UPCOMING FEATURE COVER STORY FOR THE BC SOUTH ASIAN HEALTH MAGAZINE
REFRESHMENT-AWAITS
Farming Karma is a family-owned and operated business. The name originally came from farmer, Karma Gill. Karma, along with his wife, Kuku, have been apple orchardists in the BC Interior for over 30 years. Their passion for agriculture has enabled them to produce some of the highest quality fruit in the Okanagan Valley. Despite three decades spent as successful tree-fruit farmers, Karma and Kuku wanted to do more—they wanted to give back to the community and contribute to the agricultural industry in a different way. With a hope of sparking the interest of the next generation of agricultural pioneers, they began the creation of healthy, value-added fruit products. Karma and Kuku employed the help of their children, Avi, Binny, and Sumeet to create an agri-tourism facility on their Orchard in Kelowna, BC. The facility serves as a hub for their production facility, where Farming Karma Sodas are created, and includes an RV park, cherry orchard, tasting room, media building, and more. The family-run business has grown from strength to strength attracting visitors from all over Canada. Their ‘Do Good’ initiative expands on the original hopes Karma and Kuku had for Farming Karma—giving back to the community and making a significant impact for the future.
Avi Gill & Binny Boparai-Gill with their little one
farmingkarma.ca
1160 Mckenzie Road, Kelowna, BC V1P 1C3
778-990-9737
Farming Karma
UPCOMING BC SAHM FEATURE COVER STORY
ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN WITH FENG SHUI FUSION
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Never before Feng Shui Mastery and Design expertise has been fused into one. He not only design spaces aesthetically beautiful and functional but also auspicious and lucky in all other aspects of your life. With over 25 years of experience – Deepak’s master’s expertise in Feng Shui, in addition to his experience as a Design and Construction Industry professional, has gained him international prestige. Deepak studied Feng Shui under several Masters and Grand Masters of Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and notably among them are Yap Chang Hai, Lillian Too and Adelina Pang before venturing out on his own – additionally, he learnt deep ancient techniques of Feng Shui from secret Masters of Tibet. Apart from practicing Architecture, Interior Design and Feng Shui professionally, Deepak conducts training classes, seminars and talks on Feng Shui. He often customizes his lectures and workshops as per the preference of his audience, and touches upon relevant and valuable industry-specific information. Having risen in popularity, Deepak’s Feng Shui services have become an integral thread in the design tapestry of the Pacific Northwest’s real estate market. His expertise in the field of FENG paired with Interior Design has become so indisputable that his clients refer to him as the “DESIGN EINSTEIN”
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He believes: “Energy is our most precious gift from the Cosmos. Good energy people and good energy homes manifest happiness, harmony and abundance. when your Life, Home, and Career are aligned with cosmic energies, you will enjoy all that Universe has to offer. Whether it is love, business or well-being, Feng Shui is the key to unlock whatever blocks your path” Upcoming Events: November 21st 6-8pm Feng Shui for Wealth and Abundance November 25th Feng Shui & Astrology Monthly Guidance series December 9th Get Ready for 2024 Dragon Leap Year
UPCOMING BC FEATURE COVER STORY
www.physiatrixrehab.com
Physiotherapy
Acupuncture
Active rehabilitation
Massage therapy
Vestibular therapy
Dry needling
Pelvic floor therapy
Naturopathic medicine
Harleen Kalra is a dedicated physiotherapist and co-founder of Physiatrix Rehabilitation, a multidisciplinary clinic located in Delta and Surrey. At Physiatrix, she and her team emphasize holistic patient care, addressing the comprehensive needs of their clientele. Harleen's educational journey began at the University of British Columbia, where she earned a Bachelor's of Science.
