GalleryI was recently asked by a journalist what were the foods that I would avoid and it really had me thinking. What are the foods that would never touch Sophia’s lips, what foods do I shun? Well let me tell you my tip 6 and the reason behind it!
Gluten – putting the current “gluten free’ fad aside I would definitely avoid it, especially if you have an autoimmune condition. Research shows gluten promotes the release of a compound called zonulin, which regulates how permeable your gut lining is. Zonulin is the link between leaky gut and eating too much gluten .
Sugar – highly inflammatory and acidic, sugar feeds the pathogenic bacteria in your gut and causes gut dysbiosis.
Commercial cooking oils – this includes corn oil, soybean oil, canola oil, safflower oil and sunflower oil. These are too high in omega 6 essential fatty acids, which need to be in balance with omega 3 essential fatty acids. The ideal ratio is 2:1 but for most people it’s at an unhealthy 16:1. This imbalance fuels inflammation in all your cells.
Low fat dairy – when you remove the fat, you are also taking out the fat soluble vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin A. Most low fat dairy products have too much sugar to compensate the lack of flavour! Look for under 5g of total sugar per 100g.
Additives – although essential for the long life storage of foods, additives have many detrimental side effects – from asthma, to eczema to behavioural issues. Ditch the additives and chose more fresh whole foods instead.
Swordfish and shark – as they are big fish at the top of the aquatic food chain, they accumulate heavy metals, […]
6 Foods You Should Never Eat!
GalleryAre You Failing Your Bones?
When it comes to bone health, I recently did some research to see if Sophia and I were eating enough calcium. We don’t eat any cow’s milk dairy as we are both highly intolerant.
Wear and tear on our bones happens as we age and the ability to maintain strong bones is dependent on a few things. Specialized cells called osteoclasts breakdown areas of weakened bones while osteoblasts remodel the bone with new material. Believe it or not, this process occurs every 3-4 months!
As we age, the osteoclasts start to work harder than the osteoblasts and bone strength starts to decline. Due to less digestive enzymes being released as we age, we also absorb less calcium from the diet. A double edge sword, which can result in osteopenia, or thinning of the bones.
So how much calcium should you be eating every single day? 1000mg for women or 1300mg calcium for pregnant and menopausal women. Have a go at this nifty calcium calculator to see just how much calcium you are having.
Partners in Crime
Vitamin D is crucial to be able to absorb dietary calcium in the gut. And vitamin D also helps your body to get calcium into the bones, instead of it floating around in the blood and ending up as calcium deposits on arteries and joints.
Vitamin K2 is incredibly important to help keep bones strong. In Japan, K2 is used to treat osteoporosis and there is good research to show that it can reduce fracture rates and increase bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
How much do I need to eat every day?
Here is a snapshot of how much you need to be eating daily to meet your calcium requirements.
Up the duff for me – 100g canned […]
GalleryLeptin – the Missing link for Weight Loss and Mojo
Let me tell you, leptin kills Mojo and is a huge factor in resistant weight loss! I am seeing more and more leptin resistance in clinic and its something that I have researched extensively. Let me give you the low down on this hormone.
Leptin is a hormone made by our fat cells. Once leptin is released from fat stores it enters the blood and travels to the brain, telling the hypothalamus how much fuel you have on hand. Your brain then determines how fast to run your metabolism, based on how much leptin is produced. Your brain relies on leptin to determine not only your state of overall nutritional and fuel reserves but also how fast or slow to run your metabolism.
If your leptin levels are low, it means eat more. When you’ve eaten enough, leptin levels rise, your brain registers your fuel reserves are full which triggers a satiety signal. We then burn calories at a normal rate. When leptin levels are low your brain thinks there is a famine and your body enters fat storage mode and it slows down your metabolism, increases food cravings and causes feelings of lethargy. Your body doesn’t understand that there is actually food available!
Many people make too much leptin in their fat cells, as they simply have too many fat cells. This should tell your brain to burn more fat for energy. But too much leptin causes a traffic jam and blocks the leptin receptors, resulting in leptin resistance. Basically your brain isn’t getting the leptin message and you remain in fat storage mode. This will affect your metabolism and disrupt thyroid function. The main cause of leptin resistance is inflammation – whether that is due to […]
GalleryMy top 5 herbs to support your Adrenal Health
Taking care for your adrenals glands is the key to optimal health so today I’m sharing my favourite herbs to support adrenal health. These are adaptogenic herbs, which mean they increase the ability of your body to withstand stress. They have a balancing effect and support your immune system, which is suppressed with chronic stress.
