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NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCTS

Nutrient supplements offer a proven way to better health

ccording to a Statistics Canada report released last year, 24.3 per cent of men and 23.9 of women in Canada are obese, an increase in obesity rates of 10 per cent for men and eight per cent for women since 1994. Not surprisingly, nine in 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease, and the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is increasing dramatically. A growing body of research indicates that supplementing the critical nutrients lost through food processing, lifestyle and aging may be important to stemming this trend. For example, research has provided plentiful evidence for the benets of omega-3 supplementation, says Dr. Jonathan Beatty, a naturopathic doctor as well as a natural product formulator and health educator for Prairie Naturals. Two omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are proven general antiinammatories, he says. Theyre very important for cardiac health, and studies have shown they can actually increase the uptake of certain chemotherapeutic agents in cancer cells. In addition, theyve been shown to help in the treatment of diabetes. Dr. Beatty also prescribes coenzyme Q10 regularly. Used in energy generation in every cell of the body, the supplement is important for muscle health, including the cardiac muscle. Studies have shown that optimum levels of another supplement, creatine, can improve the speed at which individuals can perform arithmetic functions and can improve hand-eye coordination. As we age, we produce less creatine naturally, he notes. Thats why its so important to supplement it. Its also essential to be alert for nutrient deciencies caused by medication, Dr. Beatty says. Many of the side-effects of medications are caused by nutrient deciency, and because of that, theyre actually very simple to treat. A common example is statin drugs, used to lower cholesterol. Statins deplete CoQ10, so without supplementation, patients taking statins may be reducing one heart disease risk factor while increas-

BY THE NUMBERS
Canadas Natural Health Products Industry

70 45

Percentage of Canadians who use Natural Health Products (NHPs) on a regular basis.

Percentage of Canadians who take an NHP on a daily basis.

85

Percent of those who use NHPs decided to use these products because they want to help maintain and promote their health.

10,650
All Natural Health Products (NHPs) must undergo a pre-market review before they may be sold in Canada.
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Estimated number of establishments directly involved with the sale of natural and organic health products.

34,000 70

All Canadians can benefit from natural health products (NHPs) as part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Natural health products are a great option for Canadians looking to proactively manage their health, as there are many options for dealing with an array of symptoms and ongoing ailments.
Helen Sherrard, President, Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA)

ing another. Any time a drug is prescribed, I encourage patients to ask their doctor if there are any nutrients they might need to supplement, advises Dr. Beatty. There is excellent clinical science supporting the claims of nutrients being sold in health food stores today, says well-known nutrient researcher and product formulator Lorna Vanderhaeghe. There are so many human, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Two nutrients have been approved by Health Canada for the treatment of diabetes: Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), a fatty acid that been shown to burn fat; and green tea extract for weight loss. That combination works exceptionally well, even with no diet change, says Ms. Vanderhaeghe. I do hundreds of lectures across the country every year, and it continues to surprise me how many people with Type 2 diabetes dont know that if they lose weight and eat the right foods, their diabetes could be a thing of the past. A study of post-menopausal women, the demographic that has the most difculty losing weight,

found that they lost an average of seven pounds over 90 days with the combination of CLA and green tea extract, even with no other dietary change. Another nutrient, Chirositol, has been shown in more than 30 clinical trials at the Virginia Medical School to reduce belly fat and prediabetes symptoms, such as skin tags. Fibre and chromium supplements are also approved by Health Canada for use by individuals with diabetes; lipoic acid is approved for the treatment of diabetes-related neuropathy. All Canadians can benet from natural health products (NHPs) as part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle, says Helen Sherrard, president of the Canadian Health Food Association. Natural health products are a great option for Canadians looking to proactively manage their health, as there are many options for dealing with an array of symptoms and ongoing ailments. All NHPs must undergo a pre-market review before they may be sold in Canada. This process requires that evidence supporting the safety, efcacy, or any claims made, and

The estimated number of individuals, directly employed by the industry.

Percentage of Canadian NHP users who support developing a new act for NHPs in Canada.