Gurman Mangat is a physiotherapist and the co-founder of Physiatrix Rehabilitation, a multidisciplinary rehab clinic, located in the heart of Delta and Surrey. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree from Simon Fraser University, Gurman then proceeded to obtain her Doctorate in Physiotherapy from the University of Melbourne, Australia. She graduated with her Doctorate in 2015 and started her career in private practice
Subsequently, she secured her Doctorate of Physiotherapy from Melbourne University in 2017 and transitioned into private practice. Since then, she has expanded her expertise, particularly in vestibular and pelvic floor physiotherapy. Beyond her clinical work, Harleen's entrepreneurial spirit is evident. An active member of the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia and a staunch wellness advocate, she consistently champions the value of her profession and its holistic approach to patient care. While committed to her professional endeavors, Harleen skillfully balances work with the joys and challenges of motherhood. Under Harleen's leadership, Physiatrix Rehabilitation focuses on the individual needs of each patient, offering tailored and thorough care. As she looks ahead, Harleen aspires for the clinic to grow both in its capacity and the breadth of services offered. She's deeply committed to boosting health literacy, especially in the South Asian community, positioning Physiatrix as a beacon for education and the myriad benefits of physiotherapy.
in 2016. She decided to work in several different private practice locations to try and gain as much knowledge from her co-workers and communities, in efforts to better serve people in need of physiotherapy care. During that time, she took several courses, such as dry needling, pelvic floor, and attended in-clinic seminars, such as shoulder rehab and scoliosis. She got married in 2019 and a year later, she embarked upon opening her own clinic with her co-founder Harleen Kalra. Unfortunately, well into the process, the COVID 2020 Pandemic hit, and they were very quickly faced with the difficult task of learning how to navigate through the business world during those tough times. Since then, Gurman has managed to build successful relationships with her local community and run a successful multi-disciplinary clinic. She now takes pride in knowing that they have created a successful and hardworking team at Physiatrix Rehab who all work together in providing the best care to those in need.
604-728-7626
info@physiatrixrehab.com
105-11957 80 Ave, Delta, BC
@physatrixrehab
Publisher’s Note Dear Readers, Welcome to another issue of the BC South Asian Health Magazine. In this issue, we are thrilled to bring you an array of informative articles, captivating stories, and exciting features that are sure to keep you engaged. As always, our mission is to provide our readers with valuable insights and resources to enhance their overall well-being and empower them to make informed choices for a healthier lifestyle. The BC South Asian Health Magazine brings you a wide range of content covering various aspects of health. We have curated content that addresses the unique health concerns and challenges faced by the South Asian community. Our feature cover story for this issue is on Sunny Rodhey, Scientist & Founder of Health IS Wealth Group Inc. His company manufactures supplements to help support cognitive health, healthy aging and quality of life. His product line includes BrainMEND, GutMEND, SleepMEND and Lion’s Mane. These products are available online through his Shopify website at www.healthiswealthnaturals.com and can be purchased online at Amazon and Walmart as well. Check out his inspirational story inside! We have a special feature on Nutritionwize Diet Clinic owner Manmeet Behl, who is a Director, Registered Dietitian, & Certified Diabetes Educator. She discusses the importance of nutrition in the South Asian community and factors to take into consideration when finding a dietitian who can provide the right nutritional plan. The South Asian community is predisposed to many health conditions and diseases, so Manmeet’s philosophy for her clients is “let food be your medicine”. You can see all the services she offers online www.nutritionwize.com This past Summer, Nature’s Source was the title presenting sponsor of the Ontario South Asian Health Expo and also our feature cover story. Nature’s Source launched 25 years ago by a husband/wife team – Sanjiv & Mona Jagota - and although their stores are mainly located in Ontario, their website www.natures-source.com caters to customers across Canada. Check out their article inside to find out how Sanjiv & Mona found success in the natural health food industry. Hope our audience enjoys the many inspirational stories we are sharing within the South Asian community across Canada … there are many more coming your way in future magazine issues! We also have a few exciting initiatives coming up within the next few months and will be making big announcements as well. Stay tuned. CHEERS TO GOOD HEALTH!
Rina Gill
Event Organizer, South Asian Health Expo Publisher, South Asian Health Magazine CEO, The #HYPE Advertising Agency Co-Host, South Asian Health Show
778 688 4973
rina@thehypeadagency.com www.thehypeadagency.com
The publisher is not responsible for any manuscripts, images, photographs, or any other material. By accepting and publishing advertising, editorial, advertorial, profiles or any other information in this publication; the publisher in no way recommends, guarantees or endorses quality of services or products and information within the context of the above-mentioned. Although every precaution is taken in the preparation of this publication, the Publisher shall have no liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused by the contents of this publication. The Publisher is not liable for any errors or omissions and does not guarantee in any way the accuracy of information provided in the contents of this publication. Copyright 2023 by The Hype Advertising Agency. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including internet or photocopying without written permission of the Publisher.
