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natural health

September 2020 (46)

Naturally Healthy Hair

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As many of you know, I am super passionate about skin health, and this passion extends to all aspects of integumentary health. The integumentary system comprises the skin and its appendages (hair, nails and exocrine glands) which are designed to protect the body from various damages caused by the outside world.

When it comes to our bodies, integumentary health can sometimes be overlooked. It is typically of lower priority (compared to other organ functions) and is often the last organ or system to receive vitamins and minerals from our diet and supplements.

In fact, hair, skin and nails that are dull, dry, brittle or lacklustre can tell a lot about an individual’s internal health and nutritional status. Today I want to shed some light on hair health in particular.

First and foremost, let’s take a quick look at hair loss. Hair loss (or hair thinning) is a very common complaint in naturopathy clinics and can be quite emotionally distressing for the individual. It is important to thoroughly investigate all possible causes of hair loss in order to determine whether further or more advanced treatment is required.

Possible causes of hair loss include, but are not limited to:

  • nutritional deficiencies, including iron deficiency anaemia
  • thyroid causes
  • hormonal changes – puberty, pregnancy, postpartum and menopause
  • reproductive conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome
  • stress
  • genetics
  • chronic health conditions, for example lupus (SLE), cancer
  • autoimmune conditions
  • certain medications.

Nutrition for hair health

Regardless of whether you are experiencing hair loss or not, enhancing the nutritional profile of your diet will assist with improving the appearance, thickness, amount and health of the hair on your head.

Here’s how:

Protein (amino acids)

Over 95 per cent of our hair is made up of a fibrous structural protein called keratin (made up of amino acids) which is produced within the hair follicle. It is therefore important that we obtain adequate protein through our diet for hair growth and thickness.

Protein sources: beef, chicken, cheese, eggs, fish, lamb, yogurt, beans, lentils, tofu and tempeh

(Aim for a palm-sized portion of good quality protein with each main meal and snack.)

Iron

One of iron’s most important roles within the human body is to assist the production of red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs transport oxygen throughout the bloodstream to our organs and tissues, including our hair follicles, allowing them to function effectively.

Iron sources: red meat, liver, tempeh, kidney beans, cashews, spinach

Zinc

Zinc is believed to play a crucial role in DNA and RNA synthesis, which is a requirement for normal and efficient division of hair follicle cells, ultimately leading to improved hair growth and thickness. Zinc is also critical for tissue repair, with deficiency being linked to weakening of the protein structure within hair follicles causing hair to fall out.

Zinc sources: oysters, beef, pumpkin seeds, cashews, mushrooms

Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids

Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) nourish the hair, beginning at the hair follicle to enhance strength, lustre and thickness. The anti-inflammatory properties of omega 3 EFAs also help to reduce scalp inflammation that can contribute to hair loss.

Omega 3 EFA sources: oily fish (salmon, sardines, anchovies, mackerel), walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flaxseeds

Vitamin B3

It is well known that vitamin B3 improves blood circulation throughout the body, including to the scalp. As a result, vitamin B3 increases oxygen and nutrient transport to the hair follicles, assisting with faster and thicker hair growth.

Vitamin B3 sources: tuna, turkey, chicken, salmon, oats, brown rice, mushrooms

Selenium

Selenium is a potent antioxidant that helps to fight off any free radical damage to the hair follicles which causes them to become weak and brittle.

Selenium sources: Brazil nuts, beef, tuna, couscous, eggs, oats, walnuts

Silica

Silica is a trace mineral heavily involved in the repair and regeneration of collagen and connective tissue found within the hair. Silica therefore repairs damage to hair and hair follicles to improve hair strength and thickness.

Silica sources: cucumbers, sprouts, leeks, green beans, strawberries

At Health Radiant Body Protein Powder available in Kismet shop

Topical products/external practices

When it comes to hair health, our internal health and what we put into our bodies is just as important as what we are using and exposing our hair to daily. I like to implement a few practices to promote thick, healthy hair.

Select natural hair care products

Just like our skin care, we want our hair care to be free of nasties. Harsh ingredients, such as sulphates, parabens, silicones, preservatives, alcohols, fragrances etc, found in many conventional hair care products can negatively impact the health of your hair. These ingredients cause scalp sensitivity and inflammation, strip away natural oils creating dryness and block our hair follicles, which inhibits hair growth. A build-up of these ingredients over time causes the hair to become thin, weak, dull and prone to damage, breakage and split ends.

I strongly recommend using salon-quality hair care products. Speak to your hairdresser who will be able to recommend the most suitable products for your hair needs.

Avoid over-washing your hair

Over-washing or washing the hair too frequently strips away the hair’s natural oils, resulting in dry hair and scalp. It also throws out the balance of your scalp’s microbiome, which can allow overgrowth of bacteria and fungi, subsequently causing problems such as scalp inflammation and dandruff.

On the flip side, washing your hair too infrequently and over-using products such as dry shampoo may also cause damage to your hair and scalp, as dry shampoo builds up and blocks the hair follicles which can inhibit hair growth.

Avoid frequent use of heat or heated styling tools

When applied to the hair, heat or heated styling tools (i.e. hairdryer, hair straightener, hair curler) essentially burn the hair, altering its chemical structure leading to dryness, damage, breakage and split ends. It is recommended that you use heat or heated styling tools on your hair no more than once per week. Begin with a low-heat setting and work your way up and always apply a heat-protectant product to the hair before applying heat.

It is also advisable to avoid tying your hair up in the same way every day as this can cause unnecessary pulling on the hair shaft, which leads to damage and breakage. Scrunchies can be a good alternative to hair ties as they are slightly gentler on the hair.

Scalp massage

Giving yourself a scalp massage (you can use some form of oil to assist, i.e. coconut oil, grape seed oil, essential oils) encourages scalp stimulation and increases blood (and nutrient) flow to the scalp which, in turn, helps to promote hair growth. You might like to finish the scalp massage by brushing your hair with a wooden bristle brush to help pull some of the scalp oils down through the rest of the hair shaft.

If you would like to improve your nutritional profile and give your hair and skin a nourishing boost, book an appointment today. We’d love to help you.

Written by Perri Baldwin BHSc
Naturopath

September 2020 (44)

Health Benefits of Sleep

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If there is one thing you should focus on for your health it is sleep, yet so many of us are forgoing this most important health factor when it comes to preventing disease.

Sleep problems including insomnia and a general lack of sleep are frequently experienced by people of all ages. In fact, it is estimated that up to one third of people experience sleep problems. Not getting enough sleep, even by one hour, can have many detrimental health effects.

In our modern day, we are at a point of genetic mismatch due to technological changes. Our bodies are hardwired to respond to certain factors to alert us of when it is time to wake up to ensure we are ‘safe from predators’. These alerts include sounds and light. The introduction of electricity has changed the way our days are structured, and we can now keep our lives illuminated for longer than the 12 or so hours given to us by the sun.

