Changes to Avoid as Hormones Levels Decline with Age

Terrible Isn't It? 

Bad enough that the skin goes dry and saggy, the belly bulges and won’t seem to shift, energy depletes, libido vanishes, joints ache. Then on top of all that you feel rather worried and somewhat miserable with the prospects and this can make you a little edgy at times.  They say it’s just a part of getting older and is normal.

I'm here to tell you just because it’s common does not mean its normal!

All of the above complaints have been associated with ageing and all are associated with a drop in gender specific hormone levels. How do we separate declining hormones and ageing. We can’t really, but the good news is as we support the hormone production we also are doing the best we can to slow the over-all ageing process.

I do advocate the use of supplements, there is just no way to get enough of the essential nutrients into your system from healthy, organic, fresh in season foods (let alone, chemically treated, mass produced, stored, travelled, nutrient depleted foods) to overcome the damage caused as your body ages.

Having said that the very first supplement I believe EVERYONE needs to take is Omega 3 or fish oil.

Fish oil is a rich source of the essential fatty acid Omega 3, when your body has enough Omega 3 it will make the necessary Omega 6 and 9. Recent studies link the high intake of Omega 6 with inflammation, most diets are too high in Omega 6 (from grain oils) and it is necessary to take Omega 3 to balance this overload.

Reduce inflammation, i.e. achy, stiff joint by ensuring adequate intake of Omega 3 essential fatty acid. They also alleviate dry skin, and help in preventing some of the cancers that are associated with female and male reproductive system. The dose will vary depending on how much Omega 6 oils are in your diet (sunflower/safflower,corn, oil, etc) but a guide is between 1,600 mg -2,850 mg per day.

Shed Belly Fat, Build Lean Muscle 

Quality protein increases lean muscle and sheds belly fat (visceral fat). Protein is also essential for the healthy production of testosterone. 

Testosterone though commonly thought of as a male hormone, and it is true that males produce much higher quantities of this hormone, females also need testosterone. Testosterone is important in energy levels, the immune system stamina and muscle growth.

In the female testosterone is responsible for libido, it is produced in the ovaries until menopause. After menopause its production for most women goes over to the adrenal glands. Not all women have healthy adrenal glands due to adrenal exhaustion; this process therefore cannot be successfully transferred.

Unlike other female hormones that have been synthesised and given as a replacement therapy, often with varying degrees of success and side effects. Testosterone is not suitable for supplementation as the body can and will convert it to Oestrogens which may increase the risk of feminization in males and the associated risks of oestrogen dependant cancers in both males and females.  

The body will manufacture testosterone if the building blocks are in place. One of the essential building blocks for testosterone is protein. Interestingly protein also builds lean muscle, and reduces visceral (belly) fat. As talked about in last weeks article. 

Recent studies Isagenix superior to leading 'heart Healthy Diet" read more

The BEST source of quality protein is from Whey and not just any whey, undenatured whey as in our isalean shakes.

Get your Isalean Shake here order online and find out more here

Next week we look at The Adrenal Glands, Stress and Ageing

Which Whey to Weight Loss

Which Whey to Weight Loss and Lean Muscle?

Whey protein is most often used in shakes that are either meal replacements in weight loss programs or for body building. Whey Protein is the highest biological value of all known foods; this means that it has the highest amount of protein retained in the human body per gram of protein absorbed. Which makes it a wonder food, and that is just some of the possible benefits.

It helps build lean muscle and increases muscle strength which primarily why the body builders and sports people are so keen on the wonders of whey. It also helps in increasing stamina and has protective qualities from a number of serious health issues. It also helps reduce appetite, can counteract the negative effects of stress and may help reduce weight in people afflicted with obesity and overweight. Whey is an ideal when it comes to weight loss and building lean muscle

BUT are all whey proteins the same? How do you know if the one you have is of a suitable quality.

As a consulting Naturopath I have had clients consult me that have seriously damaged their health long term by the over and incorrect use of Protein powders particularly for body building but also in weight loss programs.

The first step is to understand whey protein.  Worldwide we have access to numerous whey based protein powders, though some have an addition of soy. It would seem the majority of Whey Protein powders are grade 2 or 3. Pure whey protein is considered the best protein by fitness and nutrition experts.

To get the benefits of whey protein it is best to make sure yours is pure undenatured whey protein. Undenatured means the molecular structure of the protein has not been altered by high heating during processing. Undenatured protein is easily assimilated in to the body and Grade 7 gives the lowest fat content of all available whey protein powders.

Some protein powders can have as little as 10% of the desirable amino acids

The Ultimate Meal in Complete & Balanced Nutrition

Grade 7 undenatured organic whey protein from Isagenix

Give your body the ultimate in nutrition every day with IsaLean Shakes. Our delicious shakes combine balanced quality proteins, good fats, low-glycemic carbohydrates, fibre and a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals. IsaLean Shakes are made with the highest grade whey protein in the world, grade 7 undenatured whey from grass-fed New Zealand cows that are not treated with any hormones, antibiotics or steroids. This whey protein is processed using a proprietary technology that leaves it with the highest amino acid profile on the market. Each 2 scoop shake is a complete meal replacement - contains 23g of protein; yet has only 240 calories and 6g of fat and is available in chocolate or vanilla flavours.
- Clinically shown to support healthy weight loss and weight management
- High in quality whey and casein proteins to maintain or gain lean muscle
- Helps build strength & endurance
- Low lactose for easy digestion, without bloating
- Supports healthy bones with macro-minerals such as calcium, phosphorus & magnesium
- Supports well-being with" Ionic Alfalfa", a trade-marked alfalfa juice concentrate that is enriched with over 70 trace minerals
- Contains Zinc for energy metabolism & protein synthesis, iodine for support of thyroid hormones and chromium to help support healthy blood sugar levels
- Low in sodium and cholesterol to promote heart health
- Wheat, gluten & barley free

Heart Health Friendly

Most people who are aiming to lose weight are well aware of the risk of cardio vascular accidents associated with overweight and obesity. New research shows that not only reduction in weight but also reduction in oxidative stress is essential for heart health.

