The Not-So-Humble Dragon Fruit

Surely no fruit says 'I am super yummy and healthy' more than dragon fruit - just look at that deep rich colour!

This humble little cactus fruit packs a punch when it comes to nutritional benefits including: 

• A rich source of antioxidants betacyanins and betaxanthins which 'mop up' damaging free radicals and help to lower the bodies inflammatory load.
• Have a positive effect on fasting plasma glucose levels, and encourage the growth of pancreatic cells. Therefore may assist with managing healthy blood glucose levels.
• Rich source of magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, potassium, and fibre.
• Source of oligosaccharides which act as prebiotics feeding beneficial bacteria in the colon.
• The seeds are a source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. 

I don't know about you but everything about this fruit screams 'get in my belly!'. 

Food Intolerance Case Study From My Clinic

There are two words which come up in my clinic often: Food Intolerance. Food intolerance is an inflammatory response to the ingestion of a food substance.

I spend a lot of time in my clinic looking for ways to reduce the ‘inflammatory load’.

Why?

Because I am hard-pressed to think of any condition that is not caused or made worse by inflammation.

I thought I would share with you a real case from my clinic to illustrate the influence of underlying food intolerance on health and wellbeing.

Please note, the client has given permission for their case to be shared, however all personally identifying information has either been changed or omitted to protect their identity.

Client: adult early twenties.

Main presenting issue: diagnosed keratosis pilaris with bumps covering 90% of facial cheeks, arms, and thighs. The bumps are a mix of red, white-head, and skin-colour in appearance.

Other factors of note: generally, in good health. Experiences mild hayfever on occasion and bad breath.

History: Client cannot remember a time when they did not have keratosis pilaris which has become worse over the years. Has tried daily moisturising and steroidal creams on the advice of their Dr, however these provided only temporary relief. Was given antibiotics a couple of times when young but otherwise has not had them much since. Both parents have a history of reactive inflammatory issues (allergies, hayfever, food intolerances).

Keratosis pilaris is a benign inflammatory condition which causes tiny pimple-like bumps generally on the arms, thighs, buttocks, and cheeks. This condition is considered incurable, more common in children, and likely to resolve on its own by 30 years of age.

Naturopathic treatment: administered the FIT 130 food intolerance test, a scientifically valid and reliable measure of an individual’s inflammatory response to 130 different foods (including yeast). Results from this test identified two foods to which the client was highly reactive – both which were eaten daily by the client. The client was instructed to remove these two foods completely from their diet for one year. Several other low reactive foods were identified and placed in the diet on a rotation basis. I also discussed basic healthy diet guidelines with the client. No supplements were given.

Follow up at 2 weeks: client was struggling to completely remove one of the reactive foods from their diet, we identified which foods this item was likely to be in, acceptable alternatives and where to source them. No change at this point in the keratosis pilaris observed.

Follow up at 4 weeks: client managed to completely remove the two highly reactive foods and was following the rotation guidelines. No change in the keratosis observed.

Follow up at 8 weeks: Client was very happy, there was approximately an 80% improvement in the keratosis pilaris. Client reported a couple of occasions when they consumed small quantities of one of their highly reactive foods, otherwise they were managing well.

Follow up at 12 weeks: Client’s facial cheeks were completely free of the kerotosis bumps which they were very happy about. There were still some bumps remaining on the arms and thighs, however an overall 95% improvement was observed since the initial appointment. Client reported they consumed small quantities of one of their highly reactive foods on a few occasions but otherwise were sticking to their treatment well. At this point I introduced two supplements: a prebiotic and a substance which stimulates the body’s natural anti-inflammatory/ antioxidant processes.

Follow up at 6 months: Client presented with complete recovery from kerotosis bumps, in addition they reported general skin improvement, ‘a great improvement in hayfever’, and an overall improvement in their general sense of health and wellbeing.

Conclusion: It appears in this case the client’s keratosis was related to an inflammatory response. Identifying and removing foods which were driving inflammation assisted in reducing their overall inflammatory load and eventual resolution of the keratosis pilaris. Interesting isn’t it.

