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Mother Nature as Medicine: How Forests, Fungi & Water Can Restore Your Wellbeing – #012

As Mother’s Day approaches, we’re reminded of the power of care, connection, and nurturing – qualities we often associate with the women who’ve raised us. But these same qualities exist all around us, in the rhythms of the natural world. The Earth, too, has a quiet way of supporting and sustaining us through its food, its forests, and its stillness.
For centuries, people have turned to nature for healing. Whether through medicinal plants, nutrient-dense foods, or simply spending time outdoors, the natural world offers tools for resilience and balance. While modern wellness practices have only recently begun to fully appreciate nature’s role in health, “The Healing Power of Nature” (also known as Vis Medicatrix Naturae) has been a core principle of naturopathic medicine since it was founded in 1896. So what is nature’s healing power? Read on to find out!

Mother Nature as Medicine: How Forests, Fungi & Water Can Restore Your Wellbeing – #012 Read More »

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Are You Just Burnt Out– Or Could it Be Low Iron? – #011

As we gradually make our way out of the dark and dreary winter months, many of us may feel exhausted and drained by the daily rise and grind of work. Summer is just around the corner, but perhaps you haven’t felt that pep in your step, even as the days get longer. Maybe you’ve even noticed that you lack the energy for workouts that used to leave you feeling energized.

While you might be writing these feelings off as burnout or the winter blues, these nonspecific symptoms could be a sign of low iron. Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin, the component of our blood that carries oxygen from our lungs to our cells. If iron stores are low, the body may not be receiving optimal oxygenation, leaving you feeling fatigued, cold, or dizzy and lightheaded.

Are You Just Burnt Out– Or Could it Be Low Iron? – #011 Read More »

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Spring Cleaning for Your Health: The Science behind Detoxing – #010

With spring officially here, many of us are leaning into spring cleaning – whether it’s ransacking our closets, clearing out clutter, or finally organizing the pantry. Organizing your space is a great way to transition out of winter, and leaves us feeling refreshed. But should spring cleaning be about more than just our physical environments?

This post dives into the physiology of detoxing, signs your body could use support in detoxing, and evidence based strategies to support detox pathways.

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Can Diet and Inflammation Affect ADHD? The Surprising Link Between Food and Behaviour – #009 

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting millions of children and adults worldwide. While ADHD is typically managed with behavioral therapy and medication, emerging research suggests that diet and gut health may also play a significant role in symptom severity.
Could the foods we eat actually trigger or worsen ADHD symptoms? Let’s explore the connection between gut health, inflammation, and ADHD, and what the latest research says about the link between diet and ADHD symptoms.

Can Diet and Inflammation Affect ADHD? The Surprising Link Between Food and Behaviour – #009  Read More »

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Endometriosis & Fertility: A Holistic Approach to Pain Relief and Hormonal Balance – #008

Endometriosis is a painful and often misunderstood condition that affects an estimated 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. It occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, leading to inflammation, scarring, and the formation of adhesions. This displaced tissue has estrogen receptors and responds to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, causing debilitating symptoms such as severe pelvic pain, heavy periods, digestive issues, and, in many cases, infertility.

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A Guide to Regenerative Injection Therapy – #007

Regenerative injection therapy offers non-surgical treatments designed to promote healing, reduce pain, and improve function for chronic musculoskeletal conditions. This guide explores key options, including prolotherapy, which stimulates tissue repair using dextrose injections, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which leverages the body’s own growth factors to enhance healing. Other treatments include neural therapy and nerve blocks to relieve chronic nerve-related pain, ozone therapy for its anti-inflammatory benefits, and hyaluronic acid injections to lubricate and cushion arthritic joints. Additionally, cortisone injections help reduce inflammation, while trigger point injections alleviate muscle tension and myofascial pain. Each therapy is tailored to individual needs and performed under ultrasound guidance for precision. Learn more about how these treatments can support your recovery and pain management.

A Guide to Regenerative Injection Therapy – #007 Read More »

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Trust Your Gut: The Hidden World Inside You – #006

The gut microbiome refers to the trillions of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes that live in your gut. These microbes play a crucial role in digestion, educating your immune system, and even determining various states of health and disease. This article will take you through how our gut microbiome is formed, the role of the gut microbiome in shaping disease, the importance of finding the root cause of gut issues, and treatment options for various gut-related ailments.

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Tips and Tricks for Making and Breaking Habits – #005

The start of a new year often brings a sense of renewal and the promise of change, making it the perfect time to tackle New Year’s resolutions. Whether you’re hoping to adopt healthier habits or let go of ones that no longer serve you, the process of making and breaking habits can be both empowering and challenging. In this post, we’ll explore practical tips and tricks grounded in psychology and naturopathic wellness to help you create lasting positive changes in your life. Let’s dive in!

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2025 Reading Guide – #004

At Friday Health, we aim to empower our patients to live long and healthy lives by providing holistic medical care. While we love to provide our patients with acupuncture, regenerative injection therapy, and IV nutrient therapy, these services are limited to the time we have with you in the office. Thus, this year we wanted to provide our patients with a list of books to empower you to reach your health goals, be it improving mental health and cognition, healing from trauma, or increasing longevity.

2025 Reading Guide – #004 Read More »

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Year in Review – Friday Health 2024  – #003

Discover Friday Health’s 2024 Year in Review, a heartfelt journey through personal milestones, professional growth, and exciting clinic updates. From snowy adventures and family connections to groundbreaking training in neuro-acupuncture, transvaginal ultrasounds, and sports medicine ultrasound, our founders share their dynamic year. Celebrate our award as Vancouver’s Best Naturopathic Clinic, meet our talented new staff, and learn about innovative treatments and upcoming events. Stay inspired with wellness insights, parenting reflections, and bi-monthly newsletters featuring tips, book recommendations, and health updates. Join us as we step into 2025 with gratitude, connection, and growth!
The absence of light also triggers melatonin production, the hormone that makes us sleepy, while sunlight exposure stimulates serotonin production, the hormone that helps us feel upbeat and motivated. While there are lots of factors that can contribute to low energy in the winter, this article will focus on some of the practical strategies you can add to your toolbox for optimal health on the darkest days of the year.

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