Pre Diabetic? – No, we can help you overcome that despite test results

Some people may find that they have higher than usual blood sugar levels. Typically, we associate this as being diabetes. However, for some people they don’t meet the threshold for a diabetes diagnosis. This is called pre-diabetes. This condition often has no symptoms but is still serious. Pre-diabetes means you are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. Many people don’t know they have pre-diabetes as there are normally no symptoms.

Risk factors for pre-diabetes

Some of the factors that put you at risk for developing pre-diabetes include:

·         If you have had gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby weighing over 4.08 kilo

·         If you are overweight

·         If you have a parent or sibling with Type 2 diabetes

·         If you are over 45

·         If you are not very physically active

If this is you, and you think you may have pre-diabetes you should get it checked.

Ways to help manage pre-diabetes

Once you have found that you have pre-diabetes then you need to look at changing some of your lifestyle habits. If you don’t do anything then there is a high chance it will develop into Type 2 Diabetes. Then you will also possibly get other bad health problems. There is an increased risk of kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage and limb amputation.

If you want to manage your pre-diabetic state you need a healthy, active lifestyle. Curcumin is one preventative for Type 2 diabetes. So, this is a great herb to add into your diet on a daily basis.

Curcumin helps the functioning of beta cells. These are found in the pancreas. They synthesise and secrete insulin. It can also regulate and moderate molecules and improve pancreatic glucose and insulin responses.

Vitamin D also has many health benefits. It makes for strong bones, muscles and nerves. Vitamin D helps your immune system fight bacteria and viruses. Boosting vitamin D levels can help control glucose levels.

CoQ10 is an antioxidant enzyme decreases in your body as you age. It keeps your heart healthy, assists your brain to function, lowers inflammation and lowers insulin resistance. It is found in meat, fish and nuts.

Exercise is one of the healthiest ways to maintain your whole body. A half hour fast walk a few times a week will bring you great health benefits especially in lowering your risk of Type 2 diabetes. If you reduce your physical activity you increase insulin resistance. So the level of exertion in the exercise you do is important. A combination of walking and yoga is great to have a good mix of faster and slower paced exercises to manage your glucose levels.

If you are having issues with your glucose levels give us a call as we can assist with the right healthy eating program for you balanced with exercise, weight reduction, deeper sleep and less stress.

Worst foods and drinks for dental health

Keeping your teeth healthy is vital. Your teeth are very important, you need them to eat. In order to keep your teeth healthy, you should be mindful of the foods and drinks you are eating. These can destroy your teeth.

Foods that are bad for teeth

One thing that is not good for your teeth is sugar. You probably already know how bad sugar is for you and your general health, but what you may not realise, is how bad it is for your teeth. Sugar is normally found in highly refined and processed food. These foods include things like lollies, packaged baked foods such as cakes, biscuits, etc. and soft drinks. The problem is that sugar sits on your teeth and gums. It accumulates and increases your risk for cavities and tooth decay. Snack foods also often cause you problems with your teeth. This is because certain snack foods can get stuck in your teeth. This will increase your risk of bacteria building up. These foods include popcorn, chips and pretzels. Something that you may not have thought would be bad for your teeth is dried fruit. The problem with them is due to the fact that they are sticky and can get caught in your teeth. This again causes issues with bacteria build up. If you are after a fruity snack try swapping out the dried fruit with fresh fruit instead. White bread can also cause problems with your teeth. This is because these types of breads are typically made with refined white flour. This type of flour is usually stripped of most its natural fibre and nutritional value. It is typically higher in sugar content causing stickiness on your teeth. These foods include white bread, bagels, donuts, and white pizza dough. They are also very bad for your gut and can cause a whole list of stomach problems.

Drinks that are bad for your teeth

Not only should you be thinking about the foods you’re eating but also the types of drinks that you are drinking. Alcohol is not great for your teeth. If you are a heavy drinker, you will have a higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Alcohol abuse is actually the second most common risk factor for oral cancer. Other drinks that can cause you problems with your teeth include acidic drinks. If you are drinking a lot of citrus juices, soft drinks, Kombucha or coffee and tea you could find you have problems with your teeth. This is because these drinks have high acidity which can wear away the enamel on your teeth and lead to discoloration. While Kombucha offers several health benefits, it is high in sugar and acidity, and may be worse than soft drink. Green tea however, is linked to fewer cavities and better periodontal health.

