Do you have constipation?

April 24th, 2012 by Lyne Quesnel, ND

Constipation, a very unpleasant and sometimes painful situation that is defined by slow transit, associated with dehydrated stools that are difficult to expel.

Our needs vary from one person to another. While for some people it is normal to have a bowel movement 3 times a day, for others, 3 times a week may be sufficient. But one way or another, the longer the stools stay in the intestines, the harder they will get and become more difficult to expel.

Symptoms of constipation:

Infrequent bowel movements (more than 3 days for an adult, 4 for children);
Difficult and painful defecation;
Hard, compact stools;
Bloating and gas.

Possible complications:

Haemorrhoids;
Anal fissures;
Bowel obstruction;
Abusive use of de laxatives…

Persons at risk:

Everyone is susceptible to constipation at one time or another;
The elderly have a slower digestive system. However, the digestive system should function just as properly in children as in older people;
Women that may be affected by hormonal changes as during menopause or pregnancy (on top of hormonal changes the uterus pushes against the intestines during pregnancy).

Causes:

Insufficient intake of liquids: the intestines extract a maximum amount of water from fecal matter therefore insufficient amount of liquids will make stools hard. We should drink up to 8 glasses (250ml each) of water a day;
Insufficient intake of fibre: We need to eat 25 to 30 g of fibre per day. They increase the volume of stools and help in the movement through the intestinal tract, help with colon contraction and evacuation of stools. Examples of fibres: fruits, fresh vegetables, pastas, rice, cereals and whole wheat bread;
Drinking milk: it may cause diarrhoea in some and constipation in others, especially in children. Eliminate it from your diet for 2 weeks to determine if it is the cause;
Eating cabbage and beans: people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, characterized by painful constipation should avoid foods that provoke gas such as beans, cabbage and cauliflower;
Stress: prolonged stress slows the digestive process;
Lack of exercise: Exercise stimulates transit and accelerates the evacuation of fecal matter. Walking or jogging 20 to 30 minutes per day, 5 times a week helps;
Medications: Certain medicines, especially codeine, ibuprofen, morphine, antacids, antihistamines, phenothiazines, sedatives, anxiolytics, anti-inflammatory and tricyclic antidepressants, diuretics and opiates reduce peristalsis, the muscular movement that propels digested foods towards the intestines. Some types of iron can also provoke constipation. Aggressive laxatives can reduce the bodies’ nutriment intake as well as provoke constipation by reaction and cause a dependence on laxatives.

Supplements to consider:

ALOE VERA: has been used for a long time thanks to its internal curative virtues; intestinal problems, acidity, constipation. It is often recommended for the treatment of occasional constipation due to the emollient effects of the gel. It may be used for longer periods without risk. It may also reduce inflammation and calm intestinal irritation.
CASCARA: has long been recognised for its laxative properties, cascara sagrada bark is still not well known. It softens stools and helps to expel them with less discomfort. The effects continue to be felt for 6 to 8 hours after ingestion. It increases secretions from the stomach, the liver, the pancreas and stimulates the colon. Very useful to treat haemorrhoids due to excessive pushing. Although the harvesting methods follow certain principles, it has a rapid yet gentle action. The bark is harvested during spring through summer and never on a tree under one year old. The maturing time allows the active effect of the bark to become gentler. After drying, the anthrones are oxidized into anthraquinones. Unfortunately, these principles have not always been respected and it is for this reason that the plant has a bad reputation. Land Art makes sure that the harvest has been conducted following these principles.
TOTAL DETOX: is a mild laxative formula which does not only act as a laxative but as a stabiliser for colon activity. It contains Indian rhubarb, Aloe Vera jelly, dandelion root and cascara sagrada bark. It is a formula recommended for digestive tract upsets. The medicinal plants used are effective against constipation, avoiding bacterial invasions, decongesting the intestines, the liver and kidneys, provokes bile, restores intestinal tonus and stimulates intestinal contractions. It cleans and stimulates the entire digestive tract including the intestines. (Not recommended during pregnancy).
B-COMPLEX: including vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) for its effect of stimulating intestinal contractions. Extra intake is beneficial in case of chronic constipation and offers an alternative to prescribed laxatives for pregnant women, children and the elderly.

Consult a physician in any of the following situations:

If your symptoms persist more than 3 weeks and you are worried by this;
If there is presence of blood in the stools, this is rare but constipation may be the sign of something more serious;
If your regular bowel movements suddenly change;
If you also have stomach cramps and vomiting ;
If you also have a distended abdomen with constipation, it may be the sign of intestinal obstruction.

There are a few tricks to prevent constipation. Do you know any?

Eating at least 5 servings of fruit (55 g each) per day stimulates the intestines;
Drinking a warm beverage in the morning, herbal tea, decaffeinated coffee or a glass of warm water with a bit of lemon stimulates the intestines;
Insoluble fibres in whole cereals absorb water in the digestive tract, create a sensation of satiety and increase the volume of feces;
The best time for a bowel movement is after a meal. Choose a meal during the day and spend 10 minutes in the bathroom after that meal every day. In time, your colon will be conditioned to reacting naturally;
Relax, the intestines contract in reaction to stress;
Laughing can relieve constipation because it massages the intestines thereby stimulating digestion and relieving stress;
The intestines become dependent on chemical laxatives, become lazy, aggravating constipation. Chemical laxatives may also damage the colon. Natural laxatives (TOTAL DETOX) do not create a dependency and are safe even when taken on a long term basis;
Straining to pass stool may cause haemorrhoids and anal fissures which in turn aggravate constipation and reduce the opening of the anus;
Put your feet up on a stool to lift the knees when sitting on the toilet. This position stimulates the muscles of the colon.

Before taking supplements, it is important to check with your health care professional. Your specific health situation may greatly influence the proper treatment.
References: Guide pratique des vitamines et minéraux, Amanda Ursell, éd. : HMH ; Guide des Interactions médicaments, nutriments et produits naturels, Alice Locong et Danielle Ruel, éd. : Les Presses de l’Université Laval ; Guide pratique de la phytothérapie, Andrew Chevalier, Éd. HMH ; Les plantes qui guérissent, Michael Castleman, Éd. : Modus Vivendi ; Des plantes qui guérissent, Marie Provost, Éd. : BQ ; Remèdes maison des médecins, Éd. : Modus Santé ; La Pharmacie verte, James A. Duke, Éd. : Modus Santé ; Symptômes, causes et guérison, Éd. : Modus Santé ; Les aliments contre la maladie, Éd. : Caractère ; Bien se soigner, Caroline Green, Éd. Trécarré ; Aliments santé, Aliments Danger, Éd. : Sélection Reader’s Digest, Le guide des vitamines et suppléments, Dr Earl Mindell, Éd. : Modus Vivendi, Les Médecines de la nature, Éd. : Sélection Reader’s Diges,.

Protection against the sun from the inside

April 09th, 2012 by André Gagnon, ND

The sun can cause serious burns but may also create invisible damage that will lead to complications in the future. It is therefore very important to properly protect the skin of our little ones with an adequate sunscreen but also, as surprising as this may seem, with omega-3s. Scientific studies have demonstrated the protective effects that omega-3s have on our skin. People who have taken omega-3 supplements significantly increase their skin’s tolerance level to UVB rays due to the increase of EPA and DHA and therefore prevent sunburns.

The anti-inflammatory action and the prostaglandin activation created by omega-3s reduce the risks of developing skin cancer. Omega-6s have an inflammatory action and promote photo carcinogenesis, all the more reason to balance out the omega-3/6 ratio in our diet.

Other than the benefit of protection from the sun, omega-3s also decrease the risks for babies less than nine months old from suffering from eczema. (As per a study conducted with 1700 young children.)

Land Art’s Omega-3s are easy to take and have a delicate orange taste. They may be taken as is, but many moms mix them into a yogurt, a bowl of cereal or a glass of juice.

Your body: Clean it, revitalize it

March 28th, 2012 by André Gagnon, ND

Surely you take the time to clean your car, have the oil changed and clean your house on a regular basis? Why not do so much for your body?

Why a detoxification treatment?

Every day we are exposed to toxins. Normally, a healthy body uses the liver, skin, kidneys, lungs and intestines to eliminate these toxins. Nowadays, many causes (stress, pollution, nutritional deficiencies, and continuous intoxication) reduce the effectiveness of our detoxification mechanisms.

When?

A good approach varies from two to three times annually. A first time in January, counteracts the overindulgences of the holidays and starts off the New Year on the right foot. A second round in the spring, towards the end of March and a third in the fall, around mid-October will round out the year.

The benefits of an effective detox treatment:

Physical energy and acute mental awareness
Beneficial sleep
Reduced water retention
Decreased gastric and intestinal discomforts
A sense of well-being
Reduced sensitivity to stress
Reduced migraines and headaches
More effective immune system
Reduced allergic reactions.

Not too fast!

A good detox must respect the body’s natural mechanisms and revitalise it. Beginning gently is essential, permitting the elimination organs to effectively accomplish their task.

Respect your own rhythm, take small daily doses and observe your reactions then increase gradually. A detox treatment is not meant to be an emptying cure. Soft but well formed stools are ideally obtained and not diarrhoea.

Teamwork

The synergistic ingredients in TOTAL DETOX ensure a gentle, in depth detox, respectful of the body’s natural rhythms and revitalize your organism. By taking TOTAL DETOX once a day, in the evening, you will maximise the results and minimise the inconveniences of taking multiple doses during the day. If you wish to lose weight and reduce the impact of free radicals, add a tablespoon of GREEN TEA extract. This tablespoon is equivalent to the amount of antioxidants in 20 cups of green tea but without the caffeine.

Your first aid kit in a bottle: Aloe Vera

February 23rd, 2012 by André Gagnon, ND

aloe vera

Aloe Vera is cultivated a little bit everywhere in the tropics and warmer areas of the planet such as Asia, Africa, India, the Caribbean, South America, Mexico and the southern Unites States. It is an indoor plant that remains popular and has been part of our mother’s and our grandmother’s pharmacopeia for a long time.