Systems of the body correlated with poor sleeping patterns:

  • Hormonal disorders – testosterone levels can be affected with as little as one night of poor sleep
  • Mood disorders – depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism
  • Magnesium status – poor sleep depletes magnesium (conversely, increasing magnesium status can promote a deeper sleep)
  • Poor immune health – we produce immune cells as we sleep. Poor sleep causes a reduction in cells we need to fight infection.
  • Inflammatory conditions
  • Reduced growth hormone – increased ageing, interfering with fertility
  • Poor gut health
  • Weight gain and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes

How much is enough?

The researched amount of sleep to prevent disease is 7–8 hours every night. It is different for everyone, especially our little humans who need a lot more sleep than adults. The only way we can discover how much sleep is enough for us is by checking in with yourself and how you are feeling throughout the day with varying amounts of sleep. Children and adolescents require much more than adults so ensuring they are getting the right amount of sleep is crucial for proper brain development. Research also suggests that correct sleeping patterns can increase performance at school.

Organic Kismet Health Herbal Tea

Creating bedtime rituals is key to getting a good sleep

At least one hour before bed, cease all screen time and opting for reading, meditation or chatting with friends and family instead.

  • Aim to live by the sun – rising to natural light also helps us to regulate our circadian clock
  • Hack your lighting – ensuring the colour of the light bulbs in your bedroom is more orange to yellow and the dimmer the better with as few lux or lumen as possible. Research shows melatonin suppression is impacted by levels of light greater than 5 lux. An average e-reader provides 30–50 lux and a night light about 40 lux. Ideally, use candles as they provide the right colour of light and sit at around 12 lumen.
  • Minimise alcohol consumption – one to two alcoholic drinks can be enough to disrupt sleep patterns for some people
  • Limit caffeinated drinks to before 2 pm – caffeine shifts our circadian rhythm over an hour later with every cup. Caffeine has a very long half-life (the time taken for the body to eliminate one-half of the caffeine) meaning if you drink it at 4 pm, it can still be in your system as late as 2 am.
  • Smells can stimulate a limbic response – using the same smell every night is a great way to stimulate a response in the limbic portion of the brain, signalling to you that it is time for sleep. Supercharging this by using lavender as it stimulates GABA production, a relaxing neurotransmitter.
  • Finish eating three hours before bed – our digestive system will take preference if you have eaten close to bedtime, not letting our body fully rest until food is digested. Aim to eat light in the evening and at least two hours before bedtime, if not more.
  • Keep a regular bedtime – we are creatures of habit. Letting your body know that it is time to rest helps your body get into a good rhythm, knowing it is safe to sleep deeply.

How can naturopathic care help

Even if you are getting eight hours sleep, it may not be enough to make sure you are getting the deepest sleep possible in the time you are asleep. If you are waking unrefreshed and feel like you have been tossing and turning, it is likely that you are falling short in the amount of sleep your body needs. At Kismet, we have numerous herbs and nutraceuticals that help with falling asleep and staying asleep.

Let us help you! Speak to one of our naturopaths to deepen your sleep and get the energy you need to get your health back in check. Book an appointment today.

Written by Ally Stuart BHSc
Naturopath

September 2020 (14)

Iron Deficiency

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Iron deficiency is a condition of insufficient iron stores within the body. Iron deficiency anaemia occurs when the condition reaches the point that it begins to reduce the production (or number) of red blood cells (RBCs).

Iron is involved in the production of RBCs and plays a vital role in helping them transport oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency occurs when iron losses, or physiological requirements for iron, exceed the amount of iron absorbed by an individual.

Commonly, people attribute a diagnosis of iron deficiency to an individual’s lack of dietary iron intake. However, there are several other possible causative factors of iron deficiency, including the following.

Blood loss

Excessive blood loss most typically occurs due to some degree of physical trauma, including injury and internal trauma/ bleeding. Infection with intestinal parasites can cause blood loss through the gastrointestinal tract. In females, monthly menstrual bleeds are an unavoidable cause of blood loss and are of particular concern where the menstrual bleeds are heavy or prolonged.

Malabsorption

Malabsorption of iron is caused by an apparent reduction in the absorptive capabilities of the gastrointestinal tract mucosa. This may be a result of damage to the gastrointestinal tract mucosa or due to exogenous agents that bind to iron in the gastrointestinal tract and inhibit their bioavailability (ability to be absorbed). Examples of exogenous agents that inhibit the bioavailability of iron include compounds such as tannins and some medications, including antibiotics.

Malabsorption of iron may also be caused by low stomach acid levels. High levels of stomach acid create an acidic environment within the stomach which enhances the solubility and therefore absorption of iron through the gastrointestinal mucosa. Furthermore, a number of nutritional co-factors are required for the gastrointestinal absorption of iron, including vitamin C. Where there is a lack of nutritional co-factors available, iron absorption is reduced.

Physiological demands

In some circumstances, certain individuals may have an increased physiological demand for iron. Most commonly we see this in pregnancy, where the demand for iron increases significantly due to the expansion of maternal RBCs and foetal growth. Increased physiological demand for iron is also typically seen in elite athletes due to their high training (exercise) load. High training loads stimulate an increase in RBCs within the body, which increases the demand for iron.

Infection

During infection, one of the body’s non-specific defence mechanisms to inhibit pathogenic bacteria growth is to reduce serum iron levels. In response to infection, the body’s temperature rises and, subsequently, serum iron levels drop. Once the body’s temperature is raised to ‘fever’ level and iron levels have dropped low enough, the growth of pathogenic bacteria is inhibited. Therefore, ongoing or chronic infections can negatively impact an individual’s iron levels.

Typical signs and symptoms of iron deficiency include:

  • fatigue or extreme fatigue
  • weakness
  • irritability
  • pale skin and mucous membranes
  • shortness of breath
  • irregular heartbeat
  • headaches
  • intolerance to cold
  • cold hands and feet
  • poor concentration
  • impaired cognitive function
  • dizziness and lightheadedness
  • brittle nails.

In the case of suspected iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia, it is important to conduct thorough investigation through pathology testing. Routinely, individuals will be sent for ‘iron studies’, which are a set of tests that measure different aspects of iron in the body. Some of these are outlined below.

Serum Iron

A serum iron test measures how much iron is in the serum (liquid component) of the blood.

Ferritin

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. A ferritin test measures the amount of iron stored in the body, or more specifically the liver.

Transferrin or Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)

Transferrin is the main protein that transports iron throughout the body. A transferrin or TIBC test measures how much and how well the body transports iron. Your body makes transferrin in relation to your need for iron. When iron stores (ferritin) are low, transferrin levels increase.

