Preconception & Pregnancy

Need an instant Cleanse Friendly Snack? I have one for you!

I have a very exciting announcement for you! I have teamed up with the very clever and dynamic Bite Smart, the Guru’s of Healthy Snacks, to bring you a Community Cleanse friendly snack! I always hear during Cleanse that members want easy snack ideas.
Something for after the gym, on the way to work, when picking up the kids from school or simply to have in their bag. Well look no further than this stunning blend of organic coconut flakes, organic Inca berries, cinnamon spiced cashews and pumpkin seeds!
Learn a bit more why these four make up a powerful Cleansing combo:

Organic coconut – a great source of iron and fibre to keep both your muscles and gut happy.

Organic Inca berries – sweet, tart and tangy all at once Inca berries are a taste sensation. Inca berries are 19% fibre, which makes you feel full for longer, and also provides a fuel source for healthy gut bacteria. Inca berries score higher in their antioxidant capacity than Goji berries, broccoli and green tea.

Cinnamon spiced cashews – cashews are rich in Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, as well as magnesium. Combined they are a skin beautifying duo indeed! The addition of cinnamon helps to stabilise your blood sugar levels and prevent insulin spikes.

Pumpkin seeds – just 25g of pumpkin seeds can provide almost 18% of your RDI for iron which is perfect for Cleanse when we are avoiding red meat.  Pumpkin seeds are a fantastic source of zinc and even the World Health Organisation recommend eating them to get your zinc fix. Preliminary studies are showing promise for pumpkin seeds in helping to regulate insulin levels, another bonus for Cleanse time!

So head over to and order your Cleanse […]

By |October 8th, 2014|Community Cleanse, Detox, Emma's Detox, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Preconception & Pregnancy|0 Comments
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Estrogen Dominance Explained

Do you experience:

   Heavier than usual periods?
   Irregular or long cycles?
   PMS?
   Menstrual headaches?
   Breast tenderness?
   Weight gain on thighs and hips?
   Irritability?

Then you may be experiencing estrogen dominance! Let me give you the low down on this hormone imbalance.
Estrogen is produced in the ovaries where it regulates the menstrual cycle and is a pro-growth hormone. It is responsible for the endometrial lining becoming thick and stimulates the maturation of the follicle in the ovary. For the average non-pregnant, non-menopausal woman, she secretes between 100-200mcg of estrogen daily. There are 3 different types of estrogen: estrone (E1), estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3) and ideally the ratio of these different types is 15/15/70.
Progesterone protects us from the growth effects of estrogen and it is made from the base product of cholesterol. Progesterone is made primarily in the ovaries by the corpus luteum but after ovulation, the adrenal glands also produce progesterone. This supports a possible pregnancy and helps the embryo to implant into the endometrial lining. The average non-pregnant, non-menopausal woman produces around 20-25mg of progesterone each day.
Estrogen and progesterone have a balancing effect on each other for example estrogen increases body fat while progesterone helps fat to be used for energy. Another example is estrogen increases fluid retention while progesterone is a natural diuretic. For most women, hormone imbalance occurs as estrogen begins to dominate progesterone. Progesterone production declines by around 75% by the age of 50 while estrogen declines only around 35%.  This means there is not enough progesterone to balance estrogen. For optimal health, the progesterone to estrogen ratio should be between 200 and 300 to 1.
For many women between the ages of 20-45, there are two main reasons she may become […]

By |September 16th, 2014|Fertility, Health & Wellbeing, Hormones, Nutrition, Preconception & Pregnancy, Weight Loss|0 Comments
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Why 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 […]

By |July 21st, 2014|Community Cleanse, Emma's Detox, Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Nutrition, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments
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The 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!

By |July 7th, 2014|Fertility, Health & Wellbeing, Hormones, Naturopathy, Preconception & Pregnancy|0 Comments
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Is Your Phone Making You Infertile?