Aloe Vera leaves contain more than 75 nutritive elements and 200 other components, including 20 minerals (phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc…), 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins (A, E and many from the B group).

An ally for healthy skin

Aloe contains properties that are interesting for the skin: scarring, cellular regeneration, hydration, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic. This is why Aloe is particularly recommended for itchiness, insect bites, eczema, skin irritations, sunburns and even cold sores.

We often forget to protect our skin from the aggressions of our environment. During winter, the low level of humidity in our homes and the cold weather tend to make our skin dry. In summer, our skin is mainly affected by sunburns and insect bites. Aloe is therefore a precious ally in any season.

To make the most of its benefits, spread a generous layer of Aloe on your skin and you will rapidly feel a fresh, calming sensation that will reduce pain, rehydrate your skin and accelerate healing.

Aloe Vera has been used in cosmetics for over 5000 years. Nowadays, the cosmetic industry proposes possible skin treatments which include this plant:

Stimulates the production of collagen.[1]
Treats burns.
Scarring: many studies have shown that it reduces inflammatory effects and accelerates scarring.[2]
Fights aging.
Treats infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis (inflammation of the scalp also known as “cradle cap”)

Following positive medical reports in the 1930s, numerous experts have taken the habit of recommending Aloe Vera gel to prevent dermatitis caused by radiotherapy. Aloe Vera gel is also recommended to reduce discomfort after a getting a tattoo.

And when do we drink it?

For a long time, Aloe has also been used for its internal curative virtues; intestinal troubles, acidity, constipation. Due to the emollient effect of the gel, it is often recommended to treat occasional constipation. Aloe Vera is also used for diarrhoea due to its antibacterial effects which also tends to calm the intestine and reduces scarring.

Research with patients suffering from intestinal illnesses such as light to moderate ulcerative colitis has indicated that after 4 weeks, the Aloe Vera was more effective than the placebo to improve the patient’s state of health.

One to two tablespoons of Aloe Vera gel per day, taken pure or with juice, is generally sufficient to ensure the optimal health of the digestive system.

Naturopaths have recommended taking Aloe orally for quite some time. Here are a few situations that are often treated with Aloe Vera:

Treatment of canker sores (superficial ulcers that mainly form on the mucous membranes in the mouth).
Constipation and diarrhoea.
Inflammation and irritation of the intestines.
Irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis.
Antioxidant.
Increases the assimilation of vitamins C and E.
Diabetes.
Antibacterial and antifungal.

Make the right choice

Land Art’s Aloe Vera is a superior quality product that is 99% pure. The Aloe used in our formula is cultivated in America and is cold-stabilized to prevent oxidation and keep its properties intact. Certified organic, this product does not contain sugar or glycerin and has a delicate, pleasant taste of cranberries. It is a product with many virtues that everyone should have at home.

[1] Chithra P, Sajithlal G, et al., « Influence of aloe vera on collagen characteristics in healing dermal wounds in rats », Mol Cell Biochem. 1998;181(1-2):71-76.

[2] GEO N° 358 Décembre 2008 p. 93

Milk-thistle: A great solution to gourmet feast and tired liver

December 21st, 2011 by Valérie Deslandes

The holidays are often a time when we tend to overindulge on food and alcohol. This excess can tire the liver and have repercussions throughout the body. Skin becomes dull and greenish, our gaze loses its usual sparkle, bad breath, bloating and fatigue are often the results of a bloated and slow liver. Milk Thistle may provide some precious relief and restore the liver to optimum health.

A little botany

Milk thistle, a member of the Compositae family (or Asteraceae), is an annual or biennial plant and flowers in the summer. The mature plant has large purple flowers and shiny green leaves marbled with white veins. Milk thistle is a tall plant, from 50 to 150 cm high and it growths on sunny well-drained soils. The active ingredients are mainly contained in the seeds even though fruits and leaves are also used as medicinal parts. Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe, its current distribution includes most temperate areas of the world and is considered invasive in North America. According to legend, the name milk thistle originally derived from its characteristic spiked leaves with white veins, which were believed to carry the milk of the Virgin Mary.

How it works in the body?

Milk thistle is one of the most studied plants in the world. In the last ten years, thousand of papers have been published on the medicinal use of milk thistle extracts. Milk Thistle may just as well regenerate liver cells as protect them from natural and chemical toxins. The active ingredients of milk thistle are collectively named silymarin. This complex includes eight major components, including seven flavonolignans, and one flavonoid. Silymarin possess chemopreventive and hepatoprotective activities, and is used as antipoison agent during Amanita phalloides intoxication. Scientific studies demonstrate that the protection provided by silymarin rests on four activities:

As antioxidant by scavenging free radicals and by regulating the intracellular content of glutathione (GSH);
As stabiliser of cell membrane by preventing hepatotoxic agents from entering the hepatocytes;
By stimulating liver regeneration via the promotion of ribosomal RNA synthesis;
As inhibitor of process responsible for the deposition of collagen fibres leading to cirrhosis.

Milk Thistle protects the liver from pollutants in general, alcohol, heavy metals and certain hepatotoxic medications. Many studies are examining the protective role of sylimarin and its derivatives against numerous cancers. The results are promising, but more clinical studies are needed to elucidate all the molecular mechanisms involved.

Chose the right product

Opt for a liquid extract rather than a solid one, it will generally be more efficient. Milk Thistle extract should be concentrated and minimally provide 3000 mg of dry plant per day. Due to low water solubility of silymarin, alcohol (ethanol) is added to liquid extract to enhance its bioavailability. Land Art’s Milk-thistle extract is a great choice. The Canadian company uses grain alcohol with an orange oil additive. The final product is 100% natural and pleasant to take. Milk Thistle extract is also useful to aid digestion.

Great idea! Hangover Recover cocktailMix together:

1/2 cup sparkling water

5 ml Land Art Ginger extract

10 ml Land Art Milk-thistle extract

Few drops of fresh lemon juice

Healthy and refreshing!

Thanks to Gilles Laliberté, Ph. D. for the research and scientific part of this article.

References

Abascal, K. and Yarnell, E. (2005) The many faces of Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle). Part 1 – Treating cancer and hyperlipidemia and restoring kidney function.

Bosisio E, Benelli C, Pirola O. (1992) Effect of the flavanolignans of Silybum marianum L. on lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes and freshly isolated hepatocytes. Pharmacol Rech 25: 147-154.

Flora, K., Hahn, M., Rosen, H., & Benner, K. (1998). Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for the therapy of liver disease. Am.J.Gastroenterol. 93, 139-143.

Govind, P. et Sahni, Y.P. (2011) A review on hepatoprotective activity of silymarin. IJRAP. 2:75-79.

Hoh, Carmen Suet Li (2010) The clinical evaluation of the putative cancer chemopreventive agent silybinin in colorectal cancer and resectable hepatic metastases. Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Leicester, January 2010. Awarded July 2010. 270 pp. http://hdl.handle.net/2381/8327.

Hruby K, Csomos G, Fuhrmann M, Thaler H. (1983) Chemotherapy of Amanita phalloides poisoning with intravenous silibinin. Hum Toxicol. 2:183–95.

Kim NC, Graf TN, Sparacino CM, Wani MC, Wall ME. (2003) Complete isolation and characterization of silybins and isosilybins from milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Org Biomol Chem 1:1684–9.

Kroll DJ, Shaw HS, Oberlies NH (2007) Milk thistle nomenclature: why it matters in cancer research and pharmacokinetic studies. Integr Cancer Ther 6:110–119.

Loguercio, C. and Festi, D. (2011) Silybin and the liver: From basic research to clinical practice. World J Gastroenterol 17(18): 2288-2301.

Magliulo, E., Scevola, D., & Carosi, G. P. (1979). Investigations on the actions of silybin on regenerating rat liver. Effects on Kupffer’s cells. Arzneimittelforschung. 29, 1024-1028.

Marie-Victorin. (1964). Flore Laurentienne, deuxième édition. Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal. 925 pp.

Mira, L., Silva, M., & Manso, C. F. (1994). Scavenging of reactive oxygen species by silibinin dihemisuccinate. Biochem Pharmacol 48, 753-759.

Mulrow C, Lawrence V, Jacobs B, et al. (2000) Milk thistle: effects on liver disease and cirrhosis and clinical adverse effects. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 21 (Contract 290-97-0012 to the San Antonio Evidence-based Practice Center, based at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and The Veterans Evidence-based Research, Dissemination, and Implementation Center, a Veterans Affairs Services Research and Development Center of Excellence). AHRQ Publication No. 01-E025. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. October 2000.

Pietrangelo, A., Borella, F., Casalgrandi, G., Montosi, G., Ceccarelli, D., Gallesi, D., Giovannini, F., Gasparetto, A., and Masini, A. (1995). Antioxidant activity of silybin invivo during long-term iron overload in rats. Gastroenterology 109, 1941-1949.

Polyak S.J., C. Morishima, V. Lohmann, S. Pal, D.Y.W. Lee, Y. Liu, T.N. Graf, and N. H. Oberlies. (2010) Identification of hepatoprotective flavonolignans from silymarin. Proc Natl Acad Sci 107:5995-5999.

Post-White, J., E.J. Ladas and K.M. Kelly. (2007) Advances in the use of milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Integrative cancer therapies. 6: 104-109.

Radko, L., and Cybulski, W. (2007) Application of silymarin in human and animal medicine. Journal of pre-clinical and clinical research. 1: 22-26.

Schuppan, D. and Hahn, E. G. (2001). Clinical studies with silymarin: fibrosis progression is the end point. Hepatology 33, 483-484.

Simanek V, Kren V, Ulrichova J, Vicar J, Cvak L. (2000) Silymarin: what is in the name? An appeal for a change of editorial policy. Hepatology. 32:442-444.

Zi, X. & Agarwal, R. (1999). Modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and cell cycle regulators by the potent skin cancer preventive agent silymarin. Biochem.Biophys.Res.Commun. 263, 528-536.

