George Street Naturopathic Newsletter
Dear Your Name Here
Transition into the New Year with these healthful hints from the George Street Naturopathic Medicine e-newsletter.
In this issue:
• Cell phone safety
• Infant food introduction
• Use your benefits before year-end
• Clinic news
Cell phone safety
Cell phones have revolutionized the way we communicate. This advancement however is accompanied by a health risk – a risk shown even by cell phone industry studies. Radiation emitted from the device’s signal is transferred through the skull bones of the user. For children, the penetration is even deeper as they have thinner skull bones. Below are recommended strategies for making cell phone usage safer:
1. Use your cell phone in speaker phone mode which increases the physical distance between the device, and your brain and body;
2. Alternate regularly which ear you listen to your cell phone with;
3. Minimize your cell phone use in areas where the signal is weak (for example in cars, inside some homes, in rural areas). Cell phone radiation can be 100 times stronger when the signal is weak (one bar or no bars);
4. Change providers if you can determine that the new provider has a much stronger signal in the area where you use your phone most frequently;
5. Use a headset or a Bluetooth device; and
6. If you carry your cell phone on your body (in a pocket or on your belt), keep it turned off. Keep phones that are ‘on’ in your purse or briefcase to create distance between your body and the phone.
For more information on recent scientific studies regarding the safety of cell phones, visit www.environmentalhealthtrust.org.
Infant food introduction
Our baby just turned six months old, so we are pureeing food a lot lately. I thought it was an appropriate time to share some tips about food introduction.
When infants are around six months old, foods are introduced. It is important introduce foods which are hypoallergenic, iron-rich, easy to chew and contain adequate fibre and fluid for good colon health.
Proper food introduction is linked to the prevention of food allergies. Foods with a strong allergenic potential should not be introduced too early: cow’s milk, egg whites, corn, soy, citrus, chocolate, gluten/wheat and peanuts. I recommend waiting until a child is at least 18 – 24 months before introducing these foods. Goat’s milk, a less allergenic alternative to cow’s milk, can be tried at 12 months.
The first foods offered to your baby should have a consistency just slightly thicker than the breast-milk or formula that they are accustomed to. In the beginning, vegetables and fruits should be steamed and pureed with water or breast milk. As your baby gets older and more used to eating food, adjust the consistency accordingly.
Babies and toddlers can be very picky eaters. They may love something one day and then refuse it the next. Don’t give up! Research shows that children who are fed healthy foods are more likely to choose healthy foods when they are older. For more information, consult:
• Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron
• Real Food for Mother and Baby by Nina Planck
• The Hospital For Sick Children – Better Baby Food by Kalnins and Saab
• Blender Baby Food by Nicole Young
Use your benefits before year-end
Does your health-benefit plan cover naturopathy and/or registered massage therapy? Did you know that unused benefits from 2009 will expire at year-end? Don’t lose your benefits! Treat yourself this holiday season to a relaxing massage or an invigorating acupuncture session. If you haven’t had the pleasure of a treatment by Kelly or Lisa, our two highly-skilled Registered Massage Therapists, don’t wait any longer! Call the clinic at 519.575.6016 to book an appointment.
Clinic news
Looking for the perfect gift for someone this holiday season? Treat a friend or family member to a relaxing massage. Kelly and Lisa, our RMTs, offer massage gift certificates. Contact the clinic for more information.
My naturopathic practice will be closed from December 20 – January 7. If you require an appointment or need a prescription refill, please call or email before December 20.
At George Street Naturopathic Medicine, the health of the environment is important to us. We strive to make the clinic greener and to reduce our eco-footprint. As part of these efforts, the clinic will be closed on January 5 – 6 for minor eco-renovations.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season. I look forward to seeing you in 2010.
In health,
Dr. Joanna Thiessen, Naturopath and Doula
Director, George Street Naturopathic Medicine
8 George Street
Waterloo, ON N2J 1K5
t: 519.575.6016
w: www.georgestreetnaturopathic.com
Disclaimer: The information presented herein is not a prescription and does not substitute the consultation of a health care practitioner.
