Durham Natural Health Centre
1550 Kingston Rd Suite 318 L1V 1C3 Pickering, ON, Canada

Do you start your week feeling rested or are you already exhausted just thinking about the week ahead? To be clear, it is not normal to feel like you're dragging your butt through life. If your energy is shot, your body is probably trying to tell you something. So, let's do a little digging: ... Is your iron status optimal? Have you had your thyroid levels checked? Are you eating enough? Are you getting enough protein? Are you sleeping 7-9 hours every night? Where are your blood sugar/ insulin levels? How is your mental health? How are your stress levels? There are many areas that can be considered when your energy is low. If you're ready to have someone guide you through the investigative process, and you're ready to optimize your health & energy, let's chat! Book a free 15 minute consult with one of us to begin your health journey and start reclaiming your vitality today! @dr_nic_and_nat See more

Have you ever received a no? In the moment, no can sting, but have you ever reflected on some of the no of your life? Where did it take you? If you are in desperate need of a feel-good read, I highly recommend The Beautiful No. The wonderful @sherisalata suggests that all the no of life leads us to where we need to be.... If you feel you are in a sea of no or if you are in a particularly nostalgic mood, consider some of the no you have experienced and how it made you the person you are today. Personally, there are tons of no that I am grateful for! How about you? Yours in health, -Dr G @DrNadineGavinND See more

If you’ve started a new exercise routine and it feels like a punishment, the chances of you giving up on it in the next month or two are pretty high! If you hate running.. well then maybe running isn’t for you. If yoga’s not your thing.. that’s totally fine. ... If you’re someone who struggles with consistency when it comes to exercise, pick something you enjoy doing, pick a duration of time that isn’t completely daunting, (I usually suggest starting with 15 minutes) and get really good and consistent at that before you try and make it more complicated. Baby steps add up over time. You don’t have to go from 0 to 100! Dr. Brie @drbriecrerar See more

If you have given birth up to a year ago and are suffering from persistent crying, severe anxiety, a feeling of weakness, changes in sleep and appetite, lack of joy, you may be suffering from post partum depression (and you’re not alone!). The post partum period is hard and it is especially hard when you have a new baby during a pandemic. New moms are supposed to be surrounded by others during this time to help them and that has not been the case this year. If you th...ink this could be you, be sure to get properly assessed so you can get the treatment you need to start feeling like yourself again! @dr_nic_and_nat See more

Have you been running on empty, drinking more cups of coffee than you can count just to keep up with the demands of life right now? We get it, pandemic life is HARD!!! We have been feeling it too. Reach out if you need a pick me up, this may be exactly what you need!... @dr_nic_and_nat See more

If you have been experiencing high levels of stress and are starting to notice constipation, bloating or stomach pains, you are not alone! Neurotransmitters play a significant role in digestive health. Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine regulate blood flow, gut motility, nutrient absorption and the microbiome. ... This relationship is bidirectional, meaning stress can cause changes in digestion and vice versa, If you have noticed changes in your digestion and bowel function, reach out to your health care team for support! Yours in health, Dr G @NadineGavinND See more

It may be time to increase your protein intake... If you’re a female patient of mine you’ve probably had me harp on you about your protein intake! Protein is one of our essential nutrients, it’s crucial for building, repairing, and maintaining lean muscle muscle. ... Protein builds: our hormones our neurotransmitters (feel happy, feel calm signals) our hair and nails our antibodies to help use fight infection ... and it’s crucial when it comes to weight loss! Many women that come to see me aren’t eating anywhere near enough protein! If you struggle with hormone issues, period problems, fatigue, low mood, mood swings, inability to lose weight, hair thinning or loss - it might be worth assessing your protein intake! Dr. Brie @drbriecrerar See more

How in sync are you with your monthly hormonal changes and rhythms? Do you honour what your body is telling you every month? In this month’s @_the_wild_collective session, we talked all about the hormone changes our body goes through and how we should honour what our body is telling us. In the early part of our cycle - we generally feel our best, we are our most vibrant confident selves, can express ourselves freely and generally do better with higher intensity exerci...se, less sleep and can push ourselves a bit more. This is also a great time for big picture thinking and goal getting. In the 2nd half of our cycles as our progesterone levels begin to rise, we generally start to notice a bit of a shift inwards. Our energy starts to decline, we need more sleep, more carbs (yes ladies - you need them!), more quiet time and lower intensity exercise. If you haven’t seen these shifts or truly paid attention to them before, start tracking your cycle and start listening to what your body is telling you - it generally will tell you what you need. Curious to learn more and see what the wild collective is all about? Send us a DM and we’ll add you to our list to be the first to know about our upcoming winter session. @Dr_Nic_and_Nat See more