Goodbye to cough syrup for children under six?

November 25th, 2011 by Lyne Quesnel, ND

DID YOU KNOW…

Health Canada no longer recommends giving cough and cold syrups to children 6 and under and has published an advisory to this effect on December 18, 2008 following an in depth study of the consequences of these products on the health of children under 6. The organization has determined that the risks outweigh the low efficiency of the products when taking into consideration the risks due to misuse and overdosing. Side effects such as convulsions and irregular heartbeat have also been signalled to the federal health agency. The medications indicated in this advisory are part of the four following categories: antihistamines used to control sneezing and runny nose; cough medicines, expectorants that promote the release of mucus; decongestants. They also consider that children under six are three times more likely to become victims of side effects than those aged six to twelve.

DOES MY CHILD HAVE THE COLD OR THE FLU…

Following is a description of the symptoms to help you determine whether your child has a cold or suffers from the flu:

Cold symptoms: nasal congestion; runny nose, sneezing; sore throat; light to moderate cough; slight fatigue, a cold rarely causes fever. Over 200 viruses may cause a cold! The most common being the rhinovirus. Symptoms are milder than that of the flu.

Length of the illness: from 3 to 5 days

Flu symptoms: extreme and persistent fatigue (1 to 2 weeks), occasionally accompanied by a sore throat, runny nose; headache; sore chest; intense coughing (may become worse); muscular and joint pain, sometimes intense; fever ranging from 38 °C (100 °F) to 40 °C (104 °F) with chills and perspiration; facial congestion; increased thirst. The flu is caused by the influenza virus, which mostly appears through the end of December and into February depending on the year.

Length of the illness: from 1 to 2 weeks

N.B. It is important to consult a physician if your child: has a whistling breath; has difficulty breathing and is coughing; drinks little and urines less; has an earache or pus in the ears; has been throwing up for several hours and has diarrhoea. It is strongly recommended that emergency assistance (9-1-1) be called if your child: shows signs of respiratory distress (difficulty breathing, has blue lips, etc.); is lethargic or confused; has stiffness in the neck area.

What exactly are the cold and the flu?

The cold and the flu are very contagious upper respiratory tract infections (nose, mouth, pharynx and larynx).

Children under 4 are particularly vulnerable because their immune system is not quite completely formed. Furthermore, the incidence of cold and flu in this age group is high because children that go to a daycare with more than 3 or 4 other kids may be in continuous contact with friends that have a cold. At age 2, a baby may have up to 10 colds or flues in a year! But the frequency reduces with time: school aged children get about 6 colds per year.

Contagion period: as long as the respiratory tract produces secretions (cough, sneezing, runny nose).

Transmission: direct or indirect contact with the secretions of an infected person (cough and sneezing, hands or contaminated objects, etc.).

Isolation period: a child with a cold may continue to attend daycare or school if he or she feels up to participating in activities. However, if it’s the flu or a particularly bad cold, they may not feel up to it. In that case, it is preferable to keep the child home as long as the fever persists and that he or she is not feeling better.

Forget about antibiotics because the cold and the flu are caused by viruses, they are therefore useless. The disease must simply run its course. Unless complications arise, the following care and advice are generally sufficient and the illness will diminish after a few days.

What to use instead of the prohibited syrup?

You can give your child (from age one to adult) some SYRUPS AND CERTAIN NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS THAT WILL STIMULATE THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM.

Red elm bark should be included in your medicine cabinet. It is an emollient with high nutritive value. Red elm resorbs infections and is easily assimilated by our body. It is effective in cases of bronchopulmonary irritation, sore throat, colds, cough and gastro-intestinal pain. It is ideal for feeding the sick that have difficulty eating. The medicinal properties are numerous: emollient, pectoral, nutritive, expectorant, cough suppressant, diuretic, lightly astringent, tonic and calms the throat and respiratory tract.

In case of a cold or as prevention, Land Art suggests its Cough Syrup which includes 600 mg of red elm per dose, with a pleasant taste, it is safe for children age one or more and approved by the new Health Canada regulation.

Other care and advice

Stay warm. Keep the ambient temperature around 20 °C. If the air is dry, use a humidifier, preferably with cold humidity. This will reduce the nuisance of a cough, sore throat and dry nostrils. Avoid vaporizers and hot water humidifiers due to burn risks. Wash the machine regularly to avoid contamination from bacteria or mildew.
Rest. Chose calm activities. It is not necessary for the child to spend the day in bed but they must rest. It is essential for healing because the body uses all of its energy to combat the virus. If the child exerts too much energy, the natural defences are reduced and the child risks a relapse.
Keep the feet warm. Warm the child’s feet in water. This will appease a headache and nasal congestion.
Fresh air. Make sure that the bedroom is well ventilated and that fresh air circulates freely but avoid wind currents and keep the child warm by making sure they are well tucked in.
Drink. Provide plenty of liquids: water, juice, soup. A child with a cold or the flu may eat less. It is therefore important to make sure they drink more water and fruit juices (no sugar added), particularly if there is a fever to avoid dehydration.
Provide a healthy diet. If the child is not hungry, provide healthy nutriments in smaller quantities 5 or 6 times a day.
Clear the nasal passages. If your child does not yet know how to blow their nose, remove the secretions with a nasal suction pump or a ‘nose sucker’. Store bought or homemade saline solution liquefies nasal secretions. Use a dropper to insert some in the child’s nose or a vaporiser. Saline solution also helps a sore throat (if gargled).

EXTRA TIPS

Teach a child to blow their nose while having fun, by blowing bubbles in the bath through the nose or by blowing on a cotton ball to make it move across the table.

Homemade saline solution

Dissolve ½ teaspoon (2,5 ml) of salt in 240 ml of boiled water that has been cooled. Respect the proportions. Use this solution to clean the nose of a young child that has an infection accompanied by nasal congestion. Repeat 3 or 4 times a day with the following method: lie the child on their back; insert one dropper (1 ml) of saline solution into each nostril; clean the interior of the nostrils with a cotton swab; add another 1 ml of saline solution in each nostril; have the child blow their nose or use a nose sucker to remove the liquid remaining in the nostrils. This solution may also be used by an older child to gargle.

Is prevention really possible?

It is impossible to avoid all contact with viruses causing infection; they are omnipresent from October to April. We can however, reduce the risk of infection in our children by following these hygiene rules and thereby reducing the propagation of the virus:

Take multivitamins. In case of insufficient vitamin and mineral intake through nutrition, take adequate vitamin supplements to avoid the deficiencies that may reduce the efficiency of your child’s immune system. Land Art offers Multivitamins adapted to the young as well as adults. These should occupy a place of choice in your daily routine because they will prevent vitamin deficiency and avoid leaving their immune system vulnerable to viruses. Children may take them as early as age one.
Increase the immune system’s potential. Children are more susceptible to the cold and the flu if their immune system is diminished. is therefore important to get some rest and to reduce stress levels during high risk times, particularly in winter.
Wash hands. They must wash their hands with soap after being in contact with a person infected or having touched an object manipulated by the person that is sick. We must make children wash their hands often and teach them to do it on their own as soon as possible, especially after they have coughed or sneezed, or after they blow their nose.
Use tissue paper. Teach your child to use Kleenex or a hankie.
Avoid gatherings. Since the virus is highly contagious, avoid the cinemas, theatres, shopping malls and other crowded areas during an epidemic. Stay away from people who sneeze or cough, even if it means waiting for the next elevator or giving up your seat on the bus.
Do not stay out in the cold. Prolonged exposure to cold humid temperatures reduces our resistance and increases the risks of infection. British scientists have shown that body temperature must go under 37°C, normal body temperature, to activate the cold virus. This is why is a child sits in an air current, their temperature may decrease just enough to activate the cold or flu virus that was just waiting around in the sinuses.
Beware of hand shaking or kissing. They are the best possible way to catch a cold. The simple fact of sharing sleeping quarters with someone that is sick presents considerable risks, take this into consideration.
Cough or sneeze into your elbow. Teach your child to cough or sneeze into their elbow instead of into their hand if they do not have a tissue on hand.
Disinfect transmission surfaces. Clean toys, faucets and doorknobs, ideally with a product including alcohol.
Eat healthy foods rich in vitamins and minerals including extra fruits and vegetables
Use PROTECT!

Vitamin D deficiency, are you at risk?

October 28th, 2011 by André Gagnon, ND

Why Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is necessary for both bone and muscular health, particularly in children and the elderly. There is more and more proof that vitamin D may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, notably prostate, breast and colorectal cancers. The Canadian Cancer Society recognizes the importance of vitamin D in the prevention of breast cancer. Furthermore, vitamin D may have beneficial effects on aging: A new British study has found that people with more vitamin D in their body age slower than others.

And in case of deficiency?

Experts are currently worried about the growing number of people presenting a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency provokes weakness and muscular aches or fatigue. We notice increased risks of fractures, cancer (particularly colon cancer), auto-immune diseases like type 1 diabetes, and probably even type 2 diabetes. Low levels of vitamin D would increases the risk of cardiovascular incidents as well as the development of multiple sclerosis.

The causes of the deficiencies

Vitamin D is relatively hard to find in nature. We find minimal quantities in animal food sources or even in vegetable food sources (fish liver oils, mushrooms, yeast and cereals). It is therefore practically impossible to get a sufficient amount through dietary sources alone.

It is a liposoluble vitamin (soluble in fats or fat solvents) synthesized in the human body through the action of UV light rays. This source is rather variable depending on the amount of exposure to the sun (affected by the seasons, fog, region, and clothes), the thickness as well as skin pigmentation. In elevated latitudes, especially in the winter months, it is nearly impossible to get a minimal dose of vitamin D every day. A recent study shows that 75% of people are affected by vitamin D deficiency in the winter.

Although the lack of sufficient doses of vitamin D is a phenomenon affecting the whole of the population, the main groups at risk should seriously consider taking a supplement:

The elderly, especially those living in an institution.
People with dark or black skin.
Those who have little exposure to the sun for medical or cultural reasons.

