Did you know what happens in your mouth has an affect on what happens in your body?

Although visiting the dentist may not be your favourite 'to do' chore, it is useful to consider where your mouth's well-being stands in comparison to your body.
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Through the principles of holistic or biological dentistry, there is a correlation between your mouth and the rest of your body.

For this reason, there has been many controversies between medical specialties. But we cannot deny the fact that our body functions as one and as such, a trip to your dentist may very well uncover other ailments that you have long buried or are currently experiencing. Particularly, holistic dentistry can be an option where harmful chemicals in your mouth can be limited or avoided altogether.

As Toronto-based Dr. Michael Schecter, co-founder of Schecter Dental states, 'it's all about minimizing toxicity and invasiveness and respecting the effects of dentistry has on the whole body rather than just on the oral cavity."

Seeking a holistic dentist can provide you with options outside of surgical procedures or mercury, known to be the most toxic non-radioactive substance, filling implantations. These tools can include: new biocompatible restorations to avoid root canals; non-surgical treatments; alternative therapies to compensate for pain or replace anti-biotics.

As a biological dentist, Dr. Schecter describes integrating the best elements of conventional dentistry while focusing on the implications oral health has on the entire body. His clinic involves: procedures to minimize the toxic effects of mercury, flouride, root canals; the use of homeopathic remedies to address acute dental issues such as infection or pain; cosmetic dentistry;  all the while addressing hygiene and prevention through microscopic dental plaque analysis.

Holistic or biological dentistry may not yet be mainstream but more and more are realizing the benefits of having a holistic health team at hand.


For more information contact:

Dr. Michael Schecter
www.schecterdental.com

With cosmetic technology and procedures on the rise, looking young is not difficult to achieve. But BEING young and youthful cannot be achieved with just cosmetic devices. Not to mention it can lead to deep holes in the pocket. The good news is there are ways to look fabulous for free! Maintaining a high level of vitality rests upon your everyday habits. Since stress is one of the top age accelerators, avoiding high stress levels is key to maintaining your youth.

10 habits to cultivate in your everyday life include:

• Keeping active. Find time everyday to keep your body moving. Whether it be walking your dog or playing with your children or running after them, moving prevents numerous degenerative conditions.
• Paying attention to what you eat. For some, going all organic may be costly, however, various non-organic items are not all that bad. For eg, non-organic whole wheat is still healthier than junk food or deep fried foods.
• Keeping your brain stimulated. Just because school is out does not mean reading is off limits. Pick up a book of your topic of interest. Work-related material does not count.
• Taking time for reflection. A few minutes of silence a day to meditate has been said to slow down the aging process. Yoga, Qigong and Tai Chi are great practices to achieve inner solitude.
• Always compliment yourself. Arrogance is not the same as being comfortable with yourself and having a humble level of self-confidence.
• Keeping things simple. Avoid feeling overwhelmed with everyday tasks and future deadlines. Organization is great but staying in the presence is powerful.
• Cultivating characters of patience, humility, courage and honesty. It will triumph over negative emotions when circumstances provoke.
• Dancing like no one’s watching. Keep your favourite dance tunes handy when you do house chores. It is an energy booster!
• Laughing. As long as it causes no offence to anyone, don’t try to limit your ability to laugh.
• Sleep. Turn the computer power button off, put down that phone and give your body the rest it yearns for. 6-8 hours a night can make all the difference between w

Are you bored of going to the gym and relying on assistance machines? Perhaps group workouts are more your style. Particularly, fitness bootcamps is a growing trend amongst those wanting to get back into shape. For those that are not familiar with bootcamps, fitness bootcamp is not as intimidating as it sounds. It is an outdoor physical routine mimicking military-type training that is becoming more favourable. For those that find working out inside they gym too boring, this program may be ideal to kickstart your metabolism. These functional-type exercises require no weights but primarily uses your own bodyweight.

According to Toronto-based holistic nutritionist/fitness trainer Deanie Blaine, the kinetic chain movement of working all the large and small muscles using functional training is what bootcamp is about. The intensity and rigidity depends on each program. Some may be more casual while others will be more serious. Frequency and length of program also depends on the individual’s preference and how fast they want to see results. Going five times a week will surely give you more of a boost than going once a week. Class instructors are usually personal trainers/nutritionists or former military personnel.