Research shows that adaptogens work by helping to regulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis as well as on a cellular level, priming cells to respond appropriately to stress.
I treat so many clients for adrenal dysfunction and feel that the role of adaptogenic herbs has never been more critical.
RHODIOLA
Used by the Vikings to improve mental and physical endurance, Rhodiola is a potent adaptogenic herb, which is also anti inflammatory, antioxidant, anti anxiety and anti fatigue. I take this one daily and love it. A Swedish study gave Rhodiola to 30 people diagnosed with fatigue syndrome and a placebo to a control group of 30 healthy people. After 4 weeks both groups were assessed via saliva cortisol and the results were compelling, the fatigued people taking Rhodiola had a better cortisol response to stress and were more able to concentrate effectively. I use Rhodiola for both mild and severe adrenal fatigue and know that I feel much better taking it every day.
SIBERIAN GINSENG
A large study reviewed the results of a number of clinical trials involving 2,100 healthy men and women ages 19 to 72. Subjects were given doses of ginseng ranging from 2 to 16 ml of fluid extract, 33 percent ethanol, from one to three times daily for up to 60 days. Subjects had increased mental alertness and work output, enhanced athletic performance and improved work quality. They also exhibited an improved ability […]
GalleryElixir of the Gods
Kombucha – you might be wondering what this latest fad is all about. In 2011 sales of bottled kombucha in America doubled to almost $90 million. This fizzy, nutritious drink is actually not a new discovery, but only recently has it become one of the hottest trends in health beverages. During my last Community Cleanse, I ran a Kombucha Tea workshop with Shakti from The Holistic Chef. She is the all time guru at fermented foods and I have been having kombucha ever since.
Kombucha is made from black, white, or green tea, sugar, and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) which is then fermented. The bacteria and yeast that grow on top of the drink form a mushroom-like appearance. Simply said, it is fermented tea.
Kombucha is an acquired taste – fizzy, tart-like with a sour smell similar to vinegar. Some people add juice to the base brew to make it more palatable. Don’t be surprised, though, if you find some things floating in your drink as those are bits of bacteria that make kombucha great for your health.
Apart from probiotics, healthy bacteria that improve gut function, kombucha also contains good amounts of B vitamins and antioxidants. Health benefits of kombucha are primarily based on its probiotic content of good bacteria. Studies show that probiotics found in yogurt, fermented milk and other fermented foods improve gut health, strengthen the immune system, synthesize and enhance easier absorption of nutrients, reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance, decrease the prevalence of allergy in high risk individuals and reduce the risk of some cancers. Kombucha has gained popularity for its ability to boost digestive health and relieve bloating, constipation and other gut issues.
Another study shows drinking kombucha tea not […]
GalleryWhy You Need to Avoid Gluten
I have long been advising my clients to adopt a gluten free diet and it is an integral part of my Community Cleanse program. With the recent media attention on the “gluten free fad” I thought I would write a blog based on science.
Recent studies on the gastrointestinal tract have shown that it has far more important functions than simply digesting and absorbing nutrients. Its role in regulating the permeability of molecules between the human body and its environment, actually controls your immune system1.
The small intestine is protected by a barrier that keeps toxins and nasty bacteria/parasites out of body. Billions of cells stick closely together to form this protective barrier. Dr. Fasano has discovered that the permeability of this barrier is regulated by a protein called zonulin. Zonulin is unique to humans and instrumental in the development of autoimmune diseases such as diabetes & celiac disease.
Researchers have found that a high concentration of zonulin leads to a “leaky gut”, something that I treat every day in clinic. Getting purified zonulin from humans, they tested it on intestinal tissue of animals and found that zonulin caused increased permeability of the intestinal protective barrier. Insulin made it through the gut wall when it was given orally – and it shouldn’t!
Another study found increased levels of zonulin in 70% of patients with type 1 diabetes which suggests that alterations in gut permeability may be a precursor to the onset of type 1 diabetes2,3. High levels of zonulin and zonulin antibodies were also found in people with celiac disease. The BIG news, is that after they followed a gluten-free diet, antibody levels went back to normal3.
