Fall/Winter 2012 Volume 14, Issue 1

Environmental Exposure andChronic Disease

Our environment, thephysical, biological, socialand cultural context inwhich we live, caninfluence our health fromconception to death.Environmental toxicantscan be present in our air,dust, food, water, soil and

Inside this issue> Environmental Exposure and Chronic Disease p.1-2> Infrared Saunas p. 2> Understanding and Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome, p. 3> What’s ON! P. 4

EnvironmentalNews

Gloria Fraser, Nurse Education Coordinator,Environmental Health Clinic

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consumer products. The Public Health Agency of Canadasuggests that 90% of type 2 diabetes, 80% of coronary heartdiseases and 20% of cancers can be prevented. Healthyliving can reduce excessive oxidative stress, inflammationand other pathogenic biological pathways.

To reduce multiple risk factors, try to promote health inyour community by: > encouraging more localized, diversified and sustainable food production.> transitioning to clean, renewable energy and energy-efficient mass transit systems, bike paths and sidewalk networks that will save energy, minimize air pollution and combat obesity.> reducing the use of toxic substances in the home, workplace and community though green product use that can reduce exposures causing chronic diseases.> reducing socioeconomic disparities and increasing disease prevention and wellness programs in hospitals, schools and the community.

Other approaches to healthy living

1. Improving nutrition

You and your family can take action to decreaseenvironmental exposures and risk of chronic disease by:

Healthy nutrition is essential, beginning with fetaldevelopment and continuing through infancy, childhood,adolescence and all stages of adulthood into the elder years.

Try to follow Canada’s Food Guide, decrease the use offood additives, eat fish low in mercury, wash your fruitsand vegetables and eat lean meat. Encourage portioncontrol at each meal, eat healthy snacks and drink lotsof water. Limit the purchase of fast foods. Participate incommunity gardens.

2. Increasing exercise and physical activityExercise should be a part of your daily routine.Encourage children to attend their physical educationclasses. As a family, use recreational areas such as parks,bike paths, and community facilities away from hightraffic roadways. When possible, walk and cycle to school,work or other activities and take exercise breaks.Encourage the elderly to attend indoor and outdoorexercise activities. See your family physician prior tostarting a weight loss program.

People are exposed to hazardous substances unknowinglybeginning in the womb and continuing throughout life.Stop smoking. Avoid the use of consumer products thatcontain lead, PCBs, pesticides, flame retardants, phthalatesand BPA. Improve your indoor air quality by cleaning upmould and get rid of old electronic equipment and tornfurniture such as mattresses and couches that contain nowbanned brominate flame retardants. Commit tocommunity waste reduction and recycling efforts. Use carpools and public transportation to decrease fuelconsumption and air pollution. Green your home.

3. Decreasing exposure to environmental toxicants

4. Being socially engaged with family, friends, and communityReduce stress. Individuals and families need to find newthings to enjoy, adapt to change, and stay connected withfamily, friends and the community. Take up a new hobby,

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1. Boosts metabolism and detoxificationEveryday your body is exposed to environmental toxinsand impurities that can alter your metabolism, cause bodydysfunction and nutritional deficiencies. You sweat todetoxify and remove unwanted toxins and impurities.

As the New Year approaches, welcome the manyopportunities to improve your health throughout thelife cycle and to restore the ecosystem.

plan a nature walk, enjoy the arts (movies, museums,etc) and become involved in a volunteer project.Attend family, friend and community gatherings andevents.

Infrared SaunasJeanny Boneng, Nursing Student, University of Toronto

Winter is fastapproachingand individualswith ChronicFatigue Syndrome(CFS),FibromyalgiaSyndrome (FMS)and EnvironmentalSensitivities (ES)can experienceincreased pain andworsening ofsymptoms.Consider tryinginfrared saunatherapy which can

What are the benefits of infrared saunas?There are 5 different health improvements to infraredsaunas that can alleviate your FMS, CFS and ESsymptoms.