Transferrin Saturation

Transferrin saturation is a calculation between serum iron and transferrin or TIBC that represents the percentage of transferrin that is saturated with iron.

While iron studies are most helpful in determining iron deficiency, in addition, individuals will typically also be sent for a ‘Full Blood Count’, which helps to further determine or rule out iron deficiency anaemia.

Where a diagnosis of iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia is made, treatment will depend largely on the cause and severity of iron deficiency. However, almost always treatment of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia will include dietary modifications (increasing iron-rich foods and co-factors for absorption) and iron supplementation.

DIETARY IRON

Heme vs. non-heme iron

The iron obtained from our diets comes in two main forms: heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron comes from animal-based sources, such as beef, pork, chicken, kangaroo, lamb, seafood and other meats. Non-heme iron comes from all other food sources, typically plant-based sources, such as leafy green vegetables, beans and other legumes, nuts and seeds etc. Generally speaking, non-heme iron sources are less bioavailable and not as easily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract as heme iron sources. For this reason, it is recommended that individuals combine heme and non-heme iron sources where possible.

The tables below list examples of heme and non-heme iron sources and their iron content based on typical serving sizes. The recommended dietary intake (RDI) of iron for adult males is 20 mg per day and adult females is 18 mg per day.

Non-Heme Sources of Iron

Food Source

 Serving Size Iron Content
Tempeh 100g 9.2mg
Pumpkin seeds 50g 5mg
Kidney beans 1 cup 3.1mg
Green lentils 1 cup 3mg
Tofu 100g 2.9mg
Chickpeas 1 cup 2.7mg
Sunflower seeds 50g 2.3mg
Cashew nuts 30g 1.5mg
Bok choy 100g 1.5mg
Sesame seeds 25g 1.3mg
Raw spinach 30g 1.1mg
Rolled oats 30g 1.1mg
Almonds 30g 1.1mg
Dried apricot 30g 0.9mg

 

Heme Sources of Iron

Food Source Serving Size Iron Content
Chicken liver 100g 11mg
Oysters 100g 9mg
Kangaroo 100g 4.1mg
Beef 100g 3mg
Lamb 100g 2.5mg
Egg (boiled) 100g 1.8mg
Salmon 100g 1.3mg
Tuna (canned) 100g 1.1mg
Pork 100g 0.8mg
Chicken 100g 0.4mg

 

In addition to increasing heme and non-heme iron sources in the diet, there are several other dietary modifications that can be made to help maximise the absorption of iron in the gastrointestinal tract, including:

  • combining heme and non-heme sources of iron (see above)
  • consuming vitamin C-rich foods together with iron-rich foods. Vitamin C enhances the body’s absorption of iron.
  • consuming any dairy products away from iron-rich foods and meals. Calcium found in dairy competes or interferes with the absorption of iron in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • avoiding the consumption of tea/coffee close to main meals. Certain constituents in tea and coffee can inhibit the absorption of iron in the stomach.
  • cooking non-heme sources of iron. This increases the bioavailability of the iron.
  • cooking in cast iron cookware. Iron from the cookware leaches into the food, boosting the iron content of the food.

SUPPLEMENTAL IRON

In most cases of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia, iron supplements will be recommended or prescribed. Iron supplements vary in terms of the ‘form’ of iron and the amount of iron they contain, and thus it is important to speak with your health care practitioner about which iron supplement is best for you. There are certain risks associated with taking iron supplements where iron deficiency is absent and therefore it is advised that they only be taken under the supervision of a medical or qualified health practitioner.

Let us help you! To consult one of our naturopaths for testing, supplementation or dietary and lifestyle support, please book an appointment today.

Written by Perri Baldwin BHSc
Naturopath

September 2020 (12)

Ovulation and Your Health

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“Did you know that being more ‘fertile’ can actually improve your health and wellbeing?” —Dr Nat Kringoudis

Ovulation is a sign of health. It is how we make oestrogen and progesterone, both of which have amazing health benefits. Let’s dive right in and see what all the fuss is about!

Oestrogen

Oestrogen is needed to stimulate luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), both of which work together to trigger ovulation and stimulate the production of fertile mucous.

We need sufficient oestrogen to ovulate, and we need to ovulate to make oestrogen.

Oestrogen is your ‘get up and go’ hormone as it boosts neurotransmitters including serotonin (important for wellbeing and happiness) and dopamine (important for motivation and pleasure). If your libido has exited the building, you might have an issue with oestrogen.

For those of you who like to look good (and who doesn’t?), oestrogen has beautifying effects too, including softening our skin, mucous membranes and blood vessels. It also keeps our bones nice and strong. If you struggle with vaginal dryness, recurrent UTIs, skin issues or weight gain, there is a chance you may have a relative oestrogen deficiency. These symptoms are common in perimenopause and menopause, but you might be surprised to learn they are also quite common in younger women, especially those who are on the pill (more on this below).

One of oestrogen’s best-known roles is thickening the endometrium, which is why women with excess oestrogen levels experience heavy bleeding and women with relative oestrogen deficiency have light bleeding or spotting only.

As you can see, oestrogen is important for our health. It is all about the balance.

Progesterone

Progesterone is the yin to oestrogen’s yang. I love progesterone and want every woman to have it in their life for as long as possible. Here’s why.

Progesterone thins your uterine lining and balances prostaglandins (involved with pain sensitivity), resulting in lighter and less painful periods. It stimulates your thyroid, promotes hair growth and stimulates your metabolism, supporting weight management. It reduces inflammation, builds muscle and promotes sleep.

Need more? Here is one of my favourite reasons to love it.

Progesterone converts to allopregnanalone (a calming neurotransmitter similar to GABA) in the brain which soothes the nervous system and reduces anxiety. It also improves brain health and cognitive function.

Remember: we only make progesterone when we ovulate.

Do you need some more progesterone in your life?

Hormonal contraception and ovulation

I don’t know about you, but I find that ovulation and fertility are rarely spoken in a positive way (unless you are trying to have a baby, of course). For many teenage girls and women, if there are any issues with their period or skin, or if they are looking to prevent a pregnancy, then what is the first thing that is offered by GPs? The oral contraceptive pill. And what does the pill do? It shuts down your ovaries and puts you into what is essentially chemical menopause. 

I want you to stop and think about that for a moment. In fact, go back and re-read it. And now re-read the benefits of making your own oestrogen and progesterone through ovulating. How does that make you feel? It makes me angry, and sad. But it also drives me to educate YOU so you can be informed and make better choices for your body and your health, and for the health of our daughters.

Remember, everything is fixable. If you have hormone imbalance or want to prevent a pregnancy, there are other (better) ways than going on the pill.

So let’s get you ovulating!

