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The-Okanagan-Naturopath

When it comes to your heart, the beat goes on

Heart health

The heart is often considered to be the centre of love and compassion in the human body in ancient mythology.

Where the brain is the higher centre of logic, reason and thinking, the heart is seen as the emotional centre.

The heart is a muscular hollow organ with four chambers that pumps blood throughout the human body. It is located in the middle chest just slightly left of centre and is protected by the rib cage. It is about the size of two fists clasped together. The average heart weighs about 300 grams, or just over ½ pound. A woman’s heart is slightly smaller and weighs slightly less than a man’s heart.

The average heart rate is 72 beats per minute, ranging from 60 to 100 beats per minute at rest. A heart rate of less than 60 beats is slow and a heart rate greater than 100 beats is fast. Deviations from normal may be considered normal for some people and pathological for others.

The heart usually beats in an amazing harmonious synchronicity. A heart that beats 72 beats per minute, beats 4,320 times per hour, 103,680 times per day, 35 million times per year and 2 ½ billion times per average lifetime. A woman’s heart usually beats slightly faster than a man’s heart.

The average volume of blood in the human body is about five litres, slightly more for males and slightly less for females. The heart pumps about 60 to 100 millilitres of blood per stroke volume, about five litres of blood per minute and 7,000 litres of blood per day. That volume can increase dramatically by three to four times during periods of intense exercise.

The heart is a delicate organ that can be damaged in several ways. Damage to the electrical system of the heart can disrupt the rate and rhythm of contractions leading to an arrhythmia. Damage to the heart muscle itself can also impair muscular contraction. Damage the coronary arteries, mainly because of atherosclerosis or hardening of the blood vessels, can lead to a heart attack.

A healthy diet emphasizing whole, unprocessed foods, high-quality proteins and fats, fresh fruits and vegetables is best for a healthy heart. A diet high in ultra-processed foods, sugar, saturated fats, salt, alcohol is not that healthy for the heart.

Lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking, increased drug and alcohol consumption and lack of exercise can negatively affect the heart. A high level of perceived negative stress can also impact heart function.

Magnesium is a vital macro-mineral that plays a vital role in over 300 different unique functions in the human body. It is intimately involved in energy generation and muscular relaxation. It is considered to be nature’s calcium channel blocker and can relax the heart muscle and blood vessels alike.

Co-enzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like compound that is a rate-limiting step in cellular mitochondrial energy generation. The heart muscle has among the highest concentration of mitochondria in the human body. Q10 can help to ensure optimal mitochondrial function in the heart muscle. Several drugs including cholesterol lowering medicines or statins decrease Q10 levels dramatically. Q10 can slightly improve heart muscle contractility and ejection fraction.

Omega 3 oils, primarily fish and plant oils, can help reduce bad LDL cholesterol levels in the human body. These oils can decrease inflammatory pathways, decrease platelet aggregation and prevent oxidative damage to the delicate inner lining of the coronary arteries that can lead to atherosclerosis.

Carnitine is a non-essential amino acid that is the main transport vehicle of fats to the mitochondria. Carnitine ensures that mitochondrial have a constant, regular supply of dietary fats that can then be broken down for the generation of energy. Carnitine can slightly improve heart muscle function and ejection fraction.

Taurine is one of the most abundant non-essential sulfur containing amino acid in the human body. It is a normal constituent of bile in the liver. It is used to enhance fat absorption from the digestive tract. Taurine is involved in calcium regulation in the heart muscle, reduces blood pressure, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol compound in dark red and purple grapes, berries and red wine. Resveratrol reduces both inflammation and oxidation in the heart and blood vessels. It can help to reduce blood pressure, improve oxygen supply and increase heart muscle function.

Hawthorn is a flowering tree from the Rose family with bright red berries that are rich in bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids can reduce blood pressure slightly, improve oxygenation of the heart, prevent oxidative damage to the arterial wall and can slightly increase heart muscle contraction.

You should consult a licensed health care professional before adding supplements to your nutritional program, especially if you have a pre-existing heart condition.

The information provided in this article is not intended to constitute medical advice. All information and content are for general information purposes only.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.





The flu is nothing to sneeze at

Flu can be dangerous

The flu is a disease of the respiratory system involving the mouth, nose, throat and occasionally the bronchi and lungs.

It is caused by a group of influenza viruses that are highly contagious, spread easily and infect humans. Influenza gets its name from medieval European times when it was widely believed that the position of the stars “influenced” the occurrence of these infectious pandemics.

