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    How the Specific Carbohydrate Diet Can Help Reduce Body Inflammation and Improve Digestive Health

How the Specific Carbohydrate Diet Can Help Reduce Body Inflammation and Improve Digestive Health

Key Message: Great health starts in the gut

Action Point: The SCD diet helps to reduce inflammation and improve overall digestive health
If you’ve ever studied ancient history, you’ll have heard the saying “all roads lead to Rome.” Apply a similar saying to the human body and you could quite easily say, “great health starts in the gut.” So prominent is this organ, that if it’s in poor health, so are you. Period.

Stress, antibiotics, poor sleep, pollutants, and bad diet have lead to the average person’s gut becoming more inflamed than it’s ever been in history. As a result, allergies, asthma, eczema and auto-immune diseases are becoming more common. Fatigue disorders are through the roof, and so too is depression, anxiety, and a general feeling of ill health.

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) diet, an eating plan created in the early 20th century but later popularized by Elaine Gottschall, looks to reduce chronic inflammation and improve overall digestive health. If you believe you suffer from either of those things, this diet may just change your life.

The History of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet

Sidney V. Hass, the original creator of the diet, found that certain foods made inflammation worse . He found that by eliminating certain foods from the diet, the body was able to overcome this inflammation and therefore heal itself.

Originally, the diet was intended to treat patients with major gut disorders such as Celiac Disease and Crohn’s. Later, however, it was found that even those without major gut disorders could still improve their health by following it and reducing their own inflammation.

An Overview of the Diet

Those taking part in a SCD are required to limit their intake of simple and complex carbohydrates, sometimes to the point of reducing […]

By |February 10th, 2016|Gut health, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Research|0 Comments
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Your diet before conception affects your child’s DNA

Key Message: What a woman eats prior to conception can affect her children’s genes 
Action Point: Maintain a healthy diet and be mindful of your eating patterns well before conception
Women can often obsess about their diet during pregnancy to make sure they are doing everything right for their baby. However, the latest twist in this development has shaken the foundations of genetics.

It has been claimed by the Medical Research Council (MRC) that even before conception, a mother’s diet can have an impact on her unborn child’s immune system and pose a risk, on a long term basis, to life threatening diseases.
Basis of claim
After extensive testing on pregnant women from Gambia, the MRC came to this astonishing conclusion. As we all know a child inherits genes from his or her parents. The genes in discussion here are at the mercy of a process called DNA methylation, which is affected by epigenetics.

This affects how genes are either upregulated or downregulated and ultimately affects cell function. Research on this complex subject has pinpointed a tumor suppressor gene called VTRNA20-1, which is largely dependent on the diet of the female and vital in determining the future health of the child.

A compound called methyl group is added to the DNA, and this forces gene silencing and therefore limits their ability to express themselves properly.
How the tests were carried out
The researchers at the MRC in London required the services of pregnant African women from Gambia. Initially they were separated in two groups, as per the season they had conceived in. When divided in to the rainy season group and the dry season group, their blood was examined and comprehensively tested.

When they gave birth to their children, their blood was tested too […]

By |February 7th, 2016|Children, Fertility, Health & Wellbeing, Hormones, Nutrition, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments
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Should Diets be Tailored to Your Gut Microbiome?

Key Message: There is “no one size fits all” dietary advice.

Action Point: Diets should be tailored to individuals based on a number of factors and further study is needed to determine if gut bacteria is one of them.
According to a new study, there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all dietary advice. Everyone metabolises meals differently so based on this, Israeli scientists believe that diets should be tailored to an individuals microbiome or combination of gut bacteria.

The three phase study shows that different people can have a very different blood sugar response to food. It appears that the individual’s gut bacteria was a key factor influencing whether a food delivers a long, slow rise in blood sugar or a short, sharp spike. 1

Over one week, hundreds of healthy and pre-diabetes volunteers had their blood sugar levels monitored and also recorded their every meal and daily activity which revealed dramatic differences in each person’s blood sugar response to different foods.

