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Hot/Cold Shower Challenge UPDATE from Dr.Neetu:

February 10th, 2012

I did in fact complete 30 days of hot/cold showers. I must say even I was shocked at the results. I hated doing it up until about two and a half weeks. At that point it became easier and I had a noticeable surge in my day to day energy. Usually energy is pretty good, but this was unreal. If I touched caffeine after work, I wouldn't sleep until 3am, with my new surge of energy. I feel quite a bit warmer. Generally, I had a tendency to be cold. Temperature did a complete up-regulation. I found more movement, and felt less sluggish. Wasn't such a huge push to get moving. My body energetically already felt moving, and when i wanted to exercise or something of that nature, it wasn't a challenge.

After the 30 days do i still do it? Yes I do! I think the 30 days was necessary because, had I stopped, I wouldn't have notice the dramatic change that occurred at two and a half weeks. Do I miss some days? Yes, now I miss days here and there, but for the most part, I keep up with it. It is shocking to me, how good it makes me feel. And no cost! It's following the laws of the body.

A few patients mentioned that the shock of the cold spray resulted in feeling light headed. If that is the case, start with semi-cold and slowly work your way down to a completely cold spray. It may take your body time to adjust, but that means it would be even more of a bonus to include it into your daily routine.

Hmm...need a new 30 day challenge...thinking castor oil packs. I will get back to you on this one! Stay tuned...

Valentines Day is just around the corner...Lift your Libido Naturally!

February 9th, 2012

Diminished libido is quite a common concern brought up by many patients, from 20's to 60's+. It has so many factors contributing to why it is low, that the treatment options are different for every case.

Common reasons include:

-chronic health issue underlying. Libido will diminish as the body is simply trying to conserve energy to try and heal itself.

-Underlying hormone imbalances that could be long standing, or could have a sudden onset after major life transitions such as childbirth or menopause or retirement for men.

-Certain pharmaceuticals prescribed by your medical doctor can have a dampening affect on libido and erectile function. (Birth Control Pills; antidepressants; Blood Pressure meds, just to name a few)

-Poor diet, and underlying food sensitivities can play a major roll in diminished libido.

-One of the most common reasons I see, with a practice primarily made up of women, is suppressed anger and/or resentment. Issues may be long standing for example: job dissatisfaction; overloaded with work in the house; primary childcare and house manager; unsaid issues between the spouses. When patients feel it is easier to 'shove' the issues down, versus have open communication, the libido can be the first to be affected.

Three Libido Loving Health Tips:

1. Tribulus: It is a herb that works to increase testosterone production in the body. Tribulus will increase libido for men and women. The catch is the quality of the herb. Tribulus, when in its proper form, is by nature an expensive herb. If you purchase a lower quality Tribulus that appears to be more cost friendly. It likely will not work to increase testosterone levels. The one we carry in the clinic is a Bulgarian Tribulus, consisting of the roots, which has the active component. Many commonly found brands, come from China and contain mostly the stems and leaves. To increase libido the active component is found in the roots, not and a much smaller amount in the stems and leaves.

2. Maca Powder: We do not carry this at Brio, but many health food stores do. Including the health food aisle at Save-On-Foods. "MacaSure" is a great brand, and one that I recommend often. Maca is also used to increase libido and tread the adrenal glands. Maca root is known to balance estrogen and progesterone levels for women; it increase erectile function in men, due to the L-Arginine properties of Maca. It is apparently known as "natures own Viagra".

3. Cortisol Balancing: Cortisol is the the stress hormone. Being that we live in North America, with so much on our plates...imbalance of cortisol is what I see most often in my practice. If the cortisol is in excess in the body, it can throw off the sex hormones. If the cortisol is depleted and too low, it can deplete the sex hormones. We want it to be in a perfect balance. Balancing cortisol is key to a healthy libido. What causes high cortisol? Chronic pain; chronic inflammation; chronic stress, mental or emotional; underlying food sensitivities; just to name a few of the major reasons. Generally requires the support of a Naturopathic Doctor, as it can get complicated. Many overlapping reasons can occur all at once!

Decrease daily stress; allow for time for self care and self nurturing; be sure to include 70-80% cocoa dark chocolate in your libido routine. It helps boost the love hormones!

