Canadians are getting bigger and heavier.  Being overweight and obese is a major risk factor in many illnesses, including heart disease and cancer. The trick to losing weight is quite simple: calories in<calories out. Basically you have to burn more calories than you are consuming, or take in fewer calories than you are spending. Here are some simple ways to reduce your daily caloric intake without much effort:

• Instead of 2 creams and 2 sugars in your coffee, try 2 milks only
• Switch to low fat cottage cheese or yogurt instead of sour cream
• Cheese is good for you, but is also high in fat.  Consume in moderation!
• Remember that a portion of meat/fish is the size of a deck of cards, not more!
• Cut down on the beer, wine, pop and juice, and you can cut down on empty calories
• Many of us confuse hunger and thirst. Drink plenty of water throughout the day
• Keep a food diary. You will be surprised to see how much you eat when you see it written down!

Feel free to come see Dr. Lee or Dr. Chan for more tips on healthy eating and nutrition!

Summer is here, which means we no longer have excuses not to exercise and stay active. Doing at least 30 minutes of exercise 3-5 times per week decreases your risk of heart disease.  Joining the gym to do muscle building and cardio burns many calories and improves strength.

If you don’t have a lot of money or time to spare, here are some simple ways to increase your activity level:

• Get off one bus or subway stop before your destination and walk
• Take the stairs instead of the elevators/escalators
• Cycle to work (with your helmet of course!)
• Take the bus/subway to work and walk/jog back home
• Walk to the grocery store and carry your bags home

We’re pleased to announce that Dr. Jung Hwa Lee will be moving from Montreal to join HS Medical in March.  We are currently maintaining a wait list for her practice and will be booking appointments shortly.  Stay tuned…

HealthSource Medical Clinic is still accepting new patients for the family medicine practice. In addition to family medicine, walk-in services are also currently being offered. Come check us out!

Patients often ask me what vitamins I recommend. In the winter, given the reduction in amount of exposure to sunlight, Vitamin D deficiency is very common. Vitamin D is important in many ways. Vitamin D helps maintain bone density and healthy bone growth. It is crucially important in aiding the body’s absorption of calcium. Without sufficient vitamin D, calcium supplements are almost useless. Vitamin D insufficiency is a contributing factor of osteoporosis, as calcium absorption cannot be maximized. It has also been found that having a higher intake of vitamin D can help lower certain cancer risks, such as breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. So please get your dose of Vitamin D daily. The usual dose of Vitamin D is 800-1000 IU per day, especially for post-menopausal women or those with limited sun exposure. If you have any questions, please book an appointment and come see me.

Dr. B Chan

The clinic construction is going very well and an official opening date has been scheduled for January 18, 2010. Those registered to become patients will be contacted in January to schedule their first appointment.
 
I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and very happy holiday season. I look forward to meeting you in January.
 
Sincerely,
 
Dr. Chan

We are grateful for the warm welcome we have been receiving from the neighbourhood and are very appreciative of the large demand of people who are interested in becoming patients.  Dr. Chan is eagerly awaiting to open in January and to meet his new potential patients. Please continue to refer the clinic if you know anyone that is looking for a Family Doctor accepting new patients. Unfortunately, people in Toronto have become accustomed to going to walk-in clinics due to the lack of Family Doctors. We welcome all those that do not already have Family Doctors; particularly those that are new to the city, have lost their physician due to a death, relocation or retirement. Stay tuned..

We would like to apologize for the delay in opening the clinic, especially to Dr.Venis’ existing patients, of who have been registered for some time now. We were hoping to start accepting new patients in the Fall, however ran into problems with the City of Toronto strike, obtaining permits, etc. We are hoping to start construction next week!