<![CDATA[                          HILLCREST CENTRE FOR HEALTH - Blog]]>Fri, 25 May 2012 01:13:35 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[When did soap become bad for your health?]]>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:27:55 -0800http://www.hillcresthealthcentre.com/1/post/2012/04/when-did-soap-become-bad-for-your-health.htmlWhen soap started being marketed  as "anti-microbial"  it took a turn from being a tool for keeping us healthy by keeping germs away, to being a detriment to our health by creating a sterile environment and antibiotic- resistant bacteria.  

In order to be marketed as antimicrobial, heavy duty bacteria-busting chemicals must be added. Sadly these additives, like Triclosan have become common household items, found in soap, toothpaste and deodorant. Triclosan was created over 40 years ago as a disinfectant for hospitals, and its use has become so prevalent in our society that a survey done by the CDC found it present in the urine of over 75% of Americans age 5 and over! 

Triclosan has been claimed to be an endocrine disruptor and its use can also eradicate the good bacteria that lives on our skin as well as the bad! This takes a toll on our immune system and unnecessarily creates bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. 

Authors Smith & Lourie warned about Triclosan in "Slow Death by Rubber Duck", as did the CMA in 2009, and now Health Canada is finally taking heed, planning to finalize its risk assesment of the chemical ( along with phtalates, flame retardants and others) in the next few years.

In the meantime, I encourage you all to avoid use of anti- microbial soaps, detergents, etc. Read your labels carefully, especially deodorant & toothpaste! Opt for natural, chemical-free products where you can. Sadly this is only one of the toxic ingredients out there, there are many more!  

For more information on Triclosan & Anti-Microbial soaps check out the following:
Common toothpaste additive triclosan to be deemed toxic to environment - Environmental Defence bit.ly/H9SAQa
"Should antibacterial soap be outlawed?" -Discovery Health http://bit.ly/H9QLCI 
"Triclosan, an Antibacterial Chemical, Raises Safety Issues" - NYTimes.com http://nyti.ms/HMTYwv 
"Consumer Antibacterial Soaps: Effective or Just Risky?"- Oxford Journal  http://bit.ly/hcJ1hR 
"Are Antimicrobial Soaps Breeding Tougher Bugs?"- Washington Post  http://wapo.st/HMV37p
Slow Death by Rubber Duck- Rick Smith & Bruce Lourie


Post written by: Alexandra Hurtado, ND  
]]><![CDATA[Staying Positive]]>Fri, 11 Mar 2011 21:58:52 -0800http://www.hillcresthealthcentre.com/1/post/2011/03/staying-positive.htmlWe all worry sometimes and can get caught up with negative thinking. With a bit of practice, however, we can learn to think more positively.

Focusing on the positive is a wonderful start. Share good news and happy events with the people who love you - spread the joy!
Notice the beauty around you - laughing children, cute animals, flowers (in the shops.. can't wait till their in our gardens!), sunsets. Pay more attention to those things than to the less-than-lovely things you see.

When we have a negative experience, we can ask ourselves some questions to try to see things from a different perspective. Did I handle things in a way that makes me proud? What did I learn about my strengths from this experience? What did I learn over all?

Life is about learning and growing, and every experience is an opportunity to develop or hone new skills.


Posted by: Misha Capler, Psychotherapist
mcapler@hillcresthealthcentre.com ]]><![CDATA[Ward off the winter chill with...HYDROTHERAPY!]]>Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:10:33 -0800http://www.hillcresthealthcentre.com/1/post/2011/02/ward-off-the-winter-chill-withhydrotherapy.htmlBrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... its cold out there! So why are we naturopath's asking you to add to your burden and take COLD SHOWERS?! An article I found last week in the China Post says it all:

Health experts recommend strengthening the body with cold - The China Post

Now I'll admit I am probably one of the biggest frigophobics (cold-fearers) out there.. its taken me ages to get to the place where I can do contrast showers ( well... contrast saunas..lol)... but I knew it was worth it when I started, and I don't regret it one bit. Just being outside in this cold weather and not feeling the cut-to-the-bone chill everyone around me is feeling makes the effort worth it! Not to mention the added benefits of glowing skin, boosted immune system and increased energy among others.


HYDROTHERAPY (the application of hot and cold water to the body for therapeutic benefit), also known as 'nature cure' is one of Naturopathic Medicine's most ancient modalities. It was started by our forefathers in the 1700's but has sadly fallen to the sidelines and is being used less and less today.

Why should you do it? Because its EASY, has NO SIDE EFFECTS, its 100% NATURAL, IMPROVES SKIN, BOOST IMMUNE SYSTEM, LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE, INCREASES VITALITY, THERMOREGULATES and DETOXES the body, among other benefits!


Contrast Showers
The contrast between hot and cold water increases microcirculation through body tissues, promotes detoxification, and strengthens the immune system. This helps bring nutrients, oxygen and immune cells to damaged and stressed tissues and carries away metabolic waste, inflammatory by-products and other toxic substances. Contrast showers also strengthen the immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells.

Instructions:
  • Start with 3 minutes of hot water followed by less than one minute of cold water.
  • Repeat this pattern 3 times during every shower, always finishing with cold. 
  • For example, 3 min. hot – 1 min. cold – 3 min. hot – 1 min. cold- 3 min. hot – 1 min.cold

For more information, see the Resources section of our website.

Posted by: Alexandra Hurtado, ND]]><![CDATA[Hello World!]]>Sun, 13 Feb 2011 23:22:14 -0800http://www.hillcresthealthcentre.com/1/post/2011/02/hello-world.htmlWelcome to our blog!

We finally made it onto the social media stage! It only took us a year and a half to get here, but here we are...ready to share expert advice on useful information, facts, tips and tricks, opinions and research on NATURAL HEALTH.

Our professional team of bloggers is made up by the Hillcrest Centre for Health team and includes:

Alexandra Hurtado, Naturopathic Doctor
Nicole Henry, Naturopathic Doctor
Misha Capler, Psychotherapist
Adam D'Andrea, Registered Massage Therapist
Inbar Strauch, Registered Massage Therapist
Flor Hurtado, Aromatherapist & Reiki Practitioner
Alex Hurtado, Iridologist & Lifestyle/Spiritual Counsellor

Our intentions are not to diagnose or treat, but instead to provide our opinion and EDUCATION on current health topics. We encourage you all to participate and ask us questions, make comments and offer suggestions on topics you would like to see!  Help us customize this blog so that it is useful for you!
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