The Armstrong Clinic

What's Hiding in my Hair Product? - Dr. Ashley Beeton BSc. ND

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:44:05 -0500

Free Education Session

Monday February 7, 2012

HAZEL PLACE, located at 645 Norfolk St. N. Simcoe, ON

Presented by Ashley Beeton BSc. N.D.

Registered Naturopathic Doctor

This education session will provide current evidence about chemicals commonly found in products, and their health effects. Discussion will include; makings safe choices for optimal health, and the role that Naturopathic Medicine can provide improving the body's ability to handle exposure of chemicals in our modern day society

The Science of Chicken Soup - Dr. Ashley Beeton BSc. ND

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:44:30 -0500

The Science of Chicken Soup

Parent Workshop

Simcoe Ontario Early Years Centre

12 Colborne St. North

Registration Required

1-866-463-2759

Thursday January 26 6:30-8:00pm

Do you ever wonder if chicken soup really is the best medicine? This workshop aims to discuss the science behind common household remedies, and dispel any myths that exist. Participants will learn about the immune system and how it can function optimally. Meet Dr. Ashley Beeton ND, and ask her some questions about Naturopathic Medicine.

Loose Leaf Teas at the Armstrong Clinic

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:15:58 -0500

The Health Benefits of Tea!

Camellia sinensis is the species of plant whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce White tea, green tea, oolong, and black tea. All of these teas are harvested from this species, but are processed differently to attain different levels of oxidation. Tea contains catechins, a type of antioxidant. In a freshly picked tea leaf, catechins can compose up to 30% of the dry weight. Catechins are highest in concentration in white and green teas, while black tea has substantially fewer due to its oxidative preparation.(1,2) Tea also contains theanine and the stimulant caffeine at about 3% of its dry weight, translating to between 30 mg and 90 mg per 8 oz (250 ml) cup depending on type, brand (3) and brewing method (4).

Health Benefits of Green Tea

A study from the Life Science journal Carcinogenesis showed that green tea, in combination with tamoxifen, is effective in suppressing breast cancer growth in vitro human breast cancer tumors and in vivo animal experiments in mice.(5,6) A study at Taiwan's Chung Shan Medical University found that people who drank at least one cup of green tea per day were five times less likely to develop lung cancer than those who did not.(7)

Clinical trials conducted by the University of Geneva and the University of Birmingham indicate that green tea raises metabolic rates, speeds up fat oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.(8) In addition to caffeine, green tea contains catechin phenolics that raise thermogenesis (the production of heat by the body), and hence increases energy expenditure.(9)

Researchers in Germany have found that a daily cup of black tea can help stop excess iron damaging the bodies of people who suffer from hemochromatosis due to its high content of flavonoids (commonly mistaken for tannins), which limit iron absorption.(10) Separating black tea from iron supplements and meals will decrease this effect for people who are anemic and taking iron supplements.

A study at Pace University reported in American Society For Microbiology (May 2008) found white tea extracts effective at treating bacterial infections, such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, pneumonia and dental caries.(11) White tea was also found to be effective in treating fungal infections from Penicillium chrysogenum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Research conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and presented at the International Stroke Conference in February 2009 found that drinking three or more cups of either green or black tea per day can reduce the risk of suffering a stroke by as much as 21%.(12,13)

In summary, there are many potential benefits that can be experienced from drinking teas made from the plant Camellia sinensis. Stop in and try some of the loose leaf teas now available at the Armstrong Clinic. Other featured teas include caffeine free fruit teas and flavoured Rooibos teas. This can be a healthy gift idea in the Christmas season that will keep on giving!

Have a healthy holiday Season from all at the Armstrong Clinic!

References available upon request.

Exercising Outdoors by Ashley Beeton ND(in Study)

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:24:58 -0400

Summer has just begun here in Norfolk County Ontario's South Coast and it's time to get out and enjoy.

A recent study of physical activity; compared exercise in an outdoor natural environment to exercise in an indoor environment, with the outcome measure being physical and mental wellbeing. Results demonstrated that both walking and running in outdoor environment caused a positive change in mood, compared to no change indoors. Many participants in the studies also reported that they were more likely to continue exercising outdoors compared with indoors. This research comes from a series of research initiatives that focus on green exercise a term defined as exercising while being exposed to nature.

Here in Norfolk County there are many options for green exercise including with a variety of trails (Lynn Valley right in Simcoe), parks, beaches, and conservation areas.

