It's that time of year again... cold and flu season. What we eat, drink and think has a dramatic effect on our immune system and general health and wellbeing. Here are my top tips for preventing colds and flus...
BOOSTING IMMUNITY
GUT HEALING FOODS
As a naturopath and nutritionist, I'm often asked which foods are helpful to "heal the gut". In chronic digestive conditions, the best advice is to seek 1:1 advice from a professional as what you need will differ from what someone else needs. Testing is always helpful. However for the general population who are looking to improve their gut health, the following foods may be beneficial...
5 FOODS TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION
Research shows that inflammation is a key mediator in the development of cardiovascular disease, obesity, autoimmune conditions, depression, chronic pain, dementia and many other health conditions that we are seeing on the rise in today’s times. This is partly due to the food we are eating - what we eat can either increase or decrease our bodies inflammatory response.
ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH VITAMIN D?
Vitamin D in the body acts as both a vitamin and a hormone. By far the most important function of vitamin D is that it aids in absorption of calcium and phosphorus through our intestines. Adequate vitamin D levels are essential for a healthy pregnancy and levels should be screened prior to conception.
ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH MAGNESIUM?
Magnesium is a phenomenal mineral which is required for over 300 reactions in the body. It is involved in thyroid hormone production, oestrogen metabolism, insulin sensitivity (PCOS, weight management, diabetes), carbohydrate metabolism (sugar cravings), energy production, sleep, muscle contraction (period pain, endometriosis, blood pressure, heart health), as well as neurotransmitter production, helping to alleviate anxiety and depression.
SEED CYCLING FOR HORMONE BALANCE
Seed cycling is believed to help balance oestrogen in the follicular (pre-ovulation) phase and progesterone in the luteal (post-ovulation) phase of the menstrual cycle. There are two phases for seed cycling: Phase 1 of seed cycling involves eating one tablespoon of raw, ground pumpkin seeds and one tablespoon of raw, ground flax seeds from day one …
HISTAMINE AND HORMONES
Histamine is an immune signalling protein, which is released by mast cells – a type of immune cell. Histamine is also a neurotransmitter, and too much of it can cause anxiety and insomnia, and block serotonin (your happy chemical) production. Thus, histamine can have a big impact on your mood. Histamine also stimulates oestrogen production. …
OPTIMISING PRE-NATAL HEALTH
There is much that can be done to optimise your health and wellbeing prior to conceiving. Infact, there is plenty of research to show the impacts that our diets and lifestyle have on fertility outcomes - from falling pregnant, to staying pregnant, to enjoying pregnancy! Taking 4-6 months prior to attempting conception to clean up …
TOP 5 FOODS FOR FERTILITY
Healthy parents create healthy babies. The inclusion of certain nutrients can improve fertility, aid conception, support healthy foetal growth and reduce the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. There are many wonderful foods to include to support your fertility and pregnancy.
THE DIRTY DOZEN AND CLEAN FIFTEEN
Hippocrates (the Father of modern medicine - you have probably heard of the Hippocratic Oath) said ‘Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food’. Ann Wigmore much later stated that ‘Food can either be your fastest form of medicine or your slowest form of poison’.