Nrf2

One way the body takes care of repairing damage is to signal the production of antioxidant enzymes or survival genes through something known as the Nrf2 pathway. Nrf2 is a powerful protein that is latent within each cell in the body, unable to move or operate until it is released by an Nrf2 activator.

The only, patented, natural supplement to activate the Nrf2 pathway, thereby reducing oxidative stress by 40% in 30 days.  Amazing?  Find out more.

Sugar intake and cholesterol

High sugar intake causes the body to produce a lot of insulin to help reduce it.  It does this by moving the glucose into the muscle cells, or transporting it to the liver where it is converted to fat as storage. There is now evidence to suggest that high insulin interferes with the enzyme in the liver that helps to regulate the production of cholesterol. This tells us that a high intake of sugar-rich foods can indirectly lead to abnormally high cholesterol levels.

I advise my client to avoid foods that contain refined carbohydrates, foods like: biscuits, cakes, puddings, pastries, sugared breakfast cereal, carbonated drinks, chocolate, and other confectionery, ice cream, jams, processed and canned foods. All of these contribute to weight gain and increased levels of fats in the blood (triglycerides).

Progesterone

My clients know how passionate I am about hormones and the power of natural progesterone.

Hormones are chemical messengers and can only work once inside the nucleus of a cell. To get into the nucleus the hormone needs a carrier which is called a receptor. Receptors are very specific, they will only transport the hormone for which they are made. Progesterone receptors will not transport the synthetic progestins into the cell nor can they make use of diosgenin. This is such an important point for women taking synthetic progesterone.

Progesterone, the oldest hormone, is about 500 million years old and is vital to all vertebrates: fishes, reptiles, birds and all mammals, including humans. It plays many roles in the body for both males and female, some of which are: regulating blood sugar, developing intelligence, building bones (think, osteoporosis!) and brain activity. It is involved in reproduction where it is converted by the adrenal glands into cortisone, oestrogen, testosterone and others.  For a pregnant female, it is responsible for holding the baby in the womb, so for many women with a history of miscarriage, this is crucial, and this is what I look at closely with my female clients.

The Cinderella Hormone

Watch this video of Dr. Sherrill Sellman shares her personal experience with the hormone progesterone and how it helped her and could help other woman deal with perimenopause and menopause.

Importance of gut health

I’ve done a lot of research on gut health over the years, particularly the gut-brain connection and it makes for powerful reading.

 

If our gut microbiome (the good bowel flora) is out of balance through medications like antibiotics, the Pill and even HRT, then it is more likely that bacteria and yeast can establish themselves in the bowel.

 

These produce chemicals that irritate the gut wall. When this happens more undigested, or toxic waste, passes through into the blood stream which creates a heightened and sustained immune response. A permeable bowel, or “leaky gut “, may increase the potential development of food allergies or intolerances, the most common being yeast, wheat and dairy foods. It is thought that about 75% of people suffering from chronic fatigue will have some sort of underlying bowel problem. Typical symptoms include bad breath, bloating, low energy, IBS symptoms of diarrhoea and/or constipation

Importance of quality sleep

How much attention do you pay to keeping yourself on top form? Is your sleep pattern effecting your energy and focus? If yes – feel free to contact me and I can give you more information on how the little yellow pill can help.

Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety.

The way you feel while you’re awake depends in part on what happens while you’re sleeping. During sleep, your body is working to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health. In children and teens, sleep also helps support growth and development.

The damage from sleep deficiency can occur in an instant (such as a car crash), or it can harm you over time. For example, ongoing sleep deficiency can raise your risk for some chronic health problems. It also can affect how well you think, react, work, learn, and get along with others.

Through my bespoke therapies I work with many people to help them reclaim quality sleep.  I look forward to working with you!

 

Healthy Lifespan – is it possible?

For years scientists have been exploring the idea of extending ‘healthy lifespan’ – ie what it is happens in the body which leaves us looking gray and wrinkly, feeling tired and weak.  What if there was a supplement which could extend life?

The National Institute of Aging (NIA) is a division of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH).  The NIA with its federally funded research, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life.  In 1974, Congress granted authority to form the NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programmes relevant to aging and older people.

Why am I telling you this?  Well, out of the 1000s upon 1000s of herbal supplements, manufactured by some very big brands, the NIA chose ONE supplement to do a ten year study on longevity and was found to do just this!  Imagine that: out of all the tens of thousands of supplements available in the US, the NIA chose Protandim!

