Weight Loss Queen

Digestive Bugs; a Hidden Cause of Weight Gain in Women

2014-10-07T12:30:00.001+11:00

Did you know, digestive bugs are a hidden link to unexplained weight gain in women? The great news is, there is herbal and nutritional support that WILL make a difference.

Although I have previously discussed digestive flora before from it's influence on serotonin and cravings, new findings directly link it to poor glycaemic control and unexplained weight gain – and after 16 years of practice, it really makes so much sense!

Recent research has shown that digestive health, plays a significant role in both obesity and diabetes, primarily due to a deficiency in a protein called toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5), a regulator of digestive flora in our gastro intestinal tract. This allows harmful bacteria to multiply and taking probiotics can actually make it worse!

In short, a TLR5 deficiency changes your metabolism. It means you can exercise and count calories or live on lettuce leaves and not lose weight.

The reason being, the food you eat is absorbed at a faster caloric rate than it is meant to. Think of the example of you are out to coffee with a friend, you both have a skiny latte – your absorbency is the equivalent to having two! This is because a deficiency in TLR5 causes:

Increased carbohydrate storage
Increased caloric absorption
Increased insulin production
Increased leptin resistance
Increased fatty acid absorbency

This means, if you have unhealthy digestive flora and a 'gut bug', although you eat healthy, you may extract more calories from your foods, even if they are 'healthy' and gain more weight.

This is why you might eat less than your friends but still gain weight!

Top three causes of toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) deficiencies

Gram negative digestive bacteria
Chronic infections
Genetics
Chronic stress
Antibiotic use

Symptoms

Cravings and increased appetite
Unexplained weight gain
Stubborn fat around the middle
Bloating, digestive disturbances
Unexplained high cholesterol
Unexplained high blood pressure
Unexplained fatigue
Unexplained pain and inflammation
Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder

Test results may show:

1. Elevated CRP
2. Digestive dysbiosis or inflammatory bowel conditions
3. Elevated Free Fatty Acids
4. Auto immune markers
5. Poor glycaemic control
6. Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder or Cysts

3 Easy Steps to Stopping This Cycle Today

1. Don’t wait. I can guarantee you, it won’t 'fix' itself, it will only get worse.

2. You MUST reduce bacterial levels and restore balance

3. You MUST restore glycaemic control and improve insulin sensitivity

To Join or Not To Join?

Deciding to make the change is often one of the hardest steps, simply because making change takes energy. You may even be exhausted from trying to find solutions! There are so many reasons why you may need help. But with the right expert advice, you can make a difference, starting today.

Making a change is easy. Just join my $149 program at http://www.massattack.com.au/f_form.php and let me know if you are on board and ready to go so I can coach you along the way.

If you would like further information or for me to call you, please email me at info@massattack.com.au

Warmest regards,

Narelle Stegehuis
MHSc. Naturopath. Medical Herbalist.

Tel. 1300 133 536 or www.massattack.com.au

Tired, Bloated and Gaining Weight?

2012-12-06T14:28:00.001+11:00

Fatigue and tiredness are considered a normal part of motherhood. However, if you are feeling tired, bloated and maintaining a healthy body weight seems a thing of the past; it’s time to get to the cause.

Fatigue can be caused from simple nutritional deficiencies such as low iron or vitamin B12, or by more complex causes such as depression. Three major influences to energy levels that are often overlooked in routine testing are hormonal, digestive and metabolic disturbances.

Hormonal Disturbances

Healthy hormones are the key to feeling fantastic and maintaining a healthy body weight as they directly influence energy metabolism. However, identifying an underlying imbalance can often prove challenging. This can be due to the fluctuating nature of many reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone and also “hormone resistance” within the cells. This means your body may be producing the right levels, however your uptake is below par, leaving you ‘hormonally depleted’. This is often the case with thyroid hormones that are influenced by autoimmune disorders triggered by pregnancy, surgery, medications or giving up smoking.

Digestive Disturbances

Digestive disturbances such as irritable bowel syndrome, candida over growths, digestive dysbiosis (toxicity) or infections such as the Helicobacter pylori bacteria can place further strain on your energy levels, primarily due to their influence on the adrenals. In addition, the adrenal and thyroid glands work together, meaning decreased adrenal function can interfere with thyroid function, leaving you experiencing symptoms such as weight gain, bloating, fatigue and mood changes.

Metabolic Disturbances

Hormone resistance is a broad term often associated with thyroid disorders; the major regulator of fat metabolism and energy production. Although it is a complicated process, the interaction of the four main hormones produced by your thyroid gland, (thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine/levo-thyroxin (T4), and calcitonin) directly influence body fat storage and conversion especially around the tummy.

Although your thyroid gland secretes and regulates these hormones, about 80% of the body's T3 is produced outside the thyroid gland, in the liver, by chemical modification of T4. Hypothyroid women gain weight and find it difficult to lose weight because (i) their T4 is not being converted by the liver to the metabolically active form of T3 or (ii) the converted T3 hormones is not getting to the cellular level of the body - meaning that they are producing it, but their body can't use it. So you are sentenced to a life of weight gain, chronic fatigue and feeling plain unwell.

If you are doing everything right but are still felling unwell and suffering from fatigue and weight gain, there is definitely something that needs to be addressed. Getting to the cause is not as easy as just doing routine blood tests. An interconnected approach to the review of your signs and symptoms encourages a multidimensional treatment strategy that will make a difference. So explore your options and strive for a better, healthy life!

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative endocrinology for women, with over 14 year’s clinical experience. She is an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor for the natural health industry. A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles. www.massattack.com.au

Calendula, Chicken and Avocado Salad

2012-09-27T08:05:00.000+10:00

Calendula officinalis is used in traditional western herbal medicine to increase wound healing, soothe inflamed skin and improve lymphatic congestion. Containing high amounts of flavonoids, calendula extracts have been used for medicinal purposes since at least the 12th century for acne, ulcers and insect bites. It’s petals are also commonly added to herbal tea blends to soothe the digestive system.

In the culinary world calendula makes a beautiful colorful addition to salads, adding a subtle bittersweet flavor.

Calendula is also known as pot marigold but should not be confused with other plants that are also known as marigolds, such as corn marigold, desert marigold, or marsh marigold or plants of the genus Tagetes.

Salad Ingredients
(Makes 4 servings)

1 large skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded

4 cups baby rocket
1 blood orange peeled and sectioned
1 grapefruit peeled and sectioned
1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts
petals from 6 calendula officinalis flowers
1 avocado – quartered, peeled, sliced

Dressing (Makes 1 cup)

1/2 cup blood orange juice
2 Tbsp tahini
petals from one calendula flower
1 Tbsp honey
1 clove garlic

1 teaspoon chives

Instructions

Serve a bed of rocket and avocado on each plate. Top with shredded chicken orange and grapefruit sections and radish sprouts, creating as much height as possible on the plate. Sprinkle the calendula petals and drizzle with dressing.

To make the dressing blend all the ingredients until smooth. The calendula will produce a bright yellow color that is loaded with antioxidants. Sprinkle over the salad and garnish with a calendula flower. Enjoy!

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative endocrinology for women, with over 14 years clinical experience. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor for the media. A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles. www.massattack.com.au

Acidity, Hormones and Weight loss

2012-09-27T07:12:00.000+10:00

For many women, weight loss can be challenging and although it is common knowledge to eat less and exercise more, what do you do when this formula simply doesn’t work?

Leading Australian naturopath Narelle Stegehuis understands the importance of getting to the cause.

"It’s important to remember that although the elements of this traditional weight loss formula are justified, many others such as acidosis and hormonal factors are often overlooked", say's Narelle.

With the typical western diet high in animal proteins and processed foods, acidosis is not uncommon, and imbalance in your bodies pH can lead to a range of unpleasant symptoms including stubborn abdominal fat.

Acidosis or heightened acidity can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, aches and pains, bloating, digestive problems, hot flashes and mood changes. It has also been associated with health conditions such as Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder, endometriosis, thyroid imbalance and unexplained infertility.

What Causes Acidity?

Acidity is primarily caused by the breakdown of food. When foods such as those mentioned above are broken down, they raise the pH in our body slightly, creating acidity, while whole foods, fruits and vegetables create alkalinity.

For many this unfortunately means that our diet has become 30 times more acidic.1,2 This is because 100 years ago, a typical diet contained more vegetables and fibre but less processed foods and soft drinks. This means the ratio of potassium to sodium has changed from 10:1 back then to 1:3 now.

Top 5 Acidity Triggers

• Poor diet and excessive anaerobic exercise

• Excessive dieting and fasting

• Inflammation

• Health conditions such as PCOS, Diabetes or endometriosis

• Stress

The Impact of Acidity

Over acidity has many impacts upon the body, due to its influence on the cell. Firstly, under healthy conditions, the nucleus (centre) of the cell is slightly acidic but the surrounding area is alkaline. This difference in pH creates an electrical current which allows nutrients to pass into the cell nucleus and toxins to be pumped out of it.

