Episodes
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An unmissable podcast exploring the challenges of setting up a successful CAM practice post covid, when most people now accept the need to be communicating and offering online services.
In this unmissable podcast for anyone looking to set up or expand their CAM practice, Andrew discusses with Mary Greensmith, founder of Homeopathy 247 and Natural Health Courses Online, the challenges that CAM Graduates face as they start to take their clinical practice online.
Mary explains that within her courses, designed to mentor CAM practitioners through their start-up challenges, how important it is to build a strong repour with potential clients, and methods to identify potential people with similar interests, rather than waste hours on ineffective social media.
In short, these courses can save would-be CAM practitioners hours of time and expense when setting up their practice.
learn more: https://postgrad-homeopath.com/courses-for-health-practitioners/
Save 25% off course throughout August for all CAM practitioners https://naturally-minded.mykajabi.com/offers/2DFEuNZh/checkout?coupon_code=BUILDMYBUSINESS25
sign up here: https://postgrad-homeopath.com/build-your-international-homeopathic-practice-webinar/ -
Andrew and Barbara Wren explore the physiological effects of stress in connection with Cellular hydration.
In this insightful podcast, we look at ways that we can self-empower ourselves with techniques and an understanding of how to best handle the anxiety we all seem to be facing more and more these days.
Looking at protecting our levels of hydration and appropriate electrolyte levels to enable us to deal with this pressure more efficiently. Reviewing the role of juicing, smoothies, and broths, when promoting great hydration with a more alkaline manner and its effects on Henrik Krammers 16 stages of cellular change.
www.conellaholdings.com -
Missing episodes?
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Andrew Wren talks to Barry Tanner.
In this interview, Andrew Wren explores the function, funding, and processes applied in cases that involve either the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and Trading Standards Office (TSO) and review their differing legal powers to enforce any suggested infringement of regulations, whilst also reviewing the latest resurgence of cases now coming out of the Surrey and Buck’s TSO. Barry Tanner is a regulatory consultant to the CAM sector with over 25 years of experience in developing regulatory processes, dealing with Government bodies, and acting as a Professional Witness for both the Crown Prosecution Services and private litigators whilst also serving as the regulatory lead for a number of professional associations. Within these roles, Barry has assisted the successful defense of many CAM practitioners.
We also discuss the increasing need for membership bodies to start educating their members about these potential issues, and instruct their members on options to reduce the risk of conflict; for example, knowing where to get your site reviewed to avoid controversial content before launching, and understanding how one can use content previously thought forbidden, such as clients’ testimonials. We also explore the role of our practitioner insurance, in defending any such challenges. It’s a must for all CAM practitioners. -
The first in the series of webinars by Conella.
In this episode, Andrew interviews the renowned, Naturopath, teacher and author, Barbara Wren.
In this episode, Andrew interviews the renowned, naturopath and teacher Barbara Wren, who is also the author of the bestselling books Cellular Awakening and our Return to the Light.
During this fascinating interview, Andrew and Barbara explore many of the key naturopathic principles, that have been forgotten in many of today’s nutritional teachings and practices. For example, the importance of embracing the controversial idea that we have the ability to store and convert light into energy, whilst acknowledging the seamless connection this has to Heinrich Kremer’s observations of the 16 stages of cellular change, i.e. cells change from healthy “aerobic” cells (80% oxygen – 20% glucose), that can capture and hold light effectively, to the other extreme of the spectrum “anaerobic” cells that are (80% glucose and 20% oxygen) and are far less effective at converting light into energy, to produce ATP, (as low as 1;16th as effective) which is essential for healthy respiratory function.They also discuss the importance of being able to identify predispositions in a naturopathic client, and the need to interpret this within the key principles of Hering’s law of cure, and the importance of addressing cellular dehydration and the role of high spin water.
In short, it’s a thought-provoking talk that sets your mind spinning with the endless possibilities open to us to optimise our health and wellbeing.
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Blood tests were originally envisaged as a way of helping to diagnose diseases. Since their inception, the number of ailments tested for has risen dramatically, along with the volume of ‘routine’ tests we’re exposed to.
The latter are typically carried out when there is nothing actually wrong with the patient. While these may be slightly unpleasant, they’re viewed as a necessary evil because they’re only minimally invasive and can yield supposedly valuable information about our health.