A new study released by the University of Exeter involving nearly 1500 men showed a clear link between mobile phone use and infertility.  Exposure to environmental factors such as electromagnetic radiation has increased dramatically due to the global rise of mobile phone use in the last 15 years.
Men who used mobile phones regularly had an 8% decrease in motility or the ability to swim forward towards the egg. Sperm viability or the percentage of sperm that were alive as well as the sperm concentration was also negatively affected.
Study author Dr Mathews said: “Given the enormous scale of mobile phone use around the world, the potential role of this environmental exposure needs to be clarified. This study strongly suggests that being exposed to radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation from carrying mobiles in trouser pockets negatively affects sperm quality. This could be particularly important for men already on the borderline of infertility, and further research is required to determine the full clinical implications for the general population.”
Previous research has shown that using a computer affects sperm quality. If your computer is on your lap, within 1 hour the testicles will be heated above what is considered safe. This increased temperature causes damage to the sperm. This is another form of electromagnetic radiation.
Studies back as far as 2007 have shown a clear link between mobile phone exposure and poor sperm health. The more a mobile phone is used, the greater degree of abnormally shaped sperm and the less able they are to swim forward.
So what do you do? Tell your man to get his phone out of his trouser pocket and use a radiation reducing mobile phone cover such as Cell Safe.

By |June 12th, 2014|Fertility, Men's Health, Miscarriage, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments
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Is Your Kitchen Toxic?

Plastics are everywhere in the average kitchen – from food storage containers to drinking straws, cooking utensils, zip lock bags and the list goes on and on. There are dozens of chemicals that make up plastics with some types of plastics being worse than others but lets focus on plastics that come into contact with food and water. A lot of research has confirmed the negative effects of many environmental chemicals, especially in regard to fertility.

BPA is a synthetic chemical used in the manufacture of primarily polycarbonate plastics which are used for packaging and in the production of epoxy linings from canned foods. BPA is one of the most ubiquitous chemicals with around 93% of people tested in Australia showing measurable levels in the body. BPA is a synthetic estrogen also known as an endocrine-disruptor capable of blocking or mimicking natural hormones in the human body and is linked to weight gain, thyroid imbalances and insulin resistance. Look for #7 on plastics
Phthalates are known as plasticizers and are a class of chemicals often used in making hard plastics soft and flexible. They are also known as endocrine-disruptors so have similar effects as BPA. Prenatal exposure to phthalates has been linked to a cluster of general birth defects in boys though so be careful if you are pregnant. Look for #3 on plastics. Instead of canned food opt for glass jars. Eden organics make canned products using enamel lining instead of BPA. Food storage opt for mason jars or glass such as lock n lock.
Non stick cookware is something we all love but unfortunately they are made with chemicals called perfluorinated chemicals. Perfluorinated chemical exposure has been linked to thyroid disorders, hyperactivity, reproductive issues and prenatal exposure has […]

By |November 12th, 2013|Detox, Preconception & Pregnancy|0 Comments
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Is Your Acne a Sign of Something More Serious?

Do you have embarrassing, even painful spots? Do you wonder why, even after your teenage years have long past and your friends are now worried about impending wrinkles, you still find yourself dealing with pimples?
It is estimated that 60 – 80% of women with moderate to severe acne have a common syndrome, called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). In my humble opinion, virtually all women that have acne should be questioned, and where appropriate tested, for this condition.

How do you know if you should investigate this further?

The diagnosis of PCOS is actually quite simple. If you have two or three of the following, you fit the diagnosis:

1) High levels of testosterone (acne is a potential sign of this, as is excessive hair growth)

2) Irregular periods (8 or less per year)

3) Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound

If this is you, head to your health professional and ask for further investigation.

How can you tackle your acne naturally?

Now, back to the troublesome, embarrassing and potentially painful problem of acne. Let’s talk about what you can do to reduce, even eliminate, this condition.

1) Eliminate dairy products

Milk contains a precursor to testosterone, which means it contains one of the important ingredients needed to create this hormone. It also appears to contain ‘ingredients’ that stimulate the production of sebum (oil).

Milk has also been shown to increase ‘plasma IGF-1 levels’. This IGF-1 stimulates the creation of ‘male hormones’ (androgens) in the ovaries. It has another nasty effect as well. It stops the production of sex hormone binding globule (SHBG). SHBG is like a pair of handcuffs on the wrists of a thief. It stops the offender (the excessive ‘male hormones’) from adversely affecting its surroundings (the body). Without these handcuffs, the male hormones are […]

