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New and emerging research indicates that healthy diets high in DHA and EPA omega 3’s lower our risk of heart attack and stroke. DHA and EPA have been shown to:

• Improve abnormal heart rhythms that can lead to sudden death.
• Prevent the formation of hard deposits (plaques) along the inner wall of the artery, reducing the chances of blockages in the artery.
• Reduce triglycerides, a form of fat, in the blood.

Try Salmon

Like other cold-water fatty fish (mackerel and sardines), salmon is one of the richest dietary sources of DHA and EPA omega 3 fats.

Eat salmon at least twice a week, fresh, frozen or low-sodium canned. For the healthiest dishes, bake, broil or grill salmon instead of frying.

How much? A serving of salmon is 2.5 oz. or 75 grams (about the size of your palm).

Citrusy Summer Salmon Recipe

Makes 6 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minute

• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 large oranges, peeled, sectioned and coarsely chopped
• 2/3 cup (150 mL) sliced green onions
• 6 tbsp (90 mL) chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, divided
• 2 tsp (10 mL) finely chopped, seeded jalapeno pepper (optional)
• 4 tbsp (60 mL) olive oil
• 6 salmon fillets (about 1.5 lb or 750 g)
• Lemon or lime slices (optional)

Combine tomatoes, oranges, green onions, 4 tablespoons cilantro and jalapeno pepper in a large bowl. Set aside. Blend olive oil with remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro in a small bowl. Grill or broil salmon, brushing with cilantro spread, for 15 minutes, or until salmon is done. Serve salsa with salmon. Garnish with lemon or lime wedge.

Nutritional Information (per serving: one fillet)

• 18.0 g fat
• 3.2 g saturates
• 6.5 g polyunsaturates
• 0 g trans fats
• 56 mg cholesterol
• 10 g carbohydrates
• 7 g sugar
• 1.9 g fibre
• 20.7 g protein
• 88 mg sodium
• 584 mg potassium
• 43 mg vitamin C
• 176 RE vitamin A
• 51 mg calcium
• 0.7 mg iron
• 300 IU vitamin D
• 1.64 mg vitamin E

Routine immunizations, often last received in childhood, may no longer provide protection in adulthood. This means that adults may be susceptible to illnesses themselves and could even act as carriers of diseases, such as whooping cough (pertussis), to their children or grandchildren.

As an adult, you need to take a close look at your immunization status to vaccine-preventable illnesses.

General adult recommendations:

• Seasonal influenza
• Tetanus/diphtheria  (+ one-time pertussis) boosters
• Pneumococcal pneumonia for those over 65 years old and other high-risk groups
• Measles, mumps, rubella –  if no history of measles or mumps or only have had MMR x 1 dose
• Chicken pox – if no history of disease

Special considerations:

• Travellers
• Chronic illnesses – e.g., diabetes mellitus or respiratory issues such as asthma
• Compromised immune systems through medications, transplants or lack of a spleen
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Health care workers
• Childcare workers (even those who work with teens / college-aged)
• Accommodations – nursing homes, lodges, chronic care facilities, those living with high-risk individuals, or the homeless

New vaccines within the last year:

• Shingles
• H1N1

Immunization recommendations vary from person to person. The vaccinations you need depend on your medical and vaccination history, as well as circumstances such as those listed under special considerations. The health care team at Preventous looks forward to having the opportunity to discuss your specific vaccination needs with you.

Lip enhancement has come a long way since it first became popular in the nineties. Today’s procedures take very little time and are very effective. As a result, Preventous performs hundreds of cosmetic procedures each year, including lip augmentations.

At Preventous, we use hyaluronic acid (Restylane® or Juvederm) to add volume to lips. After applying a topical anesthetic, your physician injects the hyaluronic acid using tiny needles. The procedure is relatively painless and the results are immediate.

The most important question to ask when considering lip enhancement is whether the doctor performing the procedure is experienced. If someone has not done many enhancements, they may overfill the area, resulting in lips that are too big or have a stiff, unnatural appearance.

Lip enhancements are performed in Preventous’ comfortable medical clinic, making them safe as well as effective. The length of time they last varies; some people see results for as long as six to eight months.

The way you look affects how you feel and is part of living your healthiest life. As you work to take care of yourself inside and out, cutting-edge cosmetic medicine techniques and procedures are tools like lip enhancement can help.

Some natural health products typically given to children are vitamins, homeopathic medicines, herbal remedies, probiotics and amino acids. Concerns about their use by kids include:

• Allergic reactions
• Harmful effects from taking too much
• Unpleasant or harmful side effects
• Lack of research into and understanding about the effects of products on children’s growing bodies
• Reactions with prescription and non-prescription drugs

Although Health Canada does regulate natural health products, you may be using a product they have not assessed. Look for a Drug Identification Number, Natural Product Number or Drug Identification Number – Homeopathic Medicine on the label. If you find one, the product has been approved by Health Canada.

We encourage all members of the Preventous family to talk to us about the products they are giving or are considering giving their children. We focus on illness prevention and risk management through scientifically proven medical strategies and can give you knowledgeable advice and assistance as you work to ensure your child is in peak health.

For more information about children and natural health products, visit the Canadian Paediatric Society website.

A healthy balance system gives you more energy and strength and helps you move freely and confidently. Keeping your balance system healthy is especially important if you have problems due to illness, such as joint pain, weakness or dizziness. In these cases, balance training can help you get back to normal and overcome feelings of stiffness or unsteadiness. A strong balance system also helps in sports.

Sprains and strains are often due to a lack of balance. The term proprioception refers to a sense of joint position; it is required for every movement we make and for maintaining balance. Even a strong ankle can sprain when running on uneven ground if the runner hasn’t trained the neuromuscular system to react appropriately. Proprioception training is highly common in rehabilitation of injured athletes, but it can just as easily be used to prevent injury.

No matter how old you are, balance can be learned, challenged and improved. Balance-specific exercises are designed to encourage normal motor sequencing, muscle recruitment and joint stability – all prerequisites to developing a balanced body.

Stretching, stabilization and dynamic exercises, as well as task-specific balance skills, lead to long-term stability. In addition, balance-specific exercises help you develop an awareness of body segments and how to align them.

Enhancing your balance system will ultimately improve your postural endurance, control and awareness; reduce your risk of injury; help you overcome illness and ensure you play your best during sports. Spend time working on your balance system each week, and you’ll soon see the benefits.

At Preventous, we know that immunization is important. Vaccination has successfully eradicated many diseases that could have otherwise harmed our children and it continues to protect children today.

But we also know that you may have serious concerns about the safety of vaccines. Following are some key facts about immunization to help you make an informed decision about the impact of immunization on your child’s health. If you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to talk to your physician when you visit.

• Vaccines must be tested and proven to be safe as well effective before they are used. They are also continually monitored by health authorities.

• Independent reviews by expert committees have not found any scientific evidence that the measles vaccine (MMR) causes autism.

• Studies have not found any link between immunization and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

• Studies have not found any link between immunization and asthma.

• Receiving vaccines is not harmful to the immune system. The weakened virus in the vaccine is not enough to hurt an immune system designed to combat millions of germs each day.

• Immunization works, keeping your child healthy.

For more information, see A Parent’s Guide to Immunization Information on the Internet

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