Kate Porter Naturopathy

Blood Sugar Out Of Control

2011-11-14T17:20:00.000-08:00

Many people today have blood sugar imbalances due to eating a sugarloaded diet usually consisting of breads, cereals, cakes, soft drinks, healthbars, takeaways and prepackaged foods etc. Anything made from flour/grainsturns to sugar (glucose) when digested, and used to make energy in the body. Vegetablesincrease glucose too, but they have less glucose content so more can be eaten tomake you feel full, especially when combined with good sources of protein. Theyalso take longer to be digested and broken down into glucose, so do not givethat immediate hit of sugar refined foods do.

When we eat foods high in sugar, our blood sugar level go up with thebody having to produce loads of insulin to bring it down, which then causes a bloodsugar crash. The adrenals kick in and produce cortisol (stress hormone) for thebody to be able to access the glucose that has been stored in fat, and to bringthe blood sugar back up again.

Low blood sugar can cause irritability, anxiety, dizziness, nausea,sweating, headache, difficulty in thinking and hunger etc, causing the personto reach for another hit of sugar to get them through the day. The poor pancreas eventually gives in andcannot keep up the insulin production. Blood sugar levels are then uncontrolledwhich means eventual development of diabetes.

Adrenal exhaustion may also occur which is another topic in itselfaffecting hormone systems related to stress. The increased production of cortisol causes chronic inflammation andtriggers insulin insensitivity.

While in the supermarket the other day I overheard a lady on her mobileboasting about the foods she had consumed that morning, which had only givenher a blood sugar reading of 4 on testing, which is considered to be good buthow long can her body keep this up?

She had started the day with Mc Donald’s for breakfast includingpancakes and 2 hash browns with coffee, and a few soft drinks over the morning,and was now consuming a large iced donut. She was overweight, with most of thisweight around her belly, and a prime candidate for Type 2 Diabetes, heartattack and stroke.

I would loved to have enlightened this lady on the fact that for herbody to give this amazing result, her pancreas had to produce very high levelsof insulin to take all that glucose (excess energy) out of her blood, and thatit had been stored as more fat. If she hadmade better food choices that morning, her pancreas wouldn’t have had to workso hard. Unfortunately the large amounts of insulin produced also causesinflammation throughout her body. She wont be able to keep going like thiswithout consequences……TYPE 2 DIABETES!

This lady is typical of many people I see who are not taking intoconsideration that healthy diet and lifestyle change are necessary for ongoinghealth and well being. The blood sugarreadings will not stay low forever, as her pancreas will fatigue from thisongoing sugar assault on her body, and she WILL BECOME A DIABETIC!

Eating fat wont make you fat !

Another disturbing fact that is everywhere we look in the supermarket,we are being lead to believe that eating fat makes us fat, which has caused usto consume even more hidden sugars! Foods without fat don’t taste very nice, so manufacturers put more sugarin their products so we buy them.

If you do not consume enough good fats, such as being on a very low fatdiet, your body will make its own fat called Palmatic acid which is the worstkind of fat contributing toinflammation, elevated lipids, atherogenesis and vascular  disease.

Today we are experiencing an obesity epidemic with Type 2 diabetes ratesclimbing at alarming rates, even in our kids.

Sugar turns to fat in your body if you don’t use it forenergy

The only fats that should be avoided are trans fats, which are used tokeep foods longer on the supermarket shelf. Trans fats block the uptake receptors for the good fats (omega 3) thatare anti-inflammatory, and prevent us from using them. Look out for trans fatsother names; hydrogenated oils, fully hydrogenated, or partially hydrogenatedon labels. In some countriesmanufactures can declare no trans fats on a label if it contains less than 0.5gper serving.

My grandmothers who is 99 has always said,

“Too much of anything isno good for you”

Variety is the key to a healthy lifestyle both in the food you eat, theexercise you do, and the company you keep. Don’t get locked into a way of living, instead make changes, shakethings up, and find out what feels right for you and your body. Explore the possibilities.

The only way to get sugar(glucose) into the cells without insulin is exercise.

Childhood Obesity Epidemic

2011-11-07T18:44:00.000-08:00

Childhood Obesity Epidemic

New researchpublished in the New England Journal of Medicine has stated that today’sgeneration of children are expected to have shorter lives than their parentsdue to the obesity epidemic. It’s estimatedthat the life expectancy of the severely obese will be reduced by 5-20years. The reasoning behind this is dueto the fact that obesity causes heart disease, diabetes, and oxidative stressthat cause cancer. Obesity itself iscaused by high intake of refined sugar (pre-packaged foods), hydrogenated oils,saturated fats, artificial additives and colours with chemical additives thatkids and adults just do not need in their diet.

It is a sadfact that 1 in 10 children under 5 are overweight, and 43 million of theseunder 5’s are obese and included under the obesity epidemic label of the UK,USA, and here at home in Australia.

"Obesityis such that this generation of children could be the first basically in thehistory of the Western Civilisation to live less healthful and shorter livesthan their parents," said Dr. David S. Ludwig, director of the obesityprogram at Children's Hospital Boston, and one of the authors of the report.

"Butwhen they start developing heart attack, stroke, kidney failures, amputations,blindness, and ultimately death at younger ages, then that could be a hugeeffect on life expectancy." Dr. Ludwig said.

We may assumethat kids are getting fat because they are eating lots high energy foods (junk)and not doing any physical activity, but there may be some underlyingphysiological influences it. Otherfactors related to an increased BMI to be taken into consideration are:

· Dysbiosis in infancy

· Chronic ear infections or Otitis Media

· Childhood stress

· Toxin exposure

Dysbiosis is where the good and bad bacteriain the gut our out of balance. A healthygut promotes proper digestion and absorption of nutrients, detoxification andelimination, and development of immunity. Dysbiosis may occur due to caesarean section, poor probiotic status ofthe mother, formula feeding (probiotics are transferred to baby in breastmilk), infections, constipation / diarrhoea, antibiotics (kill the goodbacteria), and acidic intestinal pH.

Chronicear infections mayrequire lots of antibiotics and therefore upset the gut flora.

Acute stress in both adults and children mayincrease appetite, and chronic stress depletes serotonin and importantregulator of food intake.

ToxicExposure to heavy metals may occur in-utero, or as aresult of environmental exposure. Detoxification is a normal body process and may be dysfunctional requiringsupport.

Research hasalso highlighted the higher risk of children being overweight or obese if theirparents are themselves. There is anotherlink suggesting that if the mother is obese then the risk factor is evendoubled for the child in their adult years.

TV andadvertising in general are constantly pushing junk foods such as cereals e.g.(for growing iron men), and fast foods. There is no advertising for healthy options, so if their parents don’tintroduce healthier options these kids will not know any better and continue toeat rubbish. Many health experts aredemanding bans be put on marketing unhealthy foods to try and stop the increasein obesity.

Kate’scomments:

This researchis NOT the end of the world, and steps can betaken to make changes for the health of our kids. Families need to take action! It’s time to make changes at home, and notexpect the world to make them for you. This can be really hard for some parents because they have to changetheir lifestyle too, and become a role model for the kids. Of course it’s best to start when the kidsare little where they’ll learn diet and lifestyle principals that they will takeinto their adult life, but you can involve the whole family in making changesthat will be beneficial for all at any time. This doesn’t mean that there will never be treats…. there will, but youwill have laid a foundation of good nutrition for your children who go on todevelop a healthy respect for food and themselves. When the whole family undertakes a foodmakeover changes CAN happen.

Kidslearn what they live!

Inclinic I use the Ketogenic diet weight loss for kids. It’s a low carbohydrate, high protein dietthat has been shown to be very effective for weight loss in obese school agekids. Carbohydrates turn to sugar in thebody, but its knowing which foods have the benefit of being low in carbs so youcan eat more of them and feel full. Lowcarbohydrate diets increase fat loss and preserve muscle mass, reduce insulinlevels, and keep you full.

TheMetagenic Weight Loss Program for Kids http://shake-it.com.au/Shake-it-kids.html

is an easy-to-follow, scientifically advanced,fat loss program based on low GI and ketogenic principles.

Threeimportant principles of this program include good levels of protein,appropriate levels of healthy fats and moderate exercise to support rapid andlasting fat loss.

Tohelp with the changes to diet, Metagenics now have a meal replacement shake for kids. The protein helps them feel full andsatisfied. It’s good for an easybreakfast which sets up the brain for learning.

Bio-Compatible Hair Analysis and Wellness Program

2011-07-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

Discover which foods aremaking you sick!

Webasically eat the same foods day in day out…..we all have our favorites, but whatif those foods were contributing to your health problems? It could be that they are related to animmune mediated response to common foods you eat every day.

“But I only eat healthyfoods and use products that are ecofriendly!”

Unfortunatelyno matter how healthy these foods are, or how many times you read the labelstating “all natural/ organic”, your body may not be able to deal with them atthe moment, and they could be upsetting your immune system causinginflammation. To make things even more complicated is that we often crave thevery foods we react to.

Not all reactions to food areallergy! E.g. caffeine can cause headaches, animal fats can cause nausea, andyeast can cause bloating. Allergicreactions cause inflammation to tissues and nerves. Other foods can then aggravate thisinflammation and these are called intolerances.

