How To Nourish Healthy Skin

Most people are not aware that our skin is considered to be one of our main detoxification organs along with the liver, kidneys and colon.  So the expression "we are what we eat" is especially true when we talk about our skin.  It is unusual for people to be 100% truly happy with their skin.  Common complaints include skin that is too dry, too oily, too wrinkled, too many blemishes, too blotchy or too pale.  Genetics plays a huge role in the appearance of our skin as well as environmental exposures, however, one of the biggest factors that we have control over is what we choose to put into our bodies.  Here are the top 10 super foods that have been shown to nourish our skin and prevent the aging process:

• Green tea
• Olive oil
• Avocado
• Green vegetables
• Berries
• Garlic
• Nuts (walnuts and brazil nuts)
• Fish
• Whole grains (rye, barley, brown rice, oats)
• Melons, especially watermelons (including the seeds)
• Beans

The complete article can be found by going to: http://www.marnirossnd.com/articles_links.html.

Cinnamon Supplementation May Benefit Diabetes

Clinical studies have recently shown that short term usage of cinnamon may lower glycemic index in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.  The trials included 435 patients and cinnamon doses ranged from 1 gram to 6 grams per day.   Follow up of HbA1c levels were carried out 40 days to 4 months after the start of cinnamon supplementation. 

Another Success Story from Dr. Ross

Excess Abdominal Fat

A 47 year old female came to see me with the primary concern of excess abdominal fat as a result of Cushing’s Syndrome.  She had tried to loose weight before with no success.  After reviewing her case history, I decided that she was ingesting large amounts of sugar and living a very unhealthy lifestyle.  She was also suffering from headaches, dry skin and low energy.  I decided that the best place to start was with a detoxification that was specific for her condition.  She was given some supplements, which included herbs and nutrients to support the liver, gallbladder and colon in cleansing.  She was put on a strict diet that basically eliminated all toxic foods.  She was allowed to gradually make these dietary changes and she felt this was the best way to comply and continue with the detox.  It lasted a month long and then she came in for a follow up visit.  At that time, we discussed the remarkable changes in her health – significant loss in abdominal fat (apparent to her colleagues), increase in energy levels, her skin was less dry and she had much healthier bowel habits.  She is currently on phase 2 of the detoxification program and she hopes to continue long term with many of the lifestyle changes she has learned about during the detox. 

Hemp Hearts - A Powerful Superfood

Hemp Hearts, a superfood, is one of the most potent foods available, supporting optimal health and well being for life. One tablespoon provides 5g of vegetable protein and over 1.2g of Omega 3. It's rich in fiber, chlorophyll, vitamin E, enzymes and GLA.  It provides an ideal ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fats, necessary for human health.   It can be used on basically every food throughout the day.  It can be added to a smoothie, cooked into pancakes, sprinkled on salads, baked in muffins or cookies, added to sauces, dips and spreads and much more.  Health benefits include weight loss, blood sugar control, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure, increased energy and support of healthy digestive function.  Hemp hearts can be found at most health food stores.  Try some today!

Interested in Doing a Cleanse? Choose the right cleanse for you.

There are so many different cleanses to choose from weather it be by searching online or going to a health food store, it can be quite overwhelming.  Cleansing (or detoxing) can be very beneficial for most people but it is important to choose the right cleanse for you.  If you have any underlying health condition, take medication or are unsure how to start, then it is advisable to see a licensed healthcare practitioner to guide you.  In my practice, I offer digestive cleanses, liver/colon cleanses, heavy metal detoxes and much more.  For some patients, I find it beneficial to run some laboratory tests prior to recommending a detox so the best protocol can first be determined.  I have seen remarkable health benefits with cleanses however it's important to know all the information before starting to get the best results. 

Food Allergy Testing

I'm happy to now be offering a new method of food allergy testing, called EAV testing. Food sensitivities or intolerances are substances that are stressful or irritating to your system. Sensitivities can affect any organ system of the body. They may cause low energy, digestive complaints, anxiety, depression, itchy skin, breathing problems and much more. The identification and removal of food sensitivities can augment other treatments and is a cornerstone of naturopathic medical philosophy.

Most people are familiar with food allergy testing (skin prick testing) which elicits the body's immediate immune response to certain substances; however, determining food intolerances or sensitivities has historically been done by elimination and reintroduction diets. This method can be time-consuming, impractical and involve too much guesswork. The alternative is to have an evaluation that is specific to your system to help determine which foods may be an issue for you.

This method of food testing is gentle, non-invasive and the results are immediate.

In addition to her practice at Sage Clinic (Yaletown), Dr. Marni Ross has started working at another clinic location - 4th Ave Wellness (Alma and 4th). For hours and location information go to www.marnirossnd.com/contactus.html.