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Dr. Irina Chan, Naturopathic Doctor

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Toronto, ON
Dr. Irina Chan, Naturopathic Doctor

Guiding individuals with chronic symptoms toward clarity, lasting relief & vibrant health✨

07/22/2025

Are GMOs dangerous?

Foods like corn, soy, and canola oil are some of the most common genetically modified foods.

Currently, there’s no strong evidence linking GMOs to cancer in humans.

However, you can choose organic or non-GMO if you'd rather avoid them.

The diet most strongly linked to lower cancer risk is one focused on whole, minimally processed foods. 🍎🥦

06/04/2025

Are you taking supplements but not seeing results? You might be making these common mistakes! 👇

❌ Mistake #1 – Taking the Wrong Form

Not all supplements are created equal! For example, magnesium citrate is great for constipation, but if you need it for muscle tension or relaxation, magnesium glycinate is better.

❌ Mistake #2 – Poor Absorption

Some vitamins need the right conditions to work! For example, iron absorbs better with vitamin C but poorly with coffee or calcium.

❌ Mistake #3 – Taking Too Many or the Wrong Combo

More isn’t always better! Some supplements compete for absorption, and taking too many can overwhelm your body. For example, long term zinc supplementation can reduce your copper levels.

❌ Mistake #4 – Low-Quality Supplements

Many brands contain fillers, additives, or lower-quality ingredients. I always recommend third-party tested supplements to ensure you’re getting what your body actually needs.

❌ Mistake #5 – Wrong Dosage

Too little = no effect. Too much = possible harm!
Vitamin D, for example, should be tailored to your blood levels—more isn’t always better!

✅ The right form, dose, and timing make all the difference!

If you're not sure if your supplements are working for you, let's chat! 💊✨

08/23/2024

💤 Feeling Sluggish? Drained? Exhausted? 💤

👉 You may be deficient in Vitamin B12. 👈

Vitamin B12 is a powerful water-soluble vitamin essential for energy production, red blood cell production and healthy neurological and central nervous system function.

🧠 Signs & symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include:

🔸Fatigue
🔸Muscle weakness
🔸Numbness and tingling in hands or feet
🔸Pale skin
🔸Brain fog and reduced memory/concentration
🔸Irritability or depression
🔸Digestive upset including nausea, diarrhea, constipation and bloating

You can be at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency if you have pernicious anemia, impaired digestion and absorption, if you are vegan/vegetarian, or if you are taking medications like proton pump inhibitors that interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12. As you age, your ability to absorb vitamin B12 also decreases!

🩸 A naturopathic doctor can test for vitamin B12 deficiency on bloodwork.

💉 Treatment for B12 deficiency includes oral supplementation or B12 injections to bypass any digestive barriers to absorption.

If you’ve never had a B12 injection for boosted energy, mood and cognition, book a free consultation with me to find out more!

05/01/2024

Addressing Common Vitamin Deficiencies 💉 .nd 👌.

Vitamin deficiencies I often encounter in-office are vitamin D and vitamin B12.

✨Vitamin D Deficiency✨
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include fatigue, bone pain, muscle weakness, mood changes, and increased susceptibility to colds and flus.

✨Vitamin B12 Deficiency✨
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency may include fatigue, brain fog, trouble concentrating, mood changes, and tingling or numbness in hands and feet.

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to test for potential vitamin deficiencies and address them promptly!

💉 Vitamin injections can be a game-changer for restoring low vitamin B12 or vitamin D levels!

Vitamin injections deliver these crucial nutrients directly into your muscles and bloodstream, which can rapidly improve energy, mood, mental clarity, and immune strength!

Want to learn more about vitamin deficiencies and vitamin injections? DM me! 🤗

04/23/2024

Your diet after a cancer diagnosis can have a significant impact on survival. .nd 👌.

👉 Let's dive deeper into the effect of different types of carbohydrates.

Diets rich in refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and sugary snacks, spike blood sugar levels quickly, prompting the pancreas to release more insulin. This effect, often assessed using the glycemic index, can lead to sustained high insulin levels in the body.

🔬 A 2020 study examined how various diets affect the survival outcomes of individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Interestingly, the researchers found that those who consumed diets leading to higher insulin levels after diagnosis had a 66% greater risk of mortality from colorectal cancer and a 24% higher chance of all-cause mortality.

This trend was especially pronounced among individuals who consistently followed such diets both before and after diagnosis.

Opting for a low-glycemic diet or one rich in complex carbohydrates like whole grains, legumes, and vegetables can help stabilize your blood sugar levels, and positively influence your overall health outcomes.

PMID: 32854644

04/13/2024

📍Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practice that can be highly effective for managing pain and injuries, providing relief and supporting the body's natural ability to heal. # .nd 👌.

It is effective for conditions such as:

✅ Arthritis
✅ Tendonitis
✅ Bursitis
✅ Back pain
✅ Neck pain
✅ Headaches
✅ Sciatica
✅ Sports injuries

How does acupuncture work?

