1. Healing your skin begins on the inside.
The most important step to getting your skin to its natural, glowing best is to find the causes of your symptoms. Figuring out which food intolerances, environmental stressors, chemicals and underlying conditions could be triggering your symptoms is essential. A qualified nutritionist will help you to begin this journey, go deeper and change your skin for life. You can kick start the process by introducing natural goodies more prominently into your diet, such as: 2. Omega 3 Eczema is an inflammatory condition. These essential fatty acids have wonderful anti-inflammatory properties and actually help new skin grow. To be found in fish oil (think fresh salmon), the oils of nuts, and seeds such as flax and rapeseed (remember, blend or grind these to get the best out of them). 3. Zinc Eczema sufferers, particularly children, are generally low in zinc which suggests the deficiency might be part of the problem. Include varied plant-based sources of zinc in your diet such as pulses, grains, nuts, seeds and tofu. 4. Probiotics A strong healthy gut as a foundation for overall optimal health cannot be emphasised enough! Inflammation begins there, so preventing it or treating it begins there too. Get probiotics into your diet either through foods containing them (e.g. sauerkraut, miso soup, kimchi) or a good supplement. Evidence even suggests that they help to prevent eczema in the first place. 5. Oolong tea A partially fermented Chinese tea that studies have found improves eczema. Just three cups of "black dragon tea" a day can relieve symptoms. The first step really is finding out why your skin is reacting the way it is. Once you know that, everything becomes a lot simpler. Eczema can be a truly stressful, inhibiting condition to be stuck with. But you don’t have to be! Stress-free skin is around the corner. Book a consultation MOT with Jessica today.
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You have probably heard some of the innumerate benefits of fasting by now. But perhaps you didn’t know how regular, extended periods of time without food does wonders for the gut itself, and a healthy gut is the foundation of optimal health.
A recent study on animals showed that restricting food for a period of just twelve hours allows the all-important good bacteria in the intestine to grow and thrive. This friendly flora is good news for your skin, your mood and your weight. A regular mini-fast can speed up your metabolism, improve brain function and most amazingly, increase longevity. Yes, the key to a long life is right there in your belly! While a fast may seem daunting, you can easily work it into your daily routine. Simply cut the late night snacks and give your body the chance to recuperate for twelve hours every evening, for example from 7pm to 7am. Try this for thirty days and see if you notice a difference. Following on from her article on the myth of the complete protein we fact-check some other popular statements about meat.
"High protein meat diets are good for you." False: High protein meat diets contribute to a high turn over of the abrasive and irritating uric acid, which in hight quantities can inflame and damage tissue. The deposits from this acid have been shown to contribute to arthritis in the joints and muscle (myositis). Uric acid is also well-known for its link to gout. Protein is essential but when consumed in the form of meat, it is worth remembering that you are consuming some toxic stuff too. "High protein meat diets are good for building up muscle." False: Can you absorb meat protein effectively? With protein in meat, the body has to work hard to break it down into simple amino acids before it can be used. Protein, and all nutrients, act differently in a acid environment to an alkaline environment. In an acidic environment amino acids bind with minerals, metals and fats causing toxic build up in the body. Proteins are highly acidic forming, lowering the PH balance of the body. The body can then leach minerals from bone and muscle to buffer this acidity. So, yes, you can bulk up on high protein meat diets but you are bulking up on toxicity as well. Stacked amino acids are not necessary to normal bodily functions. This means muscle gain put on by high protein diets will be lost during detoxification. "Undigested flesh can rot for days weeks and years in the intestines" True: Expensive clinical trials - the gold standard of ‘health’ prescriptions by Big Pharma - on the indigestibility of meat by humans have yet to be deemed financially rewarding enough to warrant a full investigation into this claim – so lets look at the evidence we do have available:
"Eating meat causes body odour." True: It might sound macabre but then we are talking about flesh… When we consume flesh, it rots within us. Meat flesh can become impacted on the intestinal wall causing the lining to decay along with the meat. "Eating meat can feed the parasitic kingdom." True: Viruses, bacteria , flukes and the mother of all parasites - worms - feed on waste from flesh protein digestion. Parasites also have an affinity for weakened and damaged tissue – it is their job to decompose it. You have probably seen a decomposing dead animal with grey-green flesh. Not to put you off your sausages, but pretty similar, in fact to the colour our meats would look if the meat processor didn’t treat the dead flesh with colour additives like sodium nitrates and nitrites to make it look deceptively pink and more appealing than the sickly grey colour of death… Yep. Morbid. Because humans can eat like carnivores, we must therefore be carnivores. False: This doesn’t just pose a moral question, but one of logic: mere behaviour does not equate to suitability or ‘naturalness’. Unlike many other living things we evidently possess the power of imagination, the ability to define ourselves, to make choices. We also possess the distinct ability to wipe out life on earth as we know it. There are many things we can do as a species like… shooting each other, lobbing hand grenades, tailgating or trolling someone. Well, ‘I can, so why not…’ has never really been a valid reason to do anything. The power of choice is only as potent as the awareness granted the subject to choose. Transitioning from a meat to plant based diet can be challenging on an emotional, mental and physical level. Seeking the support of a nutritional therapist is highly advised. High-protein meat based