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Health Benefits of Herbs, Spices and Extracts
Herbs, spices and extracts are things we often use to season our foods and give it more flavour both before, during and after the cooking process. But giving food a more flavourful taste isn’t all they’re good for, as some of them can actually be beneficial to your health in a lot of different ways. First, we’ll begin with salt – also known as sodium. While salt is a mineral that is essential for our bodies, it’s also something that we get far too much of. The body only requires approximately 2 to 3 grams of salt per day. Anything in excess of that can cause certain mineral imbalances, such…
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Bad Foods for Problematic Skin
When it comes to certain skin conditions, such as acne and rosacea, we know that they’re triggered by a number of different factors, including genetics. However, one of the reasons for problematic skin may also be due to the foods you’re eating. Below, Dr. Ali Ghahary shares a list of some of the foods that are known to cause skin problems, as well as provides information on different substitutes. Dairy While milk is a great source of calcium, which helps strengthen bones and teeth, dairy products could be the reason for your skin breakouts. This is because dairy contains hormonal components that stimulate the production of oil. The more oil…
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High Cholesterol and Cholesterol-Lowering Foods
If you suffer from high cholesterol, then you know how important it is to get your cholesterol back down to a healthy level. Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that is mostly made from the liver, and when at healthy levels it plays an essential role in brain and nerve function. However, when cholesterol levels in the blood reach levels that are considered to be high, fatty deposits composed of both cholesterol and calcium accumulate in the arteries, which make it difficult for blood to flow through them, and this subsequently increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. While high cholesterol can be inherited, it’s more often…
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Milk and Milk Products
If you’re lactose intolerant, then milk and milk products are things you’ll want to stay away from. However, for those that aren’t lactose intolerant, they can be excellent sources of calcium as well as protein, riboflavin, phosphorus, thiamin, and certain B vitamins. In fact, drinking just one cup of milk can supply you with the necessary amount of calcium required for adults. Below is more information on the different types of milk and milk products. Milk comes on many different forms: Whole milk, skim milk, dried milk, fortified milk, acidophilus milk, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and buttermilk. Most milk goes through a process known as pasteurization, which kills bacteria and…
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Macro and Micronutrients Explained
In order for the body to function properly and for us to survive, we need nutrients. Nutrients are essential in maintaining our health as well as providing us with the energy we need to get through our everyday lives. What you might not know about nutrients, however, is that they can be split into two categories: Macronutrients and Micronutrients. Macronutrients consist of the following: Protein, fats and carbohydrates. While the latter two might sound scary, these nutrients are essential in supplying our bodies with the calories and energy in requires. As such, we need to tailor our diets accordingly to make sure we’re getting enough of what we need. Fats,…
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How to Survive Vancouver’s First Heat Wave of the Season
While there’s plenty of information available on how to protect yourself from the heat, it’s never a bad idea to remind people about the risks that often come along with rising temperatures and sunny weather. As Dr. Ali Ghahary recently mentioned on Twitter, temperatures in Vancouver are expected to hit the 30-degree mark in Metro Vancouver this week – and even higher across other areas of British Columbia. As a result, Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement warning that the first major heat wave of the season could stick around until mid-week, maybe even longer. Prolonged exposure to heat and sunshine can have a wide range of negative…
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Heart Disease
According to data gathered by the Public Health Agency of Canada, approximately 2.5 million Canadians over the age of 20 currently live with heart disease, while an estimated 9 in 10 Canadians have at least one precursor for heart disease. Heart Disease Explained Heart disease occurs when calcium, fatty material and scar tissue (also known as plaque) builds up in the coronary arteries. These arteries are responsible for supplying the heart with blood and nutrients, as well as supplying the oxygen it needs to pump that blood. However, when these arteries become narrow the heart is unable to get the amount of blood it needs. Over time this build-up can…
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Choosing the Right Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
Vitamins and minerals are essential because they perform a wide array of roles when it comes to keeping the body healthy. For example, boosting the immune system, giving us energy, strengthening bones, healing wounds, and repairing damage done to our cells. The best way that you can get vitamins and minerals is by eating a healthy diet. As a family physician, Dr. Ali Ghahary recommends patients include a variety of fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products, whole grains and seafood as part of their food plan. In some cases, individuals may not get the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals required to keep them healthy. This could be due to…
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How Minerals Help the Human Body
When it comes to out health, minerals are essential for a wide variety of functions. In previous articles, Dr. Ali Ghahary discussed the importance of both water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins – 13 in total. Today we’ll take a look at some of the 16 essential minerals that are also required to keep us healthy – including calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sulfur, chloride, copper, iodine, zinc, fluoride, and sodium…as well as some of the minerals you might be less familiar with, such as selenium, manganese, molybdenum, and chromium. Iron and calcium are, perhaps, the most common minerals. However, they’re also the two minerals that many Canadians aren’t getting enough…
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Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Unlike water-soluble vitamins, the body does not need fat-soluble vitamins every day. Often stored in the body for later use, fat-soluble vitamins travel through the small intestines lymphatic system and into the body’s blood circulation. Below, Vancouver physician Dr. Ali Ghahary breaks down the different types of fat-soluble vitamins and the role that each one plays. There are 4 types of fat-soluble vitamins, including: • Vitamin A • Vitamin D • Vitamin E • Vitamin K Vitamin A, also known as Retinol, has many different functions. Not only does is strengthen your ability to fight infections, it also helps with reproduction, vision, and other organs such as the heart, lungs and…