All Things Hunter Valley!

July 27th, 2010

I have just spent the last 3 days guest presenting at the Golden Door Health Retreat in the beautiful Hunter Valley. I love to go there as it is a place where people transform and achieve huge goals. My role this week was to take the guests through a series of seminars and a cooking class. The focus was weight loss and how to achieve a healthy state of being. I just love this kind of work and my mission is always to inspire people to achieve an incredible level of health and wellbeing and I was in the perfect place for this!

I regularly guest present at this gorgeous retreat and every time I have this experience I love it. The surroundings are rolling hills covered in vineyards. As I look out my window in the morning I can see hot air balloons slowly rising. I was blessed with a Leo full moon and I spent a good hour at the top of meditation hill soaking up the moon rays. It felt exquisite and I was so full of energy that I spent the next 5 hours writing!

So if you can take a week away from your life and want to transform your current situation make a trip to the Golden Door. The crew they have are highly trained and they have hand picked the best from every occupation and therapy. There are links  below to my various activities from the last few days. If you want more information about what to expect simply email me through my website.

I am in the process of organising a 5 day Female Health retreat for January 2011 so let me know what you would be interested in learning. This is an amazing opportunity for me and I would love to see you there. Cooking classes, seminars and one on one consultations are just the beginning!

While I was there, I picked up a copy of Michael Hallock’s amazing CD called “Aaah Inspiring Meditation”. We talked about this 2 years ago and I am so proud of him reaching his goal. I love his cd - incredibly soothing and the perfect tool for anyone who is stressed and feeling frazzled.  You can buy a copy here.

I visited Michael recently on my trip to Bali. He is helping set up the most amazing retreat I have ever laid eyes on. It is in Ubud and I really cant express how incredible it is. it has just opened and you can read more about it here.

I am sure that I will be back to Five Elements and look forward to a regular visit to such a special place.

I am off to Thailand tomorrow to conduct some research that I will tell you about soon. In the meantime keep warm and infection free by reading  my tips. In case you are wondering about my photo, Tamburlaine winery is  an organic winery that I always visit when in the Hunter. To my delight, they have just released an organic Blanc de Blanc - now that makes me happy!

View from Meditation Hill

Check out the view from cooking class!

Executive chef Mark and I with my Detoxification Salad

Executive chef Mark in action

80% Pregnant Women Low in Vitamin D

July 23rd, 2010

pregnancytestWidespread vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women suggests that antenatal screening for deficiency should be extended to all women, not just those traditionally considered to be at high risk, Australian researchers say.

A study in a region of northern Victoria found that around 80% of low-risk pregnant women have insufficient vitamin D levels, 28% have mild deficiency during the winter months and 7% have moderate to severe deficiency.

The study of more than 330 women attending routine antenatal clinics in Shepparton also found that deficiency was also present in the summer months, with 50% of pregnant women having insufficient vitamin D levels (between 50 and 75mmol/L), 12% having mild vitamin D deficiency (25-50mmol/L) and 3% having moderate to severe deficiency.

The findings, published in the Australia and NZ Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology may explain why some children in the region still develop rickets even though there is abundant sunshine, say the study authors from the Rural Clinical School of the University of Melbourne. They note that vitamin D deficiency was almost universal in women in their study who were from high risk groups such as those from Arabic backgrounds.

“However, our study would support routine testing for all antenatal women, as even apparently low risk women are commonly vitamin D deficient,” they write. The only question remaining is over the optimum level of supplementation, they say, with some doubt about whether the daily supplements of 800IU of vitamin D a day may be insufficient to raise vitamin D levels.

Vitamin B6 Reduces Arthritis - research update

July 23rd, 2010

fit-womanHigh doses of vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, may reduce inflammatory markers associated with rheumatoid arthritis, researchers report in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system, which normally fights against disease and infection, attacks itself. Unlike osteoarthritis, which only affects the bones and cartilage, rheumatoid arthritis may also cause swelling in other areas of the body.

In the 12-week study, 35 adults with rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned to take either 100 milligrams of vitamin B6 plus 5 milligrams of folic acid or 5 milligrams of folic acid alone daily. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin B6 is 1.3 milligrams for adults who are 19-50 years old.