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Neelam Toprani has over 30 years of experience in business as well as in Ayurveda including scientific research, and product formulation as part of her specialties. Her expertise lies in Ayurvedic product development based on classical texts, sales and marketing, and branding of retail products in the marketplace in Canada, the US, and Europe. She also has extensive experience in Health Canada & FDA regulations, import and export regulations, and new product development of Ayurveda botanicals with sensitivity to Western culture in the nutraceutical market. Her company Padmashri Naturals Inc. is a prominent Life Sciences company with Agriculture Canada and BC trade & invest and is invited as a trade delegate to various international conferences.
President & CEO
Padmashri Naturals Inc.
UPCOMING FEATURE COVER STORY FOR THE BC SOUTH ASIAN HEALTH MAGAZINE
Neelam was appointed Research Associate of the World Institute for Scientific Exploration (WISE) Harvard Branch in April 2014. She has been actively involved in reviewing several papers including “Contemporary challenges in Ayurveda: An ancient medical technology by Suresh Kumar, Neelam Toprani, Shanmugamurthy Lakshmanan “ Neelam is the founding director and Vice President of AAC (Ayurvedic Association of Canada) and held the position of Secretary to the Executive Council of AAPNA (Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America).
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SUNNY RODHEY
Scientist and founder of Health IS Wealth Group Inc.
1) Tell us about your upbringing and childhood. My parents moved from Punjab, India to Canada in 1976 and I was born and raised in Quesnel, BC. Growing up, my parents were always supportive and there for me. This had a big impact and I grew up believing I could do anything. During the summers, I worked with my father in the sawmill, experiencing tough, physical work. I think this helped establish a solid work ethic and I learned to respect diverse types of industry. My father was an educated man who was also an author - he had a passion for writing and he played a variety of musical instruments and sports. I believe observing him pursue his interests ignited the spark in me to set high goals for myself.
2) What do you think are some of the drawbacks and benefits of growing up in a small community? In a small community, everyone knows each other and gossip travels at the speed of light. You cannot go anywhere without running into someone you know, so I learned to stay on my best behavior when in public. Small towns may mean everyone knows your business, but it also means they will be there to support you through your successes and failures. One thing you learn in a small town is how to be a good neighbor, and in a small town, everyone is your neighbor! It can feel like your whole town is your family. Everybody helps one another and learning to be compassionate as a kid stays with you for a lifetime. In addition, when your town does not have much in the way of entertainment, you learn how to make your own fun and find your people, such as like-minded friends who really understand you. While these things may seem insignificant during childhood, they can actually play a significant role in shaping how we see the world as adults. Some of the values instilled in me growing up in Quesnel include humility, accountability, hard work, confidence and resilience.
3) Tell us about your background as a Scientist and what intrigued you about health sciences. In high school, I did not like math or physics and I was not interested in the arts. I found biology and chemistry to be my most intriguing classes. I was interested in the molecular basis for changes occurring in cells and the chemistry of living organisms. Therefore, I chose to play to my strengths and decided to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at UBC. A few years later, I completed a Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry / Toxicology from Pace University in New York. I had the opportunity to work in various labs in different cities and travel throughout the USA for almost 4 years. I have 16 years of experience as a laboratory Scientist.
4) What inspired you to start Health IS Wealth Group Inc.? In 2004, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the young age of 62. This was shocking and life altering news for the whole family. Seeing my father decline over many years was one of the hardest things that I have gone through. The doctors prescribed him a few different prescription medicines but all had harsh side effects and were minimally effective. As a Scientist, I noted that there were not many decent options of natural health solutions on the market to address early memory issues and cognitive health. Therefore, in 2017, I founded Health IS Wealth Group Inc. (operating as Health IS Wealth) – a natural health and wellness company focused on manufacturing supplements to help support cognitive health, healthy aging and quality of life. The name of the brand “Health IS Wealth” – was chosen as a result of our personal family story. It is a resonating statement and important reminder that there is no greater wealth than health.
