/oss/taxonomy/term/302/all en /oss/article/did-you-know/washing-your-hair-vancouver-soap-will-work-montreal-it-has-be-shampoo <p>Did you know that in Vancouver you can wash your hair with soap but in Montreal you need shampoo? Why? Because Vancouver water is soft and Montreal water is hard. That makes a big difference when it comes to satisfaction with hair washing. Hard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium ions which react with soap to form a precipitate. This is the classic “bathtub ring.” The grayish deposit is bad enough on a tub, but you sure don’t want it on the hair. Vancouver has very soft water and soap will suds nicely and will not leave a deposit.</p> Fri, 02 Jul 2021 21:03:43 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8775 at /oss /oss/article/health-you-asked/you-asked-hard-water-dangerous-drink <p><b>What is Hard Water? </b></p> Fri, 11 Jan 2019 17:00:00 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 7530 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know/broken-bones-grow-back-stronger-sort <p><span>Growing up I always heard the same adage when I broke a bone, “Don’t worry it’ll grow back stronger”. But is that really true?</span></p> Fri, 20 Apr 2018 01:24:44 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 7026 at /oss /oss/article/health-and-nutrition/battle-milks-are-plant-based-milks-appropriate-children <p>A <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/plant-based-milks-for-kids-pediatricians-dietitians-1.4392857">recent CBC article</a> reports on a new joint statement from the Dietitians of Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society that says plant based milks are “inappropriate alternatives to cow milk in the first two years”, citing their lack of protein, lack of fortification (most cow’s milk is fortified with a subset or all of vitamin A, D and C), sugar content and potential to “displace hunger”. So let’s take a look at the nutrition of plant based milks.</p> Thu, 16 Nov 2017 17:22:02 +0000 Ada McVean, OSS Intern & Cassandra Lee, OSS Intern 6820 at /oss /oss/article/food-health-you-asked/you-asked-how-come-calcium-not-added-skim-milk-added-1-2-and-homogenized <p style="text-align:justify">As consumers we like choices. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that companies provide us with a variety of different milks to choose from. We have the option to purchase whole milk, 2% milk, 1% milk, skim milk as well as organic versions of these. All milk sold undergoes pasteurization, homogenization and fortification with calcium and vitaminD.</p> Sun, 02 Feb 2014 00:50:53 +0000 Alexandra Pires-Ménard, OSS Intern 2085 at /oss /oss/article/health-you-asked/there-risk-heart-attack-women-taking-calcium-supplements <p>The calcium issue was raised by Dr Ian Reid of New Zealand. He and his colleagues re-analyzed data from the Women Health Initiative (WHI) which looked at calcium and vitamin D supplements.  The initial study of 36,000 women showed no increased risk for heart disease among those who received 1,000 milligrams of calcium and 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day, compared with those who were randomly assigned to receive a placebo. However some of these women were also taking calcium supplements, which may have affected the results.</p> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:05:30 +0000 OSS 1859 at /oss /oss/article/general/food-trumps-pills-when-it-comes-calcium-bones <p>One of the main things that postmenopausal women have to watch out for is osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakened bones that can fracture easily. Contrary to common belief, bones are not static. They are constantly being broken down and rebuilt. Osteoblasts are cells that form new bone tissues and deposit calcium into bones; whereas osteoclasts break down old bone tissues and deport calcium away from bones, a process called bone resorption. These cells are controlled by several hormones, one of them being estrogen.</p> Sat, 09 Jun 2007 07:05:03 +0000 Melody Ko, MD 1559 at /oss /oss/article/science-science-everywhere/diet-and-bone-health <p style="text-align:justify">As if we needed another reason to eat more fruits and vegetables. Well, here is one anyway. Fruits and vegetables can strengthen bones. Whoa...you say. Calcium and vitamin D are what we need to prevent osteoporosis. Yes, we certainly need those nutrients but bone health has more determinants than just calcium and vitamin D intake. It is the overall content of the diet that matters. Hip fractures, for example, are higher in milk consuming countries. That may come as a surprise given that dairy products are an excellent source of calcium.</p> Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:02:46 +0000 Joe Schwarcz 1603 at /oss