In a recent study out of USC, a team of investigators at the university and institutions throughout Europe looked a the association between diet and levels of 33 environmental contaminants in mothers and their children. The study authors found that conventional fruit consumption was positively associated with levels of four organophosphate pesticides (OP) metabolites measure in urine samples for both pregnant women and children. Conversely, women who ate organic food m...ore than once per week had lower levels of OP and phthalate metabolites in their urine, as did their children. These chemicals have been linked to a wide range of health concerns that can affect children's cognitive, motor, and behavioural development and result in higher risk for preterm delivery, childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and asthma. If going 100% organic just isn't going to happen, that's ok! Sometimes it just doesn't make sense for our wallets and sourcing can be difficult! DON'T PANIC! Even just slightly increasing the amount of organic food you consume can make a BIG difference! My recommendation is to start with the Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen. This is a list published annually by the Environmental Working Group as a reflection of the amounts of herbicide and pesticide residues found on conventional produce. The "Clean Fifteen" are foods that are considered safer to buy conventional, as they are naturally less contaminated with pesticides. The "Dirty Dozen" are the ones that are recommended to prioritize buying organic, as they are the most heavily sprayed and contaminated crops. To check out the EWG's 2020 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce and learn more about the Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen, simply head to ewg.org and search "Dirty Dozen". If you have any further questions or need help managing your prenatal nutrition, please always feel free to book an FREE introductory consult with me to learn how I can help! Cheers, Megan Kelly, CNP @realistic.holistic See more

Welcome to Durham Natural Health Centre! We are pleased you have decided to take your first step towards improved health. At the Durham Natural Health Centre we work with our patients to empower them to live their best life. Imagine waking up every morning full of energy, free of aches and pains, feeling alive and free of symptoms, all while knowing you are taking care of yourself naturally. This is truly what our team of health care practitioners work with you to achieve. Learn more at http://www.dnhc.ca/

Has 2020 taken a toll on you? Are you feeling: Fatigued... Burnt out Low libido More anxious Low moods Sleeping issues It could be your adrenal glands! Your adrenals are 2 little glands that sit on top of your kidneys and are responsible for producing cortisol and adrenaline - our 2 main stress hormones. Like any system in our body if we over work them they can become tired making us feel run down and burnt out. There are many naturopathic treatments that can help! Reach out if you haven’t been feeling like yourself we’d be happy to help! @Dr_Nic_and_Nat See more

Happy Canada Day! We are very grateful today and always to be Canadian! Some of our favourite things about Canada?... Beautiful landscapes like the rocky mountains sparkling lakes and Niagara Falls. The fact that we get to experience the beauty of all four seasons. Our ability to see the northern lights! Our top-tear educations system Our reputation for being polite Ice wine, nanaimo bars, poutine & MAPLE SYRUP!!!!! What's your favourite thing about Canada? Let us know in the comments below! See more

A period is considered heavy if menstrual fluid totals more than or equals 2.7 ounces (80mL), or the period lasts for more than 7 days. Given that the amount of blood can be very difficult to measure, it is perhaps more effective to track your flow based on how often you have to change your bad or tampon. If you need to do so every 1-2 hours and/or there are blood clots larger than 1 inch, these are signs of a heavy period. Heavy menstrual bleeding may be associated w...ith any of following: Hormonal imbalance Thyroid gland malfunction Uterine fibroids Endometriosis Chronic pelvic infection Blood coagulation disorders IUD When we have heavy periods it’s important to prevent anemia. Include foods and/or supplements containing iron and vitamins E, C, B12 and B9 (folic acid) in your diet. You may want to speak to a nutritionist to ensure you get everything you need. If heavy and/or painful periods have become a regular occurrence, consider reaching out to one of our naturopathic doctors to help you find and address these root causes. Let us know if you have any questions below! See more

