The demand for gluten-free products is exploding as more and more products are popping up on grocery shelves offering gluten-free alternatives. It seems food labels today proclaim everything is gluten-free –even vegetables! And according to a recent survey – a third of Americans are trying to go gluten-free. So what is gluten? And what does…
Travel alerts for polio worldwide & the resurgence of measles outbreaks in Canada, Europe and Africa, highlight the need for Canadians to get vaccinated before traveling to affected areas. Measles is a virus that can affect anyone and is highly contagious for individuals that have not previously had measles, or have not been vaccinated. As…
Understanding the symptoms Although heart disease is often thought of as a problem for men, more women than men die of heart disease each year. One challenge is that some heart disease symptoms in women may be different from those in men. Fortunately, women can take steps to understand their unique symptoms of heart disease…
Ontario has already documented a few cases of flu and the vaccine is HERE Influenza vaccines authorized for use in Canada are safe and associated with minimal side effects and can be administered to anyone over 6months of age. *We know that between 10% and 20% of all Canadians will…
Each year the diagnosis and treatment of HPV-related infections (Human Papillomaviruses (HPV)) cost the Canadian health care system more than $300 million. HPV are the cause of almost all cervical cancers, are a leading cause of other genital cancers, anal cancers, and warts, and contribute to cancers of the head and neck. Three out of…
As a family physician, I am often asked, what is the best diet to lose weight. The answer is that all of the well known popular diets whether it’s low fat, low-carb or high fiber is all pretty similar. The most important part is not the diet or weight loss plan you choose, but sticking…
As the Toronto Branch President of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada, I am very active in efforts to raise awareness for women’s health. I am also a family physician in Toronto and Vice-President of Medisys Corporate Health. My blog is about highlighting important issues in women’s health, health promotion, and disease prevention, as…
Healthy Aging Is 60 the new 40? Part 3 Determinants of healthy aging In my previous blog, I provided some disturbing statistics about the health of Canadians. Diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels are alarmingly high and can contribute to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases. But if you can modify the…
My name is Dr. Vivien Brown and I am a family physician in Toronto, Ontario. As the Toronto Branch President of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada, I am very active in efforts to raise awareness for women’s health. As VP of Medisys Health Group Inc, I am very interested in cutting edge options for health…