A phrase that’s often used to justify these blood tests is ‘better safe than sorry. However, while these may seem like only a minor inconvenience, it’s easy to lose sight of the enormous amount these tests cost the National Health Service each year.
The way we justify this expense is by looking at blood tests as a preventative measure; as the only way of ensuring that we are, in fact, as healthy as we appear. However, we’re not avoiding any sort of disastrous outcome if we are in fact healthy to begin with!
Even where these results say we’re healthy, though, how can we be certain we actually are? We rarely stop to question the validity of these findings, but can it perhaps be dangerous to accept what we’re told - and, ergo, the standard way of doing things - without any wider questions being raised?
That’s what we’ll explore in this discussion piece.
How are blood test results interpreted?
When you have a blood test, the results of that test are compared to the normal and accepted range for healthy individuals. These numbers indicate the lower and upper limits, and if your results fall outside of them, you’re considered to have an issue.
However, there is no ‘manual of life’ to tell us where these figures should fall. Medical professionals have invented these ranges by taking the results of lots of seemingly healthy individuals and creating an average.
So how did we manage before blood tests were invented? If we look at medical case history, taking naturopathy and other forms of early medicine into account, it becomes clear that we were able to assess the health of individuals long before we developed these methods.
This raises obvious questions. Firstly, if we can evaluate someone’s health without a blood test, why is it necessary to carry them out on such a frequent basis? Secondly, if a person looks and feels healthy but their blood tests disagree, are they unhealthy or not? Thirdly, if a person feels unwell but blood tests as being healthy, is the blood test correct or their lived experience?
This is a major issue with modern medicine. We have decided that the blood test is more important than any other diagnostic tool and that it overrides what we actually feel. This becomes problematic once we realise that an industry that benefits from us being ill is the one deciding on whether or not we’re healthy.
This can thus cause us to question ourselves. We may feel perfectly well, but if a test tells us otherwise, we’re expected to take action. The medical establishment suggests we must act immediately, undergoing costly treatments to make ourselves ‘well’ again i.e. to make numbers on paper align.
These blood tests are meant to provide a clear picture of how our bodies and their internal systems are operating. This means flagging up any organs that are being overworked or coming under strain. For example, if high levels of a particular hormone are detected, the assumption is that the gland producing these has become overactive. Similarly, if low levels of nutrients are uncovered, medical professionals suggest we should be supplementing these........ read on -
As individuals, we are all exposed to a variety of substances on a daily basis, from the foods we eat to the household and hygienic products we use to environmental agents. This constant exposure can cause the bloodstream to become overloaded with allergens, inflammatory agents (e.g., bacteria, fungi, antigens), undigested food, and even fibrin, which is a blood clot-forming protein. The buildup of these types of substances can put a strain on the immune system and subsequently lead to the increased production of pro-inflammatory proteins that can worsen pain or discomfort, making it harder to recover and cause immune hypersensitivity. Certain remedies may cause side effects and even weaken the immune response by design (such as allergy and arthritis medications), while others can target harmful invaders, promote cleansing and detoxification, and strengthen the immune system.
One beneficial range of natural remedies that can support a healthy immune and inflammatory response are proteolytic enzymes. Beneficial proteolytic enzymes include peptidase, nattokinase, protease, papain, and bromelain. These enzymes support the complete digestion of proteins from foods, and certain other circulating protein particles. They may even help cleanse the body of harmful toxins and microorganisms.
When there is an excessive buildup of undigested food (e.g., sugars, fats, proteins, etc.), toxins, fibrin, and infectious agents, these substances can be transferred to the large intestines or bloodstream where antibodies attach to them and create what are known as circulating immune complexes (CICs). Antibodies bind to undigested food particles and other harmful substances as a means of signaling the immune system to increase the production of white blood cells that can seek out and destroy them. The human body needs food (macronutrients) for energy, growth and repair and to keep warm. We need many nutrients on a daily basis in order to stay healthy. The three main nutrient groups in food are carbohydrates, protein and fats. A normal digestive system can quickly convert macronutrients into micronutrients like amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
A less than optimal digestive system may not properly convert foods into nutrients. This may lead to a condition known as leaky gut (LG). With LG, partially digested foods may enter the circulatory system and begin to decompose into CIC’s. High levels of CICs can put a strain on the immune system and reduce its ability to fight off other infectious agents. Accordingly, CICs are linked to the onset of various complications [8]. More specifically, the accumulation of CICs may cause abnormal cortisol levels as well as chronic systemic inflammation that is associated with the onset of cardiovascular, blood sugar, memory, and even metabolic issues.
