Heart Disease can be improved by taking the antioxidant booster, Protandim.

Cholesterol constantly gets a bad press, but the truth is cholesterol performs necessary functions in our body as well as creating some cardiovascular risks. The trick is to keep a good balance.

 One of the little known facts about cholesterol is that it protects us from the effects of toxicity. As we know, our environment is far more toxic than it used to be, and as toxicity is passed on from mother to child via the placenta, we are starting life full of toxins. Each day we eat, breath and absorb more toxins. So the binding of cholesterol to toxins in order to protect the body, is vitally important to our health. So while diet can increase cholesterol levels, so to can a heavy load of toxins such as heavy metals (mercury, lead etc), petrochemicals, drugs or pesticides. In particular heavy metals such as mercury increase total cholesterol and LDL Solvents (such as alcohol) raise LDL and triglycerides.

 A cholesterol level that is too low is a risk marker of cancer, intestinal problems, stroke and depression. So balance really is the key.

 Dyslipidaemia or abnormal blood lipids (fat), such as cholesterol or triglycerides increases your risk of atheroschlerosis, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders. A total cholesterol reading by itself is not particularly useful. There are 2 main types of cholesterol that you need to be aware of. HDL cholesterol refers to high density lipoprotein. This is the good cholesterol, so remember that we want HDL to be high. HDL carries cholesterol away from the heart and back to the liver where it is excreted as bile. It also helps remove excess cholesterol from inside the blood vessels.

 Low density lipoprotein or LDL is supposedly the bad stuff which we need to keep low. LDL transports cholesterol & triglycerides towards the cells and tissues which readily take them up.  LDL cholesterol can adhere to the walls of the blood vessels that feed the heart and brain. Increased LDL cholesterol supposedly therefore leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

 So why I am saying that LDL cholesterol is supposedly bad? New research tells us that it is only when LDL cholesterol becomes oxidized that it causes problems for the heart. A raised LDL cholesterol on its own has not been found to cause any problems. Oxidation is like a rusting effect. It occurs as a result of inadequate antioxidants. If you diet is high in nutrient poor foods such as breads, cakes, biscuits, pasta or processed foods, you are at increased risk of insufficient antioxidants and therefore heart disease. The best available antioxidant booster, available today is Protandim.

 So before you go into a spin about the effects of cholesterol on heart disease, remember that inflammation and lack of antioxidants is likely to be a greater risk factor of cardiovascular disease than raised cholesterol. Cholesterol repairs membranes that are damaged by inflammation. By reducing inflammation you can therefore reduce the stimulus for the synthesis of cholesterol by the liver. Any treatment that is designed to protect you from heart disease must decrease inflammation. Fish oil can effectively reduce inflammation & triglycerides and slowly bring cholesterol to a satisfactory level.

 If you are still concerned about reducing cholesterol, a high fibre diet is essential as fibre prevents cholesterol absorption and promotes elimination. At least one serving of green leafy vegetables will assist with adequate fibre intake. Eat other foods that are rich in antioxidants such as berries to prevent oxidation of your LDL cholesterol. It is worth remembering that despite the hype around saturated fats, grains can contribute to dyslipidemia as they contain palmatic and stearic acid.

 The secret as with all good health is to ensure you have a balanced diet of  the macronutrients. 30% protein (eggs, milk, dairy, fish, and soy), and 40% carbohydrates and 30% good fats from foods such as avocado, nuts, sesame, coconut or olive oil. Keep processed foods to a minimum and enjoy lots of fresh, whole produce.

The super antioxidants - glutathione, superoxide dismutase

 not quite right. And what if the supplements you are taking are doing more harm than good.

If supplementation with vitamin C, E and other antioxidants are producing adverse affects, then this is a major concern. Every day foods such as bread and cereal are now having these added to them and subsequently the potential to be taking large doses of the exogenous antioxidants is high.

Recent research has questioned whether supplementation of antioxidants from outside the body, is suppressing our natural mechanisms to bring about balance and maintain health. Super antioxidants such as such as glutathione which is produced inside the body, is stimulated by a process known as mitochondrial hormesis (mitohormesis). In a study by Ristow and Zarse it is suggested that by directly giving antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, we are in fact suppressing the body’s natural ability to produce its own antioxidants.

