Category: News Bites

Myers Cocktail is a type of intravenous micronutrient therapy that builds on the work of the late John Myer MD, who believed intravenous delivery of nutrients and minerals could help treat a wide range of conditions including asthma, migraine headaches, acute allergy reactions, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, etc.

More recently the use of the Myers to boost health, and athletic performance and recovery, has shown promising results.

Ingredients

B-complex Vitamins including:

• B-1 (thiamine)
• B-2 (riboflavin)
• B-3 (niacin)
• B-5 (pantothenic acid)
• B-6 (pyridoxine)
• B-7 (biotin)
• B-9 (folic acid)
• B-12 (hydroxycobalamin)

All crucial building blocks of the body, working at a cellular level to improve brain function, energy levels and cell metabolism while preventing infection and cellular degradation.

Vitamin B12

Primarily obtained through diet from dairy and meat and plays a critical role in ensuring blood and nerve health. The body also uses it to build, repair and regenerate DNA, making it an essential micronutrient in core cellular processes. Vitamin B12 also prevents megaloblastic anemia, characterized by chronic tiredness and weakness.

Vitamin C

Ascorbic acid is an essential dietary component that acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body. When present at elevated levels, it neutralizes free radicals that destroy cells. Vitamin C also plays a role in generating collagen and regulating the absorption of iron, both of which help accelerate tissue healing.

Magnesium

Magnesium is active in more than three hundred enzymatic processes in the body. Its functions include blood glucose control, protein synthesis, and muscle and nerve function. In addition, it is a cofactor in energy production, bone structure development, DNA and RNA synthesis, and the transportation of calcium and potassium for healthy nerve and heart function.

Calcium

Calcium is an essential nutrient and research has shown its role in vascular contraction and vasodilation, muscle functions, bone maintenance, nerve transmission, intracellular signalling and hormone secretion.

Does Vitamin Therapy improve athletic performance?

The adverse effects of restricted intakes of protein, fat and carbohydrate on physical performance are well known, but there is limited information about the impact of low intake of vitamins on the exercise capacity and performance of humans. In contrast to vitamins, marginal mineral deficiencies impair performance. Magnesium deprivation increases oxygen requirements to complete sub maximal exercise and reduces endurance performance.

Calcium also plays an important role in athletic performance.

“Force declines when muscles are used repeatedly and intensively and a variety of intracellular mechanisms appear to contribute to this muscle fatigue. Intracellular calcium release declines during fatigue and has been shown to contribute to the reduction in force.”

General benefits of intravenous Vitamin Therapy

Stronger immunity

Immunity breaks down when multiple cellular functions fail or become compromised. All components in a Myers Cocktail enhance cellular function, making them more capable of fighting off infection. For example, B-complex vitamins B-5 and B-6 promote antibody formation and increase the antigenic response to infection.

Increased hydration

Myers Cocktail IV therapy has a saline and electrolyte solution base that immediately increases the body’s hydration levels. Unlike drinking water and other fluids, the isotonic solution delivers hydration straight to the body cells quickly and efficiently, providing fast recovery from dehydration and promoting hydration maintenance pre physical challenge.

Better nerve and bone health

A Myers Cocktail improves overall nerve and bone health through the various actions of its components. For example, vitamin B12 directly influences nerve regeneration and Magnesium and Calcium can reduce the effects of age-related osteoporosis.

Improved blood and circulation health Blood health reduces fatigue, increases performance levels, and boosts general wellbeing. Vitamin B12 and B-complex vitamins promote blood health by stimulating red blood cell generation, iron absorption, cellular health, and increasing turnover worn-out red blood cells. Other components, like magnesium and Vitamin C, promote circulation health through improved cellular health.

Boosted energy levels

Myers Cocktail IV therapy rapidly boosts energy levels through the fast delivery of vitamins to cells. B-complex vitamins and magnesium are particularly potent in this regard because they contribute to cellular energy production. Boosted energy can be helpful in pre-game preparation and post-game sport recovery.

Enhanced mood and vitality

Vitamin B12 promotes the production of serotonin, a feel-good hormone that wards off feelings of depression and malaise when released. Increased levels of Vitamin C in the blood can also improve the mood and stimulate an increased sense of vitality and wellbeing.

Sharper memory

Low levels of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C can impair your ability to remember things. Other challenges that also emerge at low concentration levels are inability to retain information, and low mental performance.

Myers Cocktail delivers high concentrations of both vitamins, jumpstarting the brain and increasing recall, memory capacity, and overall cognitive performance – even in individuals with age-related memory capacity reduction.

