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Introduction

Stay in the loop with the latest news and updates from Serefin Health through our quarterly newsletter, SerefinRx. Whether you regularly engage with our team or have no immediate health concerns, keeping up to date on current health information empowers you to make informed decisions that benefit your well-being. Packed with valuable information, each issue offers a wealth of content, including company updates, health education, and much more.

About us

At Serefin Health, our primary focus is the well-being of our clients, and we are committed to going above and beyond to ensure the quality of your care and your satisfaction.

Our knowledgeable team of healthcare professionals is at the core of our service. With their unwavering dedication and expertise, they work collaboratively to provide compassionate and empathetic care that addresses your unique needs.

We take great pride in advocating on your behalf and strive to empower you to take an active role in your health and well-being, providing you with the knowledge and resources necessary to make informed decisions about your health. We are here to support and guide you every step of the way.

We foster a culture centered around teamwork and a shared commitment to finding innovative solutions to complex problems. By promoting continuous learning and improvement, we stay at the forefront of advancements in the field, enabling us to provide you with the highest quality of care.

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: What It Means for Patients Today

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to labs—it’s now reshaping everyday healthcare. From quicker diagnoses to virtual health assistants, AI is transforming how care is delivered. While promising, it also raises concerns about fairness, accuracy, and trust. In this issue, we explore how AI is helping patients, the hurdles it faces, and how it’s shaping the future of healthcare.

AI in Action: What’s Possible Now

AI is making tangible changes in how patients experience healthcare. Virtual assistants now handle insurance questions, refill prescriptions, and provide 24/7 support. In diagnostics, AI helps detect diseases like cancer earlier and more accurately, enabling faster second opinions. Algorithms are also tailoring treatments based on individual genetics, lifestyle, and medical history. Meanwhile, AI automates admin tasks—like scheduling and interpreting lab results—giving clinicians more time to focus on patients. At Serefin Clinic, for example, software like AutoScribe by Mutuo Health, an AI‑powered digital assistant that transcribes clinician–patient conversations in real time, generates structured clinical notes, and integrates seamlessly into the EMR to minimize manual documentation. Patients benefit significantly when clinicians are free to focus on listening attentively, instead of note-taking.

The Hidden Limits of AI in Healthcare

Despite progress, AI has clear limitations. Bias remains a major issue—when training data lacks diversity, AI can produce unfair outcomes. For example, underrepresented women’s symptoms or racial disparities in datasets can lead to misdiagnoses or poor care recommendations.

Some AI tools prioritize efficiency over clinical depth, missing key aspects of patient care. Unlike human providers, AI lacks empathy and contextual understanding, reinforcing the need for human oversight.

Data privacy is another serious concern. AI relies on large datasets, but how that information is used matters. In 2023, the U.K.'s NHS faced backlash for sharing patient data with a private company without clear consent—raising alarms about misuse.

To ensure everyone benefits safely, AI must be developed with fairness, transparency, and privacy protections at its core.

Patient Trust in a Digital Age

As AI tools like symptom checkers and health apps grow, earning patient trust is critical. Many still worry about data use and the loss of personal connection.

Human compassion remains irreplaceable. Emotional understanding and communication foster trust, ease anxiety, and support healing in ways technology cannot. AI should support—not replace—skilled and empathetic healthcare professionals.

With ethical oversight and a focus on patient experience, AI can improve diagnosis, personalize care, and expand access—especially in underserved areas. The future of healthcare depends on in combining innovation with human care.

Healthy BBQ & Picnic Tips

Summer is all about relaxing and enjoying delicious food. Try these customizable BBQ skewers packed with your favorite veggies - like bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, zucchini, or mushrooms. For protein, use grilled chicken, high-protein tofu for a vegetarian option, or pair with salmon for a pescatarian twist. Easy, healthy, and perfect for summer grilling!

Heading out for a picnic without a grill? No problem! Pack a cooler with energizing, no-cook options like pasta salad, chopped fruits and veggies, and pre-made salads (keep the dressing on the side). Prioritize high-protein foods to keep you fueled for fun in the sun.

Pro Tip: Make your plate colorful with fruits and veggies and aim for at least one-quarter protein. Stay hydrated with plenty of cold water or electrolyte-rich drinks—about 1-2 glasses per meal is a good rule. Tips for a healthy summer picnic

Healthier Condiment Swaps:

- Salsa : Low in sugar and calories, great for burgers or wraps

- Greek yogurt : A high-protein sub for sour cream

- Nutritional yeast : Dairy-free, cheesy flavor for sauces or soups

- Balsamic vinegar : Antioxidant-rich and delicious on salads or bruschetta

Eat well, stay cool, and enjoy the outdoors!

