By careful selection of trace minerals usually done by a health practitioner patients are able to address potential preexisting conditions that may be prevented from turning into pathology. However, trace minerals cannot always be assimilated into our body by simply taking daily supplements with our meals and as such an oligotherapeutic compositions with a good delivery system can go a long way to improving our body’s ability to absorb them.

Oligotherapeutic products can be used as a complementary approach to healing or as a preventative therapeutic approach but they will not replace any required medical treatment prescribed by your doctor. Such products are free of side effects and chemical interactions and can be used with other medications as well as by people of different age groups, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Optimal absorption occurs when trace minerals are delivered into the human system in a liquid form. So far the best products for this delivery system are from Labcatal Oligosol. This product is not only supplied in liquid form with sterile containers but is also free of preservatives such as alcohol, and has demonstrated effectiveness in clinical studies.

I find Oligotherapy an interesting tool for health professionals when we need to address issues with supportive management during various treatments such as post-operative recovery, weight reduction, allergy alleviation, preventative management of flu and colds, premenopausal and menopausal support, PMS and many more. In addition it can be used as a custom tailored supplement according to the principle of functional disorder outlined by J. Menetrier in 1942. If you require a custom tailored supplement for your condition please feel free to contact Zoilife at 416-941-0909 and ask for the Pharmacist.

In general if you do not require a tailored supplement and wish to purchase Oligosol it is worthy to note that it should be taken on an empty stomach 15 minutes before meals and be sure to hold it in your mouth for 1-2 minutes before swallowing.

In my opinion Labcatal Oligosol is one of the best one a day “vitamins” that you can take and combined with the potential for a tailor made therapeutic plan makes this a powerful choice for a healthy energetic and balanced life.

Statistics in Ontario show approximately 4,035 lab-confirmed cases of H1N1 (as at August 8 2009). Of these, 21 cases of death have been reported though most have had underlying issues which H1N1 complicated. Outbreaks of H1N1 have occurred in hospitals, summer camps and now that the kids are back at school and we are heading into flu-season, it would appear that we are ripe for yet another waive of this Pandemic Swine Flu. Due to these factors, plans for health preparedness advocated by medical practitioners are currently the hottest subject.

Even though H1N1 has not shown itself to be the fatal killer flu that we all fear, it is still important to take precautions as we should for all forms of flu. After all what can be worse than sitting at home feeling sick and weak watching soap operas and re-runs of Jerry Springer!

So what can you as an individual do to boost your immunity this upcoming flu season and beyond? Believe it or not, it starts with having a healthy and clean body both inside and out. To prepare your system it is best to use a detoxification and general cleanse product that will ensure your body is healthy and ready to fight off airborne viruses. Simply put, your body needs to have an effective way of dealing with toxins and waste products. In many cases, toxic overload, poor metabolism and poor excretion can cause your immunity to be overburdened and run down. This can lead to complications in the following manner:

• An overloaded lymphatic system can result in the congestion of many organs such as sinuses, ears, upper and lower respiratory system, skin surfaces and these could result in respiratory or dermatological issues, and or earache conditions.
• Back up of waste makes it difficult on the body to fight any infection, flu or cold. Constipation causes colon toxins to be reabsorbed back into the body. Therefore cleansing of this organ is important not only for regular bowel movement but also to support the cleansing of other systems such as the liver, reproductive system and kidneys.
• Colonic toxic overload might result in stomach flu, diarrhea and vomiting during flu season. Taking probiotics in systemically absorbable form is important all year round and could go a long way or as a follow-up to a general detox.
• The liver is the most important organ whose function is to process toxins and excrete them thru our bile.
• Water-soluble toxins enter the kidney system for excretion (especially heavy metals).
• Fluid retention, cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, or uric acid build up could result in joint inflammation and gout.
• In case of the flu we always suggest to hydrate the body well with plenty of liquids but this requires having a good functioning of kidney.

Having said all this we come to a conclusion that our lungs, sinuses, ears, stomach, liver, kidneys and colon should be functioning properly and when they are your system can go a long way in helping to resist and fight cold and flu. In short a healthy system will support a healthy immunity and a healthy immunity will keep your body safe.

So the next question of course is what is the best detox that you can take to help ensure that all your systems are operating well? The best detox typically comes in the form of a liquid. However, in some cases these liquid detox kits do not work well with people who have thyroid dysfunction.

For those without thyroid issues Heel Detox Kits work best and this company offers three remedies to address lymphatic, stomach, liver, bile, colon and kidney function.

For those who do have issues with their thyroid the following kits work best, Berberis-Hommaccord Kidney Cleanse, Nux Vomica-Hommacord Liver Cleanse, and Lung Critical Care by Renew Life.