What is oxidative stress? Technically: oxidation is a chemical reaction in which an Electron is attracted away from an oxidized entity. What does that mean you may well ask? Perhaps it’s better if I explain the known implications of this process.

Chronic oxidative stress breaks down proteins, increases basal metabolic rate, and causes huge fluctuations in hormone release over an extended period of time. These demands on the body can cause premature ageing  decrease energy, store fat and ultimately could lead to the development of chronic disease.

Herbal Adaptogens and Antioxidants play a key role in combating oxidative stress. A study published in the August issue of the journal Appetite shows that combing whey protein supplementation suggests that whey protein improves antioxidant defences.

When looking to lose weight, make sure that all bases are covered. Grade 7 undenatured organic whey protein plays a vital role in muscle growth and maintenance, increased satiety and appetite, control and reduction of body fat (specifically visceral fat – the fat that bathes your vital organs), and the latest research suggests that it also improves antioxidant defences. Thus your weight loss program can be a powerful method to slow the ageing process, increase energy, reduce fat and ward off chronic disease. 

for more informations visit:

www.nutrifocusdiet.com

Factors That Contribute to Rapid Ageing

Ageing is a fact of life, but how quickly we age is not just a function of genetic disposition. How we choose to live, as much as who we are, can determine how we age and whether we will live a longer and healthier life. Factors that tend to accelerate the ageing process- Factors that we can control-include:

• Lack of regular exercise
• Poor dietary habits
• Failing to consume an optimal level of vitamins and nutrients
• Being overweight
• Failing to get enough sleep
• Failing to drink sufficient amounts of water
• Exposure to excessive amounts of stress
• Exposure to toxins
• Engaging in unhealthy habits (smoking, excessive drinking, and etc.)

To increase your odds of living longer, and living a better quality of life as you age, take control of your life and counter the factors that contribute to premature ageing by adopting the following nine steps to a healthier life.

Exercise Regularly - Regular exercise and physical activity are key factors in maintaining health. Particularly with older adults, regular physical activity increases the chances of continuing to be able to do the things we enjoy and to remain independent. Studies show that regular exercise can benefit people with arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, and diabetes. And exercise doesn't have to be intense; find the right level of physical activity for you and do it regularly.

Adopt a Healthy Diet – Consuming a lower calorie diet rich in nutrients and fibre but low in fat and sugar is a key factor in maintaining a healthy weight and enhancing your quality of life. Eat a nutritious breakfast every day. Avoid sodas and drink lots of water. Eat lean foods low in fat and sugar, and get lots of fibre and protein. Enjoy healthy snacks between meals.

Supplement Your Diet with Essential Vitamins, Minerals and Nutrients– As a consequence of current food processing techniques and mineral deficient soil, many of us are not getting the proper amount of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients essential to optimal health. And an optimal dose of essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients decrease the risk of chronic degenerative diseases linked to nutritional deficiencies. The combination of a healthy diet with daily supplements provides the best opportunity for optimal nutrition and health.

Maintain a Healthy Weight – Being overweight may put you at increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, some types of cancer, arthritis, and other chronic diseases. Although we cannot control all of the factors that lead to weight gain, regular exercise and a healthy diet are key factors in maintaining a healthy weight.

Get the Proper Amount of Sleep – Adequate sleep in an essential factor in our well-being. Cell regeneration and cell growth occur primarily during periods of rest. Certain hormones critical to the proper functioning of the body are produced only during certain phases of deep sleep. If you have problems sleeping, or getting the proper amount of sleep, address them.

Drink Lots of Water - It is no secret that water is a key essential to life. What is less well known is that most of us don’t drink enough water on a daily basis. Every system in your body depends on water. Water flushes toxins out of vital organs, helps to carry nutrients to your cells, and provides fluids essential to bodily functions. Water also has no calories and is sugar free. How much water you should drink varies depending on a number of factors, including your health, how much you exercise, and where you live. But make sure you drink enough water every day.

Avoid Stress – Stress is a natural reaction to external factors, but failing to deal with excessive amounts of stress can lead to stomach disorders, shortness of breath, back pain, headaches and insomnia and, indirectly an increased risk of chronic degenerative disease that can lead to premature ageing. The best approach to coping with stress, in addition to exercising stress management skills, is to exercise regularly, eat properly, and obtain proper amounts of sleep.

Reduce Exposure to Toxins – Exposure to toxins and chemicals in today’s world is unavoidable, but you can reduce your exposure to unhealthy levels of toxins and maintain a healthy lifestyle that supports the body’s natural ability to cleanse itself of toxins. Eating the right foods, particularly organic foods, avoiding excessive amounts of processed foods, and drinking purified water can help to reduce the amount of toxins your body takes in. And exercising regularly, staying hydrated, and getting the proper amount of sleep will help your body cleanse itself of toxins and chemicals harmful to your health.

Don’t Smoke; Only Consume Alcohol in Moderation - Smoking not only contributes to increased risk of chronic, life shortening degenerative diseases such as heart related illnesses, stroke, and cancer, but also is a key factor in premature ageing and is associated with shorter lifespans. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop.

Research indicates that excessive alcohol consumption can lead not only to an increased risk of degenerative disease that may shorten your lifespan, but also to an increased risk of premature ageing, where the symptoms of ageing appear earlier than normal or where the symptoms of ageing are more pronounced than would otherwise be the case. If you drink, drink in moderation.