Aninflamed digestive tract is unable to uptake or assimilate nutrients properly withthe immune mediated response becoming over reactive to common foods andproducts you are exposed to everyday, preventing it from working properly leadingto symptoms such as food allergies, sensitivities or intolerance, hormonalimbalances, toxicity, nutritional deficiencies, and much more……

TheBio-Compatibility test uses a small piece of your hair and modern electronicequipment, to measure your body’s compatibility against a standard list of 400common LOCAL foods and household products- including all food groups, andbathroom, laundry and kitchen products. We even test for chocolate!

The Bio-compatibility test is not anallergy test, but shows immune reactions to foods. The program helps to support and repair acompromised immune system so that eventually all reactions to food and productsmay correct.

Thefirst stage of the program is getting the dietchanges right which will require a commitment from you to make changes thatwill benefit your health long-term.

Are you doing the same thing everyday andexpecting a different result?

Inthe second stage after 4 weeks on the program,we will reassess your progress and introduce other therapies if required.

Thereare also two specialty lists- one for testing babies and another for pets.

Seethe lists below.

When will I see results?

Generallyan improvement in your health issues will be seen in the first 4 weeks ofchanging your diet and other items that came up on your hair test toavoid. Maximum improvement is seen whenyou avoid these items for at least 6 months.

Some people see symptom relief in a few days while others maytake 6-8 weeks. It all depends on howcompromised the immune system is. Avoiding the RED foods/productson your list allows your immune system time to repair and rebalance itself. If you re-introduce these items beforecompleting the 6-month avoidance, reactions may return.

At 6-9months it is advisable to be retested to check if theoffending items are still not compatible with you. If this is the case, it maymean you need to avoid these item(s) altogether.

Do I need a consultation to have the Bio-Compatibility Hair Testdone?

Well this type of testing may be recommended as part of yourtreatment plan here at the clinic, but it is also available to anyone topurchase without a consult.

Just click on the link below and printout the order form and send it to the address on the form. You are able to pay via Paypal or direct depositand all the information is on my website. www.ntpages.com.au/kateporternaturopathy. Your test results will arrive by email in around two weeks.

Don’t hesitate to call0404625 033 or email kpnaturopathy@optusnet.com.auif you have any questions.

400+ Email Order Template & Lists

Why should I consider doing a Detox?

2011-05-31T20:56:00.000-07:00

Our body is designed to detoxify naturally. Waste elimination is one of biggest and most energy-consuming activities that our organs undertake, and they do it every minute of every day.

When we look after ourselves and maintain a fresh food diet our organs have detoxification well under control. Unfortunately, they are presented with additional work-loads due to foods that cause inflammation, pharmaceutical drugs, food additives, cosmetics, and environmental pollutants on a daily basis. All this extra work puts the organs of elimination under pressure.

So what do we do?

Assist the capacity of the detoxification system. You may have heard of detoxes where fasting is involved. This doesn’t work because toxins in the body that have been safely stored away are released and activated, but not effectively removed through the bowel and kidney, which go on to cause detox symptoms such as headaches and fatigue and damage the body. Not good!

There are 2 phases of detoxification. Phase 1 releases toxins and makes them reactive. The job of phase 2 is to make these less reactive by conjugating them so they are water soluble, and can be excreted safely via the bowel and kidney.

To determine if a detox is required, a simple Urinary Indicans test can be taken in clinic. If the good and bad bacteria have become imbalanced there would be a positive result, and the Digestive Relief program recommended.

Express Detox?

The 2 week “Digestive Relief Program" utilizes Antimicrobial herbs and Probiotics. These two supplements work together to eliminate detrimental bacteria and yeasts and re-establish beneficial colonies of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Lactis (the good bacteria). Antimicrobial herbs like Gentian, Barberry, Wormwood and Ginger also act as a digestive stimulant and carminative, to restore gastric secretions and relieve symptoms of bloating and discomfort. Best results are achieved when the probiotics and antimicrobial herbs are taken in separate doses.

When the liver is not working too well patients often complain of poor digestion, nausea, headaches, irritability, fatigue and constipation. A 2 week “Liven up the Liver Program" uses Phytonutrients for Detoxification, and Liver and Gall Bladder support. The combination of herbs and nutrients specific for liver function includes, St Marys Thistle, Bupleurum, Barberry, Dandelion, Tumeric, Globe Artichoke, Green Tea, Grapeseed, Broccoli, Watercress, choline, taurine, inositol, methionine and more.

The best and easiest diet while you are doing the detoxification programs is fresh foods, nutrients, fibre and good quality protein. Give your body a rest from highly processed and prepackaged foods full of artificial colours, additives and preservatives, limit caffeine, and alcohol and don’t forget to maintain or increase your water intake to flush the body of wastes.

Eczema

2010-03-01T18:35:00.000-08:00

Eczema

What is eczema?
Eczema is an inflammation of the skin occurring in infants, children, adolescents and adults, characterized by redness, swelling and tiny fluid filled blisters when acute. The blisters may be oozing, scaly, crusting and can sometimes harden into very thickened skin. The chronic phase is characterized by crusting, scaling, continued redness and thickening of the skin.
The patients and their relatives have above average incidences of asthma and hay fever. Studies have indicated that the immune factors of expectant mothers are passed on to infants, with baby having twice the risk of developing eczema if their mothers had asthma or eczema during pregnancy.

Factors that may trigger the itch include extremes of heat or cold, rapid changes of temperatures, sweating, woolen prickly clothing, irritants such as soaps, detergents, hydrocarbon solvents (eg petrol or kerosene) cutting oils and greases.

How is the immune system involved?
The immune system is balanced with T1 and T2 cells. These are called T helper cells, and have separate effects to provide immune defense, while limiting the over expression of each other. T1 cells are in charge of killing potential bacteria, viruses, fungi and tumours, whereas T2 cells protect the body from allergens, chemicals and parasites.

The proposed reason why children show higher frequency of allergy is because we are all born in a T2 dominant state, which prevents the foetus from being attacked in utero as a potential invader by the T1 cells. Th2 dominance continues into childhood and then adolescence if insufficient Th1 stimulus has not been provided. This could be due to an overly sanitary lifestyle (known as they hygiene hypothesis), where the T1 defense system does not get enough practice in fighting bacteria and viruses, and the T2 system may over react as an allergic reaction to harmless substances like pollen or food antigens.
The other proposed hypothesis for increased prevalence of familial allergic diseases is that nutritional patterns have changed or we are exposed to environmental toxins that were not previously present.

There are several modifiable factors that play a role in polarizing the immune system to an allergic state such as:
· Psychological stress
· Dietary elements
· Dysbioisis (imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut) Antibiotics kill good bacteria.
· Environmental pollutants/ chemicals
· Long term pharmaceutical drug use eg antibiotics.
· Vaccinations promote allergies by stimulating TH2 immune response and inhibit TH1(1)

The most important of all is the link between digestive disorders and allergy.

T1 and T2 cells are a part of the immune system.
Eczema is a classical T2 condition, and patients often suffer with related T2 excess conditions such as asthma, hay fever, food allergies, and allergic rhinitis. The excessive T2 response results in greater B cell activation which in turn secrete high levels of IgE antibody. IgE antibodies bind to mast cells and release histamine. Histamine is responsible for redness, itching, vasodilatation and mucus production.

The Atopic March
How symptoms in childhood may develop over time.

Atopic eczema and food allergy commonly occurs in infancy and early childhood

Asthma and perennial rhinitis commonly occurs in school years

Seasonal rhinitis and conjunctivitis commonly occurs in the teenage years.
Douglas JA, O’Hehir RE. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of allergic disease: the basics
MJA 2006; 185:228-233

Causes and Naturopathic treatment of eczema
According to the 10th edition of Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, over 30per cent of eczema patients develop respiratory allergic manifestations. Environmental factors such as pollution, foods, chemicals, detergents and stress, can act as triggers. Other problems are poor elimination through weakness of the liver and/or kidneys and sluggishness of the bowel and skin. These latter problems may be inherited and often accompany a particular constitution which predisposes towards chronic skin ailments. As part of this inherited tendency in cases of childhood eczema, we often find a lack of assimilation of calcium. Any form of treatment which is suppressive such as cortisone, tar ointments or even mild anti inflammatory agents such as calamine lotion, is strictly avoided. Eczema is treated as a toxic condition which involves an inherited factor. Treatment is directed to improving elimination through bowel, kidney and skin and to improving detoxification by toning the liver. (2)

Treatments
Recommendations for Eczema
· ABO Blood type diet
· Avoid soaps and detergents
· Lubrication such as Essential fatty acids, olive oil, or vitamin E
· Remove wheat, milk, eggs, peanuts
· Remove tomatoes and night shade foods
· Remove additives and preservatives

Many atopic Eczema patients show a deficiency in Delta-6 Desaturase. (the enzyme that converts dietary fats down a pathway to proper assimilation in the body) Delta-6 Desaturase deficiency may be a principal underlying cause of atopic eczema. Most (usually children) atopic Eczema patients show Glutathione Peroxidase deficiency. Fish oil and evening primrose oil do not require this enzyme reaction to be utilized, and are excellent treatment options.

