Author Archives: aileen

As we enter this fresh new year, it's the perfect time to embrace renewed intentions for a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. Whether you're looking to fuel your body with nourishing foods, cultivate mindful habits, or find motivation to stay active, this space is here to support your every step. Let's commit to making small, sustainable changes that empower us to feel our best—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Protein is a fundamental component of the human body, playing a crucial role in maintaining our health. The term "protein" comes from the Greek word protos, meaning "first," highlighting its vital importance. Our skin, nails, and hair are made of protein, as are our muscles and connective tissues. Protein acts as the framework for our bones, anchoring minerals that help them grow strong. Additionally, vital organs like the lungs, heart, kidneys, and bladder are primarily composed of protein. All of which need constant upkeep through diet.

How young is too young for dementia? Currently, over half a million Canadians are living with dementia, a number that is projected to double in the next 15 years. Particularly distressing is the fact that while dementia predominantly affects older adults, the condition is not exclusive to the very old. Young-onset dementia, also known as early-onset dementia, refers to dementia diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 65. While it is less common than dementia in older adults, it still represents a significant and growing portion of cases, with approximately 5% of all dementia cases occurring in individuals under 65 years old. To date, a 19-year-old Chinese youth is the youngest person to be identified with dementia...

With the holiday season in full swing, it’s often difficult to navigate the sea of tempting foods that are part and parcel of festive gatherings. From sugary treats to savory snacks laden with salt, bad fats and artificial additives, the impact of these foods extends far beyond that tired and bloated feeling after overindulging, or the extra pounds we might pack on over the next month or so, but also influences brain health. In this issue I focus on the research that shows how regular consumption of ultra-processed and sweet and starchy foods in-creases the likelihood of mood disorders, particularly in teenagers...

Osteoporosis, a disorder characterized by weakened and fragile bones is one of the most common bone-related health conditions. To maintain strong, fracture resistant bones and prevent osteoporosis we are encouraged to consume calcium rich foods and/or take calcium supplements. However, the story of bone health is much more intricate and the maintenance of healthy bones involves not only calcium but also a complex interplay of many other nutrients.

This issue focuses on the role of vitamin K, and its interaction with vitamin D and calcium in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Struggling with weight is a challenge that many of us can relate to. The desire to shed those extra pounds, improve our health, and enhance our overall well-being often leads us down various paths in search of effective solutions, some of them healthy, some of them risky and almost all of them difficult to sustain.

In this issue of The New Nutrition Newsletter I focus on the latest hot topic in the world of weight control – ground-breaking medications like Ozempic that have emerged as potential game-changers in the battle against obesity. What are they? How do they work, and can we mimic their effect naturally, using diet rather than drugs?

Over recent years we have learned that a high intake of fruits and vegetables – higher than the 5-a-day we have previously been urged to eat – is critical for both physical and mental health.

The main health benefits of plants are derived from their phytochemical content – naturally occurring compounds that give fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices their colour, aroma and flavour. These compounds are not essential for life, like vitamins and minerals, but do have amazing health benefits. A diet rich in phytochemicals plays a major role in the prevention and reduction of most chronic diseases, from heart disease, to cancer, dementia, diabetes and many others...