Research shows that ageing is due to the cumulative effect of a number of factors; no single factor is the sole, or even primary, factor in how we age and how long we will live. Accordingly, there is no single product or magic bullet that can guarantee longer life. But you can-and should-take steps to increase your odds of living longer and healthier by taking charge of your life and following the nine steps summarized above.

Through Kathy's website and personal consultations she helps people to Get Well and Stay Well Naturally - Release = fat and Toxins. Rebalance = Nutrition, digestion, elimination, hormones, stress. Rejuvenate = energy, focus, quality sleep.
Kathy has a passion for Natural Health and enjoys seeing the results as people enjoy optimal health and wellness www.thehealthnut.com.au

 

20 Good Reason Why You may Need Supplements

20 Good Reasons Why You May Need Vitamin Supplements

Vitamins are naturally occurring nutrients essential for wellbeing, and assist in the processing of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. In ideal conditions vitamins are supplied in a well balanced diet of complex carbohydrates, protein, fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, which are adequate levels for health.   In reality there are many reasons why you may need vitamin supplements to cope with living in the 21^st century environment.  Australian soils are ancient and deficient in trace elements. Decades of intensive farming can overwork and deplete soils, unless ALL soil nutrients including trace elements are regularly replaced.

 Taking vitamins when required is a safe method of optimising dietary sources of nutrients, and can play a key role in prevention of deficiency diseases.

20 Factors That May Contribute to Vitamin Depletion

1.       Stress

2.       Poor Diet

3.       Farming practices

4.       Poor Digestion

5.       Food Allergies

6.       Calorie restricted diets

7.       Over consumption of highly refined carbohydrates (white flour products, sugar, white rice)

8.       Strenuous exercise

9.       Alcohol

10.   Smoking

11.   Caffeine

12.   Accidents and Illness

13.   Pregnancy

14.   Elderly

15.   Drugs – both illicit and prescription

16.   Over cooking

17.   Lack of sunlight exposure on the skin

18.   Food Storage

19.   Environmental pollution

20.   Low bodily reserves

Follow instructions on product labels or consult your health professional for further advice.

Adapt and Revitalize

The constant hammering of stress is sometimes relentless. High demand jobs, challenges in relationships, illness, technology, traffic, noise, and worry are just a summary of the stressors that we all face in our busy life.  Stresses can inspire some and cripple others, and for most create energy drain that make it even more difficult to manage the next round of stress.

Adaptation is what we humans do best making us one of the most successful species on the planet.  Yes, we do adapt to a certain amount of stress, though when it becomes excessive and constant trouble begins. Energy is depleted, moods swing, the immune system is less effective, hormone balance altered and the speed of aging is accelerated.

Nature provides a powerful combination of stress relieving herbal adaptogens, vitamins and importantly; minerals to revitalize the body and mind. These natural tonics and herbal adaptogens are natures answer to stress.

The three essential criteria to look for in any adaptogens:

·         An Adaptogen must be non-toxic

·         Adaptogens must increase the body’s resistance to multiple stressors

·         An Adaptogen must have a normalizing effect on the body’s natural responses to stress.

The gift of tonics and adaptogens to transform your stress response across all body systems has far reaching positive repercussions. If you’re under chronic stress or suffering from anxiety or adrenal fatigue your body is crying out for herbal adaptogens and natural tonics. Following are just some of those powerful tonics and herbal adaptogens:

Top 8 Herbal Adaptogens

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherocuccus senticosus) – considered the “King Of Adaptogens”

·         Increases vitality, stamina and mental performance.

·          Improves immune function and resistance to bacteria and virus.

·          Minimises the effects of environmental, occupational and physical stress and stress associated with chronic illness.

Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)

·         Enhances Immune function

·         Improves Energy and reduces fatigue

·         Beneficial for Liver function

·         Helps improve sleep, concentration and stress

Schizandra (Schizndra chinesis)

·         Useful for liver detoxification

·         Boost stress protective effects

·         Enhances mental performance

·         Normalizes blood sugar levels

·         Traditionally used to treat asthma, dry cough,  night sweets and chronic fatigue

Rhodeodendron caucasicum

·         Unique for its ‘fat control’ and antioxidant properties.

·         Considered a longevity herb

·         Helps the body eliminate uric acid

Rhodiola rosea

·         Posses life extension potential

·         Improves circulation and immunity

·         Antioxidant and improves stamina and recovery

·         Alleviates anxiety and depression

·         Improves attention span memory

·         Relieves stress

·         Prevents fatigue and improves the body’s production of energy

Tribula terrestris

·         Improves  fertility and libido in men and women

·         Has a detoxifying effect on the liver

·          

Ashwangda (Withania somnifera)

·         Improves immune system

·         Increase energy, stamina and reduces fatigue

·         Alleviates anxiety, depression and stress

·         Improves Male fertility and libido

Shilajit – the Miracle of the Himalayas

·         Considered nature’s most perfect, potent nutrient dense food

·          Adaptogenic Properties – Helps the Body Adapt to Stress

·         Supports Longevity

·          Natural Aphrodisiac

·         Reduces Stress, Fatigue, and Muscle Weakness

·         Increases Immunity, Strength, and Endurance

·         Powerful Antioxidant – Counteracts Free-Radical Activity

·         Strengthens Digestion and Supports Absorption of Nutrients into the Body

·         Enhances Memory and Recall, Improves Cognitive Activity

·         Helps Balance Menstrual Cycle

·          Helps Decrease Body Fat and Increase Lean Muscle Mass

·          Reduces Allergies

·         Aids with Conditions of the Joints, Muscles, Bones, and Nerves

·         Anti-Inflammatory Agent

·          Enhances Skin Health

·          Supports the Functions of the Cardiovascular System

·         Supports in Balancing Cholesterol Levels

When Master formulator John Anderson with over 30 years industry experience comes out of retirement to create his own proprietary blend each ingredient is chosen to target the cause and relief of stress.  Having access the highest quality organic ingredients from the world over this no compromise blend is without rival. These are the other essential stress relieving tonics and ingredients chosen for their special qualities

The B vitamins support the adrenal and immune system

Alpha Lipoic Acid.

