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Health

The 101 on your immune system

Your immune system defends you from constant threats. Look after it so it can look after you. Part One: How your immune system works THE ABC’S OF IMMUNITY We don’t realize it as we go about our day, but our immune system is engaged in a constant life-or-death drama, fighting threats too small to see and winning most of them most of the time. In this era of the COVID-19 pandemic, it helps to get a big-picture view of the immune system. Without it, we would all be sick, dying, or dead. In the article How the Immune System Works, in Medical News Today (2018), Tim Newman explains that “without an immune system, our bodies would be open to attack from bacteria, viruses, parasites, and more. It keeps us healthy as we drift through a sea of pathogens. This vast network of cells and tissues is constantly on the lookout

David Holt December 1, 2021

Health

A mattress for the ages

As we age, the type of mattress we need often changes and they are critical to good sleep hygiene. And not all mattresses are made equal. Good sleep health is important for our overall health and wellness. That includes pre-midnight sleep (sorry night owls), a good stretch of time where we get REM sleep for our brains, and to give our physical bodies proper rest and recovery time. Edmonton, Alberta based Canadian mattress manufacturer GoodMorning.com believes this so much that they offered us a free mattress to try. If we were impressed, we’d write about it. If we weren’t, just like their 120 night guarantee, we could send it back. We ended up loving it. My partner and I are in our late 50’s. We’re very active. From Nordic Pole Walking to hiking and running, I’m regular with my daily yoga routine and pilates a couple of times a week.

Alex Hurst September 10, 2021

Health

The Risks of the Keto Diet

A diet thought to be perfect for weight loss, keto may be more dangerous than you think. Everywhere you turn these days, it seems someone is talking about the “keto” or ketogenic diet. There’s even supplements to help the body go into ketosis. And while the keto diet may seem like a new breakthrough, it’s actually been around for about 100 years. It’s been used by doctors to help those with morbid obesity to lose weight fast when their lives are at risk. Some athletes have also taken advantage of it. So what is the keto diet? The keto diet is very low-carb and high in fat. Essentially, instead of burning carbs, like from potatoes, bread and pasta, it makes you burn your body’s fat. Doesn’t sound too bad does it? In the short term, it may not be. But there are a number of dangers. The keto diet is

Alex Hurst April 9, 2021

Health

Smartphones and healthcare

Already smartphones, from iPhone to Android, are playing a key role in our health and they’re going to play an even bigger role. Smartphones today are packed with all kinds of sensors, advanced software and cameras that are getting better every day, including many smartphones that use LiDAR (Light emitting Radar) such as that found in the new iPhone 12 Pro and coming to other smartphones. If you have an Apple Watch then you’ve got yet another health device that can connect with your iPhone for even more health monitoring. Right now, most smartphones can check your blood pressure, monitor heart rate and in some cases with a smartwatch, monitor your blood oxygen level (Apple Watch only for now.) But the uses for healthcare are developing rapidly. One app from skincare company Marianna can look at blemishes and skin conditions and recommend products. They use Artificial Intelligence to analyze photos.

Giles Crouch December 23, 2020

Mind

Food Addiction and the Brain

Food addiction can be a normal response to too much stress. Doesn’t matter. There are ways to get your life – and eating habits — back under control. “Betcha can’t eat just one?” Especially if it’s one of your comfort foods – something unhealthy you reach for reflexively when the pressure of life is suddenly too much. Food addiction. It’s that subconscious need to feel good right now, which can only be satisfied by the first bite of something sweet, salty, or savoury that we experience as safety. It’s emotional eating for your mind, where you’re more addicted to the feelings you get from the process of eating than from the food itself. Food addiction is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, there is an organization, The Food Addiction Institute, which is dedicated to the understanding and treatment of the illness. Like drug or alcohol addiction, food addiction can

Jennie Graham December 2, 2020

Health

Dates are super healthy for you!

This superfood can do wonders for your health (and your sweet tooth!) Describe your perfect date. Soft, chewy and extra sweet! Yes, we’re talking about the amazing super fruit – the date. Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree, which is grown in many tropical regions of the world. Not only is this fruit delicious, it’s high in some important nutrients and has a variety of uses. Dates are an excellent source of energy, fibre, protein and various vitamins and minerals. Essential minerals include calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. They also contain thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate and vitamins A and K. It’s hard to believe all those nutrients are in one small fruit! Dates have many health benefits including improvements in bone health, they may regulate cholesterol and blood pressure, improve heart and brain health, prevent inflammation and relieve constipation. Need I say

Jessica Clerke December 1, 2020

Longevity

How SciFi has caught up to our health

The future of health and medicine includes a lot of science fiction that is getting real—fast. GEOGRAPHY used to be about mapping the world, cereal was breakfast food and robots built cars on the assembly line. Now, maps are used for genetic code, cereal provides a better boost than Viagra, and robots can dig you out of a natural disaster. Every day the stuff of science fiction creeps closer to reality. Ray Kurzweil is doing it, lab tests on men prove it, and with stores such as Wal-Mart selling it, you can afford it! Read on for a laundry list of cool technologies that point the way to a new era of health and medicine. Eat this: Bio printed meat First on the list is bio-printed meat. The idea of synthetic meat first appeared on an episode of Star Trek: Jean Luc voices his desire for meatloaf and seconds later a plate

Jennie Graham October 7, 2020

Fitness

Strengthening your immune system

Immunity, or lack of it, starts at the cellular level. The immune system involves your skin, intestines, nasal mucosa, blood, lymph nodes, white blood cells, stem cells, b-cells and many other organs and tissues. Factors that impair immune function include nutrient deficiencies, contaminated air, water and food, unhealthy lifestyles and exposure to harmful microbes. The immune system is the body’s chief defense system, designed to protect the body against germs, viruses, bacteria and other invaders. A weakened immune system leaves the body vulnerable to virtually every type of illness and disease, especially when you move between climates, countries and time zones. The shift from late summer to autumn is always marked in the health calendar by the arrival of a new generation of viruses accompanied by wide- spread coughs and colds. Your immune system essentials Echinacea This popular herb works by increasing the numbers and activity of white blood cells.

Dr. Joyce Johnson, ND October 5, 2020

Health

The 5 pillars of wellness

lness is a journey, and we define it by the five pillars of health, lifestyle/adventure, nutrition, fitness, and mental wellbeing. We often hear the words health and wellness tagged together, but really, health is a part of wellness. We see more magazines, books, podcasts and blogs about wellness, but it can be confusing at times and defining it can be like tossing sand in the wind. At Silver, we believe that wellness is defined by five main pillars. Taken together, they comprise what it means to be well⁠—to be happy, and fulfilled. Wellness is about looking after oneself. When we look after ourselves, we can create our own best lives. And also help others, especially those who mean the most to us. The good news is, you don’t have to go to extreme efforts to live a life of wellness. Small changes in daily habits and thinking a little differently

Alex Hurst January 13, 2020