If you already have a cold or flu Dr. Reckeweg Drainage Kit R-K03 will help you to a speedy recovery and can be taken concurrently with Tamiflu (available by prescription).

The biggest advantage of all these products is that they work on a cellular level in your body and as such do not interact with any medications (except thyroid medications as previously mentioned). In addition, the products listed above display no side effects and unlike conventional medicines can be taken all year round as a preventative measure designed to ensure a continually healthy body and immunity.

Finally, if you do decide to start using a cleanse but do not want to do so all year round we suggest that prior to flu season you use a second cleanse one week after the first. This will jump start your immunity and help you to get through the flu season with greater ease.

In recent years, thanks to TV and advertisements we have been introduced to many products with probiotics in the form of foods (for example yogurts). However, is simply buying foods with probiotics enough to ensure that we are getting the health benefits of these important organisms. In addition, is yogurt the best method of delivery for probiotics into our system, and how can we ensure that the benefits of probiotics are maintained, or putting it another way, will a yogurt a day keep the doctor away.

There are defiantly times in our life when probiotic treatments are necessary to restore our bodies balance and eating lots of yogurt will simply not suffice to help us get the probiotics we need.
During Cold and Flu season many people develop upper and lower respiratory infections that require the use of antibiotics. However, not everyone realizes that the antibiotics can also destroy positive intestinal flora that reside in our bodies naturally. After the use of antibiotics it is important to follow up our health care with probiotics in order to replenish these microorganisms.

Another example is urinary tract infections which are typically treated with antibiotics. This treatment typically leads to very low probiotic population and as such requires a serious replenishment and maintenance program. This is especially so when bladder infections reoccur on a regular basis.
Probiotic replenishment is also required after treatment of a yeast infection and in conjunction with a Candida Cleanse for a period of 6-9 months. This may sound like a long treatment period but maintenance of probiotic population is an important part of preventative medicine and in fact the use of probiotics should be carried on for life.

Not everyone may agree with this, after all taking a pill everyday seems to be a big effort but the rewards are a healthier and happier life as probiotic supplements work 24/7 to guard you from bacteria and fungus and help support your immunity.

Gastrointestinal problems can also be treated with probiotics and they are especially helpful with infants and colicky babies as they help to reduce gas, childhood diarrhea and constipation. Probiotic therapy and maintenance also helps adults with similar issues as well as a variety of intestinal problems such as bloating, indigestion, and colitis.

Now that we know what we can use probiotics for, the next question is how can we take the probiotics in such a way that it will benefit us the most. Some individuals may feel that since there are probiotics in many foods and your doctor may have even mentioned that you should eat a lot of yogurt, that this must be the best way to get the organisms you need. Unfortunately it is not so simple.

The delivery system is the most important part of probiotic use. Because the Ph levels in the stomach are lower then the required levels for probiotics to survive in, most of the organisms from foods with probiotics simply die in the stomach. Where we need to get the probiotic to, is the lower intestines and colon where they can survive, slowly be released and be available for distribution throughout the body. This is exactly what a capsule is designed to do.  

Capsules and tablets have a specially designed coating that allows the probiotics to pass safely through the stomach acids and enter the intestines. For some conditions, such as yeast infections, ovules are available for vaginal use. These ovules are designed to administer the probiotics locally.

As noted, on-going use of probiotic supplements is an important part of health maintenance but it is especially important after the use of antibiotics (when the treatment course is less than 14 days). For antibiotic treatment regimes greater than 14 days you can use probiotics simultaneously as a chaser dose.

It is best to inquire with a pharmacist about the use of probiotic chaser doses or the half-life of any medication that that you are taking and start the probiotic once the medication you are on has completely left your system. You could also email us to get this information. Please ensure to include the name and dosage of the medication you are on and the last time you administered the medication as well as contact information in case our pharmacist has any questions.

There are many good probiotics on the market and it is important to know which ones to take and when. If using probiotics as a chaser dose, or right after your antibiotic treatment has ended, we recommend Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 billion. This probiotic is taken once a day for 14 to 30 days. It should be taken 20 minutes after meals when acidity of stomach juices is at its lowest.

After this period it is important to maintain probiotic levels in your body and for this we recommend any of the following: Flora Smart, PB8, Probiotic Immune Support, or All-Flora by New Chapter.

You should keep in mind that it can take as much as 6-9 months to replenish your good flora after a single course (7-10 days) with antibiotics. In addition, certain dietary habits can reduce the positive effects provided by probiotics and increase the required maintenance period. For example, some studies have found that probiotics leave the system more quickly if the individual drinks coffee or alcohol, or uses Senokot Laxative Teas on a regular basis. To help maintain the probiotic levels, products such as Markofruct by Pascoe and Molkosan by A.Vogel should be used on a regular basis along with fiber.