·         Powerful anti-aging and antioxidant properties

·         Cell protector

·         Immune enhancer

·         Boost Vitamin B’s convert carbohydrates, protein and fats into immediate energy source

70 Micro nutrients and organic ionic trace minerals

Bamboo

·         Aids digestion

·         High in silica (beneficial for hair skin and nails)

Fulvic Acid – Natures miracle molecule....

The strongest chelating agent known to man, it assists absorption of vitamins and minerals and enhances cell communication

Create this on a base of Quartz crystal mineral rich water with high levels of silica, calcium, magnesium and other vital minerals needed you our body for optimum health.

And you have the Ultimate “Anti-Stress”, Body-Balancing Rejuvenator . . .

Combining Ancient Wisdom with Modern Technology ~ over 100 Active Ingredients! It is known as the “Ultimate Body-Balancer and Rejuvenator”. . . assisting in the healing process . . .reducing the effects of Stress . . . creating Energy . . . and promoting optimal health.

Perfect for Body, Mind and Spirit!

#1 Daily “MUST TAKE” Anti-Stress Rejuvenator

Ionix Supreme... follow the link below

http://nutrifocusdiet.isagenix.com/au/en/ionixsupreme.dhtml

Could it be Food Allergy?

Eating food that you are ALLERGIC to can have some very serious consequences that may require hospitalization, the numbers of people afflicted with this condition is around 8% according to estimates.

Food intolerance is much more common and the signs and symptoms are varied in degree and reaction. It has been estimated that up to 75% of the population has some type of food intolerance.

Some common signs of food intolerance are; sneezing, wheezing, skin reactions and rashes, digestive disturbance; including gas, bloat, constipation and/or diarrhoea/cramp/IBS. Fatigue is frequent and there can be headache, vertigo and mouth ulcers.

A long list really, and many of those symptoms could be confused with a number of other health problems. It is important to discover if it is a troublesome food or number of different food, as it is perhaps the easiest of all health problems to control. Simply avoid the offending foods and the majority of the symptoms go away.

That sounds pretty simple, but to discover if it is in fact a food intolerance or not can be a little more complicated. The traditional method has been to do an elimination diet, which involves eating a very restricted diet until the symptoms subside then gradually introduce or challenge food groups in a controlled way. This is best done under the supervision of a qualified health professional.

Restricting dietary intake has it’s own draw backs, the calories for energy could be limited, nutrient to maintain a healthy functioning immune system may also be challenged. This can be aided a little by taking suitable supplements and herbals to support the person while doing the elimination diet. I can set you up with an elimination diet, email for details.

Personally I am not totally in favour of the elimination diet, for a number of reasons. Primarily, the person suffering from a host of the signs suggested above is already suffering from a compromised immune system and to remove more nutrients from their system would add to the stress on their immune system. Plus there are much quicker, ways to find out accurately exactly which foods pose a problem and how much of a problem that is, granted it cost more.

The immune system is perhaps the key factor when it comes to food intolerance. I explain it to my clients like this: Your immune system is like an army whose primary brief is to ward off invaders; it usually does a very good job of this, save the odd cold. If there is a lot of stress on the body, the immune system become over reactive, as it fatigues it begins to fire on anything that slightly resembles an invader. It is designed to remember ‘invaders’ for future reference, so once it takes begins to react to what is a normal food, it remembers this food as an invader in the future. Thus we have the reactions that show up as the signs and symptoms of food intolerance.
Stresses can come from the physical world, such as pollutions, environmental toxins (let’s face there is no shortage of those these days!) Household chemicals, food additives and colours, or even some medications. The stress could be from a lack; a lack of specific nutrients required to maintain a healthy immune system. Or it could be emotional stress, major life drama can have a massive effect on your health, please refer to a previous article “When Stress Affects Your Health” http://naturalwell-being.blogspot.com.au/2009/03/when-stress-affects-your-health.html

With careful questioning and iridology, sometimes prime suspect foods can be isolated and it may be just a matter of removing that food group for a period then challenging it at a later date. At the same time I find it very important to address specific areas to support individual’s wellness while this process is happening. Every person is unique and as a holistic health care professional it would be against everything I have been taught and believe in, I treat the whole person, not simply a sign or symptom.

For those whose indicators are not so clear and as a trained professional I cannot take an educated guess as to a particular food group, and for those who really want to know for sure exactly which foods could possibly be causing a host of distressing signs and symptoms, I prefer to use a food intolerance test.

The food intolerance test is a simple procedure; a kit is posted to the client with instructions for collection. The sample (a drop of blood) is sent via post to our fully accredited libratory for processing and the results returned within 10 days. Visit www.thehealtnut.com.au for more information.

Kathy Edwards, Naturopath, Wellness Business Coach; Specializing in Women’s Health, Hormone Balance, Stress, Food Intolerance and Anti-Aging
www.thehealthnut.com.au