An algorithm was developed to predict an individual’s glycemic response to a food based on factors such as their microbiome, daily activity, blood parameters and food content.

They then tested the algorithm against customised advice of experienced dieticians for a group of people with pre-diabetes and found that the algorithm created a better diet that would improve people’s blood sugar profile that are considered at risk.

Interestingly, some of the food ingredients included in these people’s good diets were also included in other people’s bad diets.

Professor Jennie Brand-Miller, director of the Sydney University Glycemic Index Research Service, commented on the study stating that such information was already well known as “the response was influenced by factors such as exercise, sleep and stress.”

She also stated that the variation of glycemic […]

By |February 3rd, 2016|Gut health, Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Nutrition, Research, Weight Loss|0 Comments
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The Importance of DHA – Part 2

Key Message: During pregnancy and breastfeeding DHA plays a vital role in foetal and infant brain development and visual function.

Action Point: Maternal intake of DHA is crucial and dietary intake should be increased to avoid becoming depleted, especially during the third trimester when there is significant brain development.
We know that DHA is critical for optimal brain development, health and function at all ages. While it provides support for memory and cognitive function and healthy development of eyes for adults, research has shown DHA supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding plays a significant role. It assists with foetal and infant brain development, increases IQ scores, lengthens attention spans, and enhances foetal and infant eye development.

Amazingly, the foetal brain is consuming 70% of dietary energy fed to it by the mother to meet the demands for its rapid rate of growth. Similarly, when the baby is born, it will use up to 60% of the energy from its mother’s milk for growth. That is why adequate maternal DHA intake is vitally important as without sufficient dietary intake, mothers become depleted of DHA and may increase their risk of suffering major depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. 2   Some say that “baby brain” is more likely caused by the depletion of maternal DHA, as it makes up 97% of the omega 3 fats in your brain.

 During the third trimester there is significant development of brain and fat tissues and maternal DHA levels decrease while foetal accumulation of omega-3 fatty acids (mainly DHA) increases. Therefore maternal intake of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation is crucial as it not only determines the DHA levels of a newborn but also has a significant impact on post-natal development of […]

By |January 27th, 2016|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Research, Uncategorized|0 Comments
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The Importance of DHA – Part 1

Key Message: DHA, an omega 3 fatty acid, is important for brain and eye development and function throughout life and is vital during pregnancy for foetal and infant development.

Action Point: Ensure you are getting adequate dietary intake of omega 3’s from oily fish such as mackerel, salmon, trout and sardines or consider a supplement to boost your DHA levels.
Did you know that 60% of the structure of your brain is fat? Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid important for brain and eye development and function throughout life.

It is the most abundant omega 3 in the brain, representing about 97% of all omega-3 fatty acids in the brain. It also assists with the healthy development of eyes and provides support for memory and cognitive function. 2-3

Omega-3s are essential fats that your body doesn’t produce so most of it must be obtained through diet or supplementation.

DHA plays a role in numerous functions including:

Brain and nervous system development and function
Inhibits oxidative stress
Influences growth and development of nervous tissue
Infant mental development
Supporting the mental function of children and adults throughout life
Some behavioural and mood disorders affecting both children and adults
Infant visual development and visual function throughout life
Supporting a healthy heart

DHA intake supports a healthy pregnancy and assists in achieving healthy pregnancy outcomes. It’s particularly important in the third trimester when significant brain growth occurs. Developing infants cannot efficiently produce their own DHA and therefore must obtain this vital nutrient through the placenta during pregnancy and from breast milk after birth.

As foetal supply of DHA is solely dependent on maternal intake, increasing DHA during these times has a very important impact on the status of the newborn and may assist children’s general growth and development, cognition, vision […]

By |January 24th, 2016|Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Research|0 Comments
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Depleting your Gut Bacteria May Keep You Thin!

