Tag: Chfa

National Survey reveals 91 per cent of Canadians believe health is the key to happiness

CHFA presents four simple ways to stay happy and healthy this winter

In response to new national survey results and with cold and flu season fast approaching, the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) have put together simple and effective tips to help Canadians stay happy and healthy during the winter months.

The survey of more than 1,500 Canadians conducted by CHFA revealed that the vast majority (91 per cent) of Canadians believe that their overall health impacts their level of happiness. The same survey also shows that more than half of our population (54 per cent) get sick most often in the winter.

When asked what factors are negatively impacting their health, Canadians from coast to coast reported that lack of sleep tops the list at 73 per cent. Sleep was followed closely by stress and lack of mindfulness (57 per cent), lack of exercise (52 per cent) and poor nutrition (46 per cent).

Additional interesting findings from the survey include:

• Canadians’ favourite foods to ward off cold and fluand stay happy and healthy include chicken soup/broth (49 per cent), oranges (49 per cent) and tea (48 per cent).
• Canadians’ top picks for natural health products to keep them happy and healthy during cold and flu seasoninclude vitamins C (46 per cent) and D (37 per cent).
• Things Canadians do to stay happy and healthy:Over three-quarters say they improve their sleep (76 per cent), improve eating habits (43 per cent) and engage in exercise (40 per cent).

As Canadians prepare to celebrate the fifth annual National Health Products (NHP) Week, which runs from November 7 to 13, 2016, the focus is on practical and innovative ways to stay healthy through the holidays and into the New Year.

“Our goal this NHP Week is to arm Canadians with the tools they need to maintain health and happiness during cold and flu season,” said Michelle W. Book, CHFA’s in-house holistic nutritionist. “We identified four pillars of immunity, each including simple steps Canadians can take to help boost their immune system naturally this season and beyond.”

CHFA’s four pillars of immunity include:

1. Nutrition: Lack of proper nutrition has been linked to decreased immunity and increased risk of illness. Nuts, fermented foods and garlic are all shown to help boost the immune system.
2. Exercise: Engaging in 30-60 minutes every day can improve your body’s immune response. To improve exercise and immune health consider including krill oil, protein and vitamin D as part of your daily routine.
3. Sleep:  Our bodies respond to lack of sleep in a similar way as it does to acute stress. Try adding magnesium, L-theanine and melatonin for better sleep.
4. Mindfulness: Mindfulness can reduce markers for inflammation and stress hormones. Probiotics and omega-3s can be beneficial in managing stress.

“While we always encourage Canadians to speak to their health care practitioners when they are under the weather, we also want to encourage everyone to consider adding natural health products to improve overall wellbeing and boost immunity,” says CHFA President Helen Long. “When you visit a local CHFA Member health food store, you can find all kinds of safe, effective and high-quality supplements, vitamins, minerals, herbal products and traditional medicines. Canadians should feel confident that Health Canada-approved natural health products can play an important role in maintaining and optimizing our health and happiness.”

Canadians should also be aware that Health Canada is proposing changes that impact natural health products in two fundamental ways:

1. Some products will no longer require Health Canada review and will provide less information.
2. Other products will be required to submit drug-level scientific evidence to support their claims.

Please visit chfa.ca to find out more about the ‘Save our Supplements’ movement.

About CHFA
The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) is Canada's largest national trade association dedicated to the natural health and organic products industry. The association represents manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors and importers of natural health and organic products. With a membership of more than 1,000 businesses across the country, CHFA represents an industry that contributes more than $6 billion to the Canadian economy. Michelle W. Book is CHFA’s in-house holistic nutritionist, trained in natural and complementary therapies.

About the survey: 

A survey of 1591 Canadians was completed online between September 12th to 15th 2016 using Leger’s online panel, LegerWeb. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.5per cent, 19 times out of 20.

September 17 to 25, 2016, marks this year’s National Organic Week, the largest annual celebration of organic food, farming and products across the country. With hundreds of events and thousands of retail promotions taking place across Canada, Organic Week showcases the benefits of organic agriculture and its positive impact on the environment, animal welfare, as well as our well-being. Supported by regional partners and coordinated by the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA), Canadian Organic Growers (COG), and the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), Organic Week shines a spotlight on why Canadians should choose to think before they eat.

“With the number of organic products on the market continuously growing, it’s easier than ever to go organic,” says Rochelle Eisen, president of COG. Many of Canada’s top organic farms, wineries, retailers and restaurants take part in Organic Week, offering Canadians the perfect opportunity to experience firsthand the bounty of Canada’s organic harvest. “Whether it’s hosting a potluck picnic for friends or sampling organic wine and beer, we encourage Canadians to help spread the word about how choosing organic means supporting sustainability and promoting animal welfare.”

Some new and exciting trends have been revealed thanks to the Canada Organic Trade Association’s second national consumer survey to be released later this year. The study aimed to understand consumers’ awareness of the benefits of organic agriculture, uncover consumers’ organic purchasing habits and gauge the level of trust Canadians have in organic and non-organic claims.

Key findings from the study show:

The face of organic is changing as more “millennials” are shifting towards organic in Canada:

· One in five (twenty-one per cent) shoppers from 18 to 34 years say they are buying more organic, while shoppers in older age groups are holding steady.
· Eighty-six percent of Canadians expect to increase or maintain their organic spending in the near future.
· The number of consumers that are regularly buying organic in the country is around 20 million (fifty-six per cent of Canadians).

“Governments are following in the footsteps of consumer trends,” says Tia Loftsgard, Executive Director of COTA. “Federal investment in the organic sector and provincial initiatives supporting farmers to transition to organic show how consumer-led efforts can truly make a difference. We’re proud to be involved in the continued growth of the organic movement alongside its passionate ambassadors this September.”

More and more Canadians are looking to reduce their exposure to synthetic chemicals and genetically engineered (GMO) ingredients with the aim of taking better care of themselves, their families, and the environment. Coast-to-coast Organic Week events range in scale, from smaller organic farm tours to community-wide organic festivals. Hundreds of health food stores, farmer’s markets and grocery chains will be showcasing organic products and educating consumers.

“With events taking place in communities all over the country, there are so many ways Canadians can support and get involved in the Organic Week celebration,” says CHFA president, Helen Long. “Last year, we saw everything from pickling workshops and farm tours to recipe contests and organic food and drink tastings. These happenings represent the creative ways Canadians are choosing to go organic and how they are making a conscious decision to protect their bodies and the environment, all while supporting local farmers.”

To find out more about Organic Week events or promotions being offered near you, please visit organicweek.ca.

Organic Week was made possible this year by champion sponsors UNFI Canada, Sobeys Inc., Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods, Nature’s Path Foods, Clif Bar & Company, alive Publishing Group Inc, PC Organics, Mike and Mike’s Organics, Cal-Organics Farms, Yorkshire Valley Farm, Green Organic Vegetables, Field Farm Marketing Ltd., DOM International Limited, Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, Earthbound Farm Organic, Wholesome!, True Organic Juice, DeeBee’s SpecialTea Foods, Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds, Ecocert Canada, Organic Meadow, Pacific Organic Seafood Association, Organic Garage, The Homemade Organics Company, Fromagerie L’Ancêtre, Pro-Cert Organic, Patience Fruit & Co, The Big Carrot, Hippie Foods, Ethical Bean Coffee, Quality Assurance International, and Fairtrade Canada.