25 Ways To Boost Your Immune System

25 Ways to Boost Your Immune System

The immune system main task is to defeat the attempts of environmental forces to overrun, destroy or gain control of any part of the body. The skin and mucus membranes are the first block to the detrimental microorganisms from entering the body. If dangerous microorganisms do gain entry to the body then it’s the task of your immune system to overcome the invasion. It sounds dramatic, yes but on a microscopic level it is all out war and your wonderful immune system does most of it’s work without you even being aware of it on a day to day basis. Often the only time it is noticed is when you feel unwell and ‘come down with the flu’.
We can tackle the problem with natural remedies effectively after you have already succumbed, or you can take preventative measures before you lose valuable work time feeling ill in bed for days on end.
Today we will look at effective, natural and safe ways to improve your immune system so it can keep doing the excellent work of protecting against invasion of harmful microorganisms.
1. Reduce Stress
2. Keep hydrated, drink more Water
3. Regular moderate Exercise
4. Optimal quantities of Sleep
5. Minerals – Zinc, and trace mineral Selenium
6. Whey Protein - Grade 7 organic, undenatured such as Isalean™ shakes found here: http://nutrifocusdiet.isagenix.com/au/en/isaleanshake_new.dhtml
7. Co Q 10
8. Vitamin D both these plus Resveratol is found in Ageless Actives More info here: http://nutrifocusdiet.isagenix.com/au/en/agelessactives.dhtml
9. Spirulina available at your health food store
10. Natural Yogurt – with live Lactobacillus bacteria or supplements
11. Flax Seed Oil – available in liquid or capsule form from your health food store
12. Garlic – raw garlic if used fresh or taken in capsule form
13. Beneficial Herbs –
14. a)Burdock, b) Siberian Ginseng, c) Ashwangandha, found in “Cleanse For Life” more info here: http://nutrifocusdiet.isagenix.com/au/en/cleanseforlife_new.dhtml
15. Echinacea – From your Health food store or Natural Therapist
16. Olive Leaf Extract – From your Health Food Store or Natural Therapist
17. Shiitake Mushrooms
18. Reishi Mushrooms
19. Eggs
20. Iron – natural forms co-factors vitamin C and B 12 enhance absorption
21. Healthy Mineral Balance – visit http://www.thehealthnut.com.au/ for your complimentary mineral assessment
22. Vitamin A
23. Vitamin E
24. Vitamin B1
25. Detox – the gentle way to clear the system of toxic overload is take a “Nutritional Cleanse”™ more info here: http://nutrifocusdiet.isagenix.com/au/en/thirtyday.dhtml

Big list that could be a little overwhelming or confusing, but I wanted to give you as many easily available options as possible. Your Natural Health Care Professional can help you determine the ideal combination of these important natural immune enhances.
Kathy Edwards Naturopath with over 20 years experience is now offering priority client programs begin with a complimentary telephone consult and online mineral assessment for improved wellbeing visit http://www.thehealthnut.com.au/ for more information.

What You Don't Know Will Kill You

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting an amazing, smart man this weekend. What a wonderful thing that we have Dr Colgan in our world!

His very informative talk focused on brain function and the loss of it with ageing. Interestingly he noted that they have found the 5 causes of Alzheimers and the scary bit is that the decline begins at around 30 years old!

Apart from scaring us, he did give hope with some very practicle things that can be done each and every day to help prevent the decline, or at least slow it down, even if we are no longer in our youthful 30's.

Dr Colgan is living proof that this system works, he is 72 years old and can do 1 handed pushup! He did them on the stage, very impressive, I do like a man with a fit and toned body.... joking :-)

Listen to what he has to say in this short video If your an athlete you will be interested in this as I am sure you have heard of Dr Colgan. If you are getting older you will be VERY interested to find out more of what this man and his colleges have been working on. There have been a number of MAJOR breakthroughs in the science of ageing. Enjoy!

Is It Really Worth It?

Is it really worth it?
Busy days often mean missed meals or grabbing something ‘on the go’, if you have food intolerance, this more than likely means eating unsuitable foods. The consequences of eating this rushed meal means you suffer from for the next 2-5 days.
Food intolerance and sensitivities, though give alarming and uncomfortable symptoms also have the benefit of reminding you to take better care of your nutrition and to slow down and take the time to enjoy your meal.
During the time I have spent in France renovating our old house, we had a constant frustration: We would rock up to the hardware store to purchase materials. We would happily hand our list over to the guy who was to serve us. It may have only been a short list, BUT, if it was 11.45 am, not a chance!
He would indignantly inform us that it’s not possible, it’s lunch time (well almost, lunch is 12 midday), and to come back at 2 pm after the midday meal. There was no choice but to go back home, have a relaxed lunch a head back to the hardware at 2pm! We even had the experience of a lady at the council office refusing to take a photo copy at 11.45...too close to lunch!
As funny and frustrating as this was, it teaches us an important lesson many of us simple do not even think of in our busy stressful lives. This is perhaps one of the contributing factors to the rising incidence of food intolerance and stress related disorders in our modern society today.
The lesson from our indignant French friends (whom by the way have low incidence of overweight & obesity & related disorders) is to take and make the time to eat in a relaxed way. Not only take time, but make it THE major priority of the day!
Also choose food that you know do not cause reactions and food intolerances. This may take some planning beforehand, such as ensuring you have packed your pantry with suitable healthy, natural foods. Carry a snack pack of suitable, nutritious foods and scope out food outlets where you know you can get a nice feed of food that does not cause reaction.
During times of stress and rushing is the time when it is the most important to stick to your regime, as stress contributes to reactive phases and if your sensitivities have been under control, times of high stress will often trigger them again.
Many clients whom have consulted with me tell of the beginning of their food intolerance coinciding with a very stressful event. This is not a coincidence, there is just so much your body, immune, and digestion can handle, it may then react in a way you do not appreciate with food intolerances and sensitivities.
Do you know which foods you are sensitive to? There are a number of ways to discover which foods are causing your health problems. There are two types of food reactions, one is a full blown allergy, and this involves the immune system and can be tested with a simple drop of blood. Our Nationally accredited laboratory can do this for you more information here: http://www.thehealthnut.com.au/testkits.htm
The other type of reaction is more to do with the organs of the digestive/elimination system. These may not show up with the blood allergy test as the immune system has not yet become involved.
These food sensitivities are best detected with our Nutri-Focus elimination and test diet, it takes around 3 weeks to discover which foods are causing the worst of your symptoms. Visit Naturopath online to set up a consultation where our Naturopath will set up an individual program to help your discover the offending foods. An important part of this program is to restore the vital functions of your digestive and elimination systems with carefully selection herbals and nutritional supplements. Click here to read more: http://www.thehealthnut.com.au/onlineND.htm

ADHD drugs cause depression and psycotic episodes

At least 30 children have had psychotic episodes and wanted to kill themselves while taking drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to reports.