However, if there is little or no difference in acidity between cell nucleus and environment, there will be a reduced electrical current between the two and consequently less influx of nutrients and less elimination of toxins. This affects your cell’s metabolism.

Let’s have a look at the various areas it can impact on.

What are the effects of acidity on:

• Stress hormones

An increase in acidity increases production of the stress hormone cortisol in your adrenals2,3,5.

Cortisol activates the production of inflammatory hormones such as Interferon gamma, leading to a state of (chronic) low grade inflammation symptomatic of unexplained aches and pains or fatigue.2 Inflammation puts your body in an energy-storing rather than energy-expending mode, making it easier to put on weight and harder to lose it.

Acidosis induced cortisol excess also influences tryptophan (a naturally produced mood enhancing protein). This potentially contributes to lower moods or depression.2

• Glucose metabolism

Chronically high levels of cortisol reduce insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake by the cells, and increase fatty tissue around the stomach.2,5,6,7,8 This can make conditions such as Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder, or other hormonal imbalances worse.

• Leptin

Leptin is a hormone that regulates your satiety. The lower the leptin levels are, the hungrier you feel.

Acidosis reduces leptin concentration through a negative link with cortisol: the higher the cortisol levels, the lower the leptin levels. Studies have shown that a diet high in protein (acidic) is associated with significantly lower leptin levels than a diet high in fruit and vegetables (alkalizing).2

• Energy production

Acidity blocks energy production in the little powerhouses in your cell nucleus called mitochondria.2 This impairs on the influx of nutrients into the cells slowing your metabolism.

• Thyroid hormones

Chronic acidity decreases T3 and T4 levels but significantly increases TSH levels. This can cause mild hypothyroidism.3,4,5

• Bone health

Acidosis draws calcium from your bones, because calcium is alkalizing. If the pH in your blood increases due to an acidic diet, your body will mobilize calcium from the stores in your bones to alkalize it to reduce its harmful potential. It is your body’s way of trying to maintain equilibrium no matter what cost. This not only leads to an increased risk of osteoporosis as calcium is drawn out of the blood, but also to a higher risk on calcium deposits in the kidneys and gall bladder.3,5

How does this affect your weight?

1. Causes hormonal imbalance

Increased levels of insulin, combined with elevated levels of cortisol, put your body in an energy saving mode. This slows down your metabolism and encourages your body to store fatty tissue, especially, but not exclusively, around the tummy area. Ironically, this fatty tissue is not just dead storage, but starts to act as a gland itself and secretes even more cortisol, insulin and inflammatory mediators. This perpetuates the cycle of unexplained weight gain.

2. Slows Your Metabolism

Your thyroid regulates your metabolism. Acidosis can trigger low thyroid function and a slow metabolism, once again putting you in energy-saving rather than energy-expending mode. Elevated cortisol levels further impact on this, because they do impair the conversion of (largely inactive) thyroid hormone T4 into the (more active) T3. This means there are less active thyroid hormones available for your body to use, slowing your metabolism even further.

3. Increases Cravings and Appetite

With low leptin levels you feel hungry more often, so it is likely that your energy intake through food will be higher. Often you’ll be tempted to choose energy dense foods such as sweets, chocolate, biscuits, or a soft drink to give you that quick boost of energy. Unfortunately, when your body is acidic, your body has no option but to store it for future use: as body fat!

What can you do about this?

For many women, restoring balance is the first step to feeling great and getting on top of their health. It also means they can manage chronic illness or unexplained infertility more effectively as in the case of Michelle Curmi from Melbourne Australia. Once Michelle discovered the cause of her imbalance she fell pregnant after years of trying with PCOS and endometriosis.

You can read Michelle's story at http://www.massattack.com.au/successMichelle.html

Regular exercising and relaxing help reduce acidity in your body, however the most obvious step is to change your diet. Include more alkalizing fruits and vegetables, and reduce the intake of acidic grains, meats, sugars and soft drinks. It is also important to adjust your diet to balance your hormones, especially if acidosis has created imbalances.

Alkalizing combinations containing magnesium, potassium or calcium can help improve the acid-alkaline balance, although they should be used with the guidance of a practitioner.

Remember, your body may need support to recover from the impact of all this acidity. Although it has an amazing capacity to correct itself, sometimes it needs a helping hand. Medicinal herbs and nutritional support to switch your metabolism from energy-saving to energy-expending mode and gently support natural hormonal balance are also recommended.

How can you measure if you are acidic?

If you are concerned about your pH levels, or simply want to monitor them to ensure you do remain within the optimal ranges, you can check this yourself. There is an easy test that you can do at home, to test the pH of urine or saliva, but other body fluids can also be tested. The kit contains a booklet that lists the ideal pH range of various body fluids.

If you are interested in this test kit, or want to talk to one of our practitioners about acidity and what we can do to help you, please contact our clinic on 1300 133 536.

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative endocrinology for women, with over 14 years clinical experience. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor for the media. A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles and can be contacted at www.massattack.com.au

References
1. Schwalfenberg G, “The Alkaline Diet: is there evidence that an alkaline pH diet benefits health? – Journal of Environmental and Public Health, Vol 2012, Article 727630
2. Forrest Robey I, “Examining the relationship between diet-induced acidosis and cancer” – Nutrition & Metabolism, 2012, 9:72
3. Wiederkehr M, Krapf R, “Metabolic and endocrine effects of metabolic acidosis in humans” – Swiss Med Weekly, 2001;131:127-132
4. Brungger M, Hulter N, Krapf R, “Effect of chronic metabolic acidosis on thyroid hormone homeostasis in humans” – American Journal of Physiology – Renal Physiology, May 1, 1997, vol 272, no 5, p F648-F653
5. Mitch WE, “Metabolic and clinical consequences of metabolic acidosis” – Journal of Nephrology, 2006, March-April; 19 suppl 9:S70-5
6. DeFronzo Ra, Beckles AD, “Glucose intolerance following chronic metabolic acidosis in man” – American Journal of Physiology – Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, 1979 April, vol 236, no 4, G328-G334
7. Souto G, Donapetry C et all, “Metabolic acidosis-induced insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk” - Metabolic syndrome and related disorders, August 2011, 9(4):247-253
8. Alemany M, “Do the interactions between glucocorticoids and sex hormones regulate the development of metabolic syndrome?” – Frontiers in Endocrinology, Feb 2012, vol 3, article 27.

Green Bean Salad

2012-08-24T10:09:00.000+10:00

Get fresh with this easy, economical green bean salad. You can add legumes if you like or walnuts for extra protein and crunch.

1.5 kilos fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
1/3 cup walnut oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/3 teaspoon rock salt
2 cloves crushed garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
1 large red onion, chopped
4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup crumbled low fat feta cheese

Directions

Place beans boiling water and cook for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately place beans in ice water. Drain and pat dry.

In a small bowl, whisk the oil, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, garlic powder, mustard and pepper. Drizzle over beans. Add the onion; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, stir in tomatoes and cheese. 10 servings.

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative endocrinology for women, with over 14 years clinical experience. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor. A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles. www.massattack.com.au

Is Depression, Caused by Inflammation?

2012-08-24T09:04:00.002+10:00

Depression is a leading cause of disability and is the fourth largest cause of burden of disease amongst all diseases (1) and affects one in three women. Anybody who has ever suffered from depression or has a loved one who suffers from it knows how debilitating it can be.

Treatment has traditionally focused on improving serotonin levels, but figures show around 35% remission after initial treatment and approximately 70% remission after four cumulative treatments (1) It is necessary to look beyond serotonin to find out what is causing depression, and adapt natural support to rebalance the underlying causes.

Raised inflammatory markers in depression

People with depression have increased levels of inflammatory substances such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF) or C-Reactive Protein (CPR) in the blood(1,2,6,8) Higher levels of these markers affect brain signalling and produce symptoms such as fatigue, changes in appetite, increased sleep, lack of motivation, negative mood, decreased cognition and weight changes (5,8) – the classical symptoms of depression.

Conversely, people who are treated with inflammatory substances (eg interferon in cancer treatment or chronic infections) start to show depression-like symptoms (2) So what is the link between inflammation and depression?

Inflammation depletes serotonin

Inflammatory substances such as IL1, IL-6, TNF and CRP stimulate the formation of IDO (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase), an enzyme involved in the tryptophan metabolism. Unfortunately, this enzyme does not push tryptophan towards the serotonin pathway, but towards the kynurenine pathway instead. (1,3) This can reduce serotonin levels by 25-50%. (1) It stands to reason that we need to reduce inflammation to help improve depression, but to effectively do this we need to find out where this inflammation is coming from in the first place.

Where does inflammation start?

Conditions such as endometriosis, PCOS and other reproductive disorders are linked with inflammation, and very often patients suffering from any of these conditions also suffer from low moods or depression. The debilitating symptoms are enough to make anyone feel low, but the underlying inflammation is the real trigger that needs to be looked at.

