pureBalance Wellness Centre

    31 Dec 2011

    Ringing in the New Year with Your Family

    As we approach the beginning of a New Year, start thinking of what activities you’ll take part in with your family. Are you open to starting some new traditions? Here are a few ideas to consider:

      1- Make a family vision board, where everyone contributes to it; but make it less about actual items and more about family activities.
      2- Volunteer at the local food bank or shelter.
      3- Encourage everyone to donate one item they no longer use to the less fortunate for every new item they receive.
      4- Spend some time visiting with the elderly at the local nursing home and spend time with those who have no family to visit them.
      5- Sponsor a child through an organization, write them letters together as a family.
      6- At the stroke of midnight each person in your family exchanges a hand written note or card to another member of the family to tell them what they appreciate the most about that person.
      7- Make a regular habit of playing an old fashioned board game, turning off the TV and spending quality time together.
      8- If you cut a tree down this year, take the time to plant some new ones.
      9- Instead of birthday gifts in 2012, try raising money for your favourite charity or a great cause.
      10- Most of all, enjoy your time together

    By: Stephanie Markou - Director of Operations

    29 Dec 2011

    Vitamin “See” - Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa

    A European patient has come to Canada, specifically to our clinic to get help with their vision. The patient has a rare eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa. Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetic eye condition that leads to blindness; the cones and rods of the eye gradually lose their capacity to function.

    The patient was experiencing the following symptoms: night blindness and general tunnel vision. The patient has exhausted all of Germany’s top doctors to figure out how to heal their eye condition. The patient agreed to do the treatment, a strict protocol over a 6 week period. In the process the patient learned many things along the way.

    In their initial intake we discovered the patient had a lifetime of poor eating habits; their diet was horrible. The patient was a smoker, engaged in drinking alcohol and coffee frequently. The patient never took vitamins and ate a lot of animal products like red meat.

    With six weeks to work with a new protocol, we had our work cut out for us. We had work to do to begin the process of shifting the vitamin deficiency, do a chemical detox and teach the patient a new dietary lifestyle. The patient immediately stopped smoking, drinking coffee and alcohol.

    We started off with regular high dose vitamin intravenous therapy three times per week. The cocktail consisted of large amounts of vitamin C, smaller dosages of vitamin B complex, zinc, selenium, extra B12, and B6. This part of the treatment helps fix a very vitamin deficient body.

    We created a diet that removed all animal products from their life. The patient learned to eat vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free. In 6 weeks their body composition changed and they felt an overall feeling of wellness. The patient was now eating two meals that consisted heavily of raw vegetable and one meal that had plant based protein and cooked vegetables.

    We introduced oral vitamins to the protocol – vitamin C in large amounts 8000mg per day and in addition, the patient also took the following nutrients for vision: Alpha-lipoic acid (200 mg), Bilberry (100 mg), Lutein (100 mg), Multi anthocyanidins (100 mg), d-Alpha-tocopherol acetate (17 IU), Astaxanthin (20 mg), Zeaxanthin (20 mg), Zinc citrate (50 mg), Niacin (5.1 mg), Selenium (18 mcg). We included an eye drop formulation made from N-acetyl-carnosine (NAC) 1.0%. Studies suggest that Carnosine revs up the proteasome – the cell’s “recycling center” for malformed proteins, in other words, Carnosine might actually help the body to eliminate glycated and other dysfunctional proteins.

    In the six weeks of treatment, the patient reported back with three positive results. One involved disappearance of protein floaters in the eye, improvement in colour and an overall sense of well-being. This new change will require some more time to heal the eye. I will keep you posted.

    Dr Elias Markou, ND

    ***This blog is not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment, please consult Dr. Markou or your own doctor before beginning any type of treatment or increasing your vitamin intake.

    21 Dec 2011

    Help Your Family Flourish This Season

    For many cultures, this time of year is steeped in family rituals and traditions which, when performed with conscious deliberate intention from the heart, provide the emotional and spiritual framework for families to flourish. To flourish, one needs to feel relaxed in mind and body, content, safe, appreciated, engaged and fulfilled. All the preparations leading up to the big day prepare us mentally, emotionally and spiritually to embody and act from a peace-filled space.

    However, often times we perform our traditions with “revertigo”, which means we perform from habit. No presence of consciousness or heart provides the emotional and spiritual framework for families to flounder. Engaging in traditions and rituals where year after year unresolved issues are played out with the same results, begs the examination of how it is supporting the original purpose of the ritual and adding to the holiday experience.