Documents from the Therapeutic Goods Administration outline the figures, Sydney's Daily Telegraph says.

One seven-year-old boy became so depressed while taking Ritalin in 2008 that he tried to commit suicide while an eight-year-old hallucinated that spiders were crawling up his skin after taking ADHD drugs.

The newspaper also reports that the overall number of serious reactions to ADHD drugs has doubled to 827 in the last three years.

However, the true extent of side-effects being experienced may be hidden because of doctors and parents under-reporting the impact.

Experts in children's health say there is a clear link between ADHD drugs and psychotic episodes in children, with boys said to be worse affected than girls.
from AAP 13th Oct 2009

Drug free treatment for ADHD and related conditions is possible and effective.

visit my website http://www.thehealthnut.com.au or contact me for more information

Sydney Mind Body Spirit Festival

Come visit me on stand E05, and have some fun at the Sydney Mind Body Spirit Festival, November 5-8th 2009. Darling Harbour.

The Festival is open between 10 am and 7 pm each day.

I will be conducting private Holistic Health Coaching Session, around 20 minutes each session.

Your Private Health Coaching Session show special is just $25, plus if you book ahead you get your entry to the Festival Half Price.
Book and pay before the festival and get your Half price entry ticket.

I will email the ticket to you, and you just pay $8 to get into the show.

There will lot's to do and see at the Festival read about it here:
http://www.mbsfestival.com.au/index.php

To instantly grab your preferred slot, simply click on the link below or copy and paste it into your browser.

http://KATESABATHIE-EDWARDS.clickbook.net



I can't wait to see you there!

Kate

kathy@thehealthnut.com.au

3 Months in Intenstive Care!

3 months in intensive care!

What was wrong I had to ask? After all public hospitals in Australia tend to move patients out of intensive care post haste, either on a slab or when they think they won’t need the slab. I don’t mean to be callous here, and our Doctors and nurses do a mighty job and I commend them, we need more devoted people like these. BUT 3 months in intensive care!

It began with distressing digestive disturbances, which had persisted for some time. Doctors had been consulted, medication prescribed, to no avail. Now this is not the Doctors fault, they did all they were trained to do. Finally one physician suggested exploratory surgery, to see what was going on.

One week after the surgery, which gave no conclusive results. She dropped, and had to be revived, rushed back to surgery. Opened up from the breast bone to the pubic bone..again. They found that an artery had been ‘nicked’ and her abdomen was full of blood. Yikes, that’s dangerous!

Repair work done, back to intensive care to recover. One week later down she went again, and had to be revived (this time she had a nice little chat with god). Back for emergency surgery, opened again, seems a large abscess had formed. This had to be drained over a period of time, not a pleasant experience! Back to intensive care for recovery. This took 3 months! Her very devoted husband sat by her side the whole time, giving her love and all the support she needed. He is a wonderful man. Just one slight problem, he could not go to work at the same time. 3 months pay lost.

How much is your health worth?

Finally after 7 months she was able to go home for the long slow recovery. The bills mounted, they were forced to sell their home.

How much is your health worth?

3 years later still suffering the same digestive distress she consulted a nutritionist. With just few drops of blood, food allergy test where taken. Yes, you have to pay for this allergy test and for some it seems expensive.

How much is your Health worth?

The results where clear, she is intolerant to gluten. For the past 4 years she has been avoiding gluten containing foods, and having NO digestive disturbance.

Her husband is one of the hardest working men you could meet, and at 76 years old he works full time (and overtime) at a hard physically demanding job. He does this so they can rebuild their lives and pay for their humble cottage which they purchased subsequently.

How much is your health worth?

Gluten is a very common component in most western diets. It is in wheat, rye, oats, triticale, and derivatives of these. It is used in many packaged foods as a thickening agent.

Not every digestive disturbance is due to Gluten intolerance, that’s for sure. But checking foods may just be a good place to begin when the digestion is causing grief.