Research shows that inflammation also often starts in the digestive tract, with harmful bacteria causing leaky gut (7). As the intestinal wall becomes more permeable, the immune system is activated. As part of the immune response there is an increased production of pro-inflammatory hormones such as IL-1, IL-6, TNF and interferon-ϒ (IFN). As described above, these substances increase the metabolism of tryptophan to the neurotoxic quinolinic acid rather than the ‘feel good’ hormone serotonin (3). These hormones can also trigger an auto immune response triggering conditions like Rheumatoid arthritis, hashimotto's, Lupus and possibly MS.

Not everybody who suffers from frequent low moods or is depressed will have PCOS, endometriosis, or bowel dysbiosis; but everybody would benefit from finding out what underlying causes trigger low moods or depression, especially if they have tried anti-depressants and find they don’t work.

What can you do about this yourself?

A holistic treatment plan that addresses the cause and not just the symptom is crucial. Look beyond the boundries of a general 'symptom based' simplistic consultation. Fourteen years of clinical experience highlights the need for segmentation based, multilayer, diagnosis techniques as part of the initial step in getting to the cause.

Establishing the underlying cause, ensures effective natural support. Targeting medicinal herbs and orthomolecular nutrients assist in reversing the cause.

This was the case in Yvonnes journey. Read her story here.

There is a great deal of research to promote the benefits of incorporating natural support in depression. Even something as simple as EFA's such as Omega3 Fatty acids have been found to make a difference. Omega 3 poly unsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil not only have a strong anti-inflammatory effect, but also improve fluidity of the cell membranes (3,9). There are many studies that associate increased intake of omega 3 EFA’s with improved cognition and moods. (9) Apart from this, they can improve serotonin binding (10), further improving moods.

EFA’s could be part of a holistic treatment plan, but as each patient is different and some may already be on anti-depressants, each treatment approach is different, too. It is always best to contact your health care practitioner to provide a solid platform to redefine your health.

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative endocrinology for women, with over 14 years clinical experience. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor. A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles. She can be contacted at www.massattack.com.au

References:
1. DM Christmas, JP Potokar, SJC Davies, “A biological pathway linking inflammation and depression: activation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase – Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment 2011:7 431-439
2. B Messay, A Lim, AL Marshland, “Current understanding of the bi-directional relationship of major depression with inflammation” – Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders, 2012, 2:4
3. M Maes, “The cytokine hypothesis of depression: inflammation, oxidative & nitrosative stress (IO&NS) and leaky gut as new targets for adjunctive treatments in depression” – Neuroendocrinology letters 2008:29(3):1-000
4. Chrousos GP et all, “ Interactive functional specificity of stress and immune response: the yin, the yang, and defence against two major classes of bacteria” – Journal of Infectious Disease, 15th Aug 2005;192(4):551-555
5. R Dantzer et all, “From inflammation to sickness and depression: when the immune system subjugates the brain” – Nature Reviews Neuroscienice 9, January 2009, 46-56, doi:10.1038/nrn2297
6. R Dantzer, “Depression and inflammation, and intricate relationship” – Biological Psychiatry, vol 71, issue 1, p 4-5, 1st January 2012-07-01
7. Maes M et all, “Increased IgA and IgM response against gut commensals in chronic depression” – Journal of Affective Disorders, 11th March 2012, doi:10.101/j.ad.2012.02.023
8. Krishnadas R, Cavanagh J, “Depression: an inflammatory illness?” – Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 83 (5) 495-502, doi:10.1126/jnnp-2011-301779
9. Nurk E, Devron CA, Refsum H et all, “Cognitive performance among the elderly and dietary fish intake: the Horland Health Study” – Am Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2007; 86:1470-1478
10. Huang JTJ, Leweke FM, Oxley D et all, “Disease biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with first-onset psychosis” – Plos med 2006,3(11):e428

Green Papaya Salad

2012-08-07T18:35:00.000+10:00

Serves 4

3 large cloves garlic, peeled
4 red bird’s eye chillies, seeded
½ teaspoon salt
½ tablespoon dried shrimps
3-4 tablespoons fish sauce
finely shredded flesh from 350g green papaya
handful of purple baby eggplant, halved
8 small tomatoes, halved
2 mild red chillies, seeded and shredded
handful of beansprouts, trimmed
handful each of basil and mint leaves

Using a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic, bird’s eye chillies and salt together to form a paste. Add the dried shrimps and continue pounding, then stir in he fish sauce. Place in bowl with the papaya and toss to coat. Lightly bruise the eggplant and tomatoes with the flat blade of a knife, then add to the bowl with the chillies, beansprouts, basil and mint. Toss lightly before serving.

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative endocrinology for women, with over 14 years clinical experience. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor for the Complementary Health Care Council. A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles. www.massattack.com.au

Medications & Weight Gain

2012-08-07T13:52:00.000+10:00

Many women gain weight for no apparent reason. This can be due to a multitude of factors ranging from hormones to bacterial infections or inflammation. However, one cause often overlooked is prescription medications.

What's going on?

This may be hard to swallow, but some prescription drugs such as those used to treat mood disorders, seizures, migraines, diabetes, and even high blood pressure can cause weight gain. Some steroids, hormone replacement therapy, and oral contraceptives can also cause unwanted kilos to creep up on you.

Even if you suspect a prescription medication is causing weight gain, never stop taking the drug without consulting your doctor.

"Stopping some of these medications on your own can have very serious consequences," says Louis Aronne, MD, president of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity. "It has to be done very carefully."

It is also important to remember that even if a medication causes weight gain of a few kilos, it may be worth the trade-off of what that medication is doing for your overall health.

Common Offenders That Can Cause Weight Gain

While no one knows exactly how many prescription drugs can cause weight gain, experts estimate the list includes more than 50 common medications.

To make things more complicated, some drugs can cause weight gain in some people and weight loss in others. This is because not all drugs have the same side effects for all people. You have to work with your doctor to find the drug that's right for you and in almost every case, your doctor will be able to switch you to another medication that has the same desirable effects but which will not cause weight gain.

The reasons why some medications cause weight gain are not always clear. Drug-induced weight gain may be unrelated to the action of the drug itself, for example, if an antidepressant makes people feel better, their appetite may be restored and they eat more. However, other drugs have the potential to alter metabolism, causing the body to burn calories more slowly or to store fat.

Some corticosteroids, for example, make the body less able to absorb blood glucose, and this can lead to fat deposits in the trunk and weight gain. Other medications produce fatigue or shortness of breath, making the person less active (the antihypertensive drugs known as beta-blockers are thought to have this effect), or can cause water retention (a side effect of antihypertensive calcium channel blockers).

The causes of weight gain are complex and multidimensional, and it’s not always possible to pinpoint a medication as the cause, especially because medication-related weight gain may take weeks, months or even years to occur. This was the case in Chester's journey, and you can read his story here.

Overcoming the obstacles

Although isolating the cause of the drug-induced weight gain takes time, implementing additional nutritional, dietary and herbal support can improve weight maintenance.

If you suspect that you’re putting on weight because of a medication you’re taking, let me know and talk to your doctor, but don’t discontinue taking it without medical advice.

Narelle Stegehuis (BHSc HM), is a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative health for women, with over 14 years clinical experience. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor. A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles. www.massattack.com.au

My Journey To Wellness

2012-08-07T13:45:00.002+10:00

Metabolic Mapping and Hormonal profiling are the first easy steps towards wellness and maintaining a healthy body weight, as I discovered.

My Story – Chester, Melbourne Vic.

After struggling with my weight for a number of years I knew something was not right. Turning 40 proved challenging in more ways than one. Not only was I feeling “old”, but my health took a turn for the worse. I know now that stress played a large role, however other factors were not helping.

For starters, my blood pressure was high and I always felt bloated, tired and depleted. I was gaining weight around the middle at a rapid rate and although I was watching what I ate, no amount of exercise would budge the weight.

Moody and unhealthy, I was so fed up of feeling unwell. In spite of taking over the counter vitamins and doing everything right, I just couldn’t get well again.

Over the next 12 months my symptoms worsened; (weight gain, fatigue) and I was also like an emotional time bomb. I had blood tests and they came back normal.

There had to be a reason why my health was on a down hill slide – and I knew I had to find it.

My story is a perfect example of how important hormonal profiling and wellness mapping is. Stress had triggered high blood pressure, so I was correctly prescribed medication. However, although it was doing its job, my body was not responding well in other ways. Chatting to my GP about a different medication choice made such a difference.

This is what my ‘metabolic’ map looked like:

Narelle's comments

After much research, a metabolic map was established that was not only going to improve healthy blood pressure levels and restore energy, but also promote natural hormone balance. It was time to help Chester lose weight and feel good again.

Chesters treatment strategy included a change in medications with the guidance of his General Medical Practitioner.

