Watch above: Hundreds turn out to learn more about personal wellness and growth at the Wellness Expo in Saskatoon. Meaghan Craig finds out why people are attracted to the show.
SASKATOON – As many gains as there have been in health care, there have been some setbacks. Earlier this week, the Heart and Stroke Foundation reported that diabetes rates in heart attack patients have skyrocketed.
Sixty per cent of adult Canadians are overweight and obesity rates in children have tripled over the last three decades. The report also showed nine out of 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
There are several risks factors you can control to improving your cardiovascular health, including eating healthy, with experts admitting that it is more expensive to eat whole foods as well as raw foods.
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“You’re going to get a lot more bang for your buck if you will,” said Kai Hicks of Intuitive Path Superfood. “If you grab Hemp seeds, this is a complete protein, all 10 of 10 essential amino acids, it’s about 35 per cent protein, it’s 47 per cent fat.”
Hicks is just one of 50 vendors, greeting the more than 2,000 people to hit up this year’s Wellness Expo at Prairieland Park over the weekend.
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It’s a unique show that is dedicated to all areas of personal wellness and growth.
“Mental, physical, spiritual, financial, nutritional, emotional, environmental, holistic, pet wellness i mean we touch about everything so no matter who you are in the world there’s a product or service that’s here that could possible enhance or improve your quality of life,” explained Rick Thiessen, manger of the Wellness Expo.
“That’s what we’re doing we’re just showing options, what’s out there for you to look at.”
The audience drawn to the expo was primarily older but over the years that’s changed. Folks from their 20’s to 80’s are now checking out what vendors have to offer but you have to have an open mind.
“I like trying new things and I’ve had good luck with other things I’ve tried so you just never know until you try,” said Gwenda Payne.
“I’m not sure if I’m a skeptic, I’m willing to try it if i think it’s going to help me,” said Tracy Wry.
According to organizers, the expo let’s you explore your own ability to take charge of your health.
“We believe it’s proactive health, we believe that the Canadian health care system is a tremendous asset to our country and it provides a really service for people but it’s reactive health care,” added Thiessen.
“People are more about getting immediate relief for immediate problems,” explained Naturopathic Doctor Evan McCarvill.
“They’re just looking at the symptom and that’s their standard, does this drug stop the symptom but we’re not interested just in the symptom we’re trying to find the cause of the problem and our studies are not typically orientate that way and so if you’re not really looking for that kind of evidence you’re not going to find it.”
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