5) What does your product line consist of and what are the benefits of each product? In 2017, I launched my first product – BrainMEND®, to help support cognitive health and brain function. This product quickly became popular on Amazon and therefore, four additional natural health products (NHPs) were gradually launched after the initial success with BrainMEND®. These include: GutMEND®, a probiotic-free digestive health powder to help relieve gut inflammation and promote digestion SleepMEND®, a melatonin-free herbal sleep aid to help relieve restlessness and to promote sleep Lion’s Mane, an organic mushroom extract to boost immune and brain health and, Hydrolyzed bovine collagen type 1 and 3 powder, to help support the health of skin, nails, hair and reduce joint pain associated with osteoarthritis.
6)What makes your product line different from other supplements in the market? The Health IS Wealth brand was founded on the basis of tragedy and passion. We specialize in creating innovative and synergistic NHPs based on the latest breakthroughs in science. Our formulations specifically contain combinations of multiple nutrients from both Western and Eastern traditional systems of medicine. The ingredients and doses are extensively researched and carefully chosen based on beneficial results reported in clinical studies. These are the key differentiators that set us apart from the competition. There are many probiotics for gut health and melatonin products for sleep health on the market. However, these products have some disadvantages and do not work for everyone. Our GutMEND® and SleepMEND® products are great alternatives to probiotics
and melatonin. Our proprietary MEND series products are based on scientific literature and principles where the 3 products – BrainMEND®, GutMEND® and SleepMEND® can be taken in unison to provide the greatest potential for improving cognitive health, overall wellness and quality of life. This is because a poor diet can lead to chronic low grade inflammation and brain fog, a leaky gut negatively affects brain health and bad sleeping habits or poor sleep are all modifiable factors that can increase the risk of dementia.k of dementia.
7)What are some of the common health issues the South Asian community is dealing with and which products do you recommend? In my opinion, most South Asians seem to be affected by the usual culprits – high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. As
the world population of the baby boomer generation ages, the cases of dementia and Alzheimer’s in every community are also rising significantly. Therefore, my top 3 recommendations are BrainMEND®, Lion’s Mane, and GutMEND® for supporting brain and gut health because they are so closely intertwined. For those experiencing sleep issues, I would also recommend SleepMEND®, to help get sufficient quality sleep. Health IS Wealth products contain herbal ingredients that can provide additional health benefits beyond brain, gut and sleep health such as naturally lowering blood pressure and blood sugar. If you are taking prescription blood pressure or diabetes medications, it is always good to speak with your healthcare provider prior to taking natural health supplements to avoid interactions that can cause blood pressure or blood sugar to decrease to low levels.
8) Tell us about the customer feedback on your product line. We have thousands of loyal customers for our Health IS Wealth brand and high customer satisfaction ratings across our retail stores and e-commerce platforms. We believe in formulating and manufacturing high quality products and providing exceptional customer service. Our natural health supplements are unique, safe and effective and our product line has received demand from the USA and outside of North America.
9) In your opinion, what is the greatest factor to determine good health beyond supplements? This may sound cliché, but a healthy diet and regular exercise are two important factors for healthy aging. Research shows that being socially connected and sharing moments of fun and laughter with family and friends is very important for mental and physical health.
10) Where can our audience buy your products? Our products are available online through our Shopify website at www.healthiswealthnaturals.com and can be purchased online at Amazon and Walmart. We are currently in 27 retail store locations in the lower mainland and Vancouver Island. Our locations include Thrifty Foods, Nutrition House, and independent natural health food stores and pharmacies. If there is a particular retail location where you would like to see our products, please email us at info@ healthiswealthnaturals.com
11) What are your thoughts on the SOS (Save Our Supplements) movement? This is a very crucial campaign for all businesses in the NHPs industry. The changes that Health Canada is forcing on NHPs will require this class of products to bear an unnecessary amount of regulation. Specifically, new labelling requirements and new user fees for regulatory activities are set to come into effect in 2025. Health Canada’s proposed changes will financially decimate many Canadian businesses, will increase prices for consumers, and limit the amount of product choice you see on store shelves. New, innovative products will not launch on the market because the regulatory burden will be too severe. Small, local
businesses like ours may not be able to afford to navigate increasingly complex regulations – a cost our industry and Canadians cannot bear during these inflationary times. For more information and to support the SOS campaign, visit www.saveoursupplements.ca
12) What are your future plans/goals for your business and product line? Our company continues to explore the latest scientific research and developments in the “anti-aging” (healthy aging) space. We are currently creating preliminary formulations for supplements that support liver health, mitochondrial health and those that target certain enzymes and proteins to help delay the aging process and increase human longevity. We would like to see these additional, innovative natural health products launch on the Canadian market if our business can endure the proposed changes by Health Canada. We are also looking to scale our business and launch into as many vitamins & supplements stores across Canada. We would love to hear from brokers, retail stores and distributors that are interested in carrying our products!
