Useful nutritional therapy articles

When it comes to choosing foods that are both nutritious and beneficial for overall health, Brassica vegetables should be at the top of your list. This family of vegetables, which includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage, is renowned for its impressive health benefits. Packed with essential nutrients and unique compounds, Brassica vegetables offer a range... [read more]

The definition of stress is 'a feeling of emotional or physical tension.' It is a natural response which has been deeply wired within our DNA throughout human history. Consider our hunter-gatherer ancestors being chased by or hunting a wild animal in the middle of the jungle. Such life-threatening situations were 'immediate dangers' that were encountered during... [read more]

Our oral microbiome contains the most complex and second largest collection of microorganisms in the human body, our gut microbiome being the first. But what exactly is microbiome - the term we seem to be coming across everywhere these days? British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) defines it as the totality of microorganisms, bacteria,... [read more]

Going on diet is something that so many people do on a regular basis. Before you embark on a miserable experience, read on… 1. Why do I want to lose weight? Do you want to lose weight because you don’t look like the models from the magazines? Do you feel like you are inadequate because of your weight?... [read more]

Our bodies use the food we eat for energy. In order to fuel all of the metabolic processes, brain function  and any movement we make, the energy containing parts of our food (that’s protein, fat and carbohydrate)  need to be converted into a useable form of energy called adenosine triphosphate or ATP for short. The most efficient source... [read more]

Vitamin D supplementation supports immunity,  prevents asthma and influenza A recent Cochrane review showed that low blood levels of vitamin D (the ‘sunshine vitamin’) have been linked to an increased risk of asthma attacks in children and adults with asthma. Asthma sufferers given vitamin D experienced fewer asthma attacks that needed treatment with oral steroids. Vitamin D supplementation... [read more]

Hippocrates (c. 460 – c. 370 BC) knew that gut health was key to your health and ultimately many diseases and possibly seemingly unconnected symptoms you may have, and this was over two centuries ago.  Luckily, we now have the technology and scientific knowledge to address an unhealthy gut microbiome and to implement dietary steps to improve the balance... [read more]

See below for Sean Kulyk's response to an article by Jim Manson, in Natural Products magazine on the topic of 'the mantra there’s no such thing as bad food, just a bad diet'; 27th February 2018:  https://www.naturalproductsglobal.com/opinion/busting-myth-no-thing-bad-food/ For years, the mantra ‘there’s no such thing as bad food, just a bad diet’ has been the junk food industry’s default... [read more]

Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme reactions that help regulate the thousands of diverse biochemical reactions in the body. It's is required for energy production in all cells and is considered to be the 4th most important mineral in the body. It is a key component of bone, is required for the synthesis... [read more]

 Did you know that what you eat and stress reduction techniques may help you reduce your menopausal symptoms?  The below 6 steps are a good start to see if your symptoms improve:  1.      Follow a blood sugar balancing diet.  This means eating unrefined, low sugar carbohydrates, like wholegrain bread, rice, pasta and including proteins and healthy fats with... [read more]

As a Nutritionist who specialises in Colon Hydrotherapy, I can tell you that I’ve seen the inside of more guts than most people. I have seen first-hand, thousands of times, how a colonic can make people appreciate their complex system of organs in a new way and how to make lasting changes to their lives. The gut is... [read more]

Digestive Health We all like to feel the fitness and health benefits that exercise brings, but for some of us there are unwelcome side effects. The digestive system has to put up with a lot of disruption when we exercise (think of all that pounding up and down when running, being bent over when cycling, or swallowing... [read more]

What is it? Interstitial Cystitis (IC) also referred to as painful bladder syndrome (PBS), or bladder pain syndrome (BPS), is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting women, men, girls and boys, regardless of age or race. Most IC patients have recurring pelvic pain, pressure, or discomfort in the bladder and pelvic region, which is associated with urinary frequency... [read more]

Gastrointestinal complaints are very common among endurance athletes and are one of the main causes of underperformance in endurance events. Runner Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) distress has two main factors: Diversion of blood flow from the GIT to the muscles: When exercising at high intensity, muscles need to be supplied by oxygen-enriched blood. As such, our body diverts... [read more]