So if hormesis stimulates the body’s production of our natural antioxidants, we all need to get more hormesis. Think of hormesis as a natural type of stimulation that makes the body do some work. Things that stimulate hormesis include physical exercise, reduced calorie uptake, glucose restrictions and just the right amount of stress. There are a few problems with this.

1.  Few of us get enough exercise and most of us consume too many calories, especially those that break down to glucose. And it is hard to get a balance between absolute boredom and not too much stress. So can we produce the right amount of hormesis to stimulate a good level of super antioxidants inside our body – probably not.

 2. Problem number one might make you think that taking your vitamin C and E is not such a bad idea after all. But as you have learnt this can suppress your body’s own ability to produce the super antioxidants. Problem number  two, is that vitamin C becomes exhausted and eventually also becomes a free radical.

 3. Our own body produces antioxidants (e.g. glutathione) and these are way, way more effective than those that come from food sources or supplements such as vitamin C or E. In fact they are up to 1 million times more effective. Vitamin C destroys free radicals at a ratio of 1:1, whilst glutathione destroys free radicals at a rate of 1:1,000,000 per second.

Taking antioxidants is not a scam, but clearly the antioxidants produced by our body are far superior to supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin E or selenium. What this means is that by taking products that boost glutathione production, the likelihood of preventing and reversing premature ageing, plus preventing disease, is substantially increased.

So wouldn’t it be good if there were products available that stimulate the production of more of these super anti-oxidants such as glutathione.

Well the good news is a type of product known as an NRF2 activator, can stimulate the production of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase. NRF2 activators are now being produced by a variety of companies.

 So where do these  disease preventing antioxidants come from and how effective are they really? The source of the antioxidants that most of us are familiar with come from the food that we eat. We have all heard of vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium. Vitamin C comes from foods such as such oranges, capsicum, broccoli, green leafy vegetables and various berries. Sources of vitamin E include wheat germ, fish liver oil, nuts, seeds, whole grains and green leafy vegetables. The micronutrient selenium is considered to be a powerful stimulator of antioxidants as it increases the effectiveness of vitamin C and vitamin E by around 30% Dietary selenium comes from nuts, (especially brazil nuts) cereals, meat, mushrooms, fish, crab, lobster and eggs.

Unfortunately new research is revealing the antioxidants that we get from our foods are not as effective at protecting our bodies as we once thought. But the good news is, we are learning more and more about a new kid on the block, glutathione. Glutathione is endogenous to our body. In other words it is produced inside our body and compared to vitamin C, E and selenium it is a super scavenger of free radicals.

Once the effectiveness of glutathione becomes common knowledge, few people will bother with taking vitamin C, E or selenium. Why? Because when it comes to destroying free radicals, the antioxidants that are obtained from food sources or supplements work on a 1 to 1 ratio. In other words, for every molecule of vitamin C, one free radical is destroyed. When compared to the ratio of destruction to free radicals that glutathione produces, this is miniscule. Just one molecule of glutathione destroys around 1 million free radicals. So that’s a ratio of 1:1 compared to 1:1,000,000,000.Which one would you prefer?

Can glutathione be purchased as a supplement? Yes it can, but it is expensive and doesn’t taste particularly good either. By far the most effective way to increase glutathione levels is to take a supplement that triggers the body to produce more of its own glutathione. It is claimed that the new NRF2 activators can increase levels of glutathione by up to 300%, but also stimulate the production of superoxide dismutase and catalase. These products claim to be able to reduce free radical damage by up to 40% in just 30 days.

Now that is a powerful antioxidant effect.

Unfortunately there are many problems of the body that are termed subclinical. The person with a subclinical condition will tell you that something is “”not quite right” and may have numerous vague symptoms such as abnormal moods or poor energy levels. At this stage, it is true that a blood test may not reveal any major abnormalities of a disease process, or that what is termed as a “normal level” is in fact abnormal. At this stage, what can be measured however, are the mineral imbalances which are the precursors to developing health conditions. A Hair Mineral Analysis is an excellent way of investigating a little deeper, to find out if everything really is ok.