    We would all be healthier and happier if we took time to identify what we want the holidays to stand for in our families. Examine your traditions and ask yourself this transformative question, “ Does this activity contribute to me and my family flourishing?”. Then consciously invest your time and energy into the activities that reflect those values and you can put your heart into. You will experience a holiday rich in tradition and a family relaxed in body, mind and spirit.

    “The health and well being of the family unit is only as healthy as the individuals in it.” – Pamyla Love

    Pamyla Love is a Master of Vibrational Medicine with over 30 years experience in Energy Healing with a spiritual intuitive focus. Lives are transformed with her unique ability to understand the subtle energetic levels that health and dis-ease originate.

    Book your free consultation by contacting the clinic to learn more.

    16 Dec 2011

    Getting Enough Sleep During the Holiday Season

    Excitement over the Holiday season may be keeping you up at night, but there could be other reasons why you’re not getting enough shut-eye.

    Alcohol can be a major reason why your sleep suffers, so be sure to limit yourself at Holiday parties. Aches and pains can also contribute, so take extra precautions when you’re shoveling all that snow. Caffeine may provide a morning pick-me-up, but too much can lead to sleepless nights. Finally, stress and anxiety over Holiday travel and gift-giving can also disrupt sleep and lead to tossing and turning.

    Sleep is important because it renews energy, boosts the immune system and repairs damage to your body. It also promotes growth, enhances memory and slows down the aging process. Now there is a lot you can do to get the sleep you need. Unwind before bed with a cup of herbal tea or take a few minutes to collect your thoughts and meditate. When you do finally hit the hay, make sure you don’t sleep beside your phone. The electromagnetic radiation it emits can disrupt your sleep patterns! Finally, try darkening your bedroom to cut out any unnecessary light, which can stimulate a chemical that keeps you awake.

    Try some of these things, and you’ll be sure to have sugar plums dancing in your head at night.

    By: Dr. Emily FitzGerald, ND


    Dr. FitzGerald is accepting new patients, contact the clinic to book an appointment.

    5 Dec 2011

    Relax and Renew in 15 minutes with Flourish 15

    With you in mind, Pamyla Love, our Spiritual & Energy Healer created and developed Flourish 15. Flourish 15 is an exclusive system that offers you an opportunity to go from fading to flourishing in 15 minutes while seated.

    Flourish 15 is a truly unique system that offers you a deeper relaxation response than a one hour massage, yet leaves you alert so you have the potential to be at the top of your game. It combines various ancient spiritual energy healing and massage techniques which can be applied safely and effectively on anyone at any age and compliments all other forms of treatment. It was designed to be easy, affordable and effective for the whole family.

    Book a FREE session on Wednesday December 7: 11am – 1pm, Monday December 12: 11am – 1pm and 5pm-6:30pm and Thursday December 15: 5pm-6:30pm.

    Introductory price until Dec 23rd, 2011 – 3 sessions for $75, a savings of $25.

    Inquire about our corporate group rate and we come to you.

    12 Oct 2011

    Study Linking Vitamins to Women’s Increased Mortality is Flawed.

    How much sugar, animal products, processed food and unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking, drinking alcohol and coffee have you had today? Honestly ask yourself, how much of this have you done for years. Do you really think you are healthy? Can you improve on your health? These are just a few questions people should ask themselves before they blame vitamin C, E and multivitamins on their mortality. The standard North American diet and lifestyle is killing us. It doesn’t take a scientist to conclude on this matter.

    The single most important factor researchers at the Archives of Internal Medicine study did not look at was that as you get older the likelihood of adults being on both vitamins and medication increases significantly. For every decade of age, on average you are probably on that number of medications. So if you are eighty years old you are probably on eight drugs. Most of us don’t want to die, don’t want to be sick with chronic disease and we will do anything to prevent aging, including taking vitamins. SO the questions we need to ask is, “was it the vitamins or was mortality something that was going to happen either way”?

    Aging adults will change their philosophy on health and begin to pursue wellness by taking vitamins to hopefully avoid death and dying. Next to taxes, death is one of those certainties in life.

    These are the flaws in this study. 

  • The study only found a link between vitamins and increased risk of death; it didn’t prove that the supplements caused the deaths. The authors say the reasons behind their findings aren’t clear.
  • The study involved about 39,000 women who were between the ages of 55 and 69 when the study began and were tracked for 19 years. The sample group was very old and very sick to begin with, skewing the results.
  • During the study, the proportion of women who said they took one or more vitamin supplement soared, from 62.7 per cent in 1986 to 85.1 per cent in 2004. In 2004 the majority of the women in the sample were well over 75 years old with ailing health. To blame vitamins for their death is wrong.
  • This study looks at Americans, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 64% of the US adult population is overweight.