How to know if you are ovulating

Blood tests are available but you must get the timing right for them to be useful. There are also testing kits you can buy from the chemist. However, there are some really simple ways that don’t cost any money that are equally as effective.

Some women experience ovulation pain called mittelschmerz around 14 days before their period. I am one of those women so I know I ovulate. The severity of the pain can vary from a dull ache to a cramp to a sharp and sudden pain and can last from a few minutes to a day or two. Every woman is different.

If you don’t experience ovulation pain, then you can look for fertile mucous. This is clear and slippery and can be stretched between your fingers. It is not a guarantee that you are ovulating, as many women with high oestrogen levels can produce mucous throughout their cycle, but for most it is a good indicator.

Temperature tracking is another great way to see if you are ovulating. You will need a basal thermometer and to take your temperature at the same time every morning before you get out of bed. Your temperature increases with progesterone (remember you only make progesterone when you ovulate), so if you can see a noticeable increase mid-cycle, you are probably ovulating.

Final thoughts

Ovulation is good for our health. Period.

When you are healthy, your menstrual cycle should be regular and essentially symptom-free. If this is not you, then your period is trying to tell you something.

Written by Denise Berry BHSc
Naturopath

 

FREE WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK EVENT

Denise Berry is hosting a webinar all about menopause! She will discuss hormone changes during your 40s, 50s and beyond, the cause of common symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause, how HRT works + more. Join us!

Wednesday, 9 September 2020
7.30 pm, duration 1 hr
Online via Zoom
BOOK HERE!

Homebirth Images (1)

Homebirth – Meeting our Baby

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The Birth of William Ian Raven – Part Two

It’s time to grab a cuppa because this one is long – just like my labour!

This is the second part of my homebirth story. Part one was all about choosing to birth at home and some of the challenges we experienced after making this decision at 37 weeks pregnant. You can read the first part of Homebirth – Our Story here.

On the night of Wednesday 29 April, at 39 + 1 weeks pregnant, I fell asleep on the couch at 7 pm (watching homebirth videos on YouTube). I was so exhausted that whole day and felt really different. I woke around 10 pm and moved into the bedroom, however I could not fall back to sleep. I was experiencing mild Braxton Hicks. I’d had these on and off for approx. the past two weeks and mostly at night, so I wasn’t thinking too much about it at this point. I also felt very restless and could not get comfortable. I eventually fell asleep after putting a movie on TV.

The next thing I knew was waking at 1 am when my waters had broken. I also started getting contractions which were quite frequent (about four minutes apart) and strong in intensity. I woke my husband Lachie who was in a deep sleep and took about five minutes to fully realise what was happening. There were a few giggles as I do think he was sleep walking initially! After a little while, we decided to call our doula Lou and midwife Claire to let them know my labour had started.

I had a nice warm shower and then we decided to go back to bed where I rode out each surge and got as much rest and sleep as I could. During this time, I also had more water releasing. I was really surprised by how much water was released.

At some point, I ate a mandarin and some porridge.

That morning our doula Lou arrived after my surges became around 1–2 minutes apart. I remember her initial presence by her soft whispers and the smell of her perfume.

Writing this now, it is really difficult to remember exactly what was happening at that point and how frequent my surges were is a blur to me. I was not focusing on how close together they were but rather I went into this place where I was working through each surge. I feel like I meditated through a lot of my labour, making it hard to now recall. I believe my eyes were closed for the majority of the time.

Over many hours that Thursday, what I do remember is focusing on each surge, breathing and then resting when it finished. I laboured mostly in our bedroom, at times using the fit ball, the bed, the ground and also Lachie for support during the first 24 hours.

At times, the surges were more intense which made me teary but having a cry helped to release some of the emotions I was feeling.

I really loved water during my labour. The shower provided some pain relief. It was the light sensation of the water on my back and the heat that felt amazing. Leaning up against the shower wall with my head in my hands riding more surges, each one bringing me closer to meeting our little Will.

I continued to labour around the house, moving from the lounge to the kitchen, bedroom and shower. I also took a short walk outside for some fresh air.

As the day turned into night things were progressing well and I got into the bath. I felt as though I went through a transition in the bath where things really changed and there was another level of intensity. After some time in the bath, I started to feel things slow down. I was thinking about the length of my labour, how challenging it had been and all I wanted at that point was for it to be over.

I continued labouring until I was exhausted. After speaking to my midwife Claire, I decided to rest and moved back into the bed. The contractions continued throughout the early hours of the morning.

Friday morning things had really stalled. I continued resting for the next 10 hours or so. We had lovely gentle music playing as I laid on the couch. My birthing team had decided to leave us for the day and Lachie and I chose to do some techniques from Spinning Babies to bring my labour back on. I also took more showers and tried nipple stimulation. I believe this all had an impact on helping the labour to pick up again.

It was during this day that I had to work through some BIG things. I was worried about the risk of infection at this point. I remember also switching into a different frame of mind, a negative one where I didn’t think I could do it. I was also frustrated that things had stalled as I knew I still had quite a while to go. It was my husband and my birthing team who assisted me to talk through what I was experiencing and helped me out of this mindset and put me back into the frame of mind that I needed to birth this baby.

My doula set up a beautiful atmosphere in our nursery, suggesting that I labour and spend some time in that room. I instantly felt so comfortable in there. I spent hours leaning over the change table riding out more surges. I also went through a transition in that room. The change table was the perfect height and I used a stack of baby blankets to rest my head on between surges.

I remember Lachie offering to put a pillow under my head at one point and me quickly, and slightly angrily, moving it out. Lachie also asked me a question here and I strongly told him to shush! I believe now this was me going through transition. I did not feel agitated at any point other than this and things were really ramping up at this stage.

I never knew how dilated I was. I never knew what the time was. These were two things I did not want to know. I didn’t want to find out and then become disheartened. I didn’t want these to be factors that stalled my labour.

The surges were not as intense or painful as the pain I had in my back. It was constant; it was intense; it was overwhelming. A friend had kindly let me borrow her TENS machine and it helped so much. I remember wearing this for hours and hours until it was time to get back in the bath again.

Once in the bath, things ramped up. There was so much progress and then, like the night before, things suddenly felt different again. I called Claire in and told her I felt like baby was stuck. I also had increasing amounts of pain in my back. I think it was then that she mentioned baby was mostly likely posterior and we could try moving into different birthing positions to help baby move down and around.

The thought of moving was terrifying to me. I didn’t want to move. Each time one of the midwives wanted me to move, it took the most amazing amount of mental and physical effort to do it. The pain in my back was incredible! I did it though. I trusted them so much. I think we did nearly every birthing/rotating position in the book. They gave me the space and time I needed to get into the positions and supported and guided me so much.

