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Most of us have heard at one point in time that chocolate is good for us – unfortunately the Lancet Medical Journal is bursting that sweet, rich bubble. The journal shares the antioxidant Flavanol that makes chocolate good for you actually makes the treat taste very bitter. Because of this most chocolate makers tend to remove the antioxidant from their product. I know some of us out there write our square of chocolate off saying – a little is okay – it’s good for you. However we really have no way at all of knowing whether the piece we are scrumpsly enjoying has any health benefits at all – why? Because the labels don’t have to show the consumer at all if Flavanol is actually present. The darker the chocolate the higher the chance that flavonoids will be present – we just can’t be sure. Even if chocolate is loaded with flavonals we still need to be observant of the fat and calories that come along with it. “If you ask me what’s more important, a little physical activity like walking, or eating chocolate, go take your walk,” Said Dr. Shani. “I don’t think in the very near future we’re going to tell every patient go ahead and eat lots of chocolate. That would be too good to be true.”

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If you have an interest in anatomy, or you are taking it at school I really just want to draw your attention to a fantastic website. It is www.winkingskull.com . The site allows you to quiz yourself on the bones, musculature, ligaments, etc, etc of the body. You can turn labels on or off depending on your purpose. So if you are getting ready for that big anatomy exam or are simply interested please go check it out!!

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A CHECKUP WITH THE DOCTOR……
A recent survey conducted by RBC Insurance found that only 39% of Canadian men said they see their doctor every year whereas only 59% of women attend their yearly checkups. The survey found that most people would rather partake in some ungodly household chore than to schedule an appointment with their physician. The mentality still stands that if I’m not sick I don’t need to go…. This is not the attitude that should be present. Checkups with your doctor are just that – checkups – they may provide information leading to onset of diabetes, high cholesterol, ladies those yearly tests – all of these things that if CHECKED and CAUGHT and PREVENTED can lead to a healthier, happier, and longer lifespan. I am an advocate for healthy lives – which includes fitness, supportive eating, and taking care of yourself. So do yourself a favor and if you haven’t seen your good friend Dr.Soandso in the last year, take the proactive step and make an appointment.

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Calgary has officially become the first Canadian city to regulate the use of trans fats in restaurants. As of January 1st all eateries were banned from cooking with fats and oils that contain more than two percent trans fats. Why do restaurants prefer this ingredient? Quite simple – it provides a rich texture to the food as well as has a much longer shelf life. However for the consumer trans fat is a key player linked to increases in coronary heart disease and unhealthy cholesterol levels.
Studies have estimated that Canadians eat out approx 40% of the time and in their home the remaining 60%. So although the restaurants are now being monitored on the amount of trans fat that they are allowed to use inside the home there is no regulation. The next step is education. People need to be educated on what products house this fat (examples being margarine, peanut butter, crackers, cookies) and alternatives they can use in their place (ie. Canola oil and olive oil). For those that do eat out most of the time their heart will be better looked after now than before. Let us see if Vancouver decides to support and follow Calgary’s example.

It has been drawn to my attention recently that a large number of British Columbians are still unaware of the Act Now BC program. “Act Now BC is a cross-government health promotion initiative that seeks to improve the health of British Columbians by taking steps to address common risk factors and reduce chronic disease. Research has shown that inactivity, poor nutrition, overweight and obesity, tobacco use and unhealthy choices in pregnancy are the key risk factors contributing to the main chronic disease categories in B.C.”

The organization works with schools, communities, employers and local governments to promote and make healthy choices the easy choices for British Columbians to make. A very recent move made to demonstrate this is the withdrawal of “junk food” items from vending machines in schools. Fruit juices are now replacing pop.

Act Now BC has 5 goals they would like to reach by 2010:
1. Increase the percentage of the B.C. population that is physically active by 20 per cent
2.increase the percentage of B.C. adults who eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily by 20 per cent
3.reduce the percentage of B.C. adults who are overweight or obese by 20 per cent
4. Reduce tobacco use by 10 per cent; and
5.increase the number of women who receive counseling about the dangers of alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy by 50 per cent.

Some of Act Now BC’s programs include:
Action Schools! BC
A physical activity and nutrition model to help teachers and administrators work
Healthy eating and physical activity into the school curriculum

Active Communities http://www.activecommunities.bc.ca
The goal is to make all members of a community more physically active. Active
Communities are in partnership with 2010 Legacies Now and BC Parks and Rec.

For more information on ACT Now please visit their website: http://www.actnowbc.ca

Although not part of ActNow BC – Participaction is back in action joining the movement to make our youth active again!!! View their new commercial at http://www.participaction.com

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A recent Canadian study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that different ethnic groups have the tendency to gain fat where it can do more damage. It was found that people of Chinese and South Asian decent tend to have more inner abdominal fat, otherwise known as visceral fat, than those of European heritage. This larger amount of visceral fat will contribute to the Asian population having increased risks for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

It is a worry by those conducting the study that our current methods of measuring BMI may not be sufficient to the Asian population in our communities. The most commonly used technique in the health and fitness world today is to “pinch” the fat from the exterior and take a measurement. This works for those of us that are Caucasian. Visceral fat; however, can not be measured in the same method. This form of fat hugs your internal organs and thus can not be measured by being “pinched”. “If we wait until Asians reach the same size of Europeans,” Lear Continued “they are going toe at a higher risk than the Europeans and may already present with diabetes or high cholesterol”.

There is already speculation amongst us in the health field that our methods of measuring BMI are not sufficient for everyone in our population. This study shows that we need to develop other ways to ensure we are getting accurate readings for EVERYONE.

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