Year: 2019

Acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, is an uncomfortable and surprisingly common condition. According to the NHS, there has been a 50% increase in people suffering from acid reflux over the last ten years, up to almost 20% of the population. In fact, acid reflux has become so commonplace it’s often regarded as a normal consequence of eating a … Read more

We know a great deal about the damaging effect of plastics on our planet and wildlife. But did you know plastics can adversely affect your health, too? In this article we’ll have a closer look on the health effects of plastic and how you can reduce your exposure. The Problem with Plastics Plastic was invented back in 1907 … Read more

Seed cycling is a method of using food, in this case seeds, to balance hormone levels. Various seeds are eaten during different phases of the menstrual cycle. In this article we’ll take a look at the theory and benefits of seed cycling and find out how it’s done. Hormone Cycles Before we delve into the specifics of seed cycling, it’s helpful to understand what happens to hormone levels … Read more

There’s a hot debate out there all about grains. Are they an essential food group which provide the foundation for a healthy diet or are they dangerous little things which cause chronic inflammation and wreak havoc in our gut? In this article, we’ll discuss the arguments for and against eating grains. What are grains? A grain is the edible fruit of … Read more

When we sleep, our bodies repair and reboot. Sleep deprivation is linked to many chronic health problems including low mood, concentration difficulties, poor immunity, hormone imbalance, weight gain and metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. If you’ve ever had a few nights’ broken sleep, you’re probably familiar with some of these symptoms. When … Read more

All vitamins are important but because vitamin D is essential for so many body processes, low levels of this nutrient can lead to wide ranging health problems. In this article we’ll take a closer look at vitamin D, and why you should get tested. Functions of Vitamin D Almost every cell in your body has receptors for vitamin D, which affects … Read more

It’s that time of the year again. With people coughing and spluttering on the train or bus, unpredictable weather and long dark evenings, it’s no wonder we sometimes succumb to the flu. It puts us out of action for days and makes us feel horrible. In this article we’ll look at how you can naturally support your immune system to give yourself the best … Read more

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know we all have a fascinating ecosystem of bacteria living within our digestive system. Collectively called the microbiome, over 2000 different species can potentially make our gut their home. It was previously believed these bacteria really only made a contribution to our digestive health. Indeed … Read more

We’ve spoken at length about the importance of the microbiome in our gut. In this blog we’ll examine another important but less well–known collection of bacteria – those living in our mouth. These bacteria also play a crucial role in our health, particularly of our nerve and brain cells. Oral Bacteria It’s estimated we have over 700 species … Read more

Many of us are aware there’s a population of bacteria living inside our gut. What may take you by surprise is the sheer number and variety of these bacteria and the fact that your population of bacteria is completely unique to you. As if this wasn’t enough, these bacteria are like a complicated chemical factory, … Read more

How many of us breathe a sigh of relief when our car passes its MOT and annual service? It comes back to us with a clean bill of health for another year, tyres checked for safety and wear and tear and with new oil, screenwash and coolant levels topped up. Yet how many of us treat our bodies to regular health … Read more

We often hear the terms food intolerance and food allergy being used interchangeably, but in reality there’s a significant difference. In this blog we’ll have a look at what happens in both and what lies behind their development. The Role of the Immune System Firstly, food allergies involve the immune system, whereas food intolerances don’t. … Read more

Antioxidants and the importance of eating the Rainbow You may have heard of the idea of putting a rainbow on your plate every day. This is based on the knowledge that a wide variety of colourful plant-based foods will contain a whole range of beneficial antioxidants. In this blog we’ll take a look at antioxidants and why they’re so valuable … Read more

Why is autoimmunity on the rise? Recent research has revealed more and more people are affected by autoimmune disease. In this article we’ll look at what may be behind this rise. Autoimmune Disease is Increasing It’s estimated four million people, or 1 in 16 of us in the UK, are living with an autoimmune disease. … Read more

Happiness begins in the gut Unlikely as it may sound, our digestive system is closely linked with our mood. Far from simply being a place where food is digested and absorbed, recent research is discovering our gut is a dynamic environment where millions of chemical messengers are produced and released. These travel all over our body, which means our gut communicates with our other … Read more

Silent inflammation begins in the gut. Is you gut quietly on fire? We hear a lot about inflammation these days, and this is not surprising since it’s becoming obvious inflammation is a catalyst for just about every chronic health condition. What is Inflammation? Acute Inflammation Inflammation serves a crucial function. The word derives from the Latin … Read more

Promoting neuroplasticity: Helping brains adapt In this blog we’ll be looking at neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to change according to our environment. Our Brains are Not Static It used to be thought our brain stopped developing once we reached a certain age, with neurones gradually dying off over time. However, just as none of us think and behave in the same way as we did 20 … Read more

Screens and their impact on the developing brain Screen time is involved in many battles in households up and down the country. How much screen time for children is too much? What effect does screen time have on development? In this article we’ll examine the impact of screens on the brain of growing children. Screen … Read more

Histamine imbalance – The role of the gut If you suffer from unexplained, random symptoms which seem to appear out of nowhere, histamine imbalance could be to blame. Symptoms such as unexplained headaches, facial flushing, digestive issues or itchy nose which come and go can have their roots in histamine imbalance. In this blog we’ll … Read more

Emotional attachment to food Why do we Add Value to Something which has no Value? You’re feeling down, a little under the weather. You’re trying to decide what to eat. Hands up who instinctively reaches for a healthy snack? The majority of the time, the answer is no, even though at this time this is what your body really … Read more

Leaky gut – the importance of the barrier wall Is your gut leaky? More accurately called increased intestinal permeability, this condition is often unsuspected but can have a profound effect on our health. In this article we’ll have a look at the importance of our digestive lining, and how to keep it in tip-top health. Keeping … Read more

Probiotic Rich Foods: What are They and why are They Helpful? Natural therapists have long been interested in the importance of our microbiome, the trillions of bacteria residing in our gut. Sensible food choices, managing stress and sleeping well can all help keep our microbiome in tip-top condition. In this blog, we’ll have a look at … Read more