“In the army they are fit, strong, and lean, and they don’t have the machines that we do. We can use our own body weight to gain speed, power, and agility that most of us would never think of in a gym setting.” Deanie Blaine

Exercises range from self-bodyweight strength training or resistance strength training to cardiovascular activities. For instance, instead of weights, resistant bands and suspension training are used. One exercise I love is using a resistance band and trying to walk sideways. That surely gets your legs burning! Short sprints, obstacle course exercises, jumping jacks, pushups, burpees all challenge the individual’s cardio abilities. By engaging cardio and resistance training together, you push your body everytime. People at the beginners level as well as advanced fitness levels can use each exercise at their own pace to challenge their bodies. Ideally, you do each exercise until you physically cannot do another. Really push yourself!

“Most exercises engage our core to help us develop better posture with stronger back and abs. it’s useless to be able to bench 200 lbs if you can’t do 50 push ups and run for 10 minutes.” Deanie Blaine

Although each body react differently to the designed program, stamina, strength and self confidence is sure to improve for everyone. Despite being in a group setting, instructors will have plenty time to assist you, give you feedback on your process and push you according to your own body.

“In a group setting I need to help everyone a different levels, so got to have options for everyone. As long as my clients don’t give up, they challenge themselves to the fullest, and they commit themselves, they will defiantly see results. As a teacher I can show different levels of an exercise, remind my clients if it’s too much to bring it down a notch, or to show how to increase the intensity. (ex: If you can’t run, then jog or walk fast; or if running is not enough, then sprint.) It is also the client’s responsibility to challenge themselves, or to slow it down if they can’t breathe, feel lightheaded, or dizzy, and to notify the teacher if these problems persist.” Deanie

Bootcamps provide an environment where individuals can be motivated by others and to really take yourself to the next level. Each day brings different challenges so being bored will not stagnant a person’s training. Being outdoors can also rejuvenate your spirit and energy (with vitamin D!) giving you a renewed sense of well-being.

“ It also helps to have someone pushing you beyond the point where you would normally give up in the gym. To see results we must be challenged, and it helps to be surrounded by encouraging people with the same goals. I also feel with the boot camp or functional training, it balances everyone even though we have different goals. Because it incorporates cardio and resistance training without major rests, it reduces fat, increases strength and speed, and improves our posture and bone structure. This in the end will balance out for individual needs because we are using our own bodies for these exercises. Because heavy weights are not involved, injury is very rare.” Deanie Blaine

The amount of times a week to attend bootcamps depends on how committed an individual is on seeing results. Goals will surely differ with everyone. According to Deanie, “two times a week you are going to see a little bit of a change in your body whether its weight loss or more strength. Problem is it’s still not enough, unless you include long walks or other activities in between. Our bodies need 3-4 times a week at least in order to benefit physically and mentally, and really what’s 4 hrs out of a 168 hour week? We can find the time. Also, try and incorporate a variety like weight training, boot camps, running, etc, but also include walking, yoga, meditation, a couple days a week as well. This keeps our bodies balanced. We have very stressful lives, and since exercise is a stress it needs to be balanced with relaxing activities and rest.”

For those with severe medical conditions, major injuries or pregnant women, one on one sessions may be more beneficial until their bodies are more ready for bootcamp style.
There are several bootcamp sites that can be searched on the internet. It is best to talk with the instructor before registering and see if that particular one is right for you. Perhaps you prefer a more strict serious instructor to get you moving or a more relaxed casual leader. Location, times, certification of the instructor is also a big factor in choosing which program is best for you. As Deanie Blaine says “ The cheapest boot camp doesn’t always mean the greatest value either, the camp should deliver the best results possible, motivate their class, and have safe and effective workouts.”The program I’ve decided to go with is Forever Strong run by holistic nutritionist/fitness trainer Deanie Palhous. Held at Humber Bay West, Toronto, being right at the water is prime location for me to rejuvenate my body. Not only is her physical fitness a motivator but she displays a caring and encouraging personality. She also gives you nutritional secrets to assist you on your way to getting the shape you desire!
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“I imagine we all have the same goals with our clients, but every personal trainer has their own techniques, so the class designs are probably different.”