Things to Consider: 
• Improvement did not happen straight away, changes occurred slowly over several months. Clients often expect one appointment will lead to a resolution of their issues; I have only ever seen this occur once in my almost 20 years as a Naturopath. It takes time for dysfunction to set in, and it takes time to reverse that dysfunction.
• The client stuck to their treatment and kept with it over time which is why they experienced improvement. The biggest hindrance to improvement I witness in clients is not following treatment.
• The client presented with a long-standing condition (15+ years), however their presentation was relatively simple. Most often as Naturopaths, we see clients with long-standing complex presentations which require complex and long-standing care to support and/or correct. In such cases it is unlikely that one or two appointments will achieve anything significant.
Catherine x

I was fortunate enough to have been asked to be the featured practitioner in the Autumn edition of the Journal of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society

Naturopath Appointments From the Comfort of Your Own Home

COVID-19 Update

I have made the decision to move all consultations online from this point forward until the current pandemic is resolved.

You can still access Naturopathic appointments online from the comfort of your home using a variety of means such as phone, Skype, and face-time calling through Messenger. These platforms are free to use, easily accessible, reliable, and I currently use them with clients successfully.

In addition, my clinic offers an online dispensary service whereby prescriptions are filled and paid for online and sent directly to your doorstep. No need to leave home. I have been offering this service in my clinic for several years now and have been assured my clients will continue to receive the same high standard of service I have come to expect.

From a Naturopathic perspective, there is much you can do to both strengthen your resistance and immune response in the face of COVID-19. I have spent much of this past week reviewing the scientific literature on effective nutrients and herbs for COVID-19. Of course, given this is a new coronavirus strain, there currently is no COVID-19 vaccination or specific drug treatment available. However, there is a body of evidence supporting the use of specific nutrients/herbs for other coronaviruses, and indeed in some instances, these have been employed by hospitals and governments successfully in other countries. Be aware that whilst there is much information circulating on the internet, not all are accurate and I urge you all to be wary when following advice from bloggers, google searches, personal success stories, or chat groups in the absence of professional input. 

I am offering 30 minute online/phone consultations to discuss your nutrient and herbal support options during the current pandemic. Book an appointment with me either by phoning me on 0431 896 937 or through the 'Contact' tab above. 

Warm Regards,
Catherine

COVID-19 Announcement

Due to the current pandemic, I am writing to keep you informed of operations within Catherine Clark - Integrated Health. 

Supporting the health and well-being of everyone is my upmost priority during this time, and it is for this reason that I have decided to make the following temporary changes (based on Government recommendations) to my clinical practice. These include:

1. Increased efforts to thoroughly disinfectant all relevant surfaces on days when the clinic is open - door handles, tables, chairs, equipment etc..
2. Use of paper hand towels in the bathroom.
3. A hand sanitiser is readily available and I ask that you use this sanitiser upon your arrival. 
4. If you are experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat), please contact me to arrange an online appointment, rather than attending your appointment in person. 
5. I encourage online/phone appointments during this time as a viable alternative to face-to-face appointments. 
6. If you have returned from overseas travel, have been in contact with an infected person, or are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, please follow the governments recommended two-week isolation period. 

Given the circumstances are presently changing at a rapid pace, I will endeavour to keep you posted should any further changes be needed. 

The present situation is a difficult time for small business/ sole traders. Government assistance efforts do not offer any support to individuals who make their living in the manner that I do. I urge you to please continue to support your local small business during the following months. 

In addition, now is an important time to not only practise self-care but also to actively care for one another. As I am sure you have all witnessed, there has been much 'panic buying' at the supermarkets which has resulted in a shortage of available supplies in some areas. I have observed a similar effect regarding practitioner supplement supplies. I ask for patience during this time and an understanding that alternatives can be sourced. 