At the beginning and end of the study, the researchers measured the patients’ blood levels of pro-inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The researchers also measured immune responses by recording the number of immune cells present in the blood.

IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels significantly decreased in the vitamin B6 group after supplementation, while no significant changes were noted in the folic acid group. However, the number of immune cells was generally similar between the two groups.

Many other integrative therapies have been studied as potential treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis. For instance, borage seed oil may be beneficial in treating rheumatoid arthritis because it is high in gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which has known anti-inflammatory effects. Several human studies suggest that fish oil supplements may improve morning stiffness and joint tenderness.

Source: Vitamin B(6) supplementation improves pro-inflammatory responses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010 Jun 23.

Acupuncture - Why You Should Do It

July 20th, 2010

fit-woman1Acupuncture treatments appear to help to reduce insulin resistance, according to a report just released from the Kanazawa Medical University in Japan. Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years in China and has been increasingly used worldwide for insulin resistance-related diseases.

The report was based on the analysis of 234 publications on the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for problems related to insulin resistance. All together, these publications provide clinical evidence indicating that acupuncture is effective for reducing insulin resistance.

Researchers at Goteborg University in Sweden published a review article on acupuncture for PCOS. They concluded: “Clearly, acupuncture can affect PCOS via modulation of…the sympathetic nervous system, the endocrine and the neuroendocrine system.”

Have you overlooked acupuncture as a wholistic way to help you deal with polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance? I love acupuncture and always tell women going through IVF to have sessions before and after their embryo transfer. Acupuncture is also fantastic when women are overdue with their pregnancy and a very easy, non invasive way to get labour started. Maybe you should give it a try.

Consider adding an experienced acupuncturist to your personal healthcare team. At Darling Street Health Centre we have a very experienced clinician, Lina Thornton who I can’t say enough great things about!

Sources: Liang F et al, Acupuncture: is it effective for treatment of insulin resistance?, Diabetes Obes Metab. 2010 Jul;12(7):555-69

Stener-Vuictorin E et al, Acupuncture in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Current Experimental and Clinical Evidence, J Neuroendocrinol. 2008 Mar;20(3):290-8

Importance of Vitamins in Pregnancy

July 18th, 2010

pregnant-woman-doing-yogaVitamins could help nutrient-deficient mothers have healthier babies a study has found.

402 poorly nourished women from a socially deprived area in east London were given a multivitamin and mineral supplement (including iron and folic acid) or a placebo from their first trimester of pregnancy to see if it would have any effect on their health and the health of their babies.

Women who took the supplement were found to have better nutrient status at 36 weeks than those who took placebo. Women taking the supplement were less likely to have a baby who was small-forgestational age.

It makes sense that pregnant women should have a healthy diet and take a multivitamin supplement in order to ensure that they are taking in, and passing on, all the essential micronutrients. There is a school of thought that in developed countries, there is no need for pregnant women to take a supplement as diets in these countries are adequate, but one of the study authors says that the results “blows out of the water the idea that all women in the UK are adequately nourished”. The trial of 400 women in east London, found the number of “small-for-gestational age” babies was reduced among those who took a multivitamin supplement compared with those given a placebo.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0007114510000747

Pregnancy & Vitamin D - Latest Research

July 18th, 2010

pregnancy1Pregnant women should take 4,000 IU vitamin D daily recommend researchers after publishing their study.

494 pregnant women were given a daily dose of vitamin D (400, 2000 or 4000 IU) from 12-16 weeks’ gestation until delivery to evaluate the effects of vitamin D during pregnancy. Women who took the highest vitamin D dosage had the lowest rates of preterm labour and preterm birth, and the lowest rates of infection. No adverse events related to vitamin D were reported for mothers or babies with any of the doses tested.

Recent studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is a serious public health issue and this study found that not only was taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy safe for mother and baby, but also that it can prevent preterm labour/births and infections.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100501013417.htm

Miso and Nettle Soup

July 18th, 2010

pregant-womanI adore fresh nettle and have been lucky enough to get my hands on some organic varieties. Just remember to wear gloves as it can give you a mild rash or hives temporarily. Nettle is an incredibly powerful herb and I use it for pregnancy as it is so rich in nutrients. It’s also used for hay fever, dermatitis, arthritis and blood noses.