2. Increases circulation and nourishes damaged tissuesInfrared saunas have shown to slightly decrease youroverall blood pressure and improve heart function whichwill improve circulation. The detoxification and increasein metabolism helps nourish your damaged tissues, as the

3. Improves pain managementAs it gets colder and damper, the symptoms that younormally experience may become more severe and feelunbearable. Infrared saunas can decrease pain and stiffnessand improve range of motion almost immediately.

4. Increases relaxation and reduces stressWe all experience stress that is manifested in different ways andunfortunately depression often accompanies FMS, CFS and ES.Infrared sauna therapy relaxes you and loosens your muscleswhich will help you perform your daily activities. It will makeyou feel tension-free and can reduce stress and symptoms ofdepression.

5. Improves sleepYou may be suffering from lack of sleep or unrefreshed sleep.The benefits discussed – detoxification, circulationimprovement, tissue nourishment, pain management, relief ofstress, decrease in symptoms of depression and relaxation andcalming effects contribute to better and more restful sleep.

Do not stop your current coping strategies, as infrared saunasshould be used as an added therapy. Gentle exercises prior tousing the sauna and a massage after your session can helpimprove overall experience and health. Rehydrate with fluidsand electrolytes before and after each session. Talk to aprofessional about nutritional therapy alongside infrared saunatherapy.

What else can you do?

Before starting infrared sauna therapy, speak to your familydoctor. For those incapable of performing activities of dailyliving, you may not be able to use infrared sauna therapy.However, it is well tolerated with no worsening of illness andunknown adverse outcomes.

What are the precautions of infrared saunas?

Getting startedInfrared saunas are set from 55-60ºC. Start with 15-20 minutesper session, especially for those who are heat sensitive ordebilitated. When you feel ready, (or approximately a few weekslater), try increasing to 30-45 minutes. Listen to your body.When it has had enough, it is time to get out. ‘Start low, goslow’ – follow a healthcare professional’s recommendationswhen trying out infrared sauna therapy for the first time. Youcan either pay for sessions or purchase an infrared sauna.

Infrared saunas are safe for people of all ages, so make anappointment to restore your health.

unwanted chemical built-up will leak out through yoursweat.

improve your quality of life. Infrared heat goes deep intoyour tissues and provides many benefits to improve youroverall health.

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Understanding and ManagingIrritable Bowel SyndromeKiran Saleem, 3rd year Food & Nutrition Student, RyersonUniversity

The basic rule to managing IBS is to restrict foods that willaggravate the colon, and consume foods that soothe andregulate it. What you are able to eat depends on how youreact to them. Some changes to make to manage thecondition include:

A new way to eat

> avoid fatty foods as these are powerful in triggering IBS. These foods include high-fat meats and dairy products, deep fried foods, pastries, and snack foods such as chips and cookies. > avoid gas producing foods such as legumes, cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, cabbage), onions and wheat can cause excess gas and bloating. > avoid some dairy products including milk, cheeses and creams which can increase symptoms in some people. Yogurt often causes fewer symptoms than milk for people with IBS.> eat plenty of fibre as it usually reduces IBS symptoms and helps keep the digestive system moving and stools soft. It can be found in whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables. > drink fluids, 6-8 cups of water a day helps to alleviate symptoms. Avoid carbonated drinks, as well as those high in sugar, caffeine and alcohol as they have a tendency to cause bloating.

IBS, Gluten sensitivity, or Celiac Disease?

Gluten is a protein located in the center of various grains suchas wheat, barley, and rye. Celiac disease is an abnormal reactionby the body’s immune system to gluten, causing inflammationand damage to the lining of the small intestine.

Symptoms of celiac disease are similar to those associatedwith IBS, making it difficult to tell the two conditionsapart. Often times, cases of diagnosed IBS tend to be celiacdisease in disguise. A simple blood test done by the doctorcan determine the presence of celiac disease. There is also aportion of people with IBS, such as those withfibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome who don’t haveceliac disease, but perhaps have a non-celiac glutensensitivity. Often times they benefit from a gluten-freediet.

