Welcome to this episode of The Tonic, terrestrially broadcast on July 4 and 5, 2026 on AM740 and FM 96.7 in Toronto. Topics covered on the show track the lifestyle articles and themes published in The Tonic Newsletter and on the Tonic Website. This week we’ll discuss what your oral health is really telling you with naturopath Dr. Colleen Hartwick ND, why sleep is so important for women’s health over 50 with psychologist and author Dr. Julie Merriman PhD, the treatment of sickle cell disease with hematologist Dr. Kevin Kuo, and how to prevent tick borne diseases with health and wellness entrepreneur Kurt Avery.
We specifically discuss:
What Your Oral Health is Really Telling You
- Your mouth is an integral part of your body
- What do your gums do for you?
- How do unhealthy gums impact your overall health?
- What do sore gums really tell you?
- Should you be concerned if you have bleeding gums
- How do your teeth come into play?
- Teeth grinding
- Your oral biome
- Is mouthwash problematic?
- A good oral protocol
- The role of diet
- Supplements to support oral health
Why Sleep is Important For Women’s Health Over 50
- Why does sleep become an issue for women in perimenopause or menopause?
- Rest, stress hormones and desire
- Chronic stress
- Hormones
- Societal factors impacts stress
- Frustration and resentment
- Leaning into resentment
- Fixing the fatigue to improve desire and desirability
- Somatic work to improve sleep
The Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease
- What is sickle cell disease?
- Life expectancy
- Who is most impacted by sickle cell disease?
- Malaria and human evolution
- Managing the condition
- Sickle cell disease in children and teens
- Barriers to treatment within the health system
- Access to care
- How did Scarborough Health Network improve access to care?
Preventing Tick Borne Diseases
- Misconceptions about ticks and tick borne diseases
- The keys is preventing embedding
- Permethrin
- How to remove ticks safely
- Removing ticks from clothing
- Where are ticks found?
- Protecting your pets
- How to do a proper tick check?
- Alpha-gal disease
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For more information about show sponsor New Roots Herbal go here
To learn more about Dr. Colleen Hartwick ND go here
To learn more about Dr. Julie Merriman PhD go here
To learn more about Dr. Kevin Kuo go here
To learn more about Kurt Avery go here