I made some lovely nettle and goats cheese frittatas as my snack at work last week and this week I have made a quick soup. I am sipping on nettle tea as we speak as I didn’t want to waste the stalks. It is a deep green colour and tastes lovely.

Ingredients
1 litre water
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 leek, cut in 1 cm rings
2 Tbs quinoa
2 Tbs miso, dissolved in a bit of water
4 Tbs nettle leaves finely chopped
Servings: 6

The nettle tops should be harvested early in spring when they are still very small (about 5 cm). Only use the small unfolded top leaves.

Put carrots, onion, leek and quinoa in water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 30 min until tapioca is clear and soup is slightly thickened. Stir from time to time to prevent the tapioca from burning. Add the miso and mix to dissolve. Add the chopped nettle leaves and only bring to boiling point. Don’t boil to preserve the vitamins. Serve the miso soup immediately

Mediterranean diet increases chances of pregnancy after infertility treatment

July 18th, 2010

three-pregnant-womenThe diets of 161 women undergoing IVF treatment were evaluated to see if their dietary habits affected their chances of becoming pregnant.

Two main dietary patterns were observed: a healthy diet characterised by high intakes of fruit, vegetables, fish, and wholegrains, and a Mediterranean diet characterised by high intake of vegetable oils, vegetables, fish and beans.

Women who most closely adhered to a Mediterranean diet had a 40% greater chance of pregnancy after infertility treatment than those who ate the least Mediterranean-like diet.

In vitro fertilisation is a costly and emotionally stressful experience – anything that increases the chances of a successful pregnancy would be of huge benefit for thousands of women and couples. This study from the Netherlands found that adhering to a Mediterranean diet could increase the chances of success by 40%. The authors stress that this was an observational study and cause-and-effect have not been proved. But given that it is a very healthy diet anyway, it is strongly recommended for women undergoing IVF and the studies that prove that it works are eagerly awaited.

http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(09)04338-6/abstract

Coconut Water - the Facts on the Fad

July 3rd, 2010

Farmer's Market - Organic VegetablesI am just back from an amazing trip to Bali where the beautiful weather and amazing food have totally rejuvenated me! The organic movement is strong there and I discovered many cafes and eco resorts that served incredible juices - my pick was aloe vera juice, tumeric and celery! I met a lot of great people and had my all time best ever yoga class at Desa Seni.

I have posted a video on my You Tube channel of the most gorgeous organic cafe so check it out here.

So, while in Bali I had coconut water every day and after speaking to the locals realised that it was not just a Western fad. Read further for the scoop!

The Facts
• Coconut water contains more potassium (at about 294 mg) than most sports drinks (117 mg) and most energy drinks.
• Coconut water has less sodium (25mg) where sports drinks have around 41mg and energy drinks have about 200 mg.
• Coconut water has 5mg of Natural Sugars where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25mg of Altered Sugars.
• Coconut water is very high in Chloride at 118mg, compared to sports drinks at about 39mg. Data is based on a 100ml drink

Coconut water is the liquid that is taken from unripe coconuts. If coconuts get ripe the liquid that is inside will harden and become a part of the white flesh of the coconut

Coconut Water Hydrates the Body
Coconut water is an isotonic solution which replaces the fluids and minerals that the body loses during physical activities. For this reason, many athletes and persons who work out regularly are encouraged to drink coconut water to replace all the minerals and fluid that they lose while working out. Even the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) attest to the benefits of drinking coconut water when it fought for a patent in 2000 to market coconut water as the next big sports drinks.

Coconut Water Relieves Urinary Problems
If you consume coconut water on a regular basis it can reduce urinary problems. People who suffer from strangury, polyutra and other urinary ailments drink coconut water to relieve their symptoms.

Coconut Water Kills Intestinal Worms
Drinking coconut water with one teaspoon of olive oil for three days will kill intestinal worms and clear the stomach of worms, which makes for better digestion.

Coconut Water is Used in Blood Transfusion
Coconut water is almost identical to blood plasma and this makes it easy to use for blood transfusion. In cases of emergency coconut water has been used as an intravenous hydration fluid instead of the standard IV fluid. During World War II many wounded soldiers were saved in the Pacific because of emergency transfusion using coconut water as plasma.

Coconut Water is an Antibacterial
Coconut water contains monolaurin, an antiviral, antibacterial and antiprozoal monoglyceride that is used to kill lipid-coated viruses such as HIV, Herpes, cytomegalovirus, flu and various pathogenic bacteria.

Coconut Water Controls Vomiting
Coconut water is great at reducing vomiting. People who have typhoid, malaria, fevers or other ailments that are known to induce vomiting drink coconut water to settle the stomach. As such, coconut water is also a good thing to drink during a hangover.

Green or unripe coconuts can be found in Asian and West Indian markets. All coconuts that they sell are closed up to keep coconut water from losing its nutrients. So, if you plan on buying a coconut, you can ask someone to chop the coconut open or you can open it yourself at home and drink it.

Low iodine puts baby brains at risk

June 17th, 2010

PregnancyHealth experts are urging pregnant women in Tasmania to take iodine supplements to lessen the chances of their children developing low IQ’s. The Director of Public Health, Dr Roscoe Taylor, says most Tasmanians are iodine deficient because of low levels in soil and water. He says the health consequences of iodine deficiency in pregnant and breastfeeding women is greater because of the risk to babies.

Dr Taylor says Iodine is essential to ensure normal development of the brain and nervous system. Low levels in pregnant mothers could result in their babies having lower IQ’s. He has written to all health practitioners around the state asking them to encourage expectant mothers to take an iodine supplement of 150 micrograms every day, equivalent to eating nine cans of tuna.

Iodine is a trace mineral. Iodine is vital for the thyroid hormones that regulate our metabolism, body temperature, reproduction, growth, blood cell production as well as nerve and muscle function. Low thyroid hormones can cause a person to become sluggish and gain weight, affecting their general health, their fertility and ability to carry a pregnancy.

It is important to ensure adequate iodine intake during preconception, pregnancy and breast feeding. During pregnancy, the foetus is entirely dependent upon maternal iodine, which plays a significant role in normal central nervous system formation and maturation. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy is the commonest worldwide cause of preventable intellectual impairment and can be associated with losses of up to 10 -15 IQ points.

Around 60% of pregnant Australian women in a recent survey had low iodine levels -mainly due to decreased consumption of iodised salt and changes within the dairy industry. The recently published Australian National Iodine Nutrition Study in the Medical Journal of Australia has called for “the urgent implementation of mandatory iodisation of all edible salt in Australia”. The study coordinator, Professor Creswell Eastman, said urgent action is required now as it will be years before the relevant laws are implemented. He recommends 250mcg of iodine daily for those planning conception, during pregnancy and when breast feeding.

A 2006 study involving 1,709 schoolchildren across the eastern seaboard of Australia demonstrated that 40% of children were iodine deficient. The researchers called for urgent implementation of mandatory iodisation of all edible salt in Australia. This shows that iodine deficiency is extremely common and can easily be addressed.

Many occupations are at a higher risk of iodine deficiency than others. This results as chemicals of a very similar structure called halogens successfully compete with iodine for absorption and disrupt iodine metabolism. These halogens include chlorine (swimming teachers), fluorine (dentists) and bromine (found in some medications).

Natural Sources of Iodine

Vegetables grown in iodine rich soils (mainly in coastal regions) and products from animals that eat these plants contain iodine. Iodine must be obtained regularly from the diet as it is not conserved for long term use. Supplementation should be supervised by a qualified naturopath.

Seafood – fish especially whiting, mackerel and cod, mussels

Vegetables – all but particularly beetroot, celery, fennel, spinach, lettuce, artichoke and mushrooms

Fruits – all but particularly grapes, pineapple and oranges

Seaweed

Celtic sea salt has the highest levels of iodine out of all salts

Measuring Iodine Levels

Iodine levels are measured in the urine – either via a single sample or a 24 hour collection. Ask Emma for further information about these tests.