So, how many of you switched off your lights this past Saturday night to observe Earth Hour? And how many of you lit up candles to illuminate those dim 60 minutes?

Though a candle’s soft light can set a romantic mood, could lighting up like this be bad for you - or for the Earth? [Read more →]

It’s not a condition usually associated with children. It’s more of a middle-aged man’s sort of medical issue. Until recent years, hospitals generally treated only about 10 kids each year for the painful, recurring problem. But now, in some hospitals, that number has jumped to 5 young patients per week. [Read more →]

Kristen Mark, MedBroadcast’s Sex eTalk Columnist, addresses some of those sexual health topics that can make squirm and blush. Am I doing this right? Shouldn’t I feel more? If you have doubts about prowess or performance, orgasms, or any other sexual health topic, you are definitely not alone.

This time around, Kristen addresses the question “Is that an orgasm - or not?” [Read more →]

The skin of your lips is thin and quite vulnerable. Your lips can easily become cracked, dry, or even sunburned.

Now with spring upon us, our lips will soon be exposed to lots of sunshine. Remember that lips need sunscreen just as much as any other part of the body.

But be warned: There’s a common type of lip product that could actually boost a person’s risk of skin cancer. [Read more →]

Canadians eat a lot of products made from grains, including breads, rice, and pasta. You’ve probably heard that grains are a good source of dietary fibre. They are, but not if they’ve been refined - a process that strips away much of that fibre and other nutrients.

According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), recent research shows that whole grains - that is, unrefined grains - also contain vitamins, minerals, and a surprising amount of antioxidants.

They can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, several forms of cancer, and certain gastrointestinal problems. Studies also demonstrate that whole grains may improve insulin control, lower triglycerides, help control weight gain, and slow the buildup of arterial plaque.

Here’s the whole grain truth
Quinoa: quin-what?
Flaxseed facts

Natasha Richardson. Photo by Khedara Ariyaratne (Creative Commons)

When actress Natasha Richardson passed away last week after being taken off of life support, her family made the decision to donate her organs. Richardson had been declared brain dead after suffering a blow to the head in a fall during a skiing lesson on March 16.

It is not clear whether Richardson had a pre-existing will that specified her wishes, but her shocking death at the young age of 45 makes it more likely that she did not. Her family may have chosen based on what they believe she would have wanted had they had the chance to ask her.

via People.com: Organ donation “is very Natasha,” a family friend says. “She spent so much time fighting the stigma of AIDS; someone like that would naturally donate her organs. At least by donating her organs something good could come out of [the tragedy].”

No matter how they came to the decision, Richardson’s family should be commended for the grace with which they’ve handled her passing. The gift her donated organs offer will be an addition to the legacy she leaves behind.

Time is always of the essence in making these sorts of life-or-death decisions. Having a plan in place expedites the process, increasing the chance that donated organs will be viable for transplant into those who desperately need them.

Here is some information to perhaps spark and support what can be a difficult conversation:

Talking to your family about organ donation
The need for donors
Organ donation and religion