I also took a personalized tonic using traditional medicinal herbs to restore adrenal health, improve digestive health and support hormonal balance.

Targeted dietary changes to support healthy hormonal balance and cardiovascular health were also followed.

Personalized orthomolecular therapy and nutritional therapy, formed part of my long term plan for Chester. His new wellness plan was a must to assist in overcoming his symptoms of fatigue, hypertension, digestive problems, emotional fluctuations and weight gain.

Outcome:

Today, Chester has restored energy levels, healthy blood pressure levels and is back to a normal healthy body weight.

Narelle Stegehuis (BHsc), is a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative health, with over 14 years clinical experience. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor. A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles www.massattack.com.au

Detox Your Way To Better Health

2012-07-26T09:56:00.000+10:00

Spring is a great time for a good clean up, not only of your house and garage, but also your own body.

With the season changing and the end of the year fast approaching, take this time to think about how you are feeling.

Perhaps over winter your body has become a toxic dumpsite and is crying out for help? But how do you know if you need to detox?

Toxic Exposure - A Reality of Modern Life

Toxin exposure is seemingly unavoidable in our modern world. Every day we are exposed to toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, chemicals, food additives and pollutants, which are present in the air, water and food that we consume.

Toxins do not only come from our external environment; toxins can also be generated internally by ‘unfriendly’ bacteria, yeasts, and parasites in our digestive systems.

Your body has numerous mechanisms to help eliminate all these toxins, but these detoxification pathways can become overwhelmed if you produce, consume or absorb more toxins than you can easily clear. A professional detoxification program supports toxin clearance through these pathways, leaving you feeling healthy and energetic.

A Safe and Effective Detoxification Program

Detoxifying is serious business and your safety and comfort during detoxification is important to us. Undergoing the wrong type of detox for your individual needs may actually leave you feeling sick and tired. This is why you should not attempt a detoxification program without the guidance and support of a trained health care Practitioner.

5 Ways To Start The Detox Process at Home

1. Drink More Water
2. Consider adding super foods to your diet like Goji Berries and Spirulina
3. Eat more greens
4. Add fresh herbs like Rosemary and Tumeric to your cooking
5. Include bitter foods like endive in your diet

Make a Clean Start with Professional Help

If winter has left you feeling tired, sluggish, and less than your best, a detoxification program can help you to make a clean start with renewed health and vitality.

Our $295 Integrated Detox Program Includes

Nutritional, herbal and essential probiotics to cleanse, support, rebuild and regenerate your body and eliminative systems
Comprehensive booklet and directions to guide you how to safely and effectively detoxify and to get the best results possible.
6 weeks of guidance and email and telephone support from a fully qualified naturopath trained in detoxification.

Call 1300 133 536 to find out more about a safe and effective professional detoxification program to suit you.

Or why not start today?

http://www.massattack.com.au/shopping_cart.php

Corriander Chelation Pesto

2012-07-26T09:23:00.002+10:00

3 cloves garlic

1/3 cup Brazil nuts

1/3 cup sunflower seeds

1/3 cup pumpkin seeds

2 cups packed fresh coriander

2/3 cup flaxseed oil

4 tablespoons lemon juice

Process the coriander and flaxseed oil in a blender until the coriander is finely chopped. Add the garlic, nuts, and seeds,and lemon juice and mix until the mixture is finely blended into a paste. It freezes well, so purchase coriander in season and fill enough jars to last through the year.

Coriander and garlic are well known chelation agents for ridding the body of heavy metals. The seeds are rich in minerals and antioxidants and Brazil nuts are high in Selenium which is an important antioxidant for detox and fertility. Lemon juice also helps to support liver function and is rich in Vitamin C.

Two teaspoons of this pesto daily for three weeks is said to be enough to increase the urinary excretion of mercury, lead and aluminum.
Use on toast, as a dip or on cooked vegetables or fish.

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative endocrinology for women, with over 14 years clinical experience. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor for the Complementary Health Care Council. A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles. www.massattack.com.au

Natural Relief For Interstitial Cystitis

2012-07-12T12:58:00.003+10:00

According to the National Institute of Health one in five women experience discomfort caused by Interstitial Cystitis (IC).

Women’s health expert and naturopath Narelle Stegehuis, explains that “effective management requires an individualised approach to provide long term relief”.

Interstitial Cystitis is a complex condition caused by erosion of the protective bladder lining. This may be due to infection, inflammation, hormones, autoimmune conditions or a combination of factors. For many suffers, symptoms are often worse during ovulation and under stress due to a neuro-hormonal connection.

Symptom relief can be achieved with traditional herbal support that targets the underlying cause. This can be established with hormonal profiling and wellness mapping.

For example, Rachel achieved relief from IC by applying a combination of antimicrobial herbs such as Thymus vulgaris and anti inflammatory herbs such Achillea millefolium, as the underlying cause of her IC was triggered by bacteria and inflammation. Other herbs such as Passiflora incarnata were included in her tonic since stress was thought to be a contributing factor. This is why a tailored herbal tonic is often the best choice of natural treatment.

So What Natural Support Is Available?

IC may improve with medical treatment but unfortunately infection associated with both of these conditions may be resistant to traditional antibiotic treatment which means symptoms may recur with time.

Improving bladder tone and the health of the urinary tract is achievable in three easy steps:

Step 1 Identify The Cause

A diagnosis for IC can be both time consuming and frustrating and even once a diagnosis is made, treatment options can be limited until you isolate the cause. “Symptomatic health screening and hormonal profiling coupled with pathology testing to identify the underlying factors triggering the symptoms, is the first step in the right direction”, says Stegehuis. “Once the cause is established, effective long term management is possible”.

Step 2 Diet and Lifestyle

Start making small changes such as giving up coffee and alcohol. Consume foods that promote alkalinity within the body and remove allergens such as wheat or dairy from your diet.

Other changes depend upon a more individualised approach such as tailored diet and lifestyle changes to support immune or digestive health and hormonal balance.

Step 3 Targeted Treatment

According to Stegehuis, a common mistake is to take Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) for IC. For many women with this condition, taking this herb aggravates the condition.

Probiotics such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus may provide beneficial support for IC caused by Escherichia coli due to their protective influence on the immune system.

Remember, IC is a complex condition requiring an individualized treatment approach. This is why I recommend sufferers seek the expertise of a qualified health practitioner and if symptoms persist seek medical advice.

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing naturopath and medical herbalist specializing in the natural treatment of women's health and hormonal imbalance for over 14 years. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award.

To find out more, call 1300 133 536 or visit www.massattack.com.au

Interstitial Cystitis - Natural Relief

2012-07-12T12:55:00.000+10:00

Hormonal profiling is the first step towards relief from Interstitial Cystitis (IC), as Rachel*, discovered.

Rachel’s Story

After surgery, my health changed. For starters, I always felt bloated and stress from a relationship bust up left me exhausted and run down.

My immune system was so low that I constantly had either a cold or a flu. In spite of several courses of antibiotics, my health just would not improve. Worst of all, my whole body felt painful and constantly ached. I was gaining weight around my stomach and always battling thrush.

Although I had suffered from Urinary Tract Infections from time to time, it was when I first experienced the excruciating pain and urgency to go to the loo, that I knew something was wrong. Over the next 12 months my symptoms worsened; (urgency, pain, poor immunity, bloating) and I was also constantly fatigued. I had a series of tests and finally a diagnosis of IC was made.

There had to be a reason why I had IC – and I knew I had to find it. Over the counter remedies from the health food store, although helping a little, were not enough.

Narelle’s Comments

Rachel’s story is a perfect example of how important hormonal profiling and wellness mapping is. We see all too often the effects of ‘blanket treatments’ that treat the symptom rather than the cause.

It is important to remember that to restore long term health, you need to identify the initial cause and this takes time and expertise. Investing time into getting to the ‘root’ cause of Rachel’s health challenges is what made the difference. This is what Rachel’s ‘wellness’ map looked like:

Establishing her hormonal profile, I then designed a wellness map that was not only going to improve her immune system and energy, but also restore digestive health and hormonal balance. It was time to help Rachel overcome IC and feel fantastic.

Rachel’s treatment strategy included a personalized tonic using traditional medicinal herbs such Thymus vulgaris and Gentian to restore digestive health and eliminate infection while the addition of Withania somnifera combined with Passiflora incarnata helped to restore adrenal and central nervous system health. Other herbs such as Rehmannia, Achillea millefolium and Echinacea were included to lower inflammation and improve immune health. Other herbs were included throughout her treatment to support hormonal balance.

Targeted dietary changes to support healthy hormonal balance including limiting coffee, tea, orange juice and broccoli, were provided in an easy to understand format, that fitted well with Rachel’s busy life.

Personalized orthomolecular and nutritional therapy, formed part of Rachel’s long term plan. These changes, combined with gentle detoxification techniques; gently guided her health to new levels. Her new wellness plan was a must for overcoming her symptoms of fatigue, bloating, lowered immunity, hormonal imbalance and IC.

