Tag: immune health

Aged Garlic 

Aged Garlic 

Aged Garlic  Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Garlic is a nutrient that as a supplement or even spicy food enhancer can be found everywhere. The benefits of using garlic as either a supplement or even just as a spice to add to our food are numerous. 

PRIMARY FOOD, LIFESTYLE AND OUR HEALTH~CAREER

PRIMARY FOOD, LIFESTYLE AND OUR HEALTH~CAREER

PRIMARY FOOD, LIFESTYLE AND OUR HEALTH~CAREER by: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT   Most people do not think about their career and work environment when discussing their personal health and wellness. However, it can be a driving force in managing a healthy lifestyle. I even 

PRIMARY FOOD, LIFESTYLE AND OUR HEALTH~SOCIAL LIFE

PRIMARY FOOD, LIFESTYLE AND OUR HEALTH~SOCIAL LIFE

PRIMARY FOOD, LIFESTYLE AND OUR HEALTH~SOCIAL LIFE

By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT

 

Many people don’t think of having a social life as being part of a healthy lifestyle. I didn’t either for a long time. However, like many of us, my mind was changed during the COVID pandemic and lock down. I can to realize how much I missed being out and interacting with old and new friends alike. So, is the idea of a social life a product of COVID, or is it really a wellness essential?

Believe it or not, socializing or having an active social life, is not only an important part of one heath, but it’s also been the subject of studies in support of this theory. Social interactions have been shown to be helpful in supporting our cognitive functions. An article from Harvard Health Publishing/Harvard Medical School titled ‘Get Back Your Social Life to Boost Thinking, Memory and Health’ discusses how any form of socializing can decrease risk of cognitive decline and improve memory.  It can also help to lower the risk of depression. It seems as though it doesn’t matter the type of socializing you partake in, as long as there is some form that you enjoy. As humans, we are social by nature, so we can have a natural craving and need for socialization. It can be as simple as a weekly call with a friend, a monthly meal “date”, a shopping trip or a ball game. Some feel more comfortable in more group social gatherings as parties, BBQs, picnics or happy hours. These can be one-on-one, small groups, community activities or even volunteer work. Find your comfort level and make it part of your monthly routine. How will you make socialization a priority in your wellness plan?

I can tell you from person experience that I never realized how important socialization was to my own well-being until the COVID pandemic hit and caused lengthy shutdowns. I always felt fortunate being an “essential worker” which allowed me to get out of my home, go to work and be around people, even though we were following social distancing guidelines. I even had standing weekly get-together with a friend, still following guidelines, when we sat outside, got fresh air, had something to drink or a snack (at our usual place we licked to visit) and took the time to chat and check in with each other. This was important to us because we always did this and we found that finding a way to keep this routine helped keep things as normal as possible. I often said that this helped me to have “sanity” during such a difficult, stressful and uncertain time. Little did I know that this has actually been shown to be essential?

There are a couple of nutrients that I like to help aid in keeping healthy when increasing social activities. I have always found that adding B-vitamins and supporting the immune system is always important.

B-COMPLEX 100 can be an absolute must-have for many people that have an active social life. One of the things that can often be part of socializing is the incorporation of cocktails. Whether you are someone who only drinks on occasion or someone who is a little more experienced, it can sometimes be easy to over indulge, especially when conversing with friends.  The consumption of alcohol can often contribute to some dehydration, as well as deplete the B-vitamins in the body. The result of these deletions is often the “hangover” feeling that some may experience.

IMMUNITY HX is a formula which contains a combination of Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc. While most people are familiar with Vitamin C and Zinc for the immune system, they are often surprised having Vitamin D also recommended. This is because Vitamin D helps to regulate the immune system for proper and health function.