    • This ‘study’ is terribly flawed and yet people will run scared and stop taking multi-vitamins believing they will cause an early death. Since it appears no other lifestyle factors were considered, this is hardly a scientific study.

    Dr Elias Markou, ND

    (Source: mypurebalance.ca)

    8 Oct 2011

    Is Your Turkey Organic This Thanksgiving?

    We decided this year to make the investment in our family and paid the extra money to get organic vegetables and an organic turkey for Thanksgiving. The question that arose in the discussion I had with friends was, if an Organic Turkey worth the money? The answer is YES! Let me explain.

    Many of us have turkey once a year, this small investment for our health is really worth it. An industry raised turkey can sell for as little as 1.50 per pound, while an organic raised turkey is about 4.50 per pound. Quite a difference in price, it’s not the price you should be concerned about but the other hidden factors. Here is a quick comparison of Industry to organic turkey farming.

    I ask you to make a gut check, when you consider industry raised turkey. They are administered antibiotics, hormones and other drugs to prevent disease. They are fed GMO crops mixed with animal by-products like blood and bone meal. It takes 10 weeks to raise a 10 pound turkey, this is relatively fast. And finally they are confined to a space just a bit bigger than the size of their body . Put yourself in a tight office with a few of your co-workers, chances are you will get a virus or bacterial infection very fast and be very stressed.

    Organic turkeys get on average about 50 to 75 percent more space than industry turkey farming and take 14 weeks to grow to about 10 or 12 pounds. Organic turkeys are fed an organic vegetarian diet, with no GMO crops, no hormones, no antibiotics or other drugs, no animal by-products such as pig fat, blood or bone meal. The most important fact is the turkeys have full access to lush pastures and certified organic farm land so they can live a purely natural life in the fresh air. And finally, an organic turkey will give you a more natural taste and texture you will enjoy, and it is super healthy for you and your family.

    To buy organic turkey, or not to buy? That is the question this year. Do the research and make the decision based on sound information and not on cost. Your family is worth ever dollar.

    Dr Elias Markou, ND

    13 Sep 2011

    National Celiac Disease Awareness Day

    Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive process of the small intestine. When a person eats gluten, the body’s immune system attacks the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of the gluten and other important nutrients. Gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye and barley (and to a lesser extent oats). Celiac disease is not a wheat allergy. It is an intolerance to the gluten protein that is found in wheat.

    Symptoms of Celiac disease may include: weight loss, fatigue, skin rashes, bloating, stomach aches, diarrhea and/or constipation, short stature, delayed puberty as well as other more serious systemic symptoms.

    If you suffer from Celiac or are unsure, book your appointment now with one of our Naturopathic Doctors to speak about your options.

    (Source: mypurebalance.ca)

    5 Sep 2011

    Back to School Nutrition Tips

    • Pack nutritional lunches with lots of flavour, allow your children to help with food choices.
    • Breakfast is important, take the stress out of the morning by giving your kids fresh fruit smoothies.
    • Serve protein rich snacks to your children like: hummus, nuts, seeds, nut butters and rice, soy or hemp based yogurts and milks.
    • Introduce new foods; it takes a child up to 16 times to taste, accept and enjoy new foods and flavours. Keep trying.
    • Give your child a multivitamin, fish oil, and a probiotic as a start to a supplement program.

    Dr Elias Markou, ND

    29 Aug 2011

    Electrolytes and Sports Drinks

    Electrolytes are salts and specific ions that help drive the body’s electrical signal. The term electrolyte means these ion are electrically-charged. You see the human body is one big battery; we seem to forget this point, and like any battery there needs to be a charge. This charge is maintained by ions that we need to put into our body. Continual replenishment of these ions is a must to have a charged body.

    The following are the major electrolytes necessary for an optimum functioning body. Sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), bicarbonate (HCO3-), phosphate (PO42-), and sulfate (SO42-).

    Electrolytes are important because they drive nerve impulses and allow for muscle contractions. Muscle cramping is a common sign of electrolyte deficiency. Kidneys work to help keep the electrolyte concentrations in the body balanced. Athletes and active individuals lose electrolytes by sweating, particularly sodium and potassium. These electrolytes must be replaced to keep the electrolyte concentrations of your body fluids constant.

    Sports drinks like Gatoraid and Poweraid have sodium chloride or potassium chloride added to them. These drinks are high in sugar and food colouring, a professional line electrolyte is healthier for your body, ask your doctor.

    Electrolyte drinks are important for infants and children who have chronic vomiting or diarrhea, children will lose many electrolytes and must be replaced to prevent dehydration.

    Keeping your electrolytes balanced in the body is super important for optimum health.

    Dr Elias Markou, ND