My Non Toxic Life / Naturopathic Thoughts

New Online Dispensary at Naturopathic Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 22:31:00 +0000

You can now purchase your natural health products through our online dispensary. To register use the code "mynontoxiclife". Flat Rate $5 shipping across Canada.

Our professional lines include: AOR, Ascenta Nutrasea, Douglas Labs, Thorne and many more.

Avoid Vinyl Flooring: Detox Your House

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 04:37:00 +0000

Renovating? Avoid vinyl flooring. Older vinyl flooring should also be removed. The older vinyl get the more toxic dust (estrogen mimicking phthalates - which will bind to house dust) it will shed. This is really critical for preconception, pregnancy and young children.

All vinyl should be avoided, other sources include: conventional black out window coverings, vinyl blinds, and children's "play mats", vinyl rain jackets & boots, faux leather vinyl clothing, shoes, etc...

The Type of Flooring You Want to Seriously Think About Before Installing - Dr. Mercola

Serious Risks from PVC Flooring Revealed
If your home contains soft, flexible plastic flooring, such as vinyl or those padded play-mat floors for kids (often used in day cares and kindergartens, too), there’s a good chance it is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). One of the main problems with PVC is that it contains phthalates, or "plasticizers," which are a group of industrial chemicals used to make plastics like PVC more flexible and resilient.
They're also one of the most pervasive endocrine disrupters so far discovered. A new study conducted by Swedish researchers found levels of certain phthalates were higher in the urine of babies that had PVC flooring on their bedroom floor.¹

Researchers concluded:
“The findings indicate that the use of soft PVC as flooring material may increase the human uptake of phthalates in infants. Urinary levels of phthalate metabolites during early life are associated with the use of PVC flooring in the bedroom, body area, and the use of infant formula.This study shows that the uptake of phthalates is not only related to oral uptake from, for example, food but also to environmental factors such as building materials. This new information should be considered when designing indoor environments, especially for children.”

Together, we can change the world one home at a time. Detox Your Life.

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 03:13:00 +0000

Together, we can change the world one home at a time. Please share this video with one friend.

How Dangerous is your Couch? Detox Your House.

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 20:20:00 +0000

Most upholstered furniture, including couches, chairs, mattresses contain polyurethane foam that has been treated with a variety of chemical flame retardants.

Flame retardants are added to products to reduce the flammability to an open flame, however the benefit of chemical flame retardants does not justify the known and unknown harm caused to our children. According to the Green Science Policy Institute, Flame retardants have been linked with:

Reduced IQ
Learning Disorders
Reduced Fertility
Thyroid disruption
Cancer
Antisocial behavior
Autism
Decreased birth weight
Type 2 Diabetes
Memory Loss
Undescended testicles
Lowered levels of male hormone

Dr.Arlene Blum is on a crusade to educate and remove dangerous flame retardants out of everyday products. The New York Times article How Dangerous is your Couch? really put the flame retardant problem into perspective.

“When it was baby pajamas, you could toss them out and get cotton pajamas,” Blum says. “But what can you do about your couch? How do you replace it?”

Heather Stapleton, a Duke University chemist who conducted many of the best-known studies of flame retardants, notes that foam is full of air. “So every time somebody sits on it,” she says, “all the air that’s in the foam gets expelled into the environment.” Studies have found that young children, who often play on the floor and put toys in their mouths, can have three times the levels of flame retardants in their blood as their parents. Flame retardants can also pass from mother to child through the placenta and through breast milk.

The various chemical flame retardants would not be a problem if they stayed IN the upholstered furniture. The flame retardants end up migrating out of the furniture as dust, this dust then easily makes it into our bodies and our children's bodies.

High concentrations have been found in the bodies of creatures as geographically diverse as salmon, peregrine falcons, cats, whales, polar bears and Tasmanian devils.

EWG... conducted the first investigation of toxic fire retardants in parents and their children, showing that toddlers and preschoolers typically had three times as much of these hormone-disrupting chemicals in their blood as their mothers. In all, the study found 11 flame retardants in the children tested.

