naturopathic news

Happy Holidays everyone!  It’s hard to believe that it’s already time to start thinking about our goals for the New Year.  There is definitely lots of excitement in the Haessler/Dennison household as we get ready to move into our new house December 15th, and prepare for our new family addition who’s due to arrive around February 1st.  For those of you who don’t know yet from seeing me waddling around the office, Steve and I are happily expecting a baby boy in the New Year. 

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Stephanie Jennings, ND will be covering my maternity leave from January 19th until September 14th, 2009.  I am planning on continuing to see patients until January 16th, 2009, and Stephanie will be sitting in with me during visits for the first week and a half of January so she can start to meet everyone.  Stephanie graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine with me in 2003, and has been practicing until now in Whitby.  I am confident that you will be in good hands until I return in September.

In other office news, Registered Massage Therapist, Christine Shillinglaw, joined the Maple Shores Health Centre at the beginning of November.  If you are interested in massage treatments, both Christine and Joni McNeice are currently accepting new patients.  As mentioned in the last newsletter, Kerry Nichol, Holistic Nutritionist, is working in the office Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, offering nutritional counselling.  Tony and I are happy to have such a great group of people to work with.  We have certainly grown a lot in the last year!

In this newsletter, I will be discussing FirstLine Therapy (FLT), a program that Kerry Nichol, Stephanie Jennings and I are all trained in.  I believe it’s an excellent program to help achieve the popular New Year’s resolution of healthier living.

So, I look forward to seeing all of you when I return in September.  I’ll be sure to leave a picture in the office of our little bundle when he arrives.  I wish you all a happy, healthy new year!

Jennifer

Most of the chronic diseases that currently affect Canadians are caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits.  FirstLine Therapy is a therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) program that can help you improve your health, achieve your health goals, and reduce your health risks.  You’ll learn simple things you can do every day to take control of your health-such as diet, exercise, stress management, and appropriate nutritional supplementation. 

Chronic conditions that can benefit from FirstLine Therapy include:

• Heart Disease	• Diabetes/ High Blood Sugar
• Arthritis	• Osteoporosis
• Stroke	• Overweight/Obesity
• High Cholesterol	• High blood pressure

Lifestyle choices are also the key to addressing other health concerns and symptoms, such as:

• Fatigue	• Hormone imbalance
• Low sex drive	• Stress-related symptoms
• Poor memory or lack of mental clarity

Many of these health problems can be treated by adopting a healthy lifestyle. With this program you'll also get easy ways to track your progress, tips for success, and other support that will help you achieve your goals.  FirstLine Therapy will address the underlying cause of your health problems, and help you to feel good now, so that you can enjoy good health for years to come. 
 
We have organized FirstLine Therapy as a 12 week program in the clinic:

Week 1 (with Naturopathic Dr.)	Have body composition testing (BIA) performed, discuss lab tests that have been/need to be done, and determine your health goals You’ll receive the FLT Welcome Kit, and advice about nutritional supplements
Weeks 2-5 (with Holistic Nutritionist)	Meet as needed for individualized nutritional counseling Repeat BIA testing at least once
Week 6 (with Naturopathic Dr.)	Re-testing to evaluate your progress and identify any needed program adjustments.
Weeks 7-11 (with Holistic Nutritionist)	Same as weeks 2-5
Week 12 (with Naturopathic Dr.)	Retesting (required lab work and BIA) to evaluate your progress If goals have been reached, a maintenance program is made If goals have not been achieved, you may decide to continue the program

What is BIA?

Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA) is a method of assessing your “body composition” – the measurement of body fat, lean body mass (which includes muscle), and fluid distribution.  It is an important tool to assess your overall health and nutritional balance.

Why is Body Composition Important to My Health?

A normal balance of body fat is associated with good health and longevity.  Excess fat in relation to lean body mass can increase your risks of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and more.

BIA is a great way to measure your progress as you improve your health.  It can be used to track that weight loss is happening in a healthy manner – that body fat is decreased, muscle mass is increased or maintained, and hydration is optimal.

How Does BIA Work?

BIA is much more sophisticated than your bathroom scale, but just as simple – and almost as quick.  It is performed in our office with the help of a sophisticated, computerized analysis.

In just minutes, this computer “calculates” and estimates your tissue and fluid compartments - using an imperceptible electrical current passed through pads placed on your hand and foot as you lie comfortably clothed on an exam table.   Your results can help guide the creation of a personalized plan for you, that includes dietary recommendations, exercise, as well as nutritional supplements when appropriate, to help you maintain optimal health and wellbeing for a lifetime.

Recipe Corner Here’s a healthy dip to use for crackers and veggies.  All of the ingredients can be found at any grocery store (the tahini and tamari will likely be in the health food section). White bean dip  (yields 3 cups) Per 1 tbsp. serving: 36 calories, 3 g carbohydrate, 1 g protein,  2 g fat • 2 cans beans (soybeans, Great Northern, garbanzos, black eyed peas, or a mixture of light colored beans) • ¼ cup tahini • ¼ cup lemon juice • 1 tsp. lemon zest, optional • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil • 4 cloves of garlic • 2 to 3 tsp. cumin, ground • 1 tsp. cinnamon • 2 tsp. paprika • 2 to 4 tbsp. tamari • Salt to taste In a food processor, add the cooked beans and all other ingredients. Process until creamy.  Refrigerate until ready to use, or freeze in smaller portions. Use within 3 days.

 Happy New Year!

Click here to go to haesslernaturopathic.com.

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