Nutrition Archives - Page 2 of 3

The importance of diet in controlling diabetes and insulin resistance

3 foods to avoid for diabetes

August 3, 2024

To watch this as a video, click here. 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,...

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...

The importance of staying regular

May 1, 2023

Digestion, Lifestyle, Nutrition

Whilst bowel movements may not be the most lovely topic, they can tell you a lot about your health. As a naturopath, the digestive system is very important. After all, it is where both the nutrients from food is absorbed and where the majority of waste products and toxins are eliminated. Your stool and how often you pass one gives a good indication of the state of your lower digestive tract (colon). The problem with constipation If the body’s waste products and toxins are not eliminated efficiently and are left sitting in the colon, they can be reabsorbed into the body. This can cause a feeling of bloating or fullness and contribute to a number of health issues. These substances include both toxins that have been taken into...

Reflux – a sour taste in your mouth

April 3, 2023

Digestion, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition

Whilst most people will experience reflux with extreme fullness occasionally, often with overeating (think Christmas day!), some people experience this daily. What’s going on? In healthy digestion, food enters the stomach via the oesophagus through a valve called the lower oesophageal sphincter, which opens only to let food in, then it closes again. Reflux occurs when this sphincter opens at other times and lets food or stomach acid through, often causing a burning pain in the oesophagus or an acid taste in the mouth. Why stomach acid is so important? The acid in your stomach plays a very important role in breaking up foods, killing bacteria (along with other foreign substances like bugs 😊). The stomach is an amazing organ in that the acid can destroy human cells and...

Why can’t I lose weight?

October 3, 2022

Lifestyle, Metabolic health, Nutrition, Weight loss

Did you know that it was discovered around 12 years ago, that you can’t get fat from eating fats, there just isn’t a metabolic pathway! They came up with this idea because fats give you more energy per weight than carbohydrates and protein. But what this actually means is that fats can fuel your body longer, than what carbohydrates can. Good fat sources include avocado, butter, coconut oil, olive oil, oily fish, nuts, and seeds. Protein is required for growth and repair of all cells, and should be included in every meal. It’s found in meat, eggs, dairy, soy, legumes, nuts and seeds. Good sources of carbohydrates (carbs) are fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains. Carbs are particularly important for kids and teens as they grow and for adults that are...

Men’s Health: puberty and prostate

September 11, 2022

Herbal Medicine, Men's Health, Nutrition

With Father’s Day this month, it’s a great time to talk about men’s health. We’ll take a look at two conditions: teenage acne and Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). These are both caused (at varying degrees) by male hormone imbalance. Androgens are a group of hormones of which testosterone (the predominant male reproductive hormone) is the most common. Testosterone levels increase for young men in their late teens, and the excess androgens contribute to acne. The sebaceous glands which secrete oil onto the skin, produce androgens, along with other glands, and in excess are converted to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone which promotes acne. Research has found herbs such as Serenoa repens (Saw palmetto) effective in treating hormonal acne, especially when combined with other androgen regulating herbs is....

Nutrition

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?

The importance of staying regular

Reflux – a sour taste in your mouth

Why can’t I lose weight?

Men’s Health: puberty and prostate

Vitamin D – The nutrient your body makes in the sun

Is vitamin B6 toxic?

Trouble getting your iron levels within range?

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