Research

A High Protein Energy Boost in 3 Easy Steps

I am in love with chia seeds for their amazing nutritional punch as well as how versatile they are. Chia seeds are a gluten free seed that have 20% complete protein. The significant water soluble fibre levels helps to cleanse and soothe the colon as the seeds soak up to 9 times their weight in water! My pregnant clients swear by chia seeds to fix their constipation.
With bucket loads more alpha linolenic acid, the super healthy omega 3, than salmon chia seeds have an anti-inflammatory effect, which can lower pain as well as the risk of chronic disease.
2 tablespoons of Chia = 7 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein, 205mgs of calcium, 5 gr omega-3
And it’s not just the tree loving hippies that love chia seeds! I always look at the clinical studies to back up nutritional claims and chia seeds are amazing.

Recent research showed that eating chia can not only reduce your waistline but also lower your glucose and cholesterol levels. This makes chia the perfect superfood for people with PCOS, insulin resistance, diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

Studies show that diabetics who eat chia seeds daily for 12 weeks have lower blood pressure and their blood was less likely to clot unnecessarily.

By simply adding chia seeds to your diet, know that your digestion will be happier, glucose levels more stable and waistline smaller!

Chia Seed Protein Boost

Ingredients

1 cup liquid (home made nut milk, coconut water, filtered water)

2 tablespoons chia seeds

1 tablespoon organic coconut shavings
Choice of toppings

Natural yoghurt (sheep’s, goats or cows)
Activated buckwheat
Bee pollen
Pureed strawberries
Sunflower seeds
Supergreens – my fav is Shakti’s SSB 
Goji berries
Extra virgin coconut oil
Nut butter
Manuka honey
Vanilla powder
Raw cacao
Mesquite

Instructions

Add liquid and chia seeds to blender and blend until evenly mixed. Alternatively add to mason jar […]

By |December 11th, 2013|Detox, Nutrition, Recipes, Research|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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So they say Fish oils = Prostate Cancer? Fact or Fiction?

By now I’m sure you have all read the headlines throughout various media outlets over the past week. If not, let me re-cap for you…

Fish oil supplements increase prostate cancer risk, says study – SMH
Hold The Salmon: Omega-3 Fatty Acids Linked to Higher Risk of Cancer – Time (Health and Lifestyle)
Fish oils may raise prostate cancer risks, study confirms – NBC News
Omega-3 raises prostate cancer risk – ABC

What these sweeping headlines are referring to is a study that was published online in July 2013 regarding Plasma Phospholipid Fatty Acids and Prostate cancer risk.
This study measured levels of omega-3 in the blood of participating men, however it did not include vital information regarding the men’s eating habits, or current use of medications/supplements. This lack of information meant the researchers could not differentiate between the effects of fatty acids from fish, plants or those of supplements.
What the study actually concluded…
“This study confirms previous reports of increased prostate cancer risk among men with high blood concentrations of LCω-3PUFA”.
Put simply, they found a link between high levels of omega 3 fatty acids in the blood of men with prostate cancer. They DID NOT conclude that fish oil supplementation was the causative agent to their findings or the reason for an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Before heading to the fridge to grab your bottle of fish oil supplements and toss them in the bin, do your own research. Look up some studies that are specific to fish oil (not just omega 3 fatty acids in blood) and prostate cancer. Weigh up the information to see if it is relevant to you. What I mean is, if you’re a woman you need not concern yourself with the possibility of developing […]

By |July 23rd, 2013|Men's Health, Nutrition, Research|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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Putting Fish on your Child’s Plate can Prevent Allergies!

A group of Swedish researchers are suggesting that the addition of fish to a child’s diet before the age of 12 can help prevent allergic diseases. Experts from the Institute of Environmental Medicine and the Department of Clinical Science and Education in Stockholm, Sweden analysed data from 3,285 children registered with a Swedish cohort study.
Fish intake in infancy has been associated with reduced risk of allergic disease in early childhood, but the research isn’t conclusive about whether this effect remains as children grow older.
A total of 3285 Swedish children  were included in the study. At 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 years of age, parental questionnaires were used to obtain information on lifestyle factors, environmental exposures, and symptoms of allergic disease. The frequency of fish intake in infancy was assessed in the questionnaire completed at 1 year of age. Serum immunoglobulin IgE concentrations (blood markers of allergies), were obtained at age 8 years of age.
Results showed that at 1 year of age, 80% of the children consumed fish regularly. From 1 to 12 years of age, regular fish consumption in infancy reduced overall risks of  allergic disease for both rhinitis and eczema.
Ensure you avoid eating shark, marlin, swordfish, mackerel and Ahi tuna due to mercury concerns.
Reference available here

By |May 8th, 2013|Children, Research|0 Comments
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Seeking Contributors or Guest Bloggers

Contributors
Currently, I’m seeking 2-4 regular Contributors who can commit to submitting one  unique and original post per week for the website www.emmasutherland.com.au. Ideally, I’m looking for the following:

Innovative, edgy writers who are up to date on cutting edge health trends
Diverse, compelling writers with their own blog
Writers currently in the health arena who are qualified in their area of expertise
Writers who read research on health and want to share their knowledge (more…)

By |April 18th, 2013|Research|0 Comments
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Prepare to be Astounded by Probiotics!

