mitch

The Truth Behind Epsom Salts Baths

The Truth Behind Epsom Salts Baths

By: Dr. Karim Riskallah, DC

I often ask my patients daily what kind of self care they have applied when they have suffered either an acute injury or managing a chronic problem.  Each time I would hope that they would inform me of an active rehab program they began, the application of the prototypical R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) protocol, or even starting a course of anti inflammatory medication when warranted.  But more often than not, patients will instead inform me that they soaked in an epsom salt bath a few times per week with the belief that an epsom salt bath helped accelerate the healing of their injury, aided in muscle recovery, or my personal favourite, ‘detoxified’ their body.  With that in mind, I wanted to write this quick post demystifying those myth.  I apologize in advance for bursting anybody’s bubble.

Epsom salt baths are cheap and essentially harmless, but certainly do not have the healing power often believed and very heavily marketed.   Most of the theories you hear are oversimplified and driven my marketing key words such as “detoxification” or “eliminates aches”.  One thing to keep in mind that I believe is the primary reason epsom salts are not as potent as claimed is that epsom salt (Magnesium Sulfate) cannot be absorbed through your skin by osmosis. Therefore, epsom salts can never be absorbed into your muscles and cause all the miraculous health claims labeled on the box.  Also, as nice as it would be, the notion that epsom salts can be used for 'detoxification" is simply impossible.  The human body has a natural system to eliminate toxic substances and often preventing them from even entering the blood system.  Thank you Mr. Liver, Mr. Kidney, and GI System.  The notion that epsom salts somehow get into the body and “suck” toxic substances out of your muscles, organs, and skin and perform a little "clean up" is laughable.  This claim is simply false, impossible, and there is absolutely no scientific evidence supporting that rational to date.

The million dollar question then is:  Is there any good reason to put epsom salts in your bath? Well, in my opinion, epsom salts will dissolve in your bath and will make your water feel nice and soothing.   If putting some Epsom salts in your bath causes a positive and powerful placebo effect, nothing wrong with that either.  But please don’t expect epsom salts to accelerate healing, improved muscle flexibility, sooth aches, improve circulation, decrease inflammation, accelerate muscle recovery,  detox your body, release muscle cramps, restore energy levels, etc etc, etc, etc.……

by mitch

Are Artificial Sweeteners Any Better Than Sugar?

Are Artificial Sweeteners Any Better Than Sugar?

By: Dr. James Yoon

If you think that drinking zero-calorie diet sodas are a healthy alternative to sugar containing drinks, you may be misinformed. The results of a first-in-human study in healthy volunteers demonstrated that regular consumption of diet drinks alter the gut response to glucose, leading to altered blood sugar regulation, and can therefore predispose people to developing type 2 diabetes.

In a 2 week, double-blind, randomized parallel-group clinical study, healthy volunteers were assessed on the effects of diet supplementation with artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame-K, often found in diet sodas and beverages. Taken in the form of capsules, three times daily before meals, blinded participants received either the artificial sweeteners, equivalent to drinking 1.2 to 1.5 L of diet beverage per day or an inactive placebo. After the 2 week period, participants ingested glucose (a simple sugar) and were assessed on how their bodies absorbed glucose, the amount of glucose in the blood, as well as the levels of insulin and gut peptides.

Despite showing similar absorption patterns in response to glucose between the two groups at the start of the study, after 2 weeks of supplementation, the group supplemented with artificial sweeteners demonstrated the following when compared to placebo:

• 20% increase in glucose absorption
• 24% increase of plasma glucose
• 34% decreased production of the hormone, GLP-1. GLP-1 supports blood sugar control by stimulating the release of insulin, blocking the production of glucagon, and slowing down the absorption of blood sugar in the body.

These findings highlight, "the potential for these responses in habitual consumers of artificial sweeteners and support the concept that artificial sweeteners could reduce the body's control of blood sugar levels, exaggerating post-meal glucose levels, which could predispose them to developing type 2 diabetes.”

Integrative Medicine for the Prevention of Diabetes and Heart Disease

At Infinity Health Centre, our Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. James Yoon, often works closely with our Medical Physicians to aid in the management of patients suffering from diabetes or heart disease.  With a combination of improved diet and lifestyle recommendations, combined with and nutritional supplementation and herbal medicines, blood sugar levels can be effectively stabilized.  Even those taking regular pharmaceutical medications can be effectively treated and make significant improvements, in some cases, even reduce or discontinue their medications (with proper medical supervision).

To book an appointment with Dr. James Yoon, please contact the clinic, or simply request an appointment on-line.

*FREE 10min consults also available to meet with Dr. Yoon to learn more about how Naturopathic Medicine can you help you.

Reference:

European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 2016 Annual Meeting. September 14, 2017, Lisbon, Portugal. Abstract 193. https://www.easd.org/virtualmeeting/home.html#!resources/impact-of-artificial-sweeteners-on-glycaemic-control-in-healthy-humans

by mitch

Why Do I Always get That 'Afternoon Crash' ?

Why Do I Always Get That 'Afternoon Crash' ?

By: Dr. James Yoon ND

Do you find it difficult to concentrate in the afternoon? Feeling tired, anxious, nervous, or depressed? Chances are your lunch may have something to do with it! When you eat a large lunch that is high in carbohydrates like pasta, breads, or sugars like in juice and pop, your body quickly digests and absorbs these foods very quickly, leading to a sharp spike in your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. A sudden spike in blood sugar will give you instant energy and make you feel energetic and almost hyper. In response to this influx, your body will signal the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin's acts as a chemical messenger that tells the body's cells to take in the extra glucose from your bloodstream. The problem, however, is that your pancreas almost always overestimates how much insulin to release, and the result is that too much glucose is removed from your blood. This results in a blood sugar crash, or very low blood sugar levels.

When you eat whole grains rich in fibre, the digestion of the carbs will be slowed down. This means that your blood sugar will rise slowly as a result of eating these foods. Replacing all refined carbs with whole grains and incorporating protein and other fibre-rich food sources will make your blood sugar rise and fall slowly, which is the way nature intended, and leading to more consistent energy levels.

Using Naturopathic Medicine to Support Your Energy:

To learn more about supporting your energy levels and preventing that daily afternoon crash, you are encouraged to book an appointment with our Naturpathic Doctor, Dr. James Yoon.   Dr. Yoon specializes in providing diet and lifestyle recommendations combined with nutritional supplementation and herbal medicines to effectively manage your health and energy levels.

Please contact the clinic to book your appointment today, or simply request an appointment on-line.

FREE 10min consults also available with Dr. Yoon to learn more about how Naturopathic Medicine can you help you.

by mitch