Land Art’s Vitamin D supplement has an excellent taste. It is easy to take for everyone and offers optimal assimilation.

Age spots

October 19th, 2011 by Lynda Proulx, Dermo-esthéticienne/Phytothérapeute

Summer is behind us and although it may not have been the sunniest of summers, some age spots may have appeared on your skin.

An age spot is a common term used to describe various skin blemishes or pigment related anomalies. Despite being mainly benign, they are nonetheless disgraceful and unsightly.

Definition
We differentiate between 3 types of pigmentary distribution:

Epidermal (majority)
Dermal (in the deeper layers of the skin)
Mixed

The process

Hyperpigmentation problems are due to pigment anarchy. The melanocytes (melanin producing cells) on certain areas of our skin become super workers and produce too many pigments thereby provoking “excessive tanning” and the appearance of brown spots.

Causes and aggravating factors

• Hormonal changes: pregnancy, menopause, contraceptives, hormone therapy
• Photo aging
• Genetic predisposition
• Poor oxygenation
• Great stress
• Inadequate home therapies
• Application of certain irritating topical agents
• Medications which cause photosensitivity

Treatments in general
Treatment of age spots is centered on two major axes.

1. Protection. One thing remains unchanging, any exposure to the sun will accentuate skin coloring and therefore aggravate hyperpigmentation. You must train your skin to sun exposure and always use sunscreen without compromise on quality.

2. Lightening treatments. The first step is to consult a specialist, either a beautician or a dermatologist. This professional will evaluate whether the pigmentary distribution is dermal (deep). If this is the case, there are no effective treatments available. In any case it is essential to determine the causal factors to either eliminate or at the very least control the problem.

A large range of treatments are available, either as topical use or with equipment. Beware! Many of these methods have side effects: irritation, increased sensitivity, dehydration, premature aging. Chose less invasive methods that respect the sensitivity of your skin, you will thereby reduce the risks of side effects.

Topical treatments: Technologies in skin care treatments are quite advanced and there exists an interesting choice of active principles that work together on different aspects. Give priority to products exempt of chemical ingredients. These types of natural cosmetic are not harmful to the skin and are often less expensive and just as effective. Avoid products with ingredients like: sodium-laureth-sulfate or sodium-lauryl-sulfate SLS EDTA: (ethylenediaminetetraacetic): dimethicone, PEG, etc.

Technological treatments: Treatments using equipment such as microdermabrasion and luminotherapy are effective allies if they are used adequately because they offer possible results which are both probing and rapid. The intensity and the size of the age spot will decrease.

Natural products

Certain internal disorders increase oxidation and intoxication which may maintain instances of hyperpigmentation. In this case, TOTAL DETOX, PURE DETOX 7 DAYS, Pure CHLORO and MILK-THISTLE can provide some precious help.

FEATURE ARTICLE: INSOMNIA

October 06th, 2011 by Lyne Quesnel, ND

What is it?

Insomnia is a global term indicating several sleep disorders which consist of troubles ranging from difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep, either for a short period or on a long term basis. It is the 4^th most important reason, after colds, gastric issues and headaches, that people consult a doctor. It is therefore a very common disorder. It varies in intensity, can be occasional only lasting for a few nights; moderate, lasting for a few weeks; or chronic, including complete sleepless nights over a long period at least 3 times a week. Chronic insomnia can have serious consequences on your health.

How long we sleep can vary from one person to another and that’s normal. Experts agree that seven to eight hours of sleep per night is a good average but some people live well with only five hours per night, whilst others will need ten hours. It is not the number of hours of sleep per night that determines insomnia but rather the side effects that a lack of sleep may create. We need quality sleep versus many hours of sleep considering that how long we sleep is not the main element to determine if we have insomnia. What really counts is how you feel in the days following a sleepless night.

Who is at risk?

A third of the adult population suffers from insomnia. Women are more often affected than men and people over 60 are often light sleepers. Insomnia also affects people with certain health issues: restless legs syndrome, hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, asthma, digestive problems, tinnitus and many other chronic health problems.

Do I have insomnia?

Do you recognize yourself in the following descriptions?

You are agitated during sleep and have periods of sleeplessness during the night;
You have serious difficulty falling asleep;
You wake up earlier than usual;
You can’t sleep anymore.

A sleepless night every now and then should not be considered as insomnia. However, if the sleep cycle is disturbed during a long period, the situation may worsen, causing physical and social problems.

How does it start?

Insomnia generally begins with sleepless nights due to an injury or a minor emotional upset. These few sleepless nights then become a habit which eventually turns into a long term problem. For example, if you have a nap during the day, if you don’t sleep much during the night, if you watch television in bed or you eat in the kitchen at 2 a.m., you are slowly heading towards insomnia. This would be behavioural insomnia. You have developed bad sleep habits that keep you from sleeping.

What are the symptoms?

Fatigue and sleepiness;
Difficulty falling asleep;
Waking early and still feeling tired;
Waking intermittently during the night and periods of sleeplessness during the night;
Lassitude during the day with or without feeling the need to sleep;
Reduction in the level of vigilance and performance at work or at school;
Trouble concentrating and paying attention;
Memory loss;
Irritability;
Accidents driving or at work;
A weak immune system;
Anxious anticipation at night, worrying about not sleeping.

What are the causes?

Smoking, especially in the evening;
Mental disorders such as: anxiety, stress, phobias, panic attacks, nervous tension and depression;
Illness or pain;
Lack of exercise;
A noisy environment;
Moving, especially if moving to a new time zone;
Irregular work shifts, a change in work hours or workload;
A noisy environment , too much light, too hot or too cold, insufficient air circulation;
Excessive stimulation before bed;
Drinking too much before bed that may provoke the need to urinate during the night;
A late supper that makes us go to bed on a full stomach. It’s making gravity work against us, acid and gastric gases tend to go up the oesophagus causing heartburn that will disturb sleep;
A disruption in the sleep cycle, like taking a nap every day, going to bed at a different time every night or changing work shifts;
Eating a heavy meal, foods rich in fats, foods that provoke heartburn or are difficult to digest can make you agitated and result in poor sleep quality;
Ingesting too much energising foods or drinks such as: coffee, tea, cola, yerba-mate, guarana, chocolate. Studies have shown that people suffering from insomnia absorb more caffeine than others. It is preferable to stay away from these in the afternoon and evening;
Drinking alcohol in the evening, even though a small dose can help to fall asleep, its metabolisation may disrupt sleep and risks aggravating insomnia. It disrupts delta sleep which has restorative properties. It also causes dehydration which gives the impression of feeling tired when waking;
Certain medications, notably bronchodilators, certain decongestants, analgesics, weight loss products, antidepressants, antihypertensive medication and corticosteroids can disrupt sleep patterns. When taking a prescribed medicine regularly, ask your doctor what the side effects may be. He may change the medication or change the time at which it is to be taken if he thinks it can be the cause of your insomnia;
Psychic illnesses such as chronic pain, heartburn or diabetes may lead to insomnia;
Quitting smoking, stopping sleeping pills, antidepressants, sedatives or tranquilizers can also disrupt sleep patterns.

How to cure or prevent insomnia?

Change certain habits:

Avoid tea or coffee (or any other food containing caffeine such as chocolate, etc.) especially towards the end of the day (after 3 p.m.);

Relax as much as possible before going to bed and only go to bed when you actually feel tired. Have quiet conversation, massages to release tension, do yoga or use any other relaxation technique that will have the same effect;
Do not deal with problems on your pillow, rather have these conversations after supper and then forget about them until the next day. Clear your mind before bed;
Take a hot bath before bed to relax your muscles and warm yourself up. It will help attain a deeper level of sleep says Susan Jaffe, doctor and clinical director of the sleep program at the Hollywood Medical Centre in Florida. Adding a little lavender oil to the water will also help to relax;
Read in bed, listen to relaxing music, meditate, take deep breaths, find your own method of relaxing;
Wear loose and comfortable nightwear;
Only use the bedroom for sleeping or intimacy and not for working, watching TV or playing video games;
Create an appropriate atmosphere for sleeping by making the bedroom dark, otherwise, wear a mask. Make the bedroom calm and quiet or wear earplugs, make it comfortable by regulating the temperature so that it is neither too cold (or use an electric heating blanket), nor too hot;
Respect a fixed schedule to regulate your circadian rhythm (internal clock) by getting up at the same time every morning, no matter what time you got to bed the night before. When you’re up, open the blinds and take full advantage of the natural sunlight which will help to reprogram your sleep cycle. Also, always go to bed at the same time and respect a regular routine to prepare for bed every night to create adequate sleep hygiene;
Go for a walk outside for 30 minutes;
Avoid naps during the day;
If you are still awake after 15-20 minutes, get up; because forcing yourself to sleep for a few hours will only make you nervous. Get out of the bedroom and do something else like read a magazine, a book or do some knitting but avoid activities that may excite you (video games, etc.). Go back to bed as soon as you start to feel sleepy;
Make sure your mattress and pillows are comfortable;
Never go to bed on a full or empty stomach. A light snack before bed may help you get to sleep but a big meal just before bed can cause digestive issues that will lead to insomnia.

Exercise: Exercise promotes restorative sleep that the body needs to keep its forces up.

Exercise in the late afternoon or early evening if you can. Take a 30 minute walk every morning, this walk signals to your body that it’s time to get active for the day ahead and will lead to sleep later on;
Make love! Researchers have discovered that hormones released during sexual intercourse predispose us for sleep. If however, the sexual activities are a source of stress or anxiety for you, it is preferable to abstain.

And what about sedatives?

Pharmaceutical sedatives are also effective but they have the inconvenience of creating dependencies; they also disrupt natural sleep patterns. Natural options are becoming more available. Try them;

Are there natural options?