Key Message: The absence of certain gut bacteria has been shown to burn more calories

Action Point: Further research will hopefully identify new ways to suppress or modify the gut bacteria in an effort to reduce obesity
In the past few years, research has started to show how microbiota (AKA gut bacteria) has an impact on the way calories are absorbed and how fat cells develop. Now, scientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Faculty of Medicine, Switzerland have recently been able to demonstrate on mice how the absence of microbiota has a remarkable effect against obesity which could revolutionise new anti-obesity treatments.

They have discovered that the absence of gut bacteria in mice triggers a surprising metabolic mechanism: an increase in white fat cells, which in fact cause obesity and insulin resistance. These white fat cells are transformed by gut bacteria into cells known as “beige fat” which are similar to brown fat in that they protect the body against excess weight and its consequences.

White fat, which is used as energy storage, makes up around 25% of the body mass of a healthy person. However an excess of white fat contributes to insulin resistance and diabetes while brown fat does the opposite. Cells, similar to brown fat, called beige fat, can develop within white fat, a process known as “browning” as a response to cold or exercise.

The increased production of beige fat within white fat means the more calories burned and this then suggests that a way to reduce obesity and limit insulin resistance could be to stimulate beige fat growth.

It has only been recently that scientists have started to understand the unexpected role of gut microbiota. Researchers from UNIGE Faculty of Medicine have shown that it […]

By |January 20th, 2016|Gut health, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Research|0 Comments
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What is Resistant Starch?

Key Message: Resistant starch plays an important role in our diet and helps maintain intestinal health
Action Point: Choose whole, unprocessed sources of carbohydrates such as wholegrains, fruits and vegetables, beans and legumes
Resistant starch (RS) plays an important role in our diet. It is a type of starch that isn’t fully broken down and absorbed in the small intestine, but rather turned into short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) by intestinal bacteria. SCFAs can be absorbed into the body from the colon or stay put and be used by colonic bacteria for energy.

The amount of SCFAs we have in our colon is related to the amount and type of carbohydrate we consume. And if we eat plenty of RS, we have plenty of SCFAs. But the most important of these SCFA’s is butyrate, which is actually the preferred fuel of the cells that line the colon. So, by increasing the amount of butyrate, resistant starch feeds both the friendly bacteria and indirectly feeds the cell in the colon. 1
What makes a starch “resistant”?
Most of the carbohydrates in our diets are starches. All starches are composed of two types of polysaccharides: amylose and amylopectin.

Amylopectin is broken down quickly, which means it produces a bigger rise in blood sugar (glucose) and subsequently, a large rise in insulin. Examples are waxy rice, maize and potato starch.

Amylose predominates in RS. Foods high in amylose are digested more slowly and are less likely to spoke blood glucose or insulin. Examples are beans and other legumes.

Not all the starch we eat gets digested and it is therefore resistant to digestion. We call this resistant starch,which acts like soluble fibre.
What are the health benefits of resistant starch?
Eating foods rich in resistant starch nourishes your […]

By |January 17th, 2016|Gut health, Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Research, Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Are you looking for a break in the health industry?

Celebrity nutritionist, naturopath, author  and TV presenter, Emma Sutherland, is looking for health-conscious interns to be part of the team. Interested? Read on!

The Role
Interns are required to research the latest health news and information to create fantastic weekly blog posts. They will learn how to generate high-quality, user-friendly information from current research that will then be published on Emma’s well-known and respected websites.
This training is perfect for an intern who wishes to get a feel for the operations of a small business while gaining experience in online marketing, content production and research, all within the realm of holistic health.

The Intern
We are looking for someone with a professional yet fun attitude who has some experience with research, blogging and article creation. You must have great communication skills with an excellent grasp of grammar and spelling. The role is suited to someone who exudes vibrant energy, loves good food and has a keen interest in health and nutrition. Applicants need to be English-speaking and tech savvy.