At this point, I really needed guided/coached pushing. It had been nearly 47 hours of labour and I was exhausted but determined. We could now see baby’s head and being able to see it myself helped a lot. It gave me the encouragement to keep pushing as I knew I was so close.

Claire suggested I move back into bed, laying on my back to try and push to help take the pressure off my back. This position was so comfortable. Interestingly, it was the position I didn’t want to birth in as I knew there was an increased risk of tearing when birthing laying on your back. However, I surrendered and just went with what felt right for my body in that moment.

I could hear the birds outside our bedroom window so I knew it was the early hours of the morning (Saturday). Baby’s head was making more progress. These birds are now a constant reminder of birthing our beautiful William. Often I am up early feeding William in our bed with these birds singing us songs.

I continued to push. Nudie fruit juice was my saviour, sipping on many glasses gave me the energy I needed to keep going. I couldn’t and didn’t eat much during the days of my labour. I did not feel sick, I just wasn’t hungry.

Two things kept me going mentally. A friend of mine, who I was in contact with during my labour and knew things were taking a long time, told me I was Wonder Woman and that I could do anything. When things were tough or hurting, I would literally image myself dressed in a Wonder Woman outfit and would say to myself, ‘I am f@#%ing Wonder Woman. I can do this!’

I was also hanging out for the moment baby crowned and I experienced that ring of fire. I had heard and read that the ring of fire was really painful. I found I was so keen to feel this burning pain as I knew that if I was feeling it, I was nearly there. What was interesting was that when I did experience that sensation, I didn’t think it was extremely painful because I was just so happy and relieved for the feeling. (What an amazing example of the power of the mind.)

In the final stage, I received the most amazing support from my midwives, with guidance on resting rather than pushing, along with the amount of pressure to use to push, plus help to reduce potential perineal injury. With one more big push our beautiful little baby boy was born.

That feeling is simply indescribable. Here is a photo to show you all the feelings I was feeling. I couldn’t stop crying. The whole room was full of incredible oxytocin love. Smiles, celebrations, kisses and hugs. We were so wrapped up in this feeling it was some time before we even knew the gender. Then Lachie announced, ‘It’s a boy’ and the celebrations continued.

As we attempted the breast crawl with William, while doing delayed cord clamping, a delicious plate of sourdough toast with avocado and fetta along with a cup of tea in my brand new ‘Mum’ mug was handed to me while laying in my own bed. Thanks Doula Lou, you incredible woman. She knew this was my favourite breakfast without even asking me!

Wrapped up in bed with my new baby boy and now sleeping husband (he was just as exhausted as I was) was pure bliss. I just remember feeling overwhelmed with happiness, while around me the midwives were doing the checks on baby.

Meanwhile, my placenta still had not been delivered. I was aiming for a natural physiological third stage. After two hours and numerous occasions of pushing, the placenta had still not released. After discussing the risks and gaining full information about the Syntocinon injection, I decided it was time to do it. It did nothing. There was silence. I was starting to get worried.

I was told that if the placenta was not going to come away, I would need to transfer to hospital where a procedure would occur which would involve an epidural. Holy moly! I was still silent but in my mind I was thinking there is no f@#%ing way I have laboured for this long and given birth free of intervention and pain relief to now have to have these things for my placenta.

I noticed both Claire and Lou remove themselves from the room. I was still processing it all. Louise, my second midwife, was doing further checks on Will, helping him latch in the hope it would also help the placenta come away.

I then rolled onto my side where I felt a change in my body. After communicating this to Louise we decided to push again. At this stage, I remember so clearly thinking it is one last big push. This is it; you can do it. Then the placenta finally came away.

More tears rolled down my face, that feeling of doing it again. Women really are amazing. Pure achievement, empowerment and strength. I was so proud of myself and so relieved. I had just needed more time; I just needed to be mentally ready again. My body was exhausted, it did not want to push. This was another lesson in surrender and trusting that you are more capable than you realise.

Louise called out, ‘Claire we have a placenta’. Next thing we had everyone in the room again, Lachie woke up and it was like there was a second birth celebration – more tears!

I could rest now. I could cuddle my baby boy now. Wrapped up in bed as a family of three for the first time ever, in the comfort of our own home, is how we spent our first moments together and what we did for many hours that day. We were in our own little love bubble that lasted for weeks.

I am beyond grateful for choosing to birth at home. I know now for a fact that I would have been writing a very different birth story and experience if I had birthed within the hospital setting. Numerous factors, the main one being not being given/allowed enough time, would have seen a cascade of intervention occur. Time was my most precious thing and it was never taken away from me.

Perhaps more time is what is needed for many other women. More time to work through the incredible journey that the body has to go through in order to bring our babies to us.

I can’t wait for homebirth number two. I only hope the issues we faced as mentioned in part one of our story are sorted out by then.

Thank you so much to my birthing team in Claire from Your birth Midwifery, midwife Louise Thornton, Doula Lou and most importantly the love of my life, Lachie, who was the most incredible support partner.

#homebirthrocks #homebirthsaresafe

Lots of love, Karly x

 

(Image credit: @doula_lou)

Kids Health webinar SOCIALS (6)

Kids’ Health

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We all want the best for our children and a large factor of a child’s health rests in what goes into their bodies. Children have a great need for quality nutrition as their bodies are growing rapidly. Lack of proper intake of macronutrients, vitamins and minerals equals lack of physical growth and neuronal development.

Laying the groundwork early is important to not only solidify their health but make it easy for them to make healthy choices as they grow into adults. Creating a healthy relationship with food early on can prevent a lifetime of illness. Holistic health includes having the right amount of nutrients as well as teaching your children where their food comes from, how it is grown, how to prepare it and why it is good for their bodies.

Focus on food quality

Most foods can be switched for a healthy, nutrient-dense alternative. Many parents are obsessed with making sure their child eats a lot of food. However, focusing on hitting nutrient targets rather than large quantities of food is a better goal to have in mind. If you are struggling to get your child to eat sufficient amounts, it is definitely a good idea to swap in some nutrient-dense, calorie-dense foods so they are getting quality in what they are eating.

It is ok if your child does not want to eat at mealtimes

Creating intuitive eating patterns early on is important as once emotional bonds and habits are tied to food it is very difficult to unwind them. Whilst intuitive eating is a recent theory, research has discovered it is associated with better weight control and psychological health. It may be hard to loosen the grip when you just want the best for your child but research has found that parental control over feeding activities inhibits a child’s ability to self-regulate their eating. It also increases the temptation and desirability of restricted foods. Creating an intuitive eating pattern means better health outcomes and psychological wellbeing rather than associating food with emotions or situational triggers.

How do we create intuitive eating patterns?