Potassium: If you are hungry before bed, eat a banana. It contains an amino acid, tryptophan, which has an appeasing effect;
Group B vitamins nourish nervous system cells and gives them balance;
Calcium and magnesium before bed;

Chamomile

Chamomile: sedative and relaxing, it eases spasms, inflammations, agitation and insomnia due to nervousness;
Linden: sedative and antispasmodic, it is used to treat sleep disorders;
Passion flower, sedative, relaxing and antispasmodic thanks to flavonoids and beta-carbolines that it contains. Its sedative and antispasmodic qualities are explained by its natural content of maltol (depressant) and beta-carbolines. They stimulate the central nervous system. It is used for insomnia, nervous tension, sleep disorders, anxiety and neuro-vegetative dystonia (problems with the nervous system) and palpitations.
Valerian, the perfect remedy for insomnia, sedative, antispasmodic and slightly hypnotic, it acts on the central nervous system and relaxes smooth muscles. Its virtues have been proven by many studies. It reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and increases the quality of sleep, without creating dependency. It is rich in valepotraites, substances which seem to have a direct effect on the brain. Highly recommended for stress, nervousness, panic, nervous agitation and sleep disorders, it also calms heart palpitations;
Hops

Hops: sedative, hypnotic and calming, they are recommended for fighting insomnia, anxiety, agitation and sleep disorders. They can also be combined with other plants such as valerian. Their effectiveness is recognized for nervous problems;
Minerals seem to have a certain importance in relation to quality of sleep. It is easy to determine their link to insomnia considering that they are often slightly deficient. Simply avoiding mineral deficiency should suppress problems sleeping. If they continue anyways, a light supplement of minerals (MINERALEX) can help regulate sleep cycles;
Especially for sleep aid, take HERBACALM in the evening.

It is important to try these suggestions simultaneously and to be patient. A good night of sleep cannot happen on the first night. Results are not immediate but it is worth persevering. It is like sticking to a diet to get results.

When and why to consult?

The following situations could lead you to consult a health professional:

When your symptoms last for more than a month or when the prescribed treatment stops being effective;
When you are tired during the day and are not fully functional;
When you depend on drugs or alcohol to help you sleep;
When you put off going to bed because the difficulty of falling asleep is making you nervous;
When occasional insomnia, which usually disappears when your body adapts to new conditions, stays, even with the help of these suggestions.

With traditional medicine, they will start by examining you for any physical problems that are troubling you, such as a hyperactive thyroid gland. If nothing is found, they will ask about emotional issues that may be keeping you from sleeping; will refer you to a psychotherapist and prescribe medication to deal with the symptoms. These medications (sleeping pills), generally benzodiazepines, if taken long term, eventually lose their effectiveness, risk causing undesirable effects and create dependency.

For moderate or chronic insomnia, a natural health professional will observe your lifestyle and immediate environment, will search for a global point of view of your life in general (healthy lifestyle, activities, exercises, emotions, nutrition, vitamin and/or mineral deficiencies, environment). Insomnia is always a sign of other underlying problems, whether they are due to illness or an emotional issue. And that is what they will determine when consulting.

References: Guide des vitamines et suppléments, Dr Mindell, Ed. Modus ; Vitamines et Minéraux, Ed. Goelette ; Guide pratique de la phytothérapie, Andrew Chevallier, Ed. HMH ; Vitamines et Minéraux, Amanda Ursell, Ed. HMH ; Bien se soigner, Caroline Green, Ed. Trécarré ; Symptômes, causes et guérisons, ed. Modus Santé ; Les médecines de la nature, 200 plantes pour se soigner, Ed Reader’s Digest ; Aliments Santé, Aliments Danger, ed. Reader’s Digest ; Guide des Interactions médicaments, nutriments et produits naturels, Les Presse de l’Université Laval, Alice Locong et Danielle Ruel ; La Pharmacie Verte, Ed Modus Santé, James A Duke Ph. D.; Remèdes maison des médecins, Ed. Modus Santé ; Les aliments contre la maladie, Suzannah Olivier, Ed. Caractere ; www.Passeportsanté.net

This fall, put a bit of super in your regular gas

August 23rd, 2011 by Lyne Quesnel, ND

5h45, the alarm clock rings, waking you from not quite enough sleep. You hurry to wake the kids, take a quick shower and have breakfast (sometimes) while making lunches. Daycare, school, traffic jams and HOP! Off to work, the day has just begun. And it is certainly not on the weekend with its sports and social activities that you will have time to recuperate and eat well,,, Do you recognize yourself?

Of course, you’re hearing me say that you need to take the time to live life to the fullest, live in the moment, eat well, do some outdoor activities, but you also need the energy to do so.

We expect our bodies and our brains to react in a heartbeat, but do we give them all that they need to follow on this hectic schedule? What we eat and drink on a daily basis is our body’s regular gas.

You should consider adding a bit of super if you are touched by any of the following situations:

Hectic lifestyle
A race against time
Poor nutrition
Exposition to pesticides and chemical fertilizers
Lack of sleep
Polluted environment (mediocre air quality; automobile pollution, the foul air of office towers and homes, sealed to contain heat in winter and cool air in summer, the use of toxic cleaning products).

Where to find a good dose of super?
A good vitamin supplement may give you this added bonus that can make a difference. As a liquid, it is easily absorbed and more effective than solid forms (tablets or capsules).

Easier to swallow and better tasting, Multivit for the whole family and Multi-kid, adapted to the tastes of your little ones, may be taken pure or diluted in fruit juice which will not diminish their effectiveness.

Try it and take full advantage of the difference it will make.

Sunscreens

June 16th, 2011 by Lynda Proulx, Dermo-esthéticienne/Phytothérapeute

Beautiful summer having finally arrived, here are two questions that often come up:

1) What does the SPF level of the sunscreen mean?

2) Are all sunscreens equal?

The sun protection factor SPF is the measurement of the relative time it takes to get sunburned with or without sunscreen.

If a person gets sunburned after 5 minutes without any protection, an SPF 15 indicates that it will take 75 minutes (15 times 5 minutes or 1hour and 15 minutes) to get the same sunburn with that sunscreen. Obviously, this is not an exact science and testing is performed under perfect conditions under stable light and with a phenomenal quantity of product. In real life, we must take into consideration many factors such as perspiration, the wind and especially the quantity and uniformity of the product applied.

It is absolutely necessary to re-apply sunscreen every two hours because many filters lose their effectiveness after this time.

Are all sunscreens equal?

No. Conventional sunscreens are composed of chemical filters such as oxybenzone, dioxybenzone, etc. They are absorbed into the skin and must be applied 20 to 30 minutes before exposure. Some are possibly allergenic and may provoke irritation or photo allergenic reactions. Many studies are showing that certain chemical filters are estrogenic (female hormone). Also, to be effective, they must be photostable so that they do not deteriorate too fast when affected by UV light. They must be encapsulated to prevent them from penetrating into the skin. Moreover, interactions between the different filters must be avoided. Unfortunately, much of this information is hardly ever indicated on the packaging.

Products that use mineral filters are composed with opaque powders that are reduced to micro particles which reflect the light. The most commonly used are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These pigments deflect and diffuse UVA and UVB rays by acting as a mirror. Very safe, they do not penetrate into the skin and may even be used on children. In other words, they are better for the skin and the environment.

Many products contain irritating preservatives that may damage the skin. Also avoid water repellent products, they are certainly practical but also occlusive and intoxicating. As with any product, it is important to read the label. Summer is short. Do not skimp on your sunscreens. The health of your skin is much too important for that.

Lynda Proulx Dermo-Esthetician/Phytotherapist

For the health … of your skin

References:
http://fr.ekopedia.org/Protection_solaire
http://www.satoriz.fr/points-de-vue/Protection-solaire-:-le-dossier-qui-tache/article-sat-info-390-7.html
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filtre_ultraviolet
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cr%C3%A8me_solaire

Lynda Proulx Dermo-Esthetician/Phytotherapist

For the health … of your skin

Know how to read natural health product labels

May 10th, 2011 by André Gagnon, ND

In the last few years I have been surprised to observe that few people know how to decipher the information on natural health product labels. When you really think about it, it’s somewhat normal: the content on the labels is often confusing and the different ways of writing the active ingredients and their dosages is enough to make even the most dogged of curious readers give up.

In the following, you will find some essential information to understand, compare and make informed decisions.

IN GENERAL: For all types of products

Compare the concentrations

Note: On certain labels you will find the products concentration indicated per 5 ml, others per 10 ml or even per 15 ml.

10 mg/10 ml VS 10mg/5 ml

You will need to convert the concentrations to a common value, for example: per 10 ml.

10mg/10 ml VS 20mg/10 ml

Compare prices

The simplest method is to calculate the price per daily minimum dose. Keep in mind the concentration.

For example: a package of 250 ml with a daily dosage of 10 ml will give you 25 doses. On the other hand, a package of 250 ml with a daily dosage of 15 ml will only give you 16 doses. If both products cost $20, it will cost $0.80 for the first one and $1.25 for the second. It may seem like a small difference but for a product that is to be used daily, it represents a total of $164.25 per year.

Phoney certification

Often, companies mention quality certification for their products or specific ingredients. Did you know that many of these certifications are phoney? They are sometimes issued by the manufacturer itself or by the ingredient’s supplier.
When you see one of these certification stamps on a product, be cautious and verify that it has been issued by a neutral and reputable organism.

Warnings, precautions and cautionary messages… is it serious?

These messages are important, but often they are not taken for what they are. They bring to light the possibility of a sensibility to certain health issues or possible deficiencies with prolonged use. Once they have been brought to your attention, if you are concerned by one of these warnings, consult with a health practitioner to ensure that the product may be harmless for you to use.

Drug Interactions and contraindications:

With regards to drug interactions and contraindications, they must be taken seriously and in case of any doubt, consult with your pharmacist or your doctor.

Strange ingredients. What are they?

At the end of this article, you will find a list of some non-medicinal ingredients commonly used, as well as their role in the products.

SPECIFICALLY: For mineral products
Total Mineral vs Elemental Mineral

Ever since the creation of NPNs it has been compulsory to indicate minerals in elemental weights instead of the total weight of the source. Many people believe that the elemental mineral value indicates their absorption levels. This is false. The elemental mineral value is the quantity of this mineral contained in the total compound.

