Do You Have Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic Syndrome is a cluster of conditions when combined together increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.  These conditions can include increased blood pressure, elevated insulin levels and excess body fat around the waist and/or abnormal cholesterol levels.

If more than one of these conditions occur in combination, your risk is even greater than usual of having a heart attack, stroke or developing diabetes.

The causes of metabolic syndrome are generally interwined with a less than healthy lifestyle including smoking, drinking, eating a diet high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, fat and lack of exercising.  Metabolic syndrome also becomes more common in women around peri-menopause, menopause and is also more common in people with a sedentary livestyle/ work environment.

Symptoms To Watch For!

The symptoms of metabolic syndrome that every person should watch for:


  *   Obesity, particularly around your waist (apple shape)
  *   Elevated blood pressure
  *   An elevated level of the blood fat called triglycerides and a low level of high-density lipoprotein
  *   Resistance to insulin, a hormone that helps to regulate the amount of sugar in your body

Having one component of metabolic syndrome means you're more likely to have others and the more components you have the more likely you are to suffer from a serious, life-shortening disease in the future.


Blood tests to detect the amount of fatty deposits in your blood and your resistance to insulin can be conducted at our Pinewood clinic on Duncan Mill Road in Toronto, this test will help determine whether or not you may have Metabolic Syndrome.

Treatment
Aggressive lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication can improve all of the different conditions that characterize this condition.
In general the person will be advised to be more physically active, lose weight and quit smoking. This can help reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol and reduce blood sugar levels.

Walking half an hour to an hour a day is initially recommended to help you lose five to ten percent of your body weight, reduce insulin levels, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of diabetes.

Smoking cigarettes increases insulin resistance and worsens the health consequences of metabolic syndrome. A naturopath can help you kick the cigarette habit.

If you have metabolic syndrome or any of the components of metabolic syndrome, you have the opportunity to make aggressive lifestyle changes. Making these changes can delay or derail the development of serious diseases that may result from metabolic syndrome. Our naturopaths and dieticians can recommend weight loss plans for reducing that apple belly as well as help you rethink your diet and lifestyle so you are less prone to developing diabetes or experiencing a cardiovascular related health crisis.

For more information or to book a consultation about anti-aging, diet and weight loss programs or any health issue you may be experiencing, visit the Pinewood Natural Health Clinic website that has a list of full services and products at www.pinewood.ca or call our Toronto Office at  (416)-656- 8100.  We also have an office in Pickering, Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have about our holistic health services.

Kiwi Fruit’s Healthy Impact on Weight Loss and the Immune System

The Kiwi is also known as both the Chinese gooseberry and also the “sunny peach.”. It is the large edible berry of a woody vine. Originally it was indigenous to the Easter Chinese “Shaanxi” province even though it is now widely grown in New Zealand.

In North America, the kiwis that are grown are generally the size of a Hen’s egg. This commonly available variety has a fuzzy brown skin and bright green flesh and is known as the Hayward.   A smaller North American type called the Blake is more smooth skinned and oval in shape.

Kiwifruit by species A = A. arguta, C = A. chinensis,

 D = A. deliciosa, E = A. eriantha, I = A. indochinensis,

 P = A. polygama, S = A. setosa;

Fruits of different species af Actinidia. A = A. arguta, 

C = A. chinensis, D = A. deliciosa, E = A. eriantha,

 I = A. indochinensis, P = A. polygama, S = A. setosa.

Golden Kiwi fruit, grown in China has lime green flesh with large black seeds and a red inner ring. Exotic varieties boast green to golden flesh with a red ring of black seeds inside. All kiwis have as small white ring inside the center.

Kiwis can taste different from batch to batch.  The taste is usually a hybrid of strawberries, lime, pineapple and a bit of banana with one flavour being slightly more prominent than another depending on where it was grown.

A Superfruit That is a Metabolic Bargain

Kiwi qualifies as being a superfruit because it is highly nutritious as each fruit is only 41 calories.  However, if you are trying to eat highly alkaline foods as part of special diet plan then kiwi is not for you as it registers quite highly on the acidic scale with a rating of 3.5.  Foods above 7 on the pH scale are considered to be alkaline.