Peptidase and nattokinase, in particular, target substances that cause fluid accumulation, inflammation, and swelling. This leads to rapid drainage and cleansing away from the affected region. This process also shortens the recovery period. Peptidase is especially unique as this enzyme is produced by non-pathogenic bacteria called Serratia sp. E-15, which is localized in the intestines of silkworms. This powerful enzyme breaks down the walls of the chrysalis that silkworms grow in as they begin to undergo metamorphosis, the process through which they become moths. Based on this discovery, it was proposed that this enzyme is capable of breaking down dead tissue without damaging an organism’s healthy cells. This property heightens immunity by promoting the destruction and detoxification of harmful substances that the immune system is normally tasked with addressing.
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Checkout this video by Barbara Wren, where she explains how cellular dehydration is at the very core of understanding how to optimise our health and wellbeing https://youtu.be/-EWZ4y1VQBE
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These days the term naturopathic is bounded around by a wide range of health providers who want to associate their activities with an ability to work with natural rhythms that influence our bodies, for example the circadian rhythm, in a non-suppressive manner. Yet on closer inspection, we have to ask how many really live up to this esteemed label?
An example of this quandary is the controversial question; does our diet affect our health and do we need to supplement this diet?
The trouble with trying to answer these questions is that we assume there’s a simple yes or no answer when the truth is a little more complicated.
To help us get into the subject deeper we need to revisit the great debate that took place between Antoine Béchamp and Louis Pasteur in the mid 1850s. In this debate Antoine Béchamp demonstrated his theory that all disease comes from within and it’s our internal environmental changes that brings about the opportunity for disease (dis-ease) to progress, leaving the responsibility for our health entirely in our own hands, the science of epigenetics supports this theory further, while also challenging the gene theory. In contrast, Louis Pasteur believed that all disease comes from an external invasion (the germ theory) and therefore these invasions should be simply eradicated, which often leads to rapid, sometimes impressive responses from the body, yet this approach also has the potential to weaken our natural immune reactions in the future. Orthodox gene theory, has the advantage of removing any self-responsibility for an individual’s health issues, as it suggests our destiny is already mapped out for us from birth, so simply sit back and enjoy the ride, none of this is your fault!
History shows that Louis Pasteur won the day and the support of big pharma who took his theory and created a multibillion-pound industry based on this view. However, this view can never really sat comfortably with any traditionally trained naturopath, who by their very definition embrace the Béchamp theory of disease development and there are suggestions that this didn’t sit well with Pasteur at the end too “On his deathbed, Louis Pasteur said "Bernard was correct. I was wrong. The microbe (germ) is nothing. The terrain (milieu) is everything."
If the answer is within us, how can we monitor and influence the progression of disease?
Naturopaths should follow the principles of “Herings Law of Cure”, which clearly demonstrates that to truly rid the body of toxicity (dis-ease or inflammation) illness must be seen to leave the body from the top to the bottom, from the greater organs to the lesser organs and in the reverse order in which they manifested. Therefore if a disease state suddenly disappears we should ask how it happened and where has it gone, more often it’s sent deeper into the cellular levels of the body.
These days nutritionists are all too often being attracted by pseudo medical tests, rather than relying on naturopathic observation, often leading to expensive recommendations that need constant tinkering
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COVID-19 has been having a huge impact on all our lives over the past few months: socially, emotionally, and financially. The current government restrictions have meant that normal life, and all its freedom, is unlikely to be fully reinstated for the foreseeable future, in a bid to slow down the infection rate. But the origin of this ‘virus’ is still unclear and is a vaccine our only hope of seeing a return to normal life?
There is an abundance of existing work, research and theories surrounding COVID-19 and similar viruses which remain fairy undiscussed in the mainstream. For people to make truly informed decisions, it's important to gain a holistic view of all available research and facts. Maybe then we might become empowered enough to make informed decisions about the way we choose to view and approach the subject in question.
I don’t know about you, but in a bid to reduce society's fear of the current pandemic, I feel a strong need to obtain a greater insight into the real challenges our frontline workers are facing. Whilst doing so, it's become evident that the answer might come from identifying what caused historic pandemics. listen to learn more..
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This week Andrew Wren interviews Barbara Cousins, the author of the wonderful cook book entitled "Easy, Tasty, Healthy Food".
