by IMCI | Jan 26, 2017 | Latest Articles
By Stefanie Polsinelli
special to CTV News.ca
A new year symbolizes a fresh start: 365 days of nothing but promise ahead of you. It also means you’ll likely make a resolution you won’t be able to keep past March. But all that can change for 2017.
When people make a resolution about their health, they tend to focus on a single improvement, such as losing weight. But according to Dr. Esther Konigsberg, MD and Medical Director of Integrative Medicine Consultants Inc., you should strive towards a healthy lifestyle overall rather than zeroing in on any one aspect.
“You want your foundation to be strong and the only way to create a strong one is to be as healthy as possible,” she says. “There is a huge amount of scientific evidence proving that if you exercise and eat well, all the risk factors for diseases dramatically drop.”
She adds that the key to sticking with your resolution is to slowly incorporate the new activities into your life so that it’s easier to turn them habits. “It doesn’t have to be overwhelming,” she says. “Just set the intention and balance out how to factor the healthier habits into your already-busy life without causing more stress.” She has pinpointed five specific changes you can incorporate into your routine to develop a healthier lifestyle for the new year and beyond.
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by IMCI | Jan 14, 2016 | Latest Articles
By Alexandra Kimball
Chatelaine
Juice fasts are so 2014. The latest way to cleanse your body is the “teatox,” which supplements a low-calorie diet with large amounts of herbal tea. (The #teatox hashtag has over 300,000 posts on Instagram.) Proponents say teatoxing improves energy, clears up skin, boosts metabolism and promotes weight loss.
Tea is a broad beverage category, and includes those made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis shrub (both green and black teas come from this plant), as well as any number of dried herbs and fruit. While both green and black teas have been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes, and antioxidants in green tea may reduce your cancer risk, there is little research about the health benefits of the herbs in your average teatox blend.
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by IMCI | Jan 14, 2016 | Latest Articles
By Dr. Esther Konigsberg
Chatelaine
Thinking of going gluten-free? People who are sensitive to gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley and rye — can have irritable-bowel symptoms like diarrhea, cramping and bloating, as well as joint pain, acid reflux, skin problems and migraines, says Dr. Esther Konigsberg, medical director at Integrative Medicine Consultants, who adds that a gluten-free diet can change the lives of those with celiac disease. (For more information, go to celiac.ca)
This plan is for five days, but not eating gluten for two to four weeks is ideal. Make sure to read labels carefully for this plan.
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by IMCI | Jan 14, 2016 | Latest Articles
By Juliette Lie Baxter
Best Health
Whether you’re battling PMS or staring down perimenopause, there are strategies and solutions to help minimize distress. Juliette Lie Baxter investigates how to manage hormonal changes with grace – and fewer mood swings.
There was a time when a pair of stretchy pants with a soft waistband that hugged my bloated belly and a loose-cut tee that skimmed over my achy breasts were all I needed to survive PMS. But things changed over a year ago, when I turned 41. Now I have a laundry list of monthly letdowns, which include increased anxiety, brief crying spells, fatigue and heartburn. I have loose stools, foggy brain, ovulation pain and headaches. My cycle has stretched from 28 days to 38 days, which also means my PMS can last up to 10 days. I have hot flashes (that’s a temperature surge with no sweats)
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by IMCI | Jan 14, 2016 | Latest Articles
By Esther Konigsberg
Hamilton Jewish News
In my Integrative Medicine practice I often see health conscious patients who are interested in pursuing the best possible health and well-being. Influenced by social media, the media at large or lay “health experts” perpetuating urban health myths, many people are misinformed about issues that directly affect their health. In this article, I will dispel three myths to help you get to the true bottom line.
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