Health & Wellbeing

The secret to longevity is also good for the waistline

 
Key message: Research suggests that intermittent fasting diets slow down ageing and may add years to life.

Action point: Check out my ebook on fasting – it provides menu plans, a calorie guide, meal ideas and more: https://www.emmasutherland.com.au/index.php/product/emmas-guide-to-intermittent-fasting/
 

Science now backs up what yogis have known for thousands of years. According to new research, occasionally adopting a diet that mimics fasting could slow ageing.

The study1, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, found that following a four-day cycle of a low-calorie intake twice a month can lead to a reduction of belly fat and extended lifespan.
The Fasting Mimicking Diet
The Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD), which restricts calories to between a third and a half of normal intake, has been developed by academics at the University of Southern California.

The researchers looked at the effectiveness of periodic fasting on ageing-related factors in yeast, mice and humans. Aside from longevity, the diet was found to have other benefits.

In the mice study, the restricted calorie diet improved metabolism, decreased bone loss, improved cognitive function, lowered cancer incidence and extended longevity.

Humans underwent three monthly cycles of the five-day diet and the researchers noted a drop in risk factors related to ageing, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Eat less, live longer
The researchers think the diet works by slashing a hormone which encourages growth in the body and has been linked to cancer susceptibility. Essentially, it tricks the body into ageing more slowly. The diet increases the number of progenitor and stem cells in various organs, including the brain, where it was also found to boost learning and memory.

The FMD isn’t a typical diet, because it isn’t something you need to stay on, and it is easier and safer than strict fasting or water-only fasting.

According to the researchers, for […]

By |September 26th, 2015|Health & Wellbeing, Research|0 Comments
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    The hidden health hazards in your kitchen: Cookware to avoid

The hidden health hazards in your kitchen: Cookware to avoid

Most of us spend a lot of money buying nutritious food. But when it comes to health and wellbeing, what we cook with is just as important as the food we eat.
The perils of non-stick cookware
Certain kinds of kitchenware can discharge toxic fumes and chemicals into your food. Over time these foreign substances can build up in your body and damage your health.

While non-stick pans are easy to use and clean, research has shown that they can harm our health.

Teflon is a brand name for the special coating on nonstick pans. A chemical – called perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA – is used to make compounds called fluoropolymers, which are, in turn, used to make Teflon.

There is a growing body of evidence showing that perfluorochemicals used in Teflon are highly toxic. Recent research has shown that prenatal exposure to PFCs1 compromises early childhood immunity and that general exposure increases the risk of arthritis.2

At high temperatures Teflon is known to give off a cocktail of 15 types of toxic particles and gases, including trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and phosgene. These chemicals are known to be poisonous to birds.3 And in humans they cause headaches, chills, backache and fever – a condition known as ‘Teflon flu’.

Another type of cookware to avoid is aluminium. Most cookware today is made of anodised aluminium. But if you’re using hand-me-downs or buying used, it might be made from non-anodised aluminium, which can leach aluminium salts, causing a variety of unpleasant symptoms.

You should also be careful of pans made from copper. Large amounts of copper from unlined cookware can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.4 Some copper and brass pans are coated with another metal to prevent food from coming into contact with copper. […]

By |September 19th, 2015|Health & Wellbeing, Research|0 Comments
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    Health begins even before conception, according to groundbreaking new research

Health begins even before conception, according to groundbreaking new research

Key message: A mother’s diet before conception can affect her unborn child’s genetic make-up and immune system.

Action point: Complete a three-month preconception program to optimise your nutritional template before falling pregnant.
Thinking about having a baby? Then now is the time to get your diet right.
A mother’s diet before conception can affect her unborn child’s genetic make-up and immune system, according to new findings.1

It is commonly known that a child’s genes are inherited directly from the mother and father. The way those genes are expressed is controlled through epigenetic modifications to the DNA, which turn genes on and off and affect how cells read genes.

