Preventing head injuries isn't brain surgery

ThinkFirst Canada presents Brain Day across Canada

TORONTO, March 15 /CNW/ - Today marks the start of international Brain Awareness Week, a unique partnership of more than 1,700 organizations in 57 countries. In Canada, ThinkFirst Canada is teaching children to use their brains to protect their bodies by presenting the ThinkFirst Brain Day program in schools this spring.

The effort to draw attention to the serious issue of brain injury is supported by leading neurosurgeons across Canada. "The recent concern about concussion in hockey is one example of the need to focus on prevention," says Dr. Charles Tator, neurosurgeon and founder of ThinkFirst Canada. "Injury is the leading killer of Canadian children and youth and more than half of these deaths are from brain injury. Surgery is not the main solution to serious brain injury. We cannot restore damaged brain tissue. Prevention is the only cure."

Brain Day is a hands-on, half-day program presented in classrooms from coast to coast. It shows students how their brains work, what happens when the brain is damaged and how they can protect themselves from a brain injury. Classrooms become laboratories as students conduct scientific experiments on the five senses. The program is delivered by hundreds of ThinkFirst Canada volunteers and student presenters from universities across Canada.

Whether students are in the classroom for a Brain Day presentation, or outside enjoying March Break this week, "ThinkFirst reminds children and parents that the brain is fragile," says Rebecca Nesdale-Tucker, executive director of ThinkFirst Canada. "When kids are playing hockey, biking or tobogganing, it's vital that we get them to adopt life-saving injury prevention habits, including wearing a properly fitted helmet. Prevention doesn't mean hibernation. It means getting trained, wearing the gear, and using your brain to navigate risks."

ThinkFirst Canada has created new fact sheets to help kids and parents prevent catastrophic injury during numerous sport and recreational activities. To download safe sport tips, including a new hockey fact sheet, and to learn more about the work of ThinkFirst Canada visit thinkfirst.ca.

ThinkFirst Canada is a national, charitable organization dedicated to preventing brain and spinal cord injury. Founded in 1992 by renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Charles Tator, ThinkFirst Canada continues to be an injury prevention leader encouraging children and youth and those who care about them to be active and safe. ThinkFirst advocates for proven injury prevention strategies including helmet use. At the heart of ThinkFirst Canada are 19 Chapters that stretch across the country. ThinkFirst's injury prevention message is promoted through TD ThinkFirst for Kids, sport programs, schools, community presentations, concussion education and with the help of VIPs (Voices for Injury Prevention), a dedicated group of injury survivors who share the message that prevention is the only cure.

For further information: Media Contacts: Deirdre Dimitroff, (416) 915-6565 x 225, Deirdre@thinkfirst.ca ; Rebecca Nesdale-Tucker x 224, Rebecca@thinkfirst.ca

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Turning the tide of dementia, hope is in prevention, research

ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF CANADA :This Brain Awareness Week, Canadians urged to take control and protect their own health

TORONTO, March 15 /CNW/ - With the prevalence of dementia expected to reach 1.1 million Canadians within a generation, taking care of your brain health has never been more important.  This Brain Awareness Week, March 15 to 21, the Alzheimer Society is calling on Canadians coast to coast to take action today. This means doing everything you can to reduce your risk of developing dementia, including adopting a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise, staying mentally and socially active, and protecting your head from injury.
 
"If nothing changes, by 2038 there will be a new case of dementia in Canada every two minutes," says Dr. Jack Diamond, Scientific Director for the Alzheimer Society of Canada. "We may not be able to control all the risk factors, but more and more, research is telling us that a healthy diet, modest exercise, and ongoing mental stimulation, can provide significant protection for our brains, and reduce the risk of developing dementia."  According to the Alzheimer Society's new study, Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society, risk reduction is also key to lessening the social and economic impacts of dementia.