Most (usually children) atopic eczema patients show glutathione peroxidase deficiency. Nutrients which increase glutathione include selenium, B2, cysteine, glutathione glycine and glutamine. Selenium (Brazil nuts, garlic) helps restore these levels.

B6 is essential for activation of delta 6 desaturase enzyme and increases T1 cells.

Lactobacillus acidophilus may alleviate Eczema by enhancing T1 immunity and balancing T2 immunity.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus may alleviate (atopic) Eczema by enhancing natural immunity.

Eczema may sometimes occur as a symptom of Calcium deficiency. According to Dr Morris Blackmore, suppression of eczema with creams etc can drive wastes deeper and can manifest in the future as asthma. Eczema is an attempt to eliminate pathogenic wastes through the skin. In babies with colic regularly upon feeding, and children who vomit easily this remedy is indicated. It is also indicated in itchy, eczema and chafed skin. Calcium is not normally considered in dermatological conditions, yet in mineral therapy calcium phosphate is regularly utilized. Calcium phosphate is highly indicated in times of growth in children.
Other minerals may be indicated to enhance digestive function.
In chronic eczema the severity of the condition seems to correlate with the extent of stomach hydrochloric acid deficiency. This decrease in HCL is associated with B vitamin group deficiency and genetics.

Topical Applications
Emu Oil (applied topically or capsules consumed orally) may reduce the inflammation of the skin associated with Eczema.

Lavender (oil added to bath water) may alleviate Eczema. Eczema is claimed to respond well to Neem Oil (applied topically).

Oregano Oil (applied topically) may alleviate Eczema.

Tea Tree Oil (applied topically to the site of the Eczema) may alleviate the itching associated with Eczema.

Garlic oil mixed with lanolin or liquid chlorophyll mixed with lanolin. Garlic contains selenium and glutathione which act as antioxidants and is anti inflammatory

Essential oils of Geranium, Chamomile, and Lavender for dry eczema, and
Bergamot and Juniper for wet eczema can be used in a base of jojoba oil or dropped into the bath. It’s always a good idea to patch test essential oil blend to make sure they are not going to irritate your skin condition first.

Attending to the underlying cause of eczema is important in successful treatment and prevention of ongoing atopic allergic reactions. The total mucosal surface of the adult human gastrointestinal tract is up to 300m2, making it the largest body area interacting with the environment. The intestinal mucosa represents a large proportion of the human immune system. (6, 7)

Inflammation of the mucosa of the digestive tract can cause intestinal permeability and increases the amount of allergens able to pass across the intestinal mucosa. Inflammation can also result in immune disturbances, directing the immune response towards allergy in susceptible individuals and be an under lying cause of the majority of gastrointestinal disorders which may further perpetuate allergy. (5)

Amongst many important gastrointestinal changes, the microflora of the digestive tract in allergic individuals has been shown to be altered with decreased bifidobacteria and increased numbers of pathogenic organisms. This is important because the gut bacteria influence systemic immune function and may predispose to or prevent allergies. (3, 4)

Testing of gut bacteria can be achieved with a simple urine analysis in clinic.

Comprehensive resolution of allergy requires the correction main causative factors mentioned whilst simultaneously restoring good digestion and correcting any inflammatory and permeable gut issues.

References
1: Ward BJ, Griffin DE. Changes in cytokine production after measles virus vaccination: predominant production of IL 4 suggest induction of a Th2 response. Clin Immunol Immunopathol 1993 May; 67(2); 171-7

2: Judy Jacka ND A-Z of Natural Therapies Third Edition 2005 Griffin Press

3: Spergel JM, Paller AS. Atopic dermatitis and the atopic march. J Allergy Clin Immunol.2003 Dec; 112(6 Suppl): S118-27.

4: Yale S, LaValle JB. Food Allergies and atopic dermatitis. Alternative and complementary therapies 2002:76-80.

5: Heyman M. Gut barrier dysfunction in food allergy Eur j Gastroenterol Hepatol 2005; 17: 1279-1285.

6: Bjorksten B. Effects of intestinal microflora and the environment on the development of asthma and allergy. Springer Semin Immunopathol. 2004 Feb; 25(3-4):257-70

7: Biancone L 3et al. Resident bacterial flora and immune system. Dig Liver Dis. 2002 Sep; 34 Suppl 2:S37-43.

Websites of interest
http://www.dadamo.com/ Blood type diet
http://www.novamagazine.com.au/article_archive/2009/2009-04-costofclean.htm Dr Dingle
http://drdingle.com/info_sheets.html Dr Dingle
www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info
www.additiveeducation.com.au
www.coeliac.org.au
www.mindd.org
www.additivealert.com.au
www.possibility.com.au (The chemical maze)
www.failsaferecepiesmembers.optusnet.com.au
www.bodyecologydiet.com.au
http://www.boostyourfertilitynow.com/media/article01.pdf

Books
My dog eats better than your kids. Dr Peter Dingle
Is your home making you sick? Dr Peter Dingle
Breaking the vicious cycle by Elaine Getshall
Grainfree gourmet by Jodi Bolger and Jenny Lass

Cholesterol Confusion

2009-09-08T21:59:00.000-07:00

In the July 2009 edition of the Townsend Letter for Doctors (www.townsendletter.com), Cardiologist Dr Stephen Sinatra published an article titled “Cleaning up the Cholesterol Confusion”.

Highlighted were some important facts:

High cholesterol is not a disease.
Half of all heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol.
Standard lipid testing is 30 years out of date.
In cases of heart attack and stroke, cholesterol is found at the site of inflamed arteries but is not the cause. Cholesterol is present at inflammed sites as a healing agent.
Statin drug benefit some people because it is anti inflammatory and not cholesterol lowering.
Inflammation and heart disease risk factors are high homocysteine, trans fats, insulin resistance, infection, pollution and smoking.
We need cholesterol in the body as it is a building block for the production of hormones, vitamin D and cell membranes.
Low cholesterol causes poor brain function as it is mostly made up of cholesterol.
The patients to most benefit from statin drugs are men between 50 and 70 with confirmed coronary artery disease.
Statin use for women and men over 70 would be beneficial for its anti inflammatory effect.

What about the alternatives?

“Red Yeast Rice” is a nutritional supplement that contains naturally-occurring “statins” among other ingredients. There is strong evidence that it is effective for lowering cholesterol and preventing heart attack. A study of 4870 patients over 5 years found that “Red Yeast Rice” resulted in a significant decrease in death from coronary heart disease. The improvements from
Red Yeast Rice are greater than those obtainable from pharmaceutical statin drugs. (4)
Red yeast rice has a much lower risk of side effects than pharmaceutical statins. This is because the therapeutic effect comes with a combination of compounds present in the supplement, rather than from a large dose of an isolated ingredient.

Health research is showing that the major underlying cause of heart disease, obesity, depression and many other conditions, is systemic inflammation.
When we think of inflammation, we think of local inflammation such as redness and swelling around an injury. Systemic inflammation is when it occurs through the entire body when the immune system makes chemicals to fight microbes and toxins which is good, but those chemicals damage tissue and disrupt normal metabolic function.

Causes of systemic inflammation include chronic infection, smoking, pollution, and poor digestion. Systemic inflammation can be measured with a bloodtest.

To reduce inflammation:
- Do NOT smoke
- Avoid inflammatory foods such as gluten, trans fat and refined sugar
- Promote good intestinal bacteria
- Sleep 8 hours per night
- Supplement omega 3 fatty acids and selenium
- Eat lots of dark, green leafy vegetable and turmeric

References:
(1) Graveline, D and JS Cohen. Lipitor-associated memory loss: Analysis of 662 cases of cognitive damage. Townsend Letter for Doctors. 2009. 311: 64-70.
(2) Muldoon MF et al. Effects of Lovastatin on cognitive function and psychological well being. Am J Med 2000. 108(7): 538-546.
(3) http://www.townsendletter.com/June2009/clearingcholesterol0609.htm
(4) Lu Z et al. Effect of Xuezhikang, an extract from red yeast Chinese rice, on coronary events in a Chinese population with previous myocardial infarction. Am
J Cardiol. 2008. 101:1689-1693

How to choose a multivitamin

2009-02-26T18:16:00.000-08:00

Simply, along with exercise, taking a comprehensive multivitamin and mineral is the best and easiest decision you can take to improve your health and well being. Poor vitamin intake has been associated with fatigue, poor immune resistance, and difficulty coping with stress.

Despite or perhaps because of all our modern advances in agriculture and food processing, vitamin and mineral intakes in Western diets are often less than ideal. To add to this our modern stressful lifestyle increases our requirement for certain nutrients.

Supplementing with vitamins and minerals has been associated with improved health and reduced risk of chronic disease. A recent Harvard university study recommended the daily use of multivitamin and mineral supplements for all adults, also supported by a large body of scientific research.

Three steps to choosing a good multivitamin.
1. Price is a fair guide.
As with many things you tend to get what you pay for. A good multi vitamin does not have to be expensive, but many cheap products contain lower doses and cheaper forms of important ingredients.

2. Is the formula physiologically balanced?
Look at the formula. If its simply a collection of ingredients at amounts like 50 and 100mg, it is not physiologically ratio balanced and there will be a degree of waste. A good formula is recognised by the specific varied amounts of constituents, which are tailored to work together to produce optimal results.