A study published in Nature Communications established that genetic expression can be influenced by an individual’s environment and nutritional intake, and affects the long-term health of offspring.

Researchers from the MRC International Nutrition Group, based at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and MRC Unit, used a unique ‘experiment of nature’ in rural Gambia. The population’s dependence on homegrown foods and a markedly seasonal climate impose a large difference in people’s dietary patterns between rainy and dry seasons.

Through a selection process involving more than 2000 women, the researchers enrolled pregnant women who conceived at the peak of the rainy season (84 women) and the peak of the dry season (83 women).

By measuring the concentrations of nutrients in their blood, and later analysing blood and hair follicle samples from their 2–8 month-old infants, they found that a mother’s diet before conception had a significant affect on the properties of her child’s DNA.  A mother’s nutritional status at the time of conception can permanently change the function of a gene that influences her child’s immunity and cancer risks.

The study has found that a […]

By |September 12th, 2015|Health & Wellbeing, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments
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The hidden health costs of mobile phones

In this three-part series, let’s explore the potential adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields. Part 3: The hidden health costs of mobile phones.
Key message: There are positive and negative effects of mobile phone use.

Action point: There are steps you can take to minimise the potential negative effects of EMF exposure from mobile phone use.
We use them every day: to call and text people, take photos, access the internet, record videos, download apps and even do our banking. It’s fair to say that mobile phones have revolutionised the way we live.

In important ways, they also contribute to our health: we can access health information on our phones, and they have played vital roles in rapid response to life-saving emergencies.

But the long-term health effects of using mobile devices are a topic of debate, not to mention a lot of current health research. There are concerns that the low levels of radiofrequency (RF) radiation emitted by mobile phones could cause health problems such as headaches or brain tumours.

Mobile phones communicate with base stations using RF radiation. If RF radiation is high enough, it has a ‘thermal’ effect, which means it raises body temperature (see Part One of our EMF series for more information about EMF frequencies).

In Australia, all mobile phones must meet the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Standard RPS 3.1

Even with these stringent safety standards, mobile phones can affect us biologically. It is estimated that the RF radiation from a mobile phone held against your ear will heat a localised area of your face and, to a lesser extent, your brain, by a fraction of a degree.2

Can this heating effect have negative consequences on our health and wellbeing?
The research
A large number of studies have […]

By |September 5th, 2015|Health & Wellbeing, Research|0 Comments
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Dirty electricity

In this three-part series, let’s explore the potential adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields. Part 2: Is poor-quality electric power in our homes, schools and workplaces making us sick?
Key message: Poor-quality electric power in your home, school and workplace could be making you sick.

Action point: Reduce your exposure to dirty electricity using the tips in this blog post.
 

We are surrounded by electrical sources in our daily lives – power lines, substations, household electrical appliances and wiring. Electricity is an integral part of modern life.

However, you may not be aware that researchers have demonstrated that radiation from electricity can affect our health.

Electrical sources are known to emit low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields (EMF). (For more information about EMF, see Part One of our EMF series.)

The EMF frequency bands that are generated in connection with the production, transmission, distribution and use of electrical power usually have a frequency of 50–60 Hz.  Our devices are designed to run on this frequency.
Dirty electricity
But TVs, computers, dimmer switches, compact fluorescent bulbs, motors and many other devices don’t use this power cleanly. Modern devices are designed to save energy, and they do this by turning on and off rapidly – thousands, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of times per second.

These high-frequency deviations caused by the arcing and sparking of electrical devices is also known as dirty electricity.

Dirty electricity is said to be stressful for the body and can wreak havoc on our health. For example, studies have linked dirty electricity to cancer, diabetes, asthma, and even behavioural and learning problems in children. 1,2,3,4,5,

By reducing as many EMFs as possible you lessen the load of electrostress on your body. This enables your body to do what it […]

By |August 29th, 2015|Health & Wellbeing, Research|0 Comments
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Is the modern world making you sick?