Dr. Arlene Blum and the Green Science Policy Institute recommends:

Keep dust levels down by wet mopping and vacuuming with a HEPA ﬁlter.
Wash your hands and those of your children often, as handto mouth contact exposes us to ﬂame retardants in dust.
Purchase baby products and furniture ﬁlled with cotton, polyester, or wool instead of polyurethane foam.
Avoid products that use polyurethane foam and have a TB117 label which likely contain chemical ﬂame retardants.
Contact manufacturers to inquire whether retardants were added to products.

6. In my opinion (which I also have in my house) using a good quality air filter will also reduce dust. IQ Air or a Blu Air filters are great investments in your health. We have 2 IQ Air Multi gas filters in our house one in our bedroom, and one in our main living space.

Additionally in the EWG's guide on Reducing Your Exposure to PBDE's* in Your Home: they also recommend:

Be careful when removing old carpet. (The underpadding may contain flame retardants)
Inspect foam items. Replace anything with a ripped cover or foam that is misshapen and breaking down.
Do not reupholster foam furniture.

Dr. Arlene Blum: Toxic Chemical Soup: Part 1

Dr. Arlene Blum: Toxic Chemical Soup: Part 2

TEDx Dr. Arlene Blum: Plastic Pollution in Our Homes

The Truth about Organics!

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 18:51:00 +0000

Thanks Dr. Lyn Patrick ND for sharing this and Natural News for the article! This article outines the Stanford doc who just published the article dissing organic food. Turns out he is a big Tobacco guy (see story). And Stanford is in bed with Cargill (big funder of the defeat-GMO labeling prop on the ballot in CA.

Busted! Co-author of Stanford study that bashed organics found to have deep ties to Big Tobacco's anti-science propaganda

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/037108_Stanford_Ingram_Olkin_Big_Tobacco.html#ixzz2603PcV1M

Supplement: Probiotics

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle Chin ND, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:11:00 +0000

1. What kinds of probiotics are recommended to be most beneficial and in what quantities?

- Lactobacillus, which is naturally predominant in the small intestine (strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus salivarius, etc.)

- Bifidobacterium, which is naturally predominant in the large intestine (strains: Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium animalis, etc.)

- Quantities of probiotics should be in the billions! Good quality probiotics can range from 2.5 billion to 100 billion per dose. The amount per dose will vary depending on reason for supplementation and severity of condition

2. Are refrigerated probiotics still preferred or are the capsules just as effective?

- Probiotics are live "friendly" bacteria found in the intestinal tract, working to keep a healthy intestinal balance , reducing the amount of harmful bacteria while replenishing and maintaining beneficial strains. Maintaining this balance is critical for overall good health

- Since probiotics are LIVE - they MUST be refrigerated to be effective and to get the therapeutic effect you are trying to achieve

- Refrigerated capsules or powder form supplements are best

- There is only one strain, Lactobacillus sporogenes, which is shelf-stable and does not need to be refrigerated. This strain comes in capsule form and is great to bring with you when you are traveling

3. What brand names are recommended?

- As a naturopathic doctor, I professionally recommend 3 professional companies: NFH, Genestra brand or Cytomatrix

- These brands can found with your local Naturopathic Doctor or any higher end Health Food store (i.e. Big Carrot, Whole Foods, Smith's Pharmacy, Noah's, Healthy Planet, etc.)

Few allergies in unstressed babies: Detox Your Life

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:05:00 +0000

What a great article! Stress definitely can be passed onto our children and really affects their health.

Few allergies in unstressed babies
ScienceDaily (Dec. 12, 2011) — A new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that infants with low concentrations of the stress-related hormone cortisol in their saliva develop fewer allergies than other infants. Hopefully this new knowledge will be useful in future allergy prevention. The study is published in the December paper issue of Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Soda and Energy Drinks contain BVO : Detox Your Diet

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:39:00 +0000

It's not just the sugar that you have to worry about in soda's and energy drinks.