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According to a panel of experts from the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN UK), the ongoing situation surrounding Coronavirus could soon lead to dietary deficiencies among the country’s population, with a potentially detrimental impact on our immune function and ability to fight disease.
In the view of CRN UK, if existing circumstances prevail, we could soon begin to experience a severe lack of certain micronutrients in our diets, including vitamins A, B, C, and D, and minerals such as copper, iron, selenium, and zinc.
Professor David Richardson, a scientific advisor for the body, explains: “Although messages about the importance of a balanced diet and a healthy active lifestyle underpin nutritional advice to the public, now, more than ever, there is also a need for evidence-based scientific advice about the role food supplements play in the provision of essential nutrients.”
According to Professor Richardson, food supplements have long formed part of the strategic dietary recommendations handed out by medical professionals to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, women at various stages of the reproductive lifecycle, and young people.
As Professor Richardson explains, one of the reasons for this is that these supplements can play a key role in supporting immune function among individuals of all ages; a truth that is more fundamental to our wellbeing now, with Covid-19 impacting the world around us, than it has ever been before.
The takeaway from this is simple: that by refining our eating and focusing on our nutrient intake, we have the power to enhance our immune response and give ourselves an improved chance of staying well and healthy moving forward.
The BDA’s recommendations
While it’s easy to feel hopeless and/or helpless in the current situation, now is actually the time to be proactive about our health, and one way to support your immune system is by ensuring that you’re taking care of your body by eating a balanced diet.
According to the British Dietetic Association (BDA), this should include a number of essential vitamins and minerals, including copper, iron, folate, zinc, selenium, and vitamins A, B, C, and D, all of which can play an important role in enhancing immune function.
The organisation states that those who are self-isolating or not able to go outdoors should take this advice particularly seriously, and recommend that they add a daily supplement of vitamin D to their diets to make up for the lack of natural sunlight they are experiencing.
They suggest that this key vitamin can be included in our diets not only through the addition of supplements, but by eating certain foodstuffs too, such as cod liver oil, infant formula, oily fish, and certain yoghurts that have had vitamin D added.
Supporting your mental health
According to the CRN UK, adding these key foodstuffs to your diet can not only help to support immune function but can be beneficial to your mental health too, with many finding that current circumstances are taking a significant toll on this.
Indeed, a number of studies show a correlation between poor mental state and nutritional deficiencies and health conditions stemming from brain-based inflammation, which is believed to be strongly linked to gut health.
Supporting this, there is further research to indicate that particular food supplements, like omega-3, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins B and D, can help in improving people’s emotional wellbeing, while also relieving conditions such as depression and anxiety.
World Health Organisation guidance
In a further show of solidarity, the World Health Organisation has also taken the unprecedented step of releasing supportive nutritional guidance at this time, emphasising that a good and balanced diet is key “in times when the immune system might need to fight back.”
As well as limiting the inta -
What are they?
Probiotics are live bacteria, or microorganisms, found in the digestive tract which have been shown to benefit human health and contribute to a healthy microbiome. The microbiome refers to the balance of different types of bacteria in the gut and a healthy microbiome contains plenty of beneficial strains (or probiotics). Numerous studies show that a healthy microbiome can positively influence many aspects of human health, including digestion, mental health, and immunity.
Probiotics are found in certain fermented foods like yoghurt, kimchi (fermented and spiced vegetables), kombucha (fermented tea), sauerkraut (fermented cabbage), kefir (fermented milk or water), tempeh and miso (fermented soya). Probiotics may also be taken as a food supplement.
Probiotics are also passed from mother to baby via the birth canal during childbirth and via breast milk. The mother’s probiotic status is, therefore, an important consideration during pregnancy, given that her baby will also inherit the same microbiome.
There are a number of different probiotic strains, but the most studied strains with proven health benefits include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium varieties, as well as the yeast saccharomyces boulardii.
How do they work?
The health benefits of probiotics relate to the following mechanisms: -
Improved integrity of the epithelial barrierThe epithelial barrier is a defence mechanism that helps to maintain the integrity of the gut and protect the rest of the body from bacteria, food antigens and other potentially toxic substances passing into the bloodstream and triggering an inflammatory response. Consumption of non-pathogenic bacteria can enhance this barrier function, and probiotic bacteria have been extensively studied for their involvement in the maintenance of this barrier. It is not yet fully understood how probiotics achieve this, but Lactobacillus, in particular, has been found to achieve positive results.