3. Are the ingredients biologically active?
Take a look at the ingredients themselves. You need to make sure you are buying physiologically active and absorbable forms of nutrients (ingredients your body can actually use). You should avoid multivitamins that use inorganic mineral salts such as oxides, chlorides, and sulfates, which tend to compete for absorption in the digestive system, and may produce undesirable side effects. Iron sulphate can cause constipation, and calcium carbonate may neutralise stomach acid and reduce digestive capacity.

For improved absorption, organic salts such as citrates and gluconates are preferable, and amino acid chelates eg diglycinates are best. Chelates are absorbed by a different mechanism, and are not subject to competitive uptake from other substances in the diet.

Better formulae will also supply more advanced ingredients. Things to look for include:

Rather than simple (and often synthetic) vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin E (usually d-alpha-tocopherol), more advanced products will use more natural and broader acting ingredients such as a mixed carotenoid complex and mixed tocopherols.

Active forms of vitamins such as pyridoxal-5-phosphate (active B6)

Herbally derived glyco and phytonutrients to give a broader range of support and help maintain a normal healthy immune system.

To B or not to B?

There are certain situations when you will need to select a supplement which specifically provides high levels of the B complex vitamins. The particular group of vitamins is important when you feel the need for more energy to help you cope. A B complex can be safely taken with multi during times of greater need. If you are on a budget and have a reasonably good diet and lifestyle, then a good B complex may be your best choice of supplement.

Taking multivitamin and mineral supplements has been shown to:

Reduce heart disease risk. Elevated homocysteine (a harmful chemical in the blood) is a strong independent risk factor for coronary heart disease the leading cause of death and disability in Australia. A daily multivitamin containing 400mcg of folic acid with additional vitamin B6 and B12 is the most prudent approach to minimising homocysteine levels are reducing cardiovascular risk in adults.

Protect against free radicals and reduce the risk of cancer. Exposure to pollution, sunlight, toxins, and chemical in our food, leads to free radical exposure (oxidation). Oxidative damage may be a factor in many chronic diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease, the two major causes of illness and death in the Western world. Micronutrients such as selenium, zinc, carotenoids, and vitamin E, are antioxidants and provide protection from this damage. Studies have shown that the regular use of multivitamins is directly associated with a reduced risk of cancer.

Improve womens health. Multivitamins have been shown to reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome as well as lowering the risk of serious birth defects, premature delivery and low birth weight by 50%, as well as improving maternal health during pregnancy. Women of child bearing age likely to fall pregnant are routinely advised to take a multivitamin containing 400mcg folic acid daily.

Essential for the elderly. Multivitamin supplementation is considered especially essential for elderly people because they are at higher risk of deficiency that younger adults. This is due to the limited diet that many older people consume, combined with a reduction in their ability to digest foods properly. Nutritional supplementation can reduce the risk of infection and reverse some of the immune dysfunction associated with advanced age. Supplementation improves the micronutrient status in the elderly and reduces their risk for several chronic diseases including dementia.

Support childrens growth and development. Many children are fussy eaters and have a small range of foods they will eat which can create deficiencies. In addition children are going through very rapid growth which creates additional demands. Nutritional deficiency has been associated with learning and behavioural disorders poor immune resistance and increased risk of health problems in later life. A multivitamin for children should be in a pleasant tasting powdered form, which makes it easy to administer and provides a full range of essential nutrients.

In health,
Kate Porter ND.

Menopause, Estrogen, Calcium and Osteoporosis.

2009-02-18T21:59:00.000-08:00

Menopause is not a disease but a natural process of re-programming, where there is an adjustment and refocusing of the bodies resources away from child bearing. Estrogen levels do drop as the ovaries cease production, but so do other hormones produced by the ovaries such as progesterone, DHEA, and testosterone. The ovaries are not the only way the body makes estrogen, and at menopause the body relies on the adrenal glands and fat stores to make estrogen. That spare tyre around your middle that seems to develop in premenopause is the bodies alternative way of making estrogen. Adrenal and fatcell outputs of estrogen keep on going in order to maintain the other important endocrine functions of estrogen, which are not directly related to reproduction such as bone building, electrolyte balance, insulin balance, fat and protein metabolism, and cholesterol synthesis. (Guyton, p1024)

Menopausal symptoms are partly due to a chronic depletion of metabolic resources during the peri menopausal years. The health of your adrenals, and your nutritional state play a big part in an easy transition through menopause. If the adrenals are functioning well, they are more than capable of taking over the production of estrogen. Unfortunately today many women are worn out with a combination of physical, emotional and mental stress, causing the adrenals to pump out stress hormones at an accelerated rate, leaving them feeling fatigued and exhausted. This usually means they look for quick energy foods and tend to make poor nutritional choices, to the detriment of the adrenals long before menopause. (Christiane Northrup MD)

The unpleasant symptoms we associate with menopause have become more common among developed societies in the last 75years such as in America and Europe. In Japan and other cultures with basic unrefined diets, hot flushes do not exist. Stress and a busy lifestyle combined with higher incomes, have lead us to choose quick highly processed, nutrient deficient foods, with a predisposition to heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, cancer and arthritis.

Once we have reached menopause the standard belief is that menopausal women need estrogen therapy to prevent osteoporosis, and other menopause symptoms because the body has stopped making its own estrogen. (Dr Mercola)

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease characterised by the loss of bone density leading to fragile bones and an increased risk of fracture. It is often called the ‘silent disease’ as it can progress without a person being aware of its presence, until they suffer a fracture.
Osteoporosis is not a disease of calcium deficiency. True calcium deficiency results in a disease called Kwashiorkor, which is found only in Third World starvation countries. Bone loss is not caused by ow calcium intake, and calcium taken on its own will not prevent bone loss or osteoporotic fractures. Calcium is important, but there are at least 19 other key nutrients that play a role in the structural integrity and overall health of our bones, such as vitamin D, vitamin K, and magnesium, which if not present in the body will cause bone to lose its calcium.

When blood levels of calcium drop too low, and calcium intake from the diet is insufficient, the body will pull calcium from the bones, and later replace it when calcium levels return to normal. This process can only occur when you choose the right type of calcium, and the body is able to properly metabolise and use it effectively. Vitamin D is the key to calcium absorption. Vitamin D researcher Dr. Michael Holick, says "You can swim in calcium and it will do no good unless you have adequate vitamin D." Without vitamin D your body can only absorb 10–15% of dietary calcium, but when we add in vitamin D, absorption of dietary calcium increases to 30–40%. So, both calcium and vitamin D are necessary to prevent osteoporosis including postmenopausal osteoporosis.
(Dr Susan E Brown PhD)

Calcium has other roles in the body, such as transmission of electrical impulses along nerves, contraction of muscles, and carrying chemical messages into cells. Nearly all the calcium in our bodies is stored in bone being the storehouse for the body's calcium.

Some nutritionists assert that excess consumption of dairy products causes the body to become acidic, which leeches calcium from the system. They argue that vegetables and nuts are a better source of calcium, and that milk products should be avoided. The countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis on earth are Scandinavia, England, Australia, and the U.S. These are also the places with the highest consumption of dairy products. (McDougall, p176) It is thought pasteurized milk, cheese, and butter leach calcium from the body, since these enzyme less, artificial, modern foods cannot be easily broken down and used by the body. The processes to removal these products from the blood takes a lot of calcium stores from the teeth and bones. (Recker). Pasteurization involves the removal of all enzymes via heat. One of the enzymes in milk that is denatured is phosphatase, which has the role of promoting calcium absorption. Without phosphatase, calcium absorption doesn't happen. High intake of phosphorous in soft drinks also depletes the body's store of calcium and encourages bone loss leading to progressive depletion of calcium from bones. Soft drinks should therefore be consumed as a treat and not daily. Diets high in processed foods also encourage a calcium/phosphorus ratio imbalance.

Dietary and lifestyle guidelines may assist in the management of osteoporosis.

Weight-bearing exercise that is not overly stressful on potentially fragile bone is required to maintain adequate bone density and strength.

Optimising diet by reducing intake of pro-inflammatory foods (saturated fats, dairy, and other animal products).

Increase intake of fresh vegetables, whole grains, essential fatty acids, and, in particular, protein as this will help to provide essential nutrients.

Emphasise foods high in essential fatty acids such as oily fish and nuts / seeds.

Eat a minimally processed diet rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients and bioflavonoids.

Protein is essential for connective tissue support, and should be consumed regularly.

Smoking cessation is the highest priority in currently smoking patients.

Minimise intake of caffeine, alcohol and salt.

Reduce phosphate consumption such as soft drinks.

A daily intake of around 1000 mg of calcium is required for a typical adult. Pregnant, breastfeeding and menopausal women have higher calcium needs.

Good dairy free sources of dietary calcium

Whole wheat products
· Vegetables of the brassica family, broccoli, kale,cabbage, bok choy
· Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, dandelion greens, mustard greens and beet greens
· Rhubarb
· Canned fish with bones eg sardines, pink salmon, tuna.
· Beans legumes such as tofu, tempeh, black eye peas, and black beans
· Okra
· Nuts and seeds almonds and sesame seeds
· Herbal teas oatstraw, nettle, and red clover

Which calcium should you take?

