coach

A Closer Look at Tabata Interval Training

Across the board, interval training has plenty of benefits. From fat loss, maintaining muscle, helping to strengthen aerobic and anaerobic metabolism personal trainers have prescribed this kind of training to their clients as well as the average gym goer. In summary, intervals usually consist of a high intensity bout of exercise followed by a low intensity bout (or a complete rest) and will repeat this for several rounds. For example, a person may run on the treadmill at a very fast speed for 30 seconds followed by a light jog or walk for 30 seconds and repeat that for 15-20...

September 12, 2014 In Eliminating Toxins, Fitness, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

What Is Inflammation?

What is Inflammation? Inflammation is the body’s response to injury. Injury to soft tissues can arise from a number of sources. Physical traumas such as a strain, sprain or contusion are most common, whereas injuries can also occur from bacterial or viral infections, heat, or chemical injury. Trauma causes direct damage to cells in the immediate area of injury, causing bleeding. The bleeding initiates a cascade of events in the inflammatory process that promote healing of the injured tissue. Progression from acute to chronic inflammation can result from persistent injury or individual factors (eg. diabetes, corticosteroid use, blood disorders). How...