To recap, once you have finished your course of antibiotics (unless using a chaser dose), it is important to:

1. Replenish probiotics (14-30 days)
2. Maintain levels of  probiotics (6-9 months and beyond for general maintenance)
3. Prevent the exit of probiotics from the system

If you are not sure what treatment is best for you please feel free to contact us via email or call during business hours, and remember, healthy maintenance leads to a healthy happy life and that’s the ZoiLife way.

To treat these conditions doctors often prescribe pharmaceutical medications such as antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs (Neuropathic pain), and analgesics, weak opioids, or NSAIDS/COXIBs (Nociceptive pain), but all of these options contain substantial long and short-term side effects not to mention various drug interactions, which of course makes it difficult to actually improve ones quality of life.

Of course depending on the level of pain the patient may be required to utilize pharmaceutical grade medication, but there is growing evidence to suggest that adequate initial pain relief including early interventions and ongoing maintenance may reduce the frequency and or severity of chronic pain. This period of early intervention is important in pain relief because it is the period in which a natural non-pharmaceutical approach to pain relief will be the most effective.

A great product for just such an occasion is Traumeel. This homeopathic preparation is excellent for managing inflammatory response and reducing pain in conditions such as Tennis elbow, bursitis, capsulitis (frozen shoulder), and painful hardening of the muscles. The treatment regime for all these cases is to apply Traumeel ointment three times a day. Traumeel also offers oral treatments in the tablet (1 tab 3x/day), liquid (20 drops 3x/day) or oral vial form (1 o.v. 3 times/week). Another great product for more chronic long term pain relief is Zeel Ointment which can be used in the beginning stages of arthritic or osteoarthritic pain

These products actually work faster than NSAIDS (ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen etc.) and they do not affect the patient’s mineral balance (calcium/potassium), or other important hematological values. They have shown to work very well with post-operative and post-traumatic inflammation/pain and in some instances even with acute inflammation of the external and internal ear (clinically referred to as chronic otitis externa and media) when used in the form of eardrops.

As noted the advantages associated with these products include little to no side effects. Traumeel offers no risk of damage to kidneys, liver or stomach lining, and does not cause drowsiness, inability to function throughout the day or reduced productivity. Fluid and sodium retention as well as adverse medical interactions are also not an issue. Finally, Traumeel is suitable for long-term treatments and is safe for people of all age’s even children.

For longer term treatment options, Zyflamend by New Chapter is a great choice. This product reduces pain by improving circulation in the joints and muscles. The treatment regime for this product is 2 capsules per day taken during meals. For arthritis pain, Glucosamine works slow but also shows good results in terms of on-going management. The dosage for this product is 500mg three times per day. In both cases there are very little side effects and or drug interaction issues.

In short when it comes to pain management there are many options for people to turn to outside of pharmaceutical grade remedies. These alternatives have little or no side effects and as such should be the patient’s first line of defense. As Tim Hansel, former mountain climber once stated “pain is inevitable, misery is optional”. I would add “misery is optional and so are side effects”.

If you would like further information on this topic or have a specific question you would like to ask, feel free to contact us and remember there is always an alternative way and that’s the ZoiLife Way.

The answer to this is NO. This product is suited only for short term use to relieve occasional constipation and prolonged use might result in fluid and water imbalance and can even lead to hypocalcaemia (Calcium depletion). As noted previously a far better product to help with long term bowel care is Organic Bowel Cleanse (which is a 30 day treatment) and for ongoing maintenance Cleanse More and or Colon Soother works great

If you have more questions regarding this topic please feel free to contact us. And remember a healthy balanced life is the key to a long healthy life and that’s the Zoilife way!

Other side effects associated with Sennokot and Soflax include electrolyte and/or fluid imbalances such as metabolic acidosis, alkalosis, hypocalcaemia, rectal irritation and the list goes on. Metamucil (which is made from Psyllium), can actually increase constipating because it absorbs liquids in the colon. Because of this some people have a tendency to increase the dose as it stops working but big amounts of Psyllium can actually obstruct the intestines producing even more constipation.

Sennokot and Dulcolax are purgative laxatives that irritate the colon causing it to expel the contents but they also tend to remove food and nutrients rather than just hardened matter. More importantly if the patient is taking these products together with medications for another matter, these products can actually lessen the effect of the medications as the body may eliminate them prior to absorption by the intestines.