Helpful resource article: Healthier Condiment Swap

Measles Update

What you Should Know About Measles

Measles is one of the most contagious viral infections. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by touching fluids from an infected person’s nose or throat.

Timeline:

  • Symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. The first symptoms usually include:
    • Fever
    • Dry cough
    • Runny nose
    • Red, watery eyes
  • The well-known sign of measles—a rash of large, flat spots and small raised bumps—typically appears about 14 days after exposure. It starts on the face or neck and spreads down the body to the arms and legs.
  • Measles can spread from 4 days before the rash appears to 4 days after.

Once someone recovers from measles, they are immune for life.

Who Is at Risk?

  • You are at risk if:
    • You’ve never had measles
    • You’ve never been vaccinated
  • In Canada:
    • Adults born before 1970 are generally considered immune because they likely had measles as children.

Getting Vaccinated:

  • The measles vaccine is usually given in two doses in Canada:
    • First dose (MMR): at 12 months
    • Second dose (MMR or MMRV): at 18 months between 4–6 years

Adults born in 1970 or later should have two doses if they haven’t been vaccinated before. While those born before 1970 are usually immune, they may still need the vaccine if at higher risk due to work, travel, or studies.

If you’re unsure about your vaccination status, talk to your healthcare provider or your Serefin Care Coordinator.

World Breastfeeding Week: Every Feeding Journey Deserves Celebration

This World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7), we’re celebrating every parent and every path to nourishing a baby. Breastfeeding your baby is amazing. Formula feeding your baby is amazing. However you feed, the most important goal is a thriving baby and a thriving parent.

For those who choose to breastfeed, support can make a big difference. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone — help is available. Reach out to your primary care provider, a Public Health-funded lactation consultant (LC), or a private LC. They can help guide you through common challenges like latch issues, low milk supply, or discomfort.

Speaking of discomfort—painful, dry, or cracked nipples may need medical attention. These symptoms can interfere with breastfeeding and may signal an underlying issue. Don’t wait—talk to your provider so you can get back to feeding comfortably.

Worried about milk supply? Many parents benefit from strategies like power pumping or adjusting feeding patterns. Again, your primary care provider is a great first step for personalized guidance.

Breastfeeding also brings additional benefits, especially during cough, cold, and flu season. Breast milk passes antibodies from parent to baby, offering extra protection against common infections.

Vitamin D supports healthy bone growth and prevents rickets in infants. Since breast milk doesn’t contain enough vitamin D, breastfed or partially breastfed babies need 400 IU daily from birth until they drink 32 oz of fortified formula. Formula-fed infants drinking less than that also need supplementation.

It’s also important to acknowledge that breastfeeding and mental health are deeply connected. For some, it’s a soothing and bonding experience. For others, it can be exhausting—especially combined with sleep deprivation or feeding difficulties. If you're struggling emotionally, it’s okay to ask for help. Postpartum mental health is just as important as physical recovery.

At the end of the day, no matter how you feed your baby, your love and care are what truly matter. Let’s celebrate every feeding journey and support parents at every stage of the process.

A Mindful Moment: Navigating Back to School with Calm and Connection

It’s that time of year again. The backpacks are out, routines are shifting, and the air buzzes with both excitement and tension. For many families, this season feels like standing at the edge of a whirlwind. Mom’s juggling work calls while packing lunch. Dad’s searching for clean socks. The youngest is anxious about a new teacher. And their eldest, on the autism spectrum, is quietly overwhelmed by the thought of change.

Transitions, especially the return to school, can feel like emotional earthquakes. Kids, neurotypical or neurodivergent, may show it in different ways: sleep issues, clinginess, tummy aches, or meltdowns. But instead of bracing for chaos, some families try something different this year: mindfulness.

Mindfulness isn’t about perfect calm or quiet. It’s about noticing what’s happening right now, inside and out, without judgment. One morning, they start small. Before the rush, they sit for one minute. No talking. Just breathing together. The littlest one picks a “mood color” from a chart. The eldest squeezes a soft fidget. It’s peaceful, not magical, but it helps.

Throughout the week, they keep weaving mindfulness into everyday life. A visual schedule eases the morning chaos. A breathing song becomes the cue for leaving the house. After school, they each name something that felt good or hard. Their teen prefers solo walks with noise-canceling headphones and logs feelings using emoji apps. No pressure to share, just options to connect in their own way.

For the parents, mindfulness becomes a quiet anchor. A few deep breaths before pickups. A reminder whispered in tough moments: “This is hard, but we’re doing our best.” They model calm, not perfection. When stress shows up, they say it out loud: “I’m overwhelmed, so I’m going to take a moment.” The kids notice and learn.

