Save Our Supplements!

Have you ever used supplements to:

• Help you sleep?

• Get your kids pooping?

• Navigate PMS symptoms?

• Accelerate healing after illness or surgery?

• Manage the unpleasant symptoms of GERD?

• Improve athletic performance?

If supplements have helped you improve your overall health or supported your specific health concerns, then keep reading…

71% of Canadians use Natural Health Products (NHPs) like vitamins and supplements toothpaste, sunscreen, deodorant, probiotics, and infant/children’s products as part of their proactive health and well-being.[1] As Canadians take a more active role in their health, the sector continues to grow - across the country, NHPs are available at pharmacies, naturopathic clinics, health food stores, grocery stores, and independent retailers, employing 54,000 Canadians in the sector.[2]

Health Canada is making significant regulatory changes to natural health products, leading to increased costs and fewer products in store shelves. These unnecessary changes will treat natural health products like pharmaceutical drugs. This over-regulation will negatively impact how these brands can do business in Canada and will ultimately have a negative effect on you, the consumer.

What happened:

Health Canada announced a public consultation regarding new fees which would raise the price of NHPs - this was to be open for 90 days, beginning on May 12, 2023.[3] However, on June 22, 2023 the government passed Bill C-47 - and the sections pertaining to NHPs (500-504) were well-hidden inside a lengthy budget bill.[4] This bill was passed much earlier than anticipated, was not reviewed by the Standing Committee on Health (since it was labelled as a budget bill), and Canadians were not made aware.

What should have happened:

Health Canada should have introduced a standalone bill to amend the Food and Drugs Act. The bill would have ended up at the Standing Committee on Health - a committee comprised of experts on the regulation of health products.[5] Public consultation should not have been cut short - brands, retailers, and consumers did not get a fair say. Ideally, discussion of proposed fees should have been pushed back until completion of the Self-Care Framework by the NNHPD (Natural and Non-Prescription Products Directorate).

For historical context - Health Canada first attempted to pass these regulations in 2008 with Bill C-51, but the pushback was so strong that the bill did not pass.[6]

Potential impact:

• 1 out 5 NHP brands say they are seriously considering leaving the Canadian market due to Health Canada’s new rules.[7] This could have serious consequences to our patient treatment plans and care - many small to medium-sized businesses will be forced to shut down Canadian operations. Prices will increase and product availability will suffer.

• Health Canada is adding additional fees for NHP developers, manufacturers, and distributors - all of whom will likely increase their individual prices before they even reach the customer.

• Healthcare practitioners will have limited ability to help their patients assess which NHPs are best suited to their particular needs. There will be less access to new and innovative products that offer a better clinical benefit than their dated versions.

• There will be an increased influx of unregulated products from international markets. As a clinic that recognizes the importance of high-quality products for our patients, this is a problematic, and potentially dangerous development.

• Strict labelling regulations will cause packaging sizes to double but for the same amount of product. This creates a dramatic increase in the use of plastic, fuel, glue, wood and water and will have serious implications on our environmental footprint.

TO BE CLEAR - as health care professionals, we are all for good regulation on NHPs to ensure accessibility to high-quality products. The regulatory changes outlined in Bill C-47 seem to be a BIG overreach in NHP regulation without proper consideration of the negative impact these changes will have.

We believe it is essential to have access to high-quality supplements at an affordable price.

We need your help in this advocacy effort if we are to succeed in getting Health Canada to reconsider its proposal.

1. Please reach out to your MP by clicking HERE and tell them to Save Our Supplements.

2. Please sign Petition e-4474 and request Health Canada suspend the proposed fees discussion until the Self-Care Framework has been completed and the NNHPD has cleared its current backlog.

3. Please print off this letter template and send a paper copy to your MPs office. Traditional letters get more attention and have more impact - letters let elected officials know the impact of their decisions.
   

[1] https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/natural-non-prescription/regulation/about-products.html

[2] Deloitte LLP. (May 2023). Economic Contribution Study of Canada’s Natural Health Product Sector.

[3] https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/programs/consultation-proposed-fees-natural-health-products/consultation-process.html

[4] https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/44-1/bill/C-47/royal-assent

[5] https://www.ourcommons.ca/Committees/en/HESA/About

[6] https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/criticism-of-natural-health-products-bill-c-51-mounts-1.719529

[7] https://www.saveoursupplements.ca/changing-regulations

Introducing...Creative Therapy at Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine!

