Don't shrink yourself

As a brand-new nutritional therapy practitioner, I had envisioned clients flocking to me to find out how they could eat to improve their health. After all, I was so excited about what I had learned that I simply imagined everyone else would be equally intrigued to find out how you can actually use food as medicine.

There were a few who were genuinely interested in improving their health.

However, the vast majority were women looking to shed some weight.

Often the women were in their forties, their children were grown and these ladies were looking for ways to trim down.

It is so common for women to lose their identities to some degree when they become mothers. No longer are we allowed or able to focus on ourselves, now our time and energy is spent mainly raising our families. Rather than engaging in activities that make us happy, we are driving kids back and forth to their activities. Rather than making ourselves a nutritious and enjoyable lunch, our lunches are slapped together haphazardly last minute, if at all. We are used to putting our needs last, but this takes a toll on our bodies and souls over time.

Years later we hardly recognize that face looking back at us in the mirror. The tired eyes, the scraggly hair, the new pooch at our waist. Wondering what it was that we used to enjoy and how on earth we were able to fill a day up before we gained all of the responsibilities.

Not that we would trade it for anything. Being a mom is my greatest achievement and it provides me with purpose, hope and motivation.

There is no magic fix to shedding weight. It takes consistency and time. It takes positive self-talk and self-love. It takes motivation and a spirit of always doing what it takes.

Adjusting your diet can help many to shed some weight. I always tell my clients that we will first focus on properly fueling your body and replenishing those nutrient deficiencies. My protocols are based on whole foods which will lower inflammation and help to balance your hormones. Many times when these adjustments are made consistently, we will see weight loss. It is only after addressing all of those other issues that the pieces of the puzzle start fitting together.

Even if you are looking to lose some weight, please know that you are absolutely fine just the way that you are. You do not need to shrink yourself in order to be accepted, whether this is shrinking yourself physically or emotionally. Be loud and proud and figure out what makes you, you.

The benefits of zinc

Zinc is a mineral that has some important roles to play in the body. Zinc deficiency is common and can have some bothersome and serious effects if left untreated.

Our bodies cannot make zinc, and so it must be consumed. Although it is considered a trace mineral - meaning we only need a little bit of it - many of us are not getting enough zinc in our diets. Undoubtedly this is a direct result of relying too heavily on processed foods. Typically these foods are mostly nutrient-poor and are instead loaded with sugars and quickly digested carbs rather than important nutrients!

Zinc is important for the health of our immune system. This mineral is required for body to produce those antibodies that ward off serious disease and those that fight off invaders. A low intake of zinc can put you at an increased risk of getting sicker and taking longer to recover than someone who has an adequate level of zinc. It is also required for periods of intense growth as it helps cells to grow and multiply such as in children, adolescents and pregnant or lactating women.

Being that zinc is required for cells to properly grow and multiply, it supports the health of your skin and your digestive tract, which are all types of cells that are replenished more rapidly than other types of cells in your body. It goes without saying then that adequate consumption of zinc is needed for proper wound healing too.

In relation to multiple sclerosis, zinc is a component of the basic protein of myelin. In addition, with the affect it has on the immune system there have been studies to show that a low level of zinc was more common in those diagnosed with MS.

Zinc is also a requirement in regards to the enzymes that do important work in our bodies. For instance, inadequate zinc consumption may result in inadequate or low quality digestive enzyme production. This may lead to inefficient and incomplete digestion and nutrient absorption thereby depleting other essential nutrients. Remember that enzymes are also integral to the health of our brain and nervous system including the all important blood-brain barrier, as well as a particular antigen that is necessary for rebuilding myelin. When it comes to MS, this little mineral must not be ignored.

It is a fine balance, however, and the key is not to simply consume zinc supplements. As always, the best source of nutrients is found in our foods. Plant products can contain some zinc, but animal products are considered to be better sources of zinc; not only is the concentration of zinc higher but the form of zinc found in animal foods is more easily absorbed.

Some of the best sources of zinc include shellfish, beef, poultry and pork. If inadequate quantities of these foods are consumed regularly, adding in a zinc supplement may be beneficial. Excess zinc consumption does run the risk of depleting other trace minerals such as copper, so it is advised to consult with a professional prior to adding this to your regime.

Ensuring adequate intake of these important nutrients is an essential step to take when managing a chronic condition such as multiple sclerosis.

The paradox of September

September is an emotional roller coaster for me and has been since becoming a mom.

I love the relaxed nature of the summer; I don’t need to be as consistent with the kids’ bedtimes and generally have less commitments to attend to. There is plenty of time for vacations and so much sunshine to make up for our colder darker winters. Typically our mornings are also less hectic.

By the time the summer winds down though, I am usually ready for more consistency and routine. Although I am fortunate that I can tolerate the heat ok I also embrace the cooler temperatures that come along with the change in seasons.

My kids are older now and need much less physical help - now I am busier driving them around and organizing hangouts with their pals. After 2 months of doing so and being the ‘entertainer’ to some degree, I do look forward to the start of the school year. A return to school also means that I have more time to focus on me and my goals.