Kate Sabathie-Edwards is a Naturopath; Holistic Health Coach who is conducts comprehensive telephone and internet interviews that focus on finding the cause of your health problems. Drawing on her 20+ years experience in the Natural Therapies industry she is able to offer natural safe solutions to get you on the road to recovery. Working with an accredited Laboratory, simple safe test can be recommended as needed. Visit www.thehealthnut.com.au to download the Nutri-Focus cookbook (gluten, dairy free recipes for health and healing) and make your onlineND appointment.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Do You Suffer From These Common Signs of IBS?
• Bloating, gas and abdominal cramping after meals
• Changeable bowel movements – constipation and or Diarrhea
• Painful bowel movements
• Anxiety or depression
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) has been referred to as nervous digestion or spastic/mucous colitis. IBS is more prevalent in women than in men and generally manifest during adulthood. IBS is responsible for approximately 50% of all gastrointestinal complaints.
The factors that contribute to IBS
• Multiple food sensitivities and/or intolerances
• Inadequate nutrition, especially consumption of large amounts of highly refined, sugary, low-fibre foods.
• High levels of stress
• Altered microbial organisms in the intestine i.e. not enough of the ‘good’ bacteria needed for intestinal health)
• Lifestyle habits including lack of exercise
• Heredity
IBS is an extremely uncomfortable chronic condition of the large intestine that affects approximately 14% to 23 % of the population of the western world at some period of adult life. Malabsorption, Intestinal Permeability, bacterial overgrowth are ailments that have been implicated in the cause/affect of IBS.
Naturopathic Approach.
As with all digestive disorders including IBS, your Naturopath will take an individualized approach. Assessing all aspects of your Wellbeing, the primary aim is to rebalance and repair the gastrointestinal tract, while addressing stress and other factors that may be contributing factors in this condition. Food intolerance can be easily assessed with our home test kit which is assessed by our nationally accredited laboratory, and once assessed food irritants can be eliminated. Treatment may include homeopathic herbals to balance and repair the gastroinstinal tract. Flower Essence and homobotanicals for emotional support, supplement to restore ‘friendly’ gut bacteria.
Other digestive problems that Naturopathic approach can help treat include:
• Indigestion, bloating
• Heartburn
• Constipation, Diarrhea
• Candida
• Crohn’s Disease
• Colitis
• Gastro-esophageal reflux
• Stomach/intestinal ulcers
• Heamorrhoids
Plus others that we are not allowed to mention in the press!
Naturopathic health care is an individualized treatment with the primary goal is to address the cause of illness, rather than treating or suppressing symptoms. Time is taken to fully understand and assess each individual patient. Naturopathic medicine is founded on six principles:
• First, do no harm.
• Act in cooperation with healing powers of nature.
• Address the fundamental causes of disease
• Heal the whole person through individualized treatments.
• Teach the principles of health living
• Prevention is the best cure.
Kate Sabathie-Edwards BHSc.ND.DHM.ATMS is a fully qualified accredited Naturopath and Herbalist with over 18 years experience. She is based in Australia and works with clients throughout the world with her unique online Naturopath programs. The Online Naturopath programs are designed to offer a safe alternative no matter what your geographic location, time zone/schedule.
Got questions? Request a FREE 20 minute consultation to discuss your current health concerns. Email: kathy@thehealthnut.com.au

The Magic Potion in Weight Loss

There is a substance that many take for granted that is considered the magic potion in weight loss. It also reduces fluid retention, flushes toxins from the system and give you energy. What is it?.........Water
Good old forgotten H2O. Learn how important it is in your Wellbeing and how it can help in your weight loss goal.

Proper Hydration
Water is an essential and the major component of all living matter, and the largest single component of our bodies. Water is the one substance (other than oxygen) that we must absolutely have if we are to survive.

An adult can live several weeks without food, but no more than about 10 days without water

Do you have these signs of dehydration?
1. Dry, pasty feeling in your mouth, or dry lips.
2. Dark-coloured, pungent urine.
3. Dry skin.
4. Hard stool, constipation or other elimination problems.
5. Low energy and weakness.
6. Water retention.

The most obvious way to hydrate is through drink water (filtered if possible), pure/nothing added save a dash of lemon juice. Not tea/coffee/soft drink/alcohol which are all in fact dehydrating.

How much is enough? 1

The a person of around 50 kilo (130 lb) who is not hot/physically active/in a drying environment needs around 2 litres or 8 glasses of water per day. Increasing up to 50% more if you’re working hard outdoors are sick etc. Your body weight determines your hydration requirements. How far are you from your target of a minimum of 2 litres of water per day...every day?

Although most of us take it for granted, water may be the only true “magic potion” for permanent weight loss

Water naturally suppresses the appetite and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits.

Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention. When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is stored in extracellular spaces (outside the cells). This shows up as swollen feet, legs, and hands.

The overweight person needs more water than the thin one. Larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since we know that water is the key to fat metabolism, it follows that the overweight person needs more water.

Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles their natural ability to contract and by preventing dehydration. It also helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss. Shrinking cells are buoyed by water, which plumps the skin and leaves it clear, healthy, and resilient.

Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss, the body has a lot more waste to get rid of – all the metabolized fat must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush out the waste.

Water can help relieve constipation. When the body gets too little water, it siphons what it needs from internal sources. The colon is one primary source. Result? Constipation. But when a person drinks enough water, normal bowel function usually returns.

Get a 2 litre water bottle and take it with you everywhere at work/play and sip it throughout the day.

That’s today’s challenge, seems like such a simple one, it’s free (unless you buy bottled water) and you can do it almost anywhere. It is also essential if you want to feel energized, focused, loose excess kilos, and rid the body of toxic waste.

See if you can get your water consumption to or above the minimum 2 litres per day in the next week, and make it a normal part of your day.

why not sign up for our 10 day challenge- Give yourself these 10 gifts and live with The Power. Vitality, Energy & The Joy of Your Body Being "Fully Alive" http://www.thehealthnut.com.au

Good luck and have another sip of water

Katherine Sabathie BHSc ND
Naturopath ~ holistic health coach
http://www.thehealthnut.com.au

p.s. You will notice you pee more, think of it as peeing your way to health...it’s a good thing! What’s more it will settle in a few days if you persist.

1 Please consult a physician before making any changes to your dietary intake if you have any health conditions that prevent you from drinking or handling an increased volume of liquids (e.g., kidney failure, urinary tract infection, prostate problems).

Dyspraxia the Hidden Disability

Dyspraxia The Hidden Disability

The varying degrees of severity with hidden disabilities make them difficult to detect yet there will be tell-tale signs, such as learning difficulties and social behaviour problems. These are becoming more recognized in children and young adults, and it has been suggested that up to 20% of the population may be affected to some degree. ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia all come into the category of these hidden disabilities.

Today I will focus on Dyspraxia.

The cause of dyspraxia is not known, yet there appears to be a link between immature neurons in the motor cortex and dyspraxia. There is also an inherent link as it runs in families. It has been associated with developmental delays, learning problems and reading difficulties.

What Is Dyspraxia?