We are so excited to collaborate with Mandy Hollands Ish from Sunflower Holistic Arts ! Mandy will be offering 1-hour Creative Therapy sessions on select days at the clinic, and we are ready to book your appointment with her now!

Mandy has a particular interest in working with cancer care patients and their families as she personally journeyed alongside both of her parents when they were each diagnosed with cancer. Creative Therapy can be very healing when working through a cancer diagnosis and the journey ahead, as here is often a significant emotional toll on the care provider and family members as well. It should be noted, however, that Creative Therapy sessions are open to anyone who is interested in taking part, regardless if you are going through a cancer journey or not!

Join Mandy for a one-on-one, 60-minute session to help you take a break from all the cognitive noise and process whatever you are struggling most with, by means of Creative Therapy. This is perfect if you are looking for an outlet different from talk therapy.

Details:

One session is $90 per person. If you are a cancer care patient or are a caregiver for someone who is, we are offering a special rate of $45 per session.

*Care providers of cancer patients who have passed on are also encouraged to book in for a Creative Therapy session.

Want to learn more about Mandy and Creative Therapy? Please visit www.sunflowerholisticarts.com

Available Dates:

March 29, 2022

Space is limited - book your Creative Therapy Session by calling the clinic at (306) 664-2150!

What happens at a Creative Therapy session?

Holistic Migraine Management

Holistic Migraine Management - Online Workshop - Tuesday April 20, 2021 - 7pm

Headaches can be the product of many problems. They can be related to mechanical issues in the muscles and joints of the neck and head, or they can be related to hormones, stress, diet and many other problems in the body. In this workshop we will explore many causes and treatments for all these headache influencers.

Headaches can sometimes be difficult to manage due to the complexity of all systems that can contribute. It is important when working at improving and eliminating headaches that a thorough plan is developed according to each person’s own dysfunctions and needs.

In this workshop Mackie Physiotherapy will be partnering with Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine and Dr. Darlene Reid-Ahenakew ND to help us understand the components that are out of practice realm of physiotherapy. She will bring an in-depth understanding of physiological systems, total body health, and supplements that can be beneficial in headache treatment.

Dr. Darlene Reid-Ahenakew ND is a well-known Naturopathic Doctor in Saskatoon practising at Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine in Stonebridge. She helps many patients with chronic headaches and migraines stop the cycle of pain by uncovering physiological root causes. Hormone imbalances, gut health, stress responses, food intolerances, and nutrient deficiencies can all promote systemic inflammation and chronic pain. During this workshop, Dr. Reid-Ahenakew ND will discuss how to identify these issues in yourself and the different treatment approaches.

What is it about?
This workshop will examine the physiological causes of headaches. Theresa Ziegler will be discussing the musculoskeletal causes; as well, we have a guest speaker, Dr. Darlene Reid-Ahenakew, a Naturopathic Doctor who has special interest in uncovering the root cause of chronic headaches. Both will be discussing the causes, prevention, and management of headaches.

Welcome Nicole Loran

Meet Nicole Loran! She is a 4th year student finishing her training in Naturopathic Medicine at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) in Tempe, Arizona. Nicole is a dedicated and hard working student who currently holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology and Pharmacology as well as a Arts and Science degree in Religion and Culture from the University of Saskatchewan. Nicole is involved in ongoing research through SCNM for psoriasis and is currently class Treasurer and Vice President of the Aesthetics Club at SCNM.

Education is extremely important to Nicole and she continually strives to further her knowledge in many areas including anti-aging, integrative, and functional medicine. She incorporates what she learns into her daily practice and strives to empower the patients with knowledge on how to improve their health.

Nicole has 2 years of clinic experience with a focus on general, naturopathic community and internal medicine, women and men’s health, endocrinology, botanical medicine, nutrition, nature cure, acupuncture, IV therapy, heavy metal toxicity and addictions.

Her interests include: endocrinology, women’s health, nutrition, weight loss, gastrointestinal health, metabolic disorders, stress, chronic fatigue and acupuncture.

Nicole is originally from Saskatoon. She is looking forward to spending one of her final months as an intern under the supervision of Dr. Velichka ND. Once her schooling is complete, she plans on moving back to Saskatoon to start her practice as a Naturopathic Doctor.