  • Let your child decide when they are hungry
  • Teach them about new foods
  • Help them understand and experience foods that are good for them and how those foods make them feel
  • Question, don’t tell. Ask them if they are hungry or how they feel after eating certain foods to get them in touch with their own body and intuition.

Meeting their needs

Below are some important nutrients to focus on and signs of associated deficiencies.

  • Amino acids (the building blocks of protein) – poor immunity and wound healing, behavioural changes, anxiety and depression, fatigue.
  • Magnesium – hyperactivity, sleep disturbance, poor attention, anxiety.
  • Zinc – impaired taste, poor appetite, fussy eating habits, poor immune function, weight loss, skin disorders, depression and anxiety.
  • Vitamin D – poor immunity, auto-immune conditions.
  • Iron – failure to thrive, fatigue, shortness of breath, pale complexion. A child needs four times the amount of iron than does a 20-year-old male.
  • Essential fatty acids (e.g. omega 3) – asthma, poor sleep patterns, increase in earwax, poor cognitive function (memory, focus, fatigue), skin disorders.

Speak to a health professional to discuss your child’s needs through the different age brackets.

Tips for fussy eaters

  • Recruit your child’s help. Get them into the garden to help grow their food then teach them how to cook and create with it. This gives them a sense of accomplishment when they get to eat the food they grew.
  • Meet hunger when it is there and respect your child’s appetite or lack of. Let them drive their intuition.
  • Be patient when introducing new foods. It can take many tries to get their palette used to new foods.
  • Encourage your child to stay at the table for mealtimes. Even if they aren’t eating, it forms a connection and bond with your family.
  • Make food fun and creative. Some simple ways are getting cut-outs to cut fruit into stars or other shapes and utilising natural colourings like beetroot powder and turmeric to make things colourful and interesting.
  • Praise and reward with non-food items or activities. Using food as a reward can set up an unhealthy relationship with food.
  • Let them know the superpowers the food will give them.

Minimising toxin load

Another key health goal is to minimise the toxin load for your child and includes food sources. Focus on providing organic and wholefoods and avoid artificial colouring and additives as they can cause a range of symptoms including hyperactivity, asthma, rashes and gastric upset.

However, food is not the only contributor where toxins are concerned. Skin products can be full of chemicals which can be absorbed into the body by as much as 80 per cent. This increased load can lead to behavioural conditions such as autism and ADHD. Avoiding chemical-filled body products can also help minimise the presentation of many skin conditions and skin irritations.

Holistic care for kids

Can we give our children herbal medicine? The answer is a resounding YES! How do we get herbal medicine into kids? This is not always easy but many companies now produce children’s versions of our favourite supplements. These are in small dosages and taste good. Lucky kids! Another bonus is that as children are smaller, they require less of the supplement meaning the price is often lower.

We love seeing happy, healthy children in clinic and watching them thrive as they grow and develop. Just as the children themselves are all different, so are their needs. If you would like help with your child’s specific nutrition and development, please book an appointment and consult with one of our naturopaths.

Written by Ally Stuart BHSc
Naturopath

August 2020 (38)

Homebirth – Our Story

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The Birth of William Ian Raven – Part One

Sharing our birth story is a pretty big deal to me. It was hands down the most incredible yet challenging thing I have ever done.

Lachlan and I have openly shared our choices so many of you will already know we decided to birth at home. I hope that by sharing our homebirth story it will be part of a change and a ripple effect might occur which could help make homebirths more available and accepted.

This is our story; this is how we welcomed our Will.

I want to start at the very beginning. Up until I was 37 weeks pregnant, I was going to birth in the hospital in Wangaratta. Our choice of birth actually changed three weeks before William was born. We made this change for a number of reasons. The biggest impact on our decision was COVID-19. All of a sudden, the world changed. Hospital policies were changing, our doula was no longer allowed to attend the birth and there was even talk about partners not being allowed to attend the birth. Also, we were informed there was a possibility I might not even birth at the Wangaratta hospital, but rather may have had to travel to Benalla. There was SO much uncertainty and I felt anxious, scared and fearful about my upcoming birth. I felt that at any moment a new rule or policy could be made which would impact our birth and not be in alignment with my wishes of a calm, safe, intervention-free birth. I was scared that either my husband or I would be found to have a fever when arriving at hospital and we would be separated from each other and our baby. I was scared that I would have less time to birth. I was scared of all the unknown.

During this time, I was also meant to be on maternity leave. However, due to COVID-19, our business suffered greatly and major changes needed to be made to keep the business going. I was under the highest amount of stress I have ever experienced in my life. So, at 37 weeks pregnant, while saving our business and crying almost daily, we just could not take on any more stress, anxiety or fear. This is when we decided to engage a private midwife and created plans for a homebirth. Having had a very low risk pregnancy, and not having experienced any issues or health concerns during pregnancy, meant a homebirth was an option for us—an option we are so happy we chose!

It was unfortunate that, after making this choice, we faced some very frustrating and disappointing challenges within the medical profession, making the process difficult and emotional. There was a degree of fear placed upon us for making this choice, even though our choice was an educated one and one that has proved to be safe for women like myself. One of the biggest challenges we experienced was being refused a referral from a local GP. It was also very hard to access my own medical records from my pregnancy. In the end, I did gain this access and got a referral, however, it meant I needed to undertake a Telehealth consultation with a GP from Melbourne. Being 37 weeks pregnant, in a middle of a world health crisis and having had the business turned on its head, this was something I should not have had to experience and I really feel it is wrong and goes against my basic human rights.

Women are allowed to choose their place of birth. They are also allowed to access their medical records. Additionally, they can access the (minimal) funding available for the prenatal and postnatal appointments associated with having a private midwife. This is what our local GP felt they had the power to stop us from doing by not providing a referral. Even if we did not receive a referral, we would have birthed at home regardless, as we only needed a referral for the funding. But, ultimately, I also really wanted a collaborative approach with the local hospital and my medical team, all working together. Maybe one day this will be possible. In the end, it was great to have a positive outcome locally with an obstetrician who apologised for what we had experienced. I believe there is now a continued collaborative approach happening between the hospital and my midwife, Claire, for women who want to homebirth.

A big part of sharing our positive homebirth experience is to bring about change and remove the fear, challenges, disrespect and lack of confidence and support towards homebirth. We need a stronger process locally for women who want this. We need support and to be able to work together. It is when we do not have this that things become unsafe. I believe a hospital birth is wanted and needed in some situations and for women who are high risk or have health complications. I am for women having a choice. If you feel more safe birthing in a hospital, then that is where you should birth. But if that is not what you wish to do, then I hope our experience will help you see there are other safe options available.