Did you know that BVO (Brominated Vegetable Oil) is an ingredient in 10% of sodas and energy drinks? BVO has been found to have health effect including skin lesions, memory loss, nerve disorders and thyroid disruption.

Read more from Environmental Health News

Brominated battle: Soda chemical has cloudy health historyPatented as a flame retardant for plastics, and banned in food throughout Europe and Japan, a brominated chemical called BVO has been added to sodas for decades in North America. Now some scientists have a renewed interest in this little-known ingredient, found in 10 percent of sodas in the United States. Research on its toxicity dates back to the 1970s, and some experts now urge a reassessment. After a few extreme soda binges – not too far from what many video gamers regularly consume – a few patients have needed medical attention for skin lesions, memory loss and nerve disorders, all symptoms of overexposure to bromine. Other studies suggest that BVO could be building up in human tissues. In mouse studies, big doses caused reproductive and behavioral problems.

Just as an FYI, if that didn't scare you enough... BVO is banned from the European Union, hasn't been used in India since 1988 and is a chemical that is also used as flame retardant. Yup, a Flame retardant.... so why then is it allowed to be used as an additive to soft drinks, soda, and energy drinks in North America?

Benefits of Eating Organic: Detox Your Diet

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 03:58:00 +0000

Great video from the Ontario Organic Council on the benefits of eating organics.

"Maureen Kirkpatrick from The Big Carrot, a Toronto retail store, describes why she loves helping customers bring home good clean food they can trust! Learn more about how the organic movement is actually working for solutions and protecting our health and environment."

2011 Best Toys to buy and make: Detox Your Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 06:14:00 +0000

Toys to keep. Your 2011 best bets to buy and make.

Love Mothering's Natural Toy Guide for 2011. They have done the research for you for trusted toys that are safe and non-toxic. My favourite infant toys on this list are Yellow Label Kids knitted owl rattles ($28.99), and the Stacking Rainbow.

Stacking Rainbow $16.99

SafeMama.com's 2011 Safer Holiday Toy Guide is also out! On this list for infants I love the entire miYim plush toy collection.

miYim Organic Plush Storybook Hippo $23.99

mi Yim Organic Lovie Monkey Blankie $13.95

Women's Voices for the Earth Holiday Shopping Guide:

Electronics
Clothing
Toys
Cosmetics

I also really like Mommypotamus.com who has just posted a series of blog posts on homemade frugal Christmas ideas for kids. My favourite on this list is the Minieco's Playdough with natural dyes. If you're not feeling ambitious enough to prepare the natural dyes, Whole Foods carries a brand of natural food colouring that is food based. Minieco also has a whole range of eco-friendly homemade crafts and gifts for kids.

Would you like some lead and arsenic with your juice? Detox Your Diet

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:59:00 +0000

Detox Your Diet: Would you like some lead and arsenic with your juice? Consumer reports lists the amount of lead and arsenic in US apple juices.

"Five samples of apple juice and four of grape juice had total arsenic levels exceeding the 10 ppb federal limit for bottled and drinking water. Levels in the apple juices ranged from 1.1 to 13.9 ppb, and grape-juice levels were even higher, 5.9 to 24.7 ppb. Most of the total arsenic in our samples was inorganic, our tests showed.
As for lead, about one fourth of all juice samples had levels at or above the 5-ppb limit for bottled water. The top lead level for apple juice was 13.6 ppb; for grape juice, 15.9 ppb."

We just bought 2 gallons of organic apple juice that I'm not feeling too friendly towards! If you read through the article at the end they give some tips. I was hoping that the organic brands would have non-detectable limits, they are low however.

I think think that by choosing organic, having it as part of what your kids drink, and diluting with water are all good options. I don't know the status of other juices but can tell you that both grapes and apples are among the most sprayed crops. It is the soil contamination that is affecting the organic trees.

Choosing juices from fruits that are on the "EWG's Clean fifteen" may be a good option. These are the 15 fruits and vegetables with the least amount of pesticide residue: pineapple, kiwi, mango to name a few. The organic varieties of these will even better.