I'd like to buy a bowel, please (Pat Sajak)

February 2nd, 2012

People love to talk about their bowel movements. This week in the Province, Dr. Oz and Dr.Roizen share their health tips on what the colour of your stool may mean. If you have any concerns we recommend contacting your doctor. Click HERE to read the article in the Province.

Brio Gives Back...only 3 days left to donate!

December 20th, 2011

We have had some AMAZING donations these past few days! Everyone has been so generous. We are sincerely touched by every ones encouragement. We are accepting non-perishable foods and money donations for the Richmond Food Bank. The last day we will be accepting donations is this Thursday December 22.

Every participant will be entered to win our awusum prize...a brand new Kindle!

5 days left to donate non-perishable foods for Brio Gives Back!

December 17th, 2011

Thankyou to everyone who has participated in Brio Gives Back this year! People have made some very generous donations. However, we would love to have more food to take to the Richmond Food Bank. We are closed Mondays but the building is open. If you are in the area, feel free to leave your donation at the door with your name written on it. Otherwise, we are in the office next week Tuesday 11 am-7pm, Wednesday 9 am-6 pm, Thursday 9 am-6 pm.

Come All participants will be entered to win a BRAND NEW KINDLE. Woohoo!

Did you know?

The Richmond Food Bank distributes more than $6 worth of groceries for every dollar they spend.

Did you know the #1 requested food for the food bank is canned meat and fish?

December 16th, 2011

We encourage all our current and past patients to donate non-perishable food to our clinic. All of our donations will be donated to the Richmond Food Bank. All participants will be entered to win a BRAND NEW KINDLE!!

Food Bank Facts:

continual weekly service to Richmond since 1983
serve over 515 households weekly — over 1200 people; 35% of them children
15% are long-term users with multiple barriers to employment

Lets support the Richmond Food Bank! If people pop by Monday when we are closed, feel free to leave them at the door of the clinic. If you can tag your name on the bag we will enter you into the draw.

Only 6 days left to donate!

Brio Gives Back...only 7 days left to donate!

December 15th, 2011

Brio Gives Back is a yearly tradition to get patients involved and donate foods to the Richmond Food Bank. Everyone who participates and drops off non-perishable foods to our clinic, will be entered to win a brand NEW kindle!

Time is running out...only 7 days left!

Happy Holidays!

Winter Blues?

November 22nd, 2011

Do you have decreased energy or unsusual tiredness?

Is you mood a little off?

Do you feel like sleeping more than usual?

Do you have an increased craving for sugary foods?

You may have the “Winter Blues” which is common in our area during the fall and winter months due to the lack of sunlight.

The Winter Blues is a milder form of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). People with Seasonal Affective Disorder tend to experience symptoms which are more severe, and may also include symptoms such as:

- depressed mood
- excessive fatigue
- social withdrawal
- Insomnia
- decreased sex drive
- irritability

Several of our patients use “light therapy” to treat their winter blues. They expose their face to a portable LED light box for a few minutes a day. This LED light mimics the wavelengths of natural sunlight (without the harmful UV rays) and triggers the release of hormones and neurotransmitters from the brain. Most people notice an improvement in mood and energy after a week or so of light therapy.

Brio has reviewed several LED light therapy devices and recommends the Litebook Elite (www.litebook.com). They are a Canadian company with over 10 years of experience in this field. They have a strong research background, great customer service and excellent patient education through their website.

Call the clinic to learn more about light therapy for your winter blues.. If you wish to order your Litebook directly from the company, contact them at 1-877-7235483 or www.litebook.com. Brio patients can get a special discount through this CODE: BC0035

Join Dr. Neetu in her 30 day Challenge...

November 22nd, 2011

I haven't had many opportunities to travel due to many years of being in school and then starting a business. But, I have had some, and when I am able to get away, I generally learn so much. This last trip to India was another vacation eye opener. I love learning how people live in various parts of the world...gets me out of my comfort zone, and I love being adaptable to where I am at the moment. This stop was: Mumbai, Goa and Kerala.