Warm Regards,

Catherine

Self Care: Self Harm

On Sunday evening (10^th February) the current affairs program 60 minutes aired a piece called ‘Trick or Treatment’, which examined extreme reactions to products, some of which are not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Australia has one of the strictest and most developed regulatory systems regarding the manufacture of complementary medicines in the world. The ARTG takes a risk-based approach with a three-tiered system (exempt; low risk and high risk) for regulating all medicines (including complementary medicines). The majority of complementary medicines are listed as low risk on the ARTG. With this in mind it is important to note that some of the products mentioned were not listed on the ARTG and all were not prescribed by a suitably qualified health professional.

Self-prescribing is unfortunately something I commonly see. I strongly recommend consumers to always seek advice from an accredited practitioner before taking any complementary medicine. As an Australian qualified and registered Naturopath, herbalist and nutritionist, I adhere to strict quality and ingredient laws which is why I almost exclusively recommend ‘practitioner only products’.

When using complementary medicines always:

•     Seek professional advice and remain under professional care whilst taking complementary        medicine;
•        Use ARTG listed products only;
•        Follow the label/prescription instructions and warning statements.

To add some balance to this story, it should be noted that more than 600, 000 Australians present at hospital each year as a result of medication errors, inappropriate use, misadventure and interactions. According to the Medicine Safety: Take Care report developed by the Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre at the University of South Australia, the yearly cost of medicine-related problems in Australia exceeds one billion dollars.

The Pharmacy Research Centre President, Dr Chris Freeman stated:

‘If medicine harm was a chronic disease it would already be a national health priority. This report highlights that governments, pharmacists and other health professionals need to work together to reduce the alarming incidence of medication errors, misadventure, misuse and interactions.’ https://www.psa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/PSA-Medicine-Safety-Report.pdf

What the Medicine Safety report highlights is the significant adverse effect on humans of using prescribed and regulated medications, the prevalence of which far exceeds that of complementary medicines. The study further points out that half (50%) of these adverse reactions could have been prevented, suggesting that human error may have been involved. It's important to acknowledge here that biochemically speaking, the human body can be highly nuanced. Put simply, something which is safe and beneficial for the vast majority can be poison for a particular minority. Predicting which individuals fall into that minority can sometimes be like finding a needle in a haystack - seemingly impossible to find until you accidentally get poked.  

I guess the take-home message is to always seek professional guidance when taking any type of medication and remain under the care if that professional whilst you are taking it. 

Finally, I do hope you continue to enjoy the benefits of complementary medicine in a safe and supported manner, and also that you enjoy this glorious day x.

New Clients Welcome!

I am pleased to announce that I am now accepting new clients and look forward to working with you in 2019. You can contact me via phone, through my contacts form on this website, or through my facebook page (see link in tab). My clinic days are Monday/ Tuesday 9-6pm, and Saturday 8.30-12.30pm. Have a glorious day!

A NEW STUDY SUGGESTS THAT ANTIBIOTIC USE BEFORE THE AGE OF 2YRS OLD MAY INCREASE RISK OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY

New research links antibiotics to obesity. A study(1) published online in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association, found that administration of three or more courses of antibiotics before children reach an age of 2 years is associated with an increased risk of early childhood obesity.

"Antibiotics have been used to promote weight gain in livestock for several decades, and our research confirms that antibiotics have the same effect in humans," said Frank Irving Scott, MD, MSCE, assistant professor of medicine at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, and adjunct scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. "Our results do not imply that antibiotics should not be used when necessary, but rather encourage both physicians and parents to think twice about antibiotic usage in infants in the absence of well-established indications."

The researchers performed a large population-representative cohort study in the United Kingdom to assess the association between antibiotic exposure before age 2 years and obesity at age 4 years. Children with antibiotic exposure had a 1.2 percent absolute and 25 percent relative increase in the risk of early childhood obesity. Risk is strongest when considering repeat exposures to antibiotics, particularly with three or more courses.

"Our work supports the theory that antibiotics may progressively alter the composition and function of the gut microbiome, thereby predisposing children to obesity as is seen in livestock and animal models," added Dr. Scott.