In this three-part series, let’s explore the potential adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields. Part 1: Is the modern world making you sick?
Key message: Long-term exposure to EMF could be making us sick.

Action Point: Start to notice how much EMF you are actually exposed to – phones, computers, laptops, microwaves, household appliances etc. Start to turn them off at night time.
The health cost of technology
Technologies we rely on in today’s world – electricity, the internet, phones, radio, television, any smart technology, and even baby monitors – could be making us sick.

They all emit a type of electromagnetic radiation via an electromagnetic field (EMF) – an environmental ‘pollution’ that some researchers are saying could account for many of today’s common health conditions.

There is no denying that electromagnetic fields are one of the fastest growing and ubiquitous environmental influences. In fact, they are almost impossible to avoid. Apart from people living in the remotest of remote locations, there are very few in Australia today who are not bathed in electromagnetic fields and radiofrequency radiation, 24 hours a day.

What’s more, the levels will continue to increase as technology advances. According to the World Health Organisation, “…even a small health consequence from EMF exposure could have a major public health impact”.1
Types of EMF
Exposure to EMF is not a new phenomenon. Electromagnetic radiation has been around since the birth of the universe – light is its most familiar natural form.  However, there are also man-made forms that we need to be aware of.

One of the defining characteristics of an EMF is its frequency. Different frequencies interact with the body in different ways. Higher frequency (shorter wavelength) waves carry more energy than lower frequency (longer wavelength) fields.

High frequency electromagnetic radiation includes gamma […]

By |August 22nd, 2015|Health & Wellbeing, Research|0 Comments
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Dieting is making us fatter

 
Key Message: Dieting not only increases your weight in the long term, it also messes with your hormones.

Action Point: If you want to lose weight in a healthy way, join me for my next Community Cleanse, kicking off August 23rd – http://www.emmascommunitycleanse.com.au/

It’s common knowledge that being overweight is bad for our heath.

In fact, recent findings from leading health experts point towards a worrying trend.  One in five cancer deaths is caused by obesity, which is on track to overtake smoking as the main cause of cancer, according to international cancer specialists 1.

But with so many new fad diets and so much conflicting information about food out there, how do we know which diet is the best?

While restricting your food intake may seem like a quick way to shed kilos, think again. Experts say that dieting actually makes you fat in the long run.
Ditching the diet altogether might just be the way to go
The fact is that the vast majority of dieters eventually go back to their pre-diet weight or become heavier than they were before.

While many people seem to know that dieting doesn’t work in the long run, most are shocked to hear that the process of dieting itself actually increases your body’s propensity to gain weight.

In a previous blog post I wrote about the dangers of weight cycling and how skipping meals actually increases abdominal fat.

There is plenty of evidence to back up the claim that quick-fix approaches to weight loss will never solve the problem and are in fact more likely to make you fatter.

A 2011 study on more than 2000 sets of twins from Finland found that not only is dieting (independent of genetics) significantly associated with accelerated weight gain, it also increases the risk […]

By |August 15th, 2015|Health & Wellbeing, Research, Weight Loss|0 Comments
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Gut bacteria indicated in toddler tantrums

Key Message: Gut microbiome composition is associated with temperament during early childhood.

Action point: Ensure your child’s microbiome is supported with appropriate probiotics. I use probiotic therapy in all my little patients with great success.

Had a gut-full of your two-year-old’s tantrums? Believe it or not, their digestive health might be contributing to the problem.

Microbes in the GI tract may play a surprising role in toddler temperament, according to a new study from the Ohio State University1.

Researchers have become increasingly interested in how the population of bacteria in the gut (known as gut microbiome) affects health. Studies have already linked gut bacteria to conditions including obesity, allergies and bowel disease. Now researchers are interested in finding out if gut bacteria is also linked to mood and behaviour.