According to the World Health Organization, influenza typically affects 5% to 15% of the general population. That means about one billion people per year around the world get the flu. In Canada between 10% and 15% or adults and 20% to 30% of children get the flu annually. It is estimated to cause 12,200 hospitalizations and about 3,500 deaths per year. Those infections tend to occur in late fall, winter and early spring, in part, due to the greater contact between humans that occur at this time.

The flu virus is made up of 35 to 40 different proteins that make the viral capsule, cell surface markers and enzymes involved in viral replication.

Influenza viruses have seven or eight different single strands of RNA (ribonucleic acid) inside each virus. The viral RNA hijacks the host genetic machinery to make copies of viral proteins, then reassembles inside the host cell and then leaves to infect more cells and replicate itself.

There are four groups of viruses, called influenza A, B, C and D. They are based on viral surface markers or proteins that are common to one of the groups. Influenza A is the most common group and tends to be the cause of pandemics when they occur. Influenza B and C are less common and less severe than group A. Influenza D does not occur in humans.

Virologists further classify the flu virus according to two cell surface markers, or proteins, known as H and N. H stands hemagglutinin and N stands for neuraminidase. Hemaglutinen is a gatekeeper protein that allows the virus into a host cell. It allows the binding of the virus to the cell surface and allows it to enter the host. Neuraminidase is also a gatekeeper protein that allows the virus out of the host cell so it can spread to other cells.

There are 18 different subtypes of H proteins and 11 different subtypes of N proteins. All subtypes have been identified in birds and other animals. Only three specific H proteins and two N proteins have been identified in humans.

These viruses can stay viable for up to 48 hours and can be transmitted to the oropharynx after sometimes touching a contaminated surface.

The common symptoms of influenza infection include sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, fatigue, fever, headaches, muscle aches, nausea and occasionally diarrhea. These infections typically last for five to 10 days but can last longer in some individuals. A residual cough can persist for several weeks after the infection has abated.

The incubation time for the flu is usually one to three days. That means that from first exposure to the virus to the development of symptoms, it can be 24 to 72 hours. Viral shedding can occur one or two days before symptoms occur and five to seven days after symptoms start. Viruses are typically spread in aerosolized droplets and secretions of the mouth and nose. That can occur when an infected person is normally breathing. Greater concentration occurs when a person sneezes or coughs.

The flu is usually a self-limited disease that gets better after one or two weeks. Those at risk for serious illness include children under the age of five, the elderly over the age of 65, individuals with comorbid conditions that lower the immune system including individuals with cancer and pre-existing heart, kidney and lung disease.

The flu vaccine usually is a mixture of three different dominant strains that are believed to be the most prevalent in the upcoming year. Flu vaccines are about 20% to 60% effective in matching the dominant strains. Vaccinations are recommended for those at high risk for developing serious illness and those who come in contact with vulnerable individuals.

Washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, staying home when sick, drinking plenty of fluids and getting rest are commonly recommended to aid in flu recovery and preventing infection to others. Analgesics, anti-inflammatories and decongestants provide some symptomatic relief but do not affect the course and duration of infection.

Tamiflu and Relenza are two newer antiviral medicines that can be effective in preventing serious flu infection and aiding quicker recovery. Those drugs target the N protein that prevents viral spread.

Gargling with salt water and using a saline nasal irrigation can prevent viral binding to mucous membranes. Chicken noodle soup and spices like cayenne pepper, garlic and ginger can also help the immune system. Vitamin A, C, D and zinc can all have antiviral effects. Echinacea, elderberry, goldenseal, oregano oil and other herbs have also been recommended for flu infection.

The information provided in this article is not intended to constitute medical advice. All information and content are for general information purposes only.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



Poppies, opium and morphine: Strong drugs from a small flower

Poppies and opium

The poppy is a pretty red plant that adorns many flower gardens and is mentioned in the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae. It is the iconic symbol of Remembrance Day in Canada.

There are 250 species in the poppy genus. All species in this genus contain minute amounts of morphine and other chemically related narcotic compounds. The red poppy (Papaver somniferum) contains the highest amount of morphine of any species in the genus. Morphine is a nitrogen-containing chemical. Nitrogen-containing chemicals are called alkaloids.

The poppy plant has been used in many cultures since antiquity. It was widely used in China, India and northern parts of South America. It was first mentioned in the Middle East regions of Samaria and Persia as far back as 5000 BC.

It was a popular merchandise traded along the Silk Road from eastern Asia to Europe.

Opium dens became popular venues where it was bought, distributed and smoked in long pipes and flasks. Opium was popularized for its pain relieving and anti-intestinal motility effects and ability to reduce anxiety and agitation during the American civil war.