Improved Sleep

Melatonin is a hormone that promotes sleep, helping modulate the body’s circadian cycle. When an individual has low melatonin levels, their sleep cycle becomes interrupted, resulting in poor sleep.

Myers Cocktail provides magnesium and B-complex vitamins, both actively involved in the production and release of melatonin, helping return the body to a healthy sleep-wake cycle.

Reduced jet lag

The disruption of the internal sleep-wake (circadian) cycle when you cross time zones causes jet lag. Myers Cocktail reduces jet lag by increasing melatonin production, improving overall body hydration and helping restore a regularized sleep-wake cycle.

Faster recovery

Dehydration, inflammation, and reduced blood sugar are all common post high performance sports. Myers Cocktail IV therapy provides rapid hydration, a critical factor in accelerating recovery and stabilizing electrolytes. In addition, other components like magnesium, B-complex and C vitamins boost energy and enhance vitality.

A Myers Cocktail infusion takes approximately 1 hour and is administered by an experienced Registered Nurse in your choice of locale.  Multiple clients can be infused concurrently in a group setting.

For further information please contact:

Deirdre Calder RN

Concierge Wellness

dcalder@conciergewellness.nl 709-763-3452

References

1. Lukaski HC. Vitamin and mineral status: effects on physical performance. Nutrition. 2004 Jul-Aug;20(7-8):632-44. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2004.04.001. PMID: 15212745.

2. Allen DG, Kabbara AA, Westerblad Hk. Muscle fatigue: the role of intracellular calcium stores. Can J Appl Physiol. 2002 Feb;27(1):83-96. doi: 10.1139/h02-006. PMID: 11880693.

3. Axelrod AE. Role of the B vitamins in the immune response. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1981;135:93-106. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4615-9200-6_5. PMID: 7010964.

4. Gaby AR. Intravenous nutrient therapy: the “Myers’ cocktail”. Altern Med Rev. 2002 Oct;7(5):389-403. PMID: 12410623.

5. Beto JA. The role of calcium in human aging. Clin Nutr Res. 2015 Jan;4(1):1-8. doi: 10.7762/cnr.2015.4.1.1. Epub 2015 Jan 16. PMID: 25713787; PMCID: PMC4337919.

Our health and the health of our community is everybody’s concern.  As a leading holistic health and wellness team, in our community, we are taking measures to help “flatten the curve” for COVID-19.  We have created a clinic policy to highlight measures that will help bridge the gap.  Our policy will be updated as more information becomes available over time.

 

Our COVID- 19 Policy, Effective Monday, March 16, 2020

• If you or a family member have travelled within the past 14 days or are travelling during this time, we ask that you reschedule your session until after a two-week self-quarantine has taken place.
• If you are exhibiting any cold or flu signs, we ask that you reschedule your session until symptoms subside.
• We will be waiving our 24 hrs. notice of cancellation policy and associated fees until further notice.  Please let us know as soon as possible to reschedule as opposed to not showing for sessions.
• We are able to offer remote, web cam sessions for Private Counselling, Nutrition Consulting, Meditation, Yoga services and Wellness Coaching.  Contact your Health Care Practitioner for more information.

• You will be greeted in our clinic in true NL style, with a wink and a nod, in place of a handshake!
• Upon arrival, please visit our restroom to wash hands before relaxing in the comfort of our living room style waiting area.
• As much as we’d love to entertain you with our coloring books and magazines during our time together, we ask that you bring along your own reading materials and activities.
• Along with our relaxing music and fire place ambiance, we will provide free Wi-Fi for use in our waiting area.  Please bring along headphones if you decide to use the video option on your device.
• Our “tea bar” has been replaced with a “hydration station”, providing individual bottles of water as opposed to shared amenities.
• In addition to our clinic being cleaned by professional cleaners, we will also be sanitizing all hard surfaces and door handles on a daily basis.
• All of our Health Care Practitioners will be diligently cleaning and sanitizing their office space daily.
• Our Health Care Practitioner’s will also follow suit, by staying home in the event that we come down with flu like symptoms. We’re in this together.

• Please feel free to contact your Health Care Practitioner for more information regarding any concerns, clarification or suggestions.
• For regular provincial updates and more reliable information on COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19
• For valid self-assessment tools, please visit www.811healthline.ca

 

Yours in Health,

Tara, Heather, Chelsey, Tiffany, Pamela and Adam

Your team at Healthy Balance Holistic Health Group!