"The research in Rising Tide tells us that exercise, along with other risk reduction strategies, is one of the most promising ways to reduce the massive $872 billion dementia is expected to cost Canadians over the next 30 years," says Kelly Duffin, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. A further investment into research is also critical if we are to turn the tide of dementia. This includes research into learning more about the benefits of prevention as well as to find more effective treatments and eventually a cure.

This Brain Awareness Week - the Alzheimer Society invites media to interview leading dementia experts in the field of prevention and risk reduction to help Canadians learn about achieving good brain health. For more information, please contact Patricia Wilkinson at 416-669-5715.

About Brain Awareness Week
Brain Awareness Week is an international campaign, coordinated by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. Brain Awareness Week is a unique international partnership of more than 2,100 organizations in 69 countries, and is celebrating its 15th anniversary campaign in 2010.

About the Alzheimer Society
The Alzheimer Society is the leading, nationwide health organization for people affected by dementia in Canada. The Society is a principal funder of Alzheimer research and training, provides enhanced care and support to people with the disease, their families and their caregivers, and is a prominent voice within all levels of government. Active in more than 140 communities across Canada, the Society is also a key player in Alzheimer's Disease International, an organization at the forefront of world wide efforts to fight dementia. For more information, please visit www.alzheimer.ca.
 
For further information: Patricia Wilkinson, Manager, Media and Government Relations, Alzheimer Society of Canada, Office: 1-800-616-8816 or (416) 847-2959, Mobile: (416) 669-5715, pwilkinson@alzheimer.ca

Three Natural Ways to Keep Your Arteries Fat-Free

TORONTO, March 16 /CNW/ - Cardiovascular disease is the No.1 killer in North America. And high cholesterol is one of the primary risk factors of coronary heart disease and stroke. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, almost 40% of Canadian adults are classified as having high blood cholesterol levels. High cholesterol shows no visible symptoms - it's a silent villain slowly choking artery passageways. Most people are unaware until the damage has been done.

Cholesterol, in itself, is not "bad." Contrary may be a better word. As a substance, it's a waxy lipid (fat) produced in the liver as a building block for cell membranes, hormones, bile and vitamin D. It's also found naturally in certain foods. However, there are two types of cholesterol: good HDL (high-density lipoprotein), which does not clog arteries, and bad LDL (low-density lipoprotein), which in excess, does exactly the opposite. Problematic, high, LDL cholesterol levels contribute to atherosclerosis, the build-up or accumulation of arterial plaque (cholesterol, fatty substances, calcium and fibrous tissue) which results in atherosclerosis (narrowing and hardening of arteries).

First and foremost in keeping arteries fat-free is, naturally, prevention. High LDL cholesterol levels are most often the result of a poor diet. Nutritious and healthy food choices and lifestyle go a long way in keeping cholesterol levels balanced, especially as we age. Essentially:

• Remove saturated and trans fats from meal plans.

• Consume lean protein (including fish, chicken, and whey protein).

• Use omega-3 healthy fats and monounsaturated fats (olive oil).

• Increase intake of vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, grains and other sources of fibre.

• Engage in regular physical activity. Aim for a healthy weight.

• And, stop smoking. Smoking has a direct negative effect on the good
  HDL cholesterol levels.

Second, even though for many people simply changing eating behaviour and increasing physical activity may be all that is needed to raise HDL levels and decrease those of LDL, there are three important natural health supplements that have been proven to help decrease elevated blood cholesterol levels: niacin, plant sterols, and omega-3 fish oil.

Niacin (nicotinic acid), also know as vitamin B3, is used by the body in many systemic processes and has a favourable effect on high cholesterol. It has the potential to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL levels. When dealing with high cholesterol, medical professionals and individuals look to a specialized form of niacin called inositol hexanicotinate which is safe and flush-free. It has been used in Europe for over 30 years to help lower cholesterol levels and to help improve blood flow in the treatment of Raynaud's Syndrome and intermittent claudication, both conditions often symptoms of severe atherosclerotic disease.