To increase overall health, visit your Naturopathic Doctor at the Armstrong Clinic for more individual guidance to maximize your health through diet, exercise, and lifestyle.

Welcome to Ashley Beeton ND (in Study)

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 08:46:10 -0500

Ashley Beeton was born and raised in Norfolk County, she graduated from Simcoe Composite School before continuing her post secondary education. With the end goal of providing education and preventative health care to the community of Norfolk County, Ashley achieved an Honours degree in Community Health Science from Brock University. After exploring public health Ashley chose a career in providing Naturopathic health care. Currently Ashley is a 4^th year student intern at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. After graduation in May 2011 Ashley will return to Norfolk County to start her practice.

Ashley will be the Naturopathic Intern at the Armstrong Clinic with the supervision of Sean Armstrong N.D. She will be available to see patients on Thursdays from12-8pm beginning January 13th, 2010. Please call the clinic at 519-426-4275 to schedule a visit with Ashley.

Institute of Medicine Issues Flawed Vitamin D Guidelines

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 17:30:41 -0500

On November 30, 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released their most recent report on Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. This report, sponsored by the U.S. and Canadian governments, established new dietary intake guidelines, which include an increase in vitamin D recommendations and a decrease in calcium. The calcium amounts seem very rational and, in fact, are much closer to what Naturopathic Doctors have been recommending for years. However, the vitamin D recommendations are a concern.

It is important to point out that the IOM's recommendations only apply to vitamin D and calcium's effects on bone. From the specific studies the IOM chose to evaluate, they concluded that a 25(OH) vitamin D blood level of 20 ng/ml was sufficient for bone health. Most clinical laboratories list 30 ng/ml as the lower limit of the normal range and many studies have demonstrated protective effects from much higher blood levels, which experts assert can only be attained by supplementing with much higher amounts of vitamin D than the IOM is recommending. The IOM report claims the majority of the population is vitamin D sufficient and that vitamin D and calcium needs can be met from food consumption and limited sun exposure alone.

Additional sun exposure for vitamin D intake was not recommended due to concerns of skin damage, including skin cancer. The report also proposes that adolescent girls may be getting too little calcium and that older women may be getting too much.

The IOM report recommends:

CALCIUM
Age (yrs)	Daily amount (mg)	Upper Limit (mg)
1-3	700
4-8	1,000
9-18	1,300	3,000
19-50	1,000	2,500
51-70 males	1,000	2,000
51-70 females	1,200	2,000
>70	1,200	2,000

VITAMIN D
Age (yrs)	Daily amount (IU)	Upper Limit (IU)
Infants 0-6 mo	no recommended intake	1,000
Infants 6-12 mo	no recommended intake	1,500
1-3	600	2,500
4-8	600	3,000
9-70	600	4,000
>70	800	4,000

There are numerous studies indicating that vitamin D, often at higher blood levels and in larger intakes than those recommended by the IOM report, may also be beneficial for the prevention of a multitude of other health conditions including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, a variety of cancers, influenza, musculoskeletal pain, and autoimmune diseases. The authors of the IOM report, however, argue that these other health conditions "are not supported by the available evidence," and that the benefit of higher intakes and blood levels of vitamin D are "inconsistent and/or conflicting and did not demonstrate causality."

The IOM report does increase the recommended intake of vitamin D by a factor of three and increases the upper limit of daily intake to 4,000 IU, although many experts still recommend higher supplemental amounts based on individual needs, blood 25(OH) vitamin D levels, health conditions, and sun exposure.

Taken from http://www.thorne.com/

For more information on your individual Vitamin D levels and optimal dosing, it is recommended to consult with your Registered Naturopathic Doctor.

Armstrong Clinic Welcomes Our New Associates in January 2011!

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:48:49 -0500

The Armstrong Clinic would like to welcome Karina Lechner Anderson DO (MTP), MRO, Classical Osteopath, Sheryl Crotta RMT, M.OMSc (Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences in Study), and Jennifer Revelle RMT. Our new health care proffessionals will be joining our team in January, 2011. If you have any questions or to book and appointment, please contact 519-426-4275 and we would be pleased to assist you.

Hello World

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:17:27 -0500

Welcome to the latest addition to the Armstrong Clinic's website.

We have added a blog to keep everyone up-to-date on things in the field of naturopathic medicine.