The type of calcium taken is very important. Calcium carbonate is the least beneficial, and may make the condition worse. Calcium orotate or citrate are the preferred calcium salts. Check your labels, as the most well known calcium product on TV in Australia contains calcium carbonate. Calcium supplements should all include vitamin D and magnesium for a balanced ratio, and researchers are now suggesting that osteoporosis is actually a magnesium deficiency disease, being a major regulator of bone metabolism. (H. Osiecki p93)

In Health,

Kate Porter ND.

2009-02-09T18:07:00.000-08:00

Give your kids a head-start for the new school year

The first day of school can be tough! There are so many new faces, new rules and so much new information for your kids to take in. The start of the school year can be filled with anxiety,dread or excitement. Fortunately there are some simple and effective things you can do to give your kids a head start for the beginning of this school year.

Sharpen their mental focus

Herbs that support brain function include Brahmi, Ginkgo and Gotu Kola. These herbs have been shown to improve memory and learning in children by improving their focus and resilience under pressure. These herbs may be particularly useful if your children have poor concentration. These herbs are available from this clinic in a great-tasting, chocolate-flavoured powder that you can mix with water or milk to give your kids a brainboosting shake.

Is the new school year stressing them out?

Many children get stressed and anxious at the beginning of a new school year. Anxiety can interfere with children’s confidence, attention and behaviour and is often associated with ADHD in children. The herb Passion flower can help to calm children whilst improving focus and behaviour. German chamomile is another great herb for children who might be anxious or stressed as it is gentle and calming. Another herb called Zizyphus is also useful for childhood anxiety and stress. The combination of these three herbs can help children get off to sleep as well calming them down if they are experiencing day time anxiety. Other nutrients such as magnesium and calcium also play a role in helping kids ifthey are stressed. These herbs and minerals are best given in a powdered form so you adjust the dose to suit your child’s needs.

Feed their brains fish

Many of you may have heard of the benefits of omega-3 essential fatty acids. It is mainly the DHA component of omega-3 fatty acids that is responsible for assisting with normal brain and visual function. In fact the brain and retina (in the eye) contain the highest content of DHA of any tissues. DHA has been shown in a number of experiments to enhance learning and memory. For children and teenagers who have learning difficulties or students under high pressure, DHA from purified fish oil is an excellent choice. Most children do not eat enough oily fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines.

Simple recommendations to maximise your child’s
learning experience:

Make sure your children eat a nutritious breakfast – there are many
cereals out there that contain high levels of sugar, which can affect
their concentration. Choose a whole-grain, healthy cereal for their
breakfast. Eggs are also a great way to start the day, as the protein
can help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels throughout the
morning.
• Get your children off to bed at a reasonable time. Children need more sleep than adults and lack of sleep can affect their learning.
• Get into a regular routine and stick to it; this will make the start and
end of the day less stressful for both you and your children.
• Encourage your kids to talk about their day, this helps them develop
their communication skills and can give you valuable insight into
how they are going. If you sense any problems, discuss it with their
teacher.

Want the best for your children?

These are just some of the great natural options available from our
clinic for optimising the health of your children and helping them
get through these first weeks of school. We have many other natural

health solutions specifically tailored to meet the needs of your kids
so if you want the best for your children’s health, come and discuss
available options with us today.

Waist measurement and your risk of chronic disease

2008-10-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

Last week The Rudd Government launched the national Measure Up campaign to tackle obesity – a major weapon in the fight against obesity, aimed at saving lives. The first TV ad aired on Sunday evening, with the Measure Up campaign encouraging Australians to measure their waist. Why I hear you say, because measuring your waist is a simple check to tell if you are at risk of developing a lifestyle-related chronic disease.

We are going to be bombarded with TV, print and radio advertisements, brochures as well as promotions throughout the community including workplaces, shopping centres, GP clinics and community organisations, which I totally applaud. In my practice at Arana Hills, I encourage my clients to make simple changes to their livestyles that have benefits longterm, such as avoiding chronic disease later in life. Simply measuring your waist is the first step toward a healthier and longer life, but it is only one of the symptoms that leads to Metabolic Syndrome and chronic disease.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a condition in which a group of risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes occur together. Metabolic Syndrome is now recognized to be a leading cause of the two major causes of death in our society: heart disease and cancer. These are much more common in people with Metabolic Syndrome and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke by around 500%. If a person with Metabolic Syndrome develops cancer it may be much more aggressive.

Having Metabolic Syndrome is also a very high risk to abnormal blood sugar with most people eventually developing diabetes. Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome and the many conditions that are related to it often involves improving our ability to regulate our blood sugar.

How do I know I have Metabolic Syndrome?

You may have been diagnosed with some of the following:

High Blood Pressure
Diabetes or “Pre Diabetes” (at risk of Diabetes)
High Triglycerides
Low good HDL cholesterol
Carrying extra weight around your waist or a “beer gut”
Family history of Diabetes, Heart attack, or Stroke

The Other Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome

While Metabolic Syndrome causes the above features of the condition, it may also be responsible for other symptoms you may be experiencing.

The other symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome include:

Skin: Typical skin features are a darkening and roughening of skin and skin tags.

Reproductive (Female): Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, early puberty, absent or infrequent menstrual periods and infertility.

Reproductive (Male): Impotence, loss of libido and prostrate problems.

Nervous System: Depression, migraines and headaches, memory.

Sleep: Snoring and sleep apnoea (stopping breathing in sleep). These can lead to fatigue and daytime sleepiness.

What causes Metabolic Syndrome
Many factors are responsible for the initiation of Metabolic Syndrome. It is primarily due to the effects of an unhealthy lifestyle, such as lack of exercise, poorly managed stress, and a high calorie highly processed nutrient deficient diet. These factors can throw your body out of balance and you lose the ability to regulate the levels of fat and sugar in your blood. This can cause many of the other symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome, like high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Do you have Metabolic Syndrome?

What can I do to reduce my risk?
Because Metabolic Syndrome is largely caused by lifestyle, plenty can be done to remedy the condition provided it is addressed early enough. Metabolic Syndrome that is not appropriately managed can lead to irreversible damage to your heart and arteries, kidney, liver, and nervous system.

Keep your waistline trim.
Keeping your weight under control is vital. Metabolic Syndrome usually strikes when people are overweight, or when they have extra weight carried around their waist. Fat which accumulates here sits very close to your abdominal organs, including the liver and makes it harder to keep bad fats out of the blood.

At Kate Porter Naturopathy we can help you with the best ways to lose fat from around the waist, and to keep it off.

What your waist measurement tells you about your risk for Metabolic Syndrome
You can take your waist measurement at home to monitor your risk of Metabolic syndrome. Using a flexible tape measure, measure at the point between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the hip bone. This level may not be the smallest part of your waist, or inline with your belly button.

The healthiest waist measurement is below 94cm for men and 80cm for women. A measurement above 102cm (for men) and 88cm (for women) is one of the components for Metabolic Syndrome.

Nutrients, Herbs and a Healthy Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital protection against Metabolic Syndrome. Regular exercise, non smoking, a nutritious diet, and stress reduction is all important. Some diets have been shown to be much better than others for people at risk of Metabolic Syndrome, so please ask your healthcare practitioner for dietary advice.

Your Treatment Plan
At Kate Porter Naturopathy we can provide you with an assessment of your risk for Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular disease and help you find your best way to stay healthy.

In Health

Kate Porter ND

Acne Basics

2008-09-02T17:38:00.000-07:00

Diet
As a naturopath I see acne is an external manifestation of an internal imbalance, with nutrition being one of the keys to treating it. Excess sugar, trans fats, salty, fried and processed foods cause a buildup of toxins in the body which are excreted through the skin as its way of getting rid of them. This is when we get pimples and blackheads that push through the surface of the skin and is called acne.

Fats
When we eat fats our body makes oils or sebum, which is then secreted from the sebaceous glands. If we choose poor quality fats such as (saturated fats, and trans fatty acids) that come from highly processed and commercially baked products, the body produces oil that doesn’t not flow very well because it’s thick and sticky, clogging pores which can attract bacteria. Good quality oil on the other hand flows well and nourishes the skin. Good oils includes deep sea fish such as tuna, mackerel, salmon, herring and sardines, and plant oils such as flaxseed and olive oil. Approximately three out of four teenagers will suffer with some form of acne during their lives, and while 95 per cent of sufferers are in their teens, the other 5 per cent will develop adult onset acne later in life.

Sugar and diet choices.
When we eat simple carbohydrates such as cakes, biscuits, or white bread they are broken down into sugar and sent into the blood stream. Insulin is then produced to take these sugars into our cells, to be stored as fats for later energy production. The presence of the insulin then stimulates androgens or male hormones to be produced, which increase sebum production, and pimple formation. A recent Australian study followed two groups of teenage boys for 12 weeks, onegroup consuming a low GI, high protein diet, and the other eating a more typical adolescent diet. The low GI group experienced a 50% improvement in their acne symptoms, while the control group (who used anti-acne skin creams) didn't see such results. The low glycaemic load diet was also associated with weight loss as well as a reduction in androgens when compared with the high glycaemic load diet, as was reported in the August 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. (1)
The outcome of this study suggests that a diet of processed foods increases sugar and insulin levels to a high level and make acne worse. Those who consumed the low glycaemic foods (or sugars from foods that take longer to be digested such as vegetables and fruits), have the opposite effect. The research could also explain why acne is more prevalent in industrialised nations, and is relatively uncommon in the developing world.