Hydration- what should we drink? There are many conflicting stories of how much fluid we need and how much water we should have each day. Some people hate drinking just water whilst others believe they are being healthy by consuming 4L a day. How much fluid should we drink each day? As a guide most people should... [read more]

Many sufferers of PCOS find one of the most frustrating things about the disorder is their inability to lose weight.  Symptoms of PCOS can include feeling hungry all the time no matter what you eat, and this makes it very hard to lose weight. Polycystic Ovarian syndrome is a condition where small cysts grow on the ovaries.... [read more]

If you suffer from an underactive thyroid, (also known as hypothyroidism) you will have no doubt struggled to lose weight for years. Diagnosis of the condition for many is a huge relief as it provides an explanation for the symptoms, like coarse dry skin, weight gain, tiredness and difficulty sleeping.  Unfortunately, diagnosis and treatment don’t always result... [read more]

Fats and oils are probably one of the things I get asked about the most – and I am not surprised as there is so much conflicting advice in the press which can be confusing. The most important thing to remember is that not all fats are created equal but good fats should play an integral... [read more]

What is Cystitis Cystitis and urinary tract infections otherwise known as UTI’s are among the most common type of infection being diagnosed and also left undiagnosed in outpatient medicine.  With a smaller number of effective antibiotics, we are gradually seeking alternative approaches to the management of UTI’s. This is where the field of Nutritional Therapy using natural... [read more]

You may never have heard of type 3 diabetes but I'm pretty sure you soon will as this is big news!As you probably are aware, diabetes is a condition where your blood sugar management isn't working properly: type 1 is an auto-immune disease where the immune system has attacked the cells in the pancreas that make... [read more]

We are approaching that time of year when sunshine and daylight are in short supply and we all need to think about boosting our levels of vitamin D as our supplies from the summer sun will now be dwindling! We may be starting to feel more sluggish and our immune systems may be under pressure trying... [read more]

In my practice I have come across many serial dieters.  The answer to shedding any extra weight being carried around always seems to be in the latest new diet, whether it be counting calories or points, intermittent fasting, or cutting out food groups (and many others!)  And the thing is, these diets do lead to weight... [read more]

Keep a check on your blood sugar levels, not only to prevent diabetes, but also your emotions. When your blood sugar drops your emotions can be affected and result in severe-mood swings, making you argumentative, angry, irritable, depressed, intolerant and easily upset. Also, if you suffer allergies, rhinitis, headaches, etc. these can be brought on if... [read more]

BANT (The British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy) have released some generalised food advice that is far more up to date than the antiquated government Eatwell Plate. This chart makes the recommendation to eat vegetables and a small amount of fruit from each of the colour groups - not quite corresponding to a rainbow. The pigments... [read more]

There are over 80 autoimmune diseases (where the immune system attacks the body itself, including diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes, Coeliac Disease, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, MS, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Hashimoto’s & Raynaud’s) and their incidence in the West continues to grow rapidly. It is now ten years since the concept that autoimmunity develops via... [read more]

The adrenal glands are two little walnut sized organs that sit on top of your kidneys. They might be small but they control the production of over 50 hormones in your body some of which are involved in blood sugar control; energy; blood pressure and immune responses along with many other bodily functions. These little glands are... [read more]

1. Start the day with hot lemon and ginger A mug of fresh hot lemon and ginger will help stimulate saliva, bile and gastric juice production and improve digestion. Ginger can be great if nausea is a problem first thing and can help too with heartburn and acid reflux.  2. Chew your food thoroughly Aim to chew each mouthful... [read more]

What People Ask Me: What can I eat to reduce aches, pains and inflammation? How can I help my hormone health? What foods can help my digestive health? What can I eat for the health of my liver? What foods could reduce my risk of cancer? How can I improve my eye health? So why should you regularly eat greens? Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Turnips, Spring... [read more]

As a Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist- and Naturopath- my approach to healthcare is based very much on the understanding that the body has an innate ability to heal itself. Our bodies are amazing. Just think what it is has to put up with on a daily basis! But it will always try to revert to a healthy... [read more]