The only time you shouldn’t brush your teeth is straight after eating or drinking sugary or acidic foods and beverages. You should rinse your mouth with water instead. You should wait at least 30 minutes before you brush because the acid temporarily weakens the tooth enamel.

Also remember to see your dentist at least every 6 months for a check up to make sure your teeth stay strong and healthy. Remember ideally your teeth need to last your for your whole life so look after them.

Strawberries are good for you – here’s why

 

Strawberries are a delicious fruit that many of us enjoy, especially when we have a sweet tooth. Not only do they taste good but they are also very good for you. Good for your heart, brain and body in general as they are rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals and fibre. They also have a range of bioactive compounds in them including flavonoids, anthocyanins, lignans, tannins and phenolic acids. Strawberries also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may help to prevent diseases related to oxidative stress. They can help prevent against cardiovascular diseases, obesity, metabolic syndrome, certain cancers and neurological diseases.

Heart health

Strawberries are beneficial for your heart as they have antioxidant, anti-hypertension (high blood pressure) and anti-atherosclerotic effects. They help protect low density lipoprotein from oxidation.

Strawberries effect on Obesity

Obesity can cause a range of other health problems such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease and strokes. Strawberries can help with obesity-induced inflammation. They can also, increase the amount of gut microorganisms linked to lean body weight, health and longevity.

A good source of Folate, Vitamin C and Manganese

Strawberries are one of the richest sources of folate, a B vitamin your body needs to make DNA and other genetic material. Folate is essential during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects and also to help decrease risk of cancer in adults. It helps with depression, heart disease, stroke and neurological disorders.

Strawberries also are a source of manganese. Manganese is good for bone health, reproduction, blood clotting and the immune function. Vitamin C protects cells from damaging free radicals, makes collagen and boosts immune system function. This is another good reason to eat strawberries. You may even be able to lower your risk of lung, breast and colon cancers and cardiovascular disease. Vitamin C helps slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration and is great in helping with colds.

Anticarcinogenic

Anticarcinogenic, antioxidative and genoprotective properties found in strawberries are helpful in warding off cancer. They are a good source of fisetin, a flavonoid that acts as an anticarcinogenic agent. Fisetin is good for inhibiting cancer cell stages, for preventing progression in cell cycle and growth and induces apoptosis (the programmed death of cells that are beyond repair in the body).

The brain

When you eat a lot of strawberries and blueberries it may help slow the rate of cognitive decline. Fisetin in strawberries has antidepressant potential, increases serotonin and noradrenaline levels. Strawberries may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. 

So, when you feel like eating strawberries, or any berries for that matter, don’t fight it. They taste great and are extremely beneficial to your overall health. However, when purchasing your berries organic berries are better. This is because strawberries, like many other fruits and vegetables, tend to be sprayed with pesticides in produce, and this could mean they have a high level of pesticide residues. If organic berries are not an easy option you could try growing your own. They look quite colourful and are a wonderful addition to any garden.

Handling mould penetration and how badly it can affect your health

Mould is not just caused by too much rain. Now that the heavy rains have stopped in many areas of Australia there is an underlying repercussion. There is the dampness still in some areas, there is the clean-up after the floods and coping with the huge impact and losses it has caused. People are trying to clean up and repair the water damage which has soaked into furniture, clothes and electric items as well as damage to the house itself. One aftermath perhaps overlooked a bit is the damage of mould creeping into almost every crevice, including your body.

What is mould?

Mould is a type of fungi. It likes to grow in damp, poorly ventilated areas and spreads by producing spores. You will find mould almost anywhere inside or outside. It can grow on food, furniture, fabric, carpet, walls, paper, timber and even on your plumbing. The problem comes from the mould that starts to grow in your home. The warm, damp and humid conditions that we are having at the moment are making our homes the perfect breeding ground for mould.

How does mould impact your health?

Mould doesn’t only make your home look bad, it is very bad for your health and can cause serious health issues if you inhale the spores. Some of these issues can include causing an increased risks of asthma, allergies and respiratory infections. Some moulds that are more toxic can cause chronic inflammation. This happens because the mould produces mycotoxins and these can activate immune responses which lead to a myriad of health problems such as headaches, sinus, nasal congestion and skin and eye irritations. If you have an allergy to mould you may find that you are more susceptible to these issues.

There is a range of symptoms linked with exposure to mould commonly referred to as a biotoxin-related illness or a Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. The factors that may come into play with this condition can include genetics, nutritional deficiencies, your previous accumulated environmental toxins, your age and stress levels.