Phyllis Reardon M.Ed., Naturopath
Yes you can and it can be as easy as tapping on acupuncture points.
It has been over ten years since I was introduced to an energy technique known as Tapping. Of all the psychological courses I did at university none of them had the weirdness about them that this process offers. Maybe that is why I approached this energy technique with a large degree of skepticism. Was I proven wrong! Now ten years later as I finish up my certification as an Advanced Certified EFT practitioner I am often asked what is this weird looking thing you do?
What is this weird looking thing you do?
It is called Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or Tapping. It is a technique that changed my personal life and as a counsellor/life coach I decided that if it was that powerful for me I needed to train, get certified and share this powerful technique with my clients. Now daily I continue to be amazed at the changes that my clients make in their lives.
What is Emotional Freedom Technique?
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), commonly known as Tapping is a form of Meridian Therapy whereby you actually tap on points on your head, face and upper body. These tapping points are linked to the meridians, the ancient Chinese energy pathways in the body that are used in acupuncture but instead of using needles EFT uses gentle tapping on these points.
Our Energy Meridians run throughout our body and can get blocked by negative emotions. This disruption or blockage in the meridians can cause the body’s system to go off balance which can result in physical or emotional distress or both.
Emotional Freedom Techniques or EFT can bring you quick, effective relief from stress, anxiety, overwhelm, pain and suffering, distressing thoughts, disturbing memories, and limiting beliefs.
But how does this Tapping work?
EFT is based on the theory developed by EFT founder Gary Craig that states:
“All negative emotions and many of the physical discomforts that they cause are the result of disruptions in the body’s energy system.”
Unlike talk therapy the client does not have to relive past trauma or negative events but simply focus on the feeling, the emotion. Then through the painless EFT process that consists of focusing on the negative energy, tapping and some talk-therapy the client clears the disruption in their body’s energy system, the meridian pathways, releasing the sometimes long-held negative emotion. For the client this emotional release facilitates a change in perspective, new thoughts are created as cognitive shift occurs.
Shift happens.
How can it help me?
As Gary Craig, founder of EFT says, ‘EFT can be tried on everything.’ One example I like to give is that of speaking to a group of people, most times referred to generally as ‘public speaking.’ Estimates put this universal fear of public speaking at somewhere around 95%, meaning that most of you reading this article do or have in the past experienced the rapid heart-beat, sweaty palms, dry mouth or some other physical reaction to having to speak to a group of people. This fear can easily be released with the Tapping process. I personally experienced the public speaking benefits of Tapping.
Laser Counselling
I’m a professional counsellor and I now have chosen to call EFT my ‘laser counselling’ tool as it is both fast and effective. This painless form of therapy allows an individual to clear emotions around negative past events without having to revisit or relive those dreaded memories. EFT is like talk therapy but the process allows me to get to the issues faster and to clear them more thoroughly. Clients can experience cognitive shifts immediately.
Mental health & a heathy body
As I’ve already stated we are part of a body-mind connection and as such emotional health, mental health is key to achieving and maintaining a healthy body.
There is a growing body of research that shows that emotional stress can lead to disease and sickness but we don’t need research to tell us this. We can all recall a time in our life when a negative life situation caused a physical response, albeit maybe for a short time span but indeed an emotional reaction influences a physical response somewhere in the body. These negative response if held in the body can have an adverse impact on our health.
My Clients
I have worked successfully with a diversity of presenting issues ranging from:
Stress
Anxiety and depression
Grief
Sleep issues
Intimacy
Trauma and abuse
Phobias
Self-sabotaging behavior patterns
Resentment
Addictions
Physical pain
Spirituality
I can help you too. I’m only an email away. phyllis@coachphyllis.com
Email me for a free consultation.

It’s an exciting time for parents, children and families as this school year begins. Time to prepare mentally, emotionally and financially for the year ahead; while shopping for back to school clothes and supplies. As stress levels are on the rise, it’s important to nurture ourselves during this transition.
Feeling stressed just thinking about the busy year ahead?  Frustrated when trying to figure out which foods to put in your child’s lunch box?   Worried about the extra financial costs the school year will bring?
Here are some healthy lunch box ideas to jazz things up with convenient
ease for you and your family while respecting a savvy budget!

• Be sure to double check with your
  child’s school for a list of any food allergies, so that you can plan
  meals and snacks appropriately. Common allergies are nuts, eggs, kiwi, strawberries, bananas,
  seafood, etc. It is important to respect food allergy lists of foods not
  permitted in school as the consequences’ may be life threatening for those
  with these allergies.