Buying organic can be more expensive, however joining a Co-op can greatly reduce the prices and sometimes they even deliver to your door! There are also Co-op's that do dry goods & frozen. In Ontario you can contact the Ontario Natural Food Co-op to see if there is one in your area. If there isn't it is easy to start one and you only need one or two other families involved.

Download a PDF of the complete Consumer Report results: http://tinyurl.com/77ruq87

Cold & Flu: Steam Inhalation for Nasal Congestion

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:13:00 +0000

Steam Inhalation is a great treatment for sinus and nasal congestion.

You will need:

boiling water
glass bowl
towel
Essential oil of your choice. I really like eucalyptus, as it is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, decongestant.

Instructions:

Pour boiling water into glass bowl.
Add 1-3 drops of essential oil.
Hold your face over rising steam and cover head with a towel. Be very careful! Steam can burn. Remove head if steam becomes to hot.
Cover your head and the bowl with a towel to trap in the heat and steam.
You may only be able to take a few deep breaths before you need to get fresh air.
Try this for 5 to 20 minutes.

Other Simple Treatments for Congestion:

Warming Socks

Detox Your Body: Choose Companies that are Making Baby Safe Products.

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:36:00 +0000

Vote with your dollars! There are many, many companies that are making baby safe products. What goes on your skin goes in your skin! I really like are Weleda and Earth Mama Baby Angel, both widely available at Whole Foods, Amazon.com and many other retailers. If you have questions whether the products you are using on your children are safe you can look up the products and ingredients on safecosmetics.org & www.ewg.org/skindeep.

Group urges Johnson & Johnson boycott over baby shampoo chemicals

" Two chemicals considered harmful to babies remain in Johnson & Johnson's baby shampoo sold in the U.S., even though the company already makes versions without them, according to a coalition of health and environmental groups."

Detox Your Life: Babies are being born pre-polluted. Awareness is the first part of change.

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 04:43:00 +0000

Babies are being born pre-polluted... Awareness is the first part of change.

It's shocking, but it's true. EWG's research has found hundreds of chemicals in the umbilical cord blood of newborns.
Senator Frank Lautenberg has taken important steps to fix America's broken toxic chemical policy by introducing the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 in the Senate. This bill would require the chemical industry to prove that its products are safe even for the most vulnerable among us.

Click here to sign the EWG's petition and help out. Through public awareness we can influence change!

For more info on how babies are being polluted view the EWG's video "10 Americans"

Detox Your Halloween: Heavy metals contaminate Halloween Make-up

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:52:00 +0000

I've been on the hunt for non-toxic Face Paint, back in September my husband and I were in Whole Foods asking if they were going to be carrying any for the Halloween season and they said they have had a very hard time sourcing a lead-free non-toxic product. The lack of safe products was confirmed by testing by the Ecology Centre.

Hazardous heavy metals contaminate 100% of 31 Halloween make-up, tests sampled by the Ecology Center

"Every single product contained traces of some kind of metal, but that is just the beginning. More than half of the products contained cadmium, a toxic heavy metal linked to cancer, birth defects and brain damage. Other toxic metals like mercury and lead were also detected."

"A May 2011 study by Environmental Defence (Canada) of adult cosmetics also found that 100 percent of the 49 cosmetics tested were contaminated with hazardous metals."

So, what are your Halloween Options?

SmartMama.com recommends Luna Organics (photo below).
HealthyStuff.org recommends a homemade face paint recipe from TheSmartMama.com
I also found a recipe for face paints using zinc cream as a base from Fun Frugal Mom

Here are the ingredients: Diaper Cream (zinc oxide), Cornstarch, Food Based Liquid Food Coloring, Water. Check out Fun Frugal Mom for the full recipe.

Let me know if you have any other product suggestions or recipes!

Detox your Life: Is your child's car seat toxin free?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 22:14:00 +0000

One more thing you should not have to worry about is whether or not your child's car seat toxin free.

Testing by HealthyStuff.org has revealed that over 60% of car seats tests contained hazardous flame retardants and chemical additives with links to allergies, impaired learning, and cancer.