diets have been promoted by our top health professionals for generations. Huge swathes of populations have depended on these protein guidelines for reliable, evidence-based, health advise. Naturopath Nutritionist, Jessica House, separates fact from fiction as she debunks some of the theories around protein in our diets. Myths are a staple diet of mankind and have been for centuries, especially those surrounding food; the formula-milk myth, the bread-fibre myth, the calorie myth... the list goes on. There are many 'facts' we are told about the nutritional value of our food that because of the authoritative voices spouting them, such as doctors or a newspaper, we see as binding, gospel truth. The myth I am putting on the table here is the complete protein myth. What exactly is it? It is the idea that meat is the most effective and bountiful source of protein and therefore our bodies need it; that we need to eat meat for optimum health. It is often the first reason of objection to vegetarianism, veganism or a plant-based diet from our meat-eating friends. The problem with this kind of imperative language is that is effectively removes our power of choice. You have to eat meat, is either the overt message or the subtext that comes with this ubiquitous myth. It is true that protein is very much essential. The word protein comes from the Greek ‘prōtos’ which means ‘the first one’. Protein is a fundamental structure; an essential part of all living organisms. It is made up of amino acids, the bricks of the structure. The question is, when building your fundamental structure, do you want use the bricks from an old, already built house - the grouped animo acids from animals? Or, do you want new, simple, easy-to-build bricks - the simple amino acids from plants? The complete protein theory (or myth) states, paradoxically, that you should use the old bricks from the old house to build a new, strong, clean structure. To drop the metaphor, it is saying that unless we eat food that contain all the 9 essential amino acids in one meal we cannot have the building blocks necessary to create a ‘complete protein’ and we will there become deficient. You might also have heard that plant protein is ‘incomplete’ compared to meat protein, and that plant foods have to be carefully combined to make a ‘complete’ protein. As far as science goes, this is little more than an urban legend, propagated in 2001 by the American Heart Assocation (AHA). When challenged for its inaccuracy by John A. McDougall, who insisted they back up their assertion with evidence, the AHA could not do so. Thus the myth of a complete protein - attainable only through eating meat - was never scientifically proven. Yet the myth is perpetuated to this day. Take a look at the numbers for yourself. This information has been publicly available on the USDA for decades and shows common plant based foods with all 9 of the essential amino acids. Fruits, nuts, vegetables and pulses are much simpler for the body to break down and rich in dynamic energy, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals. Tip: the organic variety are likely to enhance and sustain the planet for generations to come and who doesn’t want to be able to point at their tummy and say to their grand children “no animals were harmed in the making of this”?
Here’s to your choice! Thinking about going meat-free? Seeking the support of a nutritional therapist is highly advised. To receive the latest info, support or to book an appointment with Jessica, click here. Antenatal Hypnobirthing Course starting Friday 11th March at 6.30pm.
Are you keen to create a positive birthing experience for you and your baby? Come and joins us for an evening of positive birthing preparation at the Greenwich Naturopathy Clinic – 2 College Approach SE10 9HY Due to the intimate nature of the programme spaces subject to limited availability please PM us or contact Lucy on 0786 2727 315 to secure your space now. by Jessica House, GNC, Naturopath Nutritional Therapist A top issue for many of our clients at the nutrition & naturopathy clinic is how to move through the Christmas festive period with as little side effect as possible. So here are our top 3 simple processes you can follow to ensure lots of gain with as little pain. 1) Eat clean
Simply put, clean eating is meat & diary, free high in fruits and vegetables, nuts, & seeds with some grains. Keep your breakfast vegan – so opt for smoothie with added flaxseed and almonds for protein. Can you squeeze in a three day vegan plan? Between parties and social gatherings? The more you can detoxify in between social occasions; the more you can take the onslaught of toxins and other festive joys like alcohol and the odd sugar binge-office treat -here and there. For a quick and easy solution to clean eating try out the offerings at www.mydetoxdiet.com. 2) Support you liver The master detox organ is the liver, and works closely with the gut and kidneys to get toxins out of your system. Supplementing with milk thistle herbal supplement to support the liver, psyllium husk to support the gut and fresh cold pressed juices to support the kidneys will keep you in a favourable balance of toxins OUT: nutrients IN. So no matter how late a night you have, You and Your skin are glowing. 3) Tackle the hang over with the following combo: For each glass of alcohol you drink take an equal quantity of water (this can be later when you get home – so try to keep count ; ). 4 hours after your last meal take activated charcoal – this binds to 4 times its weight in poisons and noxious substances to remove them from the body. Take 4g of vitamin C Wake up feeling as fresh as a daisy. Well sort of. At the GNC, we don't believe in deprivation, diets or counting calories. Take these steps to ensure a fun and festive period with as little side effect as possible. For further advice, or to book a food intolerance screen or health & nutrition MOT for the best possible start to your year pop on over to our website for a range of solutions to support you optimizing your health & wellbeing. As part of our health MOT screening at the Greenwich Naturopathy Clinic we include parasitology testing as part of our offering. Clients are often alarmed when their results indicate the presence of parasites. Yet we are hosts to many parasites - most of them microbial... So what does the parasite screening tell us and why is it useful to determining the state of your health?