The other problem with eating a highly refined, sugary and processed diet is the negative effect it has on the good bacteria in the digestive tract. Basically they are reduced in numbers and allow opportunistic yeasts and bacteria to populate the digestive tract. This also occurs when antibiotics are taken, with the need to replace them with Lactobacillus acidophilus. An easy way to encourage teenagers and young children to consume these is by drinking products such as Lemon and ginger, BE Wholegrain Liquid, or Cocobiotic daily, available from Grainfields at http://www.agmfoods.com.au/ Inner Health Plus also has a range of probiotics for adults and children available at the chemist. The Body Ecology diet by Donna Gates http://www.bodyecologydiet.com/ also details the importance of gut flora and health.

Milk and hormones.
Dairy is often high in butterfat and milk sugars, both of which are thought to aggravate acne, but The Harvard Nurses’ Study which studied 47,000 women, found that women who drank milk were more likely to have acne. Interestingly the problem was not the milk fat, because skim milk was worse than full-fat. Dermatologist Bill Danby from the Dartmouth Medical School believes that hormones are to blame. Cow’s milk contains many hormones, including a type of testosterone called DHT that is known to cause acne. High amounts of hormones are produced by cows, especially pregnant cows, and these are present in their milk. When these hormones are broken down they turn into dihydrotestestosterone (DHT), a molecule that switches on oil-making cells, as mentioned earlier during insulin production. US researcher Dr Jerome Fisher conducted a clinical study of over 1000 acne-prone teenagers over 10 years, and noticed their acne symptoms reduced when their milk consumption did. (2)

Water
The cells in our bodies /skin need water to function properly, and when they become dehydrated they cannot take in nutrients or expel waste products efficiently, therefore becoming constipated. The pores of the skin then become blocked and pimples form. When the body doesn’t have enough water, it will try to conserve what it has, and fluid retention results putting pressure on the skin causing more pores to become blocked. When skin cells are not able to function properly there is less ability for the cells to repair and nourish the skin.

Stress
It is common for stress from work, study or relationship and financial issues to bring on a breakout. Studies in Germany have shown that the hormone corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), caused production of oily skin when released from the sebaceous gland. Dermatologist Dr. Jerome Litt believes that stress and acne are linked, adding that in stressful situations there is also an increase in testosterone and androgens (male hormones), which accounts for increased oil production. Stress also affects metabolism, appetite and the motivation to exercise and eat healthily, which may make acne symptoms worse. Exercise and dry skin brushing encourage the lymphatic system to release toxins through the skin and avoid build up in the body by providing oxygen to the skin cells. Exercise increases metabolism, balances hormones and reduces stress.

Cosmetics and Medications
The use of products containing oily substances such as mineral oil, rich creams or make up and petroleum based products can set off or worsen acne. Some cosmetics can irritate the skin and flare-up acne. Certain medications like steroids can also stimulate acne production.

Nutrient deficiencies
Deficiencies of zinc, essential fatty acids (omega 3) and vitamin A may cause skin problems, as they are important nutrients for the skin. If the skin is dry, flaky, inflamed, has blackheads or whiteheads, this may suggest an essential fatty acid deficiency. Zinc prevents scar formation and is essential for repair of the skin. Rough, thick or acne prone skin may be a sign of vitamin A deficiency.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy for Scentual Awareness by Karen Day and Judith White.
ISBN 0-947266-04-6 . Gives a good regeime for skin care using natural products.

References.
1. Smith RN, Mann NJ, Braue A, Mäkeläinen H, Varigos GA. 2007. The effect of a high-protein, low glycemic-load diet versus a conventional, high glycemic-load diet on biochemical parameters associated with acne vulgaris: A randomized, investigator-masked, controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol. Apr 18; [Epub ahead of print]

2. Adebamowo, CA et al. High school dietary dairy intake and teenage acne. Jour AmerAcad Derm. 2005. 52( 2): 207-214

In Health,
Kate Porter ND.

Iron deficient anaemia

2008-08-21T17:51:00.000-07:00

Are you feeling tired, exhausted, breathless, dizzy, having palpitations, headaches, suffer cold hands and feet, and poor concentration? These are some of the symptoms of iron deficient anaemia, but please do not diagnose yourself. Have a blood test and be guided by your Doctor or Naturopath, as taking extra iron when you don’t need it can be a problem.

Other symptoms of long term anaemia can be a burning sensation on the tongue, and dryness in the mouth and throat, sores at the corner of the mouth, an altered sense of touch, smooth tongue, possible brittle and spoon shaped nails with vertical stripes, pica which is a craving for a specific food or substance, brittle hair, and difficulty swallowing.

Anaemia can occur due to a number of different situations.

Iron is not very well absorbed in the body, and those with a low intake of iron such as vegetarians, may not be getting the minimum 10-20mg of iron through their diet.

Children and teenagers who are having growth spurts also have an increased need for iron that may not be being met through their diet.

Pregnancy and breast feeding puts increased demands on the body for iron, but your doctor will advise you if your iron levels are low.

Heavy menstrual bleeding commonly causes anaemia, such as in the case of uterine fibroids.

Stomach ulcers or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract may be another cause of anaemia, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohns disease or Ulcerative Colitis.

Diarrhoea may cause anaemia due to the fact that iron and many other nutrients are not absorbed due to the increased transit time.

The use of antacids can also cause anaemia, because antacids reduce the digestive function of the stomach causing food to be poorly digested, causing iron and other vitamins and minerals to be poorly absorbed. It is important to check with your Naturopath that you do indeed have high stomach acid and not low stomach acid, which may cause symptoms of reflux and heart burn. (See May Indigestion blog) Age of course also reduces our digestive function and may cause anaemia due to poor absorption.

Vitamins and minerals that are co factors, or help iron to be absorbed may also be deficient in the body due to poor nutritional intake which may cause anaemia, such as B12, vitamin C, amino acids, folic acid, zinc, and vitamin A.

There are many iron supplements on the market, and it is important to know not all supplements are the same. Those containing iron sulphate often cause constipation and stomach upsets. Iron amino acid chelates on the other hand are much better choices as they are a more absorbable form of iron. The ideal iron supplement should also contain vitamin C, folic acid, and B12 for proper absorption and use by the body. If iron supplements still cause constipation I suggest supporting your digestive function with 1-2 hydrochloric acid tablets with protein meals to help the digestive process, or 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in ½ glass of water half an hour before meals. Vitamin C 500mg should be taken with iron rich foods to aid absorption. Powdered vitamin C is easily mixed with water or added to juice.

Nettle, yellow dock and dandelion root are high-iron containing herbs and can be taken as teas, or mixed into a tonic by your Naturopath in liquid form.

Vitamin A also aids iron absorption.

Ideally we should try to eat iron rich foods in our diet.
Liver Dried figs 3-4 a day
Red Meat Rice bran
Egg Yolk Mustard greens
Dried apricots Lentils
Prunes Watercress
Parsley Seaweed dulse
Green Leafy vegetables
Legumes
Blackstrap Molasses 1-2 tablespoons a day

Avoid foods which inhibit iron absorption.
Tea Spinach
Coffee Kale
Bran Rhubarb
Almonds Nuts
Cashews Beans
Chocolate Rooibos
Fennel Beer
Softdrinks Redwine

In Health,
Kate Porter ND.

The Blood Type Diet

2008-06-26T17:58:00.000-07:00

At Kate Porter Naturopathy your initial appraisal will include a Blood Typing Test where we take a tiny drop of blood to determine your blood type, because knowing your blood type can be the key to better nutrition and prevention of illness and disease. One mans food is another mans poison, and the blood type diet allows you to take note of what your are eating, and how these foods are affecting you. We provide a detailed food symptom diary to fill out over the first 2 weeks of the diet so you can take note of any physical or emotional symptoms while on the diet. Most clients return with stories of common symptoms they thought were normal now eliminated. They then continue to follow the blood type diet for life.
In our house we have a mixed blood type family, which includes two As', two Os', and a B. This is pretty common with many families having mixed blood types, and I know of one family with a mix of all four blood types: O, A, B, & AB. Symptoms that may indicate the foods you are eating are not right for your body include indigestion, bloating, gas, acid-reflux, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, mucous, night sweats, diarrhoea, headaches, migraines, muscle aches, cramping, aching joints, back aches, blurred vision, dizziness, sleepiness, fatigue, confusion, forgetfulness, irritability, sudden anger or hostility, rapid heart beat, palpitations, high blood pressure, chest pains, breathing difficulties, asthma attacks, rashes and irritations of the skin, etc. Unusual weight gain and constipation is also an indication that the foods you are eating are not suited to your body, and not being digested efficiently.