As reported by HealthyStuff.org, and initiative of the Michigan based Ecology Centre:

Most Toxic 2011 Car Seats:
• Infant Seat: Graco Snugride 35 in Edgemont Red/Black & Graco SnugRide 30 in Asprey
• Convertible Seat: Britax Marathon 70 in Jet Set & Britax Marathon in Platinum
• Booster Seat: Recaro Pro Booster in Blue Opal & Recaro ProSPORT Toddler in Misty
Least Toxic 2011 Car Seats:
• Infant Seat: Chicco KeyFit 30 in Limonata, Graco Snugride 35 in Laguna Bay & Combi Shuttle 33 in Cranberry Noche
• Convertible Carseat: Graco Comfort Sport in Caleo, Graco MyRide 65 in Chandler and Streamer, Safety 1st OnSide Air in Clearwater, and Graco Nautilus Elite 3-in-1 in Gabe
• Booster Seat: Graco Turbo Booster in Anders

For the full report, go to HealthyStuff.org

Detox Your Diet: What's On your Food?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Sat, 21 May 2011 05:16:00 +0000

I've been encouraging my reader and patients to avoid the dirty dozen and to freely consume the clean fifteen (www.foodnew.org). Thanks to the EWG for providing this invaluable resource!

I've just come across another great tool, thanks to the Pesticide Action Network, that helps inform on why choosing organics and being aware of where your food comes from is a must!

Do you know what's on your food?

I just did a quick scan of butter (conventional vs organic). The conventional butter, when analyzed, had the residue of 10 different pesticides. Now if these pesticides are supposed to be toxic (most of them neurotoxins) to insects, exactly what effects are are then having on infants and young developing children?

Detox Your Diet: Drink this... Not that!

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 22:34:00 +0000

Check out the calorie comparisons of some very popular sugary drinks. It might just make you think twice!!

http://tinyurl.com/2896nwf

Detox your Life: BPA Officially Considered “Toxic” in Canada

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 19:04:00 +0000

Some healthy, fantastic news from Environmental Defence that is positive for all Canadians. Effective October 12th 2010, BPA has been designated as a toxic substance in Canada! This is the first step (of many) to banning it in Canada.

Dr. Rick Smith, Executive Director of Environmental Defence, says that in working with the federal government " The next important step (is) banning BPA from all metal food and beverage cans since these can leach it into our food.”

BPA, or Bisphenol-A is an endocrine disruptor and has no business being in anything we consume, be that what we eat (food packaging), drink (pop-cans, food can lining, plastic bottles, plastic coffee drink lids) or use on our skin or hair. The Environmental Defense Canada has done an amazing job in educating the public and officials in the hazards of this chemical! Let's continue to support their work and tell our MP's and MPP's that as Canadians we must have zero tolerance when it comes to allowing toxic chemicals into our food and water supply!

What can you do today:

Contact your MP and MPP and tell them that you support the banning of BPA from all metal food and beverage cans.

The Zinc Link - Could your levels be low?

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:48:00 +0000

The white blood cells need folic acids, Vitamin B12 and Zinc (to name a few) to do battle effectively. Zinc is needed for well over 100 enzyme reaction.

We also need zinc to make HCL (hydrochloric acid) in the stomach and important enzymes like carbonic anhydrase. Having these enzymatic reaction functioning properly has far reaching effects ranging from pain reduction, proper digestion to reducing depression.

Associated Conditions with low zinc:

Decreased taste and sense of smell
decreased immunity
free radical damage / oxidation
low libido
low sperm counts
tooth decay
poor adrenal function / stress response
depression, anxiety
low thyroid activity
poor fetal growth
poor hair growth
poor wound healing
easily broken nails / white spots on nails.

To find out if your zinc is low, you can ask your health care practioner to do an easy Zinc Tally or Sufficiency Test. This test involves swishing 10ml of a zinc sulphate solution in your mouth for 20 seconds, if the solutions tastes like water this indicates that you are zinc deficient. You will know your levels are up when you re-take the test and the solution has a strong metallic taste.