This trip prompted me to re-introduce a therapy that I am really familiar with, have studied up on it loads, and it is practiced in Finland as a therapy. It is practiced in India often by lack of hot water, and many other countries I am sure. The treatment will ramp up the immune system and avoid trips to a doctor.

Here's the challenge. Hydrotherapy: meaning "therapy by water" - 30 day's Hot/Cold Showers! Yes, in the winter.

I started on Nov 13th, but I encourage everyone to try this as soon as you read it.

The therapy:

Take your regular shower, with normal temperature water.
Towards the end, increase the temperature of the water to a hot temperature, that is tolerable, and not at all damaging to the skin. Continue the hot portion for 2-3 minutes.
After 2-3 minutes, turn off the hot water, completely, and count from 1 Mississippi, 2 Missisippi etc up to 20 or 30 Missisippi. Essentially a 20 to 30 second cold spray. Turn around to allow the spray to hit the entire surface of the body front and back. You can avoid the head if you like.
After the 20 or 30 seconds, shut off the water. Always finish with cold water.

The theory:

The jump from hot to cold is essential. It doesn't work with a mild cooler spray. The hot to cold jump triggers the white blood cells to increase - increasing the immune system
The hot-cold jump triggers the heart to pump for a short burst. Increasing oxygen to the cells, and nutrients delivered to the cells, and therefore increases removal of toxins and carbon dioxide from the cells.
The hot-cold jump increases lymphatic movement. The lymph system is what is responsible for taking out toxins from the body. The lymph system, pumps two times more fluid than the blood. And lymph is what gets swollen with when we are sick. Most common down the throat they can be felt, or under the under arms, and occasionally in the groin.
Lymph movement is essential for an optimal immune system. In our society we are usually quite comfortable, warm houses, warm cars with seat warmers, warm work places, and extremely warm clothing. This is a set up for stagnant lymphatic movement. We must move the lymph...our immune system health demands it.

My experience:

So far I am loving the benefits. Most people are hesitant because we feel we will be cold. However, after the cold spray you are usually quite warm/hot. I have felt my overall body temperature and circulation improve.
I am really energized after the shower, a similar endorphin rush that I get after exercise
Increase in energy
No sickness, not in India, and not upon returning. Pretty good for not taking any travel vaccines or malaria pills. Those Unda remedies sure do, do the trick :)
I think this 30 day challenge that I started for myself, will turn into a permanent habit!

The challenge:

Try it for 30 days. Note how you feel before and after. In particular...make notes on sleep, energy, mood, appetite and rate each one. At the start of 30 days and after 30 days.
Easy and highly effective, no cost. 100% effect on immune optimization.
I would encourage to not enforce this on children. If you are an adult and want to do this of your own will, the 30 day challenge is for you
let us know how you felt, post on our facebook group or send us an email. We would love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Hydrotherapy-ing.

In health, Neetu

Tis' the season for "Brio Gives Back"

November 18th, 2011

A Community Christmas Food Drive

As the busy holiday season approaches us, it is a nice time to think about giving back to our community. As an outreach for the holiday season we will be collecting donations of non-perishable food items.

To thank everyone for their generosity and supporting our food drive we will be raffling off a Kindle, Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display!! Super great gift giveaway that is cool and techie and smart. And we can get you reading again. What more could one ask for!? Please come by the clinic any time and drop off some goodies...we will enter you to win! The winner will be chosen randomly. Donate several times if you wish, you will be added to the draw several times :)

The Food Bank Wish List includes:

Baby formula/baby milk (powdered cans-they are overstocked in jarred food)
Pastas (whole grain preferred)
Rice
Mac and Cheese
Healthy cereal (hot or cold)
Canned fruit
Meals in a tin (stew, pork n’beans, chili)
Peanut butter
Canned fish/meat
Pasta sauce
Canned fruits, vegetables and legumes
Granola bars

We will accept non-perishable food items during our hours of operation. Whether you have an appointment or not we would love for all of our patients to stop by to donate.

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	11:00am - 7:00pm
Wednesday	9:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday	9:00am - 6:00pm
Friday	9:00am - 1:00pm
Saturday	9:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday	Closed
Early morning, evening, and weekend appointments accommodated. New patients welcome. No referral necessary.