In the news

Score ‘strong’ in Immunity

(NC)— Approximately eight out of 10 women world-wide say their number one health concern is protecting their wellbeing. Yet, this new international women’s study also reveals only half are aware that 70 per cent of the immune system resides in the intestines, a figure that drops to one in three for Canadian women.

“More and more Canadians are striving to live a healthier lifestyle, but may not understand the link between good digestive health and a healthy immune system, says Dr. Jennifer Malcolm, family physician. But there is good news – even small lifestyle changes can keep our digestive system running smoothing, which in turn boosts immunity.”

Looking to improve your immunity IQ? Dr. Malcolm recommends these quick and easy tips:

Eat your fruits and veggies: Data reveals Canadian women want to eat healthy, but despite best efforts, have difficulty doing so. While daily servings of fruits and vegetables help keep the immune system strong, fitting these essential nutrients into our diet isn’t always easy. Try keeping a stash of frozen vegetables on hand to toss into soups or salads, or splurge on pre-washed, pre-cut fruits and veggies for an easy dinner side dish. Feeling adventurous? Substitute avocado for butter or margarine as a healthy, but delicious spread.
Don’t wait for cold season: Five out of 10 Canadian women take multivitamins daily, and multivitamin use climbs to 59 per cent during cold and flu season. Newer innovations on the market, such as Multibionta, contain multiple benefits such as probiotics and essential vitamins and minerals in one daily, easy-to-swallow caplet. New to Canada, this new probiotic multivitamin is also clinically proven to reduce the duration of a cold by up to two days and the severity of cold symptoms.
Stay active: North American women lead the pack in wanting more energy. And, Canadian women (69%) are more likely to work physical activity into their day, understanding exercise helps keep the immune system strong and healthy. So whether it’s playing with your kids, taking the stairs or parking a few blocks away from work, try to get moving at least 30 minutes a day.
Sleep more: Sleep contributes to the health of our immune system, and 65 per cent of Canadian women agree extra sleep can make them feel more revitalized. Having difficulty sleeping? Take some time to unwind before you sleep and try getting up at the same time every day to set your internal clock. Regular exercise also reduces stress – another reason to keep moving.

You can learn more about how you can strengthen your immunity online at www.youcantakeit.ca.

Multivitamin myths debunked

(NC)— Confused about multivitamin use? You’re not alone. There are a few misconceptions when it comes to taking multivitamins. Diana Steele, registered dietitian, separates myth from fact.

Food gives me the vitamins and minerals I need.
Despite best efforts, it can be difficult to meet the daily nutrition requirements outlined by Canada’s Food Guide. In fact, a recent international women’s study revealed that although 80 per cent of women recognize eating well as being important to their overall health, they sometimes find it challenging to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their daily routines. To ensure adequate intakes (AI) of all nutrients are met on a daily basis, a multivitamin can be a good and convenient option.

A multivitamin isn’t necessary if you’re already taking vitamin supplements.
Multivitamins can be a smart choice as they provide a combination of the fundamental vitamins the body needs daily, including important minerals. However, ensuring the body has its daily requirement of some vitamins and minerals (vitamin D for example) can be a challenge for many Canadians. In addition to proper nutrition, additional supplements used alongside a daily multivitamin can help achieve the proper daily intake.

I can take as many vitamins as I want.
Health Canada outlines recommended daily intake for vitamins and minerals, as it is possible to overdose. A daily multivitamin is best to complement a healthy diet as it delivers nutrients in the right balance.

All multivitamins are created equal.
Traditional multivitamins typically contain a combination of the basic vitamins and minerals we need daily, such as Iron, Calcium and vitamins C, B and D. However, newer innovations with additional benefits are starting to enter the market. Multibionta – the first probiotic multivitamin caplet in Canada – offers the benefit of natural probiotics with essential vitamins and minerals to help promote strong immunity.

It doesn’t matter when I take my multivitamin.
Always read the instructions on the multivitamin label carefully. Typically, the recommendation is to take with food or a meal. If taken on an empty stomach, your body won’t absorb it fully and this can result in an upset stomach. To help you remember to take your multivitamin, choose the same mealtime every day so that it becomes a habit.

You can learn more about the benefits of taking a multivitamin online at www.youcantakeit.ca.

Probiotics: What should you know?

(NC)— The word probiotics has become a popular one – and for good reason. More and more, Canadians are hearing about the many health-related benefits of taking probiotics. So, what exactly are probiotics and what do they do?

The probiotic difference
Probiotics are a dietary supplement or food that contains live, friendly bacteria. They contribute to the maintenance of the immune system by restoring beneficial bacteria in the intestines disturbed by stress, antibiotics or other drugs, poor eating habits or physical strain.

“A strong digestive system and immunity go hand-in-hand,” says Dr. Dagobert Buchert, research and development scientist for EMD Serono. “It is important to understand the role probiotics plays for a healthy digestive system, especially as 70 per cent of the body’s immune system resides in the intestines.”

What to look for:
It’s a good idea to keep a few criteria in mind to select a probiotic source that is right for you:

Clinical Research – Not all probiotic products are created equal. That’s why it’s important to look for products that have clinically proven benefits, as this demonstrates the benefits, and claims are backed by science.
Strain Transparency – Different probiotic strains provide different benefits. So it’s key to know which probiotic strains you’re ingesting, whether it’s yogurt, supplements or combination products. In fact, some newer products – such as Multibionta – also share how the probiotic strains work. This new probiotic multivitamin contains a unique combination of three natural probiotic strains – Lactobacillus gasseri PA 16/8 works in the upper part of the intestine, while Bifidobacterium longum SP 07/3 and Bifidobacterium bifidum MF 20/5 work in the lower part of the intestine – providing protection throughout the entire digestive system.
Delivery System – A high probiotic count doesn’t always guarantee probiotic effectiveness. While some products may state high probiotic counts, these same cultures are also at risk of being eliminated by stomach acid on route, unless there is a protective delivery system in place. An industry innovation is caplet technology, which provides a triple layer protective coating ensuring its natural probiotic strains survive the acidity of the stomach to reach the intestines, where they are needed the most.

You can learn more about the research on probiotics and the innovation in probiotic multivitamins online at www.youcantakeit.ca.