Treating mould exposure

The first thing you should do is remove yourself from the mouldy area. This may mean vacating the room you are in until it is repaired. Or if the mould is throughout your whole home you may need to stay somewhere else til it’s cleaned up. It is important to keep your house dry and dust free. Mould treatment can be complex so it is important to get good advice as to what is needed in your situation, not only for the house but for your health. You may need to take natural anti-inflammatories, eat an organic, wholefoods diet, increase your hydration with filtered water and to make appropriate lifestyle changes, including sauna therapy, increasing exercise and participating in mind-body treatments. You may also benefit from taking herbs to support your immune system.

Where to get help

It is important to attend a proper session to assess your health with a registered, trained naturopath. This cannot be rectified by buying a few supplements at the store. It needs to be assessed and the proper dosage of supplements for your specific case allocated so you can get well quickly and stay well. As for removing the mould for starters you could try bleach however the best way if you have a lot of dampness is to call an expert who knows how to remove it professionally without getting more spores into your body. Our clinic can help you overcome your reactions to mould and other viral and bacterial issues. Everything from a foggy head to unexplained headaches, lethargy etc. Check us out on www.stressfreemanagement.com.au today.

Morning sunshine is good for your sleep

Sleep is something that we all need for physical, mental and emotional health. The problem is that not all of us can get that essential amount of quality sleep we need. If you are one of those people who have trouble sleeping you may need to give yourself a sleep reboot.  

What you may not realise is that the key to getting a good night’s sleep starts first thing in the morning. Basically, what you do during the day will help determine weather you fall asleep fast, or toss and turn all night. This is when getting outside within your first hour of waking can lead to a better day and ultimately better sleep as well.

Morning sunlight and your health

Morning sunlight not only sets you up for a better day, by boosting your wellbeing and your mood it sets you up for better sleep. It is also good for producing vitamin D. This is vital for many aspects of your health. Sunlight is also crucial for regulating your body’s normal functions such as your hormone levels and your metabolism. Getting some sunshine in the morning can also improve your productivity.

Hormones: cortisol, melatonin and serotonin

The reason sunlight is important for your health is because when you get some early sun it wakes up your nervous system and the chemical reactions needed to reinforces your natural body clock which then produces cortisol, melatonin, and serotonin.

Serotonin

This hormone is responsible for regulating moods, appetite, memory and sleep. If you expose your body, face and eyes to sunlight, it will increase the production of serotonin in your body and reduce Seasonal Affective Disorder as well as anxiety and depression. Serotonin helps our sleep as it is a precursor to melatonin.

Melatonin

Morning sunlight will boost the amount of raw material needed to make the sleep hormone melatonin which is a central part of your body’s sleep-wake cycle. The morning sunlight exposure will help your serotonin cycles stay aligned with day and night cycles. It will peak mid-afternoon and will drop off after dark. This is what makes you feel tired. When these hormones are not working properly it can result in a bad night’s sleep.

Cortisol

This is your stress hormone and works opposite to melatonin. If your melatonin is high, your cortisol should be low and vice versa. The problem with these being out of balance is that your sleep gets affected. Cortisol in the morning is important as when the cortisol rises early on waking it has a greater positive benefits. This serves to lower your blood pressure and improving mental health while helping you feel alert.

What to do

If you sleep in a dark room there isn’t enough light to trigger the correct timing of the cortisol and melatonin rhythms. At day break there’s a particular contrast between yellows and blues, this triggers the activation of cortisol and it’s important to have cortisol firing during the day so that it doesn’t keep you awake at night. So if you have trouble sleeping, toss and turn take a look at your serotonin, melatonin and cortisol levels. Discuss it with your naturopath and let them help you get into a good sleep rhythm with herbs, Bach and shell essence remedies, aromatherapy oils, meditation and a few lifestyle changes. Soon your rhythms will be working as they should and you will be healthier on all levels.

Dementia Prevention and Reversing it – is it possible?

Continuing on with our articles on Dementia today we look at the possibilities for the future. When you or a loved one is diagnosed with dementia it can be very daunting. However, there has been research that has found that natural therapies may be able to, not just slow down dementia but also maybe reverse it.

As we get older, we start to worry about our cognitive abilities and the decline in our memories. Dementia is normally the general term we give for loss of memory and also other mental abilities which decline enough to interfere with everyday life. Alzheimer's disease, is just one of these many forms of memory loss that fall into the general term dementia. This form affects around 60% to 80% of all dementia patients. These figures are unfortunately expected to grow in the coming years. The most daunting thing about a diagnosis is that there is no effective treatment for Alzheimer's. One of the leading causes of death is aspiration pneumonia when food or liquid goes down the windpipe instead of the oesophagus and this leads to a lung infection leading to pneumonia.

