Children

The Tigernut Story & My Latest Recipe for You

In my quest for information about gut health, I read a lot of research, which makes its way into every aspect of my life. As a speaker, I hold keynote talks about gut health and it was at one of my events that the founders of Health and Harvest found me.

Health and Harvest import Tigernuts, and no, they are not actually nuts!

Tigernuts are hugely exciting for me, due to their nutritional qualities. You may have read my blog post on resistant starch. Often resistant starch is a little unfriendly to use. Think of green bananas, potato starch powder and cooked then cooled legumes.

Tigernuts are user friendly tubers, a type of root vegetable that can be eaten whole, soaked to make Spanish style horchata or ground to make flour. They are gluten free and contain a bucket load of fibre along with the Superfood of all Superfoods, resistant starch. Resistant starch is a kind of prebiotic, which helps to keep your probiotics happy and well fed.

It also turns out that Tigernuts are about as Paleo as Paleo can get, and are a true evolutionary food with Oxford Uni discovering they played a key nutritional role in our evolution. See research here >>

When you chew a Tigernut, take your time and chew well. The more you chew, the more the natural sugars are released and the flavour is part coconut, part chestnut. Per 100g of Tigernuts have 400mg resistant starch, 5.9mg iron, 23.5g fibre and 915mg of heart healthy potassium.

So, I went ahead and made some mini banana and Goji berry muffins for Sophia, using Tigernut flour. She is brutally honest with me when it comes to food so she is the ultimate recipe tester! Thankfully, these little beauties passed […]

By |June 21st, 2016|Children, Gut health, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Paleo, Recipes, Research, Weight Loss|0 Comments
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What affects your baby’s development in the womb?

Have you ever wondered how much of a baby’s development in the womb is determined by genes passed on from parents, compared with the mother’s nutrition, mental health and lifestyle?

Well now, an international study published in Genome Research, has used an analysis of genetic DNA marks to measure exactly this.

The combination of our genes and our experiences at the beginning of our lifetimes, inside the womb affect our health throughout our lives.

The link between a baby’s development in the womb and its risk of obesity and heart disease later in life is thought to be linked to epigenetics and DNA methylation markers.

This research provides important evidence showing most of the variations between babies come from the combination of the environment experienced in the womb and the genetic information passed on from their parents.

According to Professor Godfrey, from National University of Singapore, “development in the womb can be likened to an orchestra, in which genes are the instruments and epigenetic changes are the musicians who determine how the baby is formed.”

The Singapore GUSTO Birth Cohort Study, led by researchers at A*STAR’s Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS) in collaboration with the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, used samples of umbilical cord DNA which showed that genetic differences alone explained only 25% of the epigenetic variation between babies.

This is the world’s first study using DNA to estimate how big a role the prenatal envi-ronment plays in a child’s development and how much is simply genetically determined.

This is an extremely important study as the findings are likely to revolutionise the un-derstanding of gene-environment interactions in early life and how a mother’s nutrition and lifestyle have long lasting effects on the health of her children.

So watch this […]

By |February 21st, 2016|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments
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Decrease the risk of childhood eczema with probiotics

With the incidence of childhood eczema at almost one in five babies in Australia, a study has showed astounding results for mums and bubs alike. Eczema is debilitating and heart breaking but there is now proof certain strains of probiotics can help.

In this study, 415 pregnant women were divided into two groups. From 36 weeks of pregnancy until 12 weeks post birth, one group took a probiotic milk supplement while the others were given a placebo.

The researchers evaluated the children at six years of age and assessed them for eczema, asthma, allergic rhino conjunctivitis, and atopic sensitisation. There was a statistically significant 52% decrease in the risk of eczema in the probiotic group.

References

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4522068/

By |February 17th, 2016|Children, Gut health, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments
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Our top 5 Healthy summer snacks for kids

With summer fast approaching it’s time to rejoice and harness the energy of the sun.
Healthy summer snacks are key to keeping your child well nourished during holiday season. Young children need energy to help them grow, develop and reach their maximum potential. When children get hungry, not only does their behaviour and moods change but they can easily turn to quick unhealthy snacks to satisfy their needs.

With a little bit of planning, you can keep your child on track for a healthy summer with some healthy and tasty snacks to nibble on! A great way to get them onboard with the selections is to involve them in the planning.

Food has to be fun and tasty. Give them options. When they decide, it gives them a feeling of control and they are less likely to refuse eating.

It is important that the snack foods you provide are healthy, low in sugar, fat(do you mean pro inflammatory?) and salt. Being a role model and buying food that is healthy will go a long way in shaping your child’s relationship with food too.
Here are a few fast and easy ideas to get you started:

Smoothies – these are perfect for the hot days ahead. Simply blend yoghurt, milk and fruit such as bananas and berries. They also make a great power breakfast in the morning. Get some silly straws to make them even more fun.
Frozen fruit ( e.g oranges, bananas, watermelon and grapes)
Cheese slices or cheese sticks either on their own or with low fat crackers
Homemade frozen yoghurt icy-poles. Blend natural yogurt and fruit, pour mixture into icy-pole moulds, freeze and enjoy. A great alternative to ice cream on those hot days.
Carrot, zucchini or celery sticks combined with healthy […]

By |February 14th, 2016|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition|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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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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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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    Is There an Easy Fix to Your Child’s Challenging Behaviour?