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REKHA LAFORTY CERTIFIED LIFE COACH (JAY SHETTY LIFE COACHING PROGRAM) WILL BE AN UPCOMING FEATURE COVER STORY FOR THE ONTARIO SOUTH ASIAN HEALTH MAGAZINE
Rekha was born and raised in Ontario, Canada to parents who immigrated independently and met here in Canada. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in biology from the University of Western Ontario, and then proceeded to become a Registered Nurse. Rekha has been a nurse for 24 years and she’s a consultant with a B-Corp company that specializes in clean, vegan skincare, nutrition and cosmetics. She recently graduated from Jay Shetty’s Certification School and is now a Certified Life Coach. Rekha is a twice-divorced mom of 6 and a domestic-abuse survivor. After her second divorce, she felt a lot of shame and humiliation. Not only shame for being divorced twice, but also shame around her husband cheating on her. He tried to make me believe that something was wrong with her. After being in a very dark place for quite some time, she finally decided to take control over her life and emotions. Rekha realized that narcissists are very good at making themselves look good, even when they are doing bad things. She realized that she is an amazing person and am much stronger than she thought.
She has created a free resource online for divorced moms called "5 Tips To Help You Get Unstuck After Your Divorce".
Rekha started sharing her story on social media in hopes of helping other women who were feeling unworthy after their divorce. Instagram account grew to over 30,000 followers, however she had to stop using that account because of the amount of South Asian men who were attacking her for speaking up for women. It was then that she realized the huge need, especially in the South Asian community, for women to be courageous and stand up for themselves. They need a voice. Rekha has made it her mission to help other moms gain the confidence and skills needed to overcome the shame and stigma that comes with being a divorced mom, so that they can hold their heads high and be proud of who they are.
@iamrekhagill
www
msha.ke/rekhalaforty
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www.nutritionwize.com - (905) 970-1414
Let Food be Your Medicine Manmeet Behl, RD, CDE Director, Registered Dietitian, & Certified Diabetes Educator
www.nutritionwize.com - (905) 970-1414
1. Tell us about your background and what inspired you to start Nutritionwize Diet Clinic?
T
his passion for helping others see the magic of nutrition ignited in Manmeet at a young age, while building a new career and family life in a new country against the face of many battles. Born into a traditional Indian-Sikh family, Manmeet Behl was one of the first females in her family to acquire a university degree and higher-level education. On the basis of her exemplary academic and professional experience in the field of Food & Nutrition in India, she achieved the opportunity to immigrate to Canada where the real journey of her career as a Registered Dietitian began. Today, Manmeet is also a Certified Diabetes Educator, Cancer Prevention Educator, and internationally qualified Food Safety Trainer. Working in a variety of settings, Manmeet realized how passionate she is about educating others on the power of nutrition and wellness. Through her experiences, Manmeet saw that the diets of Canadians are not meeting the recommended nutrition requirements. As a result, an increasing number of people are becoming unhealthy and overweight, which is a major factor for the cause of chronic diseases like diabetes and high cholesterol. Compelled to bring awareness to this, Manmeet along with her two co-directors took the initiative to create Nutritionwize Diet Clinic and its signature Nutritionwize Education Programs, which educate patients on chronic disease management and prevention. Manmeet also dedicated her time to volunteer as Chief Dietitian on STOP Diabetes Foundation. In this role, she has led several campaigns such as the “What’s in your Thali?” initiative at local Gurudwaras to educate the Sikh community on healthy Langar food choices.
www.nutritionwize.com - (905) 970-1414
Till date, Manmeet and her team have helped over 10,000 patients heal their bodies with the goodness of food.
