Dr. Anita Komonski, ND - Naturopathic Physician, Vancouver, BC

There has been quite a bit of research in the last few years showing that prunes are effective in both preventing and reversing bone loss in osteoporotic and osteopenic women.  One recent study compared dried plums to dried apples and found that in this population of 160 postmenopausal osteopenic women, both dried apple and dried plums had bone-protective effects, but in the plum group, bone density of the spine and ulna was significan

If you go to a health food store and look for a cold/flu formula or tea, the most prevalent herb in the combinations will likely be Echinacea.  It is so common in these formulas for good reason – it is a powerful immune modulator (helps cells react faster and more appropriately) and increases white blood cell counts, particularly natural killer cells (the ones we need if we catch the virus that’s going around).

Are you one of many Vancouverites that feel great during the summer, but dread the rainy, dark fall and winter?  For many people, decreased light levels mean lower energy, depression, oversleeping, overeating, and carbohydrate cravings.  It is thought that imbalances in melatonin, cortisol, vitamin D, and various neurotransmitters are responsible for this condition, known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).