Calcium as an example
Depending on the source, the elemental mineral value of calcium varies. For 500 mg of total calcium, the real quantity of calcium varies between 70 to 200 mg. Here are the values for 3 popular sources (elemental proportion in dark green):

The elemental mineral value only indicates the weight of the calcium atom in the molecule. For example: the chemical formula of calcium carbonate is CaCO₃, an atom of calcium (Ca) for an atom of carbon (C) and 3 atoms of oxygen (O₃). Each type of atom may vary in weight; the calcium (Ca) represents 40 % of the weight of the calcium carbonate molecule.

Still a bit complicated? Here is an everyday example:

Recipe for cake: 4 eggs, 300 g of butter, 300 g of sugar, 300 g of flour and 3 tablespoons of cocoa.

Once you have finished the recipe you get an excellent chocolate cake, but if you need to know the quantity of flour you need to refer to the recipe and you will know that the elemental ingredient of flour is 300 grams.

And bioavailability? To know it’s value in the calcium formula, the form of the other ingredients (liquid or solid) must be taken into consideration. Bioavailability will be discussed in another article.

SPECIFICALLY: For plant based products

Is it the right one?

On the label, you should always find the Latin name of the plant because often, many varieties of the same plant exist but they do not all have the same properties. They often share the same common name but their Latin name precisely identifies them.

The concentration

It is the second point upon which you must focus. The important information is the quantity of dry plant per dose. It is this quantity that is measured to evaluate the efficiency and compliance of a product.

We find the value in fresh plants on some labels. To get the equivalent of dry plant you must divide the fresh quantity by 10 for leaves, flowers and herbs and by 8 for fruit and seeds.

For all Land Art products, the indicated value is always of dry plant.

Standardisation

The use of standardized extracts is sometimes controversial. The extraction of an active ingredient is closer to the pharmaceutical process than the traditional method.

The isolation of salicylic acid from willow bark led to the creation of aspirin. Despite its efficiency, it causes some side effects that do not happen with the natural product. The precise interaction between all of the chemical components of plants remains a mystery to science even today.

Therefore, if we want to use a natural product instead of a pharmaceutical one, why use a hybrid?

SPECIFICALLY: For omega-3s

Molecular distillation or mention of pharmaceutical quality

The use of oil treated by molecular distillation is rather widespread in the omega-3 market. It is sometimes labelled « deodorized » oil or « pharmaceutical grade » oil. Both are terms used to say that the oil was heated at high temperatures (up to 250 degrees Celsius), separated and sometimes recreated.

Molecular distillation renders a product called ethyl ester fish oil, also known as fatty acid ethyl ester. It is a semi-synthetic oil. Despite what some manufacturers may say, the main function of this process is to purify the oil. On one hand, distillation allows for the concentration of omega-3s which then allows a limited number of capsules to contain an adequate dosage. On the other hand, this process allows the modification of the natural EPA/DHA ratio, which is normally 18 %/12 %.

It is important to note that contrary to common belief, natural, high quality fish oil, from quality fish that has been carefully selected and properly pressed does not contain any more pollutants than oil obtained by molecular distillation.

Non-medicinal ingredients

We can often find many surprises in the list of non-medicinal ingredients. A few examples:

4-hydroxybenzoate is a preservative of the paraben family.

Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate or methylparaben.

Magnesium stearate is a lubricant used in the manufacturing of tablets and capsules.

Hypromellose or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a semi-synthetic viscoelastic polymer.

Titanium Dioxide is a pigment and opacifier for all sorts of substances, it has been found to be possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Other less known ingredients:

Xanthan Gum is derived from the action of a bacteria and is used as a thickening agent.

Citric Acid derived from lemon.

Sodium Benzoate, the sodium salt of benzoic acid. It is naturally present in some fruit and is used as a preservative.

Potassium sorbate, the potassium salt of sorbic acid. It is an effective preservative against mould and yeast. It is inoffensive to the consumer. It is naturally found in the berries from the ash tree. It is authorized in biological products.

Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is obtained by fermenting cereals.

Some do not indicating all of the non-medicinal ingredients. There may be artificial colors, sugar, sweeteners, artificial flavours, parabens …

A simple way to ensure that all of the ingredients are labelled is to consult the Health Canada website: http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/lnhpd-bdpsnh/language-langage.do?url=t.search.recherche&lang=eng

As you may have noticed, it is not so easy to understand. To use the proper supplements, it is important to be informed. It is often necessary to confirm or complement the information obtained in store with other sources. Contact the companies by telephone or their website. Consult certain Internet sites but with caution, not everything that is on the web is necessarily true.

At Land Art, we have the good fortune to have a multi disciplinary team composed of naturopaths, a biologist, a biochemist, a chemist, a flavourist and a microbiologist. Furthermore, we are the manufacturer therefore we have all of the required knowledge to adequately inform you so do not hesitate to contact us to get simple and concise information.

The sun, friend or foe?

April 28th, 2011 by Lynda Proulx, Dermo-esthéticienne/Phytothérapeute

There’s a certain enthusiasm that takes us over when the rays of the sun hit those dirty, grey snow banks and that they begin to melt right before our eyes; when the warmth of spring prompts us to store away boots and coats. A certain energy pushes us to devouringly absorb the heat that we so severely missed during the winter. Yes, the sun is our friend.

When through carelessness or insufficient attention, or maybe even a little bit of both, our skin resembles a boiled lobster, the sun becomes our enemy. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand that moderation is the key to a harmonious relationship with the sun.

During the whole of winter, when our skin was deprived of sunlight, it lost the last of summer’s tan. When spring arrives, it is at its minimum coloration, therefore doing without its own auto protection. Tanning is one of the skin’s numerous defence mechanisms. Effectively, the contact with UVA and UVB rays, UVC rays being blocked out by the ozone layer, the melanogenesis process enters into action. This extremely complex process allows the skin to produce melanin which filters UV rays and to colour.

The skin’s melanic photoprotection takes 2 to 3 days, which indicates the importance of a progressive exposure. We need to give our skin plenty of time to create its defences and natural filters. For example: let us imagine a marathon runner that takes 6 months off to rest, when it’s time to start running again, to avoid injury, he must begin to run progressively.

To avoid sunstroke and the negative effects of the sun, it is better to know our skin to properly anticipate the reaction to all forms of exposure. Note that exposure is not only lying out in the sun for a tan, but any time the skin is exposed to the sun. A walk during a lunch break exposes the skin to UV rays and as such it must be treated accordingly.

Following is a table of the six skin phototypes.

Skin phototype	Typical features	Tanning ability
I	Pale white skin, blue/hazel eyes, blond/red hair.	Always burns, does not tan.
II	Fair skin, blue eyes.	Burns easily, tans poorly.
III	Darker white skin.	Tans after initial burn.
IV	Light brown skin.	Burns minimally, tans easily.
V	Brown skin.	Rarely burns, tans darkly easily.
VI	Dark brown or black skin.	Never burns, always tans darkly.

Source Wikipedia

To keep the sun as our friend, we must adjust our behaviour and take into consideration the following factors:

1. Our skin phototype (see table above).

2. Our general health situation (take into consideration certain photosensitive medications).

3. The UV index (measure of the sun’s UV ray intensity and the potential health risks).

4. The skin’s adaptation period (if it has been exposed to the sun in the previous days or weeks or if it is at its minimum coloration).

5. The type of activity (heavy perspiration decreases the efficiency of sunscreens and may act as a magnifier to sun rays).

6. Exposure time (10 minutes or 2 hours makes a big difference. Let’s stay vigilant).

In the next article we will discuss sunscreens and proper nutrition for tanning.

Lynda Proulx

Dermo-esthetician/Phytotherapist

http://lyndaproulx.com/

Hassle free weight loss? Here we go!

April 19th, 2011 by Lyne Quesnel, ND

Summer is just around the corner. You want to get rid of a little extra weight gained during the winter, but that’s not as easy as it sounds. You want to get into shape and have a pretty silhouette. This is more than just a question of aesthetics; it’s also a health issue. Excess weight can promote elevated cholesterol levels, hypertension and diabetes. Your lungs, your heart and your bones also take on extra stress from supporting the extra weight. Yes, there are solutions that we will examine further.

Where to start, can we depend on supplements, must we absolutely exercise or change our diet? Must we put in so much effort or are there any pre-existing solutions? Can we lose the weight without regaining it? How to see clear amid the multitude of existing diets? And what about motivation?

Plan for a vigorous and healthy lifestyle, for a more global approach

Turn a temporary diet into a diet for life. Adopt new, healthy habits to lose weight and you’ll keep it off because you will maintain these new habits.
A complete health approach is favourable to avoid long term deficiencies so make it interesting to maintain. Create an approach that includes activities and habits that are easily integrated into your daily routine. Ask yourself, for example, if you will be able to apply the rules of the diet into your daily habits and if this is not possible you will obviously regain the weight because you will readily return to your old habits.
Create your own program to get in shape and write it out. This new program must become a new habit fully integrated into your daily routine that takes into account your personal desires, giving you the opportunity to deviate from time to time.

Include 4 steps in your global approach: emotional well-being, nutrition, supplements and exercise

Emotional well-being: Face cravings head on. Do you eat, even if you’re not hungry, when you’re bored, stressed, feeling lonely or tired? Think of the expression “healthy body, healthy mind”. If you’re not comfortable with your body image this may be linked to relationship issues, problems at work, important stress issues, negative emotions, all of which may lead to weight gain. Take the time to think this over and find solutions to these problems. It may make the whole difference towards obtaining your weight loss goal. Eating to forget one’s problems is not a good solution. If this is your case and you want to stop: note your emotions or talk to someone about them, play with your favourite pet, do respiratory exercises, take yoga or meditation classes, take some time off, take naps instead of snacking. Try to analyse your relationship with food because if you don’t understand why you have gained weight, it will be even more difficult to lose.
Nutrition: Do you suffer from malnutrition that makes you accumulate empty calories? Diversify your diet and expect progressive results. Add good quantities of fibre, vegetables, especially green vegetables and fruit. Limit fats and saturated fats. Chose unsaturated fats and avoid eating cold cuts or too much sugar. If you are obsessed by cleaning out your plate, change this habit and take smaller portions.