Outcome:

Today, Rachel has restored energy levels and is no longer bloated. Her immune system is healthy and she no longer suffers from chronic pain and urine frequency caused by IC.

To discover your wellness map, complete your Assessment online at www.massattack.com.au

Getting Sick Too Often?

2012-07-06T16:59:00.000+10:00

Beating the Winter Blues: Naturally

Most adults will get at least two colds every year, and children can get up to eight. This is hardly surprising given that there are more than 200 viruses known to cause respiratory tract infections. Although viral illnesses are rarely serious they certainly cause misery and may lower immune defenses against more dangerous secondary bacterial infections.

Fighting viral infections – Colds and 'flu

There are a number of clinically effective Natural Medicines that can be used to help your patients support their immune systems and fight viral infections this winter, including the Ayurvedic herb Andrographis paniculata. Traditional use of Andrographis effectively stimulates immunity and reduces inflammation; used in the acute stages of viral infection, Andrographis has been shown to reduce cold and ‘flu symptoms and shorten the duration of illness.

To enhance these effects, a personalized herbal tonic blends Andrographis with Picrorrhiza kurroa and Sambucus nigra to help relieve symptoms of fever, sore throats and excessive mucous secretions to shorten the duration of colds and 'flu.

Certain mushroom extracts may also help fight off viral infections. Research focused on the immune enhancing effects of Japanese mushrooms finds the extracts from Coriolus versicolor and Grifola frondosa to powerfully boost immune surveillance against viral infection and reduce the risk of secondary bacterial infection. Together these mushroom extracts help prevent and treat viral infections in those with poor immunity.

Nutritionally, zinc and vitamin C are important as they are both rapidly depleted during the acute stages of infection. An acute dosage strategy of up to four doses of Zinc and Vitamin C Powder daily from the first signs and symptoms of a viral infection is recommended to support immunity and prevent depletion.

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative endocrinology for women, with over 14 years clinical experience. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor for the Complementary Health Care Council. A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles.

Her services can be accessed at www.massattack.com.au or www.bumpfertility.com.au

Zucchini Soup

2012-07-06T16:17:00.002+10:00

4 to 6 servings.

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

zucchini, (about 7 cups diced)

2 teaspoons curry powder

6 cups chicken stock, vegetable stock or water

1/4 cup basmati rice

Salt to taste

Freshly ground pepper

Pinch of cayenne

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

For garnish:

2 tablespoons chopped chives

1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until it is tender, about 5 minutes. Add a generous pinch of salt, the garlic and the zucchini and stir for about a minute, until the garlic smells fragrant.

2. Add the curry powder, stir together, and add the stock or water, the rice and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Taste and adjust salt.

3. Purée the soup with blender.

4. Return to the pot, heat through, add pepper and cayenne to taste and stir in the lemon juice. Serve, garnishing with chopped chives.

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative endocrinology for women, with over 14 years clinical experience. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor for the Complementary Health Care Council. A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles.

Her services can be accessed at www.massattack.com.au or www.bumpfertility.com.au

Tips To Lose Weight

2012-07-06T15:50:00.001+10:00

Hormonal profiling is the first step towards wellness and maintaining a healthy body weight, as Simone*, mother of 2 discovered.

Simone’s Story

After the birth of my children, my health changed. For starters, I always felt bloated and constipated and to top it off, a family trauma left my immune system so low that I would catch everything that was going around. I was so fed up of feeling run down. In spite of several courses of antibiotics, I just couldn’t get well again and now I was suffering from thrush!

It was when my periods stopped that I knew I was really unhealthy . Over the next 12 months my symptoms worsened; (weight gain, poor immunity, bloating) and I was also constantly fatigued. I had a scan and although I had ovarian cysts, I didn’t have enough to be diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder.

There had to be a reason why I was so unwell – and I knew I had to find it. Over the counter remedies from the health food store, although helping a little, were not enough.

Narelle’s Comments

Simone’s story is a perfect example of how important hormonal profiling and wellness mapping is. We see all too often the effects of ‘blanket treatments’ that treat the symptom rather than the cause.

It is important to remember that to restore long term health, you need to identify the initial cause and this takes time and expertise. Investing time into getting to the ‘root’ cause of Simone’s health challenges is what made the difference. This is what Simone’s ‘wellness’ map looked like:

After chatting to Simone, I established her hormonal profile and a wellness map that was not only going to improve her immune system and energy, but also restore digestive health and hormonal balance. It was time to help Simone lose weight and feel fantastic.

Simone’s treatment strategy included a personalized tonic using traditional medicinal herbs such Golden Seal and Gentian to restore digestive infection and Withania combined with Astragalus to restore adrenal health, lower inflammation and improve immunity. Other herbs such as Paeonia and Pasque flower were included throughout her treatment to support hormonal balance and improve glucose control.

Targeted dietary changes to support healthy hormonal balance including limiting broccoli and eating more blueberries were provided in an easy to understand format, that fitted well with Simone’s busy life.

Personalized orthomolecular therapy and nutritional therapy, formed part of Simone’s long term plan. These changes, combined with gentle detoxification techniques; gently guided her health to new levels. Her new wellness plan was a must for overcoming her symptoms of fatigue, bloating, lowered immunity, hormonal imbalance and weight gain.

Outcome

Today, Simone has restored energy levels and is no longer bloated. Her immune system is healthy and she has lost weight. She has her health and ‘body back’.

To discover your hormonal profile and wellness map complete your Assessment online at www.massattack.com.au or call my clinic on 1300 133 536

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing medical herbalist and naturopath specializing in restorative endocrinology for women, with over 14 years clinical experience. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and technical training advisor for the Complementary Health Care Council. A recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award, Narelle adopts an integrated approach of both medical science and traditional complementary health care principles.

Winter Warming Beef Stew

2012-06-20T13:12:00.001+10:00

Hearty comfort meals can be healthy. This delicious beef stew, is full of vegetables for added nutrition.

Ingredients (serves 4)

1 cup dried borlotti beans
1/3 cup lentils
2 tablespoons olive oil
800g beef chuck steak, cut into
3cm pieces
1 brown onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
200g button mushrooms, halved
3/4 cup dry red wine
400g can diced tomatoes
1 cup beef stock
1 red capsicum, chopped
1/2 bunch silverbeet or kale, trimmed, shredded finely

Method

Place beans and lentils in a small bowl. Cover with boiling water. Set aside for 1 hour. Drain.
Meanwhile, heat half the oil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add half the beef. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until browned. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining oil and beef.
Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and garlic to pan. Cook for 3 minutes or until tender. Add mushroom and wine. Bring to the boil. Return beef and juices to pan. Add tomato, stock and capsicum. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 1 hour 15 minutes. Add beans and lentils. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until beef is tender. Stir in silverbeet. Cook for 5 minutes or until wilted. Serve.

Osteoporosis: Calcium Deficiency or Excess?

2012-06-20T12:52:00.003+10:00

Osteoporosis is the most widely recognized disease connected with calcium and affects over 15 million people in the USA alone. But did you know that both too little and too much calcium can make your bones fragile? A recent study by the Mayo clinic showed that extra calcium supplementation tripled the risk of non-spinal fractures in women already suffering from osteoporosis.¹ This confirms findings of previous studies that calcium supplementation can increase the risk of hip fractures.⁸ How can this be?

Osteoporosis can be classified into two categories: type I and type II.

Type I Osteoporosis

Type I osteoporosis is the classical type associated with calcium deficiency. It occurs in people with a fast metabolism. An overactive thyroid gland causes the body to partially lose its ability to retain calcium and magnesium. At the same time, activity of the parathyroid gland slows down because thyroid and parathyroid glands are each other’s antagonists². With decreased parathyroid function, cells that normally produce hard bone (osteoblasts) become inactive. Less calcium and magnesium are absorbed into the bone while more is excreted through the kidneys. As a result, bones become deficient in calcium and magnesium, grow brittle and easily break.^1,2 People who suffer from this type of osteoporosis benefit from extra calcium supplementation.

Type II Osteoporosis

People with a slow metabolism, on the other hand, do not benefit from calcium supplementation at all. In fact, the opposite: it makes the problem worse. In their case, a sluggish thyroid triggers increases activity of the parathyroid gland^2,3. This leads to more absorption and retention of calcium, while at the same time increasing the number of cells that break down bones (osteoblasts).^5,6 This allows calcium to be drawn from the bone, weakening the bones. Since the calcium can’t be reabsorbed into the bone due to increased osteoblast activity, the body deposits it in soft tissue. This can result in gall stones, kidney stones, stiffness in joints due to calcium deposits, increased arterial plaque formation^1,8 and dry skin. In those cases calcium supplementation will not solve the problem. In fact, it will make it worse.^1,2,8

Osteoporosis due to insulin resistance

Calcium bone loss can also be the result of an underlying metabolic problem. For instance, people with adult onset diabetes or insulin resistance have an increased insulin production. The pancreas can only release insulin when there is enough calcium available.^4,7To make sure enough calcium is available, the body starts to retain calcium by reabsorbing it in the kidneys, while at the same time the parathyroid also steps up its activity to withdraw calcium stored in the bones. In summary, calcium is stopped from being excreted through the kidneys, and is withdrawn from its storage in bones, to meet the increased demand by the pancreas to produce insulin. Any calcium that is not used for insulin production will not be reabsorbed into the bones due to osteoblast acivity but stored elsewhere, once again not only leading to gall stones, kidney stones etc but also to osteoporosis.¹

How to test?