 

newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-the-benefits-of-being-socially-connected/

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-modern-brain/202303/the-brain-benefits-of-social-connection?msockid=102ffcee009769fa30f8f11d011f685e

www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/get-back-your-social-life-to-boost-thinking-memory-and-health

www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/social-life?msockid=102ffcee009769fa30f8f11d011f685e

www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/7-steps-to-cure-your-hangover

www.buoyhealth.com/health/best-hangover-vitamins

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7281985

 

Krill Oil vs Fish Oil

Krill Oil vs Fish Oil

Krill Oil vs Fish Oil Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND   One of the most confusing topic’s in the vitamin world is the difference between krill oil and fish oil. I get asked pretty much all the time what exactly is the difference between the 2. 

From A Naturopaths Point of View Part 3

From A Naturopaths Point of View Part 3

From A Naturopaths Point of View Part 3 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND   Self-diagnosis? One of the most integral parts of a consult with an Invite nutritionist t is knowing exactly what is going on in your body. In other words it’s important to see 

Hair and Skin Changes Due to Cancer Treatments

Hair and Skin Changes Due to Cancer Treatments

Hair and Skin Changes Due to Cancer Treatments

Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND

 

Cancer treatments can have different side effects when it comes to our hair and skin. Let’s start with our skin, shall we? Certain cancer therapies can cause skin to become dry. They can also cause a skin rash and spots that look like acne. You may notice that your skin is more sensitive.  It may even feel itchy. Certain types of cancer treatment can make your skin very sensitive to sunlight. Other types of cancer treatments can change the skin of your hands and feet so they appear red and feel sore. Due to skin changes you may find that your veins become more visible.  Additionally they may start to look broke. (1)

In addition to being dry your skin may become rough and flaky. This dry skin may be itchy which can cause you to feel anxious and even restless. As you scratch the skin it can become damaged leading to sores and even an increased risk of infection. In addition to making your skin red other color changes that can occur include yellow (due to changes in your liver), blue (due to breathing troubles), and bruised (due to blood disorders). Depending on the treatment you are receiving you may be bed bound or even bound to a wheelchair. This can increase the risk of bed sores. (2) Certain types of cancer can directly affect your skin. For example breast cancer can change the skin on the surface of the breast so that it starts to looks swollen and red/purple. The skin changes can also make the skin of the affected breast look similar to an orange peel. (3)

In addition to affecting to your skin cancer treatments can affect your nails. Cancer treatments can cause your nails to become loose or even fall out. There may be ridges or white/dark lines on the nails. These changes can occur on both the fingers and toes. (1)

Hair loss is a well-known side effect to different cancer treatments. This hair loss includes not just the hair on your head but also the hair on your body.  Approximately 2-6 months after treatment is finished you will notice your hair begin to grow back. As the hair grows back you may notice it is slightly different. For example it may become more straight or curly. It may even be a different color. Depending on the type of treatment you may notice that the hair that grows back is thinner than before. In some cases hair on the body that received direct intense treatment may not grow back. (4)

What can you do if you experience these changes?

During treatment:

  • To help protect your skin it is important to cover up properly in the sun. It can also be a good idea to avoid the parts of the day when the sunshine is strongest.
  • When you shower it is best to use medium warm water instead of hot water. Also it is advised to use unperfumed cleansers on your skin.
  • It is also important to moisture your skin and cuticles regularly. This includes the skin on your lips.
  • For your nails it is advised to try to avoid using false nails as they can increase the risk of infection. (1)

After treatment:

Our product highlight will be our Hair Enhance formula!

Source:

  1. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/changes-to-your-appearance-and-body-image/skin-and-nail-changes-from-cancer-treatment
  2. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hair-skin-nails.html
  3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/inflammatory-breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20355413
  4. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/hair-loss
  5. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/news/20240408/collagen-supplements-for-skin-hair-nails-what-to-know
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5582478/
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605218/
  8. https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/vitamins-and-supplements/supplements/what-is-silica/#:~:text=In%20one%20study%20of%20women,less%20brittle%20hair%20and%20nails.