Scientists theorized that gluten promotes the release of zonulin which, in turn, creates bigger spaces in the gut wall. This allows larger molecules including gluten and other […]
GalleryThe Inside Scoop on Female Hormones
I want to share with you the interview I did with celebrity trainer Blake Worrall Thompson from WellBeing by Blake on healthy hormones. In this video, I share some insights into my clinical work in the field of hormonal health. I am sure you will be able to relate to some of my info!
GalleryCommunity Detox Rockstars Edition #5 – Louise Crowe
In the last of my series of interviews with Community Detox Rockstars, I chat to Louise Crowe about her journey. She not only lost 6kg but both her psoriasis and chronic back pain radically improved! Louise is incredibly inspiring, honest and one committed woman. I am so proud of her and simply can’t wait to see her back on board in June.
What was the biggest achievement you experienced on Community Detox?
Gosh where do I start?
My biggest personal achievement was actually sticking to the plan. I’ve tended to be somewhat feast or famine where my diet is concerned and any attempts at healthy living quickly saw me fall off the wagon and I’d inevitably just throw in the towel (wow that’s a lot of metaphors!). I viewed the Community Detox as the first step towards a long-term lifestyle change.
As for the biggest physical achievement, I lost over 6 kg during the program. I’m not a big woman by any stretch but in completing CD I came within 1 kg of my optimal fat levels. I had some tests (live blood analysis and bioimpedence tests) done at the beginning and end of CD and received an unequivocally positive result, with the phrase “you’ve got just about a perfect score card” making me extremely happy and proud of all my efforts.
My biggest health achievements were seeing my psoriasis improve radically as well as a massive reduction, if not cessation, of the chronic lower back pain I’ve had for the past 8 years (I spent almost two years unable to lift my infant children off the ground). I was diagnosed with sacroillitis and a bulging disk a few years back and have been treating it with daily anti-inflammatories and Pilates and restricting certain exercise […]
GalleryCommunity Detox Rockstars Edition #4 – Michelle Lia
In the fourth interview with my Community Detox Rockstars I am chatting to Michelle Lia, Maternity Wellness and Yoga Coach. From the power of daily meditation to losing a crazy 5kg and mastering the art of consistency, Michelle shares with you her winning highlights from a month of super healthy living.
What was the biggest achievement you experienced on Community Detox?
Learning to control my cravings and being consistent with following the detox. I overcame some big personal challenges in the detox. I have never been able to stick to a program for its whole entirety before, normally I give up at the two week duration and get back into the routine I had before which would normally consist of chocolates, alcohol, coffee and all those bad things which aren’t good for my health.
I think I had a big wake-up call before this detox because after every time I had alcohol or coffee I was feeling sick even after having something high in sugar my body was feeling so toxic. I really needed this detox and it really changed my life in more ways than ever. I now still don’t drink coffee at all, I love herbal teas and become a lover of chai tea again. I have cut down my alcohol consumption and especially sugar consumption making bliss balls (sugar free) for treats when I need them or sugar free muffins. I do treat myself every now and again but I am always asking myself if this is what my body really needs or do I need something completely different?
How would you describe Community Detox to someone?
It’s the best thing you could ever do for your body. I am going to do the community detox […]
GalleryCommunity Detox Rockstars Edition #3 – Lee Sutherland
What was the biggest achievement you experienced on Community Detox?
The biggest achievement for me wasn’t anything that the scales told me (however dropping over 3% body fat in four weeks is pretty great!) what I loved was about putting the focus back on me, to nurture me. I work in the health industry (holistic PT, health coach, nutrition/herbal medicine at Fitness in the City) and it can be common to put all our focus into other people and forget the much important ‘self love’ we need to give our selves!!
How would you describe Community Detox to someone?
I would describe it a beautiful community cleanse where you eat real food, drop some bad habits for a few weeks all with the support of experts and other people who are also doing the cleanse. Watching other people kick goals or see pics of their delish healthy meals is enough to motivate anyone!!
Can you explain exactly how you achieved your amazing results? Do you feel there were any specific elements of Community Detox that really helped you?
To be honest the food component of the cleanse is very similar to how I currently eat anyway, so the only difference was cutting out red meat for 4 weeks (which was harder than I thought!!), no sneaky dark chocolates at night-time (tear) but the real game changer was Emma introducing me to Intermittent Fasting, something I have read a little about in the past but never have put it into practise. Emma made the info really easy for everyone to understand which I love and then we had two IF days a week which is where the real fat loss would have came from. It is something I will continue to […]
