Author Archives: orest

By Sophia Szczurko

Winter is in full swing and as the weather quickly gets colder, it may seem difficult to go out and have fun. But there are many ways we can still get out and get our hearts pumping in the greater Toronto area during these winter months.

By Viktoriya Zabigaylo & Dr. Orest Szczurko

Research has shown many benefits of vitamin D including bone and muscle health, immune function, cancer prevention, maintaining hormone balance, cardiovascular health, mood disorders, skin health and more¹. It is a nutrient that can be obtained from the diet, but it is not naturally found in many foods and is present in low amounts. The easiest way to obtain vitamin D is through sun exposure or supplementation.

By Viktoriya Zabigaylo and Dr. Orest Szczurko

Ragweed is the main culprit of seasonal allergies that occur in the late summer and fall. A single ragweed plant can produce as many as 1 billion pollen grains, and because they are very light, they can travel through the air over 200 km ^{1, 2}. Those who suffer from hay fever (allergic rhinitis) are especially susceptible to ragweed allergies, with symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes. These symptoms are the manifestation of the immune system’s response to the allergens, with the chemical histamine playing a large role in regulating inflammation, vasodilation and bronchoconstriction.