Why did they study Protandim?  Because previous studies showed that Protandim:

• provides strong Nrf2 activation (Nrf2 regulates the expression of antioxidant proteins that protect against oxidative damage triggered by inflammation)
• increases superoxide dismutase (SOD) – SOD is an important defence mechanism in nearly all living cells
• protects the heart from oxidative stress

This is truly significant in the fight for good health in old age!

More information on Protandim is available here.

Read the full research story here.

Improving egg quality with Vitamin D

I love Vitamin D and I tell all my patients about its value and benefits.

If you find it’s taking a little more time to get pregnant, one of the things you can do to maximize your chances of conceiving is to make sure you have enough vitamin D.

Vitamin D is a substance our bodies naturally produce following sun exposure, so getting outside in the sunshine is a great way to help boost your fertility.

Vitamin D deficiency has reached epidemic status in Western societies and has been linked to increased risk of cancer, osteoporosis, and decreased chances to get pregnant. Thankfully, more and more doctors are now recognising this are recommending tests and supplements.

A 2010 study led by Dr. Lubna Pal from Yale University, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, found that vitamin D blood level was a better predictor of pregnancy success following in vitro fertilization than any other conventionally-used prognostic parameter. For women undergoing fertility treatments, this means that your IVF may fail just because your body is vitamin D deficient, even if everything else is in good shape. Dr. Pal suggests measuring vitamin D as part of a routine infertility workup because “appropriate supplementation of those depleted in vitamin D may translate to an improved fertility outcome as well as improved overall health.”

When I’m working with patients who are trying to conceive, balancing hormones through my therapies (reflexology and acupuncture) and Vitamin D supplementation is my prescription!

Oxidative stress

What is oxidative stress?

Oxidative stress is  an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to counteract or detoxify their harmful effects through neutralization by antioxidants.

What are free radicals?
A free radicals is an oxygen containing molecule that has one or more unpaired electrons, making it highly reactive with other molecules.

Oxygen by-products are relatively unreactive but some of these can undergo metabolism within the biological system to give rise to these highly reactive oxidants. Not all reactive oxygen species are harmful to the body. Some of them are useful in killing invading pathogens or microbes.

However, free radicals can chemically interact with cell components such as DNA, protein or lipid and steal their electrons in order to become stabilized. This, in turn, destabilizes the cell component molecules which then seek and steal an electron from another molecule, therefore triggering a large chain of free radical reactions.

What are antioxidants?
Every cell that utilizes enzymes and oxygen to perform functions is exposed to oxygen free radical reactions that have the potential to cause serious damage to the cell. Antioxidants are molecules present in cells that prevent these reactions by donating an electron to the free radicals without becoming destabilized themselves. An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants is the underlying basis of oxidative stress.

Protandim

What is aging? 
The body is a highly intelligent and unique mass of cells. These cells do an amazing job to keep us going through life with all its ups and downs and strains and stresses. Working constantly to keep us alive and finely tuned.

Most of us totally abuse our bodies, at some time or another, and all the cells are fighting constantly to keep things working.

Following years and years and years of research, anti-aging products are starting to really work. And we now have one of the GREATEST scientific breakthroughs in anti-ageing at our fingertips in the UK… the Nrf2 activator Protandim.

What is protandim?
Comprised of natural plant ingredients, Protandim is a patented, science-based formula that has been researched, tested and validated by renowned universities and institutions. Science research and literature demonstrate the importance of cellular health. Protandim combines traditional ingredients that have been used to help support cellular health and general well-being.

Benefits of Protandim 
Protandim is a daily food supplement that supports cellular health and well-being Science research and literature demonstrate the importance of cellular health
The traditional ingredients in Protandim have been used to help support health and well-being. To be used with any healthy diet to support cellular health and general well-being.
The only way to really know is try it for yourself!

Your daily cup of coffee

Coffee Could Contain Mould

This was brought to my attention just recently and I must admit to being very surprised about this – I never knew that coffee contained harmful moulds.

Dave Asprey, Founder and CEO of Bulletproof has been talking about harmful mould in bad coffee for quite a while now but I’ve only just come across his work.  He talks about moulds (or mycotoxins) having very harmful effects on the body and he has developed his own bulletproof coffee which is now widely available.

A Spanish study published in journal Food Control analysed 100 coffee samples sold in Spanish supermarkets and found that they contained moulds or mycotoxins in concentrations that could be harmful to health. They included roasted beans, ground coffee, soluble/ instant coffee in their study. These mycotoxins or moulds are not just found in coffee, they can form in grains, nuts and other susceptible products. They are the result of a number of environmental factors like temperature, humidity and rainfall during harvesting.

So, now, when I do drink coffee, I make sure it’s bulletproof!