The reason there is no treatment for Alzheimer’s is that the drugs that are on the market only target one part of the disease. Alzheimer's disease is unfortunately more complex than this.

Factors involved in Dementia

There are a number of factors that influence the development of dementia and Alzheimer's. One small study by Dr. Bredensen at UCLA found that, using personalised and comprehensive protocols helped to reverse memory loss in some patients. These patients’ memories improved within 6 months.

The study consisted of a number of changes in their diet, use of brain stimulation, doing exercise, getting enough sleep, and some specific pharmaceuticals and vitamins. A therapeutic program was developed and extensive testing done on each patient to find out what is affecting the signalling network in their brain. This led to a personalised program for each person.

Changes needed for Prevention and Reversal

Some changes that a patient can make includes eliminating simple carbohydrates, gluten, and processed food from their diet while increasing vegetables, fruits, and non-farmed fish. They also need tools to reduce their stress levels such as yoga and meditation. It is also important to get a good night’s sleep, up to 8 hours a night. If you have trouble sleeping you can try taking melatonin or a natural supplement consisting of lavender oil. Supplements that may help include vitamin B12, vitamin D, CoQ10, and fish oil. Other things that can be helpful include optimising oral hygiene, finding natural ways to regulate your hormonal balance and intermittent fasting. Fasting for a minimum of 12 hours between dinner and breakfast and fasting for a minimum of three hours between dinner and bedtime can be helpful. Also make sure you are getting regular exercise even if you don’t move very fast every little bit of mobility helps. Of course all this needs to be monitored by a trained natural therapist or naturopath to ensure it is administered properly.

It is important that you remember that dementia can have many causes and some of those causes are often reversible. If you or a loved one suffers from memory loss or dementia contact us today to develop a program to help you to have a better, healthier lifestyle.

Dementia – Part 2 on how to handle it

How to keep an active healthy brain and prevent dementia

Dementia is hard to deal with, whether you are the one who is suffering with it or whether you are watching someone you love go through it. There are however many things you can do that can help reduce your risk of developing dementia.

Look after your heart

It’s not only your brain you need to look after but also the rest of your body. Your heart and your head are connected. There are certain conditions that can increase your risk of developing dementia. If you have reached ‘mid-life’ then these conditions could increase your risk more. The conditions are high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Having these and not getting them treated can lead to damaged blood vessels in your brain. This then starts to affect your brain function and thinking skills. If you get these things treated and look after yourself you will decrease your risk of developing dementia.

If you’re a smoker, you are increasing your risk for developing heart disease, cancer, stroke, and other diseases, causing your risk for dementia to increase. However, if you stop smoking, these risks rapidly reduce.

 

Challenge your brain

Providing challenges for your brain to solve is great for your brain health. This could mean doing daily crosswords of Sukodo. You need to challenge your brain with new activities to build new brain cells. This is important because you will have extra cells in reserve for when some get damaged. If you don’t find puzzles appealing, then maybe you can try challenging your brain in different ways. Such as learning a new language. Whatever you enjoy doing it will keep your brain active. The goal is to stop your brain from being on ‘automatic pilot’.

 

Physical activity

Physical activity increases blood flow to your brain, which then stimulates the growth of brain cells. It is also associated with larger brain volume, which helps your brain function and reduces the risk of dementia. Exercise also reduces your risk of high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol. If you are someone who does very little physical activity, you may be increasing your risk of dementia.

 

Healthy diet

A high intake of saturated fats that are found in fried foods and takeaway food along with trans fats found in pies and cakes may increase your risk of dementia. Good fats such as monounsaturated fats maintain brain functionality and reduce the risk of dementia. These are the fats found in fish and olive oil. Also good for your bran are foods high in antioxidants. The Omega 3 fatty acids that are in oily fish help reduce inflammation in the brain, which then helps the growth of new brain cells.

 

Socialise

Socialising can be stimulating. It also helps to alleviate depression and improves vascular conditions. There is research that shows when you combine social activity with mental and physical activity you are not only having fun but improving your brain health as well.

 

If you have concerns that you or someone you love is developing dementia see your naturopath or nutritionist to find out how you can start living a healthier lifestyle. This clinic specialises in all matters concerning physical, spiritual, energetic, mental and emotional health. Give us a call today to find out how we can help.