So how do you know if you should or shouldn’t be taking extra calcium to prevent osteoporosis? A blood test is not useful, because the body will do its utmost to keep levels in the blood the same – either by storing excessive levels in the tissue if levels in blood become too high or withdrawing it from the bones if levels in the blood become too low (homeostasis). It is only when stores in bones are depleted or when the body runs out of tissue to deposit it, that blood levels will start to fluctuate, but by then it is far too late.

Hair Mineral Analysis is more effective way to asses storage levels of calcium. Hair is the second most metabolically active tissue and it provides a reliable record of metabolic activity during its period of growth. The first 4 cm closest to the scalp can provide a good indication of nutrient exposure over the previous 8 – 16 weeks. Mineral deficiencies or excesses can indicate a possible deficiency, excess or bio-unavailability of one or more minerals within the body.

If you are interested in getting a hair mineral analysis done, please contact our clinic on 1300 133 536 or visit our website at:

https://www.massattack.com.au/contactUs.html

References:

1. Dr D.L Watts, “Trace elements and other essential nutrients” – 6^th Writer’s B-L-O-C-K, USA 2010, p 52-58

2. Tortora & Grabrowski, “Principles of anatomy and physiology” 9^th edition, p 581-587 – Biological Sciences Text Books, 2000

3. Tarrage Lopez PJ et all, “Osteoporosis in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism” – Clin Cases Mineral Bone Metabolism, 2011 Sep;8(3):44-8

4. Curry DL, Bennett LL, Grodsky GM: Requirement for calcium ion in insulin secretion by the perfused rat pancreas. Am J Physiol214 :174–178,1968

5. Nagata Mutsuko et all, “Subclinical hypothyroidism is related to lower heel QUS in postmenopausal women” – Endocrine Journal, 2007, vol. 54, n^o4, pp. 625-630

6. Bertoli A, Fusco A, Andreoli A, Magnani A, Tulli A, Lauro D, de Lorenzo A, “Effect of Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Obesity on Whole-Body and Regional Bone Mineral Content” - Horm Res 2002;57:79–84

7. L. Bent-Hansen, K. Capito, C.J. Hedeskov, “The effect of calcium on somatostatin inhibition of insulin release and cyclic AMP production in mouse pancreatic islets” - Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects Volume 585, Issue 2, 12 June 1979, Pages 240–249

8. Reid IR, Bolland MJ, Grey A, “Effect of calcium supplementation on hip fractures” – Osteoporosis Int (2008) 19:1119-1123

Is Your Body Baby Ready?

2012-06-20T10:43:00.000+10:00

If you have been trying to conceive with no success, your body may not be ‘baby ready’. The great news is, making targeted changes can help you to fall pregnant faster and maintain a healthy viable pregnancy.

For many women, the key to improving fertility naturally is to ensure healthy hormonal balance. One such hormone is insulin. This hormone is so easily influenced and is the key to overall hormone balance, regular ovulatory cycles, optimal egg quality, healthy embryo development and implantation. It also plays a role in maintaining the PH of cervical mucus.

So What Exactly Does Insulin Do?

Understanding the influence of insulin is the first step in the right direction to making pregnancy happen. Symptoms of imbalance can include cravings, weight gain, mood swings, headaches and insomnia.

Although maintaining balanced insulin levels can be challenging, it is widely agreed that dietary changes, although an integral component healthy insulin balance; are not the only influence.

Researchers now agree that there are other underlying factors aside from diet such as infection, toxins, digestive problems, stress and immune irregularities that can influence insulin secretion. [i] [ii] [iii] This is why identifying and addressing these underlying factors plays such an important role in ensuring your body is baby ready.

My Solution is Simple.

Solve the Problem That Others Seem to Ignore.

The good news is, improvement in these areas can be achieved with a little helping hand from mother nature. Getting things right takes expertise, guidance and an individualized approach.

The best way to improve fertility naturally is to peel back the layers and get to the root cause. Without this important step, all your efforts may merely be bandaging symptoms. Although this can take time and requires expertise, the results can be startling. Restoring balance to each of these levels will dramatically increase your odds of conceiving. The great news is, with the right guidance and advice, you can restore balance.

In my experience, fertility challenges stem from a combination of factors that don't come down to a single test result or finding. Isolating these causes is fundamental to improving pre-conceptive health. This is why I recommend my patients complete my full fertility profile and assessment.

I've had amazing success with women faced with challenges and am confident to say that once your body is baby ready, you will dramatically increase your odds of falling pregnant faster and have a healthy pregnancy.

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing naturopath and medical herbalist with over 30,000 hrs of in-clinic experience specializing in the natural treatment of women's health and fertility. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award.
To find out more, visit www.bumpfertility.com.au

[i] Wang, C.-H., Wang, C.-C. and Wei, Y.-H. (2010), Mitochondrial dysfunction in insulin insensitivity: implication of mitochondrial role in type 2 diabetes. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1201: 157–165. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05625.x

[ii] Tehrani, A. Bonakdar., Nezami, B. G., Gewirtz, A. and Srinivasan, S. (2012), Obesity and its associated disease: a role for microbiota?. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 24: 305–311. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2012.01895.x

[iii] Yasuhiro Uchida, Kyosuke Takeshita, Koji Yamamoto, Ryosuke Kikuchi, Takayuki Nakayama, Mieko Nomura, Xian Wu Cheng, Kensuke Egashira, Tadashi Matsushita, Hideo Nakamura, and Toyoaki Murohara. Stress Augments Insulin Resistance and Prothrombotic State: Role of Visceral Adipose-Derived Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Diabetes June 2012 61:1552-1561; published ahead of print March 6, 2012, doi:10.2337/db11-0828

Acne, Hormones and Chocolate

2012-06-18T17:52:00.002+10:00

Gone are the days of believing chocolate was to blame for the acne we experienced as teenagers. Personally, I suspect that the spread of this myth was mum’s way of getting us to eat more fruit. Acne is generally an accepted part of growing up, but it is with increasing frequency that we hear of women in their 30’s and 40’s that are still battling this problem.

Acne itself is caused by a blockage of the sebaceous glands of the skin. When there is an overproduction of sebum, excess oil and dead skin cells clog the pores. During puberty, increased hormone levels cause excess sebum production. This provides an important link in identifying a cause of adult acne. Among the many symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances, acne rears its ugly head in quite a few common conditions. It is estimated that 20-30% of women aged between 20 and 40 suffer from acne due to hormonal imbalances.

Let’s look at Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). This condition revolves around an increase in androgens (these are our masculinising hormones), which cause the classic symptoms of erratic/absent ovulation and menstruation, male pattern hair growth, acne and obesity. Looking back quickly to puberty, it’s a little easier to understand why adolescents, especially boys, are affected by acne due to high levels of androgens.

Acne is also a symptom of endometriosis, cysts or fibroids. In some women it occurs during menopause, often accross the upper back area.

Here are some other examples of hormonal factors that can contribute to acne:

Excess weight: fat can convert oestrogen into hormones that behave like androgens, promoting acne by increasing the production of sebum.
Oral Contraceptive Pill: some OCP’s can cause acne by boosting sebum production.
Stress: studies have shown that women who work in competitive environments under stress can overproduce androgens. Many women juggle jobs, friends, family, financial commitments and many other life stresses which make adrenal glands produce more cortisol hormones, which can set off acne. Also, acne itself can cause stress!
Insulin resistance: metabolic abnormalities, such as high insulin levels, can also play a role in female adult acne. The harmful effects of high insulin levels include over-stimulation of the ovaries, which can lead to ovarian cyst formation (e.g. polycystic ovaries), menstrual cycles of variable duration, infertility and higher levels of hormones with testosterone-like effects.

Now, I’m not saying this gives you open reign to a full packet of Tim Tams. It is important to think of the influence your hormones are having on your skin if you want to nip those pimples in the chocolate bud. A full hormonal assessment will help you establish where your areas of imbalance lie and what your best treatment options are.