151

The number of licensed NHPs that have a recommended use or purpose associated with menopause.

quality of the product be submitted to the Natural Health Products Directorate for assessment in order to be licensed, says Ms. Sherrard. Its also easy for individuals to do their own research, adds Ms. Vanderhaeghe. Anyone can go to PubMed, the public medical library. For example, just type in CLA and weight loss to nd all the related studies. All the abstracts are there, so the average person can read and understand.

MARKETPLACE

Natural Health increasingly defining a lifestyle

Zenbev has natural written all over it while supported with other strategic ingredients. The organic pumpkin seeds are carefully harvested, the oil is removed and by a solid foundation in science. Developed by sustainably used to make high-quality pumpkin-seed a Canadian psychiatrist to help people relax and oil. The resulting flour is a nutrientsleep naturally, Zenbev bridges rich, protein concentrate providing the gap between food and essential amino acids that is Zenbevs medicine. Containing organic key to stimulating natural sleep. food ingredients supplied locally where possible, it is manufactured For more information, in Ontario and sold around the visit zenbev.com world. Zenbevs Health Canadaapproved formulation cleverly A nutrient-rich, protein concentrate coaxes the brain to trigger natural made with organic pumpkin seeds relaxation and sleep by using provides the essential amino acids key pumpkin-seed flour combined to stimulating natural sleep.

expanding waistlines and our hormones. Insulin is a powerful hormone that, when in excess, Skin Tags, Male causes belly fat and an elevation in circulating Facial Hair Growth male hormones in women, causing facial hair growth and acne too. In men, elevated insulin and Diabetes results in a beer belly and breasts. Elevated insulin promotes weight gain, high cholesterol, diabetes and excess belly fat. Skin tags are an early sign of pre-diabetes. Thankfully, busting belly fat and normalizing insulin just got easier. The nutrient Chirositol, researched in over 30 studies at the Virginia Medical School, works for pre-diabetes, Type-2 diabetes, excess male hormone-related conditions like acne, PCOS, and male facial hair growth in women. Chirositol found in Glucosmart, has also been shown to reduce appetite and improve our happy hormone serotonin, which halts sugar cravings and controls appetite. But where Glucosmart really shines is in fighting belly fat in both men and women. Dear Lorna, Ive been following your book A Smart Womans Guide to Weight Loss and taking Glucosmart containing Chirositol for the last 2 months. Ive lost 30 pounds and 4 inches. Im going to keep following all your advice... another 60 pounds to go. AM, BC Purchase Glucosmart with Chirositol and get A Smart Womans Guide to Weight Loss FREE (a $24.95 value) w w w. h o r m o n e h e l p . c o m

Belly fat is a stubborn problem. No end of Discover the sit-ups and crunches make it Connection Between We know there is a connection disappear. between our

Belly Fat,

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NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCTS

Natural health products help Canadians live healthier, happier lives

While there is a role for both natural and pharmaceutical treatment, the NHP industry, which contributes $3 billion to the Canadian economy and helps millions of Canadians meet their health care needs, is increasingly recognized as a core part of mainstream health care in Canada.

By Helen Sherrard President of the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA)

s the health care landscape continues to evolve, many Canadians are taking a more active approach to their own health and that of their families. Its no coincidence that more than 70 per cent of Canadians use natural health products (NHPs) to maintain and improve their health, as well as to treat various ailments. People recognize more and more that they have options for addressing their health concerns. Many are seeking a more holistic, natural approach to their health care. While there is a role for both natural and pharmaceutical treatment, the NHP industry, which contributes $3 billion to the Canadian economy and helps millions of Canadians meet their health care needs, is increasingly recognized as a core part of mainstream health care in Canada. A 2011 Natural Health Product Tracking Survey, conducted by Ipsos Reid for Health Canada, shows that Canadians use NHPs in three main ways: to prevent or treat a health condition; to reduce health risks; and to maintain good overall health. Moreover, the latest Consumerology Report on health care suggests that Canadians are choosing whats seen as being more naturally produced health supplements, instead of overthe-counter (OTC) drugs. The 2011 study of 1,500 Canadians focused on consumer consumption, perceptions and behaviours regarding