Dyspraxia is a neurologically based developmental disability which is present from birth
Dyspraxia is a motor planning disorder, not a muscular deficit. A child knows what they want their body to do but can't get their body to do it.
There are three (3) types of Developmental Dyspraxia - Oral, Verbal and Motor.
A child with Dyspraxia can have one or a combination of all three types of Dyspraxia and in varying degrees of severity
Dyspraxia is a hidden handicap. Children with this disability appear the same as any other child. It is only when a skill is performed that the disability is noticeable.
Dyspraxia is believed to be an immaturity of parts of the motor cortex (area of the brain) that prevents messages from being properly transmitted to the body.

Dyspraxia affects up to 10% of the population with approximately 70% of those affected being boys.

• 
  Dyspraxia does not impact on intelligence, children with Dyspraxia have average or above average intelligence
• Dyspraxia can impact on behaviour and social skills
• Dyspraxia is a specific learning disability

3 Types of Dyspraxia

1. 
   Oral Dyspraxia - Oral dyspraxia is a difficulty with planning and executing non-speech sounds, such as blowing, sucking or individual tongue/lip movements. This may indirectly affect speech and/or swallowing skills. A child with Oral Dyspraxia may dribble profusely, have difficulty licking an ice-cream and may have a preference for either soft or hard textured foods.
2. Verbal Dyspraxia - Verbal Dyspraxia is a speech disorder that affects the programming, sequencing and initiating of movements required to make speech sounds.
   Children with Verbal Dyspraxia may:
   Display highly unintelligible speech
   Simplify words eg. “bur“ for “burger
   Have inconsistent speech patterns
   Move sounds in a word eg. “tobe“ for “boat“
   Exhibit “lost“ or searching movements of the tongue and lips as they endeavour to find the position to make a sound
   Have delayed expressive language
   Adopt a complex gesture system to aid communication skills
   Have difficulty with sequencing words, and sounds in words eg. “Pataka“
3. Motor Dyspraxia - Motor Dyspraxia is a difficulty in planning, sequencing and then executing the correct movement to perform age appropriate skills in a smooth and coordinated manner at will or on command.
   Children with Motor Dyspraxia may have difficulty with:
   Learning a new skill
   Coordinated movement
   Handwriting
   Consistent performance
   Age appropriate skills
   Generalising learnt skills
   Timing and rhythm
   Learning rules
   Responding quickly
   Spatial organisation
   Problem solving
   Using appropriate cues
   Analysing what is needed for task performance
   Preparing for the next stage in task performance

Developmental dyspraxia, is not considered a medical condition, but it may be due to immature neuron development. It is a life-long condition that is more common in males than females. The concept of developmental dyspraxia has existed for more than a century, but differing interpretation of terminology remains. Current estimates range from 5% - 20% with 2% affected severely.

Therapies for Dyspraxia

Speech pathology is one of the therapies for dyspraxia. Speech pathologists may choose to follow a motor skill training approach which gets people to practice making sounds quickly and accurately, making it easier to put these in normal speech. People with dyspraxia may also need practice with listening, in order to ensure that they are not leaving sounds out when speaking.

Occupational therapy is another therapy for dyspraxia. It helps people to improve physical skills and fine motor tasks. Physical therapists can also be of help. Early intervention is important.

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) was originally created in 1975 by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, but since that time, many others have contributed towards its growth and development. There are several descriptions of what NLP actually is, but they all agree that Modelling is a core component, that opens a window into ascertaining how people function.It explores the relationship between how one thinks (neuro) and communicates both verbally and non verbally (linguistic), and patterns of behaviour and emotion (programmes). NLP is a behaviour technique that teaches people how to change or adopt new behaviours as required and to choose mental and physical states of wellbeing. In effect, it is about knowing what is going on inside oneself and others.

Neuro Developmental Therapy (NDT) addresses the shortcomings of the vestibular system by encouraging the development of mature reflexes while the Tomatis Method of sound therapy uses specially modified music designed to stimulate the cochlear and vestibular systems and strengthen neural connections from the auditory system to the brain. The theory for using NDT along with the Tomatis Method draws on the assumption that all types of dyspraxia stem from the same source. Instead of treating each area of impaired functioning as unrelated, the Tomatis Methods aims to strengthen the structure of the inner ear while the NDT exercises revisit motor development as it ideally should have been experienced.

Naturopathic Medicine, or Naturopathy, is a practice of preventing, assessing and treating conditions of the human mind and body. By integrating conventional health sciences with a range of natural therapies and traditional medicines, naturopathy treats the patient's mental, emotional and physical states for a lasting effect.
The foundation of Naturopathy is the philosophy of the "healing power of nature". This means that the body has its own healing energy within and with the help of naturopathic treatment, the body can repair itself and recover from illness if it is in a healthy and supportive environment.
The Role of the Naturopath
A Naturopath aims to educate, empower and motivate the patient to assume more personal responsibility for his or her health by adopting a healthy attitude, lifestyle and diet. They do not simply treat the manifestation of a disease and its effects but rather search for the cause and treat it, rather than the effect. Prevention of disease is accomplished through naturopathic education which builds a lifestyle that supports health and wellbeing.
Benefits of Naturopathy
A Naturopath is trained to employ safe and effective natural therapies that will support and stimulate the healing power of nature in the gentlest, least invasive and most efficient manner possible. Naturopaths use a range of methods to assist in the healing process including Herbal Medicine (in this case to support the central nervous system and brain) nutrition – diet and lifestyle recommendations, vitamins and minerals, flower essences, homeopathy, hair, tongue, and nail analysis, Iridology and massage.

Naturopathic Treatments for Dyspraxia include herbal combinations that support the brain and central nervous system, nutritional guidelines to reduce ‘problem’ foods, supplements that have shown to be beneficial are recommended. Flower essences carefully chosen to support the emotional wellbeing of the individual.

visit http://www.thehealthnut.com.au to get more information on Naturopathy, Health & Well-being programs