Over time, their home shifts. They create a “cozy zone” with soft pillows and dim lights. Meltdowns aren’t treated as problems to fix, but messages to listen to. Scripts like “You’re safe, we’ve got this” replace hurried discipline. Even when things go off the rails (and they do), there's more space to come back to the center.

The back-to-school transition isn’t easy, but it feels different this time. Not because the stress is gone, but because the family meets it with presence and compassion.

You don’t need hours of meditation or perfect calm. You just need one breath. One pause. One moment of connection. That’s where mindfulness begins.

So try it today. Sit with your child. Set a timer for one minute. Breathe together. No fixing, no pressure, just being.

That’s mindfulness. That’s enough.

Additional Resources

Here are some excellent online resources dedicated to the above topic:

  1. Hidden Gems ABA – “Mindfulness Practices for Autism”. Offers guided exercises such as glitter jars, mindful walking, and visualization to support emotional regulation and social engagement in children with ASD methods shown to reduce stress and improve well-being.
  2. Stepping Forward Counseling – “7 Simple Mindfulness Activities for Autism”. A practical parent guide with easy-to-use strategies tailored for autistic children, helping with attention, anxiety reduction, and behavior through sensory-friendly mindfulness tools.
  3. Kids Autistic World – “Mindfulness Exercises: A Guide for Parents & Caregivers”. Focuses on teaching parents how to help children manage sensory overload, emotional ups and downs, and improve focus using brief, daily mindfulness techniques.
  4. Neurolaunch – “Mindfulness for Autism: A Complete Guide”. An in-depth overview of mindfulness strategies specifically adapted for autistic individuals and families, referencing research-driven benefits and realistic implementation ideas.
  5. Learning for A Purpose – “Mindfulness and Autism: Effective Strategies for Enhancing Well‑Being”. Delivers insights on how mindfulness supports emotional regulation, social communication, and sensory awareness in autistic individuals through accessible practices.
  6. Calm Blog—“61 Fun and Simple Mindfulness Activities for Kids”. Packed with playful, age‑appropriate mindfulness ideas to help children focus, regulate emotion, and build resilience through breathing, movement, and sensory games.
  7. Therapist Aid—“Family Mindfulness Schedule Worksheet”. A free printable worksheet featuring structured family routines such as body scans, box breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and building a mindfulness box. Ideal for ages 5–11.
  8. Learning as We Grow—“The Mindful Family: Strategies for Practicing Mindfulness Together”. Guidance on weaving mindfulness into real-world family life—messy schedules, screens, and all—emphasizing presence, connection, and compassion.
  9. Parent Pathways Academy—“Simple Mindfulness Routines That Bring Families Closer”. Five practical daily rituals like one‑minute breathing check‑ins or weekly gratitude circles designed to strengthen connection and reduce stress.
  10. Positive Psychology—“25 Fun Mindfulness Activities for Kids & Teens (+ Tips!)”. Sciencereviewed list of engaging exercises—like listening challenges, mindful breathing, and gratitude journaling—to foster emotional awareness and resilience.

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent Fasting: What’s All the Hype About?

Whether it's your best friend raving about the 16:8 window or your coworker casually skipping breakfast, intermittent fasting (IF) has become a hot health topic. But is it just a trend—or something backed by science?

Let’s explore what it is, why it’s catching on, and how to know if it’s right for you.

Intermittent fasting is not a diet, or a fad. It’s simply an eating schedule—focused on when you eat, not necessarily what you eat (though nutrition matters too).

Some methods include:

Method Fasting Window Eating Window
16:8 16 Hrs 8 hrs (e.g., 12–8 PM)
14:10 14 Hrs 10 hrs
12:12 12 Hrs 12 hrs

What’s the Best Fasting Window?

There’s no single “perfect” fasting window for everyone. But there are some general guidelines, especially based on fitness and biological sex.

Most Popular

The 16:8 intermittent fasting method is one of the most common and researched approaches. It, may support fat metabolism, cellular repair, and long-term sustainability for many people.

Beginner-Friendly

Start with 12:12 or 14:10 to ease into it. Going too aggressively at first can make fasting feel unsustainable.

Why Do People Try It?

Weight management – Helps limit calorie intake by narrowing your eating window

Blood sugar balance – Improves insulin sensitivity

Boosts cell repair – Fasting triggers autophagy, your body’s clean-up crew

Mental clarity – Many feel sharper while fasting

Does It Work with Exercise?

It can—but timing and intensity matter.

Fasted Workouts

  • Pros:
    • Can work well for low- to moderate-intensity workouts like walking, yoga, or light cardio
    • May encourage fat oxidation (fat burning)
  • Cons:
    • Heavy lifting or high-intensity training in a fasted state may lead to muscle breakdown, limiting gains
    • May also cause low energy during intense workouts

How can you safely exercise while fasting?