Meet our team of Naturopathic doctors! It’s been a while since we introduced ourselves! We are the ND team here at Durham Natural Health Centre. ... We each bring our own clinical interests and knowledge to facilitate the best care for you. We often collaborate on cases to ensure we are providing you with the best treatment possible. Some of the areas we see often include: Menstrual concerns (PMS, heavy periods etc.) Hormonal imbalances (PCOS, PMS, fibroids, endometriosis) Menopausal concerns (hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, moods changes) Infertility Digestive issues and more! From Left to Right: @Dr_Nic_and_Nat @Christalblanchard @DrNadineGavinND @DrBrieCrerar Interested in learning how we can help - reach out to book your complimentary discovery call https://app.outsmartemr.com/online-booking/89 See more

Vivian is walking!! Watching this little being try and fall and try and fall and then try some more was nothing short of inspiring. No shame, no deterrence, unwavering determination, free of deadline or expectation. The pure joy of acquiring a new skill. And then on Friday, without warning, she took her first step and then another and since then she’s been unstoppable. ... This got me thinking... Why does this change? When do we lose our carefree nature and love for experimentation? As adults, the thought of failure or revealing inexperience can be so uncomfortable we often default to complete avoidance. Have you ever declined an opportunity that excited you from fear you weren’t skilled enough? Or beat yourself up when you made an error in the early stages of a new job or role? I recently read the book, Grit, by Angela Duckworth. The author argues that those of us that can embrace failure as part of the learning process and continue to push ourselves toward growth are the ones that ultimately excel. I love this concept and hope to incorporate it into my own habits. I want to welcome more new and practice patience and kindness when I step outside of my comfort zone. I will try to remember to celebrate the process as much as the outcome. I hope that my brave may keep Viv tackling new terrains with the same enthusiasm. Yours in health, -Dr G @NadineGavinND See more

Many of us are loading up on citrus fruit these days because we know we're going to get plenty of vitamin C, but there are SO MANY MORE BENEFITS to eating citrus than you might think! First of all, on top of the vitamin C, they're a fantastic source of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and copper. They're also rich in plant compounds that have various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory antioxidant effects. These compounds include over 60 varieties of flavo...noids, carotenoids and essential oils. Citrus fruits are also an excellent source of fiber. Just one cup of orange segments contains four grams of fiber! That fiber can go a long way toward improving digestive health, aiding in weight loss, promoting a healthy gut microbiome, and lowering cholesterol levels. Additional benefits include their ability to prevent kidney stones, protect against cancer, boost heart health, and improve brain health! So enjoy that refreshing twist of citrus tonight! What's your favourite way to include citrus in your diet? Please share in the comments below! See more

Do you dread your period every month knowing that a headache or migraine will follow suit? Or are you plagued with migraines at ovulation? Any abrupt change in your hormones can be a trigger for these pesky headaches, but the good news is there are lots things you can do to support this. Cleaning up your diet... Decreasing sugar Adding more leafy greens Limiting alcohol Can all provide benefit, but another one of our favourite treatment options is IV therapy. We can customize an IV bag to contain magnesium which can be amazing for headaches as well as added nutrients to support hormone balance. If you’ve been suffering month after month - reach out we’d be happy to help! @Dr_Nic_and_Nat See more

Looking for a delicious & nutritious way to cool off this summer? Try making your own popsicles! Popsicle molds are cheap and easy to find either online at places like well.ca or at your local grocery store, walmart or even the dollar store! ... Customize your own creation by blending your favourite fruits with fruit juice, water, or nut milk, add some honey or maple syrup if you need a little extra sweetness in your life, blend and pour into your mold and freeze for 1 hour, insert popsicle sticks and freeze for another 4-5 hours. When you're feeling hot and want a nice summer treat, pull them from your freezer and enjoy! Get started with this Peach Lemonade Popsicle recipe! (Remember to save this post so you can make them later!) INGREDIENTS - 2 cups water - 2 medium peaches, diced - 2 tbsp raw honey - 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon) DIRECTIONS - Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. - Pour mixture into popsicle mold and freeze for 1 hour. - Add the popsicle sticks tot he molds, return to freezer, then freeze for an additional 4-6 hours, or overnight. ENJOY! If you create your own tasty summer treat! Let us know what flavours you're using! #homemadepopsicles #healthytreats #healthydessert #healthyrecipes #nutrition #holistichealth #naturalhealth #healthykidsrecipes #healthykids #summerrecipes #healthysummerrecipes #naturopath #naturopathicclinic #nutritionist #pickering #ajax #whitby #oshawa See more

