Nutrition Archives - Whole Naturopathy

How to look after your liver

December 5, 2024

Your liver is one of the major detoxification organs in your body. But not only does it work in detoxification, it also plays an important role in hormone regulation and blood glucose metabolism. It’s commonly known that too much alcohol is bad for your liver. But did you know that overeating, too much sugar or white flour products, as well as prescription medications (and recreational drugs) can increase the detoxification load of the liver? Some common signs of reduced liver function: Fatigue (especially after lunch or mid-afternoon) Brain fog Headaches Nausea Irritability, frustration, or anger Dry skin The good news is that the liver is an organ that can repair itself (at least at this point), and there are lots of simple things you can do to help...

A by-product of sugar can reduce sugar cravings

December 4, 2024

Metabolic health, Nutrition

I find it so interesting that one of the minerals that is removed from the sugar cane as it is processed is the same mineral that helps prevent sugar cravings, which is just another reminder that we should be eating foods in their natural form. When sugar is made When white sugar us made, the juice from the sugar cane is stripped of all its nutrients so that we're left with just the simple carbohydrate. Raw sugar has a tiny bit added back in and brown sugar a little bit more. The problem here is that if the nutrients were never removed, we wouldn't be constantly craving the sugar, so let’s look at adding them back into our diet. Molasses Blackstrap molasses, or simply molasses as it's known in...

Lose weight with intermittent fasting

December 4, 2024

Metabolic health, Nutrition, Weight loss

Intermittent fasting is where you use fasting for part of the day, rather than a longer term fast. It’s actually something we do each day, we finish eating at the end of the day and then we don’t eat again until breakfast (when we ‘break’ the ‘fast’). With the exception of small babies who need to eat around the clock, your body stores energy to keep you going through the night without any food. Digestion time It takes 5 hours to digest a meal, sometimes longer if it was a large meal, so what we generally do is space our meals that far apart to ensure we have a regular supply of energy throughout the day. Then overnight, your body use stores from the liver which last...

If weight loss is a simple formula, why do we struggle?

December 3, 2024

Lifestyle, Metabolic health, Nutrition, Weight loss

Part of it is due to poor diet advice. To some extent it is because sugar is highly addictive, as well as the fact that eating can be strongly driven my emotions. We’re all basically wired to avoid pain and seek pleasure. After all, to some degree, it keeps us alive. If we’re used to short-term gratification, then why wouldn’t we go for chips and donuts rather than kale and hemp seeds (Ok, so I don’t eat kale or hemp seeds all that often 😊). Rather than first focusing on your diet failure, let’s look at what’s going on at a deeper level. Are you stressed and your brain is looking for quick fuel? Are you sad and memories of cake or lollies remind you of happier...

The importance of diet in controlling diabetes and insulin resistance

3 foods to avoid for diabetes

August 3, 2024

Lifestyle, Metabolic health, Nutrition

Did you know that some foods can be keeping your blood sugars in the diabetic range, and contributing to the disease, whilst there are others that can help to balance your blood sugar? Here is an explanation of what each of the foods are and why they make a difference to your diabetes. The principles here are aimed at type 2 diabetes, but should also be helpful in type 1, gestational diabetes, and insulin resistance (or prediabetes). Before I get into the details, make sure that your diabetes is being monitored by a doctor and if you do make changes to your diet, be sure to monitor your glucose levels, so that your blood sugars stay within the safe range. Firstly, we need to start with an understanding...

The other kind of Liver Disease

April 3, 2024

Lifestyle, Liver, Nutrition, Weight loss

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is on the rise and is caused by poor dietary choices. But just like anything that is caused by a poor diet, it can be improved with a good one. If you would like to know more about Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD), see my article from last month, but for NAFLD, read on. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Unlike AFLD, NAFLD isn't primarily linked to alcohol consumption. Instead, it results from factors such as poor dietary choices, sedentary lifestyles, and insulin resistance. The liver, faced with an influx of refined sugars and unhealthy fats, undergoes a process where excess glucose is converted into fat, leading to the accumulation observed in NAFLD. Diagnosis NAFLD is diagnosed the same as AFLD, by a blood test,...

Nutritional support for alcoholic fatty liver disease

What is Fatty Liver Disease?

March 3, 2024

Lifestyle, Metabolic health, Nutrition, Weight loss

Historically, Fatty Liver Disease (FLD) was associated with excessive alcohol consumption, but now has evolved into two distinct categories: Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD) and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Next month, I’ll delve into NAFLD, but for now, here’s the breakdown of ALFD. Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD) AFLD was first seen in prolonged alcohol abuse, where the liver struggles to metabolise the excessive intake of alcohol. This led to the accumulation of fat, impairing liver function and paving the way for inflammation. This is diagnosed with a blood test, but usually if you have FLD, you will find that you don’t metabolise alcohol well and will take a longer time to recover after drinking than your friends, or than you used to. You may also...

Cholesterol – friend or foe?

November 1, 2023

Metabolic health, Nutrition

Cholesterol plays a vital role in our bodies, serving as an essential part of our cell membranes and helping to regulate various bodily functions. It acts like a building material, providing structural integrity to cell walls and allowing them to function properly. Additionally, cholesterol is essential for the production of hormones like estrogen and testosterone, and fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D, which control various bodily processes, including growth and reproduction. So, without cholesterol, our cells would not be able to maintain their integrity, and we wouldn't have the necessary hormones to keep our bodies functioning correctly. HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) and LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) are two types of cholesterol carriers in your bloodstream, each with distinct roles, and are seen as the following. HDL cholesterol is often called...

Don’t just lose weight for the summer, lose it for life!

October 4, 2023

Health, Metabolic health, Motivation, Nutrition, Weight loss

So often the quick fix, magic bullet answers also have a quick undo, or just can’t be sustained long term. In terms of health, a slow steady change that lasts is much better than a quick fix that doesn’t. So often people go on very restrictive or low-calorie diets and whilst the number on the scales may look great for a little while, it’s not something that works long-term. One of the first changes that can make a big difference, not only to weight loss, but also to all areas of health, is to increase your protein intake. Protein is required for repair of all cells in your body, and low protein meals can leave you feeling hungry afterwards. Try to have some protein with every...

Trouble getting your iron levels within range?

September 4, 2023

Nutrition, Vitamins

With some iron supplements people are left choosing between being exhausted or being constipated, neither of which are good for your health. Others opt for regular iron infusions, and whilst these can be great when your levels are very low, for most people, there are other ways to increase absorption of the important nutrient. The role of Iron Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, the protein responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to tissues and organs. Oxygen is required for the functioning of all cells, and a lack of supply to muscles and cells can result in feelings of fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. What causes low iron? Iron deficiency occurs either through inadequate intake, or excessive blood loss. As a result, the body struggles to...

Nutrition

How to look after your liver

A by-product of sugar can reduce sugar cravings

Lose weight with intermittent fasting

If weight loss is a simple formula, why do we struggle?

3 foods to avoid for diabetes

The other kind of Liver Disease

What is Fatty Liver Disease?

Cholesterol – friend or foe?

Don’t just lose weight for the summer, lose it for life!

Trouble getting your iron levels within range?

Trouble getting your iron levels within range?

Springtime allergies

Vitamin D for a strong immune system

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