Parasites are natures way of eliminating weak, toxic, cells and tissue in order that the strong vital cells survive. Parasites range in size from smallest to largest: viruses, bacteria, yeast, protozoa and worms (Nematodes). Your screening results will tell us the type of parasite that you may be unwittingly harbouring and we use that information to tailor make your nutritional health restoration programme by supporting the repair and restoration of the tissue and cells on which it feeds. For instance the indication of high levels of bacteria suggest lymph congestion. the lymph moves cellular waste and by products out of the system through its septic streams. Bacteria loves complex carbohydrates, refined sugars and milk and starch by products. This is when you 'catch a cold'the body starts purging the lymphatic system causing a discharge of mucus and the parasites (in this case bacteria) that live with in. We particularly notice this purging through the main elimination channels (sinuses, lungs, kidneys and bowels) but a the aches and pains we experience also suggest that the entire system is purging itself. In this instance a 3 day juice cleanse may be warranted to further flush unwanted toxins and dead tissue from the body. The presence of flukes, (which look like jelly fish) mainly grow and accumulate in the liver and pancreas. When they grow in the pancreas they can cause digestive problems and diabetes. Worms can travel through the body but especially love the liver, heart and GI tract including the stomach. So the name of the parasite the locality in which its found (lymph, sinuses, brain, small intestines) assist us to get to the root cause of your health concerns. A parasite cleansing and health restoration programme is normally around three months depending on the severity of your symptoms. The health restoration seeks to purify the body and clear it of mucus and impurities and strengthen your cells. The mydetoxdiet juice cleanse programmes are ideal for an immediate jump start to clear away the parasites favourite food source - toxins and debris in the blood! Remember the parasites are only there because they thrive on toxicity and mucus as their food source. Not sure where to begin? Give our degree qualified therapists a call on 07946 995 708 to discover how we can help you achieve your health goals. This week is allergy awareness week. Food allergies and food intolerance are sometimes confused with each other, but they are quite different in terms of their origin, symptoms and treatment.
Food Allergy A food allergy is an acute immune reaction that never reaches the gut. The immune system mistakes the food for a dangerous-foreign-substance and goes into overdrive to fight it off. This results in the release of histamine and other naturally occurring chemicals in the body. It is this release of histamine and chemicals, which produce the symptoms we recognise as an allergic reaction. We call this a true allergic (immune) response. The most severe form of food allergy can result in anaphylactic shock. This usually starts with an immediate blotchy rash, swelling of the lips, tongue or face, and then throat constriction, swelling of the airways, breathing difficulties and low blood pressure. The only reliable tests for allergic reactions are blood test IGE or RAST (Radio-immuno diffusion Test). Food Intolerance With a food intolerance, on the other hand, the immune systems is usually activated in the gut. Partially digested food enters the blood stream and triggers an immune system reaction by aggravating the mast cells in the gut’s mucous membrane. The reactions are more likely to be delayed - occurring several hours and sometimes up to several days after eating the offending food. The symptoms of food intolerance are diverse and dependent on the organ systems impacted by the increased toxicity load created by a permeable gut. Localised symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids and IBS. Systemic symptoms include skin conditions including hives, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea & allergic dermatitis. Long term issues associated with food intolerance are anxiety and depression, mouth ulcers, aching joints and muscles, fatigue, headaches/migrains, sinus and mucus problems, autism, ADHD, and weight gain. Many people will seek stimulants such as tobacco, coffee, tea, sweets, or coke drinks to combat their stress and depleted energy reserves further weakening their system. The most common food intolerances are wheat, yeast and dairy products and chemicals that are produced naturally in foods. For instance, caffeine in coffee, salicylates which are a kind of natural pesticide found in many plants, and histamines in foods like strawberries, chocolate and cheese. Another possible cause of food intolerance is to additives in foods, these can be found in the form of sulphites, which are added to processed foods to give them a longer shelf life. They can also be found in fruit drinks and wine. Testing The gold standard to find out which foods are causing an adverse reaction in an individual is by keeping a very clear good and symptoms diary. I find that along side bioenergetics testing foods can be quickly identified and unlike a food allergy food intolerances can be reversed. Although we also use blood testing my preferred method is by monitoring the natural energetic response of acupuncture points to test signals, the tests are non-invasive and are produced immediately. By overloading the body with foods mistaken as ‘enemies’ the immune system is overworked and a lot of vital energy is wasted. When these foods are avoided this vital energy can be redirected to cellular and DNA repair aiding you to restore your health and optimise wellbeing. To find out more about the testing or to make a booking please contact our team of specialist food sensitivity experts. In the uk naturopathy is an emerging discipline that many have never heard of. In the US - on the other hand -naturopathy is a well established practice. What is a naturopath? and why should you trust one!?
A Naturopath is a health practitioner who applies natural therapies and here are the six fundamental healing principles that naturopathic practitioners adheres to:
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