Watercress, Pistachio and Apple Salad

2012-06-08T12:03:00.000+10:00

Serves 8 as part of a main course

leaves from 4 bunches watercress, trimmed
3 granny smith apples, cored and cut into eighths
juice of 2 lemons
150ml extra virgin olive oil
seal salt and freshly ground black pepper
100g roasted pistachios, chopped roughly
½ cup chopped chives

Rinse the watercress well and pat dry with papertowel. Place the apples in a bowl with half the lemon juice. Whisk the remaining lemon juice with the olive oil, and season to taste. Place the watercress in a large salad bowl with the apples, pistachios, chives and dressing, toss well and serve.

Narelle Stegehuis, CEO of Mass Attack is a practicing naturopath with over 30,000 hrs of in-clinic experience and health editor for Empower magazine. Specializing in the natural treatment of women's hormonal imbalances, she has a trained eye for hormonal weight gain. She is both an accomplished writer and recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award. To find out if your hormones are making you fat, visit http://www.massattack.com.au

Exciting New Research - Tummy Troubles Cause Hormonal Havoc

2012-06-08T11:38:00.000+10:00

Healthy digestion is high up on the list of health priorities for many women. However, did you know, tummy troubles are considered the top triggers of hormone imbalances in women?

Those niggling symptoms of bloating and irregular bowel movements are important signs that things are not right. They are your bodies way of crying out for help. Ignoring these can lead to heightened imbalances in female reproductive hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone and those associated with metabolic performance such as insulin. This combination creates the perfect blend for unexplained weight gain, especially around the middle.

New and Exciting Research

While traditional research indicates rises in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to be due to a combination of genetics, inflammation and environmental influences [i] [ii] [iii][iv] [v] [vi] [vii] [viii] [ix] [x], exciting new research suggests tummy troubles or ‘digestive dysbiosis’ also play a role and contribute to female reproductive disorders [xi] [xii] [xiii] [xiv] [xv] [xvi][xvii] [xviii]. This is one reason why getting on top of your health and maintaining a healthy body weight may prove so challenging!

Break Free and Restore Health

Getting on top of your tummy troubles and health is like peeling back the layers of an onion and takes expertise, experience and time. Establishing the cause of your bloating and digestive upsets is an involved process, requiring professional symptomatic screening techniques and targeted dysbiotic testing. But this is only the first stage. Repairing the damage and restoring balance with medicinal herbs and targeted probiotics is fundamental to finally becoming symptom free.

Narelle Stegehuis, CEO of Mass Attack is a practicing naturopath with over 30,000 hrs of in-clinic experience and health editor for Empower magazine. Specializing in the natural treatment of women's hormonal imbalances, she has a trained eye for hormonal weight gain. She is both an accomplished writer and recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award. To find out if your hormones are making you fat, visit http://www.massattack.com.au

[i] Hossain P, Kawar B, El Nahas M (2007) Obesity and diabetes in the developing world–a growing challenge. N Engl J Med 356: 213–215.

[ii] Lazar M. A (2005) How obesity causes diabetes: not a tall tale. Science 307: 373–375

[iii] Doria A, Patti M. E, Kahn C. R (2008) The emerging genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes. Cell Metab 8: 186–200.

[iv] Rankinen T, Zuberi A, Chagnon Y. C, Weisnagel S. J, Argyropoulos G, et al. (2006) The human obesity gene map: the 2005 update. Obesity (Silver Spring) 14: 529–644.

[v] Walley A. J, Asher J. E, Froguel P (2009) The genetic contribution to non-syndromic human obesity. Nat Rev Genet 10: 431–442.

[vi] Freedman A. S, Freeman G. J, Rhynhart K, Nadler L. M (1991) Selective induction of B7/BB-1 on interferon-gamma stimulated monocytes: a potential mechanism for amplification of T cell activation through the CD28 pathway. Cell Immunol 137: 429–437.

[vii] Wellen K. E, Hotamisligil G. S (2005) Inflammation, stress, and diabetes. J Clin Invest 115: 1111–1119.

[viii] Weisberg S. P, McCann D, Desai M, Rosenbaum M, Leibel R. L, et al. (2003) Obesity is associated with macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue. J Clin Invest 112: 1796–1808.

[ix] Xu H, Barnes G. T, Yang Q, Tan G, Yang D, et al. (2003) Chronic inflammation in fat plays a crucial role in the development of obesity-related insulin resistance. J Clin Invest 112: 1821–1830.

[x] Arkan M. C, Hevener A. L, Greten F. R, Maeda S, Li Z. W, et al. (2005) IKK-beta links inflammation to obesity-induced insulin resistance. Nat Med 11: 191–198.

[xi] Meadows R (2011) Gut Bacteria May Override Genetic Protections against Diabetes. PLoS Biol 9(12): e1001215. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001215

[xii] Cani P. D, Amar J, Iglesias M. A, Poggi M, Knauf C, et al. (2007) Metabolic endotoxemia initiates obesity and insulin resistance. Diabetes 56: 1761–1772.

[xiii] Cani P. D, Bibiloni R, Knauf C, Waget A, Neyrinck A. M, et al. (2008) Changes in gut microbiota control metabolic endotoxemia-induced inflammation in high-fat diet-induced obesity and diabetes in mice. Diabetes 57: 1470–1481.

[xiv] Creely S. J, McTernan P. G, Kusminski C. M, Fisher M, Da Silva N. F, et al. (2007) Lipopolysaccharide activates an innate immune system response in human adipose tissue in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 292: E740–E747.

[xv] Chung S, Lapoint K, Martinez K, Kennedy A, Boysen Sandberg M, et al. (2006) Preadipocytes mediate lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and insulin resistance in primary cultures of newly differentiated human adipocytes. Endocrinology 147: 5340–5351.

[xvi] Spor A, Koren O, Ley RUnravelling the effects of the environment and host genotype on the gut microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol 9: 279–290.

[xvii] Khan, K.N., et al., Toll-Like Receptors in Innate Immunity: Role of Bacterial Endotoxin and Toll-Like Receptor 4 in Endometrium and Endometriosis. Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation, 2009. 68(1): p. 40-52.

Feeling Sick and Tired This Winter?

2012-06-07T15:03:00.001+10:00

Do you dread the winter months when you and your family easily succumb to coughs and colds, sneezing and sniffly noses, headaches, sore throats, or muscular aches and fevers from the flu? These symptoms, whilst normally mild, are the leading causes of days off work and school, and can leave many people feeling sick and tired.

Instigators of a Weakened Immune System

A strong, healthy immune system is able to keep us well, even when those around us are coughing, sneezing and getting sick. There are many factors that may contribute to the weakening of your immune system including stress, poor sleep, a lack of regular exercise, not enough rest and relaxation and making
poor food choices.

What to Do For a Cold or Flu?

Both the common cold and flu are caused by viruses, with the most common virus being rhinovirus. What many people may not realise, is that antibiotics target only bacteria and are not able to kill the viruses responsible for colds and flu. Fortunately there are herbs and nutrients that can help manage these viral
infections and keep your immune defences strong.

Nutrients For Immune Support

Zinc is crucial for immune function as a zinc deficiency may cause a weakened immune response, predisposing you to a longer or more severe cold. Zinc and vitamin C are nutrients essential to good health and have a growing body of scientific evidence to support their benefits in boosting immunity and
strengthening the healing process.

Health-Giving Herbs

The following herbs have been shown to improve immune function and reduce symptoms of the common cold and flu:

Andrographis: Andrographis is an Ayurvedic herb with a long history of use for viral and bacterial infections. Clinical studies have shown that andrographis can reduce the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms.
Picrorrhiza: This herb has been used traditionally in Indian and Chinese medicine to help maintain a normal healthy immune system, and has been shown to exert antiinflammatory and immune-stimulating actions.
Elderberry: Elderberry has traditionally been used for its anti-catarrhal and fever-reducing actions to help relieve the symptoms of colds, and recurrent or acute coughs.

Coughs Keeping You Awake at Night?

A number herbs act on the lungs to help relieve both dry and productive coughs:

Baical Skullcap: This traditional Chinese herbal medicine has been used to reduce coughing, as an expectorant to clear lung congestion and for its anti-inflammatory effects.
Marshmallow Root: Marshmallow helps to soothe the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat, as well as decreasing any irritations in the lungs and respiratory tract.
Liquorice Root: Liquorice is recognised in Western herbal medicine for its soothing, anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties. Liquorice may reduce irritation of the respiratory mucous membranes and aid in the treatment of coughs and bronchitis.
Magnolia: This herb is particularly beneficial in treating moist coughs. It has been traditionally used for reducing phlegm and for calming the coughing and wheezing associated with lung congestion.
Adhatoda: Adhatoda is another herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for respiratory congestion and wheezing. It is a powerful bronchodilator with expectorant properties that assists in clearing lung congestion and phlegm.

Breathe Easy

Do you need relief for your stuffy nose? Mucous congestion and phlegm are signs that your immune system is hard at work, and can result in blocked sinuses and breathing difficulty. The decongesting, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial essential oils of eucalyptus, thyme, lavender and peppermint may help
to reduce the nasal and sinus congestion that accompanies upper respiratory tract infections.