Eat a meal close to your workout.

This provides fuel for your workout and helps protect muscle mass.

Stay hydrated

Drink extra water while fasting.

Keep the intensity and duration of the workout in mind.

Stop if you feel dizzy or light-headed.

Post-workout refueling is key

Break your fast with protein + carbs to support recovery.

How can you safely exercise while fasting?

Intermittent fasting works best when paired with intuitive eating.

Eat More Of:
  • Leafy greens & veggies
  • Healthy fats (avocado, nuts, olive oil)
  • Lean proteins (fish, chicken, tofu)
  • Complex carbs (quinoa, sweet potatoes)
Skip the:
  • Processed snacks
  • Sugary drinks
  • Refined carbs (white bread, pastries)

Does Fasting Impact Women and Men Differently?

Fasting Windows

Women—especially perimenopausal—may have greater sensitivity to prolonged fasting due to hormonal cycles. Some studies suggest fasting beyond 14 hours may affect estrogen balance or cortisol levels. A 14:10 or even 12:12 schedule may be a better starting point for women.

Tip: Listen to your body—especially if you notice fatigue, mood swings, or changes in your cycle.

Fasting and Exercise

Women may experience cortisol spikes and energy crashes during fasted high-intensity exercise, particularly during the luteal phase (the week before menstruation).

Tip: Try strength training or HIIT during your eating window if you're feeling drained while in your fasting window.

Is Intermittent Right for You?

Acceptable for:

Healthy adults looking to manage weight, balance blood sugar, or simplify meals.

Caution if you are:

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Managing diabetes or chronic illness
  • Recovering from disordered eating
  • Currently in or approaching a perimenopausal stage

Note: It is important to always check with your primary health provider before starting a fasting routine.

Final Notes: It’s Not a Magic Fix

Intermittent fasting is a tool—not a cure-all. It works best when paired with:

A balanced diet

Regular movement

Good sleep

Low stress

But remember, the best routine is one that fits your life! Talk to your primary health provider if you think Intermittent Fasting may be something you are interested in.

Intermittent Fasting Myth Busting: Facts or Fiction?

Myth #1: “You HAVE to fast for 16 hours to see any benefits.”

Fiction:

While the 16:8 method (16 hours of fasting, 8 hours of eating) is the most talked about, there’s no magic number. Research shows that even shorter fasting windows, like 12:12 or 14:10, can improve insulin sensitivity and support metabolic health.

Fact Check:

The key is consistency and choosing a schedule that fits your lifestyle. Don’t force yourself into a routine that doesn’t work.

Myth #2: “You can eat anything you want during your eating window.”

Fiction:

IF isn’t a way to only eat nachos and milkshakes. The quality of your food still matters. Fasting helps regulate when you eat, but what you eat plays a major role in your results.

Fact Check:

Focus on whole foods, lean proteins, fiber, and healthy fats to maximize the benefits of IF. Think of fasting as the structure, and nutrition as the foundation

Myth #3: “IF works for everyone.”

Fiction:

Intermittent fasting isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. People with certain health conditions (like diabetes, eating disorders, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding) may need a different approach. And for some, fasting simply doesn’t feel good—and that’s okay.

Fact Check:

The key is consistency and choosing a schedule that fits your lifestyle. Don’t Always talk to a healthcare provider before jumping into fasting, especially if you have preexisting conditions or take medications.force yourself into a routine that doesn’t work.

A heartfelt thank you to our SerefinRx contributors!

We truly appreciate the time and dedication you invest in researching and writing thoughtful, valuable articles—especially while serving your valued clients. Your expertise and effort help us deliver meaningful insights that strengthen the trust and relationships we have with those we serve.

Meet the SerefinRx Newsletter Contributor

Dr. Ashley Guttman

Senior Physician

BMSc, M.D, MSCP, CCFP

Ziqra Malik

Registered Nurse

BScN

Erin Kemp

Registered Practical Nurse

RPN

Catherine Wong

Manager

Virtual Nursing Team, Registered Nurse, BScN

Dragana Milivojevic

Care Coordinator

Registered Practical Nurse, RPN

Christine Turiano

Care Coordinator

Registered Nurse, BScN

Katie Vandenborre

Care Coordinator

Registered Nurse, BScN, BSc

Vic Karpov

Care Coordinator

Registered Nurse, BScN, BSc, MSc

We hope you've enjoyed this edition of SerefinRx and found it informative and inspiring.

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Sources Referenced

AI In Healthcare

Measles

Breastfeeding

Intermittent Fasting

Navigating complexity, simplifying life.

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