You can book in to see Nicole at our clinic ever Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the month of May. Nicole has experience in creating diet plans for patients with diabetes or PCOS and those who require FODMAP, anti-SIBO or ketogenic diets. Nicole will be assisting Dr. Velichka ND in her acupuncture services.

We are excited to have Nicole be a part of our clinic over the next month. We hope you get to enjoy the benefits from having her involved in your care!

Frequently Asked Questions (COVID-19)

1. Is your clinic still open? 

Our clinic remains open with reduced hours (Monday-Friday 9-4) for appointments only.

2. How do we place an order for supplements?

To order supplements call our office at 306-664-2150, let the receptionists know what supplements you need, and pre-pay over the phone. We can either ship your supplements to you for a $15 fee or you can utilize our curbside pick-up. 

3. What is curbside pick-up?

When you get to our clinic to pick-up your pre-paid supplements, park in the loading zone and give us a call. We will run your supplements out to your vehicle.

4. How do we pay for supplements if we cannot come into the clinic?

We ask that you pay for supplement orders using a credit card over the phone. 

5. How does the video telemedicine consultations work?

We book all video consultations the same way we book in-person consultations except at the time of the booking we will ask whether you prefer the link emailed or texted to you.

To access the video consult you will need either a smart phone, ipad/tablet or a computer with a camera and microphone. 

5 minutes before your appointment you will receive a link. Simply click on the link and a web page will open. You will then be asked to enter your name and enable camera and microphone (enable both for best results). 

Once in the virtual waiting room wait until your ND starts the call. 

Visit our blog post for more information on video consultations. 

6. If I have a video or phone consult when and how do I pay?

After your video consultation your ND will put the video on pause and reception staff will appear on the screen to take payment.

Immediately following your phone consult you will be placed on hold and the reception staff will answer the call and take payment over the phone. 

7. What is the cost of video & phone consults?

The cost for video and phone consultations is the same as in-person visits. Please see our fee schedule for more information.

8. Can we still get treatments such as IV therapy or acupuncture at this time?

We have resumed in office services including IV therapy, acupuncture, massage and lab test collections with your safety in mind.

9. Are the counselors still available? 

Our counselling team is currently offering video appointments through Skype, FaceTime or what's app, and telephone appointments.Bookings can be made with any of the counselors by contacting them directly via email, telephone or text. Visit our blog post for their contact information .

10. What is the best way to stay up-to-date with clinic changes including updates on when in-person services will be available again?

During these unpredictable times, we will keep our patients up-to-date through our email newsletters as well as our social media streams. 

Do you follow our clinic on facebook or instagram? Stay connected through social media @yxenaturopathic.

Secure and Simple Video Telemedicine Consults at Saskatoon Naturopathic

Our secure and simple video telemedicine consults can be done using your smart phone, tablet/ipad, laptop OR any desktop with a microphone and camera.

At the time of your appointment you will be emailed or texted the following link that will allow you access to our virtual waiting room: yxenaturopathic.doxy.me/reception

Upon arrival to our virtual waiting room, you will be asked to type in your name and then wait patiently while your doctor activates the video call.

Note your device may ask you to enable microphone and camera. We recommend you do to allow for the best virtual experience.

At the end of your visit, you will be put back in the waiting room where our receptionists will virtually connect with you to process payment, prepare any orders, and reschedule you for your next appointment.

If you can pick up a phone you can answer a video call from us!

If you wish to make more out of your experience here are some tips and suggestions:

-        Connection: to ensure your video call goes smoothly, use strong Wifi or an ethernet cable, close unused programs and use the most up-to-date version of google chrome or Firefox.

-        Follow up consultations: If your consultation is a follow up appointment complete follow up notes in a separate document then simply copy and paste your notes to the instant messaging window before or during your telemedicine consult. This will allow your Naturopathic Doctor to have all the up-to-date information on your current medication and supplement use, labs and imaging, current complaints and priorities for your visit. Click here to access our follow up forms. If you prefer a word document please contact our office.

-        Secure file sharing: Doxy.me telemedicine system allows for secure file sharing between you and your Naturopathic Doctor. This allows you to easily drag and drop files, including recent blood work and test results, right into the video consult.

-        Screenshots: Your Naturopathic Doctor is also able to screen shot portions of your video consultation. For example: if you have a rash you need the doctor to address or if you have taken your blood pressure at home the doctor can screen shot the image and instantly upload it into your file.