Strengthen Your Immune Defences

Make some simple dietary and lifestyle changes to keep you healthy and reduce your risk of colds and flus:

Eat a well-balanced diet including fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, fish, eggs, legumes and lean red meat.
Reduce your intake of mucous-forming foods such as dairy and refined foods.
Avoid foods low in nutrients such as sugar, white flour products and alcohol.
Drink at least 2L of filtered water every day.
Exercise regularly.
Get a good night’s sleep and take time to rest and relax.

Keeping Well This Winter

Give your body a fighting chance against the common cold or flu this winter. Prevention is always better than cure, so follow the simple dietary and lifestyle tips for building healthy immunity. If you do find yourself sniffling, coughing and sneezing, talk to us today about specific natural tonics to help reduce your symptoms and get you back on your feet sooner.

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing naturopath with over 30,000 hrs of in-clinic experience specializing in the natural treatment of women's health and hormonal imbalances. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award.
To find out more, visit www.massattack.com.au

Natural Support for Bladder Infections

2012-05-29T12:25:00.000+10:00

Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) are two very different conditions experienced by women. Two questions that women often ask are ‘what is the difference?’ and ‘are there effective natural solutions to help?’

So let’s firstly explore the difference between Interstitial cystitis (IC) and non complex Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s).

Interstitial Cystitis is a complex condition of the bladder, caused by the protective bladder lining breaking down. This may be due to infection, inflammation, hormones or autoimmune conditions. With IC symptoms often worse during ovulation and under stress, a ‘neurohormonal' and immune connection is likely for many women [1-6].

Urinary tract Infections however, are infections of the urinary tract. Bacteria that live in the digestive tract, in the vagina, or around the urethra are the most common cause of UTIs. Research also supports the influence of hormones such as estrogen associated with reproductive disorders (Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder, or Endometriosis for example) enhancing the growth of many bacteria associated with recurrent UTI’s [5].

Although symptoms like bladder pain and urinary symptoms, such as frequent voiding (feeling like you want to go to the toilet a lot) and urgency are common to both conditions, IC is vastly different with patients describing pain as intolerable.

So what natural options are available?

Both IC and UTI’s may improve with medical treatment but unfortunately infection associated with both of these may be resistant to traditional antibiotic treatment which means symptoms may recur with time.

Improving bladder and the health of the urinary tract is achievable in two easy steps.

Step 1 Identify the underlying cause
Step 2 Implement a targeted treatment strategy to address the cause

You can also start today by making small changes such as giving up coffee and alcohol and consuming a more alkaline diet. Infact, adapting your diet and lifestyle according to your hormonal profile, can make the world of difference.

Finally, the choice of traditional herbal medicine for IC and UTI’s depends upon the underlying contributing factors to the condition, such as hormones, auto-immunity, central nervous system excitability, bacterial infection, inflammation or digestive weakness . So if you have tried over the counter remedies such as cranberry and still experience symptoms, a personalized herbal tonic by a qualified medical herbalist is best.

These conditions are complex and require an individualized treatment approach. It is recommended that you seek the expertise of a qualified health practitioner and if symptoms persist seek medical advice.

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing naturopath with over 30,000 hrs of in-clinic experience specializing in the natural treatment of women's health and hormonal imbalances. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award.
To find out more, visit www.massattack.com.au

References

1. Grover, S., et al., Role of inflammation in bladder function and interstitial cystitis. Therapeutic Advances in Urology, 2011. 3(1): p. 19-33.

2. Montag, S. and R. Moldwin, Minimally Invasive Therapy for Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome, in Smith's Textbook of Endourology2012, Wiley-Blackwell. p. 1640-1649.

3. Hsieh, C.-H., et al., Treatment of interstitial cystitis with hydrodistention and bladder training. International Urogynecology Journal, 2008. 19(10): p. 1379-1384.

4. Fall, M., P. Hanno, and J. Nordling, Bladder Pain Syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis, Painful Bladder Syndrome, and Hypersensitive Bladder Syndrome: New Nomenclature/New Guidelines. Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports, 2011. 6(3): p. 116-127.

5. Sonnex, C., Influence of ovarian hormones on urogenital infection. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 1998. 74(1): p. 11-19.

6. Theoharides, T.C., et al., Interstitial Cystitis: A Neuroimmunoendocrine Disordera. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1998. 840(1): p. 619-634.

7. Mills, S.B., K., Principles and practice of Phytotherapy2000: Churchill Livingstone.

8. Naish, F.R., J., The Natural Way To Better Babies: preconception health care for prospective parents. Vol. 5. 1996: Random House.

9. Mills, S.B., K., The Essential Guide To Herbal Safety2005: Elsevier, Churchill Livingstone.

10. Sarris, J.W., J., Clinical Naturopathy2010: Elsevier.

11. Pizzorno, J.S., P., Naturopathic Medicine: Fundamentals of Complementary and Integrative medicine.2006, St. Louis: saunders Elsevier.

Moroccan Pumpkin Soup

2012-05-28T15:46:00.003+10:00

This is one of my favorite soups for many reasons. Aside from being budget friendly, it is sustaining, immune boosting and hormone balancing. Enjoy!

Serves 6

Eat Your Way ToBetter Health

1/3 cup olive oil
1.5 liters vegetable stock
1 leek, (white part) thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cinnamon stick
3cm piece ginger, peeled, thinly sliced
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 sweet potato peeled, coarsely chopped
1.5kg butternut pumpkin, peeled, seeded, cut
into pieces
1/3 cup red lentils
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Coriander sprigs to serve
2 tsp salt

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over lowmedium heat and cook leek, garlic and 2 tsp salt, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes or until soft. Add cinnamon, ginger and cumin and stir for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add sweet
potato, pumpkin and red lentils. Stir to coat in onion mixture.

2. Add stock and bring to the boil, then simmer for 50 minutes or until lentils are soft.
3. Remove and discard cinnamon stick from soup. Add lemon juice then process in a food processor or blender until smooth. Return soup to pan and reheat over medium heat.

Serve topped with coriander sprigs.

Weight Loss Queen

Digestive Bugs; a Hidden Cause of Weight Gain in Women

Tired, Bloated and Gaining Weight?

Calendula, Chicken and Avocado Salad

Acidity, Hormones and Weight loss

What Causes Acidity?

Top 5 Acidity Triggers

The Impact of Acidity

How does this affect your weight?

What can you do about this?

How can you measure if you are acidic?

Green Bean Salad

Directions

Is Depression, Caused by Inflammation?

Depression is a leading cause of disability and is the fourth largest cause of burden of disease amongst all diseases (1) and affects one in three women. Anybody who has ever suffered from depression or has a loved one who suffers from it knows how debilitating it can be.

Raised inflammatory markers in depression

Conversely, people who are treated with inflammatory substances (eg interferon in cancer treatment or chronic infections) start to show depression-like symptoms (2) So what is the link between inflammation and depression?

Inflammation depletes serotonin

Where does inflammation start?

What can you do about this yourself?

Green Papaya Salad

Medications & Weight Gain

What's going on?

Overcoming the obstacles

My Journey To Wellness

Detox Your Way To Better Health

Top 5 Questions To Ask Yourself

Toxic Exposure - A Reality of Modern Life

A Safe and Effective Detoxification Program

5 Ways To Start The Detox Process at Home

Make a Clean Start with Professional Help

Our $295 Integrated Detox Program Includes

Call 1300 133 536 to find out more about a safe and effective professional detoxification program to suit you.

Or why not start today?

http://www.massattack.com.au/shopping_cart.php

Corriander Chelation Pesto

Natural Relief For Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial Cystitis - Natural Relief

Outcome:

Getting Sick Too Often?

Zucchini Soup

Tips To Lose Weight

Simone’s Story

Narelle’s Comments

Outcome

Winter Warming Beef Stew

Hearty comfort meals can be healthy. This delicious beef stew, is full of vegetables for added nutrition.

Method

Osteoporosis: Calcium Deficiency or Excess?

Osteoporosis can be classified into two categories: type I and type II.

Is Your Body Baby Ready?

So What Exactly Does Insulin Do?

Acne, Hormones and Chocolate

Watercress, Pistachio and Apple Salad

Serves 8 as part of a main course

Exciting New Research - Tummy Troubles Cause Hormonal Havoc

New and Exciting Research

Break Free and Restore Health

Feeling Sick and Tired This Winter?

Instigators of a Weakened Immune System

What to Do For a Cold or Flu?

Nutrients For Immune Support

Health-Giving Herbs

Coughs Keeping You Awake at Night?

Breathe Easy

Strengthen Your Immune Defences

Keeping Well This Winter

Natural Support for Bladder Infections

So what natural options are available?

Moroccan Pumpkin Soup

This is one of my favorite soups for many reasons. Aside from being budget friendly, it is sustaining, immune boosting and hormone balancing. Enjoy!