• Make sure your child’s lunch bag is large enough to hold all containers, drinks and utensils.

• Be sure to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold by having the proper thermos and ice packs. Food safety is very important!

• Lack of water tops the list for contributing to day time fatigue, so make sure there’s water in your
  childs lunch bag. As well, white milk or alternatives such as Rice Beverage are great high protein drinks
  to help maintain your childs energy level, strengthen bones and increase
  muscle mass.

• For snacks, include fresh fruit (such as grapes, blueberries, plums, melons, apple slices, etc), yogurt, fresh vegetables’ (such as cherry tomato’s; peeled cucumber slices; fresh carrot sticks; fresh red, orange and yellow peppers; etc), crackers (whole wheat or gluten free alternative), cheese and homemade cookies

• Limit processed and packaged foods, such as cheese slices, cheese spread, pre-made meals, etc. Play food detective when reading food labels as claims can be very misleading. Processed foods contribute to a tired, lethargic feeling; increase the appetite; and are low in nutritive value (vitamins, minerals, water, healthy fats, healthy carbs and protein which are important for childhood development)

• Market fresh natural foods to your family by using coloured containers or by placing your children’s favourite stickers on the containers…visit your local discount store for a ton of fun, creative idea’s to spark your child’s interest in healthy foods.

• Build a meal to make your child’s lunch box a healthy balance. Be sure that your child has at least ½ cup of fresh vegetables; 2 oz of healthy, non processed protein and ¼ cup healthy high fibre carbohydrates in every meal.

• To help with savvy budgeting, plan your weekly meals around foods that are on sale in your weekly flyers. Cook extra portions with supper meals, so that there are leftovers for lunch boxes the next day. For example, left over beef stir fry is nice in a wrap for lunch.

Have a Happy & Healthy Day!
Tara
Tara K. Antle, BSc.AHN, RHN, RNCP
Nutritionist in Private Practice
Healthy Balance
47 Leslie Street (Heritage Health Care) 2nd floor
St. John’s, NL
A1E 2V7
(709) 722-1157

Thanks to a long-awaited guideline, health professionals will have more information to help them provide nutritional guidance to women throughout their lifespan.
It’s called the Canadian Consensus on Female Nutrition: Adolescence, Reproduction, Menopause and Beyond… and it was recently released by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and endorsed by the Dietitians of Canada.
To discuss the findings, Claudette Barnes from VOCM reached out to local Nutritionist Tara Antle:

 

Click to view article…

By Mariana Hernández-Hernández, WorkStory Ambassador at Memorial University
Tara Antle’s work story is an excellent example of initiative, proactivity, and of how one experience (whether it be volunteering, work or school) can take us to the next one. Her work story also shows us how it is possible to do what we love as a job and even turn it into an entrepreneurial endeavour.
Tara is a Nutritionist whose weekly activities include private nutrition consultations, providing grocery store tours, hosting kitchen parties, giving cooking lessons, and organizing seminars and workplace wellness programs.
Click here for full article…
 