Opium is the name given to the milky latex material in the poppy plant that contains alkaloids. The resinous and water-soluble material was originally derived from the mature, ripe poppy seed bulbs.

The word morphine is derived from Morpheus, the Greek God of sleep and dreams. Morphine was first isolated from the resin of the poppy seed bulb in 1805 by a German pharmacist. It was named for its ability to induce sleep and somnolence.

The main alkaloids found in the poppy plant are morphine, codeine, heroin and thebaine. Hydrocodone is made synthetically from codeine. Thebaine is used to synthetically make oxycodone. Fentanyl is a synthetic narcotic made from a lesser-known precursor found in the opium poppy. At least 50 different alkaloids, many with varying degrees of narcotic activity, have been isolated from the poppy plant.

The total alkaloid content of the poppy plant ranges from 0.1 to 2.5% in cultivated hybrids modified for increased alkaloid content. Forty per cent to 70% of the total alkaloid content is morphine. The remainder is made up of the 50 or so other alkaloids.

The biological purpose of morphine and related alkaloids in plants is believed to be the prevention of microbial and fungal infection.

In humans, morphine is a potent analgesic or pain-relieving medicine and is classified as a narcotic. Narcotics are a group of related compounds that also dull the senses and induce sleep. Morphine and related compounds are strong medicines to help relieve moderate to severe pain. They are also used to relieve coughs and diarrhea.

Morphine and other opiates bind to receptors deep in the brain called the limbic system that affect mood and emotions. The coupling of these alkaloids stimulates neurotransmitter, mainly dopamine release. The increased levels of dopamine in this region cause heightened moods, pleasure and euphoria. As the drug wears off the euphoric effect diminishes. Over time, with repetitive use of morphine and other narcotics to this part of the brain, it becomes sensitized to higher levels of dopamine. Addiction and craving results when the drug is not present at previous levels. A vicious cycle ensues and causes psychological and physical dependence.

Morphine also binds to pain centres in the midbrain that dampen sensory pain impulses in the spinal cord. It also binds to the cough reflex centre in the brain and relaxes muscles in the esophagus and lungs. It prevents muscle contractions in the intestines and stomach and slows transit time through the digestive system.

The potency of different narcotic alkaloids is typically compared to the analgesic or pain-relieving quality of morphine. Codeine is 0.1 times to 0.5 times as potent as morphine. Heroin or diamorphine is two to three times as potent as morphine. Oxycodone has about 1.5 times the analgesic potency as morphine. Hydrocodone is about 1.5 times as strong as morphine. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. The synthetic drug carfentanil is estimated to be 10,000 times as potent as morphine.

Opiates, including morphine, are classified as “schedule 1 controlled” drugs in Canada and require a physician’s prescription. They are very good drugs to help control severe pain, especially in cancer patients. They should not be prescribed for slight or moderate painful conditions, where other non-narcotic analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or NSAIDS and corticosteroids may be just as effective.

Opiates have a high potential for addiction and abuse.

The pharmaceutical industry is complicit in the widespread misuse of opiate analgesics. Aggressive marketing, prescriber kickbacks and misrepresenting the degree of addictive potential, side effects and potential benefits have been widely used to market opiates. A recent decision of the Supreme Court of Canada would allow provincial governments, territories and the federal government to seek reparations from the manufacturers of opiate pharmaceuticals for harms brought upon individuals who have used these drugs.

The province of British Columbia is leading the way to hold those accountable for the widespread use and abuse of opiate pharmaceuticals.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical advice. All information and content are for general information purposes only.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.





Getting out in nature is good for your body, mind and spirit

'Forest bathing'

Autumn is my favourite time of year.

I have made it an annual ritual to make a sojourn in the first weekend after Labour Day to Glacier National Park. The intense heat of summer has dissipated, the cool crispness of the mornings is evident and the swaths of holiday traffic has diminished.

It is still dark outside when I leave Kelowna early Sunday morning. I make a quick stop for my morning coffee and continue on my way. As I travel through the North Okanagan, passing Vernon the aroma of endless corn fields permeates the air.

By first light an ethereal white mist rises up over the Shuswap River near Grindrod. By the time I am travelling on the Trans-Canada highway near Malakwa, the sharp and jagged outline of the Selkirk Mountains appears in the horizon. Near Revelstoke, the warm orange disc of sun rises in the east, distorted by the haze of some distant wild fire. In an hour or so I pull into the parking lot at the Hermit trailhead.