The complex ecosystem of microbes living in the gastrointestinal tract is known to change considerably in the first two years of life, especially as solid foods are introduced into a child’s diet. And according to a new study, this unstable “gut microbiome” and a toddler’s temperament are linked.
The importance of the gut in early life
Determining the dynamics of the behaviour–gut associations in early life is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, many physical and mental health conditions such as obesity and anxiety have early life precursors. Also, research suggests that the gut microbiome may be more malleable in early versus later life.

By approximately two years of age, our gut microbiota is established and relatively stable. Although the gut microbiome changes in response to illness, diet and antibiotics, the overall profile tends to revert to normal after the disruption has passed.
The study
For the study, the researchers examined the different genetic types and varying amounts of bacteria found in stool samples from 41 boys and […]

By |August 8th, 2015|Children, Gut health, Health & Wellbeing, Research|0 Comments
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    Emma’s Empirical Evidence (part 5) – Electromagnetic Fields and Your Health

Emma’s Empirical Evidence (part 5) – Electromagnetic Fields and Your Health

In this 6-part series, I look into some recent science in the field of health and wellness. As a clinical naturopath I read so much research and want to share with you some highlights. Happy Reading!
Long-term exposure to electromagnetic fields could be making you sick
Technologies we rely on in today’s world – electricity, the internet, phones, radio, television, any smart technology and even baby monitors – could be making you sick.
They all emit a type of electromagnetic radiation via an electromagnetic field (EMF) – an environmental ‘pollution’ that some researchers are saying could account for many of today’s common health conditions.
What’s more, the levels will continue to increase as technology advances. According to the World Health Organisation, “…even a small health consequence from EMF exposure could have a major public health impact”.
Reference: WHO (2015) Electromagnetic fields: What are Electromagnetic fields – summary of health effects.  http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/index1.html
 
We don’t know the impact of long-term exposure to low-level EMF
We know that low-level EMF does affect us biologically: exposure to EMF can heat our bodies. Think about when you hold a mobile phone close to your ear for too long. However, these effects are said to be low, and to date, no adverse health effects from low-level exposure to radiofrequency or power frequency fields have been confirmed.
However, we still don’t know the impact of long-term exposure to low-level EMF.
According to the World Health Organisation, “Human health studies are very good at identifying large effects, such as a connection between smoking and cancer. Unfortunately, they are less able to distinguish a small effect from no effect at all…In fact, even if a large study shows no association we can never be entirely sure that there is no relationship. The […]

By |August 7th, 2015|Health & Wellbeing, Research|0 Comments
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Weight loss tips backed by science

Key message: Take your dieting advice from the experts – not a health guru, sales rep or a popular Instagram account.

Action point: If you want to lose weight in a healthy way, join me for my next Community Cleanse, kicking off August 23rd – http://www.emmascommunitycleanse.com.au/
Want to know the most effective ways to lose weight? Then turn to the experts for advice. Here are six weight-loss tips backed by decades of science:
1. Dieting is more effective than exercise
Decreasing food intake is much more effective than increasing physical activity to achieve weight loss. Studies which have pitted exercise against diet have shown that participants tend to lose more weight by dieting alone than by exercise alone1.

This is because people tend to naturally compensate for the calories they expend. Firstly, exercise affects hunger and appetite hormones, making you feel noticeably hungrier after exercise. The other problem with exercise without dieting is that it’s simply tiring. If you are wiped out after exercise, you are more likely to rest afterwards.
2. There is no ‘miracle’ diet
There isn’t any evidence5 that one particular diet will work better with an individual’s specific metabolism. The truth is that all diets will work if you follow them for long enough.
3. All calories are created equal
A calorie is a calorie. For energy balance, it’s the number of calories that matters.

You can gain weight eating too much healthy food as well as unhealthy food6 – although it is a lot easier to overeat calories from junk food than healthy food.

But the source of calories matters for other reasons, including how they influence satiety. A Harvard study 7 has shown that ‘more nutritious’ means, among other things, the opportunity to fill up on fewer calories.
4. Exercise kickstarts an ‘inflexible’ metabolism
While […]

By |August 1st, 2015|Health & Wellbeing, Research, Weight Loss|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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