Last night I attended an invitation only dinner where a vast amount of research on probiotic therapy was presented. To say I was mind blown was an understatement – I had no idea that probiotics could be so incredibly beneficial!
I take probiotics every day and so does Sophia but the enormity of how beneficial these microscopic organisms can be is simply undeniable.  From reducing pregnancy conditions such as pre-eclampsia to significantly decreasing childhood diseases, probiotic therapy may just pave the way for future health care.
Did you know that 90% of your immune system lines your digestive system? Probiotics keep the immune system in a state of tolerance or balance – not too underactive and susceptible to infection but also not too overactive and causing autoimmune conditions.
Research highlights

The uterine environment is not sterile, as previously thought. It contains many bacteria and they pass into the unborn babies digestive tract.
Mastitis can be more effectively treated with probiotics than antibiotics
In 1ml of breast milk there are between 10,000-100,000 bacteria
When babies are born their immune system is Th2 dominant, which means they are allergy prone. Probiotics can help the immune system mature more quickly and reduce the risk of conditions such as asthma, eczema and hayfever
Probiotics in pregnancy can reduce insulin resistance
Abdominal obesity can be reduced with certain probiotic strains
An imbalance of good: bad bacteria result in dysbiosis which increases insulin resistance

Stay in touch via my official FB page as I will be presenting all the research in bite sized, user friendly chunks over the next few weeks.

By |March 5th, 2013|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Preconception & Pregnancy, Research|0 Comments
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An Inspiring Individual – Dr David Hamilton

I came across Dr David Hamilton when I was researching the science behind how people heal themselves of disease with positive thought. He is a scientist who became fascinated with the placebo effect. The placebo effect is when people get positive outcomes because they believe they are receiving a drug. He went on to study the mind-body interaction and became so convinced about the power of the mind that he quit his pharmaceutical job.
Seven books later and he now travels the world talking about his passion. Here are his top 5 pieces of research that link attitude and happiness with health and even lifespan. Here they are:
1) A Positive Outlook is good for the heart

Optimists are less likely to get heart disease than pessimists. A study of 999 people over the age of 65 found that optimists had a 77% lower risk of heart disease than pessimists. Much of this is because of the way in which we mentally and emotionally process daily events in life. People with a more positive attitude generally get less irritated and stressed with the challenges of life. Due to the impact of stress on the cardiovascular and immune systems, learning to cultivate a sense of optimism can add years to a person’s life.

2) Happiness helps us get over the cold
People who are happy, lively and calm have better immune systems. One study saw nasal drops of the cold and flu virus given to 193 people between the ages of 21 and 55 and discovered that those who were happier and more positive (defined as a positive emotional style) got less sick and recovered faster. How we feel affects the immune system and therefore our ability to fight off a cold […]

By |March 1st, 2013|Health & Wellbeing, Research|0 Comments
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The Importance of Hydration

Staying hydrated this summer is essential in keeping you going from sunrise to sunset! Summer is fun and there’s always lots going on whether you are out with friends, at the beach/park or even working and it’s so easy to get to 3pm and realize you haven’t had a sip of water all day – it’s almost like we need an alarm to go off every hour to tell us to drink. Why is it so important to keep hydrated? Well first and foremost our body is made up of about 75% water, which can be mostly found in our cells, but the problem with our hydration levels occurs when the water expenditure (meaning when water is expelled from our body during breathing, sweat, and via our urine and bowel movement) is greater than our water intake.

Dehydration has an impact on your kidneys, liver, bladder, digestion, bowels, nerve function, brain, skin and is responsible for premature ageing!!

There is no set rule on how much water to consume throughout the day because we all have different body weight and activity levels so rule of thumb is a glass of water every hour, obviously you may need more during those hot summer days.
Symptoms of Dehydration

Foggy thinking
Dry mouth, lips
Fatigue
Headache
Dark coloured urine and a decrease in output
Muscle cramps
Heart palpitations

5 of the Best Hydrating Foods

Watermelon – 92% water and packed full of magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium
Cucumber – contain vitamin C and caffeic acid and about 92% water
Lettuce – contains about 94% water!
Capsicum/bell peppers – jam packed full of vitamin C, beta carotene, folic acid, vitamin B6, thiamine and contain about 92% water.
Cantaloupe – rich in vitamin A and contains about 90% water

Always carry a bottle of water with […]

By |December 21st, 2012|Children, Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Nutrition, Research|0 Comments
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Sugar Alternatives – Why You Should Avoid Them

These sweeteners are found in a vast majority of products – from drinks to lollies and even in toothpaste. They are actually carbohydrates and part of their chemical structure looks like sugar and the other part like alcohol.

These sugar alcohols are like sugar in some ways, but they are not completely absorbed by the body. Because of this, the blood sugar impact of sugar alcohols is less and they provide fewer calories per gram. Additionally, sugar alcohols don’t promote tooth decay as sugars do, so are often used to sweeten chewing gum.

These sugar alcohols are far from healthy and can actually cause many digestive complaints. Maltitol is broken down into glucose and sorbitol. Some of the sorbitol is converted to fructose in the liver while the remainder feeds pathogenic bacteria in the colon resulting in diarrhea, wind, cramping and bloating. All sugar alcohols have this effect!

If you are watching your weight then read every single label. Often temptingly labeled “low carb” or “low sugar”, these products will contain sugar alcohols which should be completely avoided.

Comparison of Sugar and Sugar Alcohols

Ingredient
Sweetness
GI
Cal/g

Sucrose (sugar)
100%
60
4

Maltitol Syrup
75%
52
3

Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
33%
39
2.8

Maltitol
75%
36
2.7

Xylitol
100%
13
2.5

Isomalt
55%
9
2.1

Sorbitol
60%
9
2.5

Lactitol
35%
6
2

Mannitol
60%
0
1.5

Erythritol
70%
0
0.2

 

By |November 2nd, 2012|Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, 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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