Our Offer
In exchange for 10 hours of internship per fortnight, Emma is offering 5 observational hours in her Balmain clinic in Sydney, Australia, OR a fortnightly 1-hour one-on-one mentoring session via Skype.
If you are interested in this role, send your resume and cover letter to Joanna at info@thehealthyva.com and include:

Why you would like an internship with Emma

2x examples of your own work of a blog post or article on a health topic.

 

“I was fortunate enough to be able to complete clinic hours with Emma Sutherland. After studying to be a Naturopath over the past 6 years, I felt that I had the knowledge but lacked the confidence on how to execute what was stored in my brain! Emma has helped me to take […]

By |January 17th, 2016|Naturopathy, Nutrition, Research|0 Comments
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Fluoride: A dangerous neurotoxin

Key Message: Fluoride is a dangerous neurotoxin
Action Point: Install a high-quality water filter to help eliminate or reduce the amount of fluoride that you are exposed to on a daily basis
Since the 1940’s, the introduction of fluoridation (the process of adding fluoride to public water supplies in an effort to prevent cavities) has attracted controversy. Now, the prestigious medical journal The Lancet has published a report that supports the fact that fluoride is a developmental neurotoxin.

The report now adds fluoride to the list of harmful environmental pollutants alongside well-known hazards such as mercury, lead and arsenic. It shows neurotoxins at high enough levels can cause developmental disorders and are of particular concern to unborn babies and young children whose brains are still developing.

Studies have repeatedly linked fluoride to reduced IQ and brain damage.
Reported effects of fluoride on your brain include:

Reduction in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Damage to your hippocampus
Formation of beta-amyloid plaques (the brain abnormality in Alzheimer’s disease)
Reduction in lipid content
Worsening of lesions induced by iodine deficiency
Impaired antioxidant defense systems
Increased uptake of aluminum
Accumulation of fluoride in your pineal gland

There are so many scientific studies showing the direct, toxic effects of fluoride on your body. It is surprising that the harmful effects have been known for over half a century and yet the medical (and dental) communities are so stubbornly resistant to recognize the connection in the increase of cognitive decline in adults and behavioural issues in children (ADD, ADHD, depression and learning disabilities)

In fact there have been more than 23 human studies and 100 animal studies linking fluoride to brain damage.
What can you do?
A high-quality water filter installed in your home can help eliminate, or at least reduce, the amount of fluoride you and your family […]

By |January 10th, 2016|Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Recipes|0 Comments
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Birth canal bacteria could help C-section babies

Key Message: Birth canal bacteria could restore some of the bacteria lost during c-section births
Action Point: More research is needed however a restoring intervention may be possible for babies that have not passed the birth canal
Researchers have begun to experiment with the concept of collecting birth-canal bacteria and wiping them onto babies (born by C section) as opposed to a normal birth where the effluvia is wiped off.

They are doing this in an effort to explore the theory that altered bacterial populations could help explain why C-section babies tend to have higher chances of asthma, allergies, obesity and other health risks.

Obviously during labour, the baby is rubbing against the mucosa of the birth canal for a long time and bacteria start growing before the baby is even out and continues to grow exponentially. In this study, researchers are trying to determine whether it might help babies delivered by C-section to restore some of the vaginal bacteria that they would have been exposed to if they had gone through the birth canal.
It has been found that vaginal delivery exposes the baby to many more bacteria than C-section babies.
While the research is intriguing and the intervention seems so simple, many questions still remain and much more research is still needed.

There are concerns that this work will encourage women to have C-sections, however Dr Maria Gloria Dominguex-Bello, associate professor in the Human Microbiome Program at the NYU School of Medicine says, “the microbes are just one part of labor and we don’t understand completely the whole process and why it is important.”

Her main concern in this study is to determine the impact of not having a heavily inoculated canal and if this can be restored.

With the initial […]

By |January 3rd, 2016|Children, Fertility, Health & Wellbeing, Hormones, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments
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How to Heal Your Adrenals Naturally

How to Heal Your Adrenals Naturally

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