Nutrition Archives - Page 2 of 2

The importance of staying regular

May 1, 2023

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....

Vitamin D for a strong immune system

June 13, 2022

Immune, Nutrition, Vitamins

The most important role of vitamin D is putting calcium into our bones. But it also has other roles such as regulating our immune systems. Vitamin D is involved in the regulation of both the innate immune system (general defence) and the acquired immune system (specific targeted defence), as well as having a role in regulating inflammation. Studies have shown that higher levels of vitamin D are associated with reduced disease, including respiratory infections. A blood test for Vitamin D gives a reference range of 50-250 nmol/L, with the lower end of this range set in order to prevent osteoporosis (spontaneous spinal fractures). Whilst vitamin D levels above 50nmol/L does prevent osteoporosis, optimal health is found in levels between 100-150nmol/L. Our bodies make vitamin D with exposure...

Your digestion is key to your immune system

May 13, 2022

Digestion, Health, Immune, Nutrition

Whilst these systems may seem unrelated, they are actually closely linked. From a naturopathic view, a healthy digestive system is essential for all other aspects of health. After all, it is where all nutrients required to build and repair your body are absorbed, as well as where most metabolic waste products are excreted. Leaky Gut (Intestinal Hyperpermeability) You may have heard of the term “leaky gut”. It is a condition in which the tight gaps between the intestinal walls are increased to allow substances other than nutrients, electrolytes, and water to enter the blood supply. The immune system is then activated to eliminate these substances which are toxic (when outside the digestive system), and a continual supply of these over time, results in a state of chronic...

It’s that time of the month

March 8, 2022

Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, Women's health

With International Women’s Day on Tuesday 8th March, now is a good time to talk about periods. Having a positive mindset about your cycle can help reduce some of the negative emotions around it. Know that this can be a time to deal with emotions gathered over the last month and a chance to give yourself time for nurture and rest. Whilst every woman’s cycle has it’s differences, a normal cycle is 28 days (give or take 7 days), last for 4-7 days (give or take 2 days), and loss should be 30ml-80ml (although this can be hard to measure). If your cycle is not within these parameters, or you experience the following, you should see your doctor: Cramping that lasts more than a few days,...

Back to school – back to lunches

February 1, 2022

Nutrition

In the house of any school aged kids, back to school means back to making lunches. What is in that lunch is important, as food gives kids the energy and focus they need for the day. I am surprised to hear from my kids just how many of their peers eat packets of artificially coloured and flavoured foods which are high in energy but low in nutrients. These food additives have been linked to attention issues1, and the refined carbohydrate give a surge of energy, followed by a slump. For me, parenting seems to be a balance of my own ideas combined with that of my kids' peers, so I do use some packets in the lunchbox: plain popcorn, seaweed, a low sugar muesli bar (such...

Nutrition

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 for a strong immune system

Your digestion is key to your immune system

It’s that time of the month

Back to school – back to lunches

Trouble getting your iron levels within range?

Springtime allergies

Vitamin D for a strong immune system

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