I don’t just want to say we birthed at home due to COVID-19 because that wouldn’t be entirely true. COVID played a huge role due to the unknown factors placed upon us which made us both feel really uncomfortable and unsure about our own birth. We didn’t want a birth full of intervention, interruption, fear and with the feeling that we were birthing in the middle of a world-wide health crisis. We wanted to birth where we felt safe, where we felt love and calm, where we had control over the environment and could make informed choices. We also wanted our doula to be present.

After all, it is my body, my birth and my baby.

Deep down I had always been curious about having a homebirth but due to societal views, my own birthing fears and the negative birthing stories I had heard from others, I was a little scared about it. In our initial meeting with our Doula Louise, she asked me what my ideal birth was and I said a homebirth. At the time, this was only accessible by paying a huge amount of money to bring midwives from Melbourne to support us. There is currently no Medicare funding in Victoria to have a homebirth, unlike other states in Australia. Greg Hunt, it is time for this to change! My wish for change is because not being able to afford something should not be the reason a woman doesn’t get to homebirth.

Through a client of mine and also our doula, I had heard of this incredible midwife who worked in Benalla who was now a private midwife and was attending homebirths. After meeting Claire from Your Birth Midwifery and our second midwife Louise Thornton, I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do. My husband also felt confident, comfortable and excited after meeting Claire and at our new plans to birth at home where we felt safe.

The next part is where things get powerful.

My waters broke at 1 am on 30 April 2020, but little did we know there was quite a journey ahead of us to bring our beautiful little boy into the world.

Part Two coming soon!

Love Karly xo

 

(Main image credit: @doula_lou)

August 2020 (22)

Weight loss – More than just diet and exercise

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Are you carrying a bit (or maybe a lot) of extra weight that you just can’t shift? Were you able to lose weight easily in the past through dieting and exercise but that is no longer working for you?

I have struggled with weight issues since I was child so I know what it is like. It’s likely I have tried every ‘diet’ you can think of, lost the weight and then regained it numerous times over. My last crazy weight-loss regime (which was actually a very well-known 12-week transformation program that I did 3 times in a row) saw me lose a whopping 20 kg over 6 months and shrink down to the tiniest I have ever been – a size 8. But trust me when I say I wasn’t healthy. It was actually the straw that broke the camel’s back. I ended up with severe adrenal exhaustion and could not get off the couch for months. My immune system was a mess and I couldn’t get rid of the chronic cough I developed from a cold. My body was utterly depleted.

That was nearly eight years ago and, while my adrenals are much happier these days and my overall health is significantly improved, since that time I have regained all of that weight and a few extra kilos for good measure. There are days when I don’t feel ‘good enough’ or healthy enough to talk to patients about their weight, but then I remind myself that I am probably the best person to have that conversation because I really get it. And I will not judge you for it.

Weight issues are a heavy burden to bear (pun intended) and there is often a clear genetic link when you look at siblings, parents and grandparents. While there is no doubt that what you put in your mouth (i.e. food and drink) and the amount of exercise you do are significant factors when it comes to body size, there is more to the story.

Inflammation

One of the first things to consider is your body’s capacity to deal with inflammation and oxidative stress. We are designed to respond to injury quickly and inflammation is a normal part of our innate immune defence to repair tissue. The key here with acute inflammation is the rapid response and a resolution.

However, when the persistent irritant doesn’t go away (e.g. alcohol, fast food, smoking) or the repair doesn’t go as planned, we end up with chronic inflammation that does not go away; that is, there is no resolution.

Chronic inflammation is one of the leading contributors to disease including obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, PCOS, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune disease, endometriosis, osteoporosis, infertility, autism and heart disease.

Adipose (fat) tissue is an endocrine organ

Yes, you read that correctly. Your fat tissue produces hormones including leptin (involved in appetite control), cortisol, insulin and numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, TNF-alpha and angiotensinogen. Up to one third of IL-6 levels found in the blood are produced from adipose tissue and IL-6 is strongly associated with diabetes risk. CRP has been shown to drive ALL other risk factors associated with heart disease including high cholesterol.

Your adipose tissue is making you hungrier, storing more fat and creating significant inflammation. Hopefully this helps to explain why obesity is considered to be an inflammatory disease now.

 

Exercise and inflammation

Did you know that exercise causes muscle cells to produce IL-6 too? BUT the difference here is that IL-6 doesn’t activate pro-inflammatory pathways (as it does with adipose tissue). Better yet, exercise also stimulates the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines including IL-10. (Tip: There are other ways to increase IL-10 and down-regulate inflammation too.)

Exercise is potently anti-inflammatory and can significantly offset inflammation produced from adipose tissue.

Of course, there is always one exception to the rule! There is a known genetic variant that may predispose you to exercise-induced muscle injury, with this risk substantially increased if you are overweight or obese.

Are you keen to know your risk and what exercise is right for you? Good! Read on.

Your ability to metabolise carbohydrates, protein and fats

There is more to weight loss than simply calories in and calories out (or energy consumption vs energy expenditure). Some people are genetically more prone to carrying extra weight.

Your genes influence your metabolism in a number of ways including how effectively you metabolise and absorb fats, carbohydrates and protein. Your genes also control your appetite through hormonal regulation (e.g. leptin).

It’s time to shift our thinking away from calories in and out, to regulation of energy storage and energy utilisation. It is here that we can use our unique DNA to help us find optimal health.

Genetic testing can determine your unique dietary requirements based on your DNA, as well as determine the best type of exercise for YOU to help you burn body fat.

Genetic testing for weight management

Testing includes genes associated with:

  • inflammation
  • immunity
  • antioxidant and cellular defences
  • nutrients including vitamin D, A, B12, folate, choline
  • hormones and fertility
  • methylation and homocysteine metabolism
  • cardiovascular health, fat metabolism and cholesterol regulation
  • metabolism, diabetes and weight management
  • food allergies and intolerances.

One of the many benefits of genetic testing is that you can find out why you struggle with weight issues. It takes the blame out of the equation. And better yet, you can be provided with the information and support you need to make changes that will enable you to lose the weight, without any crazy fad diets.

I just sent off my own personal DNA test kit last week so watch this space.

Are you ready to take the next step? Book an appointment today. I am ready to help you take that first important step to better health.

Written by Denise Berry BHSc
Naturopath

Denise is an accredited FitGenes and BioCeuticals DNA Testing practitioner and will help you to determine the most appropriate DNA test for you.

August 2020 (2)

Mastitis – natural suggestions when breastfeeding

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Mastitis is the common infection many women suffer from during their breastfeeding journey. Symptoms of mastitis include breast tenderness, malaise, redness on the breast skin, breast pain, breast rash and a fever.

Mastitis is something I have helped many new mums with in clinic. Many people don’t know how a naturopath can help them with their mastitis, often resorting to the recurrent use of antibiotics.