Increased adhesion to the intestinal mucosaFor humans to benefit from probiotics, adhesion to the intestinal mucosa is essential. This adhesion enables modulation of the immune system and antagonism against pathogens. Various strains of Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium have been shown in studies to have these adhesion properties.
Inhibition of pathogen adhesionProbiotics cause alterations in the intestinal mucins which prevent pathogens from binding to the intestinal barrier. These beneficial bacteria are degraded into antimicrobial peptides, which lends anti-pathogenic properties to the host when under attack from pathogens.
Competitive exclusion of pathogenic microorganismsStudies show probiotics, particularly Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium, can crowd out and exclude pathogenic microorganisms.
Production of anti-microorganism substancesProbiotics are involved in the production of several anti-microbial substances including organic acids, Bacteriocins, health promoting fatty acids and de-conjugated bile acids, all of which work to eliminate pathogens.
Modulation of the immune systemProbiotics have been well researched for their immunomodulating properties. They can influence both the innate and adaptive immune systems and downregulate intestinal inflammation (Bermudez-Brito et al, 2012). Around 80% of human immune system
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This week - David Green reviews the role of a lesser noncompound INDOLE, a special compound present in many cruciferous foods, like broccoli, Kale, Cauliflower, Cabbage, and even our own gut bacteria and its protective role in protecting our livers against Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver (NAFLD)that is reported to affect a staggering 33% of all UK adults.
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I for one place a lot of faith in castor oil packing as a beneficial naturopathic technique. Administered for its anti-inflammatory and circulatory properties, it has been used as a natural remedy in countries across the world for centuries.
Naturally occurring in India, castor oil has long been used in Ayurveda, a school of eastern medicine. Believed to be possessed of ‘hotness’, it was traditionally harnessed as a tool for resolving digestive issues and expelling toxins.
However, its medicinal benefits extend far beyond this, to include:
• Pain relief and the reduction of inflammation
In modern medicine, drugs are widely prescribed to help combat pain and inflammation, despite evidence indicating their potential to adversely affect the digestive tract and hinder the ability of joint tissues to heal and repair. Castor oil can be used as a safer alternative, with topical application of it shown to be highly effective.
• Detoxification and improved liver function
Castor oil can also be effective in supporting detoxification and liver function. One theory suggests that this efficacy is due to its emission of white light, which is believed to penetrate deep into the tissues, and stimulate cellular energy to reduce congestion and the stagnation of fluids.
• Resolving constipation
Understandably, constipation can inhibit effective detoxification, as well as causing bloating, discomfort, and ineffective nutrient absorption, but castor oil can help with this too. Generally applied alongside some form of heat, such as a hot water bottle, it can relax the muscles and sphincters in the colon to allow easy passage for faecal matter.
• Improving skin health
Castor oil has long been used to effectively treat inflammatory skin conditions. Increasing the presence of T-lymphocyte immune cells that exist below the surface of the skin, it supports the body’s immune response to help combat these unfortunate and often uncomfortable issues.
• Healing cysts
The anti-inflammatory and circulatory properties of castor oil packing have the additional boon of helping to manage cysts, both internal and external.
• Fixing dry eyes
Last but not least, castor oil is commonly used to help remedy dry eyes. Frequently caused by Meibomian gland dysfunction, its application can significantly lessen symptoms and improve lubrication.
Word of Caution: Castor oil packing should only be applied on the recommendations of a registered naturopath or practitioner.
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Since the publication of two papers in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, by husband and wife team, George and Mildred Burr in the early 1900s, highlighting the potential health benefits of Omega 3, our understanding of this fascinating subject has developed precipitously, attracting vast media interest, fuelling an insatiable global demand estimated to be worth a staggering fifty-seven billion by 2025. Despite this huge global demand, there remains much controversy within the media and medical profession, so what do we really know about the role of Omega 3 and its health-promoting properties.
What are essential fatty acids and why are they important?
Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid because the body cannot produce it, therefore it is necessary for us to obtain it through diet. Omega-3 fatty acids have many important health benefits, including a role in reducing inflammation and in heart, brain, and nervous system health. According to a Mintel - Attitudes towards Healthy Eating – UK, February 2017 Report, 29% of UK adults believe they are not getting enough ‘good’ fats (such as omega-3).
All fatty acids, including omega-3, are made up of chains of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Omega-3 is polyunsaturated, which means it has two or more bonds in its chemical structure.