Good to know: Studies show that we misinterpret the sensation of thirst, thinking that we are hungry instead. In reality, dehydration plays a major role in fatigue and we tend to try and boost our energy by eating. Drink water, it will appease this sensation immediately. We shouldn’t wait to be thirsty before drinking! Drinking between and during meals calms hunger.

Supplements: Do you eat well, respect your nutritious needs? Supplements to control weight may help, but do not expect them to create miracles! To prevent nutrient deficiencies that may cause cravings chose a good multi vitamin. To prevent energy loss or stress, take ginseng with royal jelly and tonics like Energik. A green tea extract taken daily will also help with weight loss thanks to AGCG. Land Art’s green tea extract has the added advantage of being theine free.
Exercising: Being sedentary promotes weight gain, no matter what age you are. Many studies show that nearly 40% of obese people do no exercise whatsoever. Sitting for more than 30 minutes per day predisposes a person to obesity. Thanks to exercising, you’ll eat less and this will contribute to your well-being. On top of intensifying fat combustion, burning calories and increasing muscle mass, exercising contributes to psychological health. Exercise must become a priority. Find friends that want to be active. No need for extreme sports, as long as you get moving on a daily basis. For example, a daily 20 minute walk. Find an activity that you like and that you will just not be able to get enough of!

Such fragile skin

April 01st, 2011 by Lynda Proulx, Dermo-esthéticienne/Phytothérapeute

A baby’s skin, not quite finished developing, is different from adult skin on many points, notably on it’s great fragility. This is why it is so important to adapt skin care by taking these differences into account. In this article, we are attempting to shed the light on these differences and offer skin care suggestions for their beautiful, yet so fragile skin.

1. The epidermis of babies and children is much thinner and therefore much more permeable than ours. The hydrolipidic film (protective coat) is not perfectly formed. The sweat glands are not yet fully active which is why babies do not tolerate the heat from fevers very well.
Suggestions
Limit the number of baths and/or their length, in hot water. Avoid any « scouring » products that may thin down their skin which is already so thin. Abstain from using products with a PEG base or with polysorbates (substances obtained from toxic gases). Greater permeability increases the impact that these substances will have on the skin. The use of gels and soaps that are free of chemical agents are highly recommended. Be watchful and read the labels.
2. Melanocytes (melanin-producing cells) do not produce enough melanin to protect baby’s skin against the sun.
Suggestions
During the first months of life, completely avoid the sun altogether. Afterwards, protect the skin using a good, non-waterproof sun block with mineral screens that is applied every 2 hours. When exposure is over, remove all residues of the sun block because no matter how good they may be, the majority of them contain chemical agents. For children playing in a late afternoon sun, a biological Shea butter balm may be sufficient.

3. Baby’s skin pH tends to stay neutral and its lack of acidity renders the skin vulnerable to infections. Moreover, many skin problems may appear such as eczema, atopic or contact dermatitis, baby acne, etc.
Suggestions
Wash gently and adequately hydrate the skin and the environment. Our Quebec winters often bring us to overheat our homes, already properly insulated, which lead to low levels of humidity. Without water, the skin becomes dehydrated and the pH is affected which creates the perfect playing field for all sorts of dermatitis. Baby oils, balms or hydrating creams with paraffin liquidum (paraffin oil) are not recommended. Highly occlusive and foreign to the skin, they are obtained from petroleum. Unfortunately, they are abundantly present in baby products. Once again, give priority to natural products without chemical agents and ideally biological.

Lynda Proulx
Dermo-esthetician/Phytotherapist

Reference:
Books: La vérité sur les cosmétiques by Rita Stiens
Site: http://www.infobebes.com/bebe/Bien-etre/Bien-etre/Prendre-soin-de-Bebe/La-peau-de-Bebe

http://www.rendezvouscosmeto.com/agepeau/peaudebebe.html

Stress: know its effects and consequences

March 03rd, 2011 by André Gagnon, ND

Stress is a state in which it is preferable to avoid being at all. The harm resulting from stress would be the cause of up to 35% of the absentee rate in the workplace. To different degrees, a third of the population would also be affected by anxiety.

Stress, what exactly is it?
The stress response is the body’s reaction which enables us to react to various threats, benign or serious, that we face on a daily basis. This reaction is meant for short term protection: confrontation (the reflex to catch a ball when it is thrown in our face), flight (running to shelter for protection from a storm) or immobilisation (standing still faced with a wild animal). These decisions must be taken rapidly.

A stressful situation stimulates the production of cortisol, a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. By stimulating the blood glucose levels, cortisol frees the necessary energy from the body’s reserves to respond in a stressful situation. Normally, the hypothalamus becomes the regulator, calming the reaction. But what happens when stress is ever-present and constant?

When stress is constant, the body enters into a “resistance phase”, during which the adrenal glands continually secrete cortisol. Too much cortisol creates many physiological consequences:

Exhaustion of the adrenal glands
Increase of blood glucose levels (cause of diabetes)
Decrease in calcium absorption levels (cause of osteoporosis)
Slower digestion (cause of weight gain and different digestive upsets such as ulcers)
Deterioration of the dermis (skin aging)
Weakened immune system.

Constant secretion of cortisol tires the hypothalamus, which is then unable to exercise its normal regulatory function. Too much cortisol in the hypothalamus is a cause of depression.

How to recognize the signs of stress?
Stress is manifested through different symptoms which are either physical (muscular tension, headaches, sleep disorders, digestive upsets…), emotional (irritation, agitation, anxiety, difficulty concentrating…) or behavioural (disorganisation, interrelational problems, avoiding demanding situations…). Do you recognize yourself in these? If you are experiencing some of these symptoms it is important to act now. Stress that is not properly handled or untreated anxiety may lead to more sever chronic issues such as: alcoholism, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension and depression. Even more so if the source of stress also involves other difficulties in family, environmental, financial or professional contexts.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates that by 2020, depression will become the 2^nd leading cause of disability, not far behind cardio vascular troubles. No one wants to be a part of these dire statistics.

I Feel no1!
Feel no 1 is an innovative formula with a base of 3 botanical extracts acting in synergy:

5-L-HTP helps promote balanced mood: Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract, 5-L-HTP, once absorbed by the body, is transformed into serotonin. This neurotransmitter enables the transmission of nerve impulses in the brain and leads to the regulation of mood, anxiety, appetite and sleep.

Hops are used in phytotherapy to help relieve nervousness. The possibility that the plant may contain a sedative ingredient was put forth when it was noticed that workers harvesting hop flowers had a tendency to fall asleep on the job.
Today, still largely harvested for the production of beer, hops also grow wild in many regions of the world and their therapeutic uses have been used for thousands of years in Greece, Italy, India, China and by Native Americans.

Passionflower is used in phytotherapy to help sleep (in cases of agitation or insomnia related to mental stress). Native Americans abundantly used passionflower in the kitchen and for the treatment of certain ailments. European explorers introduced it to Europe where, even today, passionflower is included in the composition of many medicinal preparations.

100% natural and alcohol free, Feel no1 is the ideal formula for active people who are under stress, are anxious or nervous and are looking for a healthy helper. The unique synergism of the active ingredients in Feel no1 allows you to remain calm and productive. The liquid formula, more efficiently assimilated, ensures maximum results.

Why not replace your cup of coffee or tea with a dose of Feel no1 in a cup of hot or cold water? A healthy habit that may really improve your quality of life.

Feel no1 is equally beneficial in the case of: migraines, fibromyalgia, insomnia, weight control.

Buy Feel no1 online HERE
Tell us what Feel no1 have done for you HERE

*Before using supplements, it is important to consult your health professional. Your particular situation may greatly influence the suggested treatment.

Becoming aware of this wonder

February 25th, 2011 by Lynda Proulx, Dermo-esthéticienne/Phytothérapeute

You’ve been wearing this garment since before you were born. It grows and ages with you. Magnificently complex, it is the human’s largest organ. This wonderful thing is your skin.

It keeps you warm when it’s cold out and keeps you cool when it gets too hot. It stretches, repairs itself and is even waterproof. It is composed of many sensors, opening a multitude of doors to the outside world. It protects you from the sun, from germs and even helps you get rid of toxins. Rumours have it that it may be your third lung.

It may betray your age or on the contrary, be the perfect accomplice in a little white lie letting anyone believe that there aren’t quite so many years behind you. The passage of time marked by wrinkles expresses effort, the victories and the pleasures of your life and gives it uniqueness. In certain situations it becomes indecent and reveals emotions of embarrassment or rage and this, despite yourself.

For certain specialists, your skin is an open book. It tells them if you have a healthy lifestyle. If your liver is functioning properly or if you have to let up on the cheese fries (junk food). Its pimples and papules, so undesirable, are revealing to those who can read them.

It gives much and asks for little in return. Communicating its needs in a particular manner, it is best to learn how to listen and understand.

When it becomes rough and dry, it is certainly thirsty.
If it becomes scaly and crumpled, it is expressing the need for a softer, more natural soap.
Redness on the cheeks: a cry of alarm to cease hot water showers every morning.
When the lower jawbone area is covered in brown spots, it is denouncing a possible hormonal imbalance.

No matter what age, size, color or path, it merits your attention, because unlike a factory made garment, you only have one skin and will keep it for life.

Dermo-estetician/Phytotherapist

For the health … of your skin!

In the following articles, we shall discuss different subjets regarding the skin. Here is a small glimpse:

Particularities of baby skin.

Basic care for healthy skin?

The sun: friend or foe?

The best anti-wrinkle remedies in the world!

Acne: am I doomed to live with it?

What is it: rosacea or broken veins?

Skin spots and other company!

Etc …

Land Art : What is it?