With so many choices in teas, how can you tell which suits or benefits you most? There are so many different names under each major category of teas to choose from.
Here are brief explanations and some benefits on the major categories of teas:
Herbal
Herbal tea is basically fresh herbs that are soaked in hot water. This gives off its medicinal properties. Herbs can include mint, ginger, or jasmine acai. There are many names under this category but some of the popular ones are Acai tea, Blackberry tea, Chamomile tea. Ginger tea, Peppermint tea. Benefits common to this category are weight loss, detoxification, re-energizer, healing just to name a few.
Green
The potent anti-oxidant polyphenols found in green tea have tremendous benefits. It does not go through oxidation and fermentation as black tea. Studies show green tea lowers risk of cancer; lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure; reduce hypertension; inhibit Streptococcus mutans, a major bacteria involved with decay; posses anti-bacterial properties; enhances growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract; and inhibits flu virus.
White
White tea comes from the uncured, unprocessed and unfermented leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. It is the only tea that is not oxidized or fermented. Since it is dried fast, it traps anti-oxidants in the leaves. It has less caffeine than green tea. Benefits include: prevention of heart ailments; reduce cholesterol and blood sugar; lower blood pressure; attack free radicals; strengthen bones; and protects skin.
Black
Black tea comes next to green tea. It is pretty much green but its leaves are drier (gives it the black look). It goes through full oxidation and fermentation. Benefits include: prevents clogging of arteries and poor arterial functioning; inhibits cancer growth; suppresses Cox-2 gene that triggers inflammation; neutralize germs that can cause infections. Black tea has the same amount of anti-oxidants as green tea.
Roobois
Roobois teas contains no additives, preservatives or caffeine and is low on tannin (inhibits absorption of iron and protein in the body). Benefits include: potent anti-oxidants that green tea does not have; sooths the central nervous system; relieves stomach cramps, indigestion, nausea and skin irritations; supplements calcium, manganese, magnesium, and zinc.
Oolong
Oolong (also called Wu long) tea also come from the camellia sinensis plant. The degree of its oxidation and fermentation process is between green tea and black tea. Benefits include: reduces cholesterol, assist in burning fat; can treat digestive disorders; strengthens the immune system; and promote bone strength.
Everything you need to know about teas can be found here:


Tea BenefitsTea Benefits are discussed at TeaBenefits.com. This site is your comprehensive online guide to the healthy attributes of tea and herbal infusions.

Whether it be Starbucks, Second Cup, or Tim Horton’s, morning rush hour line ups are very common. More than likely, there are more coffee drinkers than there are tea lovers. But which one poses more health risks or benefits? Here are some of the pros and cons of drinking either coffee or tea.

Benefits of black coffee (based on an intake of 4-5 cups/day):

• Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors which inhibits brain excitatory neurotransmittors (this leads to increased mental awareness)
• Studies show improved input processing
• Other studies show lowered anxiety, increased self-confidence
• The World Cancer Research Fund (2007) published a report that shows that coffee drinking is not a causal factor in the development of cancer at any body site, and may be protective in relation to liver, lower bowel and ovarian cancer.
• Cup of coffee provides useful amounts of caffeine, which may help you to increase your performance, postpone muscle fatique as well as exercise for longer before exhaustion.
• Shown to have anti-oxidants which protects against free-radical damage
• Decrease risk of diseases such as heart disease, gallbladder disease, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

http://www.positivelycoffee.org/
http://www.coffeedetective.com/coffee-benefits.html

Benefits of tea:

• Contains anti-oxidant properties
• Less caffeine than coffee so you don’t experience the jitters, indigestion or sleeplessness
• Can reduce heart attacks and strokes
• Can protect bones from teas’ beneficial phytochemicals
• Tea contains fluoride and tannins that may keep plaque at bay, preventing dental cavities and gingivitis
• Drinking tea may help your body's immune system fight off infection
• Polyphenols, the antioxidants found in tea, possess cancer-fighting effects
• Increase metabolism- can burn 70 to 80 additional calories by drinking just five cups of green tea per day.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/h/health_benefits_of_tea.htm
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/top-10-health-benefits-drinking-tea.html
Disadvantages of coffee:

• One of the most heavily sprayed crops, and is often contaminated with pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides.
• As a stimulant coffee can be addictive and could cause jitters and anxiety when consumed in large amounts.
• Can stimulate the secretion of stomach acid, increase heartburn and indigestion
• Increase blood pressure
• May increase blood levels of homocysteine and the associated risk of cardiovascular disease.