One such example of a poorly understood and poorly treated condition is subclinical hypothyroidism. Subclinical hypothyroidism is a condition where your Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels are raised. The role of TSH is to stimulate the thyroid – the organ that controls your body’s metabolism. A raised level cannot be viewed as “normal”, as the reason why it is raised is to force the thyroid to continue producing the correct amount of T4. This is why a “normal” level of T4 is found in subclinical hypothyroidism. But sooner or later, the over production of TSH, fails to stimulate the production of T4 and hypothyroidism is diagnosed. Your body is in many ways, much like a car. If the radiator has a slow leak, sooner or later the engine will overheat, and you will have a real problem on your hands.

Early detective of a developing health problem will always produce better results for your long term health. In the case of subclinical hypothyroidism, it generally progresses to hypothyroidism and is associated with many factors that result in cardiovascular problems. Sadly after a doctor’s visit, the patient may go home accepting that all is ok. But I would strongly encourage you to pursue other forms of treatment if you know something is brewing. My suggestion is that you gain advice from a natural therapist who will guide you through your return to good health, using diet, safe nutrients and possibly some herbal support also.

Fortunately preventative or alternative medicine has woken up to the fact that the way you feel, really is a barometer that shows you how your body is going. A preventative medicine practitioner such as a naturopath recognizes a problem early, and understands that ill health generally starts with an underlying nutrient deficiency or imbalance. The preventative, investigative approach allows health issues to be corrected before they progress to more serious conditions and overt reliance upon medical drugs. Now that’s a good health outcome!

Obesity is a major health issue that not only affects the way you look, but also affects the way you feel and the health and ageing of your body. It never ceases to amaze me how much younger people look after they shed those excess pounds or kilos.

Obesity is related to the leading causes of death in developed countries i.e. diabetes and heart disease. It is a sad fact that even with seemingly successful weight loss programs, two thirds of participants, within 2 to 3 years, will regain their initial weight or put more on.

How often do you hear people say, that no matter what they do, they just can’t keep the fat or the weight off? Maybe you are one of those people. Well the great news is, there are many (correctable) reasons why this is the case. And it may not be your fault!

Sure we know that certain foods are not good for weight loss and that exercise is a must (learn to love it). But it becomes baffling and frustrating when you see someone else eating and exercising almost the same as you are, but achieving much better results. So this article is not going to address the food or exercise issues of weight loss – we could be here all day with that discussion…………

Today I am going to let you in on some information that you may not be aware of, but which might answer some of the questions around your disappointing results. Obesity is a result of an imbalance of your body’s homeostasis (a state of equilibrium within the body) that has been started through poor dietary, lifestyle and environmental habits. In other words obesity is largely caused by the choices you have made (bad food, too much food, and sedentary lifestyle) but is also responsible for defects in the normal body’s functions that perpetuate and make the problem worse.

The 3 main causes of this imbalance:

1. Over-consumption and lack of exercise;
2. The disturbance of appetite control mechanisms (due to obesity) leading to more overconsumption;
3. Defects to the endocrine system from factors such as stress and toxicity. This disrupts the regulation of insulin, the adrenal glands, brain neurotransmitter activity and the mechanisms that cause fat to be deposited. These imbalances that are caused by excessive body fat cause a self perpetuating fat accumulation problem, where the body has lost the ability to recognize hormonal messages and to respond appropriately (for example, the message to stop eating).

The side effects of obesity include stress and inflammation of the body. These two factors cause great problems with the body’s feedback system, which regulates our appetite and tells us that we have had enough to eat. Overeating in stressed or depressed people can be like a drug hit – it gives short term relief with feelings of wellbeing, but causes further fat gain and ongoing appetite dysregulation.

Neuroendocrine disturbances slow down the metabolic rate. The result of this is a decrease in energy expenditure (which by itself can cause weight gain) and increased fat storage.