2. What types of services do you provide and are any of them customized?
A
ll the services provided at Nutritionwize Diet Clinic can be personalized to the wants and needs of each individual, within direct guidance of a Registered Dietitian. Our nutrition counselling involves one-to-one sessions in which clients are provided with education and customized meal plans to help achieve the goals they desire. Meal plans can be customized to suit the individuals’ cultural background and foods to ensure that the changes made to their diets are not only comfortable, but also sustainable beyond the sessions as well. Additional services are the Nutritionwize Education Programs, consisting of 5-4 sessions each. These programs cater to specific areas such as Children’s Nutrition, Cancer Prevention, Heart Health, Holistic & Medically Supervised Weight Loss Programs and many more. These programs allow for clients to gain in-depth knowledge on the designated topics and learn how to implement good nutrition as an aid for better health, with many tools such as meal plans and take-home resources. One of its kind, the Body Composition Analysis test at Nutritionwize Diet Clinic, is the magic key that opens the door to all the answers needed to understand our bodies. In 60 seconds, the test provides answers on what your body is made up of; such as fat mass, lean body mass, water weight, visceral fat, basal metabolic rate and more. With these answers, Registered Dietitians can customize the steps down to each calorie in order to achieve your health goals easily and efficiently. Our Registered Dietitians at Nutritionwize Diet Clinic speak a variety of languages, including English, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Afrikaans, Arabic, and can also provide sessions with your cultural background in mind. Whether you seek the comfort of your home or the welcoming environment of the clinic, you can meet with our Registered Dietitians virtually or in person! Nutritionwize Diet Clinic accepts all major insurance plans that provide coverage for Registered Dietitian services as well.
3. What is the difference between a Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian?
N
utritionwize Diet Clinic’s team consists of Registered Dietitians and Certified Diabetes Educators. In Ontario, Registered Dietitian is a protected title and is provincially regulated, meaning that Registered Dietitians are held accountable to uphold the highest standards of education and ethics. The title ‘Registered Dietitian’ can only be used by those who are legally licensed as such. On the other hand, Nutritionists are not held accountable to any regulatory bodies in Ontario and can have varying levels of education as well. In the setting of Nutritionwize Diet Clinic, our Registered Dietitians work hand in hand with Physicians to provide utmost care to all patients.
4. Under what circumstances do people start looking for a Registered Dietitian?
F
oods embody immense power to not only heal our bodies, but also prevent countless diseases from occurring within our bodies too. This is what drove Manmeet to bring awareness to the community about how the right food and nutrition can benefit you. However, the general trend is that most people only start seeking a Registered Dietitian when they discover they have health issues such as Diabetes or are in great need of weight loss or gain. At any given point in your health journey, Registered Dietitians can be of great help to develop and reach a healthy lifestyle. Manmeet strongly believes that prevention is always better than cure, but Nutritionwize Diet Clinic can help you with both!
5. What are some of the key health issues that are specific to South Asians and how does nutrition play an important role?
S
outh Asian populations are prone to developing particular health issues over others, such as diabetes and high cholesterol. Due to their genetic predisposition, South Asians are far more likely to develop Diabetes, and South Asian diets also make a significant impact too. These diets tend to be rich in saturated fats, fried items, sugar, and refined carbohydrates, while having low fibre, whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Such diets can lead to various health issues such as simply because the foods are made up in this way.
www.nutritionwize.com - (905) 970-1414
Tradition is of great importance to South Asian culture, and one of the best ways to share and manifest that tradition is through its delicious foods. However, these traditions can sometimes be misunderstood as myths about foods that following can actually lead to less health benefits. For example, some common beliefs in the South Asian communities are that brown sugar is a healthier option than white sugar, consuming yogurt at night is poor for your health, and that consuming a lot of sugar can cause Diabetes and fuel Cancer. This is a crucial part of Nutritionwize Diet Clinic’s approach; our Registered Dietitians provide education on common misconceptions such as these to encourage patients to make wise and informed food choices. As Diwali comes close, South Asians who celebrate it around the world celebrate its significance through prayers, large feasts, and sharing delicious food sweets as gifts. It is important to ensure eating healthy is still maintained during this auspicious time, by following tips such as consuming sweets in moderation and limiting deep fried dishes such as pooris, pakoras, samosas and more.