Type O: This is the most common blood group,with these people tending to be loners or leaders, are intuitive, focused, self-reliant, are very physical with great endurance. They handle stress better than other blood types and have strong immune systems, but may suffer a sluggish blood flow and feel better with vigorous exercise for about an hour each day. People with blood type O need red meat and vegetables, buty many O's have acid reflux because they are eating food they cannot digest, with food fermenting in the stomach and causing indigestion or reflux. O's generally don't like to drink water but it is important for everyone to aim to drink 2 litres a day. O's do well with strong, physical exercise, so if they have a desk job, they must be sure to go to the gym or workout when they get home. Physical exercise is their stress reliever.
Type O – Sample of Foods to Avoid: Bacon and pork, smoked salmon, kidney and navy beans, lentils, Brazil nuts, cashews, peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oil, corn oil, safflower oil, oats, wheat, all cheese, milk, buttermilk, yogurt, ice cream, whey, goats milk, multi-grain or wheat bread, avocado's, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, mushrooms, olives, potatoes, blackberries, cantaloupe, coconut, oranges, apple juice or cider, pasta, certain spices, coffee, soft drink, alcoholic spirits,and black tea.

Type A: Is the second most common blood type having a personality which is commonly cooperative, sensitive, clever, passionate and smart, but always thinking. They often bottle up anxiety to get along with others, and may hold in their emotions until they explode. Some As' feel tense and impatient, with poor sleeping patterns, a sensitive constitution where stress affects the immune system more quickly than other blood types. Low stomach acid is another common problem among blood type A's even from birth, so special care should be taken when eating animal proteins. Using digestive enzymes or apple cider vinegar (2 tables spoons in half a glass of water 30 minutes before meals) will aid proper digestion. Type A does well on a high vegetable diet, but chicken, turkey, fish and eggs seem to suit well . A's are extremely sensitive to chemicals, in the environment, the food, and even the clothing they wear, and should take care to avoid using chemicals, looking for alternative cleaning products such as bicarbonate soda and vinegar around the home, and natural personal products. Gentle exercise such as walking, swimming provides the stress relief they need.
Type A – Sample of Foods to Avoid: Beef, lamb, liver, mutton, pork, rabbit, veal, venison, kidney, beans, chick peas, dairy products, all cheese, ice cream, Brazil nuts, cashews, pistachios, cabbage, eggplant, mushrooms, olives, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, yams, bananas, coconuts, mangoes, melons, oranges, wheat, multi-grain breads, pasta, select spices, beer, soft drink, and soda water.

Type B: Only one person in 10 has blood type B. They are thoughtful like As' and ambitious like Os'. B's, are not unlike A's constantly thinking and must guard against low blood sugar, and benefit from strengthening exercise such as weight lifting or visits to the gym.
Type B – Sample of Foods to Avoid: Chicken, pork, black and pinto beans, lentils, ice cream, blue cheese, select nuts, seeds, peanut butter, oils; corn, cottonseed, peanut, safflower, sesame, artichokes, avocados, corn, black olives, pumpkin, tofu, tomatoes, coconut, barley, buckwheat, corn, wheat, multi-grain breads, rye, select spices, alcoholic spirits, soft drink, select herbal teas, pasta, wild rice.

Type AB: This is the rarest blood type, genetically unique because the two genes carried for this blood type are AB and AB. Personality is charming and popular, but they have a poor response to stress, being prone to immune imbalance, physically stronger than A but not as strong as B. Type AB is prone to develop the diseases of A and B blood types.
Type AB – In choosing which foods to avoid AB's must find out if they are more akin to either the A or B diet, eg dairy will either suit or not suit. Avoid bacon, beef, chicken, pork, veal, venison, black kidney and lima beans, milk and select dairy products, poppy, sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, avocados, black olives, peppers, radishes, bananas, coconuts, mangoes, oranges, select spices, black tea, alcoholic spirits,soft drink, select herbal teas.

Now is the time to take responsibility for your own health. Have your blood type tested, read the blood type book "Live Right for Your Type" by Dr Peter J.D'Adamo, and decide for yourself if making some changes to your diet eliminates some of your long term symptoms that you have been putting up with for years. They are not normal, but these symptoms may have become a normal part of life for you.

In Health,
Kate Porter ND

What is your stress all about?

2008-06-18T17:59:00.000-07:00

Stress is everywhere on a day to day basis. In small amounts, stress is actually beneficial, as it challenges us, encourages change, adaptation, and makes us stronger, emotionally and biochemically. However, we live in a society that exposes us to constant stress. Chronic stress, especially the type that leaves us feeling powerless and out of control, puts us on a slippery slope to development of mood disorders and other pathologies.

“Adrenal Exhaustion is a quiet health epidemic becoming more and more common in today’s over stressed and under nourished modern day world. Due to stress, poor nutritional habits and careless lifestyle decisions, it is estimated that Adrenal Exhaustion or Adrenal Fatigue affects millions each year.” (From Millions of North Americans…)

The stress response is commonly known as the flight or fight response. In stressful situations we are stimulated to produce adrenaline and other hormones which increase cardiovascular performance and increases brain function so we are more able to deal with the stress. In cave man times we either fought off the dinosaur or ran away and the stress was over. Today however our stress seems to be chronic, and we are in a constant state of fight or flight, producing the stress hormones at a high rate. This can lead to adrenal exhaustion with associated symptoms:

Feel tired when getting up in the morning even with a full night’s sleep
Nausea in the morning
Constant sighing
Cravings for sugar
Cravings for salt on food when you eat
Feel dehydrated and thirsty and require plenty of water
Difficulty falling asleep at night, sleep lightly or wake early or often
Difficulty relaxing, nervous, anxious or hyperactive
Often spacey, or foggy thinking, even memory loss
General exhaustion
Hormone imbalances
Low libido
Weight gain, especially in abdomen and waist area
Losing muscle tone
Hair starting to gray, thin out and become dry
Loss of appetite
Anorexia
Weight loss
Difficulty relaxing, nervous, anxious or hyperactive
High blood sugar

The cause of stress is the underlying key to treatment. As a Naturopath my aim is to not only help you manage your symptoms with supplements and remedies, but look toward long term solutions, such as helping you find and understand the cause of your stress and ways around dealing with it.

Just this week I came across a couple of great authors and their web sites Id like to recommend. Byron Katie www.thework.com Have a listen to her work with others in the videos.
Janet Attwood www.thepassiontest.com Take the test online. Are you living passionately?

In Health,
Kate Porter ND.

Do you suffer indigestion after eating?

2008-06-05T21:15:00.000-07:00

We’ve all seen the adds on TV and in magazines promoting antacids for heartburn and indigestion, but did you know in some cases the real cause of symptoms may not be an acid excess, as we have been led to believe. Antacids may not be the answer for everyone.

Many people believe that indigestion results from excess stomach acid, which is understandable due to the burning sensation felt, but this is also a symptom of low stomach acid.

The stomach is supposed to be an acid environment, with HCL (hydrochloric acid) and pepsin enabling us to breakdown protein, and absorb nutrients from the foods we eat, like calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, and vitamin B12. Bacteria and bugs are also killed by HCL that are in foods we eat.

When the stomach isn’t producing enough stomach acid, food begins to ferment in the stomach causing a build up of gas which may cause the contents of the stomach to re- enter the esophagus causing indigestion, reflux, and /or heart burn type symptoms.

If this is the case, the antacids make the stomach more alkaline, and basically only reduce the symptoms, not addressing the real cause which is low stomach acid. Supplementation with HCL (hydrocholoric acid) will eliminate the problem at the source, and not just remove the symptoms.

Other symptoms of low stomach acid are diarrhea / constipation, breaking and ridged nails, dry skin, pain in- between the shoulders, feeling of fullness during/after meals, burping, dry eczema rash, hemorrhoids, fatigue, bad breath, lack of appetite, and poor assimilation of calcium and iron.

At Kate Porter Naturopathy we have the supplements you need to assist with this chronic problem.

In Health,
Kate Porter ND.

The Real Truth about Fat, Weight Loss, and Type 2 Diabetes.

2008-05-29T18:37:00.000-07:00

Managing weight should not be difficult when we understand how foods are processed in the body once we have eaten them. Carbohydrate foods break down into sugar, which increases the production of insulin, whose job it is to take sugar out of the blood, and into the cells for storage. If however, we have more sugar in our blood than we need to make energy, it is stored as fat to use later, which is usually around the tummy.

Did you know that 200g of pasta turns into 150g (1 Glass) of sugar in the body?

It is very important to choose carbohydrates that are lower in sugars, such as fresh fruits, salads foods, and vegetables. When managing your weight it is important to know that not all foods are equal when it comes to carbohydrate (sugar) content, with some of our favourite staples being higher in sugar, and need to be eaten in smaller quantities. These include foods, like potatoes, bananas, bread, rice, pasta, cakes, biscuits, crumpets, muffins, and anything made with flour. Reducing the amount of potato, rice, and pasta on your plate, and filling in the spaces with colourful vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower, onions, red cabbage, carrots, beans, and salads are all lower in carbohydrates. There is no need to be hungry when modifying your diet to lose weight or maintain, because you can fill up on the lower carbohydrate foods, that are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Did you know that 4 punnets of strawberries is equivalent to 2 slices of bread
in terms of their carbohydrate content? All berries are low in carbohydrates, and an ideal snack instead of a biscuit or other nutrient poor choice. Why not look out for a carbohydrate counter to find foods lower in carbohydrate content to replace your favourite high carbohydrate food, or have a smaller portion of these and add in low carbohydrate options. Start by making over one meal at a time. This way you will not feel you have to change the world overnight, and will be more willing to continue making beneficial changes.