As obesity increases several things are happening within the body. The fat tissue starts to secrete powerful hormones (messengers), inflammation (like a fire within) is increased, appetite dysregulation becomes worse, insulin fails to be used properly (i.e. insulin resistance) and energy stores within the muscles fail to be utilized properly. The bottom line is – the more weight you put on, the more the body loses its control and ability to lose weight which results in further weight gain!

So that’s the bad news. Now the good news- each of these internal imbalances can be measured and controlled through the use of effective lifestyle  & dietary changes, nutritional, herbal supplements.

The main known causes of obesity that must be addressed with any dietary program are:

Whew!! Who would have thought it was so complex?

And to think some people still think calories in = calories out.

For more information about how to control these mechanisms through diet, Fighting Metabolic Syndrome is an excellent resource which can be found at naturalhealthebookshop.com .

PS. Of course we mustn’t forget about exercise. 45 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise, most days of

the  week, will help control many of the above factors including insulin resistance, stress and

inflammation.

What we do know however, is that each of these disorders often co-exist. Depression can be caused by thyroid problems (as adrenal and thyroid gland function work hand in hand). Thyroid problems can be caused by obesity. And obesity or over eating can be increased with depression. This is because high calorie carbohydrate rich foods (such as biscuits, chocolates) temporarily make the sufferer feel better and are therefore often eaten in greater amounts.

So it makes sense to treat depression simultaneously with any thyroid disorder. Unfortunately the link between these diseases often goes unaddressed and depression therefore continues unabated.

So let’s get down to the nitty gritty of the problem. Depression has been found to be significantly increased if you have hypothyroidism. There is also thought to be links between quality of life, neurocognitive function and mood disturbances. Stress and its affects upon adrenal function are also closely connected to thyroid function. When you are stressed, your body will secrete increased levels of the hormone cortisol.  As a result of the activation of the stress pathways, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone secretion is suppressed and the conversion of the relatively inactive thyroxine to its more active form is decreased. T4 levels decrease and instead of being converted to the active T3, a larger than normal amount is turned into the inactive Reverse T3 (rT3 ). What this all means, is that your metabolism is decreased by stress.

T3, the active thyroid hormone that controls metabolism, has positive affects upon moods. So a decreased level of T3 will make depression worse. Low thyroid hormones can also perpetuate anxiety and aggression due to their affects upon noradrenalin and dopamine levels (catecholamine’s that act like brain neurotransmitters or hormones).

To determine if hypothyroidism is likely, try this simple home test for Basal Metabolic Rate

In the morning, prior to getting out of bed and before any movement takes place, take your body temperature. Make sure you are lying perfectly still for 10 minutes. Keep a thermometer beside you and place it under the arm pit until it beeps, if using a digital thermometer. If using a glass thermometer place it under the arm for 3 minutes.

Take your temperature reading for 4 consecutive mornings at the same time of day.  If you are a female of menstruating age, take your readings whilst menstruating.

Your temperature should be above 36.5 degrees C. If you readings are below this, your Basal Metabolic Rate is slow and this would indicate hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is associated with higher rates of anxiety and panic attacks plus decreased working memory. Do you experience any of the following mood symptoms that are experienced by people with thyroid disease?

Interestingly links are also being found between thyroid abnormalities in young children and the behavioral problem such as ADHD.

If you think you may have hypothyroidism, make a booking to investigate further.

Bloating, belching & burping are all signs of digestive problems. One of the main causes is hypochlorhydria – a deficiency of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Many people are under the impression that they have too much acid in the stomach, but this is rarely the case. Hypochlorhydria increases with ageing. The belching, burping and bloating can be a result of the food sitting in your stomach fermenting rather than being broken down and passing into the bowel.

Other signs of hypochlorhydria include:

• Weak, peeling or cracked fingernails
• Undigested foods in the stool
• Flatulence
• Chronic intestinal infections
• Feel like foods sit in the stomach
• Itching around the rectum
• History of food allergies
• Iron deficiency
• Post adolescent acne
• Dilated capillaries on the face (rosacea)

One of the causes of hypochlorhydria is zinc deficiency. Interestingly the last 5 signs of hypochlorhydria (see list above) are also associated with low zinc levels. Zinc deficiency is incredibly high in some countries i.e. in Australia around 75% of people are zinc deficient. A zinc tally test may help you determine if you have a zinc deficiency. Also white spots on the nails would indicate a zinc problem also.