Do you blame your hormones every month for how you are feeling? Have you been to your doctors and asked for testing only to be told oh we don’t need to test those, I’m sure you are fine. Ladies (and men!)- you have options! There are many different ways to test your hormones and one of our favourites is the @DUTCHtest ... This test is great for anyone experiencing PMS, weight gain (especially abdominal weight), mood swings, hair loss, low libido, night sweats, hot flashes, brain fog and much more. The test results give us valuable insight into your estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol levels and all their metabolites to tell us what your body is doing with your hormones. From there we can create a customized treatment plan to help you get back to feeling like yourself again! Don’t let your hormonal imbalances rule your life - test and treat - you’ll be happy you did! @Dr_Nic_and_Nat See more

Well I wasn’t sure there was going to be a perfect use for this pic, but here it is! WE ARE REOPENING OUR DOORS! We’ve been given the green light from the ministry of health that we can start to slowly re-open and offer in patient appointments. Although, a lot of what we do will remain virtual we will be able to offer IV therapy, B12 injections and acupuncture again. ... Stay tuned for updates as we do everything we can to keep our patients, staff and practitioners safe as we navigate this transition back to practice. We are SO excited to see you all soon!

REGISTER NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!! Whether you are thinking about getting pregnant, have been trying for awhile without any luck or are undergoing conventionally fertility treatments - this MASTERCLASS is for you! Dr. Natalie McCulloch ND and Dr. Nicole Sandilands ND will discuss diet and some fertility boosting foods, key supplements to consider and much MORE.... Join us Monday, May 25th @ 8-9pm, all you have to do is register! That's TOMORROW NIGHT, click here to sign up NOW before it's too late! >>> https://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN_Xz_mKGLfTmiSa0Ta19Ms1w See you there!

I couldn’t help but laugh at this one... does anyone else find those commercials hilarious? In all seriousness, you spend up to a of every month with a period, and for some women a lot more time than that stressing about it. Imagine how much easier it would be without the mood swings, cravings and cramps?... Is your period getting in the way of your life? If so, know that the birth control pill isn’t your only option. There are lots of natural treatments available! Have period questions? Feel free to send them my way! Dr. Brie @drbriecrerar See more

Have you been eating your veggies? Most of us are aware that veggies are good for us but when we really step back and look at what we're eating every day, sometimes the veggies fall by the wayside. Especially during this pandemic, one of the biggest reasons people aren't eating enough vegetables is due to concerns about spoilage. ... Here are a few tips for bypassing that concern and keeping up your veggie consumption through quarantine: CONSIDER FROZEN VEGGIES Frozen produce is usually flash frozen upon harvesting, preserving their nutritional value and making them more nutrient dense than their unfrozen counterparts in some cases! Additionally, you could buy fresh produce, use what you can and freeze what you won't get to for later use! Use frozen produce in soups & smoothies and/or thaw & use regularly. CHOOSE VEGGIES THAT LAST Consider focusing on more root vegetables like beets, carrots, squash, & sweet potato. These will last 14 days or more and provide plenty of nutritional support! PLAN YOUR MEALS Planning your meals so that you are only buying what you will use and you can plan to use the produce that will spoiler more quickly earlier in the week. Having a game plan always saves money and prevents spoilage. If you need help with meal planning, we recommend booking a free 15 minute intro call with our nutritionist to discuss how she can help! MAKE RECIPES THAT LAST Focus on recipes that you can make in big batches and eat throughout the week or freeze for later use. Think soups, stews, & casseroles! We hope that these tips inspire & help you stay healthy during this trying time! How many veggies are getting in a day?

Whether you are thinking about getting pregnant, have been trying for awhile without any luck or are undergoing conventionally fertility treatments - this MASTERCLASS is for you! Dr. Natalie McCulloch ND and Dr. Nicole Sandilands ND will discuss diet and some fertility boosting foods, key supplements to consider and much MORE!! REGISTER HERE! >>> https://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN_Xz_mKGLfTmiSa0Ta19Ms1w

Are you feeling run down and burnt out? Could you use a little pick me up? IV therapy is an amazing way to deliver a boost of nutrients to your body to support the energy producing parts of every cells - your mitochondria! ... The nutrients in your IV bag support these little energy producing engines to help perk you up and give you your energy back. Of course, as with any naturopathic treatment plan - pairing this with a healthy diet, exercise and good quality sleep will yield better results. Not sure if IV therapy is for you or want to learn more? Book in for our express IV intake and one of our NDs will help tailor a customized IV formula for your needs! See more