Protein is a very important part of our diet along with low carbohydrate vegetables, salads, and fruits, as it helps to build muscle, and prevents you from feeling hungry. A handful of nuts as a snack are a good choice. Include protein at all meals. At breakfast an easy choice is a whey protein shake with berries and LSA (linseed, soy and almond meal), an omelet with cheese and vegetables, or scrambled eggs. Chicken, tuna, turkey, or beef strips with salad at lunch, and lean meat with veggies at dinner. Beans, tofu, and nuts are also a good sources of protein.

Morning Whey Protein Shake
250 ml soy milk
100g berries
80g LSA (linseed, sesame seeds, almond meal)
40g whey protein powder (Aussie bodies available in Coles).
Is the consistency of cereal with the LSA, so if you would like just a smoothie leave LSA out and have it with something else e.g. over salads or vegetables. You could add pumpkin seeds, or psyllium husks are a good source of fiber.

Fats are needed to make hormones in the body. Eating Fat does not make you fat! There are good and not so good fats. Good fats include fish oil, avocado, coconut, cold pressed oils and olive oil in cooking. If we don’t eat fat at all, the body makes its own fat being the worst kind of fat called palmatic acid.

Abdominal fat is a problem as it is highly metabolically active, meaning the fat from the abdominal areas is easily broken down and enters the blood stream directly, whereas fat on the bottom and thighs is protective to heart disease, as it does not breakdown easily and enter the blood with risk of heart attack etc.

In my practice I use Bio-Impedance Analysis along with measurements of the chest, waist, and hips to determine your risk factors to heart disease, stroke, and development of Type 2 diabetes, as it tells me your percentage of fat, muscle, visceral fat (fat around your organs), hydration, bone mass, BMI and metabolic age, which are all markers of true health and function of the body.

In the early stages of blood sugar irregularity, the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes is reversible. When you lose the fat around your belly, insulin is not produced in excessive amounts, and therefore reduces the potential development of Type 2 Diabetes where insulin is eventually prescribed by a Doctor. Of course not all people with blood sugar problems are overweight. They do have the same problem as the overweight person because, although they are thin they still have a higher proportion of fat to muscle ratio in their body. This is where the value of a Bio Impedance test is invaluable in disease prevention and wellness promotion. These people need to increase their muscle mass, and resistance exercise is the key, along with adequate protein intake.

At Kate Porter Naturopathy we have a Fat Loss Program designed to monitor your fat burning and fat loss, while maintaining valuable muscle mass. You will be able to see via the Bio-Impedance printouts your fat loss in kilograms, and monitor your muscle mass while watching your metabolic age drop, and the hydration of your cells increase, along with your well being and longevity. No calorie counting or hunger!

In Health,
Kate Porter ND.

What is your metabolic age?

2008-05-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

In my practice at Kate Porter Naturopathy in Arana Hills, new clients are firstly run through a variety of tests to determine their state of health, before I can draw up a treatment plan. Everyone has individual symptoms which are related to how their body is functioning. There is no one quick fix that covers everyone with similar symptoms, so at the first appointment I am on a fact finding mission, looking at the physical, emotional, and chemical impacts on the body and general state of health.

I use Inner Scan Bio-Impedance Analysis for one of these tests, which provides a number of different measurements that show your overall state of health, measuring key biological markers of ageing. When using this data as a baseline, your progress to greater health can be monitored. The Bio Impedance Analysis is a body fat analyzer identifying your Body Fat Percentage, Hydration and Total Body Water, Visceral Fat Rating (fat around your organs), Muscle Mass, Physique rating, Bone Mass, Basal Metabolic Rate/Metabolic Age in years. (How old are your cells ?) This system allows me to monitor your progress, and to fine tune programs as you work toward your body goals.

You may be thinking this is great to know, but what benefit is it to me?

Well, in identifying your Body Fat Percentage we can tell if you have too much or not enough fat, and the Visceral Fat Rating shows the fat around the internal organs in the stomach/trunk area of your body. This is an important measurement, as having appropriate levels of visceral fat reduces the risk of certain diseases which are directly linked to heart disease and high blood pressure, and delays the onset of type 2 diabetes. Regular monitoring of your results can help you adjust your lifestyle to stay in the low risk range.

Total Body Water percentage, indicates whether you are drinking enough water. We need the cells in our body to be plump and hydrated so wastes can exit the cells easily, and essential nutrients can enter. We don't want constipated cells.

Bone Mass indicates the weight of bone mineral in the body. Strong muscles means strong healthy bones. It is important to develop and maintain healthy bones through resistance exercise.

Basal Metabolic Rate indicates the number of calories your body burns when at rest. Unlike other methods of calculating BMR, Inner Scan takes the amount of muscle in your body into account, giving you a more accurate picture of your dietary requirements. .

Metabolic Age / BMR rating starts to decrease after the age of 17, and the metabolic age rating indicates what age level your body is currently rated at. Aim to keep young with regular cardiovascular exercise and activity to prevent this.

Muscle Mass calculates the weight of muscle in your body. Do you have too much or not enough muscle?

Physique Rating describes your overall physique or body shape by examining the balance between the amounts of body fat, and muscle in your body.

Athlete Mode is available for clients who do more than 10 hours a week intense exercise, and who have a resting heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute.

How does the BIA monitor work?

Well, the client stands on footplates on the platform of the scale, and the monitor will then send a safe low dual frequency electrical signal from the footplate electrodes through the body. The resistance to the measurement (known as Bio-electrical Impedance Analysis or BIA), is then fed into researched equations to provide accurate and personalized body composition readings.

Regular monitoring with BIA is essential when on a fat loss program. Your scales may tell you you have lost weight, but was it fat, muscle or water loss? You do not want to be losing muscle, and this is where the BIA is great. Adjustments can then be made to your diet and exercise program.

Here is a copy of the print out using the BIA. At each visit you will be given a copy of the results which presents each visit and results in a table, to be used in comparison on how you are progressing with your body goals.

In Health,

Kate Porter ND.

Naturopathy for everyone

2008-05-15T21:01:00.000-07:00

As this is my first blog, I thought I should introduce myself and what it is I actually do.

My name is Kate Porter,and I am a Naturopath, working from my clinic in Arana Hills. I originally trained as an Enrolled Nurse at Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital in Melbourne Victoria in the early 80's, gaining experience in barrier nursing and infection control.

After completing my training I married a Kiwi, and moved to New Zealand onto a deer farm just out of Wellington, but in later years ended up living in Blenheim at the top of the South Island. I continued to be a support carer in the community of people in their own homes. We have three daughters now who are 20, 17, and 15years.

I always had an interest in why certain diseases occurred in some people and not in others, as my immediate family seemed to attract allergies of all types. My interest in Naturopathy was ignited when our second daughter was diagnosed with lactose intolerance (dairy allergy), when she was 5 years old. I took her to a Naturopath in Melbourne, on one of our yearly trips home to visit family. She had always had the dark rings (allergic shiners) under her eyes, loose bowels (which meant a difficult time toilet training,) and the pains in the tummy after drinking cows milk. The pains in the tummy started to occur everyday on our 5 minute walks home from Kindy, where she refused to walk anymore, just wanting to lie on the footpath with a sore tummy. School would be starting soon, and I didn't want this to become a daily problem. Family thought I was mad taking her to a Naturopath, as they were not open to alternative medicine at all, but she was a different girl in a few weeks, and more than happy to give up things that made her feel sick. All this time I had been giving her milk because it was supposed to be good for all of us. She now knows her limitations, and can have an icecream occassionally, and is ok with yogurt. Changing her diet was so easy, and yet many mothers are reluctant to take away cows milk, as they think it is the only source of calcium. Cows milk is for baby cows not human babies, and can be related to recurrent ear infections, glue ear, chest infections, eczema, and asthma etc. Soy, rice, goat, or lactose free milks are great alternatives, and in our house we use alternative milks in all cooking such as mashed potatoes, white sauces, and baking etc. It is best to rotate your milk choices, as too much of anything is not good for you.

Lactose intolerance occurs in people who do not have the enzyme lactase to break down the sugar (lactose), found in cows milk and milk products. Common symptoms, may be mild to severe, and include nausea, cramping, bloating, wind, and diarrhoea. Elimination of cows milk products solves the problem.

So, on moving back to Australia, I embarked on the 5 year study of Naturopathy gaining an Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy, and a Bachelor of Health Science in Complementary Medicine. Naturopathy utilizes knowledge from Herbal Medicine, Irridology, Nutrition, Counselling, Kinesiology etc when forming a treatment plan. The course was alot of work, but highlighted so many options for individual symptoms that can easily be addressed using Naturopathy, eg weight loss, digestive disorders, fatigue, sleep problems, allergies, hormone imbalance, and the list goes on ............ There is no one quick fix for everyone. Each of us is an individual, having developed symptoms for different reasons. It is my job as a Naturopath to develop an individual treatment plan for each client, after an extensive fact finding mission looking at possible causes, and function of the chemical, physical, and emotional aspects of the body as a whole.

In future posts I would like to address health topics that concern you. So, if you have a health topic that you would like some information on let me know. In the meantime visit my website to gain an overall idea on what to expect from an appointment, and the details covered in treatment.

IN Health,

Kate Porter ND.