On the other side of the issue are herbs like Senna Tea which has the same main ingredient as pharmaceutical grade Sennokot. This tea also causes the patient to pass through nutrients without proper absorption. Of particular concern is such cases is the loss of important minerals such as Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sodium (Na), and Potassium (K) which are vital components to everyday health. The lack of these minerals is especially problematic for pre-menopausal women who I caution to avoid these products as a method of weight lose.

So what should you do if you need to ……?

The real key to a healthy life free from constipation is living a healthy lifestyle and adding fiber and liquids to your diet, along with proper exercise. In addition, it is important to periodically remove hardened matter by reducing the toxic load in the colon and for this I suggest the use of “Organic Bowel Cleanse”.

Organic Bowel Cleanse contains three separate products designed to relieve constipation, sooth inflammation and damage, and aid digestion. Organic Fiber Flaxseed, Oat Bran and Acacia Gum provide a blend of both soluble and insoluble fiber. These items absorb the toxins and cleanse the intestines and colon pockets like a scrub brush and also help to tone the bowels. In addition Rhubarb Root increases muscular movement of the bowels but is not habit forming like Senna Tea.

Organic Bowel Cleanse also contains Okra, Marshmallow Root and Slippery Elm whose purpose is to relieve intestinal inflammation and sooth damaged caused to the intestinal lining (very common if constipation is prolonged). The third and final product in Organic Bowel Cleanse is Phytogest. This blend of herbs aids with the digestive problems that often occur when cleansing such as bloating, gassiness and cramps.

To complete Organic Bowel Cleanse takes 30 days, but by the end you will not only improve your bowel movements but it also acts as a good diuretic and will help you to maintain or even reduce your wait. As a follow up to Organic Bowel Cleanse many people also take Cleanse More which is more for maintenance of a healthy bowel system. Cleanse More and Colon Soother are also useful as a preventative procedure for people with a family history of colon problems or concerns with irritation

Finally if you have been involved in recent use of pharmaceuticals to control constipation, I suggest adding Probiotics such as “Ultra Care Probiotics” as soon as possible. This product will help to restore some of the balance lost by the laxatives outlined previously.

Here at Zoilife we wish you a health happy life. If you have further questions or concerns please feel free to contact us and remember “If you want to live your life – Zoilife!”

Recently I was at one of the popular beaches in Ontario and I was overwhelmed with the smells from aerosol sunscreens used by many of the people there. The fragrances were so strong that it brought water to my eyes and seemed to irritate many of the children playing in the area and breathing in these chemicals. Granted, some people go way too far when it comes to loading up their bodies with sunscreen and its incredible how they can handle the smell themselves but I guess they get used to it. Still many of these products actually provide warnings on the labels like “keep away from the eyes” or my favorite “Do not inhale”. If I was to take that advice at the beach that day I would have suffocated from holding my breath as I took my leisurely stroll down the boardwalk. The real problem of course is the damage that these products can cause when exposed to the cornea of the eye, or the mucous membranes of the respiratory system (throat) and the lungs.

In case you might be thinking “well that’s ok I don’t use aerosol spray sunscreen, I use the lotion instead” don’t think for a minute these are free from risk. Whenever a chemical is involved you are risking your health at some level. Of course even risky sunscreen is better then no sunscreen when you consider the increased odds of getting cancer without any protection but you owe it to yourself to make sure that you use the safest sunscreen possible! In these regards I suggest La Roche-Posay which offers great broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. In addition don’t forget to wear a hat, cover up, and stay in the shade when your shadow is short which is the hottest part of the day.

The best way to take the sun out of the sunburn is to use a lot of 99% Aloe Vera Gelly (Certified Organic), especially the type in a gel form, and of course reapply it often. If the burn is bad you can use cotton gauze dressing impregnated with Aloe Vera to help keep the skin moist and cool. Remember though, if the sunburn is blistered you may need medical attention.

For best results, after applying the Aloe Vera for 24-48 hours you will need to follow-up with a good emollient such as Aloe 80 Organic Liquid Moisturizer or Avocado & E Dry Skin Relief. These products are for the body only. For the face it is best to use Alpha Lipoderm Alpha Lipoic & Green Tea Advanced Repair Complex.

All of these products offer deep repair to damaged skin and reduce the likelihood of skin ageing and sagging that can be caused by sunburns. Products should be used for a minimum of 7-10 days and can be used in general as a good skin moisturizer.

If you have further questions regarding sunburns please add a comment to our blog or contact us directly by email. 

We specialize in Drug and Food, Herb and Drug, and Nutraceutical and Drug Interactions. We are updated on the latest research in the field of medicine, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals and see our role as leaders in educating and promoting health for as many people as we can.

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