Omega-6 is another essential fatty acid (also polyunsaturated), but unlike omega-3, omega-6 is thought to be pro-inflammatory when consumed excessively. Omega-6 is important for energy production and plays an important role in the immune system, but this pro-inflammatory action can occur when too many of the signaling molecules called eicosanoids are produced by omega 6. However, certain types of omega-6 fatty acids have been associated with certain health benefits. Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) is a type of omega-6 found in oils such as evening primrose and borage oils. Studies have found that GLA may reduce symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis, nerve pain in people with diabetic neuropathy and hypertension. In addition, it may also increase the efficacy of drugs used to treat breast cancer. Conjugated-Linolenic Acid (CLA) is another form of omega-6 which has been associated with potential health benefits. One large study found that taking CLA supplements daily significantly reduced body fat mass in humans.
For humans to benefit from omega-3 fatty acids, the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 in our diets is very important. Humans developed on a diet that mainly consisted of wild game, marine life, and plants, which would have provided an omega 6:3 ratio of around 1:1. The challenge today, with conventional farming and heavily processed foods rich in omega-6, is our diets are becoming much higher in omega-6 and lower in omega-3 fatty acids, which, scientists believe is leading to increased inflammation and associated health problems. A typical western diet today has an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of around 16:1. This is one of the main reasons why practitioners often recommend clients top-up their omega-3 intake with supplements, along with making dietary changes, such as eating organic and grass-fed meat, which contains a more healthy ratio of omega 6 to 3.
Although there are 11 types of omega-3 in total, the three most important types of omega-3 fatty acids are ALA, EPA and DHA. ALA is mostly found in plants, whilst EPA and DHA appear in oily fish and algae. So, let’s look a little closer at these different omega-3 fatty acids.
1. ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid)
ALA, or Alpha-Linolenic Acid can be obtained from a variety of plants and seeds, including kale, s
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The importance of the liver for overall health
The liver is the second largest organ (after the skin) of the human body and probably has the most diverse metabolic activity. It is part of the digestive system and performs many vital functions. Many of these processes happen on membranes, either the plasma membrane or internal membranes of organelles, which are thought to add up to 33,000 square meters of the surface area [Kidd, 1996]. This is one probable reason why supporting healthy membranes through phospholipids may have such a protective effect on the liver.
The blood supply of the liver is different from other organs in that it receives oxygenated blood through the hepatic artery, but also deoxygenised blood from the digestive tract through the hepatic portal vein which is rich in absorbed nutrients and other, potentially harmful, substances which have been absorbed from the intestines. From the hepatic artery and portal vein, blood flows into sinusoids which are endothelium-lined spaces (rather than capillaries), from there into central veins and on into the hepatic vein towards the heart and circulation around the body. In the sinusoids oxygen, nutrients and other substances are absorbed into the hepatocytes (liver cells) lining them, whilst compounds manufactured in the liver and nutrients needed elsewhere are excreted into the blood [Tartora and Grabowski].
This hepatic circulation system is the main reason for the so-called “first-pass effect” of drugs, the concentration and bioavailability of which can be greatly reduced due to the liver metabolising it post absorption [Pond and Tozer, 1984].
The sinusoids also contain Kupffer cells which are part of the immune system. As specialised macrophages, they “tidy up” old white and red blood cells, bacteria and other foreign compounds... continue reading
If you are vegan, this article may be of interest click here -
We all know we should eat more fruit and veg and increasingly look to fortify our diets with our chosen “Super Food” powders. However, many of these powders vary greatly in their active ingredients, raising the question; “What should we be looking for in our chosen “Super Food” powder?
First, let’s look at the ingredients found in most standard superfood blends: -
Spirulina
Spirulina is a type of nutrient-dense algae which contains potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium and zinc, B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, and iron. It is also packed with essential amino acids, which make up around 60-70% of its composition and contains omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. It’s one of the only vegan foods which contain EPA and DHEA. A high level of antioxidants also helps to prevent potential free radical damage.
Spirulina’s skin-supporting nutrients may encourage healthier-looking skin and help to combat the effects of ageing.