Zinc can be obtained from foods like oysters, but unfortunately is unlikely to be well absorbed initially because of your low hydrochloric acid, so try a supplement for a few months.

Also try these techniques  to help rectify your low gut acid:

• Eat Umeboshi plums
• Drink vinegar (apple cider 1 tablespoon daily in water works well)
• Control Stress
• Take Swedish Bitters
• Use the herb Gentian Root

Hypochlorhydria is just one reason for problems of the stomach digestive tract, so hopefully this will help relieve any problems. “

Pancreatic insufficiency can also be an issue. Its symptoms include :

1. Post eating bloating, pain or nausea

2. loose or watery stool

3. undigested food in the stool

4. food intolerances

5. hypochlorhydria

6. gastrooesophageal reflux.

Enzymes are required to rectify this problem. They can be taken as a capsule or can be found in the following foods:

1. Fresh produce including green papaya, pineapples, figs, ginger, kiwifruit, asparagus, guava and cucumber

2. Culture vegetables such as kimchee, sauerkraut, coconut kefir and fresh pickles

3. raw foods

4. Cultured dairy products

5. soaked nuts, seeds & grains

6. Miso

7. Garlic, sea vegetables

8. Powdered “greens” or “reds

Lack of bile can also cause digestive issues. To assist your body to produce more bile, try eating the following foods:

1. Radishes (diakon, horseradish, red)
2. Artichoke
3. Dandelion, chicory or bitter greens.

Abnormal bacteria in the gut can also be associated with digestive problems. A Urinary Indicans Test can be useful to establish if you have this problem of elevated abnormal bacteria, or not.

Sound digestion is the basis of all good health, so don’t ignore symptoms such as your belching, burping or bloating. It is imperative to correct any problems to assist your body in avoiding serious health issues such as cancer.

So you think that your “muffin top”or your “man boobs”are telling you that you are a little overweight, but that doesn’t mean you have any health problems? Think again. That little bit of excess body fat could be causing you more harm than you think. Excess body fat and its often close relative, insulin resistance, are key drives in the development of Metabolic Syndrome (previously known as Syndrome X).

What Is Metabolic Syndrome and Why Do I Need to Avoid It?

Metabolic Syndrome is a cluster of risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Having several of these risk factors puts you on the path that rapidly increases your risk of the major causes of death in our society.

So what are the risk factors? Firstly central abdominal obesity (a waist greater than 88cm in females or 104 cm in males), insulin resistance or glucose intolerance (as measured by a fasting blood sugar level), dyslipidaemia (irregular cholesterol and triglyceride levels), high blood pressure and fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic) .

Are There Any Other Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome ?

Look out for :

• Darkening and roughening of the skin, particularly behind the neck &/or skin tags;
• Mental health problems such as depression, memory loss and dementia
• Migraines and headaches
• In females, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, irregular or infrequent menstrual periods, infertility or early puberty;
• In males, low libido, erectile dysfunction, impotence or prostate problems;
• Sleep problems such as sleep apnoea, snoring, and daytime sleepiness and fatigue.

Sadly it is generally believed that our poor lifestyle habits are responsible for initiation of this syndrome.

Abdominal obesity (visceral body fat) is known to contribute to cholesterol problems, blood pressure and heart problems, blood clotting problems, increases inflammation, hyperglycaemia, glucose intolerance, and possibly renal problems. Maybe that extra serve of chips wasn’t such a good idea after all??

High calorie, nutrient poor foods, lack of exercise and poor stress management all contribute. The good news is – all of these factors are easily rectified when you make small, but regular lifestyle changes. Try eating ¼ of a cup of nuts every day, replace white flour with high protein or nut flours, use good fats such as olive oil instead of bad fats and eat fish regularly.

In an age of fast living and fast foods, it is unfortunate that so many of us have forgotten how to cook and give our body the fuel that it craves for. If you think you need help in this area, have a look at Cooking to Beat Metabolic Syndrome.