Reading Time: 3 minutes “As a farming community we should be the epitome of health.” That was the closing remark of one of the speakers at the Nuffield Triennial Farming Conference in southern England earlier this summer. The speaker had been talking about obesity and food-related health issues, and how farmers could be a solution to this serious problem. […] Read more
The world has an eating problem — and farming is the solution
Whether it’s obesity or malnutrition, Canadian farmers have an amazing opportunity to be agents of change
Tens of thousands turn to 211 helpline
Reading Time: < 1 minute A helpline that connects Albertans to community, government, and social services received more than 88,000 calls in 2016. Just over half of all calls to the 211 number last year were about income and social assistance; housing supports; transportation; and public service information. The call data provides “a view to the mostly invisible social service […] Read more
Mental health training to be part of first aid courses
Reading Time: < 1 minute St. John Ambulance is making mental health training part of its standard and emergency first aid courses. “We currently offer mental health first aid courses in several provinces,” said Philip Clarke, chancellor of the Priory Council that oversees St. John Ambulance. “Integrating a mental health module into our standard and emergency first aid courses is […] Read more
Celebrity advice could have a negative impact on your health
We have more good science and information than ever — and more people believing in ‘ridiculous bunk’
Reading Time: 3 minutes Words of advice from celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Katy Perry, and Tom Brady could be ruining your health or the health of the people around you. This was the message from Tim Caulfield, author, law professor and research director of the University of Alberta’s Health Law Institute during a seminar at FarmTech. “I really do […] Read more
Believe it or not — urban men are in better health than farmers
Stress and constantly working take their toll, but there’s a free and proven program that helps farmers enjoy healthier, better lives
Reading Time: 5 minutes You take good care of your land, your equipment, and your animals. But do you take the same care with your own health? Farmers tend not to think of themselves as a ‘tool’ that needs regular maintenance, says the program manager of Sustainable Farm Families Alberta. Combines, for instance, go into the shop before every […] Read more
Canola oil can help trim inches off the waist
Researchers found a significant decrease of belly fat in a clinical trial of obese subjects who included canola oil in their diets
Reading Time: 2 minutes Canola oil can help reduce belly fat, a new study has found. About 20 per cent of adults in Canada have metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions — including belly fat — that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Researchers at the University of Manitoba, Laval University, and Penn State University tested […] Read more
Just what are functional foods, anyway?
Here’s a brief primer on the health benefits that functional foods are supposed to deliver
Reading Time: 2 minutes The term ‘functional foods’ has been around for decades, but what does it mean? “While there is no legal definition for functional foods, a common definition is that a functional food provides health benefits beyond basic nutrition,” said Ava Duering, an analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. This is because they contain bioactive food compounds […] Read more
Alberta communities recognized as wellness champions
Initiatives range from healthier school snacks and walking trails to walkability workshops and exercise breaks at city meetings
Reading Time: 2 minutes Twenty Alberta communities and individuals have been recognized as wellness champions by making the province a healthier place to live, through active living, healthy eating and overall community wellness. Among the honourees recognized by the Communities ChooseWell program are: Longview for a policy passed by town council that stipulates that council will support non-profit programming, […] Read more
#FreeBacon sizzles on social media
WHO review: Negative tweets outnumber positive ones by more than 6.5 to one
Bacon lovers took to social media on Tuesday to express disdain over a World Health Organization report that said processed meat is likely to cause cancer. The hashtags #FreeBacon, #Bacongeddon and #JeSuisBacon were among the top-trending topics worldwide on Twitter for a second straight day. Celebrities, politicians and ordinary consumers were reacting to Monday’s announcement […] Read more
Is your well water safe to drink?
Water testing available free of charge through Alberta Health Services
Reading Time: 2 minutes AARD Release / Urbanites seldom worry about whether or not their water is safe to drink because regulations require municipalities to treat and test water quality on a regular basis. But it’s not so simple for rural residents who rely on wells, as they are responsible for managing and maintaining their wells, and ensuring their […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
