As people navigate perimenopause, they start to become familiar with those common menopausal experiences. Hot flashes. Irregular periods. Heavy periods. Light periods. Night sweats. Vaginal dryness. Mood changes. So on and so forth.   What is often a surprise is being told that their cholesterol or blood pressure has changed as well. This unexpected news may come during a routine check-up and folks may be left feeling like they’ve done something wrong. This can be particularl

In recent years, I’ve added educator to my CV. After 20+ years of private practice, I decided to share my knowledge in a different way and have had the privilege of speaking to my colleagues about integrative heart health in a variety of venues. It’s been a pretty busy two years, but 2024 is the biggest year yet!   I started writing this blog on the plane back from San Diego where I spoke at the California Naturopathic Doctors Association’s Annual Conference about familial hy

Given that heart disease affects millions of Canadians, it’s somewhat mystifying to me that we (health professionals) only seem to highlight the broad strokes of risk. I think it’s fair to say that many people know that things like cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, diet, and exercise all have something to do with heart health. You may not understand what the relationship is, but you probably know it exists. It’s true; these factors are definitely important and improving t

Established in 2009 by Oldways, a non-profit organization teaching people about various traditional diets, Med Diet Month actually celebrates the Mediterranean Lifestyle which involves more than just eating certain foods. Definition Diet Component This plant-forward diet is fibre-rich, low in sodium and saturated fats, high in potassium and unsaturated fats. This generally breaks down as follows: Every day: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, herbs, spices, nuts, seeds

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women globally, but its connection to stress and mental health is often overlooked. Stress is more than just a feeling; it’s a physiological response that can have profound effects on the body, especially the cardiovascular system.   Stress and Cardiovascular Health: The Science Behind the Connection   Unsurprisingly, stress, anxiety, and depression are linked to cardiovascular risk. These connections are particularly (but not