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/articles/index.cfm/id/24838
Disadvantages of tea:

• Although oxalates in tea are unlikely to be a problem for most people, in certain susceptible individuals too much oxalate could increase the risk of kidney stones.
• Is high in tannins which reduces the absorption of certain minerals such as iron (add lemon to offset this)
• Could experience negative effects of caffeine such as anxiety, palpitations, increased blood pressure
• Some tea bags are manufactured with a chemical known as epichlorohydrin which produces a known cancer causing chemical when exposed to water (use loose tea leaves to avoid this risk)

http://www.ehow.com/how_5053158_understand-health-risks-drinking-tea.html
While studies show the health benefits and risks of coffee seem to balance, in the long run, consuming tea seems to contribute more positively to your health.

With stress-related disorders being the major reason for doctor visits, there is no question reducing stress levels should be a priority in our lives. Although short term stress is not so bad since it forces us to change and adapt, there is nothing beneficial about stress in the long term. With numerous reasons for stress, whether it be loss of control, fear of the unknown, or certain life changes, there are endless detrimental effects. These include but are not limited to:

• Increase in stress hormones released by your body which has a downward spiral in other endocrine glands
• Increased risk in infections, diseases
• Can lead to chronic stress
• Shown to shrink the brain
• Premature aging
• Lead to osteoporosis and weight gainLearn to listen to your body more. That could be the difference between life and death. So what are some of the things that you can do?

Solutions:

• Change your thoughts and core beliefs to be more positive. Thoughts can produce more stress than the body can handle
• Find a way to simplify your life: whether it be take more time off work, decrease your work hours, delegate tasks
• Increase your magnesium intake. Some sources include: multi-vitamins, green vegetables, seafood, apples, nuts, tofu, dairy, soybeans
• Drink more water. Dehydration causes a major stress response in your body
• Exercise
• Meditate
• Take time for yourself
• Therapy
• Take time to laugh
• Pay attention to your nutrition
• Go to the spa
• Spend time in nature

Did you know?

• Absenteeism due to stress has increased by over 300% since 1995 (Statistics Canada)
• Up to 90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints
• 40% of job turnover is due to stress
• Three in ten (27%) Canadians experience stress in trying to cope with jobs, family, finances and world events. - Ipsos-Reid, 2001
• Canadians mention work/job (45%) as their greatest cause of stress - Ipsos-Reid, 2000
• Between 25%-40% of tweens experience stress-related symptoms and only up to 13% of parents are aware of it (American Psychology Association)

There are numerous common sense ways to avoid a hangover. We hear it all the time...do not mix your alcohol, try to eat or drink water at the same time, pace your alcohol intake. But let’s face it. There are times, especially on holidays, to go a little overboard. So the deed is done, what do you do? Try these tips on surviving the next day.

• Take an acidophilus pill

It is a probiotic supplement (good bacteria) that helps to balance the intestinal flora in our gut. It also helps prevent liver damage.
(http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-004.shtml)

• Eat apples and bananas with honey

These will replenish depleted blood sugar levels and electrolytes lost during the drinking binge. They also help remove toxins from the bloodstream and alleviate headaches.

• Take Vitamins B complex and Vitamin C

These will assist in energy levels, metabolizing the alcohol and boosting the immune system.

• Take homeopathic remedies Nux Vomica (Colubrina)

Nux Vomica, also called Colubrina, is known to be one of the best remedies for hangovers. It can help with headaches, nausea, and upset stomach.
Take 6C or 30C potency at 2-5 pellets (depending on severity of symptoms) should do the trick. Do not overdose.
(http://abchomeopathy.com/r.php/Nux-v)

• Drink green tea or ginger tea sweetened with honey

It will help reduce nausea, upset stomach, and assist your liver. Honey can help with blood sugar levels and speed up oxidation of alcohol by the liver.
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For more tips:
http://www.home-remedies-guide.com/hangover.htm
http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/how-to-treat-a-hangover-2821254