Hermit trail is a short but steep trail with incredible views of Mount McDonald, Mount Sir Donald and other Selkirk mountains, the Illecillewaet Glacier and Roger’s Pass. The hike is a grueling 820 metre elevation climb similar to the Grouse Grind in North Vancouver. The air is fresh and full of the aroma of Engelman spruce, Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and western larch. After two hours of a steady uphill climb, two Cliff bars, one banana and 1.5 litres of water, I reach the top.

I am rewarded with breathtaking views, mountain fresh air and stunning vistas. I pause and imbue the incredible and powerful energy of natural world around me.

“Forest bathing” is the term used to describe an individual’s exposure to natural surroundings in a quiet, relaxed manner. It is an immersion into the world of trees and other living foliage. It means leaving the city and digital world behind, being off line and tuned in to Mother Nature.

“Shinrin-yoku” is the Japanese word meaning “forest bath” that was first coined in the early 1980s. In response to the rapid technological advances in the Japanese economy, some government officials suggested getting away from work and the digital world would be therapeutically beneficial. Particularly, exposure to trees and other foliage in a natural setting could have profound healing and health benefits.

Immersion into the natural world is not unique to the Japanese. North American Indigenous cultures have always practiced a strong connection to the natural world. Scandinavian cultures have a long history of Nordic nature healing. Many other cultures throughout the world have incorporated various aspects of nature therapy.

Real mindful exposure to nature involves the acumen of the five senses. You have a direct concentration and focus on the natural world around you. Your senses are quietly inundated by the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and tactile stimulation of nature.

You see the trees and other living foliage around you. Your eyes visually discern the earth below you and the mountains around you. You see the birds, insects and other animals.

You listen to the quiet hum of the natural world. You hear the array of bird calls and chorus, the motion of insects, the movement of water cascading down a mountain side and the wind as it sways through the trees.

You smell the natural odours around you. From the sweet aroma from trees, to the pleasing fragrances of wild flowers and the mustiness of the earth below your feet, you breath in the natural smells of nature.

You taste the savouriness of the forest, the saltiness of the earth and the sweetness of wildflowers and other foliage around you.

You touch the forest floor as your feet move across it, you climb across rock that are eons old, brush across a limb of shrub or a leaf of a tree.

Science is beginning to recognize the health benefits of forest bathing. From relaxation and stress reduction, to helping the immune system and improving mental health, the benefits are multiple.

Blood pressure and the heart rate slows as the cardiovascular system relaxes. Stress hormone levels, including adrenaline and cortisol, moderate blunting the stress response and promoting systemic relaxation. Muscle tension begins to ease and slacken.

The aromatic oils and resins from trees and other plants improve the sinuses, throat and lungs. Breathing becomes easier and fuller. The brain and nervous system relax into parasympathetic dominance.

After returning from my hike in Glacier Natural Park, I experience a mountain high caused by the mountain fresh air, the energy of Mother Nature and the dopamine response in my nervous system. Also, my thigh muscles burn with lactic acid as a reminder after the strenuous climb that is Hermit trail.

Forest bathing is a cheap and powerful therapy to recharge your body physically, mentally and spiritually.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical advice. All information and content are for general information purposes only.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



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About the Author

Doug Lobay is a practicing naturopathic physician in Kelowna, British Columbia.

He graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the University of British Columbia in 1987 and then attended Bastyr College of Natural Health Sciences in Seattle, Washington, where graduated with a doctorate in naturopathic medicine degree in 1991. While attending Bastyr College, he began to research the scientific basis of naturopathic medicine. 

He was surprised to find many of the current major medical journals abounded with scientific information on the use of diet, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal medicines.

Doug is a member of the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia and has practiced as naturopathic family physician for more than 30 years.  He maintains a busy practice in Kelowna where he sees a wide age range of patients with various ailments.

He focuses on dietary modification, allergy testing, nutritional assessments, supplement recommendation for optimal health, various physical therapy modalities, various intravenous therapies including chelation therapy.

An avid writer, he has written seven books on various aspects of naturopathic medicine that are available on Amazon and was also a long-time medical contributor to the Townsend Letter journal for doctors and patients, where many of his articles are available to view on-line. He has also given numerous lectures, talks and has taught various courses on natural medicine.

Doug enjoys research, writing and teaching others about the virtues of natural health and good nutrition. When not working, he enjoys cycling, hiking, hockey, skiing, swimming, tennis and playing guitar.

If you have any further questions or comments, you can contact Dr. Lobay at 250-860-7622 or [email protected].



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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