Plant sterols (phytosterols) are naturally found in legumes, fruits, and vegetables, and are structurally similar to cholesterol produced in the body. However, plant sterols from plants or in a supplement form can lower cholesterol, specifically LDL levels, by reducing the amount of dietary cholesterol that is normally absorbed and transported through the intestines.

Dietary fish and their fish oil supplement counterparts contain a number of beneficial, cardio-protective nutrients including the essential fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Omega-3, rich in EPA and DHA, possesses a triglyceride lowering effect and studies show that it has a positive influence on atherosclerosis.

Third, in the event that statin medications must be prescribed by a health professional to lower cholesterol levels, certain supplements can help balance drug-induced nutrient depletions and deficiencies while contributing to the risk reduction of other cardiovascular diseases. Statin drugs work by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol. However, clinical evidence reveals that their use also reduces CoQ10 levels in the body, resulting in a wide range of problems including fatigue, muscle pain and weakness. Supplementing with CoQ10 can help counteract drug side effects. As well, emergent information now suggests that increasing the amount of dietary omega-3 fatty acids and reducing the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio may also help statins work more effectively. And, a recent study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions has found that combining cholesterol-lowering drugs with a daily supplement of EPA from omega-3 fish oil reduces the incidence of sudden cardiac death, heart attacks and unstable angina, as well as the rate of surgeries to reopen blocked arteries.

Much of the Western world is at risk for cardiovascular disease, largely due to our sedentary lifestyle and less than optimal diet rampant in high animal protein and short in fruit, vegetables and fibre intake. For many, simply increasing exercise activities and improving upon unhealthy nutritional habits through wholesome eating and supportive supplementation will benefit their health greatly.

Orange Juice: The Healthy Energy Booster!

TORONTO, March 15 /CNW/ - The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) is encouraging Canadians to make the healthy choice when it comes to fruit juice. Unlike many fruit "ades" and "beverages," which often use wording and graphics to mask the fact that they are overloaded with sugar and lacking essential vitamins, 100 per cent Florida orange juice is free of added sugars and loaded with nutrients the body needs to stay healthy and strong.

"Canadians should be aware that punches, cocktails, and energy drinks often contain significant amounts of added sugars and very little natural fruit juice," says Lydia Knorr, MHSc, a Registered Dietitian with FDOC. "When choosing fruit beverages for their families, it's important that Canadians choose the most nutritious option. With zero fat and sodium, and no added sugars, 100 per cent pure Florida orange juice is one of the healthiest choices you can make."

One hundred per cent pure Florida orange juice fuels the body with vital nutrients which help maintain energy levels throughout the day. High energy levels are especially crucial for growing kids, teenagers and young adults. Thiamin, found in orange juice plays a key role by helping the body transform nutrients and carbohydrates into a constant energy supply. Potassium helps boost metabolism for people of all ages and supplies the nourishment needed to stay energetic. And folate is crucial to healthy cell production and function.

Here are a few things consumers should consider when selecting fruit juice:

• Scrutinize wording carefully. "Drinks," "ades," and "cocktails" often contain added sugars and very little natural fruit juice.

• Look for juices that contain "100 per cent juice." This ensures that the juice is 100 per cent natural, and comes only from the whole fruit.

• Ensure that additions don't camouflage the nutritional value of the beverage. Wording like "fortified with Vitamin C" often distracts from the fact that there is very little natural fruit juice and few essential vitamins.

Click here for more about the health benefits of orange juice and other Florida citrus fruits and juices.

About the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC)

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) is an executive agency of the Florida government charged with the marketing, research and regulation of the Florida citrus industry. Its activities are funded by a tax paid by growers on each box of citrus that moves through commercial channels. A few of the popular varieties of Florida citrus fruit available in Canadian supermarkets are Ruby Red Grapefruit, Flame Grapefruit, and Marsh Grapefruit with 100 per cent pure Florida orange juice and Florida grapefruit juice available all year round.

For further information: Jessica Greasley - GolinHarris, (416) 642-7952, jgreasley@golinharris.com