With the season change leaving me more time to reflect often means a surprising paradoxical increase in my anxiety levels too. I cannot quite explain it; I suppose it is due to my own expectations of myself. Perhaps it is a feeling of guilt for being excited and ready for school to begin

I love birthdays. Mine happens to be this month, right at the fall equinox on September 22. I have always made a point of celebrating MY day however I want to. In fact, years ago, a more senior nurse at work half-jokingly told me that it was bad luck to work on your birthday. This was all the confirmation I needed to be sure that I took the day off. More than 20 years later, I continue to do so. And I think that I have converted many others to do the same! I make a coffee or lunch date, a massage appointment and treat myself to a homemade birthday cake - still made with ingredients that I tolerate.

My birthday is now a bittersweet day for me. As many of you know, the morning of my 38th birthday is the exact moment that I knew something was terribly wrong with me physically. As soon as I stepped out of bed that day, I realized that I could not feel my feet and the sensation slowly progressed upwards. It was then that everything really changed for me. It certainly made for a memorable birthday that year.

I think back to how different I was on that day nearly six years ago. I have grown exponentially in so many ways. And I am proud of how I have managed this disease to this point. I truly felt that my only option was to do anything and everything that I could to improve my health. I still do. Succumbing to nature’s course without a damn good fight did not even occur to me.

Is my life now perfect? Hell no! I still have numbness and fatigue. I still get pissed off at not being able to eat good old pizza. I still get bitchy and fall into the comparison trap. But my energy is better. My skin is better. My gut health is so much better. My self-respect is immensely better. My anxiety is mostly under control. I sleep solidly 99% of the time. I am physically stronger than I was in my twenties. And I have slowly grown to love myself and this life that I was given; bumps, detours, roadblocks, storms and all.

Collagen supplements: why you might need to add this one

Have you tried searching for a protein supplement that does not contain

1. whey protein (dairy) or

2. multiple ingredients with names so long you cannot pronounce them in one breath?

I came across collagen as a protein supplement simply because of this scenario. I have been using the Great Lakes brand for a little while now. It’s ONLY ingredient is collagen. The bonus is that this collagen comes from animals that are raised on a pasture and grass-fed. Animals raised in this way enjoy a life that is much more similar to how nature intended! The stress hormones are typically lower and the omega fat balance is more ideal.

Collagen is a protein that helps to make our connective tissues, including our bones, our cartilage, and our tendons. But did you know that it is also used to build muscle and our skin?

Collagen can be found in food. The best source for collagen is a bone broth, or the tougher cuts of meat. I enjoy bone broth, but it is not something that I consume daily. This is why I needed a supplement form.

As we age, it is no secret that our connective tissue is not nearly as elastic or robust as it once was. Consider wrinkles and joint discomfort. Both scenarios are obvious signs that our connective tissues are less than ideal. As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen.

There are also less obvious signs that we have disordered connective tissue health. Osteoporosis is diagnosed when the density of the bone is low. The connective tissue is impaired thereby leaving the bone weaker and more prone to fracture. Unfortunately, this disease is most commonly diagnosed in its later stages such as when a fracture has already occurred.

A recent RC study has shown that an increased consumption of specific collagen peptides increased bone mineral density significantly as compared to those taking a placebo. Not only that, but it has been shown time and again to decrease pain related to joint discomfort.

The key with a supplement like collagen is that it needs to be taken over a longer term before any improvements can occur. These tissues are notoriously slow to heal and regenerate; ask anyone who has suffered from an Achilles tendon injury and they will tell you that it takes seemingly forever to repair!

For optimal health, physical activity is essential. Daily exercise has benefits such as

• increasing our physical strength

• lowering blood pressure

• increasing our insulin sensitivity

• lowering the risk of progression of multiple sclerosis

• improved mental health

• increased likelihood for independent living as we age.

Keeping your connective tissues healthy will go a long way to support your ability to engage in regular physical activities. Joint injuries or bone fractures are the most common reasons for people to stop exercising. Consider adding this simple, clean supplement to keep you moving.

But I don't feel like it.

Have you ever heard your alarm go off in the morning and thought about going to the gym, but instead decided that you ‘didn’t feel like it’? And so you didn’t go?

This sentiment is all too common, and we are a society that craves comfort and convenience. Consider how simple it is to order any type of cuisine that you like and have it ordered to your door. Or to watch anything that you want at any time that you want. Many tasks are easy to put off as we know that our survival no longer depends on them, as opposed to how life was a century ago.

We have become more and more sedentary as time goes on. Our work has changed to be less physical in nature and is often completed on a computer. It now takes effort to be physically active.

When physical activity is a part of your routine it takes the pressure off. You simply go because it is a part of your day, similar to showering and brushing your teeth. It is a non-negotiable, save for illness or injury. For me, I plan the activity the evening before and take into account my other plans for that day. Running and hot yoga are more draining for me than other exercises, so I make sure to plan this activity on days when I have less happening later in the day.

If you leave your decision about whether or not to exercise until the morning, then you are left debating, making pros/cons lists and essentially finding reasons to avoid exercise. More often than not, waiting to exercise until you ‘feel like it’ equates to less exercise overall.

The same premise can be applied to any task that you find difficult to get to. Perhaps it is a home project that you have been putting off until you ‘feel like it’. Or it could be something bigger, like starting your own business, or returning to school.

Don’t wait until you feel like it. Simply get out there and do it.