MIGRAINE PRESENTATION

WEDNESDAY JULY 17, 2019 @ 7 pm

“The Highly Sensitive Brain”

An Update on Migraines from a Functional Medicine Perspective

Dr. Reid-Ahenakew will discuss:

• What is happening in the brain when you get a migraine?

• Common (and not so common) food triggers

• The role of estrogen and progesterone in migraines

• Nutrient deficiencies that can be a factor

• Natural medicines to improve your resilience to stress

• The role of gut health in prevention of migraines

A registration fee of $25 will reserve your spot. All profits will be donated to LDAS

(The Learning Disability Association of Saskatchewan)

Dr. Reid-Ahenakew, ND

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Join us from 7:00-8:00 pm on July 17th at our clinic.

To Register, or to learn more about this presentation:

Call the clinic at: (306) 664-2150

Or email us at: info@saskatoonnaturopathic.com

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Naturopathic Medicine Week Presentation

Integrative Cancer Care and Naturopathic Medicine

Join Dr. Velichka ND on May 16th, during Naturopathic Medicine Week for an informative presentation on Integrative Cancer Care.

Learn about the benefits of having a naturopathic doctor trained in integrative cancer care on your team. Dr. Velichka ND will briefly review the safe and effective use of some natural and supportive therapies that may be used to assist patients through their conventional treatments.

Who: Dr. Amy Velichka ND (Naturopathic Doctor at Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine)

What: Presentation on Integrative Cancer Care and Naturopathic Medicine

When: May 16th 2019 – 7pm

Where: McNally Robinson Bookstore on 8th Street in the travel alcove

Welcome Joan Markentin - Physical Therapist

Physical Therapist - Joan Markentin

We are excited to announce that Joan Markentin, PT, SEP, has joined our team at Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine. 

Hello! My name is Joan Markentin. I am a Physical Therapist and have been working in Rosthern for the past 22 years. I have just returned from a learning adventure Down Under in preparation for opening my private Physiotherapy Practice, SE Physical Therapy. Somatic Experiencing gives me a new way to work with symptoms such as severe pain that are difficult to diagnose and treat and have not responded to traditional treatments. The symptoms may be labelled as psychosomatic or “all in your head”. They may be related to an injury or surgery but often don’t seem directly connected. Through working with the nervous system, the underlying causes of the recurring symptoms can be identified and worked with.

Sydney, Australia is a place I can pursue all of my favourite activities in, on and under the ocean. In my younger years I was a competitive sailor so it was great fun to jump back in a Laser sailboat to race on Sydney Harbour! Between the fun, I completed my Advanced Somatic Experiencing (R) Training and the Visceral and Deep Shock Module of Kathy Kain’s Touch Skills for Therapists. I am excited to join the team of professionals at Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine to put this new knowledge and skill set into practice.

I will be accepting new clients starting on Friday, April 5th. Please contact me directly to book appointments at 306-716-4000.

RESET YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM

Feeling constantly overwhelmed in your day to day life? Suffering from the effects of trauma or PTSD? Feeling like you’re in a constant state of information overload? Struggling with stress, anxiety or depression?

If you can relate to this, then our “Reset Your Nervous System” yoga-somatic experience fusion class will benefit you.

When: Tuesdays (March 19 - April 16)

Time: 6:45 pm - 8:00 pm

Where: Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine: 14-118 Cope Crescent, Saskatoon

Over 5 weeks, this NEW program will teach you how to:

• Reset and restart your nervous system

• Restore your connection between your mind & body

• Find inner balance and increase your resiliency & vitality

• Carve time out of every day for your mind to rest & reset

• Gain an understanding of the power & benefits of Somatic Experience (SE) through education and practice

• Connect with others who understand you

  Program Cost: $119

  Small Group Format (maximum 10 participants)

  This new program will be lead by Colleen McBride MSW RSW. Colleen earned her MSW from the University of Regina and is a Registered Social Worker. She has worked as a clinical social worker in Mental Health and Cancer Care. Colleen also has extensive training through Dr. Peter Levine’s Trauma Institute and teaches trauma-informed SE yoga classes.

The entire cost of this program may be covered by many extended health care plans

To register or to learn more about how this program can benefit you:

Call Colleen at: (306) 460-8850 Or email her at: cmcounsellingandconsulting@gmail.com