Walk With a Doc in Leduc has moved to Wednesdays!

Walk with a Doc in Leduc

Last week, the Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network, in partnership with the Leduc Recreation Centre and led by Dr. Trevor Byers of the Smyth Clinic, launched Walk with a Doc to a full room of participants.

The weekly event takes place each Thursday at 7pm at the Leduc Recreation Centre. Participants meet in the Vantage Room upstairs by the gym for a quick health-related presentation, then gather outside for a walk around the trails behind the LRC. Feel free to ask Dr. Byers any health-related questions, or just chit-chat!

This event is FREE and open to all; please bring a friend! Registration is not required, just show up and be prepared to walk outside. If the weather is terrible, we will walk on the indoor track at the LRC.

Here are a few pictures from our inaugural event!

Full house in the Vantage Room at the LRC - Dr. Byers gave a presentation titled "Physician, Heal Thyself" about his own past health concerns, what triggered him to change and how he did it.



Recipe for Change



Enjoy the ride!



Off we go for a quick walk around the trails behind the LRC. Dr. Byers brought flashlights for everyone - it was dark out there! But NO EXCUSES :)



Like, it was REALLY dark out there.




We look forward to see you this Thursday at the LRC!

LBD PCN Launches Walk with a Doc Program in Leduc

The Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network (LBD PCN) is encouraging Leduc and area residents to take a step toward better health with Walk with a Doc, a health program that brings doctors and patients together to get out and walk.

Walk with a Doc is an initiative whose mission is to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages and reverse the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle in order to improve the health and well-being of the country.

“This program has had tremendous participation and success in hundreds of cities in both Canada and the US,” says Dr. Trevor Byers, a LBD PCN member physician. “I’m very pleased to bring this exciting and simple program to Leduc as it has shown such improved health results for countless people.”

Walk with a Doc is open to the community. Participation is free and pre-registration is not required. The first Walk with a Doc event will take place on October 20^, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Walkers will first listen to a short health-related presentation in the Vantage Room at the Leduc Recreation Centre and then enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating walk on the trails with Dr. Byers and other LBD PCN healthcare professionals, who will provide support to participants and answer questions during the walk.

“Walk with a Doc is honoured to team up with the LBD PCN. By incorporating this program into the practice, Dr. Byers (pictured) and the PCN are demonstrating an exceptional level of care and commitment to their community,” said Dr. David Sabgir, founder of Walk with a Doc.

Why walk?

“First, because it is fun and it feels good.  Also, an active lifestyle reduces the risk of many chronic medical illnesses, including coronary heart disease, breast and colon cancer, Type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety.” says Dr. Byers.

According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, walking as little as 30 minutes a day can provide the following benefits:

·         Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels

·         Help maintain a healthy body weight and lower the risk of obesity

·         Enhance mental well-being

·         Reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke

Leduc joins a growing list of communities in both Canada and the US that have started local Walk with a Doc (WWAD) programs. WWAD was created by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist with Mount Carmel Health Systems in Columbus, OH.  He has walked with patients and community members every weekend since 2005.

Learn more about Walk with a Doc at www.walkwithadoc.org.

Family Doctor Week

The College of Family Physicians of Canada proudly acknowledges the outstanding contributions of Canadian Family Doctors for their dedication to their patients and the delivery of high-quality health care. 

Family Doctor Week video

During this week, the Alberta College of Family Physicians asks patients to share why their Family Docs Rock. Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network member physician, Dr. Robert Simard, was recognized by one of his patients with these kind words:

Truly Lucky

We are truly lucky to have Dr. Robert Simard as our family physician. He is a knowledgeable, perceptive gentleman who is always open to new research, and a wonderful listener who never makes us feel rushed during appointments.

Dr. Simard has become a trusted, vital support to our family!

Wendy, Leduc

Read more stories on why Albertans think their Family Doc Rocks, here. 

Facts on Fats

There are many different types of heart disease.  But the most common is when your blood vessels become blocked with plaque.  Plaque is a fat that is made up of cholesterol that sticks to your arteries and causes the blood flow to be blocked.

Here are some tips to help prevent heart disease

1.    Limit saturated fats

a.    These fats has shown to increase cholesterol levels

b.    Examples:

                                          i.    Fatty meats

1.    Choose lean cuts of meat

2.    Trim off visible fat

3.    Limit sausages, bacon, hot dogs, smokies, chicken wings

4.    Limit foods that are fried or deep fried – fries, chicken fingers, battered fish

                                        ii.    High fat milk products

1.    Choose low fat milk (skim or 1%)

2.    Choose low fat cheese ( less than 20% milk fat)

3.    Limit ice cream (even if low fat)

4.    Limit cream and gravies

                                       iii.    High fat foods

1.    Limit snack foods (cookies, chips and dip)

2.    Limit donuts, pies, cakes, danishes or high fat baking

2.    Limit Trans Fats

a.    These fats also have been shown to increase your cholesterol levels

                                          i.    Processed packaged foods

1.    Limit crackers, cookers, treats, packaged treats

2.    Limit fried, deep fried foods

3.    Choose non hydrogenated non saturated fat margarine

3.    Choose Healthy Fat

a.    These fats can lower cholesterol only when they are used solely over the trans fats and saturated fats

                                          i.    Choose plant oils like canola oil or olive oil

                                        ii.    Fish contain healthy fats and should be eaten at least twice a week

b.    Watch your portion of good fats:

                                          i.    Keep to no more than 2-3 tablespoons of oil/fat a day

                                        ii.    Portion size of healthy nuts is only ¼ cup (75 ml) a day

4.    Eat less cholesterol

a.    Your body does produce 80% of the cholesterol in your body; the other 20% comes from the types of fats in food. When looking at your whole diet, the most effective way to prevent heart disease are to limit saturated and trans fat found in high fat meat and milk products.

b.    Cholesterol is found in foods that come from animals only, for example, organ meats, dairy products, egg yolks and shellfish

                                          i.    For people with no health concerns, recommendations are to consume <300 mg/day of cholesterol. Eating an average of 1 egg/day (7 eggs/ week) has shown to be part of a healthy lifestyle

                                        ii.    For people with heart disease, diabetes or dyslipidemia recommendations are to consume <200 mg/day of cholesterol a day (including ≤2 egg yolks/week and occasional consumption of high cholesterol foods such as shrimp and organ meats)

The Leduc Beaumont Devon Primary Care Network offers a Heart Healthy Class that discusses all aspects of heart health including: blood pressure, cholesterol, label reading, exercise and smoking.  Please ask your doctor for a referral to the S.M.I.L.E. Healthcare program or call 780-986-6624 for more information.

Resources:

My Heart & Stroke Risk Assessment

Heart & Stroke Foundation

Dietitians of Canada Fact Sheet - Cholesterol

In response to recent media attention on eggs and cholesterol, The Diabetes, Obesity and Cardiovascular Network of Dietians of Canada recently released a news brief regarding the consumption of eggs. Please see the news brief below: Diabetes, Obesity and Cardiovasular Network of Dietitians of Canada. (2012). News Brief: Egg yolk consumption and carotid plaque, August 15, 2012."

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