Research suggests spirulina may have anti-viral and immune-boosting properties due to its nutrient-rich qualities and spirulina appears to have a beneficial influence on cholesterol profiles, increasing HDL and decreasing LDL and triglycerides. It may also support blood glucose balance due to its high fibre content. In addition, spirulina may aid weight loss by encouraging the elimination of toxins and preventing them from recirculating around the body, helping to increase energy levels by supporting mitochondria function and helping to balance hormones. Spirulina also contains adrenal supporting nutrients, which may help to prevent stress impacting on our health and energy levels.
Chlorella
Another super algae with many similar properties to spirulina. In addition to the above. Chlorella is thought to aid detoxification of heavy metals and other toxins. Chlorella may also enhance aerobic endurance due to its branched-chain amino acids content. Chlorella may even help to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. There are many other potential benefits besides.
Alfalfa
Studies have suggested that alfalfa helps to lower cholesterol levels. This is thought to be as a result of its saponins content – these are plant compounds known to lower cholesterol by inhibiting absorption of cholesterol into the gut and increasing elimination of cholesterol forming compounds.
Alfalfa may also stimulate metabolism and act as a phytoestrogen to relieve menopause symptoms. It may also have antioxidant effects.
Spinach
As practitioners, we all know how packed with nutrients spinach is. It is rich in vitamin C, folate, B vitamins, carotenoids, vitamin K, iron, magnesium, calcium, protein and insoluble fibre (aiding digestion). It is also rich in nitrates, which are thought to help regulate blood pressure levels.
Broccoli
As well as being nutrient dense, broccoli is rich in indole 3 carbinole, a compound which aids metabolism and detoxification of excess oestrogen. Studies suggest that it can, therefore, support prevention of oestrogen dominant cancers, such as breast, endometrial and cervical cancer.
Studies have also shown that broccoli may improve the health of the liver, colon, and prostate.
As if the above benefits were not enough, there is some thinking and initial research which suggests that these green, chlorophyll-rich superfoods may play a role in supporting our ability as humans to hold and convert light into energy or ATP, as plants do via photosynthesis. This process could potentially, therefore, be helpful in supporting clients suffering with fatigue. Chlorophyll may also be helpful in supporting a variety of conditions, such as: -
ageing or acne aff -
Antioxidants are an important group of substances that can be obtained from natural food sources or food supplements. They are substances that can slow down or prevent damage to our cells caused by free radical activity, connected to the visible signs of aging and many other associated dis-eases (inflammation). The better-known antioxidant nutrients are vitamin C, vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10, beta carotene, selenium, manganese and other plant extracts like the well-documented properties of grapeseed extract and turmeric.
Free radicals are highly unstable molecules that the body produces in response to certain physical activities or the environment we are exposed to. The cell damage caused by free radicals is known as oxidative stress. This can occur from excessive exercise, mitochondrial activity, trauma and/or exposure to toxins. Oxidative stress may hugely increase our risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, respiratory diseases, premature aging and vision loss, due to age-related macular degeneration.
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Discovery of vitamin DVitamin D was one of 13 vitamins discovered in the early 1920s by a group of doctors researching diseases resulting from nutritional deficiencies, such as rickets. Since then scientists have defined vitamins as being carbon-containing chemicals that must be obtained through diet because they are not produced by the body’s tissues. These vitamins play a vital role in our body’s metabolism, but only very small amounts are needed for them to achieve their purpose.
What is vitamin D?
Although vitamin D is referred to as one of the four fat-soluble vitamins, it is unique from the other vitamins in that it can be synthesised by the human body and food sources of vitamin D are scarce (limited to fish and egg yolks). Even when obtained from food sources, vitamin D must be converted before the body can utilise it.
Vitamin D is produced by our skin from a type of cholesterol called 7-dehydrocholesterol. Sunshine (UVB energy) is the magic key which enables 7-dehydrocholesterol to be converted to vitamin D3, hence it is often referred to as ‘the sunshine vitamin’. Vitamin D3 is carried to the liver and then the kidneys where it is transformed into active vitamin D.
Given the lack of sunshine in the Autumn and Winter months in the UK, vitamin D deficiency is common, particularly amongst population groups with darker skin, or those who cover their skin, limiting exposure to sunlight. Sunscreens also prevent us from producing vitamin D, given our need for UVB energy for the conversion process to take place. This deficiency has been linked to a potential increased risk of developing a wide range of illnesses.
Vitamin D, light and energy
Let’s delve a little deeper into this relationship between vitamin D and light or energy from the sun and what it means for the human body and our health. What is really happening when we go on holiday somewhere warm and sunny to ‘recharge our batteries’?
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