If your test results were negative for celiac disease, perhapsdo a trial of the gluten-free diet anyway. Currently, the onlyway to determine gluten sensitivity is to remove glutenfrom your diet and see if your symptoms clear up.

Avoiding an “Irritable” ChristmasStress, food and travel associated with the holidays canincrease symptoms of IBS. However, there are many waysto cope to ensure that you enjoy the holiday season:

> watch the foods and beverages that you consume. Once you’ve established what triggers your IBS it is important to avoid these foods. > keep portion sizes small to avoid overstuffing the stomach. > eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and breathe deeply to ensure you don’t rush through dinner. Enjoy both the meal and catching up with family members.> exercise can help to reduce IBS attacks. During exercise, the bowel settles because blood is being pumped to other parts of the body. Stretching, a walk, or even jog is suitable. > high levels of stress can result in IBS. Learning to manage the stress will keep symptoms of IBS at a minimum. Some options for managing stress include yoga, good sleep, deep breathing and meditation.

Due to the psychosocial nature of IBS, and limitedpharmaceutical treatments available, it is critical to attendto both the mind and the body in order to find IBS relief.If symptoms continue to persist, see a physician todetermine the exact nature of the medical problem.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal (GI)disorder caused by problems with how the bowel moves foodthrough the intestines. The most common symptoms of IBSare abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. With changesin diet and lifestyle, one can control these symptoms.

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Happy Holidays!The staff at the Environmental Health Clinic wishes everyone good healthand happiness in the New Year.

The EnvironmentalHealth Clinic

Our Clinic phone number is:416-351-3764 or

1-800-417-7092 and ourFax number is 416-323-6130

You may also visit ourweb page under

www.womenshealthmatters.caPlease feel free to call orwrite us for a copy of our

Clinic brochure.

Environmental Newsis a free publication,

published twice a year.To receive our newsletter,contact the EHC, as listed

above. If you have questionsthat you would like

answered in our newsletteror have an article that youwish to submit for the next

issue, please mail or faxthem to the clinic. We may beunable to print every articledue to space limitations. Theinformation contained in thenewsletter is published foryour information only. It is

not meant to replacethe advice of your health care

professional. If you havespecific concerns regardingyour health, please contactyour physician or call our

office to discuss yourconcerns.

The Environmental HealthClinic (EHC) at the

Women’s College Hospitalis located on the

5th Floor West76 Grenville Street,

Toronto, ON

What’s ON! Electrical Hypersensitivity Think Tank

The Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS) Think Tank held in May 2012 was anamazing success. Testimonials of persons with EHS were shared, experts spoke,brainstorming ensued and recommendations were made for the government,health care sector, public health organizations and communities on how to dealwith this growing public health issue which potentially affects the health ofeveryone at some level, whether they manifest symptoms now or in the future.

The bottom line is that radio/microwave technology (through Wi-Fi, routers, cellphones and cell towers) is unregulated and there are no studies disproving harm inhumans on a biochemical, physiologic and psychological level in these newuncontrolled environments where there is so much of this radiation at any giventime (i.e. schools, universities, public transit, etc). We must demand the precautionaryprinciple be implemented. Those vulnerable, including the fetus, children, theelderly, and those with chronic complex conditions or who areimmunocompromised need to be protected. We do not know what hazardousimpact this non-ionizing radiation is having on these populations but most of thecellular biology studies point to serious molecular and physiological problemsincluding DNA damage.

Industry will never be able to prove absolute safety of this technology. Ourhypersensitive population is suffering unnecessarily. Hard wiring (rather than usingwireless), turning off the cell phone options to decrease radiation exposures, usingcorded phones and turning off routers when not needed, would improve thequality of life for many, especially those of children in schools where signs andsymptoms may be mistaken for other health problems.

Dr. Riina Bray, Medical Director of the Environmental Health Clinic