Research shows that many fruits, vegetables and spices are natural sources of the same molecules studied in connection with anti-cancer drugs. Incorporating them into your daily diet reduces your risk of getting cancer.

Papaya contains the same cancer fighting properties found in tomatoes as well as an additional one, the cartenoid beta-cyrptoxanthin. Carotenoids protect cells and membranes against damage and disease. Studies show that eating 1 or more papayas a week can lower the risk of getting cervical cancer.

Having been told for years to take our Vitamin C to fight colds, it has now been established that Vitamin D may actually be more critical to fighting off colds. It plays a number of roles in our body, including:

• Promoting absorption of calcium and bone health
• Boosting immune function
• Reducing inflammation
• Healthy neuro-muscular function
• Protecting against some forms of cancer

Vitamin D is critical to brain health. So much so that deficiency in Vitamin D can lead to depression.

Considered the leading cause of disability worldwide, experts estimate that within 20 years more people will be affected by depression than any other health problem. Clinical studies determined that the likelihood of people experiencing depression was significantly higher in people with Vitamin D deficiency compared to those with vitamin D sufficiency.

How can naturopathy help?

Let’s agree, no one likes to get old!

Or, to borrow from the ancient Greeks: Life is a play with a very bad last act.

And while there is an influx of lotions, potions, botox and a few other treatments in the market, by and large they deal with the effect.

But what if you worked on the cause of aging? Long term ailments, highly processed foods, stress and ongoing exposure to environmental toxins can result in persistent low grade inflammation that researchers are linking to premature aging and diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes and cancer. Intervention to preserve cell structure and function, can slow down the aging process enabling us to maintain a healthy, youthful and supple body.