To replete your zinc levels a liquid zinc sulphate solution is recommended until you start tasting the solution and then you can continue to use a zinc capsule. Absorption of zinc is decreased by fiber and food, as it competes with binding sites with calcium and magnesium. Best to be taken on an empty stomach or with a small amount of food.

Food Sources of zinc include: crimini mushrooms, spinach, pumpkin seeds and asparagus.

Detox Your Diet: More Reasons to Eat your nuts!

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:41:00 +0000

Eating just one brazil nut a day supplies 100% RDA of selenium. Selenium plays a vital role in boosting the immune system and promoting the synthesis of glutathione, minimizing free radical damage. If you're wondering about your nutrient status you can assess your levels through a Hair Mineral Analysis or Red Blood Cell Elements. These tests screen for up to 60 essential elements and toxic metals and can be ordered through your naturopathic doctor.

Mom and Baby: Breast is Always Best! Breast-Feeding Protects Newborns Against Common Infections

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 03:40:00 +0000

(Summary from Journal Watch) Infants exclusively breast-fed for 6 months have fewer and less severe infections their first year of life, according to a study published in the September 2010 issue of Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Researchers interviewed roughly 900 new mothers in Crete throughout the infants' first year to assess breast-feeding habits and the infants' health. Overall, infants exclusively breast-fed had 0.7 fewer infections in their first year than infants with partial or no breast-feeding. Mothers who exclusively breast-fed their infants for at least 6 months reported fewer doctor visits for acute otitis media, acute respiratory infection, and thrush. In addition, hospital admissions for infection were lower in breast-fed babies.
Asked to comment, Dr. F. Bruder Stapleton of Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine said, "These data confirm once again the value of exclusive breast feeding on the health of infants in the first 6 months of life."
Archives of Disease in Childhood

Eat Local! Eat Canadian!

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:18:00 +0000

The Fall is great time to look locally for farm fresh fruits and vegetables at a road-side stand or Farmer's Market. My great friend and colleague Dr. Janice Davie ND just brought my attention to a video that highlights just home much fresh produce we import. Check it out!

Detox Your Summer: EWG's 2010 Sunscreen Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:48:00 +0000

Best Beach & Sport Sunscreens | EWG's 2010 Sunscreen Guide

Detox your summer and your skin. If it's not good in you, then it's not good on you! When you can’t avoid exposing your skin to the sun, use EWG’s top-rated sunscreens to provide broad-spectrum protection with fewer hazardous chemicals that penetrate the skin.

Check if your sunscreen is safe and find out which brands are top rated

What is a BIA? (And Why Do you Need One?)

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Sharleen Hawco ND) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:10:00 +0000

Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA) is a method of assessing your “body composition”— the measurement of body fat in relation to lean body mass. It is an integral part of a health and nutrition assessment.

Why Is Body Composition Important to My Health?

Body composition is directly related to health. A normal balance of body fat is associated with good health and longevity. Excess fat in relation to lean body mass, known as altered body composition, can greatly increase your risks to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more. BIA fosters early detection of an improper balance in your body composition, which allows for earlier intervention and prevention.

BIA provides a measurement of fluid and body mass that can be a critical assessment tool for your current state of health. BIA also measures your progress as you improve your health. Improving your BIA measurement, or maintaining a healthy BIA measurement, can help keep your body functioning properly for healthy aging. Your BIA results can help guide us in creating a personalized dietary plan, including nutritional supplements when appropriate, and exercise to help you maintain optimal health and well-being for a lifetime.

How Does a BIA Work?

BIA is much more sophisticated than your bathroom scale, but just as simple — and almost as quick. BIA is performed in our office with the help of a sophisticated, computerized analysis. This analyzer “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. In just minutes, we’ll have detailed measurements to help create an effective, personalized program for you.

Make the next right step

Receive a Free BIA

when you book a 15 minute Nutritional Consult

by July 31st. (A $30 value)

To Book your BIA call 905-430-5605,

or email info@whitbynaturopathy.ca