Happy Canada Day! We are very grateful today and always to be Canadian! Some of our favourite things about Canada?... Beautiful landscapes like the rocky mountains sparkling lakes and Niagara Falls. The fact that we get to experience the beauty of all four seasons. Our ability to see the northern lights! Our top-tear educations system Our reputation for being polite Ice wine, nanaimo bars, poutine & MAPLE SYRUP!!!!! What's your favourite thing about Canada? Let us know in the comments below! See more

As the sun comes out, and we've been stuck inside so much, you're probably itching to spend as much time as you can outdoors! Why not set yourself up with a virtual picnic?! Whether its just taking your lunch out to your front step or patio, or setting up a full blanket in your backyard or local park (at distance from others!) with a basket full of goodies, taking the time to be out in the sun and slow down with a good meal is a great way to show yourself a little self...-care and support your health. Looking for a perfect picnic lunch? Try out our nutritionist's refreshing twist on a traditional tabbouleh. Grab the recipe here >>> https://www.therealisticholistic.com//cauliflower-tabboule What are you doing to get yourself outdoors? See more

In difficult times it can be hard to remember to practice gratitude, but they are also the times when it is most important. Don't get us wrong, it is also important to allow feelings of fear, sadness, grief and anxiety to be free and process. But if, amongst those feelings, you can find a moment of gratitude, it is likely you will be better able to let them be and let them go. Let's just give it a try, shall we? ... What are you grateful for today? See more

Seed cycling is a fantastic, inexpensive way to support your natural hormone production. Seed cycling may be beneficial for women dealing with irregular menstrual cycles, amenorrhea, PMS, infertility, hormonal acne, menopause and symptoms of hormonal imbalance. All you have to do is eat flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds at different times of the month depending on where you are in your cycle. ... How does it work? During the follicular phase, phytoestrogens in flax seed can help increase or decrease estrogen levels as needed. Additionally, zinc from pumpkin seeds promote progesterone production in preparation for the next phase of the cycle. During the luteal phase, lignans - a type of polyphenol - in sesame can inhibit estrogen levels from increasing too much. Meanwhile, the vitamin E in sunflower seeds can help boost progesterone levels. Ultimately, the seeds utilized in the seed cycling process help to balance estrogen and progesterone throughout your cycle due to their phytoestrogens, lignans, and specific nutrients like vitamin E, zinc and selenium. Have you tried seed cycling before? Tells us about your experience! See more

Looking for a delicious & nutritious way to cool off this summer? Try making your own popsicles! Popsicle molds are cheap and easy to find either online at places like well.ca or at your local grocery store, walmart or even the dollar store! ... Customize your own creation by blending your favourite fruits with fruit juice, water, or nut milk, add some honey or maple syrup if you need a little extra sweetness in your life, blend and pour into your mold and freeze for 1 hour, insert popsicle sticks and freeze for another 4-5 hours. When you're feeling hot and want a nice summer treat, pull them from your freezer and enjoy! Get started with this Peach Lemonade Popsicle recipe! (Remember to save this post so you can make them later!) INGREDIENTS - 2 cups water - 2 medium peaches, diced - 2 tbsp raw honey - 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon) DIRECTIONS - Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. - Pour mixture into popsicle mold and freeze for 1 hour. - Add the popsicle sticks tot he molds, return to freezer, then freeze for an additional 4-6 hours, or overnight. ENJOY! If you create your own tasty summer treat! Let us know what flavours you're using! #homemadepopsicles #healthytreats #healthydessert #healthyrecipes #nutrition #holistichealth #naturalhealth #healthykidsrecipes #healthykids #summerrecipes #healthysummerrecipes #naturopath #naturopathicclinic #nutritionist #pickering #ajax #whitby #oshawa See more

So you're trying to avoid relying on the McDonald's drive through but you still want to make your family (and yourself!) happy and give in to some comfort food cravings... Try these Turmeric Walnut Chicken Nuggets! Our nutritionist, Megan, is always working to bring you healified versions of your favourite comfort foods.... This chicken nuggets recipes uses walnuts instead of breadcrumbs to make the crunchy nugget batter. This instantly makes them more nutritious and adds some anti-inflammatory power. On top of that, this recipe works some turmeric into that breading to make them even MORE anti-inflammatory... but trust us, your kids won't even notice it's there! We recommend pairing them with parsnip or sweet potato fries and calling it takeout! Grab the recipe here >>> www.therealisticholistic.com//gaps-turmeric-walnut-chicken ENJOY!