www.nutritionwize.com - (905) 970-1414
6. Walk us through some of the steps involved when putting together a nutrition plan for a client.
N
utrition counselling for every individual involves a comprehensive nutrition assessment, in which a detailed analysis on current dietary habits and needs is conducted by a Registered Dietitian. This includes an in-depth analysis of your diet, such as common foods you eat, meal timings, and the relation of diet and illness. Additionally, Registered Dietitians will evaluate any medications or supplements you take, along with their food interactions. This careful assessment will allow the Registered Dietitian to provide you a personalized meal plan and nutrition recommendations based on their expertise and your goals.
7. Approximately how long does it take to make changes to existing nutrition habits?
E
veryone’s bodies are different and have unique nutrition requirements as well. A meal plan that may work wonders on one individual may do little
on another, so nutrition is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution. Fortunately, there is so much we can do with nutrition that different options can help achieve the same results! This is why making changes to existing nutrition habits can take some time to implement and see results. Nutritionwize Diet Clinic’s Registered Dietitians provide clientcentered care, meaning we follow the pace of the client to ensure that the adopted healthy eating habits are long term and sustainable. BMI is a great tool to assess one’s health, however there can be some discrepancy in using that tool as well. Two individuals could have the same BMI, but have a completely different body composition. The Body Composition Analysis test at Nutritionwize Diet Clinic allows us to determine your individual Basal Metabolic Rate. This is the number of calories your body needs to accomplish its most basic (basal) life-sustaining functions. Registered Dietitians then utilize this number as a baseline to set SMART Goals and create realistic timelines to achieve your desired health goals.
8. What is the approach Nutritionwize Diet Clinic uses towards helping clients maintain healthy food choices and achieve their goals?
9. Tell us about your future plans?
S
eeing how many individuals Nutritionwize Diet Clinic has helped till date is always an inspiration to spread the magic of nutrition even further. Manmeet anticipates to see Nutritionwize Diet Clinic at several locations across the Greater Toronto Area by 2024, and throughout the province of Ontario soon as well. Nutritionwize’s Registered Dietitians are currently providing education in +20 medical clinics. Additionally, in September 2023, Nutritionwize Diet Clinic inaugurated its second and largest location at 170 Sandalwood Parkway East, Brampton, ON. With this location also serving as Nutritionwize’s Corporate Office, the initial location at 9960 Airport Road, Brampton, ON continues to accept patients as well! Nearly all our services have now been expanded to be available both in-person and virtually as well to allow for ease of access to all those in need of nutrition guidance. Many more programs and initiatives are also in the works for the upcoming year to ensure Manmeet and the Nutritionwize team spread nutrition awareness throughout all communities.
S
eeing our clients achieve their goals, health and personal, is always a proud moment for Nutritionwize Diet Clinic. It is a reflection of not only our clients’ commitment and dedication to their health, but also our Registered Dietitians’ unwavering support! Manmeet and her team empower clients through sessions in a way that allows them to manage their diets and nutrition successfully beyond the supervision of a Registered Dietitian. In each session, patients leave the room having learned new information and personalized recommendations to further guide their food choices. Something as simple as a cheat day is incredibly valuable to individual’s making changes to their diet; we recognize that cravings are real and you want to munch on some snacks! Allowing for those cravings to be present and fulfilling them while following a healthy diet is something we always encourage. After all, a happy stomach is a healthy body. Doing this allows clients to maintain healthy food choices after completing sessions with a Registered Dietitian because they will not feel the need to give up and resort to unhealthier food options, falling into the trap of yo-yo dieting. Manmeet always encourages sustainable and impactful lifestyle changes.
