A handle on health

COEUR d'ALENE - From information on advanced biofeedback devices used to pinpoint illnesses, vitamin deficiencies or other problems in the body, to improved hand washing techniques to guard from illness, the Downtown Wellness Fair on Wednesday gave visitors a wide variety of information to consider.

The fair was free to the public, and located at the downstairs Community Room of the Coeur d'Alene Public Library, at 702 E. Front Ave.

Dolores Palush, 84, was stopping by the library, and decided to attend and gather information at the different booths.

"It's worthwhile going because you're introduced to a lot about supplements, vitamins, hypnotherapy and other things," Palush said, after stopping by the booth set up by North Idaho Hypnotherapy.

"It's great because there is someone here to talk to, learn from, and ask questions about a subject," said Palush, of Coeur d'Alene.

There were vendors providing information on nutrition, osteoporosis, exercise and fitness, skin care, weight loss, supplements, vision, hair loss and other areas.

Lynn Brewer, 66, who was checking out the booths, said, "There is tons of information here."

Brewer, of Coeur d'Alene, said she found the booths focusing on weight loss, hair loss, and chiropractic treatment, among others, informative.

Lynne Kinson, wellness coordinator at Helbling Benefits, of Coeur d'Alene, said about 250 to 300 people visited the fair. It had 32 vendors, which was more than last year, she said. Half of the vendors this year were new, she said.

Helbling helps organize the event.

She said the fair is conducted to educate people about what products and services are available from businesses, clinics, clubs, and others here to improve people's health.

Lisa Irving, who provides advanced biofeedback services at Renew Mind and Body Spa, at 940 Ironwood Drive, said the advanced biofeedback device can test the health of the body's organs, monitor vitamin, mineral and toxin levels and test for stressors. It can also be used to identify emotions that are degrading health.

She said she has had doctors calling her asking for help to identify illnesses.

Randall Wilkinson, of Weight Protocol, at 401 Front St. in Coeur d'Alene, said the business helps people lose body fat without reducing what he calls lean body mass, which includes mostly muscle.

Many people eat too many carbohydrates, which leads to too much fat storage in the body.

"Carbs aren't evil," he said. But, it's important to monitor how often carbs are eaten, and important to consume protein.

He said Coeur d'Alene has a lot of trim, athletic people, but it's not immune to the obesity epidemic in the U.S.

"The problem is eating the wrong things," he said. "And portion sizes are a problem."

Tamara Wells of Hair Solutions, of Hayden, who was another vendor at the fair, said "A lot of reasons people lose their hair is health."

Wells, a tricologist, someone who studies and treats hair problems, wanted to be part of the fair to let people know what services her business offers. Hair Solutions, located at 21 W. Commerce Drive, helps find causes of hair loss or scalp issues, and helps develop preventive and restorative programs. She said the business has several tests that can be done to determine the cause of a patient's hair loss, such as care.

The tests help determine nutrient levels in the body - some may be lacking while others may be too high. Hormones also are tested.

"You don't need to go bald," she said. "We have ways to find out what's wrong."