The latest Consumerology Report on health care suggests that Canadians are choosing whats seen as being more naturally produced health supplements rather than over-the-counter drugs. PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM OTC drugs and health supplements, including vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements. An easy way to take a more holistic approach to your health care is to visit your local health food store and buy an NHP-based cough remedy for a sore throat. Another option is to try natural zinc or elderberry lozenges, which will help heal and restore the body naturally. Its a simple yet powerful choice for consumers who want to know what is in the products they are using and feel good about those ingredients. NHPs give them that option. Even more important than treating an illness is avoiding being sick altogether, and NHPs can certainly help with that. Its always recommended to consult with your health care practitioner before starting a new regime; however, learning about and practising preventive health care can help avoid sickness from occurring. Its about taking a proactive approach towards health, diet, exercise and lifestyle. Just one example of such an approach is to use omega-3 fatty acids, which act as an anti-inammatory, lubricate muscles, lower blood pressure, protect vision, reduce osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, improve your mood and more. Utilizing this one supplement shows the possibilities of preventing uncomfortable and painful symptoms, while improving your quality of life. However, our health care system is geared toward treating illness, which is expensive and only adds to the demands already placed on the system. Using NHPs as part of a healthy lifestyle and preventive health care routine is a valuable investment in personal health and a necessary investment in our health care system as a whole.

RETAIL

Health food stores provide choice, education

ccording to the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), there are more than 40,000 natural health products licensed for sale in Canada. The natural health product category has grown remarkably over the past 40 years and now represents a $3 billion industry, with thousands of jobs in smalland mid-sized businesses, says CHFA president Helen Sherrard. With that range of choice available, buying natural health products from health food stores can result in a superior level of care, while supporting the local economy, she says. Most health food store sales staff are trained and skilled, says Ms. Sherrard. In addition, such staff are often part of a greater holistic treatment community, she notes, so they are able to direct customers to health professionals such as dieticians and naturopathic practitioners when further advice is needed. At Planet Organic Market, for example, it is common for individuals to visit one of the stores for the rst time after being diagnosed with celiac disease or food allergies, says Alan Thompson, store management coordinator. We can arrange a shopping trip in which we point out the items in the store that are appropriate for their new diet. We also hold education sessions, and the most popular are cooking classes for people with food allergies and raw food preparation classes.

Online?

In less than 10,000 square feet, our stores sell just over 30,000 different products, so its very important for us to be able to provide education support for our employees.
Alan Thompson, Store Management Coordinator, Planet Organic Market

Visit the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) website for more information:

In addition to educational offerings for customers, Planet Organic arranges regular educational sessions for its staff. In less than 10,000 square feet, our stores sell just over 30,000 different products, so its very important for us to be able to provide education support for our employees, says Mr. Thompson. Almost weekly, we have different vendors, suppliers and guest speakers do morning or evening classes with our teams, he adds. And if there is a new item, the vendor or broker will arrange a class to go over the product information and benets, so our team can help educate our customers.

www.chfa.ca

Your little miss sunshine benefits from a little vitamin D.

Healthy Canadians understand the advantages of NHPs.

In fact, seven of every ten Canadians understand that Natural Health

PROFILE: PRAIRIE NATURALS

Prairie Naturals, a family business headquartered near Vancouver, researches, develops, markets and distributes more than 150 premium quality nutritional and tness supplements and natural hair and body care products through hundreds of retail stores across Canada. All Prairie Naturals ingredients are tested by independent, government-approved laboratories before production begins; all nished products are further tested to ensure label claim, potency and purity. To help Canadians live the healthy life at any age, the company sponsors ongoing educational programs for the public and its retail partners. Frequently presented by holistic pharmacist RoseMarie Pierce or naturopathic doctor Dr. Jonathan Beatty, the programs focus on all aspects of healthy living, from diet and nutritional supplementation to exercise and attitudinal healing. prairienaturals.ca

Products (NHPs) are an essential part of their lives. The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) works to ensure that you have access to, and choice of safe, innovative and effective natural health products.

Visit chfa.ca today.

This report was produced by RandallAnthony Communications Inc. (www.randallanthony.com) in conjunction with the advertising department of The Globe and Mail. Richard Deacon, National Business Development Manager, rdeacon@globeandmail.com.