Oak Journal

Your go-to space for trusted tips, wellness wisdom, and behind-the-scenes updates from the Oak Integrative team. Discover how we support whole-body health, one post at a time.

Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

🌿 Crave-Worthy Immunity: The Foods Your Body is Secretly Asking For

When it comes to supporting your immune system, there’s no one-size-fits-all meal plan. Our bodies are constantly sending us subtle cues about what they need — we just have to slow down and listen. At Oak Integrative, we believe that a healthy immune system isn’t just about following strict nutrition rules. It’s about blending science-backed nutrition with intuitive eating so you can nourish your body from the inside out.

Here’s how to recognize what your immune system is craving — and how to choose foods that keep you vibrant, energized, and resilient.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

The Healing Power of Roots: Spotlight on Adaptogenic Herbs

When life feels unsteady, it’s often the roots—both literal and figurative—that help us find our ground again. In medicine, adaptogenic herbs are some of the most powerful “roots of resilience.” These plants help the body adapt to stress, balance energy, and support long-term vitality. Many of them quite literally grow underground, reminding us that strength often starts where we can’t see it.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

The Magic of Magnesium: Why This Mighty Mineral Deserves a Spot in Your Wellness Routine

Let’s talk about the unsung hero of the mineral world: magnesium. It might not sparkle like calcium or get the press vitamin D does, but magnesium is quietly running the show behind the scenes—and trust us, your body notices when it’s missing.

This vital mineral is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. From making energy and relaxing muscles to balancing mood and preventing chronic disease, magnesium truly does it all. And yet—spoiler alert—most of us aren’t getting enough.

At Oak Integrative in Burnaby, BC, we love helping our patients reconnect with foundational nutrients like magnesium. Read on to learn why this mineral matters, how it supports different systems in the body, and which form might be right for you.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

How to Start Prioritizing Your Health (Even with a Full Plate)

If you're a busy woman juggling work, home life, relationships, and an endless to-do list — while wondering why you still feel off — you're not alone. For many women, prioritizing health feels like just another thing to add to the list. You're exhausted, you’ve tried eating better, maybe even started a workout routine, but nothing seems to stick — and your body is still sending signals that something isn’t quite right. The truth? Your health doesn't need perfection. It needs your attention — even in small, meaningful ways.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

Sunkissed & Supercharged: The Summer Power of Hydration IVs

Let’s be honest: between heat waves, patio nights, beach days, and jam-packed schedules, staying actually hydrated during the summer is easier said than done. That’s where hydration IVs come in—a simple, fast, and effective way to give your body the fluids, electrolytes, and nutrients it’s craving.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

5 Ways to Stay Healthy This Summer (Without Skipping the Fun)

Summer is here—and so are the BBQs, patio parties, spontaneous road trips, and irresistible soft-serve cones. While this season is all about joy and connection, it can also throw off your regular healthy habits. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to choose between fun and feeling good.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

5 Clever Ways to Spruce Up Your Summer Salads

Let’s face it: plain lettuce is so last season. If your summer salads are starting to feel like a chore instead of a craving, it’s time to shake things up—literally. Whether you’re picnicking at the beach, lunching on the patio, or prepping quick work-from-home meals, these salad upgrades will keep your plate vibrant, nourishing, and anything but boring.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

🛋️ My Top 5 Supplements for Chilling Out at the End of a Long Day

Let’s be honest—modern life is a lot. Between notifications pinging, dinner half-cooked, and your brain rehashing that awkward conversation from three days ago… winding down isn’t always as simple as flopping on the couch and breathing deeply. Luckily, there are a few science-backed sidekicks I reach for when it’s time to tuck my nervous system into bed.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

NAD+ Injections: A Cellular Tune-Up with Big Potential

At Oak Integrative, we’re thrilled to now offer NAD+ injections as part of our supportive care toolkit. Whether you're looking to boost energy, improve cognitive clarity, or support healthy aging, the potential benefits are intriguing. Let's dive into what the research says.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

Turn Up the Heat: The Benefits of Hot Stone Massage

If you’re ready to melt your stress away and give your muscles the warm, loving hug they deserve, it’s time to discover the magic of hot stone massage. This luxurious treatment combines the soothing power of heat with traditional massage techniques, delivering a blissful experience that’s both therapeutic and indulgent. But hot stone massage isn’t just about feeling pampered—it’s backed by science with proven benefits for your body and mind.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Evidence-Based Benefits for Menopausal Women

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a well-researched treatment for managing menopausal symptoms and promoting long-term health in women. Beyond providing relief from disruptive symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, HRT offers protective benefits for bone health and may reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases. Let’s explore the evidence-based advantages of HRT.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

Top 5 Reasons to Book in for Laser Treatments

Laser treatments have revolutionized skincare, offering a non-invasive yet highly effective solution for a variety of skin concerns. Whether you’re looking to brighten your complexion or get rid of unwanted hair, here are five reasons why laser treatments might be the perfect choice for you!

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

How Massage Relieves Stress

In our busy world, stress has become a ubiquitous visitor for most people. Whether the cause is work, family demands, or that never-ending to-do list, our bodies frequently carry the brunt of tension on the mind and emotions. Though there are numerous methods for coping with stress, one of the best and most natural solutions is massage.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

Naturopathic Weight Management

Weight management is a highly individualized journey for each person. There are several mechanisms that can impede weight loss, including poor eating habits, high stress levels, and underlying metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance and hypothyroidism.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

Keeping It Juicy: A Playful Guide to Treating Vaginal Dryness

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough love in casual conversation: vaginal dryness. If you’ve been feeling like the Sahara down there, you’re not alone. Vaginal dryness is a common experience, particularly during and after menopause, but it can also affect people for a variety of reasons, from hormonal shifts to certain medications. The good news? You don’t have to suffer in silence. Let’s dive into what causes vaginal dryness, how to treat it, and how to keep things hydrated, happy, and oh-so-comfortable.

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Andrea Gansner Andrea Gansner

Vaginal Health: A Naturopathic Love Story

Let’s talk about vaginal health—because frankly, it deserves way more airtime than it gets. If you’ve ever dealt with an unruly yeast infection or the unwelcome surprise of bacterial vaginosis (BV), you know how frustrating and uncomfortable these conditions can be. But before you resign yourself to yet another round of antibiotics, let’s explore a more holistic, gentler, and (dare we say) smarter approach: naturopathic medicine.

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