February 21st, 2011 by Valérie Deslandes

Land Art is an artistic movement which emerged in the ’60s, conveyed by artists who wanted to take art out of galleries and museums. It is a creative concept in harmony with the natural world: the work of the artist is integrated and made of the components of the landscape and nature.

The materials used are all natural (branches, rocks, leaves, hay, etc.) and installation evolves over time until their eventual biodegradation, making it often ephemeral works.

Simple or complex, Land Art art pieces are always integrated with nature.

Land Art is attempting to link art and life

This philosophy inspires the entire Land Art team. What about you ?

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February 02nd, 2011 by activis

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Ut elit elit, adipiscing quis sodales ac, interdum vulputate justo. Donec id quam ligula. Quisque sem ipsum, fringilla et scelerisque quis, interdum at turpis. Nam hendrerit pretium odio, eget euismod augue eleifend vel. Aenean in justo eget tellus lacinia aliquam. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Sed blandit gravida erat nec elementum. Quisque sed placerat quam. Donec est sem, commodo eget dignissim sit amet, fermentum facilisis eros. Integer diam arcu, iaculis vitae laoreet quis, eleifend ultricies orci. Suspendisse lectus metus, posuere nec fermentum et, mollis vitae arcu. Morbi fermentum vulputate condimentum.

Could your skin use some help this winter?

January 31st, 2011 by Lynda Proulx, Dermo-esthéticienne/Phytothérapeute

Winter can have a major impact on our psychological state of mind, on your health in general and also on your skin. As it is, for every problem, there is a solution. In this health newsletter we propose several solutions to the problems that winter brings along with it. All in all, tips and tools to help your skin enjoy winter rather than suffer from it.

You have chapped and cracked lips:
Avoid petroleum or silicone based lip balms. They provide fast relief but in the long run they will only aggravate the issue.
Use a bio equitable shea butter lip balm.

Avoid long lasting lipsticks as they are strongly dehydrating.
Use products that are free of chemical preservatives and that contain softening, hydrating oils for lips.

You have dry and dehydrated skin:
Avoid wood burning produced heat and overheating the house, particularly at night.
Use a humidifier if need be to maintain a relative humidity at over 45 %. Don’t forget to drink water and add chlorophyll to it. It will taste better and be beneficial to your skin health.

Avoid commercial soaps with chemical agents, such as: sodium laureth sulphate and EDTA, in the shower. They reduce the skin’s hydrolipidic protective film.
Use bio soap in bars or gels (beware: don’t rely simply on the label, read the INCI).)

Avoid baths that are too hot and dehydrating bubble bath products.
Use bubble bath products that do not contain chemical products. You can simply add sea salt and olive oil to your bath water; you will have silky soft skin for very little cost.

Avoid petrochemical and silicone based body lotions. They are very bad for the environment, very irritating for the skin and even suspected to be toxic for the skin.
Use biological natural product based body lotions. They provide softening hydration and are rarely more expensive.

Winter sports and frostbite
Avoid low quality solar products or those that are waterproof; they don’t let your skin breath properly and may cause pimples. Avoid all products containing AAH (or any of its equivalents), synthetic perfumes and alcohol.
Use bio equitable shea butter. This product is on the good and affordable product list. A good insulating agent, a light solar filter, lubricant and hydrating agent, it may be applied before and during outdoor activities.

Dermo-esthetician/Phytotherapist

For the health … of your skin …

Website (in french): www.lyndaproulx.com

discovery product #1

January 03rd, 2011 by admin

ALOE VERA

First aid kit in a bottle!

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Flagship product

December 29th, 2010 by admin

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A great way to discover chlorophyll!

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December 29th, 2010 by admin

Need some health advise? Ask our naturopaths.

December 29th, 2010 by admin

Products for your children’s health

December 29th, 2010 by admin

Find a point of sale near you.

December 29th, 2010 by admin

Shipping everywhere in Canada

December 29th, 2010 by admin

Going green

September 29th, 2010 by Lyne Quesnel, ND

The color green is everywhere: The grass, the leaves, the vegetables, clothes, eco-logos and packaging, water.

The water?

Of course, because we’re adding chlorophyll.

Called Blood of the plants, the chemical structure of chlorophyll is similar to that of haemoglobin in human blood. The only difference: chlorophyll has an atom of magnesium whereas haemoglobin has an atom of iron. Therefore, chlorophyll will rapidly pass through the blood and add iron, improving regeneration. Basically, chlorophyll helps to make new blood. Pure, rich blood reinforces the immune system which is the insurance for health against all odds. Chlorophyll also has the reputation of helping to maintain acido-basic balance.

Chlorophyll has strong detox capabilities for the blood as well as the liver and acts favourably on bodily odours. It also helps to clean intestinal flora and increases the health of probiotic bacteria. It has antioxidant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It considerably helps to maintain clear skin, reduces scarring and helps combat anaemia.

Add chlorophyll to your water: it will provide a delicious, thirst quenching beverage for the whole family. On a bike ride, at the office, at school or at home, go green, chlorophyll green.

Suggestions:

Frog juice

Mix 1 teaspoon of mint flavoured chlorophyll to 100ml of fresh water and 50ml of apple juice. Drink immediately.

Green green tea

Infuse one bag of green tea in 1 cup of hot water. Add a hint of honey. Let cool. Add 1 teaspoon (5ml) of apple flavoured chlorophyll.

Variation: substitute the honey with grenadine and use eucalyptus flavoured chlorophyll.

You can also use Land Art’s GREEN TEA extract directly in a cup of cold water instead of infused tea.

article bidon #1 ANG

August 09th, 2010 by admin

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Fusce gravida iaculis elit quis adipiscing. Sed eleifend, nisi sed laoreet aliquam, augue nisi aliquam massa, feugiat cursus mauris nisl eu metus. Sed accumsan, ante eu hendrerit elementum, felis arcu ultricies ante, nec facilisis magna ligula et elit. Phasellus scelerisque accumsan vulputate. Sed rutrum neque sed erat aliquet nec scelerisque nulla viverra. Suspendisse urna ligula, sagittis eget vehicula sit amet, placerat ac purus. Mauris lobortis iaculis tortor, semper sollicitudin lectus tempus a. In lectus orci, rutrum nec auctor quis, aliquet eget elit. Maecenas aliquet eleifend adipiscing. Etiam non felis eu tellus vehicula pharetra sed viverra nibh. Vestibulum dictum condimentum tincidunt. Sed vehicula laoreet purus, pulvinar tristique est posuere at. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Vestibulum nisl nisl, pellentesque in molestie quis, tincidunt vel magna. Proin et nisi a nisl iaculis tincidunt quis eget ipsum.

NEWS
- Health Care

Imprimé depuis la page :
http://www.landart.qc.ca/en/health-tips/

Land Art
2334, Marie-Victorin
Varennes, Québec
J3X 1R4

Téléphone : 1 450.929.1933
Fax : 1 450.929.4198
Courriel : info@landart.qc.ca
Site Web : www.landart.qc.ca

Do you have constipation?

Protection against the sun from the inside

Your body: Clean it, revitalize it

Your first aid kit in a bottle: Aloe Vera

Milk-thistle: A great solution to gourmet feast and tired liver

Goodbye to cough syrup for children under six?

What exactly are the cold and the flu?

What to use instead of the prohibited syrup?

You can give your child (from age one to adult) some SYRUPS AND CERTAIN NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS THAT WILL STIMULATE THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM.

In case of a cold or as prevention, Land Art suggests its Cough Syrup which includes 600 mg of red elm per dose, with a pleasant taste, it is safe for children age one or more and approved by the new Health Canada regulation.

Other care and advice

Is prevention really possible?

Vitamin D deficiency, are you at risk?

Age spots

FEATURE ARTICLE: INSOMNIA

This fall, put a bit of super in your regular gas

Sunscreens

References: http://fr.ekopedia.org/Protection_solaire http://www.satoriz.fr/points-de-vue/Protection-solaire-:-le-dossier-qui-tache/article-sat-info-390-7.html http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filtre_ultraviolet http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cr%C3%A8me_solaire

Know how to read natural health product labels

IN GENERAL: For all types of products

Compare the concentrations

Compare prices

Warnings, precautions and cautionary messages… is it serious?

Drug Interactions and contraindications:

SPECIFICALLY: For mineral products Total Mineral vs Elemental Mineral

SPECIFICALLY: For plant based products

Standardisation

SPECIFICALLY: For omega-3s

Non-medicinal ingredients

The sun, friend or foe?

Hassle free weight loss? Here we go!

Such fragile skin

Reference: Books: La vérité sur les cosmétiques by Rita Stiens Site: http://www.infobebes.com/bebe/Bien-etre/Bien-etre/Prendre-soin-de-Bebe/La-peau-de-Bebe http://www.rendezvouscosmeto.com/agepeau/peaudebebe.html

Stress: know its effects and consequences

*Before using supplements, it is important to consult your health professional. Your particular situation may greatly influence the suggested treatment.

Becoming aware of this wonder

Land Art : What is it?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet [en]

Could your skin use some help this winter?

discovery product #1

ALOE VERA

First aid kit in a bottle!

Flagship product

ASSORTED CHLOROPHYLLS

Mixed flavours. Practical sizes.

Free shipping

Need some health advise? Ask our naturopaths.

Products for your children’s health

Find a point of sale near you.

Shipping everywhere in Canada

Going green

article bidon #1 ANG

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NEWS

References:
http://fr.ekopedia.org/Protection_solaire
http://www.satoriz.fr/points-de-vue/Protection-solaire-:-le-dossier-qui-tache/article-sat-info-390-7.html
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filtre_ultraviolet
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cr%C3%A8me_solaire

SPECIFICALLY: For mineral products
Total Mineral vs Elemental Mineral

Reference:
Books: La vérité sur les cosmétiques by Rita Stiens
Site: http://www.infobebes.com/bebe/Bien-etre/Bien-etre/Prendre-soin-de-Bebe/La-peau-de-Bebe

http://www.rendezvouscosmeto.com/agepeau/peaudebebe.html