Antibiotics are prescribed during an estimated 49 million paediatric outpatient visits per year in the U.S. A large portion of these prescriptions (more than 10 million annually) are written for children without clear indication, despite increased awareness of the societal risks of antibiotic resistance, as well as other tangible risks, including dermatologic, allergic and infectious complications; inflammatory bowel disease; and autoimmune conditions.

Further research is required to assess whether these findings remain into adolescence and young adulthood, as well as to determine if early antibiotic usage leads to later-onset obesity. Research should also examine whether specific classes of antibiotics are more strongly associated with subsequent obesity.

The American Gastroenterological Association, through its Centre for Gut Microbiome Research and Education, will continue to promote and share research related to antibiotics and obesity, and their relation to the gut microbiome.

Story Source:
The above post is reprinted from the Bioconcepts website which reprinted this article using materials provided by American Gastroenterological Association. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

Journal Reference:
1. Frank I. Scott, Daniel B. Horton, Ronac Mamtani, Kevin Haynes, David S. Goldberg, Dale Y. Lee, James D. Lewis. Administration of Antibiotics to Children Before Age 2 Years Increases Risk for Childhood Obesity.Gastroenterology, 2016; DOI:10.1053/j.gastro.2016.03.006

Original Source:
American Gastroenterological Association. "Antibiotics before age 2 increases risk for childhood obesity, study suggests." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 March 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160322120041...>.

What You Eat Determines The Type Of Bacteria In Your Guts...

I spend a great deal of time in my consultations teaching my clients about their gut microbiome; the importance of a healthy balance of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, and the relationship between a healthy microbiome and what you eat. It would save me an enormous amount of time if all my clients watched this documentary before they came to see me.

Now before you start thinking that the microbiome is the answer to all that ails you (including weight), all aspects of our body and mind work together, never is there one single cause for any kind of dysfunction that arises.

It is time that we all appreciate the huge role that our food choices are playing in our overall health. Simply eating a wholefoods rainbow balanced diet goes a long way to supporting a state of health and well-being.

Please do yourself a favour, click the link below and spend 50 minutes watching this documentary titled, 'The Diet Myth'.

PLEASE NOTE, THIS DOCUMENTARY IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING FOR THE NEXT 25 DAYS

'The Diet Myth' Documentary

Smile For Your Health

In 1872 in the book, The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals, the great biologist Charles Darwin hypothesised that our facial expressions might actually affect our mood. He called this the ‘facial feedback’ hypothesis. Whilst this hypothesis was largely dismissed at the time, since then, several researchers have tested this theory and it seems Darwin may have been correct. 

Dr Michael Lewis, a psychologist at Cardiff University, says that ‘simply using the same muscles as smiling will put you in a happier mood’. This suggests that the smile doesn’t even have to be genuine to provide benefit. But why is this so?

‘It would appear that the way we feel emotions isn’t just restricted to our brain – there are parts of our bodies that help and reinforce the feelings we’re having… it’s like a feedback loop,’ says Dr Michael Lewis.

Essentially it seems that one of the ways the brain evaluates our current mood, is through the feedback received from which facial muscles we are using. Frowning sends a message to the brain that you are unhappy, alternatively smiling sends a message that you are happy; whichever facial muscles you are using amplifies the experience of that emotion.

In a study published in May 2008 in the Journal of Pain, people who frowned during an unpleasant procedure reported feeling more pain than those who did not frown. Interesting isn’t it?

Added Sugar and You

A growing body of research is pointing to added sugar as amongst the leading causes of some of the world’s biggest killers, for instance cancer, obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Consumption in the modern western processed diet is staggering with added sugars found in most processed foods.

What is added sugar?
While there are several definitions available, added sugar may be understood as any sugar carbohydrate which has been added to a food or beverage; essentially a sugar carbohydrate that is not a whole food.
For instance, an apple naturally contains sugars, these are found naturally within the whole apple and therefore are not added sugars, however should you take those whole apples and process them in some way (like juicing them), then you are left with added sugars (apple juice). Consuming an apple is not consuming an added sugar, consuming apple juice is consuming added sugars.