When the needles are inserted, they trigger the release of endorphins, which are the body's natural painkillers, helping to reduce pain and promote relaxation. 💆‍♀️

Additionally, acupuncture can improve blood circulation 🩸 to the affected areas, aiding in the repair of injured tissues.

By targeting tight muscles, acupuncture can also help to release tension and improve mobility. 🏃‍♀️

Want to learn more? Feel free to contact me! All links in bio :)

📸
Acupuncture model .nd 🫶

02/03/2024

7 Powerful Foods for Colon Cancer Prevention

🥦 Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, kale, and brussels sprouts contain sulforaphane, a compound that has been found to have protective effects against colorectal cancer. (Source: PubMed 24341734)

🧄 Garlic: Garlic contains allicin, a compound with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (Source: PubMed 31895803)

🧀 Fermented Dairy: This might be surprising for some! Yogurt and cheese has been associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, likely due to its role in supporting beneficial gut bacteria. (Source: PubMed 35692761)

🥛Soy: A diet high in soy has been shown to offer protective benefits against colorectal cancer (as well as breast cancer). (Sources: PubMed 31278047, 28642459, 27170217)

🌾 Whole Grains: Whole grains like brown rice and quinoa are rich in fiber and nutrients that are protective against colorectal cancer. (Sources: PubMed 31495339, 32493399)

🥜 Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and other nuts are also rich in fiber, which acts as a prebiotic in the gut. (Sources: PubMed 35622305, 32487780)

Overall, a balanced diet rich in whole foods is key to maintaining a healthy gut and reducing the risk of colorectal cancer. 🌱💪

✨ Follow for more tips on cancer prevention. ✨

01/30/2024

Experiencing these signs? 🚨 It's crucial to address insulin resistance early to prevent long-term health complications like diabetes and heart disease.

Around 25-40% of adults are insulin resistant, but it's entirely reversible through lifestyle changes! 🏃🏻‍♀️🥗 Start with regular exercise and increasing fiber intake to improve insulin sensitivity and stabilize blood sugar levels.

01/25/2024

Insulin resistance is associated with various health concerns, such as diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease, heart disease, polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS), acne, and cancer.

Signs and symptoms of insulin resistance include:

🚩 Persistent fatigue
🚩 Increased hunger or sugar cravings
🚩 Difficulty losing weight, especially abdominal fat
🚩 High blood pressure or cholesterol
🚩 Fatty liver disease
🚩 Skin issues like dark patches or acne
🚩 Irregular menstrual cycles

If you experience these symptoms, it's SO important to get a thorough assessment that includes bloodwork, and learn targeted strategies to address insulin resistance!

I'm here to help! 🙋🏻‍♀️

01/17/2024

Why does sleep matter for losing weight? 💤🏋🏻‍♀️

🔍The POUNDS Lost trial is a 2-year study involving 800+ overweight or obese participants who were randomly assigned into one of four diets while being assessed for body weight, body composition, sleep disturbance and eating behaviors every 6 months.

In this study, people who reported trouble sleeping during the weight loss period tended to lose less weight and body fat.

➡️ SWIPE to see graph showing this trend! 📉

In addition, those with sleep issues were more likely to struggle with weight loss and regain the weight later!

Why does this happen?

Lack of sleep disrupts how your body metabolizes fat. Lack of sleep increases GHRELIN aka the ‘hunger hormone’, which increases your appetite towards carbs and comfort foods 🥐🍩🍪, encourages fat storage, and prompts the release of extra glucose by the liver leading to poor blood sugar regulation (more about this later). ⚖️

Evidently, getting enough sleep (ideally between 6-8+ hours) is a big deal for successful weight management! 💤

01/11/2024

✨ Nourish, Lift, and Glow with Facial Acupuncture ✨

As you age, your body’s ability to produce collagen decreases, contributing to visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, age spots, a dull complexion, or saggy skin.

Facial acupuncture accelerates collagen and elastin production to help your skin feel more plump and youthful.😇

Benefits of facial acupuncture include:
✨ Naturally reducing fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen production
✨ Lightening acne scarring, age spots, hyperpigmentation, and other scars
✨ Enhancing blood flow to the surface of the skin for improved skin healing
✨ Improving lymphatic drainage of the face to detoxify the skin from dirt, toxins, and other impurities
✨ Enhancing skin tone, texture, and elasticity for younger-looking skin

Curious about facial acupuncture? Let's chat further in a free consultation. Link to book in bio!

12/14/2023

What is the cause of your bloating, gas, cramping, and diarrhea?

While food sensitivities may trigger IBS symptoms, they often just scratch the surface of what's truly happening in your gut.

Successfully managing IBS relies on uncovering the underlying causes, which are unique to each individual.

If you want to have a better understanding of your gut health and keep your digestive symptoms at bay, reach out for free intro consult. 🤍

Address

Toronto, ON

Opening Hours

Monday	1pm - 8pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 2pm

Website

http://dririnachan.com/

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