Eating a kiwi can be compared to eating a very large organic vitamin pill. Kiwis are extremely rich in vitamin C, folate, potassium, carotenoids, chlorophyll, glutathione and pectin.  You can shorten the duration of a cold by eating kiwi.

Kiwi is also an unusually rich source of low fat and low-calorie Vitamin E. Vitamin E is a rare vegan sources and usually found in high-fat sources like avocado and nuts.

One serving of California Kiwifruit has more potassium than a banana. They are also a rich source of antioxidants, which reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke. Each Kiwi has about 2 grams of protein and 133 mg of Vitamin C.  They are 5% calcium, 3% Vitamin E and 3% iron. One kiwifruit has 30 mg of magnesium, which aids in muscle and nerve function.

Kiwi Fruit’s Many Health Benefits

Kiwi’s antioxidants neutralize the free radicals that cause inflammation and cancer.  The high Vitamin C content helps prevent asthma, arteriosclerosis, osteoarthritis and colon cancer.

The fruits high Vitamin E content helps lower cholesterol and boost immunity. Eating two to three Kiwi fruits a day can reduce the potential for blood clots and decrease triglycerides.

Kiwi is a well-known weight loss food because it has only 3.8 calories per fruit.  Only cantaloupes, papaya, strawberry and lemon have fewer calories. Diabetics can safely enjoy Kiwi Fruit. They have a low glycemic index of 52.  This is also beneficial for those looking for a fat-free, low-carb way to lose weight.

Kiwi also prevents colon cancer, optimizes metabolism and is a natural blood thinner and anti-depressant.

Where to Find Kiwi Fruit

You can find kiwi fruit is most grocery stores nowadays and definitely at Asian markets. Be sure to choose plump, aromatic Kiwi that yields to gentle pressure. Avoid those that are mushy or that have bruises or wet spots.

It is preferable to not eat the skin so it is best to peel the Kiwi before you slice it.   Don’t try to suspend it in gelatin. It has a compound in it that will not allow it to set.

For more information or to book a consultation about nutrition and weight loss programs or any health issue you may be experiencing, visit the Pinewood Natural Health Centre website that has a list of full services and products at www.pinewood.ca or call our Toronto Office at  (416)-656- 8100.  We also have an office in Pickering, Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have about our holistic health services.

Toronto Holistic Nutritionist Karen Gilman Helps Get Rid of Hot Flashes, Insomnia and Fatigue With Diet

Are you constantly tired? Have low energy? Want a better night’s sleep? 

Do you suffer from acne and dry skin issues?

We, women, need to pay special attention to our hormonal health.  As a Holistic Nutritionist, I often see women experiencing hormonal imbalances. These imbalances are part of our journey through life and we should eat appropriately for this stage to minimize the effects of this transition and to set us up for future health.

As a busy mom with two young daughters, I understand you need lots of energy to tackle the day from packing lunches (ugh!) to ferrying the kids to soccer practice. Being up in the middle of the night unable to fall back asleep doesn’t help!

In my practice, prevention is key and I encourage all the women I see to follow a diet that will take them through these middle years easily with minimal weight gain, sleepless nights (though not due to crying baby anymore), hot flashes and mood swings. To help my clients make the necessary dietary changes, I have put together a whole foods based Hormone Balancing Nutrition Program. This is a great program to supplement those on hormonal correction therapy.

If you experience the following, you can benefit from this program:

Hot flashes                  Low blood sugar                 Moodswings  

Acne rosacea              Weight gain                         Dry skin                     

Sleepless nights         Irritability

Book a Hormone Balancing Nutrition Program today for just $99!

(Value of $115)

I will work with you to create a meal plan and give you the right tools to minimize your risk for developing chronic medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease or osteoporosis.

Call the clinic at 416-656-8100 to book your appointment or email me at Karen@nutrilicious.ca.

To eating nutritious and delicious food!

Karen Gilman

Registered Holistic Nutritionist