3 Main Types of Added Sugars

Natural	Artificial	Sugar Alcohols
Honey Rice Malt Syrup Straight Glucose Corn Syrup Agave Nectar Coconut Sugar Brown Sugar White Sugar Molasses/ and Blackstrap Fruit Juice and Concentrates (not whole fruit smoothies) Maple Syrup Stevia	Saccharin Sucralose Aspartame Neotame Aspartame	Xylitol Mannitol Maltitol Isomalt Lactitol Erythritol

I Really Feel like I Crave Sugar, Why is This?

There are several reasons...

1. Consuming added sugar causes dopamine and opioid release. Dopamine and opioids are neurotransmitters associated with experiencing feelings of pleasure and pain relief, raising levels of these chemicals in our bodies help us to feel good, and we naturally want more of that. Research has also identified neurochemical changes in the brains of 'sugar addicted' individuals which reflects changes seen in 'drug addicted' individuals, for instance changes in dopamine and opioid receptor binding. These effects of added sugar exposure and resulting behaviours is one reason why added sugar can be so addictive in susceptible individuals.
2. Stress. As a society, we tend to live in such a way that places us in a 'fight or flight' dominant state. Physiologically your mind/body naturally seeks balance, and one method of reducing the 'stress load' is via sugary carbohydrate consumption. Consuming added sugars as you now know releases 'feel good' chemicals which support a relaxed parasympathetic state - an antedote to stress so to speak. Feeling stressed? You are more likely to crave carbs/ sugars. 
3. Desensitisation. Did you know your taste buds become accustomed (desensitised) to the taste of added sugar. Feed your taste buds added sugar constantly and they will adjust to the taste, hardly noticing it anymore. Once this occurs, you need more intense flavours to get the same response. When I feed people my low added sugar food, they find it bland, lacking sweetness. To me it might be very sweet, but their taste buds are desensitised and they need much more added sugar to register the same 'sweet hit' that I get. Thankfully, you can ‘retrain’ or ‘recalibrate’ your taste buds so they pick up the subtle flavours in food once again in as little as 6wks. 
4. Dysbiosis. Your large intestine (colon) contains rougly one kilogram of bacteria comprised of thousands of different strains, some are health promoting some are not. Dysbiosis is a state of bacterial imbalance in the large intestine where non-health promoting bacteria dominate. These bacteria thrive on added sugars and as studies show, gut bacteria influence cravings and food choices, demanding to be fed the foods that make them thrive. 

Did you know?

The majority of people can actually obtain all their energy and nutritional needs from wholefoods free from added sugars. The majority of us could actually never consume an added sugar again, and still manage to live a happy, healthy, active life. Interesting isn’t it…

I know I don't need added sugar but I still want to enjoy some. What is the healthiest way to do this?

• Natural added sugars are generally made up of a ratio of glucose and fructose and one of the main reasons added sugar can be harmful is due to the fructose content. Glucose can  be metabolised (broken down) by every cell in the body, but fructose can only be metabolised by the liver. Small intakes of fructose (such as found in whole fruit consumption) is converted into glucose by the liver to be used as fuel by all cells of the body. If glucose intake exceeds your bodies requirements (through consuming added sugars and especially high fructose added sugars), the excess glucose is put away in a storage form called glycogen; this occurs in the liver and skeletal muscles. Whenhen these storage sites are full, the excess glucose is then stored as triglycerides (a storage form of fat). Roughly 20minutes of high intensity exercise will deplete your glucose reserves after which stored fat (triglycerides) will be converted back to glycogen and used for fuel. One way to lose fat weight is to engage in high intensity exercise for more than 30minutes.
• Knowing this, it is good to understand that fat free products full of added sugars may contribute to body fat stores if all that glucose coming in exceeds your bodies demands. 
• Remember I said it is the liver which metabolises (breaks down) fructose, and it is the liver that converts the excess fructose into triglycerides (fat). When fructose is converted to fat in the liver, it is shipped out as VLDL very low density lipoproteins) cholesterol particles. Some of this lodges in the liver and can over time lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. High VHDL levels are also linked to cardiovascular disease.
• Fructose also inhibits ghrelin secretion, which is a hormone involved in feel satiated, or full/ satisfied. Lowering ghrelin secretion blocks satiety and leads to increased food consumption, which in turn contributes to weight gain and insulin resistance.
• High fructose consumption leads to excess glucose on the blood, in time insulin receptors can become  overwhelmed leading to insulin resistance and eventually type 2 diabetes.
• Chronic high levels of glucose in the blood is also highly inflammatory, which contributes to the onset and progression of disease formation in the body.