www.nutritionwize.com - (905) 970-1414
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Celebrating 25 years in th
Meet
SANJIV & MONA JAGOTA Owners of Nature’s Source and Signature www.natures-source.com
he Natural Health Industry
Nature’s Source, a traditional health food store founded by Sanjiv and Mona Jagota, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It has three stand-alone locations in the greater Toronto area. Additionally, Sanjiv owns and operates 13 Nature’s Signature stores, all located inside Metro grocery stores, spanning across Southern Ontario. www.natures-source.com
www.natures-source.com
www.natures-source.com
1)Tell us about both of your backgrounds and what inspired you to start Nature’s Source? Sanjiv – I studied Health Sciences in both University and College and worked in the pharmaceutical industry. From there, I transitioned into the Health Food Industry where my passion was. Mona – I studied Commerce and have worked with Nature’s Source from day one. I oversee the finance department. 2)Over the past 25 years in the natural foods industry, what are some of the key observations, challenges and how have things progressed? We have seen more emphasis on research and more awareness to natural health. One of the most pressing issues is pricing. Some health food store owners don’t have business expertise, and they think everything is about offering product at a low price. We spend too much time competing against discounters. Low pricing doesn’t get us anywhere. Margins continue to be an issue for retailers, he adds, along with finding ways to keep staff in the industry. Attracting and keeping clients is also an everevolving quandary. I also believe the future for health food retailers is based on the exchanges taking place between customers and store staff. I think if retailers are going to exist in the marketplace, we have to get stronger in customer service, in how we do things in the retail selling space. We have to offer more on the retail floor than we do today. We have to give people a reason to shop in our stores, and not seek other methods or destinations to buy their supplements.”
to ensure the correct mix of natural health products and to avoid conflicts with medications, which is often underplayed. 6)Food lacks nutritional value, so (in your opinion) which supplements are most required in today’s environment, based on the western diet? Probiotics and digestive enzymes are very important. Probiotics help maintain the correct microbiome for efficient digestion, supporting immune functions, and making vitamins B and K available for the rest of the body. Digestive enzymes help break down various foods of lower nutritive value, and make the nutrients available to be absorbed by the intestines.
3)How is Nature’s Source different from other natural health stores? Our approach has been to carry evidence-based products that are therapeutic and free of artificial colours and flavours. The vast majority of our store staff are health professionals, such as registered nutritionists, naturopathic doctors, and sports nutritionists. 4)What supplements are most important for children, men, women, and seniors in general? To begin with, the basics should be Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Magnesium and a Vitamin B Complex. The supplements needed by people change as their nutritional needs change as we go through various stages of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy, post-partum, middle age, and elderly. 5)What are some of the common health issues the South Asian community is dealing with and which products do you recommend? Our community is generally concerned with diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure and mental illness. It is best to speak with our in-store experts www.natures-source.com
7)What is the most common/ popular supplement sold in your stores and why? Plant-based protein has recently become very popular among all age groups. Many people use it to make sure they get enough energy and protein in the diets. Some people find it easier to digest than whey protein. 8)In your opinion, what is the greatest factor to determine good health beyond supplements? Avoiding white sugar, white flour, and pop! Exercise and good sleep go a long way to promoting better health. Working closely with a practitioner is a big bonus!
9)As a husband-wife team working together in business, are there any tips you can share with our readers? We stay out of each other’s lanes; Mona is much smarter than me in many areas of the business which I try to stay out of and vice versa. 10)What are your future plans/goals for the company? We will continue to serve the communities we are in the best we can and continue to grow into new communities across Ontario. 11)What are your thoughts on the www.saveoursupplements.ca campaign? Health Canada is purposing new regulations which will have a negative impact on the availability of natural health products in Canada. I am not sure our vendors will be able to keep up with the costs of adapting. With their costs going up, consumers will be impacted, making their health journey that much more expensive. One thing for sure is that we will lose the depth of range of products. www.natures-source.com
We are excited to announce Kamal Sekhon-Dhillon, Owner of Kamal’s Day Spa, is the Feature Cover Story for the South Asian Health Magazine BC - Winter Issue
KamalsDaySpa KamalsDaySpa KamalsDaySpa1
Special Fall /Winter Promotion Receive a complimentary Foot-Reflexology session, when booking a Lymphatic Drainage Massage. Book a Laser Hair Removal treatment (ND YAG 1064) over $200 and get the second service for half price.
Kamal Sekhon-Dhillon Kamal is a strong, resilient woman who's been running a successful business for many years in the community. Her spiritual outlook has contributed to her becoming the inspirational entrepreneur that she is today and she is ready to share her story with the world.
604 594 7195 KamalsDaySpa@gmail.com Visit our Online Store
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