megram - Index

megram - Guide To Spring Fun In Ottawa's West End - Index

Health Tips
Green truly healthy or not?
Buying pre-washed, packaged greens may be convenient, but they may not be as
healthy as you think. Be sure to pay attention to the best-before date, at least
when buying plastic-packaged lettuce or vegetables. Your greens could be several
weeks old and weak in vitamins due to pumped-in gas that slows discolouration.
Prewashed means the vegetables have been presoaked in chlorine. By-products
of chlorine have been found to be toxic; they accumulate in the body and
have been linked to cancer, birth defects, and reproductive disorders. When
choosing green, perhaps choose more organic than the greens peeking through
the plastic.
Which red wine for optimum health?
Choosing the right red wine to drink to ensure you’re consuming the healthiest
variety is as simple as looking at the label. For the most health benefits, wines
from southwestern France and Sardinia seem to be the best choice because they
contain high levels of procyanidins — compounds in the grape seeds that are
good for the heart. In particular, Madiran, a traditional wine from southwestern
France, is produced primarily from the Tannat black grape, which contains the
highest levels of procyanidins.
Oral care linked to overall health
Research shows that your oral health can significantly contribute to your overall
health. Gum disease especially has been linked to a variety of conditions that
affect the entire body. So with proper dental care, prevention, regular applications
of fluoride, flossing, and regular checkups and by addressing specific dental
needs at different stages of your life, you can have healthy pearly whites for a
long life.
Battling the obesity epidemic
Every health checkup should include a measure of waist circumference as well
as a weigh in, say guidelines on the prevention and management of obesity.
Practitioners need to help their patients realize that their weight and body shape
can have a serious impact on their long-term health. Patients should listen to
reduce their risk of heart disease and diabetes. Even trimming a few inches from
the waist and losing five to 10 per cent of your body fat can have significant
health benefits.
Compiled by Doris Ohlmann.
Due West/Due East Magazine • Spring 2008 Ottawa Page 46