Having said all this, if you are going to use natural added sugars, choose ones which:

1. Are made with minimal processing
2. Have low fructose levels
3. Contribute some health value/ benefit (such as vitamin, mineral, fibre content)  

I have put together a table which outlines the most common natural added sugars, their fructose levels, health value (nutrient levels) and level of processing. I have also rated each one based on these three factors. This is not a scientific rating and in my personal opinion it would be best to choose those which are rated ‘better’ or ‘best’.

Not Rated = probably best to avoid

Good = some health value but not great

Better = moderate health value

Best = best choice

Fructose content greater than 50% = High

Fructose content of around 35-50% = Medium

Fructose content below 35% = Low

Natural Sweetener	Fructose Level	Health Value	How Processed?	Good Better Best
Blackstrap Molasses	Low	A natural Multi-Mineral Supplement (Iron, potassium, Calcium, Manganese, Magnesium, copper, selenium). Glycaemic Index of 55 which is borderline low. Natural stool softener. Low overall sugar content	Moderate           – third boil	Best
Unsulphured Molasses	Low	Some Mineral Content	Moderate           – second boil	Better
Coconut Palm Sugar Made from the sap of the Coconut palm.	Medium	Good source of potassium,   appreciable levels of Magnesium and phosphorous. Low Gl of 35. Good source of inulin; a probiotic fibre which feeds healthy bowel bacteria and supports gastrointestinal health.	Minor	Better
Green Stevia Powder or Leaves	Zero	Contains Steviosides and Rebaudioside A which have anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, anti-diarrheal, diuretic and immune-modulating actions. However you would need to consume large quantities to receive these benefits. Only small quantities needed for sweetness	Minor or None	Best

White Stevia Powder or fluid Extract	Zero	Steviosides and Rebaudioside A Only small quantities needed for sweetness	High	Better
Brown Rice Syrup	Zero	Able to be metabolised by all cells in the body.	Moderate	Better
Agave Syrup	High	Low GI of 30 Contains Fructans which act as prebiotics feeding healthy gut bacteria and supporting nutrient absorption.	Minor to None	Good
Xylitol Indigestible Sugar alcohol	Zero	GI of 13 which is very low Prebiotic action Actively protects against dental cavities with 15mg ingestion/ day Biofilm busting activity	Highly	Better
White Cane Sugar, Raw Sugar, Brown Sugar	Medium	Calories	Highly	Not Rated
High Fructose Corn Syrup	Medium	Calories	Highly	Not Rated
Rapadura Sugar	Medium	Small qty’s of several minerals Natural high antioxidant levels of flavonoids and phenols (these may be destroyed during heat evaporation)	Low	Good
Maple Syrup	Medium	Antioxidants. Calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, potassium and iron. GI of 54 which is borderline low	Low	Better
Honey	Medium	Varies depending on floral source Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties	Low to Moderate depending on product	Better

What If I Don’t Want To Consume Added Sugars Anymore?

Now you can always sweeten foods naturally without added sugar by using whole foods. Of course there are the obvious ones like medjool dates, or whole fruits in general; but don’t forget your vegetables too. Once your taste buds, bacteria and body become accustomed to naturally sweet flavours, you will be able to accommodate that sweet taste with things like corn, beetroot, sweet potato, pumpkin and parsnips which all have a natural sweetness to them.

Hey, what about the sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners?