By |October 20th, 2013|Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Nutrition, Preconception & Pregnancy|0 Comments
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Love Your Liver And Improve Your PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects many different areas of a woman’s body and health, not only her ovaries as the name might suggest.
The liver may be one of these other areas. Women with PCOS are more likely to experience what’s known as Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, also called a ‘Fatty Liver’, and hormonal problems like oestrogen dominance in which the liver plays an important role. Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and high unhealthy blood fat levels (hyperlipidemia) are often seen together with a fatty liver, and these challenges are also often present in women with PCOS. There may well be a significant link!
A study in The American Journal Of Medicine found “Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia even in lean subjects with normal glucose (blood sugar) tolerance. And women with PCOS, whether overweight or slender, are very often insulin resistant.
Let’s take a closer look at what and where the liver is, what it does, and how to boost its health and performance to help you live a longer, healthier, even PCOS-free life.
What your Liver Is, Where It Lives And What It Does?
The liver is the largest internal organ, and weighs (roughly) 1.5kg. It sits just under the right ribcage. It is the most amazing organ, with its powers of regeneration impressive, and important for its role in the body. It has many and varied functions, from producing proteins to detoxifying and protecting your body, to producing digestive chemicals, breaking down hormones like insulin and oestrogen, and storing different substances including glucose, Vitamins A, D, B12, and Iron.
A protein of particular interest in PCOS in called Sex Hormone Binding Globule (SHBG). SHBG is important in binding and inactivating excessive hormones, like the […]

By |September 10th, 2013|Naturopathy, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments
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    How to Prevent Eczema and Boost Respiratory Health in your Child

How to Prevent Eczema and Boost Respiratory Health in your Child

Previous research has shown that when certain strains of probiotics are given to pregnant women from 36 weeks and continued for 3 months after birth, their child’s risk of atopic conditions such as eczema and dermatitis is reduced by a massive 50%.
Research also shows that children born to parents with allergies have a much slower ability to colonize their gastrointestinal system with good bacteria that can support their health. Children born to parents without allergies have higher levels of protective bacteria from birth through until they are one year old.
New research has now been published that followed mothers and children for 6 years and analyzed their health.  The probiotic strain used in the study was Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which is well known for its role in the prevention of eczema.
A double blind randomized placebo controlled trial studied 425 high risk infants who all had a parent with allergic disease. The mums were given supplemental L.rhamnosus from 35 weeks of pregnancy and continued taking it until 6 months post birth. All the babies in the supplemented group were given the same probiotic from birth to 2 years of age.
When the infants turned two, those who had received the probiotic had a dramatic 50% reduction of eczema and this protective effect was still present at the age of 4. These supplemented children also had a lower rate of rhinoconjunctivitis (runny nose) at 4 years of age.
In the latest follow up completed at 6 years of age, the protective effect of L.rhamnosus still remained with a 40% reduction of eczema compared to the control group as well as a 30% lower rate of developing atopic conditions (eczema, hay fever, asthma).
Probiotics support immunity by balancing Th1/Th2 immune responses – […]

By |August 13th, 2013|Children, Preconception & Pregnancy|0 Comments
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Revelations about Iodine Levels in Pregnancy

I wanted to share with you some recent research that has absolutely changed the way I think about iodine.  Currently I test nearly every female client but my standards have just become even higher. Australia and New Zealand are currently going through a widespread iodine deficiency. Iodine cannot be made by your body and must be sourced through your diet.
Iodine is vital for the thyroid hormones that regulate your metabolism, body temperature, reproduction, growth, red blood cell production as well as nerve and muscle function. Low thyroid hormones can cause you to become sluggish and gain weight, affecting your general health, fertility and ability to carry a pregnancy.
It is important to ensure adequate iodine intake during preconception, pregnancy and breast-feeding. During pregnancy, your baby is entirely dependent upon maternal iodine. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy is the most common world wide cause of preventable intellectual impairment and can be associated with losses of up to 10 -15 IQ points.
We have known for a long time now that severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy causes neurocognitive issues but the impact of mild iodine deficiency has not been properly studied – until now.
Published on April 30th this year in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, a study conducted in Hobart, Tasmania delves into the outcomes of mild iodine deficiency.
The researchers wanted to find out if children born to women with an iodine level of less than 150μg/L have poorer educational outcomes in primary schools than peers of mothers with levels higher than 150. Basically imagine little Johnny (mum has an iodine level of 160) sitting next to little Sammy (mum has an iodine level of 100).
This was a 9 year long study and the results are really […]

By |June 19th, 2013|Children, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|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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