We've been featured! The Pulse is a magazine that represents the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors. This month they sat down with us to find out how we're creating a community amongst the health care practitioners at DNHC!... Click here to read about how we have built a strong & supportive team, how that has benefited us as practitioners and how it has improved our quality of service! >>> https://view.epageview.com/ We're so proud of the community we have created and we're so grateful that you're a part of it! See more

Well I wasn’t sure there was going to be a perfect use for this pic, but here it is! WE ARE REOPENING OUR DOORS! We’ve been given the green light from the ministry of health that we can start to slowly re-open and offer in patient appointments. Although, a lot of what we do will remain virtual we will be able to offer IV therapy, B12 injections and acupuncture again. ... Stay tuned for updates as we do everything we can to keep our patients, staff and practitioners safe as we navigate this transition back to practice. We are SO excited to see you all soon!

Are you feeling run down, stressed, overwhelmed by all the demands put on you right now? Are you struggling with parenting as you have your kids all the time with no break? Join Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Natalie McCulloch ND, and social worker/psychotherapist, Heather Ratych, as they discuss specific strategies you can implement today to change from feeling overwhelmed to relax and organized! ... CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW >>> https://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN_5nn05zDZSO-AQvMsXwuHPw

A great way to make sure you're getting lots of veggies in WITHOUT worrying about them going bad before you get a chance to cook them up, is to focus on healthy root vegetables like RUTABAGA! Rutabaga is actually part of the cruciferous family of vegetables (yep! it's broccoli & cauliflower's starchy cousin!), which means that it also happens to be high in glucosinolates, which are compounds with antioxidant properties, particularly well known for their ability to promote ...detoxification, reduce inflammation and potentially mitigate risk of heart disease and breast cancer. Rutabaga is also high in insoluble fiber, making it a fantastic veggie for promoting regularity, adding bulk to stool and promoting the growth of healthy gut bacteria. Rutabaga can be prepared in many different ways and is available throughout the year, making it an easy veggie to add to your diet any time! You can enjoy rutabagas raw or cook them similarly to how you cook potatoes. Just be sure to peel the skin, as these vegetables usually have a protective wax coating. To get you started, check out our nutritionist's simply Mashed Rutabaga recipe! https://www.therealisticholistic.com//mashed-rutabaga-aip-

Could your gut microbiome be responsible for your hormonal imbalance? Believe it or not, it's all connected! You gut microbiome plays a big role when it comes to estrogen metabolism and hormone balance. ... Here's how it goes: 1) Estrogen is produced in the ovaries, adrenals, and fat cells and then sent into the bloodstream. 2) Both free and bound forms of estrogen make their way to the liver where they get metabolized and conjugated (converted into safer bound forms ready for excretion). 3) The conjugated estrogens then get sent to the gut where they are excreted via the kidneys and bowels. But what if the gut microbiome is out of balance? There are specific gut microbes that produce an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase. This enzyme activity can undo the conjugation that the liver performed and send those now un-bound estrogens back into circulation. Supporting the gut microbiome can have a significant impact on hormone health! Do you think your gut may be throwing your hormones out of whack? Comment below and/or book a free 15 minutes with any of our practitioners! See more

How are you building community? Now more than ever, community is so important! Although we are all social distancing and staying home, we don't need to be socially isolated. Here are some creative ways we are encouraging our patients to connect to their communities:... 1) Engage in Zoom or FaceTime calls: These can be very informal or you can create more structure with them. Whether it's hosting a book club with friends or a virtual games night these are all great ways to connect. 2) House Party App: If you haven't downloaded this app - it's a fun one! It allows you to connect to your community and log on and see who's around and have casual drop in conversations, just like if you were at a house party! Try it out! 3) Host a Virtual Dinner Party: Who doesn't love engaging with friends over food? Consider supporting your fave local restaurant and doing take out with friends and you can both enjoy the same meal together virtually! Or, if you prefer to do your own cooking, cook the same recipes with friends and enjoy your creation virtually together. 4) Virtual Movie Night: Watch the same movie with friends virtually and chat about it when it's done. 5) Learn a New Skill with Friends: Always wanted to learn an instrument or start a garden? Do it virtually with friends! Trade off being the host and teaching your friends how to excel in whatever you are learning together! Got other ideas? Let us know how you're staying connected with your community! See more