Given all these natural options on offer, there really is no need to even consider using/consuming sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners. Indeed research on the benefits of artificial sweeteners is fairly inconclusive, with as many against as those in favour. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, some research is finding that artificial sweeteners may actually interfere with the body’s ability to self-regulate calorie-intake, and may lead to an overall overconsumption of calories. Then there is the whole false sense of safety that often comes with consuming processed foods sweetened artificially. You know what I am talking about, ‘hey this can of ……. Has zero sugar, which means I can have 2 or 3’. Of course this does not take into account the colours, flavours, preservatives and acids present, not to mention the effect on overall fluid balance.

Please remember that your body is a dynamic natural organic being which functions best when you fuel it with dynamic natural organic foods. 

References

• DiNicolantonio J., Lucan S., (2014). The wrong white crystals: not salt but sugar as aetiological in hypertension and cardiometabolic disease. Open Heart 1:e000167. doi: 10.1136/openhrt-2014-000167
• Yang Q., Zhang Z., Gregg E., Flanders W., Merritt R, Hu F. (2014) Added Sugar Intake and Cardiovascular Diseases Mortality Among US Adults. JAMA Intern Med. 174(4):516–524. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13563
• Wagner, K., Brath, H. (2012) A global view on the development of non-communicable diseases. Preventative Medicine (54). ppS38-S41. doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.11.012
• Barquera, S., Pedroza-Tobias, A., Medina, C., Hernandez-Barrera, L., Bibbins-domingo, K., Lozano, R., Moran, A., (2015). Global Overview of the Epidemiology of atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease. doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.11.012
• Avena N., Rada, P., Hoebel, B (2008). Evidence for sugar addiction: Behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake. Neuroschience and behavioural Reviews
   32(1). doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2007.04.019

• Avena, N., Rada, P., Moise, N., Hoebel, B, (2006). Sucrose sham feeding on a binge schedule releases accumbens dopamine repeatedly and eliminates the acetylcholine satiety response. Neuroscience 139(3). doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2005.12.037

• Alcock, J., Maley, C., Aktipis, C, (2014). Is eating behavior manipulated by the gastrointestinal microbiota? Evolutionary pressures and potential mechanisms. BioEssays, 36: 940-949. doi:10.1002/bies.201400071

Bone Broth

Ingredients:

• 500g to 1kg Raw Organic Grass Fed Bone (beef, lamb, chicken or fish)
• 4 chicken feet (optional)
• Water (filtered is best)
• Juice of one lemon or 2 limes
• 1-2 red onion roughly chopped
• 1 beetroot roughly chopped (optional)
• 2-3 cloves of garlic roughly chopped
• 1cm portion of ginger roughly chopped
• 2 celery stalks roughly chopped

Social Anxiety, Depression, Poor Stress Tolerance, ADHD, Allergies, Eczema, Digestive Upset - COULD IT BE EXCESS PYROLLES?

Acne	Mood swings	Hair Loss	Anaemia
Elevated Pyrroles	Eating Disorder	Arthritis	Autism
Depression	Anxiety Disorder/ Social Anxiety	Kids that ‘feel funny/ not right’	Repeated Candida Infections
PMS	Painful Periods	Prostatitis	Male Infertility
Sensitivity to Sounds/ Light/ Smells	Migraines	Chronic Infections	Hayfever/ Allergies
Racing Thoughts – can’t turn mind off	Nerve Pain (Neuralgia)	Hypothyroidism	Bipolar (manic depression)
Schizophrenia	Detoxification Issues	Hormonal Imbalances	CFS/ Adrenal Fatigue

Take a moment to read through the table above, do several of these sound like you, your child or someone you know? These are all possible signs of excess pyrroles, or in other words, oxidative stress. Of course not every case of hormonal imbalance, depression or migraines involves excess pyrroles, but it is a possibility.

What are excess Pyrolles? 

Essentially this refers to a build-up of hydroxyhemopyrrolin-2-one (HPL) due to either an overproduction during haemoglobin synthesis, or through increased oxidative degradation of haemoglobin (oxidative stress). Pyrroles (HPL) are a normal by-product of haemoglobin metabolism, however, excess pyrroles occur when levels go beyond the normal range.