While antibiotics will work in some cases and might be needed, there is a range of natural options to not only help with the prevention of mastitis but also its treatment. The huge benefit with natural alternatives is that there are no consequences on your gut health which, interestingly, could be contributing to you getting mastitis in the first place (hello gut-immune connection). As an integrative naturopath, I believe strongly in the balance between health care systems/choices so if you have been taking antibiotics or are taking them currently, I would suggest also seeking naturopathic care to help support your gut health and immunity at the same time.

Our little William is now 10 weeks old and I have been taking Qiara probiotic throughout my pregnancy and breastfeeding journey. I believe it has helped my gut and immunity immensely. I have not yet suffered from any blocked ducts or mastitis and believe taking this probiotic has been part of the reason for that. Like everything I promote in my clinical practice, prevention is better than cure. The good thing is that Qiara can also be used if you do get mastitis or breast pain – simply take Qiara at the first signs of mastitis or pain!

Clinical research conducted using the single probiotic strain found in the Qiara probitoic, shows that it may:

  • reduce discomfort associated with breast pain and mastitis
  • reduce the recurrence of mastitis.

Qiara achieves this by aggressively targeting and outcompeting the pathogenic bacteria in breast milk that may be causing the pain and infection. It also helps to restore and maintain a healthy balance of protective flora in the breast milk microbiome to help prevent recurrence.

We stock Qiara probiotic in our clinic and in our online shop. You can purchase it here!

Other things you can do if you get mastitis include:

  • keep feeding your baby as this will help to drain the breast
  • apply a cold compress. Chilled cabbage leaves are suggested.
  • take probiotics (Qiara Pregnancy and Breastfeeding)
  • rest your body
  • drink water and stay hydrated
  • take herbal medicines. Always seek individual and qualified support on this, however, one of my favourite go-to herbs is echinacea. We make custom blends with a combination of herbs in our clinic which are available via an acute mastitis appointment. Book here.

I hope you have found these suggestions beneficial. Remember, a healthy and balanced diet and lifestyle will also contribute to helping prevent infections through a healthy immune system.

Written by Karly Raven BHSc
Naturopath

July 2020 (33)

The Gluten Debate

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Gluten avoidance has been a contentious subject, becoming the butt of many jokes. However, for many, the issues caused by gluten and wheat products are laughing matter. Unfortunately, many people feel the pressure to succumb to eating wheat products out of fear of being perceived as annoying or just appearing to be fussy with their food choices.

So, the question on everyone’s lips is, should I be avoiding gluten if I do not have coeliacs disease?

The answer is not straightforward. For myself, I like to say I am gluten selective. I will definitely consume gluten, but I have a series of rigorous requirements before it gets my tick of approval.

Signs and symptoms

Many of us may connect symptoms of intolerance directly to gut distress but let’s not forget the intimate connection that exists between the gut and the mind, leading to many neurological symptom pictures.

  • Mood changes
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhoea
  • Constipation
  • Gas
  • Irritability
  • Brain fog
  • Fatigue
  • Bloating
  • Abdominal pain

After consuming gluten, being self-aware of any changes in your body, especially those listed above, can give you a good indication if you should currently be ingesting gluten. Try eating a good quality organic sourdough and see how you feel afterwards. This will give a true depiction if wheat is causing you distress.

Why you should avoid gluten

  • Gluten and wheat products can be detrimental in neuropsychiatric cases, such as depression and anxiety, as they can cause gut irritation and inflammation resulting in heightened symptoms.
  • Gluten has also been shown to increase tight gap junctions in the gut resulting in leaky gut which can lead to many different etiologies, including many autoimmune conditions. Therefore, reducing or removing gluten from your diet in autoimmune conditions is extremely important to improving outcomes.
  • It has been suggested that some symptoms of autism spectrum disorder may be caused by opioid peptides formed from the incomplete breakdown of gluten.
  • Hormonal imbalances can be heightened by gut issues as hormones are processed through the gut.
  • Another factor to consider is avoiding gluten that is not organic and is unfermented (see why below).

Where did we go wrong?

Much of the time it is not gluten that is the problem and, in many cases, some gluten-free products are in fact more detrimental than eating a wheat-filled product. Take a look at these ingredient lists below for two different store-bought pizza bases.

Non-gluten free pizza base: Organic sourdough starter, salt, organic flour.

Gluten-free pizza base: Maize Starch, Milk Solids Non-Fat, Rice Flour, Thickener Maize (1422), Mineral Salts (575, 500), Besan Flour, Vegetables Oil, Iodised Salt, Food Acid (297), Preservatives (282), Vegetable Gums (461, 412), Emulsifier (471), Filtered Water.

Why are we seeing a high prevalence of coeliac disease and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity?

Many wheat products are genetically modified, meaning our gut doesn’t break down this version of a gluten protein. Numerous people report that when they travel to Europe they have no issue with pasta and pizza and this is due to the fact that Europeans use heritage wheat which has not been genetically modified.

The majority of wheat products are now heavily sprayed with pesticides and also known to be heavily sprayed with glyphosate (i.e. Roundup). This can be the causing factor in reactions seen with wheat ingestion. A recent study proposed that glyphosate, not gluten, was the causal factor in many of the reactions seen with coeliacs and gluten intolerance.

Products that are not properly prepared can also cause reactions, as quick preparation can leave them filled with high amounts of hard to digest plant materials. A great option here is sourdough as these digestive irritants can easily be broken down through the fermentation process.

The high amounts of additives and preservatives now added to products can also cause similar reactions seen in gluten intolerance.

Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity is also seen in histamine intolerance.

How can we begin to heal?

It is important to heal the gut if you have been consistently ingesting wheat products, especially if they are the non-organic and non-fermented type.

Through a naturopathic approach, we begin by investigating the source of the problem then directing the treatment towards healing and sealing the gut and correcting any dysbiosis in the gut.

It is important to choose good quality products to prevent future issues and gut distress. In terms of consuming wheat products, the best practice is to choose organic, non-GMO, sourdough products. These are becoming increasingly easier to find and there is a plethora of sourdough recipes available on the internet. And these rules should not just apply to wheat! We should have the same standards for all the food we consume to prevent disease and heal our bodies.

We have created a number of excellent products and services to help you understand the importance of good gut health and to heal your gut. Want to assess your gut health? Take our quiz now!

Written by Ally Stewart BHSc
Naturopath

 

FREE GUT HEALTH MASTERCLASS!
Naturopath Karly Raven is hosting an online Gut Health Masterclass where you can discover all you need to know about your gut and what it takes to look after it.
Get an in depth understanding of what digestion and gut health really is, the powerful connection between your gut health and whole body health plus how to start healing your gut NOW.

Gut Health Masterclass
Wednesday 5 August 2020 @ 7.30 pm
Online via Zoom
Live attendance is FREE!

REGISTER NOW

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