Optimize your morning smoothie to support fertility! In honour of infertility awareness week, we wanted to offer a few simple tricks to help you use nutrition as a tool for improving fertility. Why not start with your morning shake? ... Here are a few simple tricks our nutritionist recommends: 1) GET YOUR PROTEIN ON The science suggests that getting 20g of protein (or more!) in the morning sets your body up for improved insulin sensitivity, cortisol levels & hormone balance. 2) ALWAYS SNEAK IN SOME VEG Megan recommends throwing in a handful of your favourite leafy greens (spinach tends to blend the best without impacting flavour too much!) or some frozen cauliflower (which offers the hormone detox power of cruciferous vegetables while remaining mostly undetectable in a good smoothie blend!). 3) FAT IS YOUR FRIEND All of your sex hormones are made from fat! We need those fats to build and regulate optimal sex hormone balance. Next time you whip up a smoothie, include at least 1 serving of healthy fats like avocado, almond butter or MCT oil! 4) BEWARE THE SUGAR BOMBS Smoothies can be an unexpectedly easy place to overdo it on sugar. Ideally stick with 1 serving of low-glycemic fruit (think berries!) per portion and avoid adding any refined sugars. 5) SIP SLOW AND ENJOY IT! Savour that deliciousness! Take a moment for YOU while you sip your smoothie instead of immediately jumping into action. You know, taking time for happiness & fun and reducing stress can improve fertility as well. So consider, playing your favourite tunes and putting your feet up while you sip! Let us know in the comments if you found these tips helpful or if you have any questions at all! You are all warriors. #infertility #infertilityawareness #infertilityhelp #fertility #infertilityjourney #nationalinfertilityawarenessweek #NIAW #smoothierecipe #smoothies #shakes #nutrition #fertilitynutrition #nutritionist #holisticnutrition #holisticnutritioist #pickeringnutritionist See more

Did you know that acupuncture may help optimize fertility and pre & post IVF transfer!? In honour of infertility awareness week, we wanted to shine a light on one of our favourite therapies to support those battling through a fertility journey. Infertility is considered an inability to conceive in a sexually active couple who are trying to get pregnant for one year.... About 8-12% of the couples in the world are facing problems with infertility, and in this modern times the per cent is getting bigger, and 20% of the cases are due to both male and female factor. Some researchers have found that treatment with acupuncture may help: Improve sperm quality Improve ovarian function Balance hormones Improve fertility in PCOS Build healthy blood flow for fertility, pregnancy & postpartum recovery Increase success rates of IVF Let us know if you have questions about acupuncture and fertility. When the social distancing ends, we're here for all your acupuncture needs. Until then, consider booking a consult with one of our qualified naturopathic doctors to discuss supporting your fertility journey. There is a wide range of natural treatment options available beyond acupuncture! If you are struggling with infertility, first and foremost we want you to know that you are not alone and there is hope. #infertility #fertility #infertilityawarenessmonth #infertilityawareness #acupuncture #holistichealthcare #naturalhealthcare #spermquality #ovarianfunction #hormonebalance #PCOS #PCOSfertility #IVF #pregnancy #postpartum #womenshealth #naturopathicdoctor #naturopathicclinic #pickeringnaturopath See more

What are you doing to keep your body moving? A few options to consider: YOGA - There are plenty of free videos on YouTube and resources such as Do Yoga With Me.com to follow an instructor any time. Many yoga studios are also offering live classes online through their instagram and Facebook pages! ... PILATES - Many of the same resources available for are available for Pilates. HIIT & BODYWEIGHT EXERCISES - You can build these on your own or use an app like Sweat or BodyBot to help you personalize an at-home workout WALKING OR RUNNING - You can still enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise. Just choose paths that are less populated and keep a safe distance. CYCLING - either stationary or outdoors, keeping a safe distance and choosing less populated trails. Many gyms & studios are offering lots of free resources or paid online options to keep you going at this time. Movement is integral to our mental and physical health. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO GET MOVING TODAY?