Is There an Easy Fix to Your Child’s Challenging Behaviour?

Key Message: Pyrrole disorder is quite common however some doctors don’t know it exists

Action Point: Look for common symptoms and seek treatment before it affects your child’s learning and behaviour
Pyrrole disorder is a genetic blood disorder that results in a dramatic deficiency of zinc and vitamin B6. It is caused by the overproduction of hydroxyhempyrolin (HPL). The HPL binds zinc and B6 preventing their use by the body and causing excretion in the urine and hair.
Up to 10 percent of children have pyrrole, yet some doctors don’t know it exists.  Apparently this number is even higher among those with behavioural disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression.  That means in a typical class of 25 to 30 kids, two or three have it and won’t be learning or behaving well.
Common symptoms include:

an inability to cope with stressors
emotional mood swings
extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

Pyrrole disorder can also cause learning difficulties and auditory processing disorders – the inability to single out the sound you should be listening to. All of these are reasons why this condition is often only diagnosed after a child has a difficult time adjusting to a preschool or kindergarten classroom.
Fortunately, there are signs of pyrrole disorder you can spot before your child has problems in the classroom.

Physical symptoms include:

white spots on the fingernails
pale skin that burns easily
overcrowded teeth
cold hands and feet – even in summer
motion sickness
insomnia
joint pain
fatigue
irritable bowel syndrome

Emotional symptoms include anxiety, a low tolerance for stress, mood swings, depression, and hyperactivity.

The symptoms of pyrrole can be exacerbated by stress and a poor diet. However once it has been identified, it can be easily treated with zinc and B6 supplements

Most children see rapid improvement once they start treatment, although they […]

By |November 8th, 2015|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Nutrition, Research|0 Comments
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How Sleep Can be Helped With Music

Key Message: Research shows that music can help improve sleep quality

Action Point: Listen to certain types of music before bedtime to help you fall asleep quicker and improve your sleep quality
There’s nothing quite like a good night’s sleep. It paves the way for the day ahead, improving energy levels and mental performance.

Unfortunately, there are many out there who don’t get to enjoy the luxury of having a full eight hours of sleep. These unlucky individuals have to make do with lethargy and a type of sluggishness that they just can’t shake off.

Thankfully though, help may be at hand. Research has shown that music can actually help improve sleep quality and speed up the rate in which somebody dozes off. If you have issues with your slumber, it’s time to grab your iPod and continue reading. You might be about to discover the answer to your woes.
How Music Can Help You Sleep
The British Academy of Sound, a prestigious institution based in Great Britain, has found that certain types of songs can increase the chances of you falling and staying asleep.

Certain songs have the ability to relax the brain, which promotes rest.
What to Look for in a Song?
According to researchers, rhyme and repetition help people cross over into the land of nod. Not only this, but low tones and slow tempos help, too.

If you’re a fan of pulsating techno music, that’s unlikely to do the job, at least according to Lazlo Harmat, a German researcher tasked with understanding how music affects sleep.

Your best bet is to look for a tune that has around 60 beats per minute. If you’re wondering how to figure out a song’s BPM, simply search online, or count the beats in your […]

By |November 1st, 2015|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Infant Sleep, Research|0 Comments
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How Phthalates Affect Fertility

Key Message: Exposure to BPA and phthalates can be harmful and could prevent couples from having children

Action Point: There are steps you can take to limit your exposure to BPA and phthalates
Most parents are aware that Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates can be harmful to young children, and are conscious of buying BPA and phthalate-free plastic items like bottles and cups for them. But new science is suggesting that chemicals like BPA and phthalates could prevent couples from having children in the first place.

The new research, presented at a recent conference of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine in Boston, links exposure to BPA and phthalates, both chemicals used in many common household products to make plastic more pliable, to both increased infertility and a higher risk of miscarriage. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with our hormones. They have previously been associated with changes in sperm quality, androgen levels, birth outcomes and neurodevelopment of children.

One study presented at the conference found that men with high phthalate concentrations in their urine experienced a 20% decline in fertility and took longer to get their partners pregnant than men with fewer phthalates in their urine.

Another study found that women who had high levels of BPA in their blood were “at significant increased risk of miscarriage compared to women with the lowest levels.” They found that BPA levels were higher in both chromosomally normal and abnormal miscarriages.

It is not routine to test men and women with fertility problems or who have experienced miscarriage for BPA or phthalates, but that may soon change thanks to the findings of the new studies. “It gives you one more thing to ask the patients about when you see unexplained […]

By |October 18th, 2015|Children, Fertility, Health & Wellbeing, Hormones, Miscarriage, Preconception & Pregnancy, Recipes, Uncategorized|0 Comments
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How to Heal Your Adrenals Naturally

How to Heal Your Adrenals Naturally

Adrenal fatigue is one of the most under diagnosed illnesses in western society. Download a copy of my free ebook to learn about the symptoms and how to heal your Adrenals naturally.

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