Hi There,
Hope all is well with you and your health! So happy we’ve crossed paths!
It’s amazing how quickly time goes by, yet it’s still exciting to start another year of possibilities! Thought I’d touch base with a little update of things that have been going on here, with Healthy Balance since the last time we spoke! Hopefully, you’ll find this update interesting and beneficial to your health.
Over the past year Healthy Balance has gotten technically savvy by updating our website, which I like to call “freshening up” or “redecorating” the content! The new site, now allows for online booking of your appointments. In addition to working with clients in clinic, clients from all over our province, across Canada and around the world, have been able to avail of Healthy Balance Services via webcam. This past year also topped the charts, for regular media interviews, locally, provincially and nationally, with Healthy Balance. During the coming months, the Healthy Balance website will include a media section, showcasing links with interesting health information and interviews that might be of interest to you! Please take a peek at the Healthy Balance site (the link is provided below) and let me know what you think! You can also stay up to date by following Healthy Balance on Twitter (@tarakantle), LinkedIn (Tara Antle) and Facebook (join our page, Healthy-Balance, join our group Healthy Balance or add Tara Antle as a friend).
We are also pleased to say that Healthy Balance services are now covered by most insurance, under Naturopathy, including Great West Life, Blue Cross, Johnsons and Greenshield, to name a few! It’s been great for clients who are able to recoup most of the cost of their sessions via their health care insurance. With the price of food these days, every dollar counts, and this is a great way to stay healthy on a budget, while receiving nutrition advice from an accredited source! Double check with your insurance, to see if you have coverage under your policy.
Healthy Balance is excited to announce that clients are now able to book and pay as they go for private consultations, as opposed to having to commit to a monthly fee structure. This idea was a result of client feedback and has been a big hit for those who utilize services offered by Healthy Balance. It makes budgeting so much easier.
In addition to private consultations, Healthy Balance has been working with Work Place Wellness Programs to deliver group work, workshops and Seminars, on site, to different businesses, agencies and groups over the past years, with continued success. For 2016, we have decided to also focus on offering Workshops to the general public, right here in our clinic on Lesley Street. I will keep each of you posted when dates become available. Are there any topics that you feel we could design a workshop around?
Hmmm…imagine, Healthy Balance has stopped writing meal plans for clients!! Yikes!! From my experience, research and client input, we struggle with meal plans and are less likely to use them in the long run. To help break things down further, my focus has shifted to customized Meal Building Guidelines and Food Exchange Lists, along with a recipe exchange. By incorporating foods and meals that clients already eat on a regular basis, without having to leave anything out, equates to a long term positive change. We can fit anything into healthy living, if we learn how to build a meal out of it. Most recipes are designed to be a meal in one, while in reality they are actually a side dish that we need to build a meal from. This is a skill set that we will take forward with us. Client success has been tremendous as they have cut the diet strings, allowing themselves the freedom to eat, resulting in improved health by nurturing their bodies from the inside out, in a guilt free manner.
This year will also include something new for me…I am in the process of writing a book with hopes of having it completed within the next six months. It will focus on the mindset involved with making a healthy lifestyle change, while teaching us how to play food and marketing detective when it comes to food and health related choices. Everyday experiences, pictures and stories will be shared. Looking forward to this journey!
Thank you, once again, for your continued support by supporting local business and Healthy Balance. Healthy Balance will be celebrating its 7^th Birthday this year, thanks to YOU!!
Would love to hear how you are doing these days!! Please keep in contact!!
Wishing You a Happy & Healthy Year Ahead that’s Filled With Love, Laughter, Peace and Success!!!
Have a Happy & Healthy Day!
Tara
_________________________________
Tara K. Antle, BSc.AHN, RHN, RNCP
Nutritionist in Private Practice
Healthy Balance
47 Leslie Street (Heritage Health Care)
St. John’s, NL A1E 2V7
Tel: 709 722- 1157
 
 

Hey Summer Warriors!
Hope all is well and that you’re having a wonderful summer!! Thanks so much for connecting with us in the past!! We are certainly enjoying this warm weather with high humidex factor. Given all this heat, be sure to focus on your fluids.
Remember to stay hydrated by drinking upwards of a minimum of 4 – 500ml bottles of water daily (2 L)! Jazz your water up yourself by adding frozen fruit, fresh lemon or lime for flavour! Reduce fluids at least 2 hours before bedtime as sleep is important…hopefully, there won’t be as many trips to the bathroom during the night!
[ap_call_to_action button_text=”Read More” button_url=”http://healthy-balance.ca/smoothie-tips/” button_align=”center”]Check out this smoothie recipe for a healthy, refreshing drink! (approx 1 cup per portion).
Blueberry season is right around the corner!![/ap_call_to_action]
Clients can now book sessions directly online from this site and are able to pay per visit for each session in clinic!! We’ve also introduced Meal Building Guidelines and Food Exchange Lists to teach clients how to balance foods and their plate while incorporating new recipes along with some of their favourite family dishes!!
Services are covered by most insurance, (including Great West Life, Blue Cross, Desjardins, Johnsons, Sun life, Green Shield and the list goes on!) under Naturopathy which is a great incentive to help you achieve your health goals!!
Enjoy your smoothie and the rest of your summer!!
Have a Happy & Healthy Day!
Tara
_________________________________
Tara K. Antle, BSc.AHN, RHN, RNCP
Nutritionist in Private Practice
Healthy Balance
47 Leslie Street (Heritage Health Care)
St. John’s, NL A1E 2V7
Tel: 709 722- 1157
Web: www.Healthy-Balance.ca
 

(July 20 – 2015) Are you getting enough Vitamin D this summer??? CBC’s Jane Adey, just left my clinic from our discussion about other ways to ensure we’re getting adequate amounts…cause, we’re certainly not getting it from Sunshine